She’d knocked with a breakfast tray. I’d opened the door just wide enough to take it, but she’d seen Claire in my bed.
Mrs. Vasek’s eyes had gone wide. Her mouth had dropped open and then a smile spread across her cheeks.
“Claire is my mate,” I told her. “I’ve claimed her. She’s moving in with me as my Queen.”
Her hand flew to her heart. “Your Majesty...”
“Tell everyone.”
And she did.
Now sunlight streams through the windows for the first time in days. The storm has finally broken. The mountain passes will be clearing.
Which means the Council will be coming.
“Our peaceful bubble is about to burst.”
“The Council?”
“The Council.”
She traces the mark on her throat with one finger. “Whatever happens, we face it together.”
“Together,” I agree.
As if summoned by my thoughts, there’s a sharp knock at the door.
It begins.
I pull my robe tighter — I’m naked underneath and have no intention of changing that — and open the door.
Three robed, Krovenian Council Elders stand in the corridor. Elder Harkon, Elder Petra, and Elder Voss. Their faces are stern with disapproval, their mouths tight with barely contained fury.
“Your Majesty.” Elder Harkon’s voice drips with false politeness. “We’ve heard... disturbing rumors.”
“They’re not rumors.” I lean against the doorframe, deliberately casual. “They’re true. I’ve claimed a human mate.”
The Elders push into the room without invitation. Their eyes immediately find Claire, sitting up in bed with the sheet pulled to her chest, the bite mark on her throat unmistakable.
“This is an outrage,” Elder Petra hisses. Her lip curls with disgust. “You were engaged to Princess Serina. The Council approved that match. You cannot simply?—”
“I can and I have.” I cross my arms. “The Blood Calling chose Claire. I chose Claire. I am lucky to have her.”
“The Blood Calling.” Elder Harkon scoffs. “A convenient excuse to take an elixir in order to bed a human servant. Disgusting behavior.”
My fangs extend. “Careful.”
“You know what happened to Aldric.” Elder Voss steps forward, his voice hard. “You know what this means for the kingdom. Civil war. Chaos. Death. Thousands of Krovenians slaughtered because a king couldn’t control himself.”
“Times have changed?—”
“Times have not changed enough.” Elder Petra’s voice rises. “The noble families will never accept a human queen. Your children will be half-bloods. Abominations unfit to?—”
“That’s enough.”
I move to stand directly in front of Claire, blocking their view of her. Behind me, I can feel her flinch at the word ‘abominations.’ My blood boils with rage, but I keep my voice cold. Controlled. “You will not speak of my mate or my future offspring that way. Not now. Not ever.”
I reach behind me, grab the other robe from the bedpost, and pass it to Claire. She slips it on under the cover of my body, and I feel her small hand press briefly against my back in gratitude.
