Chapter 3

Royce wasn’t overly concerned when Cedri found him and Zahari a little later in the greeting hall after a lot of the visiting guests had thinned some. Being led upstairs to the upper guarded royal rooms was unexpected, though. He hadn’t been invited to the private wing of the keep before. He didn’t know who had stayed or left after the confrontation downstairs, only that Lord Atkill had gone outside through the main doors, fuming and ranting to any who would listen, and his entourage had followed.

“Why?” Zahari asked, both she and Royce a pace behind Cedri. They shared a quick look, but didn’t argue when he explained.

“To give our full report. He needs to know what we found.”

There were two guards standing watch outside a lone door almost to the end of the hall. Royce recognized them both as having been with Lord Morrow during his audience with the visiting prides and lords in the greeting hall. The closest guard perused them closely as they approached the flanked doorway. He greeted Cedri with a nod. “You are expected.” He opened the door and motioned for them to enter.

Inside there was a low fire in the fireplace. It was a comfortable room, clearly set up for such meetings and privacy. Clouds were moving overhead and there was a scent of rain in the distance. The growing winds were cooling the keep from the summer heat as the morning progressed.

Couches layered in furs and chairs with plump cushions were gathered around a wide, low-profile table laden with food platters filled with tasty looking nibbles and breads, along with filled carafes and pitchers, and mugs to drink with. Royce’s stomach dared to growl at the abundant aromas. They’d had a very busy morning, and skin shifting took energy. The door quietly shut them in. They bowed in unison, waiting for Lord Morrow to release them.

Lord Morrow waved them over to seats. “Come in!” Then he slumped into his own chair and ran a hand down his face. “Goddess, I’m exhausted.” Harmony sat at his side and gripped his hand firmly between her smaller palms. Her mate sat among the group. Also gathered were three of the mages. Rune sat at Lord Morrow’s opposite side.

Scanning the faces, Royce staggered to a stumbled stop when he clashed with Duran’s incandescent brown gaze. His body tensed and he had to force himself to relax, to remember how to breathe. The elven mage had the ability to turn him stupid with a mere look. Beautiful brown eyes that shimmered like bright lava in the sunlight, with cascading brown curls reaching beyond mid-shoulder. He was remarkable and at the same time evoked a sense of calm trustworthiness that eased Royce’s soul. The way he reacted to the mage disturbed him. Duran was no one to him. Ever since he’d first seen him when they were still stalking the keep grounds for information, the man had driven him crazy, to distraction. He gritted his teeth as they took seats among the others, refusing to look in the mage’s direction again.

Earlier, Royce had spoken without being aware, awestruck witnessing the emergence of Lord Morrow’s lion, unaware of who stood next to him downstairs. The sound of Duran’s lowered voice in answer had grabbed him and left him shaken, like he alone had kindled a flame and it heated every nerve under Royce’s skin. He’d been dumbstruck by the sensation. Duran had moved on shortly after Lord Morrow had left the room to soothe anyone who was overwhelmed by the appearance of Lord Morrow’s lion, oblivious to Royce’s agitation. Royce had essentially run in the other direction only to be found by Cedri to be brought here anyway. Everywhere he turned, there was the mage.

Now, Royce was simply trying to stay silent and unseen, which in a room of so many should have been easy. With Lord Morrow, his rearing parents, the mages, and the skin shifters, he tried to blend into the silence.

“Please, help yourselves.” Lord Morrow motioned at the offerings on the table. He looked toward Rune. “Is anyone else expected?”

“No. Brin, Grayson, and Ulcieh are staying downstairs as eyes and ears. Iba is keeping an eye on Atkill. He hasn’t left the keep proper. He sent a rider to their encampment though. We need to be prepared for his response.” Lines appeared around his mouth even as he seemed to lose focus. Royce assumed he was communing with his familiar, the raven, Iba. Mages and familiars were known to the skin shifters, but he’d never witnessed their interactions this closely before coming to the keep.

Lord Morrow snorted. “Are you sure I can’t just fry him? Please?” he playfully begged. He waggled his fingers with a meaning apparently his lead mage understood.

