Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 82 : Cursed Because of Me

*Jared*

Life aboard the trading vessel was… confined.

The ship was taking us up a river that went directly into the Light Realm. Eliza and I had been given a room that was normally reserved for the crew. Since they were short-staffed, we'd managed to get passage on the trading ship as crew members.

The manifest has us listed like that, so if anyone boarded or inspected the ship, we'd look like we were supposed to be there.

I stood on the deck of the ship, looking out over the river as we slowly moved against the current.

“First time?" a gruff, masculine voice asked, coming up beside me.

I glanced over at the crew member. I'd seen him around, but he hadn't spoken to me before.

He was wearing a crew uniform, but he was practically bursting out of the sleeves with his thick arm muscles. His hair was shaggy and he had a scruffy beard.

“Excuse me?" I arched an eyebrow.

“To the Light Realm," he clarified. He smirked, a twinkle in his eye. “I can always tell someone that is on their first crossing."

“Well, yeah, it is. I'm sorry, it must be strange for you to have passengers aboard on a regular trade run."

“Ehh… not really. My name is Rex, by the way." He pulled an apple out of his pocket and bit into it. “You and that girl of yours haven't made much of a fuss."

“We like our privacy."

Rex chuckled and nodded. “I'm sorry to intrude, then."

“Oh, no, that's not what I meant." I pressed my palm to my forehead. “I'm Jared. My girlfriend is Eliza."

“Hmm. I haven't seen much of her since the two of you boarded the ship," he said. He finished the apple and tossed the core overboard.

It made a large plop in the still water and the ship slid on, forgetting all about it.

“Can you tell me more about the Realm of Light?" I asked.

Rex rubbed his beard and shrugged. “All realms have some similarities. Though, the Light Realm does seem to have a certain beauty and elegance that other realms lack. Did you know it was created for one of the Moon Goddess's twin children?"

I nodded. “I've heard that story before."

“Well, I can say that the White Queens are… truly magnificent, should you have the chance to see them with your own eyes."

Rex smirked and clapped me on the shoulder.

strong and I stumbled to the side, not expecting the force of his

a newbie like me should

position, putting his elbows on the rail of the ship like

reflected perfectly off the glassy surface. The only imperfection was small ripples from the ship as it sliced

surprising there. It has been a peaceful realm for a long time. But that family, they've

an eyebrow. I knew Rex was talking about

like a “no bullshit" kind of guy that would tell it to me straight. I was curious to know what someone who

how when Queen Rosalie had Ethan and his brother Soren trying to court her at the same time." He chuckled and shook his head. “As I said, rumors, but they

nodded and listened to what else he had

listened to what else

families had a lot of their own problems, though I prefered family drama to family

about them and her extended family made me feel better.

Would they find a reason for us not

to explain to her family, and her people, why she was cursed and what

decisions. I didn't have parents or a family that would ever need to approve of Eliza as the woman I wanted to spend the rest

did

his stories, he headed back to work. I returned to the cabin Eliza and I

There was one time she came

was nothing new for her.

Eliza was still in our cabin. She had all the texts and scrolls we'd been given by the elder of Saboreef, and she had been

leaned against the cabin door frame and smirked, watching as she

in a messy bun, several strands hanging down, brushing her neck. With only a tank top

then the other, squinting as she read

smirked at her, loving to see her work as she tried to make sense of

because Eliza turned to the doorway.

you been

I was just admiring you at work," I

the pages and books together in a pile. She leaned

leaned to the side, the hem of her tank top lifted and

and stepped into the cabin,

feel like I could spend years just on these books

shrugged and pulled her ponytail out. She ran her fingers through her hair, ruffling it and

her face beautifully, adding to the athletic, rugged, yet oh, so sexy vibe she had going on. For a minute, I imagined running my tongue

night, every night, I'm sure you'll

back, she laughed. “Don't get me wrong. I love looking through these documents late into the night. But you

behind Eliza. Putting my hands on her hips, I pulled her toward me until her back pressed against

ask," I purred. I pressed my lips