Skylar didn't leave her room for the rest of the day. Not because she was sulking or pouting, but because she wanted to respect Leo's wishes of wanting her gone. He didn't want to see her, and he didn't want her so see Orion. She'd heard the way Orion and Leo were screaming at one another over her. Nana had slipped into her room just after the yelling had started. She simply wrapped and arm around Skylar and sat with her on the bed quietly. It was exactly the kind of comfort Skylar needed, just someone to hold on to her. After Nana had left, she'd sat in the room, waiting for someone to come tell her what was going to happen next, because she had a feeling she wasn't going to be staying in the house.
She was bored out of her mind.
She was so bored, she knew that there were exactly twenty-five pieces of wood that made up the ceiling, and that the average number of knots per piece of wood was six. The quilt on her bed could only be folded ten different ways, and her pillows only got fluffy enough after three punches. Two wasn't enough, and four began to flatten them again. She also knew that if the room were hers for real, she would spend a lot more time decorating and personalizing.
It wasn't as if she had things to pack now. The only thing she'd brought with her was her dress, and that was currently in Victoria's closet. Skylar doubted she'd ever get it back. Her shift was draped over the back of one of the chairs by the fire, but it wasn't as though that would be difficult to grab on her way out. She didn't have any knick knacks or books or anything that could be forgotten. The room itself was bare other than the bed, two chairs by the fire, and a wardrobe. She felt like she was the first person to use the room in a long time, and she hadn't spent much time awake in it since she'd arrived. If she had, she would have asked for a book or even sewing to occupy her time. She hated that she was too afraid, too ashamed, to leave the room, but she didn't want to cause any more rifts in the family. She already felt horrible that she'd come between Leo and Orion. It had been apparent to her right from the beginning how much the two cared for each other, and how much Orion looked up to his father. That she made Orion have to fight with his hero... she had to apologize to him.
She also missed the brute dearly. This was the longest she'd gone without talking to him since he'd found her, and she found herself longing for his company. She thought about him and what he might be doing nearly all day. She knew he wasn't in the house; he'd left shortly after arguing with Leo and she hadn't heard him return.
She looked out her window and saw the sun was just above the edge of the cliffs, which made it dinner time. She wasn't hungry; she hadn't had an appetite since Leo had summoned her. She could smell someone making dinner downstairs, and, based on the footsteps, she thought it was Victoria. Skylar wondered if she should go down and join her, but it might upset Leo if he discovered her so close to his pregnant mate. She debated for a moment, but decided against it. As much as she wanted company, she didn't want to invite Leo's wrath down upon her. When the front door opened and heavy footsteps entered, she was incredibly glad she'd stayed upstairs.
"Victoria," Leo's voice reached her ears, muffled through the wood of the door. His tone was pleading, almost desperate, and Skylar's curiosity was piqued. She urged the door open a crack and sat on the floor next to it. She knew eavesdroppers never heard anything good, but she couldn't help it. She considered listening to this conversation a survival tactic. She had to know what was going to happen to her so she could prepare for it.
"Honey, please," Leo pleaded once again. "Look at me."
A pot slammed down on the counter. "Why, so you can ignore me once again?" Victoria snarled. "I can't say I particularly want to speak with you at the moment."
"I'm sure not," he answered, and Skylar heard him take two steps into the kitchen. "But can you at least listen?"
"I don't know if I want to do that either. I can't say I'm very proud to be your mate after today. How can you send that poor girl out to fend for herself? Leo, she's just learning how to be a dragon, she can't handle Draco on her own. And the way you treated Orion..."
"You think I wanted any of this to happen? I don't want to send her away!" Leo responded, his voice thick with emotion. "There's more to this than anyone understands. I'm not a heartless bastard, Victoria. I have my reasons for needing her gone."
"And you can't tell me? I'm your mate. Not only that, I'm the Alpha female. If it has to do with the clan, it is as much my business as yours, Leo."
"You have so much more to worry about, Victoria. Our baby..." he paused and Skylar listened as he took two steps into the kitchen. She could envision him placing his hands on Victoria's swollen belly, leaning his head down toward her. Victoria would close her eyes and sigh, but accept his closeness. "You have to think of our baby first."
"I wouldn't have this baby without my mate, Leo," Victoria said so quietly Skylar almost didn't catch it. Skylar felt guilty, listening in on this intimate conversation. A husband and wife with their impending child... it was a moment that should have been theirs and theirs alone, but Skylar couldn't pull her ear away from the crack in the door. "You know that nothing you tell me will do anything to hurt me or the baby. I wouldn't let it."
