Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Thirty-One

Indigo didn’t act asdisappointed as I expected, as the rest of us, as we lugged our bags out of the mountain. Bastian hadn’t come to say goodbye, and I tried not to let the hurt overwhelm me as I moved farther and farther away from him. The pain would dull and lessen over time, the longer we were separated.

Darius, Indigo’s new kindred was packed and right by her side, unable to move far from her it seemed.

“What are you going to do, Indigo?” I asked.

“Just what I planned on. True, the dragons won’t help me directly to overthrow my father, but indirectly they are still helping a great deal. Having Darius return with us only helps matters.”

“How?” Politics gave me a headache. Which probably made me a hypocrite since I had no problem complaining about the laws governing us.

“The dragons declared they would open borders with me on the throne, but not my father. The same arguments I used on the dragons will be used on the people of Faligrey. The more support of our own people I can drum up, the better.”

“Dragons respect strength.” Darius said. “They will far more likely to agree to a treaty if you prove you can take the throne yourself.”

“Still would have been nice to have a little more help.” Aster grumbled the words.

Indigo shrugged as she picked her way carefully along the path. “With Darius joining us, it’s not as needed. It would have helped, but this still works out.”

Sky sighed at my side and I looked over at him. “What’s going on with you? Talk to me.”

“We can discuss it later.” He forced a smile. “But I’m fine, doll. Nothing to worry about.”

I forced one back at him, unconvinced and worried despite his reassurances. There was still so much to discover about my kindreds and having so many of them was overwhelming at times when I worried they weren’t getting enough attention from me. So far, none of them had seemed to have any issues with sharing, but maybe it was beginning to wear on Sky.

I dropped my small bag filled with dragon clothes and threw my arms around him, hoping the touch of his kindred would calm whatever storm raged in him. He froze for half a second before his own bag thumped on the ground and he swept me off my feet against him, burying his face in my hair and breathing me in. The vibrations rumbling through him settled as he held me and my own pain at the distance from my fifth kindred abated. In his arms, I found a little peace. I hoped my arms brought him some as well.

He pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine. “Thank you, doll. I needed that.”

“Anytime.”

He gave me a swift, hard kiss that set me reeling and picked up our bags, refusing to return mine. We hurried to catch up with the others as they reached the exit.

We stepped through the doors and sunlight blinded me as the scents of trees and fresh air embraced us. I sucked in a deep breath and held it in, tasting the air, smiling up at the sky.

The horses were stabled right outside the door, but a noise from inside had everyone reaching for daggers and swords. Sky shoved me behind him.

Bastian appeared in the doorway of the stables. “The horses are ready.”

“What are you doing here?” Sky prowled towards Bastian with fists clenched around his knives.

Bastian didn’t back down. “I’m coming with you.”

“What?” The question ripped from me in a shriek, shock and hope and confusion vying for the top position inside me.

Bastian’s eyes flicked over to me. “I want to see Faligrey. I disagree with the choices made by my people and want to help. It will be better if two dragons come and show your country that kindreds can be found in the dragon lands.”

“You’re choosing to accept the bond?” Sky asked, a growl in his voice.

“Not exactly. But I’m willing to be friends and help you all.”

Sky scrutinized Bastian for a moment before the rigidity released him. I don’t know what he saw on Bastian’s face, but whatever it was it calmed him. “Then let’s load up your horse.”

Sky tied his bag and mine on the back of one of the horses before turning to help Bastian. The rest of us stood back while they danced around each other.

Sky grunted when he lifted one of Bastian’s bags. “What the hell do you have in here? Bricks?”

Bastian’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. “No. Books.”

His serious comment broke up the tension as we all chuckled. I wasn’t sure what would happen with Bastian since he was accompanying us, but hope swelled my chest at the chance to have something with him.

Even if it was only friendship.

THE END