Warden
I’m not sure what angers me more. The fact my mate is somehow hurt and I don’t know why, or the one thing I was counting on to keep her safe is missing.
And I’m in a castle filled with Barghests who stink to the sky and beyond.
All I want is for my lady to be well, to have this damned amulet, and get out of this place. But chance would be a fine thing.
The queen insists my mate rest in some quarters prepared for her, and before I can do anything, Hazel is led away from me and I am left with Reavely.
“You. The Brag. Mated.” He gazes at me, eyes wide.
“I could say the same about you,” I respond. “I wouldn’t have thought a soul sucker could have attracted anyone so pretty as your mate.”
Reavely’s growl rumbles deep in his chest. I can tell he’s not sure whether to rip me apart for calling his mate pretty or lick my cheek.
I’d prefer the damage.
“She’s human,” he says. “It would appear we are lucky males.”
“We are.” I dig in my saddlebag for an apple and sit down heavily on the large chair in the centre of this rather grand room, looking around. “So this is the old family seat?”
Reavely folds his arms and fixes me with a sharp gaze.
“It is.”
“And you got your family back?”
“I did.”
“But you lost the amulet?”
“I don’t know how you ended up involved with a Thegn and I don’t want to know, but let’s get one thing clear, Warden.
The Amulet of Backworth is not a trifle.
I would rather it wasn’t lost. I’d rather I knew where the thing was at all times.
It’s wicked magic and not one just any creature can wield. ”
“My mate can. She has a sword which is as ancient as these stones.” I gaze up at the vaulted ceiling. “When she lifts it, whole civilisations fall.”
Reavely releases a deep sigh. “Only you could end up with a mate who has the ability to hold the Yeavering in her hand.”
“Where was the amulet last seen?” I query.
“Look, Warden, the last thing I need with my mate due any day is you ripping this place apart,” Reavely says.
“So it was last seen within these walls?” I grin at him.
Reavely wipes his hand over his face.
“If you give me your bond you won’t do this in your Brag form…” he says.
I lift my chin.
“Say it, Warden. I can’t have a great warhorse charging around. You’ve already stomped on one of my nephews.”
“I did not stomp on him…much,” I rumble. “He should know better than to bite a Brag.”
Reavely shrugs. “He needed taking down a peg or two, but no more stomping.”
I put my hand to my chest. “You have my bond, my king.”
“Never going to get used to that,” Reavely grumbles. “Especially from you.”
“I’m looking forward to the day you meet the Bluecap again. You’ll find out what being king means on that particular occasion.” I chuckle to myself.
“The amulet was last seen in the dungeons, where once my father had a strong box,” Reavely says.
“Then I will visit my mate and I will find the amulet.” I draw myself up to my full height. “Once I have it, we will take our leave.”
“She can stay here, if you both wish.” Reavely eyes me carefully. “While you drag the Thegn back to Death-sele.”
“If I thought I could stop her from accompanying me, I would agree in an instant, old friend. But my lady will not be disobeyed.” I give him a deep bow but don’t remove my eyes from his face. “Even by you, my king.”
I hear Reavely’s grumbling as I leave his throne room. The chair itself was mightily uncomfortable, and he is most welcome to it. Despite the place being filled with Barghest, I can scent my sweet mate easily enough as I make my way through the stronghold to the main living quarters.
“She needs her rest,” the queen says, as I reach the door behind which I know my mate lies.
“She needs to know what our next steps are.”
Queen Wynter shakes her head slowly and rubs her hand over her stomach. “If you say so. I’d say she needs to go see her sister and find out more about who she is.”
“I want it to be that easy,” I reply. “And once the threat is gone, it will be.”
“This is the Yeavering,” Queen Wynter says. “No threat is ever really gone. You have to make a judgement as to when you can live with it and when you can’t.”
I dip my head in a bow to her as she walks down the passage to another ornate door, before I push my way into the room.
On a large bed, not dissimilar to the one owned by the witch and warlock, my mate is sitting propped up on pillows. She stares out the tall windows at the Yeavering beyond.
“My lady?”
“Warden.” She holds out her hands to me, and I join her on the bed in the blink of an eye.
“I do not like that you are ill.” I press my mouth to her hair and nibble.
“I don’t think I’m ill.” Hazel lifts one of my hands up and runs her lips over my skin.
My body instantly reacts to her, need firing through me.
“I think I’m somehow connected…with the Thegn.”
My blood drains away, leaving only ice cold muscle and death in its wake.