CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Over the next few days, Samuel remained distantly polite and annoyingly efficient in his duty as my guardian. He stayed in my room each evening as we had established, but no longer slept on my bed. He brought in a pallet and had taken to sleeping on the floor.
Regardless of my confusion as to why he was still so angry at me, I tried to give him space to work through it.
Verily, that’s what friends did. Or so I assumed.
It was decided, too, that I was to remain indoors as much as possible. So, when Samuel left each day, I busied myself at the Dens reading and being of aid where I could.
The recovery of Bruin’s signet ring raised a buzz of excitement within Bruin’s home. Though it had yet to be announced to the Were population at large, the impact of Bruin taking his proper place ruling the Weres rippled through the halls. Bruin was inviting the thirty-eight Primes of the race to a summit to be held on the solstice moon in just over two months’ time. If all went as planned, he would perform the customary challenges of skill and strength, and formally assert himself as the true and rightful King of Weres.
Smiling at the pile of completed invitations mounding the dining table, I stretched my achy fingers and poured myself a cup of hot cocoa. Bruin had reluctantly accepted my offer to pen the invitations. It was least I could do after all he and Mika had done for me.
With my mug of comfort in hand, I headed for the main corridor to return to my room. A metallic thunk-thunk-thunk of footsteps on a ladder drew me to the inner vestibule. Mika was elevated high above the inlaid floor, her sleek chestnut ponytail swinging as she climbed. Judging by the way her worn t-shirt hung, even tied over one hip, it was Bruin’s.
“Mika, may I be of aid to you?” I skirted the round foyer table and looked toward the ocular domed ceiling.
“No. I’m good . . . great. Damn. Great. Why wouldn’t I be?” The growl in her tone and the scent of her pique spoke differently. I grew more accustomed to the human tendency to use sarcasm every day.
On a small shelf near the top of the ladder perched several tins with wooden handles sticking out of them. “Whatever are you doing?”
Mika barked a laugh. “Ding-ding-ding, that’s the million-dollar question. What am I doing?”
Elevated fifteen feet in the air, Mika brushed the curved wall before her with a soft rag. The stone arch of the entryway had been chiseled and sanded smooth and now was being stenciled with a missive of welcome. After tracing the inside edges of her lettering, Mika filled in the outline with long flourishing strokes. The message wrapped the circumference of the circular foyer and said:
We believe in the right to bear arms and the right to arm BEARS.
“I used to be a well-respected journalist.”
I sipped my drink, remembering the flurry of discussions when Bruin first brought her home. Some liked her straight away like Aust, Galan, and Julian, while others took some convincing. One of the key arguments against her was the visibility of her career and how that might affect the realm laws of secrecy.
“I tracked down criminals, shadowed poachers and wrote award winning exposés. I held the respect of most, if not all my peers.”
She dipped the brush back into her pigment and scraped the excess off on the edge. “I testified in federal cases.” She finished filling in some letters, climbed down the ladder, shifted it a few feet then stomped back up to the next section.
“The last thing I did before coming here was expose a black-market ring decimating Were populations across both realms. In fact, it was me who figured out Abaddon and the Scourge were selling Were pelts to raise money for their war.”
Mika cursed as a wayward drip trickled beyond her guidelines and grabbed her rag. The cloth smeared the spot into a darkened smudge and she cursed louder. After tipping a foul-scented bottle against the rag, she began a frantic attack on the unwanted blotch until it disappeared. Sighing, she reloaded the brush. “So, you ask, what am I doing?”
The light coming in the transom dimmed as the sky clouded over.
I flipped the switch and the brilliance of the entryway chandelier illuminated the space. “May I make an unsolicited observation?”
“Thanks,” Mika said, gesturing to the light as she returned to the ground once again. After shifting the ladder into its next position, she raised her bare foot to the first rung. “Sure, go for it.”
“It is none of my affair, so mayhap I should hold my tongue, but having a male love you so completely that he is devoted to your safety and well-being seems a blessing, not a burden. The two of you hold differing opinions on your role as Ursa but you love each other. Many relationships are resolved with less.”
Mika growled and resumed her climb. “I’ve shown him I have skills in business and can take care of myself. I want to take part in the summit. Hugh told me Bruin’s mother was actively part of his Father’s rule. But noooo, he wants his mate safely out of the line of fire.”
“And is there a threat of danger?”
Mika bit her lip and focused on the curlicue she was working on. “Several of the Primes are pissed Bruin is taking a more active role. I think he’s worried that when he presents himself with the ring, they might challenge his claim. He wants the Weres united against Abaddon. Disgruntled species means the race isn’t as strong as it could be.”
“What is their objection?”
“Male ego mostly. They’ve been free to run their own camps for almost fifteen years. Some of the dominant species don’t want to be told what to do by Bruin or anyone for that matter. And I don’t think him mating a human Mundie wins him any points.”
“Does he anticipate these hostilities are a danger to you?”
