Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
A muscle pulsed in Ksar’s jaw, his eyes narrowing. Harry grimaced, bracing himself. The tense energy that he’d felt under Ksar’s skin became somehow worse, as if it was moments away from lashing out and crushing something—or someone.
“Ksar,” said a familiar voice as a pale hand touched Ksar’s arm.
The tension didn’t exactly bleed out of Ksar’s body, but, impossibly, it settled back under his skin.
Harry’s gaze followed Ksar’s.
Harry smiled upon seeing Seyn—he’d missed him dearly—but Seyn wasn’t looking at him. He was looking at Ksar, a warning in his gaze. “Calm down,” he murmured, his voice oddly soft.
Harry had never heard him sound so soft with Ksar. But then again, Seyn was unbonded now and he could likely feel how close to lashing out Ksar was.
What was definitely odd was the fact that Seyn was attempting to calm Ksar down at all. For as long as Harry could remember, Seyn had the opposite effect on Ksar. Hell, Seyn used to be the main source of Ksar’s anger.
But apparently, “used to” was the imperative word, because for some reason, it worked. It worked. The air about Ksar lost its murderous edge, his eyes softening a little as they held Seyn’s, though the tension in his body seemed to shift into something else rather than disappear entirely.
“I’m sure Lord Bleyver didn’t mean it that way,” Seyn said, his gaze still locked with Ksar’s. “He would never do such a thing. Isn’t that right, Lord Bleyver?”
“Of course, Your Highness, I would never,” Lord Bleyver said smoothly, the tension leaving his shoulders.
“And I’m also sure Lord Bleyver will apologize anyway for any offense he might have inadvertently caused,” Seyn said pointedly, although he was still looking at no one but Ksar. “Isn’t that right, Lord Bleyver?”
After a moment, Bleyver seemed to swallow his pride and bowed to Harry. “Of course. I apologize if I inadvertently offended you, Your Highness. It wasn’t my intention.”
Adam was tense beside him, by now clearly getting the gist of Lord Bleyver’s offense.
Harry pasted on a smile and squeezed Adam’s hand in warning. “I’m sure it wasn’t. You’re forgiven anyway.”
Lord Bleyver straightened but paused and bowed to Ksar. “Your Highness, I hope you’re satisfied now that this misunderstanding has been cleared up,” he said cautiously.
Ksar’s gaze flicked to him for a moment—long enough for him to give Bleyver a clipped nod—before his gaze returned to Seyn.
Seyn, who seemed to realize that everyone’s attention was now on him. It was obvious what was on everyone’s mind: why was Seyn calming Ksar down while Ksar’s current fiancée stood awkwardly a few steps away? Leylen was glaring, not at Seyn, but at Ksar, whose eyes were still on Seyn.
Awkward.
Seyn glanced around, his discomfort obvious only to someone who knew him well.
Harry decided to interfere before the situation could get even more awkward.
“I’m so pleased to see you!” he said, stepping forward and reaching out with his mind to hug Seyn’s.
He almost flinched when their minds touched.
Seyn’s telepathy felt a lot stronger than it had been the last time they hugged, but that wasn’t the surprising part. The surprising part was how downbeat Seyn felt. He was upset about something, genuinely distraught. There was something like anger and desperation too.
Frowning, Harry searched Seyn’s face, but it betrayed nothing of the turmoil he felt. Seyn looked as handsome as ever, his silver hair immaculately styled and his clothes impeccable.
Seyn either hadn’t noticed his questioning look or pretended not to. “I’m happy to see you, too,” Seyn said with a smile before looking at Adam. “How are you liking Calluvia?”
Adam smiled wryly. “The planet is beautiful.”
Seyn let out a laugh. “A very diplomatic reply. Please don’t judge us all by the doings of a few.”
“I don’t,” Adam said, his gaze flicking to Ksar behind Seyn. “I think my future brother-in-law wants you.”
Seyn’s smile froze.
Ksar fixed Adam with such a withering look that Harry was actually afraid for Adam’s life for a moment.
Adam smiled sheepishly, raking his fingers through his dark hair. “I worded it wrongly again, didn’t I? Sorry, I meant that my future brother-in-law seems to want to talk to you. My bad.”
Harry stared at Adam skeptically. The translating chip wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t that bad. Considering that he could feel Adam’s poorly veiled amusement, he was clearly having fun at Ksar’s expense.
“I do,” Ksar said after a moment, his voice very stiff. “Walk with me?”
Seyn’s back was still to Ksar, so Ksar couldn’t see the conflict in Seyn’s eyes.
Harry could, and he wondered.
At last, Seyn said, “Why not?” He headed for the terrace that led to the gardens. After a moment, Ksar followed him.
“Why did you do that?” Harry murmured, turning his confused gaze to Adam. “They’ll just fight again.”
Adam brushed his knuckles against Harry’s cheek and smiled at him. “You’re still so naive sometimes, babe.”