A Court of Stars and Memories

73. Understanding Behavior

Even after the meeting concluded, Lysander couldn't bring himself to relax. His gut churned with possessive instincts which spiked in intensity every time he noticed one of the other males in the room so much as glancing at Mitsi.

Gods, Estelle was right, Lysander thought, recalling all the times she'd warned him about how strongly the Mating Bond would affect him when it first formed. He'd believed her, but experiencing it first hand was much different than just hearing about it.

It was especially difficult to remain behind when Mitsi told him Eira was going to winnow her back to his parents' house and help her pack for the Spring Court. He still sensed her fear and anxiety, and his instincts grated against him, urging him to do something.

But somehow, Lysander managed to stay at the River Estate and forced himself to linger in the sitting room with Nyx, his father, and his uncles after Micah and the other females had left.

Currently, he stood beside a window, arms crossed and wings tucked squarely against his back. He knew the others were watching him, but didn't acknowledge them. It wouldn't be long before one of them broke the silence though. Lysander guessed it would be Cassian.

He was proven correct only five minutes later. "I take it you both accepted the Bond then?" Cassian remarked.

"This morning," Lysander replied.

"I thought you seemed a bit touchy." Lysander shot a withering glare at his uncle and Cassian just smirked.

"I'm surprised Corbin didn't tell you before now," he muttered, turning to face them fully. His gaze shifted to Nyx. "Or you for that matter."

Nyx rolled his eyes. "We know you better than that, Lys. We knew you'd tell everyone when you were ready." He grinned the next instant. "And Mina told Corbin that if he kept it a secret until you and Mitsi told everyone yourselves, she'd let him kiss her in public. In Windhaven, even."

That drew a smile to Lysander's lips. "I'm sure he'll be pleased with his success." His gaze flickered to Rhys as the male waved a hand and a letter vanished from sight. "You wrote to Kallias already?"

"Better to let him know our plan sooner rather than later, especially since we'll be taking Micah back to the Winter Court."

Lysander narrowed his eyes. "I still don't like this idea, splitting them up. I understand the reasoning, but..."

He trailed off, knowing they would understand what he meant. He especially didn't like knowing that his mate would be going almost completely to the other side of Prythian, and he wasn't allowed to go with her.

"I know, but after what happened, it's even more important to find Ebner and Julian and capture them." Lysander didn't meet Rhys' gaze as his uncle softened his tone and added, "Azriel showed me what happened. Mitsi's very lucky to have gotten away from Ebner when she did."

"I know." He closed his eyes against the memories still fresh in his mind.

Mitsi's screams. Her sobs. The sound of Ebner striking her. Seeing her fall and hearing her screaming for him. Watching as she bit her father and wrenched herself free like a frightened wild animal. He could still feel the violent trembling of her body. Hear her ragged breaths.

Lysander opened his eyes once more. "That's why I don't like this. That happened only yesterday, and now I'm expected to just sit here while my mate goes to a completely different Court where I can't reach her in time to protect her if something goes wrong. And knowing that is eating me alive."

"I can't control...this." He gestured to himself. "Any of it. I ripped through Kallias and Wynter's wards yesterday. A High Lord and his Heir." Lysander glanced at Azriel, shame pooling through him as he remembered his behavior towards his father.