Chapter 6
BELENUS
I escorted my exquisite fated mate to my favorite café and nodded to my hidden guards, who posted themselves nearby in case of trouble. Every fae we passed bowed in deference, and Hekla’s grip on my arm tightened by the minute. I patted her hand, trying to soothe her.
I couldn’t imagine being in her position, and I was grateful I was able to get her a little companion who could potentially offer comfort. I’d racked my brain for hours trying to find a way to make her less lonely. If the mac-talla turned out to be more of a handful than she expected, I’d give it to one of our animal handlers who’d care lovingly for it during the remainder of its lifespan. Per my Hekla’s desire, I’d make sure it wouldn’t go back to the pet shop.
With a satisfied smile on my face, I watched Hekla devour a large breakfast. She even made for a beautiful glutton! I couldn’t blame her for being starved, though. Stress burned a lot of energy.
I idly thumbed through the care guide as we ate. “Seems the mac-talla is most active in the evening and morning. It’ll probably sleep during midday and late at night.” It was all in fae, so I made sure to relay the important information to Hekla. I skipped over the section regarding the wings as this one sadly wouldn’t develop them further. She nodded along to everything I imparted, then froze.
“Oh goodness, I feel so rude. What does it eat? I should feed him,” she asked, blinking her long black eyelashes.
“Hmm.” I flipped back to the beginning. “Seems like they eat most anything, actually. They particularly like fruit. They also… haha, uh-oh.” I snorted and raised my eyebrows. “They’ll also get into natural fibers like silk and cotton. Best keep it out of your wardrobe, my dear.”
She picked up a piece of dragon fruit and handed it to the mac-talla. “Maybe we should buy some bolts of cotton while we’re out.” She chuckled as the mac-talla smacked and chomped on the snack, but when it returned to its listlessness, she frowned. “How do we bond anyway?”
I flipped through more pages and scratched the back of my head. “Looks like they bite your ear to inject their magic. Sounds like marking, kind of,” I said, turning the pages and reading more.
“Great,” she muttered, and I glanced up to catch a cloud darkening her expression. “My pet will bite me before my mate does.”
I leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “Yes,” I whispered so quietly that only she could hear me, “but it will feel so much better when I do it, hmm?” I smirked at her rouging cheeks and the subtle way she squirmed in her seat. Perhaps that was a bit mean, but I couldn’t resist. My smile broadened as she quickly finished her food, obviously wanting to leave. I had to wonder how wet that’d gotten her panties.
I paid the bill and walked a flustered Hekla back to the carriage with my guards in tow. She hadn’t seemed to notice the escort, which was what I’d wanted. When we settled in our seats to return home, the carriage began to bump along the cobbled streets of the city. The mac-talla crawled off Hekla and curled up to sleep on the bench cushion .
My fated mate dozed off too, obviously from stress and digesting a large meal. I wanted to carry her to her room when we got back, but that wasn’t really appropriate. I sighed unhappily at the restrictions that seemed so pointless. We fae were not prudes; in fact, many of the unmarried had multiple lovers. It was an absurd standard to keep such a close watch on my courtship with my fated mate. We were meant to be; how could the courtship end in any way other than marriage? How could she not be the perfect queen for this court? The seelie should give more weight to the Moon Goddess’s decision.
We arrived at the castle, and I wanted to kiss her awake, but—of course—that would be inappropriate too. I sighed again and called her name, urging her from sleep. She started and growled softly like she’d left a dream, and I hid a smile, finding that extremely adorable.
She departed the carriage carrying the sleeping mac-talla, and I walked her to one last location she should know how to find. Opening the door to my study, I gestured about the place. “If I’m not in my chambers, I’m likely working in here or I’m in a meeting. I’ll make sure you have a copy of my schedule so you’ll know where to find me.”
I moved around my desk, sitting briefly to see if there was a duplicate somewhere. Hekla settled the drowsy mac-talla on one of the couches and started fidgeting. The movement caught my attention, and upon inspection, I noticed she appeared feverish.
“Are you coming down with something, Hekla? You’re looking warm,” I inquired in concern, leaning forward to better study her features. Her irises had nearly been swallowed by her pupils, and her skin was flushed. Her heart raced within her chest, and had I not known any better, I would have thought her aroused.
