20. Renowlf

Mia tightensher arms around my neck and kisses me again. This time, the passion is tempered with tenderness.

"Yes, Renowlf," she whispers. "I"ll be your queen."

It pleases me that there is more to this human female than just a fiery spirit and a stubborn will. She is also kind and compassionate, with a heart that is big enough to care about the fate of others like her.

There is no doubt I have chosen my intended queen wisely.

I hold her close, savoring the feel of her in my arms. Mia may have come to me as a captive, yet she will stay with me by her own choice.

"What happens next?" she asks.

"We join my people—nay, our people—in celebration. Then, as soon as preparations can be made, we will have your coronation. That is when we will publicly declare our vows to each other and the kingdom."

"On Earth, we call that getting married. Not the coronation part, but a couple exchanging vows in front of family and friends."

My beast becomes restless at the thought of Mia exchanging vows with another human. "Were you married to an Earth male?"

"God, no," Mia says, appeasing my beast. "I"ve never even been in love before. But you should probably know that I"m not a virgin."

"Nor am I," I tell her solemnly.

Mia laughs. "No shit, Sherlock."

My brow furrows. "Who is Sherlock?"

Her laugh turns into a Rayowlf-like giggle. "Not important. It"s just an Earth saying that means you"ve stated something obvious."

"I see," I say, although I really do not. "Have you shared your bed with many Earth males?"

"Just a few, and nobody special." She rests her cheek against my chest. "How about you? I know about Bayliss, but I just assumed you"ve had lots of sexual partners."

"I have," I confess, causing her to stiffen in my arms. "Yet that is in the past. From this day forward, there is only you, Mia. Now and forever."

She looks at me, her eyes searching my face for any hint of insincerity or deceit. Satisfied that I speak the truth, she brushes her lips against mine. "Now and forever? Sounds like an Earth marriage to me."

As much as I would prefer to carry her to bed, I offer her my arm instead. "Shall we join the celebration?"

She loops her arm around mine. "Lead the way, my king."

Feeling a sense of peace and contentment at the sight of her by my side, I lead her out of my quarters and down the palace steps, my guards falling in line behind us.

"Are you sure the orcs will accept me as queen?" she asks. I feel her hand trembling slightly on my arm, and I squeeze it gently with my other hand, hoping to reassure her.

"They will in time," I say, my voice low and steady. "We are people who value honor, strength, courage, and loyalty. When they get to know you, they will see—like I have—that you embody all of these traits."

"How do you know all that about me? We just met."

"In the short time since your arrival here, you have demonstrated as much. In court with Orgel. When asking me to search for other humans. When Bayliss confronted you in the courtyard."

"I'm still surprised you heard about that so fast."

"I am the king," I say with a shrug. "My eyes and ears are everywhere."

"Good to know." She nudges me playfully with her shoulder, a teasing smile on her lips, but stumbles slightly on the uneven cobblestones underfoot.

Without hesitation, I reach out and catch her before she can fall, steadying her against my chest. My arm encircles her waist, holding her close as I slow our pace to a leisurely stroll. "There are many potential perils lurking within the kingdom," I murmur, my voice low and reassuring. "But you need not fear, my mate. I vow to shield you from harm and keep you safe, whatever dangers may arise."

"I know you"ll try to keep me safe," she says. "But you can"t watch over me every minute of the day and night, and I"ve already made one enemy here. I want you to know that, if something happens, I won"t blame you."

Her words pain me deeply, like a dagger twisting in my chest. "Bayliss won"t cause you any more trouble, my mate." I pull her closer, cradling her soft form against my powerful body as if I can shield her from danger through sheer force of will. The instinctive need to protect my newfound mate blazes fiercely within me.

Mia looks at me with doubt in her eyes. "Then why do I have the feeling she"ll find a way to keep us apart?"