Page 50 of Bite The Power That Feeds

“The crown wouldn’t pass to Viper?”

“Viper is the general of Grayson—and he’ll serve you as he served me.”

I’d been excited about the wedding, becoming something more than just his prey, his woman. But now, I was about to inherit an abundance of responsibilities. “You really think I’m the right person for this—”

“Absolutely. I trust you with my life. And I trust you with the lives of my people.”

I was touched by it all. The fact that he wanted to marry me after his last marriage was an utter sham…and he trusted me with the well-being of his people, the people he put above himself, always. “Thank you.”

He turned his head slightly and pressed his lips to my forehead. His fingers moved into my hair deeper as he squeezed me to him. Warmth emitted from his body, a temperature I couldn’t feel, but a depth I could sense. It was still and quiet like a spring morning, golden like daylight. It wasn’t passionate like crackling flames in an inferno, but gentle like red embers in a fire snuffed out. Like the last piece of a puzzle falling into place, he felt complete.

It was far more powerful than the words he didn’t say.

“I wish you could feel what I feel…” I wished he could feel the way I loved him, the way I felt him love me.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I can see it.”

* * *

He packed his bag again and prepared to depart, fully dressed in his armor as if he anticipated trouble along the way. Fang was hooked around his shoulders since he’d join him for the journey.

I was disappointed, but I knew I couldn’t hog Fang all the time.

I walked with Kingsnake to the front of the palace, one of his men taking his pack and carrying it down to the stables to secure it to his horse.

The look Kingsnake gave me…it was like he was saying goodbye forever.

I wanted him to stay, but I didn’t dare ask. I wanted to join him, but I didn’t ask that either.

That searing heat emanated from him, like he wanted to lock his arms around my body and never let go. He possessed me with just his stare, bound me to him forever without a ring. He moved into me, one hand sliding into my hair as his arm tightened across my back. He tugged me close and kissed me, suffocating my mouth with his desperate desire. It was scorching, his mouth kindling my lips until a fire consumed us both.

Then he abruptly pulled away, and it felt like a winter wind had struck my face. He took the stairs to the bottom without looking back, his cape blowing in the breeze behind him, his massive shoulders supporting the plates of his armor, Fang’s scales iridescent despite the cloud cover. He made it to the bottom and disappeared.

I continued to stare, even though I knew he wouldn’t return.

* * *

The seamstress showed me the different fabrics that I could choose from. Ivory, eggshell, lace, everything elegant and delicate. Any of them would be suitable, but I didn’t care for a single one. “Do you have anything in black?”

“For a wedding dress?” the seamstress asked in surprise. “The bride always wears white.”

“Because she’s a virgin, and I’m definitely not,” I said. “Most brides aren’t, actually.” It was an archaic tradition, especially considering I wasn’t even alive anymore and wouldn’t be welcomed by the gods once I was killed.

She blinked several times before she gathered the fabrics and left. “Let me see what I can find.”

As I sat there alone, I wanted to talk to Fang, the companion I’d always had at my side when Kingsnake was gone. But I didn’t have him, not this time. It was a lonely experience, and even though Kingsnake had only been gone for a day, it felt like forever.

The seamstress returned with different fabrics for me to choose from.

I held the first in my hand. “This is perfect.” It was silky and shiny, without lace, something simple and elegant. “Let’s use this.”

She still looked at me like I was tasteless, but she did as I asked. “What kind of style were you thinking?”

“Simple. Just two straps. Tight on the waist. A gown that trails to the floor.”

“Let me take your measurements.”

I stood in my underwear while she placed the tape measure over my body, getting the inches of my bust, hips, and waistline. When she was finished, she jotted down her notes in her notebook. “I’ll have it for you in a couple days.”