Hearing the voice of King Harvey’s mother shocks, the tears out my system and I wipe my face. Hastily, I comb my fingers through my hair to look somewhat presentable.King Harvey opens the door to my room and offers me a hand. “Come with me, Elena.”I am still upset with him. “Can you say please?”“Yes.” King Harvey picks me up over his shoulder and marches me through his study to the white room with his parents’ wedding outfits.His mother stands in front of the suit and his father stands in front of the dress. Something clicks in me as I look at them, they complete each other, that is what this means.I have never seen King Harvey’s father before. He is as wide as King Harvey, with burning red unnatural eyes. His face is as chiseled as King Harvey’s, with a salt and pepper beard. His black hair is combed back lightly, not tightly to his scalp. His ears are as sharp as King Harvey’s but longer. Two fangs pop out his upper lip, long but not threatening.He is wearing a black velvet cl

“Elena.” King Harvey pauses walking and turns to face me. He is guiding me by hand to the armory room because he has a surprise for me. “How do you feel about me now?”I squeeze his hand tightly and enjoy the warmth of his hand, and that he smiles.“King Harvey… after what happened, I do understand better what you meant… but you did defend me sooner…”“I know first-hand what it is to be alone on battlefield, Elena. I may be stronger than you by werewolf blood, but…pain is pain. You were correct that I swore to protect you. Yet… Elena, I am sorry to say I don’t fully grasp…the pain of words. Logically, Elena… I get it… but perhaps my heart is more calloused.”I swallow dryly. “Once we have children… that will die, King Harvey. Or…when you see me hurt.”“…I do not wish to see you hurt, Elena.” King Harvey whispers steely. His eyes soften as he gazes down at me. “…I am beginning to understand… the scent of your tears rips my heart out.”“Huh?” I breathe, absolutely confused. “Really?”“E

King Harvey gives me a faltering, uneasy smile as he clutches his right arm with his left hand. His talons press into his burned skin unintentionally and he curses loudly, ripping his hand away.“I overestimated the time it would take to explain, Elena.” King Harvey exhales heavily through his mouth, his fangs popping out his upper lip. “Are you well?”“We need to get you help!” I say as I take hold of his left sleeve, as carefully as I can. Blinking the tears out of my eyes, I resolve to push away my sobs as I guide him out of the armory room as quickly as my feet will carry me.King Harvey groans softly over his pain and I am too scared to ask him how he feels. King Harvey remains silent however, as I push into my room and into the bathroom and open the faucet.The color water is ice water, and I am thankful when I check it with my hand. Freezing. Perfect. Filling a cup, I begin to run water up and down his arm. King Harvey weakly groans with every wave of water. I know if I look hi

King Harvey is nothing more than an inch away from me.His hand lands on my thigh as I try to eat, his talons tickle the inner of my thigh and I find myself looking up at him with hunger and not fear.Doris clears her throat at us and huffs. “Sorry to bother, King Harvey, buI suggest you two regain composure.” The conversation continues, Doris’s recounting how we are to eat and in what order to show respect, but I can’t listen with King Harvey’s hand on me.When she notices, she waves her hand at us, and King Harvey whisks me into a private room. I have no time to gasp as he kisses me heavily.Two days pass and King Harvey’s arm is fully healed. I still had to check his arm for drying skin and clean him up, and it was a bonding experience. King Harvey has been watching over me as I try to learn how to picture a flame as I hold the candle, but I have had no success just yet.King Harvey leads me by hand lovingly to the main hall to dine. It is a family pre-wedding dinner. We are going

“I trust you, King Harvey, please.” I urge, watching as his eyes melt for a moment, but solidify with complete hunger as I am lifting slightly and purposefully press my chest into his.Like our close call that one night, King Harvey’s hands land on my thighs and he presses me down, his eyes greedily feast on the sight of me, and I find myself panting. I grit my teeth to not yell at him to continue.There is a slight stinging at my neck, but that is the least of my worries.King Harvey’s hands squeeze my thighs, which is new for us both. It seems to do something for him, and his breathing slows to a low pant. His ears are now sharper. He raises his head and to my surprise lets out a soft howl, now opening his mouth and bending to lick my mating mark.The stinging dies but my heart feels as if it will explode. Naturally, I dig my hands through his brown hair and force him to bury his face in my neck.“What do you want?&r