A sigh escaped Leo. "I can't help it, love. Everything isn't spiraling out of control, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. It would be different if it weren't Draco we were dealing with but..."
"He's dangerous."
"More dangerous than any human we've ever encountered, love. And after what happened to Valerie, I can't risk it. Not again."
"We won't be at risk, Leo. What happened to Valerie-- it won't happen to me. I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay right here if that's what you need. But I'd like to know why, darling. Please tell me why."
There was a pause before the Alpha answered. "Is there anyone else in the house?"
"Only Skylar. She hasn't left her room all day, and I haven't wanted to bother the poor thing. I think she's asleep; I haven't heard any movement in a while."
"She hasn't left her room?"
"She's probably afraid of what will happen if she does. I'm going to bring her food as soon as I'm done with dinner."
Leo heaved a sigh. "This is such a mess."
"I know. And I can't help you, or even support you, if you don't tell me everything. From the sound of things, you haven't even told Orion."
"He has enough on his plate. I can't add this to the weight already on his shoulders, Victoria."
"So do you, Leo," Victoria said gently. "Now let me help ease your mind. Tell me. Please."
There was another pause on Leo's end. "Alright, but not here. Come to my office."
Skylar listened as their footsteps left the kitchen and walked down the hall toward Leo's study. She hoped that perhaps he would leave the door open so she could be in on the secret, but apparently that was too much to ask. The door closed softly and Skylar was left in the dark. At least if she couldn't know exactly what was on Leo's mind, she knew it wasn't just her presence that was the problem. She just wanted to know what this other stuff was. For a man like Leo to be so wary of it, she knew it was big.
Guilt washed over her. She shouldn't have been listening, she knew that. She'd been taught better than that, she'd been raised better. Although now she supposed there wasn't anything she could do about it; she'd heard and now she knew that there was something weighing heavily on Leo's mind. She could only hope that it wouldn't result in her falling into Draco's grasp again.
It was another hour before the front door opened and Olly and Percy entered. Skylar guessed that Olly had filled Percy in on the events of the morning, because their voices were soft and conspiratorial. Orion wasn't with them, and he didn't show up for dinner either. The door to the study opened, and Skylar could almost feel the tension from all the way in her room when Leo entered the kitchen with Olly and Percy. She'd heard the way Leo addressed his younger son and didn't blame Olly for being angry with his father.
There was a soft knock at her door, and Skylar scurried to perch on the bed. The last thing she needed was the be caught red-handed snooping on the activities downstairs. Victoria peaked her head in, the smell of hot food drifting in from the open door.
"Hi, Skylar," she said quietly, pushing the door open all the way to reveal a tray of food. "I thought you might be hungry."
She really wasn't, but nodded anyway. Victoria quietly set the tray on the table by the bed and put a hand on Skylar's arm. "I'd invite you downstairs to eat with us, but-"
"But there's no reason for a repeat of this morning," Skylar finished for her, staring up into her kind green eyes. "It's alright, Victoria. I understand his reasons."
The flash in her host's eyes told Skylar that the Alpha female now knew about whatever weighed on Leo's mind, but there was nothing else to reveal her thoughts. "Thank you, Skylar, honey. Everything will be alright, I promise. It will all be okay." Victoria leaned down to kiss Skylar's hair before exiting the room. Skylar watched after her and leaned over to pick at her chicken and roasted potatoes.
Dinner was a quiet affair on both ends. No voices drifted up from the kitchen downstairs, when every other meal Skylar had eaten with the Alpha family had been filled with chatter and laughter. It was sad, thinking that she had been one of the causes of so much sadness and turmoil in the house. Even worse was that Orion hadn't returned yet.
No one came to retrieve Skylar's dinner tray, which was probably alright. She hadn't eaten much and didn't want to offend Victoria by making her think she hadn't like the meal. She readied herself for bed, donning her shift and letting her hair fall free of it's braid in a mess of curls. She didn't bother brushing it out, knowing that it would turn her thick hair into a frizzy mess. She simply ran her fingers through it and crawled into bed. She curled up on her side and stared out the window, watching the moon rise. She wasn't tired at all, and laid there for what felt like hours, tossing and turning.
It wasn't until the moon was in the corner of her window that she heard Orion return. If she hadn't been awake and aware of every noise in the house, she wouldn't have heard him. But the soft creak of the door and the sound of large, booted feet on the stairs alerted her to movement in the house. It had been hours since everyone had gone to bed in a somber mood. There was no staying up late to drink whiskey around the fire tonight.
