I curled my legs up on the oversized, wicker chair on the back porch as I stared off into the dark forest. The day was filled with Kieran, Ayen, and Conell strategizing over the murder of the king. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Yes, the king needed to pay for his crimes. But kill him?

The smell of hot chocolate and mint drifted in the air, drawing my attention to Conell stepping out onto the porch. He carried two mugs, and a sensual half-smile brightened his features.

Sitting up straighter, I took one of the mugs from him. I wrapped my fingers around the warm cup and inhaled. The rich minty aroma tantalized my senses.

Two days after each beating, a mug of mint hot chocolate was by my bed when I returned to my cell or room after the daily shores. I always had my suspicions where it came from. “I knew it was you who sent me hot chocolate.”

He nudged me to scoot over by poking at my hip. Frowning, I uncurled my legs. When I didn’t move fast enough he set his cup on the table and lifted me, drawing a squeak from my lips. Then he sat in the chair, placing me on his lap. “I made the hot chocolate. Ayen took it to you.”

Shadows passed over his features. Creases formed on his forehead. Cupping his cheek, I said, “Don’t be sad for me.”

“I’m not sad. I’m angry. Angry at my father who killed your mother and mine.” He hugged me tight and buried his face into my shoulder. But not before I saw the pain darkening his blue eyes.

I hugged him back. The journal detailed his plot to kill his wives. The name of the poison he used to make it appear they died of natural causes. I never understood why he did it, though. Why detail each act? Was that normal for a killer? A way to relive his crimes?

And as much as I didn’t want to go back, I needed to grow a set of balls and face my fears. Face the man who hated me and abused me every chance he got. I wasn’t a child anymore.

I released a heavy sigh. “I guess we’re going back to the palace.”

Lifting his head, he smiled and kissed me quickly on the lips. I gasped and jerked back a little. Involuntarily, I touched my lips. They tingled as if they were touched by a low current of electricity. It wasn’t our first kiss, but it was unexpected. For a moment, I’d forgotten we didn’t have to hide. Not here.

He took my cup from me and set it on the small table beside the chair, then framed my face in his large hands. “At the ball, I will be announcing you as the new queen. After I deal with my father.”

“Queen? But I can’t—“

He silenced me with a finger over my lips. “You can and are exactly what the people need after everything the bastard has done.”

“I think dethroning the king would be enough. I’m no one special.”

A poke in the side made me giggle and jerk sideways. Then he drew me closer so our bodies were pressed together. “You are more special than you realize.” He kissed me again, letting his lips linger over mine. “And beautiful.”

Our lips touched again and he pressed harder. There was a raw, primal possession in this kiss. My insides vibrated as tingles ran wild over my skin.

Snaking my arms around his neck, I sank my fingers in his long black hair and moved my mouth with his. A moan escaped me as his tongue slipped through the seam of my lips, meeting mine.

Awareness of another person cut through the drunken desire clouding my mind. I broke the kiss and glanced to the door leading into the house. Not one, but two someones stood on the porch staring at us.

Heat filled my cheeks and I pushed at Conell to let me go, but he didn’t. Kieran and Ayen smirked and advanced to us. They pulled up chairs and positioned them so we sat in tight circle.

Worried, I sat up straighter in Conell’s lap, giving them my full attention. “What happened?”

Kieran frowned but looked at Conell as he spoke. “Hounds are snooping around the edge of village. Ayen and I are going to lead them away from here, confuse them.” Kieran glanced at me. “I’ll need something with your scent on it that you don’t care if you get it back.”

Fear and dread lodged in my chest like a block of ice. I nodded and stood. Conell released me instantly. After removing my underskirt, I hand it to him. “This would be the only thing. I’m careful not to allow my dirty clothes to lay about.”

Kieran took the white cotton skirt, fisting it in his hands, then leaned forward. “It won’t be much longer before you are free to live without covering your tracks or in fear.” He kissed me quickly and straightened.

Ayen touched my cheek, a sadness in his eyes. It reached out to me. I wanted to grab him, hug him, and hold him. Too quickly, he left to catch up with Kieran. Both men disappeared into the forest.

Conell stood beside me and pulled something out of his pocket. He moved to the railing of the porch and placed a palm-sized crystal on it. “Praesidio.”

Magic charged the air, then snapped into place, forming a circle of protection around the house. When he turned, he lowered his gaze. The next thing I knew he gathered me into his arms, his head buried in my shoulder.

“I’m so sorry.”

My heartbeat slowed and I hugged him back. “For what?”

He squeezed me a little tighter. It wasn’t painful. It was like he needed to feel me close. I relaxed and waited for him to answer.

“I did nothing. All that time. I couldn’t bear facing you.” He lifted his head. His blue eyes shone with tears. It broke me on a level the king couldn’t with all his beatings.

I pressed my fingers to his lips. “Don’t blame yourself.”

Taking my hand in his, he shook his head. “The bastard told me if I ever had contact with you or helped you in anyway, he’d kill you. Then he’d let the kingdom know I raped a child.”

I gasped and stepped back. Cold fear mingled with the rising rage from deep within. Conell and I were five years apart. Any attempt to be more than friends before or after my mother died had to be secret. Like notes we shared and I burned as soon as I read them.

