Warning! There is a good bit of back and forth in this chapter. Sorry about that. I hope you guys will enjoy it!
***
"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere." -Marilyn Monroe
Braeden's Pov
It's so great to be back in my kingdom. The smell of smoke that I often took for granted is comforting me in ways that I can't even begin to explain. Right now I'm helping Melrose get her things off the boat and realize that she wasn't kidding when she said she packed light. She only has two bags to carry on her arms and I have a huge rolling suitcase and a bag slung on one of my shoulders.
I take one of her bags and ask, "Like what you see so far?" Even though there isn't much landscape except for the trees and red dirt beneath our feet, I felt the need to ask.
Melrose looks me up and down before licking her lips and with a seductive tone says, "Most definitely, Prince."
I laugh at her attempt of flirting and look toward Dizzy and Prince Colin. He's carrying a few of Dizzy's many bags and I actually feel bad for him. We have to walk a little farther until our guards can bring the rest of our bags to the palace and Dizzy has never been known to pack light.
"You have a lot of rocks," Melrose says and I point toward the west.
"There's also a volcano in that direction. It erupts about every fifty years so a lot of my people stay away from there," I tell her. Melrose nods in understanding and I notice that she's taking everything in as I did while in her kingdom. Will she approve of my land or hate it as I hated hers in the beginning?
I am soon able to hand my bags to the guards and I stand closer to Melrose. Now that my hands are free, I want to do nothing but touch her. This is going to be a problem.
"So when can I shop?" Melrose asks and Dizzy looks back with a interested gleam in her eye that alerts every cell in my body.
"Did you just say you want to go shopping?" Dizzy asks and Melrose nods. Melrose takes an unnoticeable step closer to me and I glare at Dizzy to back off. For some reason Melrose isn't comfortable Dizzy's gaze and I don't like it.
Dizzy smiles brightly and grabs one of Melrose's hands. "Come on, there is a small shop just ahead and on the outskirts of the city. No one will see you. Brady I'm stealing her for a few hours. Get Colly some clothes because I want to go to the club later, please and thank you," Dizzy says.
Before I can protest, Dizzy is skipping hand in hand. My blood begins to boil and I clench my fists filling with flame. Dizzy should have listened to my warning. I hate not being obeyed.
Just when I really think about burning Dizzy as a warning, Melrose looks back at me with a light smile on her face. I relax immediately and wonder if Melrose wanted to go with Dizzy. Why was I getting so upset?
Melrose waves in my direction and I wave back with a light smile on my lips. She'll be fine because Dizzy knows I want Melrose back alive. I mean I hope Dizzy knows that.
Once Melrose is out of my view, I turn toward Prince Colin who is staring me down. "Dude what's your problem?" I ask and Prince Colin just shakes his head before looking away.
"Apparently I need clothes. Where should I go?" Prince Colin asks and I simply sigh. This is going to be a long afternoon.
***
Melrose's Pov
"Dutchess I'm back!" Princess Desiree exclaims as we walk through a decent sized shop. The clothes on the rack don't really seem like clothes fit for royalty, or anyone for that matter, but the shop is really clean and organized. There is probably something in here I can work with to seem polite.
A short woman whose head comes to about my waist walks our way with a huge smile on her face. "Hello dear. Whose you're friend?" the woman who I assume is Dutchess asks.
"Friend and she needs a wardrobe to last for at least four days, plus one elegant dress. You know how mom and dad are," Dizzy says and finally releases my hand. Princess Desiree has a killer grip but Dutchess doesn't seem to have noticed.
Dutchess giggles before walking toward the front of the store. "That I know. Do you have a favorite style my dear?" Dutchess asks.
"No ma'am," I reply and Princess Desiree raises an eyebrow at me.
"Seriously? You're not into prude styles?" Princess Desiree asks me and my eyes widen at the words.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I question and Princess Desiree shrugs. This is one reason why I wanted to shop with Braeden.
