Urijah was ready to throw up. He considered turning around every twenty kilometers or so. Whenever his nerves got the best of him, the beast managed to soothe him. Talk about a reversal of rolls. His shifter had been buzzing since Urijah decided to go to the coronation. If the beast was happy, Urijah should be. He knew some Gargoyles didn’t separate the two entities sharing one body. For him, it was impossible not to, but he couldn’t imagine having a beast that was quiet and minded its own business.

You are my business.

And for that, I am grateful.

Urijah meant it. Having thought about the way he lost himself when Finley died, if the beast hadn’t taken over, Uri would probably have been killed, too.

Urijah had planned to leave earlier, but he stopped by the armory to make sure everything was okay. An order had come in overnight requesting expedited shipping, so Uri packaged the sword and sent it out. After that, he had cranked up the radio and let the GPS guide him to the King’s home. It still amazed Uri that his best friend growing up had been the prince. Banyan never acted like royalty. Never treated others differently or like he was better. He was just Banyan, Uri’s best friend.

And mate.

Yes, and mate.

When he arrived, it was late afternoon, and there were several cars in the driveway. After getting his garment bag and duffel out of the trunk, he stood staring at the large house, trying to imagine Banyan living there. He couldn’t. When he found his feet, a human male met him at the door.

“Welcome. My name is Lawrence. May I assist you to a room?”

“Yes, please.” Urijah looked around at the interior as he followed the human through the house. It had been decorated for a party fit for a King. He was eager to see what it looked like without all the added floral arrangements. Lawrence led Urijah up a wide set of stairs when a gruff voice called after him.

“Lawrence? I need your assistance at once.”

“Right away, Sir.” Lawrence huffed, but he quickly remembered there was someone else in the hallway with him. “Please, make yourself at home in any of the vacant bedrooms. I do apologize.” He rushed away, leaving Uri to choose his own room for the immediate future. Well, for one night at least.

Unless B sees me and kicks me out.

The first door to the right was ajar, so Urijah stuck his head in. Other than some packing boxes stacked on the floor, the room appeared to be unoccupied. Checking the closet, he found the room wasn’t in use. The boxes weren’t in his way, so he decided to stay there. He closed the door behind him, hung his suits in the closet, and unpacked his bag. He was ready to go find his parents when the writing on one of the boxes caught his eye. Unable to stop himself, Uri pulled back the flaps and stared at stacks of papers. He would know the handwriting anywhere. After glancing at the door to make sure it was closed, he debated on whether or not to invade Banyan’s privacy.

The top letter was written to Urijah, so he figured he had a right to read it since it was addressed to him.

 

Urijah,

 

I am going crazy. Not from the transition, but because I cannot see you. You are my best friend, and I would never hurt you, but Pappa insists I stay away a few more days. Since I have nothing better to do, I thought I would tell you what it’s like to phase.

The pain is intense during the transition. Your gums ache as your fangs make their way through the skin. The claws don’t hurt except when you forget they’re out and you scratch yourself. Watch out for your balls. That can be painful. I know. That was child’s play, though. When the wings break through your shoulder blades, let’s just say I thought I was dying. After that though? Nothing to it. The phasing becomes as natural as breathing. It’s the other part that’s scary. The beast. It’s like having a whole new person inside your head trying to tell you what to do. You have to get used to each other, but you have to let it know you’re boss. That’s what Pappa said, anyway. So I did. Once we got that mess straightened out, things went a lot smoother.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know it’s not so bad. I probably won’t give this to you. I’ll see you and tell you myself, but writing it all down gave me something to do for a while. I can’t wait to get out of here. I miss you.

 

B

 

Urijah smiled at the simplicity of the words but how much love he felt from them. Even at fifteen, Banyan cared for Uri. He had missed spending time with his best friend, too. For eight years, they had been constant companions, so being separated when Banyan transitioned was miserable. Putting that letter aside, he picked up the next one. He would read a couple more, and then he would go find his parents.

 

 

Urijah,

 

I am still going crazy. Pappa finally let me out of the storage room where he made me hide out while getting the shifter under control, but now you are in seclusion. Tabor said it was too early for you to transition, but you are, and now I’m stuck out here while you’re in there. I know exactly what you’re going through. I am sitting outside listening as you endure the pain. I can hear every breath you take. Every time you moan or cry out, my heart hurts right along with you. I don’t know why that is, but I feel it like it’s happening to me.

 

I can’t wait for you to get control so we can talk. I miss you.

 

B

 

 

Urijah didn’t doubt Banyan was feeling the mate pull, even then. Over the years, he got used to hurting when Banyan did, or being happy when Banyan felt joy. They were connected on a level so deep, he should have never been able to deny they were mates. Instead of putting the letters back and seeking out Banyan or his parents to let them know he’d arrived, Urijah sat down on the floor and selected the next letter. With each page Urijah read, Banyan’s penmanship improved while the tone changed.

