Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) - Chapter 50: Chapter 50
You are reading Bird of a Flock (Bow 2), Chapter 50: Chapter 50. Read more chapters of Bird of a Flock (Bow 2).
Ryraso knew the truth now. Nel'os shivered as he walked through the gardens, hiding from nobles determined to find out about his personal life. People were asking questions, and Nel'os did not enjoy being the triad's spokesman for this. Not for the nobles, not for the castle servants for anyone else had come to try to wriggle the truth out of him.
The Winglady had sent some of her courtiers to try to get the gossip. A worrying prospect if the girls wanted in on the action. The Winglady was not usually so forward. She was mostly content to rule over the female conclave and not interfere with Tai-ray's domain. From her message, however, she desired more from them and was growing tired with not being kept in the loop about matters. They would have to introduce Ryraso and Eyeri officially to her and soon.
Still, the Winglady getting impatient or possibly flat out curious was the least of Nel'os' concerns at that moment. Ryraso knew the truth, and he was angry with them, with all of them. Nel'os could sense some of it was anger at himself for not having guessed the Royals hadn't had the fairytale courtship everyone believed but... They were in love now. There were no signs on the surface that anything much darker had happened. The only crack in their armour was the fact they would have to tell anyone they bonded with the truth.
Ryraso now knew, and if he wanted to, he could ruin them. As much as Nel'os didn't want to think of Ryraso as someone who would, it didn't change facts. Ryraso was dangerous, and if Ryraso reacted like this, there was nothing to stop others from doing so too. Or far more likely, reacting worse.
Could they truly trust anyone with such a secret? Could Cai'ress? Nel'os bit his lip and leant against a stone wall as he considered it. Cai'ress's family had trained the man to be a submissive noble, taught to overlook things and obey the head of this nest without question. But there was still a chance, and that was possibly far too dangerous. If Cai'ress found out and rejected them, the nobles would know something was occurring. Cai'ress had been loyal for five years; he had put in for the long haul.
If they could not trust anyone, their nest would have to remain just the four of them. A small nest indeed, tiny compared to most Winglord's past and for most nobles too. It would all be Nel'os' fault also. He had cursed the entire nest the day he starting drugging and blackmailing Tai'ray. Or possibly the moment he refused to give Tai'ray a chance, or the moment he simply said no to the former Winglord.
He had cursed them all.
Not that the 'if's mattered now. The events had happened, and now it was time to deal with the cards fate had dealt. Their bark was worse than their bite. Even if it meant leaving Cai'ress, they could make things fall in their favour. Three mates, while a small nest, was a fine number. People would assume Ryraso wasn't ready for more mates. Many humans struggled with it. Not to mention, Tai'ray had already made it clear he didn't want a harem of political hostages as consorts. It would just be another thing that set them about from other Winglords. The commoners wouldn't blink an eye.
Didn't stop Nel'os heart from hurting. He loved Cai'ress. He didn't want to let him go. Nel'os wanted Cai'ress by his side while he did his duties. But Tai'ray wouldn't look at him. Cai'ress' first impression had not impressed Ryraso either. Dyn'ad had feelings for Cai'ress too, but the ones he had for Ryraso were bigger than the ones for Cai'ress. If a decision between the two appeared, Dyn'ad would pick Ryraso. In that respect, maybe it would be kinder to let Cai'ress go and find people who could truly love him.
He didn't want to do that.
"You should have stayed at home and rested more," a familiar voice growled nearby, forcing Nel'os back into the real world. He was still alone, but he could hear O'cheter around the corner. "I would have been home soon."
"O'cheter," Herymi's voice said sternly, the tone making Nel'os smile as he wiped a tear from his cheek. It sounded almost like Ryraso. "I wasn't just going to sit around on my own all day. There is nothing even to do there," he complained. "I figured I was better off hanging out around here. The Royals have given me access to pretty much everything."
"Your back is hurting," O'cheter's voice dropped slightly. Not so much darker as lower and with more purpose. He was trying to be reasonable with the other warrior, and Nel'os' smile turned sadder. He doubted that was the way to go with someone like Herymi.
"I'll be careful," Herymi promised, sounding sincere.
"I've heard that before," O'cheter said, sounding defeated. Nel'os' chest started to ache again. He peeked behind the corner just in time to see Herymi wrap his arms around O'cheter's shoulders from behind. O'cheter's wings moved to wrap around Herymi, and after a moment, O'cheter shifted and spun the human around to his front. Strong arms picked Herymi up and sat him on a stone railing beside them. O'cheter kissed the man passionately, hand clutching Herymi's thick thighs.
