Ancientt (Elaine Waters)

The Alien King’s Mate part 13

Added 2023-07-09 05:46:56 +0000 UTC

KING VULCAN

I can’t remember the last time I took a knee. Can’t remember the last time I cleaned my own halls. Yet Lilian has me doing both things. She is in a vulnerable state, having lost her home. If she finds solace wiping down a palace wall, then so be it.

Of course, I won't always be able to bend my knee. There will be other occasions where we won’t be able to compromise. She is a queen now, and there are certain expectations of her. Rules she must follow.

But today is not that day.

We clean up the mess over the next few minutes.

“I wanted to ask where I could take a bath,” she says.

“There are bathing pools. My people often use baths for socializing. We bathe in the pools together.”

She stops scrubbing and fastens her wide eyes on me. “You want me to bathe with your family?!”

I chuckle. “You may bathe alone. Speaking of family, I would like to introduce you to them.”

Her hold on her handkerchief tightens.

“The palace servants have begun to talk,” I explain. “You will have to face the kingdom soon.”

She frowns, not pleased about her reality. She didn’t want to leave Earth and it will take time before she falls in love with her new home.

“Have you told your family about me?” She whispers, still squeezing the handkerchief.

“Somewhat. I have one sister and five brothers. They know you’re human, and are intrigued.”

She stands up, and I follow, hovering over her shorter frame. She glances at the parted door, like she wants to hide.

“I’ll… think about it. Can you show me the nearest bath?”

“Yes. Gather a change of clothes.”

She goes into the room, and I feel restless once she disappears behind the door. This always happens when she leaves my sight. Sleeping in a different room is hell, because the mate bond demands to have her beside me.

I run a hand over my left horn, fighting the urge to follow her.

All frustration evaporates when she re-appears. The clothes she hugs to her chest are not the silk dresses hanging in her closet. She’s clinging to her clothes from Earth.

I sigh. This will be a long transition.

I lead the way down the hall, passing my guards and a handful of servants that know better than to stare. The nearest bathing pool is next to the smoking room on this level. I push the wooden doors and let Lilian enter. The pool extends to the walls. There are carts with every soap and cream she could imagine.

She picks up a black comb from a cart. “Can I use this?”

I nod and point out the hair products.

“Thanks,” she says, staring at the lavender water.

“You’re welcome. Would you like me to join you?”

She drops the comb. “N—no thanks.”

I chuckle. I wonder what other Versai customs she will find strange.

I bend down, careful with my horns, and pick up the comb from the cold tiles.

“I only offer to not be rude.” I hand her the comb. “I’ll be outside. Call me if you change your mind.”

Her cheeks redden, and I chuckle. I’m laughing now, but there would be nothing amusing if I sat across from her in that pool without being able to touch her. Her rejection is a blessing.

I walk out and shut the doors behind me. Then I wait. There are many duties I must tend to, but I don’t want to make Lilian feel abandoned.

She makes quick work of her bath. When she calls for me, I enter and find her setting the comb back in its place. Something behind her catches my eye. A dark, fuzzy ball beside her foot.

I dive for her, wrapping an arm around her waist and swinging her to my side. Then I stomp on the creature and reach for my dagger at my hip.

“What are you doing?” Lilian shrieks.

“Killing the monster,” I growl as I clutch her tight and continue to stomp.

“Stop, that’s not a monster! It’s hair!”

I stop my onslaught and lower her, keeping her pressed against me, my guard still high.

“Hair?” I repeat, running a hand through her curly wet locks in disbelief.

“Yeah. I combed my hair and set the shedded pieces there until I left.”

I glance at the fuzzy ball.

“Humans shed this much? How are you not bald?”

She giggles, and the sound is beautiful. I’ve cracked the marble tiles with my stomping but am willing to crumble the palace to please her.

Her smile falls as she becomes aware of our proximity. My muscular, structured body pressed against her curvy figure. The humidity in the air seems to thicken, and I release her before she notices the other monster in my pants.

She picks up her shedded hair and dirty clothes, refusing to look at me.

I revel in the tension. It’s proof that she’s not immune to our pull. Slowly but surely, she’s bending under the pressure.

