Chapter 26 - the Scent

I walked into the dining room, where everyone was already sitting at the table, having breakfast. Aricor patted the chair next to him, inviting me to sit down. I avoided Thoridor’s eyes as I took my seat, trying to look casual.

“By the moons, Serin, what have you been up to?” Aricor said with a horrified look on his face, “you reek!”

I dropped my jaw in astonishment. “What do you mean?!” I whisper-yelled, trying not to sound too offended, “I just took a bath! I used some sort of herbal concoction Phaedra gave me — could that be it?”

Aricor leaned in closer to sniff me, and then whipped his head toward Thoridor, who was silently observing us, his eyebrows dangerously low.

“You slept with him!” Aricor concluded in shock, keeping his voice low enough so only I could hear.

“I did not!” I hissed, and then composed myself, “I mean, technically, I did. But I didn’t—”

“No, I know,” Aricor whispered dismissively, “you wouldn’t be here right now if you’d completed the mating process last night.” He trailed his eyes up and down my stature, making Thoridor growl lowly across the table.

Aricor shot him a look. “You better not let him distract you too much,” he then said to me, “I need you focussed. I have big plans for today.”

“What kind of plans?” I asked suspiciously. “Wielding, mostly,” Aricor said, “I want to try some new things.”

We finished breakfast, and I was about to get up when Aricor grabbed my arm. “Stay,” he commanded, “wait until Warrian has left. He’d smell Thor on you — best to keep some distance for a while.”

I froze in place. “He’d know I’d been with Thoridor?” I asked, mortified. “Every male in Ardanis would know if they’d come close enough, Serin,” Aricor said plainly.

“But I took a bath,” I mumbled defeatedly.

We waited for the others to leave the room, and all I could do was wave apologetically at Warrian as he got up.

“We’ll talk later?” he mouthed at me with a smile. I just nodded excessively.

When everyone but Thoridor, Aricor and I had left, Aricor got up. “I don’t know what you two are planning,” Aricor said, “but I don’t think you can keep this up very long. This is asking for trouble. Either complete the bond, or reject it — this makes you two very, very vulnerable.”

“Why?” I asked, “how does this make us any more vulnerable than before?”

“Because everyone will be able to smell Thoridor on you, Serin,” Aricor replied solemnly, “and you two are blood-linked, but not fully mated, which makes you an excellent way to get to Thoridor. You’re his weak link, now.”

Thoridor walked around the table, and got behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist protectively. I immediately felt more at ease.

“What if I get her to the Aerial Palace,” Thoridor asked, “and clear it out?”

I looked up at him in shock. “Lock me in a palace in the sky by myself?” I squeaked, “no thank you.”

Aricor shook his head. “That won’t work for an array of different reasons. Why don’t you two just complete the bond? That would fix everything.”

I could feel my heartbeat speed up, and took a few slow breaths to help calm it down. Thoridor squeezed my waist soothingly.

“We’re not rushing things,” he said, leaving no room for protest. “We’re doing this at Serin’s pace. This is all new and foreign to her, keep that in mind. She’s only just beginning to feel comfortable around me. And she’s just now beginning to let go of War.”

Aricor’s eyes darted back and forth between Thoridor’s and my faces a few times, and then he sighed.

“Fine,” he said, “but you should be very aware of the danger this brings to the two of you. From now on, you keep your distance from everyone, Serin. I’ll get you some guards to escort you to and from your room when Thoridor or I aren’t available to do so ourselves.”

My heart sank. The sheer thought was making me claustrophobic — no chance to wander the halls of the palace by myself, to go to the library in peace, or get some air up on the roof — guards watching my every move…

“Don’t worry, love,” Thoridor spoke into my mind, “I’ll figure something out.”

I took a deep breath, and instinctively inched closer to him again. Thoridor put his hand on my shoulder, sliding his fingers onto the bare skin of my neck. It instantly gave me goosebumps.

“Push away his hand,” Aricor said, nodding at Thoridor’s fingers.

“What?” I asked, “why?”

“Do it,” Aricor coaxed, “push it off.” I reluctantly raised my hand, but Aricor shook his head.

“Not with your hands,” he clarified, “wield him.”

I frowned and shook my head. “I don’t want to do it if it’s not necessary,” I said, “it’ll drain my energy and make Thor uncomfortable.”

“It’s good practice,” Aricor pressed, “if someone comes near you, you need to be able to defend yourself.”

“It’s okay,” Thoridor whispered in my ear, “try it.”

I sighed, and then knocked off his hand so hard it made Thoridor stumble back a few steps. I flinched and ran to him, grabbing his hand in shock.

“I’m sorry!” I yelled, “I didn’t mean to do that — I don’t know what happened!”

“That was good!” Aricor said, sounding impressed, “have you been practicing?”

I locked my fingers around Thoridor’s hand, and studied it for injuries. “I haven’t,” I said breathlessly, not looking up, “that was completely accidental.”

“Do you think you could lift me?” Aricor asked excitedly, dismissing my obvious discomfort.

“Aricor!” Thoridor bellowed, “look at her! She doesn’t want to do any more wielding.”

Aricor finally seemed to see me. “I’m sorry, Serin,” he said, and gestured to one of the chairs. “Sit down. Have some water.”

I reluctantly walked to the chair, and sat down.

“This is good,” Aricor said eagerly, as he took the seat next to mine, and grabbed a goblet of water.

“You’re getting stronger. Maybe getting frisky with Thoridor is good for something after all—” Aricor had barely finished his sentence before a loud splashing sound cut through the room.

I didn’t even look at him as I got up. “I figured you could use some help clearing your mind,” I said, and straightened the goblet I had made Aricor empty over his own head back up.

I gently moved his hand toward the table, and made him set down the cup. “I suppose I am getting stronger,” I continued, and walked toward the door. “I’m dismissing training for today. If you need me, I’ll be in the library.”