Page 13 of Tavarr's Mate
She releases my hand and holds a cup of water in front of my face.
Suddenly, I’m parched. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until glimpsing the water. I sit up and take it from her, then drink the entire contents of the cup, each gulp of the cold water soothing the dryness of my throat.
Is this really a dream?
The elderly woman takes the cup and sets it on the bedside table. I inhale a deep breath and sit up further, leaning against the pillows stacked behind me, trying to focus both my gaze and my thoughts. The edges of my vision become sharper, like a camera lens finally coming into focus.
I’m in a strange but welcoming bedroom. This isn’t Vonn’s house.
“I…” My voice trails off. Panic tightens in my chest, making my breaths come in short gasps. “My cage,” I whisper. “Where is my cage?”
“Honey, listen to me. Vonn won’t hurt you anymore. I promise.”
I stare into her kind gaze, longing to believe her, yet worried this is some kind of perverse trick.
What if Vonn is lurking outside the door, ready to barge inside and beat me for talking to this old woman?
I don’t know what to do, so I press my lips firmly together and stare at the sunlight on the covers again.
If Vonn enters the room, my eyes will already be lowered, just as he prefers.
I shift in the bed and experience no pain whatsoever. There’s a euphoria to my mood that I think must be a deception. I’m floating high above the clouds, in the background of my worry, like I’ve taken a strong painkiller. But that can’t be right. I don’t remember swallowing anything. Unless…
An elderly Kleaxian had been leaning over me, and the instant he pressed something cold to my neck, I had passed out.
Images and noises come rushing back, and I flinch and draw the covers up to my chin.
“Where’s Vonn?” I dare to ask. He hasn’t given me permission to speak, so I ought to keep my mouth shut, but I have to know.
“He’s dead. Prince Kenan executed him two days ago.”
Her words hover around me, not quite sinking in.
My gaze travels around the large room. I count three windows, all open. A light breeze enters and caresses the tears on my face. Weird. I didn’t know I was crying.
I wipe at my face and sniffle, hating the weakness I feel. Why am I so tired and emotional?
Vonn isn’t here. The old woman says he’s dead, but I am still worried it’s a sadistic prank.
My mate is cruel. I wouldn’t put it past him to force an elderly human woman to fool me into thinking he’s dead, only to show up during my moment of relief and then beat the living fuck out of me.
I duck my head down quickly, the way I always do when I fear I’m about to be slapped.
“Katrina, honey, I promise you, Vonn is dead. He’s gone.”
“Who are you?” I whisper, still afraid to make a noise, in case my mate is lying in wait somewhere nearby.
“My name is Joanna, and I am a slave in this household.” At my startled look, she continues, “Though I’m a slave, I promise you I am treated well. Had a rough start here, I’ll admit, but my master, Zandek, has turned out to be a most understanding and compassionate Kleaxian male.”
I stare at her, not yet daring to believe her words.
“It’s true,” she says, as if sensing my hesitation. “Soon you will meet Helena, Zandek’s human mate. She is at the market right now with Zandek, but they should return in an hour or so. We weren’t expecting you to awake so soon, or they would have remained at home, I am certain. The doctor said you would be out for at least three days.” She pats my arm. “I see you are still afraid. I promise Vonn is really and truly dead. His head is actually resting on a stake on the edge of town. A most barbaric practice, if you ask me, but given that he nearly killed you, I would say his execution was greatly deserved.”
Her announcement stuns me.
“Take me there now.”
“Where, honey? To the market? I told you Helena and Zandek will return home soon.”
