Chapter 47: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

Members of the court filled the ballroom, their finery on display. Covenant Nights were always looked forward to. A chance for my peaceful court to celebrate another season and strengthen the connections that kept us building toward the future.

The silver threads on my jacket caught the light and I was proud that none had missed the matching design on Sena’s dress. She’d received many appraising looks, but none appeared negative. She’d been cautiously welcomed into the court, and once they knew the extent of how she’d helped solidify our position here, I believed their acceptance would be complete.

It wasn’t necessary, but it would make things easier.

She would be my Queen.

I spotted her at the edge of the crowd, safe in the circle created by Gil and Chancel, Gus and Danvers. The healer had been coaxed out of the sick room for the announcements of the new covenants, but I knew he’d rush back to his worktable. Being this close to confirming he had a cure had the man on a mission and he didn’t like to slow down.

Music cut off as I stepped to the edge of the dais. The crown I wore was heavy, the amethysts it was created from mined from the very mountain this castle was cut into. They resonated with the Night, soaking up the power of the darkness, and feeding it back into me. It was a simple thing to use a thread of that magic to amplify my voice, brighten the lights throughout the space, and take the edge off the hunger that was building amongst my court.

Many fasted on the lead up to Covenant Night, knowing that the first feed with their new partner would be even more powerful for both.

I called out the new accepted partnerships.

Malia and Giselle.

Rurik and Celia.

Darius and Cassandra.

Galen and Luca.

Each announcement was met with a cheer and when we were done, there were 20 new partnerships accepted and celebrated.

Music started up once more and for the first time, I joined the dancers, sweeping Sena into my arms and holding her close as we moved through the steps in time with those around us. Hips swaying, breaths growing quicker, and tension building until I could no longer wait. The crowd was beginning to split off, heading back to their own quarters to indulge in their own private celebrations.

“Our job here is done, my little spy,” I whispered into her ear. “Would you like to return to our room?”

She nodded, still swaying as the instruments faded into a slow, romantic melody. “I would... But, first, will you tell me what ‘ey ruhum’ means?”

The bond between us had grown stronger with the time we’d been spending together. Sena had found her courage faster than I expected, and I suspected it had a lot to do with her wolf instincts. She trusted that inner core she’d been cut off from now that it was returning to her, and that part of her had named me mate. Claimed me in the old way of the shifters. Just as I had claimed her.

Blood to blood.

It always comes down to blood, in the end.

“It’s an endearment. Literally translated it means ‘oh, my soul,’ and has often been used between long term covenants.”

Her eyes glistened and I was rewarded with a sweet, happy smile. “That’s beautiful.”

We made our way out of the ballroom, waving goodbye to Gus and Danvers. Gil and Chancel escorted us a short way down the corridor before I sent them off to their own rest. They’d been hard at work guarding Sena. This was a night for them to celebrate as well. I had the sense they each had someone they hoped to be with. There was no need for them to be on guard when I was beside Sena.

They both bowed, offered me their thanks and wished us good rest, then departed for their own chosen destinations. On Covenant Nights, the power generated by the love and intimacy between partners heightened the magic of the darkness, and I could already feel it was higher than it had been in a while. Perhaps that was because of Sena and I. The connection we had was already strong.

I looked to my Fated Soul and saw her watching the empty corridor behind us, a pensive expression clouding her face.

“Everything all right?” I asked, casting around for any possible threats. I sensed the presence of people, court members and even some that were likely hired by Gus for this night. They were allowed to stay the night and rest, before they could return to their homes. It was safety and reward, combined.

Her smile returned, not as bright as it had been earlier, but still there. “Yes. It’s fine. I just thought I heard someone.”

We entered our shared room, and I closed the door, locking it tight for security. The candles burned low, and beside the bed, the roses were still in full bloom. I fed them a pulse of Night, and the scent intensified in the air.

Her dress was delicate, highlighting Sena’s form, and I stepped up behind her. Skating my hands up her arms, loving the way she relaxed against me, her head resting against my chest. A sigh escaped her as I traced the line of her jaw, down until my fingers encircled her throat. She arched, tipping her head to the side, and my mouth watered at the pure temptation of this woman.

I wanted to sink my teeth into her. To drink her down until her pleasure couldn’t be contained any longer.

And I wanted her to do the same to me.

“I love you, ey ruhum.” The words weren’t a surprise to either of us, I knew, but it made the depth of my feelings for her real. Spoken. My breath ghosted over her throat, and she shivered.

Not with fear.

With anticipation.

“May I?” I asked, sliding a finger under the strap of her dress, and was rewarded with a gasped, “Yes,” that thrilled through me. Her consent was essential to our relationship and she’d been growing bolder, losing her fear of telling me what she wanted, what she liked. There were times I was sure I could tell, but it meant more when she trusted me enough to share her desires.

I slid one strap down, then the other, carefully unlacing her corset until the dress slid off her. Her skin gleamed like pearl in the light, and I dropped to my knees in front of her. Sliding down and trailing kisses up her legs, helping her step out of the skirt and taking her shoes off slowly. She wouldn’t want me to say it, but if there was ever a sign that we were blessed by the Goddess the shifters so regularly called upon, this connection between us was confirmation enough to me.

“You are more beautiful than I can ever truly convey. I’ve found a missing piece of my own soul in you, and there’s nothing I won’t do to protect you. I swear, Sena. You have my entire heart.”

Her fingers tightened in my hair, tugging me up, until I stood and she kissed me, hard. Her tongue darted in, and I swallowed down the taste and feel of her. Our hands had learned the shape of each other already, so there was no hesitation in how we touched each other, stripped each other down, and then landed on the bed.

Sena straddled me, her bare, wet heat, gliding along my rigid cock, and I groaned at the perfect sensation. She traced her small hands up my chest, bracing her weight above me as she leaned in, and said, “I love you, ey ruhum.”

Happiness filled me and magic escaped my control, sending the candle flames blazing hire. She laughed, a beautiful, happy sound, and then settled herself back, notching my length at her entrance, then sinking down slowly, a torturous, slow slide that had me fighting the urge to thrust up inside her grasping warmth.

Her arousal coated me, and when she reached the end of me, she held there for a long moment, eyes shining down at me, and I forced myself to remain still. Let her take the lead. All I allowed myself was to stroke softly over her skin, tracing the swirls of runes I knew by heart. When she lifted off, I expected her to resume the slow assault on my senses but as she got to the very tip of my length, she dropped down fully and let out a cry that made me bite down on my lip.

The bond between us began to burn, pulling a moan from her mouth, and I tightened my grip on her hips. Anything to help give her the leverage, the friction, that she needed to experience all the pleasure I could give her.

I groaned, and she gave me a sweet, sensual smile, whispering, “Give it all to me, Alkan,” the permission I’d been waiting for. It was easy to roll with her, keeping us joined, and then I drove into her exactly the way she begged me to. I could feel that spiral of beautiful tension coiling between us both, tighter and tighter, until we were at the crest of the wave, about to break.

That’s when I sank my teeth into her neck, the taste of her searing through me, and she did the same to me. The pain was faint, the perfect counterpoint to the pleasure that spilled between us, echoing through the bond, and I knew it was true when I swallowed that first drop of her blood.

She hadn’t been lying.

She loved me.

Blood never lies.