#10 Royal Twins of La Lune

Chapter 16 Stella

It felt like my body was under a slab of concrete as I blinked against the dull ache in my head. I was laying flat on my back and staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. The room was dimly lit and a cool chill was blowing lightly through the air. I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut before opening them again, trying to clear away the fuzzy edge to my vision.

“Stella?” A worried voice was suddenly at my side, the bed bowing slightly as the weight of a new body sat beside me.

I rolled my head to the side and caught a glimpse of Alex’s pale face and panicked expression. He lifted his hand and brushed my hair from my face, his fingers dancing softly against my skin.

“What happened?” I grumbled, my voice horse.

Images started flooding my brain as I tried to remember what happened before I passed out. I was sitting at the table in the ballroom, listening to Alex and Ian’s Betas and Gammas argue over me with quiet disdain. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, overcome with a stabbing pain in my stomach and the feeling that my skin was on fire.

I looked down at my body and ripped off the covers. I was still in my dress, but it was ruffled and torn slightly at the hem. I checked myself over for any injuries.

“You’re not hurt.” Alex said, drawing my attention back towards him.

New images flashed in front of me. I saw Sebastian’s face, but I knew he wasn’t there, and I heard Alex’s voice whispering comfortingly into my ear.

“Is Sebastian okay?” I asked when I realized that what I felt was Sebastian’s pain through the matebond. Alex frowned and laughed humorlessly,

“He’s fine.” His answer was so hateful that it confused me.

“What happened?” I asked again, more sternly this time. I tried to sit up and winced at the stiffness in my bones.

Alex jumped into action, standing up to wrap his arm around my back to help me sit up. He adjusted the pillows behind me and fussed over the blankets. I made an irritated noise and Alex froze, dropping the blankets and sitting back down on the edge of the bed.

“Are you in pain?” He asked me.

“I just feel stiff. Alex, tell me what happened.” I snapped and Alex took a deep breath.

“There are certain….secrets that the royal family keeps about our bloodline. Conditions that revealed themselves when my great-grandparents first realized they were the future king and queen,” Alex began, closing his eyes as he focused on his tale, “One of those conditions is that no member of the royal family can take a courtesan once they’ve met their mate.”

I blinked at him wordlessly.

“A royal cannot have s*x with someone else once they’ve met their mate, neither can the royal’s mate.” He explained more simply.

I felt myself blush at the awkwardness between us. At first, I wasn’t sure why he was telling me this,

“What does that have to do…..” The words caught in my throat as the proverbial light bulb turned on above my head, “Oh.” I mumbled.

Alex shifted on the bed and leaned closer to me, his face scrunched up with concern.

“I can’t apologize enough for his actions….” He started but I held up my hand, silencing him.

“Don’t.” I said, “Did he know what would happen?” I asked. Alex quickly shook his head,

“No. He should have, but he never paid much attention to his studies.”

“I could care less about what, or rather who, Sebastian does with his free time. I’m the one who told him, told both of you, to reject me. I’m not mad.” I sighed and Alex looked shocked.

“You’re not mad?” He repeated, like he didn’t believe me.

“I’d only be mad if he did it knowing it would cause me pain.” I clarified.

“He didn’t and, I swear, if I knew it wouldn’t hurt you as well, I would kick his ass from here to the human realm for it.” Alex practically growled.

“Honestly, Alex, I’m fine.” I assured him. A burst of cold air made me shiver and I looked towards the window, realizing that it was open, “Petite Chouette?” The white and brown barn owl screeched when she heard her name.

“She wouldn’t stop attacking the window until we opened it for her.” Alex explained just as Petite Chouette flew into the room and landed on my shoulder. I gently ran my hand across her soft feathers.

“She must like you.” I laughed, noticing how calm she was around Alex.

“It’s Ian she has a problem with.” Alex smirked, eyeing Petite Chouette.

