Page 54 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

Liria grinned and took his hand. “Great. You can help me finish the tour. We've gone through the upper floors already. I was going to show him the office next.”

“Perhaps a proper introduction first, destra?” Thax growled.

On the outside, Liria was calm. Inside, she shrieked with joy. What was this? Was jealousy the way to bring Thax back? If only she'd known that sooner. She would have filled the house with handsome men.

“Uh, all right. Thax, as I said, this is Braxis. Braxis, this is my betrothed, Thaxvarien Rennux.”

“Braxis Matthews.” Braxis extended his hand.

Thax stared at Braxis's hand a second before taking it and giving it a quick shake. “I'm her destru.”

Holy fuck, he was shaking hands with someone! Thax was interacting with another person who wasn't her! And he had just called himself her destru!

“Sorry, I've never heard that term.” Braxis glanced at Liria.

“It means we are already bound, even without a marriage ceremony.” Thax kept staring. Hard.

“Oh. Great. Congratulations.”

Thax nodded once.

“You're a big guy.” Braxis motioned at Thax's shoulders. “Like Aethari-big.”

“Because I'm an Aethari.”

Oh, shit. Liria should have warned Braxis. But she hadn't expected to introduce them at all.

Braxis laughed.

Thax glared at him.

Braxis cleared his throat. “Uh, that's funny.”

“Not really. I lost my wings underground,” Thax said.

“Oh, that's a good one.” Then Braxis looked from Thax's serious face to Liria's cringing expression. “Shit. Is that the injury you mentioned?”

“You told a stranger about me?” Thax transferred his glare back to her.

“Yes and yes,” Liria said to the men. To Thax, Liria added, “I needed someone to talk to. You hardly speak these days. Sometimes it's easier to unload to a stranger.”

Thax straightened and cracked his neck. “I see.”

“Hey, she was just venting,” Braxis said. “She didn't even mention the wings. Shit. Are you serious? You lost your wings in a pit?”

“Not a pit. A group of Nethren grabbed me during a breach and took me underground into one of their cities.”

“But . . . I mean, I've never heard of someone getting taken, much less escaping the Nethren.”

“He's the first.” Liria squeezed Thax's hand. “The Source of Magic protected him.”

Thax made a growling rumble. “Source had nothing to do with it. You saved me, Liri.”

“You saved us both. But Source led me to you.”

“Hold on. You went down there after him?” Braxis asked Liria.

She nodded.

“Holy shit! You two are heroes. You're . . . you're fucking amazing! You made it back from the underground. That's the stuff of legend.”

“Not all of me made it back.” Thax pulled Liria out of the room. “This way.”

Guess they weren't showing Braxis the office.

Liria looked over her shoulder at Braxis and mouthed, “I'm sorry.”

He shook his head and smiled as he trailed after them. Thax led them down the corridor and back to the first intersection, where he went left. It took them to the main entrance of the dining room. He went in, pulling Liria closer.

“Aga, some refreshments, please,” Thax called into the kitchen as they passed the open doorway.

Liria exchanged a wide-eyed stare with Aga over Thax's shoulder. It was the first time Thax had spoken to her. Liria wasn't aware that he even knew the cook's name. From the look on Aga's face, she hadn't known either.

“Uh, yes, Master Thaxvarien,” Aga stammered. “I'd be happy to.”

“So, uh, yeah, that was the kitchen,” Liria said to Braxis. “And our cook, Aga.”

“Hi, Aga!” Braxis called out.

“Brax? Is that you?” Aga came back to the doorway. “It is! How's your sister?”

“She's well, thank you. I didn't know you worked up here.”

“I started shortly after Master Thaxvarien and Mistress Liria bought the palace.” She grinned. Then she saw Thax glaring at Brax over his shoulder. “Uh, go on out. The terrace has an amazing view. I'll make you all some tea.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, that's right. You're on a tour,” Thax's voice dripped venom. “Forgive me. What else haven't you seen that's mine?” He paused in the doorway that led out to the terrace. “Take a good look around. Anything pique your interest?”

