Page 40 of Blood of Two Crowns

“I’d like to?—

“I’d like to?—

Nakoa gestured for me to continue.

“Look, I… I’m assuming that you’re aware of what occurred between Mareina and me recently?”

Nakoa features tightened. “How could I not?”

I nodded, failing to swallow back my guilt. The words burst from me, all at once alleviating a portion of the last several days’ worth of anxiety.“I’m sorry.”

Nakoa remained silent, his expression unreadable.

“I should have come to you first.”

Nakoa gradually nodded. “I understand why you didn’t... I recognized, far too late, that I allowed prejudice to influence me toward my ownsoulbound.I failed as a mate. I failed to treat her with the reverence and love she deserves, and that’s no one’s fault but my own. And considering how things ended here when we overcame Zurie…”

Nakoa shook his head, gaze dipping to the floor as his eyes began to glisten. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.”

Nakoa’s shame was palpable as his hands fisted at his sides as if to stifle the saline swelling in his eyes. I stepped forward, laying a cautious hand on his shoulder.

“It takes strength and resilience to forgive, and Mareina is the strongest and most resilient person I’ve ever known. I have no doubt that her love for you won’t be burdened by resentment. All we need to do is get her back.”

Nakoa’s watery gaze held mine, jaw flexing. “You’re right. On all counts.”

My hand lingered on his shoulder, squeezing, as a tugging in my chest took residence as if I were being pulled toward him with the compulsion tohughim.

Nakoa exhaled a deep breath, rubbing his eyes with thumb and forefinger. “Do you prefer I open your gift now, or later?”

My hand released him as the momentary window to embrace him closed. “Now, if you like.”

Nakoa tugged the bow loose, unfurling the linen wrapping to reveal my gift. His jaw dropped. I couldn’t help but feel a slight swell of pride at his reaction. My beast huffed. Being so possessive over Mareina, he hadn’t been entirely on board with my idea.

Nakoa studied me with keen eyes as if somehow seeingthroughme.I could see the question forming on his lips just as someone knocked on the bathroom door, followed by the sound Lokus’ voice.

“Are we fucking or fighting because either way, I want in.”

Mine and Nakoa’s eyes met as we shared a huffed laugh.

A grin split Nakoa’s face as he called out his reply. “Sorry, mate. We’ve run out of lube already.”

Oh my gods…

My eyes scanned the floor for my jaw becausedid he just make a joke?

Surprise had me frozen in place as Nakoa turned his grin on me, softened by sincerity. “Thank you, Malekai. I needed that.”

He clapped me on the back as he squeezed past me and opened the door. My eyes flicked to hisolana kah’hei, all of whom were openly staring. Pomona gave me an excited little wave from where she was perched on the pedestal as Bernard finished her dress. She blushed slightly when I grinned back. Famei huffed a laugh, tilting his head toward me in acknowledgement.

Though I had grown no small amount of affection towards hisolana kah’hei,I hadn’t yet earned their loyalty. Nor Nakoa’s, for that matter. The realization that Iwantedto felt like a slap to the face. The good kind.

Nakoa turned back towards me, holding up my gift. “Would you mind?”

Some strange emotion clogged my throat, forcing me to clear it. “Sure…”

“It’s for protection.”

Rumiel appeared at the doorway, silent, as per usual, peering down at the gift. His lips parted in surprise before his gaze snapped to mine, and the gratitude lighting them was unmistakable.

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