Page 20 of Taken By the Naga King

Gravon and Azha continued to explore the garden. Hours went by, and she still was not ready to leave, but Gravon had just one thing he had to do. “Would you like to stay here while I go attend a meeting?”

“A meeting this late?”

“Yes, it is important. Otherwise, I would not leave you.”

“Okay!” she agreed, still marveling over her surroundings.

“I will come and get you as soon as it’s over, and we will enjoy a nice dinner. We could even have it brought out here if you’d like. I know there is a table around here somewhere.”

“I’d like that,” she said, her eyes finding his. They sparkled, and he couldn’t help but place a hand on her cheek and lean in.

He scented her just before pressing his lips to hers. It was the first time they had kissed since their moment on the ship.

The passion still remained, and he had to force himself to ease away once the kiss started to deepen. He had a very important issue to attend to. This would have to wait, at least for now.

But he would not wait much longer.

“Quiet, please,” Gravon’s voice rang out.

A table filled with his advisors sat before him, and as soon as he spoke, they all gave him their attention.

“I know you are all aware of the human girl I have brought back from Noxxa. I would like to update you all on what this means. The girl’s name is Azha, and she is my mate.”

Just about every face in the room looked surprised, but none of them spoke. They knew better.

“This means Azha will soon become the queen of Nirum.”

Gravon knew this news would not settle well, but there was nothing they could do about it, not really.

He continued. “If anyone would like to say anything, now is the time.”

A hand shot straight up. One of the elder Niri.

“Yes, Nesfirus?”

“Your Majesty, I have a concern with a human girl ruling alongside you. She is not even from our planet. How is she to rule us? How is she to set an example for the young Niri females? She doesn’t know our customs, traditions, or rules.”

“I will stop you right there. Everything you just said could be learned simply by picking up a book, which Azha has been doing all week. As for setting an example, she does not need to be a Niri to do so.”

Another Naga spoke. “Your Majesty, what does this mean for the royal line?”

“It will end with me unless one of my clutchmates chooses a mate and procreates.”

Gasps resounded through the room, but Gravon rose and held up at hand.

“Enough. With the birth rates staggeringly low, it was always going to be like this. The chances of me successfully procreating with a female Niri are practically nonexistent. So, this is a nonissue. When I die, which will not be for a very long time, someone outside of the family may have to take the throne. It has happened before.”

Most of the Niri before him nodded, clear agreement on their faces. A few still seemed unsure, but this did not concern him.

Nothing would stop him from mating with Azha and making her queen of Nirum. Nothing would keep them apart.

Chapter 8

Azha

Mate. She was his mate.

Azha was still getting used to the idea. When he had first told her, she was just so grateful that she had been wrong about him using her for breeding. As a result, the full reality of his announcement did not reach her immediately.

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