Alpha King's Healer

18

Covey and I make our way to the common room. Covey had shooed every client out this morning, to provide privacy for this moment. She knew Thaddeus was coming back, and she didn't want to tarnish her business by having him seen here.

Upon entering the room, Thaddeus stands with his back to us, looking out the small rounded window. With his hands folded behind him; he looks like a painting. He stands so still, so unbothered. A statue.

The man with him turns to face me. Prince Cónán. He gives me a slight smile and bows his head to acknowledge me, but when his eyes land on Covey, his body stiffens, shoulders falling back, neck straightening. He can't take his eyes off her. I glance to Covey. She was gesturing her hand at one of her ladies to shut the common room doors. As soon as she looks forward, she pauses in her path.

"Prince! I-uh," She mutters out. She didn't like the crown, and now, here part of it was, standing before her. She doesn't bother to curtsy.

Cónán clears his throat, "Where is my sister?"

Covey's mouth falls open to speak, but no words exit.

"Still sleeping," I admit. Thaddeus's head slightly turns over his shoulder at my response.

"I can go wake her-" Covey begins, wanting to get out of the room and out of a King and Prince's intense view, but Thaddeus cuts her off.

"It's best she isn't awake yet," Thaddeus decides. He finally turns around, hands still behind his back. His attention lands to me, but only for a moment. He quickly glances to Prince Cónán as he nears Covey.

Covey backs away, before quickly running out of the room. The doors shut behind her loudly. Prince Cónán follows after her. I turn my body as he pushes past me gently to reach the doors behind me. As they shut, I stare at the wood graving. I tried my hardest not to glance at Thaddeus as I could feel his eyes staring me down in the back of my head. I wanted to shrink up under his gaze.

I lick my lips, scanning the room for something to do to make me feel more at ease. A table with a water vase and glass sit in view. I place myself in front of it, pouring myself a drink. I could barely hear Thaddeus speak over the water pouring.

"Mates," Thaddeus's rough voice fills the room.

My brows furrow as I glance at him.

His head gestures to the door, "They're mates, Cónán and Colette."

"How do you know her real name?" I set the glass down. I had never told him, and I know Covey never did either.

Thaddeus takes slow steps towards me.

"I make it a point to know those I keep in company," He admits. He puts himself behind me. Not too close, but close enough that I could hear his breathing.

"Covey despises the crown, and here she is, mated to it?" I shake my head at the irony.

From the corner of my eye, Thaddeus tilts his head in the slightest, amused.

"Your soulmate is not someone that comes into your life peacefully. Its someone who comes to make you question things. Someone who changes your reality. Someone that marks a before and after in your life. Someone who revolutionizes your world in a split second," Thaddeus lectures.

I didn't know much about mates or the bond, but Thaddeus's explanation has idealized it for me. I couldn't help but wonder about Prince Demios. How would our meeting go now that Thaddeus released claim on me? Now that Demios would be able to feel the bond. Would it be something I run from, like Covey? Or something I chase after, like Cónán?

Thaddeus clears his throat, "Aurelia, I need to talk to you." His voice is softer now, almost angelic. I don't bother to face him.

"Talk." I raise my glass up to take a sip.