Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 157

Natasha's POV

"Not at all, Your Majesty," Caelan replied smoothly, though I could feel the tension radiating from him.

Mordred's eyes shifted back to me, and I felt the weight of his gaze like a physical touch. His nostrils flared slightly, and something flickered across his features—interest, curiosity, perhaps even recognition?

No. He couldn't recognize me. The suppressants were working. They had to be.

"And who is this lovely companion?" Mordred asked, his voice carrying a note of genuine interest that made my heart race.

Caelan's arm tensed beneath my hand. "Your Majesty, may I present Lady Natasha, my... my betrothed."

Betrothed?

I understood immediately—it provided a layer of protection, a reason for my presence that no one could question.

"Lady Natasha," Caelan continued, turning to me with an apologetic glance, "may I introduce His Majesty, King Mordred, sovereign of the Lycan territories."

I forced myself to curtsy, to lower my gaze respectfully as a noblewoman should when meeting her king. "Your Majesty," I murmured, my voice barely steady. "It's an honor."

When I rose, Mordred was still watching me with that intense focus that made my skin prickle with awareness.

"A human," he observed, and I couldn't tell if it was approval or disapproval in his tone.

Caelan said, "She's also an Endurer."

My blood turned to ice. What? I'd never told Caelan that. How did he know?

Mordred's eyes widened slightly with interest, his gaze sharpening as he studied me with renewed intensity. "An Endurer? How... fortunate for you, Caelan."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Caelan said, and I could hear the slight strain in his voice. "I encountered her during my last expedition to the mainland, seeking new servants for my household. But I found... something far more precious than a common slave."

"Lady Natasha," Caelan continued, turning to me, "may I introduce His Majesty, King Mordred, sovereign of the Lycan territories."

I forced myself to curtsy, to lower my gaze respectfully as a noblewoman should when meeting her king, even as my mind raced.

"Your Majesty," I murmured, my voice barely steady. "It's an honor."

When I rose, Mordred was still watching me with that intense focus that made my skin prickle with awareness.

"An Endurer," he repeated, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Still preferring humans, I see, Caelan. Your last companion was an Endurer as well, wasn't she?"

Caelan's cheeks colored slightly. "I confess I find them... compelling, Your Majesty."

"Compelling indeed," Mordred agreed, his eyes never leaving my face. "They make excellent bed companions, I'm told. Exceptional lovers and pleasure slaves. Their capacity to endure is quite remarkable."

Heat flooded my face at his blunt words, and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Though of course," Mordred continued, his tone becoming more measured, "they can never be more than that. Companions, lovers, concubines—yes. But wives? That's impossible, as I'm sure you're aware."

"I am aware, Your Majesty," Caelan said quietly.

"The old beliefs run deep," Mordred said, almost sympathetically. "Endurers are seen as witches, wielders of enchantment magic that can ensnare even the strongest Lycan. Our people fear their influence, believe they can corrupt our bloodlines. No matter how beautiful or desirable they might be, they'll never be accepted as legitimate mates of a Lord."

He paused, his gaze flickering between Caelan and me. "This is why so many of the other lords shun you, isn't it? Your... preference for Endurer companions has made you something of an outcast. It's why you live here, isolated, rather than at court."

Caelan's jaw tightened, but he nodded.

"A shame," Mordred said, though his tone suggested he understood the political reality even if he didn't entirely approve of it. "You have excellent taste, at least. Lady Natasha is quite beautiful. You're fortunate to have found such a stunning woman."

"You're too kind, Your Majesty."

Mordred's gaze lingered on me for another moment before he turned back to Caelan. "Actually, I'm glad I found you. There's a matter I need to discuss with you privately. Do you have a moment?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Caelan said immediately. "My study is this way."

Mordred nodded, then glanced back at me one more time, his expression unreadable.

I watched as they disappeared down the corridor toward Caelan's study, two guards following and taking up positions outside the door. My heart was still racing, my hands trembling slightly as I released the breath I'd been holding.

He'd been so close. So impossibly close. And he'd looked at me—really looked at me—in a way he'd never looked at Nathan.

Did he feel it? The bond pulling between us? Or was I imagining the intensity in his gaze?

I needed to know what they were discussing. Was it about me? Had Mordred somehow sensed something?

I glanced around the entrance hall. The servants had returned to their duties, and no one was paying attention to me. Slowly, carefully, I made my way toward the study, keeping my movements casual, as though I was simply exploring the manor.

The guards at the door watched me approach with neutral expressions.

"Lovely evening, isn't it?" I said pleasantly, moving past them toward a window that happened to be adjacent to the study wall.

They nodded but said nothing.

I positioned myself by the window, pretending to admire the gardens outside while straining to hear the conversation within. The voices were muffled, frustratingly indistinct. I caught fragments—something about territories, about Sebastian, about the upcoming feast—but nothing that explained why Mordred had come here.

"Can I help you find something, my lady?"

I jumped, turning to find one of the guards watching me with mild suspicion.

"Oh, no, thank you," I said quickly, moving away from the window. "I was just... admiring the flowers. Lord Caelan has such lovely gardens."

I wandered toward a potted plant near the corridor, making a show of examining its leaves while my mind raced. I needed to hear what they were saying, but the guards were too alert now.

I moved to another window, this one overlooking a small courtyard. If I could just get a little closer...

I bent down, pretending to adjust my slipper, and pressed my ear as close to the wall as I dared.

"...cannot afford another conflict with Sebastian..." Mordred's voice, clearer now.

"I understand, Your Majesty, but..." Caelan's response was too quiet to make out.

I leaned in further.

But I couldn't hear anything for a while.

"Looking for something, Lady Natasha?"

The voice came from directly beside me, and I gasped, jerking upright so quickly I lost my balance. My slipper caught on the hem of my gown, and I felt myself falling backward—

Strong hands caught me, steadying me against a solid chest. I knew before I looked up who was holding me.

Mordred.

His arms were around me, one hand at my waist, the other supporting my back. We were pressed together, close enough that I could feel the heat of his body through the layers of fabric, close enough to see the flecks of gold in his amber eyes.

"I..." My voice came out as barely a whisper. "I didn't hear you come out."