Page 25 of Royal Mate

25

P aige

Beside me, I heard the faint rustle of fabric, the sharp intake of Martainn’s breath. My skin prickled with unease.

There would never be a wedding–not between him and me, anyway–and his look said he knew it. He’d lost. This was a gathering for the guilty to be collected.

I turned to the prince.

He stood beside me, still as stone, the arrogance he’d carried earlier was gone.

I called out the last name on my list. The most important name. Alienor’s name.

“House Seppani.” The final words hung in the air like a blade. The room went silent.

Suddenly, Martainn’s grip wrapped like iron around my arm, yanking me back so hard I stumbled. The sharp edge of a blade pressed cold and sharp as ice against my throat. His arms were hard. Unyielding, as if he had nothing left to lose. “I’m no traitor.”

I didn’t believe him. He had been a child when my mother was murdered. That was true. But I couldn’t believe he’d lived in this castle, under his mother’s rule, and remained innocent all these years.

The truth would come out, in the end. He would stand trial. If he was guilty, he would either go to prison, or face execution. Either way, life as he knew it was over.

He held me trapped in place, his chest heaving. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t escape. Could barely breathe as the room erupted into gasps and shouts. Coalition warriors snapped to attention, their weapons raised, forming a wall of killing precision.

Martainn could kill me if he wanted to. Slit my throat. It wouldn’t matter. There would be no escape. Not for him. Not for his bitch mother.

“Stay back!” Martainn bellowed, his voice breaking. “Stay back, or I’ll kill her!”

I forced myself to breathe. My heart raced, my mind spinning with the sudden danger. I should have kept my distance, expected this. Too late now. But I refused to let him see my fear. I held my chin high, kept my voice steady. “This won’t end the way you think it will, Martainn. Let me go.”

He laughed, the sound wild and bitter. “I did not betray you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true.” Alienor’s bitter words shocked us both. Martainn gasped and the blade bit harder against my skin, a sharp sting that sent a spike of adrenaline through my veins.

“Mother? What did you do?”

“I made you a king.”

I clenched my fists, refused to flinch, even as his breath burned hot against my ear. Was this a charade? Were my cousins playing a sick and twisted game? Trying to convince me to spare Martainn’s life?

“You were supposed to be dead. Shade swore to me that you were dead.” Alienor sounded bored now. Slightly confused. “I paid Siren Legion double their usual fee, since you were an infant. They wanted to take you, sell you to the highest bidder. But I needed you dead.”

“Well, I’m not.” I squirmed and kicked, tried to break Martainn’s hold.

“Kill her, son. Kill her and the crown is yours.”

The blade shifted in Martainn’s hand so the cold, flat edge pressed to my skin. Shit. Was this asshole really going to kill me? Wouldn’t that be against the law? Would the Coalition intervene? I wasn’t sure. The only reason Commander Zeus and his warriors were here now was because these Insuri nobles had broken Interstellar law, too. Would they interfere if the current heir to the throne slit my throat? Was I going to die?

And then I saw him.

Addan.

He moved like a shadow through the chaos, silent and focused. His dark eyes were locked on Martainn with a lethal intensity that made my chest tighten. The crowd, the soldiers, the shouts—all of it faded away. All I could see was him.

He would save me. I knew he would. Perhaps because we were Resonants, but more likely because I loved him.

And he loved me.

He wouldn’t let what we shared die.

He quickly closed the distance between us, his movements deliberate, measured. I stayed perfectly still, barely breathing. Martainn was so worried about the Prillon warriors in front of him—who wouldn’t be?—that he didn’t notice Addan circling behind us.

Nor did he notice when Addan approached.

Addan struck in a blur of motion.

His hand clamped down on Martainn’s wrist, pushing it away from my throat, then twisting it sharply. The blade clattered to the floor, his grip on me broken. Before I could step back, Addan drove his elbow into Martainn’s ribs, the force of the blow sending him crashing to the floor.

I stumbled, gasping for air as Addan stepped in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking out everything else. He formed a wall between me and all danger.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice low, fierce. His pale gaze raked over every inch of me.

I swallowed hard, my voice shaking as a group of Insuri soldiers I didn’t recognize swarmed Martainn and dragged him to his feet. “I’m fine.”

I didn’t look away from the Addan, not even as the Coalition warriors closed in. They dragged Queen Alienor off the throne. The Queen remained silent. Regal. Cold as fucking ice.

For the first time since I’d been at the castle, I saw the evil face of the woman capable of plotting murder.

