CHAPTER TWENTY
MY MIND IS STILL REELING about how she defended my pride. The scars on my stomach are my biggest insecurity and proof of one of my biggest failures, yet she didn’t even bat an eye as she came to my aid. My stubborn, vengeful mate. One day I’ll deserve you.
I was in awe watching her handle the higher nobility and upper ranked officers of Maleen.
She may feel like she isn’t fit to lead, but all I see is a female worth following.
A Queen I’d get on my knees for time and time again.
Yet, as the room clears out, everyone ready to pass down orders to keep the capital of the realm safe, Ravina stays seated.
Her expression is elated and nervous. Fuck how I wish I could sense everything through the bond like the others.
Patience. You don’t deserve that of her yet.
Thankfully Zaddro is off making the Keep fit for his mate and has blocked me out of our bond, otherwise he would probably groan with how pathetic I’m sounding; but it’s true.
I was a downright asshole to her at Phixmery, and then an irredeemable prick when we got to Vathia—under the influence of the Soul Stone or not.
I should have been better, and I will prove it to her.
I will take whatever scraps she throws at me and I’ll earn that trust back.
She stands and turns towards Killian and I as she twists her hands nervously. “Could you two come to my chamber? There’s something I want to show you.” Her gaze darts to Aemon and Jesper who nod and smile encouragingly.
“Of course, Princess. You can show me anything,” I tell her, taking a step forward and lacing her fingers through mine. Her touch is everything.
She nods, giving me a wobbly smile, and glances up at Killian, who tilts his head before nodding.
Confusion whirls in his expression as he tries to piece together what she might want to talk to us about.
She takes his hand too, and his brows crease with what I’m sure is the exact concern racing through me now.
It could be anything, but I’ve done enough damage by trying to guess her motives, so I’ll wait until she tells me.
She takes a breath and the shadows in the room warp until we’re enclosed by them, and the gut-dropping sensation surges into my throat before the darkness fades, leaving us in a large room.
A guest room, I realize. Jesper and Aemon appear not long after and settle near the wall, as if they already know what this is about.
Of course they do; they’re in each other’s heads after all.
A pang of jealousy squeezes my gut. Fucking Fates, I want that with her too.
Killian crosses his arms and his voice rumbles.
“What’s going on, Little Warrior?” Even as gravelly as it sounds, he somehow makes it sound tender, just for her.
She’s the only one I’ve ever seen him so soft with—it’s strange yet comforting to see him find some peace for himself after all these years.
“I haven’t told you everything about my past. Jesper and Aemon found out before I was ready, and have been very patient with me, but if you want… me… then you need to know…”
My brows furrow in confusion as I mimic Killian’s posture. “What do you mean, Princess? What happened?”
Her face pales and her eyes gloss over as she talks with someone. Her familiar? Maybe? She takes a deep breath, her hands shaking as she rolls up her sleeves, and my gaze instantly narrows on the thick silver scars, raised and puckered all around her wrists. Scars thicker than mine… by a lot.
The horror of the situation takes root in my stomach. Someone fucking chained my mate? Chained my female? The anger threatens to break loose but I wait—she wanted to tell us what happened, and I need to keep calm.
Killian is frozen to the spot, his red eyes glued to her wrists.
“I’m damaged,” she whispers. “Or at least I thought I was, for a very long time. I still don’t show anyone the worst of them… until now. You need to see before we bond. In case you decide you don’t want me.” She watches us carefully as she undoes the leather corset.
“You could never be damaged,” I growl through gritted teeth and Killian snaps. “The worst of them? There’s more?”
She flinches but keeps going. Aemon and Jesper watch her and us with blank faces, the only rage showing is lit in their lavender and green eyes. Their shoulders are tense. They’ve known about whatever she’s about to show us, and yet I can’t find it in myself to be pissed at that.
The corset drops to the floor, its slight thud the loudest thing in the room besides my pounding heart. How much worse could it get? I think of my own scars and promise myself that I won’t overreact, no matter how bad it is.
She untucks her black tunic from her pants, the oversized shirt billowing around her as she turns and faces Jesper and Aemon, giving Kill and I her back.
