Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Something woke me inthe middle of the night and I crawled out from between the guys where we’d piled up after bathing our little interlude off of us. We’d never returned to the party, the results of the vote wouldn’t be tallied until the next morning.

I cracked open the door leading to the sitting room, my heavy eyes popping wide with horror as I recognized two people creeping towards the princess’s room.

After grabbing the first thing I could find to use as a weapon, I barreled into the room and brandished the fire poker, slamming it into one of their backs with a yell, hoping it would wake everyone.

My heart thundered in my ears as the second man grabbed me from behind, trapping my arms. I kicked back, aiming at his shins, but he avoided the impact with ease. I slammed the back of my head into his face and it connected, sending agony shooting through my neck and temples. He yelled out, but didn’t loosen his grip on me.

But it didn’t matter because the princess appeared and ripped the poker from my hands and smashed it into the man’s face. I fell to the floor on my knees while the princess finished dispatching them with ease. Saber grabbed me and pulled me away over to Sky while Aster and Whist and Elora hovered on the edge, allowing Indigo to handle them how she wished.

Once they were moaning and almost unconscious on the floor, Elora unearthed a length of rope from somewhere and she and Whist tied them up.

Indigo wasn’t even out of breath. “One of you go get a few members of the Assembly, please. They’ll want to know about this.”

Sky cupped my face in his hands, a question in his furious eyes. At my nod, he rose and hurried from the room.

“You don’t suspect them?” Elora asked.

Indigo shook her head. “No. It looks more like a faction who worries the vote will pass in our favor.”

“Did they mention anything like that?” I asked. Kira hadn’t mentioned anything to me. Neither had Bastian.

“No. But every government has its dissenters. We have our very own right here with us.” Indigo pointed at me with a laugh.

I chuckled. “I never tried to kill any of you though.”

“Yes, but your music spread unrest. I am not sure you understand yet how powerful you are with nothing but your ukulele as a weapon. Did you see the response last night? It wasn’t my words alone that moved people. Your music set the stage.”

“Maybe it helped a little, but you didn’t need me.” She hadn’t. She was amazing and if the people here didn’t realize it, they were fools.

The door opened, and we all stiffened, but it was Sky along with Bastian, Indigo’s new kindred, Kira, and Cala from the Assembly.

Cala glared down at our prisoners. “It was who I expected. They’ve been vocal in their desire to see things remain the same. At any sign of progress, they fight us tooth and nail.”

I coughed to cover the inappropriate laughter at her unintentional dragon pun.

Sky grinned over at me. I stood with a wince and Bastian frowned at me in concern. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Indigo gestured to me. “Rhapsody saved us. If it wasn’t for her, they might have caught us unawares enough to finish whatever they had planned.”

Cala sighed. “We are so very sorry about this, Princess. They will be punished for their attempted crimes and we will find out if they had any allies in their attack.”

“I will leave you to it then. We’ve certainly had enough excitement for the night.”

Kira and Cala each grabbed a man and dragged them from the room. Bastian and Indigo’s kindred acted reluctant to leave.

Sky scowled at Bastian. “They could probably use your help.”

Bastian gave a short nod and hurried after them. I raised a brow at Sky, confused at his sudden short temper.

He cursed and ran a hand through his hair. “He’s being an idiot. Way worse than you. And after that song, I don’t want him hurting you with his presence until he’s here to accept the bond.”

“Sky—” I was cut off by Sky spinning on his heel and stomping into the bedroom.

Saber ran a comforting hand up my back. “It’s useless to argue, love. Sky will calm down eventually.”

I frowned, but was distracted watching Indigo and her dragon. They paid no attention to anyone else around them, just like before. Elora stepped forward and shoved them towards the bedroom with a low laugh, closing the door behind them.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

She smiled. “Of course. I got to know him enough during the celebration that I’m confident he’s a good man. Even though Indigo believes everyone should have a choice in the matter, she would never deny a kindred soul bond. She believes in them utterly. And the scheming side of her knows this will only help us when it comes to dealing with the king. His own laws make it impossible for her to deny them.”

Aster snorted. “Faligrey is going to be in an uproar over her bringing a dragon kindred home to the palace.”

“Is he returning with us or is he going to wait until things are more settled? And what is the story we’re telling when we return all together?” I asked.

Aster tangled his fingers in mine. “They know Sky and Saber have been looking for you so we’ll tell them they found traces of you and sent word to us so we joined them at the dragon border where they very helpfully invited us over and brought us to our lost bard who they had saved when they found her wondering alone and injured.”

“Are you worried your father will use the chance to make a treaty of his own with the dragons?”

Aster shook his head. “I highly doubt he would try. And even if he did, we’re confident enough the dragons wouldn’t accept if they decide to help us or if they decline.”

“Maybe her new dragon kindred will aim some of the king’s wrath away from me.” I was only half joking.

“Don’t count on it. He’ll more than likely blame you for her meeting him.”

I groaned and laughed at the same time. Sounded about right.

With a worried frown, I looked over at the door Sky still hadn’t returned through.

Saber shook his head. “Just give him time.”

I didn’t want to. It was the first time I’d seen Sky like that and I wanted to comfort him or confront him. I wasn’t sure which. But Saber knew him better than anyone, so I’d trust his advice.

For now.