Page 67 of Cold Hearted
Revelry was happening all around Noreum tonight and throughout the Northern Kingdom as our fae not only celebrated their lord’s wedding but welcomed a new ruler as well. I had learned that usually when a lord married, his wife became his consort, but Zander wouldn’t hear of it and had made a decree that the moment we were married I would become an equal ruler of the Northern Kingdom. I was nowLady Dawn Ambrose. Which was akin to their queen. It was unheard of in Ethereum history, but so was the pairing between a princess of Faerie and lord of Ethereum.It was time for things to change in both realms, and our marriage and co-rule was just the beginning.
Tucking my hand in the crook of his arm once again, Zander turned us toward the castle grounds and the cheers got impossibly louder. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could hear the noise all over the kingdom. We smiled and waved at our subjects, their excitement infectious. After several minutes, Zander laid a hand over my hand resting on his arm, gave it a squeeze, and then led me to the side, where we could enter the castle to change our outfits for the reception. There was no way I could sit in this giant dress, and Zander said it was tradition that he wear his military uniform to dinner and make a toast to his men.
Two of Zander’s many assistants led us to a bedroom and opened the door. I peered inside and my stomach dropped when I realized it was the room we would live in as husband and wife. Draped over the large four-poster bed was a slim-fitting blue dress, and Zander’s military uniform.
“We will meet you in the reception hall,” Zander told his attendants, and they nodded, bowing before they left.
I slipped inside the room as Zander shut the door, and my stomach bloomed with heat as I thought of changing in front of my new husband.
Reaching behind me, I fumbled with the lacing to my dress to no avail, and then Zander was there. He reached out and brushed his warm hands over mine. My dress slowly loosened, and then finally fell to my waist.
I was bare from the waist up, my heart hammering in my chest as Zander stood behind me.
Clearing my throat, I wiggled out of the dress, now only in my undergarments.
That’s when I felt his breath on my neck. Delicious heat scorched a path down my body before settling between my legs.
“I know I said later but I lied,” Zander huffed in my ear, and I moaned in relief.
Spinning around to face him, I watched in delight as Zander let his eyes rake over me slowly.
His blue irises practically glowed as I undressed him slowly, first coat, then shirt, and finally his trousers. Without warning, Zander reached around my waist and lifted me onto the bed, causing an excited shriek to leave my lips. As he lowered himself on top of me, he stared into my eyes.
“Dawn Warrick.” He used my new married name as he dipped low to nibble at my bottom lip.
“Yes?” I panted.
“I plan to satisfy you in every way possible,” he promised, and I nearly exploded right there.
“Yes please.”
* * *
Forty minutes later, and with slightly messed-up hair, Zander and I entered the main part of the castle wearing goofy grins and stealing glances at each other. We were greeted with even more well-wishers and spent the better part of a half-hour welcoming fae, mostly the castle staff and attendants, before making it to the ballroom, where several hundred guests waited for us to arrive.
After we were announced, Zander pulled me into the middle of the dance floor. A sweet melody filled the air, the notes smooth and whimsical, and we started to move as one.
“Have I told you how unbelievably beautiful you look tonight?” he asked, his deep voice rolling over me like honey.
“As a matter of fact, I don’t think you have,” I said, trying to sound offended, but I’m sure I missed the mark because of the giant smile I couldn’t wipe off my face. Lying with Zander, my husband, was much more special than I thought it would be. If it were possible, I felt even closer to him, even more cherished by him.
“My deepest apologies, my lady.” His hand tightened on my waist, and he pulled me closer than what was considered proper. I didn’t mind in the least as he dipped his head and whispered in my ear. “You’re the most stunning creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Tilting my head up to meet his blue gaze, I licked my lips and Zander’s eyes dropped to my mouth. “You clean up quite nicely as well.” I ran my gaze over his neck, down his shoulders, and across the military buttons that adorned his coat before returning to his face.
His eyes took on an almost feverish glow as he stared back at me, leaving no doubt in my mind where his thoughts had drifted. “I’m glad you think so,” he murmured, and slowed our dance so that we weren’t doing more than swaying back and forth now. The heat between the two of us was palpable.
I swallowed hard, my thoughts on our earlier lovemaking. My mother had always told me that saving myself for marriage would be worth it, and right now I had to agree. I couldn’t imagine sharing that with anyone else.
“Excuse me,” a male voice interrupted, and I realized that at some point another song must have started, because we were no longer alone on the dance floor. Other guests were moving and twirling around Zander and me, and a fae stood in front of us that I’d never seen before, yet he still looked familiar.
“Zane!” Zander said, and immediately pulled the stranger into a hug. “I’m so glad you were able to make it.” When Zander stepped away from the dark brown-haired fae, they both wore matching grins, and I felt like I was missing something.
“Technically, I’m not here,” he said with a wink. “If anyone asks, I’m currently safely tucked in Windreum.”
Zander released a hearty laugh. “As if you won’t be recognized.”
The fae shrugged before turning to me expectantly.