"Come here my dear. I know how much the Prince and Princess love their night life so you're going to need quite a few garments of this nature. Princess please feel free to look around in the back. A fresh batch just arrived this morning," Dutchess says and Princess Desiree leaves my side.
I walk near the lady and she holds up a fabric skimpier than my swimsuits. She holds the top against my chest and Dutchess says, "Might be a bit big. Do you like this style?"
I feel the red fabric in my hand and it's really rough. The top looks like it will push up my breast and show all of my stomach. It has almost see through sleeves with a thicker patch around the wrists and the part containing my breasts. Do Fire Elementals really wear clothes like this?
"I have something more revealing if you'd like," Dutchess says and that's when I speak up.
"I want most of my things sexy. I don't want anyone to be able to take their eyes off me. I'm placing all my trust in you. I don't want to seem easy, but I absolutely need to look enticing at every moment. Can you help me?" I beg.
Dutchess looks me over and tells me to turn. Once I'm facing her again, Dutchess has already moved on to another rack. I'm probably a lost cause to their kind.
"You have great legs. We'll maximize those. I'm guessing you're just trying to snag one man so I'll keep things sexy but not slutty. Don't worry, I will help you with everything. Girls!" Dutches exclaims and from the back two beautiful girls with high blonde ponytails appear. Everything about them looks good from their full lips, to their smoky eyes, to their perfectly red nails. No wonder Braeden is such a playboy.
The girls gasp at my appearance and I take a nervous step back. Do I really look that bad to them?
"Where have you been? Hiding from the sun?" the first girl asks.
"And your nails? Were you forced into heavy lifting?" the other girl asks.
"We pity you," they both say at the same time before turning toward Duchess.
Without taking her eyes off the clothes, Duchess says, "If you girls are finished, please give her the works."
Each girl takes one of my wrists and says, "Yes Duchess," before pulling me toward a room behind a curtain. I swallow down my fears and ignore the girls' giggling. What am I getting myself into?
Braeden's POV
"I'm fine," I assure Prince Colin for the millionth time. He just doesn't shut up. He's nothing like his sister.
I don't know if my nerves are bad just because Melrose isn't near me or if it's the fact that Prince Colin is genuinely telling me things that I don't care about. Being a royal, I know how to seem sincere but right now I just can't put that mask on. I need to know if Melrose is alright. I need to know what she thinks about my kingdom so far. I hope Dizzy isn't taking her anywhere dangerous. I wonder if Melrose is thinking about me.
"Just asking because your mind keeps wandering off. Mel has that problem too," Prince Colin says and my ears perk up. It's about time Prince Colin brought up his sister. Now I can get information about her from him.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"She has a short attention span for almost anything in a library book. She likes to learn things by doing things," he says. I'm the same way. Maybe Prince Colin can be more useful than I thought.
I let a few moments pass through us as I look for new sunglasses before asking, "What does Melrose like to do?"
I glance at Prince Colin from the corner of my eye and realize that he's not fazed in the slightest by my question. "She likes exploring. It's gotten her into some serious trouble as a child. If you take her some place new, something she couldn't have ever imagined, then Mel will have a good time."
I can easily do something like that for Melrose. What I can't do is allow Prince Colin to think I have the hots for his little sister.
"I was just wondering. No need to make it sound like I'm actually thinking about taking her somewhere," I reply.
"I didn't say you were."
"But you implied it." Prince Colin looks at me with a raised eyebrow and is prepared to say something, but shakes the words away and leaving me with a cliff hanger.
I turn away from him and walk towards the back of the store. What could Prince Colin possibly know about me and Melrose? I've been careful, at least I think I've been careful. I know that Melrose would never say anything. Or could it be that she's really playing with my mind? Would my Melrose do such a thing to me?
When I walk back toward the front, I see Prince Colin chatting with some nerdy looking girl who probably works at the bookshop next door. The girl is desperately trying to flirt, but for some reason Prince Colin isn't feeding into the obvious. Maybe all his book smarts has made him socially incompetent.
