Page 12 of Randall
Darvon stared into those dark eyes, at the flames of power dancing within, as he parted his lips and opened his mind to Randall, to his mate. Images flashed between them. Visions of Darvon’s home, Randall’s room, the raven’s recall of the burning village to the north, the gull’s vision of the destruction at sea, and as their mouths melded again, the furred paws clinging to a log, floating down the river.
Randall tipped his head, drawing away only enough to put their foreheads together.We must hurry to Riverside.
“Save Obrusa?” someone shouted, jolting Darvon from his mate. He caught Jarrah looking around, making eye contact with each person and the two shifted wolves.
“I think it’s time you explained,” a vampire whispered, and with the way Jarrah held his gaze, Darvon made the leap of realization. The vampire was Jarrah’s mate, as well as the wolf sitting at their feet.
“Baron,” Jarrah called over his shoulder.
“Yes?” a second vampire replied. Master Baron Cendres of the Onyx Ashes clan? Ah-ha! Mother would be so proud of him for remembering.
Jarrah drew his mate to his chest. “We must meet with Master Artor. Do you think he’d see us now?”
Master Artor Angenoir, the vampire Master of the Midnight Claimed clan, who called the capital home?What does he have to do with all this?
Baron looked at one of the younger vampires. “Cormac?”
“I’ll go now, Father.” Cormac sped off into the night.
Father?Darvon squinted.
“Master Baron sired three brothers,” Randall helpfully explained. “Cormac, Connor, and Camron.” He pointed to the two remaining brothers.
Jarrah kissed his mate and stroked the wolf’s head. “I do not see Samantha and Garth in any further visions, nor your three packmates, Duke.” Jarrah addressed the wolf sitting at Baron’s and—Darvon’s eyes widened in recognition—the prince’s feet. “You may send them back to the castle and then home to Ivywoods. When Randall releases Samantha, remind her to keep her eyes and ears open to the murmurings of court.”
He held up a hand before Randall had even lifted a finger to remove the binding spell. “After we meet with Artor, we must return to the castle and pack quickly. It’s important that we arrive in Riverside by tomorrow evening.”
“That’s a full day’s travel during the day,” Camron blurted.
“We have our carriage,” Baron reminded him. “Be sure to drink your fill when we get to Artor’s, then pack and prepare for our departure.”
“I’m sure my father can provide additional carriages. I certainly can’t sit astride a horse all day.” Prince Valter rubbed his backside for emphasis.
A low rumble rolled from Baron, directed at his mate more than the room at large. “I think personal carriages for all the mated triads and couples would be ideal.”
Darvon touched Randall’s cheek, turning his head. “I have my own. Sylvan has joined me.”
“Sylvan is here?” Jarrah asked, looking around again.
“Yes.” Darvon grinned, proud that he’d gotten one up on his brother for once. “He snuck away in the night and joined me. Mother and Sylvar are probably furious, not that either of us cares. I wanted to see the world like you. Sylvan felt the same. Besides…” He glanced at Randall.
Jarrah glared. “You didn’t need to sneak him out. I had received permission for you both to join me, so she is probably not as upset as you think. Whether she told Sylvar, however, is unknown. He’s certain to be out of sorts. Hopefully, this won’t disrupt the peace of her court.”
Darvon shrugged. Everything he’d said had been a lie anyway. Both his mother and uncle knew they’d left and had even given them their blessing. “Well, I’m sure she’ll probably scry on us at some point. At least now I won’t have to be subjected to her demands to marry whom she wants. Fated mates trump arranged marriages.”
Jarrah gaped and then laughed. “So true, brother.”
“I knew it!” Prince Valter shouted. “Brothers. Now introduce me.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Jarrah said, still chuckling. “But first… Randall, can you free our friends from your spell while leaving the others?”
Randall nodded. “Easy enough.” He stepped beside a human man and woman, who had a very attentive wolf standing guard beside her. He touched them, spoke a word of power, and the two became mobile again. The man glared at Randall while the wolf ensured the woman was alright.
Darvon pulled Randall back. “Who’s that?” he whispered fervently. The man’s hands fisted tightly as he continued to stare daggers at Randall. Before his mate could answer, Jarrah called everyone over.
“Friends, please join us here so that I may introduce you all to my brother. This is Darvon, and he is Randall’s true mate.” He smiled at Darvon and congratulated them.
“Another?” the human male asked, frowning as he looked around the circle.
