34. Dexari

Chapter 34

Dexari

My mother and I burst into the courtyard just in time to hear Sloane's vehement declaration.

" I love Dexari."

Her words stop me in my tracks. Yet my unbridled joy is overshadowed by my father's angry expression and his firm grip on Sloane's arm.

My mate loves me, and she needs my help!

I rush forward, shoving my father away with enough force to send him sprawling to the ground, and pull Sloane into my arms. Her body tenses before relaxing against me.

"You are safe now," I tell her, holding her tight and whispering soothing words in her ear until her shaking stills.

"Denari thinks I tricked you into making me your intended queen," she finally says, her voice choked with tears.

"My father will be punished for attacking you, I will make sure of it."

She looks up at me with red, tear-filled eyes. "I don't want him punished, Dex. I just want him to understand how much we mean to each other, that we're fated mates."

"Did you mean what you said?" I ask, praying to the gods that her words were not untruths spoken in anger.

"I did," she says, smiling. "I love you, Dex. I'm sorry I didn't tell you first. I didn't realize just how much I love you until I felt the need to defend our relationship to Denari."

My heart soars at her words, and I kiss her.

My father's gruff voice shatters the moment. "Dexari," he snaps. "Get your head on straight. You cannot seriously consider the human female worthy of the crown. She is nothing like your mother or grandmother, or like any of the females in our lineage."

I stiffen, pulling Sloane closer in a protective embrace as I turn to face my father. "Why not?" I challenge, letting some of my anger bleed through. "Am I not the current ruler of Ari? The one with absolute command?"

Denari scoffs. "Absolute command does not mean acting rashly without guidance. The Council of Elders—"

"The Council serves at my pleasure, Father. Any member may be replaced if they no longer respect my rule."

Denari's eyes narrow, his jaw clenched as he stares me down. "You would remove me from the Council for protesting this…this abominable union?"

Sloane shifts in my arms, her small hand finding mine and giving it a squeeze. "Dexari's cockspikes emerged for me. Doesn't that mean our union is blessed by your gods? What is abominable about that?"

My father's gaze flicks to our joined hands, his expression unreadable. Then Paxari takes his arm. "Think carefully before you speak again, Denari. Look at how happy our son is, how happy they both are. Sloane is Dexari's perfect genetic match, just as I am yours. Would you truly seek to deny their bond?"

Denari opens his mouth as if to argue, yet Paxari cuts him off with a disapproving look. "I understand your reservations about her alien race. Yet who are we to question the will of the gods?"

My father's shoulders slump ever so slightly as my mother's words seem to strike a chord within him. She squeezes his arm. "Our son has made his choice. It is our duty to stand behind him, as his parents and as his subjects."

Sloane removes herself from the protection of my arms and points a finger at my father. "Listen up, old man. One of these days, I'm going to give your son the precious heirs he so desperately needs." She pauses for effect. "The heirs your bloodline needs to continue its rule. If you wish to have a relationship with your grandchildren, I suggest you get on board with the idea of me being queen. If you don't, I'll make sure you're cut out of their lives."

Stunned silence falls over the courtyard as Sloane's threat hangs in the air. I do not know if she would follow through with her threat, yet I cannot help admiring her bravery and bravado.

After several tense moments, Denari throws back his head and lets out a booming laugh. He sidesteps Sloane and claps a hand on my shoulder, the look in his eyes no longer angry and defiant.

"She reminds me of your mother at that age," he says with a chuckle. "I do hope you are up for the challenge."

Turning his attention to Sloane, he gives her an appraising look. "Very well, Consort. Consider me on board." His voice softens. "Take care of my son."

With that, he gives my shoulder one final squeeze before taking my mother's arm and striding from the courtyard, leaving Sloane and me alone to process this unexpected turn of events.

Just as I am about to say something to Sloane, my communicator beeps with a text message. "It is from Renowlf," I say. "Since he could not reach me by vid call, he wants me to know that he and his queen are on their way to visit. They should be here by suns set tomorrow."

"Is he the one with a human queen?" Sloane asks.

I nod. "We should hold your coronation while they are here."

Sloane grins. "Do I get a crown? I've never seen you wear one."

"I only wear mine during formal occasions. And yes, you will get one."

She wraps her arms around my waist, and my cock twitches from her contact. "The confrontation with Denari didn't start off well, but it had a good resolution. I think that calls for a celebration."

"What kind of celebration did you have in mind?" I ask, hoping her idea of a celebration is the same as mine. Something private, unclothed, and intimate.

Sloane leans in to my spiked erection, making me groan. "Take me back to bed, Dex, and I'll be happy to show you," she whispers.