Free elemental 06 - the best man by Larissa Ladd

 
     

    CHAPTER ONE
     
    “WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE to get married? We’re already bonded. That should be enough.” Aira asked Aiden.
    Dylan tried to cover the smile at his lips as he watched Aira pace the living room floor. Months after coming into her full abilities as an elemental, after taking the role of monarch for her element and bonding with his brother, it seemed to Dylan as if—in spite of the lack of obvious threats against her life—things were only just starting to get interesting. He shook his head; since assuming the rule of her element, Aira had become more like part of his and Aiden’s team—she had asserted her right to rule her way, which meant that she refused to be chained to one location, or to wait politely for problem elementals to be brought to her for trial.
    While she had bucked the authority of the Elders, Aira was finding the authority of parents—both his and Aiden’s as well as her own—to be more difficult to contend with. They had been together for a month when Jessica, Dylan’s and Aiden’s mother, had started campaigning for a wedding. 
    “You know as a monarch you have to make it official,” Aiden said, watching her intently. Dylan shook his head again. In spite of the fact that he couldn’t imagine two people having more passion for each other than Aira and Aiden, his brother still had his flaws—among them an authoritative disposition.
    “I thought the whole point of what we did was so I didn’t have to give in to stupid things like that,” she shot back. The wind rose outside and then quieted, and Dylan knew that while Aira only had a light grip on her temper at the moment, it was there. 
    “You’re not up against the Elders, Aira,” Dylan pointed out. “Our mom and your mom are just … Well …” he shrugged. “At least you’re getting plenty of fruit in your diet.” Dylan glanced at the assembly of fruit baskets collected on the bar between the kitchen and the main area of the apartment. Jessica had begun sending the baskets as an overture; she wanted to get to know Aira better, she hoped Aira would have a chance to come by and visit sometime, maybe when Aiden and Dylan had a break from cases.
    Aiden snorted and Aira turned on her heel to scowl at him. “This isn’t funny. You promised me you would never tie me down.” Dylan sat down, knowing that this would, for the moment, be between the two of them—there was nothing he could helpfully contribute to the conversation. He felt a flicker of something close to resentment; he didn’t resent Aiden for having Aira, exactly, or for the fact that his brother was finally happy—but it was difficult for Dylan not to feel a little lonely, seeing how much they loved each other. 
    “Tell me how it would be any different to be married,” Aiden said, holding Aira in place with a fearless look. “What are you afraid of?” Aira fidgeted, looking down at her feet. Dylan knew exactly what she was afraid of, but it wasn’t his position or his right to tell Aiden. Aira sighed and sat down heavily in one of the wingback chairs, close to Aiden.
    “I just feel like … like it’s so irrevocable …” Aira pressed her lips together, glancing furtively at Aiden. “I mean, I know—in theory—that our bond is irrevocable already. And I don’t want to get rid of it, even if I could.” 
    “Technically you could,” Dylan said, in spite of his decision to keep out of it. “It would be agonizing, but you could. I don’t recommend it though.” Aira smirked.
    “But getting married just … seems …” she shook her head. Dylan glanced at his brother. Aiden’s bright eyes widened, and he saw the telltale signs of Aiden having an epiphany.
    “It seems like a big step, I know.” Aiden licked his lips and smiled slowly. “But the bond we have is way more irrevocable than a marriage.” Dylan watched Aiden rest his hand on top of hers and he did not have to be particularly in tune with either of them to feel the flow