Chapter 42: Sena - Fated to the Night King

“I promised you something earlier, Sena.” Alkan led me to his quarters, his voice almost hesitant, as if he feared what my reaction would be.

I smiled as the door closed behind us and walked toward the vase of night roses that still bloomed beside the bed. The edges of the petals were curling, but their scent still perfumed the room, reminding me of our peaceful time in the garden. I traced the lacy line, downy softness beneath my finger. So beautiful, yet it would wither and die. Without a connection to the earth, to water and soil, it wouldn’t last forever.

There was a brush of air over my shoulder, pressure building around me, and I smelled ozone like fresh lightning.

The blooms shivered, then responded to the power that touched them. The rough edges filled in, whole once more, and the flower heads lifted, stronger on their supporting stems.

“A little touch of night and they’re right once more.” Alkan’s voice was low, drawing a line of sensation across my skin, and when I turned to look at him, it was the only time I’d seen him appear even remotely uncertain.

“No more secrets.” He gave a tense nod, and I gestured to the vase. “Like the fact that you’ve given me these roses and are keeping them alive with your power for my enjoyment.”

“You thought they were beautiful. It was a simple gift.” He settled right at the edge of the mattress, his head shaking as he met my eyes. “But that wasn’t really a secret. You already know that the night shares its magic with me. There are other things it’s only fair to tell you.”

I sat down beside him. His thigh was beside mine, the only barrier between us the fabric we wore, and I felt the lack of fear that told me something within had changed. Alone with a man yet unafraid. I was different than I’d been only weeks ago.

“The night I first drank from you, when I claimed you as my Source, I learned something unexpected.” The king was a ruler to all who chose his court as their refuge. I recognized that now. But here, with me, he was simply a man. Putting his trust in the person who had been sent to betray him. “Istakarrans have a belief that there are people that Fate creates with the intention that they are meant for each other. It’s the Legacy of Fated Souls. Two people that build each other up, are stronger when they are together, are bound by a connection that goes beyond the physical."

“Shifters have something similar. Though they’re called mates. Like my mother and father. In the pack, though, the Stricken cannot be chosen as mates. We aren’t worthy of such an honor.”

His lips turned down, and I was tempted to reach out, to wipe away the frown. He smiled more often around me and I liked that. “You’re all worthy, Sena. The Silver Sickness isn’t a mark of what you deserve. It’s simply an illness. Devastating, lethal even. But it’s not a sign of value. Or lack of it.”

I nodded, understanding his point. But that wasn’t what he was trying to tell me. He reached out, his hand turned palm up and waited. There was no hesitation in me. I wanted to feel his skin, and my wolf did as well. The sensations were overwhelming, every part of me heightened and craving more. His fingers closed around mine, and I felt a jolt of energy at the increased contact.

“Blood tells me things, as you know. It told me you weren’t honest about why you were here. But it also told me that you, Sena, are my Fated Soul. There’s a connection between us, and it grows stronger the longer we’re with each other. Every time I feed from you or you drink from me, the bond becomes more powerful. It’s how I knew to come find you. I felt your fear and your rage even from across the castle. It’s why I came running.”

Something settled within me. Safe. My wolf crept out, stronger every time she showed herself to me, and I knew what she was communicating. Our mate was safe. Loyal. Protective. He wouldn’t take and hurt us, leaving us weakened and vulnerable. We wouldn’t have to fight alone.

Emotion closed my throat. I had to close my eyes as tears threatened and proving his point, Alkan pulled me onto his lap, wrapping me in a hug, his strength a shelter I could heal within. And I allowed myself to do exactly that. To relax in his embrace. To be held.

It felt good.

“I wanted you to know because the bond can be disorienting. Overwhelming, especially if you don’t know why you’re feeling such things.”

I leaned back in his arms, locking eyes with him, silencing him with a finger to his lips. “I’m not disoriented right now. Or overwhelmed. I am a shifter, a wolf, who recognized the mate she never expected to be worthy of.”

My declaration was a surprise to him, that much was evident. To make sure there was no misunderstanding between us, I said, “You, Alkan, King of the Night Court, are my mate. And I am honored.”

Then I kissed him.