Page 43 of Her Royal Blood

He was happy with the simple accommodations; a warm bed, a piping hot meal, and a place to rest for the next few days. As soon as Amadeus was settled with all of those provisions, Aria and I climbed to the next level and went to our sleeping quarters. Aria had been largely silent during our meeting, however, I believe this was because she was still processing her thoughts about the time she’d spent with Amadeus and his current condition.

For the majority of her life Amadeus had hid the fact that he was her father. He watched as she endured a life of servitude and degradation at the hands of Lady India. While I knew Aria to be a loving and forgiving soul, I also understood the struggle to reconcile her feelings about her father.

“Are you okay?” I asked, sweeping Aria into my arms as soon as the door closed.

“I am,” she said faintly. “Just…” She didn’t finish her sentence.

“A lot to process.” I kissed the top of her head.

When we were getting Amadeus settled I also had meals sent up to our room. On the small table in the corner we had a loaf of black bread and butter, the same as we ate for lunch, a stew of vegetables and rice, and a small wire basket of various dried meats. When housed in the stronghold, food was rationed.

We were able to get fresh berries and vegetables from the rooftop garden that were held under a glass greenhouse, and stores of grain were used to make the bread. Imported meats came from the countryside and could be kept for several yearswithout going bad. While the food was simple and the portions meager, Aria and I ate hungrily.

“I haven’t seen Amadeus look this good since he came back from Polonius. Whatever did you do?” I asked Aria as we ate.

“I talked to him and got him to tell me that there were spells we could use in his grimoire. I found a memory spell and it brought him back from the recesses of his mind. We have a lot of work to do, but he’s broken out of the mind lock Polonius’ poisoning created. His wolf stole his magic to keep it safe and with it, some of his personality was also absorbed so that Amadeus would be compliant enough not to get hurt by Polonius. Now he has to come to terms with all that was done to him while he’d been magically imprisoned. I think it’s going to take a while for him to work through all of the trauma,” she said quietly.

“You seem okay with him, I mean, not so angry.” I pressed for her real feelings.

“I’m not, I can’t be. He did what he felt he had to and what is in the past will stay there. I’m focused on our future now.” She took a spoonful of soup then dipped her bread in it.

“As am I, which is why I’d like to discuss something with you. I’ve been waiting for us to have a quiet moment alone, but I think it’s important that you hear this now. I don’t want any more time to pass between us.” I was happy to finally let her know my plans, but worried she might rebuff them for her fear that I might not want what I was about to propose.

“What did you want to discuss?” She looked up at me with her soulful hazel eyes, ready to hear me, eager to support whatever quest I’d set her on, but little did she know I was about to surrender my life for hers.

“Before I say this, I want you to know that I’ve given this more than enough thought, too much, in fact and I am resolved and unwavering, nothing will change my mind. I need you tounderstand this,” I said, feeling excited and relieved to finally have made my choice.

“Okay.” She set her spoon down having eaten all but a few bites of her food. “What is it?” By her worried expression, I knew she was expecting something bad, but that was her nature, as horrible things often happened to her.

“I am going to abdicate my place in my father’s line of succession.” She gasped, though my abdication wasn’t unexpected, perhaps the finality of my decision was.

“Lex?” She tried to interrupt me, but I stopped her.

“I have already set a meeting with him and I’m not going to change my mind. I will abdicate my position in the line of succession in favor of Cheyenne so that I might support you as your king, to rule by your side and at your command. You will be the alpha, and your rule will not be compromised by me, but I want to serve as your husband and your king.” Nothing had felt as good as finally saying those words to her.

“Are you sure?” Tears welled in her eyes.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I will rule in your shadow, and I will support you in any way you need. I am and always will be in your service. I must first abdicate with my father privately so that he can officially name Cheyenne as his successor. I hope by that time we will be married and our kingdoms restored to peace.”

“Oh Lex.” She threw her arms out and hugged me across the table.

I took her face into my hands and kissed her soft plump lips.

“I’m only sorry, I didn’t do this sooner.” With my meal finished I smiled at her. “I will provide for your every need and desire, my queen.” I offered a satisfied grin.“Do you want more to eat?” I asked her, hoping she’d want to retire with me.

Though my body was beyond exhaustion, my mind and spirit were bright and alert.

“No,” she breathed.

“Then I believe it is best we get some rest.” I stood up and offered her my hand. “After I’ve served your needs and desires,” I brought her to my chest and kissed her again, deeply and with all the love that coursed through my veins.

She had nothing to say to my proposal, perhaps because she knew there was nothing to say. When I made up my mind I would not change it. All that was left to communicate between the two of us was the love we shared, infinitely. I touched her shoulder and kissed her cheek as I slowly slid her tunic down her body as it pooled in a heap onto the floor.

Her soft breasts pebbled in the cool air with excitement and need. Her gentle fingers deathly untied the lashes of my britches and tugged them downward until I was standing with my cock erect. It didn't take us but moments for me to dip out of my shirt and her to unfasten and take off her pants.

“One day,” she said, sliding under the thin sheets of the bed. “We will be in our own room, sleeping together in a bed made for us.” Her bare feet found mine and tangled between them seeking warmth.

I pulled the woven wool blanket up from the bottom of the bed to lay on top of us as I drew her in closer.

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