Chapter 28: Sena - Fated to the Night King

Staring up at the tall shelves, I soaked in the sight of all the books that filled the space. A fire crackled in the hearth and there was a plush upholstered chair and ottoman with a blanket draped over the back. As if it were waiting for someone to curl up into the softness and relax.

"This is amazing." I breathed the words, not sure what else I could manage to say.

"Another one of our prizes, in my opinion." Alkan's deep voice shook me free of the reverie that had descended. "The stories here have been collected from as far away as you can imagine."

"Glory would love this." The words were out before I could stop them, and I flinched, afraid I'd revealed too much of my previous life.

Alkan surprised me, though. "Glory must be a good friend of yours. Gus mentioned that you were asking for her when she first sat with you."

I nodded. "She is. More than a friend, though. She's been a mother to me. In her own way."

"Ah, much like the Goddess you worship?" He asked the question smoothly, and there was no way to hide my flinch.

Or my answer.

"No. Nothing like the Goddess."

He didn't chastise me or probe further. Instead, he simply nodded like he understood and pointed toward the shelves rising up to the ceiling.

"Which would you like to read? We can have any you choose sent to my quarters. For you to enjoy there."

He led me around the room, pointing out tomes that were his favorite, telling me about the places they'd been found. I was so enamored by the stories that I halted when Gus stepped into the room. She gave me a warm smile.

"Hello again, Sena. I hope you've had a lovely day. Did you enjoy the garden as much as I expected?"

"Oh yes, thank you. It was wonderful." I hesitated and Alkan stepped into the space.

"Setting us up next to the night jasmine was a bit of a trick, though. You know how the fragrance can effect people."

Gus grinned. "So I've heard, though it's never had such an effect on me. Just a pleasant bit of scent is all I get. Though my man does seem to enjoy it."

She gave me a devilish look and then bowed her head slightly in Alkan's direction. "Danvers asked me to find you. He's ready for you both."

Worry spiked in my belly and I saw Alkan take a protective step toward me. Gus noticed as well.

"Don't worry. Danvers is quite talented. He'll be sure to tell you everything he's doing and why. Before you know it, he'll have you right as roses again."

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I took a shaky breath, appreciating the soothing presence of Alkan so close to me. "I’m sure it will be fine. I agreed to this, after all."

Gus gave a shrewd look between me and Alkan, then a satisfied nod. "Of course it will be fine. And Alkan will accompany you there. You won't be alone in this, I promise."

She turned and exited the library, throwing one last comment over her shoulder. "And your earlier request was received, sir. We've done as you asked. You should find it all as you wished to be."

I didn't have a clue what she was referring to but didn't have a chance to ask.

"Thank you, Gus. It's appreciated. We'll be on our way to Danvers now."

"As you wish, my King." She dipped into what might have been a low curtsy and then waved at me. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Sena."

I murmured my thanks and waited as Alkan made a quick note on a pad of paper that he'd produced from his tunic pocket.

"Don't tell anyone." he said with a wink. "Writing down the things that must be done helps me keep it all straight. Though most here think I just have a very impressive memory. It's a fiction I see no harm in allowing. Better that they believe I remember everything rather than think they have the luxury of me forgetting something awful they've done."

He said it so lightly that I took it for the joke he seemed to mean. A beat of teasing, but also a hint at his own vulnerability. I knew how people felt about Thalon, their fear that he'd require them to answer for any number of sins they'd committed. All of which he seemed to remember easily. A blessing from the Goddess, he'd claim, I was sure. Alkan's own court, it seemed, were sure he was just as omnipotent. But he wasn't afraid to reveal the cracks in the facade to me.

He was their king, and yet, most of the people I'd met today didn't seem terrified to be in his presence. There were some who were cautious, others who appeared to want to lean in and curate closeness with him, even when he maintained a respectful distance. The only one who had inspired any threatening response from Alkan had been Valmont.

Leah's warning made sense when I encountered the man myself. Even just sharing space with him made me wish I could wash away his presence. The lingering looks, the sarcasm and veiled threats that had coated every word he spoke, that had confirmed the caution I'd been told to have. That man was dangerous.

I didn't think for a second that Alkan wasn't dangerous, as well. But from all I'd seen, the threat he represented was different. It wasn't hidden or covered by sugary words, promises he didn't intend to keep. The danger was there for all to see. Violate his rules, betray an agreement you'd made with him, and there would be payment required. The words he'd spoken about the queen he'd killed. That sometimes justice demanded blood.

I believed that in the very depths of my heart.

Someday, justice would be required of Thalon.

And there was no way I could see that justice would be achieved without his blood being spilled. But if Hugh was the one to act, to emerge victorious from that retribution, I shuddered at what he would do as the Alpha. Build upon all the horrors his own father had committed and expand on them. That was likely.

Which left the only question to be answered. What can you do when there's no one you can trust to gain the justice needed and offer the kind of leadership that would refuse to exact the same atrocities to strengthen their own base of power?

I didn't have an answer to that. I knew Glory didn't either. Not yet. And there was little I could do from here to change that.

Thalon sent me here to serve his purpose. But perhaps, by working with Alkan as I'd agreed, the solution I needed would present itself.