He flinched, then focused on me. “Mate!”
Before I could respond, Kas picked me up as if I were a child and tossed me over his shoulder.
“What the actual fuck are you doing?” I shouted.
But Kas wasn't listening to me. He was too busy barreling down the hall, past doors that slammed shut before we reached them. I could still hear Vadron shouting at people to get back and clear the way. Kaspian followed the knight. At least, I think he did. I kept hearing Vadron, but all I saw was the floor. It went from stone to steps to wood.
Suddenly, we were in an enclosed space. I couldn't hear Vadron anymore. And we started to move. Upward. I lifted my head and gaped at a panel of buttons in front of me.
“Is this an elevator? You haveelevatorshere? Seriously?”
Kas growled at me.
“Kaspian! What the fuck is wrong with you? Put me down!”
“Be still!”
“Unbelievable,” I muttered. “I'm a grown-ass man and he's got me over one shoulder like a captive princess.”
The elevator stopped, and Kas was out before the doors had opened all the way. From what I could see, we entered an empty room.
“Your Majesty!” two men said in unison.
He growled at them.
“Ah. We understand, Sire. We're not after your mate.” The men slid to one side. “He belongs to you. We know this.”
Kaspian turned with their movements, keeping them in sight until they got into the elevator. Only when the door had slid shut did he go to the only other door in the room. He opened it and strode inside, his hand straying to my ass.
“This isn't a turn-on,” I grumbled. “Your big bony shoulder is bruising my belly. Motherfucker. I am not happy with you. You've ruined my first experience of your city.”
Kaspian instantly put me down.
“Shit, that was all I had to say?”
He didn't answer me. Instead, he yanked open the cloak to inspect my stomach.
So, it wasn't the fact that he was ruining my arrival on a new planet. It was the chance that he had hurt me. I wasn't sure if I should be pleased or annoyed.
“Hey.” I grabbed his hands. “Kas, what's going on?”
“I can't explain right now.” He grabbed my hand and yanked me through a lavish living room big enough to put both of my houses in. It could house my houses. So big that it had to be an open-concept, it had areas defined by furniture and columns. But I only got a glimpse of it before we were rushing down a corridor, past more rooms. Finally, we reached our destination.
Kaspian barreled into the bedroom, striding over a white marble floor, then thick rugs. Past a fireplace and sitting area, a dining table, and a pair of open doors that led onto a balcony. Everything had been carved or gilded or painted. Nothing common to be found. Except maybe the plants that grew in enormous pots on the balcony. No, I take that back. Even they looked exotic. Spaghetti Factory had nothing on this bedroom.
“Your Majesty, I've been so worried. I rushed here when I heard that you . . .”
The voice trailed off as I spun toward it. It had come from the bed. I made a choking sound when I located its owner.
Buck-ass naked and sprawled across dark blue, silky blankets, a big man gaped back at me. A big man with bird wings. And a huge dick. And a rockin' body. And a face that would give Henry Cavill an inferiority complex.
The man looked like a cross between an angel and a demon. With those white wings, he could have easily flown to heaven, but that body was made for sin. He wasn't as big as Kas, or as beautiful, but that didn't matter to my lizard brain that sent violent instincts surging through me. This man was a threat, and I was gonna fucking eliminate him.
With a snarl, I launched myself at the naked, unarmed man. He yipped and tumbled backward, feathers going everywhere. I couldn't see for the feathers. They batted my face, pissing me off even more. Before I could bash my way through them, a large hand grabbed my upper arm and yanked me off the bed.
“Cease!” Kaspian snapped. “He is my ex-consort.”
“Ex?” The man came around the massive, round bed—did I mention the bed was in the center of the room and circular?—and gaped at Kas.
