The Blood Rite

Chapter 7

Asteria woke with a pounding head and the scent of a male beside her. She mentally cursed herself at the sight of the Illyrian male next to her. She'd seen him around camp a few times before but she most certainly did not remember his name. He had an arm draped over her waist and was snoring deeply into the pillow. As her memories came back to her she mentally cringed. She had found the first guy she saw at the Tavern and flirted with him all night. Gods she was such an idiot. She looked around and realised they must of been in his tent. She slowly and gently peeled his arm off of her waist before she rolled out of bed. The cold air hit her naked body quickly and she shivered. Quickly making her way around the room, she grabbed her clothes and slipped them back on. This wasn't the first time she'd done something like this, she was just usually smarter about it and not so irrational. Aster just hoped this male wouldn't tell all his friends he'd fucked the High Lord's daughter. She didn't need that getting back to her dad.

Aster looked back at the sleeping male to check he was still snoring. She cringed at the memory of last night, that was some of the worst sex she'd ever had. He kept wanting her to call him daddy. Aster gaged at the memory. Without lingering a second longer, Aster slipped out of the tent. It was still early morning by the looks of it, usually the time she'd just be getting ready to go train. Once Aster had located where she was, she began slinking past the tents and back towards her house.

At least she didn't bring the male back to her house, at least she was sober enough to know that was a bad idea. When the house was in sight, Aster made a run for it, she stumbled over her feet but finally made it to the front door without being stopped. A sigh of relief washed over her before she pushed to door open.

"Well, well, well", Cassian said from his spot on their couch, "if it isn't the woman of the hour".

Aster groaned, making a failed attempt to go back outside, the door already being locked by Azriel's shadows. She sighed in defeat before she turned back around. Cassian was still lounging on their couch, Nyx sat beside him with a grouchy look on his face. Azriel stood next to the fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. And Silas was watching her closely from the kitchen bench.

"Uncle Cass! Uncle Az! What a pleasure to see you on this fine morning!" Aster said forcing a smile.

"I can't say the same", Azriel grumbled.

Aster dropped her shoes by the door before she began walking towards the bathroom.

"Wait one moment!" Cassian said halting her steps, "do you have anything you'd like to say?"

"Nope", she replied popping the 'p'.

"You haven't even introduced us to your new housemate yet?" Cassian said casually.

Aster looked towards Silas. He looked exhausted, had he slept at all last night? They made eye contact for a few seconds before Silas looked away.

"Cassian, Azriel. This is Silas, he will be staying with us for a while", Aster said reluctantly introducing them.

Before they could force her to stay any longer, Aster rushed off towards the bathroom to have a bath and change her clothes. That meant it was only the boys left in the lounge room.

Cassian grinned at Silas, "I've never seen you before, are you from Windhaven?"

"No", Silas said stoically, "I'm from Venzor".

Cassian tried to hide the surprise on his face, "Venzor...that's a brutal camp. They do produce great warriors, what do you say Silas, want to fight later?".

Azriel rolled his eyes, "do you have to try and fight every novice warrior?"

Cassian shot him a glare but it was Nyx that spoke next.

"You might be surprised, Cass", he said, "Silas and Aster fought for hours before they had to declare a tie".

Cassian raised his brow, "interesting, it's pretty rare Aster finds an evenly matched opponent".

Silas straightened his shoulders, "she is a very worthy opponent".

Cassian and Azriel looked at each other, an unspoken conversation passing between the two.

"Well, I'll be interested to see how well you do. If you beat me I'll let you fight Az and if you beat him I'll see if Rhysand wants to come pay you guys a visit", Cassian said excitedly.

"Dad isn't a better fighter than Az", Nyx said confused.

Nyx could tell Azriel was trying to hide a smirk.

"I know, but saying you've fought the High Lord is a pretty cool brag", Cassian laughed.

"And if I beat you all?" Silas questioned, crossing his arms.

Cassian barked a laugh, "that won't happen little novice".