Their Bonds of Love
Chapter 20

Conri escorted Lady Riona back to her father, very ready to be done with the young woman. She was lovely and charming, but he had grown tired of her jokes and smiles. Maybe at one time in his life, he would have laughed at the room with her, but now he was not the silly creature he once was. He bowed to her and Lord Cecil and looked around for Eleri. He finally spotted her drinking a glass of wine, standing near Efa.

He walked up to them, seeing Efa speak quickly to Eleri as she motioned with her head for Conri to hurry.

“Come speak some sense into this woman, your majesty,” said Efa. “I am sure it is just nerves, but she has some strange ideas.”

Efa walked away as Conri moved closer to Eleri. He could see tears in her eyes. “Eleri, what is it?”

“You don’t have to do this, Conri. You don’t need to feel you are responsible for me. If you need more time or wish to let me go, I understand.

“What do you mean?” asked Conri in confusion. “Let you go? What nonsense is this?”

“You see now how many beautiful, charming women there are in this land. Lady Riona is both of those and a fierce shifter. You are a wolf king; surely you wish for more than me.”

Conri took her glass of wine. “How much have you drunk tonight, my love, or you must be exhausted. Otherwise, you would never think that I could love anyone but you.”

“I just want you to be sure. I want you to be happy, Conri, above all else.” She raised her hand and touched her neck with her eyes closed as though she was in pain.

Conri looked at her, unsure of where this could all come from. How could she think he would love anyone above her? Unsure of words he could say to convince her, he did the only thing he could think of, not caring how many eyes were upon them. He grabbed her and kissed her hard.

She resisted for a moment before leaning into him as his arms went around her. He let his tongue slide along her bottom lip, and she opened it slightly, giving him access. Her hands went to his face as he pulled her against him. All he wanted was to show her there could be no one else. She was everything to him.

She finally pulled back, breathing heavily. He held onto her. “Do you not see that you are all I want. It is not just that. I need you, Eleri. You could show me a hundred beautiful, talented women, and it would not matter. I would not notice any of them with you in this land.”

“I love you,” she whispered. “I don’t think I could give you up even if I tried.”

“Then don’t try.” He reached up and stroked his mark, wondering if it would shock the whole room should he kiss it. “You are mine, Eleri, and even though you refuse to mark me, I am already yours. Please say you will still be my wife.”

She nodded, and he smiled before kissing her again. Someone clearing their throat made Conri step back.

“I believe we better make the announcement now, my king, if you insist on ravaging my daughter in front of everyone,” said Lord Cadwin.

“I am sorry, my lord. It is the only way I could think to get some silly thoughts out of her head.”

Lord Cadwin looked at his daughter with concern. “Are you well, Eleri? You still want this, don’t you?”

She looked at Conri as he took her hand. She nodded. “Yes, father, there is nothing I want more.”

“Good, I shall announce it, and then you just need to take some well wishes from the people before you retire for the night, Eleri. You look worn out. Perhaps our king should see you to your room.”

“I will be glad to do it as I am done with all company for the night,” said Conri.

“Come with me then,” said Lord Cadwin.

Conri offered Eleri his arm, and she took it. He pulled her close. “I love you, Eleri. Please do not doubt it. I cannot take it.”

“I’m sorry, Conri. I do not doubt you, only myself.” She raised her hand back to her neck.

“Are you in pain? I thought it had almost healed?” he asked as they walked.

“It has. I’m not sure why it is bothering me. Perhaps it has to do with the jealousy I felt.”

“You have no reason to feel jealous towards that woman. She is practically still a child, Eleri. She is nothing compared to you.” She didn’t look convinced, so Conri decided he would show her that night. He only had to get through a bit more after the announcement.

They made it up to the dais and stood behind Lord Cadwin. He called everyone to attention again. “We already have had one wonderful thing happen tonight in crowning our king. I believe our king has some more good news he wishes to share, and as much as I wish to announce it, I believe he would like to do it himself.”

