Page 19 of Mated to the Crown

I wake in the middle of the night, a warm feeling wrapping around me until I felt the electricity of Malik. I gasp, looking around the room but he wasn’t there. Laying back down I feel my core clenching, need within me rising until an uncomfortable feeling. I needed him so badly.

I reach for the thread of our bond, trying to feel for him. I felt something but it was different than just his emotions. It was something more tangible.

Malik?

I get no response in words but a feeling. It trickles through the bond, heating up my body like his touch does. I whimper, slapping my hand over my mouth. I can’t be horny in this place!

I try to focus again and soon feel more of him, his pleasure running across my skin.

I can’t help it anymore and I slip my fingers into my panties.

I slide them lower, already feeling how much I want him.

This is so fucked. He’s not even here, I’m at his Uncle’s place, but I can’t stop.

I shut my eyes, imagining him above me. My fingers circle on my clit, pulling my wetness up and around.

I use my other hand to cover my mouth as I chase the feeling.

Fuck, I need you Malik.

I groan, pulling the pillow over my head and holding it to muffle my noises. My fingers speed up and I feel a rush of pleasure through the bond.

I fucking want you so bad, Princess.

His voice fills my ears, causing me to bite the pillow. Every nerve ending in my body wants him. Every single fiber of my being wishes he was here with me right now.

Are you safe?

The concern in his voice urges me to move my fingers quicker.

You better show me how much you miss me.

I focus on the thread, trying to pull more of his emotions toward me.

I imagine him pressing against me, his hard cock rubbing just where I want him.

I move my hand down, pinching my nipples.

I arch my back, I don’t know how much he can feel but I hope he feels this.

This charge of electricity through us sends me over the edge.

I move my hand from my nipple up to the pillow, clutching it tight against my face to muffle any noises as I crash.

Malik.

As soon as my orgasm subsides a sense of sadness fills me.

Tomorrow.

I close my eyes, willing the thread to slip from my fingers once more. He doesn’t need to know how upset I am that he is gone. He doesn’t need to know how worried I am about him. He sure as shit doesn’t need to know that I am believing the bond more with each passing moment.

I push everything away, burying it deep and letting out a breath before rolling onto my side and slipping into an uncomfortable sleep. I toss and turn and wake up the next morning feeling worse than the day before.

The light filters in through the window and I can hear voices outside my door. I get up, throwing the covers off and remembering what I did the night before. I blush and head into the adjacent bathroom, cleaning up as much as I can before going to the kitchen.

“Hey. How did you sleep?” Daisy smiles at me. She wears a large, flowy dress that seems to drape around her perfectly. I give her a shrug before taking the coffee she hands me.

“Like shit. Thank you again for letting me stay. I should head back.” I whisper the last part, avoiding her look. Nicholas walks into the room and clears his throat.

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you. I got word from the palace. Sandra is marrying him today so we need to act fast.”

The cup falls from my hand, splashing on the floor and cracking. I stand there, frozen. Marrying? Marrying him to who? Panic floods me and I don’t even realize what I just did until Daisy grabs paper towels and rushes to my feet.

“Oh.. I’m so sorry Daisy. Let me clean it up.” I whisper, leaning down to help on autopilot.

“I’m sorry Celeste. There is a lot more at work here than just the mate bond.” Nicholas talks quietly, placing his hand on my shoulder.

“I’m sorry. I know it isn’t you.” I turn and look at him. He isn’t much older than us but the wrinkles at the edges of his eyes and tan spots on his face show while this close to him. I meet his gaze and try to focus. “I know the palace better than anyone. I can get in and show them the bond.”

“Show them?” Nicholas asks, tilting his head slightly.

I pull the t-shirt sleeve up, revealing the tattoo. Daisy gasps and rushes over, running her fingertips over the skin. I look up at Nicholas and his jaw is set.

“Will that do?” I whisper.

“I have only ever read about tattoo bonds.” Daisy giggles, slapping Nicholas’ chest. “Help her.”

“I need time to plan.” He grumbles and I shake my head.

“No. I got this. I know the palace. My sister will help. Thank you. I need to find my mate.” The first time I said it out loud. Mine. He was mine. Nicholas looks at me for a moment before nodding.

“Let me figure out how to get you there at least. It will take a while for you to walk. I can use the truck in the back.” He looks at Daisy, kissing her cheek before heading out a back door. I look at Daisy, a mixture of emotions filling me.

“Don’t worry. His mother is terrible, but he chose you. That should give you some comfort.” She grabs my shoulders, giving me a little squeeze. “You got this. Go get your mate.”

