When she settled snugly beside him, he too slipped inside the fur with her and spooned her. For the first time in long, Lazarus slept like a log. His dreams were free of nightmares. They were of his babies. Though it was rare to have babies with a human, he still hoped.
When he woke up next, it had become dark. His mind went to last night's events, but he shoved them all out of his mind. Half of his problems were solved with Maeve out of the scene. Even though the throne was a distant dream, he felt calmer, anchored, loved and cherished. He had missed those feelings so much that he thought they were non-existent. It was his mate who made him realize about them. And they were lovely, warm feelings that filled his heart.
He leaned over and inhaled her violet scent. Emma was still sleeping. She didn't even flutter open her eyes. Scared he got up with a start and poked her shoulder. "Emma!" he called her. "Wake up!"
She groaned and pulled the pillow over her face. He grinned, happy that she was feeling fine. There was color on her cheeks. She leaned over her and kissed her shoulder and her back. Placing a kiss on her temple, he said, "I want you to show my mark to everyone."
She removed the pillow and looked at him for a while. He had a smug smile on his face. "And I would love to," she replied as if not believing what he was saying. They had agreed to keep it a secret. "But are you sure?"
He nodded. "Just wait for the right time."
"I will," she lifted her head and kissed his chin. "I can wait till eternity." He had so much love in his eyes that her heart squeezed. And his eyes looked bright red, not the dull red that he had in so many days. She was happy that she was able to feed her mate.
A soft knock on the door startled them. "Who's it?" Lazarus snarled, unhappy that the knock disturbed his time with his mate.
The guard said from outside, "M'lord, King Viktor has asked for your company at the dinner."
A crease formed in the middle of his forehead. Why would his father ask for him?
"With Lady Emma," the guard completed his sentence.
Lazarus's hand gripped his mate tightly instinctively.
"Lord Lorza," Emma said. She was so tightly pressed against him that she winced. "You will crush me."
He loosened his grip immediately. "Why is he asking for you?" he said, not happy with the order.
"That we have to go and see," Emma replied. "But my guess is that he might ask for Gladys."
"No..." Lazarus murmured as if thinking about something. Letting out a rough exhale to release his tension, he said, "Anyway, get ready. There's a lot to be done!"
She got up and sat on the bed. The fur slipped down her breasts as she gathered her hair to tie in a bun. His gaze went to her plump breasts and his eyes drooped. He cupped them and fondled them and then when he couldn't resist, he latched onto them.
"Lord Lorza!" she squealed. "We have to go for dinner!"
He moaned around her nipples. "This is my dinner," he said, going to the next breast.
Before she could get dressed, he had taken her again, this time making sure not to sink his fangs inside her.
Emma brushed her coral gown that had layers of skirt. Her hand went to her pearl necklace. "I hope I am looking fine," she said nervously as she walked with Lazarus through the corridors of the palace to reach the dining hall. Lazarus chose a high collar gown for her to hide her mark.
All the servants and guards and soldiers had their eyes on the woman who defeated Maeve and conquered the heart of the most vicious and dangerous vampire of Wilyra Kingdom. For them it was Goddess Maeve who would become their queen. Accepting a human as their queen wasn't in their dreams even.
ƥαṇdαηθνε| With her arm curled in his, she entered the dining hall. Her gaze landed on King Viktor who was sitting at the head of the table and who was watching her with sharp eyes. The necklace on his body glowed softly under the light of the chandelier. Emma removed her hand from Lazarus and bowed to him.
His other children were sitting at the table. Two of his sisters who never ever interacted with her, stared at her with interest or scorn, she couldn't discern. Anton was sitting to the left of his father, looking tired and angry and defeated. Magnus was there but not Olya. He gave her a smile and she was glad that she saw one friendly face.
Lazarus guided Emma to the chairs on the right of his father. As soon as they sat, the servants began serving dinner. Emma was quietly waiting for everyone to start the dinner. There was a lot of tension in the air. She clenched her gown as her palms became sweaty. Nervousness crawled in her and she was sure that she cheeks were red. Lazarus slid his hand on her thigh and held her hands in his large one. He stroked her hand with his thumb softly as if to reassure her that he was there and she needn't worry. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal.
The king picked up his knife and fork and cut a part of the steamed salmon. As he dipped it in the sauce, he asked Lazarus, "What have you done with Gladys?"
"She is in the dungeons," Lazarus replied flatly.
Viktor stopped eating and hissed, "That is an act of treason!"
Lazarus chuckled. He placed his knife down and said, "Whatever I do is an act of treason in your eyes."
"Lazarus!" Viktor roared.
Lazarus disregarded his roar. "She tried to drug my mate to the extent that had there not been timely intervention, Emma would have died. Emma will be my future wife. She tried to kill my woman. And that is what I call an act of treason."
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