The Queens: Scarred Queen, Alejandro's Prey
Chapter 50

"This was your idea, nena," Reyes reminded her while attempting to disguise the impatience in his voice.

She eyed him as though he were about to pounce on her and slowly backed away from him, glancing sideways for escape routes. Sure, it had been her idea, and it had seemed super badass and smart at the time, but now seeing and smelling his burnt flesh was making her seriously rethink the brilliancy of this plan. As soon as she'd pressed the burning hot iron to the skin of his neck, pushing hard to imprint the mark of a male crown into his skin she'd started to have her doubts. He'd stood strong and stoic, never once flinching. Only the tiny ripple of his pectoral muscles, bared for the ceremony, gave away his pain. As soon as enough time had passed she'd dropped the small, intricate iron and stepped away, staring in awe at the mark she'd created. "Wh-what about a tattoo for me instead?" she asked, hoping he might go for a compromise, though she really didn't want a tattoo either and as soon as she was away from the branding ceremony she was bailing on that idea too.

Reyes grunted and approached her. Casey jumped back, holding her hand out to him, warding him off, her gorgeous white dress fluttering in the evening breeze. The few people attending their wedding and branding had wandered several feet away and were pretending not to hear the exchange. Except for Alejandro, who was laughing his ass off.

Reyes took her hand and brought it to his lips, caressing the scar lightly. Then he pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest. In her bare feet, she was shorter than him and able to lay her head against his uninjured shoulder. "It's won't hurt, nena, I promise. I will be with you through every step, it won't be like last time. Our love will carry you through and your strength will ensure you stand tall. Understand, mi amor?"

She nodded and murmured, "I understand." And she did. Reyes would never let anything happen to her. The only person that was ever allowed to hurt her was her husband and he made it hurt good. Pain at his hands was pleasure.

They'd exchanged their wedding vows on a secluded beach in Peru, secured by their people and surrounded by only their closest friends and family. Casey's cousin stood between Alejandro and Miguel, looking lovely in a flowing dress that buttoned down her front with Sally Mariana held in her arms, wrapped snuggly in a warm blanket. It had taken very little to convince Gina to come and live with them in Bolivia. Both women had quickly reconnected emotionally, despite the fuzziness of Casey's memories. The more time she spent with her cousin though, the more they came back to her. Gina utterly adored the baby and was happy to share nanny duties when her cousin was exhausted or needed for work. Gina had become such an important part of their household that Casey was beginning to insist she come with them whenever she needed to travel with the baby as she was still breastfeeding and couldn't be away from Sally for longer than a day. Casey noticed that Alejandro had absolutely no problem with this arrangement as he was usually travelling with the group.

"Ready, nena?" Reyes asked, pulling her attention back toward him.

Her distracted gaze followed the flexing movement of his hand as he pulled the delicate metal from the heat and lifted it to show her. She tilted her head to the side and gave him a short nod. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, thinking of everything wonderful he'd brought into her life. Reyes had stolen her from Ignacio and then he'd gifted her with freedom, love, vengeance and a family. She would give him this. A mark that would forever be his.

He fisted her long blond hair in his free hand and tilted her head back, then slowly rotated their bodies so they were turned away from their friends. He leaned in and whispered against her ear, "Open your eyes for me, Casey."

She did. She was facing the sunset. She could see streaks scoring the sky, striking out from the sun and gradually fading across the clouds into the gathering darkness. She wished Reyes could see the beauty in her shades of grey as he wanted her to see the reds, oranges and yellows of his sunset.

"You see the colours?" he asked.

"Si, Reyes, I see them through your eyes," she told him.

He used her hair to tilt her head to the side and pressed the brand into her neck. She breathed deep, taking the pain into her soul, knowing Reyes had her. Siempre. Forever; the king and his scarred queen.

END OF BOOK ONE