19. Harven
HARVEN
If I have to listen to one more member of the Sea Council drone on, I’ll drown myself in the ocean.
The day had dragged on as I heard every plight and rumor swirling within my kingdom. My anger spiked countless times as pieces of information concerning plots came to light. The sources needed verification, as did the end goal.
Were they trying to harm only me, or Eve? Either wouldn’t be tolerated.
Eve.
My entire body heats as I think of her again, tuning out Lord Lore’s incessant ramblings. I’ve wanted to return to her all day. My mind replays our kisses. The feel of her naked skin. The dreamy expression that transforms her face as she comes.
I need to be inside her.
The primal urge presses down on me. My cock begins to stir as I think of how I left her beautiful body covered in my marks. It’s evident what she means to me. No one will touch her if they value their lives.
I scratch at my chest. The clenching ache is back, warming against my fingers. It seems to deepen whenever I think of Eve. She had looked so gorgeous while asleep.
Her luscious blonde hair fanned around her like a golden curtain. The soft lines of her face were serene. I had wanted to rouse her with my tongue in her cunt, but thought it best to let her rest.
Tonight, I will claim her completely. I will hold her down and watch my come drip out of her pink pussy. I have no problem taking her over and over until my seed takes hold.
Eve is mine. I made her acknowledge the undeniable truth between us. I’m never letting her go. As confident as I feel about our bond, questions remain. Decisions to be made.
Namely, about my Pearls. That would be a problem for another day as my meeting adjourns, and I take the first chance to exit. Racing down the barren halls, I clutch my gift tightly.
I twist her door handle, not bothering to knock. No false sense of propriety existed between us. I’ve had my tongue in her ass.
Eve stands before her mirror, securing a necklace of pearls and silver shells. The air stills in my lungs. My tentacles go limp, almost sending me to the floor. I can’t think of anything beyond the vision she makes.
Biting her lip in the mirror, she turns in a slow circle.
Her short skirt lifts in the air, baring the bottom curve of her ass. Memories of it turning pink make my cock press against the front of my skirt.
A chain of pearls encircles her narrow waist. Her top barely conceals the fleshy swells of her breasts. I want to bury my head between them and bite her sweet flesh.
Every single one of my marks is on display. She hadn’t chosen to hide them, but to wear them with pride. As if she wants my whole court to know she is mine.
The ache in my chest becomes painful.
“Do you like it?” she asks, eyes teaming with mischief.
My cock surges forward at the sound of her voice. It pushes through my tentacles to stand at proud attention. Her eyes drop there, noting my hardness as a charming color sweeps over her cheeks.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You look like a goddess.” I eat up the distance between us. “A queen.”
I pull my gift from behind my back and present it to her.
Eve gasps as she takes in the tiara. It mirrors my crown. It’s far more delicate in its construction. Made of spun silver and adorned with diamonds and pearls, it glitters as I rest the circlet atop her head.
“Harven. It’s beautiful.” Licking her lips, she places her hands on my chest. “Are you sure?”
“You are my queen, Eve. I want everyone gathered tonight to show you the respect you deserve.” My hands cover hers.
I trace the backs of them with my thumbs.
“More than that, I want everyone to know you’re a permanent fixture in my life.
We will always be together, Eve. No matter what. You’ll never be alone again.”
Moisture beads in her blue eyes. Her giggle is watery as she shakes her head.
“You can’t be the same male who mercilessly spanked my ass with his tentacles last night.”
I kiss her soundly, chasing away her tears with my passion. Eve moans into our kissing and throws her arms around my neck. My hands trail the backs of her bare thighs.
“I like keeping you on your toes.” I smile against her mouth. “And off your feet.”
She squeals as I heft her into my arms. Clinging to me in the way that makes me feel powerful, I turn her from the room and into the hall.
Servants and guards bow low as we pass. I note the stares they try to hide. The smell of seawater clings to the air due to all the attendees coming from outside the castle. Low conversation hums around each corner.
As we make our way toward the grand hall, the crowds grow denser. Eve burrows deeper into me. My tentacles wrap around her waist and legs. Some nobles hide their surprise better than others. Especially as they note the tiara atop her head.
“Everyone is staring at us,” Eve whispers.
“I want to kill them all for looking at you.”
“Harven,” she gasps. “If this is to be my home, you have to accept that others will see me. Unless you plan on keeping me locked in your room all day.”
“That’s impossible.”
“I agree.”
“Only the king is permitted into the king’s rooms.”
