Page 101 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
We need to hear her out first, my wolf encourages me.
You are right, I agree.
“I won’t lie,” she confesses. “First, they sounded great, and I just wanted a better life for my brothers, and… well… I’m not the only one they lured into this that way. And then suddenly, I couldn’t leave anymore.”
“Oh, Rona,” I sigh.
“Do you still want me?” she asks, looking at me miserably. When Shayan and I met her, she was so feisty and strong, and now she looks at me terrified. I hate that I’m the one that puts these fears into her.
“Of course, I still want you,” I reassure her. “We’ll find a way.”
Rona smiles in relief. It looks like she wants to say more, but then just leans against my chest. I pull her into my arms, my heart warming at having my mate so close. The bond is already getting stronger. I can clearly feel it. When we mark her, it will be even better, my wolf beams.
Yes, but first we need to make sure she can leave with us, I say.And, we can only achieve that if Shayan and I leave safely.
For that reason, I decide I need to seek out Shayan. Penelope hasn’t said anything about us having to stay in our rooms, and when I ask Rona, she informs me it’s okay to roam around. Penelope invited us in, which means the spell that made the building look so small from outside is broken for us and we can see everything the way it truly is. I soon find myself outside of my room, roaming the corridors.
I pass a few people here and there, who toss me curious glances, but it seems most of them were already notified of our presence. I remind myself that I have a role to play and put on a more gruff expression. Thank Goddess for my beard. It’s easier that way.
When a scrawny looking guy passes me, I step into his path. His eyes widen slightly as he looks at me. “How can I help you?” he squeaks, his lips trembling.
“Where is Shay?” I huff. “My buddy.”
“Oh… he got the suite,” he blurts.
The suite?
“And, where’s that?”
“At the top floor. The Madame resides there, as do other high-ranking members.”
Wow, Shayan apparently made quite an impression. I’m not sure if I should feel amazed or worried. I can’t mind link him in case something is wrong. Well, it's even more important to seek him out now. I leave the poor trembling guy behind and hurry up the stairs. To my luck, the door to Shayan’s room is indeed open, which makes it easier to find him.
“Shay,” I mumble.
“Come on in,” he says.
I close the door behind me and let out a deep breath. Out of the corner of my eye I can see some movement beneath the bed and the little fox creeps out of the shadows and jumps onto Shayan’s bed, curling up there. The room is indeed generous. “Say, what are we going to do about-”
Shayan puts a finger on his lips, shutting me up with the gesture. Then, he takes a notebook and a pen he apparently kept with himself all this time. He scribbles something down.
We never know who listens to us, it says.
He is right. Yet again, I completely forgot to think further. Penelope has to be a powerful witch. I need to be careful when talking with Rona too.
Grace, he scribbles down.Let’s use the name Grace when we talk about someone back home. We can pretend she is your sister or something.
I nod.
“So,” I say. “What about my sis, Shay? I need to get back to her eventually and provide her with something to eat.”
“Is it going to be a problem now that you found your mate?” he grunts.
I shrug. “It’s certainly making things more difficult,” I say, while scribbling down that Rona is in the clutches of the cult.
Shayan sighs, but nods. “Well, now you have two women to care for. Better make the best of it.”
“I hope this place pays well,” I grumble. “I don’t even know what they do here.”
