I have missed you
Ava’s POV
After a long day of training and my nightly sessions with Drakon, my body felt tired and weak. Even Gemma, who’s usually cold as ice, asked if I was feeling okay.
Training with Drakon has actually been fun. I can shift easily now without any problems. Gwen and I have grown even closer, while Jocelyn and her group of mean girls are still as unbearable as ever. Gwen and I made a list of places to visit once we left the palace for the Arcane competition.
One of those places is Nohte Market. I was quite fascinated by her vivid description of the place. According to Gwen, it’s a night market, where moonshine lights up the streets, moonshines are lanterns powered with magical stones called lub.
Nohte market only opens during the Arcane competition. Gwen says, the market is fun, clowns that can float with magic, wonderful artistic dance plus Gwen says the street food there is amazing, and I’m looking forward to it. As long as the food tastes good, I’m happy.
I was going over the list of places Gwen, Drakon, and I will visit when I heard Raphael’s voice.
At first, I thought I was imagining it, like all the other times I missed him. It’s been hard sleeping alone in that huge room. I had gotten used to sleeping next to Raphael, though I knew it wasn’t a good habit. My heart has grown used to Raphael’s kindness.
I walked toward the courtyard, where the stable was, following the sound of his voice. His voice was deep and soothing, like the waves of the ocean. When I got to the courtyard, I saw him standing there.
Tall and strong, like a mighty tree that couldn’t be broken. His beautiful white hair danced in the wind, resting on his broad shoulders. His shoulders were wide, strong, and seemed to tower over me.
Compared to him, I felt like a small flower that could be crushed so easily. Yet, someone so powerful had promised to protect me, and he has always looked at me with kindness.
I was distracted again by the smile on Raphael’s lips. His lips… I knew what they could do. They were soft, pink, and inviting. Finally, I found my voice and called out his name, though it was shaky and uncertain like the doubt in my mind.
“Raphael?” I called, still doubting if he was real. He turned and those gorgeous gray eyes met mine. His eyes always made me feel like he truly saw me. His eyes said so much more than his words ever did. His words comforted me, but his eyes… his eyes knew me.
When I think of Landon, all I feel is fear and pain. He had wanted to control me, and break me if I didn't bend to his will. Still, break me when I did do his will, that was Landon.
Raphael walked toward me and pulled me into a tight hug. He whispered in that deep, smooth voice that always melted my heart, “I have missed you.”
I missed him too, more than I could say. I had promised myself not to get too close to Raphael, but he made me feel things I didn’t think I could feel. Raphael brought warmth into my cold, lonely world. He was like both summer and spring, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him.
Oh, goddess! Am I falling for him?
“Why do you look so thin?” Raphael asked, pulling back to look me over, worry clear in his eyes.
“Where have you been?” I asked, my voice shaking. I didn’t want to cry, but I could feel the tears welling up. I wasn’t supposed to cry anymore. I’ve cried enough in my life, but with Raphael, my emotions were always everywhere.
“I’m sorry. I should have sent a letter,” he said, rubbing his temple. He looked so guilty, and I couldn’t understand why this strong man was apologizing to me. He made me feel fragile, like if I shared my worries, he’d understand and make everything better.
“Don’t you think cell phones should exist here?” I blurted out suddenly.
“I’d love that, but things from your world can’t come here,” he replied. I wanted to ask why, and a lot of other questions too, but Raphael was called away by his ministers. They surrounded him, and I felt invisible.
One thing I’ve learned in this world is that the nobles are as stuck-up as the werewolves in my old world. If you don’t come from a powerful family, you’re treated like nothing.
Raphael’s world isn’t so different from mine, maybe even worse. In my world, anyone can go to school, rich or poor. Here, poor people can’t go to school at all. Girls, especially, are expected to stay at home and learn how to run a household instead of getting an education.
If a girl insists on going to school, she’ll be judged and made fun of. That’s why I admire the female warriors in the Lycanthropes. They broke the rules to train under Gemma. Even though I don’t like Jocelyn, I can’t help but respect her and many other girls for that.
I watched as they led Raphael away. I worried that they would overwork him, but there was nothing I could do. I knew my place. I wouldn’t cross that line. My goal is to destroy the Moonstone Pack and deal with my sisters. As for Landon, I still don’t know what I’ll do about him.
I walked toward the bedroom I shared with Raphael. When I entered, I welcomed the peace and quiet of the room. I needed a bath and rest to prepare for the Arcane competition tomorrow. I had to win so I could get that wish and the magical bead that came with it.
I was undressing when I felt a burning sensation from the tattoo on my shoulder. It started glowing. It only glowed when Drakon wanted to see me or meet up. A few seconds later, the burning stopped, and there he was, sitting on the couch.
“You sure know how to make an entrance,” I said with a sigh.
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