A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 9 Etera

Ikarad stood by her side, waiting for her to say something. Etera sighed, today was a bad day, in so many ways.

Her back hurt, the skin on her hands itched, she had been forced to take another test, and been given the same results. And that was before she was told that everyone now knew about what had happened, and that yet another Seer apparently knew more about her life then she did.

Then it was Elain, just thinking about the Made sisters name made her angry. In some ways she felt like a child where she now laid wrapped in a blanket on her bed, refusing to acknowledge Ikarads worry. For doing that meant that she needed to face her own mind, and that was the last thing Etare could handle right now.

"Fine." Ikarad gave up and got down next to her, wrapping his strong arms around her. "I won't ask." She huffed, but pressed her body more against him.

"It is just too much right now." She whispered, and that might have been the drop that broke the damn wall, for slowly tears started to escape her eyes.

"I know... I know..." Ikarad placed a kiss on her neck. "But seriously, you have kept an eye on Nico?" She closed her eyes, glad that he chose to focus on the one thing that was good about the day.

"That first starfall, I heard them argue, and after I decided to keep an eye on him, as a distraction."

"What did you find out?"

"I have a binder in my office." Ikarad moved behind her, and his large eyes came into view. "I can show you later."

"You really need a hobby." Etera held back an answer that might crush them both.

"Maybe. But Nico, around Nyx age, 135, a maths and logistics genius. Under his guidance the whole harbour has flourished for the last fifty years." She turned around to face her mate. "And he loves Nyx, even after he tried to break things off."

"So, you approved?" Ikarad took her hand in his.

"I do." The tears had not stopped falling, but she tried to not think about it too much. "Orion on the other hand..." Her mate let out a sound of discomfort at the mention of the Darkbringer.

"They lived together for like six months. I can't be mad at them for being close friends." He shook his head. "But I was not prepared to think about them like that."

"If it helps, I don't think it will be a lifelong bond." Etera admitted, "She will need someone she can trust, that is not family, and this will be the first time she is with anyone out of her own will."

"I am glad it is Orion, and not some unknown fellow." Etera let out a short laugh. "What?"

"Any male who comes that close to her will not be unknown. And for the record, any female too for that matter." A crease formed in Ikarads forehead. "What?"

"Did you ever look into my lovers?"

"No." yes. That file was small and hidden among other boring files. "Why would I?"

"Oh, I don't know, practise for a mission? Having a boring day." She didn't respond, instead she moved closer to her mate, holding that closeness could stop his speculations.

It was curiosity that killed the cat. She let her mate's scent calm her down, leaving the storm of emotions behind her. She had never been able to pinpoint what it was, but it was something special. Something that always took her out of her head, and back to a safe place.

She felt how his own body went from trembling to slowly relaxing with hers, leaving the tension and anger behind him. It was out in the open now, the things she had tried to put behind her were now out. Not fully, but as good as. She looked up at Ikarad, seeing how his grey blue eyes had focused on a spot far away, and his forehead wrinkled in thought.