Chapter 18 - Kor

It's silent around me but at the same time I can hear Emilia's words repeating in my head, 'I think I love you'. Lilas, Bel and I have said 'I love you' to each other countless times so it's surprising the impact that her words are having on me. Maybe it's that she said she thinks she loves us that's making the silence slightly tense but it makes sense Emmy's never had anyone ever love her and she's never loved anyone so it's all new to her.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." She says after none of us have said anything. She sits up moving slightly away from us and draws her knees close to her chest trying to make herself as small as possible while she watches us waiting for our reactions.

"It's okay, Emmy." Lilas reassures her sitting up himself to focus solely on her, "We were just a bit stunned at the suddenness of it. I love you." She relaxes slightly at hearing one of us say it back which improves as Bel and I both tell her the same. I don't know how her home village could hate her, she's too kind and sweet to be hated instead she's easy to love.

"I really didn't mean to say it. It slipped out." She mutters moving back towards us so we can comfort her, even if it was only an accident to admit her feelings it means a lot that she's said it around us.

"That's okay." Bel tells her wrapping an arm around her for a hug, "Sometimes it can help to just say something before I met Kor and Lilas I'd never been in love. Telling them that I loved them took me years because I'd never said or felt it before, eventually I just blurted it out in the middle of dinner one day. Kor nearly chocked on a chicken bone." That seems to help her more knowing that she's not the only one to suddenly say it out loud but couldn't he have left that last part out.

"Really?" She asks looking at me with wide eyes and hearing about this is making her more comfortable so I have no choice but to answer so I nod.

"And hopefully one day you'll know for sure but there's no rush. All we ask is that you keep talking to us about how you feel." Lilas adds getting a nod from her in response. We sit together quietly after that taking our time to adjust to Emmy's admission.

After another hour of sitting together I stand up carefully needing to move. I manoeuvre around my mates; Kitten goes to say something but Lilas and Bel let her know that I'm not going far. They know me so well that they can tell I'm only getting up to shift like I had when we'd been at the castle, this garden was planned out to give me enough room to shift.

Transforming I walk back to my mates briefly, nuzzling them with my giant snout before taking a few steps back and launching into the sky. I do a few laps around the city just needing to stretch my wings after not having the chance to shift at all over the past few days. Flying back over the palace garden I perform a few loops and spins really enjoying my time in the air and putting on a show for my mates that I can see watching me.

Landing I lie down in the sun and lift a wing slightly inviting my mates to come and join me. They soon come and sit down under my wing in the shade from the heat, there are still a few weeks of summer left and it's currently warmer than usual. Bel loves the warmer weather but Lilas burns easily in the sun and judging by Emmy's fair skin she'll burn just as easily.

The sun feels so amazing against my scales that I'm soon falling into a light sleep, still aware of the whole garden and where my mates are. Under my wing they're relaxing together and talking quietly to each other, keeping the topics light and easy. Slower their conversation drifts off as they drift off to sleep as well. We stay that way until Tehlmar ventures into the garden in search of us for dinner, asking what we want served today.

Standing I move to shift back before re-joining my mates who had woken up when I moved. After a quick discussion we decide on chicken for dinner and inform Tehlmar that we'll be inside when it's ready, making us easier to find. Full of energy after his nap Bel grabs Kitten's hand and pulls her inside to show her the dress he'd been working on while Lilas and I head to the library. I'll make a stop to grab the necklace and take it to Bel's room though.

Entering my private workspace I grab the necklace that I'd been working on whenever I'd find the time over the past few days. It had been half finished before we even got here as one of the pieces that I'd been working on during our last visit to Hadlau before we'd even met Kitten but I know that it'll suit her. And luckily it matches the dress that Bel has made for her.

Walking into Bel's room I'm not surprised that he already has Emmy in the new dress and she looks beautiful. He's busying himself adjusting the dress where needed to get the perfect fit so they don't notice me entering at first, not until I'm standing right behind Emmy.

"Oh, Kor." Emmy squeaks in surprise spotting me in the mirror. Giving her a small smile I lift the necklace and fasten it around her neck.

"Just a bit of embroidery on the skirt, bodice and neckline along with a few adjustments and the dress will be perfect." Bel says standing up finally noticing me but not saying anything as he spots the necklace, "That's beautiful Kor."

"I'll leave you two to it. Li and I will be in the library if you finish before dinner." I tell them retreating out the room quickly before Bel tries to drag me into helping him. Instead I re-join Lilas whose already picked up a book to read, grabbing one of his military books that I've likely read before but I sit down across from him anyway to re-read it and refresh my memory of the strategies in it.

As I'm nearing the end of the first chapter Kitten and Bel join us, she's changed back into her other dress and has taken the necklace I made off. Likely it's been put away in a box near the dress until the ball to keep it safe. They take a seat on the last free settee sitting close together so they can both look over the sketch pad that Bel has brought in with him, discussing quietly about whatever it is they're working on. Probably more dresses.

