Bonds of the Forsaken: A Reverse Harem Romantasy (Her Forsaken Mates Book 1)

50. Kaiya

We”d started with dessert, of course, and ate it while watching Finn do a handful of festival games.

Exhausted, we made our way back to an open area near the band where pairs of children were excitedly tying strips of fabric around their legs in preparation for what seemed like a three-legged race.

The game leader beckoned to us. ”Care to join? We have a few spots left.”

I stared at the kids, confused, while Jaiel chuckled at my side. ”While we”d love to try, I”m afraid it just wouldn”t be fair to the kids.”

The elderly man”s eyes sparkled, and he looked between the three of us adults and Finn, then smiled. ”You know — I think you might be right. Looking at you lot, it”s probably not a fair race at all.”

”We”ll do it!” Tye barked from the other side of Finn.

Wait. What?!I turned to stare at him, aghast.

If we agreed, this was going to end with kids crying and parents upset. I was sure of it.

But Tye just stood there, lips curled in a slight smile. ”Trust me,” he said. ”I think it”ll be quite the learning experience. ”

Jaiel cocked his brow as he stared down at Finn. ”Are you sure you want this, kiddo?”

The little boy just nodded and stepped closer to Tye. I narrowed my eyes. Was there something they weren”t telling us?

Tye made a shooing gesture toward Jaiel and me, then nudged the little boy towards the pile of ropes. ”I call the boy. You and the witch can console yourselves with the view of our backsides!”

What in the seven hells was going on?

I stared in confusion as Finn and Tye grabbed a length of rope and ran off together, smiling wickedly.

”You know,” Jaiel said, holding up a rope. ”I was going to say we should let everyone else win. But I think Tye needs a bit of a lesson.”

I opened my mouth to disagree, but a snickering group of kids at the starting line made me pause. Something was definitely up …

”Jaiel — I think this might be a —”

The announcer cut in. ”We start on ”go”. Three. Two. One — GO!”

Jaiel and I collapsed across the finish line, gasping to catch our breath. My chest burned, and my legs had turned into noodles.

Since when were three-legged races SIX laps long?

Tye and Finn were a few feet away, almost done untying their rope, and laughing like maniacs.

”I”m not sure why you look so happy, Wolf-Boy!” Jaiel snapped, breathing hard as he untied our legs. ”You two got second to last place.”

”Yes, but you were beaten by all the children, Fae prince,” Tye grinned, helping Finn up and offering him a high-five.

”I wouldn”t be so smug, Tye,” Finn said with a grin. ”I”d have won without you slowing me down.”

Then he dashed away in a fit of giggles.

Tye stared after him with, lips twitching, then grumbled something under his breath and turned back to us.

We all lumbered back to the food area, muscles aching as we piled our plates high. Who knew a simple child”s game could be so tiring?

The music was starting up again as we wandered back to the seating area, and Jaiel picked a place far enough away that we could hear each other talk.

People sat around us, eating, drinking, and laughing, as their children chased each other happily between the rows of tables.

I took a seat just as my stomach let out a loud growl.

Jaiel cocked his brow. ”A little hungry, Princess?”

I glared at him and took a bite of a green noodle salad.

”I”ve only eaten a sweet bun tonight,” I said between bites. ”And somehow I got roped into racing a bunch of insanely fast children while tied to a slow Fae!”

Jaiel scoffed, but I barely noticed as the cool flavors burst across my tongue. I let out a long sigh and relaxed back into my seat.

Gods. It felt like forever since I”d eaten an actual meal. Had it really only been two days ago that we”d eaten with Liam”s family?

”You have to try this!” Finn said, rushing over and holding out a long orange twist of fried bread sprinkled with sugar. ”It”s my favorite!”

Smiling at him, I broke off a chunk and took a big bite.

The sugary sweet treat melted on my tongue instantly, and my eyes widened.

”That”s amazing!” I said, licking my lips as I took another bite, and then another. ”Which booth had those?”

Finn”s smiled widened. ”Grammy”s. She only makes a few, though, so you have to visit her to get them right away.”

”I”m guessing that means they”re all gone?” Tye asked from my right.

The little boy nodded, and I sighed and looked down at my green noodles. They were delicious, but that pastry would live in my dreams.

