Chapter 129: The Sunflower

ARIEL

I take a deep breath and go over all of my warrior gear for the millionth time to make sure I’m not missing anything I’ll need on the mission.

Moonstone dagger. ~Check.~

Garter weapon holster. ~Check.~

My skintight, all-black jumpsuit designed specially for covert missions. ~Check.~

This ~should~ be everything, but there’s still something I haven’t been able to prepare for.

When I asked what made those giant scratch marks on his back, Mateo looked as though the memory was too painful to relive.

As someone who’s been through my own share of trauma, I understand.

But as a warrior, I’m not exactly thrilled about the thought that I might face something out there that can make someone ~that~ terrified.

I hear a knock at the door behind me, which rips me out of my thoughts.

Natalia casually strolls into the room and picks up my warrior jumpsuit, checking it out.

“Girl…,” she says, looking almost offended, “~this~ is what you’re wearing? Not a sundress? You’re going to Spain, not robbing a bank!”

I roll my eyes. “This is a mission, not a vacation, Natalia.”

“So? You can just rescue the princess quickly and ~then~ relax on the beach with a glass of sangria.”

“Maybe,” I say, grabbing my jumpsuit back. “But did you really just come here to annoy the hell out of me?”

“Someone’s a little pissy today…,” she says, smirking. “But actually no, I came because I have something for you. A gift.”

“For me?” I look down curiously as she reaches into a bag by her feet.

She pulls out a golden, sparkling dress, complete with long sleeves and a high neck. It glints in the light as she extends it toward me.

I gasp. It’s beautiful. “What is this, Natalia?”

“Well, I’ve started making some clothes as a little bit of a hobby. Nothing special…just kind of playing around with it. And…well, I tried to make something for you.”

I look down at the gorgeous dress, completely shocked that she actually ~made~ it.

“I know, it’s totally ugly, right?” she says, getting flushed. “It’s okay, you don’t have to wear it, I just—”

“Oh my God! I love it!” I say, throwing my arms around her. A smile blossoms across her face. “You’re so talented. Thank you, Natalia.”

She smiles uncomfortably, but I can tell she’s glowing inside from the compliment.

“Plus, it covers everything, so I can actually wear my warrior gear underneath too!” I say. “It’s perfect.”

“Oh God!” she cries out. “I’ll just pretend like I didn’t hear that.”

“Promise me you’ll hold down the fort while I’m away?” I ask, smiling.

She looks shocked. “Did I just hear you asking me to be the interim queen?”

“Umm, something like that…,” I say.

“Ariel! It’d be a dream come true!” she shrieks, her eyes getting watery. She pulls me into a hug and I laugh as she squeezes me tightly.

“Just don’t start any wars or burn anything down, okay?” I say, pulling away, picking up my bag of gear, and heading for the door.

“Ariel?”

I turn to face Natalia. “Yeah?”

“Just…don’t die, okay? I want Xavi’s auntie to be there for his adoption ceremony next week.”

I chuckle and blow her a kiss. “I won’t. Promise.”

She smiles and I leave, making my way through the halls of the palace.

I look up at the crisp blue sky as I walk through the gardens. The sun is shining down on the colorful flowers and chirping birds. It’s an absolutely perfect day.

It’s always a bit strange when I leave home, but I know it’s in good hands and it’ll be right here waiting for me when I get back.

For now, I have to focus on the mission.

That and surviving the flight to Spain.

I can already feel my stomach twisting into knots just thinking about what happened the last time Alex and I got in a plane.

~The plane engine exploding…~

~Our pilot, Rusty, dead in the cockpit…~

~Alex and I almost dying as we crash-landed into a mountain…~

I shake my head, trying to clear the memories. I wouldn’t exactly call it the most relaxing first time in the air.

But I just have to swallow my fears and try again.

~Plus, what are the odds of something like that happening twice?~

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself as I walk onto the royal airstrip. But when I see what’s waiting for me there, my jaw practically drops to the floor.

A sleek, brand-new private jet sits there, glinting in the sun. It makes the old royal plane look like a toy.

On the side, in golden lettering, it says the ~Sunflower~.

Alex steps out of the plane doorway and waves over to me.

He’s wearing a tight white button-up shirt, and his golden hair is blowing in the rippling wind.

When I approach, he steps down and kisses me, deep and long.

“You like it?” he says, grinning, taking my bag.

“It’s—”

“Fucking gorgeous, is what it is!” Dom cries out, eyes widened in awe. “Twin turbofan engines, Italian leather seats, an entire master bedroom…”

He and Helena walk around the front of the plane toward us. Dom gets on his knees in front of Alex. “Just let me come, bro. One trip. Like old times. Kicking ass and—ow!”

Helena smacks him on the head. “~You~ have daddy duties.”

“And beta duties,” Alex continues, giving him another joking slap for good measure.

Alex turns back to me. “What I was going to say…is that this is the safest plane money can buy. Nothing like last time. I promise.”

I nod anxiously as he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs toward the plane’s entrance.

“Mateo, Jo…,” Alex turns and calls out. “Let’s go!”

Under the shade of the plane’s wing, I see Vivian and Jo pull each other into a hug. They hold their foreheads together and close their eyes.

Vivian tries to fight back her tears, but Jo keeps a brave face.

“Don’t you fucking dare die on me,” Vivian warns.

Jo smirks and runs her finger over Vivian’s cheek before giving her a deep kiss. “Not a chance, babe.”

As happy as it’s made me to see them together, I also know the pain of having to leave your mate.

~Let’s just get this over with quickly. For everyone’s sake.~

The plane engines start to roar even louder, and Alex leads me into the plane. Jo and Mateo follow behind us.

The second I peer inside, all I can do is gasp at the interior. The seats are as big as couches and there are large plasma-screen TVs on the walls.

Everything is stylish, covered in gold and leather. It’s professional and sleek, but cozy looking at the same time.

A sliding door opens up to the cockpit, and a man wearing aviators and a royal pilot outfit peers back at us.

“Welcome aboard!” he says. “Go ahead and take a seat. We’ve got plenty of champagne if you need it as well.”

He slides the door closed and I feel the plane start to move. I grip my mate’s hand as those knots come back to my stomach.

Despite the luxury, I’m still not exactly thrilled at the idea of going back up into the air. What I really need is something to get my mind off of it.

“Alex?”

“Yes?”

“Did Dom mention something about a…bedroom?”

He grins mischievously.

I follow Alex to the back of the plane, where there’s a closed wooden door with the Royal Pack symbol engraved on it.

He pushes open the door to reveal an entire bedroom. Velvet blankets cover a king-sized bed with large windows on either side.

I smirk as Alex leads me in, shuts the door behind us, and pulls me closer.

He pushes me down on the heavenly mattress, his fingers running up my legs and spreading them.

I moan as I lie back on the soft sheets and pull him closer to me. I can feel his bulge already growing.

“The pilot promised me there’s not a single chance of a storm today,” he says, slipping off my boots and kissing my neck.

“But…,” he whispers mischievously in my ear. “It still might be a bumpy ride.”