A Curse of Shadows - Page 77

“I hope the two of you are ready,” I tell her through our connection. “I’ll be at Estee’s door soon.”

She replies immediately, her tone confident and full of love. “I’ll be waiting.”

Those three words fill me with a trilling sense of urgency. Gods, I love her more than should be possible.

Glancing in the mirror on my closet door one last time, I double-check I haven’t forgotten anything. My navy-blue slacks are pressed and the seams of my matching suit coat hang from my broad shoulders perfectly. The white dress shirt beneath is mostly covered by the blue sash I’m required to wear on these occasions. One last look, I confirm everything is as it should be as I press my palm over the medals pinned to my left shoulder, making sure they’re all secure.

I turn to Mali, who’s also dressed up for the occasion with his medals on display and a silver sash over his chest, marking his role as my head advisor.

Meeting his steady gaze, I nod. “I’m ready.”

He opens the door for me, standing aside until I exit my suite first. Together, we make our way through the castle, my steps quicker than usual after having spent the afternoon away from Isla. Having the bond intact helps to relieve the ache distance can cause, but still, I don’t think a day will pass that I won’t desire to be in her presence for every moment of every day for the rest of our lives.

Knocking on the door, I hold my breath until Isla answers.

As she’s revealed to me, my heart races and my fingers twitch to grab on to her hips, pinning her against the wall.

Her rose-gold hair is pinned half up with soft curls framing her face. Her crown rests proudly atop her head and there are diamonds that drape around her neck to match.

Blue silk covers her body but falls so perfectly over each of her curves that she might as well be wearing nothing. With the heels she has on, our height difference isn’t as substantial and when I look into her bright, cobalt eyes, I lose myself within them all over again.

“Fuck, Isla,” I breathe out, my hands aching to touch her.

She steps just out of reach and smirks. “Don’t forget. We’re not alone.”

I don’t give a damn who’s around. I’ll never hide my feelings for this stunning creature.

Not caring that Mali and Estee remain nearby, I close the distance between us and bundle the soft fabric of her dress within my grasp as I press my lips to hers.

The moment she kisses me back, I slip my tongue forward, needing a taste of my mate if I’m expected to get through this evening with few public displays of affection.

Though whether I touch her or not, someone would need to be blind not to see the attraction I hold for this woman.

“All right, lovebirds,” Estee says, placing a hand on each of our shoulders. “How about you pick this up later tonight, in the privacy of your own bedroom?”

“Oh, I plan to,” I whisper against Isla’s mouth before I step back, adjusting my suit. I hold a hand out to my queen and grin. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” There’s a glow about her that hasn’t been there since her return and I want to take all the credit for that after us having bonded, but my mate has always carried her own strength. She was born to be queen. Hell, she could rule this kingdom possibly better than I have.

As I watch her now, owning the role she was destined for, my body relaxes and I stand a little taller.

There may still be a threat out there that we need to deal with, but for tonight, I’m proud to be the mate of Isla Blackwood, the Queen of Polaris.

Estee and Mali walk behind us. When I glance back to check on them, I feel for my advisor, who remains rigid. Estee has her arm looped through his, making it look as if he’s her companion for the evening run. Mali, seasoned in the ways of royal etiquette yet always a background figure, looks distinctly uncomfortable with the unexpected attention. Despite his discomfort, this might be good for him, and perhaps for Estee too.

Though Declan will surely be heartbroken when he sees us exit the castle.

“I know I didn’t mention this before, but you need to know—you look absolutely stunning tonight,” I whisper to Isla as we approach the towering front doors of the castle.

She responds with a playful wink. “I think the fact that you couldn’t keep a safe distance away from me said enough.”

“But you deserve to hear the words as well.” I give her hand a soft squeeze. “And I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you know how special and perfect you are.”

“Keep that up, and we’re not going to make the pack run,” she replies saucily.

The thought is tempting, but tonight is pivotal. The people of Polaris, and even Lunara as a whole, must recognize her as my queen, a declaration too critical to delay. Should anyone dare to challenge us, they would be wise to think twice. Together, Isla and I make this kingdom stronger than it has been in centuries.

“Tonight will be soon enough, love,” I tell her as we walk outside, heading around toward the back of the castle, where I can sense the entire pack waiting for us.