“No, you may not fry him.” Rune shook with light laughter, his focus returning to the room and the man beside him, affectionately resting a palm to his thigh before adding, “We need this to play out.”

“Have you had more visions?” Leodinn asked, before sipping on his drink. Wood in the fireplace popped, shooting sparks upward into the chimney. It all seemed so normal. This. The comfortable vibe in the room. The gathering of friends. It felt like home to Royce. The acceptance. Except Royce had never been in the presence of so many mages or anyone of presumed royal blood, ever. And there lay the one ripple in the comfort of the room. He sat still, his back straight on the couch.

It wasn’t until Cedri leaned forward and grasped a mug to fill from a pitcher, then plated several strips of meat and a roll, that Royce took his cue and mimicked him, Zahari doing the same beside him. The last thing he wanted was to insult anyone by helping himself out of turn.

“Unfortunately, no. Not since the vision of the token’s call.” Rune relaxed into his seat. A small frown cut into his features. “Honestly, I’m surprised it has been so long since that one. It was months ago.”

“So that means we’re on our own.” Jayce squeezed his rearing mam’s hand before releasing her then to reach for a mug to wrap his palms around. Steam curled from the liquid and he drank with pleasure. After a short pause, he said, “Cedri, you saw the forces. How many are there? And whose banners?”

Cedri swallowed his mouthful and replied. “Atkill’s and Seamus’s banners for sure. About a hundred under each. There may have been more in the distance. They weren’t camped together but there was easily more than they should have needed to make a congenial introduction.”

Jayce sighed. “Easily enough to overtake the keep with our current defenses. We have to trust those who believe in the Valda-Cree can sway them to not turn to an aggressive attack.”

“Why would they bring so many?” Zahari wondered aloud.

“In case it was a trap would make sense,” Harmony offered. She shrugged, guilt and apology all rolled into her expressions. “The force Lord Atkill apparently commands was well behind us. We never had an inkling they were there. Harvan didn’t divulge who we were to the others and none of us knew they’d go to such extremes. The invite was to greet, as none knew save him and us who you were. Harvan is absolutely irate with the others for such a show of bad faith. The intent was to join in the journey to present themselves to the new lord. I knew in my heart it was you, but there was no way to convey our knowledge without causing further skepticism. Because of that, we personally felt it was best to maintain our anonymity for our safety for as long as possible. Our inclusion and history didn’t come to the front until this morning because we didn’t know who outside of Harvan we could trust. So Atkill could have seen it as a possible subterfuge by not being included.”

“Very distrustful,” Duran murmured crossly. “Men with secrets to hide act like that.”

“Do you think so?” Lord Morrow asked, skeptically eyeing the room.

Royce understood the thoughts behind his question. The men and mages at the keep had a whopper of a secret themselves that, until that day, had been tightly guarded. But divulging it too early would have put Lord Morrow’s rearing parents in jeopardy. At least until confirming their identities was unquestionable before the other clan lords.

Duran addressed the room in answer. “It’s hard to say. Lord Eitin was suspicious but not distrustful. I didn’t personally speak to Lord Seamus. I believe Lord Eitin’s master at arms had been more suspicious only because they couldn’t determine if his own lord was under any threat, and being surrounded by skin shifters and mages had put him on edge.” He touched his chest briefly with a flat hand. “I don’t know after those few words if he’d still felt that distrust. Truthfully, there was very little shared in such a short time.”

“Jayce?” He twisted on his seat to face Harmony. “I believe you would find firm support and an ally in Harvan. The Kinsi clan has always supported the throne and the Valda-Cree lineage. Your willingness to include Lisana meant a lot to him.”

His lips pursed before he said, “Right now, I don’t want anyone pulled in as a favorite. Not yet. Voluntary supporters are very welcome, but today’s energy is too raw. What just happened downstairs didn’t help. That’s not the energy to look for people to choose sides. Not when some won’t feel they know all the facts.” He bounced his right hand on the arm of his chair, unconsciously tapping a ring he wore to the wood. Royce’s gaze followed the large gold piece as curiosity narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t something he’d seen Lord Morrow wear before today, and he wondered about its appearance and if it held any significance. But before he could put any more thought into it, Jayce huffed sheepishly, looking over those in the room surreptitiously. “I really need to learn better control. That’s twice he’s taken charge.”

