Chapter 48 #2
Zathexa’s gavo slowly lifted. “Found?” she repeated.
“In what manner was this individual found?” Her expression turned grave.
“And what sort of individual would require Kitanara’s assistance to such an extent?
And without informing me.” The queen turned to stare at the female in question, who in turn shrank back guiltily.
The queen gave an impatient hiss. “Cease being foolish and come here.”
Buosoa nudged her sister, and the female meekly left her station at the other side of the door to approach. “Your majesty, I can explain. I could not just leave the human there to die.”
Therxian drew a sharp breath as his mother froze. She slowly turned toward him, her eyes narrowing.
“A human?” Despite her weakened state, and what it cost her, she straightened, her entire body trembling. “You have a human here?!”
“She was here,” Kitanara quickly corrected, plunging ahead before he could stop her run-away mouth.
His mother’s gaze returned to her, her attention trained on the younger female.
“My sisters and I stashed her in Therxian’s room, but we meant no harm.
It was just until we could find a way to get her to the surface without the council trying to murder her.
We had no idea that he would mate her. Well...
Buosoa did, but she cannot be blamed for that,” she rambled.
“It was really inevitable, I suppose. But you do not have to worry because once Therxian discovered what the council intended, he made certain to take her into the elder palace.”
“What?” Zathexa barked as she spun toward him and nearly toppled before he caught her. That didn’t stop her from glowering up at him venomously from his arms. “You left a helpless human alone in the elder palace?”
“Helpless?” He barked a laugh. “I will have you know that she is quite skilled with her wea... pon,” he finished lamely, and inwardly cursed himself. Now he was the one whose mouth ran away with him.
His mother stared at him aghast and then... she laughed. The sound was weak and for a moment he was concerned because it sounded like she was strangling, but it was indeed laughter as sank back down against the pillow.
“Vaoon, do you see these children I nested?” she murmured as she lay back and closed her eyes. “I am sure you are laughing in delight in Shangla’s court.”
“Mother,” he began, but she waved him away.
“I will think about what you have said,” she rasped. “You may return to your mate. Gorgona will keep me company for a while—if she does not object.”
“How could I even think to object?” the elder huffed. “Poison aside, I have watched you enough these many revolutions to know that you have not been properly taking care of yourself.” She tipped her head to Therxian, her gavo snapping lightly. “Go on, Therxian.”
Dropping his head respectfully, he gave his mother one last look before passing Kitanara as he headed for the door.
“Sorry,” she whispered, but he gave her a kind smile.
“No need,” he rumbled. “It needed to be done anyway.”
Buosoa smiled from her post, however, when he finally reached the door. “Excellent work, my prince. Consider it like ripping off an infected scale. It hurts for a moment, and you think you might die, but it all works out in the end.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “I suppose I have you to thank for leaving that meat you discovered with my mate instead of disposing of it?”
Her smile widened into an unrepentant grin. “Just doing my duty for the shinara, my prince.”
The corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. “Thank you,” he rumbled and he slipped out into the corridor, the heavy sound of the door sliding shut behind him.
He remained in place outside the royal nest, his eyes scanning the area.
The queen’s nest in the upper shinara was too exposed for his liking.
It was designed to sit at the head of a grand chamber where many corridors met.
There were few Seshanamitesh moving through the chamber, moving from one corridor to the next, but his gaze came to rest on the far end side of the chamber and he stiffened.
Gareiia stared back at him, her expression cold.
The corners of her mouth curled, however, upon noting that she had his attention, and she slowly and intentionally turned away toward the smaller male obediently stationed at her side.
Dehv.
The male glanced at Therxian and looked away as Gareiia ran a hand down the crests of his gavo as she glided past him, leaving the male to follow dutifully behind her.
Therxian’s eyes followed them suspiciously.
She had clearly come from the direction of the throne chamber, but how long had she lingered there?
Could she have heard anything? He doubted it but the female was suspicious and made him very uneasy.
He considered following her, but given that she had very intentionally tried to trap him and was joining a group of departing females gathered in a farther corridor, he did not dare follow her. Not yet.
He turned slowly back toward the royal nest only to find Buosoa staring after Gareiia thoughtfully, her expression tight.
He exchanged a look with her, and she dipped her head in acknowledgement before silently sliding out into the chamber to follow after her.
She would be a far more capable spy than he would be.
He would have her report on what she observed when he saw her the next morning.
Right now, all he wanted was to join his mate and enjoy some peace within her embrace. He also valued her insights. Perhaps she had some idea of how to convince his mother to leave.
Hissing to himself, he turned away, his tail whipping as it propelled him forward. Whatever Gareiia was up to, she would reveal herself sooner or later.