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“It would be the greatest honor to be the guard for the Young mother’s sister.” Ember turned to Korine and dropped to her knee. “Lady Korine, it would be my greatest honor to be your guard. Your stead while in flight, and if possible, your friend, as I have grown to consider your sister. If you allow.”
Korine looked over at Araiya, and her smile trembled. “Thank you, for understanding. Rise, Ember, I would be honored with you as a guard.” Ember popped up and smiled at both women and bowed again.
“Well now that it is settled, follow me ladies. I will take you to the room across the way for Korine.”
“Also.” Everyone turned back to Araiya, “Can you see fit to get her clothes and a pack? Actually, we will all need to pack. We leave tomorrow to start our journey.” The men nodded and started to leave.
“River, can you get Brooke and tell her I need the book? She will know the one I mean. And then come back.”
“Yes, lamb.”
Everyone was almost out of the room, except Talon. Who hadn’t moved from his spot by the door. “Araiya-“
“What did you need, Talon?” Araiya cut in.
“Did you mean that? That I would be off elsewhere while you guys left on your journey?” Talon took a step closer and Terran, who Araiya had assumed was gone, stepped back into the room.
Araiya cut her eyes to Terran, and he came closer. “Yes.”
“But I am your protector. I am supposed to stay with you.”
“You have proven yourself not interested in the position, Talon. While I can empathize-“
“You can empathize? You can empathize. Are you fucking serious?” Talon erupted. “The last time I saw you and Shavon, I sent you back to my cabin to wait for me. Then we all heard your scream and ran. I ran to my cabin to find my mate dying. Blood and death were the only thing that I could smell, Rai. I was too chicken to go in until I heard her call for me. My mate, the only girl I have ever loved, told me you and your darkness killed her. Her best friend, our best friend, killed my mate.” Talon gripped his hair. “I felt your pain, your fear, and I was torn. I felt more for you then I felt from my own mate in her last moments. The first dream we had I thought it was just my dream, my own guilt, manifesting and yes, I said hurtful things, but I didn’t mean them.” Talon walked closer to Araiya’s bed and collapsed on to the floor.
“Talon…”
“No, let me say this. I am sorry. I tried to rip out our bond because I thought it was the broken bond with Shavon tormenting me. Then I realized it was you, and that broke me more. I had a stronger connection with you then my own mate. I fought it. You can ask the guys, but I started helping, instead of hindering. I realized that even though Shavon was gone I wouldn’t want my closest friends, my family, to go through the pain that I was going through. But then.” Talon sobbed. “Like magic, she was there, she was alive. She was alive, and happy, and kissing my mentor. My friend. My brother. My mate was alive, and she was in the arms of my brother. And you were alive, and in the arms of my brothers.” Talon looked up at her with tears streaming down his face. “Don’t toss me away like she did. We don’t have to be friends, but please don’t throw me away.”
Araiya was frozen. She looked up at Terran and saw the devastation on his face for his brother. Araiya was so focused on her own pain. Terran met her eyes and nodded, as if to say, yes. We did it too. Everyone had been so focused on getting her back, that his pain was pushed back. He was pushed back.
Araiya’s resolve broke. Talon may have treated her unfairly, but she had done the same to him. But here he was, begging to be cared for, begging to be understood. Begging to be loved.
“Talon, get up.” Araiya cleared the lump in her throat. “We won’t send you away. You can come.”
“Really?”
“I can’t say I trust you fully, but we can work on it. You are still my friend. Please get up.” Talon stayed on his knees, crying almost uncontrollably. Araiya looked over at her mate and he nodded. Terran walked over and picked him up, whispering to him, as they walked out of the room together.
A little while had passed since everyone had left, and Araiya had gotten up. She looked at the covers on the bed and realized she had ruined them. Her blood and dirt that had accumulated for the last four moon cycles were setting into the bed, if left too long, everything would have to be burned.
Araiya was pulling the blankets off when River and Brooke walked into the room. She froze when Brooke squeaked and ran over. “Araiya, stop it. You will hurt yourself. Drop the blanket, girl. You are supposed to be resting. What in the Goddess’s name are you doing?”
Araiya dropped the blanket and then picked it back up to cover herself. “I, I haven’t bathed in four cycles, and I ruined the covers. I didn’t want to also ruin the bed.”
River came over and kissed her forehead. “You haven’t ruined anything. If the covers are unsalvageable, then they are replaced. No harm, no foul. Brooke, can you start a bath for Araiya? Put out everything, so she can wash as much as she needs to feel clean.”
“Yes, my boy. Here.” River and Araiya turned to see that Brooke was pushing the book into his hand. “You can read it to her while she washes. You look like a bubble bath is needed, my dear. You will have to relax in the water before you start scrubbing to soften up that sand or else your will rip up your skin. I will call you in when it is ready. If you are determined to strip the bed, then let him do it. I won’t have my girlie here hurting herself again. Understand?” They both nodded as she swept away to set up the bath.
River handed her the book as he started to pull the covers from the bed. Araiya grimaced as she saw the state of everything. River caught her face and laughed. “You think this is bad, you should have seen the sheets after your first stay here. They were ruined. These aren’t too bad, to be honest. It looks worse due to the smearing and the dirt.”
“I seem to ruin something every time I come here. I am sorry.” Araiya cracked open the book in her hands and looked down at the ancient language before her and huffed. How the hell was she supposed to figure anything out when she couldn’t read it.
“I will read it to you.”
Araiya jumped because River was right in front of her. “Did you just…”
“Read your mind? No.” He laughed. “You mumbled it, and I have better hearing then a regular person.” Araiya smiled as she looked up. He was beautiful. She was blessed to have him as a mate. “I am the one blessed.” Araiya’s eyes widened and she blushed while River chuckled. “If you want to have secrets, then maybe you should stop mumbling your inner thoughts, lamb.”
“The bath is ready.” Araiya jumped back from River, dropping the book, making Brooke chuckle at the scene. “You two are just too cute. I am happy you figured it out.” Brooke walked over and kissed Araiya on her cheek. “Come girlie, I will help you into the bath before Master River joins us.”
Araiya followed Brooke into the bathing chamber and stood as she helped her out of her stiff and ruined clothing. She helped her step down into the hot water and lay back. She placed everything within reach, including a brush, and towels to dry off with.
“While you relax, I will remake your bed with fresh linen and have River bring in a change of clothes. River can empty and refill the tub. Soak as long as possible then wash. Drain, refill and repeat. Keep that going until the water runs clear.” Brooke kissed her head once again and then left the room.
After a few minutes, River entered. “Well, lamb, your clothes are here.” River placed a bundle of clothing on the ledge around the basin and then sat on the floor against the door.