Mate Challenge [King's Command 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Stormy Glenn and Olivia Black

Author:Stormy Glenn and Olivia Black
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
Published: 2015-03-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

King Críostóir held himself rigid in his throne, eyeing the remaining men entered into the mate challenge. Not one of them appealed to him on the same level as Kurgan, but Kurgan wasn’t an option any longer. He had to choose his royal consort from the three men standing in front of him. He didn’t miss the fact that the three men left in the challenge were all human. He actually found that fact somewhat amusing.

“Dòmhnall from the north. Tomiji from the east. And Barentsev from west. You three give credit to your leaders and your training. You have not only made it this far in the mate challenge but you have assisted in defending this city and its people. For that, and that alone, you should be proud. Any royal would be proud to call you mate.”

Círan didn’t miss the hesitant looks that passed between the three men. He knew they had all been sent to the capital to participate in the mate challenge by their leaders. But he wondered how many of them actually wished to be there. He had said from the very beginning that he refused to force anyone to be his mate, and he meant it. If none of these men wished to be here, he would release them all, and then step down from the throne and allow his brother to lead.

It wouldn’t be difficult for Aedán to choose his consort and Círan knew that Edorís would agree. The two men had been carrying a torch for one another for many years. The change in leadership wouldn’t be bad either. Aedán was a good man. With Edorís’s help, Aedán could take his place on the throne.

“You have all come far in the mate challenge, proving your worth.” Círan tapped his fingers restlessly on the arms of his throne as he looked out over the three nervous men. “What I ask of you now might be your hardest task yet.”

He waited until the three men had nodded their understanding before continuing. “I want your complete honesty. There will be no reprisals for speaking the truth.” Círan drew in a small breath. Deep breaths hurt too much. “Do you honestly wish to be here, knowing that you could be chosen to be my royal consort?”

Again, the three men shot looks at each other, nervous looks.

“Please, I want your honesty.”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” Dòmhnall said as he stepped forward, and Círan’s heart immediately began to sink at the nervous flush that filled the man’s face. “It’s not that we don’t respect you or the position you hold, but—”

Círan held up his hand to stop the human from speaking. He was pretty sure he already knew what Dòmhnall was going to say. “There is no need to say more. I thank you for coming to the defense of the kingdom today. I will be sure to inform your leaders of your bravery. You are free to go.”

Círan waited until the three men walked out of the room and the double doors closed behind them before slumping back against his chair.

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