I brace myself for more uncertain murmurs, but I startle by Prince Justice’s side when a loud cry resounds throughout the prairie.
“Aye!” too many of them shout, with thunderous confidence tha splinters out and spreads.
My da is in this crowd, though I don’t see him. My da is watching me declare my allegiance to someone outside my species. My da is watching as the world changes from something isolating to something inclusive.
From my place at Prince Justice’s side, I say to Jacoba, “We brought extra healers over from Drexdenberg, along with our own healers, who are ready to take modest amounts of blood to be shipped over today. Every day, please come back here to keep on donating. If ye think someone else will pick up the slack and solve the problem, then ye are part of the problem. It’s on ye to show the world who we are.”
Queen Butcher joins Salem at the base of the stage, and Prince Justice guides me up to stand with the royal family. He releases me from our bolstering partial-hug so the four of us can stand united before our people.
Queen Butcher’s voice holds such authority tha everyone in the sea of faces postures. All whispers quiet out of respect for our queen. “Shifters are taking a stand today. Let it be known tha when the world was crumbling, we were ready to save the starving.”
The four of us hold hands, showing the people tha though portions of the world have fallen apart, we are part of them. We will stand strong, no matter what madness life brings.
Chapter Seventeen
Brother Benny
Ronin
Benny’s in his guard uniform, pretending he’s not recovering at all.
Wanker.
Though, his voice is stronger and more sure than mine, so perhaps he’s made of tougher stock than I am, which grates at the edges of my pride. “Of all the ways I thought Drexdenberg would fall, I always assumed it would be at our own hands. To know the fae were behind it?”
I lift up my teacup and take a sip that’s laced with Lalita’s blood, hoping to bolster my voice. “There’s a reason they’re referred to as ‘tricky fae’. That label wasn’t pulled out of a hat at random. Still, I never thought King Fairbucks would stoop so low.”
“Nice of them to hold his trial at night for us,” Benny says, glancing out the window at the moonlight. “I wonder how the queen is holding up under questioning.”
“Adeline fared well when it was her turn a few hours ago. I expect Lilya can hold her own. It’s not us under suspicion.”
“True, but that doesn’t mean the prosecutor is going to go easy on them. It’s a big deal, what’s happening out there.”
The view from my guest bedroom at the fae castle is something to see. Much of the ivorum has been replaced by wicker furniture dipped in white paint, so the effect of unblemished luxury is still something they can brag about.
The whole place is stunning, I’ll admit. Though, I do wish I’d been given the all-clear to roam about. Sitting in bed is so tedious.
It’s been five days since Adeline returned with enough blood to keep Drexdenberg from starving, though no one’s thriving just yet.
The moment I was mildly on my feet, Lilya, Benny, Adeline and myself piled into a carriage and trekked across the territories to Faveda, so we could testify at King Fairbucks’ trial.
Of course, I don’t strictly need to be in attendance. However, I’ve been parted from my mate long enough. I like to think I’m sticking close for Lalita’s benefit, but truly, it’s my own manic need to be near Adeline and her animal that moved my feet onto the carriage before I was actually cleared by the healers for travel.
Destino stayed behind with Salem, the two of them giving structure and guidance to Drexdenberg in our absence. The entire territory is recovering—from starvation, sure, but mostly from the losses of so many of our own. They need a leader to look to while they’re struggling, and a leader to work behind the scenes to make sure something like this never happens again.
We’re on the B team, taking turns being called for the trial of the century, in which the goal will be to dethrone a monarch and legally have him put to death. It’s history in the making, and I’m struggling to look fit and well-suited for weighing in on such heavy decisions.
I clack the cup against the saucer a bit too loudly. “I suppose I should be grateful they’re taking so long to return Adeline and Lilya to us. Perhaps it means Lilya’s giving them enough evidence to have King Fairbucks hanged, and this whole thing can end soon.”
