Serene’s POV

"He is early, I was hoping you will have more time to settle down." His mother spoke as I looked instinctively at her.

"Go on, open the door." She encouraged me with a smile and with a thumping heart. I went to the door and opened it and there he stood holding the reins of a black stallion from whom he had just dismounted. Dressed in all black he looked as ravishing as ever. He had a confused expression on his face as he stared at Ralph’s brothers who were unloading my luggage from the carriage.

"Oui, who’s luggage is that." He asked them with a grunt still unaware of my presence.

"Mine," I spoke softly from the door my heart thudding faster and faster. His head jerked instantaneously in my direction as multiple emotions flashed on his face. He remained rooted to his spot looking at me with those pitch black eyes. It was only a week ago that we had parted but it felt like an eternity to me.

I wished he would speak but I knew he wasn’t good with words or showing his emotions so I slowly made my way to him and stood right in front of him. I felt several eyes on me, Ralph and Zeph’s mom were watching us from the door while Ralph’s brothers had halted and were staring at us well.

"It’s so good to see you, Zeph." I offered him a smile. The way I had hurt him was still evident on his face but in that very instant he stepped forward and hugged me, not caring about everyone’s glances. I hugged him back, inhaling his woody scent, feeling his warmth and urge to hold me close.

"I thought I had lost you but I am still mad at you." He finally spoke as he let me go. I didn’t want him to let me go. I wanted to stay in his embrace for a little while longer.

"You should have kissed her if I had a girlfriend like her. I wouldn’t be mad at her when she would come from all the way from her realm just to meet me." I turned to my left to see who was speaking so boldly with him.

A boy who was almost of Zeph’s height and appeared to be his carbon copy was standing there. Same pitch black hair, and brown eyes instead of black like Zeph’s, his face was even slimmer than Zeph’s. With a very similar set of facial features and a cute smile, he was staring at me.

"Shut up, Zavrian. Mind your own business." Zeph shouted at him but he took no heed. He stepped forward: "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Zavrian, this asshole’s younger, more handsome, and smarter brother." He extended his hand and offered me that cute smile of his which resulted in two adorable dimples appearing on his cheeks.

Ralph was so right, he seemed more like Ralph’s brother as he was by no means shy. "Heya, Zavrian it’s so very nice to meet you." I shook his hand with a smile while Zeph threw icy daggers at him with his glances.

Ralph had joined us too and had placed his bent elbow on Zavrian’s shoulder and said: "Told you she will come and your icy cold brother will melt."

"Hmm, he has shown more emotions than I had expected him to show. Maybe there is still hope for him. But, he should have kissed her, what kind of boyfriend doesn’t kiss his girlfriend? Oh! wait bad one." Zavrian had no bounds and he was a free spirit. Ralph and Zavrian chuckled together and threw high five at each other. I was trying my utmost best not to laugh with them while Zeph’s expressions had gone from dark to darker as he clenched his fists in anger, his ears turning red with embarrassment.

"I am gonna murder you both." He spat out before heading inside the house kissing his mom on her cheek on the way.

"Cut it out boys, give him a break. Haul the luggage in and wash your hands. It’s time to eat." Zeph’s mom reprimanded them and they all nodded instantly.

Zavrian instantly rushed to my side. "Is it really true that you are the Princess of Fae Realm?" His eyes gleamed as he asked me. I smiled at his innocent question: "Yes, one and only."

"And do you actually have wings as well?" He threw another cute question.

"I do, would you like to see them?" I asked softly.

"Yes, please." Rian and Rumias had stopped dead in their tracks with curiosity too. So I ushered them forward with my hand. While Ralph pushed them from behind to get closer to me.

I flicked and spread my deep purple wings with silver linings wide and slightly gave them a flap as they swayed with a life of their own. Their faces lit up as if I had offered them their favourite candy and they gawked at my wings in astonishment.

"Can I touch them?" Zavrian asked with excitement. "No," Zeph bellowed from the door as everyone turned around to look at him.

"I didn’t ask you, blockhead. I asked Princess Serene." Zavrian sneered at him. Zeph sauntered over to my side with long strides took my hand in his and replied: "She is tired, can’t you see. Stop bothering her, she needs to eat and rest," and began to pull me slightly with him.

"Tuck away your wings," he whispered and I obeyed looking apologetically at the boys who looked so disappointed. Once inside he took me to a room which was next to the sitting area. The room was cosy and neat. It was covered with dari carpet and two mattresses were placed on the floor.

"It’s my mom’s room, will it be alright for you to stay here with her for the nighttime?" His voice was soft as a whisper now that we were alone.

"Yes, of course." He stepped closer to me as I was standing near the door and locked it. Turning toward me he took me in his sturdy arms as his face inched closer to mine, eyes keeping mine hostage and finally, our lips met, sating the hunger that I had been harbouring for so long. His lips were needy as if he had been longing for this, while mine just moulded to satisfy his needs.

There was a knock on the door: "Zeph, bring Serene lunch is ready." It was his mom. He let me go instantly and pointed to the washroom door. "Get refreshed lets to have lunch. This doesn’t mean I forgive you though. I am still mad." His expression had become rigid again, almost sad as my heart sank at his words. While he left me standing there, wanting more.