The Wolf King's Bride, page 9
He took her around the entire castle, except for the lower levels which were used for storage and as a sort of jail. They walked the grounds outside and Nora was impressed with how much effort was put into the greenspaces.
Nora noticed there were paths leading out of the castle grounds and into the woods. Kellan didn’t take her beyond the gates, but she would have time later for exploring. Quite a few wolves were venturing in and out of the gates, so she would likely be free to do the same.
Anyone they passed was formally introduced. Nora concentrated on remembering names, but it was difficult with so many introductions being made.
Wolves did not curtsy or bow at the waist like elementals. They showed respect by bowing their heads slightly and averting eye contact.
Kellan told her that making eye contact and holding it, especially during an introduction, was a sign of aggression. The wolves were not being rude, they were showing her deference.
“But you look everyone in the eyes, constantly,” she commented.
“Yes. The difference is I am an alpha and also their king. To look away would show weakness. A wolf that would hold my stare for too long would be issuing a challenge, or, at the very least, communicating the consideration of a challenge.”
“Then, I should do the same? Look away when you look at me?”
She really did not like the thought. She may have been shy in their chambers, but she wasn’t one to be cowed.
“No, Nora. You should never look away from me. Even if you were wolf I would want to see your beautiful eyes. They tell me much.”
Nora let go of some of her anxiety, loving his compliments more and more.
“I thought it was my scent that did that.”
“That, too,” he smiled, kissing her chastely.
Nora was already getting used to his touches. She hoped she would not be sore later in the evening and that they could try intercourse again. She doubted he would refuse her if she asked, but Nora questioned if she had the courage to propose such a thing.
Kellan and Nora walked back inside the castle. When they reached the open area near the stairs, her stomach rumbled loud enough for even an elemental to hear. She looked at the large clock and saw they had been touring the grounds for almost two hours.
Kellan heard Nora’s stomach and apologized for not feeding her sooner. He assured her they would venture into the kitchen for something.
“There is one thing left I would like to show you.”
“Oh, okay. Which way?” Nora looked around, wondering what she had yet to see.
Kellan hesitated. He wasn’t used to taking care with his words. However, when it came to Nora, he wanted to execute them flawlessly, to be sure he was clear and concise. She could not scent his emotions, but he wanted her to know what he was feeling without pushing for more than she was ready to give.
“Through there,” he pointed, and Nora’s eyes followed to a sizeable door. It was shut and had a rather large lock on it. She looked up at Kellan and he swallowed, his face growing tense.
“When I returned to Castle Burghard, five and a half years ago, I thought a lot about what it would mean to have an elemental as a mate. I wanted you to feel comfortable here, despite how different our people are. I know how you enjoy the woods and being out in nature, which is true for wolves, as well. But our environment would be foreign to you, so I endeavored to make you … no, to give you something that wasn’t quite so foreign. I know you think of us as strangers, but I have felt connected to you every day since the day I found you. And this room is one of the reasons I did not go mad waiting for you.”
Nora’s eyebrows drew together, trying to sort out what Kellan was saying. What could he possibly have put in that locked room? He undoubtedly had peaked her curiosity.
“What is beyond the door, Kellan?” she asked, eyes still on the lock.
“Come,” he commanded as he walked to the door and unlocked it. He turned to Nora, placed the key in her palm, and closed her fingers around it.
“You are now the only one with the key.”
Then he pushed the door open and stepped out of the way. Nora looked at Kellan, who lowered his head. He had never avoided her gaze before. She realized he was apprehensive about showing her this room.
Nora stepped through the door. She was deeply touched by what she found.
She covered her mouth, afraid she would cry out. Nora’s eyes stung. Of all the things he had given her, this was by far the one she would treasure most.
It wasn’t an actual room, it was an enormous greenhouse, teeming with life. Flowers, plants, and small trees were in neat rows wide enough that she could easily walk to the far wall and back.
There were dozens of rows, and hundreds, possibly thousands of flowers and plants. The same ones that grew in her woods, the woods outside her father’s home.
Along the wall, to her left, she saw benches and gardening supplies. There were also some chairs, a small desk, and a few other random pieces of furniture that seemed out of place.
Nora stepped in further and realized the ground was covered in soil. It hummed and spoke to her, welcoming her, begging to connect to her body. It was clean and pure … and familiar.
Gwydion soil. Kellan had given her Gwydion inside his castle.
She walked around in a bit of a daze. He had done what he set out to do. He had given her a piece of home and she found comfort in it. And, unknowingly, he probably had prolonged her life.
“Say something, Nora,” he spoke softly from the doorway. Kellan couldn’t tell if she was pleased. There were too many scents in the greenhouse and she was halfway across the room.
Nora turned to look at her husband and wondered why he hadn’t followed her into the greenhouse. She observed his large shape, his blue eyes that were now glowing, and his sharp, handsome face. For once, he couldn’t tell what she was feeling. Nora was sure of it.
Finally, she found her voice. “Come here, my husband.”
