Mated To The King’s Gamma
Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Abbie POV

The following morning.

I walk out of the billiard room down the corridor, and my eyes light up when I spot Ivy comingtoward me. I was about to run to her when I realized the King had come around the corner and wasnext to her. He has a hold of my hand. Ivy, also noticing me, smiles and moves toward me beforefreezing, yet my gaze was on the possessive way he gripped her hand as if he was afraid she wouldrun off. Ivy pauses and I frown.

However, the King looked down at her and said something while I waited to see if she was allowedto come to see me. He glances down at her before bringing her hand to his lips. My eyes widen.Why was he being affectionate toward her? My breath lodged in my throat as worry coursesthrough me for her. Surely, he isn't forcing her to be his sex slave. The thought horrified me. I knowit happens, but she was my Ivy. I don't know if I could live with knowing she was suffering like that.The guards didn't even bat an eyelash at his outrageous affections toward her as if they expected,yet whatever he said had her rushing over to me. Her body crashed against mine as she embracedme, and I squeezed her tight. It felt as if it had been ages since I last saw her.

Upon colliding against her, a sob burst from my lips as I smother her in my hug. The relief I feltupon realizing she was okay, or as okay as she could be given her situation, was as if a weight hadlifted. Ivy squeezes tight, proving she missed me just as much as I missed her.

Pulling away, I see tears streaking down her face and I wipe her tears, and she wipes mine. “I was soworried when I didn't see you for a few days; I thought they got rid of you,” I murmur, rememberingto keep my voice out of earshot.

I didn't want to see her punished for my words, and I also didn't want to be reprimanded beforeholding me at arm's length. I glanced over at her, looking for lash marks or bruises, but I foundnone. She appeared to be okay.

“Where is your uniform?” I ask her, noticing she wasn't wearing the usual staff uniform all theservants here wore.

“I have to go with the King somewhere. He told me to wear them,” she says, and my brows furrow.Wait, where is he taking her?! glance over at the King to replace him talking to his guards and Clarice.Panic made me worry she had done something wrong. Was he shunning her from the castle orselling her? I felt my stomach pool with dread at the possibilities.

"You're leaving the castle?” I asked, unable to keep the panic sound in my voice. Ivy glances over hershoulder at the King before looking back at me, and she nods her head.

“But you're coming back, right?” I ask. I feel the blood run from my face. And I glance down at myclothes again. If he was getting rid of her, I wanted to go with her. I don't want to remain herewithout her. We had a pact. Ivy is all I have left, and I refuse to go on without her. I couldn't. She isthe only reason I didn't kill myself. The goddess knows how I tried to end it. If it weren't for her, Iwould have.

“Yes, I will bring her back, Abbie,” the King says, pulling me from my thoughts, and I quicklystraighten just as Mrs. Daley taught us, making sure not to meet his gaze. I give a little curtsey, notwanting to be whipped for disrespect, and turn my neck in submission

“It's time to leave,” the King says, leaning down next to her and placing his hand on her hip. My eyesdart to his hand before going to Ivy. Wondering if she was okay when he suddenly pulled her awayfrom me and toward the guards at the end of the hall.

“I love you,” I blurt, she needed to know I loved her, and the King stopped when she looked back atme. Ivy lets his hand go and rushes back to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck, and Ifight back the tears. She pecks my cheek, and I squeeze her extra tight, not wanting to let her go.

“I love you too,” she whispers to me. I didn't care if I got scolded for it or even whipped. I held onjust that a little bit longer. I needed that last hug in case it turned out to be my last one from her. Ifshe didn't return, I would follow and give up, replace a way to end myself to be with her.

“So much, more than my life,” I whisper in her ear, and my voice cracks as my throat becomesclogged with emotion.

“More than my life,” she whispers back before letting me go. The king watches us curiously, and itwas hard for me not to demand where he was taking her as she walked back over to him. My lipquivers as I pray to the moon goddess to return her to me. Moments later, I saw Gannon walk pastand before I could stop myself, I gripped his wrist. He stops and looks down at me before watchingthe King and Ivy leave out the doors.

Chapter 18

“He won't hurt her, will he?” I ask him, looking up at him to realize I still had a hold of his wrist. I jerkmy hand back. “Sorry.” I murmur, dropping my gaze. It was clear he was busy and going with them,and I was obstructing him.

Gannon sighs before gripping my chin and tilting my face up, and my face heats, knowing we weredrawing the attention of the guards in the hall.

"What are you talking about?” he whispers.

“The King, where is he taking her? Is he selling her?” I ask him, and Gannon seems taken aback bymy words.

“No, of course not. I won't let him hurt her, Abbie; I promise she will be back.” I suck in a breath andnod.

“I will be back in a few days. You have the key to my room still?” I nod my head, and he brushes histhumb along my jaw. “She'll be fine. And I left a present for you on my bed,” he says beforeshocking me and stepping closer. He hugged me quickly and kissed my forehead before walkingoff, leaving me stunned while he left.

The rest of the day, I was in a sour mood. I worried for Ivy no matter how many times Claricereassured me she would be fine. After a while, she sent me upstairs. I think she got sick of my never-ending questions about the King's intentions with her.

I was about to step open the door to my little room when I remembered what Gannon said, and Ifished the key out of my apron pocket. Moving toward his door, I place the key in his door and twistit. Pushing the door open, I glanced around before stepping inside.

On the center of his bed was a paper bag, and I giggled, already knowing what it was. Opening it, Ireplace candy clouds, chocolates, and a wrapped present beneath. I unwrap it, removing the decorativewrapping to replace an art book, charcoal pencils, and some pastels.

I look around, shocked he remembered. Yet why would he buy it for me? I smiled before hesitating.Wait, did he expect something in return? I wondered.

I swallowed, setting it back on the bed before rushing out of the room, leaving everything behind.No one gives you something without expecting some form of payment, and I know the sort ofpayment that comes with food and niceties. Rushing to my room, i step inside and lock the door. Iwon't make that mistake again.