"If it suits you. I don't anticipate this being a long conversation."
I reclaim my seat as Thrane cocks his head to the side. For a moment we sit in complete and utter silence. Not sure if he's waiting for me to explain my tardiness this morning or if he has something important to say and is mulling over the right words.
"This morning – "
I roll my eyes and groan. "We were a few minutes late. It won't happen again. And no, I won't be explaining why we were late. I think a grown man can figure that out on his own."
Nyx suppresses a giggle, and even Thrane cracks the faintest smile.
"I appreciate your candor, Cousin. I know exactly what delayed you. The Shadow Wielder seems most impressive."
"You don't like him, do you?"
"I don't know him well enough to like him or dislike him, Aurelia." Thrane sips his water. "But your private life isn't why I asked you to stay."
"But you said this morning – "
"Yes, this morning, I went down to the dungeons and interrogated the surviving Soul Eater."
Blush creeps across my face. I basically offered the fact Atlas and I were late because we were having sex up on a silver platter. I swallow my embarrassment and clear my throat.
"And?" Is all I can manage.
"And," Thrane continues, "He refused to speak to me. Demanded to see you."
"No." Nyx interjects, earning menacing glares from both of us.
"I thought you agreed to be so quiet we wouldn't know you were here." Thrane's sarcasm isn't missed by Nyx, rather ignored.
"You're not parading her downstairs to talk with some Soul Eater. What if he attacks her?"
"There's no point in killing me," I reassure Nyx. "They need my blood."
"Correct," Nyx bobs his head, seriousness overtaking his playful features. "They need yourblood. Not yoursoul."
He has a valid point. One that sends shivers down my spine.
"I will agree with you there," Thrane concedes which is odd for him. "But I assure you, this creature couldn't attack anyone even if he tried."
"And how's that?" Nyx crosses his arms over his chest.
"We have him chained in the Sol room."
"What's the Sol room?" I ask.
"Right," Thrane sighs. "I forget you don't know your family history – or history in general."
"Hey!" I snap. "That's not exactly my fault."
"No one was blaming you, Aurelia. No need for such a vicious tone this early in the morning." Thrane states calmly, rising from his seat. "I'm here to teach you. Now come along. You too, Nyx. You could benefit from a history lesson as well."
Thrane brushes past as Nyx whisper mocks behind me, "You could benefit from a history lesson as well."
"He's not wrong," I bump my hip against his.
"For the love of all good things, Kitarni, don't tell him that." Nyx's eyes widen. "He'll be more unbearable than he is already."
I laugh and slip my arm around his, tugging him forward.