“You’ll destroy everything. Make Insuri weak. Poor.” Queen Alienor’s voice was calm. Unperturbed. The voice of an unrepentant, murderous psychopath. “When you came back, I should have killed you, but I let you live–for my son. You were supposed to marry my son. Give him an heir. A future king! You’re nothing but a foolish, stupid girl?—”

Martainn interrupted, snarling, “Shut up, mother. You betrayed us all.”

“Enough,” I said, stepping forward, but Addan’s strong arm wrapped around my waist. Held me back. He was at my side.

Where I wanted him.

Where he belonged.

“Get him out of here.” Addan issued the order to his men and the soldiers complied at once. Martainn’s mouth snapped shut. Opened. He took a deep breath. “I never would have killed you, Princess.”

Addan punched him. Hard. He slumped in the guards’ arms, and I watched as they carried him from the room, his feet unable to support his weight as they dragged him out of sight. His mumbled protests faded into the distance, swallowed by the tense silence of the chamber. Even if he was found innocent in a trial, there would be no escape from the scorn and hatred of the citizens of Insuri.

Queen Alienor remained frozen, her pale face an emotionless mask as the last remnants of her legacy, her only son, was hauled away.

I turned to face her at last. Woman to woman. Queen to queen. I’d seen the videos. I knew exactly who had murdered my mother. “She trusted you.” We both knew exactly who I was talking about.

Alienor scoffed. “Madallaine was weak and stupid. She wanted to join the Coalition. Send our best soldiers off to fight their war. Our women to fuck their fighters. Breed with them. Such a waste.”

“The Coalition is all that stands between you and integration by the Hive.” Commander Zeus’s voice sounded ten times calmer than I felt. I wanted to punch her. Kick her. Scream. Stomp on her head. Violence swelled within me as I played the image of my mother bleeding out on the floor—Alienor standing above her—over and over in my mind. I’d only watched it twice, but the images were tattooed onto my brain. Vivid. Horrific.

Sad.

“For twenty-five years I’ve ruled this planet. The Hive do not bother us. The Silver Scions do not raid our ships. The Legions of Rogue 5 do not steal our goods or take our people. Do you know why that is?”

I walked to stand a few paces in front of her, grateful for the strong-armed Prillon warriors holding her in place. “Why is that, Alienor?”

“Because I saved us all. I work with them, not against them. Insuri is rich and prosperous. Our people lack for nothing. Our men don’t die in battle on distant moons, and our young women aren’t forced to breed with beasts.” Her gaze drifted to Warlord Stohn on the last word. His soft growl proof that he heard her.

Fucking bitch. And she was wrong. So wrong. I’d learned much the last few days, first with the Natosi family’s help and history books, then my new AI friend’s access to vast amounts of knowledge. I knew far more about this planet and its history than Alienor suspected. And I knew about her. What she’d done. The way she’d lined her own pockets and made the people, my people , suffer.

“You are a liar and a fraud. Some of our people starve, when S-Gen technology could feed them. We pollute our air and water when the Coalition offers free, clean energy. You grew rich, Alienor. Not the people. Our citizens are watched and catalogued like stock animals. Monitored. Controlled. You are evil and an oppressor. And your reign is over.”

“Your mother was weak and stupid. You’re just like her.”

Oh no, she didn’t. I was so done with this bitch.

I nodded at the two guards. “Release her.”

“Excuse me?” One of the Prillons looked confused.

Addan protested. “Paige, what are you?—”

“Release. Her.” It was an order. From a queen.

The two Prillons released her arms and took half a step back.

Good enough.

I walked forward and slammed my fist into Alienor’s arrogant, condescending, evil, ugly fucking face.

She staggered back. The Prillon guards’ reflexes were fast enough to catch her, but I watched with extreme satisfaction as they let my dear cousin fall onto her ass on the floor. Blood poured from her nose, dripping on her royal gown. I walked to stand over her and yanked her crown, my mother’s crown, off her head.

Like my mother, she bled.

Unlike my mother, she’d live. Maybe for a very long time. Maybe not. I thought for sure I’d have her executed. Now I wasn’t sure. Seemed to me death would be the easy way out.

I glanced at Addan and gave a slight nod. “Do I have a dungeon?” Why hadn’t I asked Hermione about that?

“Indeed, Princess, you do.” He ordered several of our guards to take her away.

When she was gone, Commander Zeus stepped forward, his voice calm and clear. “Your Highness, I believe all of the traitors have been taken away. The queen… the former queen, and the prince have been secured. Justice will be served, both on this planet and in a series of Coalition tribunals. Is there anything else you require of the Coalition at this time?”

