Chapter 132: A Request
She allowed her hands to travel down from his neck, all the way down his back. She winced a little in pain but bore it well. It was worth it as she pulled away from him for a moment to see the look on his face.
The undeniable blush on his face made her chuckle. Sierra removed her hands from him as she placed them on the bandages on her stomach. Laughing made her hurt but she could not help it.
Alistair could not help but laugh too, "Looks like someone’s already getting her punishment for teasing the King."
He placed his hand behind her head and helped Sierra to lie back down. She pursed her lips as she laid back down on the pillow, both of them were still giggling.
"We really are made for one another, aren’t we?" He mused as he moved the lock of hair that obscured her face.
"Certainly feels that way," Sierra replied as she traced her finger down the fabric of his shirt.
"Alistair, I have a request," she said as she averted her gaze from him.
"A request? If you want something from me, you have to look at me when you’re making your request, sweetling. Otherwise... it doesn’t count."
Sierra pursed her lips as she did as he asked. They looked into each other’s eyes for a good few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak again.
"Will you sleep by my side tonight?" She whispered softly, embarrassed by what she was asking of him.
Alistair furrowed his eyebrows and leaned in a little closer, tilting his ear towards her as he asked, "What’s that? What is your request?"
She knew what he was playing at. Begrudgingly, she played along and spoke a little louder.
"Will you sleep with me tonight?" She asked again.
Alistair chuckled. He thought she would never ask. He climbed into bed next to her and shifted under the covers. Alistair place his arm around her and pulled her in. Sierra felt the warmth of his body against hers. Placing her head on his chest, she could hear his heart palpitating in his chest.
It felt like their heartbeats were synchronized at that moment. Sierra closed her eyes, taking in his scent and committing it to memory. This was one of the closest moments they ever shared, she was going to cherish it forever.
Alistair nuzzled his face in her hair, planting a kiss at the top of her head as he held her tightly.
"Your wish is my command, my princess," he whispered beneath his breath.
~
"Your Majesty, Lady Vyrena, and Lord Dygo are here to see you," a shadow guard informed King Alistair of the arrival of his guests.
So as to not raise any unnecessary suspicion, Alistair had requested Vyrena and Dygo to arrive through the secret passageway. Upon seeing the King, both of them bowed respectfully. Sierra sat up in bed, apologizing that she could not be on her feet to greet them.
"No worries, Your Highness," Vyrena responded with a smile.
King Alistair and Dygo stepped aside so that the two women could talk. Alistair had already told Sierra everything she needed to know about Vyrena. There were no secrets between them and Vyrena already knew about Sierra.
"I’m glad to see that you’re doing well, Princess Sierra. Looks like the wound healed nicely."
"That’s all thanks to you, Lady Vyrena."
"Please, call me Vy."
Sierra was caught off guard by the woman’s friendliness, but she obliged.
"In that case, call me Sierra. We can spare the formalities."
Vy nodded with an understanding smile, "I assume King Alistair had informed you about my request to meet with you."
Sierra nodded, "He has. Although, I don’t think there’s anything quite that fascinating about me, Vy. I’m not that special."
"That’s where you’re wrong, Sierra," Vy chuckled as she placed her hand on hers, "It’s not every day I get to meet a knightess in the flesh. Not to mention, one who’s done some great feats. I would have loved to meet your pet snake, Opal too. My familiar, Aether, wanted to meet her too."
Sierra was a little stunned. She was surprised to find out that Vy knew her real identity. When she looked over to Alistair for answers, he looked stunned too. Vy realized something was amiss immediately.
Putting the clues together based on their expressions, she quickly clarified the matter.
"My apologies, allow me to explain. I have... connections in various kingdoms. That was how I found out about your real identity. King Alistair did not tell me anything, don’t worry. As for my familiar, I realized you might not understand what I meant by that."
As soon as she finished speaking, Aether, slithered off Vy’s wrist and coiled himself on the palm of her hand. Sierra gasped in shock when she saw the snake. His keeled scales were a first for her.
She had never seen anything like him.
’A curious one indeed.’
Sierra gasped in shock as she heard a voice chime in her mind. She knew instinctively that it belonged to the snake that rested in Vy’s palm.
"Your familiar can talk?" She gasped in surprise, wondering if Opal was able to communicate too. Perhaps, they simply have not discovered the ability to do so.
"Yes, mostly through telepathy. He can take a mortal form too if he liked," Vy explained.
Sierra observed Aether from side to side. His keeled scales intrigued her and she wanted to touch them. She reached her hand out.
"May I?" She asked for permission, knowing it would be rude to do so without asking.
Aether lowered his head, allowing her to do so. Sierra was amazed but the texture of his scales. It was different from Opal’s.
"How did you know about Opal?" Sierra asked out of curiosity, remembering Vy had mentioned it in her earlier statement.
"Aether sensed you had a snake for a pet, the intel I had also mentioned it. He... sensed that Opal is not a normal snake?"
This was the first time Sierra had heard someone mention this, although she’s had her suspicions for a while. After learning that it was likely Opal received the blessing of the Sea Serpent Patron, those suspicions were seemingly given more credibility.
Alistair chimed into their conversation, "Lady Diane mentioned the other day, that Opal resembled a prism serpent."
"A prism serpent?" Sierra had never heard of anything like it before.
Vy paused for a moment in thought. She looked over to Aether. It seemed like they were having a conversation through telepathy.
’If she’s a prism serpent, you’ve got yourself a very intelligent snake.’ Aether mused.
He projected his voice into everyone’s minds. It even caught Alistair off guard too. The look on his face made Sierra chuckle a little. Vy and Sierra got along well. Soon, their conversation turned to Sierra’s decision to face the trial.
