Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Nine

My kindreds lockedme into our rooms for the day, so I hid myself in the music room. Apparently there were bards singing my songs in the capital and the king had lost his mind in a rage and went into his quarters and refused to let anyone in. Even the queen. She was now staying in Aster’s quarters. The guys didn’t want to take any chances with what the king was planning, so they asked me to stay inside for the day until they figured out what the hell was going on.

I strummed idly at the harp strings, my mind too full with worries and fears to concentrate on music. Usually music was my refuge, the place I retreated to in order to let go of unease. But not today.

Today, I felt trapped and frustrated and I missed my ukulele and my parents. I wished they were here to meet my kindreds, to give me guidance, to join their voices with mine. We used to have nights of singing together, playing together, every night was music night. Mostly to try to forget about our empty bellies and to try to stay warm when we were low on wood. But it also brought us together and lifted our spirits.

Maybe I could talk Aster into playing a duet with me on his piano. It wouldn’t be the same, but maybe it would soothe the ache inside me constantly missing my parents. Seeing him play had helped clear up my doubts about accepting the bond with him. It strengthened it. Something he still needed to be reminded of. I wondered if it was partially because he was a spare, unneeded by his father, brushed aside in order for Indigo to rise, always in her shadow, no real power to change anything. Or it was being raised by a prick of a father, making him believe he didn’t deserve anything more than a life of luxury and boredom.

It was impressive what a good man he became even with a father like that and a mysterious and confusing mother. I still couldn’t get a read on her. She clearly wasn’t close with her children and seemed to despise her husband. I had yet to work up the courage to question Aster about her. I’d ask Whist instead. He would definitely know and it shouldn’t bring up painful memories for him. Whist knew everything about everyone it seemed. I didn’t know if it was his assassin training or something that came naturally to him.

He and Saber always in the background, watching, listening while the rest of us talked over each other. Well, mainly Aster and Sky. Mostly Sky.

A knock tapped at the door and Bastian poked his head in. “Can I come in?”

“Of course.” Surprise filled me. He never sought me out.

He slipped inside, a bag in his hands. “I wanted to bring you something I’ve been meaning to give you, but there hasn’t been a good time until now.”

“Okay.” My forehead folded in confusion.

He set it on the chair and unbuckled it, revealing the guitar and flute. “I brought this from home. I wanted you to have it.”

I gasped. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He shrugged, like it was no big deal. “I wanted to. It wasn’t doing any good in my study remaining unused.”

I took the instruments from him, setting them down with the others my kindreds had gotten for me. “Well, thank you. I’m grateful. Really.”

He fiddled with the bag, avoiding my eyes. “Saber told me your father’s ukulele was taken by the king.”

“Yeah. He thought it would shut me up.” I rubbed my chest, trying to smooth away the pang stabbing my heart.

He looked up. “I’m glad it didn’t.” He turned and walked out, leaving me staring after him.