Asher fell silent, thinking about who knew what. There were times to push and ask what he thought, but considering his sister was going to be leaving them for an untold amount of time, she figured he needed a little peace to come to grips with it.
So they walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. Well, as comfortable as they could be given Asher would soon be saying goodbye to his mum and sister.
True, Honoria hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye to her parents in the end, but that was different. Aimee and Lynne King weren't going to be imprisoned and executed. The farewell this morning would be sad, but also happy because it gave them hope.
And if there was something Skyhunter could do with, it was more hope.
~~~
Later that evening, Asher stood across from his mother and sister, Honoria waiting outside if he needed her, and he tried to think of what to say to his family.
It didn't help that Aimee had been given a sedative to ensure she made the twelve-hour car ride from Skyhunter up to Lochguard in the Scottish Highlands. To be honest, she might be too far out of it to even remember what he said to her.
And yet, he didn't want to send her off without some words of brotherly love.
Of course, while it was easy to say affectionate words with Honoria, he didn't do it often with others.
His beast growled, and Asher closed his eyes a second so Aimee couldn't see his pupils change to slits. It's not that hard. It's the truth—we love them. Stop hesitating. When you do, it doesn't reflect strength, which we need to do as often as we can right now.
We're standing inside Mum's cottage. I doubt anyone has hidden cameras in here. Now, hush. We can't risk upsetting Aimee, or it'll delay her departure even more.
Fine. I'll be quiet until she leaves.
His beast walked in a circle before settling down, wrapping his tail around his body, and laying his head on top of it.
Asher opened his eyes and focused on his mother first. "Let me know if you need anything. And if they so much as look at you funny, tell me and I'll sort it out."
His mother smiled. "I've handled far worse, Asher. I'll be fine."
She engulfed him in a hug, and he murmured, "I love you, Mum. It'll be strange with you gone. But if it means helping Aimee, I'd do far more than say goodbye to accomplish it."
After squeezing him tightly, his mother released him. "I didn't survive Marcus's reign merely so I could flee afterward. We'll be back, and not just because my handsome son is one-half of the leadership, either. I know you'll do a brilliant job, Asher." She lowered her voice. "Maybe I'll come back for a special occasion?"
He was grateful that Honoria had given him a few minutes alone with his mother and sister. Otherwise, his mum might be extracting promises of a mating before they even knew it. Lynne King could be devious if she wanted, albeit was always with love. "If it happens, I'll let you know."
His mother raised her brows. "If? More like, when. I predicted that when you two were children. I have a sense for these things."
He gave a noncommittal grunt, hoping that would be the end of it. Arguing with his mother right before she left for who knew how long wasn't the sendoff he wanted to give her.
His mum motioned toward Aimee. "I'll give you a minute alone with your sister. Let me know when you're done, and I'll collect her."
Once his mother left, he turned toward Aimee.
He didn't like the way her eyes were half closed or the fact she looked about ready to slump to one side in the chair.
But he knew the drugs were necessary, otherwise she'd never make the journey.
And she needed to make the journey. More than ever, he was convinced of how she needed to leave Skyhunter to forget about the horrors of her imprisonment.
His inner dragon didn't speak, but sent him waves of encouragement. They always helped, and one day, Aimee would have the same again.
He refused to believe otherwise.
Squatting down to her eye level, he said, "Don't let the Scottish dragons push you too far. If it's too much, you say so. And remember, I'm always a phone call away."
Aimee said nothing. She didn't even move her head.
He hated her like this, absolutely hated it.