Page 45 of Mated to the Kings

When he pulls out of me, I drape my arm across my eyes and focus on catching my breath. My heart is pounding out of my chest. When Daemon shifts back, he scoops me up from the ground. I am so completely out of it that I am nearly catatonic as he carries me to the house.

I only start to come out of it when he sets me in the bathtub where one of them has drawn a bath. They all are with me, taking turns washing the dirt from my body. This is the most at peace I have ever felt. When they finish washing me, Daemon dries me off and gets me dressed in his shirt before taking me to his bed. I turn and snuggle up to him as Callum and Kael come over to kiss me goodnight.

Daemon kisses my head, and I groan. “I’m so tired,” I murmur.

“Sleep then, sweetie,” he says as he kisses my forehead.

“That was amazing,” I say. “We are doing that again.” Daemon, Callum, and Kael laugh heartily at my admission.

“I told you I wouldn’t break you,” Daemon says.

“Oh, you broke my brain. I think I might have died for a second. I’m sure I lost a few brain cells coming that hard.”

“I’d say it was worth it then,” he says.

“So worth it,” I mumble as he wraps his arms around me.

“Sleep now, sweet girl. Tomorrow is a big day,” he says.

Chapter Thirteen

Lilith

Mynervesareshot.I’ve been pulled in every direction today, and I haven’t had a moment to breathe all afternoon. The ceremony starts in a few minutes, and I’m silently freaking out. I am trying to calm down, but the panic won’t stop growing. I am pacing around this small dressing room in a dress that feels too tight. Leli is watching me closely but letting me have my moment.

The door opens, and I know the guys are here, but it doesn’t fully register. “She just keeps walking around mumbling something. Pretty sure she’s driving herself insane,” Leli says.

“Lilith,” Daemon says as he steps into my path and puts his hands on my shoulders.

“Sorry,” I sigh.

“For what?” he asks.

“Being a crazy person, mostly.”

“Well. You can’t help it,” he says with a smirk. My mouth falls open, and I smack his arm, making him chuckle and hug me. “You look beautiful, by the way. I’m definitely fucking you in this dress later.”

“At least untie the corset first,” I say. “Thank you. It’s comfortable, despite strangling my ribs.”

“She’s being dramatic,” Leli says.

“I am. Just ignore me.”

“Stop for a second and close your eyes,” he says. I nod and close my eyes. “Just breathe. Don’t think about anything else.”

“Daemon… Literally a million different things can go wrong. I can’t just…”

“Hush, Lilith. Breathe. That’s it. Nothing else,” he says.

I focus all of my attention on my breathing and get my heart to stop pounding in my chest. I slowly start to relax, and Daemon kisses my forehead.

“Good girl,” he says. “Are you ready, my sweet queen?”

“Yes,” I sigh.

“Let’s do this then,” he smiles.

He offers me his arm, and I happily loop mine with his. We leave the small dressing room and walk toward the main event.

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