“It’s fine for elven females to live under these absurd rules but not the males?”
“It’s how it’s been for centuries,” Savar threw back.
“Just because something has been going on for a long time doesn’t make it right. If anything, it makes it worse.” Keto narrowed his eyes at Savar. “Take my advice and stay far away from the females for the time being.”
“I do understand,” he grumbled. “You have a plan though don’t you? Please tell me you have a plan.”
“Of course I do.” Keto smiled. “It won’t be long before equal rights are passed. This won’t last for forever.”
Savar frowned. “Equal rights as in highborn females … doing as they please.”
“As in highborn females making their own decisions and being in control of their own lives.”
Savar didn’t look too sure but he nodded. “As long as you know what you are doing.” He pushed out a breath. “Now, one more.” He held up the bottle, the purple liquor sloshed around inside.
“Last one.”
Savar rolled his eyes. “It’s not like we can get drunk.” He poured two shots and handed one to Keto. “To your beautiful future mate.” They clinked glasses. “I know who I will be thinking of when I put my hand to good use.”
Keto choked out a laugh. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”
“You are one lucky male though.” Savar raised his brows.
“I know.” They clinked glasses a second time and drank. It burned going down and both of them grunted. Savar smacked his lips once or twice.
“I must get back. Give us ten more minutes and then you can begin the introduction.”
Savar nodded, glancing at his watch. “Sure thing.” They made their way down the stairs and back to the celebrations.
Keto saw Esral and Xavier talking with one another but of Charlotte there was no sign. He walked over to them, noticing that they were in a heated discussion. Maybe he should turn around and leave the two of them because—
Esral glanced his way, her eyes widened. “There you are!” She marched over to him. “Why didn’t you mention the whole one-and-a-half-year condition? Charlotte didn’t know anything about it, did she?”
Fuck! He had planned on telling Charlotte. He really had. “Did you see where she went?” he asked, ignoring her questions.
“Will you step down?” Esral asked.
“I won’t have to,” he growled. “Where did she go?”
“You don’t know that,” Esral said, under her breath. “Look at me. Look at our struggles. You might face the same.” She grit her teeth. “I’m sure we can figure this whole thing out, but it’s going to take time. Time you won’t be afforded. This last year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Like that,” she snapped her fingers, “I know you—”
“My lord.” Lenore gave a deep bow. “Charlotte requested that you meet with her in your chamber.”
“Tell Savar to wait for my go-ahead. He is not to begin the introduction yet,” Keto said, already walking in the direction of his home. He needed to smooth things over with Charlotte. She wouldn’t like this. It would worry her, just as it had his sister. It was the whole reason he hadn’t told her about the stupid terms in the first place. He was going to tell her after they were mated.
Within minutes he was opening his front door … their front door. He could hear her in the bedroom. Fuck! He leapt up the stairs, taking several at a time. He called her name.
Keto growled as he entered the room.
Her suitcase was open on the bed, Charlotte was throwing clothes into it. “What are you doing?” It was a dumb question.
“You can see just fine.” Charlotte walked back to the closet and returned with an armful of clothing, which she dropped in the bag.
He deserved that. “Why are you packing?”
“I’m leaving.”
“The year and a half thing is nothing. It means fuck all to me and that’s why I didn’t tell you.”
Charlotte stopped what she was doing and looked him in the eyes. Damn! Her eyes were red, her lashes tear-soaked.
“Shit!” he growled, walking towards her. “You’ve been crying.”
She took a step back, avoiding contact.
“It doesn’t change anything.” He shook his head. “I will get you with child.”
She shook her head. “You can’t be sure. That’s why your council made these terms in the first place. I know it, you know it. We somehow allowed ourselves to be carried away in all of this. I want to be your mate.” Her voice broke and a tear fell. She wiped it away. “I want it more than anything, but this is bigger than just us.”
“We will mate and you will have my children. We will be happy.”
“Just because you say it, doesn’t make it so.”
“It does.” His chest vibrated with a deep growl. “I believe in us and I’m asking you to do the same.”
“Of course I believe in us. I love you … we love each other but you’re the elven king. You have a responsibility to your kingdom.” She put her hand on his chest. “I’ve been thinking about all the things you’ve told me over the last few days. All of your plans. Your excitement was contagious and you’re already making a difference. You are going to make things better for everyone. Your ideas … your way of thinking … you cannot step down. Not for me, not for anything.”
“Who said anything about stepping down?” He gripped her jaw. His hand warm and comforting.
She closed her eyes for a second or two, enjoying the warmth. Then she pulled in a breath and looked him head-on. “One and a half years. What if—?”
“What if you do get with child? What then?”
“It’s too big a risk. One I can’t possibly let you take.” Her lip quivered.
“It’s my risk. My decision.”
Charlotte shook her head. Her eyes were filled with such sadness. He was losing her. “Please. I need you to believe in us. Believe in me. There will be children, I know there will.”
“How?” Her voice was high-pitched. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
He didn’t have an answer. Maybe Charlotte was right. Maybe it was something he wanted so badly that he wasn’t willing to even think of the alternative.
