KING ELIJAH

We’ve been driving for more than four hours and not one building in sight, everything we passed was just trees. I sighed for what seems to be the tenth time today.

“You know, if you’re bored you could just try and get some sleep and we’ll be there in no time” Elijah suggested when he noticed my state.

I looked at him and pout then sighed again “I slept for the past three hours Elijah. When are we ever getting there?” I asked and he chuckled.

“We’re almost there” He answered and then points to a distance in the forest. I squirt my eyes to see what he was pointing at and then I saw it. Above the trees I could see smoke, probably from the chimney of their homes.

My eyes brighten with excitement, knowing I would soon be out of this car. Within a few minutes, we pulled up at the coven. Men and women came out of their homes to see the invaders. Children were clutching onto their mothers skirt, peeking from behind their legs.

The houses here were built differently, it wasn’t like the buildings you see in the city.

Elijah drives in farther before we stopped at the larger building in the coven. I opened the door and came out and looked at the building, a woman, probably in her late forties was standing at the porch with two men beside her. Elijah came to my side and place his hand on my back, we walked together towards them.

“High priestess,” Elijah greeted her and she bows her head in respect.

“King Elijah,” She said and smiled at him. “It’s been a long time you visited our coven.” The priestess added.

Elijah said nothing but only glanced at the men behind her and back at her. She smiled in understanding and then looked at me.

“You brought a guest?” She asked Elijah with a brow raised. She walked closer to me and smiled softly at me then took my hand and placed it in her warm hand.

“Yes, this is Cele-”

“She can speak for herself, can’t she Elijah?” She asked, cutting Elijah off. He clenched his jaw and nodded, then looked at me.

“My name is Celeste” I told her and she smiled then place her right hand on my cheek. “You have a long way to go child. But you will survive” She said.

I looked at her confused, then to Elijah and all he did was shrug.

“Come in, you both must be freezing” The priestess said, waving us into the house.

The house was beautiful, it reminds me of the pack house in crest fall. The living room, filled with children running around and mothers yelling at them to be careful. They all stopped, some giggling as we passed them and we went into what seem to be the meeting room. We took our seats and Elijah wasted no time in telling them what we’re here for.

“We need your help, Hilda” Elijah said placing his hand on the table and the priestess nodded.

“The rogue Kings son has been attacking packs and is getting more warriors. This could affect you too when a war breaks out” Elijah told the priestess and she sighed, leaning back on her chair.

“It is already affecting us Elijah,” She said rubbing her eyes tiredly. I and Elijah looked at each other, worry plastered on our faces.

“He has also been attacking covens.” She added, folding her arms. “As you can see, my coven is quite full. These are the survivors from other covens who came to us for help.”

“How the hell is he doing this?” Elijah mumbled lowly but low enough that we could hear him.

“He has a witch by his side, a very powerful witch” Hilda muttered, looking at a flowerpot by the wall side.

“You say that like you know who the witch is” I said to her and she looked up at me with a sad smile playing on her lips.

“Yes,” She said. “She’s my daughter” She added sadly.

****

After I and Elijah had our dinner with Hilda and some other coven members, she leads us to the room we would be staying in.

“You have to bear with me Elijah, but you and Celeste would have to share a room” Hilda said as she unlocked one of the doors on the three floor. She pushed the door open and the three of us walked in.

“This is the only room available as the other rooms has been occupied by others” She mumbled handing me the Key. “I’m sure you both can manage” She added, bowing her head and we both did too in respect.

I watch her walk out of the door and before the door closed, she gave me a wink and my eyes widen.

Did she do this on purpose?

I shake my head and walk deeper into the room, checking it out. The room was nice though, it had a bed sitting in the middle, enough for two people to share. A closet pushed to the wall, a small couch opposite the bed and another door which I assume leads to the bathroom.

There was a knock on the door and Elijah went to answer It. A young woman hand out our bags to Elijah and he thanked her after collecting them.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“You can go freshen up, I have to see someone and would be back in a few hours” Elijah said, dropping the bag next to the Closet.

“Who’s that?” I asked, tilting my head a little to the left.

“And old friend” Elijah answered shortly.

I sighed and nodded then watched as he left the room. I checked the bags and found some of my clothes. I picked my pajamas and got in the bathroom to freshen up and after I was done I lay on the bed and in a few minutes, I drift off to sleep.

*****

I opened my eyes to the sound of the door opening. “Elijah?” I called out then run my hand on the wall beside me and turned on the Light.

Elijah used his hand to block his eyes from the glaring light. “Hey,” He said, taking his suit jacket off.

“Hi,” I said, yawning and rubbing my eyes, still trying to process what’s going on.

“You can go back to sleep Celeste, I’m just going to take a quick shower” And with that he took his bag and went into the bathroom.

I stayed awake, Laying on the bed with the cover up to my waist and my eyes at the gray ceiling counting every cracks there. As I heard the shower turn off, my heart was beating rapidly in my chest.

Knowing I would be sharing a room with Elijah made me feel all fluttering inside. The bathroom door opened, revealing a half dressed Elijah. His sweatpants was hanging low on his hips, his toned skin, shinning under the glaring of the yellow bulb. He turned his back to me and I was amazed by the beautiful tattoo on his back. It was a wolf howling to the moon.

I gulped and pressed my thighs together, my face heating up as he caught me checking him out. He sent me a knowing smile and walked to where the couch was. He laid down on it and then I knew he was going to be sleeping on the couch.

Honestly, I was hurt. Maybe.. Maybe I wanted us to share a bed, to share each other’s heat as well lay down. I sighed in defeat and turned off the light and closed my eyes.

I would have been asleep if not for the sound of the couch groaning and Elijah turning on the leather seat.

“We can share the bed if you want. I know the couch is uncomfortable for you.” I said and honestly I did. I’m sure he has never for once slept on a couch for he us the King! He has one of the best beds in the palace and the finest of all in his room.

After a minute of no response, I sighed and turned on my right trying to force myself to sleep until I felt the bed dip at the other end. How I had not heard him get up from the couch is beyond me but I was also happy that he came and also nervous.

I held my breath not knowing if I should move closer or just stay as I am but my question was answered when Elijah’s hand snaked around my waist and drew me closer to him. I released the breath I was holding and smiled in content when he placed nose on my neck and held me tighter.