Page 82 of The Thren's Fated
Screl’s siblings had marched down the aisle one by one, Princess Vottol coming last and standing in front of the largest central throne. A Thren elder performed a quick ceremony before a large crown was placed on top of her head, officially making her the newest Thren sovereign. There was polite clapping, then a line of delegates and honored guests formed to honor the new leader.
Somehow, Lena was included in that group, her body electrified with anticipation as she greeted the Thren royalty one by one. Screl was first, giving her a kiss on the hand and a smile which melted her heart, followed by his two siblings that had eagerly done their father’s bidding with sheepish grimaces.
Last was Vottol with an eager grin pulling at her lips.
“Lena. It is so wonderful to see you again. I trust you are doing well?”
Lena bowed low, following Thren custom, before returning the smile.
“Very well, thank you. Congratulations on your appointment, though I’m sorry for your loss.”
She wasn’t really, but it seemed the polite thing to say in a situation such as this.
The Sovereign gave a wry smile, lowering her voice.
“It really was a shame. His passing was so sudden, but that is the way of things.”
She didn’t appear too crushed by her father’s death. In fact, Lena could swear there was a glimmer of mischief in those deep blue eyes, a shiver trickling down her spine at the implication she dared not think about.
The Sovereign grasped her hand, smiling sweetly.
“I do hope you will stay with us for a few days. I would love to show you the Falls of Bocovis. It’s a short shuttle trip from here.”
“Of course,” Lena replied, bowing low once again and making room for the next guest ready to greet the new leader.
It was all so surreal as she stepped off the dais, one she had been on just a year ago in drastically different circumstances. She followed the crowd toward another room, this one a plainly dressed ballroom, and waited impatiently for Screl.
The celebration had been quite entertaining.
Lena ate and danced, even tasted some of the Thren ale she had once served Screl and his officers back at Ochin’s. Dronzal kept her company until Screl returned, the bond raging in her chest as he pulled her into a firm embrace.
“Are you ready to get out of here?”
His whisper fluttered past her ear and sent an icy shiver down her spine, her body practically melting into his arms.
“Right now?” she asked as she pulled away.
“I’ve had enough of greeting honored guests. Besides, I have a surprise.”
Lena beamed, taking his offered hand and nodding at Dronzal before following him from the festivities.
Screl led her through the maze of the palace in silence until they exited into the open air, the brisk night catching her by surprise.
A flutter of nerves rushed through her as she eyed the dark forest beyond, great trees reaching into the sky with only the glow of the stars to light them.
Screl brushed her hair off her shoulder, tracing the scars from his bite, his mark. He’d given her many over the last few months, each one filling her with joy, knowing that it meant she was his until the day they died.
Tentacles curled around her waist, spinning her to face the forest beyond, his breath warm against her exposed neck.
“Do you remember what I told you about the Thren way of joining?”
The words set her entire body aflame, her cunt already throbbing as she quickly realized what his surprise entailed.
“Y-Yes, Yavriel,” she managed, her voice hoarse, betraying her need.
“Good. I’m going to give you a head start, amoreth, but know that once I catch you, there’s nothing you can do to stop me from claiming you in the dirt.”
Lena grinned, embracing the rush of endorphins tingling her skin and gathering her skirt into her hands.
Screl pressed a kiss to her neck, squeezing her ass once before letting her go, though she still felt his presence behind her.
“Run, my mate. Make me work for it.”
Without needing further prodding, Lena took off, the wind whipping her hair as she ran for the tree line, her heart thumping in her chest.