“I’m fine, little owl, now go.” I said, reaching my arm out towards the window and giving her a little toss. She screeched again and took off, flying out the window, “How long was I out, anyway?” I asked.

“A few hours.” Alex said,

“I guess I ruined the Ball.” I mumbled, not exactly disappointed by the idea of missing the rest of it.

“Oh no, don’t worry, my mother’s back up plans have plans.” Alex laughed and I groaned,

“Great.”

“Your brother was there when it happened, he and your parents are downstairs.” Alex said and I felt my eyes widen slightly in surprise,

“They are?”

“I’m afraid I was feeling a little too protective to let anyone else in the room, but, of course, I let them stay here while you recovered.” Alex smiled bashfully, “I can go get them for you, if you'd like?” He offered and I nodded,

“Please.”

“I’ll be right back, stay here.” Alex said, leaning down to kiss the top of my head before leaving the room.

I carefully climbed out of bed and wobbled slightly on my unsteady legs. When I regained control of my sealegs, I walked towards the window and tried to pull it shut. I appreciated Alex leaving it open for Petite Chouette, but the night air was freezing. I tugged on the window, but it wouldn’t budge.

“The windows are old, they stick.” A voice startled me from behind. I jumped and let out a noise of surprise, spinning around to face the intruder.

Sebastian reached around me and gave the wooden window panel a hard shove, closing it with a hollow thud. He walked over to the large fireplace next and started nudging the wood with a fire poker, bringing the fire roaring back to life. With his back still towards me, he spoke again,

“I’m sorry for causing you pain, Stella.” His voice sounded sincere and low, deep and husky. Sebastian sighed and turned around, leveling me with a serious gaze.

“Alexander told me that you didn’t know it would happen.” I said and Sebastian shook his head,

“I didn’t, but I should have.” He confessed, “And I shouldn’t have done it in the first place.” To his credit, he actually looked guilty.

“You’re free to do whatever you want with whomever you want,” I shrugged, “I just ask that you refrain from going to whatever base unleashes the fires of Hell inside my body.” I said with a teasing smile. Sebastian looked at me in astonishment,

“You’re not mad?”

“If you knew about the searing pain you would cause then I’d be pissed. But, you didn’t, so I’m not.” I said,

Sebastian shook his head at me, speechless. He started moving towards the door, but I had something that I needed to ask him.

“Sebastian?” I called out, stopping him in his tracks. He turned towards me, his eyebrows pulled together in question,

“Stella?” I couldn’t help it. The way he said my name sent chills up and down my spine, radiating goosebumps all over my body.

“Why did you want to learn French?” I asked, catching Sebastian by surprise.

He stepped away from the door and towards me.

“I don’t know. I just woke up one morning with a desire to learn French. My mother suggested a French-born housekeeper who, I think, is your mother.” He said, continuing to take small steps in my direction.

“What does that mean?” I said in a small voice, hating myself for reacting to his fiery gaze on my face.

“Do you think it means anything?” He asked, mere inches from me now.

“Don’t you?” I avoided his question.

“I think the Moon Goddess could stand to be a little more hands off.” His voice was low, his warm breath blowing across my face and kissing my lips with the sweet taste of peppermint.

Timidly, Sebastian lifted his hand and brushed a stray piece of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I froze, too scared, or maybe too turned on, to move. His calloused fingertips grazed across my cheek and his sparkling blue eyes seemed to simmer as they looked into mine.

“Belle Stellaire.” He whispered one word in French along with my name, beautiful.

My breath caught in my throat and, for once, I had no witty reply or comeback; in fact, I had no words at all. Sebastian jumped back at the sound of approaching footsteps, his face returning to its normal stoic expression so fast that I thought maybe I had imagined the whole situation in the first place.

“I’m sorry.” He said again, but I wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for this time. Before I could ask, he slipped out the door and vanished.

“Ella!” Cece’s voice shook me from my confusion and I immediately changed my expression. I smiled and held out my arms in anticipation of Cece’s hug.

