The Fall Ball
Chapter 73

(Rose)

Ash and I walk into the office behind the king. Raymond follows behind us, and then my parents walk in. We all take a seat around the room. Ash is holding my hand, he has not let me go since I arrived back in the palace.

“So now that we are all here. Rose, I think you should talk to us about what happened once you were taken from here.” The King says while looking at me.

I take my time and explain all that Allaric said to me. Once I finish telling them, I notice that they are all staring at me.

“What?” I ask.

“There is no way. This is not safe for you and could be a danger to all the packs in the kingdom.” Ash tells me.

“Well, I think it could be good. Sol dies and she is no longer a problem. They told me that she is losing her power and control over them more and more every day.” I say to them all.

“And what happens to them once she dies?” The King asks me.

I look to Raymond, and frown as I think he may die.

“We don’t know for sure. They think that they may be able to live on with their lives the way that they want to. Without Sol keeping control over them all,” I say to everyone.

“And what else is a possibility?” My dad says.

“They may all die when she does.” I say to him.

I watch everyone turn and look at Raymond.

“And are you all okay with that?” The King asks.

“Yes, we are. We have all lived for many years. We have all lived with each other for many years. We have explored the world. We have made friends. We have watched those friends grow old and die. We have fallen in love with those that are different than us, and watched them die.” Raymond tells us.

“And we are okay with dying. We have all lived the lives that we have wanted more times than we can count. If we continue to live after Sol dies, then we will keep the peace with you and your kind. And we will live the lives that we want, without someone else stepping into your life and telling you what to do and when to do it.” He continues to say to them.

“So how will your kind be helping us with the war that is coming?” Ash asks Raymond.

“We would be able to keep Sol away as she continues to become weak. And then, when she is no more, we can wait and see what happens to us.” He says.

“It can not be that simple,” I say to Raymond.

“But it is. We always have a tether to Sol, we can feel where she is. And we can feel her becoming weak at all times.” He tells me.

“So, basically we will just sit here and wait for her to die?” Ash says to Raymond.

“Yeah, that is the plan as of now. Things can always change and if it comes down to a war. We are on your side and will help you. Sol does not have as much control over us any longer, she can not make us do what she wants unless we want to.” Raymmond says to us.

“Well, I think this will work out in the end. And we appreciate the help.” The King says to Raymond.

“So what is the next step?” I ask.

“Well, I believe we should go back to training. So that you can gain control over your gifts. This way we can be prepared for anything that may come our way,” Raymond says to me.

“Then I think we should all go and get some rest and think about this more and try to make an actual plan. And if your king needs to speak to Rose or any of us for any other reasons, he can come here for the conversations to happen. We are willing to do what we can to be sure that we are all safe in our homes.” The King says to Raymond.

Ash pulls me up, “I have a conversation that I would like to have with you privately.” He says in my ear while kissing my temple.

He pulls me out the door and towards our room.

“Oh, I think Ash and Aspen missed us.” Lilly says to me.

“But we cant.” I start to say to her.

“We can not mark one another, but marking is different than mating.” She tells me.

“I know that. But normally, mating leads to marking.” I say to her.

“But it doesn’t have to, it can be a lot of fun. And it will give you a chance to get to know your mate on a more personal level. It can be good for both of you and your relationship.” She tells me.

I am silent as Ash pulls me through the doors to our room. He pushes the door shut and locks it behind us. I walk over to the bed and sit down and watch him.

“I missed you so much, and you haven’t been gone that long.” Ash tells me.

“I missed you too,” I say to him as he walks over and sits down next to me.

“Just breathe, your body will help you know what to do and when to do it. Ash is your mate, he wants to be with you. He will stop if you need him too.” Lilly says to me before going to the back of my head.

“Are you okay? You have been talking to Lilly all the way here.” Ash asks me.

“Yes, I am okay. She was just helping to ease my nerves.” I say to him shily while looking at the door.

“Okay. As long as you are okay,” he says to me.

We both sit silently for a few minutes.

“Salene talked to me again. I know that we can not mark each other.” I say to him.

“Yes, I have been told that as well by Selene.” Ash tells me.

“So that makes me question us. Will you be okay with things happening when you can’t mark me?” I ask him.

“Marking is a great part of us as mates. But it is not needed. We can still do everything else a mated couple does.” He tells me.

I smile slightly at him.

“Are you scared?” He asks me.

“What do you mean?” I ask him, confused.

“I know that you are a virgin, so I don’t want you to feel like I am making you do this. I love you and I want you to want this as much as I do,” he says to me.

“I’m not scared. I am just nervous.” I say to him.

“Well, let me ease some of your fears.” He tells me while leaning in to k**s me.

I let him k**s me, and then I relax and k**s him back. I feel like I am melting into him. He lays me back on the bed so that he is above me, never once breaking the k**s.

“Just tell me when and I can stop.” Ash tells me while reaching for my shirt.