Bird of a Nest - Chapter 37: 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.
"The D'mar aren't known for being kind or just, Dyn'ad. They have given the k'nairi a terrible reputation. One that I am painfully aware off with my position. I had to read and catalogue the books the Sparrows had on them. The publications containing information on us for the Namya troops. I understand much of it is propaganda, but we hear it from people from the war too. Not to mention, we all know about the Winglord's reputation for being a berserker." The words spilled from Mos'it's mouth almost uncontrollably, and it was only after he acknowledged the thing none of them spoke about that he managed to cut himself off.
"And how we treat Eyeri, Fetmar, Zaro, Herymi and the rest under our care suggests that we will turn as dark as Winglord Mon'tarar?"
"You did threaten to send Fetmar to Fiant if he did not comply," Tai'hon noted, playing with her hair. "Or rather the Winglord did. Zaro was saved from that nightmare of a place because Ryraso fought for him."
Dyn'ad was silent for a moment. Threatening to send two people to a place know for giving painful deaths to the souls sent there would darken their image. He could acknowledge that. "Tai'ray's mind is healing. Most of the propaganda is only that. Stories made up to make us sound scarier than we are. Some of them we drummed up to be feared more. Others were spread by the Namya. The humans don't consider us monsters as much as those books suggested."
Mos'it looked down. Dyn'ad's words didn't reassured him. Gar'kin averted his glaze too. It didn't sit right in Dyn'ad's chest. The k'nairi had always been a proud race, but it seemed the rumours they were monsters was starting to bother people.
"If you wish to continue teaching, you will keep any suggestions that the D'mar are cruel and dark to yourself, Mos'it," Dyn'ad commanded. "Or we will confine you to your rooms."
"And you're not like him?"
"It will be for being a danger to the war effort, not for being a former consort," Dyn'ad pressed, reaching forward to raise Mos'it's chin. "It will have nothing to do with that. We allow Fetmar to teach because the warriors and guards watch him closely during the lessons. If he tried to promote the Namya ideals, the warriors would stop him. We can do the same thing to you if need be. I repeat, we have no intention of being Winglord Mon'tarar. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Royal Bonded Dyn'ad," came reluctantly from the former consorts but Dyn'ad could tell this was not over yet. He would need to check that the commoners did not have similar concerns and worries. The k'nairi rarely left their lands other than for the war now, but that wouldn't last forever. The k'nairi considered themselves better than humans, that was true, but there was a difference between being respected and feared as monsters.
"And the concubine position?" Ang'as dared to ask.
Dyn'ad reached into the feathers he was hiding in and pulled him out of Gar'kin's grip. Kissing the side of Ang'as' face, he looked the man in his eyes. "If anyone tries anything Ang and I mean anything. If they even whisper that word to you, tell us, and we will deal with it," Dyn'ad promised with a determined edge to his words.
"You promised you would never bring it back,"
"If there was another option, we would have taken it. As it, naming Cai'ress as a prisoner would leave him open for attack from the same parties who put him here. Naming him as consort would require Fetmar and Eyeri to suffer from the restrictions that we would have to put in place. Concubine has historical clout. This is not meant to hurt you, Ang'as. It's meant to protect everyone else."
"And I'm the only one at risk," Ang'as acknowledged with a defeated tone.
Dyn'ad hugged him tight, tucking him under his chin. "You're not a risk. You are apart of our circle, and anyone who touches you will suffer for it."
"From more than just the Royals," Tai'hon added. "We are not as defenceless as we once were. If the Royals genuinely have no desire to be like him, then we still safe."
"And if someone tries," Ang'as swallowed. "You'll punish them in the same as if they tried on Cai'ress?"
"We'll do worse. You're not a current concubine. You should be free of it all," Dyn'ad repeated, his stomach sinking at the knowledge that Ang'as was expecting someone to try to force him into bed. "Are you expecting someone too?" he questioned, brows furrowed and looking at Gar'kin. The man was usually the one to update them on Ang'as' troubles when Ang'as wasn't brave enough to tell them. Gar'kin shrugged helplessly not knowing what was prompting this from Ang'as.
"No one in particular. But between being slapped and some of the more pointed comments recently, I can't help but feel like things are getting worse again. Now with this?" Ang'as leant against Dyn'ad in defeat and Dyn'ad rocked him as if he was Nel'os for a moment. "It wouldn't surprise me," he whispered so quiet that Dyn'ad wasn't sure for a moment that he had heard the words.
