“My king,” he breathed before his face was overtaken by a huge smile.
“Hello,” I smiled tentatively, suddenly nervous. “Do you want to have dinner with me?” I had no idea why my question came out all breathy and pleading, but it did.
His smile widened even further. “I would love to. How are you feeling?”
I shrugged. “Still not wanting to be touched, but it’s only been hours, so that’s no surprise.”
He nodded in understanding as we began walking to the dining room, and I could tell he wanted to hold my hand but stopped himself just before his fingers grazed mine. This was the worst torture. My heart screamed at me to reach for him, but my skin itched at the idea alone.
I enjoyed the silent walk, finally feeling somewhat content now that Gus was beside me, where he belonged. When the entrance to the Great Hall came into view, I nodded at the guards standing outside. They always followed me in, but I wanted to talk privately with Gus. I’d gotten used to speaking my mind with him, and that was how things would continue.
“I wish to dine with Alpha Gus alone,” I ordered, my tone kind as always.
As soon as we were seated and the first dish was served, I felt like I could breathe again. Gus was next to me, eating his honey-glazed root vegetables, and we were alone.
“Elias gave birth earlier,” I announced, wanting to share this with him.
“He did? How did it go?”
“I think it went well. The alpha who fathered the child was there too.”
Gus’ eyes widened. “Are we… um, allowed to be there?”
The hope in his eyes almost made me promise him that, of course, he could be there. But instead, I spoke the truth. “Not normally, no. But I could tell Elias needed him, so I allowed it.”
“Oh,” he exhaled, his disappointment clear.
I spoke before I could stop myself. “Hopefully, things will have changed for when I’m due.”
His smile was blinding and filled with relief. “Really?”
I took a strategic sip of wine and hummed.
Gus would be there when I gave birth to his son. I would make sure of it. That was the silent promise I made to myself and to Gus as we continued to talk late into the night, enjoying our time together.
The last week had been almost…perfect. I’d spent each morning and night eating with Gus, and even though I longed to wake up next to him, my body still hadn’t been ready for his touch.
I was walking toward the dining room, enjoying the soft glow from the sun as it peeked through the windows near the stairs. Two guards followed me silently. My advisors had demanded that I no longer dine with Gus without them there. It had only been yesterday that they’d made the demand, apparently for my safety. My advisors could make their demands all they wanted, but in the end, I decided if I wanted to follow them.
“Good morning,” I greeted Gus as I walked into the dining room. He was already sitting in his chair, looking so damn gorgeous with his shy smile, his hair all sleep mussed and adorable.
“Good morning, my king.”
The guards placed themselves near the doors and made themselves as invisible as they could.
“I see there’s a new honey for you to taste today,” I said, sitting down next to him. The new honey had a waxy look to it, not liquid like the others.
“It seems different, but I’m looking forward to trying it.”
I took the glass and moved it in my hands. The honey stayed in place. “Maybe it needs heat to turn liquid,” I mused, then carefully placed two of my fingers into it, scooping some of it out and warming it between my fingers and thumb. “It does!”
Gus eyed my fingers with want, and I laughed before offering them to him with a knowing smile. “Try it.”
Leaning in, Gus’ eyes met mine as he sucked my fingers into his mouth, a satisfied hum leaving his body. I couldn’t stop the moan spilling from my lips. He kept watching me with hunger as he licked my fingers clean. I could feel my slick forming as the need to have my alpha again coursed through me.
I broke our eye contact and barked out the order. “Leave us!” My guards almost fell over each other as they fled the room, no doubt telling the servants to stay away too.
My gaze found Gus’ again. “I need you,” I pleaded.
