“Yep. Kim is dying for a girls’ night now that baby Auryn is comfortable with a bottle. I haven’t heard back from the others yet, but Kim will definitely be here.”
“Awesome!”
The huge stone doors glide open and Khan prowls in. He’s taller and leaner than most other Alphas I’ve seen—and I’ve seen several since I got here, he has an entire army—but he has an air of power about him. A commanding presence. He favors simple clothes but you could pick him out of a crowd and know he was in charge.
He says nothing, but strides over to Emma and leans down. It’s my turn to pretend to study the waterfall as they embrace. If only I could put my hands over my ears and block out the loving murmurs and smacking sounds.
After what feels like forever, the imposing Alpha straightens and gives me a nod. “Greetings.”
“Hi.”
Emma has gone limp in her seat, a dreamy look on her face. “I thought you’d be out all day.” Khan owns fleets of spaceships with which he supplies Ulfaria, and trades on their behalf.
“I just returned—and found the loading dock filled with these.” He waves a hand and a floating platform—Emma tells me they’re called skimmers—drifts towards us. It’s piled high with boxes and bulky, cloth-covered shapes. “Delivered today for Renee… from Pyreda.”
“What? For me?” I rise and the platform floats to me, stopping a foot away. “What is this stuff?” A glossy fur in a shimmery shade of purple spills over the edge. “Krav sent this?”
“That would be my guess.” Khan folds his arms, glowering at the gifts as if their presence offends him.
“Oooh, presents!” Emma claps her hands. “What did you get?”
I touch one box and it opens with a whoosh of magic. Inside is a carefully folded gown. I hold it up.
“Stunning colors,” Emma says. “It’ll look gorgeous on you.”
“Maybe.” I put it back. It’s a simple style—a warm day dress in shimmering rainbow tones. Mystic topaz, like Krav’s eyes.
I touch each box and peek at the contents.
“Is it all clothes?” Emma asks.
“Some blankets. Some pillows. More clothes.”
“He seems to believe we would not give you the barest hospitality!” Khan folds his arms over his chest. I revise my earlier observation—he has plenty of muscled bulk.
Emma places a hand on his bulging, lilac bicep. “I’m sure he just misses her.”
“Yeah,” I say. “He… used to make all my clothes for me.” And the soft furnishings I needed for my bedroom when I was nesting. A mat so I could do yoga. He even managed permanent mascara. I gaze at the boxes overflowing with warm clothes, blankets, pillows—he wants to make sure I’m comfortable. I resist the temptation to bury my cold hands in the furs.
“That’s… kind of sweet,” Emma says.
The smallest box contains a couple ofleeberrytarts and a fewkiktufruits. There’s even a flagon ofhimajuice. All my favorites.
He’s trying. Maybe I was too hasty in leaving. Maybe he’s changed.
Or maybe that’s what I want to think because I miss him.
He sent food, drink, clothing, bedding… Exactly what you’d give a pet. “Nice try,” I mutter. What might he send me next? The leash I left behind? Maybe a crate, like I’m a cat he’s taking to the vet.
I realize I’m holding my neck and drop my hand. “He’s tried all this before. Same shit, different day… it means nothing.” Hardening my resolve, I set about closing up the boxes. “Do you want any of these fur cloaks, Emma? They’re really nice. And cruelty free.” I shake one out to show her, and something clinks to the floor. It’s a small stone object. I toss it back on the pile. Every part of me longs to fold myself into the sumptuous fabric and drink in his scent, so I stuff the cloak deep into a nearby box.
“Even if you don’t want them, they’re your gifts,” Emma says.
I huff and turn to Khan. “Can you send all this stuff back?”
He grimaces. “The Demon King would take offence, and accuse me of not delivering the gifts properly.”
Goddamnit.
