The Warrior King

Nine

“Tonight?!” Raoul and I said in unison. 

“What's happening tonight?” a woman said, entering the tent. She was older, probably the same age as Bertha and dressed in brown leather trousers, a hunter green shirt, and riding boots. Her salt and pepper hair was pulled back into a braid that fell to her waist. “Oh, hello, who is this?” she said with a smile when she saw me. 

“Sasha, this is Shelby, she is the army’s matron. Shelby, this is Sasha, my mate,” Tristan said gently moving me forward. She let out a whoop and pulled me in for a huge hug, picking me up and twirling me around. 

The matron was employed by the army to oversee the care of the soldiers and any captives. Since Tristan was also encouraging his soldiers to bond, in this case, the matron was also acting as a safety precaution, making sure none of the girls were being forced against their wills and that everything was on the up and up. 

“Praise be to the Mother!” Shelby exclaimed putting me down. “I thought for sure your male parts were broken.” I let out a bark of laughter while Raoul smothered a smile behind his hand. Tristan gave a wry smile.

“I can assure you my male parts work just fine,” he said, coming up behind me and placing his hands on my hips. Shelby raised an eyebrow and I could feel my body growing warm again. I shifted nervously away from him and Shelby patted my arm.

“Oh, I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to embarrass. I'm sure Tristan's parts work just fine. As long as they make your toes curl, that's all that matters,” she said reassuringly. This time Raoul didn't try to hide his laughter. 

“What? No! There has been no toe-curling,” I protested. Tristan chuckled and placed his mouth by my ear.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked in a low husky tone, causing butterflies in my stomach. 

“Yes! No! Wait what?!” I protested. Tristan smirked. “We literally just met!” 

“Oh for goodness sake, Tris. I'm sorry Sasha, I made an assumption I shouldn't have,” Shelby apologized. “Don't worry I won't let this animal do anything inappropriate.” Silas gave a low growl from his bed of blankets. “See, even Silas agrees.” Tristan rolled his eyes. 

The two pages appeared then with trays piled high with food and each balancing a pitcher. They quickly entered and placed the food on the table. My body chose that moment to betray me further, as my stomach gave a horribly loud growl. 

“Sit, eat,” Tristan said. He led me over to the table. I looked over the food. Chicken, steak bites, grilled vegetables, sugar-coated fruit, and rolls were mounded up. One pitcher contained a thick amber drink, darker than mead, and the other pitcher was filled with what appeared to be wine. Reaching over, I chose a plump sugared strawberry and popped it into my mouth. I moaned in pleasure as the firm fruit burst with flavor. A flash of desire crossed Tristan’s face. “Sit, ” he said again. “You need to eat for tonight.” I almost missed the chair as I sat as the meaning of his words sank in.

“What's happening tonight?” Shelby repeated. Raoul sighed.

“Tristan thinks their enlace should be performed tonight,” he explained. 

”Why?!” Raoul shrugged and turned to Tristan.

“Because I'm king and because I've waited long enough to have my mate in my bed,” he growled. It felt as if molten lava hit my core at his statement. I glanced nervously at the sleeping mat on the floor next to Silas. I couldn't imagine it was very comfortable for sleeping, let alone...THAT. 

“Well that's just not going to happen,” Shelby said, making Tristan frown. I sighed in relief.

“And may I ask why not?” He folded his arms across his chest. I sat in my chair, sampling all of the food, looking back and forth between him and Shelby.

“Because you are a king, not some rutting bull,” Shelby replied, crossing her arms to mirror Tristan. “You have a duty to this kingdom to present their future queen to them and you have a duty to the future queen herself.” They both looked at me and I swallowed the bite of chicken I had taken, feeling very self-conscious.

“What do you think?” Tristan asked putting his hands on his hips and turning to Raoul. Raoul spread his arms out as he spoke.

“While I would love nothing more than to bond you to your mate tonight, Shelby is correct. The kingdom needs to celebrate along with you and I'm sure that Sasha would like to be considered in all of this as well. After all, it is her destiny.” Shelby beamed at Raoul. Tristan ran his hand through his sandy blonde hair. 

“Tristan, I understand your desire to be bonded,” Shelby said kindly, placing a hand on his arm, “but have you even considered what Sasha might want? Have her parents been informed? I'm sure they will want to be with their daughter at this time.”

“Probably not, ” I said louder than I meant. All three turned to me; mother of Miel, I really needed to work on keeping my inner dialogue inside.