For a moment, Cedric saw red.
He whipped his arm out, pulling Talia's head in towards him, cradling her head in between the crook of his elbow and his chest.
"Don't touch my wife." Cedric's voice was even-toned, but the deadly intent was abundantly clear. He was not above fighting tooth and claw to protect what was his.
Talia held perfectly still, trying to breathe even as her face was pushed into his royal robes.
Things had escalated in the blink of an eye and she could hear the growling begin within the base of Cedric's throat. This was not the moment to squeal or make a sound.
Vander shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest.
"If you want to bring your twin sister home, you will have to go with her yourself. I cannot venture across the world veils without Talia's guidance."
Cedric narrowed his gaze. He was still trying to clear out the years and years of legislative backlog. There was no way he could leave without Faria descending into chaos.
"Take another witch. We will be getting married in a couple of weeks. I can't have my wife running off to another world, most especially since she is with child."
Vander clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tch. I cannot take anyone else. She is the only changeling witch in the entire Kingdom of Faria."
"Find another way. Taking Talia away from her home is not acceptable. Marking her is even more unacceptable."
Vander sniffed. He knew this would not work. The wolf was extremely territorial, but he could not blame Cedric.
In his position, Vander would tear the face off another man who might have lecherous thoughts about his woman, let alone mark her in any way.
He threw a hand out in parting.
"Can't say I blame you. However, I've done my part in notifying you of the requirements should you decide you want to retrieve your sister."
He turned around and strolled away, throwing a final repartee.
"If you have any questions, feel free to contact Talia's mother, Sibyl."
"Are you not planning on going to find your brother?" Cedric threw at Vander's retreating back.
"No. I was given the directive to go find my brother and return with him, but my father is not unreasonable. If I tell him I cannot find Dimitri because he has passed through the veil into a world I cannot enter, he will understand."
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "What then, of the future King of Paradisio?"
Vander turned back and shot an amused look at Cedric.
"If my brother cannot be found, I have no choice but return, take up the mantle and be king in his place."
Cedric's eyes were sympathetic. He knew what it felt like to have to sit on the throne when all he wanted to do was live a simple life with his family.
"I will talk with Sibyl to try and figure out the best way to approach this situation. However, my wife's welfare is most important to me. She absolutely cannot be a part of this dangerous mission."
Vander nodded. "Understood. I will remain in Faria until your wedding. After that, I must return to my home."
He turned on his heels once again.
"You know where to find me if you need me."
As the door thudded shut behind Vander, Cedric heaved a heavy sigh and loosened his death grip of Talia.
"I'm sorry Love." He breathed out a deep sigh. "The thought of losing you scares me to death."
He tipped her head up and lowered his head, nuzzling her face and chin, seeking and finding her lips.
"But your sister…"
"I will NEVER let you go."
He parted her mouth with his tongue and dipped in between her lips, tasting and touching everything he could, drinking in her sweet mouth with his hungry lips.
"You taste so good my sweet wife, I wish I could just take you here and now." He pulled back, his amber eyes filled with passion.
"Sadly, my advisors will be rushing back into the room now that Vander has left."
True to his words, he had barely finished saying the words when the advisors began streaming back in twos and threes.
"Go back to our quarters and don't think about any of this. Focus on our wedding. I want you to be the most beautiful bride in the history of the Kingdom of Faria."
Talia laughed. "That's a tall order. All the Queens of Faria, past and present, are beauties beyond compare."
He shook his head. "None compare to you, My Love. Now go. I will return to you when I'm done with my work here."
Cedric watched as Talia walked away. A growing uneasiness began gnawing at his insides.
Nothing was ever simple and easy, especially if it had anything to do with the witches. He wouldn't be able to stave them off for long if they were insistent on doing things their way.
Cedric shivered, despite the warmth of the room. It almost felt as if he was already losing her.
==========
Just as he feared, it did not take long for the witches to strike back.
No sooner had morning broken over the horizon when Athena came calling.
Cedric had, as usual, already begun the first of his many meetings with his advisors when his mother made her grand entrance into the throne room.
Without bothering to wait for the attendant to announce her arrival, Athena waltzed into the room with her sleek blonde chignon head held high and her perfectly tailored ivory court dress sparkling with rhinestones and topaz.
"Son. A word, if you please." She announced as she made her way towards him.
The words were spoken in her usual polite manner, but her demeanor was stiff and very formal, and there was no mistaking her authoritative tone.
Whether he was pleased or not, he would have to make the time to talk to her.
"Mother. I am quite busy at this time." Cedric stood up and gave his mother an appraising look.
Athena leaned forward and pointed at him with a perfectly manicured finger.
"Well, you are going to have to un-busy yourself because what we need to discuss is extremely important."
There was a determined glint in her amber eyes and a firmness to her clenched jawline that not even her full red lips could soften. She was in full battle gear and she was bringing the battle to him.
Cedric heaved a sigh and brushed his hand in a dismissive gesture. His attendants and advisors all made a beeline for the door without a word of protest. King Cedric was not one to dismiss his work without very good reasons.
Cedric turned back to face his mother. He mentally dug in his heels, preparing himself for a long drawn-out fight.