She watched the bottom of her door, waiting for the shadow she knew would pass there if it were Orion returning; he was the only one who had to walk by her room to reach his own. Two shadows, one for each foot, appeared in the crack. She expected them to keep going, but they paused as their owner stopped outside her door. She held her breath, waiting for him to knock or just walk in. She had no idea what she would do if he did so, but she guessed that she would let him come right in without any argument on her part. She didn't have a lot of control when it came to Orion. She wanted to talk to him, wanted to apologize to him. The last thing she wanted was to cause a rift in his family. So when the footsteps continued down the hallway, she felt a small pang of disappointment.
She should just go to sleep, she would see him tomorrow. The idea was simple enough, or so one would think. Her mind wouldn't calm down enough to drift into unconsciousness. The bed, one she once found to comfortable, seemed as hard as a rock. She couldn't find a good position to fall asleep in, and she couldn't convince herself that she was tired. Her dragon wasn't helping at all, pacing back and forth, listening for sounds from Orion. His room was quiet though, through the wall they shared. She didn't hear any movements, even though he was quiet as a mouse. A man of his size shouldn't have the ability to be so quiet. It wasn't fair to those who were trying to listen for him.
She looked over at her tray of barely touched food. Well, if she couldn't sleep, she might as well clean that up. Perhaps she could find some water while she was at it because maybe a drink would help her fall asleep. She gathered up her tray and quietly left her room, refusing to look down the hall to Orion's room. He was asleep. Whatever he had been doing all day had likely been exhausting. She shook her head and walked down to the kitchen as quietly as she could. There were no candles, but the light of the moon was enough for her to see by. She went about her business in the kitchen, cleaning up as quietly as she could. The house was eerie when it was so quiet, so devoid of life. It was one of those special places where something was always happening, where there was always noise. It felt wrong for it to be so silent.
As she walked back upstairs, she couldn't stop herself from looking at Orion's door. She was surprised to see the flicker of candlelight shining out from beneath the door. For a man who rose before the sun, she would have thought he'd go to bed much earlier.
Before she realized it, she found herself outside of his door, her hand poised to knock. What was she doing? She should let him be; he'd had a really awful day, and she couldn't help but feel like it was her fault. He was probably about to go to sleep, like any normal person would be.
She was still arguing with herself when the door swung open, and she found herself face to face with a wonderfully bare chest. She followed the light spattering of hair up and up to the square jaw, which was covered in scruff from a day without shaving, up to the distinct nose, and then to a pair of gentle golden eyes.
She swallowed nervously, realizing that she'd been staring at him. He spoke first.
"Hi." It was hardly more than an exhale.
"Hello," she whispered in response, suddenly very aware that they were both in a sparse state of dress.
His eyes studied hers for a moment longer, and then he nodded once before stepping back to let her in. She hesitated. She was about to go into his room, her dragon wouldn't let her do anything else, and it was the middle of the night! What was she about to get herself into? But she quickly realized that that meant she would get to see what his room looked like, and her curiosity got the better of her. She stepped inside, and it was nothing like she expected.
It was clean, except for a few pieces of clothing here and there. There were no decorations, nothing personal. But there were books. Everywhere.
Stacks of them on the floor next to the chairs by the fire, overflowing on a bookshelf in the corner. She smiled in appreciation. She noted the book on the ruffled bed, resting open where it had been left when he'd gone to open the door.
She turned to look at him, only to find him watching her take in his collection. She motioned to the bed and the open book. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
He shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. I've read it a thousand times." He moved to close the book. He moved surely, but he seemed a little uncomfortable. She wondered how many people he'd allowed in his sanctuary.
"You have a lot of books. I didn't think you'd have time to read," she said for lack of anything else. She didn't really know how to bring up what had happened earlier.
He looked around and a small smile pulled at his mouth. "I really don't, but I couldn't bear to get rid of them. They were my mother's."
She blinked. It was the first time he'd mentioned his mother to her. "They were?"
He nodded, his thick head of hair falling into his face slightly. He ran a large hand through it and motioned for her to take a seat in one of the chairs by the fire. She perched lightly on it, and he sat in the one across from her. He was still shirtless, and she couldn't help but admire the way his muscles moved as he did. It was when his eyes glanced down and then back up that she remembered she was only in her shift. She felt the heat rush to her face and she casually crossed her arms over her chest after pulling her hair forward. This had been a bad idea, but she couldn't make herself get up to leave.
"Yeah, she loved them. She read to Olly and me every night before bed. No matter what kind of day I was having, listening to Mom read to us always made it better," he smiled into the fire. "When she died... I couldn't let Dad get rid of them. So I brought them all up here, and I read them when I can't sleep."
