Page 232 of A Warrior's Fate

But that smile on his face—joyous but edged with nerves—it wasn’t just nothing.

If she was anyone else, she may have called the alpha smitten.

And with the way her stomach fluttered and heart gave an unsteady beat, she would say she was, too.

Isla didn’t care that people were watching, that she and Kai had agreed to keep the rest of the romantic gestures to a minimum—for the sake of their sanity and to temper rumors. Maybe it was the alcohol or Fate pushing at her back, but she leaned forward. Kai moved, too. Her lips met his in a kiss, soft and sweet and soothing. Simple.

A promise. An always. Until they reached eternity and carried through it.

They didn’t say anything as they sat back in their seats, aloud or through the bond. They didn’t look out to the rest of the tavern. They ignored the whispers, the gasps, the questions. Not inquiring if they were fated—that was still too farfetched—but if the alpha had found someone who he’d want to take as his queen. Their queen.

Isla took in a deep breath and tried to force her shoulders back. To sit tall and proud and regal as she’d seen Zahra. As she’d seen Imperial Luna Marlane. Seen Kai. Seen Adrien.

But it was unfamiliar territory. Not a battlefield or ballroom where she could hide amongst comrades or a crowd. The phantom crown she bore now left her open and exposed, and she didn’t know how to navigate the path it presented.

Her heart leaped into a gallop, her breathing just a bit shallower…

And then there was a chip in front of her face.

Isla met Kai’s eyes, his raised brows.

The food was his offer. A distraction. Along with the silent words, “You’re fine.”

She took both the encouragement and the food.

As she chewed, she couldn’t hold back the urge to glance over at her friend again. Kai didn’t try to stop her.

Adrien had danced with that woman for a few songs, and now the pair had retired to have their drinks on Kai’s tab alone at a small table by the unlit fireplace. Isla wished she could hear what they were saying. Wished she knew this woman’s name. Who she was at all.

What was Adrien telling her that was making her laugh so hard? What had her occasionally brushing her hand over his arm, his leg, picking something Isla couldn’t see out of his hair?

“Isla.”

Now Kai butt in through a laugh.

Isla realized her features were screwed up tight, and she lacked any sense of subtlety.

Facing Kai again, she took a chip from the plate. “I’m…protective.”

“Oh, are you?”

Isla glared at him.

Kai only smiled. “I thought you wanted him to enjoy himself?”

“I do.”

“So, what’s wrong?”

Isla sighed. “I don’t—where’s he going?”

She hadn’t been able to resist another look and now caught Adrien standing, excusing himself, and beginning to meander through the crowd. When he reached the tavern’s exit, he didn’t bother glancing back before he went outside.

Isla looked at his companion who hadn’t budged an inch. She only sat, sipping on her drink. Whatever Adrien’s reasoning for going, one of them wasn’t them “getting out of there”.

Isla’s feet were on the ground in an instant, and Kai’s hand was on her arm just as fast. He appeared as confused as she did, and maybe a bit disturbed.

How far did Kai’s trust go exactly when it came to Io’s Heir?

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