I moaned at the sunlight bathing my skin, and rubbed my eyes. There was no pain, as I touched my face and no cuts, as I ran my fingers down my arms. Yawning, I stretched and attempted to get out of bed but, instead, fell back down on the soft pillow. As I buried myself in the silk sheets, I realised I wasn't in my bed. I jolted up and looked down at my body; I was dressed in a vintage, Miss Elaine lace nightgown, adorned with pansies. The smooth nylon caressed my skin and sent shivers down my spine. The sun shone against my exposed back as I walked to the door and gingerly pulled it open.
So we weren't raped. Where are we?
We're about to find out.
As I creeped down the hallway, a beautiful smell filled my nostrils. I followed it down the long set of stairs, and into a huge, busy kitchen. I caught sight of the cooling bakings, and sped over to them. I snatched a warm scone and shoved it in my mouth, chewing only thrice before swallowing. A middle aged woman, with mousy hair and a creamy complexion laughed and handed me a large plate. I giggled and took it, filling it with anything and everything that looked good. She squeezed me a glass of orange juice and place a mug of milky hot chocolate on a tray which held all my food. I smiled graciously at her and picked up my stuff, strolling out to the colossal terrace and plopped down on a well-padded seat. As I munched on a heated croissant, I looked up at the unusually bright sky. Then, questions began to pound in my head.
Why was it warm and sunny in October?
Why wasn't I in unbearable pain?
Where was Seth, Eva, Khol...?
And where the hell was I?
"Hey," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I blinked, as I looked back down and the colours went crazy; bright, dim, blue, green. They finally settled and I smiled at Khol. He sat down next to me and hugged me tightly.
"Hi," I murmured, hugging him back. I broke away first, and sipped my orange juice. "I feel so...weird."
"I would too after a fight like that," he laughed, ruffling my tuggy hair. I grimaced, and pulled away.
"Don't, I already look like crap," I grumbled.
"You couldn't if you tried," he grinned. I stuck out my tongue and resumed my breakfast.
"Where are we?" I asked, biting into a buttered piece of toast.
"The Rogan Palace," he winked, waving his hands dramatically when he said the second word. I rolled my eyes.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Three days, it's the second of November. The blood moon is just fading, which is causing this weather," he cleared up.
"Where's Seth? Is Lydia dead? Where's Eva? Oh-mee-god, what about Eric? Is he going after her?" I hammered him with questions.
"Skyler, slow d-"
"Mom didn't abandon me, right? I miss Paws! How do I look right now? Crap, did I lock the door at home!?"
"Skyler, shut the fuck up!" he shouted.
"Ok," I giggled, and he glared at me. Unable to stay mad, his angry expression dropped and was replaced with an amused smile.
"Seth's waiting for you downstairs, so is Eva, Amelia, David and Paws. Lydia's dead, Eric's pissed and is plotting revenge. You look good, your hair is fine, obviously you smell great and you never forget to lock the door," he listed. I exhaled, relieved.
"Then let's not keep them waiting," I smirked.
****
"Sky!" shrieked Eva, swinging her arms around me and kissing me un-bruised face.
"Evaline!" I bleated, kissing her back. "You have to fill me in after!"
After exchanging words, hugs and kisses with what felt like everyone in the Palace, Seth stepped forward in his tight white cotton T-shirt, dark jeans and scout chukka boots. I gazed at his hard, lean frame as he got closer, and closer to me. I parted my lips slightly and leant towards him, yielding to the strength of his kiss which engulfed me. We grew hungrier for each other and deepened the kiss, an explosion of total peace and serenity overwhelming me, until I found myself wrapped in his arms.
"Get a room!" Eva laughed, and everyone joined in. I giggled against Seth's lips and he grinned, sneaking little kisses. There was a sudden look in his eyes and it, both, scared and intrigued me. He took hold of my hand and led me outside. I was about to ask where he was taking me, when the view silenced me. We wandered into a multi-coloured forest and perched over a tree stump. I surveyed the beautiful scenery; crispy, red and purple leaves floating down from tall trees and landing right on my head. The forest was filled with light filtering through every little gap, and squirrels leaping from branch to branch, collecting as many acorns as they could before the winter snow fell. Seth turned my head gentle, and kissed me softly, slowly. Passionately. I looked up at his twinkling green eyes and I thought he was about to kiss me again but, instead, he tossed me onto the grass and tickled me. I guffawed and tortured him back. His laughter was music to my ears, and I fixed another kiss on his sweet lips.
"Why did you take me here?" I asked, rolling off him.
"I don't know. It felt right," Seth replied, twisting a lock of my long, brown hair around his finger.
"It was," I smiled, and closed my eyes. I felt Iris and his wolf play. They were roaming in Seth and I's mind, manifesting whatever they wanted. I sighed peacefully, and let my lover shower me with smooches.
"I...love...you," he murmured against my neck, then my chest. "I love you."
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