Chapter 22

Three days later, a keep runner bundled in layers to protect himself from the cold found Royce and Duran sitting in the barn avoiding the blowing wind that had moved in overnight, keeping the lounging dragons company in their enlarged stalls. Snow had dusted the ground in the early evening hours and now a brisk wind was cutting through the world warning of more coming storms of the season, whistling over the bare landscape and buildings. Only those who braved the wind were outside at all. The mages had surrounded the barn with suppression spells to block the elements, doing what they could to keep it toasty warm. The dragons weren’t used to any type of cold weather. Grayson had shared that their home world’s winters were mild in comparison to Kielbos, their seasons almost temperate through the year, making it very comfortable for the dragons. Content to laze in the barn until the worst passed, it had become a comfortable hideaway for Royce and his mate to spend time with Kierei and Xora, but also with Grayson as he could most often be found with the dragons.

Once the cold winds subsided, Grayson had agreed it was time for Kierei to test his wing. Keeping them company helped to alleviate their boredom and lack of movement while confined indoors. The runner who’d slipped into the barn, one of the young kids of the keep families who’d been eager to work, bowed when he reached the group. He eyed the dragons with wonder while staying a respectful distance.

“Sirs, Lord Morrow has requested all mages’ presence in his ready room.”

“Thank you, Bern.” Duran handed the young boy a small piece of candy along with a coin, and his whole face lit up. Runners who were sent with messages for the mages almost always got a little something extra for their prompt efforts. When the mages’ duties kept them scattered around the sprawling keep grounds, finding someone to deliver a message was hard work for young legs.

Dusting straw off legs and wrapping wool lined cloaks around shoulders, the trio followed the runner, keeping their heads bent against the rough and cold northern blasts. Remy flew closely above them until they reached the keep. Duran lifted his leather covered arm for the bird to land on before walking through the heavy door. They entered the halls and picked up their pace to the lord’s wing upstairs. The young boy, Bern, veered off for the kitchens where the kids worked and waited for a new assignment.

Clintok pulled open the room door when they approached and motioned them all inside. The crackle of a roaring fire was lovely as the warmth of the room soothed cold blasted skin.

Duran hiked his arm and Remy rose to the higher shelves to join Rox and Iba, then he lowered his hand and threaded Royce’s into his own. The tingle of awareness when their hands met was something Royce never took for granted and hoped he never lost. It was the same feeling when he woke in the morning wrapped around his mage, feeling his body skin to skin, their arms holding each other tight. That first sign of warmth and wonderfulness from being together. Of seeing his face first thing in the morning. His cat had never been more content. Its most vocal complaint being Royce had refused to let the leopard mark the mage, to claim him. Soon, he’d told the leopard, asking for patience even that morning as they’d dressed for their duties.

Warmed ciders, coffee, and tea were quickly passed around to ease the deeper chill, to soak into bodies and warm them from the inside. Jayce leaned over his knees once everyone was settled, cupping his own mug while a thoughtful evenness blanketed his features. Chatter was quiet and easy until he motioned to Rune.

A whisper of words and a waved hand created a silencing barrier. With that signal, an anticipation filled air fell over the room.

Jayce motioned toward Master Theil that it was okay to speak freely. “I will be leaving at the next break in the weather for the capital.” His indifferent expression revealed little of his concerns or worries to be facing his brother.

“We’ll be happy to provide provisions and a guard for the journey if you’d like,” Jayce offered.

“I appreciate the offer, and the supplies would be welcome. However, the fewer we are, the faster we can travel. The two who accompanied me from the temple will join me.” He braced against the stuffed seat, straightening his shoulders, his gaze unfocused as he spoke his thoughts. “I don’t know what to expect and can’t put this burden on any other. All I know is that Carden lives and is hiding behind the voice and visage of King Bucol.”

“Will you be sending back word?” Ulcieh asked.

“I will send a messenger as soon as I have information, especially if I can uncover details about the army and its movements.”

“That would be valuable.” Jayce studied those in the room. “Rune and I have gone over the vision he had during his travels in detail. There were several aspects to his vision we simply can’t define yet.” With a hand braced on a knee, he iterated, “While the army is out there, we must remain on our guard. Scouts as of yet are not sending warning that its movements have changed direction. It’s almost like it is waiting for orders, or direction. That makes us both very uneasy.”

“When do you plan on moving forward?” Master Theil asked. Refilling his tea, he studied the group, all eyes turning to Ulcieh when he answered.

“We don’t have a definite time frame. Yet. With the arrival of Kierei and Xora, we’ve been given a new variable or it could mean nothing at all.” Ulcieh glanced toward Jayce, who motioned for Rune to continue.

“We are not strong enough to take on either the Blood Spawn army or the Alendaren stronghold forces. We have the allegiance of several northern clans, and the Kinsi clan holds steadfast to King Bail’s son, but we don’t have an army.”

Sitting across the room, Royce caught the small flinch those words brought out of Jayce. A struck nerve or nervousness? Undertaking the prophecy was no small endeavor. His respect for Jayce had grown in the time since their initial arrival. If anyone could see this through, he believed Jayce could.

“Then I believe I know my mission. I will arrive with questions and worries about the invading army as Windwise is clearly in danger from its advance, and what their plans are to keep the outer villages and clans safe. If I can get an audience with King Bucol himself, I will relay that. I will also start a quiet rumor of King Bail’s lion rising amongst the army and fighters when it is deemed appropriate. If the army is being treated as poorly as the citizens, then defectors are guaranteed. We will need the manpower.”

