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

Chapter Twenty-Four

One month later, first week of July

Sitting in the Great Hall, Bruin hurried to wolf down his breakfast.He was meeting the others outside in just ten minutes, and he didn't want to be the one making everyone late.

It was his own fault.Sergiy and Russell had each woken him before they'd left for predawn duties, and he'd promised them that he'd get up, but he'd been so comfortable wrapped up in the blankets that he'd fallen right back asleep as soon as they'd shut the door.

Hopping off of the bench, Bruin set his used plate and utensils on the trolley and spun around to head upstairs.After accidentally charging headlong into Yacob's fuzzy torso, he was helped back to his feet by the laughing werewolf, then sent on his way with a parting pat on his butt.

Bruin went up to Sergiy's room—not yet their room, even if he spent half his nights there—to put on socks and a brand new pair of hiking boots that Sergiy had bought for him, and that were already more than broken in.Grabbing his witch's bag and hydration kit, he ran back downstairs and out to the front of the castle where the others were waiting for him.

"About time," Roland said, tapping his foot."I was about to send a search and destroy party."

"Sorry, sorry," Bruin said, putting his hands on his knees, a bit winded from the stairs and the short sprint."Wait, destroy?"

But Roland was already turning to pick up the three ritual staves that were laying beside him.

"Sleepyhead," Russell said, putting a hand affectionately on his head and rocking it back and forth.

Breathing in a last deep breath, Bruin joined Rosemary and Lux.He took the offered staff, then helped perform the anchor-powering ritual that was becoming almost a reflex.

"Aye, the staves seem set," Roland said after looking each one over with a critical eye."Be safe.I'll see you all this afternoon when you return."

As Roland went back into the castle, Bruin and his coven joined Sergiy, Russell, and four other guardians in setting out for the Evergreen anchors.

"Any word on the new recruits, yet?" Bruin asked once they'd circled the keep and were properly underway.

"Old recruits," Lux corrected pedantically."And if you'd been on time, you would have heard."

Sergiy nodded."My mother told me first thing this morning, and she'll go over it later at the meeting.The mythic council finally finished deliberating, and put forth the appropriate decree.They'll offset the cost of wages for up to three more packs of guardians to act as a garrison force, which will let us handle future incursions without having to worry about the safety of our home.Some might be new trainees, but the majority will be a lot of old faces, I expect."

"Makes me think of the National Guard," Bruin said, nodding."Will you know them?"

"Depends upon who answers the call."

"You can bet Yi will return," Marka said, striding boldly down the trail in her werewolf form, and Bruin heard the other guardians groan audibly.

"Who's Yi?"

"A good fighter, but proud," Sergiy said, though Bruin saw Russ frowning at the mention of the name.

"Don't sugarcoat it," Marka added."She was an asshole, and more trouble than she was worth, and she got much worse when you took over from mom as warlord.She'd never do anything during an actual incursion, always the reliable pack leader, but during training, she was constantly second-guessing my brother, challenging him, calling him out.There were a lot of tussles."

Bruin thought of Lux, perhaps uncharitably.As if reading his mind, Rosemary turned back to him, raising an eyebrow archly.He held his hands up defensively, grinning.

The guardians spent the next half hour guessing which others would return, then started teaching the witches more of their marching songs.Land shanties, as Bruin thought of them, trying not to be embarrassed by his froggy voice, at least compared to the sweet notes of Rosemary and Lux, and the harmonious voices of the guardians.

Russell, it turned out, had a lovely bass voice, but preferred to simply rumble long notes, more of a crooning undercurrent than anything.Bruin regretted not bringing his drum.

The time passed pleasantly as they walked the eight or so miles to the west.When they reached a crossroads in the mountain trail, not far from the three anchors, they split up.Being in the best shape, Lux joined a beefy ocelot shifter named Dafydd and the nixie Finnegan as they went to the furthest one, Rosemary joined Marka and Cadmus to head to the near anchor, and Bruin, of course, followed Sergiy and Russell deeper into the trail.

"I'm glad your government is footing the bill," Bruin said, putting his free hand on Russell's back as he shifted into his wolf form for the final leg of the journey.

"It's not the money that's the problem," Sergiy said."Though it's nice not to have to spend a few million dollars out of our coffers if we don't have to.Advertising that we need to nearly double our forces has implications.If we'd recruited former guardians without going through channels, some people would feel the need to complain."

Bruin made a face."You're talking about politics."

"All part of being a lord.Might be part of your job one day too, mate of mine," Sergiy said in a light tone.

Bruin's grip on Russell's fur tightened, and he nearly stumbled on the trail.Russell turned his head to look at him, and prodded him with his snout.

