Chapter 37
M y footsteps echo in the long, winding hallways, a reminder of my annoyance as I near the entrance into the new part of the castle.
My heart races with a flurry of emotions; eagerness mingled uneasily with apprehension.
Eagerness to get back to my mate, so I can punish her; love her.
Yet, unease fills me with King Vin’s sudden arrival.
A crisp clean smell carries on the draft as I enter the main part of the castle, firmly driving home the reality of what awaits me beyond those doors at the bottom of the steps.
I take one last deep breath before pushing them open to meet King Vin and Carina.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I can see guards near the foyer doors leading outside, a few glance back at my approach before warily turning their attention to outside.
I head down to the front doors. I’m a mix of curiosity and caution.
They pull up in a white limousine just as I reach the entrance, my mother and father, who are already engaged in conversation with the guards, wait patiently.
As Carina steps out of the car, I notice an unfamiliar tension in her body language.
She darts close to me, her delicate fingers latching onto mine with such force that it feels like a vice grip.
The warmth of her skin against my own sends a rush of conflicting emotions coursing through me.
Her sudden need, confusing and unnerving at the same time.
The sound of doors closing as their entourage comes in the gates makes me glance around to see guards rushing about.
“Please, play along,” she whispers, her voice filled with fear.
I hesitantly glance at her, taken aback by the fear in her voice.
She pleads with me silently, her fear palpable in the air that hangs between us.
I take a deep breath and stare into her eyes, trying to decipher what she isn’t saying out loud.
An intense moment passes, and I can see a vulnerable side of her that wasn’t present before.
I feel pulled toward her, drawn to protect her from whatever danger she is facing.
I may not love or want her, but she is my wife.
This woman doesn’t scare easily, so seeing her fear so evident, I know something is wrong.
My arm gently encircles her shoulders, and I can sense a small wave of relief pass through her body as she leans into my embrace.
“I want an explanation,” I whisper back, my voice low and filled with concern.
She nods in response, and we wait for her father to climb out of the car.
I clench my fists, aching to ask what has happened that has led us there.
My whispered words are charged with annoyance as I ask for an explanation.
The weight of her unspoken answer seems to press on me and fill the air like a storm cloud.
We stand in silence as I take in the car, whose headlights illuminate the night.
I feel my chest tighten as her father slowly emerges from the vehicle.
His heavy footsteps and the creak of his leather shoes echo in the crisp night air around us.
“King Xandros, you gave me quite the fright when you left,” he declares, trying his best to conceal his inner annoyance as he speaks.
As if anticipating trouble, he has brought along his elite guard, their armor shoes shuffling along the ground and rustling clothes echoing off the castle walls, ensuring their presence is known as they wander checking perimeters and speaking with my guards.
“I brought my guards in case you needed assistance; you left in such a rush I had no idea what was going on.”
“Mate issues, but it’s sorted now,” I answer honestly.
“I can see that,” Vin’s eyes narrow on the bite mark.
My eyes remain on Carina’s father, and I feel a chill spread over my body.
His tense form and hard stare bore into me, as if he can see every secret I am desperately trying to hide.
The heaviness of the silence that ensues makes it clear he has many questions burning through his brain.
I have no answers, not ones he wants to hear.
His eyes flash with a cold hatred as he spits out the words, each syllable heavy with disdain. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t allow your mate to mark you.” The words drip from his mouth with a thick, cream-like poison, corroding me from the inside out.
I grapple to maintain my composure wanting nothing more than to rip the man apart limb by limb while Carina steps in before I can utter a syllable.
Her father’s stern voice reverberates around us, silencing all other noise as if pressing an invisible mute button.
His rigid body language and the feeling of contempt, clashing against mine, heightens the tension.
I’m about to respond when Carina speaks up, surprising both me and her father.
“Xandros called me beforehand, Daddy. I gave him permission,” she says, her voice steady. I cringe inwardly at her use of endearment. I nod in agreement, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
“Yes, she was fretting when I was away. She nearly died,” I confirm, the weight of the situation heavy on my shoulders.
