Page 42 of Vathia
“You, over everyone else, need to stay protected. You’re the next ruler of Damorleia,” Ember reminds me. “Let us do this,” she pleads to me and Amethyst.
I glance at Lady Zorn, letting her see the worry I have for Ember, the fae who has helped me trust in others again, before I turn back to them. “You’re too important to me. I can’t lose you. Any of you.” Ignoring the ruler part.
Mel leans into me whispering, “Plus think of all the one-on-one time you’ll get with all those gorgeous mates you have if we aren’t here. You know we will be okay. Let us do this for you. For Damorleia.”
I groan, but concede. “Fine. But I want updates.”
“I can send a trustworthy pixie with them; that way you can receive fast updates if anything goes sideways,” Aemon states with a nod.
A breath of relief expels itself from my body. “I can deal with that. But you four need to stay safe.”
Talyn wipes his mouth with the napkin before placing it down and standing. “I’ll go with them.”
My heart sinks. Does he really hate me so much that he needs to leave right after he got back?
“No,” Amethyst states. “All of your faces are widely known. Let these four handle it.”
His gaze narrows slightly as he wordlessly spins and leaves the room, taking his frustration with him which somehow hurts even more. What does it matter that he’s my so-called ‘mate’? It’s obvious he doesn’t want me. The male I knew as a fledgling is completely gone. But what could I expect after twenty-one years of who knows what happening to them? I have Aemon, Jesper and Kill… I think. That’s more than enough bonds to deal with—plus I have enough to worry about withoutadding that male’s problems to the list. The realm is a lot more fucked up than any of us even realized. And somehow they want me to save it and then rule it?
“Thank you for dinner, Amethyst. I think I’m going to turn in for the night so I can be up to see these four off.” I nod in the direction of my friends.
“We will come with you,” Mel says, jumping to her feet.
“Of course,” Amethyst states. “Maybe we can have tea tomorrow and we can talk about your mother and memories?” she asks softly.
Right. We were also supposed to talk about that tonight. “Of course.”
Mel loops her arm through mine and whisks us out of the room before the males can even rise out of their chairs. “We are hanging out tonight if we’re going on a grand adventure without you.”
I lean into her. “I wish I could go, but you’re right. I need to stay here and train. Just promise me you four won’t do anything reckless. I’m especially talking to you, Roz.” I throw over my shoulder to the male walking behind us.
“Cross my heart,” he says. “Plus, you can help us plan how to get in and out.”
“They’ll be fine, Rav. They’ll be back before you know it.” Nero states from my shoulder. “Now let’s make sure they have a solid game plan before they depart into enemy territory. You think they’d bring me back an eye or two?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE FIVE OF US STAYED up late last night coming up with a plan for them to get in and out of Phixmery without any eyes on them. They already know where the Soul Stone door is situated, so within a week they should be able to get there and back with the stone in hand if they can find a way to breach the room. What we’re going to do with it once it’s here, though, is another question.
“Be safe,” I whisper to each of them as I give them a final hug before they set off.
“You as well. I want to hear you at least hit Captain Batsil by the time we get back,” Lennox teases.
Mel squeezes me tightly. “I want all the updates regarding your delicious males when I return.” She pulls back and winks before climbing onto Skylark, her gryphon.
A small laugh bursts out of me. “If there’s anything to update you on.”
“Oh there will be,” she sasses knowingly.
Ember gives me a quick hug and a nod. “Remember, if they get too handsy just aim for their cocks. That’ll down any male no matter their size. I’ll keep these ones safe.” She points over her shoulder to the rest of our friends.
“And I’ll keep my eye on you,” Roz adds, winking at the stoic female.
She rolls her eyes and moves away from him, heading over to Thornwing as those two need to share a ride.
“She’s warming up to me. She’ll be begging for my kisses before she knows it,” Roz adds when Ember is far enough away.
“Either that or she’ll pike your head and leave it as a warning for other males trying to pursue her,” Lennox adds before gathering me in his arms for a brief embrace and joining his sister on his own gryphon.
