Page 48 of The Crownless King
Amaya took a deep breath and rubbed a circle around her temples. Paul wouldn’t be satisfied until Levi yanked his heart from his chest.
“That’s funny. Did he tell the elders that we are in the position we’re in because he stole from King Levi and tried to sell the item to the Buru?”
“What?!” Sophia threw her hands up in shock. “What did he steal?”
Amaya shook her head. “It’s not my place to tell King Levi’s business. But because of Uncle Paul’s actions, Buru were spotted at our house more than once. If anything, King Levi is keeping my mother and I safe.”
Saying it out loud gave Amaya pause. She didn’t know if the Buru were still circling their house, but regardless, she felt safe at Levi’s compound. She and her mother were well taken care of, and despite Levi’s reputation, nothing had happened to Amaya that would justify getting him in any type of trouble with her family’s elders.
What did that mean?
She was softening on the idea of staying with Levi. When was the last time she’d asked him to let her go? Even when he’d given her a chance to do so?
“So, the rumors that King Levi has a piece of the Akachi are not true?”
Amaya fought to keep her face from betraying her and in turn Levi.
Sophia removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “Amaya. I don’t have to tell you how this all looks.”
“King Levi saved our lives,” was her answer to that.
“I would hope that you, of all people, understand the danger that poses to not just King Levi, but anyone around him. I’ll let you keep his confidence, but if it is true, then please talk him into bringing it here.”
“Taking on the Buru can’t be an easy job. I can understand if he thought having the extra power was worth it.”
And now she was full-on defending him. But she couldn’t tell her boss that she’d already offered to shield the Akachi for the king without admitting that he was in possession of a piece of the meteorite.
Sophia’s hand cupped her own chin as she looked away in thought. After a few moments of silence, she turned back to Amaya.
“In that case, shielding it would protect Levi and the Bayi under him.”
Amaya nodded, understanding what Sophia was saying.
Her boss sighed. “So, then I don’t have to worry about you? How is Ms. Anita?”
“My mother is fine. Better than fine, actually. I don’t know what it is about the Bayi compound, but she has more lucid days than not.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea, Amaya? Your family has offered to take you and your mother in.”
Amaya bit her lip. This was where it got tricky. Before, pride had kept her from accepting her family’s help, but now, with how well she and Levi were getting along and Anita’s improving health, she didn’t want to risk going to their family’s compound.
“All my life, mom has stressed how much she never wanted to go back to the family compound. I don’t think I could do that to her.”
Sophia nodded and sat back. “Stress can make her condition worse.”
“Exactly. At the Bayi compound there are some days mama feels like her old self.”
Her boss frowned. “One would think that being in the middle of a coven of vampires would stress her more. You know how the Chawi are about vampires and witches mingling.”
“Trust me, I understand the risk.”
Sophia leaned forward and rested her chin in her hand again. “Is there a possibility of you mating with King Levi?”
Her cheeks heated at the blunt question. “I’ve explained to the king the outcome of something like that happening.”
“That’s not a no, Amaya,” Sophia said softly.
“It’s all the answer I can give you. The way we met…it’s not something that’s conducive to mating. And besides, I have no desire to add a curse on top of all this other business.”
