Serene’s POV

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Zeph’s handsome yet worrisome face looking down at me. I smiled reassuringly at him while he cupped my face.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me softly.

"I am better," I said while trying to sit up. I craned my neck to see where Arlo was but he was already gone. He sang to me last night, he even held me close when I had that nightmare. Memories of last night flooded my brain.

"Serene, how do you feel?" I heard Mariela Sensei’s voice and turned around to find her and Kilamin heading toward my bed.

"I am feeling better."

"She had a nightmare again, last night," Kilamin told her. This made her furrow her eyebrows together.

"Serene, I can give you some relaxing potions. I don’t promise that they will stop the nightmares but they will help you relax a lot and maybe you can get a few hours of sleep daily." Mariela Sensei told me as she placed her hand on my forehead.

"Sure, Sensei."

"She is a bit cold, Zeph can you bring some stew for her?" Zeph nodded at her instructions and left. She then turned around to see Arlo and found his bed empty.

"This boy has disappeared again. I told him to stay here until I discharge him." She gritted her teeth in annoyance.

"He was just here a few minutes ago," Kilamin informed her.

"I will check up on him later. Serene, I will give the potions to Kilamin. You can take them from him. Stay here by noon and then you can go. I heard there is a party tonight to honour the winners and also to celebrate a successful competition. So enjoy and also congratulations on a great win. You made us all proud." She smiled at me.

"I am honoured, Sensei." I smiled back at her before she left.

"You sure you are feeling better? Any headaches?" Kilamin inquired as soon as she had left.

"I am totally fine. No headaches. But last night was harsh. I couldn’t breathe." I confided in him.

"I saw, nightmares are becoming worse. Arlo was able to calm you down, though. Now I see why Artins regards him so highly."

"Yes, he has a soft spot when it concerns me." My heartbeat became faster at those words and I could feel my face heat up.

"I know, I think everyone knows by now." I was feeling embarrassed, this was not the kind of conversation I wanted to have with him. It felt awkward. Thankfully Zeph arrived with my food.

"They didn’t have stew but had some vegetable soup and bread. I have brought that for now. But I have asked them to prepare some stew." He said while placing the tray in front of me.

"Thank you, Zeph. This will be enough."

"Zeph, can you stay with Serene for a few hours? I need to shower and change." Kilamin inquired.

"I will," Zeph nodded at him.

After Kilamin had left Zeph sat in front of me and placed the tray in his lap. "I will feed you," he said quietly before raising the spoon to my lips. I stared at him in bewilderment before taking a mouthful.

"Thank you," I whispered. He was so gentle with me now, considering how he was when we met.

"You sure you doing ok?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I am," I said as I took another spoonful.

"I wanted to be here with you, but they didn’t let me. So I waited for morning and asked Mariela Sensei again and she permitted me."

"I am glad you are here." I smiled at him, my heart melting looking at his gorgeous face.

"Ralph, Mikasim and Ayrden were worried about you as well."

"I will meet them soon. I heard there is a party."

"Yeah, we don’t have good luck when it comes to parties. Something awful always happens to both of us." There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"Let’s break that bad luck today." I smiled at him as I extended my hand and touched his face. He covered my hand with his and kissed it.

"Alright, will you like to go with me today?" He smiled back.

"Do you have to even ask? It’s a thousand times yes." He placed the tray on the side and pulled me closer, engulfing me in his comforting embrace.

He held my gaze for a few seconds, his pitch-black eyes devouring me before his lips crashed down on mine and melted me. His sensual lips were soft and tender as they fondled my rosy ones. Then I felt his tongue wanting excess, I gasped and he invaded me without hesitation. Exploring the inner realms of my mouth, giving me immense pleasure.

My hands automatically went to his hair, I clasped them pulling him closer, needing more of his tenderness as he filled me with love. He held me by my waist, caressing it. I didn’t want this feeling to stop, the feeling of being needed, the feeling of being explored, the feeling of being loved.

Then he gently removed his tongue and lips and I was left reeling for more. But he held me close and whispered: "Someone might come, I don’t want our private moment to be witnessed by anyone." I placed my head on his chest and nodded. There was a sense of calmness that washed over me every time he held me.

We sat there in silence for a while and he didn’t let me go, just kissed my head occasionally.

At noon, I was allowed to leave with Zeph. We decided to go to the Dining Hall, that’s where our little circle always liked to hang out.

Ralph spotted me first and he sprinted toward me and engulfed me in a tight hug. I hugged him back.

"Serene, you alright? We were so worried." He said in a soft tone.

"I am, you worry like I was on an important mission" I joked as he let me go.

"You are my sister Serene, so of course, I always worry about you. Besides Zeph becomes extremely cranky when something happens to you. I have to handle his moans as well." He replied with a wink while Zeph shot him a deadly look. I couldn’t help but bite my lips to suppress a laugh.

Ayrden was next, her eyes held concern as she hugged me. "I am alright, don’t worry."

We settled down at the table and they filled me in on all the details of the events which had transpired after I had fainted.

Not soon after we had sat down that our fellow novices, seniors and even the guest novices came to me and congratulated me on the win. They asked how I was doing and I thanked everyone for their concern.

Druine came and sat down in front of me. He appeared to be deeply troubled as he said: "Serene, I am extremely sorry, my attack injured your arm severely. I was only aiming for your shield."

"Druine it’s totally alright. It was a battle and injuries tend to happen during them. I was surprised by your merged power, I didn’t know you could do that. I misjudged you in that instant and paid the price." I tried to smile at him but he still carried a serious expression.

"Well, I enjoyed Layla’s wailing," Zeph replied with a smirk and we couldn’t suppress our laughter at his sudden remark, even Druine smiled. Ralph threw a high-five at him as both began to snicker. I shook my head at them.

"Serene, your powers are so amazing. I had heard about them but seeing them was a whole new experience. I see you are merging and dispersing them at your will now." Druine continued.

"Yes, Kilamin is helping me with my training."

"You are very lucky to be under General Kilamin’s wing. He is my idol." Druine had a twinkle in his eyes.

I realized he was smitten by Kilamin, as a lot of young boys and girls his age were. Kilamin was extremely powerful and let’s not forget handsome. Besides, he was the youngest person to become a general in our history.

"Well if you are interested in joining Fae forces. I can put in a request to Kilamin on your behalf."

"Really?" His eyes lightened up like a candle flame as he clasped his hand and gave me an ear-to-ear grin.

"Yes, it’s no big deal."

"Thank you, thank you so much." He seemed extremely happy and I nodded at him.

"So, what’s the plan for the party tonight? I hope everyone is attending or I will drag you out of your rooms if anyone tried to miss it and I will personally deal with anyone trying to mess with my friends. Tonight, I will be the Ralph The Guardian of my Pals." Ralph stood up with his head held high and his hand posturing as if he was holding a staff like some Majestic King.

"King Ralph the Majesty, I am at your service. Will you take me as your honourable Queen tonight?" And we all turned to see who had spoken.