"Ready?" I ask since this flirting conversation isn't going anywhere.
The girl curtsies at my presence and Prince Colin shifts his bags before saying, "Sure. Good luck with that project Susie." Prince Colin places a kiss on her cheek and the poor girl looks like she's about to faint. Prince Colin walks out of the shop without any hesitation and sure enough, the girl begins to fall to the ground.
I wrap an arm around her waist to steady her and the girl sighs. "Two hot guys in one day. Wow," she sighs. I set the girl on the ground gently before walking out of the door. I'm sure someone will find her eventually.
I jog to catch up to Prince Colin and soon fall into step with him. We walk for a few moments and I have to throw a ball of flames up into the air multiple times just to keep myself entertained. I could be doing something with Melrose right now. I wonder what's something she's never thought of before that I have in my kingdom to amuse her.
"You know that if you hurt Mel, I'll kill you right?" Prince Colin asks out of the blue. I let my ball of fire drop and give him my full attention.
"Excuse me?" I question. He can't be trying to threaten me. Prince Colin's a water elemental on my kingdom and he is a man who think about his words carefully before speaking.
Prince Colin smirks for some unknown reason and with his smirk, I feel a lot of pain in my chest. I clench my stomach in pain and crouch down. This sudden pressure is unbearable. I feel like I'm going to burst. I begin to cough up blood and Prince Colin kneels beside me.
"My sister may be...a little less developed with her Water bending, but I excel in the art. What am I doing to you right now is ancient bending. It was considered too barbaric, too much like you Fire Elementals, for us Water Elementals so it has stopped being taught. Now I personally think you'll do Mel some good, and I'm sure you have nothing but Good intentions toward her. This is simply a warning Prince Braeden," Prince Colin warns and as he stands up, the pressure leaves instantly.
I take many deep breaths before looking up toward Prince Braeden with hate in my eyes. "How did you know?" I ask.
Prince Braeden just shrugs before saying, "I know my little sister. Since she didn't ask me to hurt you by know, I knew she liked you. She doesn't take well to anyone outside of our palace."
I stand up weakly and take another deep breath before swallowing down my warning for him to Dizzy. Just like he thinks he knows Melrose, I know Dizzy and I know that for some reason she is frustrated by Prince Colin. I don't know if he's ignoring her feelings as Prince Colin ignored the girl at the store or if he's under performing while alone with Dizzy, but he's smart enough to know what I'm capable off.
Just incase he doesn't know the magnitude of my power, I look toward my right where a group of kids are trying to start a simple fire. Prince Colin follows my gaze and I ignite the large pile of wood into a huge fire. The kids cheer at what they think is their own work but I continue to let my bending fuel the flames. I am not a feared child of fire for nothing.
"Watch out around Dizzy. If you think I'm extreme, double it and add no control. That's Dizzy," I warn him and let Prince Colin continue to look at the roaring flames before walking closer to the palace I call home.
I glance at my palace's appearance and know that it is very different from the Water Elemental's palace. Fire Elemental's homes go down in floors unlike the Water Elemental's homes, but our palace has an extra level on the top used mostly for viewing the city. We have a few stained glass windows that don't open and each window has our family's crest designed on the outside. My grey stone castle surrounded by gravel is a comforting sight, but I can't wait to be able to hold Melrose in my bed. My parents never walk down my hallway and I've secluded myself from the main hallways just for the sake of privacy. Insisting that Melrose be in the room next to me won't be a problem.
I look back as I approach my rod iron gate and see Prince Colin in no rush to get here. That's just fine with me. I need to get ready for Melrose's arrival. I walk through my palace doors and immediately, all the servants bow at my presence.
"Welcome home, Prince Braeden," they say immediately and I lightly bow toward them before seeking out my parents.
"He should've been here! Those filthy creatures have him captured I'm telling you! Sound the alarm! Declare a new war! These are my kids Brad!" I hear mom argue.
