Eleven

I shook my head. He silently watched as I fought with myself mentally. 

“ I don’t want to go back to your house. That woman isn’t safe. She…It doesn’t matter. I won’t go back.” He smiled. I couldn’t tell if he was angry. “Okay, then kiss me and I’ll give you the information.” My mouth dropped open. His eyebrows raised. Waiting for my answer. He stepped closer, invading my space. I shook my head. His hand snaked around the back of my neck holding me in place. My breath hitched. Our lips touched gently. The click I had felt with Daire happened. Except this time it was softer like someone pushed a button but it popped back up.  I pulled away, not able to catch my breath. What was that? I searched his face for an answer. 

“Hey what’s going on over here?” Daire’s gruff voice was slightly louder than I had ever heard it. Cadogen turned around. 

“Ah, Daire, it seems we meet again. This time in a most interesting predicament.” Daire was barreling towards Cadogen. Before I could anticipate what was happening. Daire landed a punch folding Cadogen at the waist. Cadogen speared him. They started to roll on the ground exchanging blows. I backed away slowly. 

“ALRIGHT! You imbecile." Cadogen snapped from under Daire. 

“If you would wait I could..” Daire hit him again. Then stumbled over to me. He cupped my face gently. His eyes roamed from my forehead to my clavicle. I pulled away as soon as I realized what he was doing. Shame washed over me. I knew it was wrong but the look on his face made my insides want to come up. Cadogen heaved himself onto his feet. 

“You are such a brute.” This time Cadogen dodged the blow that came at him. Daire stumbled catching himself before he hit the ground. 

“Look you barbarian. Do you want to know about Soul-Ties and humans or not?” Daire stopped his attack. 

“What do you know about it?” Daire’s voice came out like ice. 

“I’ve done some research on the subject. I am older than both of you combined.” Cadogen dusted his shoulder. All three of us walked back to the table Cedar was at. He looked at Cadogen with suspicion. I sat beside him but he wasn’t happy with me either. He clutched the wyvern stuffy to himself. 

“Soul-Tie’s are bonds between two people and they have to be sealed. You seal them with an emotionally charged Intimate act.” He looked between the two of us.

“I’ve got that much numbskull. The library is a wealth of information. You know that.” Daire glared. Cadogen took a deep breath. 

“Yes, Well what I’m sure you didn’t find was anything about humans. One reason being the old wives tale about humans not being able to Soul-Tie. In truth they can Soul-Tie multiple people.” I gulped at the implication. 

“That’s not true, it didn't feel the same.” I blurted. Daire’s head whipped around. His brown eyes landed on me. 

“What are you saying, love?” He sat back in the chair. His brows knitted together. I gulped. I wanted to snatch all of the words and shove them back into my mouth. Cadogen was smiling. 

“I never said it would be to the same degree. Humans aren’t on this earth as long as the rest of us; their souls tend to be more wild. More unpredictable.” 

“Wait, are you saying that you are also Soul-tied to her.” Daire stood up and looked between the two of us. 

“Precisely!” Cadogen leaned back “Although, It seems she is Tied stronger to you. Well, not quite” Anger flashed across Daire’s face. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 

“Please leave. Daire makes me happy. He is the best man I have ever met. He is so great with Cedar. I don’t care if I am also connected to you. I only want to be with him.” I pointed at Daire. Cadogen stood up slowly. Suddenly he was back to the person I had met on that fateful night. He bowed to me 

“If you ever change your mind. I will welcome you with open arms.” His adams apple bobbed and just as quickly as he appeared he was gone. All of our bodies relaxed. 

The carriage ride back to the house was silent. I didn’t know what to say. I still felt so guilty for kissing Cadogen. It was strange comparing how the Soul-Ties showed themselves. Daire It was like something snapped into place. With Cadogen it was like a quiet tap. They couldn’t have been more different and yet I did feel sad telling him to go.

The carriage slowed to a stop. Quietly we took everything in the house. Somehow seeing Cadogen today made this space feel more like home than ever before. I couldn’t help the anxiety that was bubbling in my chest. Had I ruined everything? Daire’s warm large hand gently squeezed my shoulders. The calm leaked into me. I welcomed it. 

“Hey, Bud, why don’t you go start laying down. It’s really late.” Cedar looked at me and without a word went into the room. 

“It’s not your fault. Cadogen used his suspicion of the Soul-Tie against you. You would have kissed him because he asked and you don’t understand everything. I’m not mad at you. I’m just very surprised. I don’t really get along with Cadogen. Maybe, someday I will tell you about it.” He pulled me into him. Warm cinnamon wafted into my nostrils. I buried my face into him. 

“Do you want to go check on him or should I?” I pulled away from him. 

“I’ll do it. He isn’t happy with me.” Daire pulled me in for another long hug. 

“Let’s do it together.” We walked in to find Cedar curled up with his new toy. He sat up when we both came in. Daire always made this room feel so small. We both talked to him about today. He was also scared that Daire was so angry.

“I’m not angry, bud.” Daire reached over and picked Cedar up. He sat on the bed cuddling my brother. He started to sing a lullaby in a language I didn’t recognize. His voice was soft and low. I crawled onto the bed. I laid down listening to Daire sing. Before I knew it I was lulled into my dreams.