"Little witch?" he asked.

"No, I'm good.All good!Let's keep going.The sooner we get there, the sooner we can break out our lunch."

Bruin focused on the trail, trying to settle his heart rate so as not to bother Russell.

'Mate of mine,' Sergiy had said, and it hit him all at once.

He was Sergiy's mate, and Russell's boyfriend.The two of them might as well be literally chained to Bastion Keep.Possibly, if he craned his neck, he could see Russell moving away one day.Maybe working a nice job somewhere, reliable and honest and selfless, like running a shelter, or as a lumberjack, chopping down trees.

Ooh, note to self:find Russell a flannel shirt and hat!

But Sergiy was Lord of Bastion Keep, and would probably be warlord for another twenty years or more.

Choosing to be with the two of them meant that this was going to be his permanent home for those same twenty years or more.

A little dizzy as he considered the idea, he felt it as Russell bumped into him, not saying anything, just his way of letting him know that he was there.In response, Bruin pressed his fingers deeper into the werewolf's fur, scratching at the muscles beneath.

When they arrived at the anchor, Bruin touched his staff to it, letting it absorb the energy that he'd gathered through their ritual walk.He saw the light disappear from the staff, funnelled into the obelisk's sigils.Sergiy put his hand on the anchor, double-checking the charge, and nodded.

"Nine sets down, nine to go," Bruin said gaily, pulling out his phone so he could send a text to Lux and Rosemary.Rosemary had already sent a message indicating that hers was done and was heading back, but Lux, with his longer hike, probably still had another fifteen or twenty minutes.

Bruin and Russell sat on either side of their lord while they ate a lunch of multi-layered ham sandwiches.Delicious.

When it was time to go, Sergiy shifted into his drake form, squatting down to let Bruin more easily mount.

"Ready?" Sergiy asked him after a moment, looking over his shoulder while Bruin made sure the backpack of supplies, his witch's bag, and his staff were all situated.

Bruin gave him a cocky grin, then kicked at his lord's flanks.

"Giddyup!" he said.

"Really?" Sergiy hissed, then snapped his teeth in his direction."I'm not some common horse, witch."

"Kind of like a horse," Russell said, approaching in his own large wolf form."You have a mane, and a horse-sized cock.Bruin, it's big."

"I know, I've seen the bad boy make an appearance now and again while petting— eep!"

Bruin yelped as Sergiy leapt forward down the trail, bouncing jarringly several times before coming to a stop.

"I am so sorry, were you not ready?" he asked innocently.

Bruin hugged him fiercely by way of answer—you never struck those you cared about, his parents had taught him.

Mercifully, Sergiy continued at a walk, with Russell beside them.Overall, it was still a faster pace than what they'd made heading out, especially when they kicked it into a gallop the final couple of miles, Russell howling his delight.

"Ooh," Bruin said, rubbing his backside as he dismounted outside the room where Roland stored the staves."I forgot to ask you two for your kilts to use as a cushion.My ass might be out of commission for a while."

Bruin nearly laughed at the mixture of contrition and disappointment on the faces of his boyfriends, so he was quick to reach out, patting snouts before the two shifted back into human form.

"I'm exaggerating, I'll be fine.I'll even do a self-healing charm.You can better believe I looked up the ones for when you've ridden a horse.Or been ridden by one."

Sergiy crushed him in a tight hug, putting his mouth on his neck."Not a horse, mate of mine.But I'm glad."

After Sergiy released him, Bruin was immediately enfolded in Russell's arms, who apparently wanted his own sweaty hug.His boyfriend smelled like the forest, and was apparently eager to share.

"I've got some training to get to, my mates.See you both at the end-of-day meeting?"

Bruin assured him that they would, watching him jog his way to the western wing of the castle.Bruin then lifted his head to look at Russell.

"I'm thinking that we could put things away, visit the baths, then take a nap.Does that all sound good?"

"Yes," Russell said, then helped secure the staves.

After taking Bruin's bags from him, Russell lifted him up into his arms, apparently inclined to carry him back to their rooms, and probably the baths right after.Closing his eyes and resting his cheek against the hairy, damp chest, Bruin remembered his first meeting with Galina and Gregory, and wondered if Russell wouldn't object to throwing him over his shoulders, too.

◆◆◆

Standing behind Roland, Bruin and his fellow witches listened as Lady Usenko led the castle upkeep meeting.He'd been to two of the other weekly meetings so far, and hadn't needed to speak more than four or five words.It was interesting to see how the castle operated, though.

"Moving on to the anchors," Lady Usenko said."Where do we stand?"

