It has been three months after Thelia and Zargis's wedding. They had delayed their honeymoon trip due to making preparations for the kingdom in case of any emergency. Now, at last they were able to go.
And I was able to go too. Zargis said that I could stay with Thelia anytime he was away, which wasn't very often. Kesar said it was because he had asked Zargis if I could come and the King gave in. Thelia said it was because Kesar was worried about me and wanted to keep me close. I didn't care. I was happy.
Cam and Otreg were also with us to help guard the King and Queen, as well as to take some time away from the Kingdom. I was now sitting with them in a hotel room, waiting for Kesar to return from grabbing food when someone knocked on the door. Cam got up from her chair with a bounce to her step to answer it. I went into the kitchenette to grab some fruit.
"Jose, someone is here for you!" Cam called.
Plucking a grape from the fruit bowl, I ran over to see who it was.
But I stopped dead at the sight of Komlak in a tight dress, lips painted red, and what looked like a cane in her hand, which I'd never seen before.
She smiled at me. "Jose, how wonderful it is to see you!"
I opened and closed my mouth, unable to find words to say anything. Using her cane, Komlak limped into the room, looking around.
Otreg stood then. "Who are you?"
I looked about, but didn't see Cam. "I'm so sorry, how rude of me. I am Komlak from Sad. I was just visiting the area when I saw Jose walking with your group into this hotel."
Otreg grunted, but walked over to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Say whatever it is you want to say then leave. We do not have time for this."
Komlak smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Jose, I have heard some disturbing news recently. Do you know what it was about?"
I shake my head. My body was stiff, but I wasn't afraid of her like I was with Gideon. While Komlak was mean and cruel, she wasn't bad enough to the point of breaking my spirit so efficiently.
"I heard that-" She abruptly cut off by someone I couldn't see. She moved aside, and I saw Kesar and Zargis, both carrying trays full of food.
Kesar set his down on a side table and strode over to me, kissing me gently before turning to Komlak. "If it isn't Komlak!" he exclaimed with a broad smile. "How goes life? How are the mutts?"
Komlak blinked at him, then stumbled. "Y-you…"
Kesar raised a brow. "Yes, it was me who gave you the money."
Now it was my turn to stare at him. Tension rose. Komlak swallowed. "You didn't say you w-were a-a-"
Kesar now grinned. "A dragon?"
Komlak nodded.
Kesar shrugged. "Well, I guess that was my oversight! I thought everyone recognized a dragon when they see one!"
Now, Zargis walked up and scowled at Kesar. "The only one who seemed to recognize a dragon was my mate. Even Jose didn't know what you were!"
Kesar shrugged, but Komlak hobbled off. Chuckling, Kesar shut the door. I crossed my arms. "Money?"
He stilled, but shrugged. "The night Einnig and I found you, I may have ripped her dogs to pieces." I blink. He continued. "So, I paid her for them and you."
My heart dropped.
Kesar seemed to sense it because he held his hands up and said in a soft voice, "Jose, I never wanted you as a slave. I just paid her so that you could be free, able to run wherever you want without consequences."
I didn't say anything. Zargis hesitantly stepped forward, "Jose, a lot of the dragons in Korgenyegia have a thing about saving human slaves. Otreg saved Thelia when I wasn't able to. Kesar and Einnig saved you, even if it seems like you were bought. He bought your freedom, not you as a slave."
"Jose no know," I say, voice a little harsh.
"I didn't want you to think you were escaping one master only to be with another," Kesar whispered. "I'm not your master, Jose."
For some reason, I believed him. "Kesar Jose mate?"
He gave me a small smile. "Kesar is Jose's mate."
"Jose no like Jose no know. Kesar Jose secrets no."
He shook his head. "No more secrets."
I nod and relax.
Then, Cam appears, out of nowhere. "Komlak seems scared. What happened?" she asked.
"Cam?" I ask.
Kesar chuckles, walking over to embrace me. "Cam has secrets that she doesn't tell anyone, not even Zargis."
I am curious, but leave it. All I wanted was peace. All I wanted was to be with Kesar and my friends. I loved being his mate and friends to Thelia and Zargis. I loved being a friend to Cam and Otreg. That was all that mattered.