Page 28 of Orin

King Trex’s lips pressed together. “You have always been a warrior first. I was the same until I met Grace. Do not worry about telling her. She will accept you I am certain of it.”

My mind was filled with relentless self-doubt. Trex had experience with females before he encountered Grace.Idid not.

I ran my fingers through my hair, clearing my throat.

“You will soon come to terms with what it means to be both warrior and fated mate.” King Trex’s smile radiated an unexpected warmth and empathy that took me by surprise.

Our relationship had always been professional, or as I preferred to think of it, official. Previously, I would have never considered discussing personal matters with him.

“Do not be hard on yourself. Finding our K’sha is not something many of us are prepared for. Our traditions have been abandoned by many who have given up hope on being blessed with their fated mate. I can assure you of one thing...you will not feel settled until you claim her.”

I frowned, nodding my head.

“You two will figure things out” Trex said with a wave of his hand.

I wondered if Queen Grace would tell him of our private conversation. Then decided it didn’t matter. I intended to tell Olivia everything when she woke up.

14

Olivia

REKNA AND GRACE WEREspeaking in hushed tones when I woke in the infirmary. The baby kicked, and I sighed with relief, thankful for the Alarans’ advanced medicine. My hands still went to my stomach.

“Is my baby okay?” I tried to ask, but it came out as a croaking noise. Closing my eyes, I cringed, recalling the incident at the marketplace. I regretted that I’d gone out alone. If I hadn’t been there, the baby wouldn’t have been endangered.

From my left, I heard clothes rustling and smelled the faint hint of flowers. The air was also filled with another familiar scent, a blend of cinnamon spice and something deliciously undefinable. I only knew of one person that smelled like that.

My stomach fluttered.

When I glanced to the side, I caught sight of Orin standing beside the bed, shuffling his feet. He gripped a bouquet in one hand that looked like it had been freshly plucked from the palace gardens.

Before he spoke in a low voice, he cleared his throat and moistened his lips. “How do you feel?”

With a hoarse whisper, I managed to utter just one word, “What?” My mouth was as dry as a bone. I wanted to say something else... anything else, but the right words escaped me.

It didn’t take long for my mind to turn on me.He’s with someone else,it taunted.

My throat tightened as I remembered getting hurt at the marketplace. I attempted to sit up, and Orin rushed to adjust my pillow.

“I’m good,” I snapped, shoving his hand away.

He blinked at me with his lips parted.

The memory of him with an Alaran woman at the market resurfaced, feeling like a gut-wrenching punch. My lips pressed into a deep frown and I glanced downward. I had put my child at risk by going out on my own.

If I hadn’t run into him at the palace, I likely wouldn’t have gone to the market. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

When I opened them and met Orin's gaze, I could see the confusion in his eyes.

“Why are you angry with me?”

I shot him a fierce glare.

When he didn’t look away, I snapped. “Is that woman I saw you with the reason you left the palace?”

He gaped at me. “What are you talking about?”

I fought back the wave of emotions, my throat constricting as tears threatened to spill. What was wrong with me? This wasn’t like me. I wasn’t possessive.

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