My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 340

King Aldric

I stepped out into the yard, the cool evening air a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere of the hall. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the gathered pack. I moved through the survivors, doing what I did well - offering words of comfort, asking after the dead, and holding the pauses a beat longer than I needed to. It cost me nothing, but it was a currency that was always well-received.

As I stopped at a woman who had lost someone to the fever, I gave her a short, controlled exchange. "I'm so sorry for your loss," I said, my voice low and even. "How are you holding up?"

She looked up at me, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "I'm managing, thank you for asking," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. "If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. You're not alone in this."

I moved on, passing the handful of children who had come through the sickness. I registered them and moved on, nothing more. They were too young to understand the weight of what had happened, and I didn't want to burden them with it.

Lyra stood apart, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. She was plainly furious at having been dragged three valleys west for this. I clocked her sulk with mild, untroubled amusement – she'd have to learn to wear a better face than that if she wanted to last in a court. I let it be.

Irina held station at my side, performing queen with the ease of long practice. I noted how well she did it, without warmth.

The visit was winding down - the elders, the last of the crates, the wagons nearly loaded. A duty almost discharged.

Then a figure crossed the yard toward me.

Odile crossed to me, the heavy black kohl and careful makeup marking her as an outsider in the pack. Her age matched Lyra's, though the two girls couldn't have been more different.

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