Page 17 of A Story of Mates and Temptation

“You are, pretty much in everything other than officially titled as one,” he points out. “And for the record, you’ve always been my queen. I knew it from the second you punched Ziven in the face after the Decidere. It was love.” I wince, remembering that moment, but Calix is laughing. “Talking of which, when is the wedding going to be? I don’t have a suit, which is a shame because I look good in one.”

“No idea, because we’re in a war and there’s a lot going on. A wedding seems, well, not the first thing on our minds,” I answer as we wind around a hut.

“Because there’s everything going on…a wedding should be the first thing on your mind,” he counters. “Say the word, and I will plan with Luna the most amazing wedding ever—even in this place.”

I shake my head. “I think that’s up to Ziven, don’t you?” But the truth is, no matter where we are or what it is like, I’d marry him in a heartbeat. A part of me wants us to have that ultimate connection before we go into a war where we might not survive it. If I face death, I want him as my king, my mate, and simply mine in every part of my soul.

We get up to the building where all the meetings are held, and I can hear the shouting from outside. I wince. Calix stops at the door with a pretend serious face. “I sense extreme danger out here. It’s a prerogative that I guard the door.” He winks at me. “Good luck!”

“Jackass,” I mutter under my breath, reaching for the door handle.

“Very unladylike for a queen to be.” Calix is barely holding in a laugh as I whack his arm before going into the meeting room. “Oh, and I saw the last volunteer rushing away in the opposite direction on our walk over here. Looks like you’re stuck with the kings who hate each other all on your own this time.”

Deities be with me.

Daegan is pacing by the door, throwing his arms in the air. “You can’t just walk in here and demand everything your own way! You’re not the only king in existence—you know that, right?”

Ziven’s eyes are drawn to mine, and they soften in a way they only do when he looks at me. He is sitting on the biggest chair in the room, at the head of the table with his legs spread as he leans back. Comfortable. Relaxed. Cocky. He drags his eyes to Daegan. “While sitting around here, doing nothing, was probably the best plan, right?” He narrows his gaze. “What was your plan? Stay here, make pretty babies, and help the clueless rule and manageto take over at some point? Yes, let me listen to your plan again. It was epic.”

I cringe at the sarcasm dragging in Ziven’s tone. “That was not the plan, and if you?—”

Ziven smoothly interrupts. “Well, it was a shit plan, and it wasn’t going to work. This place might be hidden and protected for now, but the vampyre king will find a way in eventually. We need riders and quick. I have dragons. You have fae. Together, we stand one single fucking chance of winning this. Don’t let our past shade the alliance we can make for a future.” His reason is surprising, and seriously hot.

They both hold each other’s gaze, and I move around Daegan, straight to the seat in the middle of them. The sound of the chair scratching the floor as I tug it out is awkward, and I’m relieved when I can finally sit down. At some point, Daegan gives in. “Fine.” He blows out a breath. “I’m well aware I’ve not been stable as a king or made the right choices.” He glances at me for a second too long.

Ziven growls low. “For the record, she is mine. Don’t look at her like that again, or I will tear your heart out and see if it burns in the moonlight.” The threat echoes.

Daegan looks right at Ziven and nods. “Understood.”

The silence drags on, even as Daegan takes a seat at the table on the opposite side of Ziven. I really hate being in the middle of this. I glance at Ziven. “The shadow dragons will take riders like yours did?”

He inclines his head. “They state only the worthy can ride for the war.”

“Worthy,” Daegan muses. “Then anyone who signs up has to volunteer. The dragons are temperamental.”

“Something we finally agree on.” Ziven taps his fingers on the armrest. “Can we agree on the flight plans next?”

“If I have more riders and more information on the city, then yes.” Daegan crosses his arms. “If Story and Maeve flew with us?—”

“No.” Ziven’s tone is final.

I glare at him. “You can’t make that choice. Daegan has a point. I have a massive dragon, and it makes sense to send our two biggest dragons to different cities at the same time. All that matters is that we win.”

“No, all that matters to me is that you are alive at the end of this war,” he counters with no apology in his tone. “And when we fly to war, it will be together.”

I sigh, leaning back. Being romantic is always his way of winning, and I’ll bring this argument up later when we are alone. Ziven rises from his seat, coming to the back of my seat and leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek. “I’m afraid I can’t join you for the afternoon like we planned. I will find you in a few hours.” Straightening, he calls out, “Calix!”

Calix comes in, followed by Avaluna. “Yes, my king.” It’s strange to hear him so formal, and I know it’s only because he is around Daegan.

Ziven’s hand strokes a strand of hair, tucking it behind my ear. “Our queen is leaving. Defend her for me, and I will catch you up soon.”

Daegan doesn’t say anything, but I suppose there’s surprise in his eyes for a second. Maybe even pain. He doesn’t deserve to be hurt over my happiness.

Avaluna glances at me. “Why don’t we go into the town, get a drink and lunch with some of the locals? It’d be good to socialise with them more, and we would be perfectly safe,” she suggests. “And we don’t need guards.”

Oh, I love her. I rise to my feet and Ziven arches a dark eyebrow. “Sending a guard with me is insulting, Ziv. I might be your queen soon, but you trained me not to be helpless.”

“You do need a guard.” Ziven wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me against his own chest. “Only to drag out the bodies of anyone who dared to touch you when you’re done with them.”

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