:: Syrath POV ::
The moment we entered the room I knew something was wrong. Orion and Nuri sensed it too and tactfully didn't comment. I only had to look at my brother's pained face and gaze at Quinn's tear-stained one, to deduce what could have transpired between them.
I moved to stand beside Quinn, ignoring everyone in the room. If this recent episode pushes her back to a state of depression I swear I'll kill Raziel.
"What happened?" I asked slowly, gauging her mental and emotional state. Quinn silently shook her head and I let it go. It's not the time to push for answers.
Quinn looked over at Raziel. I watched as they exchange a brief meaningful look before Raziel recovered his composed mask and pasted it back on his stupid face. Raziel deliberately turned to address Orion and pretended not to see the inquiring look on Quinn's face. Idiot! I wanted to hit the back of his head, honestly. What does Raziel think he's doing? He's sending Quinn mixed signals. And from the look on Quinn's face those signals are confusing the hell out of her.
Quinn sighed and rubbed her temples. Yeah, if I were her I'd have a headache too. Quinn looked like she needed to be alone. And perhaps some space to think would be good for her. Quinn is smart, she'll figure this out. I hope so, at least. If my brother wasn't such an idiot maybe they could figure it out together.
"I think I'm going to lay down for a while." She said after a pause.
"Of course," I replied knowingly. "You know that if you need anything, all you have to do is say it, right?"
I looked deep into her exotic green eyes, trying to find some clue as to what she's currently thinking. I wanted to see if I could figure out what she'll do about this latest development with Raziel. But for the first time, since I met her, I couldn't read Quinn.
She nodded once and gave me a slight smile before turning to walk towards Raziel's bedroom. I watched her retreating back until she disappeared inside and closed the door. When I was sure she was safely inside, I turned to Raziel and grabbed a fistful of his shirt.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I growled in dragon language.
Raziel didn't respond. He didn't even put up a fight. But something familiar flickered in his eyes and the mask of indifference crumbled for a second. My hands unconsciously loosened its hold and Raziel gently shook it off.
My brother is in pain. I've seen that look on Raziel's face before, once. The day he suddenly lost the resonance of the mating call, when Quinn entered the barrier of Saints' Isle. The day he plunged, head first, to self-destruction.
What the hell happened? I left them alone with the belief that they'd use the time to talk. But instead of working things out, it appears like they built a thick wall in between them instead. How in the world did they manage to do that in such a short amount of time?
I know my brother. Something must have triggered this reaction. Raziel is not the type who will easily let go, especially not someone who meant something to him.
I admit, I've been intentionally baiting him earlier. Raziel seemed to have this stupid idea of sacrificing himself without realizing it's a sure way to hurt not only himself but Quinn as well. Really, my brother is fucking hopeless!
"Raziel," I started.
He just shrugged and shook his head. "Leave it alone Sy…"
I can't. I don't want to. Something happened between the two of them and I intend to know what it is. Quinn looked like the fate of the world was hanging on her thin shoulders while Raziel looks like he doesn't care whether tomorrow comes or not. If that's not enough, my brother is possessed with finding whoever it is that's hunting Quinn and wipe them off the face of the earth. From what Orion hinted earlier, it seems he already has an idea as to who those people are. The question is, will he tell us before my brother loses his mind and what should I do in order to control Raziel when he finds out?
I rubbed my temples. I could feel a major headache coming. We have so many issues piling up it feels like every time we try to solve something the problem multiplies and we end up feeling like we've accomplished nothing. It's like running around in circles with no particular start and end point.
Now that Raziel is emotionally unstable and Quinn is in delicate condition, it's up to me to keep them in line. I have to protect them, especially from themselves. Gads! Sometimes I hate being the sensible one.
:: Nuri POV ::
My father is plotting something and from the look of sickening glee on his face, I could easily guess what it is. He's up to his usual tricks and mischief, again! It doesn't take a genius to know he's planning to do something about the situation between the Dragon Lords and Quinn. I just hope he does more good than harm. From the looks of these three, they'd need all the help they could get. Honestly, I have never seen such a miserable bunch of people before!
Quinn is like a sister to me. We haven't known each other for very long but it's not hard to love her. It's a tragedy that someone as pure as her could not catch a single break in her life. Forget about abandoning her old life and erasing the memories of her parents, Quinn can't even feel safe on her own skin.
Quinn doesn't know who she really is or what she's capable of. If my reading is correct, there'll be new additions to the list of people she'd need to protect in the near future. I hope she'll be up for the challenge and won't crumble under the pressure, for her sake and theirs.
Maybe, in this instance, my father is right to meddle. Quinn would need someone who'll support and take care of her. Soon she won't be able to stand up on her own. She would need to draw strength from someone else in order to survive.
