Zeena’s eyes were gentle as she looked at Katy. “Every bond is different.” She shrugged and nodded her head. “But I have to face him. I’ve not even reached out to him since we got separated in the fire. I have no idea how he’s going to react to me. He hasn’teven tried to call me. But—” She shook her head and blew out a breath, then looked at both of them. “I will help however I’m able.”
Gage squeezed Katy’s shoulder in relief. “We thank you. My opinion isn’t much, I’m sure, but your willingness to help us to capture your mate is incredibly selfless. It will not go unnoticed by others.”
“First, I need to share with you what I’ve learned while in the Kingdom of Chaos. He’s not been the man I mated for a long time. But I kept hoping he would change.”
Katy’s distress echoed Gage’s own sympathy as Zeena brokenly confessed Azure’s pact with the King of Chaos to produceanimimates by force. Her grief was a palpable thing, mourning the male she once loved who was now fully submerged in madness. They sat in solemn silence as Zeena grieved the end of all she had known. The scope of the Snake King’s depravity left a sick feeling in Gage’s gut. They had vastly underestimated the enemy.
“I’m sure there are other kingdoms in his pocket, but I don’t know who they are,” she added.
A text from Nox drew Gage’s focus. He scowled, reading that the Claws envoy was venturing into the perilous bayou, seeking the voodoo priestess that Azure worked with. That was far too risky without knowing how deeply Chaos was involved in Azure’s schemes. His mind jumped to Nico. Nico was a shaman, but he was the Shamanforthe Kingdom of Chaos. Could he be in on this with Azure? The Nico that Gage knew was crazy, but he wasn’t evil.
Looking up sharply, he asked Zeena, “Would Azure be with the voodoo witch he was working with?”
She paled. It obviously gutted her to think of Azure with another, though that wasn’t how Gage had meant it. “You speak of the swamplands?”
“Nox said bayou.” Then he shared the names of those in the hunting party.
Zeena’s eyes widened. “Nico is with them?”
Katy’s brow rose as she grasped what that could mean. “Do you guys think this is a trap, and Nico is in on it because of Wolf-whatever and his mate Tabata?”
“Tallula,” Gage corrected.
Katy didn’t skip a beat as she warned her mate, “Never correct another female’s name to me.”
Gage loved her possessive side. But she needn’t be jealous or worried that he would ever want someone else. He mentally added it to the list of things theyreallyneeded to discuss.
Zeena scooted out from the booth and stood abruptly. “We need to get there. It might not be a trap, but if it is, they will need all the help they can get. And he won’t suspect me.” Her expression hardened with new resolve. “I should have acted long ago.”
Katy gave the former queen a soft smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “We’re going to shut him down, Zeena. And maybe he can be saved.”
Caught up in his mate’s optimism, Gage allowed a smile. “First, we secure transport to the bayou. Are you ready, Love?”
At Katy’s eager nod, he ushered both females toward the exit. As he walked, he sent a quick text to Callon warning him about the Kingdom of Chaos alliance and that they didn’t know if Nico was in on it.
Gage: I’m getting us on a plane with Azure’s mate of her own free will. Can you wait to head out until we get there?”
Callon: Nico?
Apparently, he wasn’t past that part of Gage’s text.
Gage: Focus, man. Wait for us. Make something up to stall that won’t raise Nico’s suspicions.
Callon: Fine. Hurry your ass up.
Good ol’ Callon. A man of few words, which Gage respected, and when he did use words, he made sure they were full of piss and vinegar.
The heavy darkness lifted slightly from Gage’s spirit. They had needed allies and found them in unlikely places. Perhaps together they could still drag Azure back from the abyss and into the light once more. He’d never be king again, but maybe they wouldn’t have to kill him.
Chapter Fifteen
I’m Pregnant.
“I can’t hold on too tightly, or I might break her wings. I can’t hold too loosely, or she might fall and injure herself. There’s got to be a middle ground where I can keep her safe while she feels the freedom she needs. My beast disagrees. He’s all for sticking her in a beautiful cage with any and everything she desires. And he’s arrogant enough to think that he would fill all those desires for her. If it wouldn’t mean I’d lose her, I’d let him try just so I could watch our lioness show him the error of his thinking. It would be a good show.” ~Callon
Callon stared dubiously at the ramshackle boat bobbing in the gloomy waterway. Rust spots marred the hull, and the deck didn’t look much sturdier. After the mild beating he had giventhe captain, his parents had returned to the bar to persuade the man to be their guide using slightly gentler methods and, Callon was sure, more money than the captain had probably seen in the past year. Captain Jack stood on the dock, grinning proudly as he gestured the group aboard.
“She may not be much to look at, but Ol’ Betsy can navigate these waters as good as any of the crocs that live in them, I guarantee.” The captain clapped the pitted railing affectionately.
