Page 164 of Mated to the Kings

“Well...” I say. “Thank you for not raping me. I guess. Is that why you look scared?”

“That and the kings look like they’re going to maul me,” he says.

“They won’t,” I smile. “They’re just being protective.”

“I understand,” Alasdair says. “I apologize for not finding a way to help you.”

“You saved yourself. That’s what’s important,” I say. “The fact you didn’t come to that house and rape me is more than enough for me. Thank you for being honest.”

“You’re welcome, Your Majesty,” he says, bowing his head with a nod.

“Anything else, guys? Everything running smoothly?” Callum asks.

“We are integrating our rescues back into society. Many of them are reluctant yet, but they are all welcoming of the change,” Draik says.

“It will take time,” Daemon says.

“They are welcome to come see us anytime they wish if they need reassurance of the situation,” I say.

“I’ll let them know,” Draik says with a smile.

“What is happening with Fermin?” Arenie asks.

“I know you, don’t I?” I say.

“We grew up in the same orphanage,” she says.

“Oh shit. You were the one who almost got assigned to Zypher,” I say.

“Indeed. I was supposed to, but he…” She starts.

“What?” I ask.

“Zypher specified that he wanted an untouched maiden,” she says. “I had a boyfriend at seventeen that made it to where Zypher didn’t want me as his maiden.”

“Ah. That’s creepy,” I say. “But to answer your question, Fermin will be executed today.”

She nods and says, “His family has expressed that they do not wish to be responsible for his body after his death.”

“He will be cremated then,” I say simply, and she nods.

“Anything else?” Damon asks, and everyone shakes their heads. “Okay. So that we don’t have to go through this explanation twice, we encourage everyone to be present for the news conference to know what exactly happened last week.”

“I’m going to go next door to see Fermin,” I say to my mates.

“Do you want us to come with you?” Kael asks.

“Uhm… sure. I want to talk to him myself, though.”

“Okay. Let’s go then,” Daemon says before turning to my family. “We will see you out front.”

We walk next door to the jail. Fermin is being held in a solitary cell with a guard. My mates wait at the door while I go down to his cell. Down here they can’t hear me talking. I don’t mind if they hear me, but I don’t want Fermin knowing that they’re here. I want him to think it’s just him and me.

When I get to his cell, he’s lying on his cot with a book. He’s been cut off from the world, so he has no idea that I’m alive. “Good book?” I ask.

Fermin looks up and the color from his face instantly drains. He jumps up from the bed, dropping his book. “L-Lilith,” he stammers. “You’re here.”

“I am,” I say simply. I move to the door and slip the key to his cell into the lock. When it clicks open, he moves to back himself into the corner. I grab a chair from outside his cell to sit just inside the door. I want us to talk face-to-face.

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