And that one kiss the night of my sixteenth birthday. “Someone saw us?”

“Not sure. He knows how I feel about you. Or thinks he does. He used it against me. Out of fear for your safety, I left you alone. I tried to get him to focus on something or someone other than you.” Conell reached out and wrapped his arm around my waist, drawing me back to him. “Father kept saying you were just like your mother. I never understood what he meant by that. He’d only say such things when we were alone. When I asked about his meaning, he’d go into a rage and remind me the power he held. That was when I started to believe the man is not well. He’s crazy.”

“He’s addicted to power and somewhere along the way had become the male version of a black widow.” Sadness swelled in my chest. I glanced to the ground. “I don’t understand how he could be so cruel.”

“Hey.” Conell lifted my chin with his index finger. When our gazes locked, he raised both brows and gave me a half smile. Just like that my sadness faded while hope for a future took root deep inside me. “I missed you.”

A breathy laugh blew past my lips. “I missed you, too.”

“And we’re all alone.”

Yes, we were. Rising on my toes, I pressed against him and kissed his lips quickly. “What will you do with the me?”

One side of his sensual mouth lifted in a crooked smile. Desire swirled in my belly and made my bones feel like they’d been turned to gelatin. There was a wicked promise of pleasure in his blue depths.

“There are so many things I want to do to you.” He scooped me up in his arms and entered the house, closing and locking the door behind him.

Walking into the bedroom, he kicked the door closed. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I’d never been a lone with any of them for long periods of time. Except for when Elion stayed to night in my cell tending to my wounds.

That last thought made me think of my scars. I was imperfect. Damaged. Squirming in Conell’s arms, I pushed at him to release me. Instead, he tightened his hold. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head. “I can’t…you can’t…”

“Tia.” He framed my face, forcing me to look at him. “We can’t what?”

After a long moment, I let out a sigh. “I don’t…want you to see the scars.”

His features softened as he traced my lower lip with his thumb. The sensation sent a ripple of desire through me. “I’ve seen your scars.”

Closing my eyes, I leaned into his touch. He wouldn’t let me argue with him. I knew that. I tried so hard to forget that all the guys saw my imperfect skin. They were present for most my beatings. All except Kieran.

Since learning he knew I was his mate, I guessed he wouldn’t be able to contain his vampire nature to protect me. Therefore, being present for the not so private punishments would send Kieran into rage. Had the king known and sent him away before he whipped me?

“Tia?” Conell’s soft, deep tone brought me out of my thoughts.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t ever apologize to me. No matter what you do.” He dipped his head and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

Wrapping my arms around Conell’s neck, I held him tight and deepened the kiss. I wanted the images out of my head. I wanted to feel loved. “Make the nightmares go away, if only for tonight.”

He broke the kiss and laid me on the bed. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. I hadn’t a clue what I was doing, but I knew how I felt. My body tingled and came alive when he touched me…when any of my guys touched me. Each one was different. Conell had power and command in his presence. My alpha male. My future king.

He stared down at me as if he didn’t believe me, so I unbuttoned my blouse. My hands shook and my heart pounded.

Lowering his gaze, he watched my fingers release one button at a time. With a low groan, he brushed my hands away and quickly finished the task. Then he untucked it from my skirt.

Desire fired to life in his blue depths, flaring my own desire hotter. When he popped the clasp on the front of my bra, I let out a small gasp and fought to urge to cover myself. As if sensing my nervousness, Conell kissed me. His lips were gentle yet commanding at the same time.

Pinpricks of desire scattered over my flesh when he cupped my right breast and rolled my nipple between his fingers. With his other hand, he gathered my skirt until he was able slip his hand under the fabric. An aching need uncurled inside me. My panties grew wet.

Conell glided his hand up the inside of my thigh, nudging my legs apart. I broke the kiss and tipped my head while rocking my hips, silently begging for him to touch me, pleasure me.

He cupped me over my panties and a medley of sensations washed over me. Then he slipped his hand inside my underwear and rubbed my clit. My breaths came faster and a drunken feeling filled my head.

When he slid a finger inside me, I thought I’d die from the mounting pleasure. I spread my thighs wider and moved in the rhythm he set. The climax slammed into me and my body jerked with each shockwave.

The sound of his zipper lowering made me groan while my insides burned with the wildfire he started. He moved to stand on his knees between my legs, his thick cock positioned at my entrance.

I met his desire-drunken stare as he filled me. A cry of pleasure escaped me. I’d heard some of the maids in the palace talk about their first times and how painful they were. I felt no pain, just raw, unforgiving pleasure.

He pumped his hips and with each thrust increased his rhythm. Pleasure built again until the orgasm threw me over the edge.

Conell groaned as he followed me into the sea of bliss.

He settled beside me on the bed and cuddled me close. “That was far better than my dreams.”

A wide smile formed on my lips. “Amazing.”

He kissed my temple. “As much as I don’t want to move, we should take a shower, then sleep.”

Nodding, I understood what he wasn’t saying. We needed to wake early to head out for a two-day trip to the Kregon Kingdom. “You’ll have to carry me to the bathroom.”

He chuckled. “My pleasure, princess.”