Page 54 of Foretold

He doesn’t need to tell me all the things he’d do and give up for me because I already know. Rave isn’t perfect, and neither am I, but we love each other. The fates deemed us perfect for one another, and I can see why.

He’d never give up on me.

And in our world, having someone like King Rave at my side is worth its weight in gold.

***

My throne sits next to Rave’s, and while his is dark and ominous, mine is made of gold with soft black velvet. It’s both comfortable and regal, and as I sit in it, I realize that things are already changing with his reign, and I’m being considered a leader in my own right, unlike Rave’s mother, who had to sit on Tane’s throne like an accessory. Rave looks at me from his Shadow Throne, winking in my direction. He’s not wearing his crown, and I told him I’m only going to wear mine for special events as well, but the black silk tunic he’s wearing is open at the chest and is giving me ideas of riding him right on that throne. He must feel my arousal through the bond because he shifts in his seat and sends me a heated look. Clenching my thighs, I clear my throat and try to think of something other than his delicious tongue he wokeme up with this morning and his thick, hard cock that fucked me from behind right after. He had my arms pinned behind my back with his shadows, and the flashbacks that roam my mind make me want a repeat.

We then had breakfast with Vale and my first council meeting shortly after, where we discussed the war with the vampires and the position changes in the castle. Soren is now the king’s right-hand man and advisor, and Sinda has stepped up as the head of the royal guard. His three brothers are now council members, and I know he’s building a crew of people we can trust. Some of his father’s older men have been sent into retirement, and the younger generation of fae is taking over.

“You look beautiful sitting there, my queen,” Rave says, giving my black gown a slow perusal. He lowers his tone. “I can’t wait to take it off you when this is over.”

I send exactly how I feel through the bond, and he mutters, “Fuck” and looks over at Soren. “How many more fae are waiting to speak to us?”

“There’s still a long line,” Soren replies, smirking. His twin swords peek out from behind his back. “I think you have several hours to go.”

We’re seeing and meeting with the kingdom’s people, hearing complaints and settling disputes. Some people have just come to meet us and introduce themselves. It’s been nice, even though it’s been a long day already. I noticed some of the common faes lack pointed ears, and I think it pleases them to see someone like me on the throne for the first time in history. But, on the other side of the coin, I saw some higher fae stick their noses up at me. I just ignored them because I truly don’t care what they think. They are no better than me just because my ears are round like a human’s.

“Good thingscometo those who wait,” I reply, my lips twitching.

Rave groans, then sits up straight as the door opens and more fae enter. I feel lighter after our chat last night. Rave now knows everything about me, and I know I can trust him. It’s a beautiful feeling.

After hearing about an issue on a local farm, Sinda approaches me.

“My queen, the Witch Queen is here to see you,” he says, and I look over at Rave, who nods. Standing, Sinda escorts me out of the throne room and into the hallway where Pandora is leaning against the wall, absently running her finger over the scar on her lip.

“Is everything okay?” I ask as I approach, pulling her in for a quick embrace.

She rests her hands on my shoulders. “Yes, I just wanted to check in on you. It’s been a very stressful week.” She grins and adds, “Hasn’t it, Queen?”

“You could say that,” I sigh, tucking my hair behind my ear. “There’s so much going on I don’t even know where to begin.”

Pandora twines her arm in mine and leads me to the dining hall. “Your father is worried about you. I think he wants you to be in Chaos with him. Although every time you go there, it seems like someone tries to kidnap you.”

“There is that, not to mention we’re at war with the vampires, and nobody even knows where the queen is. The only person who did know, they killed,” I start, frowning. “And then, on top of that, we need to figure out who exactly is behind my kidnappings.”

“Bane is working over Rion, trying to figure out that one for you,” she admits, giving me a side-eye. “He is not a male I would want to mess with.”

Soren appears and says something to Sinda, who heads back toward the throne room.

“Don’t you have your own kingdom to run, Pandora?” he says,his eyes narrowing. I don’t know what history the two have, but the tension around them is always heated. Pandora told me that Soren doesn’t like witches, but surely, he couldn’t be so discriminatory against a whole species of magical beings, even if a witch is the one who cut him across his neck, leaving him with the thick scar as a souvenir.

“I do, but I wanted to see my friend,” she replies, staying calm. In fact, she always seems to be nothing but patient with Soren, and he normally stays as far away from her as much as he can but is usually still polite. It feels like something has changed. But what?

“What’s going on with you two?” I ask, putting them on the spot. Pandora mentioned that she knows what kinky stuff Soren is into in the bedroom, and I never once questioned how she knew that. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

Soren crosses his arms over his wide chest and licks his lips. “You’re not missing anything.”

“Have you both hooked up in the past?” I blurt out.

Pandora shakes her head. She suddenly looks like she would rather be elsewhere, and I regret saying something.

“No, she hasn’t gotten around the entire group just yet, just August, as far as I know,” he replies, his jaw tensing.

And then it all suddenly makes sense.

Soren doesn’t want Pandora, but he also doesn’t seem to like the idea that she fucked August either.

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