Cyn took me down the long hall, through the center of the rows of dining tables covered in white linen and adorned with massive bouquets. These weren't trestle tables like those you'd find in a tavern, but were expensive dining sets with matching chairs, all made of polished oak. As Cyn swept me forward, his dread—I mean,ourdread—filled the empty seats. We, however, headed to the one table that stood on a dais at the end of the room, similar to his throne. In fact, a duplicate of his bear throne sat at the center of the table, facing the room. There was only one other seat there, and after Cyn and I ascended the steps, he pulled it out for me. It wasn't a throne, but it was nicer than the other chairs in the room and damn comfortable. Of course, that didn't matter as much as its placement beside Cyn’s throne.
Most of our guards took a seat at a table to the left, set closest to the dais. Two Dragon knights and two of my Raltven guards remained on duty, taking up positions at the bottom of the dais. The guards would change in an hour and then every hour that followed, so each of them would enjoy the festivities.
And there I was, sitting at the King's table, my status now suddenly above everyone's in the room except for the Dragon King himself. It felt surreal, especially when I looked across the motley assemblage. The Dragons, in their beautiful silk dresses and velvet tunics, took up most of the tables, with my clan standing out like a dark mark, clumped together at several tables on my right. They'd snagged the ones closest to the dais since they'd been the first in the room. Their clothes were clean and no doubt the nicest they owned, but compared to the Dragons, they looked like ruffians.
And they didn't give a fuck.
The Midnight Clan delighted in the feast and their new status as the clan of the Dragon King and his mate. They didn't get wild, thank Ranya, but they eagerly made toasts to Cyn and me, and when the music started, they didn't hesitate to dance. Some of them even danced with Dragons. The Darimar Dread surprised me. Not only had they accepted me, but they also accepted my people. It was a glorious night.
“I told you they'd accept you,” Cyn said after our food servers had filled our plates and left the dais.
“Well, you certainly made a convincing speech,” I said.
“That was nothing but the truth.” His stare went tender. “You are the most magnificent mate.”
I grinned. “You're just saying that to get in my pants.”
Cyn burst into laughter, drawing the attention of most of our guests. But he didn't notice. His focus was on me alone. He lifted my hand, kissed it, and said, “Yes, but it's also true. I thank the Gods every day for you, Ru.”
“I'm kinda lucky myself.” I leaned over and kissed him.
It was a quick kiss since we were being observed, but I poured my love into it, and when I drew back, Cyn's gorgeous eyes were shining.
“Nothing can hurt us now,” Cyn said.
“Don't tempt the Gods.”
He grinned. “The Gods are on our side, Ru.”
It sure felt that way as I stared into my mate's eyes, overwhelmed with love and gratitude. I said a silent prayer of thanks not just to the Raltven God, Ranya, but also to Cyn's Gods, Ensarena and Karadas. After all, they were the ones who granted us the mating bond. I don't know if they heard me, but it never hurts to be humble and grateful. Especially when you've been given a man like King Cynric of Darimar.
Chapter Forty-Six
A week later, I was lying on thick summer grass as I stared up at a winter sky through glass panels, back at Cyn's sanctuary which was now our sanctuary. We were reaching the end of our eight-day vacation, but I wasn't sad about it. I knew we could return anytime we wanted to. Well, anytime when there wasn't something important going on in Dralbara. Juri had made it clear that he never wanted to handle the King's business again.
“You are so beautiful,” Cyn murmured as he kissed his way across my chest, moving from my left nipple to my right. “Covered in cherry blossoms.” Kiss. Nibble. Kiss. “Smelling like me.” Bite. Hello, nipple. Suck. “Your legs spread to receive me.”
Cyn groaned as he pumped into me slowly, languishing in our love with me. My hands roamed his broad back, clinging to his brutal muscles as I lifted my hips to urge him even deeper. Between us, my cock tingled with every brush of his belly.
“More,” I panted. “Faster.”
My mate chuckled as he rose onto his forearms and kept up his agonizingly slow pace. “No, I want to enjoy you longer than I did this morning.”
“We fucked for over an hour!”
“Most of that was kissing.” He bent his head to kiss me. “And stroking.” He pressed his belly against mine, massaging my shaft with his hard abs. “The actual fucking part was fast.”
“I like it fast.”
“Do you?” Cyn slid in as deep as he could, then ground himself against me. “Are you sure?”
I moaned, my legs falling out to either side. “I don't know. Maybe I need more time to decide.”
Cyn's expression shifted into his smug-satisfied-mate look. “I thought so.”
He sucked at my neck as he continued to slide in and out, in and out, stroking my channel until I quivered with the buildup of pleasure. He rolled his hips, churning inside me, and stars exploded behind my closed eyes.
“Look at me, Mate,” Cyn's voice was low and so fucking sexy.
