THE KING'S SLAVE BRIDE

A LOVER?

NA’IMAH

By the end of the week, Kaedyr had kept to his side of the bargain and my people had been moved from the camp outside the forest to a dormitory that looked like it had been built not too long ago. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve said he built the dormitory with my people in mind, or he had planned to give it to us all along, but I knew better and that Lycan Alpha doesn’t do anything unless it benefits him. With the way he hastened the transition between leaving the camp and moving everyone here, I almost thought he was doing it because of his eagerness to get things going and have the ceremony as quickly as possible.

But then again, this is Kaedyr we are talking about. I am but a thorn in his side and I know there’s no way in hell he is excited about this entire situation. “How did you convince them to do this?” Jodi asked, walking up behind me.

I asked her to come with me so we could inspect the dormitory together and see if everyone had a little bit of everything to at least make them comfortable. The discussion with my people about going to the palace had gone easier than I thought. I didn't tell them the whole truth. I had to tell them that the king claimed he had taken some liking to me and that is why I would be moving into the palace as his consort. But they weren't children. It was obvious in their eyes that they knew why I had agreed to whatever deal I was offered. And they knew I was doing it at a cost. I was glad that they didn't try to press me on the matter or demand more answers. They also did not look at me with disgust like I thought they would. Even though it doesn't alleviate the guilt on my conscience, at least this is progress from what they have been subjected to in the past months, all because of my mistake.

“I told them I wouldn’t proceed with anything until they did this.”

Jodi stared dumbfounded. “And they agreed, just like that?”

I shrugged. “They need an heir. The Queen Dowager said something about appearances and the importance of showing the outside world that the throne and royal family had stability.”

“So you’re going to be his queen? They’ll crown you?”

Shaking my head as we turned another corner of the hallway. “No, the big oaf says I am not worthy to sit next to him as his queen. Apparently I’ll have the title of royal consort, and I’ll have the west end of the palace to myself.”

“Oh, I see,” Jodi mumbled in a quiet voice.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look so sullen?”

“It’s just—” she sighed. “I just realised you’ll be gone soon, and I don’t know what to do without you here.”

I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me.

“It’s not funny,” Jodi grumbled and I nodded.

“I know it’s not. But you do realize that you’re coming with me, right?” She stopped walking abruptly, turning to me with glossy eyes.

“What?!”

“Did you really think I’d leave you here all by yourself? Come on, you know me better than that.”

“I… I wasn’t sure if they would let you bring anyone else into the palace.”

“If I had to move heaven and earth to bring you with me, I would’ve done so in a heartbeat,” I told her. Tears clouded her eyes as she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

“I love you. I love you,” she chanted over and over again.

“I love you too,” I whispered, patting her back gently. She eventually pulled apart from the hug and I leaned over to kiss her temple.

“Hmmm, how come I wasn’t privy to the knowledge of you having a lover?” Kaedyr’s grating voice came out of nowhere, and his pheromones bounced off the air in angry waves.