Aemon nods and gives her a tight smile. I’m almost positive that they’re both giving her words of love and encouragement because, after a moment, she takes a shaking breath that hitches.
Her whole body is shaking with fear: the sour scent spills into the room.
She lifts the back of her shirt and I stagger back.
Killian snarls and a crash sounds from next to me. “Who the fuck did that to you? I will flay their skin from their body and tear them limb from limb!” He storms towards her, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Tell me!”
She doesn’t flinch in fear like everyone else does when faced with Killian’s wrath; instead, tears cloud her eyes and her lips wobble. “The village leader of Shalo,” she whispers. “Non-magickals were treated poorly there. Any mishaps that I was involved in… lashes were the punishment.”
Bile climbs up my throat and a growl with it. She glances at me before focusing on the giant male who hasn’t let her go.
Aemon speaks up. “I razed the village to the ground the moment I realized. I’m still searching for the bastard who gave the orders, though; he escaped.”
Killian growls. “He’s mine,” he states before letting go of her and storming out of the room. Banging and shattering of items follow him as he practically runs from the room, with his own demons chasing him.
Ravina sobs, covering her mouth. The shirt has fallen, hiding the scars once again.
But before the others can move, I have her in my arms, whispering the words she gave me when she saw my scars.
A as much as I want to storm from the room with Killian to work through my anger at what was done to my mate, I know she needs me more.
Killian would be no use to her right now, and a part of me is glad she has multiple mates.
“He just needs a moment. He will come back for you when he calms down,” I whisper against her temple.
“You’re so brave for everything you’ve gone through, but mark my words Princess: we will hunt that fucking bastard down and we will make him wish he never lived.
” The words end up coming out as a snarl as I finally lose control over my emotions, the male instincts to kill and protect riding me hard.
My mate is hurt. Someone fucking hurt her.
I ball my fists against her as I hold her close, my body shaking with rage, and I’m not sure how long I can hold it back as the sight of her back and wrists flash to the forefront of my mind.
I’m not sure how long I stay there with her in my arms and, at this point, I’m not sure if the embrace is for her any longer, or if it’s for me.
She shifts and I pull back to look at her. Her sapphire-blue eyes are rimmed red and wide as she reaches up to cup my face. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“You never need to thank me. For anything. Whatever I can give you, it’s yours,” I promise. “If you ask for the skin off my back, I would carve it off with a smile. You deserve everything good in this realm, and I will do whatever I can to give it to you.”
My hands shake as I cup her face, and I’m keenly aware of Aemon blinking Jesper and himself out of the room, giving us some privacy.
“Let me kiss you, please,” my voice shakes. “Let me show you that your scars don’t define you, just like you did for me.”
She shakes her head. “Only if you mate me. I want to tie you to my soul, Talyn. I need to feel you here.” She places her hand on her heart.
I freeze. “Ravina…” I breathe.
“Please, Talyn. I need you just as much as I need the others. I want Killian too, but now I’m afraid he won’t look at me the same.”
I shake my head. “That male has been scarred more times than any of us combined. He’s pissed that what was done to you was even possible. Give him time and he will come to you. As for us… are you sure?”
She pulls my face down and her tongue slowly swipes against the seam of my lips, I part them, tasting her. I groan, deeply. Fuck, nothing is better than this.
“Please,” she whispers and my heart clenches.
“No one should be begging but me,” I growl, dropping to my knees in front of her. My fingers trace along the seam of her leathers as I slowly inch toward her laces. “Please let me taste you, Princess. Let me show you that my mouth can be used for more than just spilling vile words.”
Her breath hitches and she nods, her face flushing a delicious shade of pink.
I don’t bother with the laces—instead I grip where the seams would be the weakest and the sound of ripping stitches tears through the room as I remove the leather from her silky skin completely.
Fates, I don’t deserve her, but even with those thoughts, I know I’m not male enough to resist her bewitching spell she somehow casts on me.
My fingertips gently wrap around her ankle, lifting her foot off the ground.
Right above where her boot meets her skin, I press my lips, kissing a trail up her leg, finding a small bit of patience before I can finally taste my mate.
Fuck. I don’t think I’ve wanted anything so badly in my life.