Eve pulls back from my neck, brows high. The haughty set to her mouth makes me want to put my cock inside of her. Gods, she’ll torment me with her attitude until the end of time.
She’s lucky I enjoy doling out punishments as much as pleasure.
“Is that so?”
I shrug. “It’s tradition.”
“And if I get bored of fucking you in my room, then what?”
Her flippant question heats my blood. Her filthy mouth rivals my most cutthroat soldiers. A beautiful queen with the wickedest tongue. I’m beyond lucky to call her mine.
“You can have any room in the castle, my mate. A different one each day if you wish.”
“But not yours?”
“No.”
Eve says nothing, but I feel her retreat into herself. I hate when she does that.
Humans think a lot. Seafolk are more direct. If she is upset with the tradition, I’d rather she tell me than silently stew. Tonight is a celebration. I don’t want this tainting it.
I’m unsure why this issue would cause such a reaction. It’s no doubt some human custom I’m unaware of. Her people have so many. It makes my temples throb.
The king’s rooms are my sanctuary. Away from the court's prying eyes. Councilmen, lovers—even servants—are forbidden. When the stress of ruling becomes too much, I can lock myself inside and sleep peacefully, without the threat of being disturbed.
However, after spending one night curled around Eve, I don’t know how I’ll sleep again without her in my arms. My desire for her will never wane, but hers may. She is so young compared to me.
Her mind will change as she moves through the centuries. I’m an overbearing male. She enjoys it now, but in fifty years she may be grateful there’s a room she can send me to where I’ll be required to leave her alone.
Beyond the grand hall is the royal theater. The silver doors open wide as Eve and I approach. She perks up, breaking out of her sour thoughts. Good. Tonight is for enjoyment.
Her golden hair brushes my shoulder as she takes in the sprawling splendor.
It is a three-level structure. The bottom is where the royal orchestra sits, fine-tuning their coral instruments and seaweed strings.
The second level is made up of marble floors that give way to statues depicting each one of our sea gods. The stage is also on this level, gleaming with fresh polish. Behind it, a towering window frames the sprawling city.
The third level is the king’s private balcony. A smaller version of my throne sits in the center behind a low retaining wall. I settle her onto my lap. Wonder threads through her blue eyes.
“This room is amazing. What events take place here?”
“Plays, concerts, dances—all manner of artistic entertainment.”
“What’s on the agenda tonight?”
A servant rushes over and begins setting up a small table for our meals.
Eve’s attention stays on the room's grandeur. My tentacles trace the bare skin of her legs, loving how soft and smooth she is. A few renew the suck marks along her thighs.
“Music mainly,” I say in response to her question. “The royal choir will sing in your honor. A few members of the court have prepared dances that showcase various parts of our history and culture.”
“Is that what Nixie’s performance will entail?” Eve asks.
Clenching my jaw, I trail my fingers along her arm.
“I have no idea what she plans to do. I haven’t spoken to any of my Pearls beyond her accosting us in the hall.”
Eve is quiet for a moment. Blue eyes openly appraise me as if seeking some hidden answer lying in the planes of my face. After another moment, she speaks.
“Am I right in assuming Nixie has never been in your room either?”
I nearly groan, and not with satisfaction.
“Never,” I assure her.
I wish to get off the topic of annoying Pearls and my bedroom. Eve seems satisfied with my answer as plates and utensils are arranged atop the small table.
I may be a dominant male, but Eve has me wrapped tightly around her finger. It’s ridiculous how she winds me up with just one look.
Almost as ridiculous as the happiness I feel when she bestows a smile on me, followed by a lingering kiss.
Gods, I’ve missed her so much. Her taste is far sweeter than the finest wine.
“Good.”
The deadly sparkle in her eyes is new. My fingers dig into her waist as I take her mouth again. Our tongues slick together. I only pull back once she’s panting. The scent of her desire chokes me.
“Are you jealous, Eve?”
My dinner plate and Eve’s steaming bowl are delivered. I don’t reach for it. Not as my question hangs heavy between us.
My mate inclines her head.
“And if I said yes?”
I can’t hide my surprise.
Have I not told her countless times that she is mine?
I gave her the tiara as a sign of just how important she is to me. My feelings for Eve go beyond the primal. She will be a permanent fixture in my life. When she passes from this world, I’ll—
Reaching for her bowl, Eve blows on a steaming spoonful and shrugs.
“I’m a territorial person, my king. Remember that.”
She is perfect for me in every way.