Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twenty

Sky retrieved me fromtraining, the guards not far behind. “How was it, doll?”

“It was fine. Elora said I’m improving, but she still kicks my ass.”

Sky chuckled. “She’s an excellent fighter. One of the best. If she wasn’t Indigo’s kindred, she probably would have ended up being made an assassin.”

His words reminded me of something I’d meant to ask. “What exactly are your roles going to be if you’re going to be princes?”

“Same as Elora. We’ll be princes, but we’ll also be his personal security team. Elora also serves as Indigo’s bodyguard. Right now, we’re in a sort of limbo, acting as extra security for the crown, until after the ceremony. Speaking of, Whist is going to meet us at the gala. He’s running security for the event and is scurrying around barking orders.”

“What exactly should I expect tonight?” Other than a terrible, uncomfortable, infuriating time.

“Just a disgusting display of wealth. A lot of food, drinks, and dancing.” Sky looked over his shoulder at the guards. “Right guys?”

They didn’t respond. Dicks.

I lowered my voice, hoping they wouldn’t overhear. “But what about the whole introducing me as the prince’s kindred part?”

Sky waved a careless hand through the air. “Oh, that’s nothing. We’ll have to stand with the royal family and the king will take it from there. Then, there will probably be a dance between you and the prince while everyone watches.”

“What? You call that nothing?” I winced at the screech that accompanied my words.

He patted my arm. “You’ll be fine. Just follow Aster’s lead. He’s an excellent dancer and I’ve seen the way you move to music. You’re a natural.”

I gnawed anxiously at my bottom lip. “Maybe I should have kept up the lessons with that horrible troll woman.”

“I’ll practice with you back at our place. You’ll be fine, doll. Promise.” He opened the door and held it open for me.

“Right.” I watched as he waved at the guards and slammed the door in their faces.

“Don’t you trust me?” He faked a pout.

I shrugged and winced. “Sort of?”

“What?” His pout turned real.

I rushed to explain. “I trust you. But I also know you like your jokes and pranks.”

He took my hands in his. “True, but never at your expense, doll.”

“I know.” I frowned around the sitting room. “Where’s Saber?”

He dropped me hands and shrugged. “I don’t know. Aster was here when I left, I thought he was waiting around for you.”

“I’ll check his room.”

“You hungry? I’ll make a snack while you run him down.”

“Sure. I could eat.”

I marched along the hall to Saber’s room, stopping right outside with my fist raised. Murmured voices kept me from knocking. It was Aster and Saber talking. About me.

“I cannot bear this much longer.” Aster sounded frustrated.

“I know it’s hard. And I can’t promise you anything. She needs time.”

“I’m not sure how much time I can give her. My father is growing impatient. I would never push her or you, but I also don’t want any of you to die. And only my father’s own laws are keeping you four alive.” Aster muttered a long string of curses.

It surprised me. He was usually so eloquent and careful in his speech.

“Then we’ll run. And we’ll help in any way we can from Havisam. I know that’s not what you want to hear. It took everything for her to agree to accepting us and we almost lost her,” Saber said.

“Why is she so against it?” Aster asked. “I don’t understand.”

Saber sighed. “She’s been on her own for a long time and during that time, she spent it railing against your family and your laws. When she agreed to stay with us, she had to give all that up, granted that was more about the fact that your father wanted her dead and less about us. Accepting the bond with the prince of the family she blames for her family’s deaths?”

“Which neither Indigo nor I had anything to do with. In fact we are fighting to change all of that.”

“She knows. Which is why she suffers your presence. But Rhapsody is different. She won’t let a bond force her. She has to actually feel something for you. And every single time you’re around her, you’re acting nothing like yourself. You’re flirtatious, but withdrawn. And she knows it’s not the real you. She chose us because she cared about us. Not because of the bond.”

Tears pricked my eyes at how well Saber understood me.

Aster cursed again. “That is not something I’m very good at.”

“I know, but if you want even the slightest chance, that’s what it’s going to take.”

Their conversation seemed to be wrapping up, so I hurried back down the hall back to Sky, my stomach in twisted knots. He raised his brow at me as he slid over a plate of fruit and cheese.

“He and the prince are busy. I think they’ll be out soon.”

“Eavesdropping, doll?” He wagged his brows.

“Maybe.”

“Hear anything juicy?” He plopped a grape into his mouth.

I fiddled with a piece of cheese. “Nothing really important.”

“Uh huh. Sure.”

“Weren’t you going to teach me how to dance? I doubt it’ll be long before we have to get ready. The princess is sending me something proper to wear.”

Sky walked around the table and took me into his arms. “I need you to be the music.”

“What?” I asked.

“Sing, doll.”

Of course. I hummed a popular dance song I thought might be the sort of thing they would play at the gala. Sky led me into a dance I had no trouble following. He was confident in his steps and between him and the music, moving in time with him came naturally. We whirled across the dining room floor, and I drowned in the icy blue of his eyes. When I reached the end of the song, Sky dipped me low to the floor, pressing a kiss to the bottom of my throat.

A throat clearing jerked us both to our feet. I spun around to see the prince standing there watching us with burning eyes and a clenched jaw.

“Apologies. I didn’t intend to interrupt. I merely wanted to make sure you have everything you need for tonight.”

My hand clutched at my pounding chest. “Your sister is sending over clothes and Sky has told me what to expect tonight.”

The prince gave a militant nod. “Excellent. I realize it is a bit of a pain, but I appreciate you keeping up the ruse.”

“I get what’s at stake if I don’t.”

“Right. Well, I’ll be off and will see both of you in a few hours.”

I guessed he decided not to listen to Saber’s advice. I ignored the twinge and reminded myself it was easier if he kept the distance between us. Even though I’d hoped he would listen and I would finally see who he really was.

“Let’s go see what Saber is up to, doll. Maybe surprise him with a little fun?”