lover was a tremendous burden to carry. No
wonder there was so much pain in Tor's eyes.
Unable to see the man he loved standing alone,
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Naron stepped forward and wrapped the man in his arms.
Tor's body started to shake with sobs.
"Shh. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You have me now.
You'll always have me. Shh. You'll make yourself sick."
"I can take him back to his room," the cat shifter
offered.
Fangs burst from Naron's mouth, and he felt a
burning sensation rise from his stomach. The burn of
flames flickered in his mouth.
"No! He's mine," he said in a low growl. His dragon
was just under the surface. With slow deep breaths, he
pulled the dragon back in and buried it deep. Taking a
handkerchief from his pocket, he carefully dried Tor's tears.
"Come on, beautiful. We need to announce our bond then
we can go back to bed." He nervously swallowed. "I'd love
to meet your kids some time. I'm sorry if it sounded like I
didn't want you to be with them. I-I just didn't want to lose
you."
Tor gave Naron's shoulder an understanding
squeeze. "I talk to them every evening. You can chat with
them later."
"Great," Naron said. He almost even meant it. "If
Baroy doesn't want you near your children, will he let you
have a mate?"
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Mate Test
Amber Kell
Tor nodded. "Apparently it is a blood thing. The
children carry my genetic code in them and trigger Baroy's
instinct to attack a person that feels like me, but isn't me.
You are my companion but we have no blood or genetic
ties so Baroy won't have a problem with you."
The pair entered the throne room to see Lord
Gallywyn and Lord Mell already seated with an assortment
of fruit and pastries in front of them.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," Naron said
pleasantly. He led Tor over to the consort chair and seated
him gently. "I am pleased to announce that, after passing
every test, the duke has agreed to be my consort."
Lord Mell jumped to his feet. "No! I demand a
battle!"
"I already claimed him," Naron said with a smug
smile.
"You didn't present him at court so he's not
officially your consort and I can battle him. My dragon
against his."
"You know a space dragon can't come down here,"
Naron objected.
"Then he defaults," Mell said gleefully. "He must
step aside, and I will accept your bond. I will, of course,
have to kill the duke so your original bond won't take."
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Mate Test
Amber Kell
Tor slowly smiled. "You might want to reconsider
that, your lordship. If my uncle finds out you killed me
without a proper challenge, he will invade and destroy the
entire kingdom. Is that what you are looking for?"
"N-no."
"What does a challenge usually involve?" Tor
asked.
"Death."
"He's mine," Naron said. Tor could feel the brush of
the other man's skin as he stepped forward.
"Yes, but everyone knows you don't have a dragon,"
Lord Mell sneered.
"Everyone is wrong." Naron's voice became deeper.
"My bond with the duke is strong enough to bring my
dragon out."
"Enough!" Lord Gallywyn shouted.
Tor tilted his head. Who knew the soft-spoken man
had it in him?
"Give it up, Mell. If they're bonded enough to bring
forth the king's dragon, then killing Tor will kill Naron, and
if your goal is really to be king-consort and not king, then
you need to step away from this and go back home. Be a
man and realize you were beaten."
"I will not be beaten by a pretty blind boy who
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Amber Kell
snuck his way into the king's bed!" Lord Mell screamed.
Tor heard something whistle through the air.
Instinctively he put out his hand to stop it. The slap of a
leather-wrapped handle met his palm.
"You dare to throw a dagger at my mate!" A low
growl filled the room. Tor felt the king shift beside him and
heard the sounds of fabric tearing.
Oh shit!
"I dare," Mell growled.
Tor felt a strong arm wrap around him, pulling him
away.
"I think we want to be out of this," Crillon said as
he rushed them to the side of the
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