Xaedren grunted and dropped his hand again, but he slid it down my arm as he did so and squeezed my hand before he let me go.
I swallowed past the dryness in my throat and left the hall with Rath.
Rath glanced at me as we walked away from the table, shook his head, then set his stare straight ahead.
Chapter Twenty-One
Rath didn't speak to me at all during my training session. Not even when he faded us back to the citadel. After we left the arrival room, Mistress Arcasa bid us goodnight and walked away, back on two legs. I started to walk away as well, feeling pretty shitty after enduring Rath's silent treatment.
Then Rath startled me into stopping by asking, “Why him?”
We were in the entry hall, with its high ceiling and grim suits of armor. I met the empty stare of a steel helm, sighed, and turned around.
“I thought he'd be discreet.” I shrugged. “I just needed . . . someone. A release. I ran into him in the hallway and we started talking. I realized he could also get me over my fear of Ladrin. And he did.”
“Good for you,” Rath muttered.
“Rath, come on.” I went over and reached for his shoulder, but he stiffened, so I dropped my hand. “It's been weeks since you told me you couldn't take a chance on me. We agreed to be friends and not let other relationships get in the way of that. Has something changed?”
Rath let out a long breath. “No. Nothing's changed. You're right. I'm sorry. I was just surprised by your choice.”
“I'm surprised that Xaedren wants more than one night with me. I thought it would be over this morning.”
“I'm not surprised at all,” Rath whispered and lifted a hand to my cheek. “You're special. Just . . . no, I don't have the right to give you advice.” He dropped his hand.
“You're my closest friend, Rath. If you don't have that right, then who does?”
His expression softened, but before he could say anything more, a hand clasped mine. I looked over to find Xae standing beside me. Close. As in touching shoulders.
“Have you finished training?” Xaedren asked with his stare on Rath.
“Yeah.” I looked back and forth between the men. “Uh, I'm just finishing a conversation with Rath. Then I want to shower and—”
“It's fine,” Rath cut me off, holding Xae's stare. “We can talk later.”
Xaedren grunted as if that were the proper response, then pulled me away from Rath.
“Hey.” I tugged on his hand as he dragged me to the stairs. “I'm coming. You don't have to drag me.”
Xaedren grunted and let up a bit.
“Are you mad about something?” I asked with a glance back at Rath.
He was already gone.
Xaedren didn't answer, just slid a glare at me.
I let that slide until we were upstairs and he drew me past my room. Xae's room was further down the corridor, but I wasn't ready to go there yet.
“I'm going to take a shower.” I tried to tug my hand free, but Xae only held on tighter. “I won't be long. Xae, let go.”
Instead of letting go, Xaedren picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder.
“What the fuck?” I pounded on his back. “What are you doing?”
Still no answer.
He carried me to his room, shut and locked the door behind us, then tossed me on the bed.