“I don’t know, it just keeps getting worse,” she said, pressing her hands to her face. She shook her head and came around to my side of the desk. When I palmed her hot forehead, she sighed in relief .
“What are you feeling?” I asked, worried about her heaving chest. Perhaps now would be a good time to summon a doctor… Though, I wasn’t sure how well-versed ours were on wolf-shifters.
“It’s just really warm and… I ache,” she answered breathlessly.
“I’ll send for the doctor.” I attempted to leave my chair, but she pushed against my shoulders.
“Just hold me for a minute, please,” she begged and lifted her skirts to straddle my hips. Then, she wrapped her arms around my chest and nuzzled into me.
I froze, not sure what to do. If anyone walked in, this would look… really bad. I sighed and patted her back, allowing this for a minute before fetching help. She groaned and squeezed me with her slender and strong arms. Great Sun God, her body heat radiated into my clothes. I palmed her back where the skin was exposed to cool her down, and she moaned her gratitude.
I clenched my jaw, becoming drastically affected by her noises and how she was pressed up against me. Maybe a minute was too generous. I grabbed her shoulders to stand her up, but she whined and grinded her hips against my lap.
“Ah, Hekla, best not do that, my dear,” I warned through gritted teeth. I should really get her off me. Her clad core was dangerously close to my burgeoning erection, and I couldn’t stop thinking of her delicious, firm thighs spread so eagerly.
“Just… ah… one minute,” she said faintly, sliding her fingers up my back, kneading with little claws like a kitten. I took in a deep breath and held it, trying to stay in control. Blistering sun, why did her sharp claws turn me on so much?
She squirmed again in my lap, this time finding my expanding erection through my pants and pressing her sex against it. I felt her folds part, molding around me. I tilted my head back, suffered the crackling electricity of desire darting through my chest, and barely caught the guttural groan escaping me. Oh shit, she was so warm. So warm. What would it be like inside her right now?
When she pressed harder, her dampness seeped through my clothes. Had she been standing, she’d be weeping down her thighs. The mental picture had my cock jutting well past the waistband of my pants, and it leaked liquid beads of excitement down my tense abdomen. Fortunately, my tunic covered my pulsing lust, though I doubted she’d notice in her current state.
“Hekla… we should get you to rest… and I’ll g—Ahhh…” I was cut off by her rotating hips and soft moans.
It was her turn to tilt her head back, providing an up close, tantalizing view of swollen breasts. I tried not the stare at them, but they were too sumptuous, too luscious to ignore. Her arched back strained her neckline, and I swallowed hard, secretly hoping her panting would expose a glimpse of her nipples or the dusky circles that preceded them.
I tried to shake myself from my hopeful staring. What had gotten into her? I slid my sweaty palms down to her waist, telling myself I was going to lift her off my lap.
I was going to lift her off me… any time now.
Any time now.
My hands stayed glued to her body and wouldn’t move, despite all the yelling in my brain. Hekla now grinded along my erection like a wanton, and I couldn’t escape it. I couldn’t escape it because I didn’t want to escape it. This was exactly what I feared with her. She was making me lose control.
When she released the saddest little wolf whimper, I finally caved. “Sun’s blaze!” I slapped my hands onto her hips to help her grind harder into my lap. Digging my fingers in, I yanked her down and along my cock with every one of her rhythmic rubs. I leaned back in the creaking chair and grunted as she searched for her pleasure, because she was definitely helping me find mine.
“What has… gotten… into you… you sexy… little minx? Uh! Ahhh…” I gasped as she rocked into me. Her pulse throbbed through her soft underwear, and it was only a matter of time before she would drench my lap with desire. All it would take was a slip of some cloth to slide into her. This was getting so dangerous. This could get out of control so easily.
It already had.
My hands twitched in their hard grip, desperately wanting to unbuckle my pants, lift her, and impale her heat with my starving length. I bet she’d ride it wilder than any fragile fae woman could. Would she howl? Could I make her howl? That would draw too much attention, but I was damn curious. I wanted to see just how much of Hekla was a sexual, lustful beast. Just how feral could this she-wolf get? My new obsession was exciting, fresh, and deeply invigorating. Perhaps I wouldn’t mind consummating my marriage in the woods…
However, as much as I was enjoying this, I was too worried about someone overhearing our activity and didn’t quite have the state of mind to create a sound barrier. It was time I satisfied my female, my she-wolf. Gods, referring to her as such was becoming quite a primal turn on. I’d never expected wanting to taste such wild words on my lips.
