Page 10 of King of Pride and Talons

Thorne chuckled. It was a deep and thorough laugh.

“I know it's a lot to take in. Consider the dress a gift. And as far as dinner goes, you must be ravenous from the trip, no? Only the best cuts of sirloin and hog are served at the king’s table. I implore you to indulge."

He spoke with his usual noble king-like reverence but with a small glimmer of flirtation. He wanted to charm her. He was smiling slyly as he tilted his head, his heart still madly rattling like a prisoner intent on bursting out.

“You're right. It was a long journey. And I'm all dressed up anyway. Why not?”

“Indeed. Why not."

Thorne led her down the majestic hallway, down the spiral staircase, and into the dining hall. The ceilings were high and gothic, but the extravagant accents were intentionally homey. Windows that looked out over the desert plains lined the room horizontally. Candle chandeliers hung from the ceiling, made of glistening metal and glowing.

The meal was a grand feast just as Thorne had planned. The table was made of ebony wood. It was a gift from Thorne’s great-great-grandfather, who received it as a gift from another lion alpha from faraway lands.

Breya appeared struck by the feast, the copious amounts of meats, fruits, exotic arrangements, and sauces crafted by the most exclusive artisans of the region overwhelming her human senses.

“Geesh," she breathed.

She stood marveling, steam rising from the vividly colored cuisine set before her. Servants stood on each side of the long table, awaiting their instructions while candlelight flickered.

He pulled a chair out for Breya.

“All of this… is for us?"

The king nodded, the liveliness in his heart still thrilling. She studied him, then turned back at the feast.

“I wanted to make sure you were fed," he said, still holding the back of the chair. “I also wanted us to have our privacy. I didn't know what you were fond of, so I tried to make something average combined with something perhaps a little peculiar."

Her nose finally stopped twitching, and she sat. The king sat next to her, leaving nearly sixteen chairs vacant down the long table display.

Thorne asked her what she liked to eat, and then he made his suggestions. She was delightfully experimental, expressing her astonishment quite animatedly. He felt like she was getting more comfortable, which made him feel more at ease.

“Tell me what it’s like being a witch,” Thorne asked during dessert. A soft red velvet cake baked by the most sought-after pastry maker in the kingdom was served with coffee and tea.

“What would you like to know?” she said, leaning back in the chair.

The king pondered. He didn’t want to offend her with his prying, but if she was to be his mate, he wanted to know everything. He was already struggling with the thirst to know all that made her burn.

“Hmm," he said, pressing a finger to his mouth. “We do have witches that work in the palace, but I don’t know much about them. I mainly rely on my own abilities as an alpha shifter. I hear that you are a healer in your community."

Breya nodded, raising the mug to her lips. Her eyes were like spotlights peering over the bone white of the cup. They reminded him of a cat’s—cunning, but curious.

He couldn’t see her smirking, but Thorne could hear it in her voice.

“I am, yes. It's rather straightforward. If someone breaks their arm, I heal them. If someone has a broken heart, I can do the same. I’ve always wanted to help people, so it feels natural that I would develop my powers and be able to heal like this."

Thorne was glad she was opening up to him, but his animalistic instincts still felt something wedged between them. She sipped at her coffee, closed her eyes, and murmured her appreciation.

“I don't think I've ever had coffee this delicious," she said.

“I can have something specially made for you in the morning,” he said, the words pouring out faster than the thought.

Breya finished off the cup and licked her lips subtly.

“If you wanted to stay, that is," he corrected himself. "The brew will be made precisely to your liking."

She smiled at him. It was effortlessly gorgeous.

“Thank you, Thorne.”

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