"Just take a seat Lolly. Give him another hour. He probably picked up a girl or something on the way home. You know how stuck up those Water Elementals can be," my father says and I'm guessing he doesn't know that Melrose and Prince Colin are in the kingdom.
I hear something crash in the room next to me and without thinking, I kick down the door. Instead of an attack on my parents, it's just my mom straddling my dad and trying to choke some sense into him.
"Mom I'm home," I announce and she release her grip around dad's neck instantly.
"Son!" she exclaims and comes to hug me to death.
"Still doing that yoga, ma?" I ask and try to pry myself out of her arms. She finally steps back to spin around.
"Can't you tell? I look gorgeous," mom says and I look back to see Dad rubbing his neck.
"Of course mom. Dad we have guests on the way," I reply and Dad grunts.
"I knew it. That's fine son. Who are they?" he asks.
"Prince Colin and Princess Melrose Visico of the Water Elementals," I say and my dad's eyes shoot up.
"What?" he roars and the fire place near the wall burns brighter. My dad gets angry really quickly and I constantly have to be ready to dodge an attack from him.
"I doubt I stuttered, father. They are in the kingdom and unless you have any complaints, I'm going to tell the head maid to prepare rooms for them," I reply.
Mom turns toward Dad with anger in her eyes and demands, "Why didn't you tell me we were having guests Brad? You can be so impossible at times!"
Dad grits his teeth before saying, "I didn't know they were coming Lolly. Now go before you bother me further."
Mom glares at her husband and I take this opportunity to walk out of the room. Those two will work it out. They always do. I've stopped trying to figure out why they are always down each other's throats a long time ago.
I find the head maid and tell her to prepare the room closest to mine and the room closest to Dizzy's before running toward my own room and finding it too tidy for my tastes. I pull the covers back and flip the two steel chairs over. I run to my bathroom and put my cologne on counter, fill half of the metal bowl with water, and make the rug on the cold bathroom floor crooked.
I release a sigh of relief and spray a bit of cologne on myself. I can't stand everything being super neat. I change out of my water elemental type clothes and put on a pair of red skinny jeans. I put on a pair of silver sneakers before putting on my silver watch, shades, and silver chain. I run my fingers through my hair before doing a few push ups and sit ups. I know how much Melrose loves to touch my chest so I have to keep it nice for her.
I pop a few peppermints into my mouth before walking out of my room feeling satisfied. Now I feel at home. I walk toward the front door and once I turn the corner, the doors open.
"Calm down! I told you that you like fine. I don't even know why you're so nervous," Dizzy says and I halt once I see the woman behind her. When did Dizzy have time to pick up a friend of hers?
The woman's dark brown shiny hair is fluffy and tossed to one side. Her skin has the faintest tint of color and her body is gorgeously on display. The woman is wearing a very tight, red capped sleeve shirt. From the end of her breasts to her hips I can see flawless skin. The woman is wearing a red mini skirt and I curse when I realize that even if this woman bends over, she will still be covered, but just barely.
Her legs are long and I find myself licking my lips when I realize they never end. The woman's nude four inch heels add to the growing levels of pleasure I'm experiencing. Her nails are painted bright red, her lips are glossy, and her make-up is flawless to emphasize her hazel eyes. Wait, I've only seen hazel eyes of this exact shade on one girl.
"Melrose?" I croak. I knew Melrose was a beauty, but could this really be her?
The woman plays with her silver necklace that rests in the crook of her breasts and the woman gulps after taking in my appearance.
"Yeah?" the woman replies and my jaw drops. Where has this Melrose been hiding?
"Like her earrings Brady? I picked them out myself. Mel liked this bracelet for some reason but I told her it kinda clashed," Dizzy says while pointing to Melrose's big silver triangle earrings and thick silver bracelet.
I take a step closer to Melrose and say, "Prince Colin is in the room next to yours." Dizzy bounces away without much more thought and Melrose brings her clutched silver purse closer to her chest.
