Short Stay

There was a sharp knock on the bedchamber door that startled Serenity awake. It was morning. Sunlight beamed in between the half shut curtains on the nearby window. She rolled over quickly to see the bed was empty. Theron was out of the bed, walking towards the sitting room. He looked back at Serenity and pressed his finger to his lips, signaling her to remain quiet.

"Enter," he called.

Terron appeared, shoving the door open violently. Serenity sunk back on the bed, hoping to be out of sight.

"You are sleeping late," Terron said loudly. "Let us go and get to work seeing the border! The faster we complete our tasks, the more time we will have to celebrate in your fine hall!"

"Do you sleep at all?" Theron asked sorely. "The sun has barely risen."

"I slept most of the night as I had no one to keep me up," Terron responded. "You however have been up all night, haven't you?"

"Let me dress, I will meet you in the front hall in a few moments."

Terron did not like Theron dodging his questions.

"Very well, keep your secrets," Terron said sorely.

"I'll meet you in the front hall," Theron repeated.

There was a loud slam that announced the Crown Prince's exit. Serenity released a sigh of relief. Her body shook slightly at the thought of the Crown Prince being so close to her again. What he had done the night before shook her to the core. It reminded her that she would never truly be safe, not until he was gone completely.

She blinked and looked up at Prince Theron who had come back into the bedroom. He crossed the small room to a closet and disappeared into it to get dressed. When he appeared he was wearing a navy blue shirt, tucked into black pants and boots. His shirt was unbuttoned revealing a tasteful sliver of his muscular chest. Serenity couldn't help smiling at him as he made eye contact with her.

"Stay here," he whispered as he leaned over her. "I think it's the only place you'll be safe."

"I can't hide the entire time he is here," Serenity responded.

"Yes, you can."

"I will always be with someone. I won't go anywhere alone."

Theron sighed with a shake of his head. His long brown locks moved in waves with his expression. "I don't know if that will be enough."

Serenity sighed as she laid back. "I will not hide from him. I am not his anymore. He cannot control me. And I will not let him control me with fear or intimidation."

"It's not about control," Theron argued. "It's about survival."

Serenity crossed her arms over her naked chest and laid back in the bed, staring at the ceiling. She didn't want to give the Crown Prince an ounce of power over her. Him traumatizing her in the bathtub was more than enough.

"We all need to play our parts," Theron continued. "He can't suspect our plans at all."

"Treating me like your personal slave means keeping me locked up in your room all day?"

The expression on Theron's face was one of dread. "Yes," he responded sadly. "If it means keeping you safe."

He moved away from the bed without another word and left Serenity behind. She glared at him in a rage as he marched out of the room. She couldn't believe he was leaving her there, locked up. She pouted in the bed like a child. She didn't want to be with Theron if he was going to treat her like a slave who was supposed to listen to him or a delicate flower that constantly needed protection. He needed to decide how he was going to see her and treat her one way. The games drove her mad.

Serenity relaxed for a moment when she heard the door of the suite open. She pulled the blankets over her body but tilted her head in an attempt to see who had just entered the room. She sighed with relief when she saw it was Jemma. She was carrying a brown dress and shoes. She stepped up into the bedroom and gave Serenity a blushing smile.

"His Highness asked me to retrieve you," she said. "I brought you some clothes."

"Where are we going?"

"The Prince thought you should help me with my chores today," she said as she studied Serenity. "It was rather odd actually. He seemed frazzled and upset. Said you needed to keep busy so you stay out of trouble."

Serenity smirked. Perhaps she under estimated Prince Theron; he realized it was wiser to have her busy helping Jemma than sitting alone. Idle hands were the devil's play thing and no doubt, Serenity would get bored and wonder out of the bedchamber, surely getting into trouble.

"Thank you, Jemma," Serenity beamed as she got out of the bed. "I'm happy to help. Can I meet you in the hall, once I'm dressed?"

Jemma nodded, then exited the room without another word. When Serenity heard the door close she quickly moved to the closet that Theron had dressed in. She searched through drawers of undergarments, shirts, and pants. Found belts, sashes and ties hanging in the back of the closet. Then her eyes fell on what she was looking for under some of the belts. She almost missed it because it was made of leather as well. She moved the belts around and pulled the small leather sheath off of the peg in the closet wall. She bit her bottom lip as she stared at it.

It was a leather sheath for a knife. It was small, but just the right size to fit on her thigh. She wondered if Theron ever wore it. Surely it was too small for his leg. She didn't give it much more thought and slid the sheath up her leg. She returned to the bedroom and pulled the brown dress and flat shoes that Jemma had brought for her.

