Kastali Dun

Saffra barely saw what was in front of her, eyes blurring, growing unfocused, until everything on the table was a mix of colored blobs. "Is everything all right, my lady?" Jocelyn paused in the doorway to her bathing chamber, a gown draped over her arm. "You look like you want to murder your breakfast."

She huffed, leaning back. "I am fine, Joce, no need to fuss."

"You've been broody. Is it the luncheon with Lord Bedelth and his parents today?"

Oh, gods! She swallowed down the sudden ball of nerves. "No, not that."

"Are you sure? I can always tell them you are indisposed for the day."

"And leave him to his parents?" she asked. Jocelyn shrugged in answer. "No. I'll go."

"Then, what?" Jocelyn's brow furrowed in concern.

"Bats," Saffra mused.

"...what?!" Jocelyn gawked at her.

"I keep dreaming about them." She elaborated, giving Jocelyn what little detail she could. Really, there wasn't much to tell. The images were blurry, at best, a vague awareness. She'd seen bats. That's all she could remember. Not the cute kind, because she'd always thought bats were rather endearing. Little hairy bodies, pointy ears, and leathery wings. They weren't so different from dragon wings, when you really gave it thought. So, how could anyone hate them?

But these weren't those kinds of bats.

"Is it something we should be worried about? Like when you dreamt of the dragon mothers?"

Saffra's eyebrows pulled tighter. "No...yes...I don't know. That was more of a vision. This isn't."

Jocelyn hummed. "If there is something I've learned, it's that when you have persistent dreams, they mean something."

"Yes, yes." As if she didn't also know that.

They didn't discuss it any further. Instead, she tucked into her breakfast, making quick work of it before Jocelyn helped her into her day gown. She spent the next portion of her morning working with Mage Marcel, drafting up notes, or trying to. Eventually, her curiosity about her dreams got the better of her. She excused herself and fled to the royal library.

She loved the library—always had. Seeing it as a girl had elicited mixed emotions, with its massive collection of books she could barely read. But now, she regarded it with fondness and possibility. An entire hall filled with the knowledge of the world.

She greeted several familiar faces before seeking out her target. "Hello Master Roland," she said, greeting the aged man behind the librarian's desk. His face brightened. "I'm...working on a new project. A research project, of sorts. I'm looking for information on bats."

His brow furrowed, thoughtful. "Bats, you say?"

"Yes. Not traditional bats, as we know them. Something...more ominous, perhaps? Or more dangerous? A modification of the species, even?" She didn't want to give too much information away. She could only imagine if someone took her words to heart. There'd be rumors of giant bats swarming the keep, and people would lose their minds, thinking what she'd seen was a vision of some sort.

Her stomach soured. Gods, she hoped it wasn't some kind of vision. That would be...she shuddered. Awful. Positively awful.

"Hm..." Roland pulled her from her dark thoughts. "It sounds like a task for my apprentices."

She brightened. "Yes, I had hoped so. I will begin my search, but if they find anything, please inform me."

"Of course, Lady." He bowed his head then shuffled off. She watched him go for all of a moment before beginning her search.

She disappeared into the stacks, combing row after row, until she had a small pile of books that might be promising. She took them to a nearby table and began flipping through pages. Mindful of the time, she stopped herself just before she was to meet Kadeen and Seishi. She put her books on hold and departed.

When she knocked at the door to the guest suite, she was ushered inside by an attendant. She found Bedelth first, his hulking frame with his back to the room, gazing out a window overlooking the city. A zing raced down her spine; she ignored it. Kadeen and Seishi were engaged in a game of origin, a popular strategy board game. They stopped and stood as she entered.

"Lady Saffra," Seishi was the first to warmly greet her, followed by Kadeen. Bedelth turned from his place at the window, keeping his hands clasped behind his back, and bowed his head. She looked away from him as quickly as possible, and still felt a hint of color rising in her cheeks.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long. I got tied up at the library." She fisted her hands in her skirts.

