Page 119 of The Seeker
When Sari or Damien talked about the Grigori children they were fostering at Rekaves, their manner changed completely. Theydoted. That was the only word for it.
“Well, I have a feeling that pomp and ceremony will be my good friends going into the future,” Rhys said. “My mother will find all this most amusing.”
“Are they here yet?”
“They arrive tonight.”
He pulled the car up to a field that had been designated for vehicles and got out, searching for the woman at the center of the maelstrom. He saw Meera on the back porch of the house, talking with her father.
Heaven above, he adored her.
“And when does the Wolf arrive?” Sari asked.
“She said four days, which would be tomorrow morning,” Rhys said. “But how she’s arriving is a mystery to everyone but her.” He glanced at the two scribes hustling toward them with a wave. “I think these gentlemen will take your luggage to the cottage Patiala set up for you. Let’s go meet Meera.”
He walked across the lawn, marveling at all the decorations. Flowers and fountains seemed to have sprung up like magic—they probablyhadsprung up by magic—and the heady scent of freesia filled the air.
“Rhys!” Meera spotted him and broke into a huge smile. “You’re earlier than I thought you’d be.” She ran down the steps and into his embrace. “Traffic must have been easy.”
There. Safe. Surrounded. He let out a huge breath, not failing to notice the three new Tomir warriors who had joined Maarut on the porch. They had come for the mating celebration and decided to stay at Maarut’s request.
Rhys was decidedly in favor of that. Meera, less so.
“Sha ne’ev reshon.” Rhys kept his arm around Meera. “This is my former watcher, Damien, and his mate, Sari.”
“We are also his friends,” Damien said, taking Meera’s outstretched hand and bowing over it. At the first touch of his hand to Meera’s, Damien looked up with wide eyes. “Soma…?Does he know?” Damien glanced at Rhys.
Meera nodded. “He does.”
Damien looked at Sari. “Didyouknow?”
She smiled softly. “Some secrets are not mine to tell, my love. You know this.”
Damien let out a long breath and fell to his knees before Meera. Tears filled his eyes. “Forgive me. It has been over seven hundred years since I have been in the presence of a keeper.”
“Rise, brother. I am just a woman.”
“No. You are much more than that.” Damien rose and wiped his eyes unashamedly. “Does the light still burn in this house, sister?”
“It does, and you are welcome to its light, you and your own.”
Damien bent and kissed both Meera’s cheeks reverently. “I am honored to be here, both for my friend and to meet you.”
“As I am honored to meet you.” Meera smiled up at Rhys. “Myreshonspeaks very highly of you.”
“I find that hard to believe considering how headstrong he’s always been. Rhys of Glast is the absolute worst kind of scribe to command. Stubborn. Arrogant. Filled with a vast well of self-importance—”
“I think you mean confident in my own opinions.” Rhys pulled Damien away from Meera. “I’m almost sure that’s what you meant to say.”
Sari pursed her lips. “No, I’m fairly sure I’ve also heard him say—”
“Aren’t you tired and needing to freshen up?” Rhys asked. “Let’s go feed you. Maybe then you’ll stop talking.”
“Oh no.” Meera linked her arm with Damien’s. “Please, tell me more.”
Rhys was sleepingthat night when he heard the knock on his cottage door. He rose and rubbed his eyes as he opened it.
Maarut was standing at the door. “Dress in your linen clothes. Patiala says the Wolf is at the border of the wards.”
