“Talen, the warrior king from Galaxa, Vander Kasval, is waiting for you in the conference room.”
Shit. He’d forgotten about his meeting to finalize plans to build the king’s natural site home. Thank the powers Cassie decided to come with him when she did. “Dylan, would you please have the doctor go to my house to examine my pregnant mate?”
Dylan almost jumped back in surprise. “When did this all come about? Congratulations. I didn’t even know you had been able to bring her back or that Cassie was pregnant.”
“It all happened quite suddenly. I’ll explain all after my meeting.” He headed toward the conference room, trying to get his head into business mode from mating fantasy.
An uncomfortable churn twisted his stomach. He had the feeling something bad was coming to a head. Something very bad.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Cassie opened her eyes. She wasn’t sure where she was. Her brain registered Tal’s scent and she remembered she was in his bedroom, in his bed. The perfect place to be.
She also sensed she was in a large space. The air felt different than in a normal house. Not to mention that it was can’t-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face dark. She reached out for a nightstand and maybe a lamp. After twisting the knob, her whereabouts came into view. Sorta.
The light was dim, but she thought she was in a cave. The walls and ceiling were smooth and rounded, light gray in color. Not a corner in any part of the room. She must be dreaming. She distinctly remembered the front of the house and kitchen.
Noise on the other side of the door drew her attention. Sounded like dishes and silverware clanging. She got out of bed and peeked out the door. A woman around her age stood at the kitchen’s island with a bowl of the most delicious smelling food in front of her. Man, was she starving. She’d make introductions while eating.
“Hi, my name is Cassie. Are you going to eat that?” Maybe a bit abrupt, but her stomach and the baby were growling. She slid onto a stool, not taking her eyes from the bowl.
The laugh from the lady was soothing and had a tinkle to it. “I made it for you. I figured by now you’d need to eat if you were resting. And the clan leader never lacks for food for anyone.” She scooted the bowl toward Cassie.
“I was sent to see you. You must be Cassie. The new mate. There were rumors he met someone, but this is the first anyone has seen of you. You’re not from here.”
“No, I’m from―” Cassie’s mind darted to the conversation in the castle hallway the morning she left. The man said Talen was already mated. She said “new mate.” Did this make the lady the old mate? Holy shit. Was this his wife? It was true? Her heart was crushed. Shit, what should she say to the wife of the man who was the father of her child? Nothing, that’s what.
She kept her eyes on her bowl, ignoring the awkward silence. Talen. She needed to find him and demand he take her back. Better yet, she could go without him. The remote for the travel worm hole thingy was easy to operate and on the edge of the counter. She just needed to remember how to get to the location. It was on a well-worn path, that much she remembered.
The woman watched her expectantly, probably waiting for an explanation of who she was and why she was in her and Talen’s home. Cassie cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. You must have me confused with someone else. Do you by chance know where the place you travel to different locations is?” She grabbed the control and scooted toward the door.
His wife frowned and wrinkles appeared between her drawn brows. “I don’t understand. Are you going someplace?”
“Yes, home.”
“Isn’t this your home, here with us?”
“Us?” Cassie scoffed. “No, I don’t do the polygamy thing.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know that word.”
“Just tell me how to get to the launch pad or whatever you call it, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
The woman looked a little miffed at her directness. Cassie didn’t care; she didn’t plan on seeing this woman ever again. “The path on the side of the house takes you to the leader’s offices as well as the portal. They are next to each other. But you shouldn’t go—”
Cassie waved a hand on her way to the door. “Got it. Thank you. Sorry if I caused your marriage any trouble.” The door closed on her last words as she ran toward the path, away from the heartache and lies.
Why did life pick her to dump on? What had she done to deserve so much distress? Did she piss off the gods in her former life? Echoes from Talen’s wife chased her through the forest, but she was crying too hard to understand any words.