CELESTIA (Unicorn Blessed Chronicles Book 2) by Yumoyori Wilson (25)

"Celestia?"

I snuggled closer to Orion, not wanting to get up yet. "Five more minutes," I mumbled.

Orion chuckled. "We aren't home right now, Blessed Love. You have to get up,” he whispered, stroking my hair. I considered whether he was making that up, but decided to open my eyes to see for myself.

I looked up to see Orion's relieved expression, though he looked like he’d gone to war and stayed up for another twenty-four hours. "Orion? You look tired as fuck," I mumbled.

"You’re one to talk," he teased.

I slowly sat up, flinching at the pain from my left leg. I looked down and saw it was in bandages and that I was wearing a pink nightgown. I looked over to Orion, who wore white shorts and a black top.

"Black doesn't suit you." I frowned, not liking the combo.

"You're full of comments today." He smirked, leaning in to kiss me. I pressed my lips against his, lifting my hand to run it through his white locks. When he pulled back, he continued. "But I agree, I don't look good in black."

"Hmm. I think I need to catch up because I really don't understand how we landed in jail," I commented, lifting my hand to point at the bars of what looked like a high-class dungeon.

"They have to follow protocol here because their commander is out. They can't let us roam around freely without the Commander’s permission," Orion explained.

"What is this place exactly?" I asked.

"Alpha Pure," Orion announced. "We were 'kidnapped.’" He said, using air quotes.

"Hey! Don't go say we kidnapped you when we had to lug your ass all the way here."

I turned to see the familiar guard, my memory finally playing catch up.

Orion rolled his eyes. "Fuck off," he huffed and I smirked, slowly turning back to look at him.

"Did I tell you when you swear it's totally hot?" I hummed.

He blushed and looked away. "I thought you said that because you were delirious from the energy loss,” he mumbled.

"Nope. It's seriously hot," I emphasized before leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Can you swear more in bed? Total turn on," I purred.

His face was bright red as he shyly met my gaze. "If...you want."

"Yeah!" I declared and I heard a man laugh, catching my attention.

"Can you two wait until after we've got you a room before you plan your fantasies?" The black-haired man walked into view, his pink eyes landing on us. He had a wide smile on his face.

"Sir Prism!" The two guards stood at attention. He gestured for them to relax and turned to face us from the barred entrance. He wore simple black pants and a white top, looking like he'd just woken up from the way his hair was ruffled and his pink eyes, which still held a sleepy appearance.

"How you two holding up, especially you, Celestia?" the man asked.

"Um, sorry if this comes out rude, but who the fuck are you?" I demanded.

"Blessed Love, I think if you left out the ‘fuck’ out of it, would have been a little nicer," Orion pointed out.

I frowned. "But I'm adding emphasis. You have to take into consideration he's a complete stranger that helped us and we’re in this luxurious dungeon hotel place," I replied innocently.

The man laughed, catching our attention. "Luxurious dungeon hotel. I like that. I'm going to assume since you can talk normally without passing out, you're a little better."

"I guess. Um...thanks for healing me and not killing Orion," I whispered, bowing my head slightly.

Orion also bowed his head. "Thank you for saving the woman I love. It wasn't your duty and I'm forever grateful."

"Ah, but interestingly enough, it was my duty, but thank you for your humbleness. It gives me some reassurance." He grinned.

Orion and I exchanged looks as we frowned, completely confused by his words. Suddenly we heard the sound of the door down the hall opening, then loud clicking noises echoed down the hall.

"Commander!" The guards stood at attention and Mr. Prism smiled, a kind expression forming on his face as he looked down the hall. "You're early."

The figure came to view and I gawked at the stunning beauty, my heart feeling like it came to a stop. Orion’s jaw went slack as he stared at the woman next to Mr. Prism. She turned to face us and a remorseful smile formed on her lips as she blinked back tears.

Orion moved off the bed, helping me to stand. When he felt I was fine and could hold my weight, he looked between the stranger and me.

"Double,” he commented.

Mr. Prism chuckled. "Mother and daughter, Orion. Meet our commander of Alpha Pure, Charlotte Rainbow."

"M...om..." I whispered, tears pooling in my eyes as I stared into her mismatched ones that look just as beautiful as they had in my dream from before. All these years, I'd wanted to see her again but now that she stood before me, I couldn't move.

