Page 47 of The Gathering

“Ah, we’re meeting the fish,” Hagen mocked.

Draven laughed under his breath. “You mock as if you hate him, but I know you two love each other.”

“Yeah, I’d love to kick his ass,” Hagen returned, but Draven could see the slight smirk on his friend’s face.

“Maybe he’s a game for us where you can.”

“He wants more herb,” Hagen said quickly. “Bet you five golds, that’s what he wants, mate.”

Even as the conversation seemed to turn, every glare that met them on the street reminded Draven of the way the Dreamers had stared at him the night before. How they’d blamed him for the appearance of the Infi again, and Dorian and Aydra had had to stand up for him. The look in Aydra’s eyes when she asked him if he had let it happen was burned in his memory.

But Draven shook out the thought with every step, and he held his shoulders straight, leading his friend down the streets towards the beach.

“Talk,” Hagen said after a few minutes. “I know you well enough to know when something’s a bother. Is this about her?”

Draven took a look around them, brows hardening as he tried to note any Dreamers listening to them. “We found Infi here last night,” he admitted, now rolling up his sleeves.

Hagen stopped walking, eyes widening. “Fuck, mate,” he said upon recovering himself. “Bet that went over well.”

“Swimmingly,” Draven drawled as they started moving again.

“Did she ask if it was you?”

Draven nodded.

“Damn,” Hagen repeated under his breath. “Dreamers see them?”

“Dreamers wanted my head.” Draven pushed the hair that had fallen out of the high bun back, rage pulsing in his shoulders. “Hearing she and her younger brother go against people who trust her felt like the first notch of distrust. Like they cracked the mirror this kingdom has always looked into and seen perfection reflecting back to them. I was the shadow and the knife.”

“Could be worse,” Hagen muttered. “Younger brother… that the loud one? The one who went on the road with you last time?”

“Yeah. He’s a good kid,” Draven said. “Much like Aydra… He’ll be a great leader and protector once he has some guidance.”

“The King isn’t training him?”

“King wants nothing to do with him,” Draven said. “Never, according to Dorian. He takes up more time with the sister.”

“That small girl? Really?” Hagen nearly balked.

Draven chuckled softly. “Go ahead, count her out. Something tells me she’s more to offer than her being cute.”

“Cute…” Hagen grinned knowingly. “Tell me the fish has seen her.”

And Draven gave him a sideways smile that Hagen shook his head at. “He’s been forbidden from speaking to her.”

A belting laugh choked from the High Elder. “Can’t wait to see this tonight.”

Tonight.

The royal banquet and dance. Draven ran his hand behind his neck as he thought about it. How he knew Aydra would look stunning, and he’d have to admire her from afar, unable to be with her or even dance in full view of the Council and Court of Dreamers.

Perhaps they could dance out on the terrace, beneath the stars where the music would linger.

“Assuming you made up with your Queen? Convinced her it was not your doing?” Hagen said, apparently feeling Draven’s shift.

“Somehow,” Draven replied, the night and words they’d spoken coursing back through his mind. “It fucking hurt,” he admitted.

“Can’t imagine,” Hagen muttered.