The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 2 - CHAPTER 1

Sitting on a hillside across from the gaping mountain caves, Nala watched Indel's slender frame in the moonlight.

Nala's own pale hair boxed before her in the small breeze, contrasting to the black of Indel's.

The naked Leveler King, a beautiful robe clenched in his hand, sauntered forward. Though he wore a scowl, no doubt displeased, Nala smiled at the sight of him.

"Country brat, when did you arrive?"

Nala gave him a smug look and waited.

In time, Indel reached her. "Did you not hear me?"

"I heard you," Nala said, that smile still firmly in place. "But that is not my name."

Indel flopped down beside her in the wet blue-green grass. He glanced at Nala and then at the caves. "I am surprised to see you here. I thought you would stay and tend to your festering farm."

Nala's smile grew. "The festering farm you visit almost daily?"

"The same." Indel examined the robe in his hand and said, "I gave you another robe. If you refuse to change to a lower stage, then at least protect your skin."

"I do not need your fancy robe," Nala said, bowing her head. "I've survived this long without it." She gestured to the base of the mountain and the openings there. "They look bigger this time."

"There are seven main caves in all," Indel said. They were silent for a moment until he muttered, "I should have brought you with me when I came here. Do not think it was my intention to leave you. And you recall...I tarried with you as long as I could bear." He took Nala's right hand in his. "Do you wish to come?"

Nala slipped from his grip. "Which cave is that of the king?"

When Indel didn't answer, their eyes met.

Indel studied her. "I know it's been some time, but...but you do not call me Mana. You can call me Mana. You know that I would not take it wrong."

"Take it wrong?" Nala blinked at him.

She had her misgivings about the Leveler King, even now, one month in.

After their brief encounter nearly a month prior, Nala had remained at her barn; ten stage-one Levelers left to guard her. It was a foolish notion—she'd survived this long on her own. But with even the sloth gone, she hadn't complained.

It had been overwhelming. Not only had she been forced to hide in that grave whenever she heard a noise, but for Indel to come and...seek her out. She'd been stunned—she was still stunned. What more, Indel asked nothing of her.

Like today, he would catch hold of Nala's hand a time or two, sometimes her hair, but nothing ever came of it.

As Indel would visit her often since then, Nala found herself unable to stay away for long; even from the caves where she knew Indel would be sating himself with countless others.

When Indel stared out at the caves without answering, Nala leaned against him as she often did.

"Which cave is that of my king?" she asked again.

Indel relented. "There are seven caves in total. The openings here aren't accurate, some lead nowhere. Inside there are seven main ones and I will visit them all. One female controls her collective. I will mate with her first, then some of her stronger charges. Then after that, fighters will come and the females can select the ones they think have the stronger hearts. Then I will visit all seven clutches."

Nala tried to imagine it.

"I'm sure it's not much different from Summoner mating patterns," Indel said. "Females choose their males."