Chapter 29: So, we're mates?

**RIVER**

The deadly sin couldn't contain the excitement and pure happiness he felt. Even though Bea resisted his grip, River couldn't let go, not anymore. The only thought running through his mind was where they would go and if he would give Queen Eve the pleasure of meeting her daughter. He was the one who had found her; he is the one who deserves to spend days and nights beside Bea, not those who failed. It was a while before River finally released Bea from his grasp, and the happiness he had just felt faded. His gaze drifted to Lillith, the woman who had deserved death and suffering for things she had done in the past, and the situation with Bea brought back memories of those terrible events. Who knows what she had done or planned to do while the Princess was with her. "You..." he forced the word through gritted teeth, burning with anger. "You had my mate all this time and dared to keep her away from me. Bloodsucker, you must die."

"No!" Unexpectedly, his mate jumped in front of the vampiress. River raised an eyebrow questioningly, silently wondering if Lillith had brainwashed Bea. There was no telling what the woman would do, but knowing her, the list was far too long to even mention the details.

Lillith cleared her throat and gently pushed Bea away from her. "Moonflower, it's okay. Your mate isn't reasoning; these things happen, especially under great stress."

"I don't care," Bea snaps. She runs up to River and pokes a finger in his chest, looking ungodlily adorable. The deadly sin wouldn't admit it out loud, but her fighting spirit was far greater than her body, so Bea's attempts to protect the vampiress were quite amusing. She kept bumping into his chest and yelling at him. "Mate or not, you have no right to harm a hair on my grandmother's head! I dare you to come near her; let's see what my father says when he finds out you hurt his family!"

"Baby," River sighs, shaking his head. "Why would you call someone so vile your family? Your family is waiting in the castle for you to return, not hiding you away and keeping you prisoner. I don't know what she told you, but every word that leaves that woman's lips is nothing but disgusting lies. Vampires are not the most trustworthy creatures; you should remember that." He had no idea if Bea would listen to his words, but it was worth a shot. Perhaps she didn't know that River had only the best intentions toward her and her life, but she would come to see his true nature in time. One that had nothing to do with who he was or what he did. The man he could be only next to her.

A smug smile spread across Bea's lips as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Oh, and deadly sins are? What about Angels of Death? Are they trustworthy?" Her words cut deeper than a knife. Now, River was sure Lillith hadn't wasted a second telling his mate vile things about him all this time.

Despite feeling betrayed, River didn't show the pain. His hand slowly rose to her chin and gently held it. A chuckle escaped his lips. "Such a sharp tongue for someone so small. It's time to go; I'll deal with the bloodsucker later." His words contained a promise beyond all bounds. River hadn't forgotten the unfinished business with Lillith for centuries, and in his eyes, she had crossed the final frontier. As much as he would like to see her suffer while his hand is the one to drain the last bit of blood from her body, he couldn't. Not while Bea was around or even aware of his intentions. Once she was asleep, the deadly sin would turn the Underworld upside down to find out if Lillith really was a relative of Bea's. His mate huffed and hugged Lillith before trudging towards the exit. Her angry whispers echoed off the walls as River and Lillith stood by, watching her attempts to hide the rage.

"This is far from goodbye, blood sponge." The deadly sin bowed while his eyes never left Lillith's. Even if they were enemies, he wouldn't act like a complete idiot in front of his mate. Besides, the vampiress kind of helped him when she openly addressed him as the Princess' mate. However, that didn't mean she had paid her due.

"I would expect no less from you," Lillith replies with a smile. Deep down, she really hoped there wouldn't be a war between the deadly sins and the vampires, but no one really knew what the future held. River nodded his head and turned his back on the vampiress. Bea patiently waited for him at the exit, and when he opened the door for her, River couldn't hide how amused he was at her reaction. The simple act made her eyes go wide, and her cheeks glow a deep red. Did she think her mate was a savage and not a man of manners? Sure, he wouldn't be described as the most patient or kind, but for her, River would do anything, even if it meant kissing his sanity goodbye.

Bea didn't seem particularly eager to get home. Her eyes wandered around, deliberately avoiding the man who was doing everything he could to bring her home. River expected her to run or urge him to walk faster, but instead, she silently walked by his side. After a while, when they finally reached the forest that separated the coven from reality, Bea stopped in her tracks. She cleared her throat and stared off into the distance. "Som we're mates?" Bea's voice was a mere whisper now, but he heard the question loud and clear.

"That's what they told me," River laughed. She couldn't feel the effects of the mate bond yet, but he could. That didn't mean he couldn't mess around with Bea a little, though. She was no longer the child he had met years ago. Standing before him was a beautiful young woman.

And yet, she was pure and clueless about the things that matter.

River lost himself in thoughts about the possibilities. If Bea's parents had told her of his existence and the concept of mating itself. It took Bea's voice to snap him out of his state of thought. "Oh, wow, so you don't really know yourself. Give me a moment and let me think; I'm sure there's something we can do to make sure it's true." She started pacing around, biting her nails as she did so. A habit she still couldn't break. At that moment, he remembered all the times she worried and always did the same thing. Bea's eyes widened, and she stopped in front of the deadly sin. "Don't think I'm trying to get rid of you or anything. We're going to run some tests, both for your own good and mine," she explained herself. The Princess was having an internal battle with herself, which elicited a delighted scolding sound for him to observe. River could calm her down, but as long as she was trying to figure everything out, she would stay close to him. Maybe it was his selfish nature to do whatever it took for them to have more time without anyone else around.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously and grinned before speaking up. "What do you mean?" River wasn't the best liar, and his mate was as unaware of that fact as one could be.

Bea frowned and finally looked up at the man. As soon as their eyes met, his breath caught in his throat. "It wouldn't be fair for me to claim you as my mate just because I wanted to, while there's someone out there waiting for you," she explained, slowly taking in River's features. Bea wasn't afraid to glare at him, and to take the focus off of what she was doing, she continued to speak. "The same goes for the other way around. I mean, I'm sure you're a nice guy and all, but I'd prefer to know for sure instead of rushing into an adventure without thinking of the consequences. I just need a minute to figure out a way to be sure, you know," even the reasoning behind her words appeared rather cute to River. His mate was a true bookworm with a tendency to ignore reality.

An idea occurred to him that made River grin like a maniac. "Actually, there's only one way to make sure." He stated.

Bea's mouth fell open in shock. She threw her hands up and laughed. "Good grief, why didn't you tell me you knew how to do it before I made a fool of myself?" The Princess playfully slapped his shoulder, feigning anger.

"A kiss."

"I'm sorry, what?" Bea jumped back, gasping in surprise. Everyone she knew was relatively direct, but not to such an extent.

Deadly Sin stepped closer to the Princess and leaned against her ear. His hot breath tickled her skin, but Bea stood frozen before him. There was something about him, but she wasn't ready to admit it to herself yet. "That's how you're going to find out if I'm telling the truth." He wispered. "Kiss me."