I had no idea what to think about that.
“Monqilcolnen is special,” he said.
I immediately agreed. “He is. He is the purest spiritual soul ever tested.”
Prince laughed. “He is, but that’s not what I’m speaking of.”
My brows drew together.
Jemtonkilsol continued, “I’m older than my brother Kontolmakqilnen by a great deal, fifteen cycles, and I mated younger than he did. I was only seventeen. I and my mate, Dilvonsil, both wanted children right away, but they didn’t wish to use a nesting facility. Dilvonsil wanted to carry whatever children we had.”
Natural conception rates were very low. It was unusual for someone to have a natural pregnancy anymore, let alone carry their child.
“It took years,” he said. “Monqilcolnen and Hallonnixmin were born in the same cycle.”
I knew this, but I didn’t bother to say that. Interrupting Jemtonkilsol would be beyond rude, even if I could get the words out.
“My Dilvonsil almost died to bring our kit into the world. Monqilcolnen is my only child, and he is beloved by us both.That’s why he’s special, not his soul type or the strength of his connection to the Crystal.”
My eyes dropped to the floor, my shoulders kissed my earlobes, and my tail strangled my ankle. I wasn’t special. I had no parents. I had a normal seeker soul. Yes, I’d made a place for myself. I was a decent lieutenant. I had no doubts about who I was, but I knew my worth. I was average, and I was content with that fact. I had to be.
He kept speaking as if he didn’t see the tension radiating through me. “He needs someone as special as him to walk beside him in life.”
Not me. I understood. While nothing was happening between us, Prince was warning me away from his child. I didn’t blame him. I was aware of who I was. I didn’t even need this warning.
“Which is why I am so glad he has someone like you.”
My eyes shot up. What? “We-we’re not… No, you don’t understand.”
“You are very special to him, Wyn, and I’m grateful. That is all I ever wished for him, to follow his soul,” he said, offering me his throat.
I shot to my feet. “No! This isn’t… We’re not…” Why couldn’t I get the words out?
Prince also rose to his feet and moved closer to the screen, so it was only his face. “You don’t have to accept him, but know your worth.”
I helplessly shook my head. I did. Jemtonkilsol was the one who didn’t understand.
A fussy cry sounded, interrupting us, and he commented, “Best take care of the kit. I’m sure we’ll speak again.”
The session ended, and I gaped at the blank screen. What had just happened?
“You should’ve woken us up,” Seth said as he took a smiling Bobbinvoxlyn from me. He placed kisses on the kit’s round cheeks, and Bobbinvoxlyn gurgled in happiness.
“Did he eat?” Kalvoxrencol asked, brushing his claws through Bobbinvoxlyn’s brown hair.
I fought a smile at Kalvoxrencol’s protectiveness. “I fed him. Edith told me what he needed, and I was happy to do it.”
“I did,” Edith said, popping onto the screen, making Lucy squeak as it interrupted her view of the feathered animals she liked to watch.
“You interrupted Lucy,” Kalvoxrencol commented, and I silently agreed. The little house goddess did enjoy her entertainment, and she shouldn’t be denied it. Lucy was in agreement. She went up on her back legs and pawed at the screen, squeaking in angry demand.
Edith smiled, eyes disappearing in the deep folds of her skin. She said, voice alight with humor, “I will put her birdwatching video back on in a few moments. But I observed Wyn as he fed Bob, and all was well.”
“I took great care with your kit,” I assured the prince. “I even got him to nap.”
Seth bounced a happy Bobbinvoxlyn. “Where?”
I shouldn’t have brought it up, because I didn’t want to tell either of them, let alone Edith, who would make a much bigger deal than the situation merited, especially since I’d spoken to Monqilcolnen’s father, who had a very wrong impression of us. But there was no way to avoid answering. Kalvoxrencol and Seth had the right to know where their child had slept.
