Page 61 of Beast

Without batting an eye, King turned his attention from the cat to the boots on the bed.“I’ve had this fantasy,” he said.

“A fantasy?”I asked skeptically.

“Take off your clothes and put on the boots.”

I laughed.“You’re crazy.”

But King wasn’t laughing, and the heat in his gaze sent a wave of desire rolling from my toes to every sensitive part of my body.Slowly, I did exactly as he asked.If my mate wanted me in nothing but Doc Martens, that’s what he’d get.

He stripped off his clothes too, and a minute later, we stood facing each other, me in my Doc Martens and necklace, him in his necklace.My mate.The man who loved me.

His eyes, hot and unrelenting, traveled over me.He stepped forward, lifted the charm at the end of my necklace, and kissed it.

“You are my queen.I love you,” he said possessively.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

King

Marinah continued working with Ruth, who was making progress.There hadn’t been a single complaint about the child in weeks, which was the biggest surprise.No excursions with Che to fight hellhounds, and no screams that pierced the ears of every Warrior at the citadel.

Ruth followed Marinah everywhere like a personal guard, the sword Marinah had given her always on her hip, her hand resting on the pommel as if daring anyone to threaten her instructor.

“King,” Beck called urgently.“We have news from the northern outpost.”

Here we go.It had been too quiet.“I’ll grab Marinah.Have the men meet us in the conference room in five.”

I didn’t ask what the news was; it wasn’t my place.That was Marinah’s job now.Beck should’ve gone to her first, but that was something she’d have to address.Eventually, everything would fall into place.

I entered the gym and found Ruth holding her sword with trembling arms, sweat dripping down her face.Her jaw was set stubbornly, a look that reminded me of Marinah’s determination during her early training.The sword was extended in front of her, chest high, arms fully locked.

Marinah glanced over at me as I approached.“You’re needed in the conference room.Urgent,” I told her.

“That works.Someone’s punishment can continue without me here.”She adjusted Ruth’s arms, lifting them a little higher.“Ten more minutes, and then you’re done for the day.If this is what you want to do tomorrow, smart off again.”

“Yes, ma’am.I mean no, ma’am.”

I didn’t laugh.Marinah had a way of making yes and no feel impossibly complicated.

Without another glance at Ruth, Marinah walked out of the gym, and I followed her.“Do you actually think she’ll finish the punishment?”I asked, curious.Marinah had done so much with the child when no one else thought she was worth the trouble.

“Oh, she’ll do it,” Marinah replied confidently.“She knows the punishments I give her make her stronger.They’re no fun, but there’s always an end goal.She’s come a long way, but she’s still fighting authority.”

“Sounds like someone I know,” I said and couldn’t help my smirk.

Marinah shot me a side glare, flipping her braids out of her face.“What’s going on?Why are we meeting?”

“Beck has an urgent message from the northern outpost,” I replied.

She looked at me like I’d lost my mind.“Then why are we walking?”

She took off at a fast jog, turning what would’ve been a three-minute trip into sixty seconds.I kept my thoughts to myself and followed.

The men were already waiting.No one blinked when Marinah, without thinking, took my old chair at the head of the table.

We took out our knives, and she lifted her hand.“Not happening.The knife in the table thing is over.”

I sat down beside her, staying silent.

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