Page 116 of The King is Dead
“You tell themnothing,or they’ll turn that retribution onyou,”I insisted.
In the quiet that followed I realized everyone was watching this exchange, listening to us, fascinated and horrified. Because they were seeing us relate as mates.
I could finally touch my mate, and hear my mate without the formalities and—
A new thought left me cold and terrified. I looked up at Melek and breathed,“Istral—”
“And Gall,” he muttered, turning with me to face Turo.
“Turo,” I said quickly, “Youmustfind men to secure Istral. And Gall. If the Nephilim are here, they’ll know he’s never far from Melek. But now he never leaves Istral’s side. If they learn about her—”
Turo blinked once, then leaped into action, clearly relieved to have something to focus on other and me and Melek. He hurried for the door and threw it open, barking instructions.
Men. Cover. Security. Scouts.
“Tell them to let Gall move alone, to fly if he has to. Let him get himself to the Palace however it’s needed—warn him that there are watchers. If they’re looking for me, they’ll know I’ll come for him.”
Turo looked at me warily. I quickly explained Melek’s relationship with Gall, and how the Nephilim saw him. He’d see the reflection of my love for Istral. Sure enough, his posture turned inward. I knew he was arguing with himself about the balance of protecting Istral with bringing another Nephilim closer to me.
“Gall’s a good man, Turo. Istral cares about him for a reason,” I breathed. “Please.”
I could see the war Turo was fighting with himself. The desire to be petty battling his honor. And his knowledge of the sweetness of Istral, and how Gall was a similar heart and mind.
“I know you can see it, Turo,” I said quietly. “I know you understand Izzy. And Gall… Gall is just like her. And despite the environment that raised him, he’s retained that sweet heart because of Melek.” I put my hand on Melek’s arm instinctively, then winced when Turo flinched. “My mate is a good man, Turo. God didn’t give us the wrong King.”
That must have touched something in him, because Turo’s head snapped up and his eyes widened again.
Without a word, he stalked over to the door again, leaning out to issue orders as I continued to answer questions from the others. Hughes wanted to understand why the Nephilim would come after their own, and Melek and I both had to explain the differences in their culture, and Melek offered insight to the many different factions who would be fighting for control right now.
“…it could be any of them—they might have come to save me, or they may have decided I’m a traitor and want to kill me as well as Yilan. But either way, they’ll see Gall as a way to reach me.”
There was a muttered curse from the other end of the room. I turned quickly to see Turo, who’d been pacing, draw a dagger from the sheath at his thigh and start towards Melek.
Jhonas and Granbull both jumped to their feet, shouting, but Melek shoved me behind him and roared at the others to stay back as he half-crouched, raising his hands to prepare to defend himself.
“Turo! Stop!” I gasped.
But then, shockingly, as Turo approached, he laid the bared blade over his free hand and slid it against the fleshy part of his palm.
A line of red, welling blood raised and began to drip immediately, pattering on the stones as Turo thrust his hand towards Melek, the dagger held back and away.
“Vow to me,” he said hoarsely. “Vow in blood that you stand for her safety. For the safety of our people. Invite God’s curse on your soul if you do not.”
Melek was still shifting his weight, preparing to fight. He didn’t take his eyes off Turo, but he had one arm back, keeping me behind him.
He stared suspiciously at Turo’s extended, bleeding hand. But then he nodded slowly.
I covered my mouth in fear as Melek planted his feet and opened his hand, urging Turo to give him the blade.
Turo slapped it into his palm, his expression one of cold fear.
But then Melek sliced his own palm and clasped Turo’s hand like they were brothers.
“I vow to you that I will give my life in protection of hers, and the Shadekin. Our people.Mypeople. May God strike me where I stand if I don’t speak the truth.”
A shudder rocked through Turo and his knuckles went white. But nothing happened. Then he rasped, “And I will vow to you, as the God-appointed King of this land, and mate to our Queen, that I will… I will serve your crown with my dying breath. In defense of her, or you. While your heart is true, mine will stand for you.”
Melek looked a little stunned at that. “Thank you,” he breathed.