”I maaaay have asked for more for you, though.” Finn grinned as he reached behind his back and withdrew three more treats. He passed them out to me, Tye, and then Jaiel — toothy smile stretching from ear to ear.

”You didn”t have to do that,” Tye said, looking from the boy to the pastry.

The little boy just grinned. ”I wanted to say thank you. Tonight has been the best festival ever!”

My heart twisted as I stared down at the sugary piece of dough, then back at the little boy.

”Thanks, kid,” Tye said, his voice rough.

Jaiel took a big bite of his, then moaned. ”Between Mrs. Harlsted and Grammy, here, I think I”m going to have to make my own harem!” He took another bite. ”My heart has been captured by their delicious baking skills.”

Groaning, I elbowed him in the side, and Finn burst into giggles.

Staring at the three of them, I had to admit that Finn was right. It truly had been a wonderful night.

But all wonderful nights had to end sometime, and we had work to do.

I cleared my throat, ignoring the pang in my chest.

”Your father will be back soon, and you haven”t played with your friends at all, Finn,” I said, with a soft smile. ”Why don”t you go find them before you have to leave? I bet they”ve been waiting for you.”

His eyes widened, and he looked over at a group running through the rows as they yelled and tossed a yellow ball.

”You sure?” he asked. ”You won”t be lonely if I go?”

I shook my head and gestured at Jaiel and Tye. ”You think we could be lonely when we have each other?”

He laughed and stood up. ”Okay, then. Find me if you need anything. I know I”m still little, but I am strong.”

Tye reached out and ruffled his hair. ”Just have fun, Kiddo. And don”t worry — someday you”re going to be the strongest of us all!”

Grinning once more, Finn scampered off.

Jaiel turned those blue eyes on me and cocked a single brow. ”So, I assume you sent him away because you have something to discuss?”

I let out a long breath and gestured toward the room. ”This has been fun, but we really need to talk to Alpha Blackwood. We can”t have another — situation — like the one earlier between me and Tye.”

Tye growled and took another bite of his pastry.

”From the bits I”ve read,” I continued. ”There”s no getting rid of mate bonds — even the strongest bond mages couldn”t cut them.” I didn”t want to continue, but I knew they needed to hear the rest. ”The bond is getting stronger, though. And if we don”t figure it out, the draw between Tye and I will continue to grow and grow, until we have no choice but to —” I avoided Tye”s gaze. ”— consummate the bond.”

Tye growled softly and took another swig of his potion. ”Absolutely not. This potion should help stave it off until we”re able to figure things out.” Lifting it to eye level, he stared inside. ”I may need to ask her for a refill soon, though. It doesn”t seem to go far.”

”Exactly,” I said, gesturing to the wineskin. ”And we can”t rely on that forever.”

”So, what do you suggest?” Tye asked, voice rough.

I looked around, then leaned closer. ”We need to talk to Alpha Blackwood. He seemed to have an idea of a plan, at least. And if he can”t help — I think our best bet is back in the Capital. Lady Frexin has an entire library on magic from before The Fall. I”m positive she”d be willing to let us look —”

Jaiel”s jaw tightened, and even Tye”s face hardened, but before they could respond, a loud clanging noise interrupted, drawing our attention to the large doors the alpha and Japhire had walked through earlier.

Both men appeared upset as they strode into the room, which was not a comforting sight.

”Where”s Finn?” I asked, standing to get a better view, conversation from before forgotten.

There. Over by the entrance —

Japhire was waving to him, and the little boy rushed to his father, excitement lighting his face. The grizzled man motioned toward the door and shooed Finn through it, whispering something in his ear to make him laugh as he ran.

Finn shot an excited look toward our table and waved goodbye before dashing outside.

Okay. He”d be okay.

I pressed my hand to my chest and turned my attention back to Japhire. He was making his way to the front of the room with a determined expression on his face that gave me an odd sense of foreboding.

He was Finn”s father, though, and obviously Alpha Blackwood wouldn”t let the boy go if he didn”t trust the man.

Besides, none of this was my business. They had their lives and I had mine.

We just needed those answers, and then I could be off on my mission.

Whistles and a loud cheer drew my attention back to Japhire. He”d moved to stand atop a table, and was gesturing for everyone to quiet.

Alpha Blackwood stood nearby, arms crossed as Faera leaned in to whisper something in his ear. The older man shrugged, attention fully on his son.