"There is no need for apologies," Seishi assured her, walking over, keeping her voice warm and eager. "We are simply glad to have you. Come, let's eat." They gravitated towards the dining table, which had been set for four. She caught Bedelth's gaze as he pulled a chair for her before taking his own. Her heart beat a little faster.

They hadn't seen much of each other over the past few days. He'd kept busy, for obvious reasons. It hadn't been until yesterday that he'd pulled her aside. "You received my mother's invitation?" he'd inquired. She'd indeed received the note just that morning. "You need not accept," he'd gone on to say. "They will understand if you are too busy."

She'd tried to read his expression, and failed. "But you will be there?" she had asked, to which he had confirmed. "I will not leave you to them, if you would rather I join you." Only then did she notice the small expression of relief, there and gone, as his features had betrayed him. They had decided to be a team in the efforts against his parents, after all. Thus, she was here, sitting with him as he braved their company.

The serving attendant stepped back to give them space, to ensure they had all they needed, then departed.

"What work calls you to the library?" Kadeen asked, his voice one of casual curiosity.

"Oh, nothing overly important," she lied. "I'm researching magical creatures." This earned several raised brows. "Bats, in particular."

"Bats?" Seishi asked. "There exists such a thing as magical bats?"

"I cannot say, as of yet. But I will find out."

The woman regarded her, perhaps trying to determine if it was all a joke, then shrugged. They began dishing up servings of rice and vegetables. Bedelth was, unsurprisingly, quiet through this exchange. "My mate does not eat meat," Kadeen explained when he noticed her questioning perusal. "I try to respect her wishes when possible."

Saffra was momentarily stunned, but managed to say, "I did not realize." Her eyes darted to Seishi, whose brown skin had flushed.

"As you can imagine, it is not a common dietary preference around the Drengr," Seishi explained. "But...when you must watch your mate hunt and slaughter—at least for me—it turns the stomach. Most Riders aren't troubled by it. I don't fault my Kadeen. He must consume meat to survive. He is a predator, after all. But that does not mean I must also be."

"Of...of course not," Saffra managed, throwing a glance in Bedelth's direction. He simply dished his food with an unreadable expression. Interesting.

They began to eat, exchanging simple conversation, mostly around Saffra. They inquired about her home, her parents and family, her adjustment to life in the capital. To them, such a change probably felt like a short time span ago. To her, a decade had passed, and it felt like a lifetime.

"You must be very honored to be in such a powerful position," Seishi commented. "I can only imagine. To have such magic and the king's ear. Few will ever be as important."

She squirmed under their obvious worship. "It is an honor," she meekly said. "But not without its sacrifice."

As for what sacrifice that was, she did not wish to elaborate.

"Ah, but what is a little sacrifice? Such things are inconsequential when it comes to the kingdom and the greater good of the people," Seishi said. She heartily disagreed, but didn't voice that. Sacrifice was sacrifice, and every sacrifice mattered, even if it was for a good cause—especially if it was for a good cause.

"Indeed. Most of the kingdom would agree," Kadeen added.

She frowned, opened her mouth—

"Mother, Father, how has your visit been, thus far?" Bedelth asked, saving her from a response. She didn't dare look at him. "I apologize that my duties have kept me largely unavailable."

"As all important positions do," Kadeen said. "It has been most excellent. We have had the opportunity to meet with much of the nobility. Yesterday we took breakfast with Lord Taahir Hash, then toured the gardens with Lord Abdus Morad. They were glad for updates on the fort. Today we have plans to spend the afternoon at the market with Lord Sion Aziz and Lord Finlay Murry."

Lower council members. That much was unsurprising. Bedelth's parents continued on, dropping names like it was some sort of competition. She was happy to eat without giving more than a head nod or a hum of acknowledgement. Bedelth was clearly used to this sort of thing, for he too let them talk and talk.

"So," Kadeen said after a time, "I hear there is a new Drengr Fairtheoir in the king's ranks."

"Yes, you must tell us," Seishi said, dropping her voice. "Are the rumors true?"

