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He told me he couldn’t do it. What was that supposed to mean?
How could I have been so stupid to leave myself so blindly trusting not once, but twice?
I wouldn’t let it happen again. I wouldn’t leave myself to that kind of vulnerability anymore.
I stood up, feeling a new sort of resolve and confidence, and made my way back to camp. If my mate wanted this to happen, he was going to have to fight for it.
“I think you should get out here.”Odarum’s voice rang through my head.
I opened my eyes and sat up on the furs. Malina was sitting next to me in the tent with a serious look on her face. When I returned last night, Malina woke up and noted my red, swolleneyes. She never asked why I was crying, and I never said. She just stayed with me until I fell asleep.
I could hear distant shouting outside the tent. Malina and I both stood, she pulled her lips into a tight frown. My eyes narrowed, and my brows creased.
“He was here waiting outside when Nik woke up,” Malina said expressionless.
I rushed out of the tent in nothing but my tank and trousers, my hair loose and unbraided, flowing behind me.
Out in the clearing, Nikan and Ryker were standing in front of each other. Nikan, armed with his sword and a firm grip on the terra beneath him, was shouting and Ryker looked like he was about to smash his fist into Nikan’s face.
Well, I did say he was going to have to fight for it.
“You need to leave. You have no authority in this Nation, Lord Ryker.”
“I don’t care where we are. As I told you, I’m not leaving until I speak with Kya.” His voice was cold and calm.
Seeing Ryker standing off with Nikan over me appealed to me in a way that I would never admit. I reached for those swirling shadows inside of me as I walked over to them, Malina right next to me. Ryker whipped his head in my direction, and he shot me a brief smile. He didn’t take his eyes off me the entire time as I approached and stood before them.
Nikan stepped between me and my mate. I glared at him as Ryker curled his lips back and snarled at the male. Odarum was standing off to the side but alert to the situation. Malina narrowed her eyes at Ryker’s reaction. She remained silent but watched our interaction closely.
“Kya, get on the horse and get out of here. He’s a Lord and could see you as a threat, just like that Sage said.” Nikan’s blue eyes bore into me.
“You dare insinuate that I would harm her?” Ryker stepped closer behind Nikan and I could have sworn I saw his eyes flare.
“Kya, leave. Now,” Nikan snapped at me.
A ring of fire encircled Nikan. And we all jumped back except Ryker, who stepped through the ring and approached Nikan until there were nearly nose to nose.
“Do notevercommand her again,” Ryker seethed.
“Ryker,” I warned and Malina’s head snapped to me.
Ryker backed away and snuffed out the fire before locking eyes with me again, and his features softened just slightly.
I felt Nikan grip the rock below with his terbis and I grabbed his arm to stop him from attacking. Just as I was about to open my mouth to protest, Malina spoke.
“No. Fucking. Way,” she balked. “You havegotto be kidding me. Him?!”
I nodded, unsure of how she put it all together.
“What? What about him?” Nikan asked, spitting out the last word like it was acid on his tongue.
I sighed, then removed my hand from his arm. I moved around him and stood next to Ryker, careful not to touch him. Ryker’s hand twitched next to mine as if he was doing the same. I felt a deep comfort being in his presence.
“Nik, Ryker is my mate,” I spoke softly, hoping to lessen the blow.
Malina smiled brightly at the admission. But Nikan’s face remained hard.
“He’s a Lord, a Worthy! No two Worthy have ever been mated. How do you know he isn’t just playing tricks on you? We’ve all heard the rumors of his bloodlust. If he sees you as a risk to his status, he would take you down in a heartbeat.”
