Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Eighteen

Whist and I reclinedin bed, sweat cooling on our skin. His idle fingers played with the strands of my tangled hair as I tried counting the freckles on his chest. We hadn’t had many moments of simple peace like this, the chance to laze about in a bed with no looming danger.

We were worried about the meeting with the Assembly, but if they ended up failing to ally themselves, we would just leave. They wouldn’t execute us.

At least, I didn’t think they would.

Though no one knew where we were or what we were doing, so if the prince and princess disappeared, it was unlikely the dragons would be suspected at having anything to do with it.

He circled his arms around my waist and squeezed me tight. “Damn, I missed you, gorgeous. You can’t disappear from us like that again. We can’t handle it.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Whistler.”

A pleased sound rumbled in his chest. “Good. No more getting kidnapped.”

I snorted. “There wasn’t much I could do to stop it. I should resume training with Elora soon.”

“Yes. You should. Or even your dragon friend who escorted us here.”

I smiled. “Kira. I like her a lot. I’ve wanted to get the two of them together. They’re very similar.”

“Maybe you’ll have some free time tomorrow.”

“Do you mind missing the Assembly?”

He chuckled. “No. I have no taste for politics. I voted for assassinating the king from the beginning.”

I shook my head. “Of course you did.”

“Are you telling me you have never wanted him dead?”

“I’ve wanted him dead for most of my life. And I certainly won’t cry for him once he’s gone. But he is Aster’s father. And I don’t wish for war to come to Faligrey, so I see the sense in their plans.”

“It’s a smart plan. If it works.”

“You don’t think it will?” I asked.

“Too much rides on other countries assisting us. And because of the king, we aren’t a beloved country others will rush to aid. I’m worried what Indigo will have to promise to get those things.”

“Which is why she’s grasping at my kindred bond with Bastian?”

“Yes. Not that it’s a bad idea, but without you and Bastian agreeing to the bond, it’s useless. And you are not agreeing to it for Faligrey. Only if you want him.” He kissed my forehead.

I tilted my head so I could see his face. “Why doesn’t it bother you and Aster that I found another? It was one thing with Aster since you’re all friends. But you don’t know Bastian. And it’s not like multiple bonds are that common.”

“They will be if we open borders.”

“Probably. But you didn’t answer my question.” I drew a finger along his chest.

Whist blew out a breath. “Your happiness is important to all of us. Especially since choosing to be with us has gotten you into such mess. Does it make you jealous when Sky and Saber are together even if you’re not around?”

My hand stilled and flattened on his chest “Of course not.”

“Then why would it bother us? I admit I would prefer getting to know him better and seeing how he’d fit, but ultimately it’s your choice and his. We would never deny you.”

“But I still want to take your feelings into account.”

“I know, gorgeous. Rest assured, we’re fine either way.”

“All right.”

Noise from the sitting room interrupted us, sending us back into our clothes and hurrying through the door. Bastian had returned with the others, appearing uncomfortable, but Aster blocked his path to the exit.

My kindreds were bloody meddlesome creatures.

“How did it go?” I asked.

Indigo kicked off her shoes and sat with a sigh. “Not as well as I’d hoped, but not as badly as I expected.”

Bastian sniffed. “It went quite well. We didn’t send you away and are planning to continue talking with you. We also didn’t just kill you all to protect our privacy.”

Killing people just to keep their secrets was so utterly ridiculous. “I think I definitely have things I could sing about here.”

Indigo snorted. “There will always be something for you to sing about. No matter where you go. There’s no such thing as a utopia. And if anyone can force those problems into the light, it’s you.”

I grinned, pleased with the compliment. “I’ll try to go easy on you once you’re queen.”

Indigo’s expression lost its humor. “Don’t. I plan to depend on you to call me out on my bullshit.”

“I’d be honored.”

Aster chuckled. “Of course she would.”

I shot him a dirty look. “I’ll call you out on yours too.”

His smile turned wicked and my stomach clenched, worried he was about to say something dirty. Instead, he merely shot me a wink promising trouble later.

I heaved a sigh equal parts annoyance and relief.

Bastian glanced between us with a mix of curiosity and longing flickering in his black-eyed gaze. Warmth trickled over me as I stared back at him, the bond between us pulsating and drawing me to him. The surrounding conversation grew muffled and faded, neither of us able to free ourselves from the electricity spreading across our skin. Goosebumps rose along my spine and I shivered as his pupils dilated and nostrils flared, scenting my attraction.

At the moment, I couldn’t remember why I was denying yet another bond. Hadn’t I learned my lesson? The only thing I regretted about my kindreds was the time I wasted resisting them.

I slid away from Whist, ignoring everyone but Bastian, who stood unmoving with his chest rising and falling rapidly. I was tired of fighting and denying myself what I wanted. If he didn’t want me, at least I wouldn’t live with what ifs and regrets.

Before I reached him, the door flew open so hard it banged into the wall behind it and two assassins spilled inside, eyes wild and frantic, dirt coating their clothes.