"Um...," is all Melrose can say and the tint of color on Melrose's cheek that I've come to enjoy washes over her gorgeous face. How can she still be so shy in an outfit like that? I'm sure other guys were complementing her on the way here but that doesn't matter. Melrose is mine now.
I take Melrose's hand in mine and say, "I would kiss you but I don't want you having a fit about me ruining your make-up. You look too gorgeous to touch." Melrose's eyes widen at my words and she quickly lets her eyes travel down my chest.
"That's too bad because my mind is filled with thoughts of touching you," she says and I let out a laugh. I put her hand in the crook of my arm and head towards the door.
"I'm taking you out." I tell her once I see her confused expression.
"Why? I'd rather see your room," she says and I can't help but grin.
"Are you flirting with me Princess?" I ask with a nobel voice and Melrose releases one of her sweet giggles I love. I will do anything to keep her giggling and happy.
"Trying to. Is it working sweetie?"
I bring her hand up to my lips for a quick kiss before I say, "Keep trying. Maybe you'll get there."
I see the disappointment in Melrose's eyes quickly being replaced with determination and almost laugh at how easy this is. I can't tell her that she's already great because then our little game would get boring. Melrose will have to stay on her toes if she want more from me.
Melrose's Pov
"Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, let me entertain you by being your guide into the world of imagination at it's most....peculiar," the ring master says and I glance at Braeden. His arm is around my shoulder and I'm leaning towards him while probably blocking someone's view from behind me. Braeden says this a circus that he used to go to all the time with his sister. I've never been to a circus before but Braeden has assured me that it's something everyone shpuld see once in their life.
The tent goes pitch black and I'm nervous for only a second because Braeden pulls me closer to his warm body. I start to fan myself with the advertisement I recieved on the way in. It's so hot in this tent. I'm starting to regret leaving a bottle of water in my bag.
A single spot light spins around the tent and lands on a girl in the air. Braeden told me only Fire Elementals are in this circus company. The girl is wearing a gold sparkly outfit and she does a backflip in the air that makes me and others in the crowd gasp. She has to be an Air elemental.
The girl leaps through the air before stopping to tilt to the side. She descends quickly toward the earth and kids scream as she falls. The tent becomes dark again but only for a second. Tumblers appear through a single spotlight near the back of the tent leaving no sign of the girl who fell and they have heavy make up on their faces with cartoonish red smiles applied to their lips.
This circus has went from strange to creepy in the matter of seconds. The cartoonish figures with their bright, oversized clothing begin to get in an argument amongst themselves before it becomes violent. The cartoonish figures are soon rolling on the ground and throwing punches, mostly at themselves. Most people in the crowd including myself find this mock fight very funny.
The ring master comes to break up the cartoonish figures and a small girl takes their place. She begins to twist her body in ways I didn't even know were possible. I find myself tilting my head to the side at the girl's pretzel like shape until she finally returns to normal. I clap at her performance with the others in the crowd until the lights are cut off again. I winder what the director is trying to do by turning the lights on and off.
"Now folks you didn't believe that all the fun could be over so soon, did you? We have in our midst a user of water," the ring master says and the people in the crowd gasp. Is he talking about me?
"Yes such a creature as horrible as such is sitting in the crowds, amongst you. Try to find the culprit, I dare you. With skin so pale and wrinkly, with hearts so trustworthy its laughable, and eyes that hold their weakness, mercy, our offender should be easily recognizable," the ring master says from somewhere in the dark tent and the crowd goes wild.
I look up into Blaze's eyes and he brings my hand up to kiss. Should I hide or something?
"Don't worry, it's not you. The ring master always places a 'culprit' in the crowd as part of the act. If someone gets to close to you, I'll handle it. Just relax."
I nod in understand but waiting in the darkness is only building my fear. How can Braeden be so calm when I'm not?
