The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 87 - Unity

There is a rap on Aren's door and before he can respond, Drake swans in. "Are you coming for dinner? Elissa is hosting tonight, so there is no need for formal attire."

Aren snorts without an ounce of humour because even though he is subjected to the scrutiny of the palace's inhabitants at the 'formal' dinners in the great hall, they are nevertheless not as daunting as the 'informal' ones.

"I guess I should be thankful that we are not eating in the old queen's apartment."

Drake pauses, as if chewing over his words. "Darish is devoted to Elissa. I imagine that it will take time for him to accept you."

"I could be grey by then." Sighing, Aren puts an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Come on, then."

They stop at the suite next door to collect Tabbi and then wander over to the royal apartment. Unsurprisingly, Darish is already there, sat next to Elissa. Since their return, the damned elf has been like her shadow.

Zane is sat on her other side, while her dog, Cavall is laid at his mistress's feet. The hound rises as they enter and Aren does not break eye contact until it bows its head. I am not some mangy feline. The tiger is a prince amongst the predators.

A sullen faced Dusk is perched on the padded arm of the seat that his sister Dawn is occupying. She has a plate of hors d'oeuvres in her lap and a large glass of ruby wine in one hand. Popping a morsel in her mouth, she settles back against a sea of plump cushions, as if getting comfortable before watching a show.

"Aren!" Elissa trills, jumping up and skipping over to him.

The delicate scent of snowdrops envelopes him and her kiss is as sweet as nectar but alas all too brief. She intertwines their fingers and leads him over to where Bram, Altair and their fiancées are gathered.

When Aldebran glides into the room, they all move over to the large dining table. Aren does not even attempt to sit next Elissa, leaving the seats either side to her father and Darish. Instead he zips around to the other side and secures the space directly opposite her.

Altair sits to his left and is proving to be a useful ally in helping to navigate elven politics. On his right is Tabbi, who babbles lively as a brook about her upcoming nuptials. As infectious as her enthusiasm is, he finds his attention drawn back to his beloved.

Their gazes meet across the table and her smile is for him alone. He yearns to reach out and hold her hand. With Darish distracted in conversation with Dusk, he stretches out a leg instead and crosses ankles with Elissa. Pure mischief sparkles in her expression and a bare foot slides up his inner leg.

He has to concentrate to stop a purr rumbling through him. My kitten is a minx tonight.

The sumptuous meal does little to sate the smouldering hunger and afterwards he flops into one of the comfy seats to stop himself from prowling. Elissa sashays past, teasing him with swaying hips. Rising to the challenge, he grabs her around the waist and pulls, causing her to giggle as she falls into his lap.

She curls against his body as slinky as a cat. Regardless of the audience, their lips are unable to resist the pull towards each other. Her hands loop around his neck, whilst his skim over the satiny material of her dress.

When they break for air, he hides behind a silken curtain of moonlight hair and nuzzles the tempting curve of her neck. Her kisses pepper his jawline and she nips at the sensitive skin beneath his ear, electrifying him.

"Careful, my love. You are rousing the tiger." His voice rumbles with a low burr.

"Is that all I am rousing?" she practically purrs in response.