CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Astrid
“Long live King Rave, ruler of the Fae Kingdom.”
I watch as everyone lowers to one knee before Rave. Am I meant to bow? I don’t know, but I don’t. Instead, I’m seated on the arm of his Shadow Throne, his arm around my waist, fingers splayed possessively. The once Earthen Throne has changed to adapt to its new king, decorated in gold, bone, and black diamonds. It’s as menacing as the new king himself. Where did the previous queen sit, I wonder? Because there is only one throne here in this large, opulent room. Just the huge gold and crystal chandelier hanging above our heads probably costs more than I would have ever seen in my lifetime.
I awkwardly try to shift my position, aware all eyes are on me, but Rave doesn’t let me move an inch, his grip tightening.
His father is dead.
I saw it in a quick vision, and I blurted it out in front of not just Rave but Soren and Elios. And now Rave is going to want to know how the fuck I knew that before anyone else.
Change is coming.
Laurel was right.
My heart begins to pound in my ears.
King Tane is dead, and for what?
And what happens to the Vampire Queen he’s been hiding away now?
Does Rave even know where she is?
Rave is now the King of the Fae Kingdom, the King of Aravelle. Will this war with the vampires end with Rave’s father’s death? Or is it only going to get worse now?
Soren places a thick gold crown on his head, which looks heavy enough to cause him neck pain. The largest diamond sits in the center of it, and it’s stunning, nestled into his thick, dark hair.
His father’s crown, now his.
Another crown is handed to him—a feminine, almost delicate crown, the gold twisted and intricately twined, diamonds making it sparkle.
I stand as Rave moves to do the same and stare up at him as he faces me. His icy-blue eyes shine with emotion, pride flashing in them as he stares down at me. He always knew he’d be king one day. He’s prepared for it his whole life, but I don’t think he thought it would be this soon.
And me? I never in my wildest dreams would have thought this moment possible.
“Long live Queen Astrid, Ruler of the Fae Kingdom,” he calls out in his deep, husky voice, placing the crown on my head.
Everyone repeats his words, still lowered on their knee.
But now, to me.
Does he think I’ll make a good queen? Does he want me to rule equally alongside him? So many things we’ve never discussed.
Not knowing what to do, I look to Rave, whose lip twitches before he announces, “You may rise.”
They all rise and cheer, and I look across at Cove, Elios, and Nico at the back, standing in a row. My gaze turns to Soren, standing to the right of the throne, armed as usual, his sword’s hilt easily seen over his shoulders. Sinda is on the left of us, sword on his hip. I wonder if they are expecting any unrest or just being careful.
Rave pulls me closer and brings his lip to my ear. “Your throne will be sitting here next to mine tomorrow.”
“Did your mother’s get moved out of here?” I ask, brow furrowing.
His eyes flash black. “She never had one. My father made her sit with him.”
Like I just had.
His fingers tighten as he must sense my emotions through the bond. “I only had you do that because I didn’t have another option tonight.”
Soren comes and stands in front of us as everyone clears the room.
“We have a lot to discuss,” Rave says to him, but his eyes are still on me, his hand moving to the back of my nape in a possessive gesture.
“I know,” Soren replies, crossing his arms over his chest. “We need to get the council together.”
“Tomorrow,” Rave replies, his jaw tightening. “Today, we mourn.”
Rave’s brothers join us, forming a semicircle around us. They all bow their heads, and for a moment, I feel like I’m intruding. I didn’t know their King Tane well, and from what I did see, he might not have always been the best man, but he was still their father, and he inspired love and loyalty from all of his sons.
“Let’s have a drink,” Cove mutters, and they all head to the dining hall, Rave lingering behind with me, his large hand resting on the small of my back, his fingers spread.
I go up on my tiptoes and pull his head down, pressing a sweet kiss on his lips. “You go mourn with your family.”
His brow furrows, a hint of uncertainty flickering over his face. “You are my family too. You are my queen. You aren’t going back to Chaos tonight.”
Does he think I’m going to leave him when his father just died? “I’m only going back to our room, Rave. Not to Chaos.”
He rests his forehead against mine, our eyes closing. His fingers cup my cheek as he lifts his face, and when I open my eyes, I find him studying me with a guarded expression. “How did you know?”
Every muscle in my body locks tight.
Licking my suddenly dry lips, I step back from him and wrap my arms around myself. He eyes the gesture and tilts his head to the side. “Whatever it is, you can trust me, Astrid. I’m your mate. Your king. I know you’re keeping something from me, and I want to know what it is.”
“Rave!” Soren calls out, breaking the building tension between us.
He straightens slowly, towering over me, and looks toward the door. “We will talk later.”
