His Royal Mate

Chapter 1AriaI tumbled down into a cacophony of sound and heat. Lava bubbled from the Genesis Pit I had voluntarily jumped into, spitting up from the depths and searing my skin.I was determined to unlock the mage within me. While I was driven to take that jump, falling into molten lava with the magma burning every inch of my body suddenly felt like a bad decision as pain seared every nerve. I was buoyed on the sounds of screaming and song.The wailing came from people who wanted me back among the living, and the songs came from those who were already dead. A vision flashed before me, but it wasn’t my life I saw. It was their memory of the moment Warlord Zonas marched his troops into the Onyx Rah kingdom. People fled their homes in distress as the Crypt Claw soldiers fought Onyx Rah’s Royal Guard. Black wolves battled fiercely to protect their people and their homes, but the Crypt Claw army were too many in number and too ruthless in temperament to defeat.As my bones cracked and br

Chapter 2LexAria was alive! I couldn’t think of anything else, just the fact that she had survived the impossible. She’d jumped into a pit of molten lava, and come out moments later looking more radiant and beautiful than she ever had. I wasn’t thinking of Sire Vanoire or Polonius watching us, nor was I considering that my brother was right there beside me; I knew Cheyenne would be thrilled for our reunion. I’d kissed Aria with reckless abandon, grateful to see her alive. Now, we faced a sea of angry expressions and had to contend with the fact that we were actually on the run from Polonius and his men.At the moment, I didn’t care. I had Aria back, yet she was different. Not only was she more radiant, but her aura and light seemed brighter, like she was becoming a beacon for her people. She exuded such an immense amount of power, I could feel it electrifying the air.She had changed. While I didn’t doubt she still loved me, I couldn’t help but wonder if things going forward would b

Aria stiffened a little in my grip, but the tension in her muscles quickly released. Whatever objection she’d tempered must have passed.“My dear brother, Aria clearly doesn’t need anyone’s protection,” Cheyenne said with a laugh. “However, I relish the chance to learn more about leading our troops and honing my fighting skill. I’ll fill in for you for as long as you need me. Father now trusts me enough to sit at his table and participate in his chamber meetings in the great salon,” He gave a proud smile. “They’ve been riveting and very informative.”A pang of jealousy stabbed me. Only months ago, I was the only Redveign heir to sit at my father’s table and be privy to his chamber meetings where vital issues relating to our kingdom were discussed. While it hurt to think I was no longer able to sit by my father’s side and weigh in on crucial matters, I couldn’t think of anything more important at present than Aria’s health and well-being. Both were being compromised by her transformati

“I wish Amadeus was teaching you and not Sire. He didn’t tell you about being your father because his love for your mother was forbidden, however, I appreciated that he still sheltered you. I would much rather he be your guide,” Lex sighed and dunked his bread again.“As would I, but he’s being poisoned and controlled by Polonius. He can’t help me, but soon, very soon, I’ll rip him from that monster’s clutches. Polonius is going to pay for all he and his family have done to the Midnight Moon Pack.” Anger warmed my ears and tightened my throat at the thought of Polonius' grandfather killing all of my ancestors and trapping their souls in the Tombs.“Revenge is never a good motivator, Aria,” Lex said, feeling the need to counsel me for some reason.“I agree, but liberation, retribution, and restoration is,” I said with a smile, easing the mood and eating more. “As long as Sire Vanoire’s goals align with mine I don’t see anything wrong with letting him teach me what he knows. He’s a very

Sex protected us; sex was a fight we could both win. Love had endangered our hearts and made them vulnerable, and yet, at that moment, it was all I could feel.I moved her damp hair from her ear to say the words put us on a perilous path, but I didn’t care. “I love you.”Her hand took mine and brought it around her body, cinching me in closer as I spooned into her back, enveloping her. Her thumb lovingly stroked my hand, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. Her mind must have been a whirl of thoughts and feelings.I understood the magnitude of her transformation. With it had come answers she’d always craved, but there were questions, too. Questions neither of us had answers for yet.It didn’t take long for sleep to claim us. As night became morning, I woke several times, panicked that Aria might be gone, only to find her still nestled in my arms. Noticing how good she felt in my embrace, I brought her in closer. She unconsciously held me tightly as we fell back asleep, exha