Witches, Wolves, & Warlords (Shifters of Bastion Keep #1)

Chapter Fourteen

"Pass me the twine?" Rosemary asked.

"Here," Bruin said, setting it across the table.

Using her shears, Rosemary cut out another length, then used it to secure the arms of her corn husk doll.

Lux poked his head into the community room. "The ritual chamber is nearly set."

"Thank you. Once we finish these last two dolls, we'll start."

Bruin picked up his own doll that he had just finished adding a plaid kilt to, making it dance across the table before bowing to Rosemary.

Today was Wednesday, the end of their second full week at the keep, and they'd collectively decided to make it a weekly coven day. There was still a lot that they could do for the castle, and they decided that they would take turns choosing a group ritual, charm, or training event.

This first coven day was Rosemary's, and she'd decided that she wanted to place protective husk dolls around the keep.Once they had their thirteen dolls in similar but not identical outfits, the three of them carried them upstairs to the large ritual room.

Though only about as large as a basketball half-court, the stone room yet held a eerie quality of expanse.The lamps around the room, which should have illuminated the walls clearly, seemed instead to cast them in shadow, and one could almost imagine walking for miles before reaching the far wall.The stone beneath Bruin's bare feet did little to disabuse him of this notion, feeling oddly dissonant.

Roland was waiting inside, and he nodded to them as they got to work.

Using chalk, Lux proceeded to make final touches on a thirteen-foot circular diagram, adding in appropriate runes. Rosemary, meanwhile, began placing within the diagram's circles the different items that were required for her ritual; the remains of a loaf of homemade bread that had been shared during a meal, hairs from different volunteers, including guardians, staff, and Lady Usenko herself, and then several serving dishes filled with different spices.

"Let's begin," she said. Roland went to the side and began dousing lamps.

The darkness only lasted a moment, as Rosemary began lighting red candles at different points around the circle. She, Lux, and Bruin each stepped onto bisecting lines at the outer edge, and then approached each other in the middle. Linking hands, they each did an inner meditation, calling up white light.

For a time, there was only the sound of their own breathing, but then Rosemary pulled her hands back. Bruin focused, sending the white light that he'd gathered down into the diagram, holding the appropriate pose so that she could pull what energy from him that she needed.

Rosemary lifted her veil and spoke.

A hearth; a house; a home:

A place of shelter and rest.

Tie cloth 'round corn—

Now roam!

A woe for unwanted guests.

There was a rustling, like breeze blowing through a field of corn, and then it faded as quickly as it had arrived. Rosemary knelt down, picking up one of the husk dolls, which seemed to quiver in her grasp. She smiled.

"Yes, these should do nicely. Thank you, brothers."

"You're welcome, sister."

"Now I just need to put them up around the castle grounds." She started adding them one at a time to a handled basket, laying them carefully within.

"I'll go with you, lass." Roland stood up from his stool and approached, but remained outside of the circle. "I can lift you up on my shoulders if you need extra height. Eleven dolls in the keep, and two in the staff's manor home?"

"Ten and three," she said as they strode away, waving a farewell to the two of them.

Bruin and Lux tidied up, clearing away the tools and washing away the chalk lines.

"So what are you up to today?" Bruin asked. "Let me guess, more library?"

"Yes. Roland asked me to help him with checking for any abnormalities that might be affecting the incursions, and to do that I need knowledge. How were the anchors made? With what magic? Are there any great spirits in the area, or were there? Where are the local ley lines? Any background circumstance that I can account for will make my knowledge rituals more accurate. You're welcome to help."

Bruin made a face. "I'd really rather not, but I will help if you need it."

"You're not interested in learning about the history of Bastion? Even with you being Lord Sergiy's mate?"

That brought Bruin up short. He sighed.

"You make a really, really good point, damn it. I'll ask Sergiy if he has any suggestions first, then come see you. Maybe there are memoirs I can start with, or something."

"Thank you. And worry not, I know that if I give you a dry tome, you'll end up reading it for half an hour before procrastinating indefinitely. Stories and tales you shall have, with maybe some maps in case your Earth training helps you notice something."

"I appreciate it. Alright, have fun. I'm off to get ready for dinner with Lady Usenko."

As they exited theritual room, shutting the door behind themselves, Lux's silence was almost eloquent.

"By yourself?" he finally asked.

"No, it'll be with her whole family, I think?"

Lux frowned at him, tapping a finger against his leg."Don't take this the wrong way, but please don't get drunk and screw it up for all of us. I like this place."

