Bird of a Flock (Bow 2)

Chapter 39

A few hours later and they were all in the grand hall. And by all, it felt like all of Navat. Hundreds of k'nairi were milling about, networking, associating and also flirting. Some subtly, most openly and the room was filled with underhanded deals slowly being formed between the noble clans. Not to mention several were trying to entice the royal triad while they were actually in Navat.



Eyeri could only watch in interest as Nel'os was in his element, wings shifting with a mostly hidden language that he had only just learned about but was not able to understand any more than k'nairi tongue itself. Nel'os was surrounded by a flock of noble submissives, fluttering their eyes at him hopefully. Dyn'ad meanwhile was dealing with the generals and warriors while Tai'ray was surrounded by the noble dominants. Ryraso had Aw'endo close by his side but Eyeri had managed to slip out of his grip.

As fascinating as the room was to watch, it was also overwhelming. Eyeri caught Herymi's eye before ducking out onto a currently empty balcony. The breeze of fresh air was welcome as his head span and he leant on a stone wall. The cool air was refreshing against his overheated skin and he shifted, pushing himself up so he was actually sitting on the wall, and leant against the wall of the palace, trying to hide from anyone hoping to get a moment alone with him. He wasn't hidden from view but a passing glance out onto the balcony wouldn't reveal him.

Eyeri had been patted and stroked enough times to last a lifetime in the boiling hot room. Apparently being the adoptive son gave everyone rights to try to molest him. Aw'endo was just as uncomfortable as he was, which gave Eyeri some comfort. Ryraso seemed to take it somewhat in his stride, a pleasant smile on his lips though Eyeri could tell something had upset him during the day.

The buzz of the room continued onto the balcony but it was considerably duller and Eyeri found himself concentrating on breathing. It wasn't late, it was rather quite early. The sun was just beginning to set.

"Eyeri?" Herymi's voice called, as the man stepped out onto the balcony. The man was dressed in similar robes to him but the colours were different and there was a dagger on his hip. His bodyguard tattoos were also clearly on display, it seemed even during this event Herymi was being put to work.

"Here," Eyeri breathed.

Herymi looked over him and nodded, shifting to sit further along the wall. "Not sure you should wander outside alone during one of these events," Herymi warned.

"They won't miss me for five minutes," Eyeri mused, closing his eyes again feeling a slight headache form in his temples. "I'm hardly going anywhere." Not with his brother still locked up somewhere in the palace where no one would say. The Winglord had admitted to threatening to send his brother to Fiant if he wasn't respectful. It was unnerving knowing his brother was locked with that fate hanging over his head if he didn't let his pride go.

"I suppose not," Herymi said with a touch of sympathy in his voice. "However I was more concerned with the nobles," he said darkly.

"I doubt anything would happen," Eyeri half smiled, his eyes darting to the side where a guard was mostly hidden. People were watching over him, even if they couldn't be seen. Tai'ray was worried someone was going to try something. Worried enough to put some guards on him. Though that was also because the Winglord was not stupid enough to let him escape so close to branding. Fetmar stuck here or not, panic did funny things to people.

"Guards can only do so much," Herymi commented, his eyes followed Eyeri's to where a guard was stationed. "The person being protected must do their share, though I'll admit, the atmosphere in there is terrible. I don't blame you for needing to escape a moment."