“Then where do they come from?”
I could answer her. I have my suspicions. The whitish film coating the Slythin’s scales reeked of magic. The creatures are desert dwellers, and only one kingdom we share a border with has a large desert—the Stone Kingdom, ruled by the Stone King. I don’t trust any of the kings of Ulfaria, but the Stone King is the one I trust the least. If that venomous usurper thinks he’s getting his filthy, cracked talons on my Omega, I will show him why the courtiers still call meferalbehind my back.
Haley flinches. I’m growling, canines bared. I smooth her hair in apology, but she angles her head, averting her gaze from mine. I cup her cheeks, ready to force her to look at me, but can only hold her.
“Never mind,” she whispers. “I’ll ask Sian to tell me.”
I want her to speak to me. I want her to understand. I want to tell her to look at me, tell her to call me by my name. Not the name she's given me, but the name I’m slowly starting to remember because of the memories she's unlocked for me.
I nuzzle her. I’m still deep inside her body, but she could not be more far away.
How do I explain I want to talk to her but my words are stiff and clumsy, more like an animal’s howl than pretty speech?
If I say the wrong thing, I will lose her. She will hate me. The villagers drove me away with sticks and stones. The only reason the Arborii accepted me is because I killed so many Slythin. Spears and swords glance off their scaly hides, which makes them the perfect hunters.
I have more in common with the Slythin than my own people.
“It’s getting late,” Haley says. I shift inside her, easing my way from her body. When I have withdrawn, an ache spreads through my chest. A melancholy echo throbs in the bond.
I bow my head and capture her lips, sweeping my tongue inside her mouth. Tasting, conquering. Bringing her back to me. The sadness disappears, driven out by heat.
But I cannot kiss her forever. When I’m done, Haley lays a palm against my cheek. She worries her bottom lip with her small teeth, more lines appearing above her brows.
“We should get back to the palace,” is all she says.
I nod and lift her into my arms. The yaknos ferns reach out to brush me as I pass, as if their subtle caress might give me comfort. But I am like a dying tree—standing tall, but barren, hollow inside.
I need to find the words to woo her, to make her feel close to me. I could lose her if I use them clumsily. But I am losing her now.
FIFTEEN
The Hunter King
Four of thefive moons have risen by the time I step onto the expanse of shorn grass outside the palace. Night insects creak and sing, glowing red. My Omega is bundled in my arms, wrapped in the tatters of her beautiful garment. Our hair is full of leaves, our boots muddied. I am every inch the barbarian returning from a ruined outing with his mate.
I hoped to slink into the palace without anyone noticing, but a group of courtiers have ordered a fire built in the stone pit on the palace lawn. Firelight plays on their laughing faces. They are wearing their long, ornate robes and drinking bitter wine.
For a moment, I am once again the outcast on the edge of the fire. But Haley sighs—she’s half asleep, and her bare limbs are chilled by the night air. I spur my steps on.
The bell tolls, announcing my arrival. The courtiers look around and rise in clumsy waves when they see us. I ignore them and their greetings, but Mikkan appears at my side.
“Your Majesty, what has happened?”
“Slythin,” I grunt, and speed up my stride. For once, I am grateful for the palace, the sturdy structure, and the layers of defenses that will keep my mate safe.
“I knew it. The creatures are back, and they will not stop coming until they’ve driven us out of hearth and home!” Mikkan trots along beside me, wringing his hands together. His fear has a sour scent.
I reach the steps of the palace and take them two at a time.
Brokk emerges from the palace, takes one look at me, and sends the courtier scurrying. “Not now, Mikkan. Send for food, and water for a bath.”
I keep walking, Brokk falls into step behind me. I cannot tell him, but I appreciate his guard at my back while my arms are full of my mate. The Alpha guards are generally good security, but I don’t trust all of them.
“Any injuries?” Brokk asks.
I shake my head.
“What happened? A Slythin attack?”