Cedri hurriedly gulped the drink he’d taken to speak, aghast. “You didn’t control that?”

“No.” He grunted with self-aimed displeasure. “I know I can admit this here among friends and family. I could have ignored the bellowed charge as I have faith in my guards, but what pissed me off was the two women who screamed when he took it upon himself to attack, flailing his stupid sword around like it was a twig. Apparently, my dear furball has a very protective streak.” He grinned ruefully. “He does not like our people, be they children or women or men who don’t want to be caught in the middle, to be victimized. He was furious.”

“You have to work on that,” Nolen chastised brusquely. The mug he held hit the table with a bit of force, clicking loudly in the tense quiet, a father’s scowl on his brow. “Cedri, can you help with that? We’re foxes. We simply don’t have the hierarchy to teach him control.”

His expression brightened even as he said, “I’d be honored. If Lord Morrow agrees.”

Relief filled his smile when he nodded. “Your instruction would be a huge help. You know I rely on you as it is to help me learn about this whole skin shifter side of me.”

Cedri looked first at his side to Royce and then toward Zahari with thoughtful consideration. “I haven’t made this announcement to our attending clan members here. I’ve requested separation from the clan to join Lord Morrow’s journey.”

“What! No!” Zahari cried, jerking on the cushion in surprise, her eyes shooting accusing sparks.

He cupped her chin. “It is time for me, pet. Kygo has firm control of Tanglewood. He will lead well. I am only an added irritation to his hide.”

Royce snickered, quickly hiding it though. The competitive rivalry between the brothers was legendary throughout Tanglewood’s families. Zahari would still kick his ass if she thought he was mocking her reactions.

“My brother’s reply is for any who wish to join me, they will not be outcast or separated, but will be duly noted as under the protection of Lord Morrow from this point forward, if that meets your agreement.” He gave due respect to the man in the room who had the power, waiting for his answer.

Jayce stood and offered a hand to Cedri, pulling him up and giving him a firm handshake and arm clasp of solidarity. “Consider it done. Any who wish to stay will be welcome. On one condition.”

“Anything,” Cedri agreed firmly.

“For all that is holy, stop calling me Lord Morrow. Please. All of you.” He perused the group, speaking to everyone individually. “Inside this room is a safe place. The reason this room was created was so I could just be Jayce. Lord Morrow exists outside of that door, for all, but in here, I want to be me, a man who has problems, faults, fears, and concerns, who has friends and even my family to come to when the shit hits the fan.”

Quizzical glances bounced around the room. No one knew what he meant. Harmony was giggling, her cheeks pink and even Nolen was grinning, pride beaming from him. But no one else understood.

“Geez. Forgot. You guys don’t know what I mean. Okay, what would be a good idiom?” He dragged fingers through his dark locks in thought. “I know! When all hell breaks loose and we’re looking at dark days, I want a place to simply exist, to be able to breathe without pretense.”

“If that is what you wish?” Cedri asked with fair tones of incredulity coloring his voice. Royce agreed with his confusion. He’d never heard of anyone asking for less respect when using their title.

“I do. And I have one more immediate request, as you’ve made your intentions known. If you are agreeable, I want you as part of my personal guard.”

Cedri gaped where he still stood, clearly gobsmacked. “I’d… I’d be honored.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” They shook again and Cedri sank down beside Royce, bemused and silent as Jayce returned to his seat. “That will make you, Rune, and one from the keep who will all answer directly to me. I want a diverse selection, with smart, morally strong individuals.”

“Ulcieh has suggestions for you, which I’ve also conferred with him about,” Rune mentioned as an aside. “We feel the same. You need protection, more as the days progress. It can’t be put off for much longer. Not if today is any indication.”

Cedri shook himself. “I will form a core list of those who wish to remain and bolster your current growing guards with ours, if that meets your approval.”

Jayce nodded. “Ulcieh, as my Engagement Advisor, will have the final say on how you can integrate, but if there is an issue, Duran and Grayson are liaisons between the keep staff and soldiers, shifters, and mages. Otherwise, I agree.”

