AETHER BEASTS

Chapter 208

I found Sandra and Zirani back at our temporary home, and both turned to me when I stepped inside. Zirani had a smile on her face while Sandra looked worried, and through her bond, I could feel a tinge of feat, but also determination and faith in me. Well, that was certainly nice and very much appreciated, it wasn't normal and clearly had been brought about due to something that had happened.

"What happened?" I asked, deciding to just get right to.

Zirani glanced at Sandra. "Would you like to tell him or should I?"

"I'll do it," Sandra said, smiling hesitantly at me.

"Tell me what?" I asked. "And is it bad?"

"Depends on how you see it," Sandra replied. "We went to the Umbrin clan area as we said, and watched Kai's brother spar. Not much else happened, but as we were leaving things just sort of happened, Aiden."

"Like what?"

Sandra took a deep breath. "Pate wanted to fight you, and Zirnai said that would be fine."

"Ok…?" I frowned, confused as to where she was going with this. I hadn't known Kai had a brother, but it's not like I was against sparring someone. The spar with Hank had been fun, but quick and hadn't really tested me. If this Pate was skilled then I would fight him.

"We made a bet," Sandra said quickly, as if desperate to get the words out. She glanced at Zirani who nodded for her to continue. "If we win then they will swear a loyalty oath to me on behalf of their family, but if they win, then, I will marry Pate."

There was a flash of red that covered my vision and a grinding noise, which I realized was me greeting my teeth. I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I'm sorry, what?"

Sandra winced. "I know it seems risky."

"Risky?" I said, my voice rising. "Why make a bet like that? In fact Zirani why did you let her make a bet like that?"

I felt a mix of confusion and anger race through me, slightly at them for making such a bet, but also at Kai and whoever the hell this Pate was.

"Because she trusts you," Zirani said, and her words quelled the rising inferno of my anger somewhat. "Because she trusts that you're strong enough to take him out and end this problem. Also, I wouldn't have allowed her to make such a bet if I wasn't confident you could win."

I looked over at Sandra who had lowered her eyes and refused to meet my own. I knew I had a right to be angry, and that she should have contacted me before agreeing, but I also felt happy that she trusted me and believed in me enough that I would win this. Although, no matter what I felt, the simple fact was that the decision she had made was not only reckless but just plain idiotic. If not for the fact that Zirani had allowed it, I might have been worried.

I walked over and sat beside her, pulling her chin up with a hand and placing a tender kiss on her lips. Her eyes were watery and her hands shot around me in a tight hug as she buried her face in my chest. I could feel through the bond that she was overwhelmed with multiple emotions.

For a moment, I felt the lost queen's attention turn to Sandra, and I felt uncertainty and indecisiveness along with a sense of familiarity as though she was seeing something she had seen before, though I could sense it wasn't directed at Sandra, at least not at her as a person. Before I could figure anything else out, she blocked herself off. I shook my head and turned my attention back to Sandra, pushing what had just happened to the back of my mind for later.

I sighed. "I'm not going to apologize for being angry because I don't see a reason to, but I am sorry that you, Sandra, have been affected by this so much that you made such a ridiculously stupid decision. I am still somewhat shocked, and annoyed, but you don't have to worry, I will win, that I promise you. Next time you do something like this think of all the consequences. If it had been something like spending some time with him, I would still be mad, but marriage?"

I shook my head. "Sandra I'd be furious if not for the other emotions I feel."

There was no way in hell, that I was going to let this Pate marry Sandra, and allow her to live a miserable life. The very idea made my blood boil once more and it took an effort to push it down so that I could continue to comfort Sandra.

I rubbed her back and when she pulled back, I kissed her tears away. "I love you Sandra, and I will win, but do not do something like this again, at least not without talking to me about it first. This type of arrogance does not suit you. I understand and cherish your faith in me, but there is confidence and trust and then there is arrogance and stupidity. I mean does our relationship mean so little that you'd wager it?"

"I'm sorry Aiden, I really am." She shook her head and clearly held back tears. "I got overwhelmed, and I just want to get it over with, this drama and back and forth with them."

"Sandra, I get it," I said, though I still partially couldn't believe she had actually made such a bet. It seemed so out of left field. "I do, but you can't let things like this get to you so easily. You've faced down abominations and risked your life. You fought in a war for heaven's sake, and at the end of the day, this Kai can't do a damn thing to you. Zirani has said as much."

"Don't be too harsh on her," Zirani said. "In truth, it is a stupid choice, but one she made and one I allowed it to happen because of my judgment in your ability to win this duel because that's what it is, a duel for her."

I glanced at Zirani and once again felt the lost queen's attention shift, though with the block up I couldn't sense any emotions or feelings. I checked my bond with Zirani and couldn't detect any problems though I couldn't help but feel as if something was off. It could just be paranoia but no reason not to check.

