Page 33 of Spirit Rites

He crosses his arms across his chest. “Yes, and she will be dealt with accordingly.”

I wave a hand of dismissal. “Let her be. She was protecting you.”

He looks at me skeptically. “From my mate?”

“Hey, I can be dangerous.” When he doesn’t say anything, I sigh. “It’s over and done with. It was a little scary for a moment as I thought a huge fight was going to break out between Rysden’s people and your people, but it’s all settled.” He doesn’t look happy, and I try to smooth things over. “Look, Kaldar. I'm going to go with you to your kingdom. I don’t want to start any problems.”

“About that.”

His ominous words catch and hold my attention. “When we get to my kingdom, we’re going to have to act a certain way.” He holds my gaze.

“What certain way?”

He waits a moment. “Like we're in love, fully mated, and completely in line with each other.”

I blink. “Oh.”

“Our kingdom has had a turbulent few years. My father and mother were killed two years ago, and that was the start of a period of unrest. We’re just now starting to get things under control. We will want to present a united front. Passing the Spirit Rites together will give us just that. I’m not asking you to lie, or to pretend to be something you’re not. I know you’re not in love with me. I’m just asking that we present it that way.” He continues to stare at me with that unrelenting stare. I take a deep breath, and it pulls at my sides. His eyes narrow. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine. I’m just still healing from the jaguar attack.”

“You were attacked by a jaguar?”

I frown at him. “You don’t remember? You threw a knife at it.” When it’s clear to me that he doesn’t remember, I add, “Well, you were pretty out of it.”

“You killed it?” he asks in a quiet voice.

“I had to. It was either me or it.”

“Good. Where did it get you?” he asks, his eyes scanning my body.

“My sides, but it’s okay. Hector has been using his nasty healing stuff on it.”

“Let me see.”

I blink up at him. “Uh, no. I’m good. Better than new.”

“Let me see your wounds, Kinsley,” he tries again.

“Nope. I’m good. Instead, I would like to get out of these nasty clothes and get a bath. You could probably use one too. Not probably. You need one.”

He grimaces. “Yeah. I’ll leave you, so we can both do that.” He says that, and yet he doesn’t move.

“Is there something you needed?” Now that I know he’s not going to die, I really want that bath.

“You did good...in the Rites.”

His compliment surprises me. “Thank you. You weren’t so bad yourself.”

He doesn’t smile. “Thank you for keeping me alive. I owe you my life.”

“No, you don’t, and I’m just glad you’re alive and well. Well, and that we made it out of there.”

He nods. “Okay. I’ll get out. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

He leaves, and it’s oddly quiet. I’ve gotten used to being around him. I shake off my melancholy thoughts and head to the bathroom. I can’t wait to get clean and soak in hot water. Before I can get there, the door opens and Harper steps inside with Farrah right on her heels. I barely hold in a groan. They both sit on the bed and look at me expectantly. “What?” I finally ask.

“Well,” Farrah begins. “The King of the Jaguar Kingdom just left your room; we could start there.”