Free Ceremony of Seduction by Cassie Ryan Page A

mighty race with this—” he gestured to Debbie, contempt plain in his voice, “—in my bed? So many men have had her, I’d probably fall inside her overused pussy and never again be found.”
    The queen nodded once and then glared down at Debbie. “She will not fail, or I’ll let you kill her, however you choose.” Returning her attention to Shawn, she said, “Remember, if you take the princess on the day of her birth, she won’t die, but you will conceive a full Klatch child. I’ll have twenty of our best Cunt men ready to complete the ritual when Debbie finds her. Just be ready to do your part.”
     
    Stone bowed low before the king and queen. “Your Majesties,” he said before rising to face them. They sat in the throne room in high backed, purple velvet chairs. Both were dressed in the gauzy revealing clothing of the Klatch, but instead of pastels or white, they wore the colors of royalty—hues of deep purple and blue. The king in breeches and a tunic and the queen in a simple top and skirt.
    Queen Annalecia coughed before asking, “Where is she?”
    Stone met the queen’s gaze and his forehead creased in concern. She was more drawn and frail than when he’d last seen her. Her skin pale, her long mahogany hair dull and lifeless, dark circles marring the skin under her eyes, and her cheeks sunken from the weight she’d lost. Lines of illness creased her face, but he could see remnants of the beautiful woman he’d known all his life. Her frequent coughs now rumbled inside her chest and made her gasp for each breath.
    Pushing his concerns for her from his mind, he tore his gaze from the queen’s face and forced his lips to curve. “I went to fetch her, but Alyssandra and her maid told me to wait here, that she wanted to be presented at her very best. Sasha advised she would bring her to the castle when she was ready.”
    King Darius held his wife’s hand tenderly. When she coughed again, concern and love etched deep into his expression as he brought her hand to his lips before turning his attention back to Stone. “Tell us how you found her. Where has she been all this time? Has she been mistreated?”
    “For heaven’s sake, Darius, at least invite the boy to sit before you grill him.” The queen gestured to a servant who immediately brought a comfortable chair and wine for all.
    After settling himself and accepting the wine, Stone cleared his throat, not wanting to inflict pain on his godparents. “She has been sickly her entire life with the Cunts. When I found her, the woman she lived with had a drain spell in place.”
    Anger flowed across Darius’s features, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed before he gestured for Stone to continue.
    “As far as I can tell, she hasn’t been mated, but I have not asked her. It is not my place. But she is very self-conscious about her body and thinks herself to be unattractive and undesirable…despite my best efforts.” With the last, his lips curved as memories of all his best efforts flowed through his mind.
    The queen’s laughter rang out across the large throne room echoing around them. For a moment, it was like having Annalecia back healthy and whole. She squeezed the king’s hand. “I’m sure you’ve done your very best, Stone. I know you’ve waited a long time for her. I’m proud of you for having such iron restraint.”
    She turned toward her husband. “Calm down, my love. She is home now and nothing has been done that is not reversible. She will need all our love and understanding, not our anger. Save that for when we find the Cunts who stole her.”
    Darius sighed and shook his head, frustration evident in the stiff gesture. “You’re right, but I’ve spent over twenty years helpless, not knowing what was happening to her, and being unable to protect her. When I find the traitors who took her from us, I will show no mercy.” He turned his attention once again to Stone. “How long will it take her to ready herself? I want to see