Chapter 6 #3
The silence that fell over it wasn’t the kind that came from people overhearing something private, although judging by the way Wadim had abruptly developed a deep scholarly interest in the cavern ceiling, there was a measure of that, too.
This was a heavier silence. Intentional.
Reverent in the way that only old places could be reverent, when they recognized one of their own.
The Troll King approached.
Every troll in the cavern lowered its head as he passed. His crown of iron and bone caught the torchlight in dull, ancient flashes, and the crystal at the top of his staff pulsed with a sickly green rhythm that Nick disliked on principle and on instinct in equal measure.
He no longer looked at Kara like a curiosity. He looked at her like a problem, or maybe it was a solution. Nick rose slowly from his crouch and stepped half a pace forward, sliding his shoulder into Kara’s line of sight without ever taking his eyes off the king.
Behind him, Kara sighed. “Subtle.”
“I’m not aiming for subtle,” he told his feisty mate. He didn’t use the bond to speak to her because he wanted the Troll King to hear him.
The Troll King halted a few feet away. His black eyes moved from Nick, to Kara, to Torvik, who had wrapped one small fist into the hem of Kara’s shirt and looked perfectly content to remain attached to it for the foreseeable future.
“You have given our people a great gift,” the king said. Nick watched as emotion moved over the king’s stern face. “You have given me a great gift. Torvik is my son. My youngest son, and I did not know if he was going to make it. Now, he will live.”
Kara’s eyes softened as she looked up at the Troll King. “I’m sorry that he was so sick, and I’m glad that I was able to help.”
“I realize that you need rest—”
“You think?” Nick interrupted. To which he received a swift kick to his leg by his mate. Then a huff when she realized that it hadn’t hurt him. It was cute that she thought it would actually make him behave.
“Before you rest, I need to know the reason you came here. Then, we can speak further after you have rested. I would like to speak with you more about everything we have learned since your arrival,” the king continued, ignoring Nick.
Which was truly beginning to piss him and his wolf off.
“When I said you woke the deep, it was more than that.”
“Called it,” Wadim said, his voice sounding much too jovial than the situation warranted.
“Babe,” Zara whispered. “Not the time.”
“Where is Jen when I need her to back me up?” he pouted.
Nick decided he needed to spar the historian soon and put him back in his place.
Kara started to speak, but Nick stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
She’d said enough, she’d done enough. As her mate, it was his responsibility to help her know when to stop, when to say no.
She might not like it right now, but he hoped she’d understand that he needed to do this.
He needed to be the one to carry her when she needed a break from walking.
Because he knew she’d say yes, over and over again, even if it meant that she’d be crawling to meet the needs of others.
He wouldn’t allow that. Not after the life she’d already had.
He’d move mountains to make sure she was protected, even from herself.
“Agreed,” Nick nodded. “Conversations can be had after my mate gets the rest she needs. Are there accommodations, so she can have quiet?”
“Nick,” Kara stood up so quickly she stumbled. Without a second thought he swept her up into his arms, and for the first time since they’d entered the cave, he felt as if he could breathe. “There’s no time. With everything going on in the human realm—”
“It can wait, and it will wait,” he growled, giving her body a slight squeeze. Not enough to hurt, but enough to let her know that it was not up for discussion.
“Let me,” Gavril spoke up, and Nick felt the power in the dominant male’s tone. He would back Nick no matter what. No doubt Rachel was exhausted as well. “The females need sleep. But I can fill the king in on why we are here.”
“What about the males?” Wadim asked. “Beauty sleep is a necessity. I don’t want my mate finding some other male attractive because I didn’t make sure to keep myself attractive for her.”
“Don’t be a diva, history boy,” Gavril muttered. Nick could hear the affection in his voice which took the sting out of the words.
Aphid stepped up next to Nick and bumped his shoulder. “I will keep watch. I do not require nearly as much sleep as the wolves. And no offense,” he looked at the Troll King, “but this newly found truce is shaky at best. I will not leave my comrades vulnerable.”
The Troll King nodded. “I admire your boldness, even if you are a pompous fae.” He glanced at a group of trolls who looked absolutely bored out of their minds. “Show them to the rooms where they can rest. I give you my word, no harm will come to any of you.”
“I will hold you to that, King,” Kara said, her voice stern.
“Being a witch and a healer is not what makes me dangerous,” she paused as Nick watched her eyes roam around the room, as if she wanted to make sure every eye was on her and every ear listened.
“I am dangerous because I am a mate, a mother, and a member of a pack. My loyalty to them runs deeper than the most fathomless ocean, higher than the peak of the tallest mountain, and wider than a chasm that cannot be measured because of its vastness. Do not mess with those that I love. Until now, I have been reasonable. Hurt those I love, and every ounce of rational thinking will flee, and I will unleash hell on your realm.”
The silence was so complete that you’d be able to hear the smallest pebble hit the ground. Wide eyes stared at his mate with fear, reverence, respect, and disbelief. But not a single troll argued her threat. Nick thought he couldn’t love her more, and yet after her fierce declaration, he did.
It was Wadim who broke the quiet. “And that is why we constantly pant after our females like bucks in rut. Because they’re badass.”
“Bloody hell,” Zara muttered.
The king’s expression didn’t alter, but something flickered in his dark gaze that might, in a different face, have meant approval.
“Ferocious words from a female of great worth. I can see why your mate is so protective of you. You are like our troll females. They are caretakers, until they are warriors. Then they are more brutal than our males.”
Kara’s chin rose as her arm tightened around Nick’s neck where she held onto him. “I’ve been vulnerable enough in my life, walking while constantly looking over my shoulder, sleeping with one eye open. All on my own. I am not alone anymore.”
Zara stepped up on their other side, Wadim at her back, close enough for his chest to touch her body. She rested both hands on her hips. “The vampires didn’t break me, and as long as I am breathing, nothing will. Because, I am not alone anymore, either. None of us are.”
To Nick’s complete shock, and obviously the shock of all his people, the Troll King bent his head to the two females.
A king did not bend his head to anyone. “Gypsy healer, blessed by the Great Luna, female wolf and warrior,” he motioned to Zara, “wolf and seasoned healer,” the king’s eyes shifted to Rachel, who looked a little surprised.
“Now that I have Kara’s scent, I can smell it on you as well,” he explained.
“You are honored guests. My apologies for how our introduction began. I hope that we can start again.” Then his chin rose slightly as he met the eyes of each of their males.
“You each have the great honor of caring for these females. We will assist you in every way we can.”
Nick’s body went rigid. Even though the king’s words were kind, there was a possessiveness in his tone that had his wolf’s hackles rising. “Forgive me,” Nick said, voice low, “if I don’t immediately trust the male who had her dragged out of a cage.”