Page 16 of Royal Mate

16

A ddan

The room stilled the moment Paige entered. I felt her presence before I saw her. My skin prickled, my heart soared, and my cock throbbed. The last wasn’t a good thing in a roomful of people.

I’d been standing near the far wall, watching General Niemini quietly exchange words with one of the guards stationed at the double doors. The other guests, all allies and close friends of Paige’s long dead parents, were scattered in small clusters around the receiving room. Because they’d been gone for over twenty-five years, the crowd was older. They remembered life on Insuri under the old queen and saw every change since.

I’d been young, a new arrival at the military academy, so I only remembered some of the old ways. Even so, I was more than eager to see Queen Alienor dethroned. And the spoiled Prince Martainn… he could be transported to some far-off trading post. Permanently.

While I had thoughts that could have me executed, others sipped sparkling drinks from the trays of gliding silver service bots, their polite chatter just loud enough to mask the tension crackling in the air.

Yes, everyone felt it. They might be excited by Paige’s sudden return, but their cocks didn’t get hard for her like mine did. They better fucking not.

When Niemini returned from summoning the allies, I spoke to him at length. The initial reaction to the news that the Princess was still alive was shocked disbelief when they learned the news. Then joy. Then…unease. Whispered questions prevailed.

What would Queen Alienor’s reaction be?

Her son’s?

Would these people be forced to choose sides, or would Paige assume the throne without resistance?

No one knew.

While I sensed Paige’s entrance, I had to look twice. A female I barely recognized descended the spiral staircase like a vision from the stories my mother used to tell of our world’s greatest queens. Like a goddess.

Paige.

Or, rather, Princess Paige. No. Tonight even that wasn’t right. Tonight she was Princess Edelene Merrienne Peigi, heir to the throne, future queen of Insuri.

Not. Mine.

Except my cock spurted pre-cum at the sight of her, knowing what was beneath. How her calm demeanor hid the insatiable appetite for orgasms that only I could give her.

Fuck, I was in trouble here.

She stood at the top of the staircase for the briefest of moments, and it was as though the air itself paused to take her in. Silence fell.

This was the moment everyone had wanted for decades. Hoped for, but never expected.

Finally, the day had arrived. She had arrived.

Her dark blue gown shimmered, the gold overlays sparkling like moonlight scattered across rippling water, the rich blue bodice snug against her perfect figure. Her crown of braids glinted with golden threads and jewels, catching the glow of the crystal chandeliers overhead as if she already wore the crown. She was… magnificent.

No, she wasn’t just magnificent. She was radiant. She didn’t have the crown of a queen upon her head—she was a queen. The queen.

And I was struck dumb.

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything except watch as she descended, each step slow and deliberate. It was as though she’d been born to command this room, and every person in it.

For a moment, she looked my way. Her gaze swept over the crowd below, and something in her expression shifted when her eyes met mine. Or perhaps it was my imagination, desperate as I was to find meaning in her smallest glance.

I didn’t know what it meant. It wasn’t lust. I knew what she looked like in the throes of arousal. I knew what she looked like angry. Sad. Frustrated.

This? It was new to me as well, and I felt I knew her the best of anyone on the planet.

The sound of a clearing throat snapped me back to reality. General Niemini stepped forward, bowing deeply as Paige reached the last step and came to stand at its base. “Princess,” he said, his voice steady and strong. “May I present your mother’s loyal allies.”

The guests throughout the room bowed one by one as their names were called, a litany of lords, ladies, and council members who had come to pledge their support—or at least their hope—in her cause.

They couldn’t help but stare a little too long, as if she wasn’t real and had to take an extra moment to confirm it really was the long-lost princess.

I didn’t blame them. I couldn’t look away from her either.

Every smile she gave, every polite nod, every soft “Thank you for coming,” sent a fresh pang through my chest. I knew what she was doing—she was performing, playing the role she’d been thrust into. I had to wonder about the lessons my sisters had bestowed upon her since I saw her last. Because of this, she did it so effortlessly that I felt a swell of pride, followed swiftly by something far more dangerous.

She should be mine.

My fists clenched at my sides.

