His words settled on me and I felt a sting of sadness as the truth swirled.We were bound, yes, but there was still the chance the council could deny him as my consort.Though I knew it wouldn’t matter where our bond was concerned, hearing that word leave his lips—married—I realized perhaps I wanted more than for Bane to be acknowledged as my consort in a political fashion.
I wanted to be married in the traditional sense, too.In the human sense, and not just thefae sense.
I’d grown up dreaming of a wedding the same way probably every little girl did, though I was certain it was just a dream.I didn’t think there was a boy out there for me, not when I barely had friends, and certainly not looking as I did.
But Blackthorn changed all of those notions.I’d found my friends, and I’d certainly found a boy who was more than satisfied with what I had to offer—emotionally and physically.
Still, I knew a consort must undergo a litany of things to be deemed viable and to be confirmed as an attaché to the queen, but being a consort was not equal to being aking.To make Bane aking, we would have to marry.
The thought of Bane as my king—King of Lir—made my breath catch and my thighs warm with moisture.
To see him on a throne...those infernal tattoos glowing, those big, beautiful wings on display...
“Violet?Earth to Violet...”Delaney snapped her fingers in front of me, and I realized I had spaced out completely.
Did Bane want that?
Marriage?
It wasn’t something we’d talked about.Yes, his consort confirmation was sort of a marriage—perhaps even close to such in incubus terms, thanks to his claim, but it still was not atraditionalmarriage in the sense that he would rule at my side.It was only a position to confirm him as my mate who could give me an heir.
Which...the thought alone made me stiffen with anxiety.
Weddings, heirs...
It all seemed to be moving quite fast, but I wanted those things...right?
“I’m sorry, I’m just?—”
Wanda presented me with a drink that was not a pint.It was a glass of dark, crimson liquid, and upon a sniff, I detected the smell of berries.I did not ask what it was and instead, took a rather large gulp.
Perhaps it would settle my nerves.
I watched Bane out of the corner of my eye with Aiden, chatting, catching up.Norman and Desmond had joined them, and they all seemed to be laughing about something.
“Are you all right?”Delaney asked.
“I’m fine,” I said, taking the seat Desmond had vacated.
Wanda swirled her straw around her glass and I took another drink out of my glass.Whatever she had given me was delicious.
The music filled the space and I watched as Norman took the stage.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Wanda cursed.“What does he think he’s doing?”
When the beginning notes of Jolly Sailor Bold filled the air, it was hard to look away.
I was surprised to hear Norman couldsing.In class, he was always goofing off, and outside of it, he was always causing some sort of mischief with and without his tentacles.
But as he stood there, the spotlight shining on him and the shadows blanketing him, I realized perhaps there was more to Norman Chee than what was at first glance.
His voice was smooth and dare I say, haunting.
“I didn’t know Norman could sing,” Delaney said in shock.
“Me either,” I said.I turned to Wanda, noticing she was as still as a statue, her gaze fixated on the Kraken who was belting out a croon-worthy line about not being able to be consoled.
“He has a great voice,” Delaney said.