“Indeed, Lord Cadwin,” said Conri as he brought Eleri to the front of the dais. “I know one of the most important things I do as king is to pick a worthy queen. I have been fortunate to not only find the most worthy woman in this land but gain her love as well. As it is, picking a queen for Elathia is not a duty. It is something that has brought me great joy. I have asked Lady Eleri Cadwin to be my wife, and I am proud to announce that she has accepted me. I present to you, your future queen.”

The room erupted in applause and calls of approval. Conri looked at Eleri as she smiled back at him. He could feel how connected he was to her. Taking the crown only strengthened that connection. He knew two things for sure that evening. He was meant to be king, and she was meant to be his queen. He pulled her to him and held her close.

“You know this is right, my love.”

She nodded as she held both of his hands tight. “Forgive me for doubting.”

“There is nothing to forgive as obviously I haven’t made my feelings for you clear enough,” he whispered. “I will make sure you have no doubts after tonight.” He leaned in and kissed her as the celebration continued on the floor with wine and happy shouts.

“Now, I am sure many of you would like to come forward and wish them well before the night ends,” said Lord Cadwin.

Conri pulled back from Eleri but kept her close. They stayed side by side as many came up to offer them congratulations. Conri told all who asked that they would marry in the Palace temple just like his parents and all the kings before. It seemed like the line of people would never end, but eventually, it did. Many went back to dancing and drinking, and Lord Cadwin walked up to Conri and Eleri.

“If you wish to slip away, now is the time. Use the door behind the dais, Eleri. You know the way.”

She nodded. “Good night, Father.” She leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

“Good night, my darling. Sleep well and rest tomorrow when you can. I believe your king has plans for you.”

Conri nodded. “Good night, my lord.”

“Your majesty, before you go, may I remind you that though you are my king, I am trusting the most precious thing in my life to you. I hope you will do all you can to see her happy and safe. No allegiance in this land is stronger than the love I have for her.”

“I promise you, Lord Cadwin, no one or anything will come before her to me.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Good night, my king.”

Eleri took Conri’s hand and led him to the back of the dais, where they climbed down to a small door. They walked through it and doubled back to the stairs. Eleri said nothing as they hurried along up to the third floor. She was silent until they came to her door.

“Do you wish to change in your own room first?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I do not wish to bother the servants during a festival. I was hoping you might assist me, and I could assist you.”

She gave him a small smile before she opened her door. He followed her in and closed the door behind them. Conri moved closer to her. “Eleri, please tell me that you didn’t really think that you aren’t the only one for me. Tell me that you didn’t think I could even begin to look at another woman other than you.”

“I don’t know what came over me. I felt so sure the whole night until I saw you with Riona. It just reminded me that everything has happened so fast. You have met so few people.”

“I have met enough,” interrupted Conri. “I can’t tell you how many young women I have met like Riona, but I have never met anyone who makes me feel like you do. Did you know I was determined you would not affect me when we met? That stupid prophecy wasn’t going to tell me how to live. I saw how beautiful you were when you walked into the Havens, but I still was determined to stay indifferent to you, even play with you a bit.

“It didn’t take long for me to see it wasn’t just your beauty that mesmerizes me. Your strength, talent, and good heart won me over quickly, not to mention your wit and wisdom. I wanted to believe I had met my match, but I saw that you were above me. I have worked every day to become a man worthy of you, and I will keep trying.”

She took his hand and shook her head. “You are worthy of me and so much more. You were a little immature when we first met, but you changed. You saw who you must become for Elathia, and you took the pains to do it.”

“I did change for the land, Eleri, but I also changed for you. You can say we have not known each other long, but I feel like I have been waiting for you my whole life. As I walked through the palace to save you, all I could think was how unfair it was all my memories were stolen from me.

“Memories of my parents and you. We should have grown up together. We should have had years as friends and playmates until we both realized we were so much more because it would have happened. You can call it fate, destiny, whatever you want, but we were made for each other. Do not fight it.”

He leaned his forehead against hers, feeling the cold gold of her crown. “I can not fight it, and I don’t want to. I love you, Conri, and though we aren’t husband and wife yet, I am completely yours.”

