Casimya spoke up. “As I have explained, Queen Gwendolyn comes from a legendary bloodline. The most powerful portal casters in history. I will train Her Majesty myself to ensure proper control and safety.”
“Thanks,” I said.
“This is unprecedented,” another Ebonvale representative said, not the one Mal had used as his punching bag. That one was probably still recovering.
“Yes, we’ve established I’m unprecedented. Can we move on?”
Mal was staring at me. I could feel it without even looking at him. His thumb was stroking circles on my palm under the table.
“What about the boy?” Valerius Crescentborn asked. “His powers?”
“Killian will also train with Casimya,” Mal said. “He’ll learn control.”
“And anyone who has a problem with my son can take it up with me,” I added, my voice sharp.
“We simply want assurance-” Xander Silvermane started.
“Here’s your assurance: He’s four. He’s learning. And he’s under MY protection. Nothing like what happened at the banquet will happen again once we have our powers trained and under control. End of discussion.”
Mal leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “I am going to need you to stop being so commanding.”
“Why?” I whispered back.
“Because we are in a meeting and I am having inappropriate thoughts.”
I smirked. “I don’t see why I should stop, then.”
Mal’s answer was a deep grunt.
The meeting continued for one too-fucking-long hour. We discussed Igryside, the threat they posed, how we’d respond as an alliance. Talked about extra security, waiting for spy reports, maintaining communication between kingdoms.
I was barely paying attention.
All I could focus on was Mal’s leg pressed against mine under the table, his fingers intertwined with mine, the way he kept caressing the palm of my hand seductively, how he kept looking at me like I was something he intended to have the moment we were alone. We’d been separated for too long.
“And if Igryside attacks again?” Elspeth Goldridge asked.
“We respond as an alliance. United front,” Mal said. “Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Aurion said, and the other kings nodded.
“And in the meantime?” Kane Aurelius asked.
“Extra security. We wait for spy reports. And we stay in contact if anything suspicious happens in any of your kingdoms.”
“I’ll start training tomorrow,” I said, forcing myself to focus on the actual conversation. They didn’t look very reassured. Oh, well.
“Prepare to be frustrated,” Casimya said dryly, low enough so only I heard her. “Portal magic is incredibly difficult to control.”
“Can’t wait.”
The meeting finally started winding down, people began gathering their things, standing, preparing to leave. Fucking finally. Mal caught my eye and everything else faded away.
“You were amazing,” Daphne whispered as she passed my chair.
“Thanks,” I said, distracted, not looking away from Mal. The tension between us felt electric, goosebumps rising in my arms. I needed him very, very much.
Daphne followed my gaze and her eyes widened. “Oh. OH. I’m leaving. Right now. Goodbye.”
