Page 82 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 34
“What the hell just happened?” Worth demanded.
Aleksander was both surprised and disappointed by Rafe’s outburst. Why Rafe had grown so upset was beyond Aleksander’s ability to comprehend. “I don’t know.”
“Eat your breakfast,” Dra’Kaedan demanded. “Give him a few minutes to calm down; then you two can talk.”
Considering the fiery temperament of the Grand Warlock, Aleksander trusted him to be correct, so he ate while his mind did cartwheels trying to figure out what to say to Rafe. Never imagining him to be distressed about their connection after his return to D’Vaire, Aleksander did wonder what had kept him from contacting him after he was attacked. Did it happen eleven months ago? Why would he prefer to maintain silence afterward? Aleksander’s mind had been numb but now it was swirling with questions. When his phone beeped for an incoming text, he was grateful for the distraction.
Con and I will be there in a second. Need to talk to Rafe.
Of course, grab some food before you leave.
“The RKs just teleported through the bubble,” Dra’Kaedan said.
“I know, Drystan just texted me. Try not to eat all the food so they can have some breakfast too.”
“Why are they here on a Saturday morning?” Brogan asked.
“They need to talk to Rafe.”
“First, he flips out, now he needs the RKs. What’s going on?” Worth demanded.
Aleksander shrugged. “I have no idea, but I’m going to ask him.”
“I think we’d all like to know,” Brogan remarked.
“Big brother is his mate. He gets first dibs,” Worth retorted.
The Grand Duke rolled his eyes in response as he got up. Moving too quickly to allow Aleksander to stop him, Brogan grabbed his dishes, as well as his own, to put them in the dishwasher. Thanking his best friend, he waited for Brogan to drop a kiss on Dra’Kaedan’s head. The warlock probably had at least another plateful to gobble up, so Aleksander and Brogan strode through the great room and into the office. Worth was only a few seconds behind them, and they were barely seated when Aleksander got another text, which turned out to be from Drystan.
Rafe would like to speak with you privately. Perhaps you could meet in your office?
Sure, I’m already there. Just need to clean out the riffraff. Tell him to take his time, I’ll be here.
There were grumbles, but Worth and Brogan both settled in the attached workspace. Aleksander went through his email as he waited with butterflies in his belly. Not only was he nervous but there was excitement. Fully prepared to resume his friendship with Rafe, he was tired of obstacles, especially the self-inflicted ones. Minutes later, a still-pajama-clad Rafe rolled in with Mortis trotting along at his side. The Reverent Knights were just behind him.
“We’re going to go eat if Dra’Kaedan left us any scraps,” Conley informed Aleksander, then shut the door to give them privacy.
“Hey, I’m sorry I upset you,” Aleksander remarked. On his feet, he went around his desk and chose a seat on the sofa only a few feet from Rafe’s wheelchair.
“No, I’m the one that’s sorry. I overreacted.”
“Tell me why you got upset.”
Rafe finally lifted his gaze to Aleksander’s and he nearly grinned like an idiot that he could read some of the emotions in those bright blue eyes. “Look, my plan was to keep our connection quiet. I’m going to die, so there’s no need to make it public. I don’t want anything that has happened to me to tarnish D’Vaire in any way. But the Reverent Knights have decided something bold needs to happen to see if we can solve my case. So, we’re going to dump the whole Dermot thing, and I get to be Rafe again. They’re going to do a press release today.”
“Who hurt you?”
Rafe’s attention went to his lap. “Telling you isn’t a good idea.”
“Afraid I might kill them?”
“Why would you do that?”
Reaching out, Aleksander used his finger to gently lift Rafe’s chin. “You’re my mate. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.”
“In name only, you know.”
