Page 131 of Fated

He stopped, giving me a confused look.

“I haven’t brushed my teeth,” I mumbled from under my hand.

Ash shook his head and smiled.

“Stay right there!” I ordered him.

I jumped up, grabbing a sheet to wrap around my body as I sprinted to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth in record time and then dashed back into the bedroom where Ash was sitting.

Climbing onto the bed, I straddled him with my legs, wrapping my arms around his neck. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips before pulling back with a playful smile.

He wrapped his arms around my waist. “You do know you’re making it really hard for me to want to make it down in time for breakfast with my mom and Xanth.”

My mouth formed an ‘O’ at the hardness between my legs, realizing what he meant.

My eyes trailed down to his lips and suddenly, staying in bed seemed much more appealing. I bit my lip, debating with myself.

“Do you know how crazy it drives me when you chew on your lip like that?” His voice dropped low.

I blushed and immediately released my lip from my teeth.

“Tomorrow, I’m clearing my schedule completely.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Why?”

“Because when I bring you back to this room tonight, I’m not letting you leave until I explore every inch of your body, even if it means we never leave this room again.” He leaned in and gently bit my lip with his teeth.

“Promise?” I whispered.

His only response was a devilish grin that made my heart race. Every part of me screamed to stay in bed with him, but I managed to gather just enough willpower to pull away. Groaning with regret, I stood up to get ready before we truly did miss breakfast.

Turning to walk away, a thought struck me. “Did anyone see the mark?”

He shook his head. “Of course not. I want you by my side when I introduce the new Queen of Ambrosia.”

My stomach twisted into a giant knot. Today, Ash’s family, friends, and whoever we happened to encounter would find out I was their new queen, whether they liked it or not. Although, a small, secret part of me hoped Shae would be one of those people.

“Everyone will love you, Areya,” Ash said, reading my mind. He took my hand. “But when we get back tonight, I want to talk to you about your introduction to the kingdom.”

A look of surprise crossed my face.

“Normally, when a king takes a wife, she receives the title of queen through marriage. She is crowned on the wedding day in title, and she stands by her husband as he rules the kingdom.

“But as we are fated, you are now a queen in every way that I am a king. We both have full and equal power in Ambrosia. You are as much of a queen here had you been born from the royalbloodline. Like I said last night, you now replace Xanth as the sole heir to my Heir power—that’s how strong the fated bond is.”

I just stared at Ash with wide eyes.

He squeezed my hand, pulling me closer until his forehead pressed against mine. “I want to crown you with every person in this kingdom watching,” he said, “and then I want to be the first to kneel before you—before the entire kingdom does.”

I swallowed hard, frozen in place. Shit. This was intense.

He pulled back slightly, running a hand through his hair, a sure sign he was nervous. I braced myself for whatever was about to come out of his mouth next.

“We don’t have to have a wedding … I mean, we’re fated, so it’s not necessary. But the news about us is going to spread fast. I would like to have some type of ceremony to crown you as soon as possible.” He ran his hand through his hair again.

I placed my hands on my hips, a wide grin spreading across my face. “Ash, are you asking me to marry you?”

For the first time, Ash was at a loss for words, staring at me with the biggest eyes.

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