The air stills as her father studies us. His glare seems to bore into our souls, his menacing presence looming over us. He finally speaks the words that feel like daggers; “This won’t affect our treaty, will it? Is this mate of yours intending to challenge my daughter?”
I can feel Carina’s unease next to me and we both shake our heads in unison. I try to swallow, but my mouth has gone dry, time feels as though it has been suspended.
“I assure you, King Vin, that our alliance is secure. Sienna won’t be an issue,” I respond, my voice filled with false certainty.
Vin nods, seeming somewhat appeased. “Very well. I have spoken with the Elders recently, and they are somewhat placated now that you’ve found your mate. However, there is confusion regarding the alliances and treaties, and also the marriage to my daughter.”
My mother interrupts. “I shall make some tea.”
“Whisky would be better, Adina. I need a drink after that horrid drive,” Vin requests. My mother nods, and my father leads Vin inside. We move to the parlor, and I take a seat at the table, Carina shocking me further by sitting in my lap.
“Well, I might as well stay for the week,” Vin announces.
“I have business here with the seekers, anyway.” As he speaks, guards enter the room, carrying suitcases and placing Carina’s and her father’s bags by the door.
I watch them closely and notice one of the guards smirking at Carina, then winks at her in a way that makes her visibly tense.
My blood boils as I watch the guard’s gaze fall on Carina in such a lewd way.
I can practically see what he is thinking.
Anger flares within me, and I instinctively place my hand over Carina’s lap, shielding her from the guard’s gaze. His eyes, black pits that seem to suck up all the remaining light in the room, travel up her legs, lingering on the hemline of her skirt which I tug down further.
Then they trail slowly up and quickly dart away when he meets my piercing glare. Vin backs away at the low rumble that has formed in my throat; his inquisitive glance replaced with disbelief at the raw power emanating from within me.
“Are you okay?” he inquires, the worry deeply creasing his features.
My lips are tight as I speak through gritted teeth, my voice trembling with barely controlled rage.
“There has been a reprehensible breach of respect,” I reply.
“That guard must be removed from this premises or else face the wrath of my fury. If I spot him so much as winking at my wife once more, then his eyes will be plucked from their sockets.” My words hang in the chilly air that has settled in the room, and my potent aura of menace rushes out.
Vin fixes his eyes on the guard, and it is as though he has been struck by lightning.
A chill runs through the room, and a palpable tension surrounds Vin.
The guard’s face drains of color and he quivers with fear.
“You heard the king,” Vin says in a low, dangerous voice, his words carrying an invisible weight.
“Leave immediately…or else.” The guard shrinks away from Vin’s presence, hastily exiting.
My mother arrives with a glass of amber liquid, a silent offering to Vin. My father refuses, preferring instead to sit and observe. The tension in the room is so thick, it seems like you can cut it with a knife.
“So, this mate business,” Vin begins slowly, each word weighed down by its implications.
“It won’t hurt my daughter’s chance of becoming pregnant, will it?
I’ve heard stories that your kind can experience great pain when coupled, that your mate will be affected by you performing in the bedroom with my daughter.
” The air hangs heavy between us, this conversation is treading into unknown territory.
The atmosphere in the room grows tense at the shift in conversation to more delicate matters.
I swallow hard, feeling a mix of nerves. “We will take measures to ensure my mate is comfortable. We are aware of the challenges, and we will navigate them together.”
Vin gives me a satisfied smirk. “Excellent. I hope she will be expecting an addition before your nuptials. There is nothing more powerful than heirs when it comes to forming lasting treaties.”
My mother’s voice rings out, laced with curiosity. “You chose not to bring Anita here, King Vin?”
A sinister darkness sweeps over his face briefly. “Matrimonial struggles. Reassure yourself, My Queen, she is being suitably disciplined for her misdeeds, that I can assure you.”