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The boy looks to Thonir. “You, too?”
In an uncharacteristic display, he leaps toward the little demon, sweeping up into his arms as he chuckles. “Me, too. Come on, Laura.”
I stare after them. They fit in so well, and they are truly a little family. When I turn to look at the Prince, he stares after them in awe. I can see the longing in his eyes, and there is no denying how much he cares for his mate.
Eventually, he turns to look at me, and the light in his eyes noticeably dims. “I’ve heard that you have a human of your own now, Kha’zeth.”
I nod, seeing Natalie’s pained face in my mind’s eye again. “I do. Natalie. She’s a bit more subdued than your Laura, who is lovely by the way.”
“Laura wasn’t always like that. She’s come to life here, though.” He gives me a knowing look. “I’m sure that your Natalie will, too. Give her time.”
My heart swells with the idea of seeing Natalie play with the triplets and at ease in my daily life. She’s already grown more comfortable with all of us, but she isn't as full of life as Laura is. I hope to see her come to truly enjoy my company one day.
I realize that I’ve forgotten to answer, and I shake my head, turning my attention back to Rej’thorek. He’s watching me carefully, and I don’t know what to make of the thoughtful expression on his face.
“She may, but her heart is heavy for others.” I stifle a sigh as I turn toward him. “She worries over her friends. I took her to see them today, and they were no longer there. No one would tell me where they had been moved to.”
The Prince only nods. “My father and his secrets.” His eyes are forward to where Akos has disappeared to.
I worry that that’s where he’ll leave it, and I don’t want Natalie’s concerns brushed aside like that. I press forward. “I can’t imagine they’re being treated better, not that it could get much worse than those cells. Surely, you’ve seen where they were being kept? The conditions are untenable. I don’t know how he expects any of them to be viable in such conditions where they are treated so poorly.”
Normally, I wouldn’t speak out against the King like that. I don’t trust anyone, especially not a Prince. But with his human mate and his secret brother, I suspect that Rej’thorek will not strike me down for speaking out against the conditions the King is providing.
“My father thinks very little of the humans. They are a tool of his to use, and that is all. To feed them, care for them, provide for them…it is extraneous to him. He can’t fathom giving them true accommodations while they are being farmed out as breeders.”
“Perhaps you could talk to him, then?” I venture. “If you agree the conditions are poor, then maybe you can convince him to improve them.”
Rej’thorek’s sudden laughter catches me off guard, and I whip around, trying to determine what he thinks is so funny. He shakes his head, clasping onto my shoulder as he cools. “Oh, Kha’zeth, you’d have a better chance than I.”
I stare at him, baffled. I don’t know how to respond to that, and as he recovers fully, he catches the look on my face. “Surely, you’ve heard?” The Prince quirks an eyebrow. “My father hasn’t been particularly receptive to me since I’ve taken Laura as my mate.”
This takes me aback. “He isn’t happy you’ve taken a human? I thought he’d be thrilled.”
Emotion that I can’t quite place clouds over Rej’thorek’s face. “Laura isn’t what my father wanted.” It hits me then. Laura hasn’t produced him an heir, and based on the tight clench of his jaw, she can’t and the King is insensitive about it. “He says I’ve shirked my duties by choosing her, and so, he won’t take me seriously as a Prince. I’m afraid any attempts I make will be ignored.”
That weighs heavily on me, more so than I expect. The Prince clearly adores his mate, and it resonates within me. I want Natalie to be that happy, and while I do still want to see her carry my child, it’s starting to become for a different reason than to fulfill the King’s orders.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmur, and the words sound so sincere they shock me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a conversation so raw with anyone.
I often bury my emotions, but seeing all that I’ve been struggling with mirrored on Rej’thorek’s face makes me want to be more candid. I didn’t expect for Natalie to change the way I feel, to be able to wear me down into such tasks as this just to make her happy, but the Prince knows what it is like to feel this way.
And he’s being punished for it.
“Visit the Hound Master.” His voice cuts through my thoughts. “He’s on better terms with the King at the moment.” Rej’thorek’s voice is tight as he says it, but I don’t press. His mate is coming around the gardens, and his muscles relax, a smile drifting across his face. Deciding I’ve interrupted enough of his time, I squeeze his shoulder.
“I will. Thank you for your help. I’ll see myself out.”
“Good luck with your quest.” Rej’thorek shoots me an amused look. “And good luck with your woman.”
I chuckle as I turn away, strolling through his house and back out the front. I truly hope the Hound Master can help. I desperately want to make Natalie happy.
I want her to look at me like Laura does her Prince.
84
NATALIE
I break down shortly after Kha’zeth leaves. I don’t think he knew I was listening, but I felt his eyes on me as I walked up the steps and I heard when he turned to leave without a word.
