Page 17 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Aidan
He bit into the slow-roasted meat, savoring the flavor. Midnight meal always proved to be the most bountiful feast with the highest attendance from his toriq. Also, the cooks had outdone themselves this time. After a long day of having little time to eat, he’d finally filled his stomach.
The great hall was crowded with shifters and humans who’d come to enjoy the food. From what he’d heard, eating at the castle during Nanoq’s reign had become less popularas the former pendragon looked for any reason to punish his people if they behaved in a manner he didn’t like. They preferred not to risk his wrath by going near him.
All that had changed in the last two months. The mood had shifted to contentment and productivity, with families coming together like never before. Even with war looming, his people showed great optimism that he would lead them to victory.
He hoped he could live up to their expectations.
Aidan stood from the table, his mate and son rising with him. They’d enjoyed their meals as much as he had. There was something truly satisfying about consuming appetizing foodwith his family after years of hunting for his sustenance and eating alone in dragon form.
As they departed the dining hall, Paul—Bailey’s youngest brother—approached them. He appeared anxious, with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his eyes darting toward his sister for reassurance. She gave him an encouraging nod. The young man always seemed intimidated by Aidan, though he shouldn’t have felt that way. He did his best to make the human feel welcome, but as the pendragon, he recognized that he might not appear as friendly in public, where he had to curtail his emotions.
“Come with us,” Aidan said, gesturing him forward. “We will speak in private.”
Perhaps that would make the man feel better.
Paul’s throat bobbed. “Thanks.”
Two guards fell into step behind their group, silent yet watchful.
They headed toward his quarters at the top of the castle, taking two flights of stairs to reach it. Shifters and servants passed by them, nodding their heads in respect to Aidan and his mate. Bailey and Orion knew to keep their heads up and appear kindly to everyone they saw. He did not want his family to appear too “above” everyone else. There had been too much of that with past pendragons, and he wanted to rule differently.
At last, they reached the chamber doors and entered the room. The slayer was the last to enter, shutting the door and then leaning against it. A loud sigh sounded from her as she slumped her shoulders. She always did a remarkable job of appearing friendly and pleasant while among their people,but as an introvert, keeping up the façade wore on her. He appreciated that she didn’t complain.
No, his mate had done her best to support him in every way that she could.
Aidan lifted a hand and caressed her cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked, brows knitting.
He leaned down and whispered low in her ear, so their son and her brother couldn’t hear him. “For making sacrifices for me and giving your best to our people.”
Since her return, he’d insisted on including her as part of the Taugud and no longer saying “his” toriq. She was his mate, and she would be seen as one of them. Their people—or at least most of them—had grown used to the idea, but he saw Bailey still struggled with her position.
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “You can thank me later.”
The best part of their day was when they were finally alone together and could relax for a brief time before bed. Despite his responsibilities and the stress they both faced with their roles, they each felt happier than ever since their reunion. They truly completed each other.
After one final longing look, he turned to Paul. “What is it you wished to speak to me about?”
“I was wondering…” He paused and shifted from foot to foot. “…if, um, Candace and I could move into a house in the outer village? We’d be happy to help with any refugees who come.”
The request came as a surprise to him. Aidan had scented the woman on Paul a few times, but he hadn’t realized they were very far along in their relationship. They certainly hadn’t made any appearances together near the fortress to lead to that conclusion. On the other hand, Bailey’s brother had been spending a lot of time in Norman lately.
“It is serious between you and the female?” he asked.
“Yes. We love each other.”
Aidan scrutinized him for a moment. With such an important subject, his pendragon side took over, even in the privacy of his chambers, where he preferred to relax. He mulled it over, weighing the pros and cons. Paul looked like he was about to flee in fear for his life, but Aidan tried to think through every decision he made. He could not rush his response. Was it right for the young man, Bailey, and his toriq? It didn’t take long for him to come to a conclusion.
He reached out and put a hand on Paul’s shoulder, grasping his green camrium shirt and ignoring the young man’s flinch. “I think that is an excellent idea. It will help me and the Taugud if you can shoulder some of the responsibility for organizing the refugees. Of course, others will assist you, but I’d like it if you took the lead since you are human like them.”
During times like this, he was short-handed for so many tasks. Many of his people pulled double or triple duties as they prepared for the war. He hoped Paul could live up to Aidan’s expectations and reduce the burden on others.
“Organizing is one thing I’m good at,” Bailey’s brother said, lifting his chin.
Now that he’d gotten approval from Aidan, confidence entered his gaze.
