Chapter 21 – Ryder
Twenty-One
RYDER
Once Carina is safely inside my cabin, I glare at the moon above. “Think you’re funny?”
The woman fated to be my mate doesn’t want to rule her own species, but run away and live in the forest, in “a cabin like yours”. If it wasn’t my own life, maybe I’d laugh at the irony.
“I think I’m hilarious, thanks for asking.” The feminine voice slides from the darkness as a figure materializes in front of me. She’s sans cloak this time, and her long blonde hair is now a sapphire blue, but I’d recognize the waif of a woman anywhere.
“Freya.”
Hands clasped in front, she bows her head. “Alpha. Well, you’re lightyears ahead of your counterpart in terms of respect. For that, you get my patience, but a little warning, it’s short-lived.”
As her head comes up, purple eyes glisten with mischief, hinting we’re already past the deadline of her so-called patience.
Especially when her hands unclasp and she instead twirls to give me her back and paces a few steps away.
“Hm. This place is cute, isn’t it? Carina’s tucked inside, all cozy in your nest. Feels good, doesn’t it?
” She tosses an evil grin over her shoulder, winking to imbed the truth in deeper—harder.
Like a fucking rock to the head. “Having your mate all safe and cozy in your space.”
A growl snaps my teeth together and I scan the area, looking and listening for sentries nearby who’ll overhear. Last fucking thing I need is the others aware of what Carina actually is.
“You knew the whole time, didn’t you?” Large steps take me to the witch’s side, my hand clasping around her arm. She’s so fragile—it’d take only a snap of her bone. And while I’ve never killed someone before, she’s angling to be my first.
“Obviously,” she drawls, tugging at my grip to dislodge herself. “You can let me go or magick will. Your choice, but magick won’t be kind.”
After witnessing Carina’s spat with her mother this morning, I don’t doubt it. One finger at a time, I unhook my hand from her.
Freya makes a show of straightening her invisible cloak.
“Better. Temper, temper. Yes, I knew she’s your n?kak?stis.
You don’t become me without some insight.
Seriously”—her eyes roll—“I’m starting to think you have more in common with our vampire friend.
Ask your questions, since I know you have them. ”
“Is she aware?”
“Not in the way you are.”
Thank fuck.
“You gave me a potion to nullify her powers, knowing I was going to kidnap her, but did you know why? Do you know what the other coven will do to her? Will she survive? Did you know she’s not even from Highridge?
” Question after question flies from my mouth.
Freya, as much as she’s a pain in the ass, seems knowledgeable enough.
“You’re totally missing the point about my role.
First Witch. Yes, I know all of that. Half of it’s been long set into motion.
” She faces me, holding up five fingers.
“Yes, I knew your dad was ill, and I wanted you to succeed in capturing her. In fact, you had to capture her for the plan to go through, because while you met earlier that day, it wasn’t enough.
You two needed to talk under the guise of trust.” Her thumb folds in.
“Yes, I’m aware Twilight Grove is after her, and they used your dad to get her.
” Her index finger drops. “They’re trying to turn four witches Dark.
Harlow was one, Carina’s another. Yes, I know, considering I’m partially the reason Carina does.
” Another finger. “Will she survive…?” Her question trails off as she tips her head to stare into the sky.
Eyes narrow, lips purse, and she mutters, “Sorry, had to see if I was allowed to tell you. Twilight Grove’s intentions aren’t to kill anyone; that’s all I’ll say.
” A fourth finger, leaving only her pinky up.
“And yes, I know she’s born from the Coven of the Silver Seas, and no, I won’t tell you anything more about them, who her parents are, or where the coven went to.
She can’t be aware of any of it, and telling you will have you running to her, no matter what I demand, so no. ” Her hand drops back to her side.
“You knew everything.” If she spoke up, we’d all be saved from this. Dad would be well, and Carina wouldn’t be running into danger.
She jerks her head like a pup proud of their accomplishments. “Correction: I know everything.”
“Why didn’t you help her? Why do you want Twilight Grove to get their hands on her?
Are you on their side?” More questions, only this time, murder fills my veins, and I decide, yes, I could murder this witch.
