Tor turned on his heels and walked across the room, placing as much distance between them as possible. While the potion worked on Sven, they needed to be apart if either of them was to figure this out. He needed to clear his head and sitting right beside the source of pain didn’t allow him an accurate line of thought.
“Unfortunately,” Tor added as he returned to his chair behind his desk. “Turism Incense leaves no traceable evidence within the victim’s system. That was why it was such an instrumental interrogation tool. No proof of its use other than a dreadful headache for the victim.”
Sven stood and walked as far as he could to the opposite wall away from Tor. They knew they were safe within this room. Its walls were soundproof. The distance between them helped the pain subside to a dull ache in Tor’s head.
“I know we can’t prove he used it, but the smell of it is undeniable and unforgettable. You may not completely remember what you said or did while under it, but the distinctive smell sticks with you.” A lopsided grin split Sven’s lips as he added, “Two others were drugged along with me. Like I said, we have witnesses to the event.”
“That is, if they remember it,” Tor stated. “The names of the other two involved?”
“Not important. Just leave them to me to bring to the next Gathering of the Clans. What we need to find out is what Obinu wanted to know.”
A knot clenched in Tor’s gut. Something didn’t seem right about this. Obinu was not trustworthy. This point he’d proven several times before. But due to the dire situation of the possible extinction of their people, no course of action against Obinu had been taken. Obinu’s questionable decisions were dismissed as his way of contending with his clan’s needs.
Now this was different. He’d broken a clan rule and used a volatile chemical on Sven to gain information. But information about what? What did Sven know that Obinu needed so desperately?
“It’s a known fact their clan is low on finances.” Tor started listing the possible scenarios behind Obinu’s actions.
“I hold no knowledge of how to enter our vaults. That information lies only with you,” Sven replied, shifted his stance and rubbed his temple with the palm of his hand. “Besides, after last night’s games, I feel most certain he vastly replenished their shares.”
“You lost,” Tor stated with an arched eyebrow and his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in his chair.
“Every hand, as did almost everyone there,” Sven said. His gaze leveled on Tor’s. “Obinu planned from the start to gain finances from all who played by adding the distraction of a few of Oksana’s ladies to the mix.”
“Smart move on his part,” Tor commented in a wry tone as he thought things through. Though he knew a few of the females who chose to work at Oksana’s, he’d never visited the facility. He held no ill will toward the handful of unmated females in her employ that used the position to search for their mates. “Sex, drinks and gambling. The addition of ladies from Oksana’s Relaxation Emporium made sure the men paid little attention to the cards or how they were dealt. They were probably so busy following their cocks they didn’t care that they lost.”
“You’re right. At least, I know I’m guilty of that.” Sven shrugged. “The two ladies I spent the night with fell victim to this drug with me. But so far, I’m the only player that was drugged. Earlier, I sent a couple of
tabellaes
to a few of my friends who were there and waited to hear back before coming to see you. None suffer the same ill effects as I.”
“What do you think Obinu wanted from you?” Tor asked point blank. His insides twisted when he met the hardened sullen gaze of his brother. The answer to his own question hit him even before Sven replied.
Deveney.
“I have no proof, but I fear he knows of Deveney’s existence.”
“What would he want with Deveney?” Tor spoke the words as if saying them convinced him it wasn’t possible.
“The same thing every man perched on the verge of his hundredth birthday wants,” Sven stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “A mate. Every man wants one. Maybe in his twisted mind he thinks he can take Deveney and make her his.”
Tor leapt to his feet, causing his chair to tumble backward as he roared, “She’s not his to claim.”
“Your cock confirms that point without question.” Sven nodded in the direction of the tented front of Tor’s robe. “Does this mean you’ve finally accepted Deveney as your mate?”
Tor didn’t have to look to know the condition of his cock. The mating magic kept him hard for her and nothing he tried remedied it.
