Page 9 of Mated to the Crown

I watch as she walks away, enjoying the sway of her hips and the swell of her ass.

I should run after her, pull her back to my chest and hold her tight.

I should tell her that she needs to come with me and not be alone.

I should do a lot of things, but I let her walk away.

In the morning she would be back to me again.

I make my way back to the palace, ignoring the looks I receive as to why I am out so late.

Walking through the halls a new feeling emerges.

One of hope. I’m not a big spiritual guy, but just maybe the Goddess wanted me to see something different.

Maybe she was sick of the Royal families and wanted to switch things up.

Maybe we were closer to the same page than I thought.

I turn toward my door and see Morgan standing outside.

“Your Highness. Are you well?” He questions before taking a step toward me.

“Of course.” I laugh. “Go get some sleep, I am fine.” He gives me a look before nodding and walking off to his own room. I open the door to my room and grumble when I see a half naked woman laying on my bed. “Get out.”

She stands, walking toward me before pulling her shirt off over her head.

She is brunette, skinny and wearing a thong and a black bra.

Normally I would be all over her, enjoying myself.

But tonight, and many nights since my dreams of my mate, the thought of touching someone else makes me sick to my stomach.

“Your Highness. You need something to relax. I can assist.” She flutters her big eyelashes at me, her plump red lips leaning toward me. I grab her throat, squeezing it as I push her face from mine.

“Get out. Now.” I push her away and she stumbles, shock apparent on her face. She grabs her things and scampers out the door. I follow after her, shouting. “And tell Delany to contact me at once!”

Ridiculous. I slam the door shut behind me, not caring about anyone else it might disturb.

I slump onto my bed, trying to process the day.

It had gone from routine to such a big fuck up and all I wanted was Celeste here.

I couldn’t believe how much it affected me.

I lean back on my bed, closing my eyes and thinking about her kiss.

It sparked something. I didn’t care that she wasn’t a Royal, I was almost relieved she wasn’t.

It opened up to any expectations, letting us just be.

Be what? The voice inside taunted me. We aren’t anything yet.

You haven’t even told her she is our mate.

I closed my eyes, trying to contain the beast inside.

It didn’t matter if she didn’t know yet, she would know eventually.

I push up off the bed and make my way to the bathroom. A cool shower should help.

I strip off, throwing on the water in the shower.

The bathroom was large, a glass shower taking up most of one corner.

It had multiple shower heads, making a rain-like sensation when inside.

The floors heated so when you stepped out it was warm.

There was a large tub across from the shower, reminiscent of a claw foot tub but big enough to fit two people.

I walk over to the sink, a large mirror hanging above it.

I look up at my reflection, disgusted with myself.

I am over exhausted, small bags trying to form under my eyes.

The blue of them is stronger than I would like to admit, knowing my beast is angry deep within.

I look down at my body and realize something is different on my arm.

I turn and trace the line on my right arm.

The top of my shoulder has a few faint lines, a dark blue emerging from somewhere.

It looked half finished, a tattoo without completion.

What in the world? I had heard of mate bonds and mate marks, but not half finished marks.

Usually it only completed when the mates consummated. Maybe it was because we kissed?

I will have to look into it tomorrow. We could research together during reading and education. A smile returned to my lips, little did she know we would be diving into some completely unusual stuff. Nothing my mother would approve of at least.

I step into the shower and let the water rinse my emotions away. I quickly wash and climb into bed. As I drift off all I can see is Celeste’s sweet face.

◆◆◆

A knock sounded, pulling me from my sleep. Grogginess fills my brain and I roll over, snatching up the watch on my side table.

6am? What the fuck?

I push up, the sheets falling around me as I walk over to the door. I whip it open, assuming that it is Morgan or maybe Delany responding to my threat. To my surprise, it is Celeste.

She stands there in a pale green dress. Her hair is pulled back into a loose braid, small pieces of hair falling in front of her ears. Her eyes are wide, her eyebrows raised as her eyes trail down my body and shoot back up to my gaze.

“See something you like, Princess?” I smirk, taking a step back and motioning for her to walk in.

She scoffs but comes in anyway, arms full of sheets and towels.

“I didn’t realize they had you coming so early. I will have to talk to Jeffries about it.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. That was what they had told me. I can just leave them at the door if that is better?” She speaks quietly and I frown, wondering why she is being so timid.

“Don’t call me that. It’s weird. Call me Malik.” I lean against the door, watching her as her cheeks blush again. I realize all I am in is my boxers and look down my body. “Should I put something on?” I wink at her.

Her scoff fills the room as she walks to the bathroom to refill the towels.

It was Monday, I had back to back meetings most of the morning, but had managed to throw them to my cousin claiming it was more important that he is involved than myself.

I disappear into the closet, looking around at the clothes.

What I want to do is throw some jeans on and relax with Celeste, but I need to stay focused.

She was to bring my meals up, study and read with me after lunch and anything else I could think of to keep her near me.

I hear her soft shoes as she steps into the closet door, a gasp as she looks around.

She probably thinks I’m a pompous ass. It was huge, probably as big as her room.

Half of it was lined with shelves filled to the brim with shoes, socks, whatever you could think of.

