Chapter 28- A War in the Making

^^Alastair's sexy self^^

Chapter 28

River's POV

My head rested against Alastair's thigh as my fingers played with his, fingers gliding against fingers in a playful display of affection.

"Your fingers are so big," I laughed as my fingers brushed lightly against his.

It was like a child holding his father's hand; that's how large his was in comparison to mine.

"No, yours are just abnormally tiny," he brought my hand to his lips, softly brushing against my fingertips as if that somehow proved his point.

I pouted, "they're not that tiny."

He laughed, "Sure, love."

Light kisses led to playful bites as his teeth snapped at my fingers. I screeched, pulling my hands from his grip as my body tipped backward, almost falling from the bed, but Alastair's quick arms wrapped around my waist before I could tumble to the hard flooring.

Alastair's soothing laughter filled my ears as he pulled me to his chest and kissed the crown of my head. My hands pushed against his chest as he left slobbery kisses against my head.

"S-stop!" I squeaked.

His laughter was interrupted by a sudden knocking at the door. Alastair's face fell from its bright grin to a solemn, stone-faced persona. And just like that, our teasing games had ended. He called in the knocker as his arms dropped from around me.

A maid entered, "Excuse the interruption, Your Majesty," she curtseyed in front of the bed before lifting her head, eyes slightly downward gazed.

Why did some of the maids seem so afraid of Alastair? Either they were frightened by him or they wanted to bed him. Such strange women.

"Speak."

She looked up from the floor, "His Highness requests your presence."

I peered from the maid back at Alastair, whose eyes had now begun to narrow.

"For what purpose?"

"Your royal father hadn't specified the purpose, Your Majesty," she peered down at the floor, as if afraid of being lashed for her lack of knowledge.

The deja vu of the situation hit me square in the face, except the girl being I and Alastair being...my father.

Alastair opened his mouth but instead I spoke, "That's alright," I took Alastair's white-knuckled hand in mine, "thank you. Tell him he'll be there shortly," I smiled in an attempt to calm the poor maid's nerves.

"We," Alastair corrected.

The maid appeared confused by Alastair's sudden declaration as she peered back at me as if I would somehow be of any help.

"Tell him we'll be there shortly."

She nodded, wide-eyed, as she gave a brief courtesy and rushed out the, still open, door.

"Alastair-"

"Come, we must dress," he lifted me from the bed, pulling random articles of clothing from my wardrobe and shoving them into my arms.

I stared at the clothing, not quite sure what to do. His father asked for only him. Surely I would be intruding, would I not?

"Love, your clothes cannot magically appear on your body. You must first put them on," Alastair peered at me with a quirked brow.

I placed the articles on the bed and began undressing, watching Alastair as he hurried to throw on all his clothes at once. I held back a snort as he attempted to shove his shoes on without untying them. It was like watching a kitten attempting to fit in a small fish bowl as he wobbled to and thro, balancing on one foot.

"Alastair, calm down," I called over my shoulder as I pulled my shirt over my head.

He didn't seem to hear me as he continued his hurried pace.

What is he so nervous about? His father, most likely, just wants a follow-up report on the cities he's in charge of.

A hand on mine pulled me from my thoughts as Alastair's hand encased mine and pulled me out the door. I felt myself being dragged out the room as his hand clenched against mine. His eyes remained glazed over, teeth grounded together.

"Alastair!"

I called his name for the third time as he continued his quickened pace down the many halls.

"Alastair!" I held my arm back as I stopped in my tracks before we could reach his father's room. Not realizing, Alastair continued on, bringing me to the floor with a loud thump.

I let out a hiss as I landed hard on my butt.

Alastair immediately stopped in his tracks, eyes widening before rushing to my aid.

"What happened?" His eyes swept over the floor, "did you trip over something?"

"No, I was trying to get your attention so I stopped but you didn't realize I had stopped and..." I let my voice trail off, the rest was pretty much self-explanatory.

"Oh, I wish you had told me you were planning on stopping. I would have-"

"I called your name, multiple times."

"Oh," his eyes widened, "I hadn't realized," his fingers raked through his hair as he stared anxiously at his father's door.

"Alastair," I placed a finger on his chin, pulling his focus back to me, "this is just your father. There's no reason to be anxious."

"I know," he let out a sigh, "He just...he makes me anxious."

Funny, he seems to have the same effect on me.

I laced my fingers with sipped, "I'm here."

He smiled as he peered down at our joined hands.

"That you are," he gave a hint of a smile as his hands encircled my waist and pulled me from the floor.

He knocked on the door, posture more relaxed than earlier. It made me happy to know that my presence was relaxing him, even if just a little.

The door swung open, "You're late," wrinkles formed on Alastair's father's forehead as he took in my form beside Alastair's.

"If I remember correctly, I had asked merely for you, son, not for your bed warmer as well." He looked me up and down as he took seat on a velvet, red chair beside a small, wooden table.

"My mate," Alastair growled, hand tightening around mine.

I rubbed my thumb lightly against his tight knuckles, feeling the strained balls of anger relax beneath my gentle coaxing.

"Oh yes, my mistake."

