“It was reported to me that the female who stabbed him is already released from the cells. Cethin himself retrieved her,” Tybalt continued. “He took her to his floor, and neither of them was heard from the rest of the day. However, Cethin has sent word that he has an announcement to make at the advisory council meeting today.”
“And you believe it involves her?” Razik asked.
“I do. I believe he is about to do something incredibly reckless. The council has been pushing him to find a partner.”
Razik twisted toward him. “Kailia? He hardly knows her.”
“Not to mention she showed up at the same time these new enemies did,” Tybalt replied, his feelings on this evident in his tone. “I tried to talk to him about all of this, but he refuses to listen to reason.”
“And you think he’ll listen to me?” Razik asked dryly.
“Not at all,” Tybalt replied. “While I will always encourage you to get along with your king, it’s beyond clear neither of you will ever choose a Guardian Bond.”
Well, that was…not what he’d been expecting.
“I’ll be honest here,” Razik said. “I feel as though you’ve been pushing me towards the bond more and more lately. Especially since your recent return from across the Edria.”
Tybalt nodded. “Admittedly, I find it hard to understand your disinterest. I understand why you do not want it, but I cannot understand the ability to fight against the instinct of your dragon. I kept thinking you would…” He paused, clearly searching for the right words. “Because of my own life experiences, I believe you would find more fulfillment in your immortal years if you accepted a Guardian Bond, but that is not my choice to make for you. So instead, I’m offering a different path.”
“A different path,” Razik repeated dubiously.
“If Cethin makes the announcement I believe he is going to make today, our new queen-to-be will need a personal guard,” Tybalt said, and those were the last words he’d expected his uncle to say.
“You want me to be… What of my role in the Cadre?”
His uncle pushed to his feet then, brushing sand from his pants, and Razik did the same.
“I suppose that is another choice for you to make,” Tybalt said, turning to face him. “And unfortunately, you do not have much time to do so. You’ll need to decide by the time the council convenes.” His hand landed on Razik’s shoulder, and he squeezed it. “I know you wanted to lead the Cadre, Razik, but I want you to look back on these last years. Last decades. Truly evaluate all of it and then decide if maybe a new purpose isn’t precisely what you’ve been searching for.”
With one more squeeze of his shoulder, Tybalt was gone, Traveling through the air and leaving Razik alone with his thoughts.
Doingserena sabrethese last hours had cleared his mind, but the conversation with Tybalt had erased all of that. He could go through the practice again, but that wasn’t what he needed right now. No, what he needed was to fly.
So he pulled his tunic over his head before summoning his wings and launching into the dawn-filled sky.
Later that morning, he was scooping jam onto his toast when he heard the footfalls. One set heavy. One lighter.
Razik had flown all morning, watching the sun rise from the sky. Normally, he ate breakfast before everyone else. Today, he waited until everyone else was done. Apparently Cethin had chosen to do the same, likely to avoid the others if Kailia was indeed with him.
A moment later the pair stepped into the room, Kailia first and Cethin a step behind. She faltered when she found Razik at the table, and Cethin came to a halt, glaring at him.
“Razik,” Cethin greeted tightly. “It’s a little late for breakfast, isn’t it?”
“Evidently not too late if the king is only now getting here,” Razik replied apathetically, setting his toast down and reaching for the plate of sausages. He glanced up, still finding them staring at him. “Good to see you not shrieking like a crazed spirit, Lia.”
“That’s not my name,” she said, finally moving again.
Razik shrugged, taking a bite of his food.
The pair rounded the table. Cethin wore his usual attire, black tunic and pants, while Kailia was in a black dress that brushed the floor. There were thigh-high slits up the sides though, and the sheer sleeves stopped below her shoulders, leaving her collarbones exposed. The same necklace hung at her throat, and he found himself wondering about the significance of it. Had she been wearing it when he’d first met her with Wren?
“Kailia, this is Razik Greybane, a member of the Cadre. It is my understanding you have not been formally introduced,” Cethin said tightly, taking the chair next to her.
“We’ve met a few times,” Razik drawled. “Most recently after she stabbed you, she then proceeded to attack me with her magic. I’m surprised you let her near the cutlery at this point.”
“A butter knife isn’t worth it,” Kailia said, several pieces of bacon already on her plate.
“A butter knife can do plenty of damage if you know where to aim,” Razik countered.