He kissed her as his arms wrapped around her, and hers went to his chest. He would never let her doubt his love again. He would show her over and over who she was to him. His hands moved down her body, feeling her curves under her dress. His kisses went down her throat until it came to her mark. He sucked on it gently before letting his tongue swirl around it. She gasped his name as her hands went to his hair. His wolf growled the word mine, and Conri let a small grunt escaped his lips as he held her tighter. She was his.

“You can talk about your jealousy, but what of mine,” he said as he moved back to kiss her lips. “I have to watch you laugh and dance with Caerwyn, and I will have to my whole life knowing that man has loved you as I have.”

“He may have loved me, but not like you,” she said as she moved against him. “No one has ever made me feel so wanted and loved as you.”

His hands went to the back of her dress to untie it, but she shoved him away with a sly grin. He looked at her questionably before she pushed him back to the bed. “You are my king now, and as your future queen, I wish to serve you, and I believe I owe you a reward.”

He laughed softly. “And what service will you perform for me?”

“One you have enjoyed a few times, and to be honest, I like it as well.” He took off his robe and threw it aside before sitting down on the bed. He went to take off his crown, but she shook her head.

“Not yet,” she said as she worked to undo his pants.

She made quick work of them as he sat up slightly so she could pull them down. She looked up at him as she took him into her mouth. He leaned back slightly, keeping his eyes on her as she worked him slowly.

“My gods, Eleri,” he muttered as his hand went to her hair. Watching her in her own crown as she pleasured him was something beyond what he had experienced. Her hand and mouth went over him in such a way as she stared at him that he didn’t think he could last long.

He finally pulled her up to him. “You do serve me well, my queen, but there are things I wish to show you.”

“I am not your queen yet,” she said as he took off his crown and placed it gently on the bedside table.

“Maybe not officially, but to me, you already are.” He leaned over her, having her lie down on the bed as his hands went under her dress. She moaned as his hands moved up her legs, taking her dress and under shift with them.

Leaning down, he kissed her inner thigh as she shifted slightly. She was slightly sitting up, staring down at him. He looked up at her with one of his wicked smiles before letting his tongue tease her. She immediately arched up, and his smile widened. She was also so sensitive to his touch and kisses, and he wondered if their new connection made her more so.

He used his tongue to circle her most sensitive spot as she arched up further and whispered his name. She had not taken her crown off yet, and he found it heightened his pleasure in watching her. If only he had thought to loosen her ties so he could see more of her.

He continued to kiss and lick her as her moans became louder. He moved one hand up over her breast wishing there wasn’t fabric covering it. He managed to pull a little of it over until he found her stiff nipple. He pinched it lightly as he continued to pleasure her. She arched up high and called out as she reached her first peak, but he would not let her go. He continued to draw out her pleasure as she whimpered slightly.

“Conri,” she gasped. “Please.” She tried to push him away, but it was a half-hearted attempt. She stopped altogether very soon as he placed one of his fingers at her entrance.

He kept put his full mouth on her as his fingers moved within her, and she breathed hard as she arched off the bed. He would not let her go until she finally called out his name while shivering all over. He kissed her one final time before moving up to hover over her.

He looked down at her flushed face and lips still swollen from his kisses and other things. His hand moved under the top of her dress to caress her breast. “Eleri, there is nothing in this land more beautiful than you.”

She reached up and touched his face, bringing him down to kiss her. “I want you,” she sighed as they parted.

He grinned at her before sitting up to take off his shirt and kick off the boots he still wore. She reached behind her, undoing her ties as best she could. Before she could finish, Conri reached behind and undid them. He helped her pull down her dress until it lay in a pool of fabric on the floor by the bed. He gently took off her crown before she pulled off her shift as he watched. He looked at her in the dim light of the moon and fire.

He had seen her like this times before, but it had been so long. There was a time he was afraid he would never be with her again, and it made it all the more precious to him. They moved so they could lay down side by side in the bed. Once they were settled, he rolled her over and hovered over her.

She smiled up at him as he positioned himself. Before he entered her, he kissed her, taking his time to enjoy the moment.

“I have missed this,” she quietly said. “I know it shouldn’t seem possible to you, but now that I remember all our times together, I don’t know how I went so long without loving you.”

