Page 29 of The Last Aether

A darkness spread across Riven’s expression. “It looks that way.”

There was none of the typical humor playing on Kai’s face now. “Did you see anyone lingering that shouldn’t have been?”

Phoenix shook his head. “Students and the royal guard, but everyone was watching. A sniper had just shot up campus.”

“We’ll have to be even more cautious,” Atlas said as his arms tightened around me. “You’re going to have to stick close, Aura.”

I pressed a kiss to his muscular forearm. “I’m fine with that, but I can’t have one of you with me at all times. I need to learn to protect myself.”

Phoenix scowled at me. “Why not?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because that’s not healthy or normal to never be without a bond mate? I need time to do my own thing. To have time with Kerry, and maybe if the Universe aligns, make some other friends.” Guilt pricked at me for ditching Kerry this afternoon when Phoenix had shown up, but I’d explain things to her.

Kai’s face fell. “We can’t be your friends?”

I swallowed back my laugh and wiggled out of Atlas’s hold. I went straight to Kai and wrapped my arms around him. “You are my friends. And so much more. But it’s not good for any of us if we are each other’s entire worlds.”

Kai grumbled something under his breath as he rested his chin on the top of my head.

I slid my hand under his tee at his back. “That doesn’t mean I won’t spend ridiculous amounts of time with you.”

“Promise?”

I kissed his chest. “Promise.”

Riven cleared his throat as he stared down at his phone. “We might have a problem.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Phoenix gritted out. “What now?”

“The kings are here. All of them.”

16

My blood that had warmed at Kai’s sweet affection turned to ice. “Why?” I squeaked.

Riven scanned the screen of his phone. “Apparently, they want an audience with you. They’re waiting downstairs.”

Phoenix and Kai let a stream of curses free, but Atlas went stonily silent. I stared down at what I was wearing. Riven had brought me jeans, a soft T-shirt, and a hoodie. This couldn’t be appropriate for a royal audience. My hair wasn’t even dry.

“I need to change. Do my hair. Put on some makeup.”

Riven shook his head. “There isn’t time. They don’t wait.”

I swallowed hard but nodded. Phoenix and Kai flanked me instantly, but Atlas didn’t move. I turned back to him. “You okay?”

He blinked a few times, as if pulling himself out of a trance. “I don’t want my father around you.”

I moved in a flash, hurtling myself at Atlas. He caught me with a grunt. I wrapped myself around him like a monkey. “He’s not going to hurt me. I have all of you with me.”

“He might try,” Atlas said in a pained whisper.

“But he won’t succeed.” It was Riven who had spoken. And there was a resolute certainty as he met Atlas’s gaze. “We stick together.”

For the first time, I didn’t feel on the outside when it came to Riven. I felt like a part of this bond, of this family. It felt too good.

Atlas gave a sharp nod, setting me down. “Let’s get this over with.”

We filed out of the room and down the stairs. The guys surrounded me in a way that made them feel like bodyguards. I slipped my hand into Kai’s, needing the sense of normalcy.