Benny smirks without looking away from the moon. “But you’re not grateful, because you like being in the thick of the action. You want to confirm with your own two eyes that King Fairbucks is locked away for good.”
“What I want is his head on a silver platter. King Fairbucks should hang before the entire Drexdenberg population for the chaos he’s caused. Ten percent of our population of immortals, dead. And it would have been more, if not for Adeline and Lilya discovering the cure, and Salem and Adeline urging Jacoba to come to our aid.”
“Sure.”
At mention of Adeline’s name, I notice Benny’s mouth tightens. “Are you still upset with Adeline?”
Benny’s head tilts to the side, his voice falsely light. “What’s there to be upset about? She ran off without letting me know a thing about it.”
“And you’ll continue to praise her for a job well done. She saved your life, you realize.”
“Sure, but I’m head of security. She should have told me what she was up to before slipping off with the bloody queen, of all people. Queen Lilya could have been injured or killed on the journey. Then where would Drexdenberg be?”
I take another sip. “You never would have let her go, and you would have died for your pride. And forgive me, but Lilya would rather endure a few bruises than be the queen of nothing. We were on the edge of extinction.”
“Still.” Benny’s still miffed about the whole thing, but I couldn’t care less.
I’m alive. That’s the part I care most about.
“Keep your anger, then. I prefer gratitude.”
When the door opens, I’m relieved to see Adeline, though she looks a little more worn than I should like to see my blushing bride. “How are you, love?”
She sidesteps my question by pretending she didn’t hear it. “Do ye need more blood? It’s been a few hours. They gave the okay for ye to be in the room when the final decision’s made. They’ll be calling us in soon. I don’t want ye feeling faint in there.”
I set my teacup down on the nightstand that used to be ivorum, but is now wicker. Much of the pure white palace has been replaced with less glamorous furnishings, since the palace set the example of grinding down their ivorum to help cure us. But to me, it’s never looked better.
“Benny, could you give us a minute?”
Benny harrumphs and turns toward Adeline. “Not before we clear the air.” He motions between himself and Addy. “You took off without letting me know you were taking the queen on a dangerous mission. I wasn’t sick at that point, and you still went around me.”
Adeline gives him a look that suggests she would very much like to tell him where he can shove his ego. “And?”
Benny splutters, frustrated with her, and probably himself. “It’s to me to protect the throne! Don’t you understand that going around me breaks down the trust between us? You were all I had on the team after Kaven showed us his true colors. You’re the only one I counted on to have my back.”
Ah. I see now. I often forget that Benny’s allowed to be shaken up, too, every now and then. He hides it so well most of the time.
“Ye wouldn’t have let me go!”
He points to the floor between them. “You’re bloody right, I wouldn’t! You could have died!”
“Well, ye would have died! What’s the point of following the rules of a dead man? Don’t ye know tha you’re my brother? I’d risk anything to put ye on your feet, including making ye mad.” Her hands fly out, and I know she’s tired. “So go ahead and fight me on
this until you’re blue in the face. I’d do it all over again, saving your hairy arse time after time if it means I get to fight with ye until I’m old and gray.”
Benny’s lips purse, and I know he’s stumped. She’s thrown in too good a point for him to cling to his anger. “Come here.”
“Why? You’re making a fool of yourself just fine from this distance. Not sure there’s enough space for me and your pride, and I know which one you’re clinging to, running your gob like tha.”
His fists clench at his sides as he grumbles under his breath. “Listen, Addy. I…” He inhales like he’s about to give a big speech, justifying his frustrations, but then lets it out in a gust that deflates his shoulders. “Fine. I’m sorry.”
“And?”
Benny shoves his hands into his pockets. “And you were right to go off and do what you did.” He looks so much smaller when he apologizes, his shoulders turning inward and his neck shrinking.
“And?” Adeline insists, her hands on her hips.
“And you’re a fine guard. I needn’t have worried. And when I did, I needn’t have taken my worry out on you.”
