Nikoli, who was still holding Violet’s hand, chuckled. “Never thought I would be sleeping in the Red Queen’s house.”
Violet just grinned and then walked down the hall, Nikoli following behind her like a lost puppy.
“Don’t forget the run in the morning,” I called after them. “It’s mandatory. Last run, bonding exercise, you know the drill.”
I got some waves and mumbled agreements, and then they were gone.
With a yawn, I let out a muffled goodnight to everyone else, stumbling into the hall with Kade. The others branched off to different areas, and I led my mate down the long corridor to my wing of the mansion. As we approached my door, two of my guards stood outside.
“Good evening, Your Majesty. We did a sweep. It’s safe.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How did you know I was sleeping here tonight?”
“Calista,” Michael said. He was a short and stocky shifter with dirty-blond hair. One I didn’t know very well, but Blaine had vouched for him.
Blaine and Calista were worth their weight in gold. It might seem like a queen ruled her people alone, especially in the dictatorship style rule of the shifters, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It took a village of people to lead properly.
After entering, Finn curled up on the couch, and we made our way to my room. We both kicked off our shoes and slipped out of our clothes. Kade sat in his boxers on his side of the bed, appearing lost in thought. I knew my bear, he was bothered by that dark stone. By what we had discovered.
I inched along the duvet until I rested close to his back, then I rose up to my knees and dropped my hands onto his shoulders. It took all of my strength as I started working out the kinks; his muscles were hard, the tension he carried making it even more so.
He let out a low groan, tilting his head around to flash a sexy grin at me. My body, despite its exhaustion, perked up at that look on his face.
His face, which was far, far too gorgeous, was distracting. I forgot everything in my head when he looked at me like that.
I paused my massage, leaning in to kiss him gently. He let out a rumble of bear-like annoyance when I pulled back, and I resumed kneading his hard muscles, letting my hands trail around the front of his pecs and along his hard, chiseled abs.
As my hands trailed lower, Kade growled again, and then in a single move that should have been impossible, lifted me up and over his shoulder, dropping me down into his lap. By instinct, I wrapped my legs around him, molding our bodies together as my inner wolf growled with pleasure.
His molten copper eyes raked over my black bra as he said, “How tired are you?”
I grinned. “I’m wide awake actually.”
Chapter Four
Spell breaker.
It felt like moments after going to sleep I was awoken by a light knocking on my door.
“Go away,” I mumbled. I needed ten more hours of sleep and another sexy session with Kade before I was ready to face the mess of a world we had going on.
“Arianna, the Summer Court is here. They’re in the dining hall.” Calista’s stern but hushed statement had both Kade and I bolting upright.
“Be right there!” I leapt out of bed and flew to my closet.
Kade, who was calmer than me, pulled on his clothes from yesterday and went to use my toothbrush. “We need to bring some of your stuff here,” I said, following him, one leg in my pants while I hopped around to get the other in. “Looks like we’re going to have to spread our time more evenly between the two royal estates.”
Kade finished up at the sink, turning to me, leaning himself back on the marble countertop. Immediately the room felt smaller, and I wanted to drag him back to bed. He just did casual confidence in such a way that it was sexy without trying.
Needing a distraction, I quickly said, “I only spoke to Prince Caspien yesterday. Do you think something has changed in the Otherworld that fast? Is the war finally here?”
Kade ran a hand through his hair, somewhat taming its natural curl. “I hope not, we’re not ready.”
We weren’t. If the fae flooded through a portal today, we would be defeated — I knew that. Especially in light of this recently discovered dark mecca stone situation. We had been unknowingly up against something like that the entire time, and it was kind of scary how easily that could have destroyed us all. Learning the origins of that dark stone meant the Dark Fae Lord was even more powerful than I had previously thought. Possibly undefeatable.
“Well then, hopefully they have good news.” I forced a smile, before brushing my teeth, and both of us left the bathroom.
Finn and Nix were waiting for us outside, Kade’s familiar perched on the wolf’s back. “Jota is still in the sky. They are taking breaks,” Kade explained as we hurried toward the dining hall.
Slowing for a second, I turned to the familiars and brushed my hands along one of Nix’s massive wings, which she had pressed against her body. “Thank you, we appreciate you working so hard to keep us safe.” I added my other hand to Finn. “Both of you.” They had been relentless in their patrolling, never faltering on their duties once.
It’s nothing, Ari. This is what family does.
Finn’s words filled me with warmth.
Thanks for being my family, I told him.
He let out a low howl, nuzzling into me, and I kind of thought Nix looked pleased as well. Hard to tell on her bird face.
I remembered the Summer Court then, and we again hurried toward the dining hall, prepared for anything. As we opened the doors, I was surprised to see not only Prince Caspien, but also Rowan, a Summer Court magic born. They were seated at the table, having tea with Violet and Nikoli. At our arrival, Prince Caspien stood and gave a small bow.
“Greetings, Your Highnesses.”
I took a second to look him over closely. The prince was very handsome, one of the most perfect specimens of man I had ever seen, actually. For my personal tastes he was too refined and pretty, but there was no denying his beauty. There was a glow about him that was very enticing, drawing you in to his warmth.
He had changed since the last time I’d seen him in person. I’d noticed it a little in the magic water door yesterday, but today it was very clear. He looked healthier, strong, his skin flush and sparkling with a golden tan that was deep and rich in color. The restoration of mecca had done him well.
“Greetings, Prince Caspien. I’m so sorry for the wait. We had a late night researching.” I nodded my head as Kade shook the prince’s hand.
Prince Caspien waved a hand toward me. “It’s fine. We have not waited long. I have come with a gift from my father, a thank-you for restoring the mecca, and for your continued alliance with our court. I also bring more news of developments in the Winter War, since we were cut off last we spoke.”