Falcon's Mate 1(19)
If she would just want him as he wanted her. If she would but ask
him, he’d lay down his life. But she didn’t seem to want his heart or his
life. Nae, but she’d wanted his sex badly enough. It was a bittersweet
victory.
The former king was seated close to Lord Cyril. The royal librarian
was with them, leaning over an old, weathered piece of parchment. Rurik
turned his head, listening to them speak. Their tones were low, but he
could make out their words easily enough.
“See, there, it says ‘in a time that the deeds of the pure bloods can be
forgiven,’” Cyril said. “Well, that’s simple. I for one don’t forgive them.
And, if a noble house cannot forgive the deeds, then surely there are
others who feel the same.”
“It doesn’t specifically say ‘forgiven by the house of Cyril of Karvof,’”
the old king argued. If he’d been able to, Rurik would’ve smiled. The old
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king had always shown him favor, even as a child. He’d taken him under
his wing, so to speak, and taught him to be a man. “I think Commander
Rurik to be a fine choice. Besides, the magic of the Chalice should not be
challenged.”
“Should not, not cannot,” Cyril argued. “I say it’s been tampered with.
Something was wrong with the magic. The old wizard was sick. There has
to be an explanation.”
“And let me guess,” the old king mused. “You propose we set aside
this decision for what? To pave the way for your son Lynus?”
“Queen Ari had shown great favor for my son and Lynus would make
a fine king.” Cyril didn’t miss a beat. “He’s noble of birth and
temperament. He’s politically minded. He has already met with many of
the dignitaries that come to the planet.”
“And I say Rurik can meet those dignitaries and whatever graces you
think him to be lacking can be learned.” The old king shook his head.
“Forgive me, old highness,” Cyril sneered, “but the decision and
translation of these scrolls are no longer yours. They are the queen’s.
We’ll see who she picks—some barbaric commander or my son, a true
king.”
Rurik squawked in anger at the slight. Diving down from his post, he
swiped past Lord Cyril’s head and grabbed a talon full of his hair. With a
mighty pull, he yanked it out and flew out of reach.
The old king laughed. “I think someone doesn’t like being called
barbaric, Cyril.”
Cyril growled in outrage, rubbing his head. “My point exactly.
Barbaric!”
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Michelle M Pillow
CHAPTER SIX
“What is this?” Ari appeared, her voice calmly coming over the barren
hall. “What reason have you to interrupt my morning, and so early at
that?”
Even disheveled, she kept her chin up, doing her best to look regal.
Seventy-five percent of being royalty was in the attitude. Walking
slowly, as if she hadn’t a care in the world, she made her way up to her
throne. She’d found her crown on the floor along with Rurik’s. They must
have lost them the night before in his wild flight toward the bed, but she
hadn’t realized it until she found them in the hall.
As she came up the circular stairs, her eyes landed on the falcon
perched on the back of the king’s chair. She shivered, automatically
knowing it was Rurik. She would’ve recognized those eyes anywhere,
shifted or not.
“My queen,” Cyril said, bowing. His son was behind him and they
were joined by her father and Gryger, the librarian.
“Lord Cyril,” she said, nodding at him to speak. She stared down her
nose at him. Inside, she shook violently. She didn’t want to let Rurik out
of their mating, but he’d left too fast and she hadn’t had time to ask him
what he wanted.
“May I be blunt?” Cyril asked.
Ari nodded. “Please, do.”
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“Though a great soldier, Commander Rurik is hardly a man fit to be
king. He’s a pure blood, and as we all know and accept, that comes with
a certain amount of,” Cyril paused, rubbing his head, “hot-blooded
temperament.”
“Yea,” Ari agreed. Her stomach tensed. That’s one of the things she
liked about him—his hot-bloodedness. Her thighs tingled and moisture
gathered in her sex as she thought of just how wild he could be. Damn
Lord Cyril for interrupting what had promised to be a very enjoyable
morning! A little harshly, she demanded, “And?”
“It is my feeling that we don’t have to accept the Chalice’s decision. I