Page 104 of King

She met his gaze, those pale eyes of hers filled with something that made his chest ache. “I’m okay, King.”

He let out a slow breath, reaching up to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Good.” His voice was rougher than he meant it to be. He leaned down kissing her softly.

"Finally!" Joey’s voice cut through the moment, making King sigh as the kid walked in, Daniel and Kane right behind him. “I thought I was gonna have to clean this mess up myself. The broom’s over there.”

Amara rolled her eyes, but her smile softened as she held out her arms. “Give me a hug, punk.”

“If I have to,” Joey mumbled, but his sarcasm didn’t match the way he all but tackled Amara, wrapping his arms around her tight. “Glad none of those mutant, ugly-as-fuck creatures ate your face off.”

"That makes two of us." Amara chuckled, then her gaze slid to Daniel. The humor in her eyes dimmed as she caught the way he was watching her. Amara’s brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

"Why does everyone ask that when I show up?" Daniel muttered, sighing like the weight of the world sat on his shoulders.

"Uh oh." Joey pulled back from Amara, glancing between Daniel and King. "Is this gonna be another bitch-out session?"

Kane laughed, earning himself a sharp glare from Daniel.

"No, Joey." Daniel’s lips twitched into a grin. "I think I got my point across the other day."

“Do I want to know?” Amara whispered, leaning into King’s side.

He bent down, murmuring against her temple, “No.”

She nodded, satisfied, making King chuckle.

Daniel’s attention remained locked on Amara, his expression unreadable. "How are you feeling, Amara?"

King recognized the look. Daniel was reading her. Searching for any signs of weakness, anything she might not be saying out loud. And knowing Daniel, he’d damn well know if she was lying.

Amara shifted, straightening in her seat like she felt the weight of his stare. "Better, but man, I don’t think I’ve ever slept that much in my life." She frowned slightly. "And I don’t remember much."

“Count that as a good thing.” Daniel’s voice was firm, his gaze flicking to King.

The shift in energy was instant and indicated something was coming. King braced himself.

"Listen," Daniel started, his voice carrying a weight that had Amara sitting up even straighter. "A good friend of mine informed me that you weren’t given a serum like the other humans who were turned into half-breeds."

"I know. That bastard Valkas bragged about that, but I don’t know what any of that means?" Amara frowned shifting uncomfortably on the stool.

Daniel exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "It all comes down to your blood, Amara. It makes you superior.”

Amara’s confusion was immediate. " Superior? I don’t have the speed or power of a half-breed, I don’t have fangs, and I don’t need blood." She huffed out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "Sounds like I’m a failure in that aspect."

King’s jaw clenched. Failure? The word felt wrong coming out of her mouth. Like it didn’t belong anywhere near her, his Amara was no goddamn failure.

“That’s bullshit.” King’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. He turned fully to her, eyes burning with conviction. “You are not a failure, Amara.”

She blinked at the force of his words, but before she could respond, Daniel leaned forward.

"He's right." Daniel’s voice was steady, unwavering. "And if you knew just how valuable you are to our world, you wouldn’t think that for a second."

Amara swallowed hard, her fingers curling in her lap. King could see her mind racing, searching for understanding. And he hated that doubt creeping into her eyes.

He reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. She wasn’t alone in this. She never would be.

“Listen, this shit is complicated, and it always will be.” Daniel ran a hand through his hair, his frustration bleeding into his voice. “My friend said that she can try to break the spell, but...”

King had heard that tone before when Daniel was about to drop something heavy, and King was already bracing for it.

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