Page 19 of Dead

The king lifted his stare. Tears shone in his beautiful, violet eyes. “I’m not leaving until I know he’s safe.”

“I can send word,” Noah said.

“I’m staying… and that’s final.”

“Why do you care?” Irritation filled him. This man, who had refused them both, now refused to give them privacy in the moment they desperately needed it.

“He is in my employ. Wounded in the line of duty.”

“Is that truly all he is to you?” Noah wasn’t in the mood to argue, yet he knew there was more to the king’s refusal to leave. If the man wouldn’t admit their connection, he needed to go.

“He’s the head of my security… he was wounded protecting me. I won’t leave without knowing he’s no longer in danger. That is all.” The king released Eilam’s hand and crossed his arms before him. He leaned back in his chair, away from Eilam.

One of the monitors began to beep lowly.

It was then that Noah wondered if he’d made a mistake. He stared at Eilam’s empty hand for a few seconds, a battle taking place in his mind.

The beep became a wild alarm.

“Hold his hand. Even if it’s only for a few hours.”

The king met Noah’s stare. “What do you mean?”

“Mates lend strength to one another.”

“He’s not my mate.”

“Pretend then,” Noah said, a little more forcefully. “If it saves him, pretend he’s yours.”

The king stared at Eilam’s hand a second before finally untucking his hands and grasping the one on the bed.

Two nurses tore into the room… but then the alarm went off. The nurses remained a moment, apparently waiting to see if the alarm would sound again.

When it didn’t, they finally left.

A tear rolled down the king’s cheek as he lifted Eilam’s hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

“Come back to us, Eilam,” the king whispered.

Noah took Eilam’s other hand and squeezed it. “Hurry, my love.”

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