Chapter 118

Lily nuzzled into his chest and his arms tightened around her. He kissed her forehead, slowing behind Galina and Irina. He looked down at Lily who was stroking his arm over his sleeve.
“Lily, can I ask you something?”
She looked up at him, her eyes moving over his face. Her hand stopped moving and was lowered back to her lap.
“Sure,” she said, smiling to lessen the fear in her voice.
“When you came to us, you were worried about everything. You were afraid to even eat the same meal we all ate.” He slowed even more. “Is something going on at home that made you feel that way?”
She looked away, before looking back at him. “Lukas, I-”
Her body started shaking and she almost dropped from his arms. He let out a cry and his sisters immediately turned back towards them. Sasha landed right behind him on Galina’s back. She rushed over to Lily and put her hands on her shaking body. Energy poured from Sasha to Lily, making her convulsions slow to a stop. Lukas sat beside Lily and pulled her into his arms. He clung to her as he rocked back and forth.
“What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know. What was going on before she seized?”
“We were just talking. I had asked if there was something going on at home. She was about to answer when that happened.”
“Lukas?,” she whispered from his lap.
“Shhh, shhh, sweetheart. It’s okay. I have you. Just rest.”
“Lukas, please. I-”
Galina landed and she shut her mouth tight. He studied her face.
“Lily, what’s going on?”
“Lily, is that you, baby?,” Luis shouted as he ran down the stairs.
Lily shivered and pasted a huge smile on her face. “Daddy!”
She wiggled out of his arms and slid down Gailna’s wings. Lukas leapt from his sister’s back to follow his mate over to her parents. He watched their faces closely. Luis was holding her tight and Lily was holding him loosely. He put his hand on her shoulder and moved her backwards.
“Luis, Martha, do you have time to talk before I go? There are some things we need to speak about.”
Sasha moved to his side, watching everyone. Luis nodded and gestured to the castle.
“After you, Your Highness.”
Lukas took a step, but Lily not moving with him made him stop. He turned back to her.
“Lily? Come on.”
She looked to her father almost nervously.
“Well, go on, Lily. I’m sure you're hungry. The chefs will bring you all lunch,” Luis told her.
She immediately began to lead everyone inside. She stopped just inside the dining hall doors unsure of where to go. Her mother stepped up beside her to wrap her arm around Lily’s waist.
“This way, dearest. Your father and the king need to speak.”
Lukas bared his teeth as she was led away. Sasha squeezed his shoulder as she walked by to follow Lily to the table. Kalani smiled up at him.
“So, I hear there’s food.”
Luis pointed to a table. “That one is ours. Anything on it, you can eat.”
Kalani hurried to the table and started making a plate while Lukas gazed at Lily for a moment. Luis cleared his throat.
“Your highness?”
Lukas stuck his hands in his pocket and followed him to sit beside Kalani.
“So, Sire, what is it you wanted to speak about?”
Lukas leaned back in his chair, studying his mate's interactions with her mother. “I will be taking over any and all care that Lily needs. I expect to be sent all of her medical records. I want her completely worked up by a doctor within the week. I want a treatment plan on my desk by Monday of next week. If not, I will be sending my own physicians to tend to her. You have one chance to get this right. I will not tolerate you failing me in this.” He sat forward, tenting his fingers. “Jo will be here often to check on her. The minute we sense anything off, we will be here to take her. If anything happens to her, I will exterminate your entire clan. Your mate, your other children, your beta.. Everybody.”
“Sire, I assure you that-”
“And as for school, Aiden is there now to make sure things change there, too. I will also be taking over her needs there. I will put money in her account for her meals and I will buy all of her school stuff. Clothes, supplies, everything.”
“Sire, I-”
Lukas turned to glare at him. “She is my responsibility now. She is my mate and your queen. I can not even begin to tell you what I wouldn’t do for her. You can speak now.”
“Sire, I promise to you that she will be taken care of. We have always taken very good care of her. We love our Lilianna. Everybody loves her.”
Lukas narrowed his eyes on the man. “She better be.”
“May I speak freely, Your Highness?”
Lukas crossed his arms over his chest. “If you must.”
Luis turned to look at LIly. “She is only 11. She needs to grow up without being pressured. She told me that she felt overwhelmed with everything that has been going on lately. She really just wants to be here where she feels safe and protected.”
Lukas rolled his eyes. “She was safe with us. She is safest with us.” He gestured around the room. “The only reason she is coming back is because she said she wanted to, but be very aware, Luis, that you will be under scrutiny. I will be watching and you will never know when I am around. She better be treated like the queen she is.”
“Daddy, I’m tired. May I go to bed?”
Luis nodded. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Sleep well.”
She hesitantly walked up to the table and leaned over it. Luis met her halfway for her to kiss his cheek. She turned to Lukas, curtseying low.
“Goodnight, King Lukas.”
He moved forward as she stood up. “Lily, look at me.”
She dropped her eyes to the floor. Luis stood up.
“Lilianna, the king told you to do-”
Lukas jumped to his feet and ripped him backwards away from her. Luis slammed into a wall and Lukas tilted her face up.
“Lily, what’s wrong?”
Her fingers came up to circle his wrist. “I am just tired.”
“Lily-”
She took a step back. “I really am just tired.”
She started to flee from the hall when Sasha stepped into her path, smiling. She pulled her under her arm.
“I will walk you to your room.”
Lily tried to step away. “I-”
“Lily can take herself to her room,” Luis choked out.
Before Sasha could respond, Martha smiled at Lukas. “I do apologize for my husband’s attitude. Lily sleeps in our wing. He doesn’t even allow maids in our area without using scent masking potions.” She curtsied. “Please, forgive him. Lily, you may take Queen Sasha to your room.”
“Yes, Mama,” she squeaked, before leading Sasha out.
Lukas watched them go, before spinning angrily on Luis. “What in the fuck was that?,” he roared.
“It’s the family wing, Sire. I am protective.”
Kalani’s hand landed on his arm and she pushed peace into him.
“I swear to the Goddess, if anything happens to my mate, you will die the most painful death you could ever imagine.”
“Sire, she is 11. I have protected her this long and will continue to do so until she is grown.”
“We will be watching you.”
“I understand.”
Lukas growled. “I will stay away, but my people will not. You will never know who they are, so I would tread very lightly.”
“Understood, Sire.”
Sasha came back in. Lukas eyed her questioningly. Kalani smiled around at everyone.
“Thank you so much for hosting us. We will be in touch.”
She tugged Lukas out of the room. Sasha followed behind them, slowly. They got outside and he turned back to the castle, scanning all of the windows. Sasha pointed to one and he looked up higher. Lily stood in it, watching them. She put her palm flat on it, before disappearing. Lukas growled lightly.
“What did she say?”
“She said she loved it here, but her room looks unlived in. It’s too clean for a girl of 11. Are you stationing people here?”
“Without a doubt and Jo will be here a lot. As will I.”