THANE HUNG UP the phone and walked into the kitchen where Sydney was cooking dinner.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
He smiled. “The king and queen have a new wee son. He was almost two weeks early.”
“Oh wow. How are they doing?”
“Very well.”
“Elspie said that when there’s a familial bond, the women often deliver around the same time.” Sydney raised an eyebrow. “Maybe we should postpone going early.”
“Sam still wants us to come tomorrow,” Thane said. “And apparently, Liam’s birthday is going on as planned, so we’re all still invited.”
“She’s up to a party already?”
Thane nodded. “Gestation for Cauld Ane women is six months, love, and healing is immediate, so she’s doing very well.”
“Six months?” she squeaked.
“Aye, love.” Thane chuckled. “Does that frighten you?”
She shook her head. “Not when it’s happening to someone else.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. “There’s no rush, sweetheart. We’ll wait until you’re ready.”
“I appreciate that.” She sighed. “Big time.”
“Do you want children?”
She turned in his arms and looped them around his neck. “With you? Yes. Hundreds.”
He laughed. “Hundreds?”
“Okay, at least two... or four.”
Thane kissed her. “Four will be good.”
“Or maybe five.”
“However many you want to give me, love.” He kissed her again. “I’ll be happy.”
“This is my decision, then?”
“Considering you have to do all the heavy lifting... yes.”
Sydney smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. “Well, we’ll have one and then see where we go from there.”
“Sounds good.” He kissed her again and then patted her on the bottom. “Want some wine?”
“Yes, please. Dinner’s almost done.”
“Your cousin said your meatballs are ‘to die for.’” He did his best imitation of Lucy and Sydney laughed.
“I absolutely see why you get paid the big bucks for acting.”
He gave her a theater bow. “Thank you, milady.”
“It doesn’t get you out of chores, however. Set the table, mister movie star and we’ll eat.”
“Where are my people?” He snapped a finger in the air. “Staff? Staff? Where are you?”
Sydney dissolved into giggles. “You are ridiculous.”
* * *
The next afternoon after flying first class into Inverness, Sydney and Thane slid into the SUV the king had sent to bring them to his home. The drive from the airport through the Scottish countryside was breathtaking and Sydney found herself constantly oohing and aahing the further into the wilderness they drove.
“We’re almost there,” Thane said, and took her hand. “Just over this ridge.”
Sydney couldn’t keep her mouth closed as they crossed the drawbridge and pulled into a large courtyard. It was like a little city within the remote country setting with people milling around, she assumed preparing for the guests who would arrive in a week.
The car was met by very official gentlemen in kilts, and one opened her door while the other opened Thane’s. “We’ll get your bags, sir,” the man closest to Thane said.
Thane nodded and held his hand out to Sydney. She took it and they made their way to the front door. It opened before they could ring the bell and Thane smiled. “Good day, Mr. Winston.”
“Mr. Allen, welcome. Miss Warren.”
Sydney smiled. “Hi.”
She was surprised he knew her name.
He’s prepared for everything, love.
They were ushered into a roomy foyer and then into the great hall. Sydney tried not to look overly awed, but she couldn’t help it. It was magnificent. Three stories high, with balconies peering down from the top floors, the ceiling came to a large arch with a wooden beam running the length of the room, holding six chandeliers.
The fireplace was almost as tall as it was wide, and looked like it could fit several large men, and it was lit, not that it warmed the large space. The room was set up in sections. A massive table was off to the left, with tall chairs surrounding it.
To the right was a sitting area in front of the fire. Three sofas and two overstuffed chairs surrounded a coffee table that looked rather modern in the historical home. The third section housed a piano, with folding chairs propped against the wall.
“You made it!” A woman with long brown hair carrying a swaddled bundle came walking towards them.
Thane bowed. “Majesty.”
“Oh, stop!” she demanded. “I’m going to get enough of that nonsense next week.”
Thane chuckled. “Samantha, may I present my mate, Sydney. Sweetheart, this is Her Majesty, Queen Samantha.”
Samantha sighed. “Seriously?”
Thane laughed. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
“Call me Samantha, or better yet, Sam,” she said. “Please.”
Sydney smiled. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Samantha. Is this Phineas?”
“Yes.” Samantha turned him so they could get a better look. “He’s finally sleeping.”
“We should probably whisper, then,” Sydney suggested, but Samantha shook her head.
“He needs to learn to sleep through the noise. It’s what we did with Liam and he’ll sleep anywhere now.”
“Smart,” Sydney said.
An older woman walked into the room and held her arms out. “Shall I put him down, Majesty?”
“Yes, Bearnas, thank you.” She handed the baby off and then hugged Thane and Sydney. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve put you in together. I figured since tomorrow’s your bonding night, it means you don’t have to move.”
“That’s perfect, Sam, thank you,” Thane said.
They followed Samantha up the staircase to the left of the foyer and to the third door down. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, and Thane guided Sydney in front of him.
A large bed with ornately carved posts held a canopy draped in dark red velvet. Also in the room was a dresser and two high-backed chairs that faced a small fireplace, sitting between two large windows. Their bags sat at the end of the bed waiting for them to unpack.
