Decisions

Quill looked at me as if I had asked him to behead a baby chick. His hands were placed on my cheek, and though I should have pulled away, I leaned into his caress, closing my eyes.

I got my answer from that motion, and Quill kissed my temple as he pulled me along with him.

"Where are we going?" I asked him, but he said nothing as we went back into his estate, and he pulled me along into our shared room.

Slipping off his tunic and pants, he stood there half naked and pulled me to him. At first, I was stiff, not sure how far this was going to go.

But Quill simply took off my dress carefully and undid my corset, letting it drop to the ground. The pins and ribbon in my hair were pulled along with the dress, my hair half loose, and half free.

I was nude yet only wearing my underwear, and as Quill worked out my hair to be loose, I shielded my body from him, feeling shy.

Quill made no move to pry my arms downward, walking to the closet and pulling out a soft blue nightgown. He held it out, not for me to grab, but to show that he wanted to put it on me. I raised my hands up, so I used to dress myself or have the maids dress me that I could feel a blush overtake my face.

All this was done in silence. And it was a comfortable one, not one where I had to speak or start the conversation.

Once the nightgown was on and it brushed my ankles, Quill kissed my face all over and unmade the bed.

I laid in it, red-faced and all, feeling a bit more shy. Quill slid in next to me, bringing up the blankets past my chin. My nerves jittered as I wondered if he wanted to do something more than just sleep, but he simply pulled me close to his chest, rubbing my back and arms gently.

"I'm sorry for not having been here while you slept, my love. I know I've been busy trying to form allies in case the Inane Mutt tried to pull something. But that doesn't mean I should neglect my soon to be wife." he said after a beat, kissing my temple.

It was a strange sensation of being relieved that he was actually here with me. And as he hugged me and rubbed my body down from the nerves that came from the stress of the situation, I felt a little bitter.

"I've missed spending time with you too, my love." I said, feeling another blush come upon me, Quill chuckling as his fingers traced my cheeks.

"Sleep well. I promise to still be here when you awaken." he whispered, giving her another kiss.

And despite the circumstances, I did feel sleepy. My eyes were barely able to keep open, and after a bit, I let sleep take hold of me.

An annoying pecking is what woke me up. I felt tiny pinches on my face, my eyelids, and then the thing pinched my nose closed.

Struggling to breathe, my eyes flew open to see an owl with huge eyes staring down at me. I let out a scream, sitting up and swatting it away from me.

It screeched, annoyed, a the bathroom door flew opened, Quill stepping out.

"What-" he said as he raised his arm. The owl screeched before landing on his farearm, a parhcment rolled up and tied to the creature.

I hated owls. I stumbled to the other side of the bedroom as Quill grabbed the little scroll, frowning.

"The note is for you." he said, handing it out to me.

Creeping close so as not to grab the attention of the owl, I took the note from Quill, opening it.

Dearest sister,

I write to inform you that through the orders of father, he has pulled out from doing business with Alpha Mason. I demand that you be back home to discuss this matter in person.

I will be home by two weeks time then.

Your brother, Caleb.

P.S, I still remember your fear of owls.

I frowned at the letter, crumpling it, when the owl shrieked, causing me to jump and dropping it. It dove downward, snatching the paper, and then out the window.

"What was that all about?" Quill asked as he rubbed his arm where the owl once perched.

"My brother has requested I return home. He was on an expedition in the Aztec Isles and other countries, promoting businesses. I believe he's upset that I ordered Father to split all ties with Mason's business." I said, frowning.

"I'll get the maids to pack up your stuff and-" Quill started, as he pulled on a soft gray tunic, moving to grab some pants. I grabbed his arm, shaking my head.

"I'm not going." I replied, and Quill looked back at me, puzzled.

"Why not?" You've been summoned back to your estate." Quill replied.

"Because Mason will return the moment I set foot back on land, and he will harm you and your estate." I replied, and Quill frowned, thinking of what she said carefully.

"That may be true, but we can hold off our own. Plus, my other knights come back soon. They were gone for four months, recruiting knights and squires." Quill replied.

"Are they human like me, or..?" I trailed off, and Quill chuckled.

"They're a mix. Unlike other places that focus solely on one kind, I focus more on the passion to help, fight for what's right, and bravery. So I have all kinds of knights. They're just as brave and strong. You needn't worry about me, love. New Puerto will be safe." he assured me.

I shook my head, though, looking through his drawers for a pen and paper. Quill walked over and grabbed a hold of my hands gently, stopping me.

"Would it make you feel better if I were to go with you?" he asked, making my heart skip a beat as he leaned down and kissed my knuckle.

The same strange feeling of longing and bitterness overcame me, and I shook my head.

"I'm not afraid to face them alone. And New Puerto will need you." I said, and Quill chuckled.

"Have faith in my pack, beloved. They were mostly able to hold their own." he said, and I grimaced, not trying to show him that I had seen the aftermath of what had happened.

"Maybe I will go once the knights have returned." I said, and Quill smiled, brushing back a strand of her wild hair.

"They'll be back tomorrow. We'll both leave by then." he said, and I could feel myself deflate a little.

I thought it would be at least a bit more time until they came back, as I wanted to get back into training the kelpies as much as possible. Since they were able to live freely here and not back in back home, I'd have to get back at it right away.

Quill must have seen my expression, because he grabbed both of my hands in his. and then pulled me along him.

"I know you wish to train with the kelpies. But how about I show you the rest of New Puerto before you have to go?" He asked.

I looked at him, wanting to say no, and another part of me wanting to say yes.

After a beat, I sighed, agreeing to having a tour. Quill gave me a quick peck on the cheek, letting me go.

"It will be the best of times." He promised, and he went back to the restroom.

I waited for a bit, grabbing my cup of water before attempting to summon a kelpie.

It was small, confused, but appeared. I whispered some orders to it, then setting the cup back down.

Even if I wasn't here, I'd be damned if I was going to let New Puerto vulnerable.