Page 121 of Simon

“The dress. Not a dress, but The Dress. Rune has worked on it all day. The fabric came from Queen Clara. It’s supposed to sparkle when the light sources are setting just right. If you don’t care about luck or anything, it’s right over there.” She pointed to a blanket that had covered a silhouette of a body with no head.

“How important is it to you that I wait?” I asked, and brought my attention back to her. “I will be honest. What I want is for you to be happy. I do not care what clothes you wear, you could walk to me naked to our nest every night, and I would be the happiest male for the rest of our eternity together.”

Lucy’s eyes moistened, and she leaned her forehead against mine. “Why do you always have the right thing to say?”

I licked my lips. “I don’t know. Should I write a book for others?”

She barked out a laugh and planted a kiss on my lips.

“I will wait to see you, in this dress, so I may experience everyone else in their excitement. But I will only leave you alonefor five minutes. It is enough for you to get dressed and meet me where you are supposed to,” I relented.

Lucy nodded in agreement. “I think that is a lovely compromise.”

My hand ran over her stomach. “And how are you now?”

Lucy sighed. “It’s over. Rune did this one one-hour period thing. I won’t ever do that again. I still think my uterus is falling out of my vagina.”

What was a ut-erus?

Lucy shook her head. “I wanted to make sure tonight was extra special for you, being ourwedding nightand all.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

I frowned. “If you think a little blood would have scared me, you are mistaken.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “You would have still… done the deed with me being on my lady time?”

I looked deep into her eyes, and my nose brushed with hers. “Nothing could keep me away from your precious cunt, my sweet mate.”

She pushed me away and laughed. “Holy blood sausage, Simon!”

Chapter Forty-One

Simon

Elmira,ashifterandone of Lucy’s companions from when she first entered the Wood, brushed and braided my mate’s hair for the upcoming ceremony. She had a bite mark on her shoulder, and the scent of that idiot wolf, Dutton, entangled with hers.

Their courting game was over, and Elmira said it was everything she ever dreamed of in claiming her mate. She was a powerful female, and she still made her male work for it.

I was grateful I did not have to chase Lucy for so long and that she was more compliant than this shifter. I did not have the patience to run after my mate throughout the forest. I wanted a female who wanted to stand beside me, not run from me.

The queen had also entered the tent. I briefly remembered her in my time as an animal. I knew of her as an honest, benevolent queen and had a calming aura around her wherever she went. It even calmed Kane, the fiercest of all the shifters.

Kane was a large male. He took up the whole tent when he stepped inside. Markings and piercings covered him, and he scowled. Not that there was anything wrong with his appearance—he was just intimidating. If he ever went near my mate, I would not hesitate to defend her, but I would also never provoke him.

I could easily see his strength rival that of an orc. I would like to see what the outcome would be. There was a rumor he wouldn’t fight an orc because of their standing in the war and his gratefulness towards them.

“Lucy,” Clara broke the silence. “Now that you are a queen, you don’t have to do any more research about the Wood. We can find someone else.” Clara assured her as she sat in the chair next to her.

Lucy turned and brushed the shifter’s hand away. “Are you kidding? I’m still doing it! I live here now. I have a forest that can even grow more rapidly before my eyes. It would be beneficial if I continued with my research. Please!” Lucy stood up and grabbed Clara’s hand. “Please, let me continue.”

Clara smiled brightly. “Only if you want to. If it gets too much, you let me know.” Her head turned toward me. “For you, too, Simon. We know that you have a lot to prepare for in the upcoming years. We want you both not to feel too overwhelmed. Please let us know if you need any resources. Clothing, building materials, food cravings.” She winked. “We will send everything you need. Osirus has sent word as well. Once the fauns arrive, wewill segregate Monktona Wood into its own kingdom when you are ready.”

Kane chuckled. “Yeah, the orcs are gonna love that.”

Clara slapped him in the stomach.

I let out a shuddering breath, at which Lucy grabbed my hand and said for me, “That is a long way down the road. But thank you, we appreciate everything.”

My arms wrapped around her waist. The soft white robe she wore covering her naked body, was too much. I wanted to grab her, take her to the nest and not worry about this ceremony.

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