I mean, we were rough, but it was almost like our beasts let her be in charge. I guess I can’t speak for my brothers, but the whole time, I just wanted to please her and make sure she was enjoying herself.”
Janak grins like the cat that got the cream. “And you, Mal? Did you enjoy claiming your wife?”
“Yes,” Maalik growls, baring his teeth. His entire face is red, and I snort at him good-naturedly. There’s no way we’ll get him to admit anything else in regards to his feelings.
“It appears she is a true Queen of Beasts, then.” Janak chuckles. “I know you’re not a fan of the title, but the people of Briya love it. They’ll be mad with excitement when they learn about Isla.”
We discuss the best way to announce to our people and the rest of the realm that we have indeed finally claimed a wife. I still feel a bit guilty and nervous after our conversation and everything I’ve learned, but I can’t help being filled with giddy anticipation at the prospect of introducing Isla as ours at court.
Before we leave, I ask Janak to give us any books about Guardians and Briya that have illustrations I can show to Isla.
Chapter Thirteen
Isla
I sigh in content at the quiet, gentle male voices around me. I’m so warm and comfortable and happy. I don’t think I’ve ever woken up feeling so happy before.
The sound of a door clicking shut startles me, and my eyes shoot open. Memories from last night come rushing back, and my body tenses up as I realize I’m lying squished between two hard, male bodies. And we’re all still very, very naked.
“Isla?” Caelan’s gruff, sleepy voice whispers my name from behind me, and Audun pulls away slightly so he can look down and meet my eyes.
When Audun smiles, looking shy and happy and so fucking sweet, my heart does about a million somersaults. My thoughts and feelings are all over the place, and it doesn’t help at all that my head is pounding like I drank a fuck-ton of faery wine last night.
“Um, good morning.” I mumble quietly, lowering my eyes because I can’t deal with Audun looking at me like that.
Caelan says something and kisses the top of my head, but I have no clue if he’s talking to me or Audun. Their bodies are pressed against mine, and it feels good, but I’m way too overwhelmed to focus or appreciate it. The guys must realize I’m uncomfortable because they scoot a couple of inches away. They’re still close, and I can feel their eyes watching me with concern, but the tiny bit of distance makes me feel just a little less tense.
I raise my hand to brush some of my hair out of my face, cringing when I realize I’m shaking. The last thing I want to do is make the guys worry or feel bad, but I just…I need a minute to process. When I look up to try and meet Audun’s eyes again, my gaze catches on my wrist instead and I stop breathing.
The mate rune on my wrist is bold and fresh and way too fucking real. I nearly lose it. It’s just too much. Everything is too much. Tears prick at my eyes, and I quickly sit up. The blanket slips down so that my chest is exposed, but I can’t find it in myself to care. Audun and Caelan have already seen every part of my body, anyway.
“I just, uh…” I stand up, looking around frantically as I grab the first articles of clothing I see. I slip into a pair of ill-fitting pants, two mismatching socks, an oversized sweater, and throw open the closet beside the front door and grab a thick coat while I step into a pair of men’s winter boots.
When my hand touches the knob of the front door, I glance over my shoulder to find Caelan and Audun watching me with wide, heartbroken eyes. Guilt squirms in my belly, but I seriously just need some fresh air and a minute alone or I’m going to freak out. I hold my hand out toward them with my pointer finger up, hoping they understand the gesture that I’ll be back in a minute. I open my mouth to tell them just that, but it’s not like they’ll know what I’m saying. So I open the door and step outside, and quickly close it behind me.
The cold air takes my breath away, a welcome