Chapter Eight
Strange nerves flutteredinside my belly as I followed Bastian into the dining hall. Apparently, dragons all ate the evening meal together, which I found odd, but nice. Like they were one big family, scattered across the lines of tables, no separations based on rank.
Bastian led me to a table some members of the squad who brought me in sat around, heaping plates of food in front of them. The one I rode with, Marcus, shot me a grin and a wink, making Bastian growl.
I jerked my head towards him, surprised at his show of possessiveness. He cleared his throat and adjusted the lapels of his jacket before spinning on his heel and striding off towards the line of people waiting to spoon food onto their plates. I shrugged and joined the squad.
“I’m Rhapsody. We didn’t get a chance to exchange pleasantries earlier.” I sat in one of the empty seats.
“Marcus.” My captor grinned wider.
The massive one inclined his head. “Jem.”
The elfin woman smiled in welcome. “Kira.”
“Zelda.” She pointed at Kira. “I’m her kindred, but I’m on a different squad.
The last one barely looked up from his plate and spoke around a mouthful of food. “Duncan.”
“Nice to meet you officially, I guess.”
Kira shot me an apologetic smile. “Sorry you had us as a welcoming committee.”
“According to Bastian, you were my best option.”
The five of them shared identical grimaces.
Marcus spun the cup in his hand. “Right. We’d apologize, but it’s the way things are done here.”
I shrugged. “Compared to the people who captured me before, this is like being on vacation.” It really was. It was even a bit of a vacation from the stress of the palace.
Kira grinned. “I like you.”
“Thanks?”
She laughed. “Are you going to stick around?”
“I have to for now. But there are people I have to get back to.” I wasn’t sure how much they knew, how much I should disclose. I was already hiding the majority of my story to their leaders, I didn’t really want to spread more of it around.
“We heard you’re a musician and are performing after the meal.”
“News travels fast around here I see.”
Zelda laughed. “Very. It’s impossible to keep anything secret.”
Bastian returned and a plate of food clattered in front of me. “Eat. You need to build your strength back up.” There was still a growl in his words.
He sat next to me and brooded into his plate. What was his problem? We were fine and on the same page earlier in his room. Why was he suddenly acting jealous and possessive? Was it a dragon thing or was the kindred bond making him edgy?
Our legs brushed against each other and we both sprang apart like the touch burned us. I avoided everyone’s eyes, my face warming as I focused my attention on the food. I didn’t eat much, worried I’d throw it all up once I was onstage. I was used to performing, but not a crowd like this. And not to prove my own innocence.
And never without an instrument.
When I saw the king again, I wanted to slam his head into his throne until he returned my ukulele. I missed it so much it hurt and was terrified he’d destroy the instrument my father had left me.
“You all right?” Bastian’s voice jerked me from my thoughts.
“I’m fine.” The words came out as a squeak, making my lie obvious.
“Nervous?” Kira asked.
“A little. I usually play for the tavern crowd.”
Marcus raised his glass in the air. “Well, most of us will be a couple cups into our drinks once you go up there so you should feel right at home.”
I chuckled, surprisingly comfortable with these dragons in a way I never had been with people from my own land. Bastian remained silent at my side as the others chatted and drew me into light conversation. I kept sneaking glances at him, trying to read him, but he gave nothing away, focused on his food and a book he unearthed from somewhere.
“He’s always got a book with him. He prefers them to people.” Marcus leaned across the table to whisper loudly.
Bastian still didn’t look up, but he kicked Marcus under the table, making everyone else laugh. The ghost of a smirk crossed Bastian’s lips as he continued reading. Marcus winked at me again which earned him another kick to the shins.
The nerves plaguing me disappeared as their warm company and laughter and camaraderie embraced me. One of the women, Cala, from the Assembly approached with a smile.
“It’s time for your performance. Come, please.”
Bastian finally raised his head and shot me a small, encouraging smile, then went right back to his book. Asshole. I followed the woman to the center of the room where she stopped and addressed everyone.
