Savage King: New Worlds - Milly Taiden Page 0,26

of dark magic and would’ve been perfect for his conquests if the fairy queen hadn’t stuck her buzzing ass where it didn’t belong.

The two guards settled on their knees, finally. “Send Ditid to me at once.”

“Yes, sire.”

He turned his back to them so he wouldn’t have to watch them bumble their way out. Maybe the metal armor wouldn’t work, after all. Their short legs were just too scrawny. He swirled his robe around and sat on his rock throne.

“May I be excused, Your Highness?”

Luzzeh glanced at the scout on the floor where he’d kick the dumbfuck. “Yes, please get out of my sight. If anyone else comes across the females, have them report to me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The king watched with a smile on his face as the kappy limped out of the cavern. The pissant was lucky he was still alive.

Chapter Eleven

Xenos had never been so happy as at that moment. His mate was in his arms, no one was depending on him, no one asking him to make decisions. As he carried her back to her friends, she fed him from the food held in her shirt.

Wren picked out a big juicy berry and held it up for him to take into his mouth. Instead of putting it on his tongue, she rubbed the berry over his lips, a pink flash between her lips drew his attention to her.

Those lips tasted so good. Having her body against his was amazing. Her skin was so soft, so smooth. He couldn’t feel enough of her. Now he understood the draw of a mate and how powerful it was. He almost threw out the courting ritual, he wanted her so badly. Fortunately or not, the fruits and nuts they had gathered kept him from losing control. The haul held against her midsection was a good reminder of what they should be doing and what they shouldn’t.

He heard her friends as they got closer. Their time alone was almost over. He had a decision to make. His insides clenched.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. She would be tuned into him enough already to detect changes in him. How could he tell her he didn’t want her to go? That he wanted to be with her for every breath left in him. How would he survive when she went away?

His cat hissed at him. She was theirs. She was born for them. Why would he let her go? Why would their mate leave?

He reminded his cat that he was the scariest creature in the jungle and forest and for a reason. She would run the first chance she got when seeing it. Did his animal want to be locked inside forever, never getting to roam again?

His tigron backed down and retreated deep inside. What was he supposed to do? What was the correct decision? His stomach started to churn. He didn’t want to make the choice.

He stopped and let her feet down. The frown on her face made his heart hurt. He’d put it there and wanted it gone to see her smile, only happiness on her face.

To make things worse, he couldn’t tell her a single thing. How perfect she was for him, how smart and funny she was, how much he wanted to hold her to ease his two centuries of self-confinement. He wanted to live for the first time in a long time—had a reason.

His little mate looked up at him, concern in her eyes. She was so beautiful. He laid his palm against her cheek, and she leaned into it, a little mewl sounding in her throat. His heart hitched.

He kissed her, hard and wild like the savage he was. He still had time before he had to let her go. Time before he reached village lands. He would make the most of it. It would be the end for him.

He pulled back and rested his forehead on hers and said her name. Let the sound roll in his ears, memorizing it, absorbing it. He breathed deeply to take in all he could of her.

“I sense a change in you, Zee. What are you thinking?”

He smiled big. They had a connection. He knew it. She could read him like the rings of a tree. But like how he’d bitten and severed the flower’s tendril dragging her in, he’d have to cut what had just begun. But like he thought, he had time.

He straightened and nodded. “No,” was all she’d understand even though it didn’t really answer her question.

She giggled at him