Page 22 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“Let me go, you barbarian!”

I had just secured my mate over my shoulder, something that werewolves liked to do, and earned instant gratification from the crowd. I smirked as she kept squirming above my shoulder. She-wolves looked on in jealousy; if only my mate could comply so willingly. However, I was told from the beginning I was to have a difficult and stubborn mate.

Melina’s friends made crude gestures of mating rituals which only caused her to still and her whole body heat in embarrassment. My entourage only laughed and jeered at each other as we took her back to our sleeping quarters.

“Where are you taking me?” she screamed into my back.

“To our room, darling,” I replied sweetly.

“You will do no such thing!” Her arms pushed off against my shoulders, and I gave her a swat to her arse. Hearing her gasp gave me a slight satisfaction as the guards covered their mouths and snickered.

Melina remained quiet as we came up into the royal cabin. We filtered into the main living space, and I turned to my men. “Go get some fruit and cheese and bring it to our room.” Without haste, I walked up the stairs while Melina huffed and growled low behind me. We entered the large space, and I gently sat her down on the loveseat. Giving her a smile, she crossed her arms, giving her breasts an ample squeeze upward in frustration while I poured us some honeysuckle nectar.

“Now, darling, surely you know something about mates and destined love since your sister is a werewolf?”

I handed her the drink, which she just stared at. “How do I know you won’t drug me and then have your way with me?”

My heart ached that my mate would think I would drug or use her in that way. I wanted to love and cherish her, not treat her as my concubine or slave. “Melina, where did you get an idea like that?” I mumbled, hoping she would feel the emotion in my voice. Her eyes softened, and she looked away while biting her bottom lip.By Gods, I wish I was the one biting that lip, but it seems that may be far into the future.

“I-I was told some things. Your reputation…”

I nodded silently and placed the nectar on the table in front of her. “I understand.” Sitting beside her, studying her.

“Y-you do?” Her arms uncrossed, and her body turned to mine.

“I do. I have a reputation, but I can promise you most of the things you have heard are untrue. You may ask anything you wish.” I put my hand on hers, stroking her knuckles.

My heart ached not to hold her in my arms, sit her in my lap, kiss her neck, and reassure her it was all a lie. Lies that I allowed so that I could look like an uncaring king until I had my mate beside me. If only she knew the power of a mated fae couple. I despised every bit of what my nation had become and my parents. They just weren’t strong enough, but thank the Gods I was born with more power than my own parents combined. With my mate and her ruling beside me, we could change everything.

“Anything?” she asked questioningly.

“Anything for you, darling.” I stroked her cheek.

She didn’t shy away, which made my soul happy, but she was still skeptical. “The women say that you use your magic to get them to your bed…” Her eyes looked down and blushed in embarrassment.

I chuckled, but then she glanced back in annoyance. “Darling, does it look like I need magic to do that?”

“Well, aren’t you a cocky thing, huh?” Her arms went right back to being folded under her breasts. I grunted a bit and adjusted my collar. She doesn’t know how much that little gesture made her chest look more appetizing.

“I’ve never used my magic to put anyone to bed. I don’t take away people’s agency unless they grant it.”

“Grant it?”

“Yes, I do have an ability where I can enter someone’s mind and use their body as if it was my own. It is a gift that fae don’t normally discuss. I’ve only told you because you are my mate, and I hope you respect that.”

“That’s a lot of trust you just put in me,” Melina whispered.

Melina

“Why would you tell me that?”

“Because, darling, I will never keep secrets from you, nor will I lie to you. I’ve looked for you for centuries, and I’ll be damned if I lose you now.” Chills went up my spine as he held my hand. Before I could ask my next question, there was a knock at the door.

Alaneo came in holding a tray of fruits, cheeses, and biscuits; that looked delicious. Since I wasn’t able to eat anything during dinner, I quickly grabbed some and put some on a plate. Osirus chuckled and did the same.

“Tell me, Melina. Do you like it here in Bergarian so far? I know you are from Earth, and the realms can be quite different.” Osirus spread some cheese on his biscuit as he sat back on the sofa while he ate.

“So far, yes, I’ve really enjoyed it. It is like something out of a book. Never in my life would I think a place like this exists,” I said passionately as I ate a strawberry.

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