“Careful, Cecile.” My father said in his low, baritone voice.

“It’s okay, I’m not in any pain.” I assured everyone, rubbing Cece’s back. I smiled up at my parents and Eliot.

“You scared the s**t out of me, Ella.” Eliot grumbled, pulling me into a hug forcibly.

“Langue, Eliot!” My mother scolded Eliot, gliding across the room to give me a gentle hug, “Are you sure you’re okay, Mon étoile?” She whispered in my ear, calling me by the same pet name she and my father have used since I was a baby; my star.

“I’m okay, I promise.” I assured her.

“You’ve only been mated to those kings for a few hours and they’ve already put you in danger.” My father looked pissed. He was a dutiful guard to the kings, loyal and patriarchal, just like Eliot. But, I’m still his daughter and Ian is still seen as the cruel, imperfect king.

“It wasn’t his fault, Dad. Sebastian didn’t know.” I sighed and he looked horrified that I was defending him.

“He didn’t know that cheating on his mate would have consequences?” Dad growled.

“It wasn’t cheating. I told him to do what he wanted, I told them both to reject me.” I confessed and he looked shocked.

“You did what?”

“Stellaire Dubois-Summers!” My mother cried out my full name in French.

“Yeah, I was there for that, it was pretty badass.” Eliot laughed, earning a stern look from both our parents. Cece was oblivious to the entire situation around her as she explored the lavish room.

“They were bullies to me in school and, honestly, I just don’t care for them. I have no desire to be a Luna, let alone a Queen. I told them to reject me. They both refused, but for very different reasons. Alexander has struck a deal with me.” I stated plainly.

“I have so many questions.” My father grumbled and Eliot laughed at his reaction.

“What kind of deal?” Mother asked.

“Alexander wants to win over my forgiveness and trust. He’s asked me to give both him and Sebastian a chance. I told him about my plans to attend the realm university this summer and that he had until the Fall to convince me to stay. As for Sebastian, he’s not as inclined to agree to the deal. He’s made it clear that he won’t reject me to avoid public humiliation and that he doesn't believe I have any choice in the matter.” I explained.

My parents stared at me with open mouths while Eliot struggled to control his laughter.

“You really are something else, Ella.” Eliot smirked.

“I can’t see how this ends well,” My father mumbled, “If I’m being honest, Stella, King Sebastian is correct. You really don’t have a choice.” I glared at him,

“Alexander sees it differently and I’m inclined to believe him. Besides, I’ll desert the realm and relinquish my ties to the Redemption pack if I have to.” I said sternly.

“You would be shunned and banned from ever returning. We wouldn’t be able to see you unless we abandoned the realm as well.” Mother said, looking terrified.

“So be it. I won’t be a slave to my mates, kings, or anybody else.” I replied stubbornly.

“You can’t defy your kings.” My father said with a proud frown.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do, Dad.” I knew that, in his eyes, going against the kings would make me a traitor, but I didn’t care. I meant what I said. I wouldn’t be a captive or a slave, I would rather be a traitor and a runaway.

“I’ve been teaching King Sebastian French for a few months now. He is jaded, guarded, and stiff, but not as horrible as he appears.” My mother interrupted us, wanting to steer the conversation away from the impending brawl.

“I know, I’ve heard.” I grumbled. Dad huffed in frustration before storming out of the room.

Eliot shook his head at me and collected Cece,

“You know that I have to be loyal to the kings first, Ella, but I’ll help in any way that I can.” He promised, giving me a kiss on the cheek before sneaking out with our sister.

“You’ve always been so strong and so stubborn, Stella, and I’m proud of the woman you have become. I just want you to consider all of your options, consider what you want out of life and what you need. Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what our life needs. I don’t want to see you give up what could be an amazing life just because it’s not what you pictured for yourself.” My mother said in a calming voice filled with love. She squeezed my shoulder before leaving the room.