Casstiel; Born of Lightning, page 9
Then she thought about this link, the connection he wanted her to break, and guilt sliced through her.
After a moment, Ashara reached over, grabbed her detested clothing and the soap, and began to scrub. Then she climbed from the pool and laid them over the rock in front of the fire and climbed back into the pool.
Ashara sank down onto the ledge, laid her head back, and closed her eyes. When she snapped awake, Ashara looked around, wondering how long she’d been out. It had to be a little while, since her hands and feet were wrinkled. With a groan, knowing she could stay in the warm water forever, she finally rose and went over to her clothes. They were still a little damp. Ashara glanced around and once sure that she was still completely alone, she turned back, then drew slightly on the power within her. This was the most she’d ever used, along with the telepathy a couple times. Then she exhaled, and the heat dried her clothes the rest of the way. After re-dressing in the detested garment, she made her way to the room Cass said she could sleep in, fell on top of the covers, and closed her eyes.
The sound of the front door closing woke her up the next morning, and by the sound of the footsteps, she knew it was Aries heading to his room. Then all was quiet once again and she surveyed the sparse room in which she lay. There wasn’t much to it but the bed, and she could tell that Cass didn’t sleep there often by the fact that his scent was old, not fresh. Her stomach growled once, then twice, and she finally got up, wondering what this day would bring.
Ashara glanced into Aries’s room as she walked past, only to halt at the sight of Cass’s son. He looked forlorn and so sad that her heart ached for him. She knocked softly on the door. “May I come in?”
Startled, Aries looked up at her for a moment, then lowered his gaze.
“Are you all right?” she asked as she walked in, but again, Aries didn’t answer. “Trouble with friends?”
“I don’t have any friends,” he answered.
“Well, maybe I can be your friend,” she suggested.
“I’d like that,” he said.
With a little smile, Ashara surveyed all of his artwork hanging from the walls. “These are wonderful. You have a great talent.” His depictions of dragons, and all Tartaria’s wildlife made her smile. Then she came to one that made her pause. “Oh my.” It was a stunning drawing of a dragon in a rainbow of sparkling color. “This is beautiful, Aries.”
“That’s my mother,” he said quietly from beside her.
“Well, you must have a great memory,” she said, amazed. He’d been very young when Maya died.
“No, not really, it’s just … I …” Aries stopped speaking.
Ashara waited, but he didn’t say anything more. “It’s all right. You don’t have to tell me.”
He glanced up, and the loneliness in his eyes tore at her.
“Are you really my friend?” he asked.
“If you will have me,” she said.
“I guess I can tell you then,” he said and touched the picture. “I see her.”
“You do?”
“She … comes to me.”
“Like in your dreams?” she asked, curious.
“Sometimes. Sometimes I’m awake and she talks to me.” Aries went and sat down on his bed and then looked up at her. “When I told Skye, she said I was imagining it. Do … do you believe me?”
Ashara sat down beside him. “If you say she comes to you, then I believe you. But what does she say?”
“Mostly she says she loves me.”
Ashara smiled. “How could she not?”
“I went to eat, but the other boys …” Aries sighed.
Why do children have to be so cruel? Ashara wondered not for the first time.
“You haven’t eaten. Will you come with me?” he asked.
“You mean go eat in the village kitchen?”
“Yes.”
That pit was suddenly back in her stomach. “I have a better idea. Do you like ambrosia cakes?”
Aries eyes grew wide. “I love them, but we don’t get them often.”
“Well, I like them, too, and I am pretty sure I saw the ingredients in the pantry for them. Do you want to help me make them?”
“You’ll let me?”
Ashara smiled, but her heart ached for him and all he’s missed by not having a mother. “Of course.”
“I’d like that.” Aries stood and waited for her to follow him.
Ashara took a last look around and a shiver rushed through her, as if someone were watching, yet the room was empty.
CHAPTER 19
Ilyium Council
* * *
Estan banged his fist on the table, growing weary of the back-and-forth between the council. Damn fools couldn’t make up their minds if their lives depended on it! They always seemed to need a shove, and sometimes he dreamed of doing more than shoving.
“What will it be?” As he took in the idiots surrounding him, his gaze flicked briefly on the only man in the room who he got along with: Greegores. Never afraid to voice his opinion, Greegores’s expression said he was clearly done with the fools as well.
Estan held back a sneer as he took in the rest of the men. “Are you all so opposed to Mihel that you’re willing to wait until the documents are drawn up, then sent up to the tribunal? If that happens we’re looking at months before another commander can be selected.” Estan realized no one wanted that, as it would mean they’d actually have to work for once in the interim.
The council quieted, each meeting his gaze and looking away, until a thin, young man—one of the council’s younger members—cleared his throat. He stood and gazed around briefly, before looking back at Estan. “Personally, I don’t think Mihel has ever shown enough interest in taking on any leadership role to go ahead with this, but as you pointed out, he is the next in line—”
“He’s a fine soldier, but that is all he is,” another weak-willed man interrupted.
