Chapter 2
Farrah gives me a look, but I promptly ignore it and make my way to the cooking area. “Hector, it looks like we have one extra. What can I help you do?”
Hector grunts at me, but I don’t take it personally.
That's practically his love language. He's Rysden’s uncle and a man of few words, but he’s a great cook.
And that’s something I can appreciate. I’ve found ways in my time here to learn from him.
I love cooking. I’ve never had the chance to really learn how to cook.
Growing up part of the banished community made that impossible.
Instead, I’ve learned to be able to make a meal out of almost anything.
Being in the kitchen with Hector over these last few days has been amazing. “Shouldn’t you be out there?”
Hector's question surprises me. “I’m good in here. Put me to work. What can I do?” He gives me a look, and I have a feeling he knows exactly what went down outside. But I don’t say anything about it.
“Need those chopped.”
I stare at the leeks in front of me and can’t help the sense of gratitude that fills me.
“Thanks, Hector.” He doesn’t say anything in return, but I didn’t expect him to.
I hum to myself softly as I chop all the veggies he needs for whatever concoction he’s making.
Hector is the master of soups and stews.
“So, are you planning on hiding in here all day, or...”
I don’t look over at Farrah but finish washing the utensils I was using. “That’s the plan. Yes.”
Farrah sighs. “You know you can’t hide from him forever.” She keeps her voice soft, which I appreciate.
“Can’t I?”
“Kinsley.” At the seriousness in her voice, I finally face her. “He’s going to figure it out,” she says softly.
I swallow. “I know.” I run my hand across my forehead. “I just need time.”
Farrah’s eyes soften. “I get it. Really, I do.”
She, of all people, would. Rysden took her away from her home and brought her here.
I, for one, am grateful because she’s the reason I made it through the Spirit Trials.
Well, her and Harper both. “Farrah, you know you’re my best friend, right?
You and Harper? I think maybe I don’t tell you that enough. ”
“Aw, Kinsley, I love you too.” She gives me a hug, and I squeeze her tightly. Maybe a second too long because she pulls away and gives me a look of concern. “Are you okay?” she asks softly.
Before I can say anything, Rysden joins us.
He puts his hand on Farrah’s back, and I watch as she leans into him.
They make me smile; I’m so glad that they’re together.
They both deserve to be happy; they’ve been through so much.
She grins up at him, and he stares down at her like she’s his whole world.
Rysden finally pulls his gaze away from Farrah and glances over at me.
“Are you going to continue to hide in here?”
His voice is much deeper than Farrah’s, and I’m worried about it carrying. “No,” I whisper. He raises an eyebrow, but I don’t cave. It's one thing to admit to Farrah that I’m hiding; it’s another thing altogether to admit it to Rysden.
“What’s up, People?” Lox says, joining us in the cooking area.
“Shhh,” I tell him.
He ducks his shoulders a little. “What are we doing?” he whispers.
“Kinsley’s hiding from King Kaldar,” Farrah says.
I wince at just hearing his name. “Just Kal is fine,” Rysden says in a low voice.
Lox turns to me, but before he can say anything, Harper joins us. “What in the world?” she asks in a hushed voice. “You all just left me out there with him.”
I barely resist the urge to groan. “Why are you all in my cooking space?” Hector grouses.
“You all are overreacting,” Rysden says. “It’s just Kal.”
Harper gives him one of her looks, and I’m thankful she’s on my side for this argument. “He’s the king of the Jaguar Kingdom,” Harper says deadpan.
“I’m the king of the Wolf Kingdom,” Rysden returns.
“Well, yeah, but then you take one look at our friend and go all sappy; so, it’s totally different.”
Rysden frowns. “I do not go sappy.” It looks like the words pain him.
Farrah grins, and Rysden turns to Lox, looking for backup. Lox shrugs. “She’s not wrong.”
Rysden scowls, and Farrah looks like she’s biting back a smile. “I am not sappy,” he reiterates in a low tone.
“What are you all doing?” Jamik, Rysden’s younger brother, asks in confusion when he joins us.
“Kinsley’s hiding in here, and we’re hiding with her.” Harper says it so matter-of-fact.
Rysden shakes his head. “We are not hiding in here.” He glances at me. “Well, some of us are.”
“I am not hiding.”
There’s a brief moment of silence. Then…
“She’s totally hiding.”
“She is.”
“She’s hiding all right.”
“Denial.”
I blink at all the responses; I can’t even process who said what.
“You all are the worst.” I grab a basket of bread and carry it out of the kitchen area and into the large room with the long table and a fireplace on the opposite wall.
I don’t notice Kaldar at first. In fact, I do a double take when I think he’s not in the room.
Then I see him off to the side, leaning against the wall.
He’s got his arms crossed over his chest with a booted foot against the wall.
There’s something about the position that is so masculine, it takes me a moment to look away.
I don’t make the mistake of meeting his eyes, though.
I’m too scared to. I’m already looking to escape back into the kitchen, but Hector carries out a large pot and blocks my escape.
I walk around the other side of the table, the side Kaldar is on.
When I walk past him, he stands up from the wall and takes a step away from me.
