AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She waves a hand. “No. No. My fault.” Her hand lands on my shoulder and gives me a little squeeze. “You and I will have a long sit down when you get back. Finally, I can talk about life as a Mate with someone! Oh, how exciting!”
“There aren’t any other Mated couples here?”
“Not in the valley, no.”
I lean into Kem’s touch as he presses a kiss to the top of my head, mumbling, “My miracle.”
My blush deepens, but when I glance at Syphe, she smiles wide. I really like her.
She crosses her arms again. “The vote continued last night without you. Three applications passed. They’re in your office for your final approval.”
Kem nods. “I’ll get to them when I return from the Mountain, before the Challenge.”
I look up at him, knowing my confusion is playing across my face. He doesn’t owe me an explanation, but he gives me one anyway. “I have altered the law forbidding outsiders from entering our realm.”
My mouth drops open. We might be too secluded up on the Mountain if our clan wasn’t aware of this monumental change.
Kem smiles, brushing my hair down my back. “It’s an extensive process, and very few applications get approved. An application must pass a majority vote in the council, then it needs my final approval. And once approved, one of my guards must accompany the visitor both in and off world. I assure you, I am being as safe as possible while allowing this small freedom.”
I drop my gaze with a nod. He sounds like he’s trying to condone his actions to me. He’s King. His word is law. But maybe …
Lifting my head, I search his face, and that little tug on my heart warms with a knowledge I can’t explain. He’s lonely. He wants someone to talk to, someone to share his burden if simply just by listening.
I fight to hide the fear that bubbles up my throat. I’m not ready for this.
Before I can find the words of encouragement he’s obviously yearning for, the same lavender woman from last night enters the room, bowing low. “Your Majesty, I’m here to collect Lady Tatha at your request.”
I look at Kem, and he gently shoves me in the woman’s direction. “Fynola is going to provide you with new clothes.”
Syphe laughs, her head thrown back. “Did he ruin your clothes last night?” My mouth hangs open, but she just shakes her head. “My Mate sure did a number on my clothes when he first scented me. There were only scraps left.”
I glance at Fynola still standing in the doorway, but she’s just patiently waiting, no judgment on her serene face. My lips quirk in a smile at Syphe. “The dress I borrowed didn’t survive.” I turn to Kem. “But I can just wear the dress I wore here. We’ll be our dragons soon enough. Finery and clothes mean nothing in the Mountain.”
He nods. “If you wish. But the royal wardrobe is at your disposal.”
My heart stalls for a moment before kicking into a rapid pace. Turning away from Kem to hide the panic I feel pressing against my ribs, I can’t help but feel like I’m fleeing as I follow Fynola’s swaying lavender hair out of the room.
Ugh. I’m already failing at being a good Mate.
I follow along the long hall of paintings, but I don’t take the time to look at them this time. My fingers clutch the hem of Kem’s shirt as I stare at my bare feet striking the marble.
The royal wardrobe is at my disposal. Kem is going to want me to live here. Of course he will. He’s the King. He can’t very well pick up and move to my Mountain. He’s going to expect me to live in his castle. I’m going to be forced to wear my human form. I’m going to be stuffed into clothes every day.
Oh, gods.
My palms are sweating as I enter the large room with all the fine clothes, and the delicious food I had for breakfast turns into a ball of lead in my stomach. Quickly, I pull Kem’s shirt over my head and slip my simple dress down my body. I stuff my feet into my boots and turn to Fynola. I force a smile, though it feels tight. “Thank you for your kindness. I think I can find my way back.”
She nods. “If you’re sure, my Lady.”
Rushing from the room, I head back the way I came. My body pulls me down the halls, knowing where Kem is. I think I could find him in a maze with my eyes closed.
Shit. My body misses him. I crave his touch. I yearn for his gaze on my body. I force my feet to slow, though it’s a challenge. Can I leave my clan? Can I change who I am for my Mate?
7
KEMREMIR
The second Tatha’s dragon burst from her skin, my soul sighs and my beast roars. She’s glorious. Her vibrant amethyst scales ripple across her compact body, and the occasional gold scale winks in the sunlight. Her claws tear into the ground, and her belly glows with the heat of her inner fire. Sitting back on her muscular haunches, she spreads her wings, reaching the tips wide before flapping them in the gentle breeze.