I should be her Resonant. Surely the burning in my gut, the need to touch her, protect her, fight for her, fuck her until she stopped thinking and fell asleep in my arms…surely that all meant something.

Cock buried balls deep, I’d demanded the truth from her last night, asked if she intended to claim me.

Again, I’d been denied. My heart twisted to a black, charred mass in my chest. Seeing her like this, with the wealthiest, most powerful leaders on the planet bowing and fighting for her attention, I realized the truth. She was so far out of my reach now that it hurt to breathe.

Everyone would want a piece of her until there was nothing left to give to me.

I shifted uncomfortably, hyper aware of the blue of my uniform. The color marked me as a soldier of the transport station, nothing more. I may have been a high ranking general, but I was the lowliest plebe in comparison to others in this room. To others she would now be surrounded by.

I didn’t wear the deep black of my family. I did not wear a color that would match her gown perfectly, make it clear that I belonged at her side. No, I was the only one in the room wearing military blue. I should have listened to Catriona and worn black as my mother and father did. Instead, I’d chosen military dress, not noble. The contrast only made me feel more isolated. More out of place.

I was a soldier, not a royal.

Not her Resonant.

Nothing.

“Princess,” Lord Lorient’s voice carried through the room as he and his wife, Lady Iressa, approached. “You look just as your mother did the first time she addressed the council.”

Paige smiled, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. I doubted anyone else noticed it, but I knew her well enough to see the cracks beneath her polished exterior.

“Thank you, Uncle,” she said softly. Of course she remembered the name, realized who this man was to her.

“You look like your mother, but I see your father’s spirit in you,” Lord Lorient added, his tone warming. “He was a great leader—strong, fair, and wise beyond his years. He was the youngest ambassador ever chosen. And you, Princess, carry that same strength. Combined with your mother’s spirit and ruling prowess, you will be formidable. It is an honor to stand by your side.”

Paige’s lips parted, as though she meant to say something, but all that came out was a quiet, “Thank you.”

“Your mother and I were dear friends, Princess. I loved her.” Lady Iressa stepped forward, taking Paige’s hands in her own. “I want you to know that. I loved her. Loved your father, too. You are not alone, my dear. Not now, and not ever.”

I expected Paige to falter, reveal her emotions, perhaps even shed a few tears. She did not. She lifted her chin, and for a moment, I saw not the confused female I’d brought into my family’s home, but the queen she was destined to be.

“Your support means more than you can imagine,” she replied. “I say this to all of you.” Her gaze swept across the room. “I know this is an unexpected and difficult time for all of us, but together, I believe we can build a better future for Insuri. A future that honors my mother’s legacy—and my father’s strength.”

Pride swelled in my chest, pushing back the ache. She was remarkable. A force unlike any I’d ever known. Perhaps a force too powerful and perfect to belong to a simple soldier like me.

She didn’t know from experience how Queen Alienor ruled. She had no traditions or understanding of Insuri culture and how the past two-plus decades had changed all of that. What she did assume–with strong validation–that the queen was most likely the one to orchestrate her parents’ murders and the coup to take over their rightful roles.

This gave Paige motivation to transform, to become someone other than the woman who suffered profound loss, not only of her parents, but of her planet. The poor, struggling young female living alone on Earth, unaware of who she was, until now.

“Indeed,” a new voice said, smooth and sly. Lady Kaelthra of the Zyr Council stepped forward with cautious steps, aided by a gold cane, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders in intricate waves. She wore a deep crimson gown that matched the striking red jewels embedded in her cuffs and collar. She was nearing a hundred years old, but her mind, and her tongue, were as sharp as ever. Her gaze lingered on Paige before shifting to General Niemini and my mother. “A bold vision, Princess. Though some might say boldness requires more than words. I hope you are not relying too heavily on others to see it realized.”

The room tensed.

Lady Kaelthra smiled at Paige, the expression sharp as a blade. “Of course, the general’s and his wife’s loyalties are commendable, but loyalty does not always translate to influence. I trust, as we are being asked to participate and support your claim to the throne, you understand the complexities of the game, Princess.”

