Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twelve

After another scrumptiousmeal made by Whist, I wandered over to the sofa and sat. I considered closing myself away from the assassins in the room they assigned me, but I’d been on my own so long, my soul craved companionship. Being a traveling bard was a lonely life. There was no way to keep in touch with people, especially since most people wanted nothing to do with me out of fear or disgust.

And the three men fascinated me. The way they moved and worked together, constantly aware of one another, a bond so tight they hardly needed words. I guessed it made sense they shared a kindred. If they didn’t, they’d be torn apart, headed for separate lives and that would be a shame.

Saber slipped out of my room with my ukulele in his hands. I hadn’t even noticed him leave the main room. Sneaky bastard. “Here.” He handed me my instrument. “Play.”

I stared at him with wide eyes. “What?”

“We’ve never really heard you. We’ve heard you quoted and a little of your music trickled from the tavern the other day, but we want to see you perform. Well, Whist got to see you, but Sky and I didn’t.”

“Why?” I asked.

Sky rolled his eyes with a snort and a smirk. “Stop stalling and play, doll. You know exactly why we want to hear you. Don’t be coy.”

I shot Sky a glare, but I accepted my ukulele from Saber, gifting him with a smile.

Sky snorted again, but I ignored him.

Their expectant eyes burning into me made me fidget. I wasn’t usually a nervous performer, but there was something bigger there. A part of me cared what they thought. Way too large a part of me.

I cleared my throat and closed my eyes, finding that place inside me. The still, quiet place — my safe place. Everything else fell away, my past, my worries, my fears, my bitterness. It was just me and the music, me and my lyrics.

My fingers plucked the strings, playing and searching for the right tune. Faster and faster, my fingers tripped and flew across the strings, my voice whispering from me, husky and low. When I reached the chorus, I sang louder, completely forgetting I had an audience, forgetting where I was. The only thing I was aware of was the music as it swept me away in its arms.

I moved into a softer tune, one I’d never played for anyone before, one I still hadn’t written lyrics for. The words hadn’t yet come to me, the music some of the best I’d done. I opened my eyes and met Saber’s. His had tears pooling in the bottom and his expression was filled with awe.

Sky stood from his chair and pulled Saber to his feet, drawing him close. They moved fluidly in a dance. My chest tightened as I watched, mesmerized. They were beautiful together, light and dark pushing, pulling, melding together. I glanced over at Whist where he watched from the shadows, his eyes glittering like stars in the black sky.

Candlelight flickered around us, the only light in the darkness, making it all the more intimate. Sky had a serious expression on his face for once as he gazed into Saber’s eyes. What was between them? It was something more than mere friendship or brotherhood. Whatever it was, it scorched me.

I replayed the song, not wanting the moment to end, wanting to draw it out. Sky and Saber moved even closer, their bodies pressed together. They were similar in height, Saber an inch or so taller, Sky a little bit broader. Dark fingers tangled in pale. My stomach fluttered, and I was barely able to focus on my music. I could have watched them forever.

Heat sank into me from behind and Whist bent over to whisper in my ear, his breath teasing my neck. “They’re performing for you, gorgeous.”

I shivered, but kept playing. I finally knew what Whist’s scent was. He smelled of winter nights and herbs, something clear, dark, and fresh.

“Do you like the idea of the two of them? Aren’t they beautiful? Does it turn you on to see them pressed so close? They’ve been waiting for you for a long time, but they still love each other. Part of them was terrified they’d be ripped apart when they found their kindreds. Do you have any idea how relieved they are they share one? And that you don’t seem the type who will be jealous and try to keep them apart. That you believe in having a choice in who you love? They chose each other a long time ago and as much as they crave the kindred connection, they don’t want to lose what they have.” Whist kept his voice low, his lips brushing my skin.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, desire and sadness at war within me. Desire to join them, sadness for their fear — a common story in our world. I’d seen the beauty between kindreds, the completion and peace they could bring each other. But I’d seen the other side too. When their connection warped into obsession. The damage they caused each other.

As much as I railed against kindreds, I didn’t actually wish whatever magic it was didn’t exist. I just never thought I’d find my own. I wasn’t born to kindreds. I’d never heard of someone like me finding one. Granted, there weren’t many people like me. Non-kindreds were careful not to get pregnant, using herbs to prevent any accidents like me.

We weren’t supposed to get our happy endings. Not that I believed in them, anyway.

Saber pressed a soft kiss to Sky’s collarbone. I could almost feel the touch of his lips on my skin.

“You’re what we’ve been searching for, gorgeous. Can’t you feel it? The rightness between us? We’re fated. Why would you fight it?” Whist didn’t touch me, but his proximity raised the hair along my spine.

My fingers faltered, and I played the wrong note with a discordant twang.