“Ah, I get it.” Harpina declared suddenly, face clearing of all confusion as she nodded decisively. “You’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid!” I blatantly lied, scowling at her.
Harpina snorted, laughing, “Yes, you are. You finally have something good, something that’syours, in a life that’s given you nothing of your own. You were afraid to let people in because of the potential pain it could bring, even as a human. Now you’re terrified because you know this has the potential to wreck you.”
I glared at her, crossing my arms, while Lilith patted my leg sympathetically.
“What you don’t realize, Asteria,” Harpina continued, softening from the soldier looking after her king back into the friend who held me when I broke down. “Is that a mate bond is basically aguaranteeof happiness.”
“Are you sure about that?” I asked, skeptically. “I’ve heard about my birth parents. It doesn’t sound like they’re very happy. Not if my mother literally hid me from my father my entire life.”
Harpina frowned, but at that moment, Ilta dropped onto my lounge, leaning back into me dramatically and making me laugh. “You all look much too serious for a pool party! Come on!”
She took my hand, dragging me up and toward the pool.
“Thanks for the rescue,” I whispered, and she turned her head, blonde hair flying, to wink back at me.
Hand in hand, we jumped into the pool. It seemed to cause a chain reaction, and the others were soon all jumping in after us. It was different from the ponds and ocean I was used to, but I found myself enjoying the consistently warm temperature the pool maintained.
I laughed as Baach and Calix teamed up to take on Eryx, dunking him under the water, only for him to team up with Baach to do the same to Calix right after.
I swam up next to Liviana, who was floating on her back, silver hair fanning out around her like a halo. She opened her eyes, the silver within still and calm.
“You’ve been busy lately.” She observed, her brow rising.
I chuckled, shaking my head. “That’s certainly putting it mildly.”
“Don’t worry.” She smiled serenely. “You’re doing wonderfully, according to my brother and Titan.”
I blushed at the praise, hating that damn reaction and wishing I could control it. I couldn’t help the small smile that crept out, though. I’d been working hard on my training, determined to contribute equally in the battles sure to come.
I didn’t want to be weak. I didn’t want to be protected. I wanted to bring the fight to those who’d see humans in chains forever, and burn their world to the ground myself.
“It will all work out, Asteria. I believe that.” Liviana insisted, that soft smile still on her face. I smiled back, appreciating her support.
Knowing a seer believed it would work out was comforting. I was sure her belief didn’t stem from her visions, however. What the gods showed her seemed to be murky at best. But who knows, she did say she couldn’t tell us everything she’d seen after all.
Chapter Eighteen
Calix
WatchingAsteria have fun with everyone was a balm to my soul. Feeling her happiness even more so. She’d been leaving the bond cracked open since the night she harnessed her power, and I couldn’t have been more thankful for it.
Even if I couldn’t have her, getting this small piece of her was enough to reassure the wild protective instinct that arose in me around her. The bond was truly like nothing I’d experienced before, and trying to control myself around her was becoming increasingly difficult.
I’d been spending a lot of time in the air, letting my flames out to burn off some of that energy. And equally as much time in my room, pumping my cock and thinking back to the festival, imagining slamming into her tight heat, instead of my boring fist.
“Your eyes are going to fall out if you stare at her any harder.” Baach laughed, clamping a hand on my shoulder.
I tore my eyes away from her to see Eryx ducking his head to hide his smile. I glared at him. “I thought you at least would be on my side here.”
“Sorry, Cay, but I’m with Baach.” Eryx laughed. “You should just, you know, talk to her.”
I sighed longingly, shaking my head. “She needs this time with them. Before long, we’ll be too busy to enjoy moments like this.”
“And don’t you think you two should figure your shit out before then?” Baach raised a red eyebrow, and I scowled back at him.
“Coming from the man who still hasn’t figured his own shit out?” I countered, looking pointedly at Ilta, who would occasionally glance toward Baach, only to quickly look away.
