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“He was simply trying to probe the truth out of me. He’s sure that there’s something between us. I made sure to quell his suspicions, at least for the time being.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and look down at my feet, then glance up at him.
“Well, isn’t it really fine? Princess Aurora is human, mated with the Prince of Lodra. And Lorelai, too. She—”
“It’s different this time. I’m not a prince, you see. I lead an army. And I need that army to be willing to drop everything to follow me into battle. I can’t afford, right now especially, to have them calling my judgment into question. To have them wondering if theywantto take orders from me.”
I swallow quickly. “Yes, Lasta, I understand.”
He lets out a sigh and rubs his temples, or what I think are his temples. I know I’m supposed to follow his every word, but I can’t help to insist. If everyone in Nagaland accepts Princess Aurora, what’s wrong if it’s me and Lasta?
“I-I don’t want to question you, Lasta, but I don’t really see why it should matter. If there’s a human princess, and your soldiers don’t mind serving her, I truly think it’ll be fine.”
“I disagree. Like I said, I don’t hold the power of the royal family. To go against Princess Aurora would be treason. My position can come under scrutiny.”
“Why would they scrutinize you? You’re the royal captain.”
“Exactly my point,” he grunts. “I don’t think I’ll be a good captain if Selliss riles everyone up. He could very well challenge my authority and turn my own men against me.”
“Just for the fact that we’re together?”
“Maybe so. I’d rather not find out how many have the same sentiment as him.”
There’s another pang in my chest, only this one spreads throughout my body. I can feel my limbs go weaker and the tears pricking my eyes. I dig my nails into my palms, concentrating on the pain so I won’t cry in front of him.
I heave as I let go of the breath I held in. As I try not to let my emotions show, Lasta keeps trying to explain why it’s not okay for our relationship to be public.
Or is it even a relationship to him?
I keep swallowing hard to keep the tears at bay. But I’m sure my eyes are turning red and my face has red splotches. Thankfully, we’re in the shadows for me to hide away my true thoughts about this all.
I lower my head, feeling the weight of his excuses threatening to topple me over. I shut my eyes tight, feeling discarded. He won’t challenge anyone on whether or not looking down on humans is fair or just. He’s just caving in to the current circumstances.
Did I really expect for someone to care so much for a simple human slave like me? How can I be so arrogant to think that I’d be special enough?
“Krista.” Lasta calls me out of my thoughts by shaking me roughly.
I look up at him, not saying a word. I nod to let him know I’m paying attention to him. I just hope that he won’t be able to see my trembling lower lip.
“Don’t be so disappointed. This doesn't mean I don’t care about you,” he says, his voice surprisingly soft.
I clear my throat. “Yes, I know.”
“You know I can sense when you’re lying, right?”
“I’m fine. Truly, Lasta.”
I can feel him stare at me by the way shivers run down my spine. It’s now an instinct to bear my neck for him without him saying a word. I can’t go against him, especially when he’s so restless right now.
Then. I feel the tough scales from his thumb pad. He tips my chin, bringing me closer to his face. His hot breath flutters my eyelashes and touches my lips. My breathing shakes as my heart jumps out of my chest.
“I’ll fix this. There’s nothing I’m not able to do,” he says lowly. He plants a chaste kiss over my lips, lingering there before my knees go weak.
His words sound comforting, bringing me hope once again that he’ll actually defend us. However, I’m quickly disillusioned once again, so quickly that I get whiplash from it.
He releases my chin. “We just have to make sure they have nothing to talk about. Be more secretive. Maybe we won’t see each other for a while. It’s for your own good, too, you know.”
“Yes.” My voice is barely audible.
