“And I was at the end of the tenth?”

“Mmhm.”

She shivered as my fingers brushed a spot on her lower back. “I’m sorry if you felt like you had to settle for me, physically at least. I know merrae don’t like tattoos, and it’s obvious that I’m not built like most of the others who mated with your warriors.”

“Tattoos aren’t traditional. We cling to our traditions. Sometimes, that harms us far more than it helps us. I adore yours.” I lifted my fingers to her arm, tracing one of the lines slowly as I wrestled with my temper for a moment before answering her.

The fact that she thought I would prefer she look different was positively infuriating, but she obviously didn’t realize that.

“Sweetheart, a king taking a queen is absolutely against tradition. Seeing your tattoos remind me that I get to decide which of my culture’s rules I follow. I would never have settled for a mate, and I sure as fuck didn’t do that with you. You were the sexiest creature I had ever seen when I claimed you on that beach, and now that you’re here and you’re mine, I’m even more attracted to you. I don’t know what I could’ve possibly done to make you feel or think otherwise.”

“You didn’t do anything. It was just a theory. Everyone on Earth thinks alts like strong, powerful, sturdy women.”

“The way you look has nothing to do with your strength,” I growled. “And I am proud to call you my mate. The humans’ theory is wrong. I have met turned humans all over Alterrae, and they come in all shapes, colors, and sizes.”

“Huh.” She didn’t sound surprised, but she didn’t sound like she didn’t believe me, either. “Were you scared you wouldn’t find anyone, when you were going through all those groups of women?”

I let out a pent-up breath. “Terrified. I told myself that after the tenth group, I would go back home and consider if rigging the vote was the wrong decision. I had been on Earth for nearly three weeks, and every day I spent away was a risk.”

“So the goddess paired us as a last-minute effort to prevent you from staying single?” Her voice was light and playful, so I knew she wasn’t serious.

“No. She tested my resolve, and I proved I was willing to go further and risk more than any sane man would to find my perfect match.”

“What was the risk?”

“The selkies had far too much time to plan an attack. I’m sure they’re waiting for the opportunity to enact it, now. I could have come home to a castle they’d taken over, and had to fight through their ranks to regain my throne.”

“It was worth that much to you?”

“You were worth that much to me.”