“Then they will learn as anyone else has had to. They will contribute in one way or another to the kingdom.”

“Very good, sir. And as for the ceremony, everything is on schedule. Celine Beaucrest has offered to do the work for Lily-err, your mate, sir.”

“Thanks, Fredrick.” Telal left the councilman and headed off to the village.

He found himself coming here every day. It served as a reminder of why he'd done what he did; that there had been a bigger purpose in his coming here. He stood on a small hill overlooking the village. Old homes were being replaced by stronger, stone-built ones that would keep them warmer and safer from fires and the cold. The people talked in the square which was only a square of grass the size of his office, but he had plans to improve that too. The people smiled and laughed, pointing at the houses and talking loudly, full of energy.

A soft sound brought his head around. Lily smiled at him in a way that he learned meant she was thinking mischievous thoughts. She came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Hey, handsome. What are you up to? Brooding like a golden knight in front of all the ladies?”

He laughed and slipped his fingers in her hair. It was always so soft, so sweet smelling; he didn't know how she did it, but he couldn't seem to keep his hands out of it whenever she was near. “You caught me. I was just picking women out for my harem.”

“Haha, you wish.”

His smile died. “No, I don't. I just want you.”

Her smile faltered, became genuine. “Me too.”

Telal cleared his throat and took a step back, his stomach grinding with nerves. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

She eyed him with cautious eyes. “Oh? And what's that?”

His cheeks started to burn and he looked out over the village to hide it. The sounds of hammers banging in nails and men giving orders wasn’t exactly the most romantic atmosphere but he had to get it out before he lost the nerve.

“I want you to mate with me.” He kept his back to her, couldn't bear to see her face and what she thought, even if a part of him was dying to.

So much time passed that he didn't even know if she still stood behind him. He turned around. “Just give me an answer, Lily.”

She wasn’t even looking at him. She stared up at the sky, a small smile on her face. Her eyes drifted down to meet his and her eyes glowed with love. “I had a vision of this once, remember? I wrote to you about it. The sky was bright with pink and orange like it is right now and you looked down at me with this angry frown on your face, and then you kissed me and stole my breath away.”

Telal’s patience steadily drained away. “I need an answer now.”

Her chin lowered and she looked up at him. “Kiss me and you'll find your answer.”

His chest tightened, his heart pounding as he strode towards her. He wasn't gentle as he pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth against hers. Her lips parted on a sigh and he delved inside, conquering her mouth, making it every bit his as it was hers. Her arms came around his neck and a victory chant start to grow in his head. Her sweet mouth moved against his, her tongue sliding against his, lips pecking and kissing. Through action, he showed her what he felt.

She pulled away but he didn't want to stop so he followed her down and kissed her some more until she was breathless and panting, her body straining against his in way that made him want to growl.

“Yes! Yes!” she said, laughing. “I will.” His arms crushed her to him, and he picked her up, spinning her around in a circle, her giddy laughter floating over him.

He set her down and couldn't stop grinning. Now who was the fool, he thought. “I suppose I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“For doubting your visions. They do come true after all.”

“Only about half the time, but let's keep that in the family, okay?”

“Done.”

Hand-in-hand, they looked out over the village. “You haven't been sleeping well.”

Telal's shoulders tensed but he forced them to relax. “It'll go away.” Her thumb rubbed up and down on his hand, the touch loosening his tight muscles. Could his worry for his brother ever go away? He hoped with time.

The crowd in the square lifted their faces and spotted him. Their faces lit up and people pointed and went scurrying into their homes. Telal was still adjusting to this, to being their king. Some still held a grudge over his ‘betrayal’. He’d explained the situation to the kingdom at length but not everyone was quick to trust him. He understood. They had a thousand years to believe things of him one way; it would take time for people to accept him in a good way.

“Hey, look!”

Telal followed Lily’s finger to see a crowd had gathered with baskets in their arms and they were coming up the hill to them. “What do they want?” he said stiffly.

Lily shrugged and he glared at her as if this was somehow her fault.

The crowd came forward and dropped to both knees in a bow. “You don't need to do that.”

Their broad smiles unsettled him. As did the baskets in their arms. One man, older with silver hair and deep brown skin came forward. “Your highness, we bring you gifts.”

The villagers placed their gifts at his feet and backed away their heads down, making no eye contact.

“Why?”

The old man smiled showing a line of white teeth. “To thank you for your good deeds. We look forward to being a peaceful, whole kingdom once again. We thank you for your kindness.”

“Here! Here!” the crowd chanted.

Telal stared down at the baskets; they were filled with foods, bottled drinks, and clothing. All made by hand, he knew. These people didn't work any other way. A strange, almost awkward feeling came over him. He felt the urge to kneel down and avert his eyes from these people.

“Thank you. Thank you all. This means so much to me.” His voice sounded thick with emotion and he cleared his throat to hide it. But it was too late and the people looked at him with pride and awe in their eyes. A blush flared across his face in an instant. It took everything in him not to turn away. Lilly's hand squeezed his and kept him strong. The tension in him released bit by bit.

The crowd started to part. “Wait!” The crowd turned back around with wide eyes. Shit. He took a deep breath for courage. “I have asked Lily Bellum to be my mate and she has agreed. It would be my honor if you all joined us for the ceremony.”

The people clapped and smiled, nodding enthusiastically before heading back for the village.

“I guess it's too late to back out now,” Lily said.

Telal glared at her. “You wouldn't dare.” She let go of his hand and ambled back towards the castle.

“I mean, I don't know. This is somewhat sudden and you do have blue hair. What will our children look like?”

He nearly tripped. “Children?”

She rolled her eyes and picked up her pace. “Well sure, it's bound to happen you know. Sex makes babies after all. Or do demons hatch eggs?”

He growled and took a hard step towards her. She squealed, her eyes bright with excitement and took off for the castle on a sprint. Pleasure, desire, and excitement flooded his blood as he chased her. He could have caught her, but seeing her dart nervous/excited glances back at him was too much fun. So he let her stay ahead and race upstairs to their bedroom. He broke inside the bedroom, slamming the door behind him and found her already tearing off her clothes.

He cocked a brow. “Eager?”

She nodded fast. “Very.”

Hell, so was he. Telal pulled his shirt off then stopped as her breasts popped free of her bra. He started for her before he thought twice about it. Her breasts filled his hands in the next second, soft and yielding. She moaned and pulled down her skirt and underwear.

“Take off your clothes.” He understood what her words meant but couldn't seem to make his hands stop touching her breasts, from feeling the puckered tips of her nipples. She slapped at his hands, breathing hard. “I said take them off.”