By the time I'm halfway through the fourth chapter we're informed that dinner is ready. Putting my book down I coax Lilas into putting his own down before we head into the dining room where Bel and Kitten are already taking their seats. Joining them at the table I immediately reach for some food.

Today's been a tiring day and I'm starving so it's a good thing that the kitchen seems to have cooked me an entire chicken to myself. Tehlmar knows me well and that after a day like today I can eat more than usual so he no doubt got the kitchen to cook an extra chicken. That leaves Lilas and Emmy to share one while Bel is happily sipping away at his blood.

Not feeling a need to pay attention to manners here in my own home with my mates I tear the chicken apart with my bare hands. I don't bother with many vegetables and focus my whole attention on stripping the chicken to the bone.

Releasing a loud belch as I finish devouring the chicken leaving only a few bones I sit back in my chair, full and content as I hear Emmy giggle in response even as Lilas shakes his head in fond exasperation out of the corner of my eye. He doesn't understand the appeal of my way of eating at times, having been raised to always use table manners which aren't really a thing for dragons. When we'd first got together after the Stones were created he made it a point to teach me. Not that I always use what he'd taught me.

Once we've all finished eating we return to the library picking up where we left off. Bel and Emmy are happily discussing design ideas although not for much longer judging by the yawns that she keeps letting out which are becoming more frequent. Lilas is once again absorbed in his book and would likely continue reading it until he's finished regardless of how tired he is or what's happening around him. I only read another chapter of my book before putting it back down in favour of watching my mates.

The next few days will likely be strange and will strain my instincts. Up until now we've been the ones leaving Emmy for the day while dealing with the Council but since agreeing to help Lady Hess she'll be spending more time away from the palace. I know that it's a good thing that she's making friends but the not knowing where she is and if she's safe is playing havoc with my instincts that want to protect my most vulnerable mate from everything. Even the heartbreak that she'll now be facing.

Since our mating Emmy has gained the same lifespan as us, which thanks to Lilas and Bel, is limitless unless someone or something manages to physically kill us. Yet the first friends she's making, outside of Nuela and Talindra, are humans with human soulmates so eventually they'll die. Hopefully it'll be many years from now but she'll still see them age and will most likely live long enough that they're nothing but a distant memory. At least at the ball there'll be nobles of all races attending where she should be able to meet others who share our lifespan.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, they'll only ruin Emmy's excitement over the ball, I decide that it's time for bed. At least for myself and Emmy whose now fallen asleep against Bel's shoulder. With his help I manage to pick her up without waking her and head upstairs, calling for her maid along the way. Somehow Talindra manages to change her into a nightdress without waking her up at all which I know I couldn't have done even if I felt that Emmy would have been comfortable with me changing her clothes.

Climbing into bed with her after changing myself I pull her close to my chest. Still fast asleep she nuzzles her head against my chest making herself comfortable like the kitten I keep calling her. Her calm and relaxed scent is soothing the worries that I keep having about her being out in the city without us, allowing me to start drifting off to sleep myself. I'm only vaguely aware of Bel and Li joining us later on and based off his scent, which is soured slightly in annoyance, it hasn't been long enough for Lilas to finish his book.

Grumbling under his breath unhappily about pushy vampires Lilas climbs into bed next to Emmy but doesn't protest much when Bel slides in behind trying to soothe his anger with a few light kisses along Lilas's neck. I open my eyes then giving Bel a stern look knowing that he would likely want to go further, but I won't let that happen with Emmy here as well not before she's ready. Seeing the look he quickly stops and all of us are soon fast asleep. We'll need the rest for tomorrow which, like the rest of our future, will be busy or at the very least stressful.

I wake at dawn to a face full of Kitten's hair, it's starting to grow longer and now it seems to go everywhere even more than before unless she's braided it back. Although it doesn't always work unless it's tightly braided back and last night it must not have been tight enough so it's come loose. I don't mind though it makes her scent stronger being so close to my nose, I'd be able to scent any change immediately but she's perfectly content and still asleep.

Moving some of the hair out of my face I lift my head slightly peering over the top of Emmy to see how Bel and Lilas are. Bel is just starting to wake up and Lilas is still asleep with some of his face covered by Emmy's hair the same way mine had been. We'll have to get moving soon though if we're going to go out for a ride, if we leave it too late then we can't take our time before Emmy has to met with Lady Hess again.

"Morning Kor." Bel greets lazily rubbing at his eyes as he tries to wake up properly, "Is Emmy trying to suffocate Li?"

"Just a little bit. I woke up under half of it." I tell him getting a quiet laugh that wasn't quiet enough as Lilas wakes up at the sound.

"W-what's so funny?" He asks breaking out in a yawn at the start as he pushes the hair out of his face.

"Nothing much, just Emmy trying to suffocate you and Kor with her hair." Bel tells him leaning down to give him a kiss on the cheek. In return Lilas lifts his head for a proper kiss which seems to be enough movement and noise to finally wake Emmy up.