I lead her back to her room and promise to return. Then I’m off to my office. Three days from now is my monthly Worth ceremony, where I cage fight a soldier to prove I’m still fit to lead the kingdom. Lilian will have to be there as my queen, or her absence will be questioned. But I’m unsure how to break the news to her.

“Vulcan.”

My youngest brother, Kyolo, stands before me. His latest arm-candy of the week follows closely.

“We need to talk,” he says, patting his lover’s arm, who keeps her head down but can’t hide her smirk.

“Follow me to my office,” I tell him.

We walk together, down the hall of illumination lit with a dozen chandeliers. This is my favorite part of the palace. The golden glow of the lights makes me feel peaceful. The palace becomes more than a labyrinth of secrets and shadows.

Unlike my siblings, I didn’t grow up here. Perhaps that’s why the palace feels unfamiliar even after years of walking—of ruling, these walls.

I enter my office on the second floor, staring at the courtyard through the window as I listen to Kyoto’s footsteps.

“There’s a stir in the depths,” he says.

The depths is the world beneath the flowing city. Criminals are often banished there, but many willingly live there, too. There is more danger in the depths. More thrill.

“When isn’t there?” I ask.

“They’re talking about your queen.”

I turn around to see his smirking face. “Whatever thoughts you’re having better be pure as gold. I will not tolerate disrespect when it comes to her.”

My youngest brother has a knack for mischief but he has learned not to cross lines with me. And there’s a bold fucking square drawn around Lilian’s dainty feet.

I may be his brother, but I am also his king.

“Relax. I would never flirt with the girl. I just wanted to ask when you will introduce her. It would do you good. Would settle the rumors.”

He’s right. There is enough animosity around me. Ever since I banned gold—the heart of this world, my people have been angry.

“I’ll introduce her at the ceremony,” I say. “Is that all?”

He shrugs a shoulder, his hazel eyes lighting up when he grins. “I also came to tell you that Delya is visiting your queen right now and ruffling her crown.”

I curse and stomp out of my office, servants flinching away from my path as I scorch the halls with fury. Delya, my sister, is another cause of headaches. She knew better than to disrupt Lilian.

“Delya!” I growl, my voice reaching her before I turn the corner. She’s standing outside Lilian’s room, speaking with her.

“Vulcan.” She takes a step back, but it’s not enough.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” I reply and study Lilian. Her lips are pursed and she stares at Delya cautiously. The tension is as thick as gold. Loaded words must have been exchanged.

“What happened here?” I ask.

“Nothing,” Lilian replies. Although faint, I hear her grip on the doorknob tighten. “Your lovely sister just came to greet me. Her English is not fluent, but I understood the message.”

“I’ll leave you two love birds be,” Delya tells me in Versai.

“You will not sneak around me again,” I command her. She dips her head and turns, her dress swirling around her ankles.

“What did she tell you?” I ask Lilian.

“Nothing I can’t handle, alien king. I’m fine. You’re free to continue to walk your halls and stomp on unsuspecting hair balls.”

She smiles, and my hand reaches out instinctively. I cup her cheek and stroke it with my thumb, threading through the undercurrents of the bond. “You are under my protection, including from my family. You know this, right?”

She cups my wrist and her eyes widen further like she can’t believe the size. “I’m fine,” she repeats. I choose to drop the topic for now.

It’s physically impossible to lower my hand, so I keep it there. “There will be a ceremony in three days' time. Do you wish to be introduced then?”

She glances down the hall where Delya disappeared. “Introduced as your queen while you’re betrothed to another?” She moves my hand from her face, looking unimpressed.

“I’ll call it off. Then, can I introduce you as my queen?”

“As your so-called mate, sure. But not your queen. I had no option to be your mate. The bond was forced onto me. But I have an option to be your queen, and I’m rejecting it.” She takes a step back and reaches for the door handle to close it.

My hand flies and slams against the door. “Three days,” I repeat. “And I will declare you mine. Fuck the titles of queen and mate. They mean the same damn thing.”

She blinks and her soft lips part.

I growl and rip myself away before I pass the door frame and lose control.