Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Twenty-One

My fingers pluckedthe harp strings, sounding out a new melody. The harp was a perfect choice for the song—-the soft, light, almost magical tone that softens the harsh notes jangling in my mind.

Whist slipped inside, smiling over at me as he took a seat to watch. I grinned back and focused back onto the harp. I didn’t have lyrics yet, but I wanted to get the music down first. I rapped my knuckles against the side of the instrument to bang out the beat, bringing another layer to the melody to showcase the drama.

The harp had become a new favorite instrument even though I still missed my ukulele. Aster promised he’d find a way to get it back, but in the scheme of things it wasn’t as important right now. As long as it was still safe and whole I could wait a little longer.

My fingers flew faster and faster as the song came together, almost exploding out of me.

It was nice having this time to myself without worrying about training or the king or intrigue. I could just focus on releasing the music. We’d spent the last four mornings training and Aster, Indigo, and her kindreds worked with the council to recruit more nobles to our cause.

Bastian and Aster still went to the library most nights, but I no longer joined them. He and I hadn’t been alone together since the night we almost went too far. He and Sky were getting along better, but I avoided the dragon, not looking for a repeat. It hurt too much and did nothing but confuse me even more.

The song ended and my hands fell away from the harp as I tried to find the right words to match the music. I’d already scrawled the notes down on spare bits of paper, but I struggled with the lyrics. Usually it was easy, but I was blocked. Maybe I was too happy and could only write when I had something to rail against. Never in my life had I experienced such happiness and comfort and satisfaction. Not just because of my kindreds, but because it felt like I was finally doing more than screaming into a void. That I was finally truly honoring my parents by fighting to change our country so people like them would no longer be ostracized.

That my music was finally making a real difference, people singing my songs in taverns and the streets to let our king know things needed to change. It shocked me the king hadn’t commanded his guards to round them up and lock them away.

It was one thing to disobey his own laws of freedom of speech by sending assassins to silence one treasonous bard. It was quite another to send his guards marching through the capital to arrest the many who were singing the songs.

A snort puffed from my nose as I scribbled a few words onto the paper—phrases I wanted to try to work in. I looked up and my eyes widened in surprise at the sight of all five of my kindreds, smashed together on the small sofa and chairs, watching me.

My cheeks heated. “How long have you guys been in here?”

“You’ve been lost to the music for over an hour, love.” Saber smiled.

“Whoops. Did you need me? Is something wrong?”

Aster shook his head. “We just wanted to watch you, princess. Everything is perfectly fine.”

“Well, dinner is ready and getting cold. But other than that, everything is fine.” Whist sounded grumpy, but he smiled at me.

They needed to stop spoiling me. “Sorry. We can go eat now.”

“You sure you’re finished?” Sky asked. “We can wait.”

“Yeah. I need to let this simmer for longer anyway. I’m a bit stuck.”

Different shades of concern darkened their eyes, making me smile and my heart clench. They were too sweet sometimes.

“Come on. We can’t let Whist’s cooking go to waste.”

I squeezed by Bastian, tilting my head down, but he grabbed my hand to stop me.

He looked at the others. “Can you give us a minute?”

Sky smiled wide and shoved Aster towards the door. “Of course.”

I pulled my hand from Bastian’s grip and eyed him nervously once we were alone. “What’s going on?”

He closed the door and turned to me. “I wanted to apologize.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“Yes. It is.”

I sighed, not in the mood to hear more about how he couldn’t do this anymore. I’d heard it all before and I understood. I didn’t need more explanation. “Bastian, we said everything we needed to the other night.”

“Yes, and now you can’t stand to look at me or even be near me.” He sounded stilted and frustrated.

“It’s just easier that way. For both of us.” I aimed my words at the floor.

“Not for both of us.”

My head jerked up. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying...” He raked his hands through his hair. “Fuck. I’m saying I can’t resist you anymore. Or the others. What we could have.”

My brows furrowed. “But... you don’t want this. You aren’t ready for this.”

He stepped forward, meeting my gaze steadily. “I’m not ready for the ceremony, but I’m ready to accept the bond.”

“Are you sure?” If he wasn’t sure, or was just trying to make things easier, I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I was afraid to believe the things he was saying.

“Yes. I’m sure. The last few days have been killing me. Ever since I tasted you and then felt you pull away. Sky was right. And Kira was right. My wife would kick my ass if she could see me now.”

“I need you to be very clear here because I’m still confused.” Did he just want to fuck and play? Did he want to actually have a relationship more than friendship?

He took a step closer. “I’m saying I’m in. I’m all in. I’ll need you to be patient with me and can’t promise I won’t struggle, but I want this. I want you. I want them.”

“Are you sure?” I asked it again, really struggling to believe him.

He reached out to cup my cheeks, bending to bring our lips together in a soft, sensual kiss. It was nothing like our previous ones—no desperation and inner battles, it was a kiss of discovery and relief and hope. It was a promise.

One I hoped came true.

He pulled away and pressed his forehead against mine while we caught our breath. My fingers curled in his shirt and satisfaction pooled inside me. My bonds complete at last.