HIS QUEEN
Chapter 25

My body ached as I turned over. I pushed myself up and rested against the headboard.

"Lay back. You're not fully healed" I turned and saw Thane seating on the recliner. I took in my surroundings and saw I was in his room.

"Water" I croaked. My throat felt dry and I wondered how long I was out if it. I looked at my dress and saw I had been changed into a light dress and my injuries were cleaned up.

He held the cup to my mouth and I took small sips. I drank about half of the glass and I gently pushed his hands away. He placed the glass on the table and arranged pillows at my back. "How long was I out?"

"Six hours" I nodded. His eyes rolled in the back of his head. He grunted and stood up.

"I have to go. Your meal will be brought to you" I nodded. He leaned and have me a forehead kiss and left.

The door opened and Lily came in with a tray if food "Your highness" she bowed.

"Come on. I'm still Esme. You don't have to call me that"

"But the king said....."

"Call me by my name. Atleast while we are in private. Please, don't be formal with me." she smiled.

"I'm so happy for you" she squealed. She sat on the bed beside me. She placed the tray on my legs and I began eating. She talked about the duel and how I had won hearts and all. I smiled as she continued talking. She didn't seem like the quiet Lily I had come to know. The door opened and Noir stepped in. She stood abruptly and moved away from the bed twisting her fingers nervously. Noir's intense gaze was focused on her and she looked at her feet. The room seemed tense.

I cleared my throat and his attention shifted to me. He bowed.

"Your highness. I'm in charge of your security from now on"

"But I don't need security"

"Being the queen comes with many risks. And some might target you to get to the king" I nodded.

"I'll be outside the door" he bowed and left. I heard a loud sigh of relief come from Lily. She resumed her position on the bed beside me.

"Is anything going on between you and Noir?"

"NO!" I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing at all. We've just bumped into each other a couple of times and he seems scary" I laughed.

"That I can agree. He's scary" she smiled.

"I was assigned to keep you company"

"Ohhhh... What about Althea? Not that I don't want you but she was assigned to me before"

"She's still assigned to you but I'm to keep you company all day."

"What about the clinic?"

"I'll have to stop for a while"

"Do you want to?"

"I liked being there but I'll also like to keep you company" I hugged her.

She stayed for a while and left the room with the empty dishes. I settled into bed for a nap.

When I woke up, it was dark aside and a strong, warm arm held me in place. I tugged at the arm but it held me tighter.

"I have to use the bathroom" he sighed an removed his arms. As I wanted to stand I was lifted into the air. I held his arms and blushed as he took me to the bathroom. He let me slide down to do my business. After I finished, I washed my hands and dried them. He carried me to the bed and lay me down. He lay down behind me and pulled me to his chest.

"Why did you kill Gardenia?"

"Anyone that challenges you and looses is not fit to be alive."

"What if I had lost. Would you have killed me?" He remained silent. I sighed.

"If you had lost, and remained alive you would have gone back to being a slave. Treated worst than the lowest of slaves. Fair game to any man and you would be forbidden from seeing me" I guess death was a better fate.

"You did well and I'm happy you won. Your coronation will be in two weeks"

"Who is that woman?"

"She's no one"

"You seem close"

"She's Catalina's younger sister"

I waited for him to say more but he didn't say anything. So she was his ex mates sister. They seemed like ex lovers who wanted to rekindle their relationship.

"Stop overthinking"

"Were you ever involved with her?"

"Yes" I huffed and pushed his hands to stand up. He pulled me back and tightened his hands.

"Let me go" I struggled to push his hands away.

"Are you jealous?"

I huffed "as if" he chuckled and bit my earlobe.

"It only happened a few times" he licked my lobe and I shivered. It didn't matter if it happened once. How could he have slept with his mates sister. No explanation could make it seem right. "And her mate?"

"I don't know. Didn't ask"

"How would you feel if Catalina slept with your brother after your death?"he shrugged.

"That can never happen"

"So, if something were to happen and you're no longer here. I can be with Eridian?"

He growled loudly "That can never happen" he rolled me in my back and positioned himself between my legs.

"Are you thinking of being with Eridian?" I shrugged. Rage covered his face and his canines descended.

"I'm going to kill him" I laughed and rubbed his arms. He growled and kissed my mark. I moved and arched my back as he continued nipping and sucking my mark. I turned my face and exposed my neck to his kisses. He trailed his claws down my collar bone and stopped above my tits. Circling his sharp claws on my nipples and tugging at them while sucking my mark. I pulled his head to mine and locked out lips together. He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head, dominating the kiss and rendering me senseless. He ripped my dress into two and explored my tits with one hand while the other held my hands above my head.

After he had explored every corner of my mouth he lifted his head and black orbs looked down at me.

"I can't stop now"