Page 34 of Bitten & Burned
“I hadn’t thought about it that way. I sort of assumed you’d be… planning.”
“A commander looks forward to a time when he doesn’t have to lead anymore. But when the time comes, he can’t wait to do it again.” He sounded wistful.
“I’ll come back and play chess tomorrow,” I promised. “I’ve been thinking about our last match. I think you let me win.”
Cassian laughed fully at that. The sound was rich as chocolate, but steady as the tides. “You flatter me, little dove.”
“Flattery is not my strong suit,” I assured him.
“You do it well all the same,” Cassian replied, his eyes finding and holding my gaze.
I felt… strong… like I was blossoming. Proud. Happy.
“Well, tomorrow, you can try and prove me wrong, but right now, I’m looking for Vael.”
“That gives me something to look forward to,” Cassian said, a smile on his lips before he puffed on his pipe again. “Vael was in his rooms the last time I checked,” he continued. “If he’s not there, perhaps he’s on the back terrace. His telescope is there, and it’s a clear night.”
Of course. His telescope. That’s where he’d be. I’d find him on the back patio.
“Thank you, Cassian.”
“Anytime,” he replied.
As I left, I felt the wistful way he watched me go. The way his gaze lingered. Not hungrily, but lonely. I made a promise to come back tomorrow to play chess.
I headed back out into the hall, towards one of the back entrances, and onto a stone path that curved around through the brush and opened into the back patio.
Once there, however, Vael was nowhere to be found. I was, once again, alone.
Sighing, I leaned against the low stone wall surrounding the patio, resting on it, gazing up into the darkening sky.
I sensed him before I saw him approach. I glanced over, my senses correct. Dmitri was approaching.
I stood, staring up at the stars. I felt Dmitri move to my left. Close, but not touching. I chanced a quick look at the way the moonlight shone on his face. The chiseled jaw, his dark eyes.
“He’s not here, Mishka,” Dmitri said slowly, carefully. Not aquestion. A statement. Vael. He knew I was looking for him. Of course he did. Dmitri seemed to know everything.
“I know,” I said, my voice wistful as I gazed up at the stars. “I just wanted… You know. Quiet for a second.”
He didn’t answer. But I suppose that was his answer. I said I wanted quiet. Dmitri delivered.
I turned slightly, looking up at him. At the way he smiled, but not really; the upturn of his mouth wouldn’t have been perceivable if I were further away. He leaned slightly, nudging my shoulder with his, a reminder that he was there, if I needed him.
I let out a huff of what might have been laughter, if I’d allowed it to grow.
“You’ll find him,” Dmitri said, his voice low and quiet, just for me. “When you want to.”
What I wanted to do was stand here for a while. All night. It was so nice. Calm. Quiet. But I knew I should go and find Vael.
He’d want to talk more about the blood bonding ceremony. We hadn’t quite agreed upon a location yet. While I wanted to remain here for a bit longer, Vael wanted to travel to Moondale, to the Evergreen Consortium, where he’d been turned.
The Consortium was legendary among scholars—Ledite archives, moonlit groves, and ancient aetheric wards woven into the walls where Vael had crossed from mortal to cursed.
It was important to him. I understood that. But… gods, I was tired, I couldn’t imagine traveling more. And longer. If he’d only understand.
But as much as I knew I needed to go find Vael, I stood a bit longer. I wasn’t as tired. As emotionally exhausted. And Dmitri made for good, quiet company.
But everything ended, I supposed.
