Chapter 10: Alone with Her Husband

The moment the elders trudged out of the room, the door slammed shut, leaving Hazel alone with her new husband.

What should I do? What should I...

"Are you afraid of me?"

The question came unbidden from where Conan stood, his eyes fixed on hers.

Hazel lowered her head again. "I.... yes, my ki—"

"Shhhhh," In one second, the king was right in front of her, placing a large finger against her lips. The sensation sent blood rushing down between her thighs, and Hazel sucked in a breath.

"You’ll get into serious trouble if you call me ’king’ again," he said quietly, dropping his hand. "We’re married now, and despite your...." he sniffed, "condition, I will treat you like an equal. So don’t be afraid of me, is that clear?"

Hazel blinked. So Becky wasn’t lying when she said the king could be gentle.

"Yes, I—I understand." She nodded, the proximity with him causing her brain to falter. He smelled incredibly nice, and to make matters worse, he had a ravenous gleam in his eyes.

"Have you ever done this before?" He asked, although he suspected the answer was no. What time did a markless servant have to engage in such acts?

"No, I haven’t." Hazel whispered, feeling a finger slowly trace up her hand. Why is my heart racing like this? I should be scared but I....

"Hmm," Conan muttered, slightly tightening his grip on her hand. He lowered his face, deliberately using his lips to brush her ear. "Do you want to consummate the marriage now?"

His second hand snaked around her waist, tracing slow circles against her hip through the thin silk.

Hazel felt her body heating up more.

What is he doing? So... is this what it means to mate? To get this....strange sensation?

She swallowed hard, her throat dry.

"My—" she started, then stopped, his warning echoing in her mind. "Since I should refrain from calling you king, am I to call you Conan?"

He pulled back just enough to look at her, and shockingly, he had a faint smile on his face. "Yes."

Hazel swallowed, her mind panicked. "Oh I see.... Regarding your question, I thought I had no choice and we had to do it immediately after the wedding."

Conan’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

"No, Hazel," he murmured huskily. "I won’t rush you. We’ll move at your pace. So I ask again, do you want to consummate the marriage tonight? It’s alright if you say no."

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Hazel’s heart was racing.

Why would he be asking her for her opinion about what was supposed to be set in stone?

Is this a test? Her mind wondered. Maybe to get me back to Tideclaw if I’m not fit?

The thought sent ice through her veins.

No.

No, I can’t go back.

Think, Hazel! There must be something you can do.

She had seen Danielle and one of the nobles back at Tideclaw kiss once, hidden behind the stables. It had looked so easy. So natural.

Maybe I should kiss him...

She swallowed again, her eyes darting up to his face.

But he was so tall.

"Could you..." she started, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "Could you lower your head some more?"

Conan’s brow furrowed slightly, but he obliged, dipping his head toward her.

Hazel rose on her tiptoes, her hands gripping his shoulders for balance, and pressed a clumsy kiss to his lips.

Her nose bumped against his, and she pulled back too quickly, her face burning.

Oh goddess, that was—

"I—" she stammered. "I—yes. The answer is yes. I want to consummate the marriage tonight."

Conan’s eyes blew wide.

For a long, agonizing moment, he didn’t move nor speak, and Hazel thought she had made a mistake.

Oh no.

"I’m sorry," the apology hurried out. "Forgive my presumptuousness, I shouldn’t have done that."

Conan’s brows scrunched briefly as he blinked.

The suspense of waiting for his response was killing her, and Hazel was already imagining the numerous ways in which he could possibly kill her for her behaviour.

"I’m sorry. I thought it was something you’d like! Please don’t send me back to—"

Conan’s eyes suddenly darkened.

"You think I’d send you back there?"

His eyes flashed red, and at this proximity it was even more terrifying than the first time she had seen it.

"I....I.." she stammered. He was breathing heavily now. "Maybe? I thought that—"

"Let’s get one thing straight, Hazel." Conan interrupted her suddenly, his eyes searching hers. "You are my wife now, MY WIFE. You became mine the moment your father called your name, and I do not LIKE to give up what belongs to me. Under no circumstances will you be returning to that fucked up pack of yours, and if you even suggest the mere idea again, you won’t like what you find. Do I make myself clear, Hazel... Black?"

Hazel Black.

Badump.

Hazel felt a wave of relief flood her entire system. So it wasn’t a test? He wasn’t trying to see if she was worthy? She’d never need to return to Tideclaw?

She couldn’t help herself. She wrapped her arms around his broad frame, a few tears of joy escaping her eyes.

"Thank you... Conan. Thank you so much." Using his birth name was strange, but she didn’t want to go against his orders and possibly draw his ire.

Conan froze briefly, staring at the woman who had engulfed him in a hug. He felt the warmth of liquid soak some spots of his shirt, and he knew without a doubt she was crying.

His free hand involuntarily moved, and he placed it on her hair, stroking it softly. For some reason her behaviour triggered his most protective instincts, and despite the almost overwhelming stench of her condition, he didn’t mind being so close to her.

Strange.

Hazel pulled away, wiping her eyes away before nodding. "I...I still want to consummate the marriage tonight, if that’s fine with you."

Conan’s eyes blew out again, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"It’s more than fine," was all he said before he lowered his mouth to her neck.