40. Chapter Forty #2
Kya took my offered arm and I escorted her as we walked with Arra down two levels to the informal dining room.
This was where me and my inner circle ate when we gathered.
It was much smaller than the one downstairs, but had a marble table big enough for eight people.
Mavris and Hakoa were seated across from Nikan and Malina.
They stopped their discussion when we entered and greeted us.
I pulled the seat out for Kya before I took the one between her and Hakoa.
Arra took the seat in front of me next to Nikan.
“Where’s the book?” Nikan asked, glancing at Arra.
Her face twisted into a sneer.
“Oh, this one?” Malina pulled the book out from behind her and set it on the table.
Nikan clenched his jaw and his eyes shot to Kya, who had a sly smirk on her face.
“You fucking bitch! You broke into my house and stole it! You’re the one who held a knife to my throat and knocked me out!” Arra jumped from her seat and pointed a finger at Malina.
All I could do was stare.
You’ve got to be shitting me.
Malina’s mouth curved into a malicious smile. “I liberated the book. But I never touched you.” Her eyes snapped to Kya and everyone followed her gaze.
My first reaction was to be angry with my mate, but I knew I had no right. I had let her handle it her way. I just hadn’t expected that was how she would do it. Regardless if it worked or not.
Sharp little gem indeed.
Even a little pissed, I was still impressed at how quickly and efficiently Kya put Arra in her place.
“You…you’re a Roav?” Arra gaped.
“Shit. Remind me to never piss her off,” Hakoa mumbled and sank down into his chair.
Kya and Arra held each others stares for several moments, a standoff.
“Kya…” I said almost in disbelief. I didn’t understand what led her to think it was a good idea to go sneaking around at night when she had just had an assassination attempt just the other night.
“Arra and I had a bet to settle. It’s done now.” Kya shrugged.
“Kya. Mal,” Nikan snapped.
I snarled at his tone towards my mate. If he didn’t watch the way he spoke, he and I were going to settle things as well.
“We’ll discuss this later. Let’s get on with it,” Nikan stated before sighing. “You sure this is it?” he asked, gesturing to the large book on the table.
“I think so. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet.” Kya reached out to touch the leather binding and traced her finger over the raised text.
“It has the notes,” Malina said with a nod.
Mavris leaned forward. “Why do you need it so badly? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Dinner was served and Kya explained the task given to her by Kleio, essentially commanding her to stop the Glaev but not telling her how, and how she learned of the book and the Scholar that had theorized that the Glaev was something other than just a plague.
These Gods of ours gave us obscure tasks with little direction.
Despite their shortcomings, Kya somehow remained more driven than I originally had when I received my task. She placed her hand on mine underneath the table and lazily traced circles in my palm with her nail as she spoke and I was transfixed on the motion.
“Ryker?”
I lifted my head to find everyone looking at me. Kya glanced down at our hands and smiled as she intertwined our fingers before looking back up at me.
“Yes?”
“I said, how did you find out about the book?” Kya asked.
“Deres. He’s a Sage here in Voara,” I said.
“The oldest Sage in Oryn, if not the entire realm,” Mavris added.
“How did he know of the book?” Kya tilted her head to the side.
“I’m not sure. I didn’t ask, but he’s always been loyal to Oryn and to me. I trust him and you can too,” I reassured her, knowing that Sages were on her bad side at that moment, given their threat to us.
“I’d like to speak with him. Find out how he knew of the book, and see if he at least knows what language it’s in.”
“We can go to the temple in the morning.” I nodded.
“Well, now that that’s settled, I heard that Voara is just bustling with brute warriors at night looking for a good time and I could use an outlet,” Malina chimed, winking at Kya who just shook her head in disbelief and chuckled. “Anyone want to join me?”
Hakoa stood. “I’ll go. I know of a tavern with the best ale in the city and they save their best barrels for Nailu too. Mav?”
Mavris shrugged. “Sure, why not? Anyone else?”
Kya raised her hand eagerly. “Me too!”
I raised my eyebrows at her.
“Don’t worry, I’m not looking for any brute warriors , but I’d like to explore the city. ”
“Boo. That’s no fun. I’d have loved to see the Bloodlust Lord get all worked up over watching the other males drool over you,” Malina pouted.
I growled and squeezed Kya’s hand, pulling her closer. She caressed the bond reassuringly and looked at me with a soft smile, then glanced back at Malina.
“Mal, play nice. It’s not polite to taunt a male over his mate,” Kya said playfully and Malina giggled.
“I’ll go,” Arra said, surprisingly. We all gave her a questioning look. “What? I could go for a good time after having my ass handed to me in my own home last night. Although it would have been nice if someone had told me she was a Roav .” She gave me a pointed look.
“It wasn’t my place to say anything.” I raised my hands in defense.
“We’re not all that different from the Vaavi. We like to remain discreet,” Malina added.
“ We? ” Mavris gaped, glancing between Malina and Kya.
Nikan leaned forward with a smirk. “‘We’ indeed.”