Lights brighter than those ever shown in the tent blind me and the voice of the ringmaster soon fills my ears. "Fools! None have found this culprit. That is a pity but do not fear. I shall use my spell and lure this feign to its doom. Now come!" the ring master demands.
I'm able to open my eyes comfortably and I look to my left when I hear everyone's gasps. The girl walking toward the ring master looks sickly. Her skin is extremely pale and she looks like she hasn't eaten in a while. Her hair is very thin and she has dark circles under her eyes. My heart goes out to the poor girl but I don't know what I can do for her.
"She's a fire elemental who has a good make up artist," Braeden tells me but I can't rest in his arms as easily as I could before. Is this how Fire Elementals view my kind?
The girl's slow carefully steps and blank expression in her eyes is enough to give me nightmares. The girl finally reaches the ring master and he gently caresses her cheek.
"Tell me my dear," he begins and pause for effect. it's working because I'm hanging onto his every word. "What's your name?"
"Grace," she says with a trance filled voice. A few of the cartoonish figures roll a tray of glass cups filled with water near Grace and the ring master. The ring master takes a few more moments to stare into Grace's eyes. They seem to grow closer to each other and he tilts her face towards his. I think the ring master is trying to seduce Grace.
"Talk about disgusting," someone says from behind me.
"He's actually touching that thing," someone else says.
"This is an insult to the King!" The ring master looks toward the crowd with a strange grin on his face before pulling away from Grace.
"Prove to us that you are a water elemental. Show us your deformity!" the ring master demands before pushing Grace near the water and the crowd cheers. Grace stumbles but soon continues her slow walk to the pitchers of water. The cartoonish figures make Grace's walk difficult by tugging on her arms and throwing objects at her legs. They begin to pull out her hair and I sit in my seat absolutely horrified.
Braeden rubbing my arm isn't helping as I watch this poor girl being tortured. Why won't anyone help her? The girl finally makes it to the water and she stares into the glasses. Everyone seems to be at the edge of their seats at this point and I just want to bury my head into Braeden's chest. The only thing holding me back is my curiosity of how a Fire Elemental will pull off a Water Elemental skill.
A few bubbles come to the top of the glass and some of the people around me gasp. The water begins to swirl in the glasses and Grace looks around the crowd. The glasses begin to shake violent and I watch Grace's eyes roll to the back of her head before the tent goes black again and a loud crash sound fills the tent. My heart is racing in the darkness and after a few torturous moments, the lights appear.
A gasp escapes my lips and I cover my mouth with my hand. There is absolutely nothing in the ring except for a floating paper bag. What did they do to Grace?
"Now ask yourselves this," the ring master's voice echoes through the tent. "What can be real in the world of the unreal?"
We sit in silence for a few moments until the people begin to pour out of the exits. I release a deep breath and Braeden pulls me out of my seat.
"Nerve recking, huh?" he asks and I laugh lightly.
"I almost had a heart attack. Will the girl be alright?" I ask.
"Yeah she's fine. I met her, or more like I demanded to see her, after the first time I watched it. She's the ring master's wife but that has to stay a secret. It would ruin business," Braeden says and I nod.
Braeden leads me out of the tent and toward the busy streets. I don't think I'll be able to go to the circus anytime soon even if it was an act.
"If I was done there, I would've killed that Water Elemental," someone says and a few more people agree with him.
"Or at least force her back into her precious water. After a while, even they have to drown," another person says and the people around me laugh.
I grip Braeden's arm tighter and assure myself that the Fire Elementals will never know I'm not like them. As long as Braeden's by my side, I'll be fine. What could possibly go wrong?
***
So this was the very first look into Braeden's kingdom. He wasn't lying when he said it's rough. Lol! But what about Mel's transformation? I think it's a nice change for her and obviously Braeden likes it so that's all that matters right? Hmm....
Please leave all those wonderful comments and votes below. I will probably just go on and start typing the next chapter of this story. I've missed my stories with Romance. *sigh*.