I smirked.
“If you laugh at me for having to wear these ridiculous outfits, I’ll—” She halted, clearly not having a suitable quip in her arsenal.
“You’ll what?” I challenged.
She huffed. “Wait until I'm queen, and you’ll find out.”
I began to laugh but cut myself off. “Are you okay with this?” I asked for the hundredth time.
“For the last time, I’m okay with this. Just worried about Alaric.”
“We will get him through this,” I told her. We all would. None of us would let him go through it on his own.
“I don’t think it’s fair to have his coronation as Crown Prince the day after his brother's funeral, though. It’s too soon for him.”
“It has to be done. There is protocol. The King must have an acknowledged heir, or he stands to be challenged.”
Nova rolled her eyes. “Which might be better for all of us.”
I glanced about looking for handmaids. “Careful with your words,” I scolded her.
“No one is here. Alaric ordered them all away and assigned his trusted staff only to attend me. They were all given the day to attend the funeral as tomorrow, I have to be presented with Alaric to the kingdom, so they will be worked off their feet.” She tried reaching behind her to undo some tie or bow, but she was too trussed up to do it herself.
“Here, let me help you," I chuckled.
“I warned you not to laugh,” she giggled along with me as I untied the first of many fastenings.
“It’s hard not to.”
"What I wouldn't give for a pair of your leathers,” she sighed.
“When you are queen, you can change the fashion. That can be your legacy to the kingdoms.”
She dug her elbow into my ribs.
“Ow!”
I helped her out of her funeral dress and into something more comfortable, then left her to read and wait for Alaric to return. She was trying to be a shoulder to lean on, but he was still intent on suffering alone. I had to leave her to figure out when she was needed and when she should give him space.
I left the royal apartments with purpose and strode through the doors. The guards once again dipped a bow to me as I passed.
I turned the corner, headed for my new rooms, and froze. There, leaning against the opposite wall, was my mate, clad in leather, and looking like he was ready to eat me alive. I ran, jumping into his arms, and pressed my mouth to his as he clasped my own leather clad arse.
“Should we be doing this here?” he murmured into my lips between kisses.
“I’m not hiding it.”
“It’s your fiancé’s funeral day,” he breathed, still kissing me despite trying to look like he was objecting a little at least.
“Ex fiancé I didn’t want, who kidnapped and tortured my mate. Who is going to think less of me for showing my real feelings now I’m free to do so?”
Faolan chuckled into my lips. “You're ruthless.”
“I’m in love.”
“Say it again,” he said, kissing me deeper.
I tipped my face up to the ceiling when he let me up for air. “I’m in love!” I cried.
