Chapter 31: Welcome To Talos
Akon
“Welcome to Talos,” Ashton says, his voice neutral, his tone polite but distant. “We hope you’ll be comfortable here. It’s not every day we have… guests.”
Layla swallows, her throat dry, but she manages a small smile, her voice soft but steady. “Thank you. I… I’m still trying to process everything, but I’m grateful for your hospitality. It’s… overwhelming, to say the least.”
Ayden leans back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes another bite of bacon. “So, you’re Akon’s mate, huh? That’s… interesting. I didn’t think he had it in him. Guess there’s a first time for everything.”
I shoot him a warning look, my grip on Layla’s hand tightening, but she speaks before I can. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m willing to try. If you’ll let me. I know I’m not… normal. But I’m not a threat, either.”
Adrik’s gaze is intense, his jaw clenched, but he nods slowly, his voice gruff. “We’ll see how things go. For now, eat. You must be hungry. It’s not every day we have the rogue princess of Dracos at our table.”
As we sit down, the tension in the room is palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. The clinking of forks against plates and the soft murmur of conversation are the only sounds, but beneath it all, I can feel the undercurrent of suspicion and curiosity. Layla’s presence has already started to shift the dynamics, and I can see the questions in my brothers’ eyes, the doubt, but also a spark of something else—interest, perhaps.
As we eat, the conversation is stilted, filled with cautious questions and guarded answers. Ayden’s sarcasm gives way to genuine curiosity as he asks Layla about her life, her travels, and the diamond in her chest. Ashton’s reserve softens as he listens to her speak, his blue eyes warming slightly as he begins to see her as more than just a threat. Even Adrik’s expression relaxes, just a fraction, as he watches her interact with us, her wit and intelligence shining through. My pride grows with how she is handling this, especially after the shaky start last night. I lift my eyes toward the ceiling, sending a silent thank you to the gods who sent her to us.
But more questions remain. Did she have a lava snail helping her? If so, where is he? Will he allow her to stay and not let his protectiveness threaten the fated bond we are all trying to accept? I will ask her, but not right now. Because I want to hear her stories. I want to know her.
Layla’s voice is soft but steady, her words carefully chosen, but there’s a strength in her that’s impossible to ignore. She speaks of her past, of the trials she’s faced, the people she’s lost, and the diamond that’s both a curse and a blessing. Her blue eyes shine with a mixture of sadness and determination, and I can see my brothers beginning to see her as more than just a human with a dangerous artifact.
By the time breakfast is over, the atmosphere has shifted. The tension is still there, but it’s different now—less hostile, more curious. Layla’s presence has planted a seed, a seed of acceptance, and I can see it growing, slowly but surely. Ayden’s smirk has turned into a genuine smile, Ashton’s caution has softened into something resembling respect, and even Adrik’s icy gaze has thawed, just a little.
As we were all about to leave, I decided to ask. “Kai knows that you have a lava snail helping you, and we do too. Where is he?”
Her posture stiffens. “What does it matter? Be honest because I can spot a lie as easily as you can spot a rooster in a hen house.”
Ayden laughs, and we all glare at him. “What? It’s funny.”
“Layla, ignore him. We want to know because not many exist. They are known to be extremely protective, and we are concerned if he would try to rip you away even against your will.”
She shakes her head. “Alden would never do that. Yes, he is extremely protective, but so are dragons. If I want to stay and try, he won’t take me away because that would hurt me. He loves me and thus won’t ever hurt me.”
Adrik stares at her. “Love, love is a weakness.”
Layla lets go of my hand and turns to face my brother. “Love can also be a strength. Everyone needs love just as the darkness needs its light.” She puts her hand over her heart as she continues. “Darkness needs that light so it can cast shadows. Those shadows can offer anonymity and comfort if you are strong enough to allow them to.”
I hold in a chuckle because she has just put Adrik in his place. He is an obsidian dragon who utilizes shadow magic. A shadow can’t exist without its light, and right now, his light just owned him. He doesn’t answer but instead just bangs his head on the wall. Layla looks at me, and I shrug. “So what happened to Alden? If Kai has him…”
“Kai doesn’t have him. I do,” she replies.
Ashton blinks rapidly. “What do you mean? No one can possess a lava snail. They trust no one with their snail form because they have vulnerabilities just as their human forms do.”
I saw her close her eyes briefly before she reached between her cleavage and pulled out a shell that began to glow. There was a flash, and then a man with wavy hair tipped with fire stood before us wearing…”That’s my favorite shirt!”
He laughs. “Would you prefer a naked lava snail, because that can be arranged?”
Layla smacks him. “Alden, play nice.” Then she furrows her brow. “You said what you did earlier because you are wearing their clothes, didn’t you?”
Alden nods. “I have tried to teach you to rely on your instincts. When you touch someone or wear their clothing, it provides an imprint. You can use that to determine if you should listen to your gut or your brain. You wanted to run, but I got you to see that it was worth giving it a try. I think we can be safe here, a lot safer than we were out there in that bayou, constantly having to battle witches, shapeshifters, vampires, and whatever else the Council and Syndicate sent after us.”