Page 30 of Treasured By the Fae Royal
Married.
We’re married.
My heart quickens with joy.
Lucas deepens the kiss and our fae guests cheer louder. It’s my understanding that this is the first marriage ceremony most of them have ever attended. In Lucas’s culture, there’s no such thing as marriage ceremonies. Fated mates simply find one another, then physically consummate their mating unions. I’m touched that our fae guests are being so supportive, and I hope their exuberance bodes well for my acceptance as the human wife of a Summer Court prince.
“Who are all these fae again?” I clutch Lucas’s hand tighter as we walk down the center aisle.
“That’s General Dalgaard over there, and beside him are my most trusted advisors, Wills and Passal. The rest are a mix of soldiers who are currently in my favor as well as all the highborn fae who are currently traveling with the Summer Court army.” His face lights up. “Ah, and there’s my cousin and his wife. It would seem they arrived just in time.”
I follow his gaze to the guests who are standing along the far wall, and I can’t restrain a cry of joy when I spot Mira. Lucas leads me over to them, and Mira and I can’t hug one another fast enough.
“Oh, Yvette, you look so beautiful.” Mira smiles. “Congratulations. I was so shocked when Kaiden told me the news, but I look forward to hearing how this all happened.”
“It’s quite the story,” I tell her. “I hope you plan to stay for the wedding feast.”
“Of course we plan to stay.” Mira laughs. “After the long flight here, not only am I famished, but I could use a nice, strong drink.”
I laugh, then watch curiously as Lucas and Warden Valloc exchange a rather formal greeting, and I remember Lucas once telling me that he doesn’t think his cousin likes him very much. As I observe the interaction, I start to wonder if perhaps it’s because of the age difference between Lucas and Warden Valloc. At four hundred and sixty, Lucas is a few centuries younger than his cousin.
Mama and Aunt Heather soon join us, and we all walk outside to the reception that’s been set up beneath the stars. I take a look around, stunned by the ostentatiousness of the event. There are tables laden with more food and drink than I’ve ever seen in one place before, and tiered cakes adorned with flowers. Human servants, all of them well-paid at my insistence, walk among the guests with trays of appetizers and sparkling beverages.
Lucas hugs me close. “Well, what do you think?”
“I still don’t know how you arranged this so quickly. You said we would have a small wedding.” I smile up at him as he strokes a hand through my hair.
He peers around the reception. “There aren’t even two hundred guests here. You don’t consider this small?”
I shake my head and laugh. “No, I consider this huge, but I suppose it’s perfect. We were lucky to find this abandoned temple on the edge of Sorsston.” Despite the festive atmosphere, I find myself casting an uneasy glance toward the walls of the recently conquered city, but it’s dark and I can’t see much. Just a few lights in the distance. The Summer Court army has already moved on to another settlement, this time in a nearby orc territory, though the army is close enough that many of the soldiers and highborn fae could easily travel to our wedding.
“I had all the rotting heads removed from the parapet yesterday,” Lucas says, following my gaze. “The city might be under fae rule, but I would daresay it’s looking more respectable than Trevos did in the aftermath of the battle. I’ve also pardoned more runners, and as of next week, the city will no longer be in lockdown. I’ve also appointed a warden who will be firm but fair with the citizens of Sorsston. You don’t need to worry about the people who live there, sweetling.”
“After what happened in Trevos, you know I can’t help but worry about them. But I appreciate that you’re making changes and showing my people more leniency than you have in the past. Perhaps I will be able to influence you to make even more changes.” I bend slightly so he can see directly down the front of my gown. “I can be very persuasive, you know.
His nostrils flare and he tenses. “Naughty human. You shouldn’t tease me until we’re alone. I might lose control and rut you on the steps of the temple while everyone watches.”
“That is scandalous, and I’m certain the gods would strike you down if you ever attempted something so… perverse.” Despite myself, my face grows hot, and warmth quakes between my thighs. The very idea of being claimed publicly has caused excitement to skitter through me. My breath also falters.
He takes a deep inhale and growls low in his throat. His eyes glimmer with lust, and as he steps closer, I feel the telltale bulge of his erection. A little gasp leaves me, and I glance around to make sure no one is watching our interaction. The problem is, almost everyone is watching, and I’m certain my face turns scarlet. Lucas chuckles and nuzzles his face in my hair.
“Gods, you smell delicious. I can’t wait to feast on you, sweetling. I plan to spend the better part of the night savoring the slickness that’s between your thighs.” He moves me into the shadows and kisses me thoroughly. He runs his hands up and down my back, then ventures lower to grasp my buttocks while he grinds himself against me.
I lace my arms around his neck as wanton impulses seize me. Breathless, I pull back and regard him with what I hope is a disapproving look, though I suspect it falls woefully short. “You must behave yourself, Lucas. It’s customary for the bride and groom to mingle with their wedding guests for several hours at the reception. We can’t just run off together and… fornicate.”
A very fae-like growl rumbles from his chest. “Several hours, you say? I’m not certain I will manage to wait that long. Can’t you feel how hard I am for you?” He tightens his hold on my ass and gives another violent thrust, causing repeated spasms of heat in my core. “I’ll give you two hours at most, wife, and then I’m absconding with you.You’re mine.”
CHAPTER16
LUCAS
With Yvette ensconced safelyin my arms, I fly toward the secluded tower that’s been prepared for our wedding night. Like the temple where we got married, it’s part of an abandoned, overgrown estate on the outskirts of Sorsston. But the structure is sound and perfect for my purposes, and I arranged for a large bed draped in velvets and silks to be brought in, among other necessities and luxuries, and I trust the workers I hired have completed the task to my high standards.
I land on the balcony, vanish my wings, and take a moment to create a protective ward around the tower, though I doubt anyone would dare bother us. Then I carry Yvette inside, anxious to finally have her all to myself. While I can appreciate some parts of the human custom of weddings and receptions, it had taken all my self-control not to steal away with my blushing bride before those two hours came to an end.
I’m pleased to find the bed is fashioned to my specifications, and there’s also a functional bathroom with two large tubs with plenty of fresh water. There are also several plush chairs and sofas, a table laden with a variety of cheese, bread, fruit, and dessert, as well as a makeshift bar containing wine and stronger spirits. A fire roars in the hearth, making it unnecessary for me to beckon the warmth of summer.
“What do you think, sweetling?” I set her down on her feet only to immediately draw her into another embrace. It would seem I can’t keep my hands off her.
