Page 134 of The Ruler
Khan grinned and pulled me close enough to whisper in my ear. “I vow to fill you up.” He pulled back and winked at me. “What do you vow?”
I shook my head at him but enjoyed the playful energy between us. “I vow to never let you push me away again.”
Khan lifted me from the ground and nuzzled his nose against mine. “I can’t believe you’re mywife,” he said as if the word “wife” tasted like the sweetest chocolate in his mouth.
My mom was the first to hug me and for someone normally as calm and rational as her, she was clearly moved. “It’s very surreal, but I’m honored that I got to be here with you.”
“Me too, Mom,” I said and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Are they being nice to you?”
“Yes.” She held up a flower. “A man gave me this just now.”
“See, they can be sweet,” I said happily.
“When are we getting some fucking beer?” Boulder shouted over our heads to Khan and pushed at us to get through.
“And crude,” I admitted with an apologetic smile.
“And you like that?” my mom asked while looking around the mayhem, with Raven on Archer’s shoulder towering above the crowd and Kya in the shadow of Magni, who having performed the short ritual was back to protecting her.
Men were pointing to Raven and Kya, and not surprisingly, that stressed their protectors. Magni scowled at the men like he was ready to bring out the Norse god he was named after and create Ragnarok if anyone came too close to Kya.
“The men are fascinated with their dark skin and exotic beauty,” Finn said next to us, nodding his head to Kya and Raven.
I waved back at Raven, who sat safely on Archer’s strong shoulders and excitedly waved at me. I could see Archer look up and give her an order and immediately she lowered her hands and grabbed onto his dark hair.
“Yes, both Raven and Kya are very pretty,” my mother agreed.
“You’re pretty too,” Finn said with a charming smile that flustered my mother a bit. With her fifty-seven years, she kept in good shape, but I knew Finn was just being playful with her because it was his nature. She would be safe with him, and I was glad Khan had chosen Finn to guard my mother during the ceremony.
“Hey, don’t flirt with my mom,” I warned him. “And no tickling her either.”
He held up both hands with a look of innocence. “I won’t touch your mother, Pearl, I swear it.” But he couldn’t help a cheeky grin in Isobel’s direction. “Unless of course you want to be touched.”
Did my mother just blush pink?
“Finn, my friend.” A deep voice made us all turn to see a man I hadn’t met before. “I would love an introduction.” He gave my mother a large smile, but Finn stepped in front of her.
“Piss off, Nelson.”
“I simply wanted to…” But the man didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence before Finn cut him off.
“If I thought Isobel wanted to listen to an asshole, I’d fart.” Lowering his brows and squaring his shoulders, Finn sent out a clear warning to the man. “I saidpiss off.”
Nelson shot Finn a dirty look before he turned and left.
“Sorry, ladies, but that man isn’t worthy of your company,” Finn declared. “He broke Boulder’s arm when they fought for Christina. A real asshat if you ask me.”
In that moment, I was picked up from behind by Khan.
“Here’s my beauty,” he said lovingly and kissed me before smiling at my mom. “Don’t believe a word he says.” Khan threw a nod in Finn’s direction.
“So you’re not an amazing ruler and the best chess player in the world?” Isobel asked with a polite smile.
Khan’s eyes flew to Finn. “You told her that?”
Finn nodded.
“Well, in that case…” Khan grinned. “Listen to my wise friend, Finn, he knows what he’s talking about.”
