The Cursed Prince

1014  A Home Is Not A Place

Raphael didn't stay for much longer after dinner. He decided to return to Ashland to see Rowena and told her his findings. They were not pleasant, but he thought she needed to know the truth.

Raphael used a portal closest to the royal palace and flew toward their bedroom on the third floor of the main tower. It was really late at night and he expected Rowena was already asleep. He was right. The woman was sleeping on their bed on the side that he used to sleep on.

A small smile curved up on Raphael's face as he realized Rowena must be missing him that she decided to sleep on his side of the bed tonight.

Slowly and without a sound, Raphael entered through the open window and landed on the floor. He walked toward his wife and gently touched her hair. He stood there, watching her sleeping for a good while, and then looked away toward the full moon in the night sky.

Would Rowena be happy in Cretea? She had no one there but him. Raphael thought it would be difficult for her to make new friends because everyone already knew everyone for a long time already and it must be hard to accept the presence of new people.

There had not been a new resident in Cretea for as long as he remembered. Some gods loved fooling around but almost none of them marry creatures from other realms and brought them to Cretea.

Raphael thought maybe Heron was the last one. If only Rowena could have children, she wouldn't be so lonely in their new home. She could keep herself busy and enjoy her time raising their children.

However, now all that was just wishful thinking. Raphael didn't want her life to revolve only around him and she couldn't have a life of her own. She would not be happy.

Should they refuse the invitation to go back to Cretea? Perhaps... they could just live freely across the seven realms and go on an endless adventure together. He wouldn't mind that. If they could stay together and find something to do, it was enough.

Raphael learned this important thing once in the past and he truly agreed with it. In order to be happy and have a fulfilled life, one must have someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to.

He lowered his gaze from the moon and immediately realized Rowena was awake. The woman had opened her eyes and looked at him with a smile. Her expression looked sleepy but she was happy.

"You're back," Rowena said softly. She was still fighting her drowsiness. "I wanted to wait for you, but I fell asleep."

"Oh, you should be sleeping," said Raphael with a smile. He walked to her and sat by the bed. His hand gently rubbed her hair. "It's really late. I'll join you soon."

He kissed her forehead and got up to undress. He put his clothes neatly on the chair and join Rowena on the bed. He liked sleeping naked when he was with her. It was as if being close to her was not enough, he wanted to always be one with her.

They also had a really good sex life, so, wearing clothes when they were in private didn't seem to be necessary either when they would just be taken off.

Rowena closed her eyes and rested her head and hands on Raphael's chest as his hands wrapped around her back and he pulled her closer. "I missed you," he whispered.

"I missed you too," Rowena replied in a whisper, still with her eyes closed. Her brows furrowed and her nose sniffed him. Raphael smelled differently today. Rowena opened her eyes and looked up at him. "You smell different."

"I do?" Raphael looked down at her face, which was staring closely at him.

He furrowed his brows and tried to remember if he went to a place with a special aroma. The only place he could think of was Esper's home. The god of healing was brewing some potion when he came and it smelled quite unique. "It's a good smell, don't worry," said Rowena with a smile. "I think it's the flowers in front of the royal palace. Were they in bloom when you were there? I remember their smell from when I was there."

"Hmm... as a matter of fact, they were," Raphael nodded. He was glad he didn't smell weird. Rowena liked flowers. "I can't believe you still remember their smell."

"Hmm..." Raphael was silent for a while. He thought it might be a good time to talk to Rowena about going back to Cretea. But then he also had to talk to her about the curse.

"Rowena, my father invited us to come back and live in Cretea," said Raphael after a minute of silence. He looked at her sincerely. "I told him I will talk to you and let you decide."

Rowena was visibly surprised at the news. She had thought Raphael was reprimanded by his parents and they were banned from entering Cretea forever. Since he didn't immediately talk about what happened during his visit, Rowena had assumed the worst.

"Your father... wanted us... to return?" She looked at him in disbelief.

Raphael nodded.

"What about your mother?"

"She did too," said Raphael. "They both wanted us to go home."

Rowena suddenly sat up. She looked at him with a surprised expression. "They were not mad at you for stealing the immortality potion?"

Raphael sat up too and held her hands. "No. Apparently not. So... what say you? Do you want to go home to Cretea with me? I don't mind living anywhere in the seven realms as long as it's with you."

Rowena looked at the man, feeling so touched. She said softly, "Cretea is your home... So, we should go back."

She thought he had done a lot for her in the past ten years. He tried to live among regular humans who were not his kind. Raphael had to hold back so much when he was around them. Rowena thought her husband would be happier if he could live among his people.

So, of course, without hesitation, she said they had to go back. Raphael needed to be with his friends and family.

Rowena didn't have anyone here. Nobody would miss her and she didn't lose out on anything to leave this world behind.

"Rowena, a home is not a place, but a person," said Raphael with a smile. "My home is NOT Cretea but you. So, wherever you choose to live, that's where I'll be. DON'T CHOOSE for me, but for you."

I think Raphael and Rowena deserve to have a family they desire, don't you think? Once Raphael meets Rowena again as Harlow, they could live happily ever after and have as many kids as they want.

Missrealitybites n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om