One small section was filled with watches, cufflinks and ties.

Across from that was the clothes hanging, fresh pressed pants and button up shirts.

I pull on the black pants and look back at her.

“Can I help you?” The way her eyes shift from the closet to me makes me laugh. If only she could see how she looks. “That fantasy could include a closet filled with your clothes too.”

“What?” She snaps. “I’ll be back at 7.” She quickly adds and turns before leaving.

Such a spitfire.

I couldn’t wait to spend the day with her. I finish getting dressed, pulling on my traditional outfit and walk out of my room in search of Morgan. I find him talking with Jeffries before they both turn to me.

“Good morning, Sir. Did Ms Celeste appear on time?” Jeffries has his notebook open like always, ready to write down notes as he looks to me for an answer.

“Yes, she was great. I look forward to having her as my servant. Morgan, what do we have on the plate today? Has the new schedule been put into place?” Morgan nods, motioning for me to walk with him.

“You are to receive breakfast in-” He looks down at his watch.

“40 minutes. You have a meeting with Queen Isla after that. A memorial committee will be set up today for Queen Charlotte’s funeral.

That will be a come and go meeting, you will need to stop in a few times over the day to make sure everything is progressing well.

You are responsible for making sure all of the notes are collected and organized for the funeral. ”

“Why did I get stuck with that job?” I grumble.

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure. Maybe Queen Isla decided?”

I stop and turn, looking at Morgan. We had been together for so long he knew what I was going to say before I said it.

“You are right. I will look into it. Would you prefer to be hands off?” He tilts his head slightly.

“Yes. I have more urgent matters.” I keep my tone neutral, not wanting to give away too much.

“Understood.” He nods.

“Anything else?” I ask.

He looks around the room quickly before hinting at me to head out to the balcony. Interesting. He didn’t want anyone else to hear.

I walk outside, surprised at the cool weather. Spring was so funny in that way. Sometimes it would be warm and beautiful in the afternoon but the mornings and nights were cold.

“There is some talk. Someone saw you with a servant last night.” He speaks in a hushed tone.

My steps falter and I turn around, searching his face for any sign of deceit. I know better though. His older face shows nothing. I hadn’t noticed before but he was getting more wrinkles the longer he was my butler. I needed to give him a vacation. Have him take his wife to the ocean or something.

“What are they saying?” I tilt my head slightly, wondering who could even have seen us last night.

“Just that you were with a servant. Nothing else. I have Jeffries shutting down the drama.” He takes a step forward. “Are you with a servant?”

“I don’t know if I would call it with. I am interested in one, yes. Why is that causing drama? Have you seen what Arthur or even fucking Henry have done?”

Morgan stays neutral and I know he knows what I am talking about but he dips his head slightly.

“I didn’t mean to intrude.” He mutters.

“I know. I’m sorry, Morgan. Can you try to keep wraps on it? Technically it’s an innocent fling. Nothing is set in stone or available for public knowledge. Just have Jeffries keep it under wraps.” I wave my hand, dismissing it.

“Of course.”

I turn back to look at the garden, remembering the day before with Celeste.

“Morgan? What would happen if I left?” I speak quietly.

“What do you mean? Left for a trip?” He stops.

“No, like left entirely.” I say quietly.

He doesn’t speak right away, but I could tell he was thinking.

“Honestly?” He finally speaks.

“Yes, the truth.” I turn and look at him. I can see the confliction on his face.

“You are lower in succession than Queen Ilsa’s children.

The likelihood of you taking over the throne is small.

If you wanted to disappear, you probably could.

” He spoke matter of factly and honestly, he was probably right.

Even though my Mother wanted me on the throne, there were so many other people who I had to get through to be there.

I didn’t even know if I wanted the throne.

“Thank you Morgan, for your honesty. I will see you after breakfast?” A small smile appeared on his face and he disappeared back inside. Thoughts mulled in my brain, but when I look at my watch and see it’s almost 7 a smile spreads on my face. Time to see Celeste.

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread on my face as I walk back to my room. I was in my own head when I heard the familiar clicking of heels running up behind me. The last person I wanted to see.

“Excuse me! Your Highness!” The shrill voice of Delany sounded behind me. She ran the concubines. She was the one in charge of finding out how to keep the Royal family from sleeping around with the public.

“What do you want?” I grumble, turning around to face her.

The amount of work she has done to her face always astonishes me. Her lips are too plump, always a bright red lipstick covering them. She has little to no wrinkles covering her face. Her lashes are huge, almost a laughable offense. Her makeup is always on point, no matter what time of day.

“I wanted to talk to you! What is going on lately? Have your needs changed?” She looks down at her clipboard, flipping the paper up and down.

“I don’t want anymore. Stop sending them to me.” My voice lowers and I have to clench my hands to keep myself in check.

“But, what happened? That one girl is gone.” She laughs, throwing her hands up like it was no big deal.

“No. More. Delany.”

She pouts her lip, not used to being told no. She is used to fulfilling fantasies, planning on ways to make it so she was entwined with every Royal so she would be irreplaceable.

“Oh. Okay.” Her voice drops and she looks down at her clipboard, writing down some notes before stepping past me.