Page 52 of Dark Prince's Mate

This time, I manage to dissolve the archway without breaking into a sweat.I’m surprised to find Vitai there, having breakfast with our guests.Karl has joined them too.They’re seated on cushions around a flat rock on which a spread of dishes is set out.From the way everyone is laughing at what Vitai has just said, he’s doing a good job of entertaining them.

They look up when I enter.

“Elsie,” Sandy, who sits next to Vitai, exclaims.“I thought Vitai just opened the wall for another server.He hasn’t stopped feeding us.You have no idea how glad I am that it’s you.”She jabs Vitai with an elbow.“You could’ve told me Elsie was here before you let her in.”

Oops.I was so excited to test my new powers that I didn’t think before I opened the archway.

Vitai frowns at me, but I simply shrug without correcting Sandy or explaining that I opened the wall.

“Sorry I took so long.”I give her an apologetic smile.“We had an emergency.”

Sandy pushes to her feet.She’s wearing a blue dress that compliments her eyes and complexion, and with her hair hanging in waves around her shoulders, she looks gorgeous, a far cry from the dirty woman with the dull hair and sunken eyes I met at the Phaelix settlement.It warms my heart to see her appearing so healthy and radiant.

“Are you okay, hun?”She eyes me with worry.“Vitai told us about the rockslides.And was that a sun flare that happened just before?”

“Yes, but everyone is fine.”Not wanting to linger on the subject in case they’re wondering about the cause of the disaster, I address Vitai.“I didn’t know you speak English.”

“I asked Kian to help me so that we”—he motions around the table—“could understand each other.He got the skill from Sandy’s mind and gave it to me.”

Why would he go to so much effort?He didn’t have to.

I study him more closely.“It’s kind of you to keep them company.”

His smile is neutral, giving nothing away.

Sandy takes my hand and pulls me to the table.“Have you eaten?”

“Yes, thanks.”The memory of the agreeable breakfast I shared with Aruan only acts as a magnifying glass on the unpleasant way we parted.“Do you need anything?”

Alexa sits back on her heels.“Everyone has been very kind.Clothes were sent, and food is delivered regularly.Vitai has been very accommodating too.He’s been telling us interesting stories about his fishing adventures.”

Irina grins.“Like the time a finned dragon took his bait and dragged him with his fishing rod and all into the water.”She turns to Vitai.“But you didn’t finish the story.What happened after you fell into the lake?”

Vitai chuckles.“I was lucky I made it out alive.Those finned dragons aren’t fussy eaters.If I didn’t have the presence of mind to grab my basket of bait when she took off with me, she probably would’ve taken a bite out of me.Instead, she went after the bait and swallowed everything whole, including the basket.”

Eucabeth stares at him with a doting expression, hanging on his every word.When he meets her gaze, a blush tints her cheeks pink.

When she catches me looking at her, she averts her eyes and stands.“Would you like a seat, Elsie?You can have mine.”

Her voice is gentle and melodic.It suits her.I’m so happy and grateful Vitai healed her.A lump lodges in my throat just from hearing her speak.

I swallow my untimely emotionality down.“I actually came to invite you for a walk.”

At that, everyone’s eyes light up.They’re on their feet in an instant.

“We can’t go far,” I warn, but they’re already dashing for their shoes that are lined up next to the archway, not paying me any heed.

Vitai, left on his own at the table, unfolds his tall body and stands unhurriedly, stretching to his full impressive height.

Not wanting to be rude, I ask, “Would you like to join us?”I did interrupt their breakfast, and he’s been nice to my uninvited guests.

Eucabeth gives him a soft smile, her doe-like, ochre-brown eyes sparkling.

Is her reaction what I think it is?I hope she’s not falling for Vitai.He must have a destined mate.Eucabeth knows as well as anyone here the Alit don’t mate with humans.She was present when Sandy mentioned the conversation she overheard between the Alit and the Phaelix.I’ll have to remind Eucabeth of this.I’d hate for her to get hurt, especially after everything she’s suffered.

“Please, do,” Sandy says to Vitai.She adds with a wink, “You can protect us if there’s danger.”

The corner of Vitai’s mouth lifts.“Who am I to deny a lady’s request?”

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