"We have exactly half of the anchors recharged."Roland motioned to Gregory, who changed the digital tabletop so that it showed the terrain with twenty-seven areas lit up."So far there haven't been any hiccups, and we should be finished by the end of next month."

"Anything concerning the banished Lord Kerry?"

"We've had no sightings of him since Lord Sergiy tore his throat out, and no flickering in the candle room, either.Our Celestial witch was able to confirm that my troubles in the last year were a result of Kerry's presence, probably testing his control over the room's old spells.Last month was when either he'd figured out the emergency anchor kill switch, or something else drove him."

"Pardon the interruption, Lady" Rosemary said with a bow of her head."Some of that can be laid at my feet.If Kerry had been haunting Bastion Keep from the Umbral realm,like we suspect, he may not have been able to fully 'see' the sanctum until we'd performed our Augury ritual, inviting spirits to the door."

Lady Usenko shook her head, then turned in her chair to prop her legs in Gregory's lap, who tossed a binder aside to make room.

"Roland already mentioned this possibility.It's fine.If you three didn't cause it, and Kerry just chose that moment to strike, timed with an incursion and weakened defenses, then you have nothing to apologize for.And if you did invite his spirit in, well, that's just the way we like it at Bastion, ha!We invite the problems and troublemakers in, and meet them head on.What the fuck do you think all of our anchors are for, huh?"

There were approving growls and barks from the pack leaders, Sergiy included.

"Is Kerry even still out there?" Yacob asked."I saw Lord Sergiy dispatch him handily, and torch the body after."

Markos rapped on the table in agreement."Last week's incursion was easy.A non-hostile spirit king of Pilgrimage, and her hundreds of moth followers, distracted by the light of our anchors.We slew the shadowlings that were preying on them, then sent them on their way.No sign of Kerry."

Lady Usenko tapped her chin."Roland?"

"We've revoked his invitation to our lands, and formally sentenced him to exile.I've also created a few wards around the keep, specific to him.However… Lux Manus, tell her."

Lux stepped forward, his hair falling over his face as he bowed his head."Lady Usenko.Just a few nights back, on the new moon, my coven did several divinations.There is still darkness within darkness.There are still unfulfilled portents from a Tarot reading.And the celestial heavens still speak of unquenched vengeance, personal to this keep and your family line.Upon my craft, Lady, I assure you, Kerry is still out there, and he still has unfinished business."

"Thank you, Lux," Lady Usenko said."Roland, keep us apprised, but don't waste resources you don't need to.If this lord turned spirit king shows his face again, I'm sure my son can kick his ass again."

"As you say," Roland said.

"What's next, pet?"

Gregory flushed."Housing and additional staffing for the future guardians."

"Ah, logistics," she said sarcastically, raising a slippered toe up to tap at his chest."My favorite."

Another meeting without speaking a word, it seemed.Still, as Gregory went over charts and budgets, Bruin studied the way that Galina looked at her husband, often teasing him with a toe, even nudging his glasses askew.Gregory simply grabbed her foot, kissed the tip, and resumed.

Bruin stared at Sergiy's back, watching as his mate performed his appointed duties.

◆◆◆

"Draw your second card," Rosemary intoned, indicating her fanned out Tarot deck.

As Bruin watched from his position behind Rosemary's chair, Cadmus flexed and wiggled the fingers of his hand as if he were a thief about to disarm a trap.With a darting motion, he grabbed one of the cards and flipped it over onto the table.

"The Ace of Cups," Rosemary said, setting it on top of the Strength card in the two-card spread.

"Woo!Yeah!Ace of Cups!"

The other ten guardians watching cheered, howled, and stamped their feet for several seconds before abruptly settling back into silence, letting Rosemary speak.

"This card represents deep feelings and intuition," she said, taking his hand and holding it."Normally I would encourage a period of introspection, but as the Ace is crossed over the Strength card, you instead need to apply these concepts actively. Go to your friend.Clearly state your position and your concern for him, and express that you want to listen.He may try to deter you, but insist.Make sure to keep your posture relaxed, and have a sympathetic face.You are not an interrogator, and now is not the time for judgment.Whatever he tells you, express understanding; right or wrong, how he feels is still a Truth.Then, make an excuse to leave, allowing him the opportunity to choose your company."

Cadmus was nodding along."Speak clearly, relaxed posture, listen compassionately.Thank you, witch.Yeah!"

Another round of cheers and praise for Rosemary.

A new guardian was about to take the chair that Cadmus had just vacated, but Rosemary held up a hand, pushing back from the table.

"Five minute break," she said."We'll continue with more readings after."

