I was Her

I arrived at the castle just past one o'clock in the afternoon. The snow had begun to fall heavily the day before and I had made special arrangements to leave work early, afraid that I would be caught in a blizzard and miss my chance to visit this incredible place.

As a historian, visiting the Castle of Zapir was a childhood dream. The tales of ghosts roaming the hallways and strange sightings of witches and other unidentified creatures in the thick forest surrounding it was beyond my field of speciality, but that was not what I had come to write about. I had come to record the genealogy of the family that owned this estate, one of the oldest families in the entire country, and to record the pieces of art work and relics in their possession. The old Duke had died a couple of weeks before and had bequeathed his entire estate to his three sons.

As I cut the engine of my car an old butler opened my door and held out a hand to help me out. I immediately took a liking to him. His old face was kind and as I placed my hand in his the nerves that had been building in my chest was suddenly gone.

"Miss Ada, Connell at your service," he said as he bowed slightly.

"Thank you Connell. Would you arrange for someone to take my bags up to the rooms?"

He smiled and motioned for two lanky teenage boys in smart black and gold livery to come over. They bobbed their heads at me in respect and pulled my heavy book-filled bags from the trunk of my car, disappearing into the house through the grand glass front doors.

As Connell led me into the house I was blown away by the elegance and opulence of the place. It wasn't hard to see why this was a family the Historical Society had sent me to record. The foyer floor was a beautiful rosy marble and a grand staircase in the same colour led up to the second floor. Pillars of polished grey granite supported a high ceiling with an enormous skylight overhead, illuminating the space with natural soft light. Portraits of the family lined the walls along with beautiful expensive art from famous painters. A gorgeous fireplace blazed to my right with deep turquoise chairs placed in front of it. My eyes found a wall that served as a bookshelf for first editions and I had to fight the urge to squeal.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Connell asked proudly and shut the door behind us to keep the snow from blowing in.

"It's exquisite!" I answered enthusiastically. I was beaming from ear to ear.

Something pricked at the back of my head, a feeling of eyes on me. I tilted my head up and found the source of that gaze sitting lazily with one leg swung over the marble railing on the second floor, his back resting against the pillar. He was about my age, with deep chestnut coloured hair and a strong, handsome face. Even from where I was standing I could see he was built like a god. I felt a flutter in my stomach as our gazes locked. He grinned down at me with ease and then swung his leg over the railing, striding into the hallway behind him.

Connell smirked, "That's Sir Cian."

I blushed slightly and trailed behind Connell as he led me up the stairs to my rooms in the opposite direction to where Cian had gone.

"You are not to go to the East Wing, Miss Ada. Those are the family's personal quarters and thus, private. I'm sure you understand. Guests of the family are put up in the West Wing. Breakfasts are served at 8 in the morning, lunches at 1 in the afternoon and dinners at 7. You are expected to dress the part for dinner with the family as per custom. Usually, family members take their meals in their rooms, but there is always the possibility they might join you at the table. Should you require any assistance, use the phone on your bedside table to call down to my office. You are also welcome in the kitchen should you need anything specific."

Connell unlocked the door to my room and led me inside. A huge four poster bed occupied the space in the middle of the room with crisp white linen bedding and pastel pillows, finished with a soft baby blue cashmere throw. A plush grey carpet covered the floor and a heavy ebony dresser with ivory handles stood against the far wall. Another door led into the luxurious en suite bathroom that had clearly been newly remodeled. This was better than any hotel I had ever stayed in. Better than any hotel I could ever afford on my historian salary anyway. I felt like I was going to sleep inside the covers of a magazine.

"You arrived just in time for lunch Miss Ada. Would you prefer I send a plate up to your room or would you rather I have them set a place for you at the dining table?"

I shook my head and took the keys he offered to me. "I'd appreciate it if I could possibly eat here. I still have to unpack and make notes. When will I be able to see the library of the house? That is by far the most important thing to me right now."

"As you wish. The library is just down the hall, the third door on the left. You can't miss it."

He bowed again before he left and paused at the door.

"Remember, dinner is at 7. Just for today I'll send up one of the maids to check on you and make sure you find your way to the dining room."

I was unpacking my things when a knock on the door interrupted me. A short, stout, curly haired woman poked her head into the room and seeing me standing by the dresser with my clothes in hand she came in and set a tray on the bedside table.

She smiled at me warmly and curtsied slightly. "My name is Maddy, Miss. Just let me know if you need any help. I'm down in the kitchen working with Mrs. Donnelly."

"Thank you Maddy," I answered and smiled back. Her energy was infectious and the room seemed brighter after she left.