“You don’t like him because he doesn’t have his own agenda, like Casin did,” another spoke up hotly, defending the male in question.
Estan waited out the grumbles, then narrowed his eyes on the males who had been such staunch supporters of Commander Casin. They tended to hang together, and before the meeting, they’d been whispering among themselves. He knew they were up to no good, as usual. If only he could get rid of some of them, bring in some new blood, people who he knew would support his agendas. But the question was how, and he was actually hoping Mihel would be a good start.
“He’s a compassionate male. He’ll make a great commander,” another stated.
There was a snort. “Maybe too compassionate.”
Greegores gave the male who’d made that comment one of his famous dark stares, at which the other male quickly lowered his gaze. Greegores turned his satisfied gaze back to Estan. I need a drink, his countenance said. Estan agreed.
Estan looked over at an older, balding male who tended to abuse the power of his station, giving all Ilyium a bad reputation. Estan hid his disgust at the man’s potbelly, patchy skin, watery eyes, and sagging jowls. That’s what you get after years of indulging in the kind of self-serving proclivities this one was known for. The rumor for years had been that Baldy sported roving fingers and a never-ending hard-on for sex—be it female or male, the younger the better.
Estan once again wished Baldy—a poor excuse for a living, breathing creature—would piss off the wrong dragon and be eaten. Yeah, good luck with that. The entourage of guards he traveled with made that reality a longtime wish.
He could see the wheels turning in Badly’s head and knew the male, who’d be in charge of drawing up the needed documents to oppose Mihel as commander, would not want to spend the time it would take behind his desk to make it happen. Baldy met Estan’s gaze briefly, then he slowly rose to his feet. “It’s getting late. I have to check on the arrangements for the party. Are you sure you can’t make it?”
Estan refrained from sneering at the guy. “Maybe another time.” When Hades freezes over.
Baldy met the gazes of his cohorts and continued, “I say we crown Mihel commander and be done with it. If it doesn’t work to our advantage, he can easily be taken care of.”
And just like that, everyone agreed. Estan wanted to curse them all. This was what he’d proposed from the beginning, but no. They had to make their own way to the decision.
Estan stayed in his chair while the council stood and took their leave. All but his closest compatriot.
“What a bunch of thick-minded dimwits.” Greegores sneered as he walked over to the side bar and poured two small shots of hard liquor. Estan was just glad the meeting was over. It was the part of being on the council that he detested, though it was a necessary evil.
He thought about Mihel. He didn’t personally know the man, but he’d known the father, and he had been a loyal supporter.
“You want me to announce the news about Mihel, or do you want to do it?” Greegores asked, handing Estan his shot.
“I got this. I was good friends with his father and would like to meet him,” he answered.
Greegores threw back his shot. Then he met Estan’s eyes. “Feel him out. He might be just what we need.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
CHAPTER 20
Avoidance
* * *
Cass went to talk with Aries, wanting to try and connect with his boy, but then moved away after overhearing Ashara offer to be Aries’s friend. The hope in his son’s voice when he answered tore at Cass and made him second-guess his intentions.
Just because he felt guilty over the last ten years, didn’t mean he should try and rectify that. Not when he still planned to get Ashara to release him, so he could join Maya. Ferking Diteoh! What am I thinking? It would only hurt his young if they grew to care about him.
Without a sound, he walked outside and gazed around, then intending to speak with Skye about her behavior, he went in search of her and found her sparring. He watched her take on one after another of her classmates, spinning, kicking, blocking. She was a sight to behold, a wild dervish who pretty much dominated her training class. Yeah, she was tough—top of her class. Though she wasn’t mean or a bully.
When she finished, Skye reached down and offered her hand to the male she’d just bested. Twice her size, the guy stared up at her with an adoring look on his mug. Cass groaned. Skye was too young to have males looking at her that way, wasn’t she?
He didn’t relish the new twist on the conversation they needed to have. Feeling eyes on him, he turned and found Shennta watching him. He made his way over to the female. “Demons, how did you survive when the males started to notice Shayaira?”
Shennta barked a laugh. “Poor girl didn’t stand a chance, Chairal scared all her suitors away. Now she won’t give any of them a chance.”
“No wonder she remains unmated.”
“Yes. I think she may be interested in someone, though she won’t tell me who,” Shennta said.
Cass raised an eyebrow, then glared at three males who were staring at Skye.
“She’s on the verge of womanhood,” Shennta said, looking at Skye.
Cass swore. She was right, Skye was starting to develop. He closed his eyes and struggled for calm. When he opened them, he ignored Shennta’s comment. “I heard about the latest attack, are there any survivors?”
Shennta gave a long-drawn-out sigh. “A very small number.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Actually, I do have something.” She then explained what she needed.
With a nod—and the thought that he’d talk to Skye later and give her the boy talk—Cass moved away. He shifted into his dragon and took to the sky. This was good. He needed something to do, and some distance from Ashara and Skye, at least until he’d had some time to think—get his mind right.
