Gramps

I wake up with Kaine's arm wrapped around my waist.

After many years of abuse, the only man I've ever allowed to touch me is my gramps but right now, I can feel nothing but bliss.

His warm touch keeping me away from the cold, his soft embrace keeping me safe. From what? I don't know.

With Kaine I feel safe, like nothing can hurt me because, I know deep inside of me that Kaine will protect with his life. As will I.

I'm confused on how I can feel this way but I do. I barely know him but I'm dedicated to finding it all out. Every single thing.

I grab his wrist and gently pull out of his grasp. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I look back at him.

His eyes are closed, lips slightly parted releasing a soft breath every few seconds. He looks peaceful. Without Kaine, I've never had a peaceful night.

Does he know what it's like? To be afraid to sleep? Terrified of what terrors might ambush you while you're in your most vulnerable state?

I sit up and head towards his bathroom.

I do my business, brush my hair and teeth and make sure I look presentable before returning to the room.

I look over and see he isn't in the bed anymore.

Where did he go?

I hear noise coming from his kitchen and head towards it.

I walk in to see him at the over making breakfast.

I smile. No one has ever made me breakfast before. Back in the village, we only ever had enough for dinner and since the only time I can hunt is during the day, breakfast never happened.

When I hunted and brought back very little food, I always gave my gramps majority of it. He gets older everyday and he needs his strength.

Speaking of my gramps, I need to ask Kaine if I could see him again. Soon.

"Good morning, what's all this?" I ask him.

He turn around and smiles at me.

"Breakfast! I'm making blueberry pancakes. I don't know how much you eat so I made plenty." He responds.

"Oh, well I hope you're hungry because I eat very little." I say with a small laugh.

Yet, it was not funny.

He gives me as soft yet sad smile and continues cooking.

"Does not matter. We need to get your stomach used to plenty of food. You're going to have to start training soon." He says.

Training? I was unaware of that. Then again, I can't be a queen who cannot fight amongst her people.

"Hey Kaine..?" I start.

He give me a confused look encouraging me to continue.

I gulp but continue anyways.

"Is there any chance we could return to Devlan so I could see my gramps?"

He frowns.

"Raven, I mean, Cora. The timing is terrible. You just transitioned into your fae form. We need to get you trained and have your ascension as soon as possible." He answers.

I nod my head.

I get it. The fae need me as their queen, their leader. But, gramps is my only family and he needs me too.

"Please? I just want to see him! Just quickly, then I will be back and I could lead the fae." I rush out.

He takes a deep breath and releases it. He hates the idea of me leaving Malvolion but I need to see him.

"Fine. Head back to your chambers and pack lightly. We head out as soon as possible." Kaine says.

I jump up and down letting out a happy scream. I run to him and embrace him in a tight hug.

He laughs and wraps his arms around my waist returning the embrace.

I release him and rush to my chambers.

I run into my closet and grab a pair of black leggings and a white t-shirt.

I grab a backpack and stuff the necessities.

I hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste in case we stop for a night, an extra pair of clothes and socks.

Tying the back shut I put it over my shoulder and just as I'm about to open my chamber doors to return to Kaine's chambers I see Derek standing there.

Gaining control of my excitement, I calm myself and greet him.

"Oh! Hello Derek, what brings you here?" I ask.

He runs a hand across his jaw as if deciding if he should leave or not.

He made up his mind when he spoke.

"I hear you're going to see your gramps. Kaine should not be leaving and neither should you. Malvolion has gone long enough without their leaders. They just got you guys back and you're leaving again?!" He says his voiced getting gradually louder.

He upset. Angry even.

"Listen Derek, gramps is the only family I have. I need to know if he's okay! Alive even. We'll only be gone a few days and then we'll be back!" I tell him.

He frowns at me, clenching his teeth. He give me a nasty look before leaving.

Well, that was weird...

I walk to Kaine's chambers and let myself in.

I should have knocked but I'm too excited! Even with Derek coming over to rain on my parade, I can't wait to see my gramps!

"Finally, you're done packing. Come, we'll head to the landing pad and fly." Kaine says.