“And?” Adeline taps her foot expectantly.
Benny casts me a look, but I’m too amused to be of much help. “I’m not sure what else there is.”
Adeline shrugs, all fight leaving her at once as she closes the gap between them and knocks her fist to his shoulder playfully. “I wanted to see how far you’d go if I kept pushing. Now, scram, big brother. Ronin wanted a word with me.”
Benny glowers at her, but it’s clear the feud between them is gone. “Best of luck, Ronin,” Benny grumbles as he exits, banging the door shut behind him.
Chapter Eighteen
Shivers
Ronin
“They’ll be calling us soon,” Adeline informs me the moment Benny leaves us alone in the room. She draws her knife from her thigh holster, readying for who knows what. Before I can stop her, she’s rechecking the room Benny’s already cleared. It’s not that she doesn’t trust him; I think part of it must be the engrained habit of a guard.
The other part’s simply the animal in her, protecting her mate.
“I’m alright, darling. The room is safe. Are you okay?”
She casts me a raw look that shows only me just how exhausting this whole trip has been. “Are any of us truly okay? Will anything be alright again? We’re about to kill off a king, and worst of all, it’s because the world would be better off without him. Tha’s nothing short of sad, even if it’s a victory overall.”
“I expect Queen Kloe and Alexavier are mourning in private.”
Adeline shakes her head. “They’re both there, giving witness and testifying of all they knew. They don’t seem happy about any of it, but they’re not stepping back from defending Faveda from further manipulation.” Her eyes fix on the floor. “I didn’t know how bad off Queen Kloe was. From the looks of everyone in the room when she turned up, I think her deteriorating health was a surprise to a lot of them.”
“Consumption,” I say respectfully. “Just when she’s about to be free of her wretched husband, too. I hope she recovers, so she can smell how clean the air is without him polluting it with every foul breath.”
“Aye. Alexavier looks a bit lost out there.”
“What of Lilya’s father? Has General Klein been charged with anything?”
She shakes her head as I sip my tea, which tastes deliciously like her. “They can’t pin anything on him. He’s been in prison in Jacoba this entire time. Whenever King Fairbucks visited the prison, there’s no record of him being with just General Klein, though Lilya is determined to get tha further investigated. She’s certain it’s her da behind this. This whole thing is so awful.”
“Indeed. But it’s not something we need to carry around with us after it’s all over. I intend to let the dread lie with those who’ve brought it into the world. And you, my love, only bring the most beautiful light.”
Her tough demeanor melts the moment I drain my teacup, setting it down so I can wrap my arms around her.
“When we get home, can we take a day off? Not right away, but eventually? I’m tired.”
“Tired, are you? That won’t do at all. Must remedy.” No one is more surprised than me when I’m able to lift her off her feet and carry her the two steps to the bed.
She giggles as I set her down atop the white comforter, and climb atop her body as she lays back. “Ronin, you’re supposed to be pacing yourself, not lifting your guard.”
“I’m carrying my bride, which is very much a necessity. Now I’m going to get her ready for bed, because that also very much needs tending to.”
There’s no reason for a grand kiss at this moment, but one builds inside of me until it cannot be ignored or postponed another second. My lips taste hers with undeniable magnetic force.
More. I need far more.
“What are ye up to, Ronin?” she asks in a breathy voice as she pulls back to snigger at my hunger.
I should answer her question. I should be getting going down to the trial. There’s a whole lot of things I should be doing, but “should” doesn’t carry a whole of weight when measured against the flare of lust in Adeline’s eyes. When she bites down on her lower lip, I know there’s precious little hope I’ll make it downstairs without being summoned several times.
Some things are more important than world-changing history in the making.
Things like the curve of Adeline’s hip, which is begging to be traced with my tongue.
“Ronin, you’re supposed to be…” But she doesn’t finish her lecture. Her words are swallowed by a kiss we’ve both been hoping for. Though I think I’m the one seducing her, she steals the tongue from my mouth with a dainty swipe of hers.