"When have I ever —"

"Runemage Tybalt."

"He was rude! And sexist! And a crappy teacher."

"I don't disagree, and I don't believe our Lady is any of those things. But sometimes you do things you shouldn't, like when you got plastered and caused a tree branch to extend and break through one of his workshop's windows while he was on vacation, leading to the chipmunk incident. Please don't let yourself be put in a position where you decide to consider an encore."

Bruin crossed his arms. "Fine. I'll keep the alcohol to a minimum. Even if they serve the fancy dragon ale I've heard the guardians talking about."

"Thank you. Other than that, I wish you a good evening."

They split ways, Lux heading straight to the library, and Bruin to his room to shower and change.

He had plenty of time yet before he and Russell were going to head over together, so he made sure to trim his beard and hair, getting it in peak form for impressing a mate's family.

After he showered, he began digging through his clothes, looking for something suitable, but apparently his one shirt with a collar was still covered in mud. Whoops. Since he didn't know anyone his size to borrow from—not unless he wanted to try a corset from Rosemary—he eventually settled on a simple white shirt and his least-worn pair of cargo shorts.

Next, shoes.Did he even need them? They were merely having a meal in the Usenko family room, after all, so nah. After double-checking that he'd gotten all the dirt out from beneath his nails, he went to his shelf and put together a charm bag for making a good impression.A bit of dried American wisteria and a few petals from a spider lily for meeting a new family, and then a peridot for positive energy. Tie the drawstrings, sprinkle a few drops of water on it, and then hitch it to a belt loop. All set!

To wile away the last hour, he sat on his bed and exchanged texts with his family, promising that he'd call them soon, then sent them a few selfies—after making sure not to include any mess in the background, of course.

At five minutes until six o'clock, he heard Russell knock on his door and he leapt to his feet to answer, inviting the big man in.

"Hi, Russell! You look nice."

Russell wearing a kilt wasn't surprising, nor the flowing shirt, sporran, or sandals. But he had combed his hair, and his shoulders were relaxed and easy.

Reaching a hand out, Bruin made to grab his… his…

"Hey, Russell? What are we? Should I think of you as my date?"

Russell opened his hand, letting Bruin take it.

"Boyfriends," he said in a tone that brooked no argument.

Bruin felt his heart hammering, at once feeling both energized, and like he needed to sit down. He found that he was smiling, and ran a tongue across one of his tusks in a nervous habit.

"Boyfriend, huh?I can definitely get behind that. And Ser is my mate, right?"

"Yes."

"Are mates and boyfriends the same?"

"No."

He waited, but Russell didn't elaborate further. He was debating asking again when his boyfriend—Woo!—turned around, staring at his door. A few seconds later, there was another knock, three polite raps.

He felt Russell put a hand on his shoulder, as if to steady him. He probably needed it.

"Come in!"

Sergiy pressed it open, and wow, was he now feeling underdressed.

The Lord of the castle was dressed the part in fancy dark clothing, with stitched silver and golden threads woven through the arms of a long sleeve shirt. He had on a belt, buckled shoes, and even a damn diadem with what looked like an orange tourmaline gemstone.

"Russ. Bruin." Sergiy seemed to be struck speechless by the sight of them in turn, and his face showed a mix of emotions, but he at last managed to say two and a half words. "You're barefoot."

Bruin looked at his feet, lifting one of them up and wiggling his toes.

"Is that not right? We're staying inside the castle, aren't we?"

Sergiy seemed to be having to force his face to remain calm, and then in the next second, Bruin saw Russell remove his own sandals, nudging them up against the pile of shoes he had in his room.

"It's fine," Russell said, looking down at Sergiy with a hint of a grin.

"I suppose it is. But before we head up…"

Sergiy stepped closer, and Russell nudged Bruin up to the front. The lord took his hands into his own, then bent low so he could breathe a kiss on the back of one, sending shivers down Bruin's spine.

"Bruin, my mate. Thank you for choosing to accompany me this evening."

After that, he used a single finger on his chin to pull him closer, giving him a kiss. Bruin nearly lost his balance, leaning forward for more, but his lord was apparently being a terrible tease. He considered the idea of skipping dinner and keeping his mate and his boyfriend down here to himself, but as if reading his mind, Russell gave him a quick shake of his head.

"Russ…" Sergiy seemed to get choked up, and Russell took it upon himself to enfold their lord in a hug.

