Grounded

Chapter 5

Firnen

Before I entered the lower villages, I had to call upon help from the only other person in this realm I trusted—Coatl. He would die to keep our kingdom safe, and right now, I need him to be willing to live to sneak through the kingdom with me.

Just hours after my father pledged his oath to Katia, he arrived. While I did not pledge an oath, I have taken a silent one. I feel one given aloud will mean nothing to her. As her mate, there is nothing I would not do for her, with or without her permission.

When Coatl arrives, he's brought along his mate, Alisha, one of the lesser fae, who has given Coatl advice on where we should go to find information. She has certain advantages from her upbringing that Coatl and I could use.

I wish he would have left her at home because the more people who know the truth or what we're up to, the more people are at risk of being hurt.

"Firnen, how are things between you and your mate coming along?" Coatl asks as he enters my home. Katia is standing in the corner of the atrium, observing our interaction. Since I promised her to find out the truth, she's been lingering close to me. It's been seven candle marks, just after the 9th mark in the morning, and she's been glued to my side ever since. Though she's been silent, I have enjoyed her presence, her quiet company.

I clap Coatl on the back, embracing him, and then clasping an arm around Alisha. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Katia released a low growl near me. My eyebrows lower, and I turn to see her face. If I didn't know any better, I'd believe she didn't like that I hugged Alisha.

"Coatl, you've met Katia. Katia, this is Alisha, Coatl's mate."

I open my arm, drawing her near me. She comes without hesitance, though instead of embracing one another, she sarcastically grins and then takes a few steps back. I can see it's not just me that she's suspicious of.

"Well," Alisha sneers and takes a step back. I'm not very fond of Alisha if I'm being honest. She's not who I would have chosen for Coatl as a mate, not that we have a "choice" in the matter. Once you have found your mate, there's nothing you would not do for them. Nothing you wouldn't be for them, to them. As much as I disagree with the union because of Alisha's snobbish nature, I know Coatl is happy.

"Anyway, Coatl, let's not further dally. Alisha, I am trusting you with my mate." I nod in her direction, feeling a hard pinch in my back from Katia.

"Katia, this is about your protection, though it's nice to know someone is here for you. Alisha is here to help you adjust. I thought having a break from all the men might be nice."

I meant no offense when I said this, but she hasn't been talking to me, and regardless of her feelings toward me, she still has things she needs to know.

Rather than storm off, like I'm expecting, she stands to the side, opens her arm, and leads Alisha to the back, near the courtyard.

"Thank you for bringing Alisha, and thank you for coming so quickly."

"For your mate, anything. I get it."

"Yes, even if it turns out that there's no news to be shared. I can only hope for her we find something."

"Indeed."

***

We've skulked through the lower villages for hours, finding nothing. I hate that my father encouraged the idea that there might be some hope that Katia's parents were alive. I hate that he set the precedent that there was hope they might be alive because I've found nothing.

The only whispers in town are that the slave trade has ended abruptly. The "traders" are being brought to justice by King Maloch, and their identities are being withheld not to incite a riot toward their families.

Bullshit.

But only a select amount of people know this, and we're not allowed to share that with others for the safety of my mate. However, I made her a promise. I won't leave the others behind. I'll just need to find their new hideout, and I won't give up hope trying to find her parents. I will do my best to find them if they're out there.

For the last several hours we've been gone, I've done nothing but worry about Katia. I'm eager to return to her, and Coatl worries for Alisha. They've never spent more than a day away from one another, and we've been gone seven hours.

It's now dinner time, and I'm more than starving.

"I guess it's time we head back," I suggest, tossing my head toward the sky. Coatl follows my lead, and we take to the skies. We're not far from my home, landing in the back. I'm still praying for cover. I'd hate for anyone to know what we've been up to, even though we've gone in disguise.

As we enter the house, I smell the sweetest scent I've ever taken in. Alisha is waiting by the door as though she's ready to go. I look around her, hoping to see Katia, who I do see, but she's standing near the staircase, dressed in fine pink and silver linens.

I have to adjust myself before approaching her.

"Thanks for helping us out today, Alisha." I informally bow and leave toward my mate, who has awaiting eyes.

"What did you find? Any good news?" Katia rises and asks me. I'm so struck by her beauty that I almost forget where I've been.

Regret fills me, and my head falls slightly.

"There is no good news. Maloch is taking credit for the breakdown of the slave trade. I believe he's either killed the slaves, given them back or moved them elsewhere. But I have not forgotten my promise. I will find a way to fix this for them and you," I promise, crossing my fist over my heart.

Tears breach her eyes, but she does not let her tears fall. She looks away and then back to me, nodding her head.

I'd like to comfort her, but I know I can't do it under normal circumstances. She'll need another form of comfort, perhaps through strategy.

"Well, if you'd like, you can join me for dinner and discuss our next steps. If you'd like."

I don't make it a question but rather a suggestion. She parts her lips and then pauses, closing her lips around her stifled words. I prepare for rejection once again.

"Okay," she speaks, and I don't know which is sweeter, her scent or her answer.