I reach out and hug her, holding the moment for a little longer than it needed to be but feeling her hug is like hugging my sister.

I pull away and head out the back door she leads me to and find Nicholas starting up an older truck.

It sputters to life and I make a face. I hope it makes it up to the palace.

I climb in the passenger seat and give Daisy a little wave before the old truck putts out of the parking space and through the Valley. I need to think. I need a plan.

Nicholas stays quiet. I steal a look at him and he reminds me of Charlotte.

His jaw is set, his face neutral but strong.

He clearly has his own thoughts occupying him so I stay quiet.

I look out the window, what was I going to do?

I could find Lyra. She might have some news that nobody else does. Maybe she knows more about the wedding.

Wedding.

I grumble to myself, feeling a tug on the thread. I push the feeling away, the less he knows the better. He will probably tell me to leave and that he has it under control.

I can sneak into the wedding. Or maybe just barge in. I don’t even know who he is marrying or why. Then I remember the conversation Nicholas had with Daisy.

“Why is he getting married?” I ask quietly.

Nicholas lets out a sigh through his nose, his nostrils flaring.

“She wants him to take over the throne.” He finally speaks. His voice low and agitated.

“What would marrying do? I still don’t understand all of this.”

“He is a shifter. Shifters get first rights to the throne. If he marries that puts him up for first dibs. If Isla can’t run the show anymore, he will take it over. Sandra probably has a plan to make her disappear.” His lack of emotion confuses me. Would he mind Isla gone?

“You think she would do that? And what about what he wants?” I gasp.

He gives a shrug and a little chuckle.

“You get told to do a lot of things in the family you don’t necessarily want to do.

That was a big reason I left. I got tired of the bullshit.

This person says you have to do this, this person says you have to be here at this time.

Everything was planned. I couldn’t even take a walk without messing up my busy schedule.

I hated it. Malik is very much like me in that aspect.

He hates being told what to do and when to do it.

” He looks over at me for a half a second before focusing back on the road again. “You are a good match for him.”

“Do you really think so?” I whisper, the self doubt still trying to take hold.

“Oh yeah. He needs someone just like you. Someone not in the family. Someone not used to all of that so he doesn’t have expectations.

He just wants to be and you give that sense that you want that too.

He can be an ass sometimes though, so just give him a little bit of a break.

” He nudges me with his elbow and I smile at him.

“I’ll try.”

We pull over by the stables, the garages from earlier pass us before he comes to a stop. I hesitate getting out, my plan is still all a mess. I need to find my sister first and foremost. I hope she is in the stables. Nicholas reaches over and gives my hand a pat.

“I need to take care of a few things but I’m planning on crashing the wedding. Meet me at the chapel in an hour?” Holy shit. We really are doing this.

“Deal. See you then.” I smile and hop out, headed to the stables.

A new determination fills me knowing that Nicholas has my back.

I open the bond, reaching out for Malik.

Immediately a surge fills the bond and I gasp, holding against the stable as I work through the emotions.

Fuck, this was a lot. Anger, fury, worry, concern.

I try to breathe through the emotions, pushing them away until finally the only one left was worry.

I’m coming.

I send, hoping he hears me. I make my way through the stables, looking up at our favorite spot in the hayloft.

“Lyra?” I yell and soon her head pops out from the ladder. A huge smile crosses her face before she frowns.

“Finally, my Goddess, took you forever. Get up here, we have a lot to talk about.” She disappears back in the hay loft and I climb the ladder hesitantly.

The smell of hay sends a comforting feeling over me as I climb the shoddy ladder.

We really should replace this thing since we are the only ones who use it.

Finally I get up and look around as Josh and Kacie sit beside Lyra.

I sit down on a hay bale and cross my arms.

“What is this a fucking intervention?” I shoot at her but she just shakes her head.

“So, Malik. He is getting married in an hour.” She says calmly. I feel my face go bright red and look at my hands.

“There is a lot to unpack there, but we are a thing.” I look up at her and she smiles.

“I know. I can see it all over your face. You are in love. So let’s crash this fucking wedding!” She shouts, standing up. Josh laughs beside me, standing up and pulling me into a hug.

“I’m still pissed he picked you over me but I guess I can help out.” He whispers in my ear and I hug him back. I pull away and look at the three of them.

“Are you sure you want to help me with this?” I whisper. Lyra walks over to me, taking my hand in hers and nods.

“We got you. Now, let’s go get some outfits so we fit in. Once we get there Josh, Kacie and I can open the door and let you in. Then you go get your man.” Lyra squeals.

I can’t help but laugh. A few days ago this would seem like a ridiculous fantasy but now I know deep in my gut, he is the one for me.