Running through the trees with the wind in my hair felt like heaven. Jumping into the water I wiped my hair back from my eyes as I splashed Dominic who was a few feet away from me now. I squealed as he disappeared underwater and nearly a second later he was pulling me under too. When we emerged I lightly hit his chest while he wrapped his arms around me laughing.

"I could have drown you know" I mockingly remark with a betraying smile.

"Oh yeah?" he asks his lips inches from mine before he pulls me back underwater for another plunge and this time when we reach the surface I splash water in his face.

"Jerk" I mumbled and he pulled me back to his chest and kissed my neck and cheek before hovering over my lips. "Forgive me?" he whispers and my breathing got heavier as his eyes darkened and traced over my skin. One hand was under my thigh holding me up, and the other was on the small of my back. I couldn't respond as my breath left my lungs and my heart raced.

In a flash we were leaning against the boulder in the water where your feet could just reach the ground and his lips were on mine with a burning desire. We didn't make it home until dark and when we did we skipped dinner and went straight for a shower together. That night as we laid in bed I rested my head on his chest and prayed that everyday with him would be like this.

The next day Henley was called to be in the meeting with Charlie and Dominic. I didn't run into Victoria at all but I imagined no one ever saw her outside of dinner. Nathalie and Emily came by briefly with their kids and I found it easier than I thought to face Eliza-Jane. I think it was knowing I would be with my own children soon that made it easier. I hadn't run into Roman the last few days so I wandered down to the garden where I found him sitting on the bench beside the fountain under the oak tree.

"Hey" I called sitting beside him on the bench and he smiled over at me. "Wandering the ground again I see. Don't want the King at your throat" He teases and I roll my eyes.

"What are you doing out here?" I ask.

"Just getting a peace of mind." He says with a lost look in his eyes.

"Is everything alright Roman?" I ask and he doesn't lift his gaze off the ground.

"Care to keep a secret?" He asks and a small smile graces my lips.

"Of course" I respond.

"I used to wonder if I was cursed without a mate" He says and my heart falters for him. Spending all this time alone. "I saw her the other day. I found my mate. She's human" he says tossing a rock into the fountain. "She looked so happy. I'm scared to curse her with this long and dark life" he says growing silent with a sad glaze over his eyes.

"I was human when I met my mate. I wasn't born into this form" I say softly. "He gave me the choice of what I wanted to be and I've never regretted my decision once" I say and it was true. With all the pain and suffering I've endured over the years I only survived because of the good memories I had.

"And if she rejects me?" he asks looking over at me.

"And if she doesn't?" I respond and the corner of his lips curl into a small smile.

"You remind me of a friend I lost along time ago" he says smiling softly at me and I tried to hide the pain in my eyes. I knew that friend was me. "Maybe I'll try talking to her" He says and I smile at him.

"I think that's a good plan" I respond. "Why not do that now?"

"If it goes bad I'm blaming you" He teases and I laugh before he disappears. I sat at the fountain for a moment longer before heading back to my room.

I was sitting beside the window when a crying Henley walked in.