Duran smiled warmly at his motion of inclusion and Royce almost melted off his seat when Duran’s smile landed on him. Goddess, the mage made him crazy. He didn’t know what was between them, but whatever it was left his cat yowling like a crazed animal.

The span of seconds their gazes connected sent his heart pounding with the force of a freefall avalanche. His lungs constricted under the impact. Clenching a fist hidden by his side, he pushed it all away. Now was not the time. He didn’t even know the man.

“I am at your disposal.” Royce had to clear his throat twice to make his voice work after the impact of the mage’s beautiful smile. As Cedri’s second, he was as much a voice for the Tanglewood clan skin shifters as Cedri while at the keep. Duran nodded that he’d heard.

“I will have names of those who choose to join you in a day or two. The news I’m staying may meet some resistance.” Zahari refused to look in his direction when he reached toward her, but stopped himself when she remained stiff. The dark scowl on her face clearly said his attention was not wanted.

Rune waved a hand, sliding past her slight. That was a private discussion and Royce didn’t blame him for not getting in the middle. Royce didn’t want to get between them, either. His cousin was going to tear Cedri’s tail apart for not telling her privately. He knew how close they were. “It is coming together. However, by your leave, I must attend to the two in the holding cell before it gets much later.”

Jayce crossed his arms and scowled at Rune. “You’re doing this now because you know I can’t leave with all these visitors in the keep. Even though you said you’d let them stew.”

Rune smirked but remained silent.

It amazed Royce how well the two worked off each other. They clearly respected each other. Even if Rune was using the unannounced visitors as leverage to keep Jayce in the keep and safe.

“You are to take a full guard,” Jayce directed, his voice devoid of all humor.

Rune’s expression smoothed, though there was no hiding the affection in his gaze. Something passed between them briefly before he relaxed in acquiescence. “Of course.” Rune stood and strode from the room without looking back.

“Now, things are moving here as much, as fast or as slowly as they are supposed to. There’s no way to know, only the day to day. Duran, is there any word from the south about the progress of the army?”

“Ulcieh received a report this morning, but the visiting clan lords have kept him tied up.”

“Please send for him.”

Duran nodded and went to the door to make the request for one of the guards to locate Ulcieh before returning.

“If you don’t have any further need of us.” Nolen stood and offered a hand to his mate. “I think we’re going to go for a run.”

Jayce stood again and hugged both his mam and pap. It was good the young lord had so many supporting him so early in his days. It had to be difficult filling the expected position to eventually claim the throne considering what he’d witnessed earlier downstairs. How does anyone prepare for that kind of a life? That kind of a shock? How does anyone continue like normal when he learns about his father? About his own path? And what had to be done to protect him as a mere babe? Royce was seeing more of what Cedri had probably been able to witness sooner in the other man, thanks to their shared training and friendship. It would explain his choice to remain at the keep in support of Lord Morrow’s journey. Royce tended to let Cedri take the lead, it was the man’s nature, much like his brother, Kygo. A long-toothed tiger could do a lot of damage to a mere snow leopard if he chose to and arguing wasn’t in his best interest.

Jayce spoke to his parents when they all stood together. He hugged each warmly. “Love you. There’s open land between the back wall of the keep and the river.”

“Zahari, make sure they’re not disturbed.” Cedri motioned for her to follow them when they walked from the room.

She glowered at him then sighed. “All right.” She trailed the pair out the door, closing it behind her.

“She’s not happy with your decision,” Jayce surmised, sitting once more.

“No. I wasn’t aware she would take it so hard.” Cedri refilled his mug with hot coffee. He sipped as he gathered his thoughts, offering, “Kygo and I are always fighting. He’s the next in line as clan leader, and rightfully so. I’m looking forward to the challenges.” He raised a mug in toast to Jayce.

A knock on the door preceded the announcement, “Ulcieh, as requested.”

“Enter!” Jayce called.

Royce leaned close to speak to Cedri. “Do you want me to stay?”

“I do,” he replied without missing a beat. Accepting he wasn’t going anywhere for a while, he refilled his plate and munched with pleasure.