Chapter 22

Arandir POV
Arandir stood there quietly, his lavender hues wide as he observed the two females. Wynne seemed disturbed as she stared at the other woman. Her mossy green eyes were wide as well, and beginning to take on that faint glow they'd started to develop. If this woman, with her peculiar and alluring scent, was really mated to them, her mere presence was raising Wynne's awakening magic to the surface.
The other woman gave a sweet smile. Based on appearance, she wasn't just one of Bronwyn's servants, and she carried herself with the grace that it seemed only royalty could maintain. And she had decided to bring their breakfast to them herself. It was a generous and kind gesture. Perhaps she had caught on to what Arandir himself had thought. Perhaps The Goddess had been kind enough to bless them with a mé·nage à trois.
She began to speak slowly, her voice soft, and emanating in sultry tones. Her darkened cheeks lit up with the slightest touch of pink. It made her almost caramel skin shine adorably. "I'm sorry for interrupting at this hour, I forget that not everyone is a morning person like I. My name is Nerys Wyspe. I'm a guest of Queen Bronwyn's for the time being. "
Wynne had finally regained some composure, and the glow to her eyes had slowly begun to dwindle and dim. She smiled softly as Nerys spoke, her eyes watching the other woman with curiosity, before the flicked to the tray of food. "You brought this for us? You didn't have to do that. " She stated, fidgeting nervously as it seemed she did often.
"I did, I wanted to meet the both of you. Is it alright if we go into the room? " Nerys' face was bright, welcoming. Arandir had wanted more rest and was initially irked by the intrusion. But it appeared that this would be a pleasant one. Alas, that decision was up to Wynne.
Wynne POV
Wynne had heard Arandir open the door, and the missing warmth of his body had woken her from comfortable slumber. Wynne found herself thankful they had fallen into sleep fully clothed. But without the added warmth from Arandir's body, she was also freezing. Wynne had wrapped herself into the covers, waddling to the door to investigate.
She was met by Arandir staring agape at a beautiful woman in the doorway, accompanying a tray of delicious smelling foods. There was also the heady aroma of fresh coffee, as well as fresh teas. In the center of the tray rested a delicately picked bouquet of flowers. Whoever this was that had brought up food, they had been extremely thoughtful to think of flowers for them. Though, Wynne was naturally suspicious of the strange woman regardless.
When Nerys had begun to introduce herself, Wynne found her warming to the woman. Wynne gave Nerys a soft, if hesitant, smile, before she beckoned her into their room. "Please, come in. No need for us all to mill around in the Hall, especially after you made the trip to bring us all of this. " Her voice was quiet, edged with the haze that only exhaustion could give. It was true enough that sleeping beside Arandir had given her one of the most peaceful sleeps she'd had, but a cloud of tiredness still lurked over her.
Perhaps when they'd all sat and ate, she'd feel much better. Having asked for them all to return to the room, Wynne turned, and entered herself. She found a spot on one of the cush sofas, tucking the sheet she'd wrapped herself in over her lap. She hadn't noticed it before, but her hands were beginning to ache again. That old ache that she'd lived with for the last 17 years of her life. Soon, she'd have to see if there were any remedies to her ailment here in Loslosach, considering she couldn't continue her physical therapy the same way here.
Nerys POV
Nerys was relieved when the pair seemed to accept her, and the woman even went as far as to invite her into their room. Though, her conscious was guilty, as she hadn't explained to them the reason she'd come in the first place. She hadn't even given them her full title. But she thought it for the best, because she didn't want the two to think that she had come to them with entitlement. She'd inform them of her status and current predicament soon enough. First, she wanted to form some sort of bond with her two mates.
Nerys waited for Arandir to follow Wynne into the room before she pushed the cart of food in after them. Arandir had taken up a spot in an overstuffed arm chair next to the sofa, and Wynne had sat on the sofa with her feet tucked under her, the sheet she'd wrapped herself in securely enfolded around her legs. Silently, Nerys began arranging the dishes of food and pitchers of drinks upon the coffee table, where there would be easy access to everything. When she was done, the floral arrangement was at the center, and everything was spread around it. She pushed the now empty cart back into the hallway, and slid the door closed.
"I'm sorry that I woke you both. But I needed to come see you for myself. And if I waited for Bronwyn to introduce us, we'd be waiting months, months that I don't think any of us have. " Nerys blurted out, having sat on the sofa across from Wynne, putting Arandir between the two women. She helped herself to a mug of tea, heaping sugar into the drink and mixing it idly as she talked.
"Let me start over with my introduction. I gave you my name, yes, but I didn't truly tell you who I am. I am Princess Nerys Wyspe of Fernwyspe Castle in Summergate. My parents sent me here to Winterhaven because Bronwyn is my god mother, and Summergate is under attack from the goblins and ogres that take residence in the neighboring Wyvernbank. My family thought it safest for me here, instead of helping to lead my people. " Nerys paused to give the two some time to digest the information she'd just given them.
She sipped at her tea, watching the two carefully as the made their own drinks. Arandir took a steaming cup of coffee, lightening it with enough cream to appear as if there was barely any coffee in the drink at all, and barely any sugar. Wynne took a cup of the hot water, picked a few petals off the lavender and submerged them into her cup. She then doused the entire thing in sugar, and a light helping of cream. She didn't take a sip immediately though, she instead left it to cool, and allow the lavender petals to steep. It was Arandir who spoke first.
"I've heard of your family. And of Bronwyn being appointed god mother to the princess. I've not heard of the war Summergate faces, though. And none of this explains why you'd be visiting us during our stay here in Winterbridge. " He was calm as he spoke, his lavender optics gazing intently at the princess. Nerys nodded, tapping her foot lightly as she took another sip of tea.
"My parents didn't wish to ask for help from any of the other kingdoms, they remember what happened 35 years ago, and didn't want the same fate to befall us, because we allowed outsiders to counsel us on our own issues. I don't believe my parents are doing the right thing, but it's why there aren't many that are aware of the danger Summergate is in currently. I'm here, with the two of you, because when you arrived last night had an inkling suspicion that I'm mated to you both. I'm sorry if this is a shock to you two, and I don't wish to cause any issues."
Wynne finally raised her cup, sipping at it slowly. It seemed difficult for her to hold it, her hands shaking lightly. But she hid it well. Her eyes were more on the food than either of the other two in the room. She needed time to think on everything that Nerys had told them. Which meant she'd focus on anything but the two people in the room with her. After a short amount of time passed, she finally looked up, directly at Nerys.
"I believe you. And I want to help with whatever's going on at your home. But we have our own predicament to resolve first."