Page 24 of Emergence of Fire
“Don’t worry, Silva, I won’t let them ruin your amazing work. Well, not until after dinner.” Torin laughs as he let us go first then closes the door behind us.
“We don’t need to touch your face to ruin you, beautiful,” I hear him say as he walks casually behind us.
“Well, in that case I am glad I’m not wearing any panties.” I let go of Adrian and Gale’s hands and put a little more sway in my hips as I walk away from them. All three of them groan.
Let’s get this show on the road. I have dicks to ride.
* * *
This place is justfull of surprises. I don’t know what I expected to see when we entered the formal dining room but I wasn’t expecting to eat under the stars. The large room was warm and cozy, lit mostly by candlelight so that you can see the glass ceiling and the sky beyond. A long table that looks as if it could seat a hundred people dominates the middle of the room. Royal blue velvet dining chairs await each guest with their names written in flames magically floating above it. On closer inspection I gasp in awe as I realize that the candles are floating as well. This whole room feels enchanting. The little girl inside of me does a little happy dance.
Classical music fills the air, the melody is familiar, but I can’t place it as I watch some of the guests waltz on the other side of the room. I can’t find just one thing to focus on as my eyes try to take it all in. I really did feel like a princess surrounded by her princes tonight. As much as I didn’t want to be here, I can appreciate all the effort made on my behalf. Servants hurry about with trays of canapés and drinks, making my stomach rumble. I can’t remember the last time I ate, and I am looking forward to stuffing my mouth.
Strong hands grab me from behind, the scent of bergamot and sandalwood envelopes me and I relax instantly, melting into him. Torin’s hand wraps possessively around my stomach, pulling me flush against his body. Resting his chin on my shoulder he places a soft kiss on my neck, making my knees wobble.
“You are about to be approached by almost everyone in this room.” He whispers in my ear and I realize then that the kiss was just a reason to talk to me without being overheard. “Can I request that you have one of us with you at all times? With everything that’s going on, we don’t know who we can really trust here.”
I incline head to look up at him. “My aunt told me the same thing. So, we are not as safe as I thought we would be,” I say to him. “I mean no one is going to come after me at this very moment, right?” I say out loud to no one in particular. Gale entwines our fingers as he steps up next to me.
“We’re saying we need to be careful,” Gale says.
Adrian scowls at people who are starting to notice our arrival, preventing them from approaching. I reach out and grab his hand, then pull him toward us. “Adrian, it’s fine. I’m ok.” I assure him. I understand their overprotectiveness, but I trust my aunt and I know she wouldn’t let any harm befall any of us. I suspect the same from the king. He was my mother’s friend after all. I don’t voice any of this out loud because I know that first and foremost, they want to keep me safe.
“Alright, one of you better stick to me like glue then. I am not big on crowds and things like this anyway. So, you don’t have to worry about me wandering off.” I keep my voice low as I talk to them and all three of them sigh with relief.
I scoff, giving them all the side eye. “Did you think I was going to resist what you’re asking of me? Look, I know absolutely nothing about these people. Hell, what am I even supposed to say to any of them for that matter. I’m out of my depth here, and I am trusting you to guide me. I am truly at your mercy,” I say to them.
“Completely at our mercy. I’ll hold you to that later tonight.” Torin kisses my neck once more and steps away from me. Adrian immediately steps closer, wraps his arm around my waist and leads me further into the room.
“Stop talking about sex before I turn this car around.” I turn my head slightly and say to Torin with a smirk. Gale, and dare I say it Adrian, both laugh at my half ass attempt of a joke.
“Ha, ha, ha, beautiful.” Torin laughs softly behind me.
“I could be persuaded—”
“Cordelia, baby focus.” Adrian squeezes my hand just as a tall man approaches us. A gold circlet sits on the top of his blonde buzz cut hair, his body is muscular, radiating youthfulness, and he doesn’t look a day over fifty in a tuxedo similar to the guys. Instead of a suit coat he has opted for a red robe with an extremely long train. This is King Maddox. A real life King. The fact alone has me clenching my jaw tight to keep me from staring slack-jawed. A warm smile spreads across his face, bright blue eyes so much like my aunts search mine as he stops right in front of us.
“My goodness, you are a spitting image of your mother,” he says softly. He looks as if he has seen a ghost. I don’t fail to notice the brief look of sadness on his face.
“King Maddox.” I really don’t know what to do in this moment, so I try to mirror what I’ve seen in all the fantasy movies I’ve watched and I slowly dip my head and attempt to curtsy only for Adrian and Gale to stop me mid-way. Torin clears his throat and I pull my hands away from them in confusion. Oh hell, I just got here and I am already committing a huge faux pas. Geez.
Before I can say anything, strong callused hands gently take mine. I look up at the king as he smiles down at me.
“Oh, my dear you don’t bow or curtsy to anyone. You are a queen. Queens don’t kneel or bend their knee.” His words hit me straight in the chest. I feel the power behind every word and all I can do in reply is nod. A lump that has formed in my throat is hard to swallow as I try to reply. I’m too emotional to speak.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Torin says behind me. I look over my shoulder and smile at him in thanks. I take a deep breath as Maddox steps away and holds out his arm for me to take. I look at my guys and no one stops me as I link my arms with his.
“Let me escort you to your seat.” He slowly begins to walk toward the dining table. The room, I observe, has gone quiet as the king walks me to my chair. My mates walk close behind us as people whisper softly as we pass. I can feel every eye on me in the room and it isn’t lost on me that this type of behavior is out of the ordinary for the king judging by the looks we are receiving.
“Here we are, Cordelia. Right next to your mates and Twyla. I won’t be far, just a few seats away. Do make yourselves comfortable, it will be a while before we eat, and we have much to discuss.” He smiles as he pulls out my chair. I take a seat quickly.
“Thank you, King Mad—”
“Just Maddox or Papa Maddox, Grandpa would be amazing,” he says to me before I can finish what I was going to say. From the look of surprise on my face he laughs loudly at my wide eyes and silly awkward smile in reaction to his words. I stare at Gale, Adrian, then Torin to find them all smiling as well. Am I the only one who thinks this absolutely crazy?
“You are practically my granddaughter, Cordelia. My daughter has raised you as her own. You are a part of my family now. You all are.” He looks at me, then my mates. “I didn’t think I would ever see this day. I thought my daughter was lost to me forever. I wish the circumstances were different but here we are. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe until you are ready to return to your realm. So, please indulge an old man.” He smiles.
“Thank you, Maddox.” I can’t call this man Papa anything, not yet, Maddox will have to do. It’s hard because I don’t know him but I can only hope that with time calling him something more than Maddox will get easier. I’m excited about the prospect.
