Bird of a Nest (bow 3)

Chapter 37

"Do you want to take Ang'as or Nel'os?" Dyn'ad asked Tai'ray after the session was over and people were milling about. Nel'os was already striding out, shooing away Ton'neth and At'ves as they tried to talk to him. Nel'os wanted nothing to do with anyone right now. His anger and confusion about everything relating to Cai'ress was overwhelming him and he was in no mood to deal with their bullshit.

"Ang'as?"

Dyn'ad lifted an eyebrow at his mate but flushed. Dyn'ad felt as it clicked in Tai'ray mind why Ang'as would be upset and need some reassurance from them. Tai'ray looked between Nel'os, being followed by Herymi and Fetmar as he stormed off and Ang'as who was being comforted by the former consorts. Well, most of them, Tai'hon was fluttering her long eyelashes at one of the warriors. The warrior seemed interested back, but his comrades were unimpressed by the two of them. Captain Par'nast was shaking his head in bemusement.

"I'll speak with Nel'os," Tai'ray settled on. Anger was easier to deal with than what Ang'as would be dealing with. Dyn'ad nodded and stole a kiss from him quick. He tucked a stray hair behind Tai'ray's ear and headed over to the formers. Tai'ray smiled, his chest warm, watching Dyn'ad for a moment longer with longing thoughts before chasing after his other mate with as much grace and elegant as he could manage.

"Royal Bonded," Gar'kin greeted as Dyn'ad joined them. Tai'hon was back with them, and the four were giving him a look.

Dyn'ad paused and lifted an eyebrow. "I was going to talk to Ang'as in private about this but do the four of you need reassurances that we are not Winglord Mon'tarar?" he challenged, looking at them each individually with a stern expression. People who lived by their graces would not scare him into submission. The legal time required for the Royals to look after the formers was long over.

"You have not been cruel like him, but it's never too late for you to develop something darker," Mos'it retorted, his wings lower in submission despite his brave words. Ang'as was gripping onto Gar'kin and Gar'kin's wings were surrounding him. "You are D'mar."

For a brief moment, Dyn'ad didn't know how to react to that statement. "As are many of us," He frowned, looking at Mos'it a little closer than before. He had not realised the man was a Namya sympathiser. The librarian flushed and stepped behind Tai'hon. "No," Dyn'ad ordered, "Back here, please. We trust you to teach the children of soldiers fighting for the D'mar. I want an explanation for that comment."

Mos'it stepped out from behind the female consort, face a little red and hands in front of him twitching slightly. Tai'hon's wing gently moved behind him, but she looked at the ground not challenging Dyn'ad's right for an answer. "It's just..." he shrugged nervously.

"Just what?" Dyn'ad pressed, stepping forward into Mos'it's space more.

"Bonded," Gar'kin started, but Dyn'ad held up his hand to stop him. He wasn't looming over Mos'it. He was more concerned that they might have to remove Mos'it from one of his roles.

"Mos'it," Dyn'ad repeated, "Look at me, please." Dyn'ad waited for the shorter man to look up at him. Trepidation filled the dark almost brown eyes but not necessarily fear. "What did you mean by me being D'mar?" he asked again, a touch more of force in his tone.