Kingdom Of Stars

Chapter 10: Aelin

Aelin had never known such relief as when the simmering anger vanished from his eyes and he hugged her tightly, like he would never let her go. Eventually, she pulled away, smiling and wiping her tears. She looked behind Rowan and saw who waited. Dorian havilliard smiled gently at her and she grinned before hugging him as well. He laughed in surprise and hugged her back and she had to pause to hold back more tears. They were all here. Everything was going to be fine. Dorian released her and dried tears of his own. Rowan was smiling at her with something in his eyes she couldn't decipher. But all other thoughts edited from her head as she saw Lorcan and Gavriel come out from the trees.

Rowan felt her tense and took at step towards her protectively. She sent a flicker of relief and she knew it was received as his arm relaxed on her arm. She strode towards the two males and pointed a finger at the one in the middle.

Lorcan visibly recoiled as he saw the fire flickering on her finger. She lowered her voice into a snarl.
"You. You are the reason my kingdom is unattended for right now."
He swallowed and tried to speak but she cut across him, her voice as sharp as knives.

"The only reason you are not ash right now is because I still have some shred of control. But I will never forget the fact that you nearly cost Terrasen their queen and handed her over to Erawan. You are alive Lorcan, only because of the woman who travelled with Manon. I do not wish to take someone else from Elides life. So you're breathing. For now. But if you ever, ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll make Maeve seem like a rutting fairy princess with what I will do to you. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?"

Even Rowan recoiled slightly in the face of the queen she had become. She watched, satisfied as Lorcan gaped at her for a few seconds, looked like he was about to say something and then closed it again, nodding his head.

"Yes." He muttered, sounding for all the world like a spoiled child who had just been denied sweets. She shot one glare filled with contempt at him and stalked off towards Rowan. She walked off into the trees and felt rather than saw the rest of them follow her into the shadows.

A few hours later, she was ready to collapse. Rowan had set up a tent and she was perfectly content to sit back and let the males do all the work. That's what they were for anyway. Rowan chuckled under his breath as he heard what she thought through their bond and she glared at him, daring him to repeat her thoughts. She opened her mind to him.

I don't like this whole thought reading thing. It means I can't make your heart stop with any grand reveals.

Rowan mock glared at her.

For a man my age, my heat stopping because of your obscene plans is not a good thing. Therefore it is a benefit if you can't do that anymore.

She glared right back.

I didn't see you complaining when I saved your asses with my great big army that I called in.

His reply came fast.

That army is currently in Terassen, training with your cousin who will kill me if something else happens to you. And then he'll kill you. And then he'll kill me again. And again. And again. So please no scheming until we at least get back to Terassen. Please?

She smirked at him and leaned in close.

I like it when I make you say please.

She saw him swallow, throat bobbing and though she was sure he didn't want her to hear it, his thoughts floated back to her.

Oh gods.

She smirked again. Maybe this whole reading thoughts thing wasn't so bad after all.

Her thoughts snapped back into focus when Lorcan and Gavriel finished putting up the tents. She nodded in thanks and Gavriel winked at her. She rolled her eyes and grabbed Rowan's hand.

"I'm tired. And hungry."

He shook his head in exasperation.

"I'll get you some food then milady?"

She laughed out loud and he ambled off to grab their supplies. She was still laughing quietly to herself when Dorian came and sat down beside her. He surprised her by leaning his head on her shoulder and she turned to face him properly. Then she hugged him again and buried her face in his shoulder.

"Thank you Dorian. For everything."

She could've sworn that his eyes were lines with silver as he pulled away and grinned back at her. But he blinked and it was gone, replaced with that easy smile that had won her heart once upon a time.

Rowan approached them and he tensed as he saw Dorian sitting so close to her. She ignored it until he sat down on her other side and then she slapped him on the arm. His wounded expression almost made her laugh but instead she snarled at him.

"Cut the territorial fae bullshit or you can sleep alone."

He glared at her but even injured and exhausted, she glared right back. He relented and muttered an apology. Then she leant into his solid warmth and the argument was forgotten. She felt his arms wrap around her and she nestled closer. His nose nudged her neck and she smiled with pleasure.

Later, she said in her mind. We have time later. It was with almost feral restraint that he pulled away and she smirked at his annoyance. Already her wounds we're beginning to heal and now the rest was time and sleep. Speaking of sleep...

Exhaustion hit her, the day of running catching up and she yawned in a very un-queenly way. Rowan smiled and picked her up, taking her back to the tent that they were sharing. He lay her down on the blankets and pulled one over her. She mumbled his name, nearly asleep and managed to say one more thing.

"My tattoos. Will you redo them?"

She saw him nod and smiled in content. He lied down next to her and wrapped her in his arms and she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

They stayed like that for the rest of the night.