There was a split moment of hesitation before Herymi kissed back, hands tangling in O'cheter's hair and his body moulding against O'cheter's.
Nel'os grinned, ducking back before they could spot him. At least Herymi appeared to be coming around the idea that O'cheter and his nest wanted him as a mate and not as a friend. Not to mention, the view of two alpha males kissing like that sparked things inside of Nel'os.
"Enjoying yourself?" Tai'ray sent over the link with an emotion of amusement.
"I wish," Nel'os purred, sending a visual image before superimposing Dyn'ad and Tai'ray's faces on the men. He let his desire grow with the idea of getting to watch his men have fun with each other. "Don't suppose you're free for some quick playtime?"
"I wish, but not currently. Maybe in an hour?" Tai'ray offered. "Dyn'ad's busy, but we could certainly have some fun."
"Certainly," Nel'os agreed with a silent promise that he would join Tai'ray the moment he let him know he was free. Between Ryraso not ready for more and sleeping with the younglings nearby, frustration was starting to build in Nel'os. Tai'ray caressed his mind before leaving him alone again.
"O'cheter," Herymi breathed, his tone making Nel'os shiver. There was no mistaking the desire, the heat. "We should stop now."
"We should," O'cheter agreed sadly but was followed by the sounds of another passionate kiss.
"Probably shouldn't have started if you weren't going to finish," Nel'os teased, finally walking around the corner and revealing his presence. O'cheter flushed, parting from Herymi fast but Herymi only laughed, one hand gripping his mate's shoulder. "Good to see you two have some fire between you," Nel'os winked as he walked towards them. Herymi pushed off the railing and leant against O'cheter grinning at Nel'os.
"Some, certainly," Herymi purred, and O'chuter only went redder.
Nel'os smirked. Herymi was a veteran at this kind of talk now. He had dealt with the ranks of bored horny young men for years. O'cheter was still a small-town boy by comparison. "How are you doing?" he asked with a touch more kindness in his voice.
Herymi shrugged, wincing as his skin pulled tight. "Skin's sore and a little tight, but not too bad," he commented. "I need to know about the rest of the punishment?"
"The whipping for trying to keep a youngling alive," O'cheter clarified darkly, eyes showing how unhappy he was about that. Herymi's eyes flashed to O'cheuter's face before looking back at Nel'os with a nervous smile. Herymi agreed with the sentiment even if he didn't say the words.
Nel'os could respect that. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about the upcoming whippings, but it was out of their hands now. The link expected it. "I know you don't like it, but we can hardly go back on that," Nel'os said softly. "It has to happen now. The whipping's a formality more than anything because you fought, Herymi. Good reason or not," Nel'os tried to explain. "You fought against the link so we must punish you. Whether we want to do it or not."
O'cheter and Herymi winced, knowing that tone. O'cheter pose shifted from protective to more open as he remembered the Royals had their own chosen to punish. "Who is going to whip Ryraso?" Herymi asked gently.
"Tai'ray. He has to as the leader of the k'nairi. I wish he didn't have to. There are so many things holding us all back from being together... This will only add to them," Nel'os mourned. "More has come out." He didn't trust them to know the full details; however, these two more than others could understand their situation. Aspects were different, but the emotions were damn similar.
"Maybe that's a good thing that you know now," Herymi commented gently. "After all, before a wound can heal all the infection needs to be out. Most of the problems which have occurred have been due to lack of communication between everyone," he said sagely, resting a hand on O'cheter's chest as the man was suddenly unable to look at him. O'cheter lifted his hand and covered Herymi's, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.
Nel'os smiled fondly at the two, but the unhappiness in his eyes was easy to see. "Maybe there is too much infection for it to work out,"
"Don't give up now," O'cheter commented with a touch of fire in his voice despite his current look. "If your nest was anything like mine, we thought we would never get another chance to court, Herymi. So just be thankful Ryraso's here. You have a chance; you just have to take it."
"And stop pissing him off" Herymi added, "Just, have a bit of faith in him."
Nel'os resisted the urge to laugh at the words. "Certainly we have to stop that," he agreed. O'cheter and Herymi didn't know the Goddess had marked Ryraso. They didn't know for all intents and purposes, Ryraso was now theirs. It wasn't an 'if' they bonded; it was a when. He paused and looked at Herymi again, the man looking slightly awkward. "I wish Herymi I had better information to give you," he said. "It will be a few days yet until it occurs. I think it is safe to say you can have sex now. After all, the mark is on your back, admittedly in a different way than planned. You have your collar. The whipping is a separate thing."