Mounting instead of bedding…
“Come on, my dear,” I groaned. “Find your pleasure on me. Come on, Hekla, you filthy, filthy she-wolf.” I looked back down at her as she rode me with rapturous intensity. Her full lips parted and panted, and her breasts jiggled with every fervid movement.
Sweat trickled all over her overheated flesh. The female, though wild and ravenous, still maintained that impossible ethereal beauty. Electricity sizzled up my groin, and I nearly cried out from a wave of arousal. She was too beautiful, and I honestly didn’t think I was going to last much longer.
“What’s it… going to… take… to make… you howl… female?” I snarled, bucking my hips into her to make her bounce on me. I fought for air as I strained to hold my load. My eyes squeezed shut as I started panting with her. This was going to get messy, but I absolutely did not care.
She began to shake and tense, but I couldn’t hold back anymore. My sack drew tight, and I came blindingly hard under her. I bucked up and hissed through my teeth, trying to stay as quiet as possible through my euphoric orgasm. My cock unloaded under my shirt and onto my abdomen, releasing what should have been ejected into her. Each surge had me gasping for air, making me lightheaded by the time I spent the last of my seed.
Knowing Hekla wasn’t done, I picked her up, laid her on my desk, and yanked up her skirts. I tried not to look where I palmed her, fearing I’d lose all control. Then, with the heel of my hand, I pressed through her undergarment and into the nub above her entrance, making her writhe with pleasure. I was not leaving my intended untended.
She fell into whining, panting, and moaning. I wanted to hear more; I wanted to make her howl louder than her wolf had at the stars. I loved it, oh how I loved her sounds, but I knew someone might hear it. I looked around for something to stuff her pretty mouth with, but there was nothing within reach, so I leaned forward and offered her my arm, willing to get the fiercest of bites for her release.
“Bite, you noisy she-wolf!” I growled quietly. “Bite and find your pleasure under my hand!”
She chomped down on my arm and was able to cry louder while being muffled. Her panting almost became concerning by the time she finally froze, arched, and yelled into my arm. I grinned in sweaty victory as I feverishly rubbed her orgasm out of her, making her toss and turn on the table, absolutely delicious in her throes of pleasure. I kept kneading her throbbing flesh until she was spent, melted on my desk like a snow treat on a hot day.
I finally removed my hand and lowered her skirts, still trying to catch my breath. Oh, great Sun God, I’d do anything to take her to my chambers right now for a sweet, naked nap.
“What… what have I done?” Hekla groaned, covering her face with her shaking clawed hands. “I don’t feel like myself… Why am I so hot?”
“I’ll say…” I wiped sweat off my brow. “Let’s get you to your room, and… I’ll find a doctor.”
Shit, I hoped this wouldn’t get us in trouble. It wasn’t sex, though. It’d be fine… right? Technically, no rules were broken… I think? Shit .
I sent the nearest servant I could find, a young teenager named Bidelia, to fetch the three fae women I’d picked out to become Hekla’s personal maids. I was going to introduce them to her later today anyway. After my salacious chair dance with Hekla, I was a damnable sticky mess and did the best I could to clean myself up before help arrived.
I rushed to the door upon a knock, let in the three maids, and returned to my fated mate’s side. “Hekla?” I said softly, squatting by her feverish form on the couch. She looked up at me through her thick eyelashes and blinked slowly. “These are your three personal maids. They’ll take care of you when we get to your room, ok? This is Talam, Ushka, and Spayr.”
She nodded slowly and allowed Ushka and Spayr to help her to her feet. Bidelia snuck back in, curious as always, and pointed to the mac-talla. “Should I bring the beastie as well, Yer Highness?” she asked, looking hopeful. I would have smiled at her childlike enthusiasm had I not been so concerned about my intended. I gestured for her to take Hekla’s pet, and Talam hovered by my side while we walked back to Hekla’s chambers.