“You have a bathroom right through that door.” Samantha pointed to the door beside the bed. “And your closet has another bureau. Please make yourselves at home. We aren’t formal here... well, we aren’t right now.” She giggled. “The party will be a little different.”
“It’s going to be great,” Thane said.
“I think so, too.” Samantha smiled. “Dinner’s at six and we won’t dress up. Just come as you are. I have to feed the baby, but come downstairs when you’re settled and we’ll have some wine before dinner.”
“Thanks for everything,” Sydney said.
Samantha squeezed her hand. “You’re so welcome, Sydney. Don’t worry about tomorrow night. I promise, it’s going to be great.”
Sydney nodded as she leaned against Thane.
“I’ll see you in a few.”
Sam left and Sydney wrapped her arms around Thane. “This room is unreal.”
He smiled. “Aye, lass, ’tis.”
“And this is where it’ll happen?”
Thane gave her a gentle squeeze. “If you feel comfortable, aye. If not, we can go somewhere else.”
“I feel great, honey. I wish we could do this tonight.”
“We can at midnight if you want to.”
“Oh, I don’t want to put anyone out,” Sydney said.
“We won’t be putting anyone out,” he said, and kissed her forehead.
She leaned back. “Honey, this isn’t our home, you can’t just wave your movie star card and demand they do what you say.”
Thane grinned. “What’s this nonsense you’re saying, milady? All must kowtow to me.”
Sydney giggled. “Hm-mm, you feel free to believe that. Quietly. In your mind, so only I hear it.”
He laughed and leaned down to kiss her. “All right, love, we’ll wait.”
“Thank you.”
“Shall we unpack and then head downstairs?”
Sydney nodded. “Perfect.”
As they were unpacking, Sydney’s phone rang and she smiled as she answered it. “Hey, Luce.”
“Hey. How’s the trip going?”
“So far, so good. Miss me?”
Lucy giggled. “So, so bad. Especially because you’re missing all the drama.”
“Uh-oh, what drama?”
“Zach’s just being a dick. He’s sending threatening texts and leaving dead flowers on my car and stuff.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I have no idea, but Dad’s team is on it, so I’m not worried. It’s just that now security’s tightened, which means, no fun for Lucy.”
Sydney hummed sympathetically. “I’m sorry, cuz. Next time, you’ll just have to come with us. You’d love it up here.”
“You’re on. For now, though, Mum’s calling, so I better go. Send me some photos, would you?”
“Of course.”
“Love you, Syd.”
“Love you too, Luce.” Sydney hung up and went back to her unpacking.
* * *
Sydney followed Thane downstairs and into the great hall. Pepper pushed herself out of her seat, holding baby Chelsea close to her breast, and pulled Sydney in for a hug. “Welcome.”
“Hi,” Sydney said, and hugged her.
“Careful, love,” Connall ordered.
“Bite me, honey,” Pepper retorted, and her mate chuckled, but still watched her closely. “He’s extra protective of this little one. Dating’s going to be a nightmare.”
“We don’t date, love. Remember that.”
Pepper smiled. “Her bonding night’s going to be a nightmare.”
“Och, Pepper, no bonding in regards to our daughter,” Connall demanded.
“See?”
Sydney giggled and kissed the baby’s head. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Sydney and Thane greeted the rest of the family and she found herself a little intimidated by Kade. It might have been because she knew he was a king, but it was also his countenance. He was regal and hovered over his wife like any overprotective man would.
Thane kissed her temple. We all hover, love. Don’t let it scare you.
She gave him a barely perceptible nod.
“Do you want some wine, Sydney?” Samantha asked.
“I would love some,” she said as she sat beside Thane on one of the love seats.
“Red or white?”
“Red, please.”
A glass of red appeared before her on a tray held by a young woman in uniform.
“Thank you,” Sydney said, smiling at her.
“So,” Samantha said. “We were wondering how you might feel about bonding at midnight.”
Sydney glanced at Thane and he raised his hands in surrender. “I said nothing, love.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Seriously. I’ve been with you all day. When would I have?”
Samantha giggled. “I take it this subject came up?”
“Aye,” Thane said. “Sydney didn’t want to put anyone out.”
“Oh, it’s fine, Sydney,” Samantha assured her. “We don’t go to sleep early when we’re here, so if you want to bond as soon as your birthday’s official, please feel free to.”
“We’ll talk about it,” Thane said. “Okay, love?”
Sydney nodded, forcing her nerves down.
It’ll be fine, sweetheart.
She nodded again. “We’ll talk about it,” she parroted.
“You let me know what you want to do and we’ll organize the staff.”
“Thank you, Samantha,” Sydney said.
“No problem.”
“We’ll all be here,” Pepper added. “So, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Aye, Sydney,” Payton said. “We’re here for you.”
“I appreciate it.”
Thane linked his fingers with hers and lifted her hand to his lips.
The rest of the evening went by in a blur of sorts. Sydney couldn’t really focus on much, as her mind was preoccupied by the fact that in a few short hours, she would be permanently bound to the man who stayed glued to her the entire night. She wasn’t nervous, although, she wondered if she should be. Everything was happening very quickly.