Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 11

Reyn walked into the large area where the welcome home celebration was taking place. All of the noble males and females of her court were present. Everyone was dressed in their finest silks and jewelry. Reyn smiled as she felt Hunter walk up beside her and take her hand in his. She took a deep breath and they walked into the crowd together. Once everyone saw who it was they slowly took to their knee as a sign of respect for her. It spread across the sea of people as a wave until everyone in the room was kneeling for her. She squeezed Hunter's hand, as she felt him get anxious at the number of people in the room.

"Blessings to all of you, I am grateful to be welcomed home by so many. And I wish to present to you my choice for a true husband, your future King." She smiled sweetly at Hunter. "His name is Hunter. He was a recently freed slave and has suffered a great deal. But he has shown me a strength that few others possess and kindness I have never known in another person."

Willow frowned at her last statement. It would seem she was truly replaced as the Queen's favorite. She told herself that she would not be jealous, that she would support Reyn's decision and she would have little to no interaction with Hunter once he became King. There was no way that Reyn was going to let him out of her sight for long now that she has publicly laid claim to him.

Willow looked up to see Reyn standing right in front of her, "Your Grace!" She said, lowering her gaze to show respect to her queen.

Reyn placed a hand under Willow's chin and raised it. "I want your assistance in making sure the bonding ceremony comes together perfectly. You will also be responsible for teaching Hunter what is expected. I am able to trust you, correct?"

Willow nodded her head, "Yes, Your Grace. I will teach him all about it, never fear."

"I was asking if I could trust you around Hunter."

Willow shook her head, "Yes, Your Grace. I would not dream of breaking your trust.... again."

"If you do, it will surely be the last thing you ever do." Reyn walked away leaving Hunter standing there with Willow.

Willow smiled at him, "I take it you have been well?"

Hunter smiled politely, "Yes I have. And how have you been? I was not sure what happened to you since... that day."

Willow shifts her weight on her feet nervously, "It is probably best if we do not talk about that. Especially here." She looks around at all of the people in the room, hoping that no one overhears anything that is said between them.

Hunter nods, "As you wish. But once I am king... will you still give me lessons?"

Willow's breath caught in her throat, "You want to return to our lesions?"

"I still have a lot to learn about... things," Hunter said, leaning closer to her.

Willow stepped back from him, her heart racing and she felt extremely hot all of a sudden. "I... we will have to see how it goes Hunter. I mean... Your Grace." She bows to him and then leaves to find Zu. She didn't trust herself around Hunter at the moment. And she knew the queen would be watching them closely. Reyn probably had no idea Hunter just asked her for more private lessons. Willow wondered if he was truly asking for lessons in pleasuring the queen or simply on how to act like a royal. She would have to take it slow and find out exactly what he was looking for.

Zu was standing against the wall eating meat right off the bone. He was posted near the main entrance so he could keep an eye on everyone. Reyn had made it clear that if anything went wrong he would be blamed for it. It was his responsibility.

Willow approached him, "Can I get you something to drink?" She asked him.

He pointed to the nearest table, "I actually got you something to eat and also some wine." He took another bite of his food, "And I have my drink there as well."

Willow nodded at him and then took her seat so she could eat a little bit before she went to Reyn to ask for forgiveness. She hoped that by now she would be allowed back into the Queen's service. She felt uneasy not having something to do. Though Zu has assured her that it was only a matter of time till they were married and she was pregnant. Willow was looking forward to having a family.