My toes curl.
“Oh, she isn’t. She is tied up a little, thrown off guard, nothing permanent.” Aidon psychoanalyses me for them.
He is right. “I would prefer to show them myself, instead of you taking the fun out of it.” My smile is all fake bravura.
“That’s what I was talking about,” smirks Aidon with something terribly resembling pride.
Riven and Jestin exchange glances, then Jestin turns to me with a smirk, cracking his neck like he’s warming up for a game he knows he’ll win. “Very well. I’ll play.”
“Of course you will,” I say under my breath. “You are created to tempt me, and from the court gossip, it is the Navatian way. I heard once your dad was panting after my Grandma, before your mom, you know.” I blurt out words, expecting him to laugh, but he doesn’t smile.
I stiffen. I shouldn’t have said that. It is not my right. I can’t talk like that. I lost the right.
Before I hyperventilate, Aidon comments. “That’s indeed hilarious.” He shoots Jestin a glare. “Two star-crossed lovers. I wonder if it’s a genetic trait.”
Jestin spreads his fingers on his thigh. “I heard about that. My mommy used to yell at my dad about that; she must have been jealous.” He offers me his beautiful smile. “I always wondered how he could love someone that much to destroy the mating. Then I met you.”
“Wow, unbelievable.” Aidon throws his arms up and shakes his head. “I am not saving you again, sandbox.”
“He is supposed to be good with his words,” adds Nulok, earning himself a sand attack, but he dodges it swiftly with his magic.
“Mutual goal, don’t be an ass.” Riven’s scrutinising stare makes me giggle.
The night is perfect. I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. The strange warm feeling of belonging blooms in my treacherous heart, and for the first time, I don’t fight it. They know about what I did and still share stories with me. If it isn’t acceptance, I don’t know what it is.
I know. I know it’s stupid, but I was alone for so long that I crave the feeling. I let myself enjoy it without questioning whether I deserve to smile like that.
We stay till very late, happy for a distraction from what tomorrow will bring.
I hope they will be curious enough to come. There it was, the worry I hadn’t voiced before. What if they straight-out dismiss me?
Then you will make them listen.Aidon shocks me.
No snappy retorts? No mocking? Only encouragement? Has the mead made you feel bad?I think.
You haven’t finished overthinking yet. I could find something funny to poke at you,he says, matter-of-factly.
“And wasn’t what I thought worth poking fun at me?” I stand up, “Oh, almighty heir of shapeshifters, Aidon, it was so generous of you.” I bow deeply, showing my cleavage.
He towers over me, mouth just inches from mine. My heart races as I feel his breath brush my lips. “I see, you acknowledged my heritage, have you already considered taking a consul, My Lady?” He delivers it so coolly that I lose my composure.
What an arrogant male.
“Of course, she wouldn’t choose you, even your noble blood doesn’t make you good enough for a High Queen,” Jestin dismisses him and reaches to the ground. A wind of sand blows into Aidon’s face. He ducks instantly, yet some of it still hits his cheek.
Aidon strolls to him. “I suppose you and your sandbox would be better?” his tone full of contempt. “She ran from you once. You are not feral enough for her. Make room for someone better than you.”
Jestin’s grin hides nothing; his face seethes with unmistakable hatred. “I suppose you are interesting now. A new, dirty toy, but not good enough for a long ride.”
“Stop bickering, idiots,” Nulok steps between the two. “You would need a thousand years of etiquette to be enough.”
“Oh,” Jestin pauses. “Do you think she wants someone elegant?”
“Stop it!” I scream, making them all quiet. “What has gotten into you? A few hours ago, you were discussing me like I was beneath you, and now you bicker like I am a toy for you to fight over?”
Riven approaches me, his wings stretching out, covering me protectively. “Don’t be alarmed, My Lady. I think we are under the influence of a creature that highlights emotions. I suspected it from the moment I left the periphery of our camp. My magic should have alerted me, but I was biased.”
He stares at me for a short while, then lowers his head. “I’m sorry for my behaviour,” he says quietly.