"Indeed. Lord Dallin swore his oaths two days past," Bedelth confirmed, sounding rather proud.

"We must seek him out and offer our congratulations," Seshi said to her mate, who nodded. "Perhaps he will agree to a luncheon." Saffra almost snorted. "Is it also true that he is the youngest Drengr to swear an oath?" This, to Bedelth.

"I suppose so. Yes."

"That's what I had thought," Seishi said, nodding. "A whole decade before you, if my memory serves." She drew herself up. "There is something to be admired in that. That he recognized the honor and chased the opportunity before any others beat him to it. All without his parents to push him towards it. Now that is a Drengr who knows how to recognize an opportunity."

Saffra's stomach turned into a hard knot.

"Oh?" Bedelth said, leaning back to regard his parents—his mother. "Some would argue that taking the oath at such a young age is careless. He's at mating age. What will happen if his mate appears, but he's already sworn himself to the king, hmm? That is not the struggle one should live with."

Kadeen snorted, waiving a hand in dismissal. Seishi said, "He will do the honorable thing, obviously. He will choose his duty over his heart, as it should be for someone in his position. As you well know."

"As I well know," Bedelth parroted, an edge creeping into his voice. Saffra dared a glance, from the corner of her eye. His jaw was clenched, hand gripping his cutlery in a savage hold.

"Oh, please," Seshi said, drawing her shoulders back. "It isn't as if we haven't had the same conversation with you, about you, my son."

Ever the proud mother.

"Yes, I well remember," Bedelth ground out. "There is no greater honor than that of becoming a King's Shield. Even if it means sacrificing my other half to serve my kingdom. Tell me, father, would you have made such a choice, knowing it would condemn your mate—my mother—to a human life? And me? I would not exist."

"I would have taken the honor, had it been available to me," his father said, voice hardening. Seishi nodded in agreement, as if it were some noble thing to accept the possibility. Saffra's palms grew sweaty. She abandoned the remainder of the food on her plate, appetite spoiled.

How the conversation deteriorated so quickly? Made all the more awkward by the fact that she was sitting right here. She opened her mouth to change the subject, only to be deprived of the opportunity as a loud pounding sounded at the door.

There was a long hesitation, a frown from Seishi, before she said, "Come in."

As if their conversation had summoned him, Dallin poked his head into the suite. "Forgive me, Kadeen, Seishi, but the king has requested the immediate presence of his prophetess and Lord Bedelth. I'm afraid I must steal them away."

Bedelth rose quickly, too quickly. She was slower to rise, confusion hidden behind a blank expression as she took in Bedelth's parents. They were slower still, on the uptake, oblivious to what was really happening here.

Kadeen set his linin napkin on his finished plate, standing, followed by his mate. "Of course," he said. "The king cannot be refused. Thank you, Lady Saffra, for your company. It has been an honor. He bowed his head." Seishi echoed the same sentiments.

A blink later, and Bedelth was ushering her from the room, a hand at the base of her spine. It wasn't until the door closed behind them that Dallin said, "Hopefully I didn't wait too long to intrude?"

"No, you timing was perfect," Bedelth informed him.

"Uhm...am I missing something? Did you two plan that?"

Dallin grinned. "I was told to be on standby."

"Is that what new Shields are relegated to? Standby duty? To rescue their comrades from certain abominable parents?"

"Just the very thing," Bedelth said, sharing a grin with Dallin. "Thank you, brother."

"You are welcome. Now, if there's nothing else, I have a certain...friend I promised to show about the market this afternoon."

"Go. Enjoy yourself," Bedelth said.

"So...we aren't meeting with the king?" She lifted her brows.

Dallin gave a high pitched laugh. "King Talon is tied up with his lower council all afternoon. So, no." With that, the young Drengr slipped down a side hallway.

Saffra blinked, still led by Bedelth, who kept his hand at her back. She hardly realized when a door opened and he ushered her inside a chamber. Until she blinked and took in the interior. "Is...is this your room?"

