Chapter Twenty
It took right up untildinner to catch Saber and Sky up on everything. Sky was still cackling over me finding another kindred. I’d questioned them over and over to be certain it didn’t bother them, but they echoed everything Whist had already reassured me of.
I didn’t deserve these men.
Saber buttoned up the back of the blouse Indigo let me borrow, finally back in Faligrean clothes instead of the provocative dragon ones. He tugged me back into him and kissed my neck. “I think I preferred the other clothes.”
Sky leered at me. “She’s definitely bringing that outfit back with us. And I’m going to buy her at least eight more just like it.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “I’m not wearing them except in private back in Faligrey.”
“We’ll see.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Whist interrupted us. “It’s time to go. They’re waiting on us.”
The guys pushed and shoved with smiles as they decided who would escort me. I considered leaving them behind and going with Indigo and Elora. When I moved to do just that, Saber slipped in beside me and slid his arm into mine. I smiled up at him, happiness at having him next to me making me almost delirious with joy.
It was a new sensation, but not an unwelcome one.
The others grumbled as they fell in line behind us. The relief over being reunited had made us all giddy, acting like we were tipsy on too much good brandy.
Speaking of brandy, it had been much too long since I’d had a taste. Did dragons drink brandy? I decided I’d ask Kira. I had the suspicion she’d know where to find some.
A hush fell over the dining hall at our entrance, eyes watching our every move like we might burst into song or start killing people at any moment.
Kira approached, dragging Zelda along with her. “Come on. We saved you all seats.” She turned to Indigo. “Sorry, Princess. We don’t have special seating for royalty or guests. It’s first come, first serve.”
“That sounds delightful.”
We followed Kira over to a long table where a few of her fellow squad members sat. There was no sign of Bastian. I peeked around the hall, searching for him, but I couldn’t find him. He wasn’t there. Disappointment welled inside me. He was determined to fight it and stay away so he wouldn’t be tempted.
I understood even though it pained me.
I took a seat between Saber and Aster, their thighs pressed against mine beneath the table. Sky and Whistler sat across from us.
Saber leaned over. “How does this work? Where’s the food?”
“It isn’t quite ready yet. We’re early. Once it’s set out, you go and fill your own plate.”
Interest lit up his eyes. “Fascinating. What about other meals? Does everyone return here?”
I shook my head. “No. They just meet for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are either cooked for yourself or you can bring plates from the main kitchens.”
“It’s very different from Faligrey.”
“True. But I like that they gather together as a community each evening. I especially like that the leaders sit along with them instead of holding themselves separate, like they’re better.”
“Perhaps we should consider doing the same.” Aster raised his brow at his sister.
Indigo pursed her lips in thought. “It’ll take time before we’re able to implement anything like this. The other nobles will have to be convinced and they aren’t likely to be thrilled with the idea.”
Sky chuckled. “They will hate that idea. We should start it right away.”
Laughter rose around the table and I jumped a little as I realized everyone had been eavesdropping on the whispered conversation.
Aster’s hand slid along my thigh, rising higher and higher on my leg until I had to muffle a squeak. Sky winked at me from across the table, somehow knowing exactly what was happening what Aster was up to.
Aster’s hand paused right in the crease of my leg, the weight warm and sending flutters low in my stomach. I glared at him from the corner of my eye, huffing at the wicked smile on his stupid charming face.
Kira sat higher in her seat and waved her arm. “Bastian. Over here.”
My pulse sped up and the tightness in my chest eased as Bastian moved closer. I peeked over my shoulder and watched as he approached, a clear uncomfortable expression on his face.
Sky stood from his seat and nudged Whist over. “Here. Have a seat. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself before. I’m Sky and that’s Saber.” He pointed to the man on my right.
“Bastian.” Bastian shook Sky’s hand and sat right in front of me.
He avoided my eyes, instead nodding at Indigo and Elora. My gaze met Marcus’s further down the table and I stiffened.
“What happened to your eye?” It was swollen and discolored.
Kira laughed. “Your newest kindred didn’t like hearing how Marcus knocked you unconscious.”
Shock stabbed through me and I shot Marcus an apologetic grimace, but he shrugged it off with a laugh, clearly not bothered. I turned back to Bastian who glared daggers at Kira for spilling the beans.
Sky’s eyes darkened, violence and danger dancing in his eyes, banishing his mischievous good humor. “What? He did what?” Sky looked seconds away from leaping across the table to attack Marcus.
I reached over and placed my hand on top of Sky’s. “I’m fine. He was just doing his job. He treated me kindly. Much better than the guards did. I’m all right, Sky.”
He relaxed and turned his hand over to bring mine up to his lips and pressed a kiss against my knuckles.
The tension around the table released, and a bell rang, signaling it was time to eat. Relief trickled through me and I rose along with everyone else, joining the line to make plates.
Bastian ended up behind me in line, I was certain thanks to my other meddlesome kindreds. I could feel him behind me, his heat, his gaze on the back of my neck. Longing welled inside me when the line jumbled and I was knocked back into him. His hands grabbed my waist, steadying me, his breath releasing in a huff by my ear. Goosebumps broke out over my skin and I smothered the shiver trying to break through.
I kept facing forward, not wanting to scare him off or break the spell wrapped around us. His fingers flexed against my sides, digging into my flesh. My breath caught in my throat and I inched back, wanting to feel more of him.
He sucked in a breath, his mouth against the back of my head. My eyes slid halfway closed as the current built between us.
“Fuck, what are you doing to me?”
I didn’t reply, too caught up in him to form words. And it wasn’t the bond in that moment. It was him. His strength, his pain, his mind, his scent. I wanted him, regardless of the bond. I didn’t want to say goodbye to him in three days. I wanted to spend the rest of my life getting to know him. I’d learned to trust fate, it hadn’t made mistakes for me so far. It hadn’t brought me anyone who didn’t fit.
Bastian’s lips brushed against my neck and then he jerked away from me, leaving me cold and empty. I refused to turn around and watch him flee. Instead, I pretended nothing happened and filled my plate with food. I pretended nothing was wrong, that disappointment wasn’t spreading through me like wildfire.
Whist and Aster looked furious when I returned to the table while Saber gave me a sympathetic smile and squeeze of my leg. Sky’s expression was closed down, cold. I shrugged. I understood Bastian wasn’t ready or prepared to let his wife go. And I didn’t blame him.
He’d made his choice. I needed to respect it like my kindreds had for me and stop making it harder on him.