Page 177 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
*TYNAN*
I catch up with the carriage pretty fast, but decide to stay behind a bit to make sure they won’t be attacked. It takes us hours, almost a whole day, to reach the main pack. But the moment we do, I feel a huge sense of relief. Finally! Royan can be attended to properly.
I’m not sure what additional damage the loss of his mate did to him, but Shayan mentioned that Royan actually went into cardiac arrest. I hope that maybe their bond got severed before that- when he died and was revived.
A very worried King Gillean welcomes us. Aylin and a group of healers rush Royan to the infirmary directly, so Shayan and I take over the task of filling in King Gillean, Queen Sine and Beta Quinn on what happened.
In return, King Gillean tells Shayan everything that happened during his absence, starting with Azadeh’s near demise, her rising to her full potential, how we found Royan and him, and how Artio–under the spell of Penelope–killed Ita.
When King Gillean mentions Ita, Shayan looks at me shortly. A rare gentleness in his eyes that makes the butterflies in my stomach flutter.
“General Shayan,” the king says. “I need to apologize to you. I heavily underestimated you. I knew you were a capable man, but I admit I saw the human in you. But, what you did during the last few days is beyond anyone else’s gifts here. Until Azadeh told us, we weren’t aware of the career you had under King Naseem.”
“To be frank,” Shayan says. “I was content with taking a step back here at first while keeping a discreet eye on my princess.”
“Like any good spy or sentinel would do,” Queen Sine points out.
“We have been discussing this, and if you are up for the task, I’d like you to become an advisor. I’m not going to be king for much longer since one of my sons has managed to fulfill the task I gave them before Princess Azadeh joined us, and will therefore inherit the throne now. I know for certain he has his very own plans for you.”
My heart swells with pride. This means Shayan’s rank is going to be much higher soon. Anything is possible for him now, even the gamma or beta rank.
King Gillean sends Shayan to the infirmary to get a check-up, but thankfully, he is alright. He retreats to his chambers to clean up, and I have no idea what to do. I make sure to take a swift bath, too, so that I’m clean, before I head to Shayan’s chambers.
Why is this so difficult?
Flinn’s words come to my mind again, and before I can overthink anything, I knock on the door. Shocked at my own nerve, I hold my breath. What am I going to do if he doesn’t want me?
Shayan opens the door. He looks freshly groomed, and so handsome. He has shaved, but he still looks so manly. Everything about him oozes dominance and confidence, and it’s so hot. I always thought of myself as being the one to take the lead, but I’m willing to hand the reins completely to Shayan.
I have to avert my eyes, feeling how my cheeks heat up. “You are safe, and alive, and healthy,” I mumble, feeling relief and guilt overwhelm me. I’m happy that he is safe, but at the same time Ita’s death and Royan’s state of health make me feel like I’m suffocating.
“Come,” Shayan says, and before I can even grasp what’s happening, he has pulled me into a hug. I cling to him instantly; it feels so warm and comfortable to be in his arms.
“You know we are mates, am I right?” I murmur.
“Yes.”
“Since when did you know?” I ask him.
Shayan chuckles, his laugh sounding like a rumble in his chest. Fuck, he is so hot. “Probably, when you gave me beef jerky, for the second time.”
I feel my face heat up at his words. “I thought I was being subtle.”
Shayan presses his lips against the side of my head. “On the first day we met–when Azadeh, Simin and I came to your lands–you literally declared that’s how you would court your mate,” he explains.
“Why did you not say anything?”
“Maybe I like being courted?” Shayan asks dryly.
I draw back to look at him with a frown.
“Admittedly,” Shayan continues. “I didn’t know we would be separated for so long, and that our lives would be at risk.”
“Yours was,” I grumble. “I was fine.”
“Really? As far as I’m concerned, you fought against Artio once, and then later put your life at risk to reach out to me.” His voice sends chills down my spine and excites me at the same time. “That’s two strikes.”
“Wait a moment,” I huff. “Why are you counting? Also, I did it to save your life and-”
