Home. This kingdom didn’t feel like home, buthedid.
Which was insane because they just met. Kind of.
Did his correspondence over the years make her feel thatway, or was it the bond? Her heart dropped at the thought of him only wanting her because of something he had no choice in.
Without it, she knew he wouldn’t spare her a second glance. She wasn’t beautiful like some women. It wasn’t a woe-is-me mentality; it was a fact. She wasn’t ugly, nor did she feel lesser than, but she wasn’t naïve either. In her experience, someone who looked like him didn’t want plain when they could have exquisite.
Rennick gripped Amelia’s chin and lifted her face toward his. “What’s wrong?” Noticing her confusion, he added, “I can feel you.”
Annoyance at the lack of privacy within her own mind had her wrenching herself from his grip. “Stop reading my emotions. Can you cut off the connection?
His body froze. Statues moved more than he did in that moment. “You don’t want the mate bond?”
Shit. “That’s not what I meant,” she said quickly. “I don’t like you knowing what I’m feeling. Is there any way to stop that part of the bond?”
He relaxed against the seat. “Not to my knowledge, but we can look into it.” His fingers ran through the ends of her hair, something he had done often since meeting her. “I like knowing when something affects you enough to travel down the bond. When you’re overjoyed, so am I, and when you hurt, I will destroy whatever caused you to feel that way.”
“That’s not healthy.” She leaned into him, staring out the window. “You shouldn’t sacrifice your happiness for mine. I want you to do what makes you happy, and if it makes me unhappy, I’ll let you know.”
He tugged on the ends of her hair, and she tilted her head back. “Your happiness is not the only thing that makes me happy, but make no mistake, if a sacrifice is required, I will do it. Nothing is more important to me than you, little mate. Never forget that.”
A group of men waiting to unload the cart stared openly at Amelia as she and Rennick exited the carriage.
Ever the protective mate, Rennick wrapped his arm around Amelia’s shoulders and tucked her into his side. “You have nothing to be afraid of,” he whispered. “No one knows who you are and your human ears are covered by your hair.”
“You didn’t tell them you were bringing your mate home?” She didn’t know why, but the knowledge that he’d not told anyone they were mates hurt a little. Did Ora really know who she was to him, or did she think Amelia was someone else, like a friend or a cousin?
Remembering the catty gifts, she knew Ora had at least an inkling of who Amelia was to him.
“You have no magic,” he replied, as though that was answer enough. “If someone tries to hurt you, you’ll be powerless against them, but when we marry, you will be as powerful as I am.”
“Will I have afamiliar?” The thought excited her. How would Eddy handle another animal? On cue, the fox started thrashing around until she put him down.
He licked her leg and trotted off, slipping through the palace gates, and then disappearing around the corner. She trusted he’d find his way back, even though they were in an unfamiliar area. While she considered him a pet, he was still a wild animal, and she had to remember that.
Rennick scratched at his jaw. “I’m not sure. Usually only those of royal blood get them. You might.”
There was that word again.Usually.
“I’ll get your other abilities even though I’m human?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted, “but I believe so. You’re the first magicless mate of any fae that I know of.”
“If you aren’t sure, wouldn’t it have been smarter to leave mein the Human Kingdom instead of bringing me to a kingdom full of fae?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair. “If you remain mostly human after we marry, you will have the protection of the royal guards when I’m not around. You’ll have it now as well, but once you are queen, they will be bound to you as they are to me.”
She balked. “Bound?”How many bonds would she have?
He chuckled. “Not by magic, by an oath. They swore an oath to the royal family, and once you marry into it, they are bound to you by duty.”
“That would have been good information to offer when I asked about fae,” she grumbled.
Palace staff members stared as they walked by, and she offered them friendly smiles. Some returned the gesture, but others turned away and whispered amongst themselves. They must know what she was despite her hidden ears. “Do fae not like humans?” she asked quietly.
“It’s not a dislike,” he said carefully, “more of a disinterest. They think humans are a weak liability.”
Her steps faltered. “Then why marry me? Just because I’m your mate doesn’t mean they’ll accept me as their queen.” Panic tried to claw its way through her. “Will I have a target on my back? They’ll try to kill me for weakening the royal bloodline!”
