Chapter 43: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

I was stunned by her words, even more when her lips landed on mine.

The bond between us warmed, pulling tighter in my center, and she broke away, her wide eyes proof she’d felt it, too.

“Intense, isn’t it?” I asked, softening my tone so she’d know I wasn’t laughing at her. In fact, I would happily let her kiss me any time she wanted.

She nodded but didn’t pull away as I expected. “I’m not sure how to do all this.” She admitted it like she was almost embarrassed, and I wanted to bring her confidence back.

“We do whatever feels right for the two of us.” Something flickered in her eyes, almost like fear, and I wanted to drive it away. But having an inkling of what her past had been like in the Citadel with Thalon, I wanted to move forward with caution. Her body was healing, but her heart, her mind, those were different things. A different timeline all together.

“I thought, when you found out why I was sent here, that you’d kill me. Or beat me. Cast me out at the very least.” She tipped her head to examine me. “Instead, you gave me a home. Explained how your court was and how you want it to be. And cared for me in ways I didn’t understand I even needed.”

"I’m no saint, Sena. When Danvers and I first understood who you were, we anticipated that you were sent here to spy on me. Kill me, if you could. But the fact is, you weren’t here by your own choice. Not entirely. I’m sure Thalon spun a story about my evilness, how you’d be helping your people by destroying mine. I know the man, encountered him on a battlefield many years ago, when we were both fighting wars for other people. He went one way, I went another. He also knows, I’m sure, that I was negotiating with the independent packs that hadn’t accepted his rule as Alpha. Offered to ally with them. They would keep their freedom, build a strong trading agreement with us, and all of us would benefit. Much like we’ve done with the Northern Lords. And those free packs were then decimated by illness. They were owed a chance at survival. Which is why we brought them here. Trusting that we could help them.”

She stiffened in my arms, and I hated that I’d ruined this moment, but she surprised me again. “The Stricken in the Citadel, they are considered expendable in battle. Thalon will send them out first, armed only with the weapons they have scrounged. To weaken any who would resist his rule as Alpha, then he sends in his Guard to finish the job. I’ve lost many of my own on those occasions. I don’t see that you would use those you’ve helped in the same way.”

I shook my head. “On my life, I swear to you, I would not. When they’re healed, they’re welcome to return to their homes if they wish.”

“You should know that Valmont told me he’d been working for Thalon. It’s why he grabbed me. I think he expected me to be frightened.” She frowned, and I saw her brace herself, as if preparing herself for my anger. When it didn’t come, her pretty eyes went bright and she nodded decisively. “He betrayed you and everyone in this court. I suppose that’s worthy of his death.

I leaned in, needing her to understand very clearly what I was telling her. “Thank you for telling me, but Sena, he earned death when he touched you. It’s as simple as that.”

Perhaps that had been too much. Too overbearing. But I’d promised her no more secrets and this was the unvarnished truth. If she turned away, I’d win her heart some other way.

She surprised me, though. “I will help you.”

Before I could say anything else, she kissed me again, and I lost track of my thoughts in the feel of her.