The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts #2)(21)

“The law has spoken. Toka leaves tomorrow with Pavoni, after the flogging.” Khalon turned and headed in the opposite direction Riley had gone, toward his study. The door slammed shortly after. The king’s pained roar resounded through the hall and struck Toka’s heart, as well as Rayner’s, evident by his jolt. They were all magically connected to their king, and although they would not feel his pain the way Riley would, they could sense it inside them.

Rayner cupped Toka’s face, his bottom lip trembling and his voice breaking when he spoke. “Forgive me. Please forgive me, because goddess knows, I will never forgive myself.”

“I don’t know what happened, but I know your heart, Rayner. I know you would never do such a thing. Can you recall nothing at all?”

Rayner shook his head. “No. I don’t understand. I barely drank at the banquet, I’m sure of it. I have never lost my senses. I don’t know how this came to pass, or why Merlo was in my room, why I was naked.”

Toka ran a hand over Rayner’s hair and kissed his lips. “You are innocent.”

“I have to speak with Khalon.” Rayner stood, and Toka followed Rayner as he darted into his bedchamber. He swiftly pulled on trousers and a shirt before running out of the room to Khalon’s study. Toka was not permitted without reason, but what better reason could there be than the destruction of his life?

He slipped inside as Rayner marched over to Khalon, who stood facing the large window overlooking the gardens, the same gardens where Riley’s favorite spot was. Toka sat in one of the wingback chairs and remained silent, his arms wrapped around himself.

“You can’t allow this,” Rayner said, coming to a halt behind Khalon.

Khalon didn’t turn to address Rayner. He continued to stare out the window when he spoke, his voice calm. “We are talking about war with the Orso, Rayner.”

“You know what Pavoni will do to him. Toka won’t last a week at his hands. The man is a monster!”

“Rayner, I know you care for him—”

“If you know how I feel, you wouldn’t go through with this. You’re sentencing Toka to degradation and hell, Khalon. The only reason Pavoni wants him is because somehow he discovered Toka means something to me. He knows taking Toka wounds me more than any lashing could.”

Toka closed his eyes, letting Rayner’s words wash over him. He held back his tears, refusing to give in. Not here, not now in the king’s study. How had Pavoni known? They had been so careful.

Khalon shook his head, but he said nothing.

“If this concerned Riley, you wouldn’t think twice—”

“Riley is a prince!” Khalon spun around, his eyes filled with pain and anger.

“And that makes his life worth more than Toka’s?” Rayner growled.

“Toka is a servant. It is what he was born into.”

“When Riley was killed, you offered to pay any price to have him returned to you, and that was before you knew he would accept his title of Soldati prince. You agreed to pay a price, any price, in exchange for his human life.”

“He was still my mate, chosen by the priestess. He bore my mark, Rayner. I’m sorry. Toka is a gentle soul, and I know he’s come to mean a great deal to you, but you cannot expect me to expose our kingdom to war, to death, for a foxling you can never mate with.”

Toka flinched at Khalon’s words. They were the truth but still hurt. The two men faced each other, anger rising dangerously, their fists at their sides. It hurt Toka’s heart.

“I can if you change that blasted law!”

“It is law. Always has been, always will be,” Khalon spat out.

“You are the king, Khalon. If you can’t help your people, who the hell will?” Rayner swallowed hard. Toka stifled a gasp when Rayner dropped to his knees before Khalon and clasped his hands together. No, Rayner. Please. Toka shook his head. Never in the whole of Rayner’s life, had he begged. Toka could barely stand the ache to his heart at the sight.

“I beg of you, Khalon. There must be some other way. Do not give Toka to that beast. Spare him. I don’t care about the flogging or what happens to me, but as your dearest friend and brother, I am begging you not to do this.”

“Get up,” Khalon growled.

“Khalon, I have never asked you for anything.” Rayner’s amber eyes beseeched his king.

“Get. Up.” Khalon’s jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes. “You disgrace yourself.”

Rayner got to his feet, his fury evident in his hardened gaze. “And what of you? You’re supposed to be my brother!”

“Stop,” Khalon pleaded.

“I have loved you like no other. I have fought for you, bled for you, done everything for you because I love you, Khalon, and now you would let this monster take the one who matters most to me?” Rayner shoved Khalon, and Toka jumped to his feet. “You miserable bastard! You’re supposed to love me as I love you!”

Khalon looked on the verge of shattering. “Rayner, I do love you, but you can’t expect me to risk our kingdom, or the human world. I can’t let them die. Not again. You of all people should understand more than most.”

Rayner shook his head. “I understand that Riley was right. You are not the man we believed you to be.”

“Please, no more!” Toka stepped forward, tears blurring his vision. He couldn’t stand to see any more. He wouldn’t let them hurt each other like this. “I will go with Pavoni.”