"Not quite why I wanted to know, but thank you for telling me," Herymi said dryly.
The Winglady had sent some of her courtiers to try to get the gossip. A worrying prospect if the girls wanted in on the action. The Winglady was not usually so forward. She was mostly content to rule over the female conclave and not interfere with Tai-ray's domain. From her message, however, she desired more from them and was growing tired with not being kept in the loop about matters. They would have to introduce Ryraso and Eyeri officially to her and soon.
Still, the Winglady getting impatient or possibly flat out curious was the least of Nel'os' concerns at that moment. Ryraso knew the truth, and he was angry with them, with all of them. Nel'os could sense some of it was anger at himself for not having guessed the Royals hadn't had the fairytale courtship everyone believed but... They were in love now. There were no signs on the surface that anything much darker had happened. The only crack in their armour was the fact they would have to tell anyone they bonded with the truth.
Ryraso now knew, and if he wanted to, he could ruin them. As much as Nel'os didn't want to think of Ryraso as someone who would, it didn't change facts. Ryraso was dangerous, and if Ryraso reacted like this, there was nothing to stop others from doing so too. Or far more likely, reacting worse.
Could they truly trust anyone with such a secret? Could Cai'ress? Nel'os bit his lip and leant against a stone wall as he considered it. Cai'ress's family had trained the man to be a submissive noble, taught to overlook things and obey the head of this nest without question. But there was still a chance, and that was possibly far too dangerous. If Cai'ress found out and rejected them, the nobles would know something was occurring. Cai'ress had been loyal for five years; he had put in for the long haul.
If they could not trust anyone, their nest would have to remain just the four of them. A small nest indeed, tiny compared to most Winglord's past and for most nobles too. It would all be Nel'os' fault also. He had cursed the entire nest the day he starting drugging and blackmailing Tai'ray. Or possibly the moment he refused to give Tai'ray a chance, or the moment he simply said no to the former Winglord.
He had cursed them all.
Not that the 'if's mattered now. The events had happened, and now it was time to deal with the cards fate had dealt. Their bark was worse than their bite. Even if it meant leaving Cai'ress, they could make things fall in their favour. Three mates, while a small nest, was a fine number. People would assume Ryraso wasn't ready for more mates. Many humans struggled with it. Not to mention, Tai'ray had already made it clear he didn't want a harem of political hostages as consorts. It would just be another thing that set them about from other Winglords. The commoners wouldn't blink an eye.
Didn't stop Nel'os heart from hurting. He loved Cai'ress. He didn't want to let him go. Nel'os wanted Cai'ress by his side while he did his duties. But Tai'ray wouldn't look at him. Cai'ress' first impression had not impressed Ryraso either. Dyn'ad had feelings for Cai'ress too, but the ones he had for Ryraso were bigger than the ones for Cai'ress. If a decision between the two appeared, Dyn'ad would pick Ryraso. In that respect, maybe it would be kinder to let Cai'ress go and find people who could truly love him.
He didn't want to do that.
"You should have stayed at home and rested more," a familiar voice growled nearby, forcing Nel'os back into the real world. He was still alone, but he could hear O'cheter around the corner. "I would have been home soon."
"O'cheter," Herymi's voice said sternly, the tone making Nel'os smile as he wiped a tear from his cheek. It sounded almost like Ryraso. "I wasn't just going to sit around on my own all day. There is nothing even to do there," he complained. "I figured I was better off hanging out around here. The Royals have given me access to pretty much everything."
"Your back is hurting," O'cheter's voice dropped slightly. Not so much darker as lower and with more purpose. He was trying to be reasonable with the other warrior, and Nel'os' smile turned sadder. He doubted that was the way to go with someone like Herymi.
"I'll be careful," Herymi promised, sounding sincere.
"I've heard that before," O'cheter said, sounding defeated. Nel'os' chest started to ache again. He peeked behind the corner just in time to see Herymi wrap his arms around O'cheter's shoulders from behind. O'cheter's wings moved to wrap around Herymi, and after a moment, O'cheter shifted and spun the human around to his front. Strong arms picked Herymi up and sat him on a stone railing beside them. O'cheter kissed the man passionately, hand clutching Herymi's thick thighs.
There was a split moment of hesitation before Herymi kissed back, hands tangling in O'cheter's hair and his body moulding against O'cheter's.
