Chapter 4

Gaven was giving her the same look their father did, which only made Corliss's grin widen as she brought her tankard of Castyr to her lips. It didn't help that he looked exactly like the Lord of Eld either, though he had their mother's dark hair. She absolutely loved him, especially when he seemed over and done with his littlest sister's antics.

"You can drink any male who challenges you under a table," her brother told her with a shake of his head. "I pity your mate whenever you finally find him."

She laughed aloud as she swiped the back of her hand across her mouth after finishing the tankard. Oh, her mother would lose it if she'd seen how unladylike she was being then. "I pity him, too, because then he wouldn't know how to handle me. What's a female to do?"

Gaven had been staying with her for two weeks, having come to Ayveri for the yearly meeting between the royal family of Dalcaine and the lords and ladies of the four territories. It wasn't set for a few more days, but Gaven had come early to visit, to let her show him everything going on in Ayveri while she was there for school. Their parents, Geir and Sienna, weren't due until the following day, but their sister Bridget was supposed to meet them any minute with her mate Alberich.

And they were taking their sweet time, but that just gave Corliss the chance to spend time with her brother.

"Anything happening back home?"

Gaven shook his head. "Nothing much has changed. It's still the same as always."

"What about Cordova?" she asked then, talking about his Alzriade Black. "Did you bring her?"

"No, she's back home with the other dragons and riders. I didn't want to bring her. She's happy just to stay with Ion."

Ion, the male Alzriade Black and mate to Gaven's own female bloodrite bond. The dragon who was also bonded to her brother's.

Should she do it? Should she bring it up? Bring him up?

"And...Ruvyn? How is he?"

Both hands tightening around his tankard, Gaven stared long and hard at the contents inside...then downed it in one go.

"Ruvyn's fine. Didn't want to come. He hardly said goodbye whenever we were leaving, even when I told him we'd be gone for a least a month. All he was going on about was training the younger riders and their dragons, how he probably wouldn't even notice how long I was gone."

"Bastard."

He snorted. "Exactly."

Corliss couldn't help herself when she reached over and tugged one of his hands from his tankard, holding it tight. She and her sister had known their brother preferred the company of males instead of females. Their parents knew even before both girls were born, had even embraced the few males Gaven had brought home to meet them. They never thought twice about it because it was just who he was...unlike some of the people they'd all heard whispering about the Lord and Lady of Eld's eldest child. Before Bridget and Corliss were born, those whispers were of what would happen to the Lucerra family line when their son couldn't sire a child of his own.

It's called help through medicine and magic and a willing female surrogate to carry the child, Corliss wanted to sneer at them, especially since they were still wondering, still snickering behind his back.

But even with the few males Gaven had brought home to meet the family...well, it was his best friend since childhood who always held his heart. Ruvyn Montilla was one of the most skilled dragon riders in all of Eld. Having grown up with him always around, Corliss had a childhood crush on the sorcerer with his dark tanned skin from always being in the skies, tall and wide build, chestnut eyes, and curled locks of black hair. She had thought nothing of him and her brother or their close friendship, hadn't even entertained the thought that Ruvyn might have preferred males, too.

Not until she'd walked in on them kissing one morning in the dragon caves.

Even though the sight of them tangled around one another, hands gripping onto leather jackets and diving into hair, made her freeze almost immediately. They'd caught her, though, just as she caught them...before she'd started squealing with excitement. Ruvyn had pushed Gaven away with so much force he'd stumbled backward, knocking into one of the saddle racks.

That had been seven years before. Seven years of them skirting around each other, of still finding them hidden away in dark corners of the dragon caves or the palace stronghold in Eld. Corliss was the only one who knew about the two of them. Not even Bridget did, but she was away too much from home, having made her own in Asturia.

But just a few months before now...well, Gaven had come to stay with Corliss in Ayveri...and told her everything that happened.

Because he and Ruvyn had crossed the line from childhood friends to lovers...and soon after realizing it wasn't just the bonds of friendship that connected them, but a mating bond as well.

It hadn't been Ruvyn who had ran, but rather Gaven. When he realized he was his mate, Gaven had freaked out and ran as far and fast away from Eld as he could, questioning if he wanted to go back anytime soon. Of course, Corliss had gotten him to tell her absolutely everything once he'd downed one bottle of Torrent. And he had her crying with happiness while hitting him on the head with a pillow at how much of an idiot he was for running, especially when he was running from the one male he'd always loved and had always been there for him.

That had him running right back to Eld when he realized she was right.

And yet he walked right into a fight that practically tore his friendship with Ruvyn in two. Now, in those few months since, no matter how close the bond held them together, they always kept their distance. The only reason they'd had to work together more was because they had to train the new riders and dragons together. Even their parents noticed a change in the two but knew not to ask what had happened until Gaven was ready to talk about it.

"Are you all right?" Corliss asked Gaven then, seeing how his mind ran away with him just like hers did sometimes, too.

He nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, just...I miss him. I miss the way it used to be."

"I know."

Gaven looked at the bottom of his empty tankard, then motioned for another round to be brought to the table. Not only did he gulp down his own, but he also took a shot of Castyr...and then the one that had been brought over for Corliss.

"I'm sorry," she told him after he slammed the glass down on the table. "I shouldn't have asked about him."

The apologetic look in his eyes when he looked at her made her frown. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Cor. If anything, I think getting away from Eld, getting away from him for a few weeks will do some good. For both of us. Maybe it'll make him cool down a little more. Maybe we'll be able to be friends again."

At that, Corliss raised one eyebrow. "You two will never be just friends again...and can I just say I can't wait for Ruvyn to get his head out of his ass and forgive you for running, even though you quickly came back?"

"Stop, would you?"

"Never. Because it's going to happen or else I'll make it happen. And you know I will."

"Just stop. Please, especially when I'm the one who fucked it up after wanting him for so long. Just...change the subject."

So, she did.

"How have Mother and Father been? I hardly got to say hello before they were being whisked away by the king and queen."

"Fine. You do know they're meeting with your professors here just to see how you're doing. If you're taking the appropriate classes and doing well in them..."

Corliss groaned, raking her fingers through her hair. "Seriously? They don't believe me when I tell them everything?"

"Knowing you, you've probably embellished the truth here and there..."

"Not too much."

"Corliss."

"What?"

Gaven sighed in exasperation as he saw her innocent smile slip into place. "You know why they are. Control of Eld is handed down from mother to daughter, not father to son. And with Bridget married to Alberich, Lord of Asturia, and now having her own title, that makes you next in line for the ladyship. Especially since she's officially renounced her claim on it."

Being there in Ayveri...well, she might have tried to make herself forget about it. She almost managed to, too, though most of her classes consisted of leadership and diplomacy, how to manage a territory when you're the one in charge.

Gods, she didn't want to think about that.

She didn't want the title or the responsibility either.

Just by the look that must have been on her face, Gaven knew what she was thinking and reached over to grab hold of her hand. "Everything's going to be fine, you know that, right? Mother's nowhere near being ready to pass on the title of Lady of Eld, but when she is, you know you'll have so many of us here to help you wherever you need it. And you know I'll be the first one to be there should you ask."

"So, Eld hasn't burned to the ground while I've been away, huh?"

Gaven snorted, dragging the tip of one finger around the rim of his tankard. "Because you're not there to spark the flame. At least you haven't done the same to Ayveri."

"Please. You do realize I keep to myself here, right? I might go out from time to time with friends after class, but nothing more. I'm here to learn, Gav. Remember?"

Her brother gave her a deadpan look, which made her smile widen even more.

"School's going well, though?" Gaven asked her, taking a small sip of his third tankard. Now, he was drinking some kind of mead that barely contained any alcohol, yet still wrinkled his nose at the taste. "You haven't been kicked out yet, so that's a plus."

"Of course, it is. And why would I be kicked out? You remember Dewridge, don't you? The head librarian? She loves me. You can't even say that."

He raised a brow. "That old bat is still there? And how'd you manage that?"

Corliss gave him an innocent smile. "Because I'm the most perfect student who's ever graced the university campus."

"Right," he snorted.

"I don't say a word in the library, and I put the texts back where they belong without having put even a speck of dirt on a page. In her book, that makes anyone a star student...pun totally intended."

"You're impossible."

"And yet I'm still your favorite sibling...and no, I won't tell Bridget that."

"Won't tell Bridget what?" the sister in question asked as she slid into the booth beside her.

Her sister. Her absolutely perfect sister Corliss loved more than she could probably tell her out loud.

She and Bridget shared so many similar features, but the most distinct one was their bright burgundy hair they'd inherited from their father Geir. All three of the Lucerra siblings got their emerald eyes from their mother Sienna, though. If someone didn't know Corliss and Bridget, plus their seventy-three-year age difference, one look and they probably would have mistaken them for twins. Not only because of their hair, but their bowed lips and slightly upturned eyes. Even their personalities were the same...and their tempers.

Her mate of just over sixty years slid into the booth beside Gaven. Alberich was the Lord of Asturia and one if not the most gifted healer in all of Dalcaine. He was devilishly handsome with blue eyes and dark hair with a silver streak at his temple. It was an inherited trait passed down the Deverell family line that had yet to disappear even after multiple generations.

But even after being mated for so long, people still stopped to stare at the Lord and Lady of Asturia. That was because they were from two different races – Alberich being a Fae male and Bridget a sorceress. It was the first pairing between Fae and sorceress, but hopefully wouldn't be the last.

"There you are," Corliss complained, looking between her sister and brother-in-law. "What took you two so long?"

Why, oh why did she have to ask? By the looks they exchanged...ugh, she instantly knew she should not have.