“What happened, Yer Royal Highness?” she asked, worrying at her hands. The brunette fae adjusted her bonnet around her small, red deer antlers as we quickly made our way through the halls.
“She’s been getting progressively warmer like she has a fever. Can you go fetch a doctor and bring them to her chambers?” I ordered, and she sped off like the deerlike fae she was. I didn’t want to mention the other… more personal symptoms until we were in private.
The other maids helped Hekla to her bed and turned to look expectantly at me. Ushka cleared her throat and spoke in a melodic voice, “If you can please give us privacy to work, Your Royal Highness. We will sponge her to keep her cool until the doctor arrives.” She raised her brows, making the tiny scales at her hairline glitter.
I looked at the time and groaned as well. Kneeling by my intended, I said, “Augh, Hekla, my dear. I must leave for a meeting. Do not be afraid to talk to the doctor, ok? Everything is confidential. I will come and check on you later.”
She nodded, swallowed, and shifted uncomfortably. I bit back an anxious sigh and left her chambers, knowing she was in good hands. I’d been extremely careful picking those maids out for her. None of them would ever admit it, but they were safe because they were some of the ones who disliked the queen the most. I scowled, hating that it had to be a factor.
After I freshened up and changed all my clothes, I strode through the halls and pushed the doors open to see my next appointment. She’d been very difficult to find over the last month, and finally, I could catch her up on my engagement.
“Greetings, my son,” my mother said and gestured to the empty seat across from her. “Join me for tea.” She sat regally in her indoor garden, dressed like a queen even though she had no appearances to make today. It’s possible she wouldn’t even leave her chambers. She’d become quite the recluse over the years.
I sat across from her, and a maid came forward to fill my teacup. I ignored the woman, knowing that my mother didn’t like to acknowledge the folk fae. The things I put up with to keep the peace with her could fill a library.
“I have been trying to find you for a month, dear mother,” I said casually. “Have you been busy?”
“As much as ever,” she said—as distant as ever too. “What do you have to share, my son?” She took a sip, but her gold eyes never left mine.
“I informed you a while back that I’ve found my fated mate, so I thought I should let you know that she’s finally been moved into the castle. You will be able to meet her now,” I announced, glad to have the weight of the arranged marriage forever off my back.
“I’m not sure why I should care about that,” she said calmly, but there was a vein of ice in her words. I frowned and took a sip of my tea, trying to formulate the right reply .
“What do you mean? She’s my intended. Of course it would be appropriate to speak with her,” I responded, straightening my shirt and jacket.
“No,” she said in a tone that made it sound like she was chastising a confused child. “Eislyn is your bride-to-be.”
The blood drained from my face at her impossible words. “Mother,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “I had an entire month left to find my mate, per our agreement. I found her within that limit.”
“You did not bring her here. You also have no proof you found her in the time allotted,” she said, taking another sip. She was still so composed, so aloof with me. “You’re late, so your marriage to Eislyn will go according to plan.”
“You cannot be serious,” I uttered, feeling the ice-cold drip of dread ripple down my spine. “My fated mate is here. I can marry no other!”
“You can’t? I think it’s rather simple. Say your vows at the ceremony. If you wish, you could keep your fated as a mistress, but I’ll allow no children between you. They’ll be destroyed if she conceives.”
“My fated mate will be no one’s mistress,” I retorted heatedly. My teeth clenched in growing fury, and my stomach roiled with nausea.What was happening?
“Then return her to her people,” my mother said, shrugging lightly and picking up a biscuit to nibble delicately. “There’ll be no point in her staying here.”
“You never intended to let me marry anyone else, did you?” I asked in realization. “This whole agreement was a blisterin’ game! Even if I’d brought her here earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to find you, and you’d certainly not believe any witnesses.”
She ignored my accusation and adjusted her skirts in a prim manner. “Anyway, the contract has already been signed. There’s no getting out of it. Eislyn will be here soon, perhaps in a couple days.”
“No…” I gaped, horrified. “There has to be a way out! Mother, you cannot do this!” I threw my teacup, shattering it on a stepping stone. “She is my fated mate! I must marry my fated mate! We were meant to be, and she was meant to rule alongside me!”