If this “all-knowing” being only did her fucking job, Carina would be safe from a crazy coven. “Why aren’t you helping her?”
Freya jerks her hand and an invisible rope snaps between us, making me stumble.
“Fate’s funny, Ryder. Learn it now.” Her tone takes on a deeper edge than anything I’ve heard from her so far, and her stance as defensive.
“I’m under orders of Hecate. This is how fate must progress.
You and Carina were destined to meet; your bond tells you that much.
Carina is destined to continue on this path.
The direction of the path—if she ends up with Twilight Grove or not—that’s not for me to say. ”
If.
“What about the bond?” Asking a witch about shifter things seems stupid, but if she really has been around so long, she may know the history behind it. “How’s it possible my ideal mate is a witch?”
Freya shrugs. “Just is.”
“Why don’t I believe that?”
“Because you’re smart.”
“Compliments won’t make me like you. If it ‘just is,’ as you’re saying, can it be broken?”
Her nose wrinkles. “The vampire asked that too. Ya’ll are so happy to get out of your bonds, it’s weird. No, it’s not breakable, but everything your elders told you is the truth. You can choose not to complete it, and life moves on.”
“Will it?” My heart beats faster. If Freya has some indication of the future, I can at least glean a hint.
She shrugs again. “Can’t say, sorry.”
She’s not sorry.
“What now?”
“Now, you go home, Ryder. You play nice with Carina. You let fate run its course.”
Defeat hits me in the chest. Freya’s answered just enough to provide clarity, but not enough to be useful. Not enough to give me an idea if Carina will survive.
“You won’t tell me Carina’s future, but you need to tell me something. Tell me she’ll be alright. Light or Dark, alive or dead…she’ll be alright in the end.”
Freya’s strange blue hair falls to the side as she peers up at me.
Her small hand comes up to rest on my shoulder, and her smile is pressed lips attempting to provide a measure of peace.
“You never asked about yourself, your father, or the pack. Only the witch you want nothing to do with. Fascinating how these bonds work. She’ll be alright, Ryder.
What that looks like, I can’t say. I vow everything will work out in the end. ”
As a cloud passes over the moon, cutting off the streak of light, the First Witch disappears.
I don’t know how long I remain in the same place, staring at the spot she disappeared, until sticks crack, jerking my attention upwards as Xander steps down the slope from camp to me.
He scans the area before asking, “Carina not around?”
“No, so say what you need to.” Xander been basically a brother to me since our early years; it’s clear he has something on his mind, or he wouldn’t have searched me out.
He approaches, glancing over his shoulder to ensure we’re still alone. “Something’s different between you and her. It’s your business, of course…Alpha. But Ryder, as your friend, what is happening with you?”
Telling Xander about the n?kak?stis bond may not be wise. Marissa did say those with such a connection don’t tell the pack about the mysticism behind a couple’s mating, but I need Xander. I need him to keep me in line this week, to ensure I don’t break my own deal.
“Every male in my family has a n?kak?stis, and Carina is mine.”
A few emotions pass over his face, but he continues returning to shock, the deep lines in his forehead becoming permanent. He drags his hand down his face before he looks over his shoulder again, this time at my cabin. “Somehow, that makes so much sense. What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing.”
“Noth—” He whips around. “Ryder, you know what denying the bond will do to you?”
“It’s a choice, according to Dad and Marissa. She’s what’s deemed best for me, but I don’t have to complete the bond, and so, I won’t. Everything we talked about today will go on.”
“But, Ryder—”
“But nothing. I’m telling you this because I need your help.”
He straightens. “Anything.”
“Ensure I hand her to Twilight Grove when the time comes. Ensure I don’t accidentally go through with it. No matter what happens, Carina isn’t meant for life here.”
Xander’s silent for a long moment, reading in my expression what I’m actually feeling. Hell, probably witnessing for himself the way my soul tears up a bit each passing day my mark isn’t on her neck. But he agrees with a tip of his chin.
“This stays between us. Not even Leah.”
“Of course.” He hesitates for a few seconds before heading back to camp.
I wait until Carina’s trace dissipates from the air before going to search for more of her.