He didn't appear apologetic as he sipped, nonchalantly, from a nearby flask.

I remained silent as I took a seat beside Alastair as he sat across from his father, eyes narrowing beneath his father's watchful eyes.

"Another rebel group has arisen in the north, I expect that you've begun to take care of it?"

Another?

I peered towards Alastair, hoping perhaps for him to spill some unanswered questions.

"I had sent in a troop to take care of it weeks ago but they have long since answered any of my letters. I'm beginning to think they've been...taken care of." He seemed hesitant towards the end.

"Hmm," his father stroked his bearded chin as his eyes briefly glazed over, "What about our men stationed there?"

Alastair shook his head.

What did that mean? Were they killed as well?

"What's your plan?"

Alastair let out a sigh as he placed his elbows on the table and weaved his fingers together, "I'm planning on going myself. The generals I assigned there clearly aren't doing a good enough job. I need to take charge before it gets out of control."

"And who's to handle your duties while you're gone?"

"Isaiah already offered to take a temporary role over my duties while I'm gone."

Why hadn't I heard of this from him?

"Very well," his father nodded, "do what you have to do," he took another sip from his flask that I was beginning to believe was more than water from his strong breath, "and as for your...mate? Should I make sure to find a sitter?" I narrowed my eyes as his eyes locked with mine.

I don't need a sitter. I'm no child.

"No, he'll be coming with me."

Both our faces whipped in his direction, my eyes widening as his father almost dropped his flask.

"You're going to bring your mate to a war zone?" He scoffed.

"I'm more than capable of protecting what's mine."

I should have been offended by his words, but rather I found myself blushing.

"When do you plan on leaving?" His father seemed to gain his composure back as he leaned back in his seat, flask in hand.

"Later this week."

They continued to discuss plans as I peered out the window. Maybe I wasn't meant to be a leader. The moment battle plans came up, my mind immediately began to wonder to the birds outside.

Lately, Alastair had begun bringing to kingdom meetings. I knew the reason behind it; he was trying to prepare for the position I was to take once he assumed the throne. I couldn't help rule a country that I knew nothing about, but, as much as I tried to pay attention, my eyes would always end up out the window. I hadn't been in a learning environment for years, so the sudden rush of information all at once was a bit overwhelming.

Maybe I'm not suitable for this role.

"Love?" I turned toward Alastair's voice, "do you need a break?"

His father's eyes narrowed. I shook my head. I didn't need his father saying I was more disqualified for this role than he already had.

'Worthless.'

"-we'll discuss the rest of the plan tomorrow."

I felt a hand against my shoulder as Alastair peered down at me with a small smile.

I hadn't even realized he had stood up from his chair.

"Come, love. Let's go get something to eat."

He ushered me from the room to the kitchen where he spoke to the cooks before taking a seat at the dining room table. Isaiah looked up at me with a relieved smile. Derek sat beside him but seemed to pay him no mind as he flirted with a giggling maid.

"River," he breathed.

I sat beside him with a smile, "Hey, Izzy how was your day?"

"Stressful, I spent all day reading through Alastair's notes," I raised a brow, "because I'm taking over his role while he's away...he did tell you he was going away, right?" He began whispering.

"You do know I could still hear you, Isaiah," Alastair voiced from next to me, "and yes, I did tell him."

Isaiah ignored Alastair as he continued talking, "You know, you can always stay with Derek and I if you find yourself getting lonely or bored. I know what it's like to be in a room all alone, especially-"

"Izzy," I laughed, interrupting his rant, "Thank you, but I'm actually going with Alastair."

His eyes widened as he peered at Alastair who had begun, nonchalantly, chewing on a grape, "you're bringing him there with you?!"

Alastair swallowed, "I do believe that's what he said."

"Are you crazy?!" His arms rose in exasperation.

Alastair's gaze narrowed.

Isaiah sighed, dropping his arms, "what are you going to do if he gets hurt?"

"He's not." Alastair popped another grape into his mouth.

Isaiah's eyes narrowed, "you can't know that."

"Yes, I can."

"Don't be childish! You're not always going to be with him!" Isaiah's voice rose, "what's going to happen if he runs into a rebel? He can't defend himself!" His hand waved in my direction.

"He won't need to defend himself because he'll always be by my side!"

"Don't play nativity, Alastair. You and I both know there's a possibility that River could run into a rebel on his own. Then what?"

Alastair remained silent for a few moments, "it won't happen."

Isaiah huffed, running his fingers through his hair, "why do you need him to go with you? Is it really worth the risk?"

"My heat, it hasn't ended," Isaiah's eyes widened as Alastair sighed, "it...it seems to strike worse when he isn't by my side."

My eyes widened.

All those meetings he's been taking me to, all those picnics in the garden during breaks, all the intimacy...would he not have done them if not for his heat? Was everything just a way to keep him from being in pain not because he actually wanted to spend time with me?

My chest burned as realization hit me.

This entire time he's only been keeping me close because of his heat.

I felt tears begin to well behind my eyes, but I wouldn't allow them to fall.

No more crying, tears show nothing but weakness.