Chapter 34: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

Escorting Sena to meet with Danvers was a difficult task. Every part of me ached to snatch her back into my arms, carry her back to my room, and finish what she'd unknowingly started. Her instincts were coming back to her, that much was clear. The first moments of her waking were lost in sensation. Scent, taste, touch. She'd been overwhelmed by them.

And I wasn't the kind of bastard who would take advantage of such a thing.

Though watching her come apart simply from the press of my leg against her center made me want so much more.

And I knew that for our bond to solidify, to remain healthy, it needed to happen.

But I could wait for that. The last thing I wanted was to frighten her away. She needed to understand what was happening between us. And even more importantly, she needed to see what we were trying to accomplish here.

That had to be my focus for now.

Danvers had been surprised by my rush to leave, and I'm sure he would have questions for me. But as it was, I needed to go over the requests submitted for Covenant Night. New partnerships required my approval, and it always made me happy when people in my court asked for covenant extensions. Gus was among those who'd found what she referred to as her forever love among the Night Court. A man who treated her with kindness and care, exactly as she deserved.

As all deserved.

It hadn't always been that way among my kind. Which was why we fought so hard to keep the Covenant Nights tradition. Before that, under the prior Queen, such unions had been rare. Abuse, power plays, even blackmail had driven rifts through the court. Had led to many innocents dead at my hand.

When I took the crown, I swore to remake this court from its very foundation.

I had to be true to that.

A knock at the door to my study had me calling "Enter" before I thought twice. I regretted it as soon as Valmont stepped inside, that smirk he always wore, present.

"My King," he said, his tone mocking and matching the laughable bow he acted out. "I thought it best to present my covenant partnership to you in person."

"You can simply hand it to me, Valmont. Everyone else submits in writing without a chance to plead their case. You can do the same."

He sneered at that, rolling his eyes. "Oh, yes. No favoritism among the Night Court. Though, one could say you've already violated those terms. Your friendship with those who aren't even Istakarran haven't gone unnoticed."

"If you're speaking of Danvers and Augusta, they've both shown their commitment and devotion to all within the court. They've earned their place here. Their expertise and knowledge is the reason why they act as advisors in their areas. If there's knowledge you've not yet shared with me, I'd be happy to hear it." I left the words hanging, without softening their intended blow. The man wasn't among the few voices that earned my attention. That was a fact that grated on him. I knew that without any doubt.

Anger flashed across his face. "There are signs, my King," he said, drawling the words, scorn in every syllable, "that things are not as well in hand as you might wish others to think. It would be wise of you to examine your own blind spots and reconsider who you trust."

He tossed a sealed envelope on my desk, then turned his back to me, intending to have the last word as he made his exit.

"Valmont," I said, lazy and sure, knowing it would only make him more aware of the difference in our station as I assigned him a task. "I'll need you to present your contribution to the Northern Lords welcome gifts. The negotiations are going quite well, and we have more trading opportunities with them. Everyone shares in the success of that. You, I noticed, have failed to make your offering. I'll expect it the day before Covenant Night."

His shoulders went rigid with rage, and I could feel the tension in him winding up. He turned to face me, his expression pinched, lips tight.

"You're dismissed." I waved him away and went back to reading what was in front of me, even as the detestable man left.

"Was that a good idea?" asked Danvers, stepping in through the still open door. "You know how he hates you."

I nodded, keeping my own counsel until he shut the door and sat in front of me. "I do. But he's not a threat to me. Though he wishes otherwise."

"You still need to keep a wary eye on him. He skulks around this place, and I have no doubt he's doing all he can to gather information." The healer might get lost in his own experiments, but he could be quite shrewd when he paid attention.

“Point taken.” I gave him a look and could see from the way he was leaning forward that he had something to report. “Might as well tell me what’s got you so excited, Danvers. You’re barely able to contain yourself in the chair.”

“I thought I was hiding my thoughts pretty well.” I simply shook my head and went back to the documents in front of me. “How’s your bond feeling?”

His inquisitive tone put me on guard. “It feels fine.”

“And nothing new has happened?” He asked the question like he already knew the answer.

“She woke up. There was an interaction.” I chose to keep my response as basic as I could. “She expressed a need. I made sure it was met. As one does.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, but I held my tongue. The intimacy of that moment wasn’t something he needed all the details about. Nor did I particularly want to share. I could admit that I wanted to hoard that memory for myself. I hadn’t expected her desire to ramp up so quickly, and, if I was being honest, I was stunned when she responded so immediately.

“Her immune system response was markedly higher in the samples I took, today. I’ve also seen a positive change in the others I’ve been monitoring.”

This was good news. Beyond good news, actually.

I pushed away the papers and leaned back in my chair. My friend’s grin was one I‘d seen before. It meant he believed that we’d hit a turning point.

“The bond is a personal and private matter I will discuss with her.” He firmed his lips, a sign he was preparing an argument, so I didn’t give him a chance to say anything. “I’m not going to change my mind. She’s already agreed to let you experiment on her in an attempt to find a cure for the Silver Sickness. You don’t need to gather data on a soul bond. No matter how much you believe it could be of value to the greater world. It’s between me and Sena.”

“As you wish, my King.” He stood then, and I could tell he wanted to say more, but wisely opted to only add, “Sena is working with Gus right now. Chancel was called away to assist one of the patrols and Gil is in session with his captain. They are discussing plans for security during Covenant Night as the contingent from the Northern Lords is planning to attend.”

I nodded. “That’s fine. I’ll finish up here and then meet with Gus. I really don’t want Sena alone in the castle. I’m unwilling to put her at risk.”

“Any more than she already is?” My friend’s question was uttered softly, but when I looked at him, I could see the tension in his face. “She needs to know what we’re doing, Alkan. And why.”

“I’m planning to share that with her. Soon enough. Now, you have business to attend to, as do I. And I believe you’re scheduled to draw another donation today. Correct?”

His lips twitched into a frown before he wiped away the reaction, returning to his normally placid demeanor.

“Yes, my King. Are you planning to attend?”

“Of course. I’ll be there.”

My friend bowed, low and formal, in a way he rarely used with me. “Until then, sir.”

He exited the room, pulling the door shut firmly behind him, the latch falling into place loud in the silence. It made the loneliness I felt come rushing forward and within that place in my chest, where another heartbeat, a reassurance flowed out, tempering the quiet isolation I’d dealt with for too long.

My hand landed on my chest without me even realizing I was doing it. My palm was flat against that spot, my fingers splayed wide, and heat rose from that contact, warming me all the way through. Heat that was more in line with a shifter than an Istakarran like me.

Proof that the bond between us was indeed growing stronger.

And also, a reminder that Danvers was right.

I had a lot to share with Sena.

Soon.