She must have realized I was frozen in shock, because she nodded her head in understanding. The guard that had been quietly standing there the entire time moved forward to open the cell door, pushing it back to grant Mother entry. She walked up to me slowly, her heels clicking on the cement floor until she stood before me.

She opened her arms up and smiled. "Hey, Sweetheart. I missed you."

I lost it, breaking down into tears as I stepped into her arms. She held me tightly, holding me and keeping me from falling to my knees. She lowered us both to the floor and cradled me. My head pressed against her chest as I cried and cried.

She stroked my head soothingly, telling me it was okay for me to cry and that she'd missed me so much. She was so proud of how much I'd grown and how selfless I'd become.

She held me for a long time until my tears went dry and became just quiet whimpers. She cried as well, happy to finally get to hold me in her arms again after so many years. When I finally calmed, she helped me up. Orion took the opportunity to help me stand by wrapping his arm around my waist and allowing me to lean on him for support.

Mother stared at him for a long time before she smiled. "An alicorn, huh? Interesting that my daughter bonded with an alicorn." She hummed. We both blushed at her words and Orion looked a little surprised.

"How...do you know what I am with one look?" he questioned.

"I've studied about all types of unicorn shifters for years. I don't need to see your form to know what you are,” she declared.

"Mom, you know about unicorn shifters?" I asked in shock.

She grinned, nodding her head. "Of course. How can any mother give birth to a unicorn shifter and not search far and wide to learn more about them? I knew plenty before your birth, but having you only made me motivated to learn more."

"Dad doesn't know. He said you two aren't on good terms and need a break," I mumbled.

Mr. Prism laughed. "Ah, Orlando’s such a dick. Was he working when you asked? He's always an ass when he's working."

Orion and I slowly looked at Mom, who rolled her eyes and gave Mr. Prism a look. "Harrison. Don't be mean," she scolded.

He just shrugged. "If I found out he was an ass to Celestia, I'm wrecking his office and blaming Hellsin."

Mom sighed, shaking her head. "Why are you such a troublemaker?"

"In my blood, Sweetcakes. Now can we move out of here? I think we're gonna have some explaining to do and I'd personally like to make a big meal for all of us to eat while you give Celestia and her mate the whole story," Harrison suggested.

"Um, mom? What's going on? How does he know Hellsin and why is he calling you Sweetcakes?" I asked, utterly confused by this point.

"You can go make food, and that's a good idea." She answered Harrison before turning her attention to Orion and I. "I'll explain everything over dinner, but I have one last thing to show you,” she insisted.

We both nodded and Orion helped me walk as we followed Mother. Harrison bowed his head to both of us before leaving down the opposite hall, the guards following him. I glanced at Mom's flawless appearance. Her long sleeveless white dress flowed elegantly as the gold cloak with pink and purple trimming fluttered in the passing wind that came in through the crack of the door we were approaching. When she got there, she nodded to the two guards. They bowed, before returning the way we came, leaving us alone with Mother, who turned to face us.

Her long pink and purple hair was tied up in a high ponytail and her cheeks were still flushed from her tears. She stared at the both of us and took a deep breath.

"What have you heard about Alpha Pure?" she asked.

"You guys are a rebellious group who kidnaps shifters who wander outside the barrier by accident and use them for experiments. Some of you are good, but the majority only have hidden intentions," Orion answered.

I nodded my agreement. "Some of you used to be hunters and huntresses, but decided to take a different route to face the forsaken, and ya, you guys kidnap shifters. Especially unicorns and other mythological creatures for experimentation and research."

She frowned, shaking her head. "Celestia, do you really believe that?"

"Well...ya, I do. I mean, I didn't think you'd kidnap unicorn shifters, but hunters have been known to hunt and kill us. They killed Orion's family in front of him and Magnor never would let me go too far outside the forest when I was younger for fear I'd be taken."

She nodded, looking deep in thought before she turned around and opened the door, gesturing for us to follow her.

We walked into the bright light and both gasped, the familiar scenery made my heart blossom with happiness and hope. Mother turned around to face us, but it was almost impossible for our eyes to focus on her with the incredible amount of beauty before us.

"We don't kidnap unicorn shifters or other mythological creatures, Celestia," she whispered, smiling at the creature who landed next to her. It spread its wings out as it cried out in greeting, leaving Orion shell shocked as he squeezed my hand tightly. Mother reached out and pet the pure white alicorn, before returning her gaze to us.

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