Warlord's Ward

The Future

It was nearly too much for King Detry to bear.

"Irasus!" He roared. Expecting her to skitter from the trees for the sound thrashing he'd execute on her.

He was faintly surprised when she didn't come out with her head ducked like a whipped hound.

He called for her again. Slowing his horse.

"Do you think she'll come back?" Callum asked. Helping his mentor onto a horse.

"She'd be a fool too." Roderick whispered as he mounted.

"What are you looking at?" Callum asked. Seeing Roderick staring over his head at the bleak mage still standing in the center of the camp.

"I suspect, our future."

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that is a King that I'd serve."

"Why?"

"Did you see the way the others rushed to defend him. His own willingness to be in the thick of battle?" He looked over his shoulder at their retreating King.

"I did..." Callum said thoughtfully. "You're thinking on joining him?"

"I'm thinking on joining a revolution."

"But we're Skins."

"He has mages, wolves, and half breeds in his camp. Who's to say he'd reject us?"

***

Aviari appeared next to him. Cradling his usual giant red bird on his hand.

Lazarus

"Thank you for all your assistance, Brother." Killian said dryly.

"I suspect you know well where I was."

"You were guarding my treasure." Killian relented.

"If that mage were too defeat you, I thought you'd rather I get your mate out then try to protect you."

Killian shot him a thankful look. "For such a fool, you can be infinitely wise."

Aviari grinned. Elbowing his shorter, older brother. "It's part of my charm."

"I was unaware you had any."

"That's only because you don't actually know what it is." Aviari grinned.

"How are we related again."

"My mother birthed me and she decided you could be part of our family when she found you squalling in the woods."

"You like to tell that tale but seem to forget I am older than you."

"Are you?" Aviari looked over his head as if he couldn't see him. Pointing out how much shorter his brother was. Despite that Killian was over six foot tall, himself.

Killian rolled his eyes toward me.

"Oh," Aviari ruffled his hair. "there you are..."

"You're so very amusing."

Aviari grinned. "Been a long while since I could jest with my brother."

Killian looked at him sadly. "That it has. Far too long."

"I would've come and got you." Aviari said. Though it wasn't the first time he'd mentioned it.

"It was too dangerous when he had all the mages at his command." Killian said.

Aviari shrugged. "Perhaps I'm a bit more powerful than you give me credit for."

"Unlikely." Killian shrugged. Opening the door eagerly.

Aviari laughed at his back turning and veering in a different direction.

***

"Jade." Killian said in relief.

Squeaking in relief, I launched across the room and tossed myself in his arms.

He chuckled softly. Stumbling back a step. "Feeling better, I see?"

"You're okay!"

"They're gone." He beamed down at me. Still holding my waist as I looked up at him.

"I was so worried for you."

"I'm okay." He smiled softly. "But I'll always appreciate your worry. Been a long time since anyone worried for me."

"I always will!" I promised.

"Are you well enough to travel?"

"You wish to catch up to your sister?"

He nodded. "I want to make sure she's okay."

"I doubt she travelled far after the Mating Moon." I noted.

He laughed slightly and then his face crinkled in what might've been disgust. As if my words had fully sunk in. "I'd prefer not to consider that."

"I'm merely saying she probably didn't walk far."

"Likely not." He still looked a bit ill.

We packed up and were soon on Vanna Rae's trail. Catching up to her at the next camp. Where we found she'd sat outside the camp and let her mate's go in to fight. She was slumped against a tree. Looking rather tattered and exhausted.

I shot her a sympathetic look. Understanding her pain.

But she has three mates. That thought made me grimace.

Poor wolf.

"You have them fighting again?" Killian asked.

"They're full of energy this morning." She grumbled.

Killian flinched. Shaking his head.

"You don't have to take on every camp you see, Vanna Rae." He chided softly.

"I wanted you to have an army when you became King."

"I do." He gestured at the mages filtering into the clearing amidst the Asara and remnants of NightHunter packs.

They all looked rather rough.

But a powerful pack nonetheless. I noted.

Killian walked over to rub her cheek fondly. "I have enough, Vanna Rae. It's time for you to go home."

"Home..." She murmured. "I don't even know what home is anymore."

"Perhaps they do." Killian nodded to the three identical males stepping into the small grove.

"What's going on." One of them, the more aggressive, approached to stand next to her.

"I was suggesting she go home, leave the battling to me."

That one sighed, his muscles easing in what looked very much like relief. He turned to her. Putting a questioning hand on her shoulder. "Can we do that, Vanna Rae?"

"Where?" She gripped his wrist in a way of returning that contact.

"Perhaps back with the Asara?" He suggested.

The other two nodded emphatically.

"Back to our hut." One said longingly.

"And our beds..." The one next to him added.

Vanna Rae eyed the three of them. "Do you think Draven would have us back?"

"I would." The assertive answer came from a bit to our left.

All eyes turned to take in the dark head of the Asara Alpha.

"I think you've accomplished what you've set out to. And knowing you're a Gallion princess, how could I say no?"