"Zirani we need to talk later, in private," I said mentally too which she nodded, and when she sent back a question I just sent back the word later and turned my full attention to Sandra. Best to check on her after Zirani, that is if I found anything, though what could affect Zirani?

Maybe I was just being paranoid. I was still going to check though. After what had happened with the hag, I was going to be more careful and not take chances when I could do something about it. That is if there was a problem at all.

Refocusing on Sandra, I sighed and shook my head. I hadn't expected this petty drama to have such an effect on Sandra, then again I couldn't have known as it was her first time dealing with something like this, at least as far as I knew.

"Please, don't do something like this again," I said, gazing directly into her eyes.

She smiled and nodded. "I know, and I won't, I'm sorry, Aiden."

"Apology accepted," I said. "Now tell me about this Pate, is he skilled and when is the fight?"

Zirani nodded. "The fight will take place in the central area of the plaza in four days. As for Pate, He is skilled and talented. We didn't see much of what he could do, but his affinities are dark and metal, an unusual combination, and not one you see too often. He is an efficient and simple fighter, not showy moves or wasting time. Every movement he took in the fight we saw was calculated and he is similar to you in that he has a mind for battle tactics. I can see why the main family has taken an interest in him."

"Main family?"

Zirani nodded. "It's the reason they would even agree to this. Pate is talented enough that if he did win, then he would actually be able to marry her, and the main family wouldn't just call it off or kill him and his family if they made too much noise about it."

"I see," I mused. "And this loyalty oath?"

"Well to put it simply, they would be my subordinates," Sandra said. "They would still be loyal first to the main family leaders, but they would have to do anything I said or commanded of them."

"Couldn't you have asked for something else?"

Sandra shrugged and leaned against my chest. "What else could I have asked for? I will have all the wealth I need once I make it back to my family and resources. Kai's family can offer me nothing of value except their loyalty."

"Speaking of loyalty."

Misty's voice sounded and we turned to see her standing in the doorway, with a smile on her face. Her smile faded when she noticed Sandra's wet cheeks and she immediately rushed over to sit beside the dark-haired arcanist. "What happened?"

"You explain," Sandra told me.

Misty moved her gaze to me so I explained everything Sanda had told me. When I was done the blonde looked sympathetic but also angry, though, at the mention of four days and the fight taking place in the shared area, she seemed amused.

"I also have a fight in four days," Misty said. 'At the shared area, with one of the Red Ribbons."

"You do?" I questioned. "Why, did you get into with them?"

"Just one," she replied. "All but her were friendly and I got to speak to their leader."

"You gonna join them?" Sandra asked, and it was obvious she wanted to hear no. So did I, but I also knew that this was Misty's choice, and as long as we remained together then I could separate from her for a time, though it pained me to think about.

"I don't know yet," Misty answered. "And if I do, it will be more as a half member, so that leaving will be easier because, at the end of the day, my place is with you. I love you Aiden."

Warmth blossomed in my chest as I gazed into her eyes. "I love you too."

Not even a year had passed and I already had such close relationships.

Zirani suddenly got to her feet and placed her hands on her hips. "Four days, I think that's plenty of time to get some training in and to prepare."

I glanced to Misty who shrugged. "I'm fine with that."

"So am I," I said.

"Oh, Zirani I wanted to ask you something," Misty said. "When I was speaking to the leader of the Red ribbons, she spoke about cutting bonds temporarily."

My gaze shot towards her and she quickly added, "I'm not saying I'm going to. She simply asked if I would be willing, but I don't know how it works or anything about it."

I breathed a sigh of relief,

"It's not that complicated," Zirani said. "There are different ways you can do it. You could create a solid block that would essentially nullify all aspects of the bonds. It would still be there, but you wouldn't be able to sense or feel anything from the other person. There are techniques that cut the bond, but in a way that allows it to be put back together very easily. That's what she most likely meant. It makes sense that she wouldn't want you to have a bond with someone outside of the group while you were in it."

Misty nodded. "I see."

After a bit more talking we ended up ordering some food, which was just as amazing as the meal had been yesterday. As we ate, I thought about both Sandra and Misty and how things were changing. We hadn't even reached the lands beyond the scar, but Sandra was already in some maneuvering of sorts, and Misty was thinking of joining a vampire group, not that I blamed her for it. I had been able to note the hesitance and sadness she felt whenever she thought of cutting the bond, even temporarily. I knew she didn't want to leave just as much as I don't want her to leave.

One thing was for certain though, I would beat Pate, and help Misty how I could because I had a feeling that once we reached the lands beyond the scar, we would part ways for a time, and I would enter the green court to deal with whatever problems and challenges came my way.

I loved both of them, but I also knew that they had their own paths and that until we were strong enough, there would be times we would have to separate.

It was painful to think of, but also true.