In the sitting room, she found the small dagger Jemma had given her in the table drawer. She pulled her skirt up and slipped the dagger into the sheath. The blade felt awkward against her leg. She had never worn a weapon on her body before; she barely had experience holding them. But she felt safer knowing she had something to defend herself with.

Serenity exited the bedchamber. Jemma was pacing in front of the door in the corridor waiting for her. "Sorry," she muttered.

"We'll start in the kitchen," Jemma replied as Serenity followed her out of the room. "Keep out of sight…"

Serenity was relieved to stay busy during the day. She really did not know what she would have done if she stayed cooped up in the Prince's chamber. Over the course of the day she helped Jemma in the kitchens, cleaning and preparing food for soldiers; they cleaned the Prince's private study, it had to be dusted, swept and mopped. She assisted with laundering the palace linens and she helped one of the other birds, Conor, brush and feed the horses in the stables.

Conor escorted her back into the kitchen before supper time. Jemma was already there, her sleeves rolled up as she cut potatoes on the counter. Serenity stopped next to her and heaved a long sigh.

"What are you cooking?"

"Dinner for his Highness and the Crown Prince," Jemma responded.

"Chef Bomba isn't?"

Jemma glanced at Serenity with high eyebrows. Serenity frowned. Chef Bomba was the one who told Jemma to cut up the potatoes.

"Don't just stand there," Jemma said sternly. "There is plenty to wash and cut."

Serenity couldn't help but smile. She went to the sink and saw two sacks of potatoes next to it. She looked back at Jemma. "Are we preparing a feast?"

Jemma nodded, a touch annoyed by Serenity's questions. Serenity bit her bottom lip and buckled down. She began cleaning the potatoes, scrubbing them of the dirt and roots. Once they were cleaned, she'd pass them to Jemma, who cut them up into precise cubes and threw them into a roasting pan with herbs and spices.

It did not take long for the kitchen to become crowded with other birds helping to prepare dinner. Chef Bomba came through a few times to taste test items and to make sure everything was being prepared according to plan.

After Jemma was done with the potatoes, she asked Serenity to stay in the kitchen, while she prepared the dining hall with Cassidy. Serenity understood that she was to stay hidden, behind the scenes, and in the company of others. Jemma looked concerned as she bustled away with Cassidy, carrying dishes and silverware. Serenity gave her a reassuring smile. The Crown Prince would not appear in the kitchens; it was too far below him to even walk into the space where slaves or servants worked, even if it was where his meal was prepared.

Serenity stood up straight for a moment as she glanced around the room. This was where his food would be prepared. She bit her bottom lip as a horrible thought entered her mind. What if she poisoned his food? Prince Theron had some sort of plan to murder his brother, but Serenity did not know what it was. What if she helped the process along—

"Serenity!"

Serenity blinked and turned quickly to Jemma who was marching back into the kitchens. "I called your name twice."

"Sorry," Serenity stammered. "I didn't hear you."

"The Prince is asking for you," Jemma said hooking her arm. Serenity looked at her surprised. She put the potatoes down that were in her hands and quickly followed Jemma who was practically dragging her out of the kitchen.

"What's wrong?"

"His Highness asked we move with urgency," she replied as she looked at the floor.

"Did he say why?"

Jemma shook her head. "He said he'd meet us in his private study and that I'm not to leave you until he arrives."

Serenity frowned. "He's very concerned with my safety."

"We all are," Jemma replied seriously. Serenity glanced at her with curious navy blue eyes.

Jemma looked at Serenity like she was a fool. Serenity saw sadness in the older bird's eyes that made her question Jemma's comment even more. "You really don't know what you represent to all of us?"

She was speaking in a low whisper as if she didn't want anyone else to hear their conversation. Serenity shook her head in confusion.

"You are a dove," Jemma continued. "A bird of peace and hope. Who better to be the Prince's mate than you? Especially, since he wishes to bring about such change for our kind?"

Serenity stared at Jemma in surprise. She bit her bottom lip in alarm. Amira was worried that the Prince was going to wait too long to make Serenity his mate; the birds were hoping he would make her his mate….she looked straight ahead of her as she processed Jemma's comment. She didn't want to say anything out of turn. But she was growing concerned that everyone in Prince Theron's household and inner circle seemed to be aware of their relationship and his desire to make her his mate, not even for love, but for political reasons. She was going to have to speak to Theron about it. She was growing concerned that his plan was more see-through than he thought.

