Keldin paced the length of the King's room as he waited on word from his brother. The recovery team had been gone for over two hours and there hadn't been any word. His brother promised to tell him when they were leaving and when they had Skander but he hadn't heard a word from Austin.
Clint was sitting at his desk watching him pace. He knew the King was as equally annoyed that he hadn't heard anything because it was his wife that was out there as a member of the recovery team. If he wasn't calm all the time, Keldin would assume he would be the one pacing.
The door to the room slammed open as Skander flew into his arms. He held Keldin tightly as he began to shake uncontrollably. Deuce followed and placed Aiden on her bed. The Queen was pale but she was smiling. Clint leaned over her and smiled then ruffled her hair despite his annoyance.
Wyatt was helped into the room. He scanned it briefly before he had Landen help him to the infirmary where he could rest without hurting anyone.
"Austin decided to improvise and use her to break the bonds. It tired them out. Her sight might be a little sensitive for the next few days. Wyatt is suffering worse than she is, but he won't say anything. Now, Skander, I need to take a look at you to make sure nothing else is hurt," Deuce said.
Slowly, Skander pulled himself free of Keldin and sat in one of the chairs. Deuce knelt in front of him and gently laid his hands on his belly. Keldin kept his gaze on Skander as the Healer worked on him. If he hadn't brought him into this lifestyle, he wouldn't be suffering like this.
"Quit thinking that way, Boss. He broke one's arm before he was even captured then he freed himself before they could kill him. The only thing that did hurt him was the ropes tied to his wrists and ankles. Other than that, he's fine," Deuce said as he finished healing Skander. "If anything, he's like Eric."
Eric had been strong, taking everything Keldin was and making it something important. If Skander was just like him, it meant he would do anything to help. Eric was liked by everyone, and from what he was watching, so was Skander. It made things easier on him. He didn't have to ask how everyone felt. He could see it on their faces.
As the Healer walked out of the room, Keldin stepped back a bit. He could feel Skander's hurt gaze on him but he didn't react. They didn't have to because Clint filled the silence with concern for his wife.
"Do I have to go with you to every meeting?" he asked. He stroked her hair but his hands were shaking. He was coming off the adrenaline that had overtaken him while they had waited to see what was going to come of the mission.
"No, this time it was Austin's idea," she replied.
"I'll shoot him in the morning once you've rested."
Aiden smiled then turned to look at them. "Skander, come here." He obeyed obediently and sat on the bed. "Do you understand what we meant by this world being no place for someone who couldn't hack it?"
Skander nodded. "Yeah, I get it. I shouldn't have left the compound without telling anyone. I was just bored and hungry. The kids were down for their nap and I didn't want to work. But on the one hand the training you gave me helped. Your brothers were right. My senses do flare now that I know what to look for."
"It's not just that, Skander," Clint added. He put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder and nodded when he didn't flinch away. "Once people begin to understand that bonded Golds and Silvers are ten times as strong than when they are un-bonded, rogues will start targeting the bondmates like you and me. I was a target when I became King but because of my strong bond, I was able to hold my own, just as you were. But with the bond comes responsibility. You have to make sure your mate is taken care of first before you."
"Keldin, take your bondmate to your room and rectify all the crap you've put him through," Aiden said.
Keldin's face clouded with annoyance. "What I put him through? What about what he's put me through? He left the building without telling me and got himself captured. He made me worry all this time about if he'd live or die."
Aiden watched the plant by the window climb up the wall as her friend's agitation grew. His aura was too bright for her to look at him so she looked up at Clint. He looked down at her and made her realize that's what he'd been feeling as well but his was more tamped down. She sighed.
"All right, I get it but I've done crazier stuff."
"Why do you think I'm cautious with the people I see as potential mates?"
"That's a low blow, Keldin," Skander whispered.
"Well, she deserved it and so do you. You don't get that I'm very cautious with things I do because of what I've seen happen to my family. I asked you to tell me what you were doing and all you did was walk away from that. I don't ask for much, and when I do, I expect you to listen to it. Not because it's for my own good, but for yours as well. I'm trying to protect what I love, and both of you walk all over that."
He threw his hands you in the air, exasperated. Aiden winced at the brightness of him and looked away. "Why am I talking to two brick walls for?"
Skander winced as the door slammed closed. Keldin had never been this angry before and he was scared to confront him on the things he knew were true. Keldin had only asked him to tell him where he was going and he clearly hadn't done that. But that didn't mean he had to take it out on the Queen. Angry on her behalf he jumped up and stormed out of the room.
Aiden blinked furiously at the door then started to laugh. Clint sank down on the bed and ran his fingers along her arm. This was the hell of a time to be laughing.
"Those two remind me of us," she said.
"Yes, but more volatile," he replied then knocked his forehead against hers. "Get some sleep, love. You'll have an entire day of berating by the Council tomorrow."
"Mmm, not when I tell them who broke out of prison."
Clint smiled then buried his face against the back of her neck. She was unpredictable but addictive. She knew what she was doing, and most of the time it was for the good of others. He couldn't help but love her more each time.
***
"Damn it, Keldin, will you wait!" Skander jumped and pushed the older, taller man to the wall with nothing but the momentum from his leap. He was lucky he didn't hurt them both. "I said wait."
"Why should I? So you could tell me to my face that you weren't going to listen to anything I asked?" he replied acidly.
"That's not it! Why don't you listen to me?"
"Because you didn't listen to me and could have been killed!"
Skander sucked in his cheeks with anger before he shoved himself on his tiptoes and kissed the other man. He wrapped his arms around him and fumbled for the door handle. When he heard the schnick that was obviously the door opening, he shoved it open and pushed Keldin through it.
Keldin was kind of shocked that the man leaning against him was able to push him anywhere but he was doing it. He was built like a kicker on a football team, and he had the power to fully prove it. Yet here was this little midget of a kid all but manhandling him into their room.
He was finally able to disengage himself from Skander, but the look on his face had the older man coming in for more.
Skander allowed himself to go with the flow but he did have his reservation. When Keldin's mouth found the mark he had left a month and a half ago, pleasure zinged through his body.
"Wait," he muttered breathlessly.
Keldin lifted his head and looked down at him. "What is it?"
"I don't want to do this if you don't feel anything more than the bond." When Keldin dropped his head to his chest and his shoulders started shaking, Skander frowned and shoved his shoulder. "I'm being serious."
"If you haven't figured it out yet, then that's your fault." Skander pierced him with an agitated look. Keldin rose up on his hands and looked down at the man below him. "Skander Giles, I love you. That's why I was so mad at you. Nothing can happen to you because of this intense emotion. I don't love people easily so if you don't want this, say so now before I impress my law on you."
Skander reached up and pulled him down until their lips touched. When they parted, he looked him square in his mismatched eyes. "I want this, Keldin Somme. Your law and everything."
Smiling, Keldin leaned down again then flattened himself. Skander felt loved beyond all measure and that was what he truly wanted. His home was now wherever Keldin lived. He hoped his dad understood.
Catch the next installment of the Silver Court Series!