Page 4 of Spirit Rites
I wince at just hearing his name. “Just Kal is fine,” Rysden says in a low voice.
Lox turns to me, but before he can say anything, Harper joins us. “What in the world?” she asks in a hushed voice. “You all just left me out there with him.”
I barely resist the urge to groan. “Why are you all in my cooking space?” Hector grouses.
“You all are overreacting,” Rysden says. “It’s just Kal.”
Harper gives him one of her looks, and I’m thankful she’s on my side for this argument. “He’s the king of the Jaguar Kingdom,” Harper says deadpan.
“I’m the king of the Wolf Kingdom,” Rysden returns.
“Well, yeah, but then you take one look at our friend and go all sappy; so, it’s totally different.”
Rysden frowns. “I do not go sappy.” It looks like the words pain him.
Farrah grins, and Rysden turns to Lox, looking for backup. Lox shrugs. “She’s not wrong.”
Rysden scowls, and Farrah looks like she’s biting back a smile. “I am not sappy,” he reiterates in a low tone.
“What are you all doing?” Jamik, Rysden’s younger brother, asks in confusion when he joins us.
“Kinsley’s hiding in here, and we’re hiding with her.” Harper says it so matter-of-fact.
Rysden shakes his head. “We are not hiding in here.” He glances at me. “Well, some of us are.”
“I am not hiding.”
There’s a brief moment of silence. Then…
“She’s totally hiding.”
“She is.”
“She’s hiding all right.”
“Denial.”
I blink at all the responses; I can’t even process who said what. “You all are the worst.” I grab a basket of bread and carry it out of the kitchen area and into the large room with the longtable and a fireplace on the opposite wall. I don’t notice Kaldar at first. In fact, I do a double take when I think he’s not in the room. Then I see him off to the side, leaning against the wall. He’s got his arms crossed over his chest with a booted foot against the wall. There’s something about the position that is so masculine, it takes me a moment to look away. I don’t make the mistake of meeting his eyes, though. I’m too scared to. I’m already looking to escape back into the kitchen, but Hector carries out a large pot and blocks my escape. I walk around the other side of the table, the side Kaldar is on. When I walk past him, he stands up from the wall and takes a step away from me. I frown but don’t look at him. I head back towards the kitchen, but Rysden and Farrah come out, carrying bowls.
“We’ve got it,” Farrah says.
I plan to go that way anyway. But when I take a step, Rysden moves, effectively blocking my exit. I lift my eyes to his, and he gives me a small nod towards the table. I bite my lower lip and try to get around him one more time, but he moves again. I finally turn around and find a seat at the table. “Food’s ready,” Hector says a moment later.
“Let’s eat,” Lox says, rubbing his hands together.
“Are you ever not hungry?” Harper asks him.
“Nope,” he says without looking at her. Everybody grabs seats around the table, and it doesn’t escape my notice that Kaldar sits the farthest away from me. He also sits next to Harper. She gives me a pointed look that I ignore as Hector dishes up stew and passes the bowls around.
I’m not sure I can eat a bite, but I make an appearance of eating. I think of Veyra and wonder if she’s doing okay. I still can’t believe I have a spirit animal.Veyra,I reach out tentatively. I’m not used to this connection yet. When she doesn’t respond, I try again.I’m, uh, just reaching out to check on you.Still nothing. Now I’m starting to worry.Veyra?
Little busy,she responds.
I frown.What are you—Then it hits me.Oh.I’m pretty sure I feel my face heat up. I keep my head down and take another bite.
“Rysden and I are mated now.” Farrah’s words linger in the room as every person’s gaze turns to them.
“That was a little TMI,” Harper says.
