Page 168 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

Even though Alec didn’t watch our moment of intimacy, he did see the toxic relationship that Locane and I built. All the banter and subtle affectionate touches, as well as the heated arguments. But they were never fueled by real passion, and the intimacies that were developed were based on the familiarity of Alec that I found in Locane. All of it stemmed from what I was desperately, unknowingly searching for in my mate.

“I know what you saw, what the guards saw when they found us on the docks. You know it wasn’t real, Alec,” I tell him soothingly, stroking his arms. “I told you when I was twelve that you are the only one I will ever love. That’s still true.”

“I know,” he sighs heavily. “At least right now I do, but I have not yet reached a point where my mind no longer wanders to those dark places of uncertainty. When you were so adamant about your rejection of me, an irrational part of me feared that perhaps he had somehow captured your heart.”

“There’s only you. There will only ever be you. I’m sorry for making you doubt that.”

We smile at each other before my face breaks into a wide grin. Alec’s lips tilt up further at the sight. “The dress,” I say simply, having forgotten about it completely during the events of the morning.

“Do you like it?” He gathers my hair in his fist, pulling at the nape of my neck to force me to look up at him further.

“It’s perfect. Something I would have chosen myself.”

He smiles confidently. “That is because I know you intimately. You may need help getting into it. Unfortunately, Cescily has already claimed the honor.”

I give Alec a flirtatious smile and raise a brow. “I guess that means I will need help getting out of it, too?” Another gentle tug on my hair accompanied by a cocky smirk, making my thighs clench. He glances down in their direction, knowing the response he’s getting. “Always so presumptuous,” I tell him.

“Again, hopeful.”

Pulling away from him, I pick up the golden crown from his bed, placing it on my head. It’s large and slips down to the middle of my forehead, squishing against my ears.

Alec lets out a booming laugh at the sight. “Do not worry, my clove, the ones meant for you are much more comfortable.”

“I’ve only seen you wear this once before today.” I remove the crown from my head and place it on the bedside table.

“Yes. You know I always tried to conduct official business before you came, so as not to coincide with our time together. You were very young, and back then I thought we would have plenty of time for you to join and aid me in royal affairs.”

Stroking the crown, my fingers slide against the cool metal. “It suits you, by the way.” I look at him earnestly, trying to convey the mixed meaning of my words. Not only that the crown itself is becoming of him, but he is well suited for the role it represents.

“I know.” Alec gives me a sad smile. “And you will be a fantastic queen.”

“I will be the best queen Quinndohs has ever seen,” I tell him confidently. “I was created specifically for the role, after all.”

He laughs and agrees.

“You said you had a lot to do today. Am I keeping you?” I ask.

Alec grabs my hand and hooks it in his arm, leading us out of his bedchamber.

“I suppose not. Not if I no longer must have extensive meetings with city watch about strategies for finding the missing guards and Rahleigh.” I smile at him, surprised at the ease with which he’s agreeing to relaxing Locane’s security. “Although, we do need to meet with the captain to inform him of the change of plans and let him know to loosen security measures.”

“What will you tell him?” I ask.

“I will tell him some version of the truth. That you wish to let Locane believe he has escaped before you hunt him down and kill him yourself.”

It does seem like poetic justice that Locane will be fleeing from an actual dungeon cell similar to the one he made me believe I was in. Really the only prison I ever knew was with him.

“That makes me sound quite bloodthirsty, my king.”

Alec chuckles. “You are quite bloodthirsty.”

After a conversation with the very confused general and a group of guards with specific instructions to not intervene with any escape attempts, Alec personally utters incantations just outside of the steel door to lessen the wards on Locane’s cell. When he’s finished, we change and go out to the courtyard.

Alec sets up a large cushion, big enough for both of us. We spend the day swimming and lazing around the pool. He feeds me green apple slices soaked in spiced brandy, and we watch servants preparing the garden for the evening’s celebrations.

I hum happily. “Is this what my life as Queen of Quinndohs will be like?”

Alec laughs and kisses my sun soaked shoulder. “Sometimes.”