I Welcome Your Rejection: Angel Kings’ Proud Mate novel Chapter 36

Ira’s POV

“I am sorry I had to act like I no longer c you upared about you. The angel Kings seemed ready to kill anyone that expressed desire too close to you. I had to wait for the right time,” Lior says, halting in the middle of the path. I halt too because he has my hand in his.

The angel kings only cares about the power in my blood. They would only hurt anyone who also seeks it. Lior sought to help… and perhaps a bit of my power too to free his pack.

“I understand why you stayed away. I was heartbroken. But you have helped me again when I needed it the most,” I say, resuming our walk.

But he pulls me back and holds me against his chest. “You understand why I stayed away, but you do not understand how it felt like,” he mutters, watching my eyes. Weren’t we in a hurry? I do not want to be found by the angel kings again before leaving their kingdom.

I am about to say something when the gorgeous assistant claims my lips. All thoughts leave my mind as his tongue force it’s way past my teeth and both of his hands come up to hold my face. I am stupefied. Weren’t we in a hurry?

I would be lying if I said that my body isn’t thrilled to be in his embrace, but my fear of being caught again overwhelms my desire to keep tasting his lips. And when did we become lovers? I pull back after a moment of indecision.

“We are only a few miles away from the palace. We should hurry,” I remind, still breathless from the kiss.

“Oh yes. Sorry I got carried away by the joy of having you again,” he apologises. “Our destination is right ahead.”

He takes my hand again and we resume the walk, finally reaching the outskirts of town.

“That’s his residence. Hopefully he is ready to leave with us right now,” Lior points at a lovely house with three purebred horses standing outside the front yard.

I was expecting our informant to be a poor man on a quest for little cash in exchange for helping find my father. The sight of his house doesn’t match that expectation however. It makes me wonder why such a man would risk becoming an enemy of the angel kings.

“Are you sure we can afford to pay for his help?” I ask Lior as he leads the way to the house’s front door.

“He is a kind man. He only seeks to help,” he answers before knocking.

The door opens immediately, as if the man had been waiting for our arrival. I am surprised to see the face a young, halfway hidden by the hood of a cloak made of fine silk. There is gold jewelry around his neck and wrists.

“Look who is here!” the man exclaims with a delightful smile while pulling back his hood. “The Princess of Levitts herself.” Princess of Levitts? Not even my father has ever called me that.

“I am Thumas. It’s a great honor to meet you, dear,” he opens the door wider and surprisingly dramatically bows. “Welcome to my humble house. I promise to be the best host,” he adds, gesturing at us to walk inside.

We do so fast. Under the bright light of all of his scented candles I realize that he wears more precious jewellery than any princess I have seen. Why would he be willing to take us on a dangerous quest which he gains nothing?

“We do not have time to be your guests. Hurry up or we will both lose our heads in front of a cheering crowd tomorrow,” Lior reprimands him.

The smile disappears from his friend’s face. “Well, we will still be caught if we go with her dressed like a servant of the angel kings. There are clothes inside my closet that may fit her,” he offers.

How reasonable! Where were saints like him when my father needed places to hide? Or when I was desperately looking for my father with little money to do so? I appreciate his kindness, but it’s extremely suspicious. Don’t you agree? I want to know why he is so generous when the rest of the world is proudly selfish.

“I am awed by how much you’re willing to help. It’s incredible,” I start and the smile returns to his face. “Several bad experiences have left me convinced that people are rarely honestly kind. So I hope you understand my curiousity about your interests in this,” I add and the words make me feel uncomfortable after uttering them. Our host doesn’t seem bothered though.

“Lior didn’t lie when he claimed that you’re extremely wise. I am impressed. But on top of being honestly kind, I have my own personal motivation for helping you rescue your father in any way I can,” he answers.

“How did you get all this fortune?” I question.

“I have been trading treasures and precious stones for two decades. Unlike my dead brother I like to sweat for every penny I get,” he boasts.

“You’re a treasure hunter?”

“Yes. I can assure you that I know every path and land better than any tracker you could have hired,” he replies.

Hopefully that means that he also knows who are the witch’s spies. I wouldn’t want to end up her prisoner just like my father. “That is my closet. There are several new clothes inside but you should pick what you like,” he points at the closet at a corner. “I and Lior will wait outside.”

He walks out and I hurry towards the closest. There are such good clothing inside and I start to wish that I am not supposed to dress to bred in. The best way to do that would be to look like a young man, in baggy pants, a hat and long coat.

I choose and dress in those clothes before making my way out. “I needed to look like one of you instead of like a woman,” I explain after both men appear shocked at my appearance.

“That’s definitely more clever. Let’s go now,” Lior approves, grabbing my hand to help me get on his horse.

“Was Linda coming with us?” I ask. Last time we excluded her she betrayed us.

“We will be past this kingdom’s borders by the time she realises that I won’t be picking her up,” Lior confidently answers.