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His Royal Mate 34
“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
His Royal Mate 35
“We should get ready,” she said with words that held too heavy a meaning.Ready? Ready for Polonius and his hideous ultimatum? Ready to let her go? Ready to part? No, I wasn't ready for any of it, and I knew I never would be.Aria kissed my chest, then my lips before peeling herself away from me to enter the bathing room.I lay there for a moment, not wanting to move as I heard her turn on the shower. All sound was instantly drowned out by the din of rushing water. I dragged myself out of bed and joined her in the shower. We didn’t say anything to each other because there were too many words to share.I took the lavender and mint soap provided and used it to wash the night and our lovemaking off Aria’s body. I wanted my scent to linger with her, but we were to return to our hiding places. We were no longer allowed to be lovers in the open. Again, we would be relegated to the shadows or the veil of magic to share what was our right as lovers to exchange.Aria let me wash her and dipped
His Royal Mate 36
“Why would I kill my wife?” he asked, feigning loyalty.“Why would you let her live after you’ve gotten what you wanted out of her?” I asked. “You need me to establish the crimson pitaya crops, but after they’ve been instated, I would no longer be of use to you. As your queen, I’m entitled to half of what you own by the laws of Tobran.” I stared Polonius in the eye. “We’ll see who our kingdom comes to love, who they will fight for, who they will protect in the end?” I raised my chin in defiance.“Or I can attack Navarrah City, as I am poised to do. You think you can outwit me? Outplay me?” He laughed.“And you don’t think that the armies of Navarrah City aren’t ready for your soldiers?” I challenged. “Do you really believe that the Obsidian Valley and Angeline Falls would sit by and allow your troops to simply destroy them as your ancestor did with Onyx Rah? I might dare to say that all the soldiers in Tobran who are not enlisted in your Crypt Claw army might also be at the ready, wai
His Royal Mate 37
“I’d be delighted to host the prince as my guest, of course. Anything for my beloved,” Polonius said with such saccharine mockery, I nearly burst out laughing.“Great, well, then it is all settled,” I said. “We’ll return to Onyx Rah in the morning, and Lex will join you in Brahman’s Peak.”Polonius smiled at me and nodded, then turned abruptly and walked out of the room with determined steps, not saying anything more. My stomach was all butterflies and knots.“I hope you know what you’re doing, Aria,” Lex said under his breath.“It is for the best, son,” King Helix chimed in. “Aria is doing what she must for her kingdom. She’s offering a sacrifice only the bravest of queens can make,” he said with a softness in his voice.“I still wish it were different,” Queen Delia added.“We will support you,” Ellestria Culp interjected.“Yes,” Xavier Goldlace jumped in. “Whatever you and Halo need. You will win the love of your people. You’re playing the long game, but one day, we will find a way
His Royal Mate 38
“Fine. Of course,” Bastien backed away, and Sire looked at me with a disappointed scowl.“It’s not often that I get to talk to a man of my age about royal matters. I am finally a Royal Mage rather than some aging citizen of the Obsidian Valley with a son in law enforcement. I finally have an equal place to Bastien, and he’s giving me the time of day,” Sire said with a smoldering glare.Well, it was nice to see Sire’s vulnerable side. “Lex and Cheyenne are leaving for Brahman’s Peak tomorrow, and I need something that will help them free Amadeus. This is our only chance to get him out of Brahman’s Peak,” I implored.“Be careful who you tell about your mage abilities. They are unrefined and dangerous at the moment, and the fewer people who know about them, the better,” Sire chided, avoiding answering my question.“I will, but what of Amadeus?” I felt my face start to redden with frustration.“If I knew how to release him, he’d have been freed already,” was all Sire said. “Now, I’d like
His Royal Mate 39
“Or hunches,” he said, and he smiled. “This feels more like a hunch,” he said, putting both the grape and his ring into the pocket of his jacket. “But just in case, I’m glad I have them.” He patted his pocket affectionately.“I am, too,” I said, leaning over to kiss him.I loved when he was playful; his humor always put me at ease. It reminded me of when we were kids and we’d play pranks on each other. I longed for the day when we would have the liberty to tease each other and be playful again.At that moment, there were three hard knocks at the door, and without warning, it blasted open as Lex and I were still kissing. At that moment, Polonius strolled into our room, Gabrielle behind him. I could feel Lex’s body tense and his temperature rise, and my wolf knew that he was about to shift.“Don’t,” I said in a harsh whisper. “No shifting,” I reminded him.“Well, well, I can see that I’ve interrupted the two of you,” Polonius laughed. “As I thought I might.”Lex clenched his fists as he
His Royal Mate 40
“Oh, I trust her, too, most definitely,” he laughed. “I wouldn’t marry the woman if I didn’t.” Polonius had a strange glinting smile on his face that made me uncomfortable.“What are your plans for her?” I asked, unable to hold myself back from the question.“I, contrary to what you might believe, am a charismatic man. However, I’m elusive and distrusting by nature. I haven’t the presence I need to rule a band of nations. Aria, on the other hand, is an incredible woman. Already, she’s pulled at the hearts of the masses. I admire her strength and bravery, and what she did to activate her mage, all for the good of a people she didn’t even know. Perhaps some of it was to know herself, but who’s to fault her for that? I knew the moment I met her, she wasn’t a servant, I’m sure you did as well.” I wasn’t sure if Polonius was asking a question or stating a fact.“We’ve known each other since we were children,” I said.“And did you play with other the servants’ offspring?” Polonius asked.“N
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We entered the castle from the landing strip on the roof. We did not have to go through the main doors or security; the guards marched with us as we walked into an interior solarium at the top of Polonius's castle.“I hope you don’t mind returning to your previous quarters, where you so delightfully pretended to be a mage scholar so you could be near Aria,” Polonius said. “More diplomats are coming, and we do have the very real task of helping Aria raise Onyx Rah to its full efficiency ahead. I already know you want me dead, and so I hope you understand I’ve taken measures to prevent my demise. You’ll not want to leave this room without one of my guards if you hope to live.” He kept his tone unnervingly kind and hospitable as he threatened my life.“You’ve made yourself perfectly clear,” I answered, feeling trapped.“I rather like having a jealous nemesis, so please don’t make me kill you,” were his last words to me as he walked out of the room.As soon as Polonius left, I was stunned
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