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His Royal Mate 27
I knew I would follow Aria wherever she went. If she were to leave Onyx Rah and relinquish her throne, I’d bring her with me to rule Navarrah City one day. I didn’t have my hooks into the kingdom’s eventual crops of crimson pitaya. I just loved the woman who was brave enough to serve as their queen.“You’ve been an excellent diplomat, Lex,” my mother said consolingly as she took her seat at the table and picked up her cards again.Cheyenne also sat down and hailed a servant who was standing at the door. “More wine,” he commanded.No one around me flinched. The Cheyenne I knew before I left Navarrah City wouldn’t have dared command anyone in my father’s presence. That role was reserved for the king and his successor.“Yes, Lex,” my father said. “I’m very excited about the emerging prospects. Not only will there be crimson pitaya, but Aria will no doubt have a robust army and an ability to offer a line of defense against the Crypt Claw. Also, with Polonius’s treaty broken, we retain the
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“He’s been doing a fine job of it,” I said with a smile.“Fine enough, but you must look like a queen,” Halo said. “You need your hair done and your dress fit just right. When we get back to the kingdom we’ll have to get servants situated. We can’t keep using magic to dress and feed ourselves. We need to save our spells and energy for growing crimson pitaya and restoring…oh so many things.” She rolled her eyes at all the daunting tasks that lay ahead of us.“Let’s just focus on getting dressed. The rest will come,” I said, trying to calm her a little. “Did you receive garments, too?” I asked as Halo sifted through the dresses I’d hung up in the wardrobe that were sent to me by Queen Nadine.“I did, and they are just as beautiful as these. I never thought agreeing to help you raise Onyx Rah would have so many perks.” Her joyful voice squeaked a little.“Neither did I,” I told her as I slipped out of my night dress.“Wait! Lex is still in the room,” Halo hissed, looking horrified.“He’s
His Royal Mate 29
“You’re going to do great,” Lex whispered as I stood to approach the podium, giving my hand a squeeze.“Thank you,” I whispered back, then I took my place at the podium. “And thank you all for being here today to offer your support. As you know, Onyx Rah was destroyed and its citizens were killed, but there are descendants of the few survivors who remain.It is my hope that we welcome them back to Onyx Rah and that we are able to provide them sanctuary and support. In order to bring Onyx Rah back to its original prosperity, we must first establish a military presence, bring in law enforcement, and build up the infrastructure. Our hope is to invite former Onyx Rah citizens and descendants to return to the kingdom. All we ask is that each bring a skill we can use to rebuild. They need to help with farming, construction, and establishing a means for citizens to buy food, get water, and live their daily lives. Those who are from the Midnight Moon Pack will be allowed to live in the kingdo
His Royal Mate 30
“No!” I shouted to Lex. “No. I’ll handle this. You will not.”He sat down and closed his mouth, fuming with anger, but he was staying silent. Bastien looked at Lex and nodded his approval. I was not going to lose Lex again, not because of a tyrant like Polonius.Polonius looked at me and smiled as he let go of Gabrielle’s hand, who was still not making eye contact with me.“Good, my dear,” he said. “I warned you about making political decisions based on your personal preferences. Remember, you were given to me in a treaty that defined terms forbidding me and my army from invading Navarrah City. I have a copy of that treaty here.” Polonius took a stack of papers out of a leather satchel. “As worded, the treaty also protects the other kingdoms of Tobran from an unprovoked attack.” He sneered.“That treaty was never signed,” King Helix interjected.“Exactly,” Polonius said. “The treaty was never signed, but the marriage contract that was included with it was. And here I have Aria’s signa
His Royal Mate 31
Was he giving up on me, too?“But I can’t,” I choked out.“It is the most strategic move,” Lex said. “He has the manpower to bring Onyx Rah to its feet, and at the moment, he has Amadeus. Don’t get me wrong, I want the man dead—we all do. I’d throw Polonius over the falls in a heartbeat.”At the mention of murdering Polonius, Bastien cleared his throat.“But,” Lex segued, “if Polonius thinks he’s going to marry you, we have a chance to build our armies.”“Lex has a point,” King Helix added. “If we have Polonius’s compliance, we might be able to get Amadeus away from him as soon as he lets down his guard.”I could see Queen Nadine’s wheels turning. “Do you have a way to postpone this wedding, Aria?”“Yes,” I said. “I believe I do.”As we were speaking, I’d devised a plan that I hoped would work. I knew what Polonius wanted, and it wasn’t just me, but Onyx Rah for the crimson pitaya and the potential to rule the world by withholding it from everyone. I realized that I knew what was most
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“I know, but he cares little for me,” Gabrielle said. “He’s obsessed with you. He’ll not call for me tonight. Rather, he’ll want me ready to journey with you tomorrow.” She shook her head again. “I hate that Amadeus has done this to me. I’m just an ugly servant girl who everyone dismisses. You two, you and Halo, are so beautiful, so regal. You’ve always been a queen, Aria. I don’t deserve to be among you.” She kept wringing her hands.“No, you can’t say such a thing,” I told her. “You are beautiful, and I plan to have you in my court as soon as I am crowned. We’ll have you married to the finest of men. I promise. Your life will change.”“But Polonius would never allow it.” Her head dipped to her chest.“No, he won’t, but that won’t matter. I’ll be happy to have you with me.” I smiled at her and took her wringing hands into my own. “Go back now. Don’t get caught, and thank you for telling me about the truth spell.”“Of course,” Gabrielle said, finally smiling a little. “Always.” With t
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“Are you done?” I asked, hoping I’d have Aria to myself for the rest of the evening.“For now.” She smiled at me with that big beautiful smile of hers.I didn’t know how she was staying so calm.“So, what is the plan?” Cheyenne asked, looking worried.“I’m going to let Polonius marry me,” she said as her smile widened.“You can’t,” I protested, feeling myself jump out of my skin.“I won’t marry him, but I am going to tell him I will.” Aria sat down with us and poured herself a cup of tea.“How will you keep him from making you his wife tomorrow?” I asked her point-blank.“I can’t tell you, Lex,” Aria said regretfully. “I know you too well. First, you’ll not agree, and second, you’ll lose your head and do something that will put us all in danger. You’ll just have to find peace with the fact that I have a plan.” A triumphant grin crossed her expression as if she’d just outwitted the world.“Good. I just hope your plan works,” Cheyenne said as he stood up. “I need to get some beauty rest
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“I don’t think he’ll hurt you because I believe he’s fallen in love with you,” I said truthfully. “He’s moved up the timeline because he’s jealous and knows that the more powerful you become, the more likely it is he’ll lose you.”Aria only stared at me, unable to deny it.After dinner I brought her to bed and slowly stripped away the camisole and panties she wore to bare her supple pale breasts to the cool night air. Her nipples were small and rosy, peaked with the cold and her arousal. I was hard and ready for her, but since our last love-making had been quick and furious, I wanted to make sure we fully enjoyed one another.I kissed her lips and neck, and she spread her legs for me so that I would fit better between them. I tasted her mouth as our tongues danced upon each other. My fingers threaded through her soft, silky auburn hair as I brought her naked body closer.“I could worship at your temple for all of eternity,” I said as I breathed in the light floral fragrance of her ski
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