per

shadow across the aisle. Without a word of hesitation, hi

om his skin to mine, sending a

ate, and commanding. The guests on either side flinched backwar

ed with indignation. "King Jasper! This is an insult to

t a single, lethal gl

ence, his throat visibly working as he choked back his words under the Alpha Ki

onto the al

l parchment rattled in his grip. He looked at Jasper, th

re you certain you wish to bind yourself

" Jasper commanded, his tone

tears instantly replaced by greedy disbelief, while m

sacred silver-lined chalice

practiced motion, he dragged the edge across his palm. Thick, dark crimson

d the bl

y index finger beneath the hem of my sleeve. I l

, an intense, searing warmth rushed throu

ring down at me, his golden irises glowing with a

" the Elder chanted, his voice echoing through the stunned silence,

e body w

ore an audience. If he lifted my veil, the scent-blocking spell wo

s broad shoulders completely shielding me from the

t reach f

his warm, firm lips directly against

tning strike. A raw, electric shock tore down my

ysical

t as the undeniable marker of the mating bond.

pils constricted into sharp slits, his golden e

ay," he murmured, his voice so low that on

btle half-step back to break the current bet

broke out from the bewildere

g his hands together with a fawning smile. "Your Majesty! What an h

"Clear the hall," he instructed his Be

nyielding yet carefully measured no

family and the buzzing reporters behind as the heavy doubl