Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Oli
The soft, luxurious fabric of my dress itches as though it were made out of some disgustingly inferior fabric, though I am very aware that North picked this out for me, so there is every chance that it is cashmere or some other luxury fiber handmade by artisans.
It doesn't matter though because, as far as I'm concerned, it’s made out of barbed wire.
“Stop fussing,” Sage murmurs at me as she lifts the curler from my hair, and I shoot her a sheepish smile.
“I can't help it. I hate this. Can't we just… call in sick or something? I'm sure Felix could write us a doctor's note.”
She grins at me and shakes her head lovingly. “I'm the only one allowed to use my Bonded for nefarious purposes like that, Fallows. You and Sawyer need to get in line.”
I press a palm against my chest as though I am deeply insulted by her words, gasping dramatically. “And here I was sharing North Draven’s power and prestige openly with you. I'll be rethinking that in the future, so you better not set any more buildings on fire.”
She cackles and pulls out another section of my hair, winding it around the curling wand for me carefully.
I hate curling my hair or touching it in any way, shape, or form, especially since it has gotten even brighter.
When North had informed us all of the town meeting he was calling, he'd made it clear that we all needed to show up in our finest attire with our best attitudes to show a united and confident front.
He'd argued with Nox about it for days.
I wouldn't be surprised if Nox showed up in nothing but a garbage bag and a cloak made of shadow creatures just to really ram home his opinion on such things. He vehemently hates them all and hates that North is going to be dealing with them on our behalf.
I care little for it all.
Just the thought of their eyes as they look up at me with a mixture of fear and loathing grates on me, but I know that it's not my fault. I was born the way I was, and at least I'm doing something good with my Gift.
“I still think that North should just send out a decree about what he's doing and let people just deal with it the same way that kings used to. It makes no sense to me that we are going to grovel for them right now,” Sawyer says as he steps into the room, buttoning up the dress shirt that Aro’s forced him into wearing.
He had every intention of showing up in an old band tee and sweatpants as an act of rebellion, but his Bonded has him firmly wrapped around her finger. A single word from her had him scrambling for his Sunday best.
I roll my eyes at him. “We're trying to make sure that the community doesn't think that we’re vicious dictators who think of them as nothing but pawns in a war. I'm pretty sure that sending out decrees would kind of set us back.”
He shrugs with a grin, ducking his head so that he can look into the mirror and fuss with his hair.
“North owns this place. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. And to be honest, he could tell me that he’s building a giant statue of himself and putting a throne at the bottom of it for him to sit on, and I’d still lick his boots every day.
The alternative is to go back out there into the world and hope that I can face the Resistance, and now god-bonds, by myself.
There's no way. I know exactly what those people did to my Bonded and her family. I know what they did to Gray’s family.
I know what they did to you. That's enough for me.
I'm more than happy to stay here with my sister and my Bonded Group and know that we're safe because of people like North Draven.
Even if he does turn out to be an evil asshole, it'll be worth it for me.”
My bond does not like Sawyer calling North an evil asshole, but I can appreciate what he's saying.
He always did have a special way with words.
There's a bang on the bathroom door and then Gray's voice calls out, “The three of you really need to get a move on. We're going to be late at this rate, and I'm pretty sure North will throw a fit if his Bonded isn't there on time.”
Sage winces and shoots me a look, fussing with my hair one last time before finally declaring herself done.
“He's not wrong, you know. North really will lose his shit if you're late, and I'd rather not have that be my fault,” she mumbles under her breath, and I shrug.
“Perks of being my bestie. I will absolutely deflect North away from any anger he might have at you.”
She rolls her eyes at me and bounces my hair one last time, smiling at the results, but I look anywhere but the mirror in front of me. I don't need to see it. If she says it's perfect, then it's good enough for me.
I shove my feet into the small pair of kitten heels that North had dropped off with the dress and fuss with the back of them until they're comfortable, groaning under my breath as I pick at the dress again, trying to get comfy.
It's simple and black, elegant without being fussy, and while it covers me from collarbone to knee, it’s still a very glamorous cut.
