Chapter 11

" I didn’t know what you liked, so I had the cook prepare a bit of everything," Kaden said with a shrug, his casual tone belying the thoughtful gesture.

I stared at the spread, realizing just how much I appreciated the effort he’d put into making sure I had options. It was a small gesture, perhaps, but it meant something.

At the table, I noticed four men standing, waiting with an air of discipline and attentiveness. Kaden’s presence beside me felt reassuring, but the sight of these men only deepened the reality of my situation.

" Meara, I would like to introduce you to your guards," Kaden began, his voice filled with a mix of pride and seriousness. " They are very close friends of mine, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with the safety of my mate."

His words caught me off guard. " Guards? Why would I need guards?"

Kaden’s gaze met mine, and I saw the flicker of concern behind his caramel eyes. " For your safety. If people find out you are my mate and the future queen, they might attempt to harm you."

The reality of it hit me hard, like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t just some girl anymore; I was Kaden’s mate, and with that came dangers I hadn’t even considered.

" This," Kaden gestured to a man with dark brown hair, neatly trimmed and short. " is Deon. I mentioned he would help you find information about your real parents."
Deon stepped forward with a respectful nod, extending his hand. I reached out to shake it, trying to push down the nerves fluttering in my stomach. " It’s nice to meet you, Deon."

Deon bowed slightly before taking my hand in his and placing a gentle kiss on the top. " Likewise, your Highness."

" Please, call me Meara," I insisted, feeling awkward at the formal title.

Deon glanced at Kaden for confirmation, and Kaden gave him a nod. Deon smiled slightly and gestured to the three other men standing nearby. " And these are Zaden, Mike, and Seth. They’ll be with you whenever you need them."

Zaden, with raven black hair styled short and spiky, stepped forward. His blue eyes held a calm intensity.
" I’m from the Fire Kingdom, like Deon," he said with a nod of acknowledgment.

Mike, the next in line, had light brown hair and piercing green eyes that reminded me of a forest after the rain. He bowed respectfully. " I’m from the Earth Kingdom, your Highness," he said, his voice deep and steady.

Finally, there was Seth, the youngest among them. He had sandy blonde hair and lively brown eyes that seemed to sparkle with youthful energy. He was almost my age, maybe even younger. " It’s nice to meet you, your Highness," he said with an excited smile.

" Now that everyone is introduced, let’s not stand around. Please, eat," Kaden said, his tone gentle but commanding.
I tried to focus on the food in front of me, but my mind kept wandering back to the implications of what Kaden had said. These men were my guards now. The weight of the title “ future queen” felt heavy on my shoulders.

After breakfast, Deon led me to the castle’s grand library. The moment we stepped inside, I was struck by the sheer number of books lining the shelves, towering up to the ceiling. The room smelled of old parchment and leather, a comforting scent that made me feel like I was stepping into a place of wisdom and secrets.

Deon immediately began searching through the shelves, his fingers deftly pulling out several thick volumes. " These books contain records of all Elementals who gave birth around twenty years ago. It’s a lot to sift through, but if your parents were part of the Elemental Kingdom, we should find something here."

I nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. The thought of finally learning about my origins was exciting, but it also terrified me. What if I found something I wasn’t ready to face?

Deon noticed the hesitation in my eyes and offered a reassuring smile. " We’ll take it one step at a time, Meara. You don’t have to go through this alone."
I appreciated his kindness, but the weight of the situation still loomed over me. As we sat down with the first book, I couldn’t help but feel that I was about to unravel a part of my life that had always been a mystery. Whether I was ready for the truth or not, there was no turning back now.

We searched through the books, one by one, but no matter how many records we scoured, we couldn't find any information about my biological parents. The day dragged on, and as the light from the setting sun filtered dimly through the library windows, my hope began to wane. Merilla had returned from her long stroll with Luka and was now casually laying on the floor by my feet, her presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone in this search.

I rubbed the back of my neck, sighing with exhaustion. It was nearly dark, and despite our relentless efforts, there was no sign of my parents. Poor Deon had been crammed up in the library the entire day with me, his eyes strained from hours of reading. I felt sorry for him, for dragging him into this seemingly futile search.

" Deon, you can rest. You don't have to stay here with me. Get some rest, please. It was a long day," I said sincerely, offering him a tired smile.
He looked at me, clearly torn between his duty and his need for rest, but eventually, he nodded. " Alright, Meara. But I’ll be back first thing in the morning to continue the search." He gave me a small bow before heading out of the library.

Luka, who had been lounging contentedly near Merilla, also stood up, nudging her playfully with his large head. I watched as they both strolled off happily, disappearing into the hallways of the castle.

The library grew quiet, the only sounds the occasional crackle of the fireplace and the faint rustle of paper as I absentmindedly turned another page. I felt utterly drained, my eyes drooping from the sheer exhaustion of the day. I had been so desperate for answers, but instead, I was left with more questions and a heavy heart.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the silence, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up, startled, to see Kaden approaching. His expression was unreadable, but there was a certain intensity in his eyes that made me uneasy.

" Any news about your parents?" he asked, his tone seemingly sincere, though I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt.

" Do you really care?" I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended. Something darkened in his gaze as he moved closer, and I almost regretted my words.

Before I could react, I jumped up from the chair, ready to storm off, but Kaden’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with surprising force. He yanked me back so hard that I stumbled into his chest, my breath catching at the sudden proximity.

" Why do you torment me, little one? I was only being polite," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.

" Were you really?" I challenged, staring up into his eyes, searching for any sign of sincerity. " If you were truly polite, you’d give me my own sleeping chambers," I said firmly, determined not to back down.

Kaden’s lips curled into a slow, almost predatory smile. " Now, why would I do that when I sleep so much more soundly with you by my side?" His words ignited a fire within me, a mixture of anger and something else—something I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

I yanked my hand from his grip, my palm slamming against his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. But before I could react, his hands shot out, grabbing hold of my hips with a possessive force that made my breath hitch.

" You’re not running away from me this time," he growled, his voice thick with determination.

Before I could protest, Kaden threw me over his shoulder with ease, his strong grip unyielding. I gasped, my fists pounding against his back as he stormed out of the library with me draped over his shoulder once again. My heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me as I realized that, no matter how hard I tried to fight it, Kaden had a power over me that I couldn’t seem to escape.

Kaden ascended the stairs with me slung over his shoulder, each step reverberating through my body as my heart pounded in my chest. When we reached his sleeping chambers, he unceremoniously tossed me down onto the bed. I bounced slightly, the softness of the mattress contrasting sharply with the harshness of his actions.