This point I can argue. “There was always permanence here, Sierra, from minute one. Marking you was a matter of when, not if, as you damn well know. What’s the issue with it happening sooner rather than later? Besides, you left plenty of your own marks on me.”
Another point to my defense; she clawed and bit and scratched me like a wild little thing, so in a sense, it’s only fair I bit her back.
She winces at my comment, her eyes running over the scratches on my chest and arms, along with the bite marks on my neck. Marks given from one mate to another are typically called brands among shifters, and brands do not heal with usual shifter speed, for which I’m grateful—I’ll be feeling her claws and bites for at least the next few days, every time I move.
“I didn’t have any control over myself,” she says, frowning a little.
“Neither did I. What happened is set in stone, but it changes nothing.”It changes everything. “You’re mine with or without the claiming mark; now others will know you’re mine from miles away, which will serve as a nice deterrent and garner you even more respect.”
Thatseems to piss her off more than anything I’ve said so far. Her back snaps ramrod straight. “I want respect on my merits, not on a plan of fate. I don’t want to be revered because I’m your mate. I want to earn my place. This doesn’t exactly help with that.”
“You are earning your place,” I tell her, happy to switch topics and steer away from more dangerous territory. “The proposal you brought to me was masterfully constructed. Wyatt had the entire high court in complete agreement it was the right course of action in the span of a single evening, and the credit for it went to you. Speaking of, I have news from the liaison we sent to the witches.”
That perks her up a little. “Being?”
“We sent a wolf to the coven in charge of witch territories on this side of the globe, The Nightshade Coven, yesterday morning. I got news later in the day that the witches agreed to a tentative negotiation, as long as it includes a welfare check on you and Leisel.”
Sierra blinks. “Welfare check?”
I nod. “You were right in your assumption that witches protect their own; they’ve had to in order to survive. As the strongest magical species, they’ve faced more persecution than even humans.”
Sierra looks to the window, her gaze far away. “People fear what they cannot understand.”
“Precisely. They’ve also had growing concerns about the buildup of vampire clans and their recent attempts of invasions to nearby territories, so your proposal came at a most opportune time. They’ll be here next week for discussions.” As further enticement, I add, “I truly think we have a shot at an alliance and treaty. Considering you were the one to pull it all together, I figured that you, with the assistance of Wyatt, should be in charge of arrangements for negotiations. Write up an official treaty, perfect it, discuss negotiation tactics—everything that happens with them will be your triumph.”
At that, Sierra looks skeptical. “You’d let me take the credit?”
“Iwantyou to take the credit,” I say sincerely. “You deserve it, and shifters deserve to know they have a capable queen looking out for their interests. I don’t need to beat you down sothat I can shine; I want you to shine alongside me, if not brighter than me. I’d be happy to bask in your glow.”
I can tell that works. It softens her. She reaches up a hand, again, to rub it over her mark, but this time it’s a softer touch, almost a caress. Then she points a finger at me. “If you think this gets you off the hook, you’re wrong. I’ll still roast your ass over an open flame for your gall, even if you got carried away.”
I smile at that indulgently. “I’ll take your word on it. For now, I believe we both have a great deal of work to do.”
She looks down at herself, and her eyebrows furrow. I feel echoes of her panic return through our bond as she stares at her stomach. “You came inside me last night. Am I at risk for pregnancy?”
I bite my lip, considering my response. If I tell her that there’s a damn near guarantee she’s gotten pregnant, it’ll probably send her running. So, I tell her truthfully, “Not at risk, no.”No risk, only near-certainty that you’re already pregnant.She’ll find that out for herself soon enough.
* * *
An hour or two after Sierra leaves, Wyatt strolls into my chambers. I’m in the main area, seated on the couch before the fireplace—a spot that’s fast becoming my favorite, second only to my bed. It’s here that I’ve shared some of my best moments with Sierra, so I’m drawn back to it repeatedly.
I glance up at Wyatt’s appearance and use a hand to motion to the dining table where there’s the usual breakfast spread laid out. He doesn’t appear to have shared my grief over our father's death—if anything, I can imagine he probably spent the day yesterday celebrating. When my father still lived in the castle, they butted headsconstantlyand never quite learned to tolerate each other.
“Care to explain why I saw a mark on Sierra’s neck?” he asks me as he seats himself beside me.
“I took advantage of the blood moon last night. We consummated. I marked her. Odds are, she’ll have conceived. Anything else you’d like to question me on?”
“I’m assuming you told her the repercussions of a mark and sex during a blood moon?” Wyatt asks.
I shake my head. “And have her refuse me? No. I didn’t even tell her of my intent to mark her. I saw an opportunity to bind her to me and took it.”
Wyatt’s face drains of all color as he takes in the information, which is not the most appropriate reaction from someone who should be my greatest supporter. I’d expect him, of all people, to be ecstatic that I’ve fully consummated my bond and at a time when Sierra’s most fertile too. He shouldn’t suddenly appear as pale as marble.
Wyatt’s wide eyes meet mine, and he breathes, “Camden, what have you done? You didn’t tell her that she could get pregnant once she’s marked and mated?”
“No, I didn’t tell her and risk rejection.” Though I doubt she would have rejected me in the state she was in last night, regardless of what I’d said. “We lost a royal, now the odds are that we’ll gain one,” I snap with irritation. “An heir who will guarantee more power and stability to the crown, not to mention assure Sierra never even contemplates leaving.”
I could’ve told Sierra when she asked this morning, but I didn’t want to ruin her mood just yet. She’ll figure it out soon and I can deal with repercussions when she does.
