Page 16 of Tamed for Her Pleasure

It is not long before the tall city gates open, and a contingent bearing the Pershore flag rides out.

With a small party, I ride to meet them. We dismount and form up before striding forth to converse.

I see their king first. He is younger than I expected and decked out in all the finery that goes with being a Hydorian man of wealth, with a dark blue fur-trimmed cloak and a plate breast piece underneath that is so highly polished it near blinds me.

That is one way to disable the enemy, I suppose.

I have never been known for my tact or skills in negotiations, so it is perhaps not best thought through when I begin with, “So, you came to your senses, then.”

Lor is standing at my side and, although my focus is on the king, I see him grimace out of the corner of my eyes.

Louie presides over one of the largest Hydornian kingdoms. I wasn’t sure what I would make of him other than he would be a lot of hot air and bluster as Hydornian kings generally are, yet I sense he has his own measure of mettle and does not appear cowed by either me or my bold words. I decide I don’t hate the pompous man with his overly bright breastplate, even if he does make questionable clothing decisions.

“You have my wayward daughter,” he says dryly. “A man, be he king or otherwise, knows when he is outmaneuvered. Also, war is inconvenient and costly. If I’m going to spend money, I’d sooner have a shipment of Eldorian wine.”

“Aye.” I nod, glad that we are moving promptly on. I’ve heard legends of Eldorian wine but have yet to sample the goods. “I can relate to that.”

“My daughter is well, I presume?”

An abrupt scoffing noise escapes me. The man cannot be seriously concerned. I raise my brows. “‘Well’ is a subjective term when applied to the brat. I questioned whether she was really riding for pleasure or sent to assassinate us.” I motion over my shoulder and the group behind parts, allowing two warriors to approach with Penelope between them. One has a bloody nose. The other is walking with a limp.

Gods, the lass is a veritable nightmare. I bite back my smirk, suffering no small amount of pride that she keeps my men on their toes. I should keep her around; it would keep their brat-taming skills sharp, that’s for sure. I sigh heavily for effect. “The lass injured half a dozen men and left as many more with nervous twitches.”

The king surprises me by chuckling. “Losing the omega is also inconvenient, not to mention I now have a dozendisgruntled suitors on my hands. I might need to offer them my daughter in her stead.”

“No!” Penelope’s screech is an assault upon my ears. “I cannot come back.”

“Penelope,” King Louie demands. “This is not the time for games. I know I have failed?—”

“We are mated,” she interrupts, waving one imperious hand in my direction.

“Eh?” I grunt. It is not often I am caught off guard in this way. I expect this nonsense from the lasses in the village. What the fuck is she up to?

“He kissed me!”

“The fuck does—” I begin.

“He claimed me!”

Certain this is some kind of ruse, I plant my fists on my hips and scowl down at her, trying to ignore the strange quickening I feel. The lass is playing me, for sure. “It was a heat of the moment thing, and we?—”

“I could be pregnant!”

“We did not go that fucking far, woman!” I state gruffly, folding my arms.

“We were alone, unchaperoned all night in his tent where he did unspeakable, barbarian things to me!”

I cannot dispute this part and suspect my face says as much.

“Enough!” Louie hisses. “If the high king hears of this scandal, Pershore will be invaded by nightfall. You will have to be married.”

“Of course, Father,” Penelope says, bowing magnanimously to her king before peeking at me under her lashes and throwing me for a loop.

“Lass, your bottom will be cherry red and sore beyond reckoning by the time I’m done with you.”

“A big lavish wedding,” the king continues, as if this is a serious discussion. “An alliance between our kingdoms is the only way we can pitch this.” He motions his advisor over. “Draft a notice. Send for the planners!”

“I’m a barbarian,” I say, gesturing toward myself. No one is even looking at me. Lor is smirking, the bastard, and is all fucking perky again now the matter of his mates is resolved. “And an alpha. We do not get fucking married.”

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