Sunlight beamed through the double doors leading to Marie's balcony, cascading on her face. She blinked a few times to fully wake up. The warmth on her face felt comforting.
Reaching both arms over her head she began stretching.
Looking around her room, she realized it was even more beautiful than she initially thought. She wondered if all the rooms in the castle looked as nice as hers.
She pulled herself out of bed and head to the washroom to get ready for the day. The Alpha would be waiting for the breakfast date she promised him.
Her heartbeat hastened at the thought of seeing him again.
"Marie, keep it together. You know nothing about this man." She said, looking at herself in the bathroom mirror.
She turned on the water and waited for it to become warm as she inspected herself.
Her hair was tussled, and she looked rough with lines from her pillow still visible on the side of her face. She was so tired the night before, she probably slept in the same spot and didn't move.
Casting a spell of that magnitude on Harold, drained a lot of her energy. The rest was well deserved.
Marie realized she fell asleep without showering so this shower was well needed. She tied up her long black hair into a bun on the top of her head, removed her clothing and stepped into the shower.
The warm water felt relaxing after standing in the cold morning air.
Her thoughts were consumed by Sargon as she showered her most sensitive parts of her body. Her stomach grew tight as her body responded to thoughts of this man.
Why did he stay on her mind so? She wondered.
When Marie finished showering, she applied her favorite scented oils of lavender, lily and sweet almond to her skin.
The mixture was enhanced with a spell to mask her scent when she would be around wolves. She used it often to complete her work.
She dressed in a floor length yellow dress that slightly hugged her curves. It lay with a V-neck cut on her chest, exposing a slight bit of cleavage. Lace shoulder coverings lay on her shoulders, exposing her collar bone.
Marie wasn't sure why she packed a dress, knowing she was coming to the castle to complete a task, but she realized that her higher self knew better than she did.
She released her long dark hair and combed it out as it fell down her back.
Sifting through her bag, she retrieved a gold hair tie and pulled some of her hair up in a ponytail as the rest of her hair flowed down her back.
She applied a touch of make up to her face, giving herself a refreshing glow. She looked into the mirror again, pleased with her appearance.
Marie made her way out of the room and began walking down the halls. She wasn't sure exactly where the garden was, but decided to head towards the kitchen. Someone would know the way.
The castle was extremely quiet. Sargon really meant when he said no one was allowed to enter the castle. She thought.
The most movement she saw was near the kitchen. Marie saw the maids going back and forth preparing meals and completing their regular duties.
"Pardon me." Marie interrupted one of the older maids who was preparing a tray of tea.
The teacups and kettle were beautiful in porcelain white with gold trim.
"What can I do for you, my lady?" The maid asked.
"My apologies for interrupting you but can you point me in the direction of the garden, please?" Marie asked the older lady, as she felt guilty for the interference.
"Oh, of course my lady. I am headed that way anyway. This tray of tea is for you and the Alpha." She said with a smile. Marie began to blush.
"Thank you. I can carry it." Marie said.
"Oh nonsense, my lady. It is my pleasure to serve you. The Alpha never has breakfast with any ladies. This is exciting for us." She said with a smile as she picked up the tray and began heading to the garden.
Marie followed closely as her cheeks became warm at her words.
"What is your name?" Marie asked.
"It is Mabel, my lady." She replied as she continued along her way.
The doors leading to the garden were not far away from the kitchen. Mabel opened the door with one hand, holding it open for Marie .
Marie followed as she stepped out of the castle in a gust of wind that gently caressed her hair and caused her dress to flow.
As Marie ran her fingers through her hair, she looked up and caught eyes with Sargon who looked mesmerized by her.
Walking towards him, they both smiled at each other.
The stone walkway leading from the castle to the garden pavilion was lined with beautiful flowers of many colors. The pavilion was a tan color with a wrought iron table and chairs in white.
Sargon stood up and walked down the steps as Marie drew closer to him. He reached out his hand for hers and guided her up the steps to her seat.
He pulled out the chair for her as she sat down and got comfortable.
Mabel placed the tea tray on the table as Sargon sat in his chair. She placed a teacup in front of Sargon, then Marie and stepped back.
"Your breakfast will be right out, your majesty." Mabel said, giving a bow and walking away.
"Thank you, Mabel." The Alpha replied.
Marie looked down and nervously smoothed out her dress.
"Mabel is very nice." Marie said.
