“Just that things were taken care of, sir.” Colby gestured to miners and volunteers mingling around them. “He said he’d handled the Phaetons, as well as correspondence with Earth. The Phaetons initially complained about your treatment regarding one of the escorts, but the situation was explained and the complaint withdrawn.”
“Good.” Sparx narrowed his eyes at the group of miners edging towards the women, a few of them eyeing his own mate. “I believe it is time for Lucy’s formal introduction to Fyeir.”
“I agree, sir.” Colby was unable to hide his amusement, a big smile on his face at Sparx’s expense.
“Attention!” Sparx called out loudly. His voice boomed, filling the crowded dining hall. Standing on the raised dais before his men, he looked out at the expectant faces waiting for him to speak.
“Today we celebrate the matings we have been blessed with, and the matings we will be blessed with in the future.” Colby handed him a mug of mead, which he raised high. “For Fyeir!”
“For Fyeir!”
“For Djaromir!” Colby yelled, his voice strong and steady.
“For Djaromir!”
“Lucy,” Sparx called out her name, his eyes locked on her where she was standing in the center of the crowd.
When she started making her way forward—with Rue’s help—the crowd parted to grant her a path. Sparx ground his teeth together in frustration at having to watch her hobble forward. If he’d had his way, he would have carried her this entire time. Unfortunately, he hadn’t gotten his way and relented to Lucy’s requests to not appear weak in the eyes of his people.
He’d begun to argue that she wasn’t weak. She was only injured. But, he’d stopped once she’d plumped out her lower lip. He’d given into the request to let her hop about without another word.
“Has our warlord found his mate?” one of the men asked, his voice loud enough to be heard over the other whispers.
“Yes, I have,” Sparx answered, his voice solemn. “Lady Lucy—”
He narrowed his eyes at Rue when she snort-laughed at the title. She stopped in front of him with Lucy leaning on her and gave him an apologetic smile.
“Sorry,” Rue mouthed before running a finger over her lips and putting her hand in her pocket.
Sparx shook away whatever confusion he had over Rue’s behavior and focused on his treasure as she finally came to stand in front of him. Here, where he could hold her, was where she belonged.
“For Lady Lucy!” Colby cheered; the chant echoed back just as loud as the ones before.
Lucy jumped at the sound, burying her face in his chest when he chuckled at her reaction. Sparx snuggled her close, unable to do anything but hold tight to the treasure he’d been blessed with. He couldn’t imagine ever letting her go.
“Are you making fun of me?” she asked, peeking up at him through her lashes.
“Never,” he promised, bending to pick her up like he’d wanted to all along. Holding her in his arms, he let out a sigh of contentment. “How does it feel to be a lady?”
“Yeah, Goose.” Rue smirked where she was standing next to Colby. “How does it feel to finally be a lady?”
Lucy snorted, trying not to laugh as she tucked her face to his chest.
“Sister Eustis would be so proud of you,” Rue continued, holding a hand to her chest in sincerity. “Finally. After all these years.”
“Shut it,” Lucy mumbled between giggles, while he exchanged a confused look with Colby.
“She’s a strange one, isn’t she?” he asked, tilting his head to where Rue was annoying Sparx’s mate.
“Are you still mad at me about the whole pillow thing?” she asked, turning her teasing Colby’s direction. “I’m sorry it hurt your head. It was the softest one I could find.”
Colby’s lips twitched, although he didn’t give in to a full smile, unlike Sparx, who enjoyed the entertainment she provided. She was the exact opposite of his mate, yet she complimented Lucy well. Rue was also fiercely protective—something he more than appreciated, considering how fragile she seemed at times.
“Don’t forget your promise,” his mate whispered in his ear, calling his attention back to her.
“Promise?”
Lucy tilted her chin in Rue’s direction.
Sparx nodded, understanding what she meant without her having to say more. She was right. He needed to get the hunt for a mate for Rue underway if he hoped to keep his own mate happy. The friends, who seemed more like siblings, would not do well with being separated, considering how close they were.
“Attention!” Sparx shouted, causing the bundle in his arms to jerk at the unexpected noise. “Sorry, honey,” he whispered to the head resting on his chest.
“S’kay,” she mumbled, breathing deep as she melted against him. “You smell so good.”
“I do?” he asked, forgetting that he had an entire roomful of people watching him. “What do I smell like?”
“My favorite cookies.” Her lips teased the skin, eliciting a shiver from him. “Like cinnamon and sugar snickerdoodles.”
Sparx growled deep in his chest at her words, unable to keep back the primal rumble of satisfaction.
His mate was reacting to his pheromones.
It was one of the indicators Sparx had been waiting for. The one he had expected to be one of the first signals her body would respond to. Looking down at the dilated pupils of his mate as she reveled in his scent, another piece of the puzzle slid into place.
Things were exactly as they should be.
“Go on,” Colby said with a nod towards the door. “Take your mate back to your rooms. I’ll introduce this troublemaker around and see if there is anyone brave enough to claim her.”
“Hey!” Rue sputtered as Sparx walked away. “That was just plain rude. How many times do I need to apologize for a fucking pillow? Do you want to take a swing at me? Would that make you stop whining like a little bitch?”
Lucy giggled against his neck at the words her friend yelled as Sparx carried her away.
“She’s crazy,” his mate mumbled as she ran her
