Page 32 of Finding Love with the Fae King

Tulip was waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs. “What took you so long? I thought you weren’t coming!” she whisper-yelled playfully.

“After that show of dominance at the dinner table, you really thought I would back down after that? Let’s go cause trouble.” Tulip snickered and led me to the back of the courtyard, just beyond the row of trees.

Remembering my first night here, I knew where we were going. The lake was lit up magically with the evening pixies dancing across it. Some flew up to me and gave me a little bow and a kiss on the cheek. “Word has gotten around. They must know you are the new Queen,” Tulip mused. “Come on.” She pulled at my arm as we stood on the pier.

“All right, strip!” Tulip threw her shirt over her body, and her pants were quickly discarded as she jumped into the lake. That was going to be cold.

“Tulip! I am not skinny dipping! I am not as comfortable with my nudity as you are!”

Tulip resurfaced and laughed. “Then keep your panties and bra on, you twit, and get in!”

I guessed it was kind of like a bathing suit. All parts of me were covered, and this was my last night to have some fun. So, taking my sweatshirt and joggers off quickly, I jumped into the lake, so I couldn’t back down.

The. Water. Was. Freezing.

I resurfaced, and immediately my teeth chattered. Why was the lake so cold?! It was supposed to be summer outside! Tulip swam up behind me and dunked me in the water. I stayed underwater, quickly pulled her leg, and brought her down. As we both resurfaced, we laughed a bit too loudly and heard footsteps not too far away.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” we heard a playful voice say.

Quickly, I swam to the edge of the pier to cover myself, but Tulip sat under the water in all her glory. She smacked her lips in annoyance and gave a glare. “Carson and the goons, check it out, Melina.” I peeked over the pier and gave a small wave.

“Shit, Melina, you can’t be out here. I just thought it was Tulip. The King is gonna be pissed. Well, you too, Tulip, because your mate is looking for you right now.” He let out a laugh.

Tulip scoffed. “Let him come. I’m up for some angry sex.” My face paled.Oh my gosh, what is Osirus going to do to me?

That was something I didn’t think about.I’m half-naked, swimming in a lake in the middle of the night, future Queen and all. Whoopsie.The sudden guilt had me pale as I heard growling from the bushes. I couldn’t hear any footsteps, but the rapid breathing and the white hair reflecting across the top of his head could only tell me one thing.

It was Osirus, and he was mad.

Chapter Sixteen

Osirus

Melinawouldn’tevenlookat me as she came to bed. I saw the frustration in her eyes, but she refused to cry. She was closed off, not wanting to show any weakness toward me, but I knew better. She was hurting and felt betrayed that I wouldn’t discuss the bonding ceremony with her. With any other woman that understood our world, they would be thrilled; however, Melina wasn’t from here. She wasn’t any other girl, and in my stupid mind, I thought she would love it.

She was fighting it every step of the way, and I didn’t know how to break down her walls. All supernaturals were beasts compared to humans. There were some aspects of our bodies we had trouble controlling, and each minute with her, not having her as mine, completely pulled at my soul. Melina might not have felt the pull as strongly as I did, but I know she would feel it once we were one.

My thoughts continued to ravage my mind as I held onto her; the only way I knew to keep her protected. I hoped my touch would calm her and we could talk more in the morning as we traveled back to our home. I couldn’t wait to show her the palace, her new home. I had already sent word to prepare the royal bed chambers to my most trusted maids and to keep silent about it. If word got out that my mate was to arrive before I was ready to announce it, there would be repercussions for their actions.

My thoughts of Melina finally letting go and trusting me gave me a warm feeling as I drifted off to sleep, hearing her even breathing.

Feeling a chilly breeze enter the room, I sat up, confused. The bedroom door was open, and Melina wasn’t in bed. In fact, it felt cold.

“Melina? Darling?” I sat up and threw the covers off me as I jumped to check the bathing facilities.

“Melina?”

The water closet light was off, but I still threw the shower doors open and checked the tub. Nothing. Running down the stairs in just my linen sleep trousers and bare chest, I looked in the kitchen. I panicked, hoping she didn’t wander into one of the guards or even Alaneo’s room.

“Everyone up!” I yelled, and everyone was standing in the living room in seconds.

My breathing had picked up, my chest heaving, and my own teeth pierced my lips.

“Your Majesty, you need to calm down.” Alaneo came up to me from behind, but I quickly grabbed him by the collar and stuck him to the wall. “We have to stop doing this.” Alaneo rolled his eyes.

“Where is my destined?” I roared in his face.

Everyone stilled, not knowing what to say. Not only did my fangs descend, but I felt the rest of my teeth transforming into their wild state. I hadn’t done this since I was one hundred years old at the Battle of Erund, fighting ogres over land territory.

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