I wanted to tell her that she had no need to work, that I would provide for her, but I knew my mate well enough to understand that she needed to feel productive in some way. I only hoped someone would offer her legitimate employment of some kind.
Before I could continue the discussion, we were interrupted.
The sound of horses and carriage wheels on paving stones came from the front of the house. Not just a few, but many. I leaped to my feet and moved to the front door of the manor, using the stained-glass windows on each side to peer out at the sweeping drive leading to the front of my home.
Everything within me went still when I saw the sleek black carriage with the gilded royal crest of the reigning daemon king affixed to its side.
“What is it?”
I glanced down at my mate, who was standing beside me, craning her neck to try to see out the windows as well.
“Do you have a royal family where you are from?”
She shook her head. “No. But other countries in my realm have monarchs.”
“Well, you are about to meet the king of Penumbra,” I said.
Her eyes widened and she looked down at her body. “Should I change clothes or something? This is a big deal, isn’t it?”
I shrugged. “I know the king fairly well. But, if you would be more comfortable in something else, you can meet us out front when you are done changing.”
She smacked my arm.
“What?”
“Do you not dress up to meet the king of your realm?” she asked, her voice high and thin.
I shrugged. “If I were traveling to the castle, I would wear my military uniform. But since he has arrived at my home without an invitation or issuing an announcement, he will see me as I am dressed.”
“That isn’t taboo or anything? Meeting the king without your shirt on?”
I shook my head. “No. Is it in the human realm?”
Her head snapped around when one of the horses out front whinnied. “You know what, we’ll talk about it later. Right now, you need to tell me exactly what I need to do when I meet your king, so I don’t embarrass you.”
“Be polite. Be yourself. And remember that he is your king as well since you are now mated to me.”
Her face paled as she stared up at me. “Do I need to bow or curtsy or anything?” she asked.
“Formalities such as that are only required at court. Call him Sire or King and bow your head when you are introduced. That is all.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, her voice cracking on the question.
“Of course,” I assured her. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it lightly. “I promise it will be fine.”
With that statement, I opened the front door and walked out onto the steps, bringing my new mate with me.
The footmen climbed off the back of the carriage, one heading toward the door to open it, but the king did not wait. He shoved the panel open and climbed out. As most daemons did this time of year, he wore a pair of heavy trousers. Unlike me and several of my soldiers, he wore boots on his feet. He also wore a thick wool coat over his bare torso as a concession to the cool air.Though the material of his clothing was much finer and more expensive than mine, he was dressed a great deal like me.
That was part of the reason I enjoyed the king. He held himself as a peer of the daemons around him rather than the ruler. He listened and believed his role was to be of service to his citizens. As far as rulers went, he was one of the best to rule Penumbra in centuries.
Once the king was on the ground, he turned back toward the carriage and held out a hand. My eyes widened as a tall, slender human female appeared on the carriage steps. She wore a long velvet dress and held herself with incredible poise. She also stood at the king’s side as though she were his equal rather than his servant or pet.
“Holy shit,” Leda whispered next to me.
I moved at her words, guiding her down the steps but stopping once we stepped onto the pavers of the drive.
Still holding the human female’s hand, the king approached. “General Stonesword, it is good to see you again.”
