Ch. 37

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Macon's eyes opened as the shear fabric that hung over the bed's canopy grazed her bare skin. 

Chills erupted, and she pulled at the blanket that was bunched up near her feet. 

Xane's fingers trailed down her side signaling he was already awake. 

She glanced over her shoulder to find him looking at her contemplatively.

He paced a kiss against her temple without a word.

"Some guests will be arriving soon—we are expected to greet them upon arrival as Aturian custom requires."

"How long will they be staying?" Macon asked out of curiosity.

"As our estate is one of the only suitable estates still in tact at the present, it is likely to be for an extended period." His eyes weighed heavy at his admission. He would have much rather spent the remainder of his and Macon's mating phase alone as custom would have called far.

"I see," she said rolling over feeling a mix of emotions that battled within her.

She could not be selfish in this. She sat up as she heard Xane rise and watched as he disappeared into the wardrobe.

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Dressed in a silky blue gown, she stood by Xane's side ready to greet their house guests. Her nerves sent her stomach twisting in knots as she watched a convoy of shuttles pull into the area in front of the estate.

She could only watch as drivers exited her crafts and gathered luggage and helped the guests to the front steps where they stood.

Among them, she was surprised to see the prince, as well as Chiss, Anders and their mother.

As the prince began to make his way, Macon and Xane stepped forward to greet him. Xane quickly took charge, offering to personally escort the prince to his quarters. Macon, for her part, tried her best to shake off the memories of the last time she had seen him. She knew she had to remain focused, despite the emotional turmoil she felt inside.

She greeted each guest as best she could— on the inside, however, she felt as thought she were an imposter only attempting to play the part. 

At the end of the train of never ending guests, Chiss, Anders, and his mother made their way. 

Anders' eyes met hers hesitantly and sad smile crossed his lips. 

Their mother, with tears in her sad lavender eyes, took each of Macon's hands in her own and squeezed. "Please relay my deepest gratitude to your bonded."

Chiss' eyes shot to Macon at the mention of her bonded. Accusation and hurt pooled in his amber depths. Macon's heart seared with pain.

Anders took his mother by the arm and led her up the stairs, leaving Macon with one last sympathetic glance that said everything. Chiss stood before her, his eyes filled with pain and anger. He could smell the unmistakable scent of the other male's mating claim on her.

"You reek of his mating claim," Chiss seethed as he moved her brown waves to expose the mark on her shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. He struggled to keep his composure, knowing that the woman he loved had married his best friend.

Emotions swirled inside him as he gazed at the mark on her skin, a reminder of what he had lost. He couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal, even though he knew that she had made her choice.

"What have you done?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I—." She started as she moved forward placing her hand in his— but there were no words.  He yanked his hand away as though she had electrocuted him with her mere touch. 

Her breathing sped up as tears burned at the back of her eyes. 

His determined steps were quick and deliberate—making his way to the overgrown gardens that hugged the estate. 

She chased after him. Tears now streaming fervently down her cheeks.

"Stop," she huffed, and he froze in his tracks. 

Slowly, he turned. His lavender eyes were bright with unshed tears. 

There eyes struggled to convey what words could not.

And in and instant— he was towering over her.  One hand at her waist and the other cradling her head. 

He pleaded with himself to stop, but found no resistance in her gaze. 

His lips crashed against hers.  All hell broke loose with that one kiss. 

She met him desperately seeking all that had built between them these months. 

Her head spun as she explored the need that overtook her.  He lifted her— legs wrapping around his middle and he pressed her firmly against the stone wall of the estate. 

Her fingers pulled at his short black hair as he continued to ravage her mouth. 

Sharp pants escaped from her as he trailed down her neck and chest. 
Heat pooled within her, and she could not stop. 

"Brother!" Someone said pulling them back to reality- Anders' stood there now— eyes accusing. 

"This cannot be." He said simply as he shook his head. 

Chiss stared into Macon's eyes— as he lowered her. 

Her fingers touched her bottom lip as she trembled. 

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