She stared at him, noticed how tired he looked in the firelight. "That's most nights, isn't it?"
He glanced up to meet her gaze, his eyes filled with emotion. "Ever since she died."
"I'm sorry," Skylar whispered, wishing she could step across the gap between them and take him into her arms. She wondered when the last time anyone had simply held him was. It had probably been a while.
"Thank you," he answered.
She wanted so badly to ask him about what had happened, but knew that that would be crossing a line. Sitting next to the fire with Orion, surrounded by his prized possessions, meeting this new side of him, she didn't want to ruin any of it.
"What book are you reading? I might've heard of it. I'm an avid reader myself, or I was, back home," she told him. She thought wistfully of her large library, and the safety she'd felt there, surrounded by all the worlds she could escape to. It was one of the few places her dragon felt safe enough to relax, where no one would disturb them. Of course, Ian and her other guards were never far away, but in the library they stayed out of sight.
"Really? Big library in the castle then?" he teased, rising from his chair to retrieve the book off the bed. He handed it to her, and she immediately recognized the title. Her version was newer than this one, but it was just as loved. It was the book she'd been reading in the courtyard the day of her party, when Jonathan had found her there after returning from his grandparents'. It was her favorite book.
She looked up at him in surprise and held up the novel. "You like this book?" She wouldn't have pegged him to enjoy books about strong females saving everyone from witches.
He nodded, returning to his seat. "You know it then? It was my mom's favorite, and she read it to us all the time. I read it when I want to feel close to her."
Skylar smiled and caressed the leather binding of the book. "It's my favorite as well."
His eyes widened slightly, but an easy smile found its way onto his handsome face. "I should've known you had good taste in literature."
"I never guessed that you would," she responded quickly and he laughed.
"Always with the quick responses."
"Of course," she replied, straightening her back. "I need to keep people on their toes."
His eyes glittered with amusement, but he quickly sobered with a sigh. "Skylar, I want to apologize."
She blinked in surprise. "Whatever for?"
"What I don't have to apologize for is probably a shorter list," he rubbed the bridge of his nose and began counting on his fingers. "But, to start, how about my father? There's also bringing you here in the first place, kidnapping you, being rude to you when we first met, hurting you with your first shift, judging you about not shifting. Shall I go on?"
"Orion," Skylar shook her head. "You don't have to apologize for any of that. Most of it was my fault."
"I can at least apologize for my father," he replied. "Let me do that much."
"No," she shook her head. "I should be the one apologizing for that. I'm the one who's come between the two of you. Who's caused the rift in the clan."
He quickly shook his head, leaning towards her. When his eyes opened and met hers, they were filled with anguish and some confusion.
"You can't think that, Skylar. You can't think that this is your fault," he whispered. He was close enough that he could grab her hand from where it rested atop the beloved book. His large, warm, calloused palm engulfed her own small hand. He held on tightly, looking her right in the eye. "You haven't done anything wrong."
She glanced down at their clasped hands and then back up at him. Warm tingles had spread from her hand, up her arm, and straight to her stomach, which was doing flips at the moment.
"Isn't it my fault, though? I'm the reason you fought this morning, the reason your clan is in danger... The reason you haven't been paying attention to your responsibilities." She'd heard Leo this morning, how adamant he was that Orion had changed because of her. She didn't want him to be neglecting his clan because of her. She squeezed his hand, thoroughly enjoying the feel of it in hers. "It's okay, it really is. I understand."
He released her hand and stood up abruptly. "I don't! He's not like this, he's never like this. He normally keeps a level head, thinks things through. Draco hasn't ever found us, we're well hidden and our territory is enchanted! So even if he did find us, humans can't get here. They can't hurt us, not while we're in clan territory."
She looked up at him, pacing in short bursts around his room, and remembered what she'd heard earlier. She didn't have all the details, but she could help ease his mind. "I don't think it's just that."
He paused and stared at her. "What do you mean?"
"I heard Leo and Victoria talking earlier," she whispered, glancing at the closed door, just in case Orion's outburst had woken anyone up.
"What were they saying?"
"Sit down and I tell you," she looked pointedly at the chair across from her and he rolled his eyes, but took a seat. He let out a deep breath and motioned for her to begin. She raised an eyebrow and he took another breath.
She nodded and then told him what she overheard. It didn't take long, she hadn't heard as much as she'd wanted to, but she had his full attention. His golden eyes never left her face, and his own face was carefully blanked as he listened to her recount of the conversation she shouldn't have heard in the first place.
