He cut an elegant figure himself in a black, military-style jacket decorated with a jeweled snake broach. The colors of his royal house suited Talbot perfectly, from the emerald shirt that matched her dress to the golden blond hair brushing his collar. Yet he wore the fine garments with an air of discomfort, tugging at the jacket sleeves absently.
Rose offered a tremulous smile, smoothing nervous hands down the luxurious fabric of her gown. “I feel breathtaking. And also like I might vomit.” She tried to laugh, but it came out strained.
Talbot crossed the space between them and took her hands gently in his own. “There’s no need for nerves. Today is only a formality.” His eyes searched hers. “The only thing that matters is that we do this together.”
Rose bit her lip, glancing away. “Easy for you to say. You’re a prince, destined to be king. I’m just…”
Talbot’s hand cupped her cheek, guiding her gaze back to him. “You are my mate. My queen. That makes you every inch the royalty I am.” His thumb brushed lightly over her skin. “Whatever happens, we stand side by side.”
His steadfast words eased some of the panicked fluttering in her stomach. Rose turned her head to press a kiss to his palm.“I’m still terrified,” she admitted with a helpless laugh. “The closest I’ve been to royalty is watchingThe Windsorson TV.”
Amusement glinted in Talbot’s eyes, though his voice remained earnest. “I understand better than you know. I was groomed for leadership, yes, but the reality of wearing this crown…” His jaw tightened, and his eyes grew distant. “It’s daunting.”
Seeing her own fears reflected back went a long way toward steadying Rose’s nerves. She shifted closer, laying a hand over Talbot’s heart. “Hey, we’ve got this. Together, remember?”
Rose gazed up at Talbot, her pulse racing as his face hovered mere inches from hers. The air between them seemed alive, charged with anticipation that made her breath come faster. This was the point of no return, where words ceased and actions took their place. Something inside of her moved, changed her as she swayed toward him, but Talbot hesitated, searching her eyes intently. Was he looking for reluctance or fear? She hoped her expression betrayed only eagerness and longing, the same potent yearning that flooded her veins like molten fire. Still, he held back those last few agonizing centimeters.
Frustration spiked through Rose’s mounting desire. Her own and something else’s.Ours,a voice hissed in her head, and it wasnother voice.“Your beast,”Vreene had said. That’s what Rose was feeling and now hearing. She was certain of it. Rose didn’t have time to dwell on the realization because all she could focus on was the man in front of her. She ached to close that tiny distance, to feel his lips claiming hers at last. But some noble scruple held Talbot paralyzed, awaiting her unequivocal consent.
Suppressing a growl of impatience, Rose slid her hands up his chest, her fingers curling into the rich fabric of his coat. She felt the rapid staccato of his heart matching her own franticrhythm. They were in this together. All she needed was some sign he wanted her just as fiercely in return.
Holding his smoldering jade gaze, Rose deliberately wet her lips. Talbot’s stare dropped to follow the movement, pupils expanding with lust. His breath audibly caught when she leaned up on her toes, an unspoken plea for him to meet her halfway. Still, he did not move. His muscles were rigid beneath her urgent grip.
That iron restraint was her undoing. With a soft sound of surrender, Rose closed the scant distance herself, finally capturing his mouth with hers. For one breathless moment, Talbot was utterly motionless against her seeking lips, perhaps stunned by her boldness. Then his control shattered, and he kissed her back fiercely.
His lips were warm and gentle as they moved over hers, one hand sliding around to cradle the back of her neck. His strength and caring enveloped her, as her blood heated beneath her skin.
Emboldened, Rose parted her lips, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. Talbot made a low sound of pleasure in his throat that sent a shiver down her spine. The hand at her neck tangled into her hair, angling her head farther as the kiss grew more intense. She clung to him tighter, her nerves sparking everywhere their bodies met.
When his tongue tentatively touched hers, Rose let out a breathy moan. Need flooded her, a desire for closeness she had never imagined possible. Her knees went weak, and her body molded itself to Talbot’s solid frame. If not for his arm snaking around her lower back, she might have melted right onto the plush carpet.
They parted on a gasp, both breathing heavily. Rose kept her eyes closed, overwhelmed by the maelstrom of sensations. Her heart pounded erratically against her ribs, lips tingling from the passionate kiss. She had never felt so deliciously out of control.Restraint burned away by the fire Talbot’s touch ignited within her.
Shaky exhales mingled as their foreheads rested together, neither yet ready to break the spell. Rose basked in the feel of Talbot’s arms around her, the heady scent of him that meant safety. Home. Her mate.
At last, Talbot pulled back just enough to meet her dazed gaze. Awe and tender longing shone in his green eyes. Rose knew that fervent look was reflected in her own expression. Their souls had recognized one another instantly, but only now did their bodies fully awaken to the bond blazing between them. Any lingering doubts or fears had been seared away by the heat of their joining.
His trembling exhale brushed her cheek at the same time that his eyes widened. “Beautiful,” he practically whispered.
“What?” she asked just as softly.
“Your scales,” Talbot whispered as he leaned closer, his eyes on her cheek where his finger kept brushing back and forth. “You have iridescent scales. They’re stunning.”
Rose was honest enough with herself to not lie and say she was excited about having scales. Her first instinct was to cover her face because the idea of scales just sounded gross and ugly. But the way Talbot stared at her, with a new hunger, made her rethink her initial reaction. She looked at his face, seeing the emotions move through his slitted eyes. Rose watched as Talbot’s own skin seemed to fade away, revealing green, brown, and black patterned scales on his face. They were shiny, as if they’d been polished. She wondered if they would feel soft or hard and cold.
“You can touch me,” he told her, his voice in a trance-like state as he continued to caress her cheek.
Rose didn’t hesitate. She reached up and ran a finger across those scales. More of his skin faded away, being replaced withscales until half of his face was human flesh and the other shiny, soft, and yet hard-as-steel scales. “They’re like armor,” she said absently. “I didn’t think they’d be hard. Why is more and more of your skin changing?”
“Because you’re making my beast curious. He’s eager to see you.” Talbot lowered his hand and visibly forced himself to step back just a hair. “I’m eager to see you, and it’s forthatreason we should go. The Council members will already be arriving. Being alone with you is testing my patience.”
Her heart picked up the pace as she felt her body flush under his stare. “You want to seduce me?” She could be blunt like Vreene.
“Yes.” He didn’t even take a moment to consider his answer. “And you would let me.”
Her brow shot up. “You’re that good?”
Talbot shook his head. “We’re mates. That alone will cause our beasts within to desire to complete this bond that has already begun. You and I are not humans. We’remore. We have an animalistic nature that lives in us and, in many ways, is even more possessive of you than the man. He craves you, and that blends with my own desires. Now you can multiply that by infinity and have a small taste of how much I want you and what I’m willing to do in order to have you and keep you.”
