What is wrong with me?She moved back and gestured to her neck. “What if it gets infected?”
The gleam in Roman’s eye told Violet he’d already thought of that. Of course he had. “The holy oil heals the wounds quickly and keeps them from getting infected.”
Griff stepped forward for a better look. “It looks like a rabid dog bit you.”
“One did,” Slayton added unhelpfully.
Roman scowled at him. “Who invited you? This is friends, family, and council only.”
Violet huffed, grabbed his arm with the sleeve still rolled up, and sank her teeth into his flesh before she’d thought better of it. The taste of blood hit her tongue, and she jerked back. Holy hell, she was going insane.
Everyone stared at her in various stages of shock. Except Roman. The bastard stared at the bite mark on his arm like it held the secrets of the world.
A weird sensation coated Violet’s skin and she held out her arms to examine them. As soon as it had started, it stopped, and she looked around. “Was that supposed to happen?”
“What?” Roman asked at the same time Felix said, “Yes.”
“What?” Roman repeated, his voice rising.
“She now has royal magic,” Sarah explained. “When a royal marries his mate, their magic increases to that of a royal.”
Roman nodded in understanding. “I forgot.” He grinned at Violet. “Congratulations, Your Grace.”
* * *
Roman ignored the disapproving looks from his father and the council members. His father berated him for acting like an animal and biting Violet in front of everyone, and the council disapproved of his private coronation and wedding, insisting they’d involved the public.
They made good points. Some people would think they were lying about Violet being his bonded mate to appease the public, especially since word of Vivian’s appearance during the rebel attack at the border had made its way through the Tropical Kingdom.
Vivian. The name alone made him want to destroy everything in his path. They’d yet to discover what brought her back. Roman wanted to kill her and be done, but his wife might not forgive him.
His mother’sfamiliarstill trailed her, and so far, she’d spoken to no one, but she watched Violet outside of the palace walls. Wherever Violet went, Vivian followed from a distance. In crowded places, Tilly couldn’t follow, but if Roman wasn’t at Violet’s side, War was.
“We need to discuss Violet’s coronation,” Joffrey, one of Roman’s councilmen said. “We’ve sent news to the post that a new queen will be crowned, but we didn’t say who.”
Roman swore he’d not let them ruin his wedding day with talks of politics, especially not at his wedding lunch, but if they were about to try to convince him to say Violet was Vivian, he would gladly spill blood. “Why didn’t you put Violet’s name?”
Joffrey cleared his throat. “Just a precaution for her safety,” he answered. “And if there seems to be an uproar about it not being Vivian Maekin, then perhaps we could—”
“Enough,” Roman bellowed. “I thought I made this clear, but it seems you need reminding.” He pushed back his chair and stood to look down his nose at the men and women of the council. “I have already made it clear who the queen was to be. My warriors and guards know it, and by default, rumors have trickled through the kingdom.” A council woman spoke, but Roman held up a hand. “I will not have my wife pretend to be someone she is not. Vivian has been selfish and undeserving of the crown since the day our bond snapped in place.”
He glanced at his in-laws. “I would apologize for insulting your daughter, but it would be a lie. Violet is compassionate, kind, and great with people. Our kingdom is lucky to have her as their queen. Anyone who opposes her will be tried and convicted of treason.”
He expected Violet to protest, to tell him to calm down and think rationally, but she did none of that. Instead, she looked up at him with hearts in her eyes, and her love and gratitude filtered down the bond.“Thank you,”she mouthed.
He stole a quick kiss and turned back to the table. “We will announce Violet Covington as my mate and wife, and every citizen will bow when my mother places the crown upon my mate’s head. Understood?”
He met everyone’s eye, demanding their agreement. When he met Slayton’s, the man tipped his head, and Roman knew it was more than compliance. It was approval.
And dammit if that didn’t mean something to him.
* * *
“Are you ready?” Roman asked, tugging on the blindfold.
After he’d scared the shit out of everyone in the dining room, he’d blindfolded her, picked her up, and said he was giving her a wedding gift. The air grew heavy, and their voices echoed around them.
“Yes. I’m ready.”
