Cassarah #2
“Cassy-bear,” Dayson said, his voice rumbled in my ear as he kissed my temple. “This has been hard on each of us, but most of all you. The choices you make affect a whole kingdom… one you are still learning about, I might add. Mistakes will be made by you and us while we adjust to this new life.”
Paxton wrapped his free arm around me, pulling me against him as he nuzzled into my hair.
“What Day said… fights happen, disagreements in how things are handled are par for the course with any relationship, and you have eight of us plus the girls. That’s ten people you have to consider at all times.
We have it easy since we only have to worry about you, but if we are being honest, we didn’t support you the best way while Vasin was healing.
All of us can learn from how things have gone the last few days and do better. ”
Hearing how easily they forgave me worried me as much as it was a balm to my emotions. Never did I want to take advantage of them and their love for me, so even though they forgave me, I needed to earn that forgiveness a little.
“Let’s head back and have dinner… just the ten of us in our chambers. I’ll make sure the palace staff knows we are not to be bothered unless it’s urgent,” I offered, hugging them each in turn before we climbed back on the dragons.
This time, I flew back with Dayson, making sure Paxton took a few extra minutes to take a flight, just him and Ninnat.
I might not be the best at relationships, but I knew for him to take the time for her would help.
The past few days I’ve been so self-focused I truly wanted to try to be more mindful of what was happening around me with the people I loved.
“Cassy-bear, will you sleep in my bed tonight?” Dayson asked, running his nose along the shell of my ear. “I’d really love some alone time with you. I feel like you and I haven’t done that much.”
“That sounds perfect,” I answered. “I think it would be a wise idea for us to work out a way so each of us can have time together. Like having a meal one-on-one or spending the night together. While you all understand I’m with all of you, I don’t need to be with all of you all the time.
I think it will help me to focus on the individual needs of each of my relationships. ”
“Why don’t we bring it up at dinner… see what the others think would be a good idea,” Dayson suggested.
Hegg landed abruptly, tossing us both forward.
Thankfully, the harness kept us where we should be on his back.
Hegg let out a snort accompanied with sparks as he shook his head before looking back at us to make sure we were good.
I could feel him sending the emotions of an apology for the rough landing.
“It’s all right, Hegg. We appreciate the ride, and you’ve gotten us back safe and sound,” I said, rubbing his shoulder before I slipped off his back.
Walking to the front, Hegg dropped his head, and I saw a bunch of feathers were stuck to his face. Chuckling, I started to pluck them off. “Did you catch a snack on the way back? This is why you shouldn’t eat and fly at the same time.”
“I swear, this dragon is a bottomless pit. He’s skinny as a runt but eats like there’s no tomorrow. What I’d like to know is where does the food he eats go?” Dayson questioned, resting his hand on his hips, looking his dragon over. “Some days, I wonder if I’m too heavy for him to handle.”
Hegg growled at that, swinging his head over to his pair-bond and snapped his teeth at him.
“All right, you two. Dayson, leave poor Hegg alone. Clearly, he needs large amounts of food to support himself, or maybe he hasn’t been able to get a decent meal until he came here. Vasin tells me how the Unclaimed Lands are desolate in many areas,” I scolded, getting an approving hum from Hegg.
Dayson just grinned at me. “I know I’m not going to win this argument, so I’m not even going to try. I’ll just agree with my lady and queen on this matter.”
Punching him in the arm, I gave Hegg one last scratch and headed inside.
A palace guard stationed at the entrance saw me and bowed as I walked down the hall toward our personal chambers.
While I knew they were there as a precaution during this time of high alert, I would be glad when the number of guards posted on our level was reduced.
It was becoming clearer to me I needed space to get away from being queen for just a bit, and our castle floor was that vestige.
Another guard was posted just outside the main door to my personal rooms with my consorts.
Slightly further down the hall were Becka and May’s rooms, ensuring they didn’t need to hear the more salacious things that happened.
The guard bowed and opened the door for me. “Do you know if everyone is here?” I asked before entering.
“Yes, Your Majesty, all your guardians and consorts are in the common rooms,” he answered.
“Thank you. I am relieving you of your post for the night. Could you inform the staff that my guardians and I will be having dinner here? We also wish to be left in peace unless there is an urgent matter,” I informed him.
He hesitated a moment before bowing once more in acknowledgment. Entering, I found the front sitting room was empty, so I moved into the library which also acted as my personal office. Becka was at my desk working on something while the others sat around the table, gambling, by the looks of it.