Page 8

Orin

BEFORE LEAVING THE palace, I couldn’t resist being drawn toward the guest suites, as if an invisible force compelled me.

Ensuring Olivia’s safety was a top priority for me.

Any excuse to be in her proximity. The moment I shifted my gaze in that direction, I saw Kagin, my ex-Captain from the palace guard.

With a friendly grin on his face, he approached me. “Are you here because you plan to rejoin us at the palace?”

I pursed my lips. “Not yet.” My eyes flicked past him toward the guest suites.

Kagin noticed where I was looking and his eyebrow raised in recognition. He had a knowing smirk on his face as he crossed his arms. “Don’t tell me you’ve worked up the nerve to speak to that luscious human female you have your eye on?”

His disrespectful words about Olivia made me bristle, and I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from retaliating. When I worked as a guard after Trex became King, Kagin and I had a decent relationship.

It took me some time to adapt to his joking style, and he soon realized how committed I was to being a warrior.

My entire world revolved around the Empire, and I strived to meet my obligations to it. Prior to his disappearance, my father had been a warrior for the Protectorate.

While I was growing up, I deeply missed his guidance and wished he’d been part of my life. To honor him, I made an effort to walk the path he chose.

I believed that becoming a warrior would help me deal with his absence and his failure to come back. It did not help. Despite having one living family member, I still felt alone.

Kagin’s penetrating gaze indicated he was aware Olivia was my K’sha.

That would have been the only reason he never approached her.

It was an unspoken rule, but Alaran males knew they shouldn't chase after other males’ mates.

Especially not someone’s K’sha. The chances of finding one’s fated mate were scarce and treated as something sacred.

The jealousy that was already within me was sparked by my thoughts. I gritted my teeth as I spoke. “She's chosen to be with someone else.” The mere thought of another man touching Olivia made me furious.

With a burst of laughter, the flutzing grik’s head jerked backward.

The sound echoed loudly, bouncing off the walls of the hallway.

My eyes narrowed and hands balled into fists.

What is amusing about me losing her? She is my K’sha.

My fated mate. My teeth felt like they were about to shatter due to the extreme tightness of my clenched jaw.

I was not the one she chose to spend time with.

Kagin's expression transformed, reflecting his regret. With a wave of his hand, he adopted a more solemn tone. “If you’re referring to Clor, he is her friend. They work together in the kitchen. I do not believe they are a mated couple.”

His statement caught me off guard.

Not a mated couple? But I had witnessed them together multiple times. I had observed them sharing a laugh. An unexpected growl rose from my chest. I didn’t consider that my feelings were noticeable on my face.

Captain Kagin raised his shoulders, letting his hands fall to his sides. “There is no need to get worked up. I speak the truth...plus, I heard it from one of the other guards that she is not mated.”

I took a step back. “Why are other males speaking to my...my K’sha?” This was the first time I admitted it aloud.

He raised his hands with his palms facing out. “Take it easy.... it's hard not to notice her when she walks about the palace daily. She chats with some of us. I know everyone is wondering why you have not yet claimed her.”

It was not the place of other males to meddle in mine or Olivia’s concerns. Did all the males on Alara desire my attractive human mate?

I straightened my posture while clearing my throat. Then let out another involuntary growl. “This male you mentioned... Clor. Is he in the kitchen now?”

Captain Kagin shrugged again. “How would I know? You can check if you like. I haven’t seen him today. He comes and goes through the staff entrance. Why do you ask?”

“I need to tell him to keep Olivia away from the marketplace. It's unsafe.”

Kagin gave me a wary look. “No fighting inside the palace.”

“Very well,” I mumbled and turned to storm off toward the kitchen.

The kitchen was empty, with only a couple of staff members still present. The lingering smells of fresh-baked breads and spicy meats made my stomach growl.

Two staff members were cleaning, their backs turned away from me. They took a break, and I spotted the male I had been searching for. He redirected his attention to me.

