Chapter 96
“Where the hell have you been?” the King growls the moment he barges in through the doors. I try to ease the tension, but the moment I open my stupid mouth, he lifts his hand, stopping dead in my tracks. I nod and lower my head. “You juu vanished,” he continues. “Are you out of your mind? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I was at the King’s Temple,” he says quietly.
The change in the King’s demeanor is almost violent. His brilliant, icy–blue eyes blacken like voids before the icy blue in his eyes glows. He is neither happy nor understanding about Ragnar going to the King’s Temple, and, from experience, maybe it’s a little justified. I don’t see why the King would react this way.
“What the fuck were you doing at the King’s Temple? Speaking to Seraph again?” he growls low and menacingly. Ragnar simply stares at his father with a blank expression. “What have I told you about going there?”
“Sophia is my mate,” Ragnar answers calmly. “I want to be able to hold her without this thing getting in the way.”
“You mean the thing that you were convinced was the right thing to do without talking to anyone else, but that sick elemental?”
“Dad-”
“No, you know you are forbidden from going there, and you still went,” he wags his finger at Ragnar the way I’ve seen my grandmother wag her finger at my father. The memory almost brings a smile to my face, but I don’t want to make things worse for Ragnar.
“I went to undo the oath. I undid the oath,” he sighs. “Isn’t that what you wanted all these years? That’s why I went. I didn’t know it would take all day. I didn’t even know I was gone all day until I stepped out of the cave. I apologize for making you worry. I thought it would be just a couple of hours.”
The king stares at him for an amount of time that would have me begging for forgiveness if it were my grandmother stan me down that way, and Ragnar just stares back at him without a care in the world. He even looks like he wants to roll has eyes. I could never, not do it to my grandmother’s face anyway.
“Is anyone else starving?” I ask, tucking my arms behind me.
“I know I am,” Ragnar smiles at me as if he were happy for the interruption.
“Great, I hope you don’t mind, sir, but we’re having dinner in the study. We both have a lot to catch up on I say pointing up
the stairs.
“It’s fine,” he sighs. “I won’t be joining you. Thank you, Sophia, for the kind invitation. You two enjoy.”
“One more thing,” Ragnar stops him. He pauses when his father reaches for the door. “Don’t ever internapi Sophia wher she’s about to say something again. I’ve never disrespected your chosen in such a manner, and I expect the same for my mate.”
The King’s shoulders tense up so tight that I take a step back, but he doesn’t do or say anything. After a very brief zon he pulls the door open and leaves without looking back again. I can feel his rage settle over my skin like millions of spiders crawling on me. I shiver, rubbing my arms. I’ve never felt anything like that before.
“You didn’t have to do that. It’s not a big deal. I’m kind of used to it,” I sigh because he’s probably going to be spset aÁNOK NAS for a while.
“That’s a problem, Soph. Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it’s right. Come on, I have so much
his hand out for me, and I hesitate to take it. He reaches out to take my hand and smiles. That art nes
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Chapter 96
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Come,” he pulls me to him.
Before I can lift my leg to step up, I’m suspended upside down while he carries me over his shoulder. I laugh and just let it happen without struggling. When we get to the study, he sits me in my usual spot and goes around to sit on the love weat across from me.
“How do you feel?” I ask.
“I don’t feel any different,” he shrugs. “But it doesn’t flare up anymore
“Good. I’m glad,” I reach for one of the plates with the cover on it. I remove the top to find the chicken alfredo Eliza promised.
“This is my favorite, the two of us say at the same time. We both laugh when we look up at one another.
“Eliza had been asking me all day what I wanted, and I finally said this. My mom used to make it for me.”
“I remember. That’s why it’s my favorite. I knew she was going to make it when she pulled out the-
“Giant steel pot, we both laugh.
“I can’t believe you remember that,” I smile. “Tell me about the Temple. What happened?”
“It was strange. A lot more than the first time I was there. They took me down to this cave where there’s this little hot spring. At least, I want to believe that’s what it is. There were candles everywhere, and Seraph and all the other scribes were chanting.”
“Spooky,” I say, scooting my chair closer to the table.
“It was something,” he smiles. “They formed a circle, and they poured oil on me. I don’t know if it was the tones in their voices or the oil itself, but I felt dizzy for a bit, and when I opened my eyes, the water started glowing.”
“Like a light turned on?”
“No, it was something else. I’m not sure, but it wasn’t natural. Then I went into the water, and I have no idea what compelled me to drink it, but I did.”
“Was the water deep?”
“Not at all. I came up to my waist, and I had to sit down. Then it only went up to my neck. I ducked down into the water and closed my eyes for a second, and everyone vanished. I sat up, and all the scribes were gone, but I swear I could still feel their presence around me.”
“So, you were just all alone?”
“Not for very long. I called out, wanting to know if I could leave, and my mom appeared in the entryway
“Your mom? Your deceased mom?” I ask in disbelief.
“I don’t have another mom,” he smirks.
“She was just there?”
“Yeah, she walked in like it was the most natural thing in the world. She wore a white robe with a veil over her body. Then it
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Chapter 96
disappeared when she got in the water with me. Have you ever put cotton candy in water and watched it just dissolve?
“Yeah, I nod
“That’s what happened to her veil. It was kind of cool. Then she touched my chest, and it started to burn the way it did when I reached for you. She told me some weird shit. She said that Ivar was at a crossroads and that I should be more forgiving and open–minded when he does something”
“Did she elaborate?”
“No,” he sighs. “But I think it has something to do with the beta position, maybe? She said that if I deny him what he wants he could burn down my kingdom.”
“Ivar?” I shake my head.
“That’s what I thought. She said he’s in a lot of pain and that I have to help him, and I want to. He’s my brother, and he does so much for me.”
“Me too, I agree. “Maybe I can help you keep an open mind?”
“I hope so,” he sighs.
“Then what? Did she just disappear?”
“No, she stepped out of the water, and as she was walking out, her veil just reappeared. The crazy part was that the water didn’t move for her the way it did when I moved. It was still, but I swear she was there with me. Her scent and her presenICE. felt her hand when she touched my chest.
“That is very spooky, but really cool. I mean, you got to see your mom,” I smile. He nods, looking down at his food, as he twirls the fork to gather the pasta. I can’t help but think he looks somewhat disappointed. “Was it not what you expected?”
“No, it wasn’t,” he admits and scoops the pasta into his mouth. “But I just want to shake this. I’m not sure how I feel right
now.”
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