Jayce frowned but agreed with him, saying, “Do what you can without being captured. Your gambit is to isolate Carden when the time comes, if you are willing. He will have supporters.”

Master Theil bowed minutely at Jayce’s directive. “Then I will retire with my training mages and rest for our journey. Hopefully the weather will hold for us to reach the outskirts of Alendaren.”

Jayce stood and crossed the area to stop in front of the taller mage. “Thank you for your continued support, Master Theil.” He held out a hand to grasp. “I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t believed in supporting Rune’s and King Bail’s visions for Rinattoah.”

A kind smile softened his expression. “You do remind me of him,” he said fondly. “I can see him in your eyes, and in your heart.” He braced Jayce’s offered hand clasped between his own. “I am honored.”

The door thudded shut behind him when he left the room in a swirl of cloak and robes. Jayce ran a hand through his hair. “So now, we wait?” He sank tiredly into his chair once more, threading Rune’s hand into his own.

“Might I make a suggestion?” Leodinn offered, stretching his legs to cross at the ankle.

Jayce waved for him to continue.

Leodinn studied the room before asking, “Do you still wish to take Rune as your consort?”

“With every part of me,” he breathed, gazing with unfettered adoration at the mage next to him.

“Then before Master Theil departs, may I suggest a formal announcement. Cement your relationship with those who know and trust you and your intents now, before we travel beyond the keep. If Carden has maintained a controlling voice behind the crown, waiting until a later date could cause a damaging reaction to people who won’t trust what we represent as we already know his power exceeds being the mere advisor to the throne. People unfamiliar with us will not trust a leader with another mage at his shoulder and will likely fear what that means. It is better to have support from the moment we step outside the keep than try to earn it afresh with those who will already carry biases from injustices or cruel behavior.”

Jayce became thoughtfully silent as he considered it. He ran a finger over his chin, scraping against the beard growth, then asking, “Ulcieh, can you see a detrimental downside to taking this step?”

Ulcieh shook his head, his brow tight as he considered the options. “From our point now? No. We have the full support of hundreds of keep residents as well as the Kinsi. They know and respect you, and us, giving our intentions credence. While we are secluded, talk has traveled beyond since your travels to the neighboring villages and towns, and from the bits I hear back, it is highly positive. I believe with Leodinn’s and Brin’s direct involvement with guiding the people here and our own behaviors, we’ve made our stakes and intentions clear. As for those who have been abused by Carden and King Bucol, we can’t do more than weigh their reticence or ignorance against the weight of what our final plans are. It’s true not everyone will approve or agree, or even want to deal with mages, but like any other, there are good and bad, morally just opposite morally corrupt.” He sat still for several minutes, his eyes half closed, pondering the outcomes. Then he finally shook his head. “We must see this through. The path we have started is our choice. All of ours. We knew there would be danger, and difficulty.” Cupping his hands in his lap, he faced Jayce directly. “I believe being a united front, showing respect to mage, man, and skin shifter equally that you do, will be enough of a catalyst to change many minds as we continue down this path. That equality of treatment and respect has been long absent in this land.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed as he considered Ulcieh’s words. “I agree. We can go on as we’ve been doing and stay true to the prophecy but also to ourselves. A free Kielbos.” Relaxing his shoulders as though he pushed the weight of the discussion off his frame, he twisted on his seat toward Rune. He gathered both hands within his own. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice quieter, and a little vulnerable.

Rune’s eyes softened in a way for his mate no one else was gifted with. “Whether today, tomorrow, or in the future, I am by your side, my love.”

Royce swallowed at the pure emotion gleaming from both. Their love almost shined like a star within the room. A side-eye peek caught Duran’s gaze, but he was taken by surprise to find he was watching Royce. It was the kind of look every man wished to see in the eyes of their lover. Burning need, and something softer, drenched with emotions so potent it made his breath catch. He wanted to say it, loud and proud within those walls, for the whole of the keep to hear, except this wasn’t about him and Duran. Their moment was coming soon. He would see to it.

His cat was demanding he make his claim and finish the mating bond before any more time passed them by. Their days would soon be filled with trials and war. The shift of their future hovered in the air. Not having that bonded connection wasn’t an option. Not for Royce, not for his cat. Solidifying his determination eased the leopard’s rowling. His cat’s patience had run out.

“Leodinn, Brin. Plan a feast in two days. Fill the front hall with extra tables and open the doors to the keep. Every person who is able is welcome. We will make the announcement and send off Master Theil for a safe journey.”

Cedri sat forward. “Jayce, would you mind if I invite my family? It has been some time since we’ve gathered and I would like to introduce you to them. Kygo is anticipating your meeting.”

Jayce waved a hand to include him. “Of course! I would love to have them share the good we’re doing. They should see what your presence and accomplishments have brought to our joined futures.”

He dropped his head in thanks. “I’ll send a message right away. Thank you for this.”

He motioned to the others surrounding him, looking around the room, including all of them. “Keep telling you. I’m not doing this alone. I couldn’t do it alone. I owe each and every one of you for your willingness to see this through. Some days I feel like an absolute idiot of a puppet, but then I see how far we’ve come, what each of us has accomplished since Rune appeared in my living room. This is not a one person journey. We are all pieces on this giant board. So long as we stay strong and don’t panic or rush, considering our options and plans carefully, we have a chance. Honestly, we couldn’t ask for more.”

All the mages nodded thoughtfully as grins grew along with energetic discussion quickly following in volume through the room.

It filled Royce’s heart to overflowing when the brush of Duran’s palm against his own became fingers weaving together to hold him tight, letting him know he was there.