The conversation turned to training after that, and Michael wanted to know all about training with Nikolas. It occurred to me that what he and the other trainees needed to cure them of their hero worship of Nikolas was a couple of days training under him. I’d love to see how they handled his boot-camp style workout. If I wasn’t so tired, I would have laughed at the idea.
* * *
“I can’t believe you knew about it, too, and you didn’t tell me. Was I the last person to find out?”
“It was not my place to tell you, little one. The mating bond is a very intimate experience between two people, and one does not interfere in such matters.”
I scowled at Desmund over our game of checkers. “How did you know anyway? Did Tristan tell you?”
“Of course not. Tristan would not share something so private.” He gave me a look of mild reproof. “I knew when you told me Nikolas went into a rage once when you were hurt. I must say it took me by surprise at first.”
“You’re not the only one.” I captured one of his pieces, and he swiftly retaliated by taking two of mine. “We have to be the worst match in Mohiri history. Half the time we don’t even get along.”
“You both have strong personalities. You will be a worthy mate for him because you will challenge him.” His eyes sparkled mischievously. “At the very least, it will be entertaining for the rest of us.”
I scowled at the board. “I hate to kill your fun, but I don’t even know if that’s what I want.”
He leaned forward. “Really? What does Nikolas think of that?”
“We haven’t talked about it. I told him I’ll train with him, but I am not ready to talk about any of this. I’m still upset with him and Tristan for letting me find out the way I did.”
“Yes, I can imagine that was something of a shock. But don’t be too hard on him. I dare say this has not been easy for him either.”
“I thought you didn’t like him. Now you are defending him?”
Desmund winked. “How can I not defend a man who has the good sense to care about you?”
“You are such a sweet talker,” I scolded, and he gave me a look of mock innocence. “I certainly know how to pick my friends.”
His hand stopped in mid-air over the board, and his expression was indecipherable. “Friends?”
“Of course. We are, aren’t we?” I asked before I stopped to think. Desmund was eccentric and suffering from a long mental illness. He had come a long way in the time I’d known him, but it was still hard to know how he would react to a situation. It was possible he did not want a friend, as strange as that sounded.
A smile lit up his face. “Most definitely.”
“Good.” I looked down at my decimated checkers. “I’d hate to see how hard you would play someone who wasn’t your friend.” At his innocent look I laughed. “Don’t think I don’t know you go easy on me.”
He shrugged, and I knew he would never admit to it. “Did I tell you my uncle, Nate, is coming next week to spend Thanksgiving?”
“You must be excited to see him.”
“I can’t wait. He’s staying for a whole week.” The thought of seeing Nate every day for a week made me almost giddy. I couldn’t wait to show him around and introduce him to everyone. Just picturing his expression when he saw Alex and Minuet made me grin.
“I have never seen you look this happy,” Desmund said. “Your uncle must be a good man.”
“He is. I hope . . . ” I hesitated, not sure how to say what I wanted to say to him. “I’d like for you to meet him . . . if you want to, that is.”
“I’d be honored.” His smile changed to a playful smirk. “How often do you introduce young men to your uncle?”
I let out a snort. “Young? Didn’t you tell me that you and Tchaikovsky were friends?”
He touched his chin. “Hmmm, so you think your uncle will have a problem with the age difference?”
“Age difference?” My mouth fell open, and I stared at him. Did he mean . . . ? I thought about his reaction a few minutes ago when I said he was a friend. Did Desmund feel something more than friendship for me? But he’d just told me I’d make a good mate for Nikolas. Was he saying that just to be nice?
“Is something wrong?”
I rubbed my suddenly sweaty palms against my thighs. “Desmund, you know that we are only friends, right? I mean, I like you, but I can’t – ”
His burst of laughter cut me off and made me forget whatever it was I had been about to say. It was the first time I’d ever heard him laugh this hard, and I had no idea what had set him off. I didn’t know whether to be worried or relieved.