Chapter 26 #2
Again, my face burned, but I nodded. “I did. Is there something wrong with that?”
Dryden shook his head. “No, it’s very common, but it is a question I must ask. There was a time, many centuries ago, when this was not the case.”
I grimaced at his words. I hated that idea for female daemons.
He saw my cringe. “Do not worry, our females soon outnumbered the males. Many learned the hard way that forcing a daemoness into a mating was a good way to get his throat slit in the middle of the night or discover poison in his dinner as he died at the table.”
Good for the female daemons.
“Are you at all concerned about your future with Bokkan?” he asked, changing the subject.
I shook my head. My heart rate was returning to normal. Most of these questions were of the sort I could answer honestly. “What would I be concerned about with my future with him?” I asked.
“Your safety. His ability to provide for you as a human. Possible children.”
I managed to school my features at his final words. I had no idea if humans and daemons could have children together, but it was a non-issue because I had an IUD.
“He’s already proven that my safety is important to him,” I answered. “And I’m capable of ensuring my own safety as well.”
His expression clearly stated he didn’t believe me, but I wasn’t going to argue the point. It was better if daemons underestimated me. If I ever had to fight one of them, it would be easier to get away or gain the upper hand if they thought I was weak and without skill.
“And why would Bokkan have to provide for me when I’m capable of working?” I asked.
Dryden appeared taken aback. “Most humans are not paid for their work here. They are indentured servants that receive a small stipend or a slave who signed a contract for years of service.”
“I am able to work and, if someone won’t hire me, I’ll figure it out,” I said with a shrug.
The daemon nodded and got to his feet.
“Well, I appreciate your honesty,” he said. “And I hope I am invited to the official mating ceremony when the courting period is over in two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” I asked.
Dryden smiled. “Oh, I guess humans do things differently there, too. After the testing of the mates is agreed upon, the mating is considered all but done. The ritual is merely a formality.”
My heart stopped at his words. Somehow, my body still worked, because I also got to my feet and followed him to the door of the office.
Dryden opened the door for me. “I wish you the best, Lady Leda. I think you will be good for the general and for our realm. Please ask the general to come to the office next.”
I walked out and down the hallway to the kitchen completely numb. My brain wouldn’t work. I had no idea what I felt or thought. I entered the kitchen and Bokkan was already on his feet, walking toward me.
As I looked up at him, I could see the concern all over his face.
“Leda, what is wrong?” he asked, reaching for me.
I sidestepped, evading his hands. “Dryden wishes to speak to you now.”
“He can wait,” Bokkan replied, though he didn’t try to touch me again.
“Yeah, well, I need a few minutes alone to think about our mating ceremony when the testing period is over in two weeks.”
He stared at me with a blank expression, and I scoffed, skirting around him.
“Leda, wait—”
I turned around and snapped, “Stop! I don’t want to hear what you have to say right now. I’m going to go outside and try to calm down. Away from your presence.” I took a step forward and glared up at him. “Because I’m so angry right now that I want to stab you with my dagger.”
He didn’t look scared, which pissed me off even more. Because he knew I couldn’t hurt him. Not really. And not in the way I was hurt right now.
I trusted him.
I believed his word.
I felt safe.
He betrayed me. He kept secrets from me. It made me question everything he said to me. Everything he didn’t say. And everything I believed about him.
Had he ever intended to help me get home? Obviously not or he would have stopped me at the magistrate’s office. Or he would have at least explained what I’d agreed to as soon as we had a moment alone.
“General?”
Bokkan didn’t take his eyes off me, didn’t even acknowledge Dryden’s voice.
“Go,” I told him. “We’ll talk later.”
As angry as I was. As much as I wanted to hurt him… I couldn’t tell Dryden that I lied to protect Bokkan. Because even though I felt betrayed, he had protected me at every turn since the day I woke up here.
“General?”
“One moment, Dryden. Please wait for me in the office,” Bokkan said, and Dryden did as he asked without another word.
Bokkan stepped closer, lowering his face to mine. “I will explain everything to you after I speak with Dryden,” he whispered.
I stared up at him. “How can I trust that you won’t keep any more secrets from me?” I asked, my voice nearly soundless.
“Because I’ve told you everything. I’ve been honest with you from your first day here..”
“Except about this,” I interjected.
“Except this,” he repeated.
I stared into his black eyes. “I will give you one opportunity to tell me everything that you didn’t before. If you keep anything from me again, I will find a way home on my own and, when I do, I will definitely stab you before I go.”
His expression remained frozen, but I sensed he believed me and took me seriously. “I understand and believe you.”
I lifted my chin toward the hall. “Go talk to Dryden. I’m going outside to breathe for a little while and maybe to beat the shit out of one of the practice dummies in the training house.”
He opened his mouth, likely to argue, but I shook my head, stopping him. “I’m going. It’s not up for discussion.”
Bokkan shut his mouth with a snap. “Stay on the estate.”
I arched a brow at him.
“Please.”
“I’ll stay on the estate,” I replied. “But that’s all I’ll promise.”
“Thank you.”
He sounded so relieved that I almost felt guilty. Almost.
I couldn’t let it influence me. He lied to me. Yes, it was by omission, but it was still a lie.
I walked out of the kitchen door without looking back, even though I could feel his gaze on me.