Page 34 of Bitten

“After that successful raid on the nest where you were found, I welcomed all of Noah’s taskforce onto the King’s Guard.” Adriel turned to eye the man behind him, a soft, seductive smile on his lips.

Ah, this must be Eilam’s brother bear, Noah. Adriel’s other mate.

The king turned back. “The males on that team had proven themselves in battle—and Eilam has been nagging me about growing their number for months. I finally relented.”

Ralnur smiled. “I’ve heard that’s not all you relented in.”

Adriel’s face reddened some. He reached back and took one of Noah’s hands. “No. It’s not.”

“Congratulations,” Ralnur murmured, smiling. He turned to Noah and smiled again. Noah bowed slightly, but remained silent.

Adriel returned the smile before it faded some. “Thank you… but I didn’t come here to share news about my mating.”

“I didn’t expect so.” Ralnur steeled himself, knowing his end was near. Earlier, he would’ve welcomed that. Now…

“Have you remembered anything else?” Adriel asked, tilting his head some. He looked so much like his father, Theral—and so much like Ralnur, too.

The truth was on his lips. He loved his nephew, and he had no desire to lie or withhold. But until he knew more about Kane, he feared sharing too much. The lie he spoke nearly made him sick. “No. Nothing.”

Adriel’s stare searched his. “When I decided not to allow you to be changed into a vampire, I did so out of compassion. As it was the law, and the thought of forcing you to become one of these creatures… I made that heartbreaking decision.”

“And I fully agreed with you.”

Adriel smiled grimly. “I won’t make it again. I can’t. It was one thing to withhold care. To execute my own flesh and blood—when I don’t believe you wanted this curse—I can’t do that.”

Ralnur looked down, a part of him disappointed. But his mind went to Kane… and whoever that shadow lover had been… and another part of him found hope.

Hope there could be a way out.

In his condition, hope was a dangerous thing. He was the undead, evil incarnate. There was no happy ending for someone like him.

“I’ve set up a suite of rooms for you in the castle. They’re warded—like your room here—and you won’t be able to do any magic. A team of private healers and nurses has been hired to care for you… until the investigation is complete.”

“And when the investigation is complete?” Ralnur asked.

Adriel sighed. “I’ll face that when it comes. Until then, I wish for you to be close. I love you, uncle. And I won’t have you here alone, worried about what comes next.”

“No, I can just be alone in a suite in the castle, worried about what comes next.”

Adriel cringed slightly. “You’ll be home. In the place where you were born. With your family.”

Theis slipped back into the room and took up guard behind the king.

“Varian?” Ralnur asked. His son had made a stupid decision—but he’d made it out of love. He feared for his boy’s life…

“I still haven’t decided what to do about his act of treason—but he’ll be moved to the dungeons below the castle. I’ll allow you two to visit from time to time for now—supervised, of course.”

Ralnur bowed his head. “I cannot wish for more, Your Majesty.”

Theis eyed Ralnur. “Have you shared your request with our king?”

Ralnur eyed the guardsman, knowing he should. He should pray for a quick and painless death.

But now…

Kane… the vampire filled his every thought. Half of him wanted to rip the Halfling in two. The other half… wanted Kane to rip him apart. In bed. The lust he felt was enough to make him feel like he was drowning in the desire.

“What request?” Adriel asked, tilting his head.

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