Bonded

Chapter Seventy Five

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India

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It had not ever occurred to me that neither Kavya or Ronin have really inquired about my studies much further than asking if they can keep me company and watch while I study, but now that Kavya is... I suddenly find myself rather shaky and a little shy.

It is not as if poetry and the like are truly embarrassing... It's not like Jian and I don't discuss our studies.. It's not like I don't discuss things with my peers and the Master Scholars... It's the whole point of my being here.

Maybe.... "It feels just a bit strange having someone take an interest in me outside of the Scholars wing and I... I feel shy."

It's hard to bring the words to the surface, but saying them is easy in such safe company... It's not as though I've never confided in Jian or that I would ever hesitate to tell Kavya or Ronin how I feel of prompted.

I suppose it just feels strange at the moment because being asked about my studies feels intimate than it actually should be...

Probably because no one at home ever took interest, so I've only discussed studies with close friends and peers in closed spaces...

"Why would you be shy over such a thing? India has been discecting the poems of old. It's his speciality. Something about figuring out what- *Oh.*" The dawning on Jian's face as understanding settles around his shoulders, "I suppose that *would* be a reason for you to feel shy in front of your fiances- *None of you look at me like that, just because it is not official does not mean it is not true. This is more than a courting at this point.*"

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Ronin

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"You aren't wrong." India concedes to Jian with a shrug of his shoulders as he sits forward enough to transfer to my lap  and to snag a slice of melon to nibble on the way, and I find myself happy to accept him, the sweet way he nuzzles into my warmth making me smile... The appreciation I feel over just this simple affection so vast.

It seems as though the two of them are content to keep their secrets just amongst the two of them, but knowing Kavya and his nosey nature, that wouldn't ever truly be an option if he really sees fit to ferret out an answer when he's interested.

"Well?" Kavya questions, his head cocking to the side ever so mischievously as he smiles his gentlest smile at our wife, India's resulting flush so pretty I cannot resist from plucking a kiss from his cheek, "What do your old poems teach you, my love? I do not have the chance to read very often and I would love for you to tell me of your literary adventures!"

Our sweet husband keeps his voice gentle as he reaches out and takes hold of India's free hand with his own, the look in his eyes melting the ice in my heart, just as it does every time he sets it in my direction too... And it's no wonder India cannot resist answering him and his cheeky grin.

"I... I have been searching for an understanding of love... What it is to love someone... And what it is to be loved by someone... Both romantically and otherwise."

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Kavya

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If I had thought India's flush was starting to fade from its glory a few moments ago, I would say that its renewal now is even deeper and more endearing than before as his soft words bring out the heat in the sunshine as it settles around us... The halo of his raven hair standing out so gloriously that his eyes almost look more clear than the blue waters of the fountain in front of the palace.

He is and always has been so stunning, and I daresay that he is not even aware of it... Not at all... And maybe... Maybe that's part of the charm of his beauty.

"Really?" Ronin's voice reflects the surprise that my heart feels... But also maybe a hint of the strange clenching I feel there in my chest right next to it.

"When I first came to the Palace... I felt alone, and lonely... And I noticed so many poems focused on professing the love they all have for their partners... And I just... I did not understand it! It made no sense to me to feel so attached to another person or persons so much that you would rather watch your own heart bleed than take a single step away from their sleeping form... Or how someone can make the writer clearly feel so safe and at peace when in every other work they are a manic mess of tears and loathing for society as a whole!... Just... None of it ever made sense..." India's passion flares to life beautifully, his nostrils flaring as he sits forward, brow furrowed, ranting on something he's clearly spent time on trying to understand, "None of it ever made sense!"

"But now it does? What changed?" Peeling my eyes away from India as another blush ravages his cheeks is hard, but I find myself rewarded with spotting the way Ronin tightens the grip of his hands around India's hips, the tiny grind between them discreet but spine tingling as I partake in the pleasure of watching desire pool in my husband's eyes as he stares down at our wife.

"I-I got fed up with written examples and spied on a pair of Bonded guards that wandered into the library I prefer studying in. T-Thats what changed."

"Now you understand those poems? The ones about love?" The drop in Ronin's voice makes me wonder if I should find a way to cool Ronin off while we are still in the presence of Jian, who us now suddenly finding the newest rose bush intriguing, or if we should just take the grace we are being given with a smile... My heart pounding just as hard as India's likely is over the rough edges in my lover's tone.

"Yes. I do."