Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 177

Chapter 177: What Phantom Wants

The next morning, soft sunlight filtered into the royal bedroom as Kira and Derek stood near the door, already dressed for the day.

Kira wore an elegant outfit suitable for the Queen’s Conference, while Derek looked every inch the king in his dark suit. Kira was all done and ready to leave, but Derek kept inventing small reasons to keep her exactly where she was.

A crease in her sleeve. A strand of hair out of place. A button that was already perfectly fastened but apparently needed his urgent personal attention.

Then, he cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I am going to miss you," he said quietly.

Kira smiled up at him, her hands resting on his chest. "I will miss you too. Terribly. But tradition must be observed." She placed her hands flat on his chest. "Even though I would trade it to keep waking up next to my grumpy husband."

He let out a low chuckle, pulling her closer. "Grumpy, am I? And yet here you are, kissing me like you cannot get enough."

She rose on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, then another, lingering just a little longer each time. "Because I cannot," she admitted between kisses. "Who would have thought the cold Lycan king would turn out to be so addictive?"

Derek’s arms tightened around her waist, and he kissed her back with quiet affection, his forehead resting against hers when they parted. "Be safe out there. Come back to me soon."

"I will," Kira whispered, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "We will have all the time in the world when I return."

They stayed like that for a few more moments, stealing small kisses and soft words, two people who had finally stopped fighting the pull between them. It was simple, sweet, and exactly what they both needed.

Derek’s gaze dropped to her hand, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"Where’s your wedding ring?" he asked.

Kira glanced down at her own fingers. "Oh. It’s been getting tight on me lately. I keep meaning to do something about it. I was going to have it resized when I got back."

"Give it to me." He held out his open palm. "I’ll take it to the jeweller who made them. They’ll size it properly."

Her whole face lit up. "You’d do that?"

"It’s a ring, Kira, not a kidney. Yes, I’ll do that."

She crossed to the bedside drawer, drew out the little velvet box, and set it carefully in his hand. Derek flipped it open, glanced at the band inside, then snapped it shut and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

"I’ll drop it off after work," he said, patting the pocket once. "It’ll be waiting for you, good as new, by the time you’re home."

"Thank you."

A knock sounded at the door, and a gamma dipped his head. "Your Grace. Your Highness. The cars are ready when you are."

Derek kissed her one last time, lingering, then took her hand in his and walked her out of the room.

***

In Kai’s bedroom, Dr Lorenzo was just finishing his morning examination.

"Well, I have very little to complain about," the doctor said, looping his stethoscope around his neck. "He’s recovering beautifully. Stronger than I dared hope, frankly. All he needs now is food and rest, and plenty of both."

Angelica sat at the bedside with a tray balanced on her knees, already loaded and ready. Tan stood behind her chair, arms folded, watching the whole thing calmly.

The instant the door clicked shut behind the doctor, Angelica scooped up a spoonful of porridge and aimed it at her son’s mouth, opening her own mouth as if he couldn’t tell that she wanted to feed him.

Kai turned his head away. "Mummy, I’m not a baby," he whined.

"But you’re my baby," Angelica countered. "You can’t use your hands right now, so, I’ll gladly do it."

"Where’s Jessica?"

Angelica’s hand stopped in mid-air. She looked up at Tan, then back down at Kai. "She isn’t here at the moment. Now open your mouth, you’ve not eaten a proper meal in days."

"I want to see her."

"Oh, for the love of the goddess." Angelica set the spoon down with a clatter. "That poor girl has been parked at your bedside for two whole days without so much as a nap. Let her rest. She does have a life of her own, you know, one that doesn’t revolve entirely around spooning broth into your ungrateful mouth."

"But she’s the one Phantom wants," Kai said, plain as anything.

Angelica stiffened. But before she could so much as form a follow-up question, the door swung open, and Jessica walked in.

Tan, she called through the mind-link. What in the goddess’s name is going on between those two?

Tan, who had no desire to be the bearer of dramatic news, simply linked back with a cheeky grin. Ask Kai yourself, Mother.

"Come on, Mother," Tan said, stepping forward, looped an arm around his mother’s shoulders, and began steering her firmly toward the door. Through the mind-link he added, I know he’s your baby boy, but you’ve got to leave the two of them be.

Angelica tried to shrug his arm off. And why exactly would I leave my injured son alone?"

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