His beloved witch

Chapter 20: Unfamiliar territory

-Blanche-

“I do not mind taking all the steps," Andre whispered in my ear. "Come to me, Blanche.” The pleading in his voice ached my heart. I closed my eyes as I was barely holding my tears. “Because I want to be with you.” Sweet, deceitful words numbed my senses.

“I…” The knot in my throat did not let me talk, even though I was not sure what to say.

“Just stay by my side, and I will be content.” His breath heated my skin, and I looked at his beautiful emerald eyes.

Andre has said so many pretty things, but would his pride let him do that? Better said, can the King of Lycans accept that…? Walk to me until one day I walk to him…? Would I ever trust him? Besides, what if he gets bored without…?

Soon I felt his muscular arms engulfing me in a tight embrace. And I was only aware of his warmth, his scent, ignoring the existence of others or where we were.

His arms around me emptied my mind and calmed the storm of doubts and questions in my soul. I inhaled his masculine scent and hugged him back. Neither of us minded the world anymore while in each other’s arms.

I felt safe in a way I did not feel in a long time. The anxiety, the fear, and even the urge to cry disappeared.

Andre smells like a wild forest and an old memory. Something buried deep inside of me… Something I forgot.

This Lycan has bewitched me; he must have used a powerful enchantment on me. That should be the explanation… Or is the famous mate bond? Oh, dear Mother Nature! What is happening to me? I allowed him to do with me as he pleased! Now, I am on a plane! His plane! On my way to Lycan territory!

He buckled my seatbelt. Andre held my chin and pecked my lips softly before kissing my hand and keeping it in his big one. The tingling I felt from his touch woke me from the trance. He sat next to me.

Crap, it is too late to even complain, and I was tired, so damn tired. So, I gave up the fight for now and laid my head on his shoulder as slumber took over me. This day was very long and full of emotions.

When I closed my eyes, I had a weird dream. I was in my safe place. The place I created in my imagination to go whenever I feel overwhelmed by emotions or life. It is a meadow where my favorite flower blossoms.

I was there enjoying the sun and the perfume of the field of jasmine, wearing a white dress, barefoot, when the rain fell heavily.

It was so real… I was wet, cold, and sad; the rain was sinking my flowers. Suddenly, an oak tree broke out in the middle of my meadow and grew tall and proud, absorbing part of the water from the rain.

The majestic tree sheltered me from the downpour, and the land at its feet was dry and comfortable, even warm. I sat under the tree and watched the field of jasmine resist the monsoon until the sun came out. After the rain, my flowers looked more beautiful than ever before, almost shining under the sun.

Tingles on my forehead woke me up. Andre was peppering my forehead with kisses.

“How was the nap?” Andre asked me in a low voice with tenderness. He had one arm wrapped around my shoulders and my hand in his huge one.

“It was good.” I stretched out my sore limbs and licked my dry lips, pulling myself from his grip.

I am thirsty. Funny, I was dreaming about water.

“It did not seem like it. You were whimpering in your dream."

“Is that why you were breaking a clause of our agreement?" I threw at him a knowing smile as a warning. He blushed and it was adorable. In all honesty, I like his kisses. However, I cannot admit it, or he will think it is alright to do it again without my consent.

"I am thirsty. Can I have some water, please?"

Andre smiled at me, and a female in uniform came with water and fruit on a plate. He read my mind about it, but it is only common sense with a hint of kindness. Then he asked me what I wanted for dinner tonight, offering a few options for it. A proud King took my meal order… He is not what I expect him to be.

“I want to tell you something important.” Andre cleared his throat before continuing. “My father is not a bad person.” Eleazar Carvalho is not a good person either. Leon told me some stories. Oh, s**t! Leon… I totally forgot about him. I should tell Andre about my past relationship with his minister of defense. “However, he is not exactly a good fellow.” Are we connected or what?

"No one is completely bad or good."

"Exactly. Nevertheless, poor behavior must be punished. And some lines should not be crossed."

“Alright…” Where is this going?

“I want you to feel welcomed in my home because it will be your home.” Dear King, those are big words. “But… my father and his family live in the palace, too.”

“Well, it is their home, too," I said with little consideration when I realized where Andre was going with this conversation.

“You said his family. Is that you do not consider them your family?”

A shadow of sadness clouded the green eyes.

“My mother died when I was nineteen after a rare disease ended her life. Doctors and witches attended her, but she never got better.”

“I am so sorry.” I understand that kind of pain.

“The thing is… I have a stepmother, and she is not a good person.”

“Oh…”

“Oh, indeed.” He chuckled.

“So, you are warning me to put up with her for the sake of your father.” I can understand his concern. I mean, I will not do it, but… "It is good to know." I can sass her away anytime. I am not afraid of bitches.

“No. In fact, I want to know if Cara does something, even the sightless thing. If it upsets you, she is out.”

“I see.” Family issues on the shore. Great! Note the sarcasm.

“Please, I am dead serious about this. I want you to be happy living with me.”

Damn! Again, those eyes. He keeps throwing those sweet words. Blanche, what are you going to do with him?

“I have already warned my father. No one will disrespect you in your own home. Our home.”

Wow! I overlooked those big words about a long-term commitment and gave him more information about my family instead.

“I guess everyone has family issues. My mother was a good person, but she died years ago. My father is an asshole who was absent most of my life. My grandmother is a criminal… I do not have any siblings, fortunately, or they would be a big pain in the ass." I chuckled without humor. “But I have my coven, and those witches are my sisters. You met them. Remember? Morgana, Blair, and Circe. Besides, Silvia and her family are close to my heart, but you already know that.”