Not such a bad start, I thought as I folded up the last of my things and slid the dresser drawer closed.

The food Maddy had brought up was beyond anything I had ever tasted. My taste buds exploded at the deliciousness of the lamb stew and I used the fresh slice of bread with butter on it to mop up every last drop.

I'll have to remember to give my compliments to Mrs. Donnelly.

After I'd eaten and splashed my face with water, I was ready to finally see the infamous library. I pulled my short, curly black hair into a high ponytail and tugged on my favourite comfy boots.

Shutting the door behind me, I padded down the hallway, scrutinizing the doors carefully.

"Third on the left," I muttered to myself anxiously, scared I would stumble into the wrong room or into one of the family members.

"Yes, I believe that is correct Miss Ada, although, I can't say I've spent much time in there myself," a deep baritone voice remarked from behind me and I swung around to see who had spoken.

He was so tall that the top of my head only reached his sternum. My eyes trailed up the broad chest in front of me, followed the lines of his strong heavy set shoulders and neck. Deep blue eyes regarded me with interest and heat sprang up into my cheeks. His golden blond hair was styled short and a shadow of a beard lay on his strong jaw line. Everything about him screamed power and command. He radiated sex appeal and I felt my tongue turn to ash in my mouth. He cocked his head to the side, eyeing me up and down as if I were a prize pony he was considering for purchase. The act alone made me drop my gaze to the carpet, breaking the spell, indignation seething through me.

"I believe you have the advantage over me," I said quietly through clenched teeth. "You know my name but I don't know yours."

I saw his muscles tense and he took a step forward, placing his fingers under my chin and lifting my face up.

"I am Alden, head of this household. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Ada," he replied smoothly, his forefinger tracing down my chin and neck.

I jerked away from him af if he'd slapped me and made an awkward curtsy in the middle of the hallway.

Oh my God.

"No need for formality," he said as he took my hand and pulled me back upright. "Please, continue with what you were busy with."

I turned to leave but realised my hand was still in his and he had not let go. A strange warmth washed over me. We stood like that for a few seconds and then he opened his hand and stepped away from me like nothing happened. I was left feeling dazed and uncomfortable as I enter the library hastily.

Warm dark brown shelves line every wall and they're filled with all manner of books up to the ceiling. A large desk in the corner with a big old school lamp and a heavy leather reading chair is the only furniture present.

This is perfect!

I spent the rest of my afternoon paging through books I've never had the honor of getting my hands on. A ladder against the wall gave me access to the highest shelf and as far as I could see those books hadn't been touched in decades, if not centuries. I placed the ladder against the shelf and climbed up carefully, my fingers tracing the golden letters on the book backs.

History of Zapir as written by Lazoc

Warlock medicine

The art of warlock magic

I frowned, perplexed by the titles. What the hell is this?

The bloodline of Leif Zapir

I reached for the book but it was too far and felt the ladder slipping as I lost my balance, my fingers trying to get a hold to steady myself.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Several books fly out of the shelf and I fall backwards, yelling, in a dust filled cloud. I hear footsteps running up to me as I wheeze, the wind knocked out of my lungs by the impact.

"Ada! What the hell were you doing?"

I recognize his voice immediately. God dammit, Alden! Out of everyone in the house it just had to be him.

I hold up my finger when he crouches down beside me, rolling onto my side.

"Don't..." I start but I can't finish the sentence, my breathing slowly but surely getting back to normal. I can see genuine concern in Alden's eyes as he helps me up, his strong hands steadying me.

"Miss Ada..."

"That's not my name," I blurt out through the dizziness and clutch my head in both hands.

"What?"

"Ada is not my name. You keep calling me Ada."

Alden bursts out laughing and my embarrassment deepens. What are you doing?! He's a fucking Duke!

"So what's your actual name then?"

I lift my head and peer up at him, my face beet red. He was grinning at me, the previous cockiness he'd greeted me with gone.

"Ada is my surname. It's Jemima, but everyone calls me Jemma."

The grin died on his lips and a silence settled between us. You could cut the tension with a knife. I couldn't look away from those blue eyes though I wanted to, but I couldn't move. Shock flashed across Alden's face and as bewildered as I was by his reaction I didn't know what any of it meant. It felt like my world was spinning out of control.

"Miss Ada, dinner is in thirty minutes!"

My head snapped to Maddy standing in the door and I jumped up, eager to get away from what I couldn't understand.

"Jemma!"

I heard Alden call me but I refused to turn back.

What the fuck just happened?

I found a stunning burgundy dress waiting for me on the bed, long sleeved with a halter neck and a thick woven golden belt to cinch in my waist. I showered as fast as I could, brushed my hair and put on the dress, checking my reflection on my way out.

