Epilogue
Almost Two Months Later
Azalyn darted into a side room with Keltor at her side. Once the door closed, she let out the laughter she’d been keeping inside. “I hadn’t expected Farren to lead the other council members in a song.”
Keltor sighed. “I sometimes second-guess my decision to put him on my council.”
“That’s silly. He’s clever and full of knowledge. Not to mention he knows how to make people laugh when they need it.”
“You laugh a little too often at his jokes,” Keltor muttered.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “I just became your bride, Keltor tro el Vallen. I want you as my lord, not Farren.”
Leaning on his cane, Keltor reached around her waist and drew her up against him. “I think there are more important matters to attend to than talking about Farren.”
She placed her hands on Keltor’s bare chest; he’d worn the formal attire of tight trousers and a long vest. As she rubbed her fingers against his hard muscles, she murmured, “I hope these matters involve us with far less clothing.”
Heat flashed in his eyes. “Yes, although I’m tempted to simply toss up your skirts and take you once to slake my desire.”
She smiled coyly. “I saw how you looked at me in there. Considering you gave me this dress, you only have yourself to blame.”
Wanting to tempt her lord, she backed away and twirled once, the long, silky skirts a light caress against her skin.
He growled. “I didn’t think it’d be so revealing.”
She smoothed the fabric of her dress, her fingers loving the embroidered birds flying over the colors of a Kelderan sunrise—yellow, blue-green, and purple. One of Veljan’s prized new flowers, a small bloom in dark, iridescent blue, was pinned to one side of her chest, completing the outfit. “It’s perfectly acceptable.”
Keltor stalked toward her, each click of his cane hitting the floor making her heart pound harder. His voice was gravelly as he said, “I can see every curve of your body because of that damn material.”
“Well, not quite all, thankfully.” She stretched the material over her belly, which was a little rounder than it had been when she’d woken up inside the palace over three months ago.
All because of their baby, who had decided they liked food quite a bit and weren’t going to let her forget it.
Her male stopped in front of her and lightly traced the curve of her abdomen, leaving a trail of heat behind. “The most important people know, and that’s all that matters.”
She smiled at the memory of Toralyn tossing her hands up in the air, declaring she had too much family as it was, what with both older and younger aunts and uncles.
However, after the initial outburst, both Kelzal and Toralyn had been supportive, stating as long as they didn’t have to babysit or change diapers, they would enjoy a sibling.
The only person who didn’t know was Korjal, but she was certain Keltor’s men would locate him eventually.
Not wanting to ruin her claiming day with worries about a missing brother-in-law, she turned and slowly swayed her hips as she walked. Keltor followed.
Stopping at the edge of the bed, she kept her back to Keltor. She could tell he stood just behind her as his heat seeped into her body.
His breath tickled her ear. “Just for that, I am going to take you once while you’re fully clothed and I’m not.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she tilted her head. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
With a growl, Keltor cupped her cheek and took her lips in a demanding kiss. Each stroke and lick was another brand, as if claiming her in front of most of Keldera wasn’t enough.
Turning toward him, she threaded her fingers through his hair and met him stroke for stroke, letting him know that she wanted everything he had to offer.
Because she had just as much claim to him as he did to her. He may be king, but to Azalyn, he would always just be Keltor, the male who stepped on her foot inside a shop and ended up winning her heart.
And no matter what came, they could handle it as long as they were together.
~*~*~
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The next story in this series will be The Forbidden, which will be about Princess Kalahn and Ryven Xanna (Kason's best friend). The book should be out in July 2018 and will take place on Jasvar. Their story will give us a chance to not only meet Kalahn's half sister Kajala, but also give you a mini-update on everyone we know on the other planet! While waiting for the next story, you may want to check out one of my other books, Blaze of Secrets. I've included an excerpt after the Author's Note. Also, if you wish to keep up-to-date on releases, you might want