Page 24 of Beyond the Mountain (Fae's Captive 4)

“We will discuss this later.” I roll my shoulders. “But nothing you can say will stop me from crowning Taylor as queen of the winter realm. She is my mate. I know her. I know the good that lives in her along with her father’s bloodline. She will never commit his evil, no matter what you may have seen.”

Queen Aurentia doesn’t respond, just stares with those sad eyes.

I turn and leave, Gareth at my back, and stalk past the summer realm soldiers. We stop outside the great hall, the room full of winter realm nobles, foreign dignitaries who could make it on such short notice, and plenty of winter realm citizens.

Gareth turns my crown back slightly to the left and smooths my black fur cloak. “Just a dream. She doesn’t know Taylor. Not like we do.”

“I put my life, my faith, my realm in her hands with no reservations.” Nothing can change my bond with her. I will cherish Taylor until the end of Arin, and I know her heart is a shining thing, one that gives love to all who need it.

Gareth steps back and gives me a final once-over, but trouble creases his brow. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head and glowers as if he’s scolding himself on the inside.

“I can read you, Gareth. So you may as well get it off your chest before we enter the great hall.”

“I don’t want to spoil your ceremony.”

I stare at him and cross my arms over my chest.

“Don’t do that.” He pulls my arms down and straightens my tunic. “Wrinkles.”

I laugh, half at him and half at the joy welling up in me as I contemplate seeing Taylor in her mating dress. “Quick now, I can’t keep her waiting. Spit it out.”

He curses himself, then says apologetically, “I just had a thought about the mate bond. About how it hasn’t happened for anyone else in the realm.”

I sober. “I’ve thought about it, too. I intend to consult with Branala on it as soon as possible after the ceremony.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “We will find your mate. I swear it.”

“Don’t intend to get on it too soon after the ceremony.” He smiles, the gloom fading away. “I think you’ll be quite busy for a few days with your mate.”

Just the thought of the filthy things I intend to do to her sends a jolt of need through me. “Let’s go.” I nod at the soldiers to open the doors.

The entire room stands as I enter, a sea of faces turning to look as I stride toward the throne. The crowd murmurs, nobles and commoners sharing their excitement for the royal mating. This, above all, is the thing that can bring my realm into an even more stable existence. More than that, I want everyone to know that my mate is without equal and totally, unequivocally mine.

Branala stands at the top step, just aside from the silver throne, her hair plaited in a rope and the Book of Ancients laid out before her. The Phalanx lines the stairs on each side, my most trusted warriors dressed in silver armor or simple black.

When I reach my place at the front, I turn and face the crowd. They all bow or curtsy, but I’m not interested in them. My gaze is firmly fixed on the doors at the back of the great hall. Thousands turn and wait for my mate, their curiosity coloring the air. Gareth takes position beside me, and I know he’s scouring the crowd for threats and to ensure our most important invitees are in attendance.

Queen Aurentia enters through a side door and, after a quick nod of deference, she takes a seat to the side.

“Ready?” Gareth asks.

“Eager.” I clasp my hands in front of me. She’s almost here. I can feel her nerves through the bond. “I can’t wait,” I whisper to her.

“Shhh!” she shoots back. “Trying to concentrate here.”

I laugh even though it gains several stares.

Gareth clears his throat. “Looks like every diplomat who could make it here in time did. I see plenty of good alliances out there.”

I can’t tell if he’s chattering about politics because he wants to or because he’s trying to keep me calm. Either way, he doesn’t stop until the doors finally begin to open.

I straighten and stare.

When she appears, I send every bit of my excitement down the bond, skittering along our connection like a wildfire.

She meets my gaze, her sparkling eyes the most beautiful blue in all of Arin. My heart seems to beat triple time as she walks toward me, her gown like a winter’s dream of white lace and gray spidersilk with a white fur cloak trailing behind.