"Whatever it is," she finished, "it has him on edge. He's scared."
Orion bowed his head and then lifted it again. "Why won't he tell me?"
She was the one to lean forward and grab his hand this time. "You might be the future Alpha, Orion, but you're sill his child. He wants to protect you."
"That's not an excuse for the way he's acting."
"No, but we all handle stress in different ways."
Orion's eyes softened as he stared at her. "You're quite defensive of the man who is trying to throw you to the beast."
She shrugged. "I suppose I sort of understand where he's coming from. He's just trying to protect his family."
"After he promised to protect you."
She couldn't argue with that, so she stayed quiet and just looked at him. His face was etched with worry, creating a line between his eyebrows that she just wanted to smooth out. She didn't like seeing him like this, so upset. She preferred the arrogant Orion, because that meant he was feeling good and confident. Right now, he seemed as if he had no idea what to do.
He leaned slightly closer to her. "I won't let anything happen to you, Skylar."
She sent him a tight smile. "Once Kellan gets here, it won't be your choice anymore."
His eyes widened. "You know about him coming?"
She nodded. "Leo told me that he would help to decide what to do with me."
Orion hesitated, appearing to choose his words carefully. "Did he say why?"
"Just that it was because he was a dragon, so it would involve him as well."
Her words seemed to give him some relief, although she wasn't sure why. "Oh, I see. I suppose that makes sense."
She narrowed her eyes at him, knowing that he knew something he wasn't telling her, but she didn't push him. "Is his whole family coming?"
"Yes," Orion breathed.
"Including Cassie?"
Orion winced slightly, and suddenly couldn't meet her eyes. "Yes, including Cassie."
Anger flared inside of her at the thought of another female anywhere near him, but she kept her face calm. Letting him know about the anger she herself didn't quite understand would only cause more problems. "I see."
"Skylar," he squeezed her hand. She hadn't even realized they were still entwined. "Everything will be okay, I'll make sure of it."
She smiled reassuringly at him. "I trust that you'll try."
He didn't miss her lack of confidence in the words, based on the way his eyebrows pulled even closer together.
"For now, to make things easier for everyone, perhaps I should stay somewhere else," she whispered quietly. "I think the further I am away from the Big House, the better."
"Skylar, you don't have to do that."
"I know I don't, but tensions will be less if I'm out of the way, I think. Perhaps Laura would let me stay with her family."
"She would like that very much, of that I'm sure. I don't like you so far away from where I can keep an eye on you."
"Orion," she said. "Leo wants me to stay away from you. He said so himself."
"I don't want you to stay away," he whispered.
Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach did a double back flip. She felt a tug toward him from deep within her chest. Her throat tightened with emotion for this brute of a man. What was happening to her? She needed to keep a level head, not fall flat on her face for Orion. Although she had a feeling she was already halfway to the ground in that aspect.
"I don't either," she conceded. "But distance eases tension. I've learned from experience that some time to cool off is good for both parties. I'll stay with Laura until Kellan arrives. She'll keep me out of trouble and make sure that I'm okay. You do what your father says, take on the responsibilities you've been neglecting because of me."
He began to shake his head.
"It's only for a week," she bargained, although she knew that it was more than likely that she would be gone after that week. It felt like she was saying goodbye to him then and there, because she doubted she would see him after she left this room if Leo had his way. Her heart twisted at the thought, but she wouldn't be the reason for anything bad happening to the clan.
She could see in his eye that he was aware of the same thing, but he nodded. "Fine. Until Kellan gets here. But I won't let you leave if I don't know you're going to be safe. I brought you here, promised to protect you, and I'm going to see it through."
"Thank you."
He rose, bringing her with him. "It's late. Actually, it's early. You should get some sleep."
"So should you," she said as she followed him to the door.
"I know. I'll try, as long as you do," he gave her a crooked grin, his hand still warm in hers.
She stood at the door, staring up at him. Waiting for... something. She had no idea what it was, but she couldn't ascertain exactly what she was expecting from him. With the way he was staring at her, she thought maybe he was feeling the same.
Finally, on impulse, she stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. Blood rushed to her cheeks, her lips tingling from the scruff on his face, but she remained confident in her action.
"Goodnight, Orion," she exhaled, her eyes searching his.
His hand had subconsciously moved up to cover his cheek where she'd kissed it. It might have been the flickering of candles and the fire in the fireplace, but she thought he might have been blushing. But it was surely just a play of light.
He cleared his throat before answering. "Sleep well, Skylar."