I frown but don’t look at him. I head back towards the kitchen, but Rysden and Farrah come out, carrying bowls.
“We’ve got it,” Farrah says.
I plan to go that way anyway. But when I take a step, Rysden moves, effectively blocking my exit.
I lift my eyes to his, and he gives me a small nod towards the table.
I bite my lower lip and try to get around him one more time, but he moves again.
I finally turn around and find a seat at the table.
“Food’s ready,” Hector says a moment later.
“Let’s eat,” Lox says, rubbing his hands together.
“Are you ever not hungry?” Harper asks him.
“Nope,” he says without looking at her. Everybody grabs seats around the table, and it doesn’t escape my notice that Kaldar sits the farthest away from me. He also sits next to Harper. She gives me a pointed look that I ignore as Hector dishes up stew and passes the bowls around.
I’m not sure I can eat a bite, but I make an appearance of eating.
I think of Veyra and wonder if she’s doing okay.
I still can’t believe I have a spirit animal.
Veyra, I reach out tentatively. I’m not used to this connection yet.
When she doesn’t respond, I try again. I’m, uh, just reaching out to check on you.
Still nothing. Now I’m starting to worry. Veyra?
Little busy, she responds.
I frown. What are you—Then it hits me. Oh. I’m pretty sure I feel my face heat up. I keep my head down and take another bite.
“Rysden and I are mated now.” Farrah’s words linger in the room as every person’s gaze turns to them.
“That was a little TMI,” Harper says.
Farrah blinks. “No, not like that. I mean,” she stops abruptly and turns to Rysden. He merely cocks an eyebrow at her. She faces us all and scowls, but I notice her cheeks are tinted pink now. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I glance between the two of them.
“Was it everything you dreamed it would be?” Harper asks dryly.
Now, Farrah’s cheeks turn red. She turns to Rysden. “A little help here?”
He smirks at her. “You backed yourself into this corner all by yourself.” But he takes compassion on her and wraps an arm around her and pulls her into his side.
He kisses her temple and says something to her that none of us can hear.
But it’s not hard to catch the drift of what he said when her cheeks turn even more red, but she smiles at him with a full, beautiful smile.
“Should we be expecting any little Farsdens or Ryahs any time soon?” Lox asks innocently.
Farrah turns to him with confusion all over her face. “What?”
"Don’t you like those baby names? Their combinations of both of your names.”
Farrah’s mouth drops open. “What? No. That’s not...” her words trail off, and her face pales. She turns suddenly to Rysden.
“Oh, good grief,” Harper mutters, shaking her head.
I can’t help my smile. I’m happy for them, even if Farrah does look like she’s going to throw up.
They seem to have a private conversation for a moment and then Rysden leans forward with his forearms on the table.
“I have to head to the castle. Brak is holding things together for now, but there’s going to be a lot to do in the days to come.
” He faces all of us, including Kaldar. “With my father gone, I am officially the king.”
“About time,” Hector mutters, and I can’t help but think that we all agree with the sentiment. But I stay quiet.
“Anything our kingdom can do to help you during this time of transition is yours,” Kaldar says in that almost lyrical voice of his. I stop just short of closing my eyes. He has the most amazing voice. I’m pretty sure I could listen to it for hours.
“Thank you,” Rysden says with a grateful nod. “When will you head back?”
“I can’t be gone long. Our kingdom is in its own upheaval.”
Curiosity eats at me; I want to know what’s wrong with Kaldar’s kingdom, but I don’t ask. Rysden nods, like he’s unsurprised. “The same offer extends back to you. If we can do anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“What’s wrong with your kingdom?” Harper, who has no inhibitions with asking strangers questions, asks.
Kaldar turns his gaze on her, and I’m glad it’s not me.
His gaze is so intense. It takes him a moment, and I wonder if that’s because he doesn’t want to say things in front of all of us.
I mean, none of us are from the jaguar kingdom.
“I only took over as king two years ago, and my rule has been...tenuous at best.”
I want to know more, but Rysden doesn’t give me the chance to ask.
He stands to his feet. Lox and Jamik stand as well; I know they’ll go with him.
With the king and queen both dead, I can’t imagine what state the castle will be in.
I can’t find it in my heart to be sad that the king is dead.
I am sad that Rysden’s mom is dead, though.
Farrah told me she was really a good person, but I’m happy she no longer lives in pain.
Her husband’s hold over her was broken in death.
“You need to rest today,” he says, looking Farrah in the eye.
Farrah frowns. “I can help at the castle.”
“I know, but you’re still recovering from your wounds from yesterday.”
“So are you,” Farrah points out. Rysden’s eyes soften, and he leans towards her. He says something. Again, it’s too quiet for us to hear. Then he kisses her, and I look down at my plate.
“Can I be of assistance?” Kal asks.
Rysden glances over at him. To Rysden’s credit, he doesn’t glance over at me. I can tell he’s thinking, weighing his response. Finally, he nods. “Yes.”
Within minutes, the guys all leave. Hector hung around for a few minutes, but we told him we would take care of cleaning up the mess. The moment the front door closes, Harper spins on me. “Time to talk.”