What was this old fucking bitch trying to do? Intimidate Paige? Scare her? I reached for the weapon strapped to my side, relieved when my palm curled around the hilt. I couldn’t shoot the old ass, no matter how badly I might want to. I would protect Paige even from verbal attacks.

Paige stood quietly for a moment and held Lady Kaelthra’s gaze. The Princess didn’t flinch. “I understand that loyalty is a foundation upon which all strength is built.”

Lady Kaelthra’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “A fine answer.”

I wanted to throttle her.

She stepped back with a graceful bow, but her words lingered in the air like smoke, leaving us all to inhale her doubts and criticism long after she’d finished speaking.

I was so focused on her that I almost didn’t hear the commotion at the door.

The sharp click of boots on marble caught my attention first, followed by the hiss of the heavy doors opening. I turned, the clawing in my gut the only warning I had before the young, handsome male marched into the room as if this were his home.

Fuck.

Prince Martainn.

Not just him, but a contingent of guards dressed in the queen’s blue walked with him. He needed eight fully armed guards? For a dinner party? Perhaps this asshole wasn’t as stupid as I’d believed. Or their presence was a deliberate show of power.

Or a threat. He strode to the front of the room as though he owned it, his golden sash glittering over a pristine white uniform.

I hated him. Plain and simple. Not only because he avoided work and responsibility like a child would, but because he was betrothed to the princess. My Paige.

My mother stepped forward to greet him. “Prince Martainn. Welcome to our home.”

“Forgive the intrusion, Lady Fiona,” he said, his voice smooth as silk but loud enough to silence the murmurs around him. “I wasn’t aware you were hosting a formal gathering to welcome the Princess. I guess the royal couriers must have lost my invitation.”

Mother didn’t flinch at the passive aggressiveness of his words. “Of course. You are always welcome in our home.”

Wasn’t aware? My teeth clenched. Liar. He knew exactly what was happening. He was also dangerously close to accusing my mother of treason.

More importantly, how had he found out about Paige? How did he know exactly when to appear and take notice of who was in the room, and who was not?

Martainn’s gaze swept the room, cataloguing and then dismissing everyone as inconsequential until it landed on Paige. The smug curve of his lips deepened. And his gaze darkened.

My fists clenched even tighter.

“Princess Paige,” he said. “My betrothed. What a surprise to discover you are alive and well. I am honored to meet you. However, I am curious as to why my mother and I did not have the opportunity to greet you at the palace.”

Paige’s mask didn’t falter. I had to admit, the man was attractive. Females would easily be satisfied by looking upon him. Even Paige should be pleased with the appearance of the male her mother had betrothed her to.

“Prince Martainn,” she said, inclining her head. “I’m afraid that was my fault. I took advantage of Lady Fiona’s hospitality and asked for a few days of quiet to adjust to my new life. I’ve never transported across the galaxy before, and it was quite tiring. This is all so new to me, I suffered a shock when I arrived.”

The lie slid effortlessly from her lips, but I caught the briefest glance she shot my way. It was so fleeting I almost missed it, but it was there—a spark of something. A message? A warning? Fuck. I didn’t know.

Maybe it was the hope that I would announce to everyone exactly why she was so tired after her arrival.

Martainn’s smile widened. “Of course. I understand. I’ve been told you grew up on another planet and did not know your true identity? How remarkable.”

Was he asking her to confirm what his spies had told him, or letting all of us know that he and Queen Alienor knew everything already? He bowed to Paige with a flourish and gave her a bright smile I had no doubt he believed to be seductive. A glance at my sisters and I could see by their dazed expressions that he was as entrancing as he hoped.

“Do not worry, Princess. I am here now. Soon we will be married, and I will take care of everything.”

“I see. How…reassuring.” Paige smiled but there was no answering sparkle in her eyes. Surely she was not going to believe this idiot’s lies. After all her talk about refusing to marry him, she was remarkably silent. Why didn’t she refuse him here and now in front of all her allies? Why didn’t she step on his balls?

“My mother, Queen Alienor, is eager to meet you,” he continued. “I’ve come to escort you to the Queen’s Castle, Princess.”