“What lies between me and Deveney is none of your concern,” Tor growled between clenched teeth as he fought to rein in the sudden rush of anger. Suspecting Obinu wanted Deveney as
his
mate set his insides on fire with rage. He tried desperately to convince himself he held no right to feel such hatred toward another clan leader.
“What lies between you and Deveney is a magical mating even your stubborn pride cannot deny.” Sven crossed the room in long, hurried strides until only the desk parted them. “You have what every man wants. A lifemate, a true combining of chakras and yet you deny it. Why? Because how she got here wasn’t your idea!”
Tor lifted to his full height and stared eye-to-eye with Sven. Neither blinked. Both stood, shoulders squared, chins lifted and gazes leveled on one another. Never had Sven raised his voice or stared him down.
“Admit it, brother,” Sven continued in a heated tone. “Deveney is your mate.”
Tor couldn’t stop the sudden grin that split his face. All anger washed from him. He had planned to wait until he’d admitted it to Deveney, but Sven was his twin and deserved to know the truth.
“Deveney is my mate.” He watched Sven’s jaw drop and the look of pure astonishment cross his face. “Please keep this between us. I haven’t told Deveney of my change of heart.”
Sven rounded the desk and hugged Tor. “Congratulations, my brother.” He leaned back and stared directly at Tor. “Does this mean there is hope for the rest of us?”
“Yes, there’s hope. We just have to put a plan in place concerning how to bring other women through the mirror. It has to be controlled and monitored. I’d hate to think what would happen if a war broke out over that mirror.”
Sven nodded. “It’s understood. But what do we do about Obinu? My gut instinct tells me he’s not after the mirror.”
“You let me worry about that, Sven. Right now you need to rest and clear your head. Later when you’ve recovered, we will speak again.”
Sven hugged Tor tight. “Thank you, Tor. I don’t deserve a brother like you.”
Before Tor could reply, Sven turned and left. Tor closed the door then returned to his desk.
Tor sat a bit too forcefully, shooting the chair out from under him, which landed him hard on the floor. “Ugh,” he groaned. This day took a turn for the worse. Were Sven’s suspicions right? Did Obinu want Deveney? He couldn’t have her.
Not as long as I live
. Tor growled. He’d protect her to the death.
A sharp pain shot through his heart at the idea of someone else touching her. In such a short time, this woman wove her magic into every fiber of his being and took his heart captive. Could he live without her? No, he knew he couldn’t and didn’t want to try.
Eye level with the top of his desk, he realized several
tabellaes
he’d sent earlier had returned during his discussion with Sven. Righting his chair, he took a seat and skimmed through the growing pile. As soon as he read one, another appeared on his desk via the MMV—magical mailing vortex. The replies were astounding.
Why hadn’t anyone thought of this before?
Because it was only a minor victory
, his inner voice whispered. A salve on the bigger problem. If what he’d just learned was truth, then by continuing to shift at will, even while close to the dangerous age of one hundred, tended to add time to a male’s life span before turning
Proprius Bestia
. It didn’t save them. It simply added days, weeks and in some cases months.
“At least it buys us some additional time,” he stated.
He documented the information in a file on his
coimpiutair
, then forwarded it to Visuvius. This theory couldn’t wait. And neither would the situation with Obinu. Before leaving his office, he contacted the Officer of the Guards, Griswaldin Grizzly, on his mic and ordered an increase in patrols around the palace.
“Let no one on the grounds without a thorough search.”
“Consider the palace on lockdown until further notice,” Griswaldin replied, then disconnected.
Until he figured out what to do about the possible threat from Obinu, Tor planned to take no chances with Deveney’s safety. Without physical proof, a Gathering of the Clans couldn’t be approached. He had only the word of his brother that Obinu plotted against the Bear clan but that was good enough for him. Tor stood, grabbed a cloak off the hook beside his office door and did his best to shield his hardened condition from view.
A visit to Visuvius’ laboratories was in order. He hoped working with Grandfather Vis would take his mind off Deveney. But he doubted it.
