I groaned. I could still slip into her right now under the cover of the water. No one would see a thing. They’d know what was going on, but I didn’t fucking care, if I wanted to fuck my wife, I’d fuck my wife.
Even if it had to happen in front of them.
“Luka,” Lennox warned.
“What?”
“I know exactly what you’re thinking.” She met my gaze. “And although I’m not entirely opposed, we’re here on business, I don’t think the kings would appreciate us being late to our meeting because we were fucking in the ocean in the view of our friends.”
“Fine. But later I’m going to fuck you thoroughly to make up for it.”
She shuddered. “Promise?” she said, her voice breathy.
“Promise.” I sealed her lips with mine once again.
It was Luce’s voice that broke us apart this time. “For fucks sake. Let’s go, you horny children!”
32
LENNOX
“You made it!” Ceto burst onto the patio, his dark braids swinging behind him. “We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Alon followed in quietly behind his partner, his onyx hair pushed back from his face. “Thank you for having us on such short notice.” I embraced the Ceto, his large body encasing mine.
“We’re glad to host you.” He released me and moved to hug Luka.
“Your Majesty.” Alon held out a hand.
“Please, call me Lennox, I think we’re past the point of pleasantries. You helped us kill a bunch of ravaged beasts at our wedding.”
Alon smiled softly. “If you say so,Lennox.”
I watched on as the kings greeted the rest of the group, stopping when they made it to my brother. “My brother, Nol.” I told Alon as he shook Nol’s hand. “He was?—”
“We heard,” Alon finished for me, his eyes raking over Nol, like he thought he was nothing but a figment of imagination. “We’re glad for your return to your family.”
“Thank you,” Nol said quietly. “I’m happy to have been reunited with my family, with my sisters.”
“We were relieved to hear you had returned home safely too.” Ceto turned his attention back to me.
“Thank you for trying to help Luka get me back”—I wove my fingers through my mates, giving his hand a squeeze—“and for offering him your assistance.”
Ceto waved a dark hand. “You owe us nothing, you are our High Queen, ourfriends.” He looked down at the ground. “We wish we could have done more.”
A beat of silence passed between us all, Alon being the one to finally break it. “We’ve set up lunch by the sea, will you join us?”
“Of course.” Luka put a hand on my back as Ceto and Alon led us further onto the patio. The Aquatic King’s palace sat on the edge of the island, at the border of the capital city of Salacia. It was a sprawling palace, made mostly of glass that reflected the colors of the sea and sunlight. The patio wrapped around the palace, the structure was made of crushed shells, making it appear as if you were walking on the beach.
The kings led us to a large circular table filled with various plates of food.
We sat and wasted no time filling our plates with varieties of fish, fruit, and salads as the staff filled our glasses with a fruity wine.
Back home, the ground was still covered in snow, spring was still a while off, but here in Salacia, where the weather was always warmer, it felt like mid-summer. There was a slight chill from the breeze coming off the sea, but it felt nice as the sun warmed my face.
I could get used to this weather year-round.
“So”—Alon set his fork down on his plate—“you’re here to discuss strategy.”