What? The palace? Alone?

Fuck no.

“She insists on meeting you tonight. She is most eager to receive you in the palace and get you settled where you belong. As am I.” His eyes lingered on her in a carnal way that made a monster stir within, claws scratching at the edge of my mind. Martainn was eager to touch what was mine.

MINE.

“She is not ready,” I said before I could stop myself, my deep voice echoing off the walls.

Prince Martainn’s gaze snapped to me, his expression hardening. Narrowing. “And who are you to decide?”

I took a step forward, set my hands behind my back so as not to reach out and punch him.

“I am General Addan,” I replied evenly, keeping my tone measured despite the heat rising in my chest. “I discovered her in the transport station and have been responsible for her safety since her arrival.”

“Her safety?” Martainn scoffed. “What danger does the long-lost princess face on her home planet? Any of your concerns will be allayed once she is safe at the palace where she belongs.” He tipped his head and set his hand on his chest, as if offering an oath. “I shall assume responsibility for her safety. Or do you presume to question my ability to protect my own betrothed?”

My hands clenched. Yeah, punching was an option. Shooting him worked, too. I’d be incarcerated for life, but it would feel so fucking good.

“And I question your need for an armed escort to a formal dinner.” Did I just openly challenge Prince Martainn in front of a room full of nobles? Fuck. I needed to stop letting my cock do the talking.

“General Addan.” Paige’s voice cut through the tension, her tone calm but commanding. “Prince Martainn. I thank you both for your concern. I assure you, Prince, the general has done an excellent job ensuring my safety, as has Lady Fiona in seeing to my comfort.”

Martainn turned back to her, his expression softening into something that might have been admiration, had it not been so thoroughly coated in entitlement. “Forgive me, Princess. I did not mean to cause a scene.”

The fuck he didn’t.

Fucker walked right up to Paige and held out his hand. Expected her to place hers…

Fuck. She touched him. Allowed him to hold her hand. Pull her off the step so he could tower over her smaller frame.

“Princess, I am afraid there is one matter that cannot wait.”

He leaned in. Close to her. Their faces were so close he could kiss her. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. With an act of will, I forced myself to stay where I was.

If I was dead or in jail, I couldn’t protect her.

“Tell me,” he said, his voice dropping just enough to feel intimate, even though the entire room could hear him. “Do you have a Resonant? Has your body claimed another as your mate?”

My heart stopped.

Paige’s gaze flicked to mine—just for an instant—and my chest tightened. Was that a signal? A plea? Or was I imagining things, grasping at straws to make myself believe I still mattered to her?

I’d asked her more than once if I belonged to her. Were the feelings we shared that of a true resonance or just the unbelievable chemistry between a male and female with the need to fuck? Each time, she said no.

And again–

“No,” she said finally, her voice steady. “I have not claimed anyone.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Maybe it would be worthwhile to kill the slimy bastard and spend my life in jail. Without her, I would feel that way every single day.

Martainn’s smile returned, brighter than ever. “Then it is settled. You will accompany me to the palace tonight. We shall be married on your birthing day. We will host a grand celebration.” He waved his arm around the room to indicate everyone present was included. “You’re all invited, of course.”

Paige hesitated. For a moment my heart leapt. She wasn’t going to go with him. She couldn’t. Where would she go with the male she’d once refused to wed?

“Queen’s Castle?” she asked.

“Of course,” Martainn murmured, as if appalled she’d think he lived anywhere else. “I promise you will be well taken care of, Princess. I give you my word.”

Finally, she nodded, and it felt as if my soul left my body. “Of course, Prince Martainn. It will be an honor to meet Queen Alienor and plan the wedding.”

What. The. Fuck.

Any hope I had was gone.

My body felt hollow, an empty shell as she allowed him to lead her from the room, her gown flowing like liquid starlight around her; every step a knife twisting deeper into my chest.

She didn’t look back, only rolled her shoulders proudly, looking more regal than ever.

When the doors closed behind her, the room fell silent. My sisters stared at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and pity. I couldn’t move as the ache in my chest spread like poison.

And loss.