"Good morning." She greets having to push her hair back, "Oh, did it go everywhere again?"

"A bit, but it's not a problem." I reassure her dropping a kiss to the top of her head, burying my face in her hair once again. "Come on we should get moving if we still want to ride this morning." Getting sleepy nods in response we all start moving to get dressed, Bel helping Emmy pick out a suitable dress to go riding in. They settle on the blue everyday dress that Madame Loni had made for her, something that'll be easy to move in. We leave the room giving her the privacy to change as Talindra arrives to help her into the dress and to do her hair, planning today to braid the top back in two places before securing it with a ribbon at the back of her head leaving the rest of her hair to flow down her back.

Getting a quick breakfast we set off for the stables. It's still early in the day so the streets are almost empty, only a few other people are around starting their days. Arriving at the stables our personal groom, Ciaran, comes and greets us.

"My Lords, welcome I didn't expect you here again today."

"Good morning Ciaran. We decided that we'd bring our mate Emilia out for a ride today. She doesn't know how to ride on her own so she'll be sharing Kor's horse today. We hope in the future that you'll oversee her lessons on Reyesin whose she's chosen as her own as you've no doubt heard." Lilas informs him.

"Of course my Lords, my Lady. It'll be an honour to teach Lady Emilia. I'll have the horses ready for you shortly." He bows and calls over a few other grooms to help him get the three horses prepared for our ride.

Being so experienced in preparing the horses quickly for the many nobles that come here wanting to ride. Lilas and Bel quickly mount up and walk away a bit giving me some space to help Emmy onto my horse.

"Ready?" I ask moving next to her placing my hands around her waist ready to lift her onto the horse. She nods, seeming a bit nervous but trusting me to keep her safe. Easily I lift her off the ground and place her gently in the saddle before swinging up behind her reaching around her to grab the reins, with the added benefit of keeping her secure in the saddle.

We walk over to where Lilas and Bel are waiting for us, falling into step with them we stick to a walk letting Emmy get used to the feel of how the horse moves. Being sat so close together I can feel how tense she is as we start moving but it isn't long until she's relaxing and moving better with the horse.

"Want to go faster?" Bel asks her watching her expression carefully for any sign of fear.

"Yes." She answers still seeming a bit unsure but she's still relaxed against me.

"Okay we'll move into a trot. You'll need to bounce up and down with the movement, follow the way I do it." I tell her, speaking right next to her ear making sure she understands as I speed the horse up to the trot. Rising up and down with the movement I make sure Emmy is following the same movement while next to us Bel and Lilas race ahead slightly in a canter. Due to their horses being smaller than mine they couldn't keep up in a trot so they had no choice but to go faster or be left behind.

"This is fun." She says giggling starting to enjoy the ride now, "Can we go faster?"

"Yes. Hold onto the front of the saddle, this'll be bouncy let me know if it's too much." Excited to go faster I speed up into a canter easily closing the distance to Lilas and Bel as we race through the countryside that surrounds Hadlau. This is the closest I can get to flying without transforming and I can be more involved with my mates, sure they can fly with me but only on my back not against me the same way we can while riding.

We dismount near a tree for a quick break not wanting to push Emmy too much on her first ride out, it's still early and she has her meeting with Lady Hess this afternoon so we can't tire her out. I dismount first before lifting Emmy down and making sure that the horses are tethered securely near us so that they don't run off. Joining my mates I take a seat under the tree relaxing together with them, giving my muscles a break from riding at least for a while before we ride back.

"So what do you think of riding?" Lilas asks Emmy whose face is flushed from the ride here.

"It's so much fun. I can't wait to learn." She's grinning happily as she stretches out in the grass.

"Well I'm happy to come out to the stables with you whenever you want." Bel tells her watching her fondly.

Together we relax for a while before mounting up again to return to the stables. Starting to get used to riding Emmy even asks to go fast so we have a short race at full gallop letting her feel what running full speed is like. As we approach the stables we slow down to a walk and I give the reins over to Emmy showing her how to hold them properly.

She's so excited that the entire way back to the palace she can't stop talking about the ride, asking when we can go again and when she can start her lessons. It's the most excited about something I've ever seen her, not even talking dress design seems to have the same effect on her as today's ride. Getting inside she ventures straight upstairs to bathe and change before going to meet Lady Hess and the other ladies for the lunch tasting.

"My Lords, a message came from the Council Hall. They've asked that Lords Ruikor and Lilas come to the hall at your earliest convenience, a letter arrived about new troops arriving here soon." Tehlmar informs us.

"Very well. Bel will you say goodbye to Emmy for us when she leaves. We shouldn't be long." Lilas says as we head back outside. We'll change when we get back but it can wait for now while we deal with the new troops, like Lilas said it shouldn't take long. It's just making sure that the new troops have somewhere to stay and are added to the upcoming training roster, plus updating the paperwork to keep the rest of the Council notified of the changes.