Free Aligning Stars (Fate's Intent Book 1) by April Bowles Page A

keep a close eye on me or something. Like I was going to try anything. It never seemed to work out when I did.
    I just sighed and folded my arms. I did notice the name he called me but I wasn’t going to openly express anything. Maybe that’s just what he was trying to get me to do but I wouldn’t give in.
    Zayden reached into a bag on his other side and took out some brittle, stale-looking bread. “Catch.”
    He threw some at Darius then tossed some to Troy and took some out for himself.
    “First thing I do when I get back.” Darius muttered, taking a bite.
    Troy tried to hold back his laugh. “Really? That surprises me.”
    “Don’t speak to me.” Darius snatched, narrowing his eyes towards him.
    “I don’t think it would matter much.” Zayden replied with a low chuckle. “He’ll do both, on the same table, at the same time.”
    “Probably.” Darius agreed with a simple head nod, concentrating more on eating than looking around. “I can multitask.”
    “Okay. I’m done talking about this.” Troy said.
    Zayden just smiled to it and let the silence continue while we sat by and watched them eat. “What? You think we should feed you?”
    “Well, that seems a little pointless.” I muttered.
    “Sort of but we’re not total animals.”
    “Could have fooled me.”
    Zayden laughed and held it out in front of me. It looked worse up close. “Are you sure?”
    I was disgusted and pushed his hand away with one finger to minimize touching between us. “No thanks. I think it’s growing something.”
    “All the more nutrients for a more balanced meal.”
    He took another bite and I had to shiver and look away. “I’d sooner die.”
    “If you’d like, I’d let you do both.”
    I just looked up at Jaylyn and Ruby with a look of annoyance on my face but they both smiled to it. They seemed to know exactly what it meant without having to hear it from me and I really didn’t want it to be mentioned.
    “Wow, you should really try relaxation, Love.” Zayden said, taking another bite and calling me that name again. “Loosen up a bit.”
    “I’m relaxed.” It may have been a small, tiny, little white lie. My back was completely straight with my shoulders pushed back so my head and neck remained even with my spine. It probably looked like I needed to relax.
    “Then why are you sitting like that? It looks like you’re ready for an inspection or something.”
    “You try sitting in a corset.”
    “Oh, how could I have known? You’ve been in your coat all this time.”
    “Easier to carry.” My voice was annoyed and I tried keeping my eyes off him so things wouldn’t get worse.
    “Well, if it’s uncomfortable, you’re welcome to take it off if you’d like. We won’t mind.”
    I crossed my arms in front of my chest and rolled my eyes. “I’m not here for your personal amusement.”
    Zayden kept the smile on his face and leaned a little closer with a softer voice. “You’re here because you have way too much pride and will be whatever I want you to be. Don’t make me take them off their short leashes.”
    Darius groaned with maximum displeasure, rumbling the space around us as he threw his head back. “You don’t know how badly I loathe you right now.”
    “And continue doing it silently. I already know your opinion.”
    Darius grumbled his voice and began to get up. “I’ll do it silently.”
    I tightened.
    “Finally.” Troy muttered.
    Darius gritted his teeth and kicked dirt in his direction. “I’m not doing that! I’m going to find real food.”
    “Then we hope for your success.”
    “I don’t need anything from you.” He walked away into the dark but Troy was still watching. I was at least glad he didn’t try acting against Zayden.
    “Let him be.” Zayden said. “You need time away from each other.”
    “It’d take a little more than that.” It was clear Troy was frustrated while he took off pieces of his armor for some unknown reason and placed them beside him.
    “Too