Page 36 of Spirit Rites
Her head jerks back. “This is not goodbye forever, Kinsley.”
I smile and wipe my eyes. “I know.”
“You can visit here anytime, and you better believe Rysden and I will be visiting. And Harper,” she adds almost as an afterthought.
“No, I won’t,” Harper says, standing. “I’ll be going with.”
Farrah nods, knowing it’s futile to argue with her when she’s like this. Well, arguing with Harper is always a stupid idea. “Let’s get you both packed then.”
It doesn’t take long as neither of us have much to our names. They step out of the room, and I linger an extra second taking in the room I’ve lived in since the start of the Trials. Rysden was so kind to take Harper and me in and let us live here. Ofcourse, once Farrah decided we were her friends, I’m not sure he had much of a choice. This was the first time I lived in a real home. In the banished community, we slept in tents or shelters or whatever we could get our hands on. Staying here in Rysden’s home was the greatest thing I’ve ever experienced. I finally leave the room and follow the girls down to the main floor.
When we get to the main room, I take in the tense room. Kaldar’s warriors are all spread around the room. Lox and Jamik, Rysden’s brother, sit at the table talking quietly. Well, mostly it’s Lox that talks. It looks like Hector is cooking something, but I don’t see Rysden or Kaldar anywhere. Lox looks up and sees us. Without a word, he nods at the door that leads to the basement. Farrah heads that way, and we follow her. When I’m almost to the door, one of Kaldar’s warriors approaches me. I tense a moment and take in the tall man. Recognition hits me. He's the one that went and got the antidote. Before he can say anything, I speak. “Thank you for getting the antidote. You saved his life.”
The man stares down at me a moment. “You’re welcome, but you’re the one who saved his life.” He studies me a moment. “You look not quite so...awful.”
I can’t help my laugh. “Thank you.”
He surprises me with a small smile. “I’m Taren, by the way. I just wanted to say thank you for keeping him alive and for getting him here. He hasn’t told me much except for the fact that he was mostly unconscious for the end of the rites. You will make a good mate for him and a good queen to rule at his side.”
I swallow hard. “Thank you, Taren.”
“Listen,” he glances over his shoulder, like he’s trying to make sure nobody’s close enough to hear. “Things in our kingdom are a little...rough, I’m sure Kal’s told you.” I neither confirm nor deny, not sure where he’s going with this. “I just want you to know that you have my loyalty for life.” He squeezeshis hand into a fist and puts it over his heart. “You saved my king’s life and more than that—my friend. I pledge to protect you.”
I have no idea what to say in response, so I settle on a simple thank you. He nods and goes back to the other warriors. I meet Farrah’s and Harper’s wide-eyed stares and push them towards the stairs. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but Rysden and Kaldar talking in hushed, intense voices was not it. They both lift their heads when we reach the last stair. Farrah doesn’t waste a second. She walks over to Rysden, and he wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her into his side. For just a moment, I wonder what it would be like to be able to do that with Kaldar. I push that nonsense away, but when I look over at Kaldar, his eyes are already on me. When Rysden’s eyes move to me as well, I feel a little uncertain. Rysden bends to speak in Farrah’s ear. She nods, and they start towards the stairs. It doesn’t escape my notice that she grabs Harper’s hand and takes her with them, leaving Kaldar and I alone.
I don’t waste any time. “What was all that about?”
“Rysden was just filling me in on a few things.”
I’m not sure if his words are actually ominous, or they just feel that way in my head. “Like?” I prompt him. He studies me, and I return his gaze steadily. “You can tell me whatever it is; I think I’m past being shocked by anything these days.”
“We’re mated.”
I stare at him, and I think my mouth falls open.Okay. I lied; I can still be shocked. “What?” That’s all I manage to get out.
“Rysden informed me that once the jaguars are mated, then we are as well. The jaguars connect us.”
Somehow, his words don’t surprise me as much as I thought they would. It kind of makes sense actually. “Okay,” I finally say.
“You’re not running away screaming.”
I smirk. “Is that what you were hoping for?”
“I wasn’t honestly sure what to expect, but you’ve been surprising me at every turn.” His words warm me on the inside.
“I guess I’m just not that surprised; it kind of makes sense. I mean, if I hadn’t had a front row seat to Farrah and Rysden’s relationship, maybe it would shock me more.”
He stares down at me. “I just want you to fully understand. Our souls are entwined now. We are mated and can’t live without the other person. If I die, you die and the same is true for you.”
I nod, still computing all this. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t die in the Rites.”
“Yeah. You’re remarkably calm,” he points out.
“Oh, I’ll scream into my pillow later when I’m alone.”
He grimaces. “Is it that bad? Being stuck with me?”
I blink.That’s what he thinks? “I’m pretty sure if anybody is stuck with anybody, it’s you who’s stuck with me.”