I nod my head and follow him out.

The walk wasn't too long but it felt like an eternity.

I back up so he can shift into his full dragon form.

His majestic black dragon does not get any less intimidating with every time I see it.

His massive talons and wings, strong enough to bring down an entire village with one strike.

But it's Kaine. He would never hurt me.

I climb onto his back and when I'm sure I won't fall off, I yell at him telling him to take off.

With one push of his wings were soaring.

I'm coming gramps.

2 days later

I'm on Kaine's back again.

This is the last stretch before I can finally see my gramps.

We've had to stop for a couple of nights so his dragon could rest but the next morning he was up and ready to go.

In the distance, I can see the small village of Devlan.

My home.

He descends into the forest beside the village so that he would not be seen and shifts back to his human form behind one of the trees.

He can't be in his natural form either because, well, you get it.

We start jogging towards the village and when we reach the clearing where the town is, I stop.

It was not because I was out of breath, that would never happen from a short jog ever again because of my fae form.

I stop because I'm scared.

"What's wrong?" Kaine asks as he places his hands on my arms rubbing his thumbs in a soothing way.

"I'm scared." I whisper.

He nods in understanding but does not say anything.

I breathe in and out slowly before I decide I'm finally ready.

I begin walking towards the village. I'm not afraid of them anymore.

Kaine and I walk the main road.

Many of the villagers looked at us with weird looks. They knew who I was. I doubt they would have forgotten me so easily.

Plus, with Kaine by my side, no one would dare approach me.

It's probably the first time any of them have seen me without my cloak. Of course, my hair is covering my ears hiding them so the town folks would never find out what I am, but there is nothing I could do to cover my eyes.

We soon reached the end of the path and was going to make a right towards my home but we were stopped by the chief. William.

I freeze and my body stiffens.

I told myself I was not and would not be afraid but right now, looking at him, all I could feel was fear.

Kaine head whipped towards me. I guess he could smell my fear as well as feel it through the mate bond.

He looks back at William and he connects the dots.

Through the mate bond, I could feel his anger. He was furious.

Even if he did not know what he did to me, wether it was my back of anywhere else, all he knows is that he hurt me and that was enough for his to start walking towards him.

Before he could get to far, I grab his arm and grip it tightly.

He cant leave me.

"Don't leave me." I whisper.

He gives me a soft look. Even if he's angry beyond belief, he respects my decisions and stands beside me wrapping his arm around me holding me tight.

Reminding me he's still here. That he won't leave.

William's eyes shift between the two of us. He knows that we're close and because of Kaine figure he thinks deeply about what to say.

"Cora, welcome back." He says.

His voice is smooth, almost believable. I knew the truth though. I was not welcome.

I don't want to talk to him.

I make the right deciding I could just cut in between the houses I start walking.

"Are you hear for your grandfather?" He shouts to me.

My head snaps towards him.

"What's it to you?" I ask him.

His eyes widen slightly before returning to their normal size. He isn't used to my voice. Better yet, me talking. All he knows are my screams.

"I just thought you should know, he died two days after you left. He came knocking at my door asking for help but he was already too old. I slammed the door in his face." He spits out.

Anger. Rage.

I am furious.

I ignore the anger Kaine is feeling because mine is far greater.

He knows it too because he grips my arm tighter as if warning me not to do anything.

But I'm going to.

I rip myself out of his hold and walk slowly towards William.

He looks afraid.

Why would he be afraid of a "outcast, useless, village whore"?

Realization sets in.

The wind blew my hair, revealing my ears to him.

I smile. I give him one of my most vicious smiles and walk faster.

I'm going to rip him apart limb by limb. Make him beg for mercy just like my gramps did.

I'm going to spill his blood on this very path.

Two arms wrap around my waist preventing me from continuing on towards William.

I thrash around trying very hard to break free.

Kaine might be strong but this anger I'm feeling, this adrenaline of rage is no match for him.

William looks almost relieved that Kaine is stopping me but little does he know it's only temporary.

I break free from his grasp and run towards William.

The fear climbs back onto his face as he realizes there's no stopping me.

I'm going to kill him.