Chapter Three
I dropped with a moanonto the sofa in my assassin’s sitting room, glad to be back here. Worry for Aster and Indigo kept me from relaxing completely. The queen had ordered everyone but the two of them from the throne room. Elora took Darius to their quarters to introduce him to Lysander while the rest of us returned here.
Sky joined me on the sofa while Whist and Saber took Bastian and moved things around so he could have a room. Living here with him would be hard as hell, but he wasn’t safe in quarters of his own. The king didn’t seem like he had the slightest intention of agreeing to let them stay, bonds or not. And we were all willing to bet he would try the same thing he did with me.
The tension coiling inside me ever since the capital came into sight tightened, trying to strangle me. The intrigue and pleasure in rebellion had worn off after being locked in a cart and ripped from my kindreds. I was ready for some peace and quiet, but with the prince as my kindred, I didn’t think I’d ever get it.
“It’ll get better, doll. It won’t always be like this.” Sky rubbed my back.
I snorted. “Won’t it, though? If we’re successful with the king, next it’ll be everyone who agrees with him and those still loyal. Then it’ll be fighting for peace with the borderlands.”
Sky tugged me into his lap. “Is our little rebel warrior losing her fight?”
“No. Of course not.” Maybe a little. But I’d rally. Somehow.
He played with my hair, smoothing it back from my face. “It’s okay if you are. No one can fight constantly without a break. Don’t worry, doll. We’ll have some fun in between the battles.”
My brow furrowed. “You ready to talk about it yet?”
“Talk about what?”
I sighed and shook my head. “Whatever it is that’s pissing you off so badly?” I wanted him to talk to me. I needed him to.
He grimaced and opened his mouth, but snapped it closed when the others returned to the main room. “Later.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
His expression softened, and he rubbed his thumb across the edge of my forehead. “Thanks, doll.”
The rest of them sat in the open spots scattered around the room, everyone’s attention on me.
“What?” I asked.
Sky snorted. “They’re all wishing the prick dragon wasn’t here so we could ravish you.”
Red flooded my cheeks, and I shoved my asshole assassin. “You’re the one being the prick.” I stood. “And I need a long bath and sleep before there’s any ravishing. And not until we know Aster’s all right.”
Sky grabbed my hand and brought it his lips, his eyes twinkling with suppressed laughter. The ass. I pulled away and retreated to the washroom to wash the last few days from my skin. I couldn’t get enough of steamy baths ever since my assassins found me. I’d spent so long washing off in frigid streams, the luxury of hot water was something I wanted to indulge in as often as possible.
Knuckles tapped at the door and it creaked open to reveal Saber holding a glass of brandy.
“Give it.” I held out my hands.
He chuckled and handed it over. “I know it’s been a while. Thought you might want it while you relaxed.”
“Thanks.” He was the best.
He sat on the edge of the tub. “Anytime, love.”
“Is Aster back yet?”
“Not yet. Don’t worry. The king won’t do anything to hurt him.” He took the sponge from my hands and dunked it in the water before he brought it up to my shoulder, sliding it down my arm.
“I know. But he was so angry.” I sipped my drink, reveling in the burn in my throat, the warmth in my belly.
Saber dipped the sponge between my breasts, but kept his touch innocent, comforting. “It’s pretty common for him. He’s always angry.”
“Shitty way to live your life.” I relaxed beneath his touch, glad to have this moment with him.
He nudged me forward so he could run the sponge across my back. “It is. Which we can use against him. It takes little to send him into one of his infamous rages. It’s destabilizing.”
I snorted. “We certainly have plenty of ammo to piss him the hell off.”
“That we do. We’ll use whatever it takes.”
“Whatever it takes.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of my head and stood. “Enjoy your bath, love.”
I almost called him back to join me, but I was enjoying having a few moments of peace to myself. As much as I adored being surrounded by my kindreds and had missed them when we were separated, a part of me still needed time alone. Especially with the bond so new, demanding I soak in as much of them as I could.
I leaned back and sipped the brandy with a sigh and closed eyes, some of the tightness in my chest finally easing.
Once the water cooled and my drink disappeared, I rose and wrapped myself in a towel, padding from the washroom and into Saber’s.
Aster waited for me, sprawled out on the bed.