“Thaxvarien!” Liria dropped his hand.

“You know what, I think I should go,” Braxis said.

“No, please don't. You're just the first visitor we've had here. Thaxvarien isn't used to entertaining. Right, Thax?” Liria glared at him.

“That's correct, my destra.” He grabbed her hand, kissed it, and wove his fingers with Liria's before stepping outside. “My apologies for my tone. This is our first home, you see. Our first home as a bonded couple. I'm very possessive. Even as a child, I didn't like to share.”

Was that an apology or a threat? Liria couldn't tell.

Then Thax went on. “I lost my original home, as in the place I was raised, when I lost my wings.” He looked over at Braxis again. “Aethari are fucking assholes.”

Braxis burst into laughter as he came outside. “Yeah, I guess some of you guys can be a bit abrasive. But . . . hold on, what do you mean, you lost your original home?”

“They won't let him back to the sky city without . . .” Liria waved at Thax's back.

“My wings, dearest destra,” Thax hissed. “The wings I destroyed to fly you out of that city of monsters.”

Liria stumbled on the terrace stones, her breath catching.

Thax's eyes went wide. She saw the regret in them immediately, but the damage had been done.

Liria had been a soldier for so long that any kind of attack—and that certainly was an attack—got met with an equal or greater amount of force.

Unfortunately, she couldn't come up with a verbal volley.

So, even as she noted his regret, Liria slapped Thaxvarien across the face.

“Oh, fuck,” Braxis whispered. “Yeah, uh, thanks for the tour, but I believe it's time for me to go. The terrace is beautiful.” He waved limply at the huge outdoor area. “You have a lovely home.”

“Braxis, thank you for being so kind to me today.” Liria stepped away from Thaxvarien, ignoring the way his chest rose and fell furiously.

She lifted her chin and straightened her spine.

“I'm sorry your first look at this place ended on such a rude note. I apologize for my betrothed. He is not himself lately.”

“No, I understand. You two have been through some rough times. I hope you can get past this pain because I can see you have something real. Good luck. And it really was nice to meet you, Thaxvarien. Again, I'm sorry for upsetting you.”

Thax nodded stiffly.

“I'll walk you out,” Liria said.

“No, it's all right. I know the way.” Braxis held up his hands. “I want to say goodbye to Aga anyway.”

Shaking with rage, Liria watched Braxis leave, closing the door to the terrace behind him.

She didn't like that she had struck Thax.

It wasn't right. Hitting your partner is never acceptable.

But his words had hurt her more than any physical strike could have.

Liria waited, standing there, staring at the door, as she listened to Braxis say goodbye to Aga.

Then she waited until she heard the front door shut.

The house was so quiet that it wasn't hard to hear.

Only then did she turn to meet Thax's tremulous gaze. “I asked you to save us because I knew if I made it about me, you'd do it. That's how much I believed in your love for me. Now, I don't know what to believe.” She headed for the dining set on the far side of the terrace.

“Liri.”

“Come along, Thax. Aga is making refreshments as you requested. The least we can do is consume them.”

He followed her over to the dining table and sat down beside her.

The view Liria had enjoyed so much in the beginning had become dangerous, and now the whole terrace felt tainted.

But she stared out at the cliffs that embraced the cove and the sea beyond, suddenly feeling a lot like Thax.

Had their roles suddenly reversed? Liria rather wished they had.

It would be so much easier to be the silent one. He could bathe her for a change.

Thaxvarien didn't say anything, but his hands clenched and unclenched on the top of the iron table.

At last, Aga brought out a tray laden with a pot of tea, two cups, and a tiered stand with little cakes, cut-up sandwiches, and pastries arranged on the three levels.

She set it down on the little table between their seats.

“It's a shame Braxis had to go. He's a good boy.” Aga smiled at Thax, then frowned and looked at Liria.

