Sixteen

I put my hands on my hips and looked at him expectantly.

He silently walked into my room, groaning as he took in the damage.

"What the fuck did you do Opal?" He asked, rubbing his face in frustration.

"You can't just keep me locked up in here and expect me to sit quietly!" I said with equal frustration.

"You're not going to be free. That's final. You're a fae, you should be used to listening to orders and this is a direct order."

"What are you hiding from me?" I asked, changing the subject.

"What?"

"Don't play dumb I'm not an idiot, I know you're hiding something from me. Everyone gets uncomfortable and runs away once I mention I'm your mate and-"

"You're telling people you're my mate?" He cut me off, looking a little angry which just made me even more mad.

"Yes! Of course! That's what people do! They don't lock their life partners away in some room to see them for 15 minutes a day!"

"Don't tell people you're my mate." He said with finality and I felt hurt shock through me.

He didn't want people to know he was mine? Was he embarrassed of me? Why? We had gotten along so well on the human realm he just had to go and open his big stupid mouth. What happened to the sweet guy who would hold me while I fell asleep and look at me with such passion I could barely stand or walk straight when I knew he was around! All this guy shows me is resentment and anger. I just feel so unwanted.

I could feel my eyes burning but refused to cry, pushing back the tears and standing up straight, not showing him how much he's hurt me. He doesn't deserve it.

"Why?" I asked and my voice came out a lot more broken and soft than intended making me curse a little to myself in my head.

His face softened a little but he gave nothing away.

"You are not to tell anyone we are mates and unless necessary you are only to talk to either me or Rob."

I went to talk back but he shot me a glare that shocked me enough to shut me up momentarily.

Where did the love go?

He then left the room slamming the door shut behind him. As soon as I heard that he was out of listening range I dropped to the ground, putting my face in my hands as sobs raked my body. What happened? What did I do wrong? This is who I am, I'm not going to pretend to be some weak prize he gets to secretly keep while he lives his life. I will not let mine pass by.

After a few hours of overthinking and crying I managed to put myself back together. I stood up and stared out the window, already planning my next escape. I was a little tired and weak now from the crying but when I woke up there was no way I was staying in this room any longer. It might be beautiful, or at least it was until I destroyed it, but its no way to live.

After a good nights sleep I woke up completely refreshed, feeling energized and a completely okay again. I pushed King out of my mind and focused on my plan of escape.

Just like expected Mateo came in soon after and had breakfast with me. I was much more quiet than usual and I could tell that it made him very nervous but as soon as he was gone, so was I.

He cleaned up quickly after me although I helped a little, claiming that the boss is in a bad mood and he needed to be extra punctual and avoid procrastination at all costs.

As soon as he closed the door I was going towards the windows, throwing them open with my wind. I simply leaped out of the window, allowing my gift to carry me safely to the ground and then out to the dragon training area.

I noticed the pure white dragon who I took out last time had noticed me and had already ejected its rider, flying to pick me up. I smiled happily at her excitement, easily climbing up her leg and onto her bag after she picked me up once we were flying through the air.

I could see people protesting, some even trying to fly after us on their own dragons but the dragons refused to listen to them, leaving us an easy passage out of the kingdom. The dragon showed me the rest of the territories and I had made all the mental notes I needed before we started heading back.

We had been out all day and as we flew towards the castle I played back and watched the beautiful color lighting up the sky as the sun set. Loving the feeling of the night breeze flowing through my clothes and my hair, gently caressing my skin.

Occasionally I would blow little puffs and marvel at the tiny tornadoes that it made, which I instantly made disappear before they escalated. It was so beautiful and peaceful and I was actually dreading going back.

As we flew over the castle I noticed them setting up decorations, lanterns, golden table and chairs for some kind of event. I wonder what that's for? Will I be allowed to attend? It has been way too long since I'd been to a supernatural events and by the fact that they're nearly done decorating from what I can see it will be tomorrow.

If they don't let me go I'll find away to get myself there.

The dragon flew me right to my window where I thanked her and hopped right back into my room, right before dinner which, if I'm not mistaken would be delivered by Rob. As long as I didn't have any extra visits, which I doubt I did because everyone was probably busy with whatever event is tomorrow, I should be fine.

About a half hour later Rob walked into my room with my food and an apologetic smile on his face.

"I'm so sorry you've had to stay in here alone all day kido. If it were up to me I would never lock you in here, don't tell King but honestly you deserve better." He said sadly.

Little did he know...

I just nodded, acting like it had been a painful day, maybe that'll convince him to stay with me longer. He set down the food on the table and just as I was about to dig in the door flung open.

King stepped in, confident and large as always and nodded to Rob.

"You can go I've got it from here." He said and Rob instantly sprung to his feet and out the door. Well, someone was a little impatient, he looked really uncomfortable being in the same room and King and I and honestly I don't blame him.

He sat down and sighed. "I'm sorry my little penguin, I'm not embarrassed you're my mate. I can't explain it right now but I just need you to not tell anyone who you are. Its too dangerous, I have a lot of enemies."

I nodded, I didn't like it but I guess I could see where he was coming from.

"Okay." I said softly, pushing away my food, no longer hungry.

"Come here." He said gently and opened his arms for me, giving me a pleading face. I hesitated for a moment before slowly walking into his arms and letting him hold me.

He instantly picked me up, putting me on his lap and rumbling. It reminded me of when we were back at the hospital and it was nice. It made me feel a little less unwanted, a little less stressed and a little less angry.

I sighed, cuddling in and I couldn't help but close my eyes in happiness.

No matter what he did he was my mate. Being held by him felt so good, we were made for each other and I can't give that up easily. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, some people get second chance mates but its EXTREMELY rare. I don't want to waste my life fighting for him but I won't follow him blindly.

My nature, although it should be doing the opposite, told me that I should be free, out living my life, I could never be happy locked up in a room, no matter how much I loved him.

After about fifteen minutes he pulled back a little, making me sit up but keeping me on his lap. He slid my dinner over and put a couple vegetables on his fork, bringing it to my mouth.

"Eat my little penguin, you need it." He said softly and I couldn't help but agree. I was still underweight from when I refused to eat a few months ago although I had gotten much healthier.

"Why do you keep calling me penguin?" I asked after a moment.

He paused for a second before shrugging. "I'm not sure, but every time I think of you I can't help thinking of a little cute fuzzy penguin swimming happily through the water or waddling down some ice. They're also my favorite sea creature"

I furrowed my eyebrows a little. Kinda weird to be honest. A penguin?

"Fine, then I'm calling you Giant because that's what you are."

His chest rumbled as he threw his head back and laughed.

"Giant, that's the best you can do? Not very original is it?"

I slapped him in the chest as hard as I could and that just seemed to make him laugh harder.

"Shut up, that's your name whether you like it or not."

"What ever you want, penguin."

"Sounds good to me, Giant."

Suddenly a little alarm on his watch went off and he sighed.

"I have to go, my love. I'm sorry."

I  blushed a little when he said that, thanking the gods for my tanned skin so that he wouldn't noticed but gave him my best puppy dog eyes.

"Oh come on, don't do that." He said, getting up and sliding me off his lap.

I just continued and said, "Why should I? You always did this to me every time I left you at the hospital after work."

He turned around just as he reached the door and nodded, "Touche"

I played back on my bed which they had replaced this morning while I was eating breakfast and sighed.

Maybe I could make this work. Maybe I could convince King that I wasn't so fragile and if he let me out I'd be good.

Well...

Not good but better than I could be!