Mika stopped painting and looked down upon me. “Bruin thinks everything is a danger to me. It’s frustrating as hell. I’m lucky if I can go hang out with Jade in her fortress. Gods forbid I visit my girlfriends in the Mortal Realm and not have an armed squadron surrounding me.”
“I am familiar with that particular frustration myself.”
Mika looked and me and frowned. “Lia, forgive me for saying this but stop letting the men in your life decide what’s good for you. Speak your mind. Get angry. Get involved. You’ve led a sheltered life, I get that, but you can’t let people live your life for you. Take control. What do you want?”
I honestly had no idea. I sipped at my hot cocoa and thought about that.
Hey ladies, whasssup?
I squealed and jumped.
Gemma giggled, pointing at the cocoa splash down the front of my blouse. Geez, Lia, Jumpy much?
Mika assessed the situation and tossed me down a clean rag. “Hey, Gemma, how’s things in the Nether Realm?”
Boring, Gemma said, pushing out her lips. Everyone’s so busy, there’s no one to talk to. It’s like I’m invisible.
I rolled my eyes and gave up on the stain. “You can talk to both Mika and me. What’s on your mind?”
She twisted a piece of her frazzled brown hair. I was thinking about boys.
“Boys?”
Yeah, Bruin’s mated and if I were alive, I think I’d have a boyfriend or maybe be mated. Kobi and Cowboy are always talking about their sexual encounters and—
“You should not eavesdrop on the sexual lives of those two. They are promiscuous and likely thought themselves alone if discussing their encounters.”
Mika snorted. “The demon and the wolf I presume?”
I nodded, saddened to see Gemma so lonely and isolated as she had been for all these years. “Did you want to pass over to the After and join the others now that your promise to your father is fulfilled? Bruin has the ring. Galan and I could take you to join your family and friends.”
Mika looked down at me, her color draining. “Gemma, please don’t make any decisions about leaving yet. Bruin just found you and he’ll be heartbroken if you—”
Mika’s expression faltered a moment before it totally blanked out. Her eyes rolled back and in the next second, she keeled and toppled from the top of the ladder.
“BRUIN!” I screamed, running forward.
In a split second, males Flashed into the foyer. The doors flew open as two Were sentries burst into the entrance as well. It happened so fast. One moment she was falling and in the next heartbeat—Bruin scooped Mika out of the air and rematerialized with her cradled in his arms.
On a run, Aust and Tham flew around the corner. Aust blew through Gemma’s spectral form and headed straight to his best friend. Tham collided with Gemma and they both tumbled into the stone wall.
Apologies, Tham said, straightening them both and looking confused. Nothing like being mowed over during a moment of crisis, is there pretty one?
I’m fine, Gemma said, her turquoise eyes locked on my Highborne brother. Mow me over any day of the week. Seriously. I volunteer as tribute.
“What happened?” Bruin asked, bringing my attention back. He searched Mika’s unconscious face as the other Weres scanned the entrance.
“I don’t know. She was on the ladder and swooned.”
“Put me down,” Mika said, her eyes flittering open. “Really, everyone, I’m good. Just a little dizzy. No biggie.”
“No biggie?” Bruin ignored the scissoring of her legs to gain independence. “If Lia hadn’t Banshee-screamed and if we hadn’t been within earshot, you would’ve hit the floor and broken your neck.” The words hung heavy in the crowded foyer. “I swear you’ll kill me, Mika. One day, my heart will just give out.”
Mika leaned her head against Bruin’s broad chest and closed her eyes. Her rich coloring had yet to return, but beyond that, something was different. “My stomach was off, so I skipped lunch. Lesson learned.”
Bruin’s eyes narrowed. Laying Mika into Aust’s arms, he fished out his phone. The text he sent was quick and the replying beep came almost immediately. “Okay, I’m taking you to the kitchen to feed you. Jade is on her way.”
“Jade? Don’t bother her. She’s supposed to be resting.” Mika squirmed again and Aust reluctantly set her on her feet.
“If you’re fine, it won’t hurt to have her check you out.”
“Jade can’t use her ability,” I said. “It’s bound to protect the twins.”
Bruin pulled Mika tight to his hip and with a strong, muscled arm wrapped around her waist, he nuzzled her hair. “Just a routine once-over, nothing magical. I’ll feel better if my sister tells me not to worry.”
Mika scowled. “But you don’t believe it when I tell you not to worry?”
Bruin shook his head, his eyes flecked gold. “No.”
Before the two of them devolved into a heated scene, I interrupted. “Mika’s right. There is nothing to be alarmed about. I am surprised you Weres failed to notice it sooner.”
“Notice what?” he snapped.
“Mika’s scent has altered. It is subtle but discernable.”
Bruin, Aust, Cowboy and Tham all drew in deep breaths and Mika raised a brow looking like we had all lost our sanity.
“Well whatta you know,” Cowboy drawled. “We got ourselves another announcement for the summit. Our Ursa is pregnant. Let there be cubs!”