"Aww."

"Yeah," Sergiy said after a moment. "Russ, I'm glad you're having dinner with us. It's been too long."

"I miss them," he said, and Bruin saw a flash of pain on Sergiy's face before he took a step back.

"Let's not delay, then. We'll start in the sitting room first, talk for a bit, and then move on to dinner. There may or may not be more talking afterwards, and plenty of beer and wine."

Bruin and Russell followed Sergiy to the central part of the castle, walking down the opulent hallways with their paintings and decorative cabinets. Russell held his hand as they went, and Bruin leaned into his new boyfriend.

Sergiy paused in front of Lady Usenko's doors, looked to make sure the two of them were ready, then opened them.

"About time, brother!" Markos could be heard to say. "But why are you dressed like you're headed to a state dinner?"

"Oh, hush," Marka said. "He's obviously putting forth the extra effort for his mates. Just because you don't find it romantic…"

Bruin stepped past the threshold into an oversized living room. The room's decor was surprisingly homely, with fur rugs, plush seating, and an active fireplace.

Marka and Markos were easy to pick out as they bickered, and then Lady Usenko and her fair-haired husband stood up from a chair and approached. Bruin saw Russell making a shallow bow, and he proceeded to do the same.

"None of that," the Lady said. "This is a family dinner, and in that we are equals. Russ, I'm glad that you're looking well."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"And Bruin. Last time we met you were just one of Roland's witches, but now I hear that you're my son's mate?"

"As I understand it, Lady."

"When I'm holding court, it's Lady. Tonight, it is Galina. And one day, maybe mom, but we'll have to see what the next few years bring, young man."

Bruin stumbled through some kind of acknowledgement.

"Let's go sit down," Sergiy said, looking red in the face. "Russ?"

Looking over, Bruin saw that Russell wasn't following them, but instead had taken a step towards an open door that looked like it led to a dining room of some kind. He began growling, low and ominous.

"Ah," Sergiy said knowingly. "I'd forgotten about this."

"Forgotten what?" Bruin asked worriedly.

There was the sound of clinking silverware, and then in flash Ser's father had run out of the dining room, his furry chest heaving while his eyes darted around before locking in on Russell.

Russell and the werewolf stared at each other, and then ran into each other.

Bruin already had a hand reaching for his charm bag where he could use the peridot to catalyze an Earthbind hex, but none of the others seemed bothered.

"Just give it a moment," Ser said, gesturing.

Watching, Bruin realized that what he had mistaken for a confrontation was merely Ser's dad being violently enthused at seeing Russell. The black-furred werewolf was trying desperately to lick him across the face, but his dancing paws and his wagging tail made it a wiggling mess.

In the end, Russell solved the problem of the oversized puppy by shifting partway into his werewolf form and picking the dad up off of the ground. He still wiggled, and whined, and tried to lick him in his face, but at least it was controlled… until Russell was dogpiled by a pair of golden-furred werewolves.

"Unhand our papa!" Markos howled.

"Don't worry, papa, we're here to rescue you!" Marka declared.

After a couple of moments while Bruin watched the four wolves roll around on the carpeted flooring like rambunctious children, yipping and growling delightedly, he heard a brisk clapping.

"Zelly, children, enough," Galina said, and beside her, Gregory was taking a last couple of pictures with his phone. "Come, let's sit down."

"Yes, mom," Marka said, climbing down from Russell's back, and Markos stood up from where he had wrapped himself around Russell's ankles. The twins shifted back into their human forms, moving to sit on a large couch.

Russell waited until the two were out of the way, then carefully lowered Zell down from where he had the dad-wolf lifted up above his head.

After being set back down on his paws, Zell smoothed out his apron, which someone had artfully adjusted the last 'o', so now it read 'Kiss the Cock,' and with a helpful arrow pointing down. "Five more minutes, love. I don't want the food to burn."

The chubby werewolf lifted his muzzle up to Russell, whispering something to him that got an honest smile out of him before he traipsed back into the other room, tail still wagging.

Russell shifted back into his own human form, fixed his disheveled shirt, then crushed Sergiy with a hug.

"Feeling better?" the warlord murmured.

"I like your papa," he said, kissing him hard on the cheek.

Once he was released, Sergiy moved towards an expensive looking sofa, fancier than anything Bruin had ever sat on. Russell sat on one end, and Sergiy next to him. After looking at what space was left, Russell wrapped an arm around Sergiy's shoulder, bringing him in closer. Taking the spot on Sergiy's other side, Bruin gambled on leaning into him as well, and took his hand in his, resting it on the lord's thigh.