I nod, swallowing hard.
The time has come to lay it all on the line.
I trust him.
But I’ve held onto this for so long that it’s still hard to admit the truth.
Even heartbroken with the loss of his father, Rave walks me to our room so he knows I’m safely in the ward, opening the door for me.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“Your brothers need you.”
His strong, muscular arms grip the doorframe above my head, and he nods, his eyes clouded.
Then he kisses my forehead and leaves.
Closing the door, I stumble to the bed and lie back, staring at the ceiling. So much has happened in such a short time, and it’s a lot to process.
After a long bath, I climb onto the black silk sheets naked, my eyes closing almost instantly.
***
I don’t know what time it is when Rave steps into the bedroom, but the gentle sound of the door closing wakes me. Rave stares at me on the bed while removing all his weapons, one by one, the sound of each blade hitting the table filling the otherwise silent room. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he whispers in a husky tone.
Then, grabbing the back of his tunic at the nape of his neck, he pulls it off, the candlelight giving me a tease of his smooth, wide chest and rippled abs. His body is made for sex.
“I don’t mind, especially when the view is this good.”
I let the silk fall from my breasts as I sit up, just as he removes his boots and pants. My mouth waters at his hard cock as he climbs onto the bed next to me.
“I need you,” he rumbles, gripping me by the side of my neck and kissing me.
“I see that.” I smirk against his mouth.
He pushes me back against the mattress and straddles me, kissing down my neck and collarbone before sucking on my nipples, alternating between them. He runs his teeth over them, and my back arches as pleasure pools in my lower belly. He lifts his head and kisses my mouth again, his tongue dancing with mine. He tastes like mint and whiskey, and I never want him to stop kissing me. His hard length pushes against my stomach, and I ache to get my hands on him, but when I reach for him, his shadows pin my wrists back against the bed.
“You know how much I fucking love and cherish you, don’t you?” he rasps as he reaches between us to stroke my clit.
I nod.
“Use your words,” he growls.
“Yes, I know how much you love me,” I say breathlessly, my teeth sinking into my lower lip.
“Good girl. Don’t forget that because right now, I’m going to fuck you like I hate you,” he rumbles, sliding into me in one smooth stroke.
Fuck.
His shadows lift my knees to my chest as he settles on top of me, thrusting hard and deep, his fingers still stroking me.
“You’re so wet, Princess.” He moans, and even though I’m his queen now, I still like it when he calls me that. “I need to taste you.”
He slides out of me and flips me over onto my stomach, putting a pillow under me and spreading my thighs. “Look at you all spread out for me.” He runs his hands over the globes of my ass, spreading my cheeks before lowering his face and swiping his tongue over my pussy.
He makes an “mmm” sound, like I’m the most delicious thing he’s ever fucking tasted, and then goes to town on me, licking, sucking, and stroking me until I’m coming all over his face.
“Rave!” I yell, panting as wave after wave of pleasure hits me.
He bites my right cheek and mutters something about loving it when I’m loud like that and enters me again, his stroke so hard the whole bed slams against the wall. He slides his fingers down my inner thighs and moans, and I realize I’m so wet it’s literally dripping out of me.
Rave starts to fuck me in brutal thrusts, his shadows wrapping around my wrists and neck. He pulls me up by my nape, so I’m sitting on his lap while he continues to fuck me senseless. Stroking my clit in rhythm with his thrusts, I know I’m not going to last long, especially when his hold on my neck tightens. I feel so light, so fucking free in this moment.
“I’m going to come,” I say, and Rave hums his approval.
“Beg for it, Princess,” he demands. “Beg your king to let you come.”
“Please, please,” I moan, grinding down on his cock. “Let me come, my king.”
“You are mine , Astrid,” he growls out, his hand gripping my neck, taking over from his tendrils of shadows. “For-fucking-ever.”
“Yes, I’m yours.” I pant.
“Good girl,” he praises. “Now come for me.”
He increases the pressure on my clit, and I come violently with his name on my lips. He follows me, fucking me punishingly hard before his cum fills me. He lets go of me, and I gently lay forward, his hands on my hips, soothingly stroking me. He slides out of me and presses a gentle kiss on my back, then slides his finger inside my pussy, gently pushing his cum that’s dripping out of me back inside me.
“You are fucking perfect.” He sighs, and I moan as he strokes me again. He lays back on the bed and pulls me against him so we’re facing each other. Cupping my cheek, he scans my eyes. “I wasn’t too rough?”
I smile sleepily. “No, I loved it.”
“I love you,” he says as he kisses my swollen lips.
“I love you too.”
I see a flash of his dimple before I fall asleep.