Page 80 of Vathia
Jesper raises his brow while laughing with me. “Impatient scaly beings, aren’t they?”
Nero hisses at him menacingly and I sense Vasari’s approval, which only makes me laugh harder as we walk back towards the others on the opposite side of the clearing. “They always keep things entertaining.”
Aemon strides over to me, using his shadows to lift my chin towards him before kissing me tenderly.
A throat clears and I can’t help but sigh, waiting for the next thing out of Talyn’s mouth. “If you three are done? I would like to be heading back to Kraryn.”
“I don’t know. I think I might want my mates to take me right here in this field as a proper send-off. Would you mind standing guard? Or would it offend your delicate sensibilities?" I ask dryly, tired of his pushiness when it comes to my affection with my other mates. “Or is it jealousy that drives you to be such a fates-damned asshole? Because if it wasn’t for the branch shoved up your ass, I would probably be giving you the same affections, but all you’re doing is driving me away, Talyn Craven. You kiss me once and then avoid me like the plague. If you don’t like it, don’t fucking watch.”
Aemon chuckles and Jesper is grinning like a wild male, eyeing me up like he hasn’t seen food in a month.
Killian’s lip twitches and I give him a soft smile.
Talyn sputters, looking like a startled deer. When he doesn’t say anything else, I sigh and begin my climb up Vasari’s leg. Once in the saddle, I place an annoyed Nero inside his travel cage before taking off ahead of the others.
“Fly hard and fast, Vasari. I want to talk with Mel and Ember. Maybe they have some more advice on how to deal with Talyn.” They left this morning to make sure the way is clear for the ride back, but I can’t help feeling frustrated. I want him. Or at least my body does. My mind is still stuck on how much he’s changed, but I suppose that’s what happens when you grow up with Lord Craven as a father. I just don’t understand why he’s treating me like this. I need answers, and after I confer with my friends, I’m going to get them from him.
If there’s even a part of him that still cares about me, we should be able to figure this out, right? Fated bonds can’t choose wrong… Can they?
THE SECOND WE get back to the Keep outside of Kraryn Castle, I go on the hunt for Ember. I need her honest advice. This is what friends are for. At least that’s what Mel keeps telling me.
My boots crunch against the trail leading into the castle grounds. The guards bow as I pass and I can’t help the squeamish feeling in my gut. I know I’ve decided to go this route of Queendom, but what if I’m making a mistake? What if I throw the realm into even more chaos than there is?
Nero nips lovingly at my ear. “Damn Rav, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll be great; you were literally born for this role,” he reminds me softly.
My hand reaches out to graze the stone of the castle wall as I continue. “I get that, but I can’t even get this mate thing right. If I can’t settle my own issues how can I take care of thousands?”
Nero sighs and I feel Aemon and Jesper push comforting feelings down the bond towards me. They’re giving me some space to sort my mind out and talk with my friends, but I know I’m never without them, even when they aren’t in the same room as me.
As I continue searching the castle, Nero hums and chitters on my shoulder or squawks loudly at the staff as they pass, making them startle and rush off. Except for the kitchen staff—he gives them the bird equivalent of doe eyes until they feed him snacks. All I can do is shake my head in amusement.
After going to the courtyard, training yard, horse stables and the dining room with no luck, I head to Ember’s room and knock on the door before entering.
The sight before me has me gasping, covering my eyes while hastily apologizing, and Nero whistles before I slam the door shut and give them a second. Was that…?
“Roz worshipping Ember’s dungeon like a man in chains? Yes, yes it was,” Nero adds with a hint of amusement.
Before I can even formulate a thought, Ember whips open the door, her yellow eyes wide as she shoves a grinning Roz out of the room.
“Hey, Rav.” His grin somehow gets larger.
Ember yanks me inside, slamming the door behind us. “I can explain,” she states seriously.
I do my best to keep the grin off my face but I can’t. “Uh huh. So he wasn’t just eating you out like a man starving for a meal?”
She covers my mouth. “Shh! Don’t say that so loud. No one knows yet.”
I try to keep my composure as I nod. I’ve never seen calm, cool, collected Ember so frazzled before. “Your secret is safe with me,” I state.
She continues on like she hasn’t heard what I said. “It’s just after the battle, I was coming off an adrenaline high and Roz was there and I think I have feelings for him, but I’m not sure, but he was being supportive and just looked so damn fine covered in blood, sweat and armor and I kind of jumped him. We haven’t even talked about what we are doing. It just keeps happening. I brought him in to talk and next thing I know I’m on my back and he’s doing wicked things with his tongue—”
“Breathe,” I tell her, trying not to laugh as I reach up to grasp her shoulders. “Take a breath or five for me.”
Nero wiggles on my shoulders. “No, let her keep going, I’m curious.”
I shoo Nero off my shoulder but he just glides down to a nearby chair, watching us with amusement.
“So, you and Roz huh?” I tease with a raised brow. “And here I was coming to vent about my male issues, but yours seem much more interesting.”
