Page 80 of Fate and Flame
“I want to be sorry but I’m just not,” she laughed.
I nudged him. “Someone has to remind him that he’s mortal.”
“Barely.” He turned back to watch the trainees try their hand at archery.
“Hey guys!” Wren bounded up to us. She was talking to the whole group but only looking at Rhogan.“Ara’s not around right now, but Fen said he could meet with you, if you still want? Otherwise you’ll have to wait for her to get back.”
“The king would be perfect,” Nadra said, smiling sweetly. She knew exactly what she was doing to me.
“He’s in a meeting with Tol . . .” She cleared her throat. “The former king’s closest friend. He can see you after.” Her smile became sad, and I wondered what it felt like to love a king so much you mourned him.
It was beginning to feel like we were puppets on a string being guided this way and that, but as we followed Wren to the castle, the anticipation built. I hadn’t quite decided how much information I would disclose to the new king, but at the very least, he needed to know his mate was in danger. Mortal danger.
“Are you hungry?” Wren asked Rhogan, forgetting we were even near. “Loti has leftovers and Fen might be a little bit.”
“I’m always hungry,” Rhogan answered. His devilish grin left us wondering if he meant for food or other things.
“You guys go ahead,” Nadra offered. “We can wait here until he’s ready.”
“You sure?”
I nodded to Rhogan. He needed no persuasion to follow Wren down the hall.
After only a few minutes, the door opened and King Fenlas and his father’s friend walked out.“Temir. Come in.”
He dipped his chin to Nadra, and she bowed low. I did the same.
“No need for that.” He ran his hand through his dark hair, the strain on his face obvious.
“Is now a bad time? We could come back?” I asked, noting his distressed face.
“No, please, I could use the distraction.”
He welcomed us into a comfortable large office with bookshelves and tapestries lining the walls. He fell onto an oversized chair and we took the couch across from him. The colors were vibrant and cheerful, a direct opposite to the atmosphere the king was creating. His distracted glances and faraway looks reminded me that we were kindred spirits: his mate was away from the castle and he was struggling with it.
“So, she really is your mate?” I asked, his eyes finally meeting mine.
“She is.” He lifted a glass and emptied it in one swallow.
“This is Nadra. We are also mates.”
He looked at her, then back to me, then back to her. “Nadra from the tavern?” He stood.
She pressed her hand to her chest. “I can’t believe you recognize me.”
“Ara’s going to be so surprised.”
“In a good way, I hope,” she answered.
“Of course. Where are you staying?” He crossed the room and filled his glass, and then two others, bringing them and the decanter back on a tray, then handed us each a glass of wine.
The fact that we were just served by the king resonated with me. He was the king but still a male. Still good.
“We’re staying at the refugee compound. Just until we can get some work lined up,” Nadra answered, sipping her wine. I’d almost forgotten this was her natural element. She was not intimidated to stand before important fae and speak of casual things.
“You can stay here,” he offered. “I’m sure the moment Ara knows you’ve come, she won’t settle for anything less. And you know how she is once she’s decided something.”
“Oh, I know.” She laughed.
