I flashed her a smile. “No, my heart. This is our last stop before Vanglosa. And you know what that means.”
Her gaze lingered on my fangs, which somehow made my cock hard. “I know what it means,” she said softly. And though she smiled, it was small and less confident than usual.
Taking her hand to assure her all was well, I guided her toward our greeting party. Bezaliel, Leifkyn, Dayn, and Brohm flanked us as we approached them.
Among the clans of beast fae, the Vanglosa was the oldest and considered the most superior in rank, if indeed there was a rank. But the Bolgar clan was second, and Behrvyne might be young, but he was a fierce leader who was respected by all who knew him. Whenever there was trouble in our lands, the rest of the clans turned to the two of us for guidance and answers. I knew that Behrvyne would want to speak privately about the golems while we were here.
He strode in the center of his warriors, his gaze fixed entirely on Jessamine, his scowl intense before transforming into wonder when he saw that her hand was clasped in mine. Beast fae lords didn’t often show public affection to the females they claimed, or their mates. But I wanted it to be clear to all that she was mine. No one was to treat her as anything otherthan a female who deserved respect among the clans. So it was intentional that I kept her hand in mine when we reached them.
“Greetings, Lord Redvyr,” said Behrvyne, arching a brow in question.
“And you. Your clan faired well for the winter?”
“We did. I was concerned to hear yours did not.”
Bezaliel shifted next to me. Tessa and the babe weren’t far behind us, well within earshot, and I was still aware of her tender state. Though she had improved greatly, especially when we began packing to leave, she was still emotionally fragile from the abduction of Saralyn.
“We are all well now,” I assured him.
His gaze flicked to my right again, his gaze slipping over my mate. “I heard that you have a new member of your clan.” He paused. “Won’t you introduce us?”
He must’ve heard some rumors somewhere. Good. That would make it easier to establish the truth of it.
“This is my mate, Jessamine Glenmyr, daughter of King Darian of Morodon.”
His red eyes widened, one of his warriors glancing in surprise at another. They knew I had a light fae female among my clan, and had likely heard that she warmed my bed, but they did not know her origin or that I had claimed her as my mate. Well, I would claim her officially soon enough, but I wanted everyone here to understand that I perceived her as my own already. It was the only way to ensure that no one treated her poorly.
When he spoke, his words were cautiously presented. “I had not known we sought an alliance with the kingdom on the Nemian Sea.”
“We do not,” I assured him. “Her father doesn’t know where she is.”
“Nor do I want him to,” she said quickly.
Behrvyne’s red eyes narrowed only slightly. “You don’t want your father to know you’re consorting with the beast fae, my lady?”
At least he called her ‘lady’, but a low growl rumbled in my belly. I was ready to punch the young lord in his pretty face.
“I will gladly inform my father that myconsortis Lord Redvyr of Vanglosa when I’m ready,” she answered haughtily, her chin jutting in the air. “But I will not do so until we’ve returned safely to Vanglosa, and our clan is settled back at our home in Meerland. My father can be violent when he hears news that displeases him.”
“You admit,” interjected Behrvyne, speaking without aggression but certainly determination, “that it is not a welcome union to your people.”
My own ire vanished when I saw that her anger had sparked, her cheeks pink with passion. “The people of my birthplace abandoned me, in a way.”
Every warrior’s gaze was riveted to her. I simply kept her hand in mine, reassuring her with a soft squeeze that I approved of her anger.
“They threatened me, tried to force me to do harm to others. To use my magick for foul deeds and crimes. They did not treat me as one should treat their own child, like a blessing from the gods. So what they welcome or reject is no longer my concern.” Her voice was steady even while I felt her anger simmering. “I have chosen my own people.” She met my gaze, her green eyes blazing bright. “And the gods have sent me a mate far superior than any my father would’ve chosen for me. I do not care what my family or the people of Morodon think. My home is no longer with them.”
By the gods, I wanted to drag her to the nearest tent and fuck her hard and true. She was so fierce, my Jessamine. By the slight curve of Behrvyne’s lips, I realized he had accepted her, though Iwas sure many here would not. I didn’t plan on staying overlong here at our solstice gathering. My clan had been through a hard and harrowing winter. As soon as it was permissible, we would pack and move on home.
“You are welcome to join the clans’ feast at our solstice celebration, Lady Jessamine.”
He reached out and took her free hand in both of his, pulling her gently forward, forcing her to release me. He bowed over her hand, a gesture of honorable respect. The others would accept her now as well, even if they disagreed with my choice in mate. Of course, if they believed me, they would know I had little choice at all. The gods had made her mine. One bedding had proven that without a doubt.
“Thank you, Lord Behrvyne.” She appeared very much the royal light fae that she was in that moment. And I couldn’t have been prouder.
“We have much to speak of,” I told him, “but for now we will settle in.”
“Of course. And the Skel Clan has brought many barrels of ale. We will celebrate tonight.”