Kellan opened his mouth, then closed it. He had not been sure if he would be welcome in the greenhouse once he gave it to Nora. He promised himself this place would be her sanctuary, should she need one. And no one, not even he, the King, would trespass.
When he made no move to enter, Nora raised an eyebrow at him. His unease lifted at her challenge. No one had ever beckoned him, and, loving how it made him feel when Nora did it, he knew he would never refuse her summons.
Kellan pulled his weight away from the archway and walked slowly towards his wife. As he got closer, he could see the tracks of her tears. He cursed himself for making her cry again. Once he was close enough, Nora reached up to palm his face.
“Can you tell what I’m feeling?” she asked.
Kellan shook his head. He should be able to read her, but his own emotions were interfering with his abilities. He wanted so badly to please her.
Nora raised her other hand and cupped the back of his neck. Then she guided his face down close to hers. Kellan thought she was going to kiss him, but instead she whispered, “Smell me.”
Kellan put his arms around her waist, buried his nose behind her ear, and inhaled deeply. Innumerable aromas entered his system and he tried to decipher them, to separate the sweet smells of the flowers from the sweet smells of his mate. It was easier now he was touching her.
Happiness. Gratitude. Those were the two most prevalent odors. He closed his eyes tight, thankful he had done the right thing for Nora. She was pleased, happy even—at least in this moment.
He inhaled again and picked up the beginning of a much stronger scent. Arousal. His little mate was aroused by his gift. Well. That was quite unexpected.
Kellan smiled against her neck and then bit gently. Her body shuddered, and another strong wave of arousal emitted from her skin. Kellan swore every pore in sweet Nora was calling to him.
He considered ripping off her dress right there and holding her down in the soil, but the door was wide open, and Kellan would never chance someone else seeing his mate in the throes of passion.
Her stomach rumbled again and they both laughed. He kissed her neck, then her lips, and had to force himself to pull away.
Kellan needed to tend to her hunger first. They could continue exploring their other hungers later. Maybe in this room with the door locked.
Chapter 7
That night the Kingdom of Burghard welcomed their new queen with a banquet in the large dining hall. Nora hadn’t given much thought to being called by the title of Queen, which was silly. She was married to the King. To his people, she was Queen Nora. What else would she be called?
She supposed she had thought of Kellan’s mother, Rhona, as Queen. Kellan’s father, Callum, had passed away decades ago after contracting sleeping sickness. Quite a few wolves around the kingdom had fallen ill with the disease. It had been difficult to stop the spread.
Nora had questions on the subject, though, not because she was nosy. It was because she wanted to know Kellan. But she did not want to dampen the evening’s festivities, or Kellan’s mood, so she shelved her questions for a later date.
Every wolf Nora met was polite, some more friendly than others, but always mannerly and respectful. She appreciated their efforts.
Rhona was especially happy to welcome her son’s mate to Burghard. She apologized to Nora for not attending the binding ceremony, but with things as they were in Imperium, Kellan had asked his mother to remain in the castle while he was gone.
Rhona could see how much Kellan adored his new mate and was elated he had found a true match. She and Kellan’s father had also been true mates.
His death nearly killed her because their life forces were joined. She fought to stay alive for the sake of her son who did not think himself worthy of replacing his father on the throne.
Nora had heard Rhona, whose hair was bright red and didn’t look a day over thirty, was over 300 years old. But she did not think it would be polite to ask during the banquet. She added it to the long list of questions she was building in her mind.
Sitting to the right of Nora, Rhona enjoyed listening to her tales of Gwydion and the way she told stories with humor and candor. Rhona could tell her new daughter-in-law was tough. She would need to be if she was to rule the wolves alongside Kellan. Nora also appeared humble and insisted that Rhona address her as Nora.
Kellan loved how each person that greeted Nora formally had been corrected by his wife and asked to use her familiar name. She sometimes cringed slightly when her name was preceded with ‘Queen.’
Kellan was rarely addressed formally in the castle. It was usually only in town or with people he wasn’t close to that would call him by his title instead of his name. He appreciated his wife felt the same way about such formalities. His wolves seemed to appreciate it as well.
They were currently sitting on a long, elevated platform, able to see the crowd who had joined them tonight. Nora invited Kellan’s mother and Foley to sit with them on the platform, which only took Foley by surprise. Rhona seemed to have taken it in stride, able to already see how gracious the new queen would be.
Nora was afraid it appeared as if they were looking down at their guests, but Kellan told her it was because the people would be curious and want to see her. He decided not to tell her they would also be curious about how a wolf would interact with an elemental mate and how she would react to him.
Elementals didn’t have mates. Their customs dictated a period of time where two people would get to know one another and then make the decision of compatibility.
Wolves who found their true mates knew immediately. They welcomed it and were grateful.
Nora may have felt like she had no choice in the matter. Kellan’s stomach dropped. He knew Nora was his, there was no question. But did Nora think of Kellan as hers? If she did not, he would make it so.
He looked at her profile as her stare shifted around the room, taking in the laughter and merriment. Her eyes twinkled in the firelight. Nora seemed to have changed slightly after spending time in the greenhouse earlier. And her scents had altered slightly. They were richer, fuller.