Nel'os grinned, ducking back before they could spot him. At least Herymi appeared to be coming around the idea that O'cheter and his nest wanted him as a mate and not as a friend. Not to mention, the view of two alpha males kissing like that sparked things inside of Nel'os.
"Enjoying yourself?" Tai'ray sent over the link with an emotion of amusement.
"I wish," Nel'os purred, sending a visual image before superimposing Dyn'ad and Tai'ray's faces on the men. He let his desire grow with the idea of getting to watch his men have fun with each other. "Don't suppose you're free for some quick playtime?"
"I wish, but not currently. Maybe in an hour?" Tai'ray offered. "Dyn'ad's busy, but we could certainly have some fun."
"Certainly," Nel'os agreed with a silent promise that he would join Tai'ray the moment he let him know he was free. Between Ryraso not ready for more and sleeping with the younglings nearby, frustration was starting to build in Nel'os. Tai'ray caressed his mind before leaving him alone again.
"O'cheter," Herymi breathed, his tone making Nel'os shiver. There was no mistaking the desire, the heat. "We should stop now."
"We should," O'cheter agreed sadly but was followed by the sounds of another passionate kiss.
"Probably shouldn't have started if you weren't going to finish," Nel'os teased, finally walking around the corner and revealing his presence. O'cheter flushed, parting from Herymi fast but Herymi only laughed, one hand gripping his mate's shoulder. "Good to see you two have some fire between you," Nel'os winked as he walked towards them. Herymi pushed off the railing and leant against O'cheter grinning at Nel'os.
"Some, certainly," Herymi purred, and O'chuter only went redder.
Nel'os smirked. Herymi was a veteran at this kind of talk now. He had dealt with the ranks of bored horny young men for years. O'cheter was still a small-town boy by comparison. "How are you doing?" he asked with a touch more kindness in his voice.
Herymi shrugged, wincing as his skin pulled tight. "Skin's sore and a little tight, but not too bad," he commented. "I need to know about the rest of the punishment?"
"The whipping for trying to keep a youngling alive," O'cheter clarified darkly, eyes showing how unhappy he was about that. Herymi's eyes flashed to O'cheuter's face before looking back at Nel'os with a nervous smile. Herymi agreed with the sentiment even if he didn't say the words.
Nel'os could respect that. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about the upcoming whippings, but it was out of their hands now. The link expected it. "I know you don't like it, but we can hardly go back on that," Nel'os said softly. "It has to happen now. The whipping's a formality more than anything because you fought, Herymi. Good reason or not," Nel'os tried to explain. "You fought against the link so we must punish you. Whether we want to do it or not."
O'cheter and Herymi winced, knowing that tone. O'cheter pose shifted from protective to more open as he remembered the Royals had their own chosen to punish. "Who is going to whip Ryraso?" Herymi asked gently.
"Tai'ray. He has to as the leader of the k'nairi. I wish he didn't have to. There are so many things holding us all back from being together... This will only add to them," Nel'os mourned. "More has come out." He didn't trust them to know the full details; however, these two more than others could understand their situation. Aspects were different, but the emotions were damn similar.
"Maybe that's a good thing that you know now," Herymi commented gently. "After all, before a wound can heal all the infection needs to be out. Most of the problems which have occurred have been due to lack of communication between everyone," he said sagely, resting a hand on O'cheter's chest as the man was suddenly unable to look at him. O'cheter lifted his hand and covered Herymi's, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.
Nel'os smiled fondly at the two, but the unhappiness in his eyes was easy to see. "Maybe there is too much infection for it to work out,"
"Don't give up now," O'cheter commented with a touch of fire in his voice despite his current look. "If your nest was anything like mine, we thought we would never get another chance to court, Herymi. So just be thankful Ryraso's here. You have a chance; you just have to take it."
"And stop pissing him off" Herymi added, "Just, have a bit of faith in him."
Nel'os resisted the urge to laugh at the words. "Certainly we have to stop that," he agreed. O'cheter and Herymi didn't know the Goddess had marked Ryraso. They didn't know for all intents and purposes, Ryraso was now theirs. It wasn't an 'if' they bonded; it was a when. He paused and looked at Herymi again, the man looking slightly awkward. "I wish Herymi I had better information to give you," he said. "It will be a few days yet until it occurs. I think it is safe to say you can have sex now. After all, the mark is on your back, admittedly in a different way than planned. You have your collar. The whipping is a separate thing."
"Not quite why I wanted to know, but thank you for telling me," Herymi said dryly.
End of Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) Chapter 50. Continue reading Chapter 51 or return to Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) book page.