The Warrior King

Twenty-one

As soon as Tristan left, Alexia reappeared. 

“If you will allow me, Milady, I will escort you to dinner now. Your companion is already in the dining hall,” she said pleasantly with a curtsy. I nodded and after I slipped on my matching slippers, followed her out into the hallway. My two Elite guards stepped out from the shadows to follow right behind me. Lost in thought, I barely noticed their presence. 

My body was still warm from my encounter with Tristan. I knew that quite a bit of my reaction to his touch, his kiss, was from the mate bond but it felt like every time we came into contact, I lost a little of my free will. While I enjoyed his lips, his hands on my skin, the way his tongue felt...wait where am I going with this?

Oh right; while I enjoyed the feelings, I was also not comfortable with giving up control. I would like to take part in the bond equally, rather than just be subjected to it. I was wrestling with this when I followed Alexia into the dining hall. 

I came to a full stop when I stepped through the doors. The room was gigantic, easily able to fit several meeting halls into it. Heavy tapestries hung from the ceiling and tall slim windows let in light. Large solid wood tables had been lined up parallel to the walls with gaps at the end of the rows for the dining attendants to move in and out with food and drink. At the head table were several seats larger than the ones in the rest of the room, with the one in the middle being the largest. Most of the seats were unoccupied. Brielle was sitting there with Shelby, a bright smile on her face. 

“This way, please, Milady,” Alexia said gesturing with her arm. I followed her and noticed that the noise in the room grew less as I made my way to the front of the room. Brielle and Shelby noticed and looked over to me. Both stood with smiles on their faces. I tried to smile back but my nerves were eating away at my facade. They both curtsied as I came up to them and I blushed with embarrassment.

“Please don't do that,” I said, feeling extremely self-conscious.

“Oh believe me if it weren't required protocol, I wouldn't,” Brielle teased with a wink. I rolled my eyes, grateful for the familiar behavior. 

“If I didn't know better, I would swear by the way you interact you two are blood sisters,” Shelby said. Brielle and I exchanged a knowing glance. We felt that we were closer than sisters and loved hearing the compliment. 

”Alexia, where should I sit?” I asked. She motioned to the seat at the left of the ornate center chair. 

“I believe His Majesty asked that you sit here tonight,” she said. Shelby nodded and I asked if she and Brielle could sit next to me as well. 

“Of course,” Shelby answered with a smile. She motioned to two dining attendants standing nearby and had them move hers and Brielle’s things next to my seat. Alexia held out my chair and helped me settle myself. I thanked her and she stepped back, taking a place next to the dining attendants. I leaned forward to get Shelby’s attention. 

“Shelby, does Alexia have to stay the whole time I'm here?” I asked. It seemed unfair seeing as I didn't know how long I would be in the dining hall.

“No,” she said in a low voice. “You may send her off. Your Elite guards will escort you wherever you need to go.” I motioned Alexia forward.

”Thank you, Alexia. You may return to the chambers. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it,” I said. A wide smile broke out on the girl’s face and she dropped into a deep curtsy.

“Of course, Milady. It is my honor. If you need me, please send a page and I will return as quickly as possible,” she said. Her eyes were shining brightly with pride. I nodded and she took her leave.

A young male dining attendant placed a bowl of cream soup that smelled delicious in front of me, as well as several baskets of bread. I frowned; just by looking at the bread, I knew it wasn't fresh. One taste confirmed it.

“Is the bread always like this?” I asked trying to swallow the bite I had taken. I was failing and had to wash it down with an entire goblet of water. 

“Yes. It's the one area our kitchen is severely lacking in,” Shelby answered, an embarrassed look on her face. 

“Well, maybe that's why I am here then,” Brielle said, tapping a rock hard roll against the table. Brielle was the best baker in the wheat district. Shelby smiled mischievously. 

“No, that I believe would just be an added bonus,” she said. Before Brielle or I could question her further, there was a commotion at the other end of the dining ball that drew our attention. With Ross and James leading the way, Tristan entered, Silas at his side, followed by a good number of people.

“Those are Tristan’s cabinet members,” Shelby said standing. Brielle and I followed suit. I recognized Raoul right behind Tristan's left shoulder. When I saw Delaney behind his right shoulder, I inadvertently made a face.

“Steady girl,” Brielle whispered out of the side of her mouth. “Remember she's a good shot with an arrow.”