* * * * *
She’d achieved the hardest thing she’d ever accomplished when she walked away from Tor. Each step had taken sheer willpower as she placed distance between him and her. She wanted him with every fiber of her body. God, she hoped this plan worked. Both legs trembled by the time she made it into the kitchen and she prayed he hadn’t noticed.
The aroma of fresh bread tickled her nose the moment she entered the room. Nona and Willow sat at the table waiting for her. Each stood and bowed when she walked toward them. Nona and Willow were her friends. Why did they bow?
“Come.” Nona gestured to the table. “Sit with us. I have a snack ready for you and a tall glass of milk. You’ll need to eat more than normal to help match the rate of the baby’s growth.”
Exhaustion caught up to her as she sank into the chair beside Willow. The sight of a large plate of food made her stomach growl loudly. She plucked a handful of grapes and tossed one in her mouth. After chewing it, she looked at Nona.
“I’m not sure I can do this,” she stated on a heavy sigh. Doubt clouded her tired thoughts. Could she make Tor love her? Could she give birth to a new race of Morphionians? It seemed more lay on her shoulders than she realized at first. Her shoulders sank under the invisible weight of the war she’d chosen to wage with Tor.
Warm hands touched her shoulders and she lifted her chin to meet the motherly gaze of Nona. “You are not in this alone, child. We are with you.”
She followed the wave of Nona’s hand and realized they were not alone in the kitchen. Two other women stepped from the far end of the counter where they were working and walked over to her. They placed the large bowls they carried on the table in front of her and bowed their heads in humble acknowledgement.
“These are my other two daughters, Violet and Chrysanthemum.”
Before either spoke the table shook, startling Deveney. Nona reached under and tugged out two bear cubs by the scruffs of their necks. Holding them high, she introduced them. “These are my grandchildren, Tiben and Horace.” The bears shivered and changed into young boys as Deveney sat and stared.
Violet and Chrysanthemum each gathered a boy and wrestled a miniature robe and a gauzelike substance that resembled diapers onto their bodies. The moment they were released, they scurried around the table and climbed into Deveney’s lap. Each stared up at her and smiled.
Tiben spoke first. “You don’t look different.”
Horace didn’t speak. He just nodded in agreement as he stared steadily at her.
“Tiben,” Violet snapped. She hurried to rescue Deveney. “That’s not polite. Forgive me, mistress.” She bowed and tried to pull Tiben from her lap. “He’s only three and already he is a handful.”
“It’s okay,” Deveney said as she touched Violet’s hand and urged her to leave Tiben. “He’s fine where he is. And please call me Deveney.”
She looked from one sister to the other. They had similar features. Long blonde hair braided down the back, lovely gray eyes like Nona’s, beautiful round faces and slender frames. They were definitely related to Nona. Their likenesses were remarkable.
“Mother said you could use our support and friendship,” Chrysanthemum said as she stroked her son’s head. “We are here to give you both.”
She bowed her head as did her sister. The gesture bothered Deveney. “Why do you bow?”
The sisters looked from one to another, then to their mother for guidance. Nona answered, “You are the ruler’s mate. That makes you the female of the palace. Your wish is our command. It is a gesture of obedience.”
“No,” Deveney stated, shaking her head. “Tor has not accepted me. And even if he does, please treat me as your equal. I want to be your friend, not your ruler’s mate.”
“Whether Tor accepted you or not, we have,” Willow chimed. Her bright smile made Deveney a little more at ease, but not much. “And since we decided you are the new mistress of the palace, we will treat you as such from this time forward.”
“But we’re friends…” Deveney’s voice trailed. Did this mean things would be different between them? She liked the way they were in the garden before Tor intervened. It was comfortable.
“It’s the way it has been for many centuries. If we do not show the ruler, his mate and his family respect, then no other clan will,” Violet stated. Tiben lifted his arms, motioned for her to take him and she complied by swinging him onto her hip.