Page 68 of Loved By The King

“You’re as charming as a feral cat right now.” He plants a kiss on my cheek.

“I could show you feral…” I grumble in response, but can’t help the blush that creeps up my cheeks as my tail decides to wrap around his leg.

“I’d love to see it,” he murmurs into my ear before releasing me and unwrapping my tail that decided to twist around him like a snake. “But first, dinner; then you can be as feral as you want, just in the forest, not here.”

With a resigned sigh, I glance once more down at my tail, which has managed to slip loose again and is currently swishing back and forth as if taunting me.

With a last look at my reflection in the mirror—a messy-haired girl with a tail that has a mind of its own—I leave our room and head toward dinner with Soren right beside me. Despite the day’s stress and impending run tonight, having him there is a comfort that puts my bond at ease even if my thoughts are racing. Something tells me that perhaps learning to control this new aspect of myself won’t be so bad… as long as I’ve got Soren by my side.

“Come on, stop stalling, let’s get dinner over with.” Soren holds his hand out to me, with a heavy sigh I take it and follow him down the hall.

Down the spiraling staircase, through the darkened hallways, we trudge toward the dining room. My heart fills with a nervous flutter as we near the arched double doors, but that nervousness falls away when I see Max’s cherubic face light up. Relief floods me when he rushes over, his little body colliding with me. His arms wrap around my waist as he hugs me. At least he isn’t scared of me after earlier.

“Come sit with me,” he chirps excitedly while Maribel is surrounded by bridal magazines. I glance at Soren who pays no attention to me, instead he walks into the room and drags out my chair. I take a seat between him and Max. Maribel slides a magazine across to me.

“What about these colors?” she asks and I glance at the magazine, its table decorations. Peering over at Soren, he leans forward to look at what she is showing me before glancing at me.

“Aubrey?” he questions and my brows furrow in confusion.

“What’s going on?” I ask, chewing my lip.

“The wedding is going ahead, we are finalizing the last arrangements then you two need to pick a date, but which color, for the table settings? Do you like the dark purple plates or the violet?” she asks.

“Maybe we’ll take a look tomorrow, Ma. You’re overwhelming her, I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet,” Soren cuts in.

Maribel sighs.

“Can’t we go with the prior arrangements,” I ask.

“Depends when the date is going to be set; what we had originally planned will take time,” she looks at Soren who shrugs.

“We can discuss it more tomorrow, I’m taking her for a run after dinner.” Soren looks around me at Damian at the end of the table next to his father.

“Everything is already organized, the guards pushed the perimeters back and we have tranquilizers if needed.” That does not make me feel any better. Tranquilizers? I look at Soren slightly alarmed but then the kitchen staff file in with dinner.

The rest of the dinner goes in a blur. Everyone is making polite conversation, discussing trivial matters about the town and some upcoming events Maribel is canceling so she can focus on the wedding, but my mind is elsewhere.

My thoughts on guards, perimeters, tranquilizers? I have to wonder if going for a run is a good idea if they need to take such precautions.

“Are you okay?” Soren’s voice whispering into my ear has me snapping my head toward him. His eyes full of concern boring into mine are enough for me to push away all the impending thoughts of the night ahead.

“I’m fine,” I assure him, mustering the most convincing smile I can achieve under the circumstances. One thing about Soren, he always sees right through me. His lips curve up slightly, but I note a hint of worry still lingering in his eyes.

Soon dinner is over and staff come in to clear the room. Dread fills me knowing soon I will have to shift. I stroke my fingers through Max’s hair who has fallen asleep halfway through dinner and is curled up in my lap.

“It will be alright,” Soren assures me, reaching out his hand to gently caress mine on top of the table. He glances at Max sleeping peacefully against me and lets out a soft sigh.

“We should put him to bed,” I comment and I’m about to pick him up when Maribel comes over and holds her arms out.

“I’ll get him to bed, go enjoy yourself, it’s quite warm out tonight,” she says and I sigh, handing Max over to her while Soren pushes his chair back, his hand falling gently on my shoulder.

“Come on, you’re scaring yourself for no reason. Believe me once you’re out there you’ll realize you worried for nothing.”

I nod, standing as he does.

Walking out of the dining room, I glance back at Maribel, who’s cradling Max in her arms.

Soren looks back at me one more time, a half-smile playing on his lips. It’s meant to be comforting, but it does little to alleviate my growing anxiety.