Page 21 of Fractured Souls
“King Adriel.” My guard captain’s voice echoed through the courtyard and I sat up, pulling Lorcan against me.
“One moment,” I called out, tucking a piece of hair behind Lorcan’s ear. “Why don’t you get inside the carriage and grab whatever you need? I want to talk to him for a minute.”
“Okay.” She pressed forward and kissed me. “Just remember—don’t go disappearing like freakin’ Desmond did.”
Desmond’s head popped through the roof of the carriage. “Come on, love, you know why I had to do that.”
“Still don’t like it,” she grumbled as she followed him back inside. I let out a long breath in an effort to calm myself down. The darkness inside of my chest was trying to claw forward, to push past my senses and claim her in this very public place…but I couldn’t. I didn’t want our first time to feel like it was because I was trying to make a damn point.
“Captain Carpus.” I turned and jumped off the edge of the carriage, causing it to rock slightly. Landing in front of the captain, he offered a small head bow of respect that wasn’t necessary but still appreciated. He’d been in charge of my guard since the beginning, and I trusted him completely.
“The advisors are ready to meet whenever you are,” he said. “The castle attendants also mentioned that your quarters have been made ready, along with the guest quarters nearby.”
“Great.” I heard the carriage doors open. “Also, make the castle staff aware that this evening we will be having amaité anamceremony and banquet. Open it to the kingdom as a whole. If they need more time—”
“That won’t be an issue,” he assured me. “It will be ready for tonight.” Hesitating for a moment, he then offered, “And congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said, offering a friendly clap on the shoulder. I knew that everyone would view this as what amounted to a human wedding, and I had absolutely no fucking issue with that. In fact, I would prefer for them to view it that way. Although the others might fucking kill me.
As the others made their way around the carriage, I offered Cash a small head nod, assuring him that we were completely safe and in the clear. I knew that he worried about Lorcan’s safety almost obsessively. Of course we all did, but for him it was a bit more extreme.
Lorcan appeared next to me and intertwined her fingers with mine. “Where now?”
“Up to my quarters, and then we can talk about the plan for tonight. I’m sure you’ll want to take a nap, too—it’s going to be a very long night. Usually ceremonies and the accompanying celebration go on long into the night.”
“Nap needed then,” she agreed.
“King Adriel.” A familiar voice revealed the head castle attendant, Bracken, appearing from a group of soldiers. “I would be honored to escort all of you to your quarters. I can also point out any important locations to your travel companions along the way.”
I wasn’t surprised by his suggestion—Bracken was always ten steps ahead of the game.
As we walked forward, Lorcan strolled happily next to me and peppered Bracken with questions, the grumpy old bastard smiling at whatever she was saying. That shouldn’t have been surprising because Lorcan could be objectively hilarious, but I’d only seen him smile maybe once in all the time I’d known him, so it was a bit crazy.
While they talked, the others joining in occasionally, I noticed the way the castle staff stared at Lorcan as we passed, averting their eyes when looking towards me. The reputation I carried wasn’t soft or friendly, so their caution was unsurprising, but I also considered myself a fair ruler. After all, the entire point of this endeavor was to provide another option outside of the Kingdom of Day—a better, safer option for all.
Although like I said, the fear was reasonable.
It was also why people were shocked, no doubt, that I had found mymaité anam.It was going to be an interesting marking process to say the least, especially since it was going to be a direct collision of our magic. I would have to talk to the others about trying to use their magic to shield the audience from any possible rebound effects.
Although, if this was going to be intense, it would be nothing compared to when we actually mated. That shit would have the ability to level the kingdom.
“Here we are. The ceremony is set to start tonight at nine, if that’s acceptable,” Bracken offered as we arrived at my quarters.
“Thank you, that sounds great.”
Leaving us to our private matters, I led everyone into the space that served as my quarters, though it was more of an estate within the castle itself. Lorcan let out a surprised noise, the main room a two-story glass conservatory with comfortable velvet couches and a roaring fire. There were two hallways on either side of the fireplace. “You guys can put your stuff in the rooms down that hallway, and then my bedroom suite is this way.”
“Which means a nap.” Lorcan sighed happily, twirling in that direction, and her form seemed to shimmer with that starry effect once more. The realm recognized her place in it—it recognized she belonged here.
“The staff will bring the right garments for tonight,” I called out the others.
“What’s this ceremony like?” Draven asked knowingly.
I smiled to myself but pretended to not hear, slipping into my bedroom suite. I came to a stop, watching Lorcan as she looked down onto the moon garden I’d planted from the bedroom’s balcony. Every single flower glowed in the darkness of night.
It was beautiful—but not nearly as stunning as my mate.
My gaze went skyward as I felt my jaw clench. I loved the night more than the day—always had—but the stars weren’t as peaceful as they used to be, and there was a darkness coming for all of us. Coming for Lorcan.