“Can I help you?” He asked, then glanced at my uniform. “The city guard doesn’t usually visit the palace...Is there an issue?”

A bitter laugh escaped me. That’s one way to put it . “I have come to discuss Olivia.”

His posture became defensive and his brows rose. “What about her?”

The male had a slight height advantage, but was not a trained warrior. I narrowed my eyes and stood taller. “What was the reason for bringing her along to the marketplace?”

He grunted his annoyance. “It’s not your place to know, but Olivia and I are friends and she asked me to accompany her.” He glared at me, as if challenging me.

I despised hearing her name on his lips.

I’d noticed the way he gazed at her when they were together. His claim of being just her friend was false. He wanted her as his mate.

My irritation was simmering just below the surface, ready to erupt like a boiling pot. I made an audible noise to clear my throat.

“You two are not mates?” I stated rather than asked.

The grik’s mouth curled into a smug smile. He took pleasure in aggravating me.

“No.” He said, before declaring, “we are not mates.” He scrutinized me from head to toe. “Who are you to her, anyway? How is this your concern?”

I took a deep breath and displayed an aura of confidence. Embracing the truth, I held my chin high and proclaimed with absolute conviction. “She is my K'sha.”

He glanced at my biceps, where my mating marks revealed small but visible signs of activation. I hadn’t made physical contact with Olivia yet. To fully activate the marks, she needed to be claimed by me, but anyone familiar with the mating marks could see that I’d met my fated mate.

A sigh of resignation escaped his lips, his face momentarily filled with a wistful expression.

In a swift motion, Clor’s hands flew up, palms outstretched, his expression shifted to one of shock.

“I did not know she was mated,” he admitted, the realization hitting him like a lightning bolt.

“I realized some time ago that she was not my K’sha, and I made peace with being in a platonic relationship with her.

She did not mention that she had a mate, or that she was your K’sha. ”

Of course not. Why would she? She doesn't know. Clearing my throat, I ran my fingers through my hair. In addition to my lack of mating experience, I also didn’t know how to fulfill Olivia’s relationship needs. In her eyes, I would only be seen as an inadequate mate. How could I tell her?

With a tilt of his head, Clor fixed me with a skeptical gaze. “Is she aware of the special bond you two share? Does she know she is your K’sha?”

I expressed my disdain by giving him a disapproving look and pursing my lips.

His arms crossed. “I don’t mean to intrude, but it’s clear to me she is lonely. The imminent arrival of her youngling has left her unsure about what to do next. Maybe you should let her know the significance she holds in your life before it becomes too late.”

It may already be too late. The rumbling in my chest grew louder, causing him to back away. He was intruding, and I didn’t like it one bit. “This is not something that involves you...I am here to warn you to keep her away from the marketplace. It is not safe.”

“Not safe?” A puzzled look took over his face, and his brow wrinkled. “Oh, do you mean the bullies that have been showing up there?”

“Bullies?” I repeated. I was not familiar with that word.

“Olivia uses the Terran term to describe individuals who prey on the weak.” A cautious smile appeared on his lips.

My heart twisted.

This male knew more about Olivia than I did. How could I have let this happen? I had suppressed my emotions so much that my entire body ached.

“A group referring to themselves as purists have been targeting those who are not full Alaran,” I stated. This was pure agony. I should be the one protecting Olivia . Not asking him to do it.

He nodded thoughtfully. “Well, I guess that includes me, too. But I won’t let them stop me from doing my job. The cooks send me at least every few rotations for supplies.”

I scowled while pointing at him. “Under no circumstances should Olivia be brought to the market with you,” I ground out. “Understand?”

Honestly, I’d rather he avoided spending any time with my mate. But now that he knew she was my K’sha, maybe he’d back off without me having to tell him as much. Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heels and left the kitchen.

Latza and Vrek were expecting me for the day’s last meal and I was already late.