"So that gives him the right to treat people as if they don't matter? What kind of guy punishes someone over powdered chocolate?"
Rayner let out a low, husky laugh, his amber eyes warm. "Riley, you do not know our king very well. His displeasure has nothing to do with chocolate powder."
Riley waved a hand at the empty throne. "Then what was that about?"
"What that was about, young prince, is your king and mate--because until the priestess removes Khalon's mark from you, you are his mate--being shamed by a servant."
"I still don't get it." Why would Khalon feel he was shamed by Angi?
"Oh, for creation's sake," Adira huffed. "A servant has shown affection toward you and pleased you with very little effort, where as he--your mate and king--has done neither."
Again with the "mate and king." It wasn't like Riley had forgotten, even if he hadn't exactly accepted it. Also, Khalon didn't strike Riley as the affectionate type. Then again Riley didn't really know him. "How is that my fault? Maybe if the guy stopped growling at me or cursing me for a second, I might actually get to know him. Is there even a point in getting to know him? I mean, he just wants to get rid of me." Why would Khalon care about pleasing Riley if he wanted him gone? It made no sense.
Rayner cocked his head. "Don't you wish to return home?"
"Of course I do, but not because his presence is an insult to my very delicate royal sensibilities, which seems to be the case with him." Riley grabbed a croissant. Might as well eat his weight in baked goods. Who knew when his next meal would be? Riley just wanted to get this whole ordeal over with, but in the meantime, was it so hard for Khalon to give him a break? It's not like he'd asked to be some magical king's mate. Mate? Really? That was so... romance novel.
"All will be revealed in due time."
Riley gave such a start he almost fell off his chair. He put a hand to his chest. "Holy shit." He'd completely forgotten Ezra was there. The guy hadn't said one word the entire time they'd sat here. "Seriously, man. You scared the hell out of me."
Rayner got to his feet with a chuckle. "I believe Ezra secretly enjoys it." He gave Ezra a wink.
With a roll of his eyes, Ezra stood and walked off. Adira soon joined him.
"Come," Rayner said, motioning for Riley to follow. "We must get you dressed."
Riley grabbed another croissant before following Rayner. "I am dressed." When he woke up this morning, he'd found his clothes clean and neatly folded on the fancy tufted ottoman at the foot of his bed.
"If you are to make the journey to the temple of the great priestess, you will need proper attire."
Riley shrugged. "Sure, why not." He supposed he did kind of stick out in his T-shirt and jeans.
As he followed Rayner through the castle, he took in everything around him. The place was a flurry of activity with Soldati warriors and servants. Riley had never been in a castle before. It was sort of a mix of old and new, except without modern technology. He hadn't seen one TV since he arrived. The Soldati probably had better things to do than lounge around watching human talent shows. Speaking of technology, Riley pulled out his cell phone.
"That won't work here," Rayner informed him. "There are no satellites or cell phone towers in the Soldati Realm. The lighting you see around you is generated by magic and fire."
"You know about cell phones?"
Rayner looked amused. "Simply because we have no use for something doesn't mean we don't know it exists. The Soldati have walked among humans since the beginning."
"Do any live there? With humans, I mean."
Rayner stopped at a set of large wooden doors, which he opened for Riley. "Magical creatures have always lived among humans, Riley."
"What?" Riley wanted to know more, but before he could ask, he was gently shoved inside the room, where he was greeted by a tall, handsome young man with stark-white hair, a black streak in his bangs. He had kind amber eyes. Was he another foxling? He didn't have Toka's coloring, but he did have the same kohl around his eyes. The man smiled widely and bowed before them.
"How may I be of service, Rayner?"
"Our friend Riley is in need of proper attire for his journey. We will be leaving shortly, so I'm afraid a swift alteration will have to do."
"Of course." The man bowed again before motioning for Riley to stand in front of a long gilded mirror with an identical mirror to each side of it. Riley held his hand out to the man, who looked down at it, then at Rayner as if for guidance.
"Riley, this is Tura, my tailor. Tura, this is Riley. He is a guest of Khalon's."
Tura's eyes widened before he swiftly took Riley's hand and bowed over it.
"I just meant to shake hands, but okay. I'm not used to your customs. Are you a foxling too?" Riley asked as he stepped where Tura asked him to.