Bonded

Chapter Thirty Five

...

Ronin

...

"That's not what I mean at all! I would never dare to tell the pair of you that you cannot gift India tokens of affection!"

If there is anything I know... It is that Kavya's strong will and willingness to challenge anyone who stands in the way of treating the ones he holds dearly shall never fail... And the look on the Master Scholar's face tells me that he understands the precarious situation he has set himself in... The questioning in my future husband's tone over the mere suggestion that my idea to treat our delicate blossom that is our soon to be wife to petals that complement his beauty might be unwelcome causing Master Qiao to trip over his tongue as he backtracks and tries to find a way to express himself that does not sound as if the three of us have done something wrong.

"If it's not that... Then do you mean to try and scold India for accepting our flowers? Why should he be scolded for accepting a gift from the men courting him?" The way the words flow from his mouth combined with Kavya's expression... The only time I've seen him this fierce is when he finds himself offended over the way someone has treated me... And it warms my heart to see that he feels just as passionate and protective over our slight scholar as he does towards me...

"You've misunderstood! Gentlemen... I simply am asking that the gifts you give be left in India's personal chambers during study hours so as not to cause a disruption or the turning of heads while the other pupils are trying to focus." Master Qiao does his best to try and keep his nervousness from seeping into his tone... The intense stare that Kavya is giving him causing a chill to form even in my own soul... India's as well as he turns so that he might find relief in my protective embrace while Kavya displays his fiery nature.

...

India

...

The way Kavya speaks to Master Qiao shocks me... But also somehow charms me... And causes me to feel safer in his company... If that were even possible...

I know that Master Qiao did not intend to upset any of us... And I truly do not think his intention was to scold me or make me feel as though I was wrong for allowing the flowers to be woven into my hair...

I think he truly means what he says and I can understand where he is coming from... With the way everyone had their eyes on me when we entered the dining hall I had been overwhelmed... And I can understand how such a sight might be a distraction since such whimsy is rare here amongst us here in the Wing of Scholars...

The last thing I had expected though was for Kavya to find offense in the gentle asking of me to keep this kind of thing in my personal time... And I know I should step in and express to Kavya that I do not need him to feel upset on my behalf... And that the request is not one I myself find unreasonable...

But I can't seem to open my mouth... The feel of him stepping up to protect me this way is so strange but yet so appreciated as I curl up into the feel of Ronin holding me, the way one of his hands is rubbing my back so reassuring in a way that I do not fully understand or feel capable of explaining...

"We can make sure to not disrupt studying hours again, Master Qiao. Thank you for rephrasing your request." The words surprise me...

But not because they feel untrue...

But because they come from Ronin, who while sporting red cheeks this whole time, and they seem to be in an effort to relax the situation between his already bonded partner and the man responsible for guiding me on my journey to becoming a master scholar like himself...

And that is something I can also appreciate... As well as the fact that my future husbands seem to balance each other out so sweetly... Both of them protective of me in different ways... Both of them appreciated in the way they have wrapped themselves so fully around me.