Page 12 of Own To Obsess

His eyes swept the room and landed firmly on the high chief. He looked as though he wanted to bellow but remained quiet for a long moment. “I searched the temple twice over, my chief,” he said through gritted teeth. “Is there a reason you chose this hidden room?”

The high chief didn’t even look at Kardos. “I forgot to ask if you desired a cup, Katashaya,” he said calmly, gesturing to the fevvoli teapot. “Please excuse my rudeness.”

Shaya glanced at the high chief, but Kardos lurched forward, reaching for her.

“You will not touch her,” the high chief said sternly.

To Shaya’s amazement, Kardos froze.

The high chief lifted the fevvoli teapot. “You know the rules of the blessing ritual, Shinno Kardos,” he said, pouring tea. “You will abide them or your blessing will be automatically nullified.”

Kardos glared at him as he straightened, but the high chief still didn’t look at him.

“Tea?” he offered Shaya.

Shaya couldn’t concentrate while Kardos was in the room. That bold, oppressive energy that emanated from him distracted her even more now the claw of the bond dug deep into her chest telling her that her Alpha was present, deserving of her attention. He was needing something… craving something… but the feelings in her chest felt too strange, too distorted for her to decipher exactly what it was.

“Tea, Katashaya?” the high chief asked again after a moment.

Kardos finally looked at her, and his stance relaxed a little. As soon as his eyes landed on her, a thrill crawled over her body and the need for him to touch her rose in a jagged rush.

“She dislikes fevvoli, my chief,” Kardos said calmly, breaking eye contact with her as he moved to stand behind her.

The high chief raised his brow pointedly at Shaya. “Why?”

“She believes it tastes bland.”

Shaya was shocked. She remembered saying that to him one of the mornings she made the tea for him on his ship, but he had cut her off with a kiss and then pulled her onto his lap and took her right there at the table. It was hard to believe he even remembered she’d said it.

The high chief was looking at her with a slightly amused expression. “Then what is her preferred drink?” he asked, his eyes still on her.

“Pineberry nectar.”

The high chief raised his brows again in question and Shaya had to nod. That had been her preferred drink on the boat, she had even asked Treska for more of it. That must be how he knew.

“And her preferred meal?”

“Golden bean stew.”

Shaya had to nod again at the high chief but she didn’t know how Kardos knew that one. She’d never mentioned enjoying that meal to Treska.

The high chief nodded in acknowledgment and then proceeded to sip his tea slowly.

Long moments passed in silence as he sipped, the only sound in the room being his gentle slurp and the beating of Shaya’s heart in her ears. She desperately wanted to turn and look at Kardos, but the anticipation that something was supposed to happen—that he was waiting for something—hung in the air.

Finally the high chief lifted his gaze to Kardos behind her. “I do not have to tell you I have reservations about this union.”

Shaya could almost feel Kardos tense and she was surprised herself. Hadn’t the high chief just been assuring her that she belonged here? Had he meant she belonged in the Isles but not with Kardos?

“You already have a one-way bond and not only is it an outstanding point of contention within your pairing, it is also something the rest of the Isle takes issue with. I cannot ignore their concerns.” His eyes dropped to Shaya. “However, after spending a little time with Katashaya, I am encouraged that this pairing could be great.” He looked back up to Kardos. “So make it great.”

“Without your blessing?” Kardos asked. He spoke on an even tone, but Shaya heard the note of disbelief in his voice.

“Yes.”

“The bond has already been made, my chief,” Kardos said stiffly. “Without your blessing how can it become great? The rest of the Isles won’t accept it.”

“That is my decision,” the chief said calmly.

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