His thoughts drifted back to earlier in the day.
After they had shared lunch, Kellan met with the Council. There were some things needing his immediate attention. Later, he would confide in his wife. She was the daughter of a king and would be a good ear for him. But he did not want to worry her before the banquet.
Nora returned to the greenhouse and shut herself inside while Kellan was in the meeting room. When he returned to fetch her, she had just emerged.
Her clothing had been filthy, as had the skin on her hands and chest. It reminded him of how she looked the first time they met. Kellan laughed because he had never imagined she would be in there gardening.
Nora had seemed a bit self-conscious, but smiled when he rubbed a smudge of soil from her face and showed it to her. When he asked what she had been doing, she haughtily placed her hands on her hips and replied, “What do you think I’ve been doing in there?”
“Hopefully not ruining all of my hard work,” he had said.
Nora eyed him. “Your hard work?”
“Who do you think has been tending that greenhouse, Mate? No one has been allowed in there but me. And now it is only for you, unless you invite me inside.”
Instead of responding, she hugged him around his midsection. When she regained her composure, and stood up straight, she saw she had gotten dirt on his shirt and started wiping at it. Being that her hands were dirty, all she achieved was adding more dark streaks to the material.
Kellan smirked at his adorable wife.
“It’s nothing, Nora. In fact, it’s an excellent reason to go back to our chambers and bathe.” With that, he picked her up and carried her off.
He wished they had had more time alone after bathing, but they had needed to greet their guests as they arrived. When he washed her, Kellan noticed the bruising from the ride was almost completely gone.
He assumed it was confirmation elementals healed quickly, but forgot to ask her. He had been too distracted by Nora’s nakedness in the bath.
A noise in the banquet hall broke his daydream. Kellan shifted in his seat. Thinking about bathing his wife earlier affected him greatly. He was gratified she allowed it without complaint. Perhaps she was warming to him already.
“You’re staring,” she said, without looking at him.
“How can you tell?”
“I can feel it.” Nora twisted in her seat, facing him. “Every time you look at me, I feel it.”
Kellan reached for her hand and held it tight. Nora turned back to the crowd. She wondered how many of the wolves were disappointed with whom the universe had given to their king. And how many females were unhappy that it wasn’t one of them.
A few of the maidens, who were walking the aisles and filling pitchers, continuously looked up at the platform. It wasn’t curiosity over Nora’s arrival that had them looking. No, these maidens only had eyes for Kellan.
Nora found it unsettling how the females would so obviously stare at her husband when he wasn’t looking. He was a striking specimen, but he was also no longer available.
One of them waited until Kellan returned her stare to look away. Then she unabashedly flashed her light blue eyes at Nora for a second before turning back to her task.
The female was striking. Tall and lean, the opposite of Nora. Her long dark hair swung angrily around her tanned shoulders each time her consideration shifted from Kellan to Nora, then back to filling the drinks.
Nora had suspicions about this she-wolf.
“What is her name?” Nora asked her husband.
“Who?”
Nora slowly swiveled her head to the left, in Kellan’s direction. He knew very well what information Nora was seeking and he pointedly wanted to avoid the subject. His Nora was more observant than he realized. They stared at each other before Nora spoke again.
“You know very well of whom I am inquiring, Husband.”
Nora did her best to keep her face neutral, not that it mattered. Kellan could pick up her emotions without seeing or hearing her. He didn’t respond and, for a second, Nora thought he wouldn’t.
“Isla,” he sighed.
Nora nodded her head a few times, repeating the name inside her mind. Kellan leaned towards her, trying to scent her, when Nora pinched the skin on his hand.
“No. Do not scent me in this room, in front of all these wolves. Please.”
“But you are distressed over nothing. I need to know what you are feeling.”
Nora turned to observe Isla, who was hovering near. Wolves could hear from quite a distance, so she didn’t bother raising her voice.
“Then you can scent me in our marriage bed.”
Kellan laughed, though he was sure his wife hadn’t meant it to be funny. It was a warning. She was reminding Isla that Nora was the one married to the king. She was marking her territory. It was the way of the wolf and Kellan was stirred by his mate’s territorial reaction.
Once Isla was on the far side of the loud hall, Nora felt like she could breathe again. She did not like feeling jealous. She also loathed the idea Kellan had chosen to bed Isla at some point in his life, and Isla had wanted him in return. Who else in the room had been welcomed to his bed?
Nora was more like an obligation, an incubator in which to store the future King of Burghard. His gestures had been kind and thoughtful, but was he courting her or making things easier for himself?
Did Kellan even like her? Think her pretty? He laughed at her jests and said comforting words. But did he mean them? Just once, she wanted to smell his emotions.
“How long has it been?”
“Nora—”
“How long?”
“Years. Six? Seven, possibly? It wasn’t important enough to mark the passage time. I haven’t touched anyone since the day I found you. Not since I first saw you 2,007 days ago—and yes, I counted.”
Nora’s spine straightened. She had not expected this. It went against what she knew of wolves and their sexual proclivities. She was beginning to think she knew nothing of the Burghards.