He didn't hear any complaints or grumbles, so it must have been the right call. After a moment, Sergiy squeezed his hand back.

"Bruin," Galina began, appraising him. " F ehrthas . Do you know what that means?"

"Sergiy's explained a bit, and I've been reading some books in the library. It's when Mother Moon looks at two people and says, Thou Shalt Be Together?"

Markos barked a laugh, and he heard Sergiy groan.

"That's one way of looking at it, yes," she said seriously. "But it's more than just a romantic way to help two or more find each other. It is my personal belief that a promised mate is chosen to help strengthen the pack."

Galina lifted her hand up, and Zell slid a frothing pewter stein into it. She took a long pull, then leaned forward, propping an arm up on her crossed legs. Her eyes, the same golden color as Sergiy, pinned him in his seat.

"So, why don't we spend some time before dinner discussing how Bruin the Green witch from Chicago is going to strengthen my Ser-Bear's pack, hmm?"

Bruin felt Russell pat him on the head, and he swallowed, eying the mugs being passed around, wishing he hadn't made the promise to Lux.

◆◆◆

"It was lovely having you three over," Galina said to them later that night, passing out hugs as they stood by the door.

The twins had retired earlier, as had Gregory. The final hour had just been the three of them talking with a less terrifying Galina about general interests and what life was like in the keep, plus a snoozing Zell. The wolf dad had plopped his head down on the Lady's lap, and she'd occasionally run a hand through his fur.

Bruin, of course, had wanted his own canine to pet, and a quick beg to Russell got him his prize. With his werewolf form being far too large for the couch they'd been sitting on, he'd instead shifted into his wolf form, sitting across Bruin's and Sergiy's laps, receiving his share of the pets until it had been time to leave.

"Thank you for having us, Galina," Bruin said.

"Ser-Bear, before you go!" Zell said. "I made a batch of cookies for you to take with you. There's some for you too, Russ."

Then the three left the room, headed to the nearby kitchen.

"Bruin," Galina said quietly, stepping close to be eye to eye with him. "My son believes firmly in the romantic notion that a fehrthas is a special mate, promising life-long love. That may be the case, but like any relationship, it still needs work from both sides in order to grow."

Bruin nodded. "I understand."

She put her head beside his ear, whispering breathily, probably the only way to keep something secret when everyone in your family had enhanced hearing.

"Tell me, what do you think might have happened if She in the Heavens hadn't picked you for my son?"

Bruin had already thought about it. He used a finger to point at himself, pointed at the kitchen as he breathed the name 'Russ,' then crossed two fingers over each other.

"Yes, I suspected as much. You two have a lot in common." She gave him a firm hug, enfolding him with corded muscles, and he was acutely aware that she could snap him like a twig if she were so inclined. "I'm glad of what I see between you three so far, but I'm doubly glad, because it seems like She didn't just bring you to my son, She also brought back Russ. Because I love that boy, too."

Galina released him and straightened back up just as Russell and Sergiy returned.

"I hope to one day think of you in the same regard, but we'll see," she said aloud. "Bruin, Russ. Thank you both for joining us for dinner. The three of you look just handsome together. And Bruin, feel free to stop by to chat! I have so many more stories to share, like how one time, Ser spilled chocolate milk on his favorite library book and became so distraught that he threw up all over his grandma and her best dress."

"Mom!"

With a last wave, she shut the door behind them, and Bruin looked down as Sergiy finished grumbling. Russell, one hand holding a covered basket, draped an arm over Sergiy.

"That was a nice visit," Bruin said as they made their way back to the Sage's Quarter. Bruin wouldn't have minded spending more time with the other two, but it was getting late, and Sergiy had said he had to be up in the early a.m. to run the packs through some mountain-side training.

"I think you made a good impression," Sergiy said, "seeing as how mom didn't invite you for a flight around the castle. It would have involved you being held by her talons as she conducts aerial acrobatics and barrel rolls."

Bruin reflexively called up white light at the thought, hunching down as he tried to meld himself into the floor. "Oh, fuck me, no."

"Not a fan of heights?"

"Heights aren't so bad, usually, if I'm not near a ledge. Being airborne, though, is different and terrifying."

"I see."

Sergiy was frowning, and Bruin could have smacked his own face.

