Page 111 of Scourged
Sebastian barked a laugh, and it was like the tension was broken. He strode forward, clasping Drystan on the shoulder. “Yeah, you should have.” He met his friend’s golden stare. “I’m happy for you.”
Drystan smiled tentatively. “While I am still a little embarrassed you found us in a stall … thank you.”
Sebastian glanced around the quiet stables. “That reminds me,” he said. “What about Feran? And how long?”
Drystan cast his eyes down, golden hair falling into his face. “Feran’s mother is Kreah. He spent the first part of his life raised very differently than a typical Onitan. He has never beenashamed of himself. Which is someone who enjoys the company of women … and men.
“As far as … well, us,” Drystan continued, adjusting his shirt. “It started shortly after Mariah went missing. With everything falling apart, we became the only thing to hold each other together.”
Sebastian’s mind raced, flashbacks of a dozen little moments circling. Times when Drystan and Feran volunteered for battlement duty together, or always seemed to appear places together, or the time Drystan had shown up to breakfast wearing a shirt a lot like the one Feran had worn the day before …
“I feel like an idiot,” Sebastian finally said, smiling.
Drystan cocked his head. “You do?”
Sebastian nodded. “Yes. Because now that I know, I cannot believe I didn’t notice sooner.”
Drystan smiled. “You had a lot on your mind. We all did.”
The two men—friends, brothers, warriors—shared another long look, their smiles growing stronger.
“I’m happy for you, Drystan,” Sebastian repeated before taking a step back. “Truly. I’m glad you and Feran found something together that made you—and us, as a whole—stronger.”
“Thank you, Seb,” Drystan murmured warmly. “Care for lunch? I’m starving.”
Sebastian grinned. “Oh, I’msureyou are.”
The punch Drystan landed on Sebastian’s arm stung far less than the burning in his chest. Drystan had found someone he could truly share forever with.
Sebastian couldn’t let himself think about how much he craved exactly that.
Chapter 42
Mariah sat in the conference room alone, staring at the walls, twisting a single thread of silver-gold light around her fingers.
Two weeks had passed since theallumesnuffed out in the early hours of the morning. Two weeks since Mariah had plummeted inside thelunestairpillars and chased away whatever evilness dwelled inside.
And still she didn’t know how, exactly, it had gotten there. She only had a few clues, fed to her from a smattering of conversations and her own thrumming instincts. One thing was certain, though.
Something had happened on the Winter Solstice. Something that corrupted the magic she’d brought into their world.
Which after too many sleepless nights, watching the stars from her balcony, had led to her calling this meeting.
The conference room doors swung open.
“Quentin, how anyone puts up with your obscene behavior is beyond me.”
“Oh, c’mon, little wolf. It was just a joke.”
“I told you.” Delaynie glared imperiously at Quentin as she strolled in beside Ciana. “Do not call me that.”
“Sure, alright. Whatever you say.” Quentin drifted away, heading to the other side of the table, a devilish grin on his face. “Little wolf,” he murmured, just loud enough for the room to hear.
Mariah couldn’t help her smile as Delaynie flushed a furious shade of pink, ice blue glare biting. Behind them came Sebastian, Trefor, and Matheo, all speaking quietly amongst each other. They were followed closely by Kiira and Rylla, who’d changed back into their Kreah fashioned garb, long paneled skirts fastened by solid breastplates. The last from her court to enter was Drystan and Feran, who shared a lingering look before taking a seat at the table.
Mariah certainly wanted to hear more aboutthatlook later.
The captains and commanders of the Royal Infantry and City Guard entered next. She hadn’t had a chance to formally meet many of them yet, despite so many being her own non-Selected Marked. Sebastian had told her how vital they’d been to the defense of the city, and Mariah figured it was time to bring them into the fold.