Page 52 of Own To Obsess

Kardos growled low and long. He couldn't be seen as underhanded in the eyes of the high chief or his people. Everything about his ascension had to be above board. “Leave, let me think,” he muttered to Zolt.

As Zolt left, he headed toward the cabinet that held his fevermalt, but as he reached for it he decided not to drink. A clear head was necessary in order to find a way to win now. There were very specific circumstances allowing an ascension to high chief without winning the Year of Selection, but he’d never looked at those options because he’d always been sure he would win.

It shocked him that he had let time run away from him. The seat was always at the forefront of his mind, but when with Shaya, it was as though it faded into the background. That had never, ever happened before. There was something different about spending time with his mate… He couldn't quite place the feeling because he’d never thought about it, but it was deeply special.

Shaya had largely recovered, although she was extremely self-conscious about her lack of hair. It had been neatened and shaped, and she was continuing to treat it and wrap it the way she always had. She still looked gorgeous, and he told her so every day. She had taken to visiting the sled-dogs to feed them and learn about their behaviors with the kennel master, who explained how their temperaments fostered their abilities. She then wanted to learn about the commands they understood as well as groom them.

Kardos couldn't see what the intrigue was about it—he never considered that Shaya would be interested in animals—but he quickly realized that the sled-dogs provided a sense of freedom; they were a symbol she could appreciate.

Kardos paced his study in deep thought, trying to think of a way he could somehow amplify the progress he had made in the next two weeks and still win. It was possible to build a temporary birthing center in that time, or send his tribe over the known Lands to collect whatever the potionists needed, but the sled-dogs needed time and attention and care. It wasn't possible to find ways or solutions to solve that problem in two weeks. Making progress with two out of the three areas was good but it wasn’t guaranteed he would still beat Rhaad—there was no room for error.

Desperate, he once again sought advice from the traditional parchments of the Isles. There had to be a way for a shinno, who knew he was the rightful high chief, to bypass the Year of Selection. There were times in history when Year of Selection fell when the “right person” was too young or too old, and something always came to light allowances that ensured that the high chief's seat always went to the correct candidate.

He spent the afternoon studying and analyzing the parchments and finally, as the skies began to darken, he found a solution. The method would guarantee him the seat no matter what the other shinnos did, but it would most certainly cause discomfort… and not just for him.

He put the documents away and made his way to his bedroom where Shaya was sleeping. She had begun to decorate their room to her own liking and had decided her next project was to do the whole hut. She hadn't yet returned to traveling in a carriage, but he was beginning to see encouraging signs that Shaya was settling. Just earlier that day she’d asked for something called a “mixing desk” to formulate her own potions. He’d also promised her a garden to grow her own plants, and her grin was so bright he had to have those lips on him immediately.

He approached their bed to see her curled up, hugging the pillow and pressing her nose into it, the way she liked to sleep on him. She looked so sweet and adorable surrounded by his pillows, but she had true strength within her—it was the only reason he knew he could use the method he’d discovered.

He slid into bed next to her and pulled her onto his chest, savoring her gorgeous scent and loving the way she settled into her usual position without even needing to open her eyes. A quiet peace descended on him, and suddenly he realized that it was similar to when he spent time with her watching the ocean, similar to the feeling of Az Eshra. There was something that simply happened when they were together; it had to be because they were true mates.

The realization of that settled his mind about what he had to do. They belonged together, nothing could change that. Their relationship had developed and strengthened; he was sure she would understand his choice.

If he was going to get the seat, it was the only way.

CHAPTER TEN

SHAYA

Shaya sat on the edge of the bench in the carriage, her mind whirling. Something felt wrong about what was happening, but she tried to reassure herself that it would be fine.

Kardos had taken her to Nyek port on his tobo and kissed her, saying he needed her to be somewhere and his tribesman would take her the rest of the way, but the look in his eyes… it didn’t sit well with her. The bond was strange as well. Since their time together at his private temple, the bond had truly flourished. It became like a beast in her chest, bristling when annoyed and quietly rippling when content. Shaya found that she enjoyed the feeling, and loved the idea that Kardos was so close to her all the time. But right now, there was a fluctuation in it that she hadn’t felt before.

She’d tried to question him, but he simply said that he knew she was strong and she would be fine going to this place without her.

“But why can’t you tell me where is it?” she asked as he led her down to the boat.

“I can’t.”

When he didn’t elaborate, she shot him a look but he drew her in close for a kiss. “I will see you soon,” he murmured.

She kissed him back and sighed as his arms wound around her.

“Before you go,” Kardos said, pulling away from her. “Tell me if you remember anything about who attacked you. Anything at all, Shaya.”

Shaya exhaled and shook her head. She couldn’t tell him about that woman. At least not yet. “Only that there were two of them. One was a man and the second, the one who did the cutting, was a woman.”

Kardos exhaled in frustration. “I would suspect your handmaid. She may blame you for her imprisonment. But she hasn’t had access to anyone to arrange something like that.”

Shaya started, pulling away from him. “Who? Are you talking about Treska?”

“Yes, she has been imprisoned for treason. I know you considered her your friend but she has now twice shown disobedience.”

“How?” she asked. “She is the most obedient person I know!”

“She came to the hut and told you about your future before I had the chance to,” Kardos growled. “She attempted to turn you against me and—”

“No,” Shaya blurted out. “That wasn’t Treska!”

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