I turned to Addan. His dark eyes met mine, still filled with that same unwavering focus. But there was something else there now—love. He was mine. I didn’t have to question it. Or deny it.

I could now embrace it. And him.

“Yes,” I said, letting a smile tug at the corners of my lips. “I’d like you to stay. I’d like you to witness my bonding ceremony.” I looked up at Addan. “That is what it’s called, right?”

Addan froze, his expression unreadable. “Paige,” he began, his voice rough.

“I can claim you now, can’t I?” I asked, taking a step closer to him. “As my Resonant?”

His throat worked as he swallowed hard. Nodded. “If you’ll have me.”

“I am totally in love with you, Addan.” I reached for his hand, my smile widening. “I’ll have you. Always.”

In any room. Any position. Day. Night. One touch and I melted. He was mine, but I was his, too. Body and soul. This resonance business was fucking incredible. For the first time since I’d fallen into that soothing blue water at the processing center, I was actually glad I was an alien.

The room erupted into murmurs of confusion and surprise. Good ones, this time. I didn’t care. My enemies were defeated, my throne was secure, and for the first time, my future felt like it was mine. Mine and Addan’s.

Addan stared at me, his dark eyes wide with something between disbelief and awe. Slowly, a smile curved his lips, soft at first, then growing into something that made my chest tighten.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice low. “I’ll never be able to let you go.”

“I’m sure,” I said, squeezing his hand. “It’s you. It’s been you since the moment we met.”

Commander Zeus cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. “By royal decree of Princess Paige, General Addan Natosi is her Resonant and will be King Consort upon her ascension. The Coalition officially recognizes this union.” He inclined his head, his expression warmer now. “It would be our honor to witness it.”

Addan took a deep breath, his gaze steady as it locked onto mine. “You’re claiming me, Paige. Don’t think for a moment I won’t claim you back.”

I smiled. “I’m counting on it.”

The murmurs grew louder as I stepped forward, still holding Addan’s hand. The nobles began to murmur, their shock changing to relief.

The officiant, who had been cowering near the dais, rose uncertainly to his feet. He glanced between us, clearly unsure of what to do.

“It’s all right,” I addressed him with a calm authority I hadn’t realized I possessed. “The ceremony will proceed. Perhaps not as planned, but as needed. I will obviously not be marrying Prince Martainn.” I turned to Addan, the only man I wanted by my side. “I claim General Addan Natosi as my Resonant.”

A collective gasp rippled through the room, followed by silence so thick it felt like the entire palace was holding its breath.

Addan stepped closer, his hand tightening on mine. “I accept your claim.”

The room erupted in cheers. That was more like it. More the vibe I wanted at my wedding. No, not wedding. Bonding Ceremony. Better than a wedding. Weddings ended in divorces. This was primal. Biological. Magical. Better than anything I ever thought I would have.

To have found it so randomly, so quickly, was scary. And amazing.

To think. If I hadn’t been a Trus-T-Kleen cleaner, I’d never have been here.

I reached up, brushing my fingers against his cheek. “I love you.”

He nodded, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his emotions in check. “I love you.” Then, with the same quiet confidence I’d come to love, he turned to the officiant. “Proceed with the bonding ceremony.”

The man fumbled with his ceremonial book, his hands shaking slightly as he adjusted his robes and turned the pages looking for the correct rite, the right words. This wasn’t a wedding, this was a bonding, the claiming of a Resonant. The two ceremonies represented very different things.

This was real. Forever.

He cleared his throat, his voice quivering as he began. “Under the laws of Insuri, and by the will of the crown…”

The rest of the room melted away. It was just Addan and me now, standing together at the center of it all. His dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with emotions that made my heart ache. In the good way this time.

When it was time to exchange vows, I spoke first, my voice steady and sure, repeating the words I was prompted by the officiant. “I claim you as my Resonant, Addan Natosi. My Resonant. My protector. My love.”

His throat worked as he swallowed, his voice rough with emotion as he replied. “And I claim you, Princess Edelene Merrienne Peigi. Paige. My Resonant. My queen. My heart.”

The officiant continued, his voice growing steadier as he reached the ceremony’s conclusion. “By the power vested in me by the people of Insuri, I now pronounce you bonded for life. May your union bring strength and prosperity to the planet.”

The room remained silent, stunned. But when Addan leaned down, his lips brushing mine, the applause began—hesitant at first, then building into a roaring tide of approval as Addan’s kiss consumed me.

I barely heard the noise. All I could feel was him.