"All of the maids are nice here. They are treated well and return the treatment to me and anyone close to me." He said, truthfully.
"So, I am close to you?" She asked curiously.
"That is to be determined." He replied playfully.
"I see. Well, you have done a good job at being a favorable leader." Marie replied as Sargon smiled.
"You look stunning." He said as Marie blushed.
"Thank you" She replied as she avoided his gaze.
"I trust you slept well." Sargon asked.
"Oh, that was the best sleep I have had in a long time. Thank you. I truly appreciate you making me feel so comfortable." She said.
"You're welcome." He replied.
"Dad!" Alaric said, running up to his dad and throwing his arms around his father's neck in a headlock.
"Easy son, we have company. Have you forgotten your manners?" Sargon asked, as he chuckled.
"Sorry dad. Hello, Marie. My father told me about you." Alaric said, reaching his hand out for Marie's hand.
She gave him her hand as he placed his other hand behind his back and kissed her knuckle then released her.
"Oh my, what a sweet boy you are. And what did your father say about me." Marie asked, as she glanced mischievously at Sargon through her peripheral vision.
Sargon stiffened up and looked nervous.
"My dad says your so beautiful and you are helping Vianna's dad. Thank you for helping my friends." He said, innocently. Marie felt her cheeks tighten from smiling.
"That's enough Alaric." Sargon said.
"Nice to meet you, Marie." Alaric said as he ran down the steps of the Pavilion.
"He is simply wonderful, Sargon." Marie said as she placed a slice of lemon into her tea and added two cubes of sugar, then took a sip.
"He will be a great ruler one day." Sargon said as he beamed with pride.
"What about you? Do you have any children?" Sargon asked.
"Well, no. You need a partner in order to have a child. I have never really had a partner. Maybe one day I will have children. Until then, I shall take life one day at a time." She said.
"Why do you choose to remain alone?" Sargon asked.
"Like you, I have never truly been drawn to anyone. I never felt the need to be close to someone. I have never wanted to be touched by anyone before." She said, looking into his eyes.
Marie couldn't understand why she could never control her mouth around this man. This was unlike her to be so vocal about what she was feeling.
Just then, Mabel returned with a spread of breakfast items for their meals. Interrupting the two.
"Thank you, Mabel. That will be all for now." Sargon said, making sure Mabel knew not to interrupt them any time soon.
Sargon stood up and reached for Marie's hand.
He guided her into the garden and showed her the colorful flowers throughout. When he arrived at the lake towards the end of the garden, Marie gasped.
"This is incredible." She said, admiring its beauty.
The lake was tranquil and contained birds, floating along peacefully as butterflies danced through the air.
"How lucky you are to live near such beauty." Marie said.
"You are free to stay here whenever you wish." He said as they stopped by the lake.
"Thank you for your generosity." She replied.
Sargon reached for Marie's other hand as they faced each other looking deeply into each other as Marie's heart fluttered.
"I do not know what it is that makes me feel so when you are near me. It is almost like you have put a spell on me." He said in a low voice, as he tried to make sense of his feelings.
Marie blushed at his confession.
"To be perfectly honest with you, I am not sure why I feel so drawn to you either. I find myself thinking of you often, even when you are standing right in front of me." She said as she looked away from his soft gaze.
"When all of this is over, I would like you to stay at the castle. At least until your home is complete." Sargon said.
"My home?" Marie asked confused.
"Yes. I promised you land but what good is land without a home on it?" He asked.
"This is true, but I did not expect you to build an entire house for me." She said in shock.
"You have earned it. I must take care of you after all you are doing. Besides, it is the only way I can keep you closer to me." He said as he cupped the side of her face in his hand as she leaned towards it and closed her eyes.
Sargon gently placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth as Marie's breath hitched.
Sargon gently tilted her head up to meet his hypnotic gaze.
"If you are not back quickly, I am coming to look for you myself." Sargon teased.
"I hope you do." She replied as she wrapped her hands around Sargon's neck while he slid his arms around her loosely on the small of her back.
Sargon pulled away carefully as he felt his wolf begging to break free.
Marie looked at him, confused.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"I have never been better." He said while he tried to hide his attempts to restrain his wolf. Marie looked at him suspiciously.
Sargon pulled Marie close as she leaned her head onto his chest.
He combed his fingers through the back part her hair, sending shivers throughout her body as she admired the beauty of the lake and the garden.
So, this is what it is supposed to feel like. She thought.