Free Broken Promise (The Broken Ones Book 3) by Jen Wylie

you.
    What can I do for you?
    Will you be returning soon? Or should
Kei and I head to the city.
    A long pause began to worry her, and she
chewed on her thumbnail as she waited for his reply.
    My daughter was injured. It will be some
time before I return.
    Her eyebrows rose in surprise. I'm
sorry. I hope she recovers soon. Please let me know if there is anything I can
do.
    All will be well, and thank you. Do you
wish to leave today? I will arrange for a guide to take you.
    She didn't take his abruptness to heart. That would be wonderful, thank you.
    His mind voice softened. I am sorry
that we did not get our talk. Please contact me in the future, if you like.
    I will. Thank you again, for everything.
    Striding over to the bed, she poked Kei
in the side. "Get up. We're leaving today."
    When he opened his eyes and saw her, his
smile lit the room. "Morning."
    A flustered feeling overcame her, but she
managed a quick grin before quickly escaping.
    After leaving him with the task of
making sure they had everything packed, she headed out to find Cassia. Of all
the Were, she felt closest to her and wanted to say goodbye.
    She found the Were by the long table in
the common area, setting out food.
    "Good morning. You're up
early."
    Aro shrugged. "We're heading to the
city today. I wanted to say goodbye."
    "Oh!" Rushing around the
table, she pulled her into a tight hug. "You take care, and keep up with
your stretches."
    "I will," Aro promised.
"I'll miss you. Hopefully I'll see you again after the winter." She
left unsaid that if things didn't go well with the king, they might not ever
meet again.
    Cassia drew back and gestured to the
table. "You have to eat first, and take something for the Fey as
well."
    Browsing over the multitude of platters and
bowls, she nibbled as she collected things for Kei. "Rhee-En said his
daughter was hurt," she blurted out.
    Cassia paused and then nodded. "You
sound surprised. That she would fight?"
    She shook her head quickly. "No. I
didn't know he had any children. He's never mentioned them."
    The Were laughed loudly. "He does.
Twins. They have been a handful. Though grown now, they still try his patience
often."
    "Twins?" She grimaced.
"That would be hard."
    "We're used to it. Having twins is
about as common as just having one with us."
    She still couldn't get over the thought
of Rhee-En having kids, even if they were grown now. "Their mother?"
    Cassia's face sobered. "She died a
few years ago. Such a tragedy, losing her."
    "Were they mates?"
    The Were shook her head in confusion.
"Of course. Only with our mates can we have children. This goes for Fey
and Elves as well. There are no–what is the word you humans use–bastards. All
our children are cherished and born out of love."
    Aro looked away. It was clear from
Cassia's tone what she thought of humans and their ways.
    "I suppose this is why so many go
to the cities for lovers," the Were mused. "There is never any chance
of children. They are too different from us, you see?"
    Clearing her throat at the sudden
awkwardness of the conversation, she held up the armload of food she'd
collected. "I better get this back to Kei so he can eat before we
go."
    "Safe travels, Arowyn. I will hope
to see you again soon."
    Heading back to Kei, she nibbled on an
apple and thought about what Cassia said. Had the Were forgotten she was human
or been making a point? The realization she and Prince couldn’t ever have
children caused a sour taste in her mouth. The topic wasn't something she
thought about much, but being denied something before you can even want it
turned out to be more painful than expected. Could a Fey mate with a Were, or
an Elf, or any such mix?
    She pushed the thoughts away. More
important things needed her attention, like reaching Westport and making sure
the Were king didn't eat her.
     
    ∞ ∞ ∞
     
    Kei stood outside when she reached their
cabin, their packs by the door. A woman waited as well, and Aro wondered if
Rhee-En had arranged a