Page 79 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
If Aidan wasn’t also worried about Bailey and the others not returning yet—it had been lingering in his mind since a few hours ago when he felt her in danger—he might have remembered his brother craved reassurance of a job well done. His mind was simply too distracted.
“Yes.” He patted Ruari’s back. “It is exactly as I’d hoped.”
He wanted to build new, larger homes for his people someday when they had the time and resources. Perhaps they could expand the fortress wall to accommodate his plans. Many shifters were having children like they never had before, and they’d need more space. Of course, it would require peace first.
“I’m glad to hear it is acceptable,” Ruari said with a relieved expression.
How Aidan hadn’t realized his elder brother had so many insecurities before, he couldn’t say. Perhaps he and all his siblings held them due to how their father treated them. They’d been made to feel as if they fell short in the former pendragon’s eyes. It was his goal to rectify that.
As they descended the stairs, he remembered to ask about another matter. “How is staging the building supplies going?”
“We’ve already finished everywhere except the southernmost points,” Ruari replied as he paused on the bottom step. “I’m leaving tomorrow after first meal to oversee those—with Zoran’s help.”
Ruari knew better than to get into specifics since they weren’t in a protected space, but Aidan couldn’t run to his office every time he wished to speak on war-related matters. Those who worked closely with him understood they should keep the topic vague.
“How has it been between you and Zoran?” Aidan asked.
His brother’s brows knitted. “Surprisingly well. I didn’t believe you and Bailey about him changing, but he truly is nothing like before. Whenever I see him, I feel like I’m waiting for him to return to his old ways. Yet…he’s different.”
Aidan hadn’t had time to visit his oldest brother since he’d taken Orion to see him soon after his arrival. Zoran was primarily charged with protecting the border, but Ruari was also allowed to use him as needed for staging supplies. He felt it was important they had time together. Their family had been fractured for too long, but he hoped to fix that. They should be fightingforeach other, not against.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Aidan replied, then gestured toward the back door.
They headed outside, where two young boys with heads of thick, dark hair played. They were barely older than Orion and full of the same energy. He was relieved to find the back courtyard was open enough for the twins to kick around a ball, and it had a divided space where a small garden grew. There were tomato plants, okra, strawberries, and cucumbers. While shifters loved meat, they also preferred to balance their diet with other types of food.
The ball sailed over to land at his feet. Aidan laughed and kicked it back to the boys before moving toward the parents, where they sat on a bench. The male and female shifter smiled kindly as they stood, but he noted the nervousness in their postures. It was very unusual for a pendragon to visit the home of any lowborn family. In fact, he could only recall one instance of his father entering any home outside the castle. He made everyone come to him or sent others to handle matters like this.
“Milord,” they said simultaneously, giving him a short bow.
He gestured at the bench. “Please, relax. I’m only here to ensure that your home was repaired to the proper standards and that you are pleased with it.”
The female shifter beamed. “Oh, yes. It is by far the nicest house I’ve ever lived in now. We didn’t expect new furniture as well, but we are ever so grateful. Thank you!”
Aidan sensed the woman to be around four hundred years old. If this was the best dwelling she’d had, then she’d suffered under poor conditions for far too long. He was glad he’d ordered the worst homes to be fixed first since there would have to be a pause once the war began. Structures like this couldn’t wait a moment more than necessary, especially when children were involved.
“You need not thank me,” Aidan said, shaking his head. “The renovation should have been done years ago and certainly not put off.”
The male shifter lifted his chin, pride in his yellow gaze. “That is true, but until you took over, none cared how we lived.”
“My apologies for our manners.” The female cleared her throat and rose. “Can I get you something to drink or eat, milord?”
He appreciated her courtesy, but he wouldn’t take from what little they had in their cupboards. They hadn’t been very full. “No, thank you. I’m here for you and need nothing in return.”
Her eyes misted, gratitude in them. “You’re too kind.”
It saddened him that she should think that.
“What work do you do?” Aidan asked the husband.
“Nothing lofty, I’m afraid. I help keep the common baths clean and perform maintenance as needed. Also, I do guard shifts when they’re short for patrols,” the man said.
He and his wife wore camrium pants and tunics that had seen better days, but they didn’t have holes and were clean. The boys had new clothes since Aidan had pushed for children to be the first to receive them. By all accounts, they were among the families who struggled too much despite their hard work.
Aidan lifted a brow at the female shifter, who had regained composure. “And you?”
“I help run my sister’s market stall a few times weekly. We take turns watching each other’s offspring while the other sells meat and vegetable pastries we bake,” she said, glancing at her children. “The new oven will go a long way for us to earn more.”
He was probably taking away from her time now, though he knew she’d never complain.
