Page 15 of The Silent Mountain (Under the Werewolf Crown #2)

fifteen

Family

*ALANA*

I can feel Favian’s hand on my back, not certain if he does it to calm me down or himself, but no matter the reason, it’s working on me. “There is something wrong,” Favian says. “Really wrong.”

“You are right, Dragon King,” Cù Sìth growls.

Footsteps pull me out of my thoughts, and I notice Shayan running towards us. In an act of desperation, Tynan steps closer to a male guard, probably in his feeble attempt to make Shayan jealous for whatever reason. His plan doesn’t even work in the slightest because Shayan easily pushes past the guard–the poor man’s completely confused–and glares at Tynan with a frown. “Did you get hurt?” Shayan asks while his eyes wander all over Tynan’s body.

Werewolves are used to being naked when they shift, but something about Shayan’s intense scrutiny must trigger something in Tynan because he suddenly looks flustered. “I am okay. It’s nothing.”

“Don’t be silly,” Shayan says shortly. “You need to see a healer.”

“I actually agree,” Favian says. “I think everyone involved in the attack should be briefly checked.”

I nod. “Probably for the best.”

Favian looks at me, surprised, but I just shrug. I wasn’t hurt, not even scratched, so I have no real reason to see Fred, other than to take the embarrassment out of Tynan’s situation. If I see a healer, he will too. I might find his antics hilarious, but he is my best friend, and I will always have his back.

“Did you just willingly agree to see Frederick?” Favian whispers to me when he accompanies me to our doctor.

I chuckle. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t see a need to get checked by him, however… my friend needs some help.”

Favian raises his eyebrows, turning his head slightly to cast a glance at a grumpy Tynan, who is following Shayan.

“I see what you mean,” he says, amused.

“Ty is like my little brother,” I explain, feeling a wave of fondness washing over me. “He is a bit reckless and hard-headed, but a nice guy. He just needs someone to watch out for him. So, Ita and I always did that.”

“I am happy you grew up with such good friends,” Favian says. “It’s so important! And even more beautiful, that you still cherish your friendships. Unlike me.”

“You have friends too,” I say, realizing that, for the first time ever since Ita’s death, I managed to talk about her without it causing instant pain to me.

“I am not sure,” he says.

“Azadeh considers you as her friend,” I say. “And don’t tell me you don’t feel a special bond to her.”

“You are not wrong,” he admits.

“Then, there are Theo, Ludwig and Barbara,” I say. “Or even Stefan.”

“They are my subjects,” he says. “It’s different.”

“But it doesn’t have to be different,” I say. “You can still be friends with them. You don’t need to be a lonely ruler. My father, for example, was always friends with his beta, actually he was his best friend. Or Shayan, he was actually Aza’s protector for many years. She loves him like a daughter would. My brother has close friends too, despite being king.”

Favian furrows his brows. “I have never even considered giving it a try and befriending someone.”

“It’s worth a try,” I encourage him. “And if it doesn’t work out, I am here. I will always be your friend.”

Favian smiles at me. “That’s the biggest gift,” he says to my surprise. “To have my mate here, but also my best friend.”

“I am your best friend?” I ask.

“Aren’t you?”

I feel my cheeks warm at his words. “I guess I am,” I admit. To others, it might not mean much, but to have my dragon mate, who is so distrustful towards others, see me as his closest friend, as someone he can rely on and not just as his mate, means the world to me.

When I cast a glance back at Tynan, I notice he is now walking next to Shayan, talking quietly with him. Seems like he has forgotten about his silly plan and is starting to relax again. He can be such a child sometimes, but he has his heart in the right place. Shayan seems to think the same because whenever he looks at Tynan, his stern look softens. Ty is just too busy being insecure to notice.

As I expected, Frederick needs only a glance to clear us all, and only keeps Barbara for a bit longer because she is the only one with actual injuries. We others clearly got lucky. It’s time, though, to sit together with our guests and explain to them what just happened. Ludwig stays with Barbara, but Stefan joins us in the royal family’s private living room. Cù Sìth also comes with us, but keeps his place a short distance away from our table.

“This is amazing,” Tynan mutters while looking around.

“It really is,” Azadeh agrees. “These vast, high rooms and the interior.”

“I agree,” Shayan looks around in interest. “I assume the rooms are that big so that it’s easier to shift to your dragon forms?”

“Very sharp observation,” Favian says. “I have heard the human beta is not to be underestimated.”

A smirk curls Shayan’s lips, but he doesn’t say anything.

