“The king is not receiving visitors. If you will leave a message—”
Victoria smiled and walked forward so that the man was forced to step back or let her run into his belly. “I am Victoria, and I am here to see my mate and my fiancé.”
The guard blinked. He was obviously in a quandary. Here was his soon-to-be queen demanding entry, but he probably had orders not to disturb Lukas. He chose to bow to the devil in front of him.
“Of course, my queen.”
Victoria gave him a small, approving smile.
“Thank you.”
They entered a grand hall. Victoria took a moment to look around curiously. She’d never been inside this area of the castle. The floor was black marble, polished to a mirror finish. The walls were also marble, alternating black and white in panels bordered in gilt curlicues and vines, and the ceiling . . .
Victoria blew out a breath. The ceiling was all gold and white with painted clouds and cherubs that appeared to hold the crystal chandelier that dangled from the center. Tables and statues were set here and there, all of them in exotic marbles and woods, all decorated lavishly in gilt. A black marble Mercury stood nearby to Victoria’s right. The wings on his heels, his helmet, and his eyes were all gold. Actually, grand didn’t quite describe the hall. Ostentatious was the better word.
“The king is in his greenhouse, your highness,” the guard said.
“Then I will see him there,” Victoria said.
The man bowed, “If you will come this way?”
Victoria nodded. He led her down the hallway toward the back of the house. The passage narrowed and they went down a short set of stairs; then they came to a large door. The guard started to open it, but Victoria stopped him.
“I’ll go in alone, if you don’t mind.”
The guard bowed. “As you wish, your highness.”
Victoria tilted her head. “I don’t know your name.”
“Kilron, miss.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Kilron.”
He held the door open for her.
“If you need anything more, my queen, simply call me.” And then he left.
Victoria peered into the enormous greenhouse.
“Lukas?”
If she wasn’t looking at it right now with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed such a structure could exist, hidden in the middle of the castle. Rows of benches disappeared into the darkened end of the greenhouse. Every available surface was crowded with green plants or pots of soil. Underneath her feet was a brick walkway that somehow felt warm.
Condensation dewed the glass at her shoulders. The glass began at waist height and vaulted overhead. Above her, the sky had already begun to darken.
Victoria took a few steps into the humid air. She didn’t see anyone in here. “Lukas?”
She listened but heard nothing. Then again, the greenhouse was awfully big. Perhaps he couldn’t hear her but his a werewolf! Damn! Where could he be?
Surely he’d want to keep the hot, moist air in. She pulled the heavy wood door closed behind her and went exploring. The aisle was narrow, and some of the foliage hung over it, forcing her to push through a verdant curtain. She could hear dripping as water condensed and ran off hundreds of leaves. The atmosphere was heavy and still, musty with the smell of moss and earth.
YOU ARE READING
Feral Hearts
Werewolf'Mate her!' Lukas's beast roared from within. The outburst surprised him. Unlike some situation where his wolf wanted blood from his women now, it's a bit different. He wanted to mate not only to have sex but to own the witch for good, marking her w...
