Nico nodded. “Rose bears Venom’s mark—yourmark. None can refute her place at your side.”
Talbot straightened his shoulders. “I’ll kill them if they try.”
Nico looked pleased. “Okay, that got intense really fast, and spoken like a king. Now”—Nico bounced his eyebrows up and down—“ready to meet her?”
Drawing a bracing breath, Talbot inclined his head. He could face a new mate with the same courage expected of him as a ruler. This was his destiny.
With an encouraging pat to his back, Nico left to collect Rose. Alone again, Talbot tried to calm his racing heart. Anxious as he was, beneath it lay a profound wonder that fate had brought him a beloved on the very eve of his rule. A good omen.
At the soft creak of the door opening, Talbot turned slowly, his heart in his throat. His breath caught at the shy vision peering uncertainly into his chambers.
She was a petite thing, almost waif-like. But there was a core of quiet strength in the set of her slender shoulders and seafoam eyes that met his directly. Her cascade of white-gold hair gleamed in the low light, giving her an ethereal glow, like moonlight made flesh.
As he continued taking her measure in silence, the young woman lifted her chin almost defiantly, as if giving him permission to size her up but refusing to cower. In this delicate vessel, a queen’s spirit was already awakened. Talbot’s nerves settled. Not frail, but resilient. A worthy queen for Venom’s king.
Remembering himself, Talbot stepped forward and gave a respectful bow. “Rose, I am honored.” He extended a hand in greeting.
After only a heartbeat’s hesitation, her cool, smooth fingers—snakelike, just like his own—slid into his grasp.
She took a small fortifying breath that lifted her graceful shoulders, then she met his gaze directly, removing any doubt he might have had with only two words. “My King.”
Chapter Seven
Chirping Like A Nervous Hen.
“I’ve lived for five years amongst beings able to shift into spiders, scorpions, and other giant crawly bugs. It’s going to take more than a snake to make me run.” ~Rose
Steeling herself, Rose released his hand and took a step back, the distance giving her the ability to look around the opulent rooms that spoke of nobility and power. Polished black marble floors gleamed underfoot, the walls draped with vivid tapestries depicting epic battles and triumphant figures she assumed must be past rulers. Sconces held flickering candles which cast everything in a warm, intimate glow.
Her gaze was drawn to a massive four-poster bed on a raised dais, hung with emerald silks and plush pillows. The intricately carved wood frame was stunningly beautiful. Shequickly averted her eyes, cheeks flushing. A wedding bed, where a husband and wife did married stuff. Okay, she needed to move on. No more focusing on the bed.
Instead, Rose focused on an antique desk stacked high with books and papers and tried to calm her racing heart. She nearly jumped out of her skin when a warm breeze suddenly whispered across the nape of her neck. Whirling around, she realized one wall opened onto a balcony overlooking a sprawling, unfamiliar city nestled in a lush jungle.
Rose drifted toward the balcony, the foreign sights and sounds temporarily distracting her from the handsome Talbot. An entire teeming city awaited beyond these walls. Her new home, if she followed through with what she had said she would do. Could she ever truly belong here? New Orleans was completely different from the northern California town where she grew up.
The scuff of a foot behind her made Rose start and turn swiftly. Her breath left her in a rush. While gawking at his home, she’d completely forgotten that Talbot was standing there. He watched her with an intense, but unreadable, gaze.
He was tall, with sharp, aristocratic features any mortal model would envy. Short, golden blond hair covered his head and contrasted with his tan complexion. Lean muscle was evident in the black fitted shirt he wore with loose-fitting gray slacks. But it was his eyes that gave Rose pause. They were beautiful and piercing green. Yet it wasn’t the beauty or the color that made them striking. It was the evidence of an ancient wisdom in eyes placed in so youthful a face. They seemed like eyes that had seen kingdoms rise and fall. Would she ever understand such a man?
“Sorry,” she said quickly. “Your home is much different from the mansion I lived in when I was with the Kingdom of Silk. Even with the dark fixtures, there’s more light in here than the entireKOS home. If you can really call it a home. It never felt like it. And now I’m chirping like a nervous hen.” Rose pressed her lips tightly together and rocked back on her heels. She bit her lip, cursing her nervous rambling. But to her relief, Talbot merely smiled gently and stepped closer.
“No need for apologies. I imagine this is all quite overwhelming.” His penetrating eyes softened with understanding. “I wish we had more time before the ceremony for you to adjust. But know that you may ask anything of me, and I will grant your request if it is within my power.”
Rose took a small breath. “Thank you.” She gathered her courage. “Would you mind showing me around your home? I think I’d feel less intimidated if I could, at least, find my way around. I’d like to become familiar with my new surroundings.”
Talbot nodded. “Of course. Please, allow me to show you the mansion.” He offered his arm in a gentleman-like fashion.
Rose shyly tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. His arm was solid and warm beneath her light grasp. Strange to think this cultured man could become a snake at will, as Nico claimed, because of her.
As they walked slowly through opulent hallways and rooms, Talbot kept up a running commentary, telling her of the home’s long history. Rose listened with interest, getting a glimpse into his world.
“Mind you, this isn’t the actual nest in which the king and queen lived. The KOV headquarters was badly damaged in a fire recently. So we moved out while it’s being renovated.” He paused and shook his head after a moment. “We lost many treasured relics. The original mansion was centuries old and contained items brought from Damaria.”
Rose hesitated, then ventured softly, “I heard about some of what happened with the Dire Wolf and your uncle.” She glanced up at Talbot. “I’m sorry. Are you close to him?”
Pain flickered in Talbot’s eyes before he masked it. “I appreciate your kindness,” he said quietly. “Unfortunately, my uncle doesn’t deserve it. He isn’t a good male. He nearly destroyed the Kingdom of Venom. Once I am king, and our union blessed by Visata, we will restore our kingdom. It will again be a place of goodness, with members who have integrity. I won’t have other kingdoms believing the worst of us.”
His voice rang with conviction, and Rose believed him. Despite having been raised with a tyrant as a king, Talbot had maintained his own integrity. With him as their leader, surely no darkness could prevail for long.