“It’s really beautiful, though not as beautiful as home,” Tynan says bluntly.

It makes me laugh, and Favian doesn’t seem insulted either. “Well, the castle of the werewolf kingdom is more…“ he ponders.

“Rustic?” I help.

“No, it’s more homely,” he says. “It has a cozy feel to it.”

“It really does,” Azadeh says, smiling warmly. “I instantly felt at home there.”

“I like the castle of the werewolf kingdom, but I like it here too,” I say, surprising myself with how I jump in to defend the dragon castle. The others look at me, surprised. Favian’s eyes turn joyful, though, while Azadeh throws me a secret smile.

“Not too lavish and cold?” Favian asks.

“Not at all,” I say. “It’s true that it’s more lavish, as you call it, but it still gives off a warm feeling. Especially with the fireplaces and carpets everywhere.”

“What do you think?” Ty asks Shayan.

Shayan snorts. “Lavish… It’s funny that you call it that. Right, Azadeh?”

“True,” she chuckles. “They haven’t seen the human kingdom yet.”

“My former king pushed the definition of lavish to a whole new level,” Shayan says.

“He really did,” Aza agrees.

I notice Ty’s expression getting gloomier again. Shayan’s and Aza’s former king is Aza’s father–he is said to be a handsome but very difficult man. He used to be close to Shayan, which is probably the reason for Tynan’s shift in attitude. I decide to swiftly change the subject. “I think it’s about time to address the elephant in the room.”

Cù Sìth raises his head, obviously intrigued now, while Favian and I exchange a short glance. I leave it up to him to share what he wants to share, not wanting to destroy his trust in me. However, to my surprise, he fills our guests in on everything we know so far. He tells them about the dead birds and about our new witch before gesturing for me to tell the story about the mare.

For the others, this might be a normal conversation, but I know how hard it is for Favian to open up to anyone. To know he trusts my friends and family means so much to me. I find myself reaching my hand under the table and resting it on his knee.

Favian glances at me briefly, before putting his own hand on top of mine. I don’t know what I expected, but I certainly didn’t expect my stomach to make backflips all of a sudden. My body is such a traitor!

“Peculiar indeed,” Cù Sìth mutters.

“You said the mare isn’t supposed to be here?” Favian asks.

“It’s supposed to be banished,” Cù Sìth explains. “It shouldn’t be in this realm at all.”

“So, it escaped from his own realm?” Aza wants to know.

“Unlikely, Princess of the Sun,” he says. “It’s impossible for it to enter this realm so easily, unless…“

“Unless someone helped it,” Shayan concludes.

“But who?” I ask.

“I don’t know that yet,” Cù Sìth admits.

Favian is quiet for a moment. “Alana,” he finally says. “We talked about this before, but please contact the witch you mentioned.”

“The witch?” Aza asks curiously.

“Erin,” I tell her.

“Oh, I really liked her!” Azadeh exclaims. “You won’t regret asking for Erin’s help. She was amazing with me and helped me so much.”

Her words seem to put Favian’s mind even more at ease.

“You are accepting help from a witch,” Shayan says quietly. “That shows great strength.”

“I agree,” Stefan says, finally involving himself in the talk. I assume he wanted to be polite and let us chat first. “We have Cassie, but a mentor for her clearly will prove to be essential to solve this case at hand.”

“That’s why I agreed to invite Erin,” Favian says shortly.

“Your people will thank you for this in the long run,” Cù Sìth comments into the silence.

Favian sighs deeply. “I hope so.”

Again, silence engulfs us, everyone brooding over the topic. We don’t have any answers yet, just questions, and every incident leads to even more questions. The silence is disrupted by the door opening and Elio rushing inside.

“Azadeh!” he yells. “You are here!”

“Goodness, Elio, is that a way to greet our guests?” Favian reprimands him with a frown.

Aza just smiles, though, and gets up to hug Elio. “I am so happy to see my favorite dragon prince again,” she says.

“I am sorry,” Elio says. “I interrupted your meeting.”

“Not at all,” she reassures. “And after what we went through together, there is no need to be formal with me.”

Elio turns around and looks at Favian with his huge, innocent eyes. “Can I stay?” he asks.

Favian sighs and pinches his nose while Elio beams happily. Shayan just tosses Favian an amused look. “If someone had told me that the Dragon King, of all people, spoiled his little brother rotten, I would not have believed it.”

“Wise words are coming out of your mouth as usual, warrior,” Cù Sìth comments, not aware how hilarious his comment truly is. “Because even a blind chicken would be able to tell how much Favian loves his little brother.