“It was torture,” said Conri. “To know such ecstasy with you and have it taken away was more than I thought I could endure.”

“I’m so sorry, Conri. I can’t imagine how badly I hurt you.”

“It is not your fault, and you did not hurt me. Even when you didn’t remember, you were kind. It does not matter now because you are here with me, and nothing will ever keep us apart again.”

“Love me,” she whispered.

He kissed her as he entered her, groaning as his long wait was finally rewarded. He took her hands and placed them above her head on the bed before moving his hands down her body. She moved with him in perfect time as though they had not missed weeks of being together. She became restless under him, and he could tell she was again reaching her peak. Her tightening walls and loud moans had pushed him to the brink.

He leaned down and hovered his lips over his mark. When he could tell she was nearly done, he leaned down and sucked on her neck. She cried out his name as she moved her hands to his back.

He looked at her as he worked to hold off his end. “Mark me,” he whispered. “Don’t hold back.”

She leaned forward and put her lips against his neck. As her tongue darted out against his skin, she arched up and pulled him down to her. He could not hold back any longer as he thrust deep within her, finding his release. He moved a few more times as she gently kissed his neck before rolling off of her.

It took him a few moments to catch his breath before he breathed the word, “Why?”

“Don’t be angry,” she said as she turned towards him. “It is not that I don’t want to mark you. It is only that I know what a consuming feeling comes with it. My whole world revolves around you right now, Conri. Sometimes you are all I can think about it. It is not unpleasant, and I am not unhappy about it, but you are about to fight for Elathia. I need you to have a clear head. Let me focus on you while you focus on our land and people.”

He brought his hand to cup her cheek. “I am already joined with you in such as way that you are what I think about most. I want nothing more than to be truly yours, just as you are mine. I can handle it, Eleri. I can fight for Elathia and you.”

She kissed him. “Please just trust me on this. I need you to know it is not because I do not want to do it. It is what I believe is right. You were forced to rush mine. Now, let me wait until the time is right until we finish our joining.”

“Is it what you want?” he asked.

She nodded.

He pulled her to him. “Then we will wait. I know nothing about our relationship has gone to your wishes. I will give you this.”

“It is not that all of it has not gone against what I want. I definitely want you here in my bed, and I have for a while. What we have now may not have come as I thought, but our love is more than I ever dreamed.”

He moved some of her hair away from her face, tucking behind her hair. “Sometimes, I think there is no way you can be real, Eleri. I never thought to meet anyone who makes me feel like you.”

She studied him for a moment before leaning up a bit. “There may be some way to bond us that will not be as intense for you as a shifter if you are willing.”

“What is it?” asked Conri.

“You heard Efa talk about her magical bonding with Grace. I know how to do it as I have read about it. I can try it with you. I don’t know if you will feel anything being a full shifter, but I am sure I will.”

“How does it work?”

Eleri took his hand and held it tightly. She placed her other hand over both of theirs. “I tell you that you are the only one in this land I wish to be tied with. I say that our love is forever, and I will never choose another.”

“Do I vow the same thing?” he asked. She nodded. “Eleri, you are all that I want. I wish to be tied with you and no one else. I know I shall love you forever, beyond even what the goddess can see.”

She closed her eyes and muttered a few words as Conri felt his hand grow warm. Something spread from his hand up to his arm and settled within his chest. It made his heart skip a few beats as he stared at Eleri. He held her hand tighter as she opened her eyes and stared at him. He didn’t think it was possible, but his love for her grew in that moment to where it felt like a fire was consuming him.

“Eleri,” he whispered involuntarily, feeling as if the word was the very air he breathed.

“You are mine, Conri. We will live this life together and the one beyond that last into eternity.”

“Yes,” he breathed, not able to say anything else. He pulled her close while keeping their hands joined as he kissed her. Never had such a feeling of peace settled over him. He held everything that he needed in his arms, and he was perfectly content.

An intense feeling of sleepiness came over him as his eyes grew heavy. Eleri let go of his hand and settled her head under his chin as he held her. “I love you, my king,” she whispered.

“You are all that I need, my love,” he said in return. He managed to kiss the top of her head before he drifted off to sleep.

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