“You can’t know,” she whispered. “None of us can. It’s a risk. It’s why your councilors included these terms and it’s why I have to go.” She squeezed her eyes shut, her cheeks streaked with tears. “You mustn’t stop me. You—” She clasped a hand over her mouth and just stood there, trying to compose herself.
Keto slipped his arms around her shaking form. “Don’t go. We’ll figure it out. All of it. As long as we are together.”
Charlotte turned, breaking the contact. She zipped her bag shut.
“Please,” he whispered. His chest felt tight. His throat felt tighter. It felt like the world was spinning.
Charlotte was openly crying now. She walked up to him and kissed him. He tried to hold onto her, she took his hands and shook her head. “You are going to be an amazing king.”
“Don’t do this,” he pleaded. “I could take an elven female but it still won’t guarantee me heirs.”
Charlotte sniffed, trying to pull herself together. “It’s less risk though. Much less. I don’t have a womb … garden … whatever you guys call it. There’s no guarantee I’ll grow one. Your sister and Xavier are struggling. We may not be compatible in that way. There is a very good chance that’s the case. We need to face facts and not allow ourselves to be blinded by our love for one another. You need to do what’s right for your people, your kingdom.”
“I can’t.” His voice was so filled with emotion that he barely recognized it.
“If you can’t, then I have to.” Charlotte picked up the bag. “I’ve made up my mind.”
It killed him. Broke him. Destroyed him, but she was right. He couldn’t say it though. Couldn’t get the words out. They just stood there for a moment, looking at one another. He could see that Charlotte was just as broke
n as he was.
Keto took the bag from her. “You can’t just leave like this. Stay tonight at least.”
“That’s a terrible idea.” She gave him the ghost of a smile. “And you know it.”
He nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” He swallowed thickly. Loathe to let her leave. He could see that he was fighting a losing battle. Charlotte had already made up her mind. He tried to think of something to say to change it back again. Tried to think of any option other than this one, and got nothing. “I don’t want anyone else,” his voice was rough with emotions.
“I know.” Another tear fell.
Fucking killed him. “Let me organize you a ride. I’ll give this some thought. I’ll try to find a way.” The terms were set in fucking stone. He would come up with something though. He would have to. Keto could not lose Charlotte. There was no fucking way he was taking another female.
Charlotte nodded, using a hand to wipe away the tears. More came in their place. Killing him one at a time.
To go from on top of the world to as low as you could get. Her heart felt shattered. Splintered in her chest. It hurt. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to speak. It hurt to think.
“You would have made a good queen,” Savar said, his eyes on the road ahead.
“Thank you.” She forced the words out. Savar was trying to be nice. She didn’t really want to talk about it though. She just wanted to crawl up into a little ball and die. Not literally of course. She was glad that she was still on vacation. Then again, she had resigned so the vacation might just be permanent. Right now, she didn’t care, at least she could hole herself away for a while.
“You are a good female.” Savar glanced her way. “Most would not have been so selfless.”
“I had to do what’s best for Keto.”
“I don’t think he sees it that way. You’ve done what’s right for his people, not necessarily what is right for him.” Savar slowed down and turned the wheel slightly as the dirt road veered to the left.
“What Keto doesn’t realize is that doing what’s right for his people is what’s right for him. I couldn’t bear it if in a few years’ time, he was to blame me for the loss of his kingdom. We have no idea who would take his place. Keto is the right person for the job, he’s going to do great things.”
“Yes,” Savar nodded. “You are right. You will have to live with the what ifs though. What if you had become pregnant?”
“If only there was some way to check and to know for sure before we were mated. There isn’t though, so I know I’m making the right decision. This is hands down—” her voice broke. She took a few seconds to compose herself. “The hardest thing I have ever done.”
“I am sorry for both of you,” Savar spoke softly, taking a turn to the right. This section of the road was pretty bumpy and the vehicle vibrated.
“Please be there for him.”
“Of course,” Savar said. “We have been friends our whole lives.”
“Something else …” Charlotte bit down on her lower lip, her heart heavy.
“Yeah?” Savar looked far away for a few beats before returning his attention to the road ahead.
“Make sure he takes another mate.” She swallowed hard as a lump formed in her throat.
Savar nodded, his expression grave. “He will be expected to choose and to mate someone soon. I’d say two weeks tops.”
“I don’t think he will want to. You are going to have to help him do it.” It would be awful if Keto ended up losing his kingdom in the end anyway.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle,” Savar sighed. “Just getting him to meet with a few of the females was like pulling teeth. The council will demand it though and I will make sure he … moves forward.”
Charlotte exhaled slowly, trying hard not to have another melt-down. “Thank you.”
“I know that it seems hollow and there is really nothing I can say right now to make you feel better, but time does heal all wounds. There is someone out there for you. You will find happiness.”
Charlotte didn’t say anything. She wanted so badly to believe him but deep down she knew that Savar was wrong. There was no one else and she would never be truly happy without Keto in her life. On some level, they had already bonded. Keto was right when he had said that he was hers and that she was his. Although she burned with jealousy, Charlotte also felt sorry for Keto’s future mate.