Dyn'ad kissed his hair again. Ang'as was not his mate. Ang'as was his friend. He cared about the man, but again, his priorities were to his nest first. It didn't stop Dyn'ad wishing he could keep the man safe from this all. The protective side of him that was just as bad as Ryraso's instincts to protect anyone in need. "The first word, Ang. Not the second, or the third. The first word," he stressed.
"Please," added Mos'it. "We can't keep you safe if you don't tell us what is happening,"
"I will," Ang'as whispered. "I promise."
"I want more than that," Dyn'ad snorted. "Ang..."
Ang'as twisted in his hold and looked up at Dyn'ad. "Dyn'ad, it will be fine. As you said, I'm not a current. It might not happen."
"And if it does?"
"I will tell you," There was a cough from Tai'hon. Ang'as glared at her a moment but slumped again and looked up at Dyn'ad. "I give you my word, Royal Bonded, I will tell you if someone tries to mistreat me for being a former concubine or the rumours that spread because of it." Ang'as added the second cause as the former consorts all coughed again. The consorts not about to let him put a loophole in his oath.
Dyn'ad inwardly smirked at them. It would be improper to do so outwardly with such a serious matter, but the formers were looking out for each other, and that was a relief. Gar'kin was the only one with mates and other responsibilities. Dyn'ad could rely on Tai'hon and Mos'it to keep an eye on Ang'as and his tormentors.
"With that statement," Captain Par'nast interrupted, making them all jump. They hadn't noticed him standing near them. "I would like to add that if you feel unable to tell the Royals, you can tell me. I am aware the last few occurrences were dealt with quickly but I dislike learning that you have been harmed from the gossip mill. The guards are here to protect you to the same level as the Royal family. We cannot do so if you do not inform us of any dangers."
"Yes, Captain Par'nast," Ang'as blushed. "I'll remember to inform you in future."
"Excellent. Would you like me to assign guards to Ang'as' wing for the next few weeks, Royal Bonded?"
"I think that would be a good idea. Not forever, but a few weeks won't hurt," Dyn'ad replied, in part to Ang'as as he went to protest. Ang'as bit his lip and nodded in agreement, cheeks bright red.
"I shall make the arrangements," Captain Par'nast bowed before turning and leaving them. No one else was left in the room and Dyn'ad was ashamed by the fact he hadn't noticed the Captain of the Guard listening in on their conversation.
"Right," Dyn'ad nodded. "Are the rest of you ok? Do you want us to move you closer to the Royal Quarters, or are you content with your current rooms?"
"Content isn't the word I'd use but..." Tai'hon sniffed, never happy with her rooms to Dyn'ad knowledge. He smiled that time, pleased to see the consort's more natural personality coming again now that she knew the Royal Triad hadn't turned dark from the war.
"I'd like to move into the same wing as Ang'as," Mos'it said, with a distinct tone of having decided that fact on the spot. Mos'it currently lived next to the library, Dyn'ad remembered. Ang'as was alone in his wing. It would be safer if he had company.
"We can arrange that," Dyn'ad nodded, approving of the idea considerably. A whisper of agreement from Tai'ray and Nel'os came through the link. That situation not resolved, but the news Ang'as wasn't going to be alone for a while was one thing of their minds for now.
"Not the worst idea," Tai'hon nodded. Her own room nearer the noble quarters. She had moved there when she had taken up having lovers as compansions. It had been easier for her than dealing with the guards questioning her companions every time she returned in the night. "The north room is still vacant?" she checked, looking at Ang'as.
"Guys, you don't need to move back into the wing," Ang'as tried to reassure but failed significantly as his wings started pressing against Dyn'ad and Mos'it looking for comfort and reassurance he was safe.
"Don't be silly," Tai'hon waved her hand. "I have no lover at the moment. I would much rather stay near friends than on my own."
Dyn'ad met Gar'kin eyes, a doze of helplessness in them. Dyn'ad almost felt sorry for the man. He could see Gar'kin wanted to as well, but Dyn'ad was also very much aware of how the man's nest felt about Ang'as. Gar'kin had made his choice. "We can save Tai'hon's room for when she wants it back," he stated. "I'll make sure the servants are aware of the changes."