Asteron
ASTERON
T his wedding is going to be the death of me. Phinade has provided me with list after list of boring, laborious choices. The only saving grace is my bride.
A bride I don’t dare spend any time with, unless I’m filling her glorious pussy, not during the day in any event where we might be observed.
But at night…I shift uncomfortably as my cock predictably rises at the thought of her.
Fortunately Phinade’s constant stream of information is enough for the appendage to deflate pretty quickly.
“I have the final designs for the dress.” Phinade pushes yet another screen at me.
“This is Ginny’s choice and hers alone.”
Phinade puts on an affronted air. “But as king , you get the final decision on what she wears as she joins with you in front of all the clans.”
“I told you, it is her choice, and I am not getting involved.” I wave the screen away. “The rest of this…stuff…is more than my horns are worth.” I pick up a screen. “Table plans,”—I toss it away—“seating order,”—I pick up another one and snort in disgust—“gifts! Why am I giving gifts to clans who would kill me as soon as look at me?”
“It is what is expected, sire. Your grandfather did the same for your father and your great grandfather before him.”
“Stupid, stupid,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. “Just do whatever you think is necessary.” I wave my hand at all the screens.
A guard appears around the door to my throne room. “My king,” he says, bowing low.
“What is it?” I snap.
“Your…intended, is here.” He looks hugely uncomfortable.
“Ginny is here?”
“She wishes to see you, your highness,” he adds.
“Let her in, immediately. Do not have my soon to be queen hanging around in corridors!” I bellow.
The guard rushes away, and very quickly thereafter, Ginny is ushered in, thanking the guard who looks rather pleased with her attentions. I growl very loudly.
“Hi!” she says to me brightly. It’s her customary greeting, but I detect an edge to it.
“Sire, we need to get on,” Phinade says.
I pick up the nearest screen and shove it at him. “I don’t care. You’re my vizier, so you sort this out. And while you’re at it, I want a guard for my bride. She is not to be wandering the corridors of the palace. Pick a set and send them to me for approval,” I fire out.
Phinade gives me a bow which is scarcely a bow. “As you wish, sire.”
He turns, his heavy opulent cloak swirling as he leaves the throne room. I look over at my Ginny.
She’s wearing clothing I don’t recognize, but it’s nothing like the easy access silk I find her in of an evening.
“What are you wearing?” I growl.
“My clothes. This is what humans wear.” She folds her arms over her glorious chest, not quite obscuring her delicious breasts I worship whenever I get the chance.
Her stance dares me. It dares me to say something. This little female who could have me on my knees with a single lift of her dainty fingers is full of fire and fight.
I cannot let anyone who wants to harm me harm her. I’d rather cut off my horns than have anything touch a hair on her pretty head.
“I don’t need a guard,” she says petulantly. “I can look after myself.”
I’m immediately in front of her, my bulk enormous, towering, protective.
“You will have a guard. I am ordering it.”
“Fine,” She growls at me, and for a second, I’m blindsided by just how beautiful she is. “But don’t think I’ll like it.”
She turns to leave.
“Wait.” I don’t want her to go. I’m so utterly tired of having to keep my distance that one more second in her presence will never be enough. “Why did you come here?”
“Oh, I was trying to get away from my…entourage.” She huffs out a sigh. “They mean well, but they’re…a little overwhelming, especially as I used to spend most of my time…” She hesitates, dipping her head and then looking up at me. “…on my own.”
“My courtiers are from the best clans,” I say, suddenly wondering how they were picked and if they could be a threat to my queen. “The best stock.”
“Yeah? They can gossip for Xnos.” Ginny snorts. “Anyway, sounds like you’re busy, so I’ll go.”
I release a long sigh. “Phinade is obsessed with our wedding.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “If you’ll let me escort you back to your quarters, he might not find me for a while.”
“Okay,” Ginny says with the hint of a smile, “but only if you promise to do one of your best growls at my lady friends. It’ll either shut them up or it’ll be the only thing they talk about for the next few days.”
I hide a smile. “It’s a deal, little one.”
I offer her my arm and she takes it. Her warmth infuses into me, the scent of her clinging to my nostrils. It’s all I can do not to ravish her on the spot.
“You will be married to me by tomorrow evening and need not worry about courtiers gossiping,” I say as we walk back to her living quarters.
“Really? I guess you don’t listen to gossip then,” Ginny says, not looking at me. “You probably should.”
My blood boils. What have these females been saying to her? I do my best not to react. Reacting to her in public would be tantamount to signing her death warrant while the whole of Xnos believes we are not wed.
Once she is queen, they are honor bound to protect her, and any move by any of the clans could be seen as war.
A war which seems to be coming at me with an inevitability I cannot stop.
“I will leave you here, little Ginny,” I say as we reach her quarters.
“You’re not… coming in?” she asks, and I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
There is so much I should tell her, so much she needs to know, but until she is protected…
“I have considerable duties to attend to before the wedding tomorrow. I will see you at the ceremony,” I say, formality infusing my voice.
Because no one can know how much I care for this stunning creature fate has sent my way. Not until l can be sure she is entirely mine in the eyes of Xnos.