Page 170 of The King's Man
“What else has he changed—what you describe isn’t enough?”
She shook her head again and her eyes grew sad. “He says… he says that the Neph have been far too particular in their choice of mates. That… that every Neph should be growing his line with as many females as he can find. And if they don’t survive… then that is only reason to find more.” She swallowed hard and IfeltDiadre shrink in the bond. I looked at her, but she was staring at Caelan, round-eyed.
Turning to my mate, I took her arms and pulled her to me. “You’re safe,” I hissed. “You’re safe, I vow it. You are not a slave—in our culture it’s different. I abhor it, but slaves are… possessions. No different than the furniture. And not claimed because they aren't viewed with strength. But a claimed female, amateis more. She bring status and value with her and—”
“The King has told the golden eyes to grow their numbers. He says… He says the selection has been too narrow and tooslow. He’s told them all to stop waiting for the strong women. To impregnate as many as they can. He says even if many do not survive,somewill, and more of the babes than the mothers. And their lines will grow more quickly. He urges them not to wait. And the males are listening. It’s driving the women to the hunt in desperation. Without a matebond there is no safety, Jann. None. And even with it…”
She trailed off and I leaned in. “What? Even with a matebond… what?”
She swallowed hard and looked to Diadre, then back to me. “Even with the bond if you don’t get her pregnant quickly they’ll take her from you. He’s… he’s told them that offspring are paramount. The bond is not to be honored without it.”
The noise that tore from Diadre’s throat behind me clawed through my chest. I turned, reaching for her, already blurting explanations and reassurance andcertaintythat I wouldn’t allow her to be takenno matter what.
But Diadre stared, eyes wide, gripping my forearms because I was holding her. She was terrified, but even in her unease, with her heart hammering and breathing short, she met my gaze and raised her chin. “This can’t be Gall. It has to be some imposter.”
Behind me Caelan began to shake. “I’m yours, Jann. I’ve remained loyal, I swear it. But, please…please, no one is safe anymore. You cannot align with Melek any further. You must make certain they know you stand for Gall. And… unless you claim me, they will take me and—”
Still holding Diadre, I turned to look at Caelan and my heart pinched for her fear. She was a strong woman, confident and sassy—usually the first to tease me, or give me the sharp side of her tongue. But here she stood, trembling with fear. While my mate…
God, I’d been so distracted, it took this long to remember Diadre was uncomfortable with the fact that Caelanbelongedto me. And now Caelan begged to be claimed?
She didn’t know. She didn’t know who Diadre was.
I met my mate’s eyes and sent all the love and warmth I was capable of through the bond.
Then, still holding Diadre’s hand, I turned to face Caelan.
“Cae… I need you to meet Diadre. She’s a Captain of the Theynor crown and… my mate.”
Caelan’s eyes flew wide. Her head jerked towards Diadre and her mouth dropped open. She bowed first, but then in a gesture of humility, threw herself at Diadre’s feet.
I gaped as she bent over Diadre’s toes, sobbing,begging for her life.
“I will serve your household, Mistress. I will not betray you!”
“Caelan, you don’t need to—”
But Diadre, flustered and with pink cheeks, shook her head at me, then crouched down to take Caelan’s hands from her boots and pull her to her feet.
“Now, no. There’s no need forthat.”
But Caelan was babbling. I’d never seen her this afraid. “Please, please do not evict me!”
“I won’t!” Diadre rushed to reassure her. “Please, Caelan, Jann already told me about you. He trusts you…” She looked over Caelan’s hunched shoulder to me. I nodded quickly. “You won’t be evicted—of course you won’t.”
‘Thank you,’I sent, clawing a hand through my hair and at a complete loss as Diadre comforted Caelan. My skin crawled knowing how Dee felt about this, yet in the same moment, my chest swelled with pride because my mate wasn’t losing her mind in fear—or her control.
But what Caelan described wasinsane.I knew she wouldn’t lie. It had to be true. And yet…
“Cae, I need you to focus,” I said quietly. “Where is the King now?”
Caelan gathered herself, squeezing Diadre’s hands and taking deep breaths to calm herself. “I… He’s gathered the golden eyes in the pasture. The women who are afraid of their masters are offering themselves for the hunt but… but I fear that women who serve low ranking males are beinggivento the hunt. I was supposed to be safe, but with you gone, I chose to hide here to avoid the gatherers.”
“Good choice,” I muttered. “And one we’ll continue—I want you to hide in the closet. If anyone comes, I’ll turn them away. But for now, please, I need a moment with my mate.”
Caelan blinked like she’d forgotten, then nodded quickly, curtseyed to Diadre who quickly reassured her that it wasn’t necessary, then turned and dropped to her knees to kiss my feet.
“No, Cae—”
