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“When does an Alit sense his mate?”

“It happens at different stages of maturity, but for most, it’s during young adulthood.Why?”He stops and gives me a dark look.“You’re not interested in Vitai, are you?”

“Of course not.”I bite my lip, considering how honest to be.I don’t want to betray Eucabeth’s feelings, especially as I haven’t spoken to her and am basing my assumption purely on observations.“I was just wondering.”

“As long as you don’t get any ideas.”He tugs me closer, pulling me into a possessive hug against his side.“I don’t want to have to kill my youngest brother.”

And he’s not even joking.

Chapter15

Aruan

The reason I’m in a rush to get back to the palace isn’t only because we have to get ready for the banquet.I’ve interrogated everyone who was near the Great Hall this morning, but I still have a warning to deliver.

Once Elsie and I arrive, I lead her to the guests’ quarters.She shoots me a questioning look when I stop in front of the entrance.The wall is already dissolving before she can question me.

The group, minus the male—Karl—is having the refreshments I ordered to be delivered.For good measure, I instructed the cook to mix a little calming potion into the honey wine.Everyone was shaken after this morning’s outing that nearly ended in disaster.

At the sight of me, they climb to their feet warily.

Elsie tugs on my hand, strain etched on her face.She’s wondering what we’re doing here.

“I need to question Sandy.”I keep my tone soothing.“She may have noticed something.Why don’t you check on the others to make sure they’re all right?”

The explanation reassures her enough for the tense set of her shoulders to ease marginally.She nods before going over to the table where the women are gathered.

I catch Sandy’s gaze and tilt my head toward the archway.“A word, please.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows.She wrings her hands together but does as she’s told.

When we’re out of earshot in the hallway, I get straight to the point.“You’ll never speak to Elsie again like you did this morning.One wrong word out of your mouth, and it’ll be the last word you say.”I lean closer.“Am I clear?”

She nods vigorously, her eyes as big as full moons.

Or better yet… “If you can only use your words as poison or a weapon, I forbid you to speak to my mate.”

“I didn’t mean any disrespect.”She cowers under my glare but plows ahead.“I just felt deceived and betrayed.”

My anger ignites.I rein it in with fisted hands and gritted teeth.“If not for Elsie, you’d probably be dead by now.”

“I know,” she says quickly.“But she could’ve told us.There were many opportunities to come clean, yet she kept quiet.”

My smile is sardonic.“And being an Alit makes her so unlikeable?”

“No,” she exclaims, trembling.“I just thought—” She cuts herself short, staring at me with wide eyes.

“You just thought what?”

“That we were invested in the same thing,” she admits, shaking even more.

“If by ‘the same thing,’ you mean going back to Earth, I can assure you that’s all Elsie has been begging for.”

“But…” She frowns.“Why would she have to beg?”Her cheeks turn even paler than what they already are.“Are we your slaves?”

I chuckle.“We condemn slave trading, which is why we’re wiping out the operation.Elsie was a victim, just like you.”

“I don’t understand.I got the impression the slave traders didn’t abduct Alit.I thought they only stole humans from Earth.”