A disappointed look crossed the guardian's face, but she was quick to leap back to her feet, then grab a fellow guardian and drag them to a table filled with drinks and snacks.

Rosemary and Bruin stepped back to a recliner where Lux had been watching her craft, stroking a gorgeous black cat.He nodded at them, then laid a hand on Rosemary's teapot, whispering a simple charm that left the water steaming.

"Thank you, brother," Rosemary said, grabbing one of the empty tea infusers to begin making herself a cup.

"You are most welcome.This whole group affair, though.It's a bit different than your usual private Tarot reading in a sacred space."

"I'm actually enjoying it," she said, her cheeks dimpling as she stirred her cup."They're rambunctious and silly, but they're treating what I say with respect.And as a Hearth witch, I can in turn respect that this is how they naturally behave around extended family."

The cat on Lux's lap stretched her paws out, then lifted her head."I can have a read too, right?"

"Assuming you can escape Lux's clutches, yes."

Lux proceeded to dig what nails he had behind her head, scratching the back of it, and Chelsea seemed to instinctively close her eyes, purring loudly as she kneaded Lux's leg."

"I think I'm going to head to bed," Bruin said, declining a cup of tea for himself."It's getting late, and I'm never going to get used to dawn wakeups if I keep staying up like this and having to take naps in the afternoon."

"Oh, but naps are the absolute best," Chelsea purred."Don't let these morning people shame you.Not everyone has the same circadian rhythm, and it's wrong to let them bully you otherwise."

"Speaking from experience, I'm sure," Lux said.

"Then Bruin shall just have to let us know if we're bullying him," Rosemary added."Also let us know if you want to try a different schedule.We could always save you a plate of breakfast so you can sleep in, if there's no duties."

"Thank you both, I'll keep that in mind."On impulse, he gave each of them a hug, careful not to disturb either tea cup or cat.

After saying farewell to the gathered guardians, which itself took nearly five minutes of crushing hugs and head pats, Bruin walked the length of the castle, headed to his room in the Sage's Quarter.

He took a shower, but instead of climbing into bed afterwards, he found himself at his desk.The stone fountain that Russell had given him was babbling softly, and he traced its rim reverently.

The fountain was carved into a forest river scene, and it had three little figurines atop it.A golden dragon, a red-furred wolf, and then a green bear accented with golden brushstrokes.After Bruin had finished giving Russell an ecstatic blowjob in thanks, he'd immediately set it up in his room, but that same night had realized that he could do more with it.

First, he'd gathered the necessary ingredients:

Russell's hair from that first haircut, still tied in a bundle.

A pint of blood from himself, wisely drawn by a nurse's needle instead of doing the painful and stupid idea of slashing open a palm that was somehow in every television show that contained witches.

And then a very enjoyable gathering of Sergiy's seed, with him and Russell taking turns stroking their lord to completion multiple times.

The final step had then involved entreating help from his willing coven, and performing a ritual.

In the end, Russell's thoughtful gift became like one of the guardian candles in the sanctum.The three figurines would reflect the health of the ones they represented, so when Sergiy was off doing his warlord business, neither Bruin nor Russell would ever need to wonder if he was okay.

Bruin kissed his fingertips, then touched them to the dragon and wolf figures, warm things that almost seemed alive, pressing back into him.

Coming to a decision, Bruin went to his dresser, donning a clean pair of shorts before leaving his room and padding down the hall.He took the stairs to the third floor, walked down to Sergiy's room, and quietly let himself in.

The room was dark, but there was some moonlight shining in, and Bruin's eyes slowly adapted.He could just make out the sounds of Russell's snores through the bedroom's open door, and ventured inside, stripping as he did so.

Sergiy lay there, his scarred chest rising and falling silently, a thin blanket drawn up around his waist.

Beside him lay Russell, sprawled out on his back, blankets kicked aside in the summer heat, even though the room was well air conditioned.He snored audibly, and his cock was hard, its heavy weight resting on his belly.

As Bruin slid beneath the blanket on the edge of the bed, he saw his lord's eyes open.After staring at him for a moment, the man smiled, then lifted the edge of the sheet so that Bruin could slide it up over his shoulders.Bruin pressed himself forward, and Sergiy wrapped an arm around him, bringing him in closer.

"About time," his lord whispered."Had fun?"

"I did.The guardians are all amazing fluffballs."

"I'm a guardian.Does that make me an amazing fluffball, too?"

Bruin brought his head closer, mindful of his tusks as he gave Sergiy a quick kiss.

"Now you're just fishing for compliments.Yes to amazing, no to being a fluffball.But Lord Adorable doesn't need to be fluffy, he just needs a perfectly handsome and kissable face."