My mother sourly regarded the shards on the ground. “I didn’t have that luxury when I married your father, Belenus,” she replied coldly, her gaze cutting to mine. “I didn’t have the luxury of having a husband who didn’t dally in others’ beds. You should be grateful I’m allowing her to stay as your mistress.”
“I. Am. Not. My. Father!” I snapped back, incensed. “How many times do I have to say that? You can’t keep taking his actions out on me!”
She pursed her lips. “What I am doing, beloved son, is showing you the things you should be grateful for.”
“Grateful for what? For pairing me with a vile creature for the rest of my days?” I shouted, slamming my fist down on the table and making the teapot rattle. “What’s even the point? She’s from the Spring Court! We’re already on good terms with them. We certainly don’t need more power or money. This doesn’t make sense! Why are you doing this?”
“I’m doing this because it’s the best decision for my court,” she answered. “I can’t imagine that after all the resources I’ve spent on your education you’ve forgotten about royal discretion.”
“And this is what? A two-week courtship?” I asked, fury dripping from my clenched teeth. How much time did I have to fix this?
“Precisely, because she is not an outsider to seelie territory.”
“You mark my words, Your Majesty,” I warned slowly and icily. “I will marry my fated mate. I will get out of this plan you’ve made behind my back.”
“I’m sorry to say you won’t, my son.” Calm again, she patted a pin that held back her long, brilliant hair.
I abruptly stood and left her table, reeling. With a hand on the door, I seethed over my shoulder, “You’ve made small efforts to abolish some of our worst practices, but you’ve done nothing about what you are.”
I slammed the door and rushed down the hall, blind in my rage, panic, and despair. I was not a blistering pawn, and I couldn’t lose Hekla. My racing mind steered me poorly after that encounter. I didn’t know what to do or where to go, but regardless, I eventually found myself at Hekla’s chambers and leaned against the door.
How could I tell her this? She was already so afraid, not to mention ill. I couldn’t hide it from her, though. She had to be prepared for when that vile creature arrived. I needed allies. I needed to get a team together to research the laws and see if there was any loophole to exploit. I knew the contract was magically binding, so I needed people on that too. There had to be something…
I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths.
I’d tell her when she was feeling better, but now I was going to check on her and see what the doctor discovered. I knocked on the door, and Talam ushered me in silently. Doctor Elisedd sat on a chair at Hekla’s bedside, writing on a notepad. The mac-talla was nowhere in sight, but that was the least of my concerns.
“Your Royal Highness,” the doctor said, standing quickly so he could bow.
“How is she?” I asked, noticing that Hekla had fallen asleep. Her cheeks were still rouged, but at least she was calm.
“I’d like to request having an expert come to our realm to discuss the matter,” the fae said. “I need someone to verify a theory and help me develop a remedy to get her through this.”
“That can be arranged,” I replied. “I’ll ask the lycan king if I can borrow one of his doctors. What theory do you have?”
The fae sandwiched his lips between his teeth for a moment and sighed. “I suspect she’s been poisoned.”
What?
“What?” I asked, rushing forward to place a hand on one of the posts. I turned my gaze to her in shock. How had this happened?
The doctor sighed. “Well, like I said, I’m no expert, and we have very limited documentation on shifters. If she’s anything like a wolf, she appears to be in heat. However, I suspect this is a false heat, but I need an expert. I’ve tested for various hormones and some have come out at levels that are… unnatural. I’m hoping it will work its way out of her system soon, but I can’t be sure of the timeline. I would highly recommend having her guarded until she recovers, and we should test whatever she comes into contact with regularly.”
“She just… got here,” I uttered in disbelief and ran my hands through my hair, not caring if I looked like a royal mess.
“It’s either through contact with a tainted object or someone dosed her somehow, perhaps while she slept,” the doctor surmised, scratching at the white whiskers of his brows. I scrubbed my hands over my face, willing them to not shake. I couldn’t appear weak.
“Alright, I’ll have guards posted at her door and balcony.” I turned to Hekla’s personal maids and said, “Two of you are to be here at all times. Is that understood? If someone needs a break, call Bidelia. She’s not yet corrupted by the queen.” I knew it was inappropriate to speak of the queen in that manner, but I couldn’t care less. She’d long since lost my respect. Today, she’d lost any love I had left for her.