Chapter Eighteen
Back in Indigo’s rooms, we filled Elora and Darius in on the council meeting.
Elora grinned when she heard Aster’s idea. “Excellent. Brilliant.” She turned to me. “You need to resume your training as well. We’ve been lax since your return, but no longer. Even once the threat of the king has passed, you’ll still be a princess and your life will always be in some sort of danger or another. And you have five very dangerous kindreds who all have enemies. You have to know how to protect yourself.”
Darius nodded. “If Bastian is unwilling, I can help teach you some dragon fighting as well.”
“Bastian will be willing. I’ll make sure of it.” There was a possessive growl in Aster’s voice that brought amused expressions to everyone’s faces.
Seemed Aster didn’t want any man but my kindreds near me. Even the one I’d yet to bond with.
“Darius has already shown me a few things. I hate to admit it, but he handed me my ass. If we ever went to war with the dragons, they’d wipe the floor with us.” Elora shot the dragon a dirty look.
Darius smirked and pressed a kiss to the corner of Elora’s lips.
Interesting.
Indigo watched them with a fond, soft smile. “Which is why a treaty is so important. Aster, thank you. Your idea truly was brilliant. If we can remove the fear of dragons from the soldiers and get them to befriend each other and remind them of their love for us, we can sway most of them to our side.”
Aster shrugged. “We grew up in the barracks with them, training. It won’t take much for them to remember.”
“I hope you’re right. I grow weary of the sneaking and intrigue.”
Lysander and Darius crowded at her sides, responding to her tired tone, their hands tangling on her back.
Elora marched forward to kiss Indigo with a fierce nip. “It will be over soon and then the true battle will begin.”
“That’s not very comforting.”
Elora shrugged. “You can find your comfort from the males. I’ll always tell you the truth.”
Indigo reached out to cup Elora’s jaw. “And I love you for it. Though I love them for the comfort.”
My throat ached as I watched them. They were beautiful and comfortable together and I longed for the day I finally had that ease with my kindreds.
I still had a hard time believing it was real. That I wouldn’t lose them. That there had been some horrible cosmic mistake.
Aster tugged me towards the door. “We need to go and let the assassins and the dragon know how things went. Meet out in the yard first thing in the morning?”
Indigo nodded. “We’ll be there. I hate waiting until tomorrow, but training is almost over for the day, so there’s no point.”
Aster pulled my arm through his and held me close as we made our way back to the assassin’s rooms. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. It’s a lot, but I’m fine.” I was not made for all this spy-craft. I preferred outright rebellion. Much more straightforward.
He kissed my temple. “I’m sorry you’ve gotten caught up in all this.”
“I’m not. I never thought I’d be able to help change things. Even if we fail, I’ll know I tried and fought for everything I believe in. For my parents’ memory.”
“I wish I could have known them.”
“So do I.” They would have loved all of my kindreds.
“Are you all right after last night?”
I blushed scarlet. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Aster grimaced. “Some of the partners I’ve had in the past... well... they had issues with my... preferences.”
I squeezed his hand. “I loved every second of it even while I hated you a little.”
“We still need to find time to have a conversation.”
“About what?” I asked.
He nibbled on his lower lip. “About how far you’re willing to go. What you’re interested in trying. What your hard nos are.”
I shrugged. “Most of my experiences have been quick tumbles and never seeing them again. So I don’t know much about my likes and dislikes. But I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done with the four of you.”
Aster groaned. “We have got to get a bigger bed. And a new place.”
“A new place?”
“Yes. We don’t really all fit well in the assassin’s rooms. And we definitely wouldn’t fit in mine.”
He was right. We all needed our own space so weren’t all five together constantly. And I needed one-on-one time with my kindreds and they needed it with each other.
“Is there really a point before we see what happens with the king?”
Aster sighed. “No. And we need to see what happens with your dragon as well. Because we may be headed to live there if he finally admits what he wants.”
“You’d want to move there?” I was surprised. I didn’t think he’d want to leave his sister right as she took over the throne.
“Wouldn’t you?”
I was torn, happy with either option. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind it. But I’m not unhappy remaining here either.”
“If you and the assassins are up for it, I may see if we can move there as ambassadors anyway. Perhaps Bastian can be convinced to stay here if it’ll be too difficult for him. He seems in no rush to leave after discovering the library.”
“Why?”
“Because my sister needs a chance to rule herself, show her strength. And here, I’m just the spare. There, I could actually do some good. She doesn’t need my help with Elora and Lysander at her side.” He didn’t sound bitter at all about it, just matter of fact, like he wanted what was best for his sister and Faligrey. It made me fall for him even harder.
“I told Whist a while ago that it should be up to you. The rest of us are happy as long as we’re together. Whatever is best for Faligrey.”
“Fuck, what did I do to deserve you? How can you be so perfect for me and four others at the same time?”
I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck as he swept me up and kicked open the door. He set me down with a frown and I spun, feeling the tension behind me.
Saber had a hand on Sky’s shoulder as he and Bastian glared in each other’s faces.