It's exactly the sort of dress that I would expect North Draven to pick out for me.
It gives just enough hints that says he thinks I am beautiful without sharing his Bonded with anyone, even the rest of the Bonded Group.
When I mention this to Sage, she giggles and nods her head. “That sounds exactly like any Bonded man, Oli.”
We open the door to find Gray and Aro waiting for Sawyer, their arms crossed as they both stare him down as though he’s a petulant puppy refusing to do as he's told.
It’s incredibly funny; even more so when he ducks his head and mumbles an apology for his bratty behavior.
“I never thought I would see the day,” Sage mutters to me, and I cackle along with her, giving Aro a quick hug as I pass her by.
She only sticks around for as long as it takes her to reassure herself that Sawyer is getting ready and wearing the appropriate attire before she's off and running around after her younger brother.
Lahn has no interest in wearing dress pants and a nice shirt.
I'm surprised when Wick is the one who convinces the boy to slow down and get dressed with nothing more but a few kind words and the promise of a few rounds of Mario Kart when they get home.
He's incredibly kind and patient with the boy, helpful to Aro, and very respectful of her as they work as a team to get the boy dressed. I watch, a little shocked for a moment, before I turn to Sage, finding my bestie staring with literal heart eyes at her newest Bonded.
I bite down on a smile, and when she notices me, she nudges me with her shoulder. “I can't help it. I've been so worried about finding him a place in our Bonded Group that it didn't even occur to me that he would figure one out by himself.”
“Has he? Figured it out, I mean,” I say quietly, and she nods.
“It’s still pretty rough around here. Lahn had a nightmare about the Resistance a few nights ago.
He was screaming, and we all woke up in a panic.
Aro couldn't get him to calm down, and Wick was so quick to jump into helping her.
He sat with him for most of the night, and he helped Felix to check him over once Lahn was calm enough.
He didn't even hesitate for a second, and it just proved to me and to the rest of the Bonded Group that he really is a good person.
It's just a big adjustment period for us all.”
I’ve had a few of those myself, so I can’t help but nod back, slipping my arm into hers as we both watch the little boy dance around Wick on his tippy-toes, chatting away about high scores and the color of the car that he wants to win in one of the games.
Wick smiles back down at him, chatting away nicely and pointing things out to him that his sister needs, getting his shoes and socks on and finishing off the basic care tasks to get the little boy to the town meeting.
The difference in the way that Gray and Sawyer both regard Wick is like night and day.
When we'd last been here, there had been nothing but derision and snark thrown in his direction, but now there is a thankful air around them, kindness and respect as they help their Bonded with her brother. I’m grateful that Sage might finally catch a break.
We head out to the ATVs together, Atlas and Gabe waiting at the door for us all. They were both happy to give me space while I got my hair done, especially since they know how much I hate the experience. When they see me, I duck my head to hide my grin from them.
Who would have thought such a simple dress would ignite both of them like that?
“The entire town is about to get an eyeful of you guys if you don't get your shit together,” Sawyer snarks, choosing his words very carefully as he directs the small boy into one of the ATVs.
Trust Sawyer to figure out how to make dirty innuendos on the sly around small ears. Aro just shakes her head at him, buckling Lahn in and handing him one of the small, handheld consoles that he loves so much.
“Just until we get there and the meeting starts, and only because you did such a good job getting ready, then it's off and you have to be quiet and respectful while we listen to Mr. Draven speak, okay? He does a lot for us in our community. You need to be a good member of this town that keeps us safe.”
Lahn listens intently to her and then nods his head, taking the game from her and switching it on without another word. He always seems so good and well-mannered to me, but I've heard from Sage that he definitely has spirit and some trauma that has kept his sister up a lot at night.
I can't imagine how difficult the burden of raising her younger sibling is.
The way that she does it with such devotion, love, and respect for him is a huge credit to both her and her Bonded Group.
I only hope that things will settle down in the world soon so that we can get to know the little boy a little bit more and help him make friends in the Sanctuary.