𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗

Yay Chap 9 after a millennial, k no. But honestly life is going on, and for this book I might change it so it's just 3RD POV instead of 3RD Character POV like I have now.

Anyways enjoy,

ARDEN POV

A few days had passed already, and after a few days his officials told him that his folk were curious about whom he brought back to his castle.

Arden knew that he should calm the people down, explain that the man he brought back isn't a threat. After all, Redis was his mate and the people would be happy to gain their second leader, making them as a kingdom stronger.

But on the other hand, he knew that Redis was still a bit scared, as he didn't leave their shared bedroom. They already shared more conversations, a few glances from Redis as the other thought Arden wasn't looking.

He also noticed that their shared time in this room seemed to get them closer, as Redis opened up more towards him. Arden knew he had to be thankful for what he had now, his mate already by his side, but he couldn't help but crave more.

Still the promise to wait for Redis to feel comfortable had higher priority than his own urge to satisfy the craving he feels. It also didn't help that they slept in the same bed, always having his mate close was a blessing and a curse.

Redis also seemed to fight the feelings that slithered up from the bond. In a way it made Arden unsure if Redis would reject him.

Currently Arden was standing behind Redis who was resting on the couch, with a small pillow in his arms. "Do I really have to show my face...?" Redis' voice echoed in the large room, "I would always be right beside you. You don't have to speak, just stand with me," Arden hoped that Redis would agree, but he couldn't outright force him.

Maybe with him by his side, the young man would maybe accept it. But being obviously new to another kingdom, he couldn't be mad or anything close to that, just because his people wanted to see his mate.

As Redis shook his head no, Arden voiced a small "okay, just rest," towards his mate. He wasn't mad, he just hoped that one day Redis would be brave enough to leave their room.

Dressing in formal clothes and a cloak almost touching the floor, Arden made his way out of the bedroom. At the end of the corridor, his brother waited for him with his right hand man, Alastair right beside him. "Seems like you didn't have any luck, eh?" Jorin jokes, which ended with him getting Alastair's elbow right into his gut.

He shook his head slightly, "I'm not mad or disappointed, just hopeful he's braver one day and won't hide forever in our room," Arden said while looking back down the corridor where guards were standing, protecting his and Redis' bedroom.

With a sigh, he looked back at the two, "Let's get going," he said before he started to walk through the corridors. The other two walked right behind him, exchanging glances with each other and Arden's back.

As they came closer to the balcony, there was already a loud chattering going on outside. With precise steps, he stepped onto the balcony which slowly made the crowd fall into silence. "Greetings to the King," was the united greeting of the people standing under the balcony, also of the two people standing slightly behind him.

Silence fell below the people yet again, "As you might've noticed, I returned with someone by my side. It is someone special, my mate." The crowd went loud yet again, cheers and even more chattering between the people happened, he let them be excited for just a bit before he resumed, "But as you might've noticed I came without my mate today, which is because he still needs time to settle down," Arden explained it roughly.