“Did you just say your grandmother is a criminal?”

He noticed I said that. Well, Andre is not an i***t.

“Yes. Kassandra Lebrun is now a fugitive. She is the witch that was helping FDL, the organization led by Charlene Pretel in the werewolf Kingdom.”

Awkward moment, I know it is hard to say something after that.

“In the competition of how has the worst family issues, Stefan wins.” My bad. It did not sound so bad in my head before I said it.

“You lost your mother, too. I am sorry.” I can feel that he is honest about it.

“Thank you.”

We have something in common, the pain of losing someone so important. Neither of us was a child, yet the feeling of abandonment was enormous. I can see he cared a lot for his mother.

He must think about how to go on with the conversation. Probably, there are more questions in his head about me and my family. After all, we are just strangers to each other.

 “No family is perfect.” I provided a topic. “I prefer to tell you about it before you find out by yourself. Although, I know that you might have a file with all the information you gathered about me." I paused to look straight at his emeralds. "I do not mind. If I were in your shoes, I would totally do the same.”

“Does it mean that you are going to search for information about me?" There was a hint of pleasure in his voice. Andre is weird.

“I should; it is only fair. But I will not. I want to hear things directly from you, get to know you by myself. In a file, there will be data and information, but without context, some misunderstandings will occur.” I should be mature here since I am older. “Since we are giving a chance to this thing between us, I am willing to listen.”

“I do not have a file about you… yet.” I knew it.

“I must confess that as we speak, such file is being prepared. But after hearing how you are giving me this chance, I will reciprocate. I also want to hear about you from you.”

“I like that.” The edges of my lips rise in a smile. Andre is nice.

Well, I guess it is time to tell him about Leon.

“There is something I would like to tell you. I do not know how you will take it, but I used to date this Lycan…”

"Your Highness, we are about to land. Please, buckle your seatbelt." The pilot announced, interrupting me.

Andre only smiled politely at me and checked his seatbelt and mine.

“It is the past.” He dismissed the issue, taking me by surprise. “Besides, I assure you… I am not like any other Lycan you have met before.” Andre said close to my ear, sending an electric current thru my body. What the hell was that?

I turned to face him, and that was my mistake. His eyes flickered red and instead of scaring me, I was aroused. I can feel that his animal side wants me, and that is exciting.

Andre crashed his lips on mine with passion and it took me a minute to pull myself together after that.

“Why do you keep breaking the rules?” I scowled at him while trying to even my breathing.

Every kiss is more intense than the previous one, and I cannot resist kissing him back. I would be straddling him if it were not for the seatbelt. Damn! Andre is such a good kisser.

“Because it is hard to keep my hands away from you.” The mischievous smile on his face states he does regrets s**t. He enjoys it. “I know you feel something, but it is a hundred times worst for me.”

The temperature between us should not raise up for more than one reason.

“Can we talk about something else?” It is only wise to change the subject. “Or do you want to be the death of me?”

Andre stiffened in his seat. He can be funny. In my eyes, the proud King of Lycan looks now like a puppy that was grounded in a corner.

                “Do not talk about it so lightly.” Andre took my hand and closed his eyes. He passed from passionate to concerned.

I rolled my eyes at him. Why do I always get guys so serious about everything? I got my hand back and looked for my purse. Great, I found what I was looking for!

“Take this," I told him, handing him a lemon candy.

Andre accepted it without hesitation.

"It is lemon candy," I explained, since he looked at it, confused. "Werewolves dislike flying because their ears pop when the airplane takes off and when it lands. So, this candy can help. Try it."

"Lycans can stand the pain and comfortless better than werewolves." I was going to take my candy back, but he opened the wrapping and threw the candy in his mouth. "This is the first gift from my mate.” Andre saved the wrapping paper in his chest pocket.

Cute. Andre is f*****g cute.

Alright, Andre is cute, funny, seductive, weird and a good kisser. Even without this “bond” between us, I would be attracted to him.

We landed, and I noticed Andre did not have an expression of pain or discomfort. The candy worked and he thanked me with a kiss that I welcomed.

“Your Highness, Miss Blanche…” Adela bowed before us. “Former King Eleazar and his Queen, Cara came to receive you along with your ministers, your Highness.”

Shit! I forgot to tell him about Leon. What if he makes a scene or something? I do not care, but Andre has never been involved in any scandal.

“Andre…” I called him, pulling his hand. “Remember, I told you about a Lycan I used to date?” I whispered to him.

“Miss Blanche, would mind changing your outfit? The weather is very cold this of the year, and you will be more comfortable.”

“I can wear a coat or something on top.”

“We have some options.” Adela showed me to the back of the plain to change.

I looked at Andre, and he encouraged me to go.

“It is cold.” He warned me.

I agreed, trying not to think much about it, and picked a pearl two pieces suit, with a white silk blouse, and a brown coat.

“You look beautiful on anything, Miss Blanche.”

“It is my size, and one of my favorite brands.” All the options in clothes were my favorite brands and style, even my size.

“I am so happy, Miss Blanche. Did I do a good job?” I only smiled at her.

Andre's eyes flickered red again, and I would like to say I flushed, but I did not. I am very much comfortable in my body, and I know what suits and whatnot.

However, I forgot again to tell Andre about Leon. Therefore, I just braced myself for whatever that will happen in this unfamiliar territory.