Chapter 26


The next morning found Duran rubbing his eyes, curled into Royce’s chest where they sat on one of the larger cushioned seats in Jayce’s gathering room, a comforting arm a steady weight around his middle keeping them huddled together for warmth and comfort. The mages and Cedri were slowly dragging themselves into Jayce’s side suite to join them. Almost everyone had a mug of something steaming and flavorful gripped in their palms once they settled. The festivities the night before had gone late into the evening.

Or early into the morning, depending on perspective. He rumbled a short chuckle at his own thoughts.

What?” Royce asked, not seeming too alert this morning either. They’d both fallen into bed after they’d had enough ale and cider to drown a boat between them. It didn’t help that Royce, Cedri, Kygo, and many of the shifters who joined them through the evening had a high tolerance for alcohol. The poor mages and humans didn’t stand a chance against their tolerance.

Nothing important.”

Royce kissed the top of his head and urged him tighter into his chest. Duran hummed happily. It wasn’t long before Jayce and Rune entered from their bedroom. Neither looked any more awake than the rest sprawled and lounged across the numerous chairs and seats in front of the fire.

Rune spoke up as he settled on his chair. “Bankor, could you open the door, please? Iba and the others are on their way.”

Obliging, he opened the door and a short moment later, Iba, Rox, and Remy glided through the entry like they owned the place. Bankor closed the door after them gently, gratefully mindful of the aching heads in the room.

Remy nuzzled close to Duran’s thigh with a wing draped across him in contact, vocalizing a soft cooing. “Morning love,” he offered, running light fingers over feathers to scoop gently down his back. His voice sounded rough and raspy from lack of sleep and too much laughter the night before.

Iba and Rox settled on chair backs behind their own mages. With the roaring fire already going strong, the room was warm and cozy. Sleepy gazes and slow blinks were evident around the room. And Duran knew he looked exactly like them. He hid his grin behind his mug, sipping the brew that Jayce swore by. After months with the man, he was beginning to understand his friend’s love for coffee. It definitely carried a magic all its own. Especially with a little added sugar and cream. Yum! He hummed happily as cells soaked up the coffee goodness, displacing any lingering alcohol in his body.

Royce’s chuckle was kind and warm behind him, cradling him into his chest.

Once everyone was settled, Ulcieh said, “I have to say, last night went particularly well with your announcement. I overheard sparse, minor grumbling and almost all of it was from those visiting rather than keep residents. No one familiar with you had a sour thing to say.”

I agree.” Duran nodded, remembering the discussion with Kygo. He hoped that was the worst of their fears for Jayce and Rune. He stroked Remy’s feathered head. “Did you overhear anything worrisome in the rafters?”

Whuuu. He cooed with lazy energy, earning a light laugh from Duran. How his familiar loved being loved on.

He says there was grumbling and surprise, but nothing indicating true anger or doubt.”

You got all of that from one sound?” Leodinn asked. “I’ve been wondering how he communicates so succinctly with you. Rox doesn’t speak at all, he shows me images.”

Iba is the same,” Rune murmured, studying the pair. “Though she can be extremely vocal if she chooses.” Curiosity focused them all on Duran and Remy. “What you share is very unique and rare.”

Duran blushed, smiling tenderly at an oblivious Remy snuggled against his thigh. “We were blessed by the goddess, because of how we met. I hear him as clearly as I hear any of you.”

Remarkable,” Ulcieh stated. “I would love to start a history of your abilities, if that’s okay?”

Duran shrugged unconcerned. “I’d be happy to. We had to be cautious in the beginning because there were so many new people in the keep after Lord Atkill’s attack. Now people are used to me talking to him like he’s able to understand.”

Because he can,” Brin said wondrously, hearts in his eyes for his own dreams. “I’m probably too young for a familiar yet, but seeing the three you have, it’s amazing and inspiring.”

You know, I know we talked about it before, but I didn’t think to ask. Are all familiars birds?” Royce leaned to scritch over Remy’s cheek, smiling with Duran when he leaned into the touch.

Actually, no. I had a witch friend who had a squirrel familiar. Cutest little devil. Spent most of his days in her gown pockets. She always smelled like wild lilacs and acorns.” Rune smiled fondly at the raven when she hopped to his shoulder, nuzzling him. “I’ve had Iba since my Third circle trial. She came to me when I returned from that journey.”

Royce clenched behind Duran, his frame stiffening at the implication of how long she’d been alive. “That means she’s decades old,” he said, his voice breaking with shock.

She is. Familiars live the life of their magic bond.”

Rox too?” Brin asked.

Duran smirked seeing Ulcieh’s hands twitch. He could tell the mage wanted desperately to be writing this information down, even as Leodinn nodded in answer. Ulcieh was a mage who cherished information and its many tangents when they intertwined with the world surrounding them, and could spend hours chronicling the day to day minutiae as well as the wholly unique. It was part of what made him a great strategist and Engagement Advisor to Jayce.

And if something happens to the person, the familiar may find another. They are born special in the animal world.” Rune offered a snack out of the pouch he always wore at his waist, letting Iba gently snap it from his fingers.

Duran noticed Grayson was listening intently, studying the three mages and their familiars with a thoughtful crease in his brow. It was almost a ‘what if’ kind of expression, but before Duran could ask him what he was thinking, there was a knock at the door.

Come in.” Jayce sat up.

The door swept inward, revealing one of the standing guards. He bowed in greeting then said, “Master Theil has departed with his entourage, my lord.”

Thank you for the update.” They waited for the door to close once more.

Cedri leaned over to refill his mug with a pensive tenseness to his frame. “So now what?”

Jayce sighed, grasping Rune’s hand within his own. “Now…we wait.”

They would use this time, this lull of winter to plan. To gather support. To study their enemy as best as they could. He hoped Master Theil was able to gather good intel on the workings of the capital and its forces. There were many avenues they still needed to investigate, such as the mystery of Natugenus and her connection to Jayce and the sabra.

It seemed time was all they had at the moment. It would be time well spent and plans well made. Snuggled against Royce’s warmth with Remy resting at his thigh, he felt comfortable in their current situation. Like it had been said, enjoy the moments they have now because the future was still unknown.

For today, because tomorrow was yet unwritten.