"Fair enough," he said.

Sergiy leaned towards him for another kiss, sliding his hand down Bruin's backside to grab his rump.Bruin's arms were trapped between their bodies, so he couldn't do much more than grope Sergiy's chest while his lord dug fingers in deeper.Before long, he felt Sergiy's manhood thickening, pressing into his thigh.

Sergiy rolled over on top of him, putting his hands on either side of Bruin's head and holding himself up.Bruin delightedly ran his fingers over Sergiy's thick muscles, tracing their curves and feeling their firmness.

Sergiy seemed content to let him explore, a smirk on his face.

"Bruin is here?"

Turning his head to the side, he saw Russell propped up on one elbow as he looked at them, his eyes reflecting the moonlight.

"He is," Sergiy said."Our witch finally remembered which bed he's supposed to be sleeping in."

Bruin laughed, but saw Russell nod as if it made complete sense.

"Is it kissing time?"

"Kissing and more," Bruin said.Reaching down, he ran his fingers over Sergiy's shaft."I think I'm going to have Sergiy fuck me, if he's up for it."

Sergiy lowered himself down, growling as he nipped at his neck.

"Oh."Russell paused, thinking."Can I join?"

"I absolutely want my boyfriend to join us," Bruin said, reaching an arm out."Now come over here."

Russell moved over on all fours, then sat on his haunches, hands clasped as he waited with a patient smile.

Bruin managed to grab one of Russell's hands, but then Sergiy began kissing him again, demanding his full attention.

His lord started by gripping his jaw, keeping his head still while he kissed his lips, then pressed his tongue inside.After an oral show of dominance, he rolled off of Bruin, but held one of his arms down and had Russell do the same to the other one, pinning him to the bed.Bruin turned his head one way, kissed Sergiy, then turned to the other side, sharing gentle ones with Russell, and received a few helpless licks on his face.

They spent several minutes making out and exploring with their hands.At one point Sergiy allowed Bruin to sit up, and practically shoved him into Russell's waiting hug.Bruin wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck, feeling Russell's cock pulsing against his belly.

Bruin looked up into that face, wondering how he'd ever thought it expressionless.There was affection in those yellow-green eyes of his, and a softening at the corner of his lips, just slightly upturned.

Bruin opened his mouth, trying to say the words, but couldn't.Not just yet.

"I love the look you get when you're happy," he said instead, trailing fingers through his boyfriend's beard.

Russell's face cracked as a broad smile slowly split it, and Bruin almost swore that he saw his ears wiggle.

"I love your shape," Russell said back, his words slow, hugging him tight enough that he couldn't breathe as he rocked him back and forth in his arms."You're my friend-shaped teddy bear!"

Behind him, Sergiy placed a kiss on Bruin's shoulder, then stole one from Russell.

"Our mate has a fantastic shape," Sergiy said, running his hands up and down Bruin's sides before gripping his ass."He fits perfectly between us.And speaking of fitting things between places…"

Sergiy slapped Bruin on his ass, and as he leaned forward to kiss the side of his face, Bruin felt his lord's cock pressing insistently up between his cheeks.

"You should get the lube," Sergiy whispered.

Bruin shivered, whole body."You don't need to tell me twice."

Disentangling himself from his mates, he climbed out of bed and went to the dresser where Sergiy kept their supplies.As he grabbed the bottle and returned to the bed, pushing Sergiy onto his back and straddling him, he remembered an important thought.

"Sergiy.Before I forget, which I know I will, can you let me know a good time to talk to Gregory?Or Zell?"Bruin's fingers fumbled with the lube, and Russell reached out to take over."I imagine they had to learn all this castle stuff and politics at some point with books or tutors.And, you know, since I'm going to be here for a while—"

Bruin was cut off as Sergiy sat up and began savagely kissing him, knocking his tusks a couple of times with his teeth in his fervor.

"—I figure I should follow in their footsteps," Bruin eventually finished, leaning back to give Russell room to apply lube to their lord's shaft."I'm sure there's plenty I can be taught in three years.Or more, whatever.Something like that."

"Something like that, huh?" Sergiy said, grabbing Bruin's hips and pulling him forward so that his ass was in line.

"Mm," Russell said, helpfully angling Sergiy into place."Forever is more than three, right?"

Bruin laughed, turning to give the big werewolf a kiss.

"Yes.Forever years is more than three.I suppose we'll see."

Then Bruin lowered himself down onto one lover, letting his second lover stroke his own cock with a warm hand, thanking the gods, spirits, and of course Rosemary, that he hadn't missed this life-changing opportunity.