Chapter 174
~ ROWAN
My skin thrummed with anticipation, my heart hammering wildly in my chest as I stood in the back of my—our—home, waiting for Nyssa.
According to Aria, they left the palace a little over half an hour ago and if all went as planned, they’d be here soon. I resisted the urge to take out my phone knowing I would only receive a tongue lashing from my sister.
“You look nervous,” the priest noted, his lips curling into a small smile.
He was old, with grey hair and a hunched spine. The palace had only one priest, and he held that position long before even my father was born. I had no idea how old he truly was and I never bothered to ask.
I smiled softly at his words. “I am, but in a good way p>
“I can tell,” he mused. “Your father was the same way when he had his mating ceremony. He was pacing the entire time and he only stopped when she arrived p>
It was rare to hear people speak of my father. The few who knew him only spoke of him as a King and not a father, and Aria who knew him as a father did not like to speak of our parents if she could help it.
“You remind me of him,” the priest continued. “You have the same aura. It’s… good p>
I cocked my head to the side. “It doesn’t seem like good was your first choice of words p>
His lips curled upwards in a wry smile. “It is what I chose p>
There were so many questions I wanted to ask but I didn’t get the chance to because I heard the sound of tires screeching to a stop.
Every nerve in my body came alive as I turned towards the entrance, waiting with baited breath for my mate. I stared into the waiting darkness. Only the space for the ceremony was illuminated by fairy lights and candles and although it was beautiful, I hated it because I could not see further than the space in front of me.
I smelled her as she approached, heard the rapid beating of her heart and I had to force my hands into my pockets to keep from going to her.
When she stepped into the light, my heart dropped. I opened my mouth to speak but I found that every word I knew had disappeared from my mind.
“Hi,” she whispered, her soft pink lips turned up into a smile.
Her hair was tied up in an elegant up-do with tendrils falling over her eyes. Her dress fit her like a sleeve, and she seemed to glow with excitement.
My throat went dry as I tried to respond to her. I stretched out a hand to her and a rush of current went up my arm when she touched me.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she whispered. “My hair took longer than I thought p>
“You’re perfect,” I blurted out.
Her cheeks warmed pink, her gaze shifting to the ground. “Erm, thank you, I guess p>
“Are we ready to do this?” the priest asked, cutting through my mental haze.
He watched us with an amused smile on his face, his hands crossed over his chest.
I glanced at her and she nodded firmly.
“Yes,” we answered at exactly the same time.
The mating ceremony was simple for the most part.
It involved us swearing an oath to each other under the moonlight and in the presence of the goddess. Once the oath was complete, we were required to do a blood oath.
A sharp silver blade was used to nick the center of my palm then Nyssa’s and we had to fuse our hands together as a scarlet thread was tied across.
The moment our hands touched, I felt a sharp pressure in the back of my head. It was strong enough that I winced, nearly taking a step back.
Different emotions slammed into me at once: excitement, nervousness, confusion. They filtered in and out of my mind with pictures; the priest, the beautiful flower arch that we stood underneath, the moon in the sky, the rough calluses of my hands, my stubble.
Nyssa.
It hit me at once that they were her thoughts, her emotions. I could feel her finally, after months of going without, it was a fucking privilege to be able to know what the inside of her head looked like.
“That’s a lot,” she mumbled softly, wincing slightly. “I didn’t think it would be so intense to feel someone else p>
Immediately, I lowered the wall between us, shutting out my mind from her. I saw the tightness in her face ease just a little.
“Thank you,” she whispered, gracing me with a small smile that nearly sent me to my knees. “Is it bad for you too? I can p>
“No,” I cut her off sharply. “I like it p>
Her brows rose in surprise. “Are you sure p>
She nodded. “Are we done now p>
I opened my mouth to respond but the priest beat me to it. “Yes, but he still has to mark you p>
She turned to me with wide eyes, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink.
In times past, markings were a public affair. There was never a reason why but it was how things were done for the longest. It was a very emotionally charged affair and almost always ended with the newly mated couple having sex. It was why mating ceremonies became private events.
“I’ll mark her when we’re alone,” I said firmly, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
The idea of anyone but me seeing her like that, wild and carefree and begging for me—it filled me with a rage so dark and twisted that it nearly suffocated me.
When I put my mark on her throat, I wanted to hear her scream my name in pleasure. I wanted the opportunity to see her writhe beneath me, to beg for more. Doing that in front of an audience was not an option.
The priest shot me a knowing look. “In that case, congratulations, Your Majesties p>