Not half bad.

My shoulder length black curls fell perfectly and the burgundy dress accentuated my ivory skin making my grey eyes pop. The dress did wonders for my voluptuous figure and made me feel like a Hollywood starlet instead of the historian I actually was. I was used to oversized sweaters, jeans, and boots, and dusty corners searching through dust covered books. Dinner parties with floor length gowns were a novelty I was looking forward to.

Connell was waiting for me outside. He held out his arm for me to take and we descended the rosy stairs to the dining room. As we walked through the arch, a long table set with fine china plates and silverware, tall crystal glasses, and delicate flower bouquets with elegant candles came into view. Connell paused at the entrance and motioned for me to go inside alone.

"They're anxious to meet you Miss Ada," he whispered and gave me a slight push when I protested.

Six pairs of eyes settled on me and the blood drained from my face. Alden sauntered over to me and placed his hand under my elbow, drawing me further into the room. He looked good enough to eat and his touch was electric against the fabric of my dress. The swagger was back in his step, his posture arrogant. I wanted to smack his hand away but such behaviour is generally not socially acceptable, so I held in my disdain and composed my features. He brought me over to a tall blond woman, I guessed she was in her early fifties and still very much the stunner, in a dark green silk dress. The second I looked into her deep blue eyes I knew she was his mother.

"Mother, this is Jemima Ada, the historian who'll be staying with us for a few weeks. Miss Ada, my mother, Lady Renata."

You'd expect a woman like that to be cold, imposing, and just as arrogant as her son, but to my delight she was the opposite. Her smile was genuine and gracious and she reached out to me without a second thought. Relief and serenity flowed through her hand into mine, dispelling the unease and disquiet that always went hand in hand when I met new people.

"You are absolutely lovely," she said and her eyes sparkled, her voice low and velvety. "I'm so pleased you're here!"

"The pleasure is all mine Lady Renata. Your home is stunning!"

She winked at me as Alden led me to the next person and I was sad to turn my back on her.

"Jemma, this is my brother Cian, and his wife Xenia."

Cian had a wide grin plastered across his gorgeous face, looking dashing in a button up black shirt and beige slacks. He turned to his wife and said, "See I told you babe!"

I was thrown by his words and opened my mouth to ask what he meant when his wife threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

"Oh, Jemma! I'm so happy to have another girl here to tone down the testosterone!"

She pulled back, laughing joyfully and I was mesmerized. Xenia would seem plain to anyone who didn't have a mind to look twice, but when she smiled her face transformed and she became breathtaking. Cian wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, snuggling into her neck. She giggled and I felt my heart clench at the sight of the obvious love between them.

"How long have you been married?" I ventured before Alden could pull me away again. Foster home kids like me rarely saw a love like that.

"Six years," Cian piped up and my eyes widened. They seemed like newlyweds.

Alden smirked and whispered into my ear, giving me goosebumps, "Be glad you're not in our wing. Even now, after three kids, they still get loud."

I nearly spit out my drink at the casual way he said what he did and was infinitely thankful when Alden introduced me to his youngest brother Ulrich, and only sister Uma. Ulrich was not yet eighteen, but it was clear from his looks and height that he would be another Zapir god. He was shy and bowed over my extended hand like a true gentleman, making me blush for the third time that day. Uma, on the other hand kept her distance. She was neither standoffish nor rude, but I could sense her distrust of me. The royal blue of her gown set off her sky blue eyes in a way that made her seem photoshopped.

"How long will you be staying exactly?" she asked softly and a muscle ticked in her cheek.

Alden went rigid next to me, his hands balling into fists, "That's no way to speak to a guest Uma."

I could have sworn her blue eyes swirled as she regarded her brother, her expression challenging. Something unseen passed between them and I looked from one to the other. Slowly she averted her eyes and bowed her head.

Alden huffed in satisfaction and again, I couldn't help but feel my palm itching to slap him.

"Dinner is served!" Connell called out and everyone moved to their seats.

As everyone sat down Alden pulled out a chair for me right next to his. I bit back the rebuke I had begun to form. Formality and manners dictated that I take the proffered chair and shut my mouth, so that's what I did. His gaze never left me through the entire meal. By the time dinner was over I was exhausted from pretending I hadn't noticed.

I finally reached my room after bidding everyone goodnight, but just as I was about to go inside two rough hands took hold of me. In the darkness of the room I had no idea who was in there with me and my heart beat wildly. I ran to the bedside table, stumbling over my shoes on the floor, and flicked on the light.