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“Ok.” He echoed. He let go of my arm and we fell easily in step together. We made our way to meet the others in the common room.
We passed behind one of the great thundering waterfalls that fell into the center of the East Wing.
“This palace is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Yes, it's even nicer now that my father isn’t here to taint it. He was always trying to modernize it, but my mother did her best to keep the natural beauty of the place intact.”
I thought of the gilded toilet in my bathroom and wondered if that had been a design choice made by Amon’s father. “When we have time, I will show you the rest of the palace. We have a more formal dining room in the West Wing, where I usually entertain some of my more taxing guests. It’s beautiful as well, but I prefer the common room when it’s just Kasha, Dossidian and I. And I guess now you, Conrad and Meredith too.”
My heart warmed a little at the fact that he did not categorize my friends and I with the other guests that he felt were taxing. I had always thought I was more or less the definition of the word. That he didn’t think so made me feel surprisingly light.
“Where is your mother now?” I asked, though I suspected I knew the answer. He glanced at me; his expression solemn.
“My mother, much like Clair, was taken from this world by those who did not deserve to even stand in the same room as her. Surviving the murders of our mothers is something that you and I now have in common.”
“I’m sorry.” I said, and he nodded in acknowledgement.
“Thank you. Those who are responsible are all dead now.” He glanced at me as we approached the common room. “I meant what I said to you that day on the docks, Raven. We will avenge Clair’s death. That is a promise I plan to keep.” My chest tightened, and I knew he spoke the truth.
Our small team was already gathered around the table, enjoying breakfast together. All four of them looked up and greeted us as we entered. It was so nice to be greeted by friends that I almost smiled. I settled down into the conversion pit next to Conrad, and Amon slid down next to me on the other side, reaching past me to grab a fluffy croissant.
Conrad handed me a cup of coffee and I accepted it gratefully. Taking a deep sip I allowed a tiny smile to curl on my lips. I felt Amon freeze next to me, and Conrad laughed.
“If yuh want tuh keep her happy, Prince Amon, yuh need tuh give di gyaal coffee. She’s a fiend for caffeine.” I glowered at him but didn’t argue. He was right. Coffee was my one true love.
“I’ll have to remember that.” Amon said as he watched me sip my coffee, eyes shining with amusement. I was about to ask Dossidian what the plan was, when Rycon walked into the room. The friendly chatter died immediately, and we all turned to stare at him as he entered. His yellow cat eyes flashed, and he hesitated.
“Uh, hey.” He said from the door. All of the amusement bled from Amon’s face.
“How’s your throat, Rycon?” He asked darkly. His expression was reminiscent of the night he had cracked the shifter’s windpipe in front of me. Cold, aloof. Deadly.
To Rycon’s credit, he did not back down. He looked like he was going to snap back with a retort when Kasha interrupted.
“What’s up Kitty Cat?” She crooned, raising an eyebrow at him. Rycon’s attention was effectively diverted from Amon, for which I was grateful. I had no interest in watching them get into it again.
I didn’t understand the look on Rycon’s face as he surveyed Kasha from where he stood at the door. I wished I had the ability to unblock our bond to get a glimpse at what he was feeling. I would have to ask Amon to teach me how to do that the next chance I got.
“Don’t call me that.” He finally replied. She shrugged.
“What should I call you then? Traitor? Backstabber? Selfish Prick?” She asked while idly buttering her scone.
“Cho!” Conrad breathed next to me. Kasha was not screwing around.
Rycon snarled, “You’re a piece of work you know that?” He took a step forward, eyes locked on Kasha. Both Amon and Dossidian stood up immediately, but Kasha waved them off. She put down her plate and hopped out of the conversion pit, turning to face Rycon in one smooth motion.
“What are you going to do, Kitty Cat? Fight me over it? I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back.” Kasha chirped.
Rycon scoffed but stopped in his tracks.
“Yeah, fucken right. I would wipe the floor with you.” He spat. They began to circle each other.
“Wanna bet?” Kasha asked, and she fell back into the loose fighting stance she had used at the docks. Rycon fell back into his version of the same stance. I watched wide eyed, taking a sip from my coffee. Were they really going to do this? It wasn’t even seven am.
“As entertaining as this is,” Amon drawled, “I’m going to have to ask that you do not kill each other in my common room. Rycon, tell us what you want then get out. We have things to do today that don’t involve me cleaning your blood up off of the floor.”
“You’re lucky.” Kasha smirked, crossing her arms.
“You’re the lucky one, you little -”
