Page 45

RUAROK

The day of the coronation dawns brightly. Though it’s early, people are already filling the streets, waving their flags with the dragonfly emblem and cheering Taelyn’s name.

We’re still in bed, hiding away from the chaos for just a little longer.

My chest swells with pride. I’m still finding it hard to understand how I’ve gone from living out the rest of my existence in a cage to marrying this incredible woman.

I’m happy for the first time in my life.

I’d never realized before just how unhappy I’d been—I’d simply thought it was who I was—but Taelyn has changed all that.

I’m proud to stand by her side, to know we love each other, and one day we’ll have a family of our own.

I wonder if our son or daughter will look like me or Taelyn, but then I decide it doesn’t matter.

I will love our child no matter what. I’ll never treat our child the way my father treated me, to fill them with a life of shame.

I’ll help to raise them to be a great leader—the kind all our subjects will be proud of, too.

I pull her into my arms and nuzzle her neck. “Your people are calling for you.”

“ Our people,” she says. “They’ll just have to wait.”

“Is that right?”

I slip my hand between her thighs, to that hot, wet place that always seems to be ready for me.

We’re always so hungry for each other, like we can never get enough.

My cock is already hard, and I flip her onto her back and hold myself above her on my elbows.

She’s so beautiful like this, barely awake, her hair a mess, her wings crushed behind her, still creased from sleep.

I stroke her cheek and kiss her mouth and angle myself between her thighs.

My cock finds its way home, and I slide deep.

Nowhere feels like home like being inside her does.

I could happily spend my days with her naked in my bed, her pussy wrapped around my cock, my lips and tongue and hands tracing every inch of her skin.

“Taste me,” she says and throws a beat of sexual energy out at me.

But I shake my head. “Not today. Today you’re going to need all your energy.”

She pouts, and I love her for it. “But I like it.”

I chuckle and push myself deeper. “I like it, too. After the ceremony, but not before.”

I think of what she told me about not being a full-blooded Fae, and I wonder if that’s why she’s so strong with me.

The sort of sex we have would have left any other woman drained for days, but Taelyn barely seems to notice it.

I’m fully satisfied with her, too. I never get the urge to feed from anyone else. She’s all I could ever want .

We make love slowly and sensually, holding each other tight. I read her body so well now that I’m able to wait until the exact moment before she climaxes before I allow my own release to take hold.

We collapse, our skin pressed together, our lips finding each other, until our heartrates slow.

A banging comes at the door. “Princess Taelyn? You really should be getting ready now. You’re to be crowned in less than an hour.”

It’s Skylar. I can hear the anxiety in her tone.

“She’s probably right,” I say to Taelyn.

She sighs. “I’d rather stay in bed, with you.”

“There will be plenty of time for that later. Your people are expecting you.”

“Fine,” she says, throwing off the covers and standing, completely naked. “But you promise you won’t leave my side for a second.”

I drink in how utterly incredible she looks.

“Not for a second,” I promise.

An hour later, I’m standing beside the thrones in the Great Hall.

The castle has been opened to allow as many of Askos’s residents in to witness the coronation. Most of them won’t be able to see a thing, but it’s the experience we’re gifting them, something they can tell stories about to their families for generations to come.

Skylar is beside the bigger throne—the one where the king used to sit—and I’m at the one beside it. I have Balthorne next to me. We’re waiting for Taelyn to make her entry.

I lower my voice as I address Balthorne. “This must be difficult for you.”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Seeing me with the princess when you’re clearly in love with her.”

He breaks out into surprised laughter. “Where did you get that idea?”

“I see how you look at her. You love her.”

“As my queen, yes, and as a woman I’ve known most of my life, but not in any other way.”

I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t believe you.”

“You should. I’m in love with her lady’s maid, Skylar. I have been for years.”

I never saw that coming. I feel like a fool. Maybe I’ll always be one when it comes to Taelyn.

Music strikes up, an orchestra in the back of the Great Hall, and Taelyn makes her entrance. She’s in a long silver gown, much like the one she was wearing the first night I saw her, all those years ago, only this one is far grander. There is only one thing missing.

She reaches the front of the hall, and I offer my hand to help her up. She comes to stand at the front of the larger of the thrones and throws her arms open to her people.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming today. I am so honored you are making me your queen. I will work every day to ensure your lives are filled with joy and your futures are certain.”

She turns to me and gives me a small nod and a smile, telling me it’s time .

I take the crown from where it sits on a crimson cushion and place it on her head.

“Queen Taelyn Loftborn,” I announce. “First of her name and ruler of the kingdom of Askos.” I lean in closer and murmur against her ear. “And my love.”

And the crowd erupts in cheers.