The first few were written to a best friend. Beautiful words of poetry describing the landscape gave way to odes of love. Banyan didn’t put Uri’s name on those particular poems, but he knew they were written for him. To him.

 

The blue of the sky doesn’t compare

To the color of your eyes

The depth of the sea doesn’t measure

To what I feel in my soul

The snow covered mountain isn’t as high

As how far I’ll go to protect you

The magical lights in the night sky aren’t as wondrous

As the person you are inside

 

Considering where that particular poem was in the stack of letters, Urijah figured it was written soon after they transitioned. He had been so sure there was something wrong with him having the types of feelings he did, when all the while, the next letter proved Banyan was just as confused.

 

Uri,

 

I cannot find the courage to tell you what I feel. We have grown up as friends and brothers, but I find myself looking at you in a different way. The pull to you is something I do not understand. I want to blame it on the beast, but that wouldn’t be fair. Whenever I am near you, I cannot stop looking at the way your muscles move under your skin. Or the way the sun glints on your hair. I catch myself watching your lips move as you talk, wanting nothing more than to see how they would feel against mine. What is wrong with me?

 

B

 

Urijah closed his eyes and sighed. Oh, Banyan. Nothing was wrong with you. Everything was wrong with me. I should have never fought what I felt, and then you would have known you weren’t alone. His shifter growled softly, and Uri opened his eyes. Voices were just outside the door, but he didn’t recognize them. His parents were out there somewhere, and they weren’t aware he had arrived. The delicious aroma of food reminded Uri he hadn’t eaten. Just one more letter, then he would seek out his parents as well as something to eat.

 

 

That combination he knew so well – sandalwood, sage, and mint – attacked Banyan with such ferocity it nearly sent him to his knees. He knew better than to wish for things he couldn’t have, but he went in search of Uri anyway. He had made it through all of the rooms on the first floor and was headed upstairs when his father stopped him. “Banyan, I’d like to introduce you to one of my oldest friends and his mate, Calder and Eerika Knutsen.”

Banyan had no choice but to stop and be polite. He had been chastised earlier in the day for offering to shake hands, so he stood poised with his hands clasped behind his back, while his father’s friends bowed to him. “It is an honor, Prince Holgersen.” That was another thing he had yet to get used to – having a title. It was only going to get worse when he went from being the Prince to the King. For the next thirty minutes, Banyan listened to Calder drone on about all the business ventures he had been involved in over the last ten centuries. Any other time Banyan would probably have found the topic interesting, being a businessman himself, but he couldn’t stop thinking Urijah was somewhere on the premises.

When Calder stopped talking long enough to breathe, Banyan took the opportunity to say, “I would love to hear more about the investments. Would you be agreeable to speak again after dinner has been served?” He didn’t wait for the male to answer. Banyan caught sight of Halina, and he made a beeline to her.

“How are ya holding up?” she asked.

“I’m managing. Is Urijah here by any chance?” Banyan couldn’t hide the wistfulness in his questions, but he was about to lose his godsdamned mind.

“I haven’t seen him, but I wasn’t expecting him, either.”

“Of course. I just…” Banyan knew better. Urijah was probably sitting in a bar in New Atlanta looking for the next male to take to his bed.

“Banyan, dinner will be served momentarily. It is customary for you to be seated with me and din mor before the others are escorted into the dining hall,” Asmund said, interrupting.

Halina patted Banyan on the arm. “Go ahead. I’ll take a quick look around,” she said.

“Thank you.” Banyan followed his father into the formal dining room. The one where he and the others had been eating was smaller and much cozier. Sigrid was already seated to the left of the head position with Bryn standing next to her. Asmund gestured to the seat to his right, so Banyan sat down. Banyan had expected to find a feast laden with foods fit for a King, yet the table was bare except for the silverware, glasses, and decorations.

When he got a look at his sister’s attire, Banyan tried his best not to laugh at her “fuck you” to their father. When Asmund insisted she wear a dress, he should have been more specific. Bryn’s dress was a shiny silver number that didn’t come close to hitting her knees, and she was wearing a headband that matched. He fully expected her to do the Charleston at any moment.

“What were you and Halina whispering about? And Brynhild, please sit down,” Asmund said.

“We weren’t whispering. I merely asked her if she had seen Urijah,” he admitted, as his sister did as instructed.

“I thought the two of you had parted ways,” his father said.

“We have, but I thought I sensed his presence.” Bryn frowned at his admission and looked around. She didn’t know what Urijah looked like exactly. Although Banyan had attempted to give her an apt description, words couldn’t do his mate justice.

“Why would you be sensing a male?” Sigrid asked.

