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He stopped before them; pure delight creased into a face that shockingly resembled his own. Seemingly oblivious to Kymri’s state, he greeted her like a long-lost daughter, “Welcome, my dear.” His voice softened as he turned his full attention on her.
She stiffened, glaring at him over the wad of t-shirt pressed to her face.
“I’m delighted to welcome a female into our home. You need not worry; you will be given every comfort.” He then turned to Jori, eyes glittering in the low light. “Is this him, Stenlen?”
“It is, sire.”
“Ah, my boy,” his voice had gone very soft as he moved closer to Jori, looking him over like a proud new father.
He almost expected him to count his fingers and toes.
Jori’s glance swept the room again. Every pair of eyes were trained on him as he stared into his biological father’s face. The same jaw line, familiar slope to the nose and set of the brow. There was no doubt they were related.
“Where is my mother?”
Pride glittered in the older man’s eyes. His smile widened as he assessed Jori as though from a new angle.
Jori remained as he was.
“You’ll meet her at the initiation. I can see that you have been sorely neglected in our ways. That shall be remedied at our earliest convenience.”
“I want to see her now.”
Stenlen growled. The older man held up his hand and he ceased immediately. “You are tired after your long journey, I’m sure a good rest will remind you of your manners in polite society. We will chat again soon.” With a nod to Stenlen, he turned away. Kymri was being dragged back down the hall. Jori stared after the king as he strode back to the end of the room. No one else had moved.
He turned and followed Kymri to ensure they didn’t hurt her no matter what Stenlen said. He wouldn’t leave her side.
They were led back through the maze of artificially lit identical halls, emerging into an area that was clearly different from the rest of the place. Where the complex had been stark and utilitarian, this area appeared to be more residential. It lacked the grandeur of the castle island. In opposition, this place was fully modern, with gleaming floors and stark lines and angles in the materials and fixtures. The only decorative relief he could see were signets breaking the austerity.
Their steps echoed over the hard floor as they turned yet another corner. Adorning the wall at the end of the hall was a large, singular, signet shield.
In the island citadel, there had been many signet banners adorning the Assembly hall. So far as he could tell, there was only one here. It was familiar too. It appeared in some of his mother’s art that was dark and heavy. Art that he never copied to adorn his body as tattoos like her other pieces.
He observed their route as much as possible, in order to try to find their way out again— once they found his mother. The king wouldn’t let him see her until they initiated him.
He swallowed. Kymri’s attitude about this wasn’t encouraging; she acted as though he’d lose his sense of self.
That would never happen.
His mind drifted back to what Odson had told him about his mother’s experiences with this man. She’d been terrified of him and she’d been locked away here for—how long? More than a decade.
He had no illusions of what might have been done to her, and he prayed he was wrong. Human or not, he’d die to get her and Kymri out of here if he had to.
He’d do whatever it took to gain their freedom.
Chapter 20
It was all she could do to fight the overwhelming stench of male dragon. Thankfully, Jori’s shirt pressed to her nose help soothe her nerves so she could control her stomach.
This had to be a side effect of the pregnancy.
Dragons didn’t get sick. Not like this.
She wondered if the problem was exacerbated by the bond with Jori. The bond and the pregnancy made all other males smell terrible to her senses. It was such a difference from how she’d reacted to Jori’s scent when she’d gone into heat. She couldn’t get enough of him, and now, it was providing comfort.
Distracted as she was, she’d barely been able to focus on what the older man was saying to them before she was being dragged away again down unending halls.
Finally, they stopped in front of a door identical to every other door in the place. It was whipped open and she was shoved inside, then the door slammed shut before she could utter a word to Jori, who’d instantly tried to stop it from separating them. She could hear him yelling through the barrier. There was no handle this side of the door, so she pounded on it with her fist, “Jori!”