She'd never been here. It wouldn't have been appropriate. He'd visited hers plenty over the years, casually, as a friend. But now that they were obviously more, it felt almost dangerous.

She stepped into the middle of the space, immediately curious. A shelving unit displayed a vast, elaborate collection of daggers. She gravitated towards it. "This is..."

"The others like to give me a hard time about it. But...well...we all have our vices."

"Yours is collecting daggers, it seems. Not exactly a crime. It just...how many are there?" These weren't plain weapons. Certainly not. They all had unique hilts, gemstones, and beautifully shaped blades. Some curved. Some were needle thin. Others broad and short.

"One hundred and twelve." His voice oozed pride.

A small laugh burst from her chest. "I never took you for someone materialistic but..." She glanced around he rest of his suite. It was clean, organized, showing off bookshelves on one end near the sitting area, an ornate table, a finely crafted bed. The more she looked, the more she realized exactly how deep Bedelth's taste in fine things went.

Her own room suddenly looked drab in comparison. When she turned towards him, she was surprised to see a flush creeping up his neck. He shrugged. "I like nice things," he said.

"There's nothing wrong with that. I just...always took the Drengr race to be a rugged bunch." She moved back towards the middle of the room and placed her hands at her temple, massaging away the building headache. "Your parents are..."

"A lot. I know."

"Not just a lot. They're rather awful!" The words were out before she could stop them. Her hands flew to her mouth, covering it. "I'm sorry," she squeaked.

Bedelth was at a loss. He lifted a shoulder to dismiss her words, moving around his suite, like a restless creature. Stopping, then pacing, then turning towards her. "I shouldn't have said anything, shouldn't have provoked them when they brought up Dallin. I just..." He sighed.

"No, you absolutely should have. There's nothing wrong with standing up for yourself and your beliefs. To believe Dallin is too young to take an oath, despite having accepted him into your ranks, is your own opinion and it's valid, especially considering your own experience. But it wasn't even that," she went on. "It's the fact that they insinuated he was somehow better than you, for not needing his parents to push him towards the position. As if you should have selflessly abandoned everything to swear an oath. It's...it's..."

Words failed.

Bedelth watched her, eyes slightly widened, chest rising and falling. As if he was seeing her anew. As if he liked what he saw. That look sent heat licking down her body, straight to her abdomen. His arms were at his sides, fists clenched. She had a sudden and overwhelm urge to go to him. Even her feet took several steps forward before she could stop them.

"How do you put up with it?" she managed.

"It isn't easy." He exhaled, chest falling, eyes darting away from her. "They're my parents. Just because they're awful doesn't mean...doesn't mean I don't love them. I think it's because I love them that it hurts all the more when they say things like that. I've been forced to earn their love, day after day, year after year, century after century. It's exhausting. Like, if I make the wrong choice, I'm punished for it, but if I make the choice they agree with, I'm suddenly worthy of love. I hate it," he snarled.

Her heart cracked open. She walked towards him, her body moving before her mind caught up. She lifted a hand. He stilled as her fingers brushed over his cheekbone, down along his jaw. "Bedelth," she whispered. The feel of his skin beneath the pads of her fingers sparked something in her belly.

He shuddered beneath her touch.

When she pulled her hand back, he captured it in his, laid it flat against his cheek, leaned into it, closing his eyes. He was seeking comfort. The kind of comfort only a mate could bring. Suddenly, that was the very thing she wanted to give him.

"Bedelth..." she found herself whispering again. It was a question, a plea, an admission, all wrapped in one. His eyes flew open, warm gaze snaring her.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she went on her tiptoes and kissed him. Blood rushed past her ears, morphine into a roar of nerves. He didn't move, didn't respond as her lips pressed against his. His were soft, warm, lush. She pressed into them, moving over them. He hadn't even closed his eyes, just stared at her with an expression of utter shock and disbelief.

