“The boy isn't wrong,” Rasc, Kaspian's dad, said. “It's a waste of space.”
“Hardly.” Kas returned to filling my plate. “It's necessary for times like this, when I must gather the dread.”
“Why can't you gather them in here?” I asked.
“Then we'd have to move all the tables.”
“You mean the castle staff would. You wouldn't have to move shit.”
Taneya, Kaspian's mother, gasped.
“Sorry, Ma'am,” I hurried to say. “Forgive my foul language.”
Kaspian snorted. “It's not the word that shocked her, Mate. It's the way you used it. I told you, your human fascination with using that word is odd. And disgusting.”
I grimaced. “Yeah, I know. It's a hard habit to break.” To his mother, I said, “On my world, that word can be used for several things. In the case of that sentence, it meant 'anything.' He wouldn't have to move anything.”
“Ah, I see.” She looked at Kas.
“You'll get used to it. And he will adjust as well.” Kas moved on to filling his plate. “I enjoy it now. It entertains me and reminds me of my time on his planet.”
“It's just a type of vernacular,” Rasc said. “I've heard 'shit' used in such a way before.”
“No, you haven't.” Taneya smacked her mate.
“Yes, love, I have. In . . . where was I?” He frowned. “Oh, yes. I was in Racul.”
“Really?” Kaspian asked. He looked back at me. “The longer you're here, the more I see how our worlds mirror each other.”
“Are you concerned about your mate's safety?” Rasc set a hand on Kaspian's shoulder. “If those Tyasmorans thought of using him, others will too. I heard about one of those Earth humans getting captured by magic-users before. They tried to open a portal to Earth with him.”
“What?!” Kaspian snarled so loudly that the entire hall went silent.
“Just a bad joke!” I called out. “We're fine. Everything's fine. Enjoy your meal! Yay, Aravult Dread!”
Our guests went back to eating, casting worried glances at their king. Meanwhile, Rasc continued his cautionary tale, telling my mate about magic making tears between worlds. It was unnerving to know that I could be used to open rifts, not just upset the balance here with tales of Earth. But Kas was beyond unnerved. It was too soon after my capture for him to hear about it. Kaspian's hand clenched over the arm of his chair. The wood creaked.
“Hey.” I set my hand on his shoulder. “We're blessed by the Goddess, remember? I'll be okay.”
“What is oh-kay?” Rasc asked.
“It means fine.” Kas took a deep breath, released it, and set his stare on me. “You're right. I don't want to ruin your feast. Eat, Mate.”
“Oh, hell no.” I pointed my fork at him. “Don't think for a second that I didn't that tidbit about another Earthling. You're going to tell me about them right now. Why didn't you mention it before? It would have been nice to know that I'm not alone here.”
“Earthling.” Taneya grinned. “I like the sound of that word.”
I lifted a brow at Kaspian.
“I didn't want to share you with them.” Kas grimaced. “Not back then, when we were still settling our bond. And you were never alone, Met. I told you that.”
“Kaspian!”
“I would have told you.”
“When?”
“Soon.” He shrugged. “I forgot.”