“Yes, he's a very nice person. I'm glad to have met him. But thank you so much for all of this. It's nice to have a little treat in the middle of the day. Thaxvarien and I will enjoy it. Won't we, Thax?” Liria shot a glare at him.

Thax surprised her by saying, “Yes, thank you, Aga. You do so much for us.”

“It's my pleasure, Master Thaxvarien. If there's anything else you want, any specific dish you'd like for your dinner, please let me know.”

He nodded, his throat working.

“Thank you again, Aga,” Liria said.

She smiled warmly at them both, brushed her hands on her apron, and left.

As soon as she was inside, Liria lost her smile.

Then she stared at the food. Could she stomach any of it?

This must be how Thax felt all the time.

She reached for the teapot. And so did Thax.

Their hands collided. Instead of recoiling, he grabbed Liria's hand and lifted it to his lips.

She stared at him as he kissed her fingertips.

“Allow me to serve you.” He let go of her and poured the tea.

Liria watched. How could he go from practically catatonic to this? Well, Thax had shown signs of change that morning, hadn't he? Sex was far from catatonic. But now he was pouring tea and kissing her fingers?

“Thank you,” Liria murmured. She cleared her throat. “I shouldn't have struck you. I'm sorry.”

“I struck first, and I believe I cut deeper. I'm sorry as well, Liri. I didn't mean what I said. Your survival is the only good thing that happened that day.”

“Thax,” Liria whispered. “You survived too. And I count that as a good thing.”

He didn't say anything. But Liria started feeling hopeful. That was where she went wrong. Because his mood shifted yet again.

Thax set her teacup before her and met her gaze. “Don't you ever bring another man into our home again, Liria.”

Liria froze. “Excuse me?”

“It was all I could do to stop myself from tearing him apart.”

“You have barely spoken to me since we arrived, and now you're on the verge of tearing someone apart? He didn't attack me, and he wasn't a threat to you. He was nice.”

“Too nice. He desired you. It was obvious.”

“So what? He didn't act on it. Braxis offered me friendship when I was in desperate need of it.”

“Exactly. He preyed on your weakness.” Thax set his palm on the table and leaned closer. “Do you really think all he was interested in was seeing the house? He coveted you! And you are mine!”

“Then fucking act like it!”

“I did! I sent that bastard a clear message. Lucky for him, he was smart enough to figure it out and leave.”

“For fuck's sake. You think that was behaving like a destru? I may not be an Aethari, but I know the difference between a protective man and a savage asshole. You were just a savage asshole. You know me, Thax. You should trust me.”

“I do. But he was an interloper who was looking for a way into my home and my woman.”

“Your woman.” Liria huffed. “This morning was the first time you've been inside me since the day I brought you back.”

“That's not what makes you mine,” he mimicked her earlier tone. “I love you, Liri. And you love me. Your love is keeping me here when I'd rather be beyond this painful fucking existence! The least you can do is respect me as your destru.”

“Wow. Now, I don't love you enough? No, excuse me.

You said I don't respect you. All right, Thax. Where have I fallen short? Was it when I asked you to do your part in your own rescue? Or was it the fact that you had to be rescued in the first place?” Liria narrowed her eyes at him.

“Is this some kind of masculine pride thing?

You're mad because I was the one who freed you?

Or does my feeding, clothing, and bathing you emasculate you?

Because that shit, I agree with. I'm getting real tired of having a child instead of a lover!”

Thax went pale.

“Shit,” Liria whispered. “Oh, fuck, Thax. I'm sorry. I didn't mean—”

“Enough, Liri.” He held up his hand. “I'm too tired for this. Drink your tea. Eat your cake. Leave me be for a little while.”

“Fine, Thax. Go on. Retreat back into yourself. I'll see you later. If you ever decide to speak again.”

And he did retreat. As Liria drank her tea and ate little pastries, Thax sank back into silence. All of that blustering, only to go back to where he'd been. Had Liria seriously thought jealousy would help him? What a joke. And it was on her.