Page 18 of Tavarr's Mate
“I’m afraid so, Katrina. I am so sorry.”
“The prince promised me a year. He decreed I was to remain in Zandek’s household under his protection until—”
“Prince Kenan likely did not know Vonn had an unmated brother. After all, he has thousands of Kleaxian Warriors under his command and thousands more regular citizens on Dennian Mountain under his guardianship. Zell says most Kleaxians claim a mate once they reach adulthood, so it is a rare occurrence when the brother of a deceased Kleaxian must claim his brother’s window. I do not know if Tavarr will wait a year to claim you, as the prince has decreed, and Zell does not know either.”
“Prince Kenan said Tavarr is going to live in the house next door—Vonn’s old house—while he helps the prince with training exercises for his warriors and Zandek teaches him English. Why didn’t Prince Kenan or Zandek tell me Tavarr’s true identity and his real purpose here?”
“Because we did not wish to frighten you, Katrina,” a deep, masculine voice behind me says.
I spin and face the prince, wondering how much of our conversation he’s overheard. Worry for Joanna causes me to step directly in front of her and glare at Prince Kenan. Joanna is considered a slave and from the look on his face, I don’t think he’s pleased she conversed with a Ghessan and then went on to share private information with me, details he had intended to keep secret, at least for the time being.
“Joanna, I believe Laylah is asking for you. She and Helena are in the sitting room on the first floor having tea. You should join them.” Kenan leans around me and gives her a brief but polite smile.
“Fine, fine.” Joanna also mutters something else I don’t quite catch under her breath as she rises to her feet. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I almost chuckle at the air of insolence she’s displaying toward Prince Kenan—the huge, royal Kleaxian Warrior who rules this mountain—but she’s interacted with him a few times and seems to know Laylah well enough that I suppose she can get away with a bit of cheekiness. I envy the ease with which she carries herself around Zandek, Prince Kenan, and all the Kleaxians who have visited during the morning hours when Zandek is giving English lessons downstairs. If only I could be so brave.
Once Joanna has left, I try to mimic her courage and sass. I put my hands on my hips and glare up at Prince Kenan. His face is drawn in serious lines, and for a moment, I almost hesitate and take a step back. I don’t think he’ll hurt me, but he is the most powerful Kleaxian I’ve ever met, and I probably ought to refrain from pissing him off. But I take a deep breath and steel myself mentally and stand taller, as if preparing for battle.
“Why did you not tell me about Tavarr’s true identity? Why did you not tell me he’s Vonn’s brother and he plans on claiming me because of some archaic Kleaxian tradition?”
“Tavarr wished to tell you of his identity on his own time, Katrina. He wanted to keep his identity a secret until the year was up, however, after you left the dinner table, he announced that he wishes to claim you before the end of your year. He says he plans to petition the king, my grandfather, for the right to claim you sooner.”
I swallow hard and lift my chin, though I don’t feel as courageous as the airs I’m putting on. Inside, I’m shaking and growing colder and colder.
What if Tavarr blames me for his brother’s death? Or treats me as Vonn did?
“How soon does he wish to claim me?” I ask, infusing my words with a boldness I certainly don’t feel, but I refuse to cower. Not ever again. If Tavarr tries to hurt me, I will find a way to fight him or run away.
Chapter Ten
Prince Kenan still hasn’t answered my question, and I harden my glare and lift my chin higher. If he’s hesitant to answer, that must mean Vonn’s brother wishes to claim me in the very near future. In weeks, or possibly days. I dig my fingers into my waist, in an effort to keep from shaking.
Perhaps I can manage to escape this town before Tavarr claims me. I’d spent two years walking on eggshells around Harry and bending over backward trying to make him happy, only to be captured by a fierce alien who made my life a living hell and almost killed me. I know it’s possible to find happiness with a Kleaxian male, because Laylah and Helena seem content enough with their respective mates, but handing me to Vonn’s brother is surely a recipe for disaster. I won’t abide it. I won’t.
Prince Kenan steps closer and clears his throat. His eyes suddenly gleam with kindness. He puts a hand on my shoulder, a gentle touch meant to comfort. Though I don’t know much about the prince, I had assumed he was a traditional Kleaxian male, accustomed to giving orders and having them followed. I’m stunned by his efforts to comfort me, beyond surprised to find he has a soft side.
But then Zandek has a soft side too, I remind myself. He gives Helena loving looks and I’ve witnessed them embracing in the dark corners of the downstairs corridors, during times they don’t know I am lurking nearby, afraid to continue on my way through the house out of fear of interrupting their private, intimate moment.
“How soon?” I ask again, raising my voice.
“Tavarr says that tomorrow he will travel to Kleax-Lul, our prime city, and personally petition the king to overrule my decree that you remain untouched and in Zandek’s household for a year.”
“What do you think the king will say?”
“I am uncertain. My grandfather did not overrule my recent decree to Dennian Mountain inhabitants that prohibits harsh punishments, those that cause bruises or draw blood, for human mates and slaves. In fact, his own territory and many other territories on Tallia have adopted the new law. However, I believe my grandfather will sympathize with Tavarr. The king’s mate was once mated to his older brother, you see, and when his brother died he followed the ancient Kleaxian tradition calledheia-monti, and took his older brother’s widowed mate as his own. Since Tavarr has a legal right to claim you already, it is likely that the king will grant his request, as you will belong to Tavarr one day no matter what.”
“You said Tavarr would live in Vonn’s old house and help you train your warriors, and also that he would learn English from Zandek. Does all that still hold true?”
“Yes. Tavarr had originally planned to honor my decree that you spend a year in Zandek’s household, however he says being in the same room with you makes his blood heat with a fierce mating lust he cannot control. It is theheia-montiasserting itself. It’s not simply tradition, Katrina, but it is a biological force. Normally, theheia-montidoes not come on so quickly. Normally, a mourning period of six full moon cycles is observed, that’s roughly seven Earth months, before a widowed female is claimed by her former mate’s brother.”
“This, um,he-heia-monti. Why is Tavarr experiencing it so quickly, and can anything be done to stop it or change his mind?”
Prince Kenan releases my shoulder and steps back, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “He says you are the most beautiful female he’s ever seen, and that he senses you have a kind heart and are a gentle spirit. He claims he is drawn to you as he has never been drawn to another female, and the only way to calm his mating fever is…the act of mating itself.”
“Or maybe he’s just anxious to finish the job his brother started. Maybe he is anxious to kill me.” I cross my arms over my chest. “He probably holds me responsible for his brother’s death.”
“Tavarr holds only one individual responsible for his brother’s death, and that is Vonn himself. I assure you that Tavarr is deeply shamed by the actions of his brother toward you. It is a grave sin to harm a female as badly as Vonn harmed you.”
“But Kleaxian males do beat their females,” I say, recalling the stories from Harry. And once, two weeks ago, I had thought I heard what sounded like a spanking coming from Zandek and Helena’s room. I’d never asked Helena about it, because she seemed cheerful the following day and Zandek had given her such a loving embrace before leaving on a fishing trip, that I thought surely I’d been mistaken. But what if I’d actually heard Helena being punished? What if all Kleaxian males physically chastise their females?
