While Auric spoke in private with his parents, we were taken to another small sitting room where supper was brought to us. I tried not to devour all of it within seconds, and I noticed my mates were eating just as quickly. None of us had eaten since we’d been on the boat in the morning, and for days we’d been living off of old bread and fish, plus whatever else Calla and her mates had left for us on the boat. It was a nice change to have someone else cook for us, and the food was exquisite—chicken roasted in a crisp lemon sauce with peppers and onions in oil and garlic, plus fresh bread, soft cheese, and olives. It was said the cuisine in the Air Realm was the best in the world, and tonight I thought that might be true.
The men kept stealing glances at me as we ate and asked numerous times if I was okay, but all I could do was nod. I simply couldn’t find the energy to speak about what had happened in the last few hours with Auric. I needed some time alone to go over my thoughts and emotions before making a decision about what we would do next.
After we finished eating I was shown to my room, and I was so physically and emotionally exhausted I wanted nothing more than to collapse onto the bed and pass out. But when I stepped inside, the room was so beautiful it made me hesitate to touch anything. The room was done in sky blue and soft cream, making me feel like I was outside under an endless sky. In the center stood a huge four-poster bed, much larger and fancier than anything I’d slept in before, with more pillows than I’d seen in my life. Truly, how could anyone need that many pillows? I could construct an entire new bed out of them.
Large windows on either side of the bed looked out at the ocean from behind some soft curtains, and there was also a small sitting area, dresser, and wardrobe. All of it was so beautiful and luxurious that it only served as a reminder that I didn’t belong here…or with Auric. Meeting his parents and Brin had made that clear. I’d immediately seen the disdain in his parents’ eyes when Auric announced he wanted to be with me, and after meeting Brin, I understood why—she was what they wanted for their son, and I had to admit it made more sense for them to be together.
How could I have thought his being a prince didn’t matter? We’d lived completely different lives. He’d grown up in a castle with servants waiting on him hand and foot. I’d been on the run for years, taking whatever jobs I could to earn money. Auric should be with someone who understood this life, not me.
Besides, I was still mad at him. I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to trust him again after he’d kept so many things from me. Maybe it would be best for all of us if we parted ways now and he went back to his old life. But then who would be my Golden Dragon?
The Golden Dragon… I’d seen the current one tonight for the first time and he’d instantly set me on edge. He’d been right there—if he had turned around, would he have realized who we were? And what did he want from Auric’s parents?
As my thoughts churned, I allowed myself to sink onto the edge of the bed and drop my head in my hands. We’d come so close to ruin today in so many ways, it was no wonder I was exhausted. Maybe I’d be able to sort through all my tangled thoughts after I’d had a bit of sleep.
Someone knocked on my door. I slowly moved to open it and was surprised to find Slade standing on the other side. ‘My room is right next to yours in case you need anything,” he said. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Not really. I’m tired, overwhelmed, upset…’ I shrugged helplessly. ‘But I’ll be fine in the morning.’
He rested his hands on my upper arms. ‘You don’t have to be strong all the time, Kira. It’s okay to cry or yell or break down. That’s why you have us. We’re here for you to lean on.’
Tears filled my eyes at his words, which touched me deep to my core. ‘Thank you. For so many years I relied on no one but myself. I’m not used to having other people I can turn to for help or support. Except Tash, I suppose.’
His thumbs slowly rubbed my arms. ‘You miss her?’
‘Very much. I wish she were here. I’d love to have another girl to talk to about all this.’
‘Brin seemed nice enough.’
My nose scrunched up. ‘Yes, but that only makes it harder. It would be so much easier if I could hate her. Besides, she’s the one I want to talk about!’
He let out a low chuckle. ‘Maybe you can send a letter to Tash to let her know you’re safe. It might make you feel better.’
A smile touched my lips for the first time in hours. ‘That’s a great idea. I’ll write it in the morning and tell Auric to make sure it gets delivered to her. He owes me that, at least.”
He nodded. ‘I know we’re your mates and that makes things complicated. But don’t forget, we’re your friends too.’
‘And I’m lucky to have you.” I sighed and leaned against the doorway. “Well, some of you. I’m not feeling very lucky to have Auric right now.’
Slade ran a hand over his dark beard as he chose his next words. ‘Auric made a mistake, it’s true. But we’re all doing the best we can with this situation we’ve been put in. We each have pasts we’d like to forget, or things we’re trying to run from. At least he is facing it now.’
‘That doesn’t excuse him keeping this from me.’
‘No, it doesn’t.” His large, dark hand cupped my cheek and I thought he might kiss me for the first time, but then he turned away. “Get some rest, Kira.’
I stared after Slade as he slipped into his room, then closed my own door. Would he ever see me as more than a friend? I was grateful for his friendship, I truly was, but I wanted more too. Someday. I wouldn’t rush him, even if I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wanted him to kiss me. Did he feel that invisible tug between us too, trying to bring our bodies together? Or was I the only one?
