Chapter 25

David

When David woke up the next morning Stormy was gone again. He wasn’t terribly surprised. Stormy and Angie would both likely be pushing harder than ever since Stormy seemed to be struggling with the force field. He knew his little mate would never give up, until she felt that she had mastered it. He hated being away from her but the dream of Stormy losing her memory had helped him to begin to understand the paramount importance of her training.

He understood now that whatever she had been tasked with, was more than a treasure hunt or even a conquest of acquisition. She wasn’t working for personal glory or even as she believed, to gain control. The whole world seemed to be resting on her tiny shoulders. The mission she had been called to do, was life or death.

When Stormy told him she wanted to learn control, he originally thought she meant over her magic. But he was beginning to think it was much bigger than that. He knew that sometimes she would teleport in her sleep. He wondered what other things were just below the surface. He had a feeling even she didn't know who she really was.

David decided that Stormy had likely told him all that she knew. But so much about her was a mystery. He knew someone out there had to have the answers. While the Queen from his dream was very cryptic, she seemed to know Stormy as more than a subject. At one point she'd even called her a daughter. David wondered if that was literal, or just a term of endearment, such as when he called his subject's friends.

The only other person he knew about in Stormy's world was Angie. She was this mysterious figure who seemed to be devoted to training Stormy but he knew very little about her. He wondered if Stormy was the one with the gift of time travel, or was it, Angie?

Since it seemed that Angie, knew Stormy best, he wondered if she would be willing to tell him more about where she came from, and what her mission really was. With a frustrated sigh, he finally made himself roll out of bed, and away from the sweet scent of Stormy that she had left behind. He made a mental note to ask her the next time he saw her. In the meantime, David had a kingdom to run.

He was sitting at breakfast when he heard his brothers thundering feet clomping across the stone tiles of the castle. Daniel was at a dead run sniffing the air as he came skittering into the nearly empty banquet hall.

“Mate!” He squealed. As Daniel glanced around the room looking for her, he came to a dead stop.

“Where is she? I can smell her on you.” Daniel said pouting. His shoulders slumped and he dragged himself to the table like he was walking through wet concrete.

“She was called back to the mission almost as quickly as she arrived.” David said trying to help placate brother. He didn't dare tell Daniel the truth. David had forgotten all about him, and Stormy had never asked for him. Seeing how excited his brother had been coming to the room, it made David feel guilty.

David realized that their new three-way relationship was going to be difficult. Especially, because Stormy didn't seem to trust Daniel for some reason. She did not want him to know about the magic, which meant the conversation they had last night was one he could not have joined. David was aware that while Stormy loved him, she had less affection for his younger brother.

He hoped that as his brother aged up a bit, that would change. Daniel had a childlike devotion and a thirst to prove himself valuable. He was headstrong, heedless and sometimes thoughtless. He let his personal desires lead him, but if he had half a heart for Stormy, there was hope for them. David truly believed that if Daniel would devote himself to truly getting to know Stormy and how to communicate with her, that they could develop a deep-seated relationship. He believed that in time love could blossom between them.

“I hate that brunette woman that keeps taking her away. She’s mean, and seems to boss our little mate around. She always gives me dirty looks. Does she not realize that I’m a prince and could have her squashed!” Daniel said like a petulant child.

“The woman's name is Angie, and she means quite a bit to Stormy. It would not be wise for you to try to tangle with her. I think it would make our mate angry.” David warned him.

“I miss her. I want to see her.” Daniel grumbled as a servant appeared with his breakfast and set it down in front of him.

“I totally understand,” David said. “I miss her too. When she's not here, sometimes it feels like it's hard to breathe” He put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “She will come to us, soon.” He encouraged.

“When she comes next time, I want to spend time with her. You always get all of her attention, and I never do. The next time she comes, she belongs to me!” Daniel declared with a huff. He banged his fork against his plate for emphasis. “Why should you be the only one who gets to mate with her. Every time I smell her, she had just disappeared out of your bed!”

David felt the flash of anger behind his eyes, and his blood felt like it was going to boil. He glared his brother. “Stormy is a person. She doesn't belong to anyone. She can spend time with whoever she likes. Has it occurred to you that maybe that this attitude is the reason she's avoiding you!” He spat. He suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to hit his brother in the nose.

Daniel looked contrite. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just miss her. She never seems to be around much.” Daniel wined.

“We have many lifetimes to spend with her. Be patient, because the campaign she has been called to is very important.” David tried to explain.