It’s too much to look at, so I glance away.
“No. King Riven is not my friend.” I swallow hard, looking upat King Malachi and trying to school my expression. “He thinks he’ll sway my decision, but he won’t.”
The king glances across the courtyard to Wilder. “That’s good to hear. Although I warn you to watch yourself. Wilder’s mate might not appreciate you fawning over him any more than I do, and she’s far less forgiving.”
“His mate?” My heart hammers in my chest.
“Aurora.”
It’s a beautiful name for someone who is probably stunning herself. My stomach spins, and I suddenly feel ill. The way Isolde spoke of mates makes me realize just how terrible Wilder is. That he is so brazenly doing as he wishes with the females in this court instead of returning to his mate back home.
Then there’s how he speaks to me sometimes. How close he stands. How his magic brushes over me, and it feels like something more. He’s taken me for a fool.
Wilder is a lying, manipulative bastard.
I narrow my eyes on Wilder, who is spinning a dagger, watching me stand at the king’s side.
“We will make a grand pair, Elorie,” the king says, pulling my attention as he laces a hand up through the hair at the side of my head. “I’ve been distant, and that is my fault. But I will try to show you more attention.”
Before I can think about what he’s doing, he leans down and presses his lips to mine. Claiming me in a kiss that makes my stomach turn over. There’s no sweetness to it. Only possession. And not the kind that makes my heart light, but the kind that proves a point to the male standing across the ring.
King Malachi pulls away as a chill breaks out across my skin. His grin is a threat as he taps my chin and walks away. The sky isn’t blue today. It’s gray like on Alyssium.
And even with the warm breeze, all I am is cold.
Chapter 22
Elorie
Wilder watchesme from across the training ring, but I don’t meet his gaze. I can’t even look him in the eyes after what King Malachi said to me.
His mate.
I should have known.
“Is it too much to ask for you to wear proper clothes?” I try to sound dismissive but fail.
“Worried I’m going to distract you?” Wilder leans against the wall, picking at one of his nails with a dagger.
At least his ego is enough of a deterrent that I don’t dare drop my gaze to his chest.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I storm over to the weapons and grab my favorite daggers.
“You’re fiery this morning.” Greer’s eyebrow hitches. “I feel like I missed something last night after I left.”
Her gaze darts between me and Wilder, and he chuckles.
I cut him a glare before turning my back on him. “You didn’t miss anything worth talking about.”
Greer doesn’t look like she believes me, and I don’t blame her.I don’t even believe myself, and I’m not willing to face that in the light of the morning. After Wilder walked me to my room last night, he surprised me by actually being a gentleman and walking away. It was one more thing that jumbled me up about him. But now, knowing what I know about his mate, I can’t think straight. Especially after that stolen kiss from the king.
“Where did you end up last night? I thought you and Callum were coming back,” I ask Greer, trying to think of anything other than the king’s kiss or Wilder’s deceptions.
“We planned to, but the Guard never rests. Even when we have days off.” Greer chooses a pair of daggers while I get into position. “Besides, Callum and I ran into Hazel, and he said he needed to have words with her.”
“What did he say?” My chest tightens at the thought of Callum confronting Hazel about what happened.
She shrugs. “Didn’t stick around to find out. I know better than to linger when Hazel is around. I went with the rest of the Guard to deal with the two males who were fighting, and he stayed back to talk to her.”
