She hadn’t killed Ora because the woman wanted her mate. He was six-foot-five of pure muscle, with a handsome face and a throne; everyone wanted him. She did it because even after being rejected time and again, Ora continued to chase Rennick in an attempt to steal him away.ThatAmelia wouldn’t tolerate.
A steadying hand landed on her shoulder. “You’re pale,” Rennick observed, feeling her clammy head.
“There was a lot of blood,” she muttered, reaching for her trout necklace. “You know it makes me queasy.”
A large hand covered hers. “You don’t have to wear that.” He glowered at the necklace like it personally offended him. “I should have known someone who never fished wouldn’t want a trout necklace.”
“Unhand my necklace.” She lightly smacked his hand, and he snatched it back.
“We can cancel tonight if you’re not up to it. It’s natural to be upset.”
“I’m not upset.” She circled the necklace around her neck and fastened it. “Ouch.” The chain sat upon the still-raw bite mark on her neck. She’d forgotten to replace the bandage after bathing. “I need a new bandage or the chain will rub the scabs.”
Rennick disappeared into the bathroom and returned with a metal box containing various medical supplies.
“Do you dress your own wounds?” she asked, poking around inside of the box.
“When they’re small.” He moved her hair to the side and examined her neck. “Hold up the chain.”
“You’ll be my wife tomorrow,” he murmured when he was done. “I’ve been waiting for this day since we were fifteen.”
She considered his words and pinched her eyebrows together. “Why fifteen?”
His hand fell from her neck and snaked around her waist. “After hearing your name, I felt a sense of duty to you as your mate, but then I saw you, and I knew no one else would do, mate or not.”
“What do you mean, ‘mate or not?’”
He fingered the trout pendant hanging around her neck. “I’d never seen you before, and Finn described you the best he could. I spotted you and Clover leaving the orphanage that morning, but I didn’t know who was who.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “We’re both tall and blonde.”
He nodded. “I tried to focus on my mate’s emotions, but nothing strong stuck out, and the longer I followed you, the more enraptured I became. You had the prettiest smile I’d ever seen, and the way you spoke to Clover about the book you were reading was intoxicating. Excitement shone through your eyes, and even though she barely replied, you kept going.”
Amelia listened with fascination, wondering what she’d done to deserve this man as a mate.
“It didn’t matter who I shared a bond with; it was you I wanted. The two of you climbed the schoolhouse steps, and another girl called your name to ask for something. I didn’t hear what, because when I realized you were my mate, everything fell into place. For the first time since my mother’s death, I was happy.”
Heat pricked the backs of Amelia’s eyes, and she stood on her toes to close the distance between them with a tender kiss. Their tongues tangled together, and she moaned when he bit her softly.
“I’ll have dinner brought to us,” he whispered against her lips, bringing her back to the real world.
“We can’t skip dinner.” She pulled back. “Everyone is expecting us.”
He groaned and released her. “Lead the way, love.”
Amelia clutched Rennick’s hand in hers to ground herself. Not only would Callum and Amos be at dinner, so would the entire staff. At least, she assumed they would be since rumors she was the king’s mate had likely made their way to the other side of Eden by now.
Tonight, they would officially announce her as Rennick’s mate.
Rennick leaned down and hovered near her ear. “If at anytime you want to leave, we’ll leave.”
With a steadying breath, she squared her shoulders and stepped a bit closer to him. “I’m ready.”
A guard opened the door, bowing to them both, and Amelia noticed him pause briefly when he saw her ears. She smiled kindly. They would not intimidate her.
When they entered the large room, Amelia scanned thepodium for her friends. She spotted Fawn sitting between Finn and Clover and relaxed.
Amelia’s steps faltered. “Clover?”
