Page 36 of Roar Letter Word

“That makes sense to me, My King. But I would trust your instincts. As I’m sure you know, it might be best to keep this from Addie for now. But don’t discount your intuition just yet.”

Mahes had time to mull over what Ruzyll had said to him before he was forced to attend dinner with Bruce and Addie. A part of him wanted to put his foot down and say that it was off. It was his kingdom, wasn’t it?

No, that would be far too impulsive. She would surely be gone then. Addie wouldn’t want an ogre for a partner.

Mahes wore his best linens, a blood-orange button-up, and comfortable slacks. When he came into the dining room, he saw that both Bruce and Addie were already there, chatting away with their Sidaii wine poured and fragrant. It was the sight of Addie that nearly took the king off his feet.

She wore Nova Auroran fabric, a crimson, shimmering red with bold shoulder pads and delicately sown amber beads adorning the surface. The dress tastefully plunged forward just past her collarbone, then raced down her waist to end at the knee. Succulent skin snuck up from below the table. Her crossed legs and glossy flesh were only observable to the angle he’d be sitting at.

The second she noticed him, she was elated. Her eyes crinkled together, and something danced across her darkened eyes. It soothed the king to see her so excited to see him.

He sat at the head of the table with Bruce to his left and Addie to his right. He noticed she was scooting closer to him as the night went on. She had a way of crossing her legs and having her foot brush against his knee that was thrilling. Plus, her angelic desert rose bouquet wasn't something to complain about.

They ingested Nova Aurora cuisine, with the king and Otis instructing them to take it easy on the wine. Bruce and Addie spoke and laughed like old chums, which was only minorly irritating. It wasn’t something he could deal with all day, but for dinner, for Addie, he would cope.

That was until Bruce clapped his hands together once the meal was done. The king lost his entire appetite then.

“So, apparently, shit gets done fast on this planet!” Bruce exclaimed. “Ruzyll and I booked you the biggest venue in the city, and your concert is going to be in just two days.”

Addie clapped her hands over her face and gasped. Mahes was glad that she had done that. It shielded the sound of him dropping his utensils on his plate.

“Two days?” Addie said, eyes wide as moons. “How on Earth are we going to get ready in only two days?”

Her voice shook, but it wasn’t with fear. Mahes felt a crawling sense of dread that coiled around his heart. He was convinced he was going to lose her completely.

“No worries about that, dear one,” Bruce said, slimily licking his lips and leaning forward on the table. “We’ll get you started practicing tomorrow, get your costumes, and set up your dancers. I’ve got it all laid out.”

Mahes picked up his fork and moved food around on his plate. His vision started to blur, thinking that in two days, he would have his final day with his fated mate. He would have to share her with thousands of people. Then what?

“Oh, my God! You’re amazing!”

Addie was enlivened, standing from the table and pulling Bruce into her arms. The way he used her breasts as a pillow during the embrace nearly sent Mahes into orbit.

But there was no way he could lie to himself about the change in her demeanor. Ever since she had arrived on Nova Aurora, she had been longing for something familiar that provided her with great solace. He hadn't been able to give her that, but Bruce had. The chance to tell others what she was back on her planet.

None of that sat well with the king, but he let them have their celebrations. He was tempted to slam his fist against the table and prohibit her from performing, demanding that she make him the sole focus of her very existence. That had, after all, been the entire agreement, hadn’t it? A week was nothing in Nova Auroran time. With her having to practice for the concert and then the concert itself, they were going to have next to no time together.

It stung his heart like tiny pinpricks of a needle. But through it all, he said nothing, merely sitting there and forcing a fake smile whenever Addie looked back at him for reassurance.

“That all sounds so amazing, Addie,” he said, still playing with his food. “I’m sure everyone is going to love you.”

What he wanted to say was that no one could really love her like he could. Was his undying dedication not enough for her? His vast wealth? His skillful mastery in the bedroom? Why did she even need to sing and make music when she was guaranteed to have all of that? The king’s mind was a hurricane of thought. He finished off his dinner and excused himself to bed early. When Addie kissed him goodnight, he pulled her in close, aggressively pinning her waist.

She gasped just before he caught her breath in his mouth. The kiss made her dizzy. He could see it in her eyes.

“Why don’t you come to bed? I want to see what’s under that dress,” he growled.

Addie giggled, then peeled herself from him. The needles pressed harder into his plush core.

“Bruce and I have to talk a bit more about the show. I’m sure you understand. Two days isn’t very far away."

He lied, saying that he did, then let her go back to the lounge. When she crawled into bed later that night, he considered pulling her close and using sex to make her change her mind. But that wouldn’t be genuine.

So he pretended to sleep. And sleep never came. He tried to tell himself that maybe, just maybe, her performing on his planet was going to seal the deal with her staying. If she could receive the same amount of adoration she got back on Earth, she had all the more reason to be with him.

He tried to sleep again, but soon, he blinked at the sight of the double suns.

SEVENTEEN

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