Too much of our time has been harried, or spent trying to fix all that’s broken, instead of building a legacy of our own. Suddenly, nothing sounds better than rolling around in these sheets with her.
“No more politics,” she begs between kisses, her fingers tugging at my collar. She unfastens my bowtie, letting me know that we are on exactly the same page.
“Not a word,” I promise, taking a chance and popping open the top button of her beige guard’s shirt. “I haven’t sucked on the dip in your hip yet. Must remedy.”
“The dip in my hip?” The question spills from her lips as I kiss my way down her sternum, opening buttons as I go.
Next comes her thigh holster, which is too sexy for words. My fingers brush over her sensitive spots, teasing and coaxing while I fiddle with the buckle and finally cast it to the side.
I should let her unfasten her own sleek uniform pants, but when her pelvis jumps toward my touch, all other wants and needs are erased from my brain.
The second my mouth fuses to the indentation I’ve longed to slather with my tongue, a loud “Ronin!” explodes from her. The band of her underwear slips south easily, begging me to remove it altogether.
Patience.
She’s squirming for me, which is just about the best feeling in the world. She twists while I hold her hips in place, laving my tongue over the slope that’s taunted me for far too long.
I kiss along the horizon of her underwear, teasing and nipping until she’s positively bucking in my grip.
My fingers fumble with her zipper as it clicks down the rest of the way. Her thighs are like silk to my fingers as her pants slip down over her knees. She lets loose these tiny noises of pleasure mingled with distress that go straight to my groin.
She shivers, and I’m not sure if it’s from a chill in the room, or if it’s anxiety, both of which I don’t want her to endure. I kiss my way up her body, nipping at her breasts as I close the gap between my lips and hers.
I love warming her body with my own. Whether it’s the chill or nerves from delving into uncharted territory, when I’m lying next to her with my arm around her hip while we kiss seems to settle any unease in her. She relaxes in my arms and kicks off her pants the rest of the way, co
iling a bare leg around my thigh like a serpent trapping its prey.
How I long to be the thing she hunts and captures.
Kissing Adeline is like drowning in champagne, swimming so weightlessly, my sorrows can’t remember my address. All I know is this woman is mine, for however long fate will grant this gift to me.
If there’s any worry in me, I don’t know it. Can’t feel it. All I feel is wanted and cherished. Her gasps belong to me and my fingers find the best places to play. Her skin warms only for my touch. I can’t get enough of it, and she gives without holding back.
Her hands are hasty with the rest of my buttons, once it dawns on her tha I’m fully clothed and she’s clad only in underwear. Usually it’s her who’s too perfect and too layered, begging to be ruffled and untucked.
We can’t stop kissing, barely pausing for breath. I don’t rush her hands, but purse my lips to keep from giving voice to the agony it is to be on the cusp of undressed with her, and waiting these few last glorious seconds.
“I love ye, Ronin,” she murmurs as my shirt and undershirt come off. She plucks open my trousers, and fresh hunger flares from head to toe.
I kiss her roughly, rolling atop her as my pants hit the floor. I kick off my socks and shoes without breaking our connection. Her legs coil around my waist, trapping me to her heat like the best kind of torture.
Her back arches as her fingernails scrape up and down my back, forcing my entire being to buck into her without apology.
We’re past apologies, past limits.
Past the need for these scraps of clothing separating us.
“Ronin, they need you—Oh! Bollocks, Ronin! They need you downstairs!”
I’m on the brink of firing Benny on the spot. Every bit of bravado needed for such things I had in mind shrinks and falters. I’m overcome by the need to shelter my bride from view of her superior. I turn my chin over my shoulder to glower at the intrusion, but it’s not just Benny that catches my eye.
Malicious King: A Paranormal Royal Romance (Territorial Mates Book 6) Page 13