I have nothing against Raziel. If anything, I understand where he's coming from. I know both my father and his brother are a tad disappointed in him. But personally, I think his initial rejection of Quinn was warranted.
Personally, as a pure bred dragon, I have nothing against interracial mating. With a father like mine, I grew up in an environment where I don't discriminate or find fault with people because of their breed or race. We're not in the dark ages. The time has long passed when supernatural breeds are separated by power, class and consequence.
But I also understand that it's hard to suddenly switch sides. To alter one's views and perspective, to be forced into something you don't consider normal is a challenge. It's hard to stray from the path that has been drilled into you your whole life.
What my father and his brother lack is perspective. They're too close to see that this whole situation is not only hard on Quinn but on Raziel as well. I think it's tougher for Raziel because his status requires, no, it demands for him to follow the norm. It is expected of him. It's in his blood and nothing could fault him for it. From the vibe I'm feeling that's emanating from his body I could tell that Raziel finally found a firm resolution. And nobody, not even his beliefs or upbringing, would be able to shake him from it.
Syrath Rheinalt is the one I have a problem with. His strong tendency to solve everyone's problems, when he can't even take care of himself, is grating on my nerves. He's the epitome of someone I detest. Syrath falsely believes that he's strong enough to support and guide others. In truth he's too weak to accept that people might not need him to take care of them.
Like my errant father, Syrath is too meddlesome. But at least my father knows his boundaries. Syrath has to learn how and when to draw the line. Someone has to protect others from his coddling ways and someone has to protect him from himself.
:: Orion POV ::
I tried hard not to laugh. I don't think the Dragon Lords would like it if one of their elders laughed at the predicament they're currently facing but the situation is quite amusing. Who would have thought that a half-blood fae, with an unknown origin, would cause so much havoc between two brothers, whom the supernatural world thought to be inseparable? Surely not me!
The first time I met Quinn I knew there was something special about her. Her physical beauty captivated me, for sure, but there was more to her than just her otherworldly good looks.
Quinn is honest to a fault. She could have kept the threat to her life a secret after I hired her as the club manager. I wouldn't have known of it until those people started looking for her. But she didn't. Quinn entrusted me with a part of her past and I was humbled by her show of faith. From that point on, I made it my personal duty to ensure her safety and future.
Raziel Rheinalt was a pleasant surprise. When we found out that the Dragon Lord is Quinn's true mate all of us were skeptical. We believed Raziel's rejection was imminent. But as days and months passed by, I started to realize there is another reason for Raziel's entranced state, other than what we originally thought.
There is no denying the powerful connection between the two. Together, what they could accomplish would be limitless. And if they go down the rare path, where not many are brave enough to tread, even the fate of this world could be shaken from its core.
It didn't come as a shock to me when I noticed that Syrath was developing feelings for Quinn. I have no doubt that he loves her, truly. But I doubt Syrath realizes the depth of his own feelings.
If someone like Quinn mated with Syrath, Syrath would, no doubt, be a force to be reckoned with in the future. He is destined to be an elder. Syrath would, indeed, surpass us all in knowledge and power. And if Quinn is thrown, as an added bonus into the picture, they would create a future even I would not be able to predict.
I've lived long enough. I've seen this scenario more than a dozen times. Brothers falling in love with the same person, one can't seem to stop hurting the person he loves and the other is always ready to give comfort and console the other party. Of course each person reacts differently due to circumstance but in the end there are only two ways on how this would all end. And more often, it sways in the favor of the one who shows unfathomable love and affection.
But whomever Quinn chose will not matter in the grand scheme of things. Quinn is destined for a higher calling, more than any of us realized.
I sighed heavily and looked over at my daughter. My only child, how naive! Nuri's feelings are another complication in this play of comedy and tragedy. I doubt anyone has noticed where or to who her gaze is fixed to at the moment. I doubt she realizes it herself. If this situation plays out like I fear it would, Nuri is in for a major heartache. As a father, it pains me to know there is nothing I could do to protect her from it.
Ah, children! They all grow up so fast. This old bag of bones is feeling a little left out. Perhaps I could persuade Nile to have another dragonling. I mentally patted myself on the back and allowed a shadow of a smile to show on my worn face. This is the best idea I've had in decades! Just the thought of my wife's pliant body is enough to make me hot and pleasantly bothered.
But now is not the time to think of these beautiful possibilities. I have a fae who needs to be told of her grand lineage, two Dragon Lords to appease and a daughter to look after. Sometimes I wonder why fate dealt me with such tricky hands. But I am thankful just the same. At least my life is never boring!