Ambrose stared at each of the lords, waiting for them to throw in more unwanted remarks. My eyes strayed to Sybil, a smile quickly forming on my lips as heat began to build up her neck and into her cheeks. I bit my bottom lip, my excitement becoming too much to hold back.
Sybil opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when Samian grabbed hold of her wrist. She looked up at him, anger flashing in her eyes; however, Samian shook his head, his gaze full of warning to not step out of line.
Pouting, I huffed, leaning back in my seat, my concentration returning to the conversation between the lords and Ambrose.
“Who have you decided to take for the queen’s spot?” Lord Vito asked. “I’m sure if you need someone, one of my daughters wouldn’t decline an offer of marriage.”
“Whyyourdaughter?” Lord Elnir grunted, his nose curling in a sneer.
“Because I’m the only one of us that has a daughter to offer,” Lord Vito quipped. “The other lords may have daughters; however, I assumed Ambrose would want one from our group.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Ambrose sighed. “I already have my future queen chosen.”
Pride filled my chest at his words. Leaning forward, I gripped the arms of the chair, barely holding back my elation.
“Well?” Lord Vito pressed, his face twisting with annoyance. “Are you just going to keep us in suspense?”
Ambrose let out a low growl, forcing Lord Vito to back down. Keeping his eyes on the lord, Ambrose held out a hand in my direction, an order to come by his side. An order I was more than happy to comply with. Standing from my chair, a smug smile curved along my lips as I went to Ambrose, placing my hand in his. Ambrose pulled me to his lap, and I let out a breathless laugh, leaning into his warmth. His hand wrapped around my stomach, holding me close. My heart fluttered at the feel of his hand splayed along my body.
“Arianna is to be my queen. With her recent appointment over Lowell’s lordship, she has the necessary qualifications needed to become queen. She has also proven herself time andtime again. There is no one I trust more by my side than her. Ifanyonehas any concerns, be sure to tell me now.”
There was a dangerous glint in Ambrose’s eyes as he stared each of the lords down. His gaze moved slowly to each one before moving on to Samian and Sybil. When no one spoke, Ambrose took a breath to continue when Lord Vito cleared his throat.
“I have a concern or two,” Lord Vito said slowly. His eyes met mine, and his nose curled in disgust.
Ambrose’s eyes turned distant, and my heart squeezed. It’s been happening more often as time has passed, each time lasting longer than the last. When his eyes finally became clear again, his head tilted, leaning against mine. “Which are?”
“Arianna will not be well received. She has more often than not gone against the other lords, angering them enough that they may revolt if she is chosen to be queen. Even the people of our court hate her enough that they won't accept her. She is the type of female who would be better put to use elsewhere. I suggest you find another female, one who can control her temper. If you must keep Arianna by your side, have her become your royal mistress instead.”
My magic thrashed under my skin, my fire snaking up my veins at his words. My nose curled, and I moved to stand, to show him just what I thought of becoming anyone’s mistress.
Ambrose’s hold on my stomach tightened, forcing me to stay on his lap. “Any other concerns?”
Lord Vito shook his head; his nose smugly raised in the air like the pompous ass he is. Ambrose moved his hand on my stomach, slowly bringing it up my body, wrapping his fingers around my neck in a possessive way that had my toes curling.
“Good,” was all Ambrose said before chaos ensued. Lifting his other hand in the air, a shard of ice formed instantly before embedding into Lord Vito’s neck. I stiffened in Ambrose’s lapas the other lords quickly jumped away, cursing viciously under their breaths. Lord Vito’s eyes were wide and filled with shock, blood bubbling from his wound and out of his mouth. Bringing a hand to his throat, Lord Vito’s mouth opened, attempting to speak, though nothing but blood spewed past his lips. The life slipped from his eyes, his body hanging limp from the side of his chair as blood pooled on the floor.
A weighted silence filled the room, no one daring to move or speak, their eyes unable to move from the now dead lord.
“Does anyone else have any concerns about who should become my queen?” Ambrose asked, calm and composed, like the king he was meant to be. A few murmured “no’s” filled the air when Ambrose smirked. “Good, now leave me to my queen.”
Samian and Sybil were the first to leave, Samian pushing the bewildered female out of the room. They disappeared into nothing, Samian transferring them away from Ambrose’s madness. The other lords quickly rushed out of the door, hopefully returning to their territories, though I knew that wasn’t possible. At least not until after the ball.
Ambrose called Hale into the room, the male keeping up his unusual quietness as Ambrose ordered him to move the body. I didn’t care to listen, not when Ambrose was rubbing circles along my pulse with his thumb. Once Hale was gone, it was finally just us in the room, completely alone.
My pussy throbbed at the thought, and Ambrose’s hand tightened around my throat. He always seemed to know when I needed him and his touch, like I was nothing but an open book, ready for him to devour. His head turned, burying his nose within my hair, and took a deep breath before his lips found the shell of my ear. My skin pebbled from his touch, and I bit back a moan.
“You are officially to become my queen, my love,” Ambrose whispered, his breath sending delicious chills down my spine. “Does that make you happy?”
“More than you will ever know,” I breathed, closing my eyes. I leaned further into him, an ache forming in my chest—and lower—begging for more.
“Good,” Ambrose murmured against my neck as his hand began to pull my dress up to my thighs slowly. His fingers crept under the lace that blocked him from me, sliding through my wet folds. “Already so wet for me? Did you enjoy watching me punish Vito?” Ambrose lazily pushed a finger inside, and I whimpered. “Or was it me claiming you as my queen that did it?”
“Both,” I moaned, his fingers pumping slow and deliberate, working me into a frenzy. I needed more—craved more. “I would have killed him myself for even suggesting I become your mistress.”
Ambrose laughed, low and deep, the sound sending tingles along my skin. Adding another finger, Ambrose thrust deeper, a groan of pride skating past his lips. My head tipped back, leaning against his shoulder as Ambrose pressed heated kisses along my neck.
“Would you like to stay here or return to our room?” Ambrose asked, his voice turning rich and gravelly. The sound alone could make me come.