It’s as if the entire room draws in a breath, shocked by the gorgeous queen who must surely be straight from the Glowing Lands. Her hair is loose and wavy, perfect for my fingers. It’s a shame her dress is so beautiful, because I intend to rip it off the moment I get her alone after the ceremony.

She climbs the steps, her eyes locked with mine.

With her at my side, I am the most blessed king Arin has ever known.

She stops beside me, and I can’t help but take her hand and kiss it.

Branala clears her throat. “My lord.”

We both turn to face her as the guests take their seats.

Taylor’s hand shakes as I hold it, and Branala begins reciting the ancient liturgy, the words of binding. Magic begins to sparkle in the air around us, blue and white flickers that dance as our bond becomes visible.

“You put all other queens to shame.”

Her cheeks redden, and she sneaks a look at me from the corner of her eye. “You murdered my panties the second I saw you.”

My low growl stops Branala, who gives me a scolding glare. I force myself to calm and nod for her to go on.

She shakes her head but continues reading.

“You are going to get a spanking for that, little one.”

Her eyes widen, but I can sense her interest tickling down the bond.

“My queen is far naughtier than I ever imagined.” I squeeze her hand. “Thank the Ancestors.”

Her cheeks brighten even further as the magic intensifies, Branala’s words sealing our bond for all to see.

When she finishes, we turn to face the crowd, and Gareth brings forth Taylor’s crown.

“That’s for me?” She puts one hand to her mouth. “Delantis.” Her eyes water. “It’s perfect.”

“Fit for a queen.” I take the silver circlet with the soulstone diadem and place it on her head.

“More to the right,” Gareth whispers.

I smile and adjust it as the magic swirling around us intensifies.

When Taylor looks up, her eyes sparkling and her mating mark practically glowing, my heart feels like it could burst.

I raise her hand. “Your queen, Taylor Gladion.”

A roar goes up and applause breaks out.

She smiles, but then it fades.

“What?” I face her, blocking her from the crowd and cupping her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

The guests quiet.

“The curse.” She squints at the magic. “Don’t you see it?”

I turn and stare at the blue and white sparks, the wisps of bond magic. “No.”

“The dark is there, staining it. I can feel it, like oil on water.” She reaches toward it. “Look.” A tendril of her dark magic flows from her fingertip.

The guests gasp, and Gareth yells for calm.

A thicker wisp of darkness appears from the maelstrom, one I didn’t see until Taylor pulled it forth.

I tense. “Be careful.”

“It can’t hurt me. It’s part of me.” She opens her palm, and the darkness thickens, flowing into her from the shimmery circle. It grows lighter and lighter, the sparks turning into stars, the hues growing even more vibrant, our bond in its full glory.

When she pulls the last tendril inside herself, the magic bursts in an explosion of light, and a ripple cascades outward with a boom.

She falls back into my arms, her eyelashes fluttering.

“Taylor.” I pick her up. “Are you all right? Taylor!”

She opens her eyes, and her lips turn up into a luscious smile. “That was kind

of wild.”

I kiss her, sealing our mate bond and anointing her as queen of the winter realm.

Branala’s voice rises, silencing the chatter in the room. “The ceremony is now concluded. All hail the king and queen!”

A cheer goes up, but confusion still reigns in the hall.

“Handle it,” I bark to Gareth as I hurry past with my queen in my arms.

“But you must attend the feast and the—”

“I said handle it,” I call back as I dodge well wishers and dash down the center aisle. Once free of the great hall, I waste no time getting to our bedroom and slam the door behind us.

“What was that?” I lay her on the bed.

“I don’t know. I just saw all that dark power there for the taking, and I wanted it.” She covers her face with her hands. “Does this mean I really am evil?”

“No.” I grab the front of her beautiful dress and rip it in half.

She yelps. “You’re going to be in so much trouble with Cecile and Nadian for that!”

“I’ll take whatever trouble comes as long as you are mine.” I shred her panties and free myself from my black pants. With a hard thrust, I’m inside her, and she claws at my chest.

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