She tried not to gag and, of course, failed. "Ew. And you're staying with me. In my apartment. Thanks. Gaven, we're now going to have to clean for three weeks straight."

Alberich's grin was instantly gone when Bridget kicked him under the table.

"None of that," her sister warned her mate and husband.

"And none of that," Corliss continued. "Can't you two just have a kid already? Because then you could annoy them with all your mated lovey-dovey stuff and Aunt Corliss could come to the rescue."

At the question, Bridget's face fell just slightly enough for her to see the change. Maybe she shouldn't have asked that question about a child. Mated and married for as long as they had been...well, they had to have been trying. And were obviously unsuccessful since Bridget had yet to be with child.

But her sister just brushed off the question and comment, choosing to pretend not to have heard it.

"What happened to you wanting to have sibling time?"

"I could ask you the same question since you're late."

Bridget waved a hand, rolling her eyes. "Oh, whatever. You're lucky the palace guardsmen haven't come to find us yet. I know King Emmeric and Queen Alexea were wanting to meet with us since we're a day early for the meeting, but we sent word of having other plans."

"Glad to know me and Gav are so important to you."

"Important enough to blow off the king and queen? Yes, you are, especially since we don't see you nearly enough."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Both mine and yours, you pain in the ass. Even though I've got a dragon who could fly me here in just a half a day, you have access to horses to bring you to Asturia when you want to visit."

Corliss stuck out her tongue...which immediately made Bridget laugh and loop her arm around her neck to bring her in for a hug. Of course, she cursed even as each and every one was muffled by Bridget's crushing hug, but she ended up laughing at the same time.

"I missed you," Corliss whispered to her, tightening her hold on her before letting go.

Bridget smiled, then kissed her temple just as she always did. "I missed you, too."

Having settled back down in the booth, their catch-up conversation continued, focusing primarily on Corliss, of course. Gaven, Bridget, and Alberich all wanted to know about how school was going, what classes she was taking, and if she'd made any friends...including any special ones that were worthy of bringing home to her parents. She didn't bother hiding her eye roll at that one, especially since it was Alberich who was the one to ask.

"Are you tired of being the only in-law for the Lucerra children?" Corliss grinned at him.

"Never...though it'd be nice if one of you actually found your mate so I could have some company."

Gaven snorted into his tankard.

Both of his sisters gave him a look.

"You all right, Gav?" Bridget asked.

"Fine. Just peachy."

"He drank just a little too much before you two got here," Corliss explained, skirting around the truth. "Bad breakup."

Gaven's eyes narrowed at her. "Corliss," he warned.

"What?" Bridget asked, looking between the two of them. "Was it that male from Aarden? Do I have someone's ass to beat?"

He nodded to Corliss. "You can beat hers because I asked her not to mention it again."

"Gaven..."

"I'm fine, Bridget. Just...don't mention it again." He nodded to Alberich then. "Mind letting me out? I'm heading back to the apartment."

After the three of them watched as Gaven moved through the crowd that had now gathered in the tavern, Alberich realized his mate was going to need a minute alone with her sister.

Bridget turned to glare at Corliss. "Apparently, you don't know how to keep your mouth shut when it's none of your business. And that goes for both Gaven and me."

She shrank back, knowing her sister was right. "I'm sorry. You know me."

"I do...and you still can't keep your mouth shut."

"Again, I'm sorry...especially for the baby comment. I know you two have been trying to have one for a while now."

They'd been trying for decades now with absolutely no luck.

"It's fine," Bridget said then before taking a long sip of her own drink. "It will happen whenever the Mother deems it so. But for now, we'll just have fun trying for one."

Corliss made a show of gagging, making her laugh. "Again. Ew."

"Oh, you'll see one day," Bridget grinned at her, though it didn't reach her emerald eyes. "I can't wait for the moment when you finally meet your mate. I just hope he'll know how to deal with you."

"Well, if Alberich happens to know of anyone..."

"In fact...he does."

She froze. "I'm just joking, you know."

"Sure, you are, but I'm not. You remember his best friend Meron, right?"

"Commander of the Eld army, Meron Brandt?"

"Exactly. He'll be in Ayveri with Mother and Father...and I think they want to introduce you two, especially since you're next in line for the ladyship of Eld. The two of you will have a close relationship just as he does with them, you know. I'm actually surprised you haven't officially met him yet."

"I haven't, but I've heard of him."

She had heard of him...and how her mother gushed over the commander and how handsome he was, how he'd reshaped the Eld army more than any other hand in just the short time he'd held the title...but also how cocky he was and knew it, going around all of Eld drinking and taking any willing female into his bed.

And how her mother thought Corliss and Meron would really hit it off if they met.

Now, it seemed that her sister and brother-in-law wanted to do the same in trying to set them up.

Corliss sputtered as Bridget's grin widened once more. "You're not thinking..."

"Oh, I am," her sister grinned. "Like I said, he'll be here tomorrow...and he's coming to dinner."