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The sun beamed in through the window, caressing Tehdra’s skin. She sighed and turned, facing the stained windows. They shone like crystals under the rays of the sun. She lay in Ajali’s bed where she’d spent the most amazing hours with the king. Yet, instead of happiness, doubt speared her. The king was her mate, and she did not know how to claim him…and she desperately wanted to brand him with the ink Darkans place on their mates for all of Amagarie to see. It would be a unique design crafted to represent their bonding.
She should only be thinking of her mission, but Ajali consumed her thoughts. She could feel his presence miles away in the castle, and she already yearned to be near him. There was a permanent stain on the El Kyn clan and souls that she had spent years trying to clear and redeem. What if she placed Ajali’s life before her realm and acted like Vlad, causing untold pain to the ruling family?
She gritted her teeth until they ached. Never would she betray Gidon…or Ajali. She closed her eyes in defeat. Why couldn’t her mate be a Darkan? Her brother Drac had mated the princess of Boreas. Before Drac claimed her, all believed that only Darkans mated with each other. The presence of their beast allowed them to swap and intertwine their essence and bond together, and it also made them form lei—the psychic bond that all mated pairs shared. She was not sure how Drac formed such a connection with his princess, but she was certain that he mated her.
Tehdra laughed softy. Normally consumed with training, protection of her kingdom, defense of the northern quadrant and executing her Mecca’s duties, her mind constantly betrayed her by thinking of Ajali.
What to do with the king?
With her darkness only able to sense negativity, Tehdra found it hard to understand what he felt. It reassured her somewhat that none leaked from him in the hours of their loving—and it had been hours, for he took her repeatedly throughout the night.
Tehdra closed her eyes as the desire for more resounded in her. She was his enemy, however unintentionally it had happened, and he was her mate. A mate that she was falling in love with. She did not need to analyze it; she knew it with every fiber of her being. She craved the king even without her darkness roaring at her to pounce and claim him. She had so many questions and no one to give her answer
s. How could she make the king of such a great kingdom fall in love with her so that when her nature was finally revealed, he would not demand her head? She rolled in the bed, drawing the coverlets to her and inhaled. Ajali’s scent wrapped around her, heady and delicious. With speed she moved to the adjoining bath chamber and halted at the sheer splendor that stared at her. More of a small pool than a simple bathing room, ivory tusk marble covered the entire area, and if her eyes were not mistaken, it was inlaid with the richest of gold.
The opulence of his castle unnerved her. Even if he fell in love with her, she could not match him in status. Her kingdom did not recognize wealth or the nobility of a person’s bloodlines. They respected brutality, skills on the battlefield and cunning. Ajali, without a doubt, possessed all of these admirable traits. In him she had a mate she would be proud to announce to her king. What did she have for him? No wealth, no impeccable bloodline, no nobility, no high ranking status. Only darkness and destruction.
Anxiety seared her. After luxuriating in the bath, she returned to the bed chamber.
Should she even try? It was not in her nature to give up. She was a warrior. Her training had been relentless and brutal. The pain of learning her beast’s charka had almost robbed her of her soul. Yet she had persevered. Why should she not endeavor to claim her mate? Warriors fought! A deep sob tore from Tehdra’s throat, and it reverberated in the room making her flinch in horror. Concentrate!
She needed to deal with the issues at hand. Ajali knew she spied on his kingdom, yet they had done everything conceivable to save her, even giving her drops of their precious elixir. Her loyalty had apparently been cemented when she saved his life. Darkans had been a part of the team that came for Ajali. Cold encased her as she tried to unravel their intentions. Ajali could not be taken, and it boded ill if it were ever to be discovered that his kingdom’s most important enemy was a part of the plot to unseat his bloodline from the throne.
A message had to be sent to the dark realm. Drac and Gidon needed to know that a faction of Darkans that took orders from another really existed. And that another was no doubt the kingmaker. Tehdra wrenched her thoughts from dreams that were impossible and moved with purpose to warn her liege.
***
“Tehdra.” The soft whisper of Gavyn’s voice had her shifting to face him.
“Your king has a beautiful atrium. I borrowed one of your birds to send a message to my kingdom,” she murmured, feeling slightly guilty at her continued deception. “Thank you for your part in saving me, Gavyn. Ajali told me of all that transpired while I remained unconscious.”
Gavyn strode swiftly towards her and executed the sharpest of bows. “It is I who thank you, Tehdra. You aided our king at the risk of your own life. We owe you a debt that can never be repaid.”
“Please do not say so. I would do the same thing over again. It would be foolish to be indebted to a spy,” she said with light laughter.
“We see how you look at our king, hari.”
She whipped about at Acheron’s smooth drawl. “How unusual. I’d not heard your approach.”
“We know that you spy for the kingdom of Aria. Ajali has briefed us on what you told him.”
She nodded with relief at Gavyn for changing the subject. She did not want to discuss her feelings for Ajali with his blades. She ignored the smirk on Acheron’s face.
“The reason you have life, spy, are the desire and care that you possess for my king. A need that you cannot hide,” Acheron said then flashed away.
The silence that remained between her and Gavyn filled her with discomfort.
“Tehdra.”
She frowned. “Why do you feel pity for me, Gavyn?”
“Acheron is right. You cannot hide the naked need in your eyes when you look at him. We watched over both of you while you picnicked. It is a futile endeavor for someone of your status. Even a hari has a better chance than a spy in an army.”
She tried to draw on her warrior mantel and failed. Her heart pounded at the surety in his voice. “I do not expect my feelings to be returned.” She saw no point in denying the truth of his words.
Gavyn nodded. “Mayhap he will keep you in his harem if you express a desire to stay. He is already preparing for your departure to your kingdom.”
Her heart jerked. “He is?”
