Page 78 of Bitten

“Not a word,” Cannon whispered as he walked past to talk to Garret.

Both of them looked his way a few seconds later, and Caelian felt sick again. He needed Kane…

Yet feared he’d get them both killed.

He sent up a prayer that Kane stayed as far from him as possible. It broke his heart to think it…

* * * *

Dinner with the king…

Ralnur lifted the fork in one hand and stared at the plate of food, his stomach turning.

“I was told vampires can eat a bit,” his nephew, the king, said from the head of the small table. “I didn’t want you to feel left out.”

Ralnur lifted his stare to Adriel and then to Adriel’s mates—Eilam and Noah. Both shifters watched him closely, as if he’d rush across the table and attempt to murder their mate.

“I haven’t attempted thus far,” he murmured before lifting a small bit of the roasted chicken to his lips. It had been one of his favorite meals served in the castle. He now munched the chewy fibers, the sensation of gagging coming over him. He forced the bite down his throat.

“Delicious,” he fibbed with a smile. All he could see in his mind was Kane. He was starving for the blood in his veins. Not the food on the table. Or the company.

He loved his nephew—but he wasn’t in a mindset for a formal meal with guests in his current state. Yet, he needed to make some appeals, as well. It was now or never.

Adriel smiled before taking another bite himself.

“Eilam, I understand there’s a researcher searching for the being who changed me. Any news?” Ralnur asked, toying with the food on his plate.

“No, but Noah would likely have more information than I. He now runs the King’s Guard—they’re running the investigation.”

“Oh, I didn’t know,” Adriel said, bowing his head slightly at Noah.

Adriel smiled. “I gave him the title of Sergeant at Arms. And then made Eilam the Sheriff of Midnight.”

Ralnur grinned. “Congratulations to you both. You’re more than deserving—and I know the city is safer having you in those positions long held vacant.”

“Thank you,” they both murmured.

Ralnur had only recently met Noah—as the king had kept the shifter at bay in a misguided attempt to ignore his mates. But he’d known Eilam for some time. The male’s hesitancy with him stung a bit.

“Caelian hasn’t found anything yet?” Ralnur asked.

Noah eyed him. “How did you know his name?”

“Something was said in passing, I believe. The guards have been protecting him, as I understand it.”

Noah continued to look at him, apparently sensing he knew more than expected. Oh boy, did he know more than expected.

Ralnur changed to a different subject, but one not too far away from the first. “How is Kane assimilating with his new duties on the guard?”

“Fine,” Noah murmured. “He—along with several others on my taskforce—is doing well. I did read in one report that he stayed with you for some time to remove your chains. Much longer than it should take to remove them.”

Ralnur felt heat coming to his face. “He’s very kind. I like talking to him.”

Adriel stared across the table. “Asking the Halfling vampire related questions, are we?”

“Something like that,” Ralnur said. “I don’t have much knowledge on the creature I now am.”

“I can’t imagine having to drink blood to survive,” Adriel said, lowering his fork. “Nasty business, that.”

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