“Yes well, I'm sure I have pretty good aim with one these rolls,” I grumbled back. Shelby let out a bark of laughter just as Tristan reached our seats. He raised an eyebrow and I just shook my head and stepped forward. 

“I thought you weren't going to make it to dinner,” I said. He shrugged and gestured for his people to find seats. 

“Nothing more can be done tonight for the issue at hand. Besides, I don't think anyone other than myself should announce who our future queen will be,” Tristan said. He sounded stressed but tried to add some levity with the last part.

“Do you ever plan on telling me what brought us here so quickly? Or why Brielle was required to be here as well? Or how a full-grown wolf can be carried on your back?” I asked, crossing my arms. He sighed.

“s**t, you're beautiful when you're mad,” he said stepping toward me. I took a step back, dropping my arms. His forward motion stopped.

“I'm not mad, I just don't like being told one thing and then treated in a way that is contradictory,” I said. My emotions were starting to churn and my frustration began to grow. Silas let out a low growl and rubbed himself against my side, almost as if he was trying to comfort me. 

“If I have made you feel that I am disingenuine, I apologize. The situation that arose is complicated and honestly, I'm not sure how to explain it to you without making this worse,” he said running a hand through his blonde hair. “If I told you I will be able to explain by midday tomorrow, would that help?” 

No, I said in my head but I knew that I did not have a choice in the matter, so I just nodded. Tristan leaned in and kissed my cheek lightly, earning another growl from Silas. Tristan frowned at him but I found it endearing, so I gently rubbed his ears. He made a sound like a purr and pressed his body against my leg.

“Will you please sit now and eat?” Tristan asked. He made a move to the ornate chair and as I turned to sit, I noticed my chair was occupied. By Delaney. Brielle hadn't sat back down yet and her eyes bulged with anger. Shelby came to my side, gently placing a hand on my arm.

“That was Delaney’s seat. I will ask her to move,” she explained but I shook my head. It would be good to put some distance between Tristan and me, giving how I was currently feeling. As I turned to go to sit on the other side of Shelby, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

“Where are you going?” Tristan questioned from his seat.

“My former spot is occupied so I am just moving down,” I answered, not looking at Delaney.

“I'm sorry, I didn't realize,” Delaney said in a voice as sweet as syrup. “I'm just so used to taking my regular place.”

“It’s fine,” I said, giving her my best fake smile. “It is an adjustment for all of us.” She smirked and I wished I could cram several of those rolls down her throat.

“Well, then I will make you a place,” Tristan said and with a sharp yank, he pulled me into his lap.

“Oh!” I squealed, startled. He shifted me so my back was against his right shoulder and my legs were across his lap. “Um is this really appropriate?” I whispered, shifting nervously.

“It’s about to become very inappropriate if you don't stop squirming like that,” he answered. His voice was low and husky and his eyes were getting darker. I stopped moving and sat rigidly. I felt a hardness beneath my thigh and my eyes widened. Next to me, I heard Ross chuckle. 

“This is not funny,” I hissed, trying not to move.

“Oh but it is. I haven't seen a woman make the Warrior King have that look since...,” his voice trailed off as Tristan shot him a dark look. My head whipped around to look at Ross. He avoided looking me in the eye and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Of course the Warrior King had taken other women to bed; he was the most powerful man in the kingdom, who wouldn't want to share his bed? He was gorgeous, well built, and had a surprisingly gentle touch. I wasn't naive; however, there was something in Ross’ tone that made me think there was one who was more than just a night of passion.

The thought of Tristan caring deeply for another woman was too much for my anxious nerves. Tears started to form and I tried to move from his lap. He had a firm hold on me, though, and instead pulled me in closer.

“Let me go, please,” I whimpered. From his place at Tristan’s feet, I heard Silas snarl.

“No,” he said and I looked at him. His expression was unreadable. In one fluid movement, he moved his chair back and gently deposited me to my feet in front of him, his hands on my waist. “May I have your attention, please,” his voice boomed, filling the dining hall. The room instantly fell silent.

“I am making it known that I have found my mate and that our enlace will take place in three months time,” he said. All ears were listening to him but all eyes were on me. I did my best to stand up straight and keep my face neutral. “Please welcome Sasha Liaz, your future Queen.” Tristan turned me around and his eyes went black before he pulled me in for a passion-fueled kiss that left me ready, willing, and aching for him to never stop.