Page 47 of The Silent Mountain
“In the good old days, insulting the king’s advisor would have landed you in the cells,” Stefan teases right back.
“Yeah, however, something tells me if you suggested that to Favian, it might not end too well,” I chuckle.
“Well, at least not for me,” he admits with a smile. “I am not particularly high on his list of favorite people. Come, Barbara, allow your patronizing mentor to take you to our healer.
fifteen
Family
*ALANA*
IcanfeelFavian’shandon my back, not certain if he does it to calm me down or himself, but no matter the reason, it’s working on me. “There is something wrong,” Favian says. “Really wrong.”
“You are right, Dragon King,” Cù Sìth growls.
Footsteps pull me out of my thoughts, and I notice Shayan running towards us. In an act of desperation, Tynan steps closer to a male guard, probably in his feeble attempt to make Shayan jealous for whatever reason. His plan doesn’t even work in the slightest because Shayan easily pushes past the guard–the poor man’s completely confused–and glares at Tynan with a frown. “Did you get hurt?” Shayan asks while his eyes wander all over Tynan’s body.
Werewolves are used to being naked when they shift, but something about Shayan’s intense scrutiny must trigger something in Tynan because he suddenly looks flustered. “I am okay. It’s nothing.”
“Don’t be silly,” Shayan says shortly. “You need to see a healer.”
“I actually agree,” Favian says. “I think everyone involved in the attack should be briefly checked.”
I nod. “Probably for the best.”
Favian looks at me, surprised, but I just shrug. I wasn’t hurt, not even scratched, so I have no real reason to see Fred, other than to take the embarrassment out of Tynan’s situation. If I see a healer, he will too. I might find his antics hilarious, but he is my best friend, and I will always have his back.
“Did you just willingly agree to see Frederick?” Favian whispers to me when he accompanies me to our doctor.
I chuckle. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t see a need to get checked by him, however… my friend needs some help.”
Favian raises his eyebrows, turning his head slightly to cast a glance at a grumpy Tynan, who is following Shayan.
“I see what you mean,” he says, amused.
“Ty is like my little brother,” I explain, feeling a wave of fondness washing over me. “He is a bit reckless and hard-headed, but a nice guy. He just needs someone to watch out for him. So, Ita and I always did that.”
“I am happy you grew up with such good friends,” Favian says. “It’s so important! And even more beautiful, that you still cherish your friendships. Unlike me.”
“You have friends too,” I say, realizing that, for the first time ever since Ita’s death, I managed to talk about her without it causing instant pain to me.
“I am not sure,” he says.
“Azadeh considers you as her friend,” I say. “And don’t tell me you don’t feel a special bond to her.”
“You are not wrong,” he admits.
“Then, there are Theo, Ludwig and Barbara,” I say. “Or even Stefan.”
“They are my subjects,” he says. “It’s different.”
“But it doesn’t have to be different,” I say. “You can still be friends with them. You don’t need to be a lonely ruler. My father, for example, was always friends with his beta, actually he was his best friend. Or Shayan, he was actually Aza’s protector for many years. She loves him like a daughter would. My brother has close friends too, despite being king.”
Favian furrows his brows. “I have never even considered giving it a try and befriending someone.”
“It’s worth a try,” I encourage him. “And if it doesn’t work out, I am here. I will always be your friend.”
Favian smiles at me. “That’s the biggest gift,” he says to my surprise. “To have my mate here, but also my best friend.”
