Tharon

THARON

I secured the last of our bags to the villart as stable hands bustled around the Crossroads Inn’s courtyard. The beast in me still purred with satisfaction from our night together, though worry crept in as I watched Niam bid farewell to the innkeeper and his granddaughter. The road to Zashi would test her newfound strength.

“Ready?” I asked as she approached, offering my hand to help her mount.

“Yes.” Her fingers twined with mine, sending sparks along my skin.

The morning passed quietly as we rode north along the trade road, Niam’s back pressed against me. The beast rumbled contentedly, pleased to have her so close.

Near midday, we passed a Shakai hunting party returning from the high peaks. They recognized me instantly, dropping into respectful bows. But their eyes lingered on Niam, wonder replacing their initial shock as they took in her unveiled face and close-cropped red hair.

“Your Highness,” their leader said carefully. “We heard rumors, but...” His gaze shifted to Niam again, curiosity warring with ingrained courtesy.

I felt her stiffen, but before I could intervene, she spoke.

I watched Niam lift her chin, pride straightening her spine despite the curious stares of the hunting party. The morning sun caught her close-cropped red hair like living flame.

“I am Niam of Terr.” Her voice rang clear and steady, then she smiled. “And no, I’m not a Frostling.”

Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors. The leader’s quickly cut them off.

“My deepest respects, my lady.” He straightened, gaze flickering between us. “The rumors spoke true then. Our prince found his mate among the strangers.”

My arms tightened around her waist. The beast growled approval at her strength, even as protective instincts urged me to hide her from their scrutiny.

“The human Temple’s walls have fallen,” she continued, her tone carrying the weight of prophecy. “Old barriers crumble. Perhaps it’s time for new alliances.”

The warriors exchanged glances. Their leader nodded slowly, respect replacing wariness in his expression.

“Perhaps it is, my lady.” He touched his fist to his heart in the traditional warrior’s salute. “Safe travels to you both. May the mountains guide your path.”

We rode on, leaving them to their hushed discussions. My heart filled with pride seeing how naturally she’d handled the encounter.

“That went well,” she murmured, relaxing back against me.

I kissed her shoulder. “You were perfect. Though I think you shocked them speechless.”

“Good. They needed shocking.” Her fingers traced patterns on my arm. “How many more encounters like that should we expect?”

“News travels fast in the mountains.” I guided our mount around a sharp bend in the trail. “But most will wait to form opinions until they see you at court.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “And what will they see?”

“My mate. My queen.” I tightened my hold. “The one who brought down the Temple’s walls and freed her people. The one who tamed a beast prince.”

“Tamed?” She shifted to face me, laughter dancing in her eyes. “Is that what you call it?”

Arousal pooled inside me at her teasing tone. The beast stirred, remembering the sounds she’d made last night. The way she’d arched beneath me, demanding more.

“Shall I show you again how tame I am?” I growled against her ear.

She shivered. “We’re supposed to be traveling.”

“We have time.” My hands splayed possessively across her stomach. “And I saw a sheltered clearing just ahead...”

“!” But she laughed, making no move to pull away.

The clearing opened before us, sheltered by towering pines. A small stream tumbled over moss-covered rocks, providing both water and privacy. Perfect.

I reined the villart to a halt, swinging down before lifting Niam from the saddle. She came willingly into my arms, tilting her face up for a kiss.

“You're insatiable.” Her words were soft against my mouth.

“Only for you.” I backed her toward a fallen log, cushioned with soft moss. “Always for you.”

Her hands slid into my hair as I claimed her mouth properly, inwardly exulting at her eager response, at how perfectly she fit against me.

“Someone could come by,” she protested weakly as I trailed kisses down her throat.

“Let them.” I nipped gently at her pulse point, drawing a gasp. “Let them see how their prince worships his mate.”

Her laugh turned to a moan as my hands found bare skin beneath her tunic. “You’re impossible.”

“You love it.” I pulled back just enough to see her face. “Tell me to stop and I will.”

Her eyes darkened as she pulled me closer. “Don’t you dare.”

The beast’s satisfied rumble echoed through the clearing as I showed her exactly how untamed I could be. Let the whole mountain hear. Let them know how thoroughly I adored my mate.

Later, as we straightened our clothes and retrieved the villart, Niam’s cheeks still held a becoming flush. I couldn’t resist stealing another kiss before helping her mount.

“We’re never going to reach Zashi at this rate,” she complained, but her smile betrayed her.

“Would that be so terrible?” I settled behind her, pulling her close. “Just you and me in the mountains forever?”

She leaned back with a contented sigh. “Tempting. But duty calls.”

“Always so practical.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “Fine. But I reserve the right to find more secluded clearings along the way.”

Her laugh spread warmth through my chest. “I suppose I can live with that.”

We rode on through the afternoon, the villart’s steady pace eating up the miles. Niam pointed out interesting plants and asked questions about landmarks we passed. Every query showed her sharp mind, her desire to understand her new home.

The sun hung in the sky when we crested a ridge overlooking a deep valley. Below, paths carved into the mountainside led down to a cluster of buildings nestled against the cliffs.

