Page 53 of The Alpha

“Dallan?” the queen prompted.

He swallowed hard. “Er…Máthair.”

Shannell smiled. “That’s better.” She wrapped her arm through Dallan’s free one. “Let us get the two of you some food. I am sure you’re hungry.” She glanced over her shoulder at Jaireth. “And I am also sure you have much to tell your father.”

Dallan swallowed back a snort and glanced at the king.

He hadn’t moved and wore a frown.

Dallan snorted again, not holding back, and escorted the two women on his arms toward the door. He heard Zara giggle as she and Kwaku followed.

Tasniah went to the couple on the dais, bent to Melvale and kissed him on the forehead. “I love you, my son.”

Zerbe took her by the hand, squeezed it, then led her to the door.

Dallan smiled at them. “He’s safe now. Both of them are.”

Zerbe turned and looked at Melvale and his mate. “Yes, but are the rest of us?” He gave Dallan a somber look, then slipped out the door.

The party walked to Jaireth and Shannell’s private quarters. Food was served on the balcony, and Dallan stood at the balustrade, Shona at his side. He looked at the towers and flowerstrewn balconies of the other palace residents. “Will she adjust, d’ye think?”

“Pari?” Shona said. “Time will tell. She’s been through a lot, and this will all be new to her. I remember what it was like for me.”

He turned to her. “But ye couldna walk away, Flower. The bond between us wouldna let ye. This Pari, from what we’ve been told, can.”

Shona looked into his eyes. “I know.”

“And we both ken what will happen to Melvale if she does.”

Shona hung her head and nodded. “Everyone knows, Dallan.”

“Then what’s to be done about it?”

She raised her eyes to his. “I don’t know. We’ll have to take this one day at a time.”

He leaned against the balustrade and sighed. “I dinna like this. So many things can go wrong.”

“I know, but there’s nothing to be done about it right now.” She took him by the hand and led him to the large round table surrounded by cushions. Servants were placing platters of food on it. “Come on, let’s eat, then see if there’s anything we can do.”

He looked into her eyes. “I canna imagine what I would have done if ye’d told me no, Flower.”

“But I didn’t,” she reminded him.

“Nay, ye didna.” He pulled her close and kissed her harder than he planned. But today was full of danger, and they barely managed to get away with Melvale and his mate without having to open a door through time in front of their captors. Thank the saints they’d succeeded. He didn’t want to even consider what would have happened if they hadn’t.

“Ahem,” Jaireth said. “Eat.”

Dallan broke the kiss, smiled, then winked at the king.

“The food on the table,” Jaireth admonished.

Dallan sighed. “He’s so impatient.”

Shona laughed and led him to the table.

18

Pari’s eyes fluttered open. She closed them, unable to take in what she saw, then opened them again.