Page 57 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

A commotion near the main gates scattered my thoughts. Stable hands rushed past, shouting orders. Dust rose from the Zashi road - riders approaching fast.

Tharon appeared at my side, stance alert but not alarmed. His hand brushed my lower back. “Four riders. Shakai style.”

The approaching group burst through the gates at full gallop, their villarts’ claws kicking up gravel. I recognized them instantly - Mila’s straight black hair streaming behind her, Denna’s golden curls contained in a traveler’s braid.

Mila wore traditional Shakai clothing now, the deep blues and greens suiting her dark coloring. Denna’s outfit showed the looser cut I’d noticed travelers at the inn from the Wandering Nation favored.

Behind them rode two massive Shakai who could only have been Ashur and Korrin.

Mila and Denna dismounted carefully, approaching me as if I might shatter. The old me might have. But that was before Tharon, before freedom.

I launched myself at them, pulling them both into a fierce hug. Denna stiffened in surprise before her arms came around me.

“You’re stronger,” Denna said, drawing back to study me. Her dark eyes widened at my unveiled face, the healthy flush in my cheeks.

“I’m getting there.” I squeezed her hands. “Where’s Lita? Is she alright?”

Mila rolled her eyes. “Oh, she’s fine. Just trapped in Zashi thanks to him.” She jerked her chin toward Tharon. “Drax has been running himself ragged handling council meetings, and Lita won’t leave while he’s so busy.”

“I’m sure Prince Drax is handling court matters well,” Tharon said mildly.

“He’d better be,” Ashur growled, but his eyes held amusement. “Speaking of court matters...” He pulled a leather message case from his saddlebag. “Some papers need your attention.”

The innkeeper materialized beside us, efficiency personified. “Shall I prepare connecting rooms for your companions?”

“Perfect.” Tharon rubbed my lower back absently. “Will you be alright while I handle this?”

I nodded, an odd lightness filling me at his concern. “Go. I have catching up to do anyway.”

He brushed his lips over my forehead before following Ashur and Korrin inside. Behind me, someone made a choked sound of surprise.

The innkeeper led us to a comfortable sitting room where cushioned chairs surrounded a low table. A serving girl brought tea and honey cakes, the spicy-sweet scent filling the air.

“Are you really alright?” Denna asked as soon as we were alone. “We’ve been so worried, especially given...” She hesitated.

“Given what?”

Mila and Denna exchanged glances.

“Given that you’re with Tharon,” Mila finally said. “We know what he’s like - cold, ruthless. The stories about him...”

I blinked. “What? No, Tharon is...” I paused, really thinking about it. The way others flinched from him, how carefully the innkeeper tracked his movements. How different he was with me compared to everyone else.

“He’s kind,” I said slowly. “At least to me.”

“To you,” Denna emphasized. “But not to others. The way he’s handled rivals, how he manipulated the court...” She shook her head. “Just be careful, alright?”

I absently stirred my tea, mind whirling. The Tharon they described seemed nothing like my protective, attentive mate. But I remembered his carefully blank expression when discussing politics, the calculated way he approached problems.

Two sides of the same man, I realized. The cold prince and the devoted mate. Both equally real.

And equally mine.

“I know who he is,” I said finally. “All of who he is. And I trust him.”

Mila squeezed my hand. “Then we trust your judgment. Just know we’re here if you need us.”

I smiled, emotion tightening my throat. “I know. Now tell me everything I’ve missed.”

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