“Protector, I must apologize in my brother’s stead. We of the five kingdoms do not want to start a war with you. The Monvie, your mate, is safe within these walls once more. I wish that there was anything that I could have done to have stopped what had happened.”
Dante slithered across her hand as she outstretched her arm toward me. When I lifted my own human hand, Dante made quick work of moving over to me. To have the touch of him on me once more, even the smooth scales, I shivered and tried to hide a smile.
“Lord Aephrim was in on it,” I stated even though my eyes were glued to my mate.
“Understood. We will punish him according to our laws.” Evieraz nodded.
Her words about Dante’s stay still stuck in the back of my mind but I did the best I could at hiding my emotions. At shoving the thoughts down until I choked on them. Dante needed me now, not my anger. He needed my compassion and help.
“I hope this also means that you will still continue to honor the agreement of protecting Brasil?” Evieraz asked tilting her head.
“If you can keep the peace, I will honor it.”
“I do not want it to be merely a contract of servitude, either. Xexon, I wish for us to be partners in protecting this kingdom. You and your mate are welcome to come and go as you please, and keep a small detail under your watch to protect us while you are away, if need be.”
“That’s more than generous, my High Queen.”
“Please, enough with the formalities. You are not a subject here. As far as it concerns me, we might as well be equals.”
I tilted my head, unsure of what to say. That was an odd thing to say, for sure.
“I will see to it that all of the men that have harmed your mate are dealt with.” She continued. Evieraz nodded to a guard that opened the side door once more and the guard that had captured Dante in the first place was dragged in. His body was thick with crimson veins that pulsed along his neck and arms, leading down to his exposed groin.
“It appears as though your mate has some bite in him.” The High Queen chuckled. “Though since he is unsure of how to wield it yet, he did not finish the job. I thought you might like to do the honors.”
Everyone stepped back, dropping the poisoned guard to the hall floor. Dante curled up my arm and twisted around my shoulder. I swear I could hear a soft whimper leave his small mouth, his eyes locked on the guard.
It was enough for him to take action. I scuttled over to the guard and lifted him with my two human hands, my tentacles wrapping around his neck and tightening.
“I would make it a slow and painful death, but it looks like you’ve been suffering for a while now.” I grinned. “At least I will get the satisfaction.”
A quick squeeze and his neck cracked beneath my grip, his eyes popping wide before the life blinked out instantly.
Dante squirmed around my shoulder until I dropped the guard and he could slither around my chest and up and around my own neck.
“It looks like he is ready to go home.” Evieraz chuckled. “I hope we can meet soon to discuss our agreement further. I would like to make amendments to the contract.”
“I would like that as well.”
She gave me her hand and I took it, bowing slightly to give her my respect.
With that, I took my mate and disappeared from the throne room, making my way out of Brasil without anyone stopping me. Dante was still in snake form and clung to me the entire way. All I could think of was that we were finally together. No matter what happened back there within those walls, I would remain by his side and help him in any that I can. Always.
Chapter 6
Dante
Two months later
Xexon hadn’t returned yet.
After the new High Queen, Evieza, honored the contract as more of a partnership than indentured servitude, Xaxen was allowed to come and go from Brasil and even be relieved of his duties for short periods of time.
However, ever since we’d left the underwater city and returned to his cavern, there has been an awkwardness between us. When I thought that we would finally have time together and we could discuss the topic of being mates, Xexon would consistently change the subject, or go off on his perimeter checks.
I knew this was going to be an issue. I wasn’t what he wanted anymore. Though he hadn’t offered to bring me back to the mainland, which I supposed was a good thing. That meant he wasn’t outright rejecting me, but he had yet to mention anythingabout me being a Monvie, which most humans or shifters from the mainland would have a very strong opinion about.
While he was gone, I remained in the cavern, alone. I was able to swim up to the surface if I needed to, my shifted form easily surviving the pressure of the ocean. I wasn’t sure, but it could be due to the magic that Monvie had. Even though I had no idea how to use it.