“I’m sorry. I should never have said that.”
Ryce held up his hand and shook his head. “You are my future king. You do not apologize to me. I should have known my boundaries—should have known that I was not to go near her. I admit I was wrong, but you see, my lord, I knew Iena had seen her also.”
He looked up and saw that Gaijryc already knew.
“You knew?”
Gaijryc nodded, ran his hand through his hair and walked back over to his seat.
“She reminded me so much of… well, you know, and I saw a fragile being that needed looking after when you were away. I know I should have told you, and I was planning on it, but then I saw Iena one afternoon when you had gone. She had seen your human and I saw her evil corrupt mind working. I would have killed her right there if she approached your female, but she left as soon as she had seen her.” Ryce stepped away from the wall and approached Gaijryc’s desk. “So every time you left, I went back there, hid in the woods and made sure no one bothered her. I should have never approached her, never talked to her, but like I said, she reminded me of what I had lost, and I was weak. Forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I should have told you right away, I know this.”
Gaijryc stood from his chair and walked over to Ryce. They looked at each other, no words being spoken, just a silent communication passing between them. Gaijryc held his hand out, waiting for him to take it. Ryce looked down at the offering, smiling as he grabbed Gaijryc’s forearm in a warrior’s greeting.
“Just don’t do it again.” Gaijryc smiled after his comment, pulling Ryce into a brotherly hug.
“You know, you should probably tell them that you plan on mating a human before they go through with the ball.”
Gaijryc pulled away, distancing himself from Ryce and walking over to the window.
“What is it?”
Gaijryc didn’t say anything, just stared out the window, his jaw clenched tight. “You know I love her, Ryce. Love her so much it hurts.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked at Ryce. “I can’t mate her.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I can’t. Iena has threatened to tell my mother if I don’t choose her as my queen. I can’t risk Helina’s life like that.”
There was a stretch of silence before Ryce spoke again. “I’ll kill her for you.” The words were spoken quietly, so soft they were a whisper.
“I know you would. I should have done it from the beginning. Taken her out of her misery and saved the lot of us the headache she’s given. It’s a small price to pay for the safety of the one I love.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“It does. If it wasn’t Iena, then it would have been someone else. It is forbidden to mate a human, especially the future king mating one. No DarkShine would accept her as their queen.”
“You could turn her.”
“You know it is forbidden to change a human, and besides, she wouldn’t want that.”
“No one will know she was a human. Once she is changed she will be just like us. And how do you know she wouldn’t agree to it?”
“Because you killed her sister, Ryce.”
Ryce stared at him in confusion, his brows drawn tight over his eyes. It was after a second that the dawning truth finally penetrated his brain. He shook his head, turning back forward to look out the window.
“You don’t understand, my lord.” They didn’t say anything, his prince not asking him for details which he was grateful for. He didn’t know how he could tell him anyway. “You could take her and run.”
Gaijryc looked over at Ryce, surprise flickering over his face. Ryce didn’t move and didn’t explain his statement.
“You know I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. You’re the high ranking prince. You can do whatever you like.”
“I have made a promise to Iena that I will mate her.” Gaijryc held up his hand to stop any arguments from Ryce. “I will do whatever it takes to keep Helina safe, even if that means mating that evil bitch of a female.”
“You’re a brave male, Gaijryc.” Ryce shook his head, knowing if the roles were reversed he would have run with the one he loved. Damn the consequences. “What will you do with your female? Will you take her someplace safe?”
“She must leave.”
He looked at Ryce and gritted his teeth. “After the ball I’ll take her someplace safe, someplace where no DarkShine will find her.”
“Are you going to have the strength to walk away, Gaijryc? To leave what you know is right?”
“I can’t risk having her stay so near.”