“I am not spoiling him,” Favian mutters.

Stefan looks like he is suppressing a grin. “If you say so, my king,” he says.

With the little banter, the atmosphere eases slightly. Shayan takes it upon himself to stay with Elio and humor him, though I secretly think that he enjoys this type of mentor role. He looks serious and intimidating, but he is surprisingly soft when he talks to children and young adults. He even introduces Cù Sìth to Elio. Obviously, the teen is fascinated by that imposing creature.

Seeing his brother well-tended to, Favian relaxes even more and goes right back to work. With my help, he chooses two warriors and sends them to Erin with a letter that Azadeh and I write together. It’s truly a wonderful coincidence that she is here.

“Now that’s done.” Aza takes my hand. “It’s time to show you what type of gift Kilah sent you. She is currently traveling, but she told me that when I visit you, I need to take her gift along.”

“Awesome, I am hoping for the best,” I admit.

“Your sister?” Favian asks curiously.

“Yes, but her gift is a secret,” I say. “Until the ceremony. At least, if my guess about her gift is right.”

Favian eyes me curiously while Aza grabs my wrist. “Come,” she says. “And your guess is correct.”

“Can I join you?” Tynan asks.

“Of course,” I say. “The more the merrier. You both need to tell me everything! I am sure I missed a lot. How is my brother doing?”

“Endellion is doing really well, but he is stressed,” Aza explains while I lead them to my and Favian’s chamber. “He really wanted to join me, but it’s not been possible.” She smiles. “I am counting on your other siblings to distract him and make sure he takes breaks.”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry, they will.”

When we enter the chambers, my two friends look around in awe. “This is his place,” Azadeh concludes.

Ty blinks at her. “Wait… you mean…”

Aza takes my hand and squeezes it. “You are living together.”

“It kind of happened,” I admit.

“What else happened?” Tynan asks while Aza rummages in her bag and pulls out a tightly secured fabric.

“Not much,” I admit. “We are taking it slow.”

“But you like him,” Ty concludes. “I can easily tell.”

I shrug, neither denying nor agreeing to his words. “I am scared,” I admit quietly.

“I figured,” Tynan mutters. “But I doubt the goddess would be so cruel and mate you to someone just to take their life again. You need to have faith in him and his abilities.”

“What about you? What’s the weird tension between you and Shayan?” I ask.

“It’s just… stupid,” he groans.

“What is it?”

“His ex was quite the imposing man,” he mutters as if he is not sure how to answer. I eye him in confusion, but before I can enquire further, Azadeh clears her throat.

“You can say it, Tynan. I know about it.”

“Know about what?” I ask. “Come on, guys!”

“His lover before me was a king,” Tynan says quietly. “How do I ever compete against someone like that?”

What!? So, it’s not just that Shayan was a close friend to his former king; he was his lover?

“You don’t need to compete with him,” Azadeh says. “Because there is nothing to compete against. I don’t know when Shay and my father were a thing, but it was many, many years ago. My father is a different man today. And I know for a fact that Shayan feels much more resentment and indifference towards him than love or respect.”

“She is right. He even let you mark him,” I point out. “A man like him wouldn’t have bound himself to a werewolf if he wasn’t certain about his feelings for you.”

Tynan blinks. “I forgot about that. You are right… he carries my mark.”

Aza and I exchange an amused look. “How could you forget?” Aza chuckles while finally unwrapping the fabric, revealing an emerald-green velvet dress.

“Alright, Kilah said that she made sure it suits you,” Aza tells me while handing me the beautiful dress. “She said she had it tailored just scandalously enough so that you would like it, but not too flashy, and that it would be perfect for an important festivity.”

“Put it on,” Tynan encourages me.

I do as he asked, and with Aza’s help, slip into the dress. The fabric warms me—clearly a good pick. My relationship with Kilah has always been rocky, but recently we understand each other so much better. She truly had me and my taste in mind when choosing this dress. The upper bodice is tight and made of velvet, revealing just enough cleavage for my dragon mate to care. The skirt is flowy, and when I move slightly a slit is revealed that leads up to my upper thighs.

“This looks amazing on you!” Tynan exclaims.

“He is right.” Aza nods. “It is the perfect color for you. It’s not too flashy and pompous, but it still manages to make you look very alluring.”

I turn in front of the mirror, studying my back. I am not too keen on dresses, but this one is amazing. Kilah is right. I just need to find my own style, and I will enjoy wearing them. I just hope Favian will like it too.