"I think flying might be okay if it wasn't a surprise," he said in a rush. "And if I was somewhere stable, like on my lord's back instead of dangling a few hundred feet above the ground."

"Ha, understood. I'll keep that in mind."

They stopped in front of Russ's door, and Sergiy drew himself up straight.

"Thank you for being my dates tonight," he said, tilting his head. "Would it be alright if I sent you each off with a kiss?"

Bruin snorted. "Yes, Sergiy. And just so you know, I wouldn't mind more than that, either."

Their lord looked like he was considering what the cost of a sleepless night would be on a day-long training session, but eventually gave a small shake of his head and a regretful smile.

"Just a kiss," he said. He stepped up to Bruin, put a hand against his cheek, and gave him a perfunctory but tender kiss on his lips.

"Sergiy, you're holding back. I can tell."

"He is," Russell added.

"I'm giving you a goodnight kiss. This is how you kiss someone goodnight."

" Sergiy ." Bruin put his hands on his hips. "Am I your mate, or aren't I? I want—"

Bruin felt the wall jarring against his back in the next second, and Sergiy's hands were on him, digging into his chest and then up his shirt to clutch at his back. Bruin gripped the sides of his lord's head, holding it in place while the two of them fought to see who could bruise the other's lips more.

Sergiy pulled back a moment later, giving him a chance to breathe, but Bruin shook his head. With his hands on Sergiy's shoulders, he leapt up, wrapping his legs around the sturdy warlord. Sergiy didn't even so much as rock back from his weight, instead letting Bruin hold his own self up while he used his hands to grip his butt, massaging it with strong fingers before sliding his hands down the back of his cargo shorts and boxers. Bruin thrust his bulging front into Sergiy, grinding against rock-hard abs and desperately wishing he didn't have clothes in the way.

Eventually, Sergiy set a panting Bruin down. Perfectly poised other than a bit of messed up hair and with an undeniable smirk on his face, he ran a finger down his cheek, then turned to face Russell.

"My turn?" the big man asked, his voice almost painfully hopeful.

"Yes, Russ. I'm going to kiss you like I kissed Bruin."

Russell did a little clap of his hands, then hurried to take off his shirt before Sergiy arrived.

Bruin watched the two of them while he caught his breath, wondering how they'd handle the small height difference. Tiptoes? Would Russell crane his head down?

Sergiy put his hands on Russell's waist, and Russell bent down. Gentle kisses, both with their eyes closed. But then Russell wrapped his arms around Sergiy, and the lord swept him into a dip, holding him without apparent effort, his muscles flexed and bulging.

But, like with Bruin, there was apparently a round two. Sergiy let Russell go, and the big man had his shoulders hunched forward, as if in anticipation. And then with the sound like a whip crack, Serigy shifted into his weredrake form, taller and larger, and his fanged muzzle seemed to almost devour Russell's face.

Bruin watched the two make out. He resisted the overwhelming urge to slap Sergiy's ass, prominently shaped by his well-tailored trousers. Russell deserved to have some time of his own with Sergiy, if anyone did, and Bruin wasn't going to make the adorable wolf sad in any reality, not if he could help it.

Weredrake Sergiy finished nibbling at Russell's neck, then backed away.

"Good night, Russ. And again to you, Bruin."

"Night, Sergiy."

"Goodnight."

Their lord looked between the two of them, gave a very self-satisfied growl, then turned around to saunter away, his maned tail flicking back and forth as he went.

Once he was finally out of sight, Bruin and Russell exchanged a look, and then laughed.

Bruin stepped over and gave Russell a brief kiss. "Should we be worried about us giving Sergiy beard burns? I think we were both kind of thorough."

Russell shook his head. "Shifter healing."

"Oh, that's useful."

Bruin considered the idea of inviting Russell to share his bed. I mean, the big werewolf had already blown him off with Sergiy watching, right? Even if they skipped the sex, a cuddle sounded amazing, whether as the big or little spoon.

But would that interfere with what they were building with Sergiy? It wasn't just about his possessiveness, either. Their lord was just starting to show a bit of vulnerability, and if they went behind his back, even if they had every right to, it might raise the man's shields again.

Russell seemed to be thinking along the same lines, giving him an apologetic shrug as he went to open the door to his room. Bruin waved.

"Goodnight, Russell. See you at breakfast?"

"Yes."

Bruin watched the door shut behind him, then decided he'd best hurry to bed himself, if wanted to get into the habit of rising at dawn.