Page 78 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“Fish with rice and vegetables,” Endellion says before turning towards me. “They are close to a lake here,” he explains. “We thought it would be nice to present you some local dishes.”
“That’s a fantastic idea,” I agree, my stomach already rumbling at the delicious scent reaching me from the kitchen. “And with vegetables on top of that.”
“Ende ordered it for you,” Flinn says. “He knows how you love your greens and other weird colored food. I don’t get it,” he smirks. “But apparently he does.”
Endellion looks a bit flustered at his words. “I think a few more vegetables would benefit us all.”
Caelan frowns at his words, and grumbles a “Why?”
Flinn just chuckles and gets up from his place to sit down next to him. “I will make sure he eats his greens,” he says with a sassy smirk.
Endellion and I both laugh, and Ende slips a bit closer to sit next to me. The moment he is close, his warmth engulfs me again, almost magically pulling me towards him. I don’t know what it is… I have never felt for someone like I do for him.
When our food comes and I see the delicious vegetables on my plate, my heart just swells more and more. He knew how much I love vegetables. He is always thinking about me first. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but I just can’t help it.
This is what love feels like.
I love him.
*ROYAN*
Seeing my princess being led away from my safety makes my stomach churn and tug. I swore to protect her, yet I have to stay behind. I know the triplets can protect her, they are stronger than I am, yet… I swore an oath, and I already bound my fate to hers. It’s like it rips my soul apart seeing her leave to potential danger.
“Here.” Shayan hands me a cup of tea and sits down next to me. “I know how it feels.”
“How what feels?” I ask, while still stressing about her leaving.
“To want to protect her, but not being able to,” he smiles sadly. “I was her protector for as long as I can remember. She is like my own child to me.” He pauses. “But now she doesn’t need me anymore.”
“She still needs you,” I point out. “Just not the same way as before.”
A gentle expression crosses Shayan’s normally serious face. “I know. But she will always be my little girl.”
“She told me how much she loves you,” I comfort him. “She said Shayan is like the father I never had, my best friend and mentor.”
“Sad, isn’t it? That the one-armed, cold-hearted warrior is more like a father to her than her own.”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m pretty sure the fact you are one-armed doesn’t take away from your ability to love her,” I point out. “And as far as I’m concerned, I don’t think you are cold-hearted.” I add.
“And your bond to her?” he asks.
“A gamma’s bond,” I explain. “I swore an oath to protect her. It bound my soul to hers. It’s very similar to how the bond between Beta Quinn and King Gillean works.”
Shayan nods. “The triplets will protect her.”
“I know, still…”
“Ever since we came here,” Shayan says. “She has truly spread her wings. I’ve never seen her this independent and strong-willed. And, while I am sad that she doesn’t rely on me anymore like she did, I’m also utterly happy and relieved she finally found a place she belongs, and found her own voice. Part of me might be sad that she grows so independent from me, but the other part is just incredibly proud and happy for her.”
“You are right,” I say quietly. I look at the man in front of me in awe. That’s the longest I’ve heard him talk so far. General Shayan mostly appears calm, composed, a bit stoic and cold, but he just showed me more insight into his character than I thought he ever would. “Did Tynan, Ita, and Alana already leave?”
“They left soon after Azadeh and the triplets did,” he says. “Tynan asked me to watch them ride off.” To my surprise, a smile curls his lips.
I’m starting to believe that the intelligent general is much more aware of certain things than us wolves think he is.
“While they are away, we need to work hard too,” I say.
Shayan nods. “That’s why I originally came to look for you. Princess Kilah and Prince Nevyn have been researching since yesterday. Apparently, there is a shady tavern in a town close by.”
