Chapter 114

Chapter 114 Dating?

CAS SANDRA

As the heat in my cheeks furthered, Kaleb chuckled.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” the king of Yurene remarked, and then he crouched down to Finnick’s level. “And you’re Finnick, am I correct?”

When Finnick nodded happily, Kaleb’s smile widened.

“Well, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said. When he rose to his feet, he turned his attention back to me. “Where are you two headed to?”

“We’re going to the carousel!” Finnick announced excitedly.

“The carousel?” Kaleb repeated back. “I see. That sounds quite fun. May I escort you there?”

“It’s okay-” I started to say, but the king raised his hand.

“Please, it would be my pleasure,” he a*sured me. His smile was so kind that I decided to accept his invitation, and after I nodded, the three of us made our way toward the carousel.

Once we reached the square, my jaw dropped.

The carousel was just as beautiful as I remembered.

It was a gorgeous thing, old-fashioned but clearly well-maintenanced. I’d nif-expected to see years of wear and tear on the various painted horses, but their pint was just as bold and lovely as ever.

As the jewel-toned colors of the horses danced by us, I felt as if I were a child again, and my l*ps curled into a delighted smile.

175

Wow, Mormy,

ed,

I glanced down at him, his eyes

were wide and almost doll-like. It touched my heart to see my son so excited and

awestruck.

I smiled down at him. “Isn’t it pretty?”

Finnick nodded. “Can we ride it now?”

“We have to get in line,” I said, and I gestured at the small line of people. “Let’s

head over there.”

“Yay!” Finnick exclaimed, and he took my hand in his and practically dragged me over to the line of people. Kaleb followed suit, and I was a little surprised to see that he looked just as cheerful as Finnick and me. The king of Yurene wasn’t exactly a serious guy but I hadn’t expected a grown man to appreciate something like a carousel.

The line didn’t take too long to move, and once we reached the front, a kind older man ushered us over to a trio of painted horses. I carefully helped Finnick onto the smallest one, and once he was seated, I climbed on the one beside him. Kaleb took the horse just behind us, and a laugh rose up at the sight of the tall man on the

horse.

We rode with Finnick for one round, and then he insisted he wanted to go again on his own. Kaleb and I shared a laugh and agreed to wait by the gate and watch.

The king and I leaned against the cold metal gate and watched the carousel go by in silence, until finally, Kaleb spoke up.

“How have you been doing recently, Ca sandra?” he asked. “I know there has been quite a deal of drama lately, and you’ve been busy with your research. Are you

ng well”

“I am,” I said, and I offered him a kind smile. “Thank you for asking.”

“Of course,” the foreign king replied, and then his expression grew serious. “I didn’t intend to ask this of you right now, but since I have you here… have you considered my request at all?”

2/5

The truth of the matter was that I had strongly considered Kaleb’s offer to come to the North. Up until a few days ago, I’d thought going to Yurene was the only possible way to find a cure to the disease, but now, with the hope that Marley could be bringing something useful, I didn’t think it was a good idea.

“I appreciate your generosity,” I said politely in the kindest tone I could manage. “But I’m afraid I have to decline. I can’t leave Anemond at the moment… and

between us, I think I may have another way to figure out the root cause and cure of the disease that ails your father.”

“Oh?” Kaleb asked as his eyebrow shot up. “How?”

“I can’t say at the moment,” I replied. “It’s still just a theory at the moment, but if I continue down this path… I may find a way to help everyone affected.”

The king remained silent, but for the briefest of moments, his navy eyes darkened and his mouth drew into a thin line. A chill ran through me, but just as quickly as his expression shifted, it returned to its calm and collected state.

Had my eyes deceived me?

“I understand,” Kaleb remarked thoughtfully, and he leaned further against the gate. “The idea of visiting the North isn’t the most appealing. I know everyone in Wegalla perceives Yurene to be impoverished and barbaric-”

“That’s not what I meant,” I a*sured him.

He smiled. “It’s alright, Cas sandra. I’m going to be staying here in Wegalla for another two weeks before I return to Yurene. If you end up changing your mind, you can always come to me and let me know.”

“Thank you,” I replied, though I wasn’t so sure my mind would change. My life was so tied up in Anemond, in Asher… there was no way I could leave to go to a

reign land, not now anyway.

Before the conversation could go any further, Finnick got off of the carousel and headed toward us. As he approached, I checked my watchjain.

3:5

“I’d better start heading back to the palace,” I said, and then I turned back to Kaleb. “I’m about to open a new clinic near the palace in a few days, so if you’d like to come visit, you’re more than welcome there.”

“That sounds great,” the foreign king replied, and then he smiled. “I will see your later then, Cas sandra. Thank you for the wonderful afternoon.”

He offered me a small bow and then excused himself. As he walked away, I took

Finnick’s hand in mine.

“Let’s go, baby,” I said.

On our way back to the palace, Finnick hummed happily to himself.

“Did you have a good time today?” I asked as I smiled down at him.

“Oh yes,” he said, and then he tilted his head slightly. “Mommy, are you dating

the hero?”

“What?” I blurted out, and my eyes widened. What had given Finnick that idea? Panic shot through me as heat rose to my cheeks. “Where did you learn about dating from?”

“My picture books,” he stated simply and he shrugged. “The hero always dates the pretty girl he saves. So, are you dating?”

“No,” I a*sured him. “We’re not dating. He’s my friend, that’s all.”

“Oh,” Finnick replied, and then he let out a little exhale. “That’s good. I don’t like the hero, even though he saved us and played with us today.”

I froze in place.

“Why not?” I wondered as my eyebrows knitted together.

Finnick shrugged again. “I don’t know, Mommy, but I feel… scared when I see him. I don’t want you to date him, Mommy.”

4/5

I smirked and ran my hand through his hair. “I wouldn’t do that, baby. As I said, he’s just a friend, that’s all.”

We started walking again, and a few minutes later, Finnick spoke up.

“What about the Alpha King?” he wondered, and he pouted slightly. “You spend more time with the King than you do with me, Mommy.”

His tone was full of jealousy, and it made me sad to hear it.

“It’s only for work, sweetie,” I said. “I’m his royal healer-”

“But he k*ssed you, Mommy,” Finnick insisted. “I saw it! Why did he k*ss you that night? Dominic said it’s something lovers do, like his mommy and daddy.”

My cheeks flushed and I grew flustered. I was a little shocked to hear words. like that from Finnick’s mouth, and even more amazed to know that he was so observant. What could I say? I needed to give him an answer but didn’t want to lie

to him.

“It’s hard to explain,” I said slowly. “But I’ll tell you all about it someday, okay? Can you trust me?”

Finnick didn’t look all that satisfied with my answer but nodded anyway.

“I will protect you, Mommy,” Finnick stated bravely. “If the king ever does anything wrong to you, I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know, honey,” I said, and this time, I smiled.

Finn k was always my little hero.

5/5