Doubt needled her belly. This was a mistake. She should not have—

Bedelth rapidly blinked. His hands came up, grabbing her before she could back away, as if sensing this moment was fragile and close to fracturing. He groaned, pressing his hand against her lower back, the other to the back of her head, pressing them flush together. His lips were on hers now, hungry, desperate. He moved his mouth with an intensity that spoke of more than words could convey.

Despite the hunger, he did not overstep. It was only lips. But even lips could be erotic. Delightful.

She sighed, ignoring her doubts, pushing them away to lose herself in the moment. A moment that felt so right. So...perfect.

Her heart drummed against her chest, keeping pace with her mouth. She struggled to breathe. Air was the farthest thing from her mind as she kissed him back, melting against his hard body. Her tongue darted out, traced along the seam of his lips. He allowed her to lead, allowed her to set the pace. It was too slow and too fast all at once. And it left her head spinning in the best way.

She explored him, brushing her tongue against his, hesitant at first. The feel of his blunt teeth, pointed canines, and soft warmth was bliss. Heat surged through her veins, weakening her knees. Bedelth's hand tightened against her back, supporting her as she continued her onslaught, taking what she should have taken from him months ago, when he'd first made his wants and desires clear.

As if sensing her urge to take, the moment changed. Heated.

Their kiss turned savage, tongues and teeth clashing. He nipped her lower lip and she gasped. No one had ever kissed her quite like this. Not even the man she thought she'd spend a lifetime with. No kiss had ever felt so perfect, like it was made exactly for her, the way a custom gown was. With all the extra trim and accents she could ever want.

Their breathing was frenzied when at last, she pulled back to avoid fainting. Bedelth's eyes darted between hers, filled with nothing but wonder and disbelief. "Did you...did you mean to do that?" he asked. As if it had all been a dream, a figment of his imagination.

She tried to clear her throat, to take a step back, but his arm didn't move.

She sighed, relaxing against him. The doubt pressing in around her chest was distracting. What had come over her? What had possessed her to do this? Moreover, now that she had, how could she ever go back to the way things had been?

This was a crossroads. A moment where two paths waited. She could claim it was a mistake, that she had gotten caught up in the moment. But was it? Or she could own up to the budding desire he'd awoken.

What would his parents do, she wondered, if they discovered what she was to him? If they discovered that he was mated? That she was his, and he was hers?

Possessive heat radiated through her chest. What would it feel like, for him to belong to her? To lay claim to such a male? To hold his heart for safe keeping.

That sudden, rebellious desire grabbed hold of her within its deadly jaws, a vice grip. Perhaps it was just an excuse, because excuses were easy. Truth was harder. But she now knew exactly what she wanted to do.

As resolve settled into her chest, she gave a tiny, breathy giggle of disbelief. "Kiss me again," she whispered, demanded. There was absolutely no hesitance as his expression turned hungry, as his lips descended. It was easy, she realized, to lose herself in it—in him. So she did exactly that.

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Happy Friday, Bookdragons!

Ugh, it has been a hellish week for me. Work was A LOT. I had to give two different hour-long presentations in front of a live audience on various topics related to my job (optics and such). One of my presentations was given to a big group consisting of my company's Vice Presidents and even my company CEO who used to be the CEO of Walmart before he took over ours...so you can imagine how freaking intimidating that was! I legit hate and love public speaking. But mostly, I hate it.

Anyway, I killed it. Both presentations went really great. And now I have a whole week off for my birthday week (my birthday is June 4th). I plan to relax and recover from that terrifying endeavor. It's not the first time I have had to do something like that, it happens every year or so, and I always hate it.

So, I didn't get to sit down to write this chapter until 8 o'clock this morning. I prefer to have more time with a chapter, but unfortunately life is busy, so I'm finding myself with barely enough time to get them written before I can get them posted.

Anyway, I think it turned out okay (hopefully!!). I like how Saffra is slowly warming up to Bedelth. I also like how protective she's feeling, and how that protective instinct is awakening something mate-like in her, and that it's becoming harder and harder for her to ignore what she feels. 

I hope you all have a great week and I'll see you Friday!

-Mel