Chapter 204

Knowing this conversation should happen in private, I lead Jason toward one of the sitting rooms attached to the Hall. We leave the door open, so others could peak in if necessary to ensure nothing untoward is happening.

“If we keep our voices low, the others will not hear us,” I assure him.

Jason nods.

I sit on one of the sofas and instruct one of the servants to bring us some tea. When I gesture for Jason to sit on a nearby chair, he gently shakes his head.

“I’d prefer to stand.”

When the servant has gone, he walks closer to me. “You are different than how I imagined you to be, Harper. When I first learned of you, I thought you’d be another vapid socialite, who had forgotten her beginnings and was growing fat of the wealth and favor of the crown.”

That’s quite the picture. Is that how the everyday people thought of me? I am too unnerved to ask, unsure where I would even begin to alter that public perception.

“When you spoke the other day… I realized you are not as the rebellion describes you,” Jason continues.

“The rebels speak of me?” I ask.

“Yes,” Jason says. “Understand that I have never been a part of the rebellion officially, though I have been to a few rallies to hear their words. When I was elected to represent the common class here at court, I was even approached by a few high ranking members. Including Samuel.”

I sink back into the chair.

“When I asked you if it was true if you were engaged to him, it was because I simply could not believe it. You seem like such different people – how he describes you to how you are – that I had to be sure.”

“I’ve satisfied your curiosity, then?” I ask, some distaste on my tongue.

While I appreciate Jason’s honesty, I am still unnerved by his words. Perhaps Caleb should be in the room for this. Only my gratitude towards Jason for saving my life keeps me from calling for Caleb immediately.

“Yes,” Jason says. “Though it makes me concerned for you now. Samuel is obsessed with you. The way he talks about you is not flattering, but it is also endless. You seem to be on his mind at every conversation. He hates you but he loves you. It is troubling.”

Samuel has fallen so far from the man that I knew.

“Are you certain he is not speaking of his wife, my sister? She is still being held here,” I say.

“I am positive,” Jason says. “He speaks of you by name, when not calling you by other… more unkind names.”

I could only imagine.

“But as you are his obsession, you are also his weakness,” Jason says. “What you do with that information is for you and the King to decide. But I thought you deserved to be made aware of it.”

“Thank you,” I say, thinking. Caleb will not handle this news with a calm attitude. I will need to find a way to discuss this with him without triggering his overprotective nature.

Jason nods. “I wish there was more I could say to help. Neither you nor the King are the people I thought you’d be.” As he says those words, he sounds… impressed.

“I’m glad we could prove wrong your negative perceptions,” I say, hoping he would carry that news back to his pack and the rebellion itself.

“If there’s anything you need of me…”

“Actually,” I say. “I do have one question.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know about Tristan, the King’s Beta? Is he being held by the rebels? Is he even still alive?”

Jason considers his words carefully. “To my knowledge, he is a prisoner of the rebellion. I believe he is still alive, though I have not seen him myself to confirm. The rebel leaders say he is alive, that is all I know.”

“Do you know where they are holding him?”

“A prize as valuable as the King’s Beta could only be held in their stronghold, entrenched deep within the pack lands of their most loyal followers.”

I lean forward. “Do you know where that is?”

Jason’s face falls. “No. Not exactly. Perhaps I could help narrow it down, but only with a general location. It could be anywhere between three different pack lands. I don’t know which.”

That’s not ideal. An actual location to pinpoint could help facilitate Tristan’s rescue much quicker. But being able to narrow it down is not nothing.

“Anything you could offer to help would be beneficial,” I say. “And appreciated. Thank you.”

“Of course,” Jason says. “My only request is that my assistance remain a secret between us.”

“I will need to tell Caleb.” That is not negotiable. Even if I wanted to keep the secret, Caleb would easily pry it out of me sooner rather than later. He could always seem to tell when I was holding back. I know better than to make a promise I can’t keep.

“Then keep it between the two of you,” Jason says. “My position could make things difficult for me and for my family.”

“I understand,” I say. “I will do my best to keep you safe.”

This man saved my life. The very least I could do was try to return the favor.

I’d have to wait until Caleb and I are alone to tell him, but I can’t wait. With this help, we can be one step closer to rescuing finally rescuing Tristan.

As the court finally ends, Caleb starts the trek back to his room. As he enters the hallway containing his private room and those of the harem members, he is stopped by one of his harem.

“My king,” she says. “If I may have a word.”

Caleb might have been able to guess her name when he was more actively visiting the harem, but that was so long ago now, he has no hope of grasping even anything remotely close.

He also doesn’t have much patience for his harem anymore. Harper has been the only one he’s found solace and pleasure with for so long, that they might as well not exist.

Still, he has made promises to these women in the past, to see their needs met. If there is a failing somewhere in their care, he should hear about it.

“What is it?” he asks, and tries not to let his general annoyance show.

“Forgive me, Sir.” She acts demure, dipping her head while looking up at him through her eyelashes. “But I was wondering if I might be allotted a leave from the palace.”

Caleb braces himself for a disingenuous request. He’s used to them.

But then the woman’s face falls slightly, revealing a more sincere troubled expression. “My mother has fallen sick, and my sisters have all moved away from the pack lands. I worry for her health…”

“Say no more,” Caleb says. “Your leave will be granted. I will speak with the advisors in the morning.”

Her worry remains, even as a relieved smile crosses her face. “Oh, thank you, my King.” Pressing up onto her toes, she presses a grateful, soft kiss, to the corner of Caleb’s mouth.

Caleb feels nothing in the kiss.

But Harper, standing in his open doorway, watching with wide, hurt eyes, couldn’t know that.