Heathen

|20|

His hand goes down to palm her small belly that is only just beginning to swell with a kit. A pang of envy jolts through me.

I look down at Elodie. All lush red waves, brown speckles, and smiles. I picture having a kit with her, and my heart speeds up. Just thinking of something so wonderful has me wanting, especially when I think of what we would do to create another being.

I curse myself for having such thoughts after what just happened. I am too selfish.

"Fray, I am going in there, whether you like it or not, you big bully! You can't just tell me what to do all the time." She demands, and he simply nods, as if he's entirely accustomed to the way she talks.

I raise my eyebrows in interest. Usually on Rytaria, males are considered the leaders. Since our jobs are to protect and provide for a female, the female is to listen and follow what we say, especially when it comes to their safety.

Maybe humans are different, but I cannot imagine Elodie speaking to me in such a way. She's so gentle, and keeps to herself. Soleil seems very different from my Elodie. She is fire, while my human is a flower.

"Bring his pathetic hide in, he has a lot to answer for." Fray instructs the guards, the ones dragging Locanas.

I refrain from snarling, hating to see him still alive and breathing.

We all walk into the throne room, the Emperor standing in front of us, decorated in fine jewels and silk clothing. His dark blonde hair is wild around his angular face.

"The female has been found?" He demands, striding towards me quickly, his eyes set on Elodie's unkempt red hair. I look over my shoulder, a little uneasy and annoyed. I've never had an easy time with authority. This must be done though.

My mate needs justice.

"Yes, sir. It seems the weeks she has been gone, she was with Barre. He brought her back to the palace, only for Locanas to snatch her, and..." Fray trails off, clamping a hand around the back of his mate's neck for reassurance as he looks at me.

The reminder of what the dishonorable male did to my female has me clenching my jaw. Elodie stirs, still blissfully unaware of the words being exchanged around her. I press her against my chest. She seems content to remain silent while I hold her.

"What? What did he do?" The Emperor wonders urgently. No one wants to say the words. I step forward to answer, but a flurry of motion stops me.

A female steps in from a side door, adorned in many expensive silken fabrics that hug her protruding belly. The female is surrounded by her own guards. She wears a crown on her head.

So, this is the Emperor's human mate? Is every human mate pregnant in this kingdom?

She rushes in, swift for someone who is with child.

"Well, from the looks of it, he did something unforgivable. Believe me, I should know." She stands by her mate for a moment, sharing a look with him. The Emperor's eyes go wide in understanding.

The Empress walks towards me, and everyone parts to give her access to my female and I.

I stand remarkably still as she stops, this close I can see that she's taller than my Elodie, or Fray's Soleil. Still small though.

"Does she need medical attention?" She asks in a hushed tone. Amazed at her calm demeanor, I shake my head.

"He did not rape her, but he tried." I answer, my tone brutal. If there were not two pregnant females, and I was not holding Elodie, I would be killing him here and now.