“The Costach Mos Inn,” I explained as Niam leaned forward to study the settlement. “We’ll rest here tonight before tackling the high passes tomorrow.”

“It’s bigger than I expected.” She traced the paths with her eyes. “All those terraces...”

“Shakai engineering at its finest.” Pride colored my voice. “The entire settlement is anchored into the living rock. Even the worst storms can’t shake it loose.”

We descended carefully, the villart picking its way along the switch-backing trail. Niam’s grip on the pommel tightened at particularly steep sections, but she never flinched.

The trading post’s stables occupied the lowest terrace, carved directly into the mountainside. As we approached, a stable hand hurried out to take our mount’s reins. His eyes widened at the sight of Niam’s unveiled face, but training kept him professional.

“Welcome, Your Highness.” He bowed deeply. “Lady. I’ll have rooms prepared immediately”

I helped Niam dismount, steadying her as her legs adjusted to solid ground. The beast growled possessively at the stable hand’s lingering glance, but she simply nodded acknowledgment.

“Thank you.” Her voice carried quiet authority. “Please see that our mount is well-cared for. He’s earned his rest today.”

The boy’s expression shifted from curiosity to respect. He bowed again before leading the villart away, speaking softly to the tired creature.

“You continue to surprise them,” I murmured as we climbed the steps to the main building.

“Good.” She smiled, just a bit, but enough. “They’ll need to get used to surprises.”

The trading post hummed with activity despite the late hour. The sharp scent of smoke mixed with rich mountain spices as servers carried steaming platters between tables. Different Shakai dialects wove together - the liquid tones of the high clans contrasting with the rougher mountain trader speech. Conversation stuttered briefly as we entered, then resumed at a lower volume.

The innkeeper hurried forward, his weathered face creasing in a welcoming smile. “Your Highness! We’re honored by your return.” His gaze moved to Niam, curiosity warring with courtesy. “And your companion...”

“My mate.” I kept my tone mild, but the beast’s growl underscored the words.

His eyes widened slightly before he covered his surprise with a deeper bow. “My lady. Welcome to the Costach Mos Inn. Please, follow me. Your rooms are ready.”

As we crossed the room, I caught fragments of whispered conversations.

Niam’s grip tightened on my hand, but she held her head high. Let them talk. Let them see how their prince had chosen. How his mate carried herself with quiet dignity despite their stares.

The innkeeper led us to a suite on the uppermost level, its windows offering sweeping views of the valley below. A fire already burned in the hearth, warming the mountain-chilled air.

“Will you take dinner here or in the common room?” he asked, lighting additional lamps.

I looked to Niam, letting her choose. She considered for a moment before answering.

“The common room, I think.” Her chin lifted slightly. “They might as well get used to seeing me.”

The innkeeper nodded approval before withdrawing, leaving us alone.

I pulled her into my arms. “You continue to amaze me.”

She pressed closer, some of her tension easing. “I’m terrified they’ll see right through me. That they’ll know I’m making it up as I go along.”

“You’re doing perfectly.” I tilted her face up for a gentle kiss. “And you’re not alone. I’m right here beside you.”

Her smile sent warmth coursing through me. “I know. It's the only reason I'm brave enough to try.”

“You’ve always been brave.” I traced her cheek with my thumb. “I’m just honored to stand with you now.”

She rose on her toes to kiss me properly, her hands sliding into my hair. The beast rumbled approval, urging me to take more. To show everyone exactly who she belonged to.

But she pulled back with a knowing smile. “Later. After dinner.”

I growled playfully. “Promise?”

“Promise.” She stepped away to straighten her clothes. “Now help me look presentable. If I’m going to face their scrutiny, I’d rather not do it with my hair in complete disarray.”

I couldn’t resist stealing one more kiss before helping her smooth her travel-mussed appearance. My beautiful, brave mate.

The common room fell silent as we descended the stairs. Every eye turned to watch our progress, speculation clear on their faces. But Niam simply tightened her grip on my arm and kept walking, head held high.

The innkeeper had reserved a table near the hearth, slightly elevated above the main floor. Heat from the fire chased away the mountain chill, while the elevation gave us a clear view of the room.

As I held Niam’s chair, conversations slowly resumed around us. Traders gestured over cups of spiced wine, their jeweled rings catching the firelight. A group of mountain clan warriors huddled over maps in one corner, while merchants haggled.

“They’re not sure what to make of me,” Niam murmured, accepting a cup of wine from a serving girl. “Good.” I settled beside her, close enough that our shoulders touched. “Let them wonder. You’ll show them soon enough.”

And she would, I thought. Let them spread word of how the prince’s human mate held her own among mountain traders. How she built bridges between peoples with nothing more than genuine interest and quiet dignity.

When we finally retired for the night, Niam practically glowed with accomplishment.

“That went better than I expected,” she admitted as I helped her out of her travel clothes.

“Because you showed them exactly who you are.” I nipped at her bare shoulder. “My brilliant, beautiful mate.”

Her smile turned wicked as she pressed closer. “Now then, I believe I made you a promise earlier...”

The beast growled approval as I backed her toward the bed. Let them hear, I thought as I claimed her mouth.