“This is my home. And with the revulsion comes an odd sort of respect.”
“You mean fear.”
Casu grinned broadly enough to flash his fangs, then flicked his shoulder-length hair back. “I do.”
“Ah, I see. You enjoy scaring people.”
“It can come in handy, especially in negotiations. When one of my suppliers tries to milk me for more money, I just grin at them.”
I chuckled. “So, you're a merchant?”
“No, I'm a nobleman.”
“My apologies.”
“A nobleman who happens to own three shops in Enleran.” He winked at me.
“You wouldn't happen to sell gardening supplies in one of those shops?”
A single eyebrow lifted this time. “I do. Farming and gardening. What is it that you need?”
“Just some basics. Do you sell plants too?”
“I do. We have a nursery that offers both foreign and domestic plants.”
“Then our meeting is destiny, Lord Casu,” I said and lifted my glass to him.
“Not quite.” Casu smirked. “I knew about you before I sat down. Speaking to you satisfied my curiosity and presented me with the opportunity to offer my services.” He leaned forward to add, “But you inquired first.”
“Services?” I leaned toward him so that we met in the middle of the table. “What kind of gardening shop is this?”
Casu laughed, and as he did, the King swept into the room. Shaleros glanced at Casu, then me, glared at both of us, then went to his table. I pulled out of what must have appeared to be an intimate conversation and hurried to my feet with Casu. The other courtiers were already up and bowing, though Shale ignored everyone.
The King settled on his elaborate sofa, alone at his table, and nodded at a servant. Dinner service began instantly.
With that, the courtiers hurried to their tables. All the Eljaffna flocked to ours. I guess outsiders band together. But I was good with that. I was an outsider too. And I had no problem with Eljaffna. No more than any other immortal race. They were stronger than me and far more resilient, but that wasn't a reasonto fear them. If I functioned on those parameters, I'd be afraid of nearly everyone on the planet. So what if they drank blood? I enjoyed it when Shale drank from me. Well, until the morning after. But now I knew better. I would set limits if I dated an Eljaffna in the future.
My gaze strayed back to the King.
King Shaleros didn't meet my gaze even though I saw his eyes flicker and shoulders tense. He knew I was watching him. But I didn't blame him for ignoring me along with the rest of his court. My new sympathy—a new level of it, I should say—prevented me from viewing him poorly. It also increased my bitterness over failing him. Yeah, that's how I was looking at it. I rushed things, or let him rush things, and instead of helping him, I'd sent him tumbling back into his torment. Fuck.
I looked down at my plate, guilt overwhelming me. I shouldn't have dined with the court. I was rubbing his nose in what we'd done. Normally, I'd like that thought. Let an ex see what he was missing. But this situation was different. There was no bitterness in me toward him, nor any need for smugness or vanity. Not with what I now knew. Fuck, a baby. Shale had lost a mate and a baby. Sometimes life is so fucked up and unfair, even for immortals.
I decided not to attend dinner the following night or any thereafter. I'd leave him alone. That was the kindest thing I could do for King Shaleros now.
Chapter Twenty-One
The King had said I could purchase things in the city and send the bill to the castle. So, the next morning, I visited Casu's farming supply shop with him.
I was surprised to see that Casu was right about the way people viewed Eljaffna. Not that I had doubted him. It's just that dinner the night before had been so relaxed. Even though our entire table was only Eljaffna and me, I hadn't sensed any negativity directed at us. Well, except for the King. He glared at us a few times.
So, I thought Casu had exaggerated things.
He had not.
When we strode into his huge shop on the outskirts of Latur, his employees—none of them Eljaffna—scrambled to assist us, but without getting too close. And his customers gave us an even wider berth. I frowned at the display. As a human, I was used to receiving poor treatment from the other races. Not this, granted, but still. To see one of the immortal races being treated like monsters was baffling. And a bit vindicating, if I'm being honest. It was nice not to be the lowest life form in the room.
But Casu soaked it up. Well, from his employees. He didn't relish it from his customers. I think that was more about business though.
