Page 92 of Castor
“I’m the healer who tended to you.”
Dragons possessed different gifts. For some, their talents came on the battlefield. They were strong or swift on their feet. Art, storytelling, and magic were other gifts. Magic wielders sometimes went into the healing arts, while some helped forge stronger weapons. The enchantments around our island were their doing as well. Everyone had a purpose.
“Thanks for that,” I said, doing my best to smile. It felt super forced. My heart ached too much to smile.
“Don’t take him from me. Please.”
The grief laced in Castor’s voice haunted me. So many things were vague from after I was stabbed, pieces were missing, but I remembered that so clearly.
Just then, a crying baby snagged my attention. Another male entered the room, holding two babies, one in each arm. I recognized him as another of her husbands. His name was Akio. Sora grabbed one of the babies and slowly rocked it.
“Tatsuya told me you had twins,” I said to Ryoko. “Boys, right?”
“Yes.” She gently took the other baby into her arms and brought him over to me. He had plump cheeks and long dark lashes. He stared at me with light brown eyes. Unlike his brother, who was now giggling in Sora’s arms, he remained quiet. “This is Fumihito.”
“Nice to meet you, Fumihito.” I looked at my sister. “He’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Ryoko kissed her son’s chubby cheek, and he crinkled his nose. “Sora and I are very blessed.”
Sora made a goofy face at the baby he held and smiled when the child laughed. My eyes widened a bit when Akio leaned over and kissed Sora lightly on the mouth.
“This surprises you?” Ryoko asked. “I thought you of all people would approve.”
“Oh, I approve. I guess I’m just shocked. I didn’t know your husbands were with each other too.”
“Not all are,” she said. “Sora and Akio fell in love shortly after I married Sora. When they aren’t with me, they share a bed.”
“How many husbands do you have now?”
“Five.”
“But I’m your favorite.” Another male entered the room. With his dark brown hair, yellow eyes, and strength as a warrior, I had always thought Daichi was handsome. He was my sister’s first husband.
Ryoko rolled her eyes. “I do not have favorites. Don’t make me spank you.”
Daichi grinned before leaning down to kiss her forehead. He then nodded to me. “I’m glad to see you’re awake. The king sent me to check on you.”
“He couldn’t come himself?” I rested back against the pillows. “Typical Tatsuya.”
“He can’t stay at your bedside all the time,” Daichi said. “You probably don’t remember since you were on death’s door at the time, but the king refused to leave your side until he knew you’d be okay. He sat right there”—he nodded to the chair Ryoko now sat in—“and watched over you while you slept.”
“He did?”
Daichi nodded. “So cut him some slack.”
The fogginess was finally lifting from my head, and I wanted answers. “What happened? I didn’t tell Tatsuya where I was, but you showed up right when we needed you most. And were there really dragons from the ice clan?”
“Yes. Tatsuya was meeting with the ice king, Nikolai, when he called you.”
“Why?”
“Nikolai wanted to discuss the peace between our clans,” Daichi answered. “He brought Prince Warrin, as well as a decent-sized force of warriors. Trust is still rocky. But anyway. Tatsuya called to ask if you would come home to meet with them. Then, he learned about the battle. I’ve never seen your brother so worried, Kyo. When the call cut off, he shouted orders for us to arm up and prepare to fight. He traced your location from your phone. Don’t give me that look. It’s a good thing he’s so protective, otherwise, we wouldn’t have known where you were. Warrin chose to come with us and led the force of ice dragons.”
“Is Warrin still here?” I asked, a knot forming in my gut.
“Yes. King Nikolai returned to their kingdom, but the prince stayed behind.” Daichi’s smile was sympathetic. He’d known me ever since I was a young boy and knew how my mind worked. “An arranged marriage may not be ideal at first, but love can blossom from them.” He caressed my sister’s long black hair. “And it will be stronger for it.”
Ryoko ushered her three husbands out of the room, telling them I needed to rest. Before she left, she came over and tucked me in, just like she used to do when I was little.
