It's been about an hour since we left Montserrat. We've been flying in silence, the quiet is soothing to me considering how eventful the previous few hours have been. Nyx huffs, "Sgaeyl says your brother is insisting you speak with him."
"It can't wait?" I reply, knowing exactly what he wants to talk about but wanting to sit in silence for a bit longer.
There's a beat of silence before Nyx replies, "He's saying no. But I can always threaten him if you'd like."
I can't help the laugh that falls from my lips, "It's alright Nyx, I can deal with my brother." I take a breath before opening my mind to him, "What did you need, Xade?"
"What the actual fuck is going on between you and Aetos?" I can hear the anger in his voice as he asks the question.
I roll my eyes, "Nothing is going on between us. He's my squad leader, nothing more."
"Well according to that rider, that's bullshit."
"The rider doesn't know shit. He was assuming something because he caught us arguing." I look towards where Xaden is. His jaw is clenched in anger.
"Well why were you arguing?" Xaden asks.
I sigh, "He insisted on going on my run with me because we weren't in Basgiath and it was potentially dangerous for me to run alone. I was annoyed because I told him I would be fine by myself and I didn't need him with me."
"He knows you run?" Xaden questions, confusion in his voice.
"The whole squad knows I run." I say indifferently. "He found out the first day I started. I woke up early and he was waiting at the barracks for Violet because it was when she was still on breakfast duty. I walked out first and he asked where I was going."
"So what? He wanted to go on the run with you here to protect you?" Xaden's eyes narrow as he glances between me and the direction Dain is flying in.
"Pretty much."
"Why?"
"Ask him."
Xaden glares at me, "Raya." He warns.
Nyx grumbles, "You already told Garrick and Liam. He'll know soon enough."
I sigh, knowing she's right. "On that first run in Basgiath, another cadet attacked me. He took me by surprise and had a sword but I just had my dagger. Because he had the longer reach and wasn't already tired from running he managed to cut me. I obviously ended it quickly after that but I had a pretty good gash on my side."
Xaden remains silent as I tell him about the attack, "When I made my way back to the college I refused to go to the healers quadrant because I didn't want people to know about my injury. But I ran into Dain. He took me back to his room and stitched me up. Garrick already put two and two together but that's why I showed up to formation that morning with a shirt that was too big for me."
There's a moment of silence before Xaden answers, "So Aetos stitched up your wound rather than sending you to the healer's quadrant? By the books Aetos?"
"He tried but I'm stubborn."
Xaden snorts, "You are. But it still doesn't make sense why he wouldn't send you to the healers. It's not the right protocol."
"True." I agree, "But not reporting an injury isn't an official rule in the Codex either. So he probably figured it wasn't a battle worth fighting."
"So why is he being protective of you now? He hates us, he could just hope someone will kill you. Has he been on other runs with you?" Xaden asks.
I lie, telling him the same thing I told Garrick and Liam, "That was the only run he went on with me. I asked him about his protectiveness and he said he might not like me but he was still my Squad Leader and didn't want to loose a squad member if he could control it."
Xaden glares in Dain's direction once more, "He's never touched-"
I cut him off, "The only time he touched me was to stitch my wound. He's never touched my head or face. Trust me, I wouldn't let him do that."
I see Xaden nod, "Good. Next time, come to me if someone attacks you. Or if Aetos bothers you."
"Will do." I reply, closing my mind once more.
*_*_*_*_*_*
Hours later we land on the flight field at Basgiath, Aether is waiting for me. "Raya!" He calls out to me.
I giggle, jumping off of Nyx and running towards him. I wrap my arms around him as best as I can, "Oh, I missed you so much." He nuzzles against me, his big head making me stumble slightly.
"Easy there, Aether. Don't hurt our rider." Nyx scolds.
"I'm fine Nyx." I insist. Aether ignores her, staying cuddled against me.
"Never leave me again. That was torture." Aether says, rather dramatically.
I laugh softly, "I'm sorry, my love. Next time we'll just have to figure out a way for you to come with us."
"Raya!" Xaden calls out, "It's late, curfew just passed. We need to get back to our rooms."
Aether growls, "Stay."
I kiss his nose, "I'm sorry, baby. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? At least we can talk now, right?"
Aether huffs but agrees. I give him one last kiss before turning to walk away. I bring a hand up to my mouth as I yawn, the longer flight catching up to me.
Liam waits for me to fall into step beside him, we walk together in silence for a few moments before he speaks up. "Why didn't you come to me?" He asks, quietly.
"What do you mean?" I ask, my brows knitting together.
"When you got hurt on your run. Why didn't you come to me?" He clarifies.
I shrug, "I didn't want to go to anyone. I mean, I was going to handle it myself. Dain just happened to bump into me."
"Yeah, but it's me. I would had helped. Hell I would go on runs with you." Liam insists.
"You can't come on runs with me. You need to stay with Vi."
"Well now, but not before."
I smile at him, "Liam, don't over think. It wasn't because I don't trust you, I trust you with my life, you know that. But I'm also independent and stubborn, which you're also well aware of. I like doing things on my own."
Liam laughs, "Yeah, but you don't need to do everything alone, Raya. Gods, I -" He cuts himself off, "You're my best friend, you know I'd do anything for you. So let me help."
"You have enough on your plate right now, you don't need to worry about me." I insist.
"But I will." He replies instantly.
I sigh, my eyes softening, "I can handle myself." I gently grab his arm, making him look at me, "Seriously, Liam. I know there's always going to be a part of you that worries. I mean I'm the same with you. But you also know what I'm capable of. So please don't stress. We're with each other more often than not anyways."
He nods, biting the inside of his cheek. Part of me wants to open my mind, curious to know what he's thinking about, but I stop myself, not wanting to violate his privacy and abuse my power. We reach our rooms, Xaden himself making sure Violet and me get there safe.
Violet disappears behind her door, silent, probably worrying about her sister but knowing there's nothing she could do at the moment. Xaden nods at me and Liam, letting us finish our conversation as he walks away, heading to his own room. I turn back to Liam, just as he starts talking again, "I'd feel more comfortable if you go on runs with someone. Knowing someone attacked you…" He trails off.
"It was only one time, and I came out with a small wound and a new sword." I smile.
He shakes his head, "You're impossible."
"Running alone… I know the risks, I'm definitely more prepared now, knowing what happened the first time. But it's nice to have that alone time. We don't get much of it here."
Liam looks at me, tugging his lower lip between his teeth, "Fine. But if anyone tries to attack you again, you tell me right away. And get someone to run with you, Garrick or your brother. Imogen. Promise me."
"I promise." I tell him, I hold out my pinky. Causing him to laugh softly and link his pinky with mine. "Goodnight, Liam."
"Night, Raya." He waits for me to get into my room before he opens the door to his.