(Amaia)

My heart is so heavy, I feel like I am drowning in the hole Rigel has left behind even though I understand why he did it. The endless pain I had witnessed in his eyes was because he hurt me.

And that Blood Oath he took. What consequences is that oath going to have? The very thought makes me tremble.

"What object did Rigel use while taking the blood oath?" I ask Mintaka, who is helping me pack my bag for our travel while I place my sword and charmed dagger inside.

He freezes at my sudden question, his lips bunching up in a silent plea not to ask him that.

I place my hands on my waist. "You guys are hiding too much stuff from me. Don’t do that, Min. I know you are only trying to protect me but please."

Min places the shirt he is folding into my bag and pulls me in for a hug. He rubs his nose into my hair.

"We don’t want you to hurt for things which can be avoided. We want you to remain oblivious to stuff which will bring you nothing but pain." His hands softly rub my back. "Remember we are not only your mates, but we are also your guardians."

"I know, Min. But I can’t help but feel responsible if something is to happen to him or any of you."

"We can’t avoid every disaster. That’s what this world is like. Let us protect you from the information which can be the cause of distress. You have enough to deal with when it comes to the five of us. Let us carry some of your burdens." His hands come to hold my face so we can stare at each other.

"Hmm, what do you say?"

Slowly I nod at him, knowing he is only trying to keep me away from the source of pain but it does make me wonder about Rigel.

Since Alnilam used his hair for the Blood Oath, Rigel must have used something very personal too. It just adds to my worries but I don’t dwell on it anymore.

"I trust you guys."

Mintaka smiles. "I know." Then he softly kisses my lips before letting go.

"We should be ready. He is going to be here soon."

Mintaka and I finish packing and then we head over to their room. Mintaka has already packed his bag but Alnitak is just lazing around on the bed, sucking on a lollipop like a kid.

"Why aren’t you packed?" Mintaka asks, slightly furious.

"I packed my candies." He nonchalantly says, dangling his leg from the bed and moving it left and right, like a pendulum.

"Are you perhaps going to be wearing them and sleeping in them too? Brushing your teeth with them?" Mintaka glares at him.

Alnitak rolls his eyes. "I hate this packing shit. I am not doing it."

Stepping closer, I bend down and kiss his cheek.

"I will do it. Let me know what you need." Alnitak’s smile widens a mile. His strong arm crosses around my waist holding me there.

"No wonder I love you. Pleaseeee. I will share all my candies with you."

Mintaka shakes his head. "Amaia, you are spoiling him. He is already a brat."

"Buzz off, Min." He sticks his tongue out at his brother while I straighten up.

"It’s alright. I have to spoil someone. All of you spoil me too."

Mintaka lets his shoulders drop at my words. "I will help you." Turning to his brother he sternly says. "You are a fucking brat, letting Amaia and me do all your work."

"I am not. You guys volunteered and I am sharing sweets."

"I didn’t volunteer. I am only helping Amaia so she won’t have to do it alone. You should get up your lazy ass and help."

Both of them bicker while I move to his cupboard and start taking out his clothes, shoes and other stuff he will need for the trip.

Mintaka helps me while grunting at his brother. We ask him what he needs and pack accordingly.

We are almost done when there is a knock on the door and Alnitak answers it.

It’s Kacir and Rahria. Their worried eyes find me as they step inside. "You alright? We wanted to come earlier but gave you space and time to heal. And Sir Alnilam was with you," Rahria apologetically says.

I smile at her. "I am fine, all healed up."

"Sorry about Ezran. We heard he hurt you." Kacir steps closer and hugs me tight.

"It wasn’t his fault. Someone cast a spell on him."

By now the news in the academy has spread of his expulsion. He has disappeared, that news is being kept hush-hush by the headmaster.

"But father said, he deliberately hurt you." Kacir takes a step back and holds my shoulders in deep concern.

I know they are trying to sell the narrative that Ezran is a monster.

"He will never hurt me deliberately. But let’s keep this between us for now. I don’t want this to spread." Rahria and Kacir both nod at me.

"Ready? Sir Alnilam has asked us to gather in the training ground," Kacir says next.

"Yeah, let’s go." Mintaka throws Alnitak’s bag towards him which he effortlessly catches. Sometimes I forget the sheer power they hold.

Mintaka picks up his own. We leave their room, one by one and I find Saiph waiting for me outside my room. Arms crossed, casually leaning against the doorframe. Even the door looks small in front of him.

"Can I have a word?" He asks, in his heavy voice and I nod.

He opens the door and enters, I follow. Picking up my bag he hands it to Alnitak.

"I will bring her down shortly."

"Okay!" Alnitak takes my bag from him while Kacir and Rahria pass a glance. They still don’t know that Saiph and Alnilam are my mates too. I guess I have to tell them soon.

Once they leave, Saiph closes the door and grabs me by my waist, hugging me to his rock-hard body.

He breathlessly whispers in my hair. "I am going to miss you like crazy."