"Lady Amira suggested that I should set aside the identity associated with my species," Serenity finally said as they walked.

Jemma frowned. "Perhaps in some cases. But not this one. I think you'll mean more to his Highness' cause as you are. The world has to see that a bird of peace can lead," she paused for a moment causing Serenity to look at her again out of the corner of her eye. "In my opinion you'd make an excellent queen."

Serenity shook her head. "I know nothing of leading anyone or anything. Let's please stop talking about this, if the wrong person hears it could be catastrophic for his Highness."

Jemma nodded in agreement. They continued to walk to the private study in silence, arms still hooked together. When they arrived, Serenity was surprised to find the study empty. She bit her bottom lip as she took a seat in one of the large leather chairs.

"He didn't give a clue what it was about?"

Jemma shook her head. She didn't say anything at all. Serenity wondered if she was worried she had said too much or spoken out of turn. Surely, she knew she could be open with Serenity. But nonetheless, the old bird stayed quiet, standing in front of the fireplace as they waited for the Prince to arrive.

After a few moments of awkward silence the doors to the study opened and his Highness appeared. Serenity's heart lifted at the sight of him. She stood up from her chair and waited for him to address her. She did not want to appear too eager to see him. His handsome purple eyes met hers for a moment before he walked to Jemma.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," he said softly.

"Do not apologize, your Highness," Jemma said with a smile.

"The Crown Prince has made his leave. I know you have done a lot of work today to prepare a feast for the soldiers, but it will not be necessary now."

"Terron is gone?" Serenity asked in bewilderment. Why would he leave so abruptly?

Theron looked at her and nodded, but did not elaborate.

"I'll tell the rest of the staff," Jemma said as she moved past the Prince.

"And prepare my things, I must return to the Den. I'll leave as soon as everything is ready."

When Theron spoke he kept his eyes on Serenity. Jemma nodded without a word and bowed to the Prince before leaving the room. Not another word was said until the door closed sharply behind Jemma.

"You're going to the Den?"

"The King is dying," Theron responded slowly.

"I must return. No, you cannot come with me."

Serenity frowned deeply. "How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know."

"Very well."

Theron looked at Serenity with high eyebrows. "You're not going to object?"

"You seem to have made the decision already, why would I object?"

Theron shrugged as he stepped towards her. "You were rather passionate this morning in your conviction to not let my brother control any of your behavior."

"He is not controlling it now," Serenity spoke softly as she turned her back to him. She intertwined her fingers as she looked down at the ground. "You are leaving me here because there is nothing for me to do in the Den. The King is dying, you must see to his care as he is your father. It's not as if I am your mate who you need support from in this difficult time."

Theron touched her shoulders gently. For a moment, Serenity held her breath, hoping he would hold her tenderly and kiss the back of her neck. He brushed her silvery curls over her right shoulder and leaned his head close to her ear. Serenity bit her bottom lip in anticipation of his lips on her flesh, but they never came. Serenity turned to him with a sad expression.

"You're speaking boldly," he said softly as he stared at her. He brushed her hair behind her ear with gentle fingers.

"You have to be careful," Serenity advised. "I agree that it is better for me to stay here. I think if I were to travel with you people at court would grow more suspicious of your plans. Everyone here seems to think that you intend to make me your mate once you take the kingdom."

Theron studied her very closely before speaking. "People often believe and spread rumors when there is no truth to them."

Serenity's stomach dropped. She was not expecting him to respond in that manner. His comment was cold and hurtful. Did he not like that everyone guessed his intentions? Was he afraid of his true feelings as much as Serenity was afraid of hers? Despite the amazing night they had shared the evening before, she wasn't sure if she was prepared for the responsibility that came with fully loving Theron or being his mate – and he hadn't asked her. She was getting ahead of herself.

"I will choose a mate when I am ready."

"Please be careful," Serenity said quickly as she touched his chest. "If you'll excuse me, I wish to go to bed."

Prince Theron bowed his head and removed his hands from her shoulders. She said nothing else as she walked out of the private study. She bit her bottom lip as it quivered because she was trying not to cry. Tears were welling in her eyes and as soon as she closed the door to her own bedchamber she began to sob. Theron had confused her all over again with his comments in the study. How could he be so cold after being so attentive and loving the night before? She wiped her cheeks and stood up straight. She shouldn't be so surprised. He often back tracked his feelings, like he had before in their past. Though, she had forgiven him for leaving her at the Den. She was not sure if she could forgive him for confusing her with his affection.