That was one thing he had not spoken to his mother about. With her mind not what it once was, Banyan hadn’t seen the point of confusing her with information that no longer mattered. Not wanting to ignore her question or be rude, Banyan explained, “He and I have been friends for almost eight hundred years. How often have you entertained in this room?” he asked, hoping to change the subject.

“This is the first time in almost eight hundred years,” Asmund said. “We haven’t had reason to gather the Clan together since you were born. Had you come home sooner, we would have celebrated your coronation then as well as Brynhild’s mating and subsequent bearing of offspring. Since neither of you saw fit to join us, the room has remained unused.”

He and Bryn glanced at one another. They didn’t smile, but their eyes spoke volumes. Banyan was amazed at how quickly he and his sister were becoming attuned with what the other was thinking. A bell rang, saving Banyan from yet another argument with his father. He started to stand, but his father’s hand on his arm stopped him. “We are royalty. We do not stand,” he seethed.

Banyan thought it rude, but what the fuck did he know? He would be glad to see the next day arrive when he could get back to being just Banyan. As the others filed into the dining hall, Banyan kept his eyes to the door. When Halina entered, she gave a small shake of her head, indicating she didn’t find Urijah. Banyan reached out with his senses, and he could have sworn he felt his mate close by.

Once everyone was seated, Asmund raised his glass. It was then Banyan noticed champagne had been poured for everyone. When had that happened? “Queen Sigrid and I would like to thank you all for joining us as we gather to crown the new King. It isn’t often we as a Clan gather together, and for you to have given us your time on such short notice is very much appreciated. I raise my glass to each of you and welcome you to our home. Skål.”

“Skål,” resounded as Banyan took in all the faces seated at the long table. These were his Clansmen. Males and females he would be ruling over in less than twenty-four hours. Past coronations had taken place at midnight so the new King could usher in the new day with a gala lasting well into the morning hours. Asmund had broken protocol stating Sigrid wasn’t well enough to stay up that late, and Banyan would take the crown at noon. He didn’t care what time it happened. He just wanted it over with.

Servers entered the room carrying plates for each guest, serving the royal family first. Once everyone had food in front of them, Asmund began eating. Banyan needed to brush up on social etiquette. Then again, he doubted he’d be entertaining in such a manner for a long time to come – if ever. Talk was minimal as everyone cleaned their plates. That was one thing about the females being Gargoyle – they weren’t worried about gaining weight. Their metabolism remained high throughout their lives. Banyan had never seen an overweight Goyle. He glanced over at his sister who filled out the flapper dress spectacularly. Seeing her dance would almost be worth having an overnight gala. On second thought, there was no one Banyan wanted to dance with other than Urijah, so maybe not.

 

 

When they arrived at Travis’s house, Tamian suggested Jasper wait outside until Tamian had time to “speak to” Molly. Trevor accompanied his brother inside, and the black Lab sat patiently, thumping her tail on the floor until the front door was closed. She whined softly as Tamian remained by the door where he knelt down. He held his hand out to her, mentally calling her to come to him. Travis and Trevor stood silently watching as Molly stood and walked to where Tamian waited.

That’s a good girl, Molly. Tamian explained to her that anyone who came into Travis’s house whom he called friend wasn’t going to hurt her, and she shouldn’t be scared. The dog wagged her tail in agreement. “Travis, when a Gargoyle or half-blood comes into your home, all you need to do is tell Molly they’re a friend. If you do that, she will accept them. If you don’t differentiate, she will assume they are a threat. Let’s try it out. Jasper, please come inside.”

Jasper opened the front door, and Molly began barking and whining. Tamian nodded to Travis, and he squatted down and said, “Molly, Jasper is a friend.” The dog instantly stopped barking and sat at Travis’s feet. She didn’t wag her tail, but she did sit quietly. Jasper eased his way to her and offered the back of his hand for her to sniff. “Friend,” Travis reiterated, and after a quick perusal of his hand and arm, Molly’s tongue lolled out the side of her mouth as she lay down at his feet. Jasper gave the Lab a good rubbing.

“That’s amazing,” Trevor said. “How did you do that?”

“I have no idea, honestly. I noticed when I was young that animals didn’t shy away from me the way they do other shifters. I spent a lot of time alone over the years, and I found having a pet eased the loneliness. Having no one else to talk to, I would talk to whatever animal was around, and I figured out they understood what I was saying.”

“Do they talk back?” Trevor asked.

“No. I wish they could. It would make life easier when they are in pain. I’ve learned body language and can usually tell what they’re thinking.”

Tamian’s phone pinged with an incoming message. It was a text from Julian.

I have the identity of the woman in Norway. Rather, I have several. Meet me at the lab in the morning?

Tamian responded, Will do.

Several identities usually meant someone was up to no good. That, or they had a job that required different personas the way Andie had when she was a Watcher. The thought intrigued Tamian, and he couldn’t wait to find out more about the mystery woman.