Chapter 26
Two weeks later …
If she wasn’t so worried she’d leave. No! That kind of thinking was wrong of her. Becky was a sweet female. Okay, maybe sweet wasn’t the right word to describe the firecracker human. Charlotte liked Becky very much. She couldn’t let her own life interfere with how she treated others. It wasn’t fair. She was jealous of the human but needed to seriously get over herself.
Becky held her belly and gave a grin. “He’s kicking me to death. I’m surprised I’m not black and blue. Then again, I think that maybe some of my internal organs are bruised.” She folded her arms over her stomach and locked eyes with Charlotte. “Okay, so,” she opened the file on the desk in front of her, “what can I do for you today?”
Charlotte frowned. “I’m having a medical problem.” She clasped her hands in her lap. Maybe it was stupid to come here. She was a vampire. It wasn’t like she was going to die or anything. Still, she wanted to know what the hell was wrong with her because this wasn’t normal.
Becky nodded. “I figured that, since you’re here.” Her eyes were bright and a smile toyed with the edges of her lips.
Charlotte laughed, it sounded nervous. “I’m probably just being silly. Then again …” she widened her eyes. “This is not normal so I thought I’d better stop in.”
“Tell me your symptoms.” Becky held her pen poised. “Start with the worst one.”
“I’m bleeding,” Charlotte blurted. It was certainly the worst of her symptoms. Not something she could just ignore.
“That’s weird.” Becky pursed her lips. “Any wound should heal pretty quickly. Where is the wound and was silver involved?”
“There is no wound. That’s the weird part. I woke up this morning and it looked like someone had been murdered in my bed. My sheets are soaking in bleach.” She chewed on her lower lip.
“You’re going to have to give me some more to go on here. No wound, so that would mean you were bleeding from an orifice.”
Charlotte nodded. “My vagina is bleeding, like I’m having my bloods ‒ only it can’t be that.” She spoke softly even though she didn’t have anything to be embarrassed about. Becky was a healer. She’d seen it all. “Am I going to be okay?” She felt her brow crease in a frown.
Becky frowned as well. “I take it that the bleeding is pretty profuse if it looked like there had been a murder. Are you still …?”
“Yes, I had to rustle up some sanitary towels. It’s almost lunch time and the bleeding hasn’t stopped. It’s still pretty bad. That’s why I decided to see you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Becky flipped through her file, her eyes moved from side to side as she read. She made a humming noise. “It says here that you had your womb removed when you turned eighteen. You had a partial hysterectomy,” she added, almost to herself. “Your hips were deemed too narrow to be able to birth young and you were therefore sterilized?”
Charlotte nodded. She clenched her teeth, trying to stop the well of emotions. Why was this happening now? It just highlighted everything that was screwed up in her life at the moment.
“Did you menstruate ‒ have your bloods ‒ normally prior to having your womb extracted?”
“Yes, once every quarter like clockwork.” Humans went into heat monthly. Not so with vampires, it was every three months on average.
Becky nodded. “Any other symptoms?”
“Cramps in my stomach, nothing too hectic. Nothing that would explain that much blood. Otherwise … no. I probably shouldn’t have come, I—” Charlotte started to stand.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Becky
motioned for her to sit back down. “I’m going to give you a physical exam in a moment, but first I have a few questions. They might seem a bit personal but I want you to answer to the best of your ability.”
“Okay.” Charlotte nodded.
Becky watched her closely but didn’t say anything for a time. “Have you had sex recently?”
“Two weeks ago.” With all the rumors flying around, Becky already knew the answer to that question. She was happy that Becky had asked anyway instead of assuming. She prayed that the human wouldn’t ask any more. The last thing she felt like talking about was her relationship with Keto. Her heart physically hurt at the thought of him. Had he picked an elven female? Most likely. Was he already mated to someone else? Good chance. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled in a deep breath.
“Esral has been coming to see me for her fertility problems, we’ve been trying to get to the bottom of things.”
Charlotte was not too sure what this had to do with her. She shifted in her seat and gave a nod.
“I know how elven fertility works. At least, I have a very basic understanding. It certainly is different to the rest of us.”
Charlotte nodded again. “Look, I spent some time with the elven king but our relationship ended two weeks ago.” Actually, it was thirteen days, twelve hours and twenty-two minutes ago to be precise, but who was counting? “I’m not sure why you’re bringing anything to do with the elves up.” Hopefully Becky would get the hint, she didn’t want to talk about this. Not to Esral, not to Grace and not to anyone else. She was back at work ‒ thank god she still had her job ‒ and doing fine. Okay, she was coping, which was close enough to fine.
“It is pertinent. Please bear with me.” Becky looked at her with pity. Great! She wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last to take pity on Charlotte. Everyone in the entire castle was treating her like damaged goods. It was starting to irritate her.
Charlotte exhaled through her nose but gave a small nod. Just like everyone else, the female was only trying to help.
“How long were you with Keto?”
“Intermittently for a couple of weeks. We spent six days together right at the end. Things ended two weeks ago.”
Wanted By the Elven King (The Chosen Series Book 7) Page 18