CHAPTER 21
Ambrosia Cakes
* * *
Cass arrived home the next morning and his heart clenched at the sweet aroma of breakfast cakes. Maya had loved those, though she’d never been any good at making them. Now, Aries sat at the table looking happier than Cass had seen him in a while and moisture pricked the backs of his eyes. Demons, he hadn’t really looked at his own son and really saw him in so very long.
“Ashara makes really yummy ambrosia cakes, so I asked her to make them again this morning,” Aries said, smearing a nectar comb on one and shoving it into his mouth.
“I can see that. It smells … ah, y-yummy. You are going to be spoiled after all this,” Cass said, pushing his dead mate from his mind.
“Can I get you some?” Ashara asked and he could see the question in her eyes, wondering where he’d been. But instead she just inclined her head toward the platter. “I saved some for Skye, too, in case she’s hungry when she comes in.”
“You don’t have to cook for me, er … for us, you know. There is a village meal twice a day,” he said.
Ashara gave a nod. “I’m aware, but, I really don’t mind. Like I said, it makes me feel useful.”
Cass knew she wasn’t comfortable with being gawked at by strangers and felt bad having deserted her the day before. “Sorry I wasn’t around yesterday. Shennta needed my help with something.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself.” She set the platter down on the table and went back to the kitchen.
“She sent me to help retrieve that missing young,” he said quietly.
Ashara stopped what she was doing to look at him. “And did you?”
“Yes, and the babe is fine, but—” He hesitated as he thought about the couple who’d taken the baby.
“Was it bad?” Ashara asked.
“Yeah. The couple who took the young didn’t mean to hurt anyone, but they’d been trying for so long, and the female was severely depressed. Her mate just wanted her to be happy.” Cass rubbed the bridge of his nose as he remembered the two begging to be executed together, so they wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.
“That is so sad,” Ashara said.
“It is,” Cass agreed.
As if trying to lighten the mood, Aries changed the subject and indicated the ambrosia cakes. “I helped Ashara make these.”
Cass glanced at his son and despite knowing he should keep his distance, sat down. “Well then, I better try them, right?”
Aries nodded.
“What has Skye been doing?” Cass asked, knowing he needed to talk with his daughter.
“She stayed away all day yesterday too,” Aries said.
Ashara smiled at Aries. “But we were fine. We had fun, didn’t we, Aries?”
Aries grinned. “Yes.” He looked at Cass. “We played games and then Ashara let me help make evening meal.”
“Sounds like you’ve been busy.” Cass looked at Ashara. “I’ll introduce you to some of our clan mates later.” It would be good for her to make friends, he thought, unable to keep his eyes off her as she joined them at the table.
But he could almost feel her nervousness. “It will be fine,” he tried to reassure her, then dug in, aware of Aries watching him. Cass chewed, swallowed, and looked at his son. “You’re right. They are very yummy.”
“Now that Ashara’s taught me how to make these, maybe I can make breakfast sometime.” There was a guarded, but hopeful look in Aries’s eyes.
“Maybe.” Cass scooped up another mouthful.
Aries turned his pale-green gaze on Ashara. “Maybe I can teach you how to fly this afternoon too.”
Cass started to choke, but Ashara pushed a jug of water in front of him. After he downed the whole thing, he set his utensil down and looked at his son. “I think Ashara needs to learn how to shift into her dragon first, before we jump into flying.”
“Oh. Right.” Aries said.
Ashara had gone completely still. “I don’t know. I’ve suppressed it for so long. I have no idea how—” She stopped speaking.
“Maybe my father can help you?” Aries suggested.
Cass swallowed. The last thing he wanted was to be around Ashara even more. However, if he helped her shift and then taught her to fly, he wouldn’t feel so bad later, as if he were abandoning her, when their connection was severed and he left her. “Yes, maybe I can, but it will have to be in a few days. I have to help clear one of the destroyed villages first.”
CHAPTER 22
Brother
* * *
Mihel stared at his brother across his desk. It had been a long day and he was weary and ready to go home, but he’d asked to have Wren directed to his office the moment his brother arrived back at Base Five. Wren had come without complaint, and only a flicker of surprise lit his eyes at the sight of Mihel sitting behind what used to be Casin’s desk.
Still, Wren didn’t question it and just kept his eyes downcast.
Mihel noted his brother looked even thinner than the last time he’d seen him. Thinner and paler.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Wren glanced up at him and frowned.
Hating how washed-out his brother looked, and needing a few more minutes before he broke the news, Mihel stood. “I’ll be right back,” Mihel said and ducked out of his office.
When he came back a few seconds later, Wren hadn’t moved.
Mihel settled on the edge of his desk. “You must be wondering where our older brother is?” He was not comfortable with breaking the news of Casin’s death, but it needed to be done, and he needed to observe his brother’s reaction.
Wren took in the room as if just now noticing that all of Casin’s belongings had been removed.
“I prefer the plain look,” Mihel said, not having wanted to be surrounded by his oldest brother’s evil. Wren didn’t respond.
“Anyway, Casin’s body was found, and as the next in line, the council had gone ahead and named me commander.”
