The hidden Lycian Princess

Episode 6

*Gabriella’s POV*

When I wake up, Marco isn't in bed. I roll over and smile to myself. I never thought s*x could be so good. When I was with Ashton, we fumbled around, and it was an awkward experience, maybe because what we had was not love.? But with Marco, it was beautiful. His gentle touch and the words whispered made it perfect! I smile and chuckle so much for making him work for it. I was like butter on his hands.

I stretch my sore limbs and sigh, contentedly never have I woken up feeling complete like something has changed my heart is full.

I throw the covers back and get out of bed. I walk to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face, then look in the mirror and notice my hair colours have gotten darker, and my eyes are brighter. I look at the bite mark and run my fingers over it, amazed it has almost healed! I turn on the shower then let the hot water run over my body. I take my time cleaning myself down and enjoy the moment to reflect on last night.

When the water runs cold, I get out. Of the shower and dry me down, then walk back to the bedroom and notice clothes set out on the bed, so I put them on a nice pair of leggings and a crop top with a sports singlet. I notice a shoebox on the floor, and I open it to see a new pair of runners in there, so I put them on and assess myself in the mirror. My body has changed since my first shift. My waist is thinner, and I am more muscular.

I take my hair out of the towel and begin to brush out the tangles, then go looking for a pair of scissors so I can cut myself a set of bangs.

Once I have cut my fringe, I straighten my hair then put it in a high ponytail making sure my bangs look good; as I begin to apply my face creams, I hear a soft knock at the door “come in”, I say as I finish up my morning routine. I see Sara walk in smiling and looking me up and down “holy s**t, Gab, you look amazing”, she says, shocked at my new figure, then walks over and picks up the straightener and begins to straighten out the ponytail.

“What brings you here?” I ask as I watch Sara in the mirror “well, Marco and Ashton have left for a meeting, so I have come to drag your lazy arse to breakfast,” she says, rolling her eyes. I chuckle “how did you sleep? Grumpypants,” I ask, ignoring her jab at me being lazy “well if a good night's sleep in a royal bed doesn't answer the question, I don't know what. Will, but I slept like a baby!” I turn to look at Sara and notice she is wearing sweat pants and a cropped top “you can't wear that”, I say, concerned that my parents might disapprove. Sara turns around, looks at herself, and smirks, “well, your mother left them on my bed, so I assume she is okay with my clothes.” I look at Sara in shock “my mother gave you the clothes?” I ask, not sure I believe what Sara has said.

Sara nods, then begin to drag me out to the bedroom, and I stop “what's the rush, Sara?” I ask

She sighs. “I am hungry, and you have a seat waiting for you at the table, so hurry up.” I know the tone she used and know there must be something up, so I fold my arms and tap my foot “fine, there is a guard that is like s*x on legs, and I want to eat my breakfast with him as a view are you happy now Gab let's go!” I nod, then walk past her and out of my room, then stop, not knowing where to go. Sara walks past me taking my hand, and drags me down a flight of stairs and into the dining room.

I see my parents sitting at the table and maids milling around; then, I see the guard that must have caught Sara's eye. He bows to me and then winks at Sara, who gives him a playful wave, and we take out seats.

My mother stands up and comes to me, and kisses my cheek. “I see you and Marco wasted no time, sweetheart.” I place my hand over my mark then look up at my mother, who has a smile. Then I look over at my father, who has a smirk on his face “it's okay, Gabriella, you are destined mates. It is the bond that brings you closer, and now you have sealed the bond, Marco will be protective of you” he reaches over and taps my hand then begins to place food on his plate.

Sara looks over at me, confused, then looks at my neck and gasps, “he bit you?” she says. I see anger bubbling within her, and I smirk. “I bit him to it's how we declare ourselves taken in the Lycian kingdom”, I explain. Sara looks at it then sighs, “I want what you have, Gab Marco, looks at you like you are his entire world” I pat her hand “you will have that, Sara I say as I begin to place a variety of fruit on my plate.

I eat my breakfast then wait to be excused from the table.

My parents look at me confused; then they realise what I am waiting for. “Nicolas will take you to the training grounds. I am sure Marco is waiting for you there.”

I stand up and look over at the guard waiting for us near the door, and I am sure Sara will have a heart attack because Nicolas is the same guard she has been checking out.

He opens the door and waits for us to exit the room, then walks with Sara and me to the training grounds.

“So you are the missing princess,” he says, looking at me. I smile. “I wasn't missing,” I correct him, and Nicolas chuckles. “I know, princess, but missing works just as well.” I smile, knowing he was trying to get under my skin, so I take the opportunity to get under his “so have you met Sara?” I ask, trying to take the pressure off myself.

He looks at Sara and grins, “oh, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the first human in the castle.”

I watch as he takes Sara’s hand and kisses the back of it. I notice Sara's face change from shock to confusion, and a growl comes from Nicolas.

Who looks just as confused.

I look between them and then notice the hairs on Sara’s arm standing up, and her cheeks begin to heat up.

I know the signs from my own experience, and I blurt out, “you are mates.” Nicolas looks over at me and smiles “did you get the tingles with Marco?” I place my hand on his shoulder and smile. “I did, and I felt the need to be close to him and missed him when he left me.” Nicolas goes quiet then smiles “then that must be it. I felt my heart leave me when Sara went to get you.” I nod, then look around “well, congratulations to you both, but we have to get to training,” I say, hoping I don't become the third wheel and Nicolas laces his fingers with Sara, and we continue to walk to the training grounds.

When we arrive, I see Marco and run to him and wrap my arms around his waist. Then he meets me halfway with a passionate kiss “good morning, Gorgeous”, he whispers, then holds me close.

While Ashton goes over what we are going to be going over.

We start with running laps and jumping over high obstacles, then Marco changes into his Lycian and waits for me to change and begins to teach me how to fight in wolf form and change into my human form and continue to fight. We do the same thing for hours until they are satisfied I have gotten the hang of it.

I have been letting Roxy control wolf form, and then I fight in human form. I flop down on the ground, trying to catch my breath, and look over at Sara, who has been sparring with Ashton. Then I notice Nicolas has been watching from the sidelines.

I sit up and look over at him “maybe you could help Sara?” I say, wondering if he has any different techniques he could teach her.

He walks over to where we are sitting on the ground and grins, “I could show Sara how to be quicker on her feet. She has the fighting under control,”

I look up at Marco, who holds his hand out to me and helps me up off the ground.

Then we watch Nicolas and Sara train. I look up at Marco “they are mates,” I whisper.

And he watches them in shock. “I thought I saw something, but now you have confirmed it; we have to see what happens next” I look up at him, confused “next?” I ask.

And Marco smiles “as Lycian’s, we can change humans into wolves, but Nicolas will have to be the one to do it, but I am not sure if the king and queen will allow such a bond”, I frown “they can't mess with fate Marco,” I say and begin to walk back to the castle wanting to talk to my parents Marco lets me go alone knowing I need time to adjust to everything that has happened.

I get to the castle entrance when I feel a sharp pain in my head, and my vision fades to black.