Chapter 155
~ NYSSA
I had the weirdest dream that Rowan and I went to some unknown house and he cuddled with me in bed.
As I woke from the dream, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at how absolutely absurd it was. There was no way we cuddled together, especially not after the whirlwind of a day that we had before.
I peeled my eyes open, stretching wide as I stared up at the pale brown ceiling above and the old stickers that seemed to have peeled off after years of— I didn’t have stickers on my ceiling.
I looked around the room, and immediately I knew I wasn’t in the palace. The entire room smelled like Rowan and there was a dip in the bed where he must have spent the night.
My dream wasn’t a dream after all. He did bring me to his home.
“Fuck,” I cursed, running my hands through my hair as I dragged myself to my feet.
I ditched my pants yesterday, wearing nothing but my shirt and panties to bed.
I groaned aloud, burying my head into my hands at the thought of being cuddled up to him all night with nothing but thin clothing separating us.
We’d done worse, that was for sure, but with how complicated things were… I didn’t regret it, but it seemed unwise.
I found my trousers folded neatly on the table but on top of it was a pair of black shorts. Rowan must have put them there for me. A smile tugged at my lips as I pulled it on, heading out of the room.
I ignored the bag at the foot of the bed and the journal sticking out of it. That journal was more trouble than it was worth and after everything, I wished I never went looking for it in the first place.
“I don’t know if you’re trying to convince me or yourself,” a familiar voice cut through the air and I went still halfway down the stairs.
I recognized Aria immediately, but it was what I heard next that solidified my decision to hide and listen.
“She’s sleeping,” Rowan snapped, voice a whispered yell. “Don’t wake her up p>
Aria sighed dramatically but reduced her voice. “Why did you bring her here, Rowan? Of all places. You have so many homes p>
He said something but his voice was too low to hear.
I took a few more steps down, getting as close as I could while still remaining hidden.
“Did you find her real parents?” Aria asked.
“I think you should speak to her about that. It’s not my place. We’re back and that’s what matters p>
She let out a deep breath. “So what happens between the two of you p>
“What do you mean p>
She scoffed. “Come on, Rowan, you brought her to our mother’s home. That has to count for something. Are you two going to get mated p>
His mother’s home?
My mouth went dry at those words.
I knew it had to be important to him but… fuck. Sweat gathered on my palms, and my heart raced inside of my chest as I struggled to find the right words.
“I don’t know,” Rowan said, grabbing my attention once more. “I don’t know what she wants and honestly, it’s a bit unnerving, but I’m willing to do this however she wants to do it. She seems focused on herself and her family right now and I’m not going to ask her to stop it because of me p>
“Are you fucking kidding me? Don’t you want to be mated to her p>
“Of course I do,” he hissed. “But I’m not going to p>
I leaned forward, wanting to hear better, but I miscalculated a step and instead of hitting a firm step below me, my leg met air and I went tumbling down the stairs with a curse, grabbing onto the bannister as hard as I could to keep from hitting my head directly on the hard floor.
“Fuck!” I hissed as I landed on my ass at the foot of the steps.
I lifted my eyes and found two pairs of eyes staring down at me. Rowan was already by my side, trying to help me up while Aria stood to the side, barely trying to hide her smile.
“Hi, Nyssa,” Aria mused, her lips curving upwards. “It’s a surprise to see you here p>
My cheeks flushed bright. “Hi p>
“I just came to check up on you but seeing as you are both doing okay, I think I’ll just head back. Have fun, kids!” She winked at me before disappearing through the front door.
I stared at the door she disappeared through, refusing to look at Rowan. The last thing I wanted was for him to see just how fucking embarrassed I was at being caught.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled, pulling out of his grip.
He watched me carefully, his lips turning down into a frown. “Are you sure, that was a nasty fall? I can call up a doctor if you p>
“I’m fine,” I cut him off sharply. “I just… I’m okay p>
His frown grew even deeper. “If this is about what you heard p>
I groaned aloud, throwing my head back in defeat. “You knew I was listening p>
“I smelled you the moment you stepped out of the room. I can find you in any room, Nyssa, you know that p>
I did know that.
The things he said were not new, neither were they a surprise. He’d said them in so many words before, and he showed it to me every day with his actions, but hearing them sent a shockwave down my spine and a rushing feeling through my chest.
“Nyssa p>
“When are we going back to the palace?” I asked, cutting him off entirely. “It’s today, right p>
He began to nod but stopped himself at the last minute. “Actually, no, we’re going somewhere else p>
I frowned. “Really? Where p>
“I’m going to show you my world p>
I cocked my head to the side in confusion. “I know your world p>
His answering smile was mischievous. “No, Nyssa, you don’t p>