ROME
Rome chided himself for being so weak that he had nearly taken Elora that night. Another part of him, the weak side of him, screamed at him to go and apologize for the way he left her.
She must be really confused right now.
As he walked into his chambers, he noticed Teriel waiting on the long reading sofa. He was reading a book so intently he hadn’t noticed Rome walk in.
“Teriel?” Rome called startling the man.
“Sir.” He bowed before eyeing the king. His face seemed flushed and he was breathing louder and faster than normal. Did the king run here? “You seem a bit flustered.”
The king rubbed his face as if he could rub off the truth so easily.
“Flustered? I just had a bath. Thanks to you, I feel better than ever,” he replied. “Why have you come here? Shouldn’t you be having a bath of your own?”
“Well, yes. I just thought to inform you that Noel has been to the dungeon as per your request.”
It took a moment before the king understood what he meant. “Oh, yes. That wolf. I reckon he should be able to speak soon.”
“Yes, sir. Noel reports that in a few days, he should be on his feet.”
“Wonderful news.” His hand went through his ginger hair. “Summon Noel. I have a very important task for him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Teriel bowed, walking away.
He placed a hand on his chest as his breathing steadied and thought about what he had done with Elora.
Yes, she was his mistress but the experience with her felt like something more. She felt so good in his arms like the missing piece in his shattered heart.
His animal had growled and he almost lost control of it. Why had it growled? It was strange to him because that had never happened not even in all his years with Erika. It had never been that possessive. Why did it feel that way towards Elora, a stranger and the daughter of a slave? There was a primal instinct to take her all in. She seemed like the only thing that he needed at that moment.
“Your Majesty, Noel is here.”
“Ah. Send him in.” He directed moving to his reading sofa.
“Your Majesty.” The physician greeted, bowing.
The physician was younger than most people imagined. He was also Lycan with long chestnut brown hair packed into a small bun at his nape.
“Noel.”
“You summoned me.”
“Yes. Have you met my mistress? Elora.”
“I have, sir. I treated her a few days ago.”
Treated? The king frowned.
“What do you mean treated?”
“According to what I heard, there was a brawl between Princess Kate and her. The princess was attacking her friend and she jumped in to protect her.”
The king was fuming.
“What the fuck? Kate? How dare she raise her filthy hands on a member of staff again.” He cocked his head as he processed the rest of the man’s words. “How was Elora?”
“She was badly beaten up, sir. Kate used a silver ring on her. Her face was bloodied and almost mangled. The Lycan herbs worked and she was alright in no time.”
Monica’s children caused a lot of havoc in the castle but because they were of royal blood, he couldn’t send them away. How he wished there was a way to lock them out for good. They were getting out of hand.
“Tell Elora’s lady-in-waiting to summon her.” He commanded. “Also, I want you to check her. I want to know when she will be strong enough to start breeding.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The royal physician bowed and walked away.
Teriel eyed the king. “Your Majesty…”
“Teriel, don’t look at me that way. I don’t want to have to go there more than I should.” He turned towards his bed.
“More than you should?” Teriel called after him and then followed. “She’s your mistress–”
Rome turned. “Just to give me a son. Nothing more, Teriel. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Teriel took a deep breath in. “Your Majesty.” He bowed and went out, retiring for the day.
The king sighed and went into his room. He didn’t want his relationship with Elora to be anything complicated. She was just a mistress and she was here just to bear his children. That was all.