Page 111 of Feral Guardian
Kor’Tar bobs his head and tosses his mane, then lowers onto his front knees.
I giggle. “I can still mount in this. But thank you, boy.”
I slide onto his back, which has been layered with a white cloth in place of a saddle. I squeeze his sides and loop my fingers in his silky, black mane. He lifts back up and trots proudly as we make our way through the streets of the Underbelly to the greenhouse.
With storm clouds on the horizon, Scarlett felt it’d be best to do things indoors, so as not to have a drenched wedding party. Since the dungeons of the Nest weren’t really the cheeriest place to host a loving event such as this, Zane offered up one of his greenhouses.
There are Spiders guarding the streets along the way at the request of both Alastair and Scarlett. Despite the people being excited for my return, we all know the queen wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to have me ended.
My return, and alliance with Scarlett, has spoken volumes to the people. This kind of public appearance is exactly what we need to keep putting the pressure on the queen, so it’s a win-win. I get an epic wedding entrance and the Underbelly grows a little stronger in their devotion to the Hilden daughters. If only our propaganda could spread into the Upper Kingdom, we’d have an easier go of things.
People throw flowers onto the street ahead of me, smiling and calling my name. I’ve never loved the spotlight the crown forced on me, but I wave and grin in return. It’s easy to smile on the happiest day of my life.
We round the corner, and a glass-topped building comes into view. The stone walls are black like the Nest’s and the glass panes that make up the roof are steamed with fog. A white banner with our names hangs over the double doors at the front of the building, and white lilies sit in pots beside them.
Zane throws open the doors for me as Kor’Tar stops at the entrance. He kneels again to let me down, and I slide off, my legs suddenly wobbly. Scarlett is beside me once more, looping her arm through mine.
“Easy, sis. If you stumble now he’ll come charging down the aisle to carry you,” she whispers.
I giggle because it is something he would do. That little bit of laughter helps settle the electricity firing through my body and lets me resume control. I stand upright and smooth out my pants, keeping my eyes down. I want to look at him so badly, but I know if I do I might run into his arms, and how proper would that be for a princess? There are people watching us right now, and I need to look composed, regal—like the queen Alastair wants me to be.
Kor’Tar trots a few paces away, leaving me uncovered before the long aisle leading up to Alastair. There’s cheering at my back, but all I hear is his gasp ahead of me. The gentle sucking of air moves me forward and lets me breathe. My eyes are still on my shoes, but I know I need to look up.
Just look at him…
I force my chin up and everything else falls away. Towering in a crisp white suit accented with red silk, he waits for me beneath a white flower canopy. His braids are well oiled and shine in the magically lit lamps. His beard is shaved razor sharp against his jawline, giving him a suave definition that makes him look kingly.
But it’s his eyes that I can’t escape. Their dark depths glow red hot from his magic, and I see the shimmer of his demon skin ripple across his cheeks. He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I swallow to wet my arid throat and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
“Yourmouth is hanging open,” Scarlett whispers beside me and I snap my jaw shut.
I stumble, my toe catching on the raised dais as I reach him. Alastair lunges forward and catches me, pulling me against his chest. Scarlett slips her arm out of mine with a chuckle and steps back as Alastair crushes me into his silky, coconutty scent. I wrap my arms around him and hug him back just as tightly. His warm fingers skate along the exposed skin of my lower back, shooting a thrill up my spine that makes me shiver.
His lips tickle the top of my ear as he whispers, “How can I let anyone leave here with their eyes after seeing you like this?”
“Scarlett thought there might be gougings if I went with a cropped top,” I say.
“Your sister already knows me too well,” he mumbles, then nips my ear.
Someone clears his throat beside us, and I jump with a start. It’s Gareth, Zane’s right-hand man. He’s wearing deadly black leathers and holds a copy of the Gods’ Legends of Fynren in his hand.
“Are you ready to proceed?” he asks.
I nod at him. “So ready.”
He gives me the briefest smile, then looks at Alastair.
“Please, hurry,” Alastair says, his arms still tight around my waist.
Gareth chuckles at this. He dons a stoic expression as he flips open the book and begins to read. I stare up into Alastair’s eyes as Gareth calls the gods to look down upon our joining and sanctify it. Alastair’s hands roam over my body, trailing up my back and holding my neck. His thumb caresses my cheek down to my throat and then back up.
The heat between us is building and I understand now why Alastair asked Gareth to hurry. On the third sweep of Alastair’s thumb,I feel his cock twitch against my lower belly. That simple movement has my pulse racing. I lick my lips at the memory of his taste and Alastair’s eyes flare bright red.
Gareth clears his throat again. “We need to bind your hands now.”
Alastair unwinds one arm from my back and laces his fingers with mine without letting me go. Scarlett steps onto the dais with a white and red ribbon, and a broad, loving smile. She holds the ribbon against our joined hands and begins to wrap it down our wrists to our elbows.
