“If we mated, I expected to claim the title. Your father went about this in an underhanded way, but I’m not upset. I would walk through a forest fire for you, what are a few fae? If being king keeps us together, bring me my scepter and guillotine.”
She laughed. “I think they stopped using the guillotine several hundred years ago, but let me know if we need to buy another one.”
“Mmm. I’m sure we could think of a few people who deserve a beheading.”
Evie pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “Word about this will get out. Are you going to be okay with how the Lords might react?”
“I don’t give a shit how anyone reacts. But I think most of them will be ecstatic. They’ve been worried about your influence the second they saw that automaton at Caelan’s party. Now that we’re mated, they’ll know our goals are aligned.”
“Which might make it worse if your goals are aligned with the fae,” Evie observed.
“Would it?” I wasn’t too bothered and already figured there would be times when my interests as a Lord and a King clashed. I trusted Evie and knew she wouldn’t put us in a precarious position of loyalty if she could avoid doing so.
“Not if I can help it.” Evie blew out a breath. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
I toyed with a dark strand of her hair, desire stirring in me once more.
“Once my training is complete, I agreed to spend a week out of the month in the fae lands.”
“Unsurprising. How else could you rule the fae if you’re never there?” I stroked a hand down her back and felt a flicker of desire along the bond.
“You aren’t mad?”
“I’ll come with you.”
Evie blinked. “Really?”
“You’re my mate. Of course I’ll go with you. Mom will be ecstatic.”
Evie gasped. “Oh! Oh no.” Her voice was filled with dismay. “We mated without your mom here.”
My eyebrows rose. “Can’t say I would have wanted my mom here for this.”
“Rowan!” She snickered. “I meant for the ceremony or whatever the hell Dad did out there. I’m sure she would have loved to see you crowned.”
“Mom doesn’t care much for the trappings of politics.” I kissed her shoulder. “She might be horrified.”
Evie watched me. Her eyes were still glowing. “Do you think she’ll like me?” Her voice sounded so hopeful.
I rolled over, trapping her between my arms. “She’ll love you. But even if she doesn’t, I don’t care. You’re my mate, and you’re stuck with me.”
She touched the side of my face. “I never thought I’d be here, Rowan. With you, doing this.” Her cheeks went pink. “We’re mates.” Evie sucked in a breath. “I can feel you inside my heart. How will I ever get used to that?”
“I hope we never get used to this,” I said as I slid down her body, teasing and tasting.
And soon we weren’t speaking at all.
We spentthe rest of the night under the stars. In the morning, Evie dismantled the structure we’d consummated our bond inside. I didn’t tell her the entire Keep was outside waiting for her. If I had, I’m not sure she would have come out.
I tugged her close, Evie’s permanent floral scent washing over me, along with that ever-present hint of desire. Whoever or whatever created that fae bond deserved a kiss on the lips because it had turned Evie feral last night. Mates already held an extreme attraction to each other. Her magic had taken it to a completely different level, one I would never, ever complain about.
I was the luckiest man on the planet.
Evie’s sharp inhale as she tried to pat her hair into some semblance of sanity almost made me laugh. “Shit, Rowan. I must look like—like—” She sagged against me.
“Like you’ve been thoroughly mated,” I said quietly. “Stand proud, Evie. They’re here to greet their new Lady.”
Declan and Hope stood in front of the crowd. Once the last of the barrier came down, they both stepped forward, huge smiles on their faces, then went to their knees, their heads bowed.
