A Court of Stars and Memories

70. To Serve as Equals

    Lysander barely slept that night but he didn't mind. He passed the hours by absently weaving his fingers through Mitsi's hair, even when she was fast asleep. He kept his gaze fixed on the window and his magic at the ready in case his wards sensed any unwelcome visitors.

    Thankfully, no one approached. Not even Azriel, though Lysander had seen two other winged figures fly by just before sunrise. He'd recognized Nyx and Rhys, and wondered if they had gone to check the wards erected around Velaris.

    He wasn't curious enough to lower his mental shields and ask though. He didn't want to grant them time to ask questions he and Mitsi couldn't answer yet. An explanation could come later when they could give it together to everyone who deserved it.

    The sun had already been up for three hours when Mitsi stirred at last. She gave him a drowsy smile and brushed hair from her face, not wincing when her hand touched her cheek. It was looking better than it had last night, and he was relieved to see that the wound on her palm had already begun to heal too.

    Mitsi rubbed her eyes with a yawn, then propped herself up on an elbow. "Did you sleep at all?" She huffed, raking a shrewd gaze over him.

    Lysander gave her a lopsided smirk. "No."

    "Why not?"

    "For many reasons, but mostly because my instincts wouldn't allow it."

    Mitsi's features softened and Lysander accepted her kiss eagerly. It eased something that had been gnawing at his insides since yesterday, if only slightly. Lysander smiled against her lips when Mitsi sat up and twisted onto his lap, slipping her legs around his waist. He let his hands fall to her hips and leaned his forehead against hers.

    "Can we talk about it now?" He asked. "Before we're expected to see anyone else?"

    Mitsi's throat bobbed but she nodded. "How long have you known?"

    "Since the first night we slept together. I felt the Bond form afterwards, right before we fell asleep." Lysander smiled at the recollection. "But I've suspected for much longer," he added.

    "Honestly..." An embarrassed flush heated his cheeks and he looked away. "Since the first time I saw you truly smile, and I thought it was beautiful. That's when I knew you were someone special."

    "I started having these dreams, or visions, shortly after I helped Mikael rescue Elodie from Melantha's undead warriors. At first, it was just a glimpse of something every couple of months. I would see a color, white, and a smile. The sweetest, most beautiful smile I'd ever seen."

    "A few months before I met you, the visions became more frequent and detailed. I would have them at least once a week." Lysander caught one of her silky tresses and wrapped it around his finger. "I would see hair as white as the moon, and I could smell a scent. Your scent. Periwinkles and hoarfrost."

    "After we met, I could sometimes see your eyes in the dreams, and several times, I noticed your locket. I knew the visions were about you and what that meant, but I didn't want to admit it." Lysander bit his lip and let his hand fall. "That's why I avoided you at first, and why I tried to resist my feelings for you."

    "And afterwards? Why didn't you tell me your suspicions then, or when you felt the Bond form?" There was no anger or condemnation in Mitsi's tone. Only genuine curiosity.

    Lysander lifted his gaze to hers and studied the fractured lines of silver cutting through the blue of her eyes. "I didn't want to make things harder for you. I know you miss your home and you want to go back as soon as possible."