Chapter Twenty-Six
We galloped for twentyminutes with only the whipping wind as company.
I needed to take my mind off my worries for Saber. “Can you explain the kindred bond a little better for me?”
“What do you mean?” Whist asked.
“My parents weren’t kindred, and we were never close to anyone, so I was never told much about it from people who have personal experience.” It was still a mystery even though I was surrounded by it and it was an integral part of our world.
I didn’t like mysteries.
“All right. What specifically do you want to know about it?”
Questions flew from my mouth almost faster than my lips could form them. “How strong is it? Does it override free will? Does it make you do things you wouldn’t normally do? I know it’s possible to not accept the bond, but that it’s extremely painful.”
“Kindred bonds are incredibly strong, but it doesn’t take away your choices. You can choose to accept it or choose not to. Few people go against it and not just because of the pain, but because of how their kindred fits them so perfectly. When we found you, it was like a piece I didn’t even realize I was missing clicked inside me and made me whole. Being with you hasn’t changed my personality or made me do things any differently than I usually would. But I feel complete now. Mainly, all the kindred bond does is draw the best matches to each other. It helps you recognize each other. Whether that’s just two people of it’s five. There are tons of books and songs and poems and studies written about it, but it remains our biggest mystery.”
“Thanks. That helps.” Sort of.
“Believe me. Saber putting himself in harm”s way to do something for someone he cares about is completely normal for him. He’s always doing thoughtful shit like that.” How did Whist read me so well? It was frustrating the hell out of me. I wasn’t used to being seen or understood.
“Unlike you.”
He ignored my dry tone. “Exactly.”
“Says the big, bad assassin who somehow took the time to figure out my favorite food and make it for me. Are you saying the bond didn’t make you do that?”
“It did, but not in the way you’re implying. With you, I’m finally able to be my true self and allow some of my vulnerabilities to show. Maybe it’s the bond, maybe it’s just you. I’m actually leaning towards thinking it’s just you. Not all bonds settle this quickly. Usually there’s a longer period of awkwardness and getting to know each other. But like I have been saying. You fit right in with us, almost seamlessly.” A kiss tickled the back of my neck and I sank back against him.
He clucked at the horse, urging him along faster. My mind refused to stop whirling with information, my chest heavy with fear. I was losing myself in them. And they were giving everything up for me, even willing to give their lives.
It was all way too much.
Somehow, I fell asleep on the back of the horse. Whist nudged me awake when Sky and Saber arrived. I scrambled from the back of the horse, worried eyes roving over Saber.
“I’m fine. Sky wrapped me up while we rode. He’s surprisingly good at steering a horse with only his thighs.” Saber smiled over at Sky who winked back.
I hesitated. “Maybe I should look at it just in case.”
Sky shot me a reassuring smile. “I’m always the medic of our group, doll. I’ve gotten really good at patching them up over the years.”
“Fine.” I wasn’t very reassured, but I didn’t want to hurt him more by poking at it.
“We’ll take a quick break here and then back on the move.”
“How the fuck did they find us?” The anger in Sky’s voice shocked me. He’d shown flashes of seriousness, but the anger was new. It was kind of hot.
Whist looked grim. “The other assassins must have given us up.”
Sky drew back a step, shaking his head. “They wouldn’t.”
Apparently, they were close with the other assassins. More people they were leaving behind.
Whist rubbed at our horse’s neck. “They would if the king demanded it. That’s the only location we’ve ever shared, so we’ll be safe at the other one for now.”
“I don’t understand. I haven’t started a revolution. Why does the king want me dead so badly?” It still didn’t make sense. I was nobody.
Whist winced. “He didn’t before. But now you’ve corrupted three of his assassins. He is probably now fearing a revolution. If he knew you were our kindred, he’d probably still want you dead, but it would definitely calm him down.”
Perhaps they’d even get their lives back. If they told the king they were protecting their kindred, he’d understand. He’d have to. It was his laws that made kindreds so important.
The seed of an idea planted itself in my mind even while my soul screamed out at me against it. But the assassins weren’t the only ones who would do whatever it took to keep the ones they cared about safe and happy.
“It’s my turn with Rhapsody.” Sky grabbed me around the waist and spun me in a circle before lifting me into the saddle. I grinned dizzily down at him.
I would soak up every minute I had left with my three assassins. The end loomed dark and near. I just hoped I had the courage to do what was right. If I could only figure out what that was.
We rode another three hours before we turned off the trail and crashed through thick trees and bushes. Sky protected me from the branches whipping towards my face. We finally broke into a clearing and there sat a house with a small orchard stretching out behind it.
Whist helped Saber off the horse while Sky assisted me. My jaw dropped when I stepped inside.
The second safe house was even more elaborate than the first. “This is just ridiculous. Shouldn’t places like this be rustic shacks? How do you keep them up?”
Saber leaned against the wall with a sigh. “We travel a lot for work so one of us is always available to do a little upkeep. A couple of them are like what you imagine, but we don’t use them as often.”
“How well do assassinations pay?” I asked.
“Very well. The king believes fear and money keep people loyal to him,” Saber said.
“Well, the king has proved many times that he’s a moron. Too bad he didn’t take after his grandmother.” The king’s father had been the one to make non-kindred marriage illegal. And the current king had done nothing to change that.
“No arguments here, gorgeous.” Whist scowled through the back window at his garden. “I”ll be cleaning out the beds for days.”
“Worry about it tomorrow. We’re almost out of light and we are all exhausted.” Sky turned to me with a mischievous grin. “There’s something we want to show you.”
They led me to the very back of the house to a room at the end of the hall. Inside was a gorgeous bedroom decorated in beautiful shades of green. And in the center of the room sat the most ridiculously massive bed I’d ever seen in my life. It would’ve easily fit seven or eight hulking men.
“I take it we’re sharing tonight?” The corner of my lips rose.
Sky grinned. “Yes, but just sleep. Saber needs to heal and it would be mean to play if he can’t join.”
“I don’t mind watching like Whist this time.” Saber shut the door behind us.
I still hadn’t made my mind up of what to do. I couldn’t bear for them to touch me that way before I made my decision. “We’re all exhausted anyway. Napping on horses is not restful.”
Whist searched my eyes like he suspected the direction my thoughts were headed, but he asked no questions. The four of us kicked off boots and shucked off cloaks and collapsed onto the giant mattress.
A symphony of groans rose through the air as we nestled together on our bed of clouds.