Viper's Defiant Mate by S. E. Smith Page A

her, willing her to accept his peace offering. The seconds turned to a minute and he was about to give up when she finally released a deep sigh and looked up at him. The amount of pain and sadness in them made his chest ache.
    “I am sorry,” he told her in a husky tone. “I did not say the words I meant to say the other day. Your language… It is not the easiest to learn. Too many words sound and mean the same thing.”
    “Why?” She whispered, a single tear escaping to slide down her cheek. “Why would your brother do that to Riley? Why?”
    Viper leaned forward at the same time as Pearl reached for her granddaughter’s right hand. There was something he was missing, something important. She wasn’t looking at him any longer, but the sad, crumpled weeds that he had picked.
    “They remind me of you,” he murmured, not realizing he had spoken aloud at first. He continued when he saw her puzzled look. “These flowers, they remind me of you.”
    Her left hand rose and she ran one finger along a bent stem. His eyes followed the movement, mesmerized by her gentle touch. The flowers were beginning to stand up a little in the cold water.
    “I remind you of weeds?” She asked, confused.
    Viper shook his head and reached for her left hand. “No, you remind me of how they grow in the wild. You remind me of the colors and how in the harshness of the sun, dirt, and hard ground, how they stood above to dance in the wind,” he explained with a slight frown as he stared down at the delicate blooms. “You are strong, but beautiful, just like they are.”
    He reluctantly released Tina’s hand when she pulled it out of his to wipe at the dampness on her cheek. Regret filled him for making her sad. Confused by his feelings, he sat back and stared at Tina.
    “You never answered my question,” she said in a thick voice. “Why would your brother hurt my sister like that?”
    “He did not hurt her,” Viper said, shaking his head in disagreement. “He sent me here to retrieve you and your vic… your grandmother.”
    “Why?” Pearl asked in a hard tone.
    “Because his mate is sad,” Viper said, wincing when Bahadur punched him in the arm and scowled.
    “You are about to screw this up,” Bahadur growled under his breath. “You are supposed to use the human word.”
    Viper scowled at Bahadur. “I’m trying,” he snapped.
    “And what word is that?” Pearl asked, sliding her hand down beside her to where she had set her gun.
    “Marriage,” Viper said hastily, quickly pulling a paper from his vest and setting it in front of Tina and Pearl. “Vox has asked that you attend their marriage. They wish to have a human wedding ceremony to seal their bond.”
    He watched as Tina’s trembling hand reached out and she picked up the stiff paper Riley had insisted he give to her family. He had forgotten about it until late last night. It had been stuck inside the other papers that he was supposed to give them.
    Tina’s voice shook as she read the message out loud.
    You are cordially invited to the wedding of
    Riley Ann St. Claire, from Denver, Colorado, Earth
    to
    Vox d’Rojah, King of the Sarafin
    When: As soon as you get your asses here
    Time: It better be quick because I want to be married before the baby comes
    Where: Sarafin, my new home
    P.S. I love the big oaf and want you here for the wedding. Shotguns are optional, Grandma Pearl, unless he changes his mind, then I definitely need you
     
    Pearl chuckled when she read the messy, bold writing under Riley’s beautiful, elegant print.
     
    I won’t change my mind! I choose Riley St. Claire for my queen. Signed Vox d’Rojah, King
     
    “Is he really a king?” Pearl asked with a raised eyebrow.
    Viper bowed his head. “Yes,” he replied in a firm voice. “And he has ordered me to return with you both, whether you wish to go or not.”
    “Great! Now that you have that settled,” Bahadur said with a relieved clap of his hands. “Where is the other