“Please welcome Rhapsody, a bard from Faligrey, who has graciously agreed to entertain us this evening.”
Scattered applause and whispers rose around the dining hall, but I ignored it. I ignored everyone, instead I thought of my kindreds and the last time I sang for them. I couldn’t share that song tonight, but I kept memories of them close to my heart as the song I sang in the tavern so long ago spilled from my mouth. The one I sang right before I met my assassins. It was one of my most treasonous songs, one I had worked hard on to get the music and harmony just right. It wasn’t the same without my ukulele, but the acoustics in the hall gave my voice new power, one I used to wrap my audience in the spell of the song.
The last note rang out across the hall, leaving a beat of silence in its wake before booming applause broke out, bringing me back to the present, ripping me away from my memories of my kindreds.
I ducked my head and scurried back to the table, fighting off emotion. I’d never had a response like this before. My songs usually made people uncomfortable or disdainful or outright terrified. Being here was messing with my head. I had to remember this wasn’t my home and never could be. I had to remember these people, as nice and welcoming as they appeared to be, were holding me hostage and would have killed me if they believed for a second I was a threat. They still might.
I couldn’t let them lull me into a false sense of safety and hospitality. Especially since they didn’t value the kindred bond the way Faligrey did. Having a kindred on the Assembly who didn’t want me would not save me.
I had to use the few weapons in my arsenal to survive this. And I had to pray Indigo was clever enough to play along since I had a pile of doubts over my chances of being able to escape in less than forty-eight hours.
With a quiet sigh, I sank into the seat beside Bastian, shifting uncomfortably at the stares of the dragon squad. “What?”
“That was bloody amazing.” Marcus breathed the words.
Zelda nodded, her mouth gaping. “It really was. You have a marvelous gift. And your king wants to kill you for it?”
“If I just wrote love songs, he’d have no issues, but my usual lyrics are more... inflammatory.”
Kira snorted. “If that’s the type of thing you sing all the time, I rather understand why he wants you dead. You’re a threat to his rule.”
I sighed. “So I’ve been told.”
“You still look tired. I’ll take you back to get some more rest.” Bastian stood suddenly and waited behind me.
I jerked my head up to face him before turning to the others. “See you all later, I guess.”
Marcus winked. “If you get bored or lonely, come find us. We’ll be around for a few days before we head back out on patrol.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” I flapped my hand in an awkward wave as I rose from the seat.
I could feel the eyes burning into my back as Bastian and I left the hall. I wasn’t sure if my song had truly done me any favors here, but it was certainly a better response than I’d gotten anywhere else.
After the rest and food I’d been given, the steps leading back to Bastian’s rooms weren’t as painful. I still hated each and every one though. What was wrong with me? I used to be in such excellent shape since I traveled everywhere on foot with a heavy pack on my back. It was probably the fault of my kindreds. They were spoiling me. And we’d been stuck in the palace living like royalty for weeks.
Inside Bastian’s room, I slid the cloak off my shoulders. He froze right inside the doorway, staring at me with heat flickering in his black eyes. I glanced down at myself with a frown, confused at his reaction. Nothing was out of place other than the ridiculous amount of cleavage I was showing off. It was the first time I’d taken the cloak off all day, too uncomfortable with the clothes he found me. I’d been relieved to see it was the fashion here, wildly different from what was popular in Faligrey.
I grabbed the cloak and hugged it to my chest, covering myself.
His mouth opened and closed a couple times before he spoke. “I’ll find you something else to wear first thing in the morning. Something more... substantial.”
“Great. Thanks.” I cast nervous eyes towards the bed. “What are the sleeping arrangements going to be?” I’d sleep on the floor before sharing a bed with him.
“You take the bed. I have a couch in the other room. My office.”
“Right. Okay. Perfect.” I could not imagine a more awkward situation at the moment.
“Yes. Well. Good night.”
I shook my head and dropped my face into my hands after the door closed behind him. My chest burned, the bond demanding the touch of my kindreds.