Keonae wasn’t so sure. All that he wanted to worry upon for the moment was his new bride. She looked even more beautiful to him in the first light of day. He had taken her more times than he could count, and still his cock wanted to return to her silken depths. “You’re stunning.”
A blush stole across her cheeks. “Stop.”
“But you are.”
She blinked up at him, holding the towel around her. He no longer felt the need to cover himself from her view and stood there, fully naked, his hand on his cock as he stroked it, watching her. Her gaze snapped to his erection. “I think he’s had enough for a bit.”
“Never.”
She beamed. “Okay, but I need a small break.”
“Very well,” he said with a mock sigh, pulling her closer to him with his free hand. He kissed her passionately, leaving no room for doubt on his feelings for her.
When he stopped, she put her cheek to his chest. “Keon, we need to check on Aeson.”
“He is doing well,” replied Keonae. “The serving wench who brought the food to break our fast mentioned as much.”
Lark gave him a stern look. “Serving wench?”
He waited, unsure what had set her off.
She sighed. “Never mind. We’ll deal with your choice of terms later. I heard her talking to you but didn’t understand what she was saying. She had news about Aeson?”
He nodded, still stroking himself lazily. “The healers have allowed Aeson’s mate to be near him. Shelby reassured everyone that Aeson is doing much better. She says he is barking orders at the healers. A very good sign.”
She smiled wide. “Good!”
He put an arm around her and nuzzled his face to her neck, inhaling her scent. “I want to be in you again.”
She took over stroking his cock. “I know, but I’m sore and you’re going to have to wait. In the meantime, I’m dying to see the realm. Can we go outside, please?”
He chuckled. “Of course. Come. Look upon the kingdom as the light shines at the start of the day.”
She tugged on him. “We’re not dressed. I don’t have any clothes. You ripped mine.”
“Clothing is being gathered for you as we speak. And no clothes are necessary. It is far too early for anyone to be out and about, and we are high up. Plus, this side of the castle faces mostly wooded area. None will see you.”
She looked hesitant but nodded. “Okay, but I’m keeping the towel. I don’t want some random guy flying past and seeing my lady bits.”
He laughed. “I would like to see your lady bits.”
“You’ve seen all my lady bits,” she returned suggestively.
He waggled his brows. “I know and I want to see them again.”
“Keon, you’re terrible,” she said with a laugh, kissing his shoulder and releasing his cock.
He groaned and tugged lightly at the top of the towel. “A great terrible beast?”
“You wish.” She held tight to the towel and pointed to the double doors she suspected led to the balcony he’d spoken of. “If you don’t show me this realm, I’m going to rip off your man bits.”
He took her hand and snorted as he covered the distance to the doors. He tossed them open and faced her, walking backwards onto the large half circle balcony. He put his arms out wide, his wings emerging from his back as he did. He stood before her naked, his wings out fully, grinning.
“You look like the cat that ate the canary,” she said, laughing at his playful side. It was good to see him smile and laugh.
He tipped his head. “Why would I eat a canary? I know hawks from the human realm eat smaller birds and prey, but to us here, eating a bird is a form of cannibalism. We avoid it, and canaries are so petite in comparison to us. That kingdom is full of very small people.”
She covered her mouth and did her best to avoid laughing. “My mistake. You look like you’re up to no good.”
He backed up more, flapping his wings as he did. He opened his mouth but whatever he was about to say was completely drowned out by the roar of what sounded like hundreds of people.
Lark froze.
So did Keonae.
There was a scuffle behind them and Lark turned to find Rossi there, his gaze averted from her as he felt his way out onto the balcony. “For the love of the bird gods, why would you greet the people of our kingdom naked?”
Keonae remained in place, his wings out, his back to what Lark was fast suspecting was more than hundreds. His gaze hardened on his brother. “Greet the people?”
Rossi stilled. “Wait, I sent Lazar to tell you Kabril announced you were home and that our subjects were gathered in celebration, waiting for you to step out and greet them. And Kabril may have let it slip you found your mate.”
Lark gasped. “Lazar never showed.”
Rossi glanced at her, his face ashen, and then he looked away fast. “Shit.”
The crowd cheered louder and some began to whistle. Lark lost it, unable to hide her laughter. Keonae’s face was unreadable, and she realized he was worried about how they would view him—that they’d not seen him since he’d gotten the scars.
More whistled.
She kept hold of her towel and stayed back, hoping to be out of view of the people below. “Biker boy, sounds to me like they think you’re as sexy as I do.”
Keonae’s cheeks reddened and he squared his shoulders. She thought he’d dart in past her. When he boldly turned to face the people of his kingdom, still naked, his wings out, his hands cupping his groin as best he could, she clapped, so proud of him for overcoming his inner demons that she forgot she was in just a towel.
It slipped away, pooling at her feet. The crowd whistled more and cheered louder. Gasping, she reached for the towel as Keonae glanced over his shoulder. Shocked, he reached for her, uncovering himself.
Rossi tossed his hands in the air. “Oh, come on, you two!”
Lark and Keonae bumped heads. She touched her forehead as he yanked the towel up and covered her front from view.
Someone cleared their throats behind her and she wanted to crawl in and under the large bed. “I came in hopes of being introduced to your mate.”
The voice sounded just like Keonae’s.
She didn’t dare turn around.
Rossi smiled wide. “Lark, I would like to introduce you to our eldest brother—the king. Kabril, this is Lark. You already know the fool with her.”
“Shit,” said Lark, stealing Rossi’s favorite curse word.
Keonae groaned. “Could everyone give us a moment, please?”
“We would, but it seems rather pointless as you have gifted the entire kingdom a view of you in nothing more than what you were born in,” said Kabril.
Lark wiggled to get the towel around her and turned, darting into the room, past the man who looked just like Aeson and Keonae. She dove under the covers on the bed, making the king laugh.
Cringing, she peeked out to find Keonae standing there unabashed, his wings folding into him and then vanishing altogether. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Brother, would you like me to see your mate’s bare bottom?”
The smile faded from Kabril’s face. He snapped his fingers at Rossi. “Shut the doors and leave them be for now. We shall try this again in an hour, when they have hopefully found the clothing we sent with Lazar.”
“I am going to kill him,” said Keonae.
Rossi smirked. “I have to hand it to him, this was his best prank yet.”
Lark covered her head, embarrassed beyond belief.
“We have mated, so I suspect the queen will wish to have a celebration,” said Keonae.
“Oh, Brother, congratulations,” said Kabril. “Rayna will be beside herself. I will find Lazar and the clothing he was to bring you. And, Lark, welcome to the family.”
Rossi laughed. “We should lie and tell her every day is like this.”
“It is as though you want me to kill you,” said Keonae, a light tone to his voice. “Be gone before I decide to do so.”
“I’m going, I’m going,” chimed Rossi.
The door shut.
Lark remained under the covers. “I can’t show my face here again.”
“I would prefer you not show your lady bits again. Your face is more than welcome to be shown,” said Keonae laughing.
THE END
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