Chapter 36: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

Sena was tucked under my arm, trembling as if she was cold. Adrenaline will do that to you when it wears off.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and I pulled her in closer. Needed to feel her pressed against my side. I also needed her to understand something.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

She blinked up at me, her pretty eyes not fully her own. The changes that were happening within her blood were starting to show in more ways than one. Her claws might have disappeared, but her eyes were still more wolf than woman.

“I do mean it.” Her protest was obligatory, and I knew it all too well.

“In fact, I know you don’t. And you don’t need to lie to me, Sena. Valmont tried to hurt you, and he was hurt when you defended yourself. It’s what he gets. There’s nothing you need to apologize for. Nothing you should apologize for. And there’s no one here you need to pretend for.”

She stumbled to a stop, and I gave her a moment to gather herself. “You really don’t want me to ask for forgiveness?”

“I do not.” I shook my head to emphasize that fact, adding for good measure, “No one that matters will expect that from you. They all know that I’ve worked hard to protect the other members of this court from that coward. He hasn’t been allowed a Covenant Partner since I became king because of the way I saw him treat ones he’d been with before. Anyone who counted him as a friend has turned their back on him. And when he dared to touch you, he stepped over a line he knew was very clearly drawn. If you remember nothing else about me, remember this. There’s nothing I won’t do to protect what’s mine. And you, Sena, are mine.”

She wavered on her feet, as if the force of my words physically stunned her. The middle of a corridor was not the place for more of this conversation. We needed quiet and privacy. But first, we both needed to see Danvers.

I bent, scooping her easily into my arms, and striding purposefully away. She gasped, shocked it seemed, but her hands settled around my neck as if they belonged there.

“The infirmary is down that other corridor.”

I smirked down at her, glad some of the confidence she’d gained here was starting to emerge once more. “I’m happy you’ve been paying attention. But we’re not going to the infirmary.”

Her eyes narrowed, and it was easy to see her sorting through the possible destinations. I had a few ideas of my own when it came to carrying her away. But those would have to wait.

We had business to attend to.

And no more secrets to keep.