“I heard you don’t have the right to sell them,” Konni said.“Only your wife does.”
Charlotte’s displeasure vanished, and she smiled politely under our collective focus.
“TAS is our life’s work that our son will inherit someday.”
“Your life’s work?”Mom asked coolly.“I didn’t realize you were involved since the beginning.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Kaya said before Charlotte could respond.“If that changes, let me know.”
She very dismissively turned her back on the pair and smiled up at Balak.
“Let’s dance,” she said.
He took her hand.
A man approached Mom.“Would you be interested in a dance?”
“Yes.Thank you.”
Konni led me in their wake, and I watched the man formally offer his hand to Mom before stepping onto the floor with her.It shouldn’t have been so weird or bittersweet to see her dancing with someone, but it was.
Ever the perfect mate, Konni quietly distracted me from my thoughts with the stunning devotion in his eyes and his polished moves.
After the dance ended, we made our way to his parents and Mom.
“How long do we need to stay?”Balak asked, sounding so much like Konni that I grinned.
Kaya shot Balak a warning look, but her expression almost immediately shifted to something over his shoulder.Following her gaze, I saw Christine Stonestock hurrying our way.Her dress, hair, and makeup were immaculate, but the tight smile she wore didn’t come close to the polite one she’d previously used.
“Should we give you a moment?”Mom asked.
“No.I believe the topic will involve your daughter, too,” Kaya said.
Christine’s gaze briefly met mine as she approached, and I wondered if the remorse I saw was due to what I’d suffered or what her daughter would.
“Kaya, may I have a private word?”Christine said, her voice tight.“Please.”
“If this is about Lianna, there’s no need, is there?”
“Please, Kaya.You know Lianna.Watched her grow up.”
“I did.And I’m devastated by the choices she made.”
“She didn’t mean for it to go so far.She was hurt by Drake’s lack of trust in her over someone he’s only known for a few weeks, and acted rashly.”
“Rashly?”Konni echoed with an angry growl, vibrating as he spoke.“As a dragon, she understands that scenting a mate happens in an instant and doesn’t need time to build trust.”
Christine gripped her shaking hands in front of her.“She was in denial, hoping that you would scent her.”
“Exactly,” Kaya said.“And now she needs to atone for what she’s done.”
“But exile?Please, Kaya.Imagine if it were Drake being sent away.”
“I would be eternally grateful the mate chose mercy instead of killing him outright for interfering with a mated pair’s bond.”
Her expression fell, and her eyes started to water.
“Talk to your mate about your pain.He’ll find a solution.That’s what mates do,” Balak said to her before taking Kaya’s hand.“It’s time for us to leave.”
