Chapter 22

I was still light-headed after I dressed. I had to sit down to put the knives in the straps on my ankles. I wasn’t sure wine was my kind of thing at all. Putting the gloves on, I smiled as I flexed my hand. I wouldn’t have to wear a finger guard with these. And I couldn’t become a mate. Win, win.

I went down the stairs slowly, wondering how long this strange feeling was going to last.

By the time I reached the solarium, all of the others were already there. Chase smiled as I came in, then turned to Alona. “Was there a reason a wine meeting was required, beloved? Finding a meeting room didn’t go well?”

Alona laughed. “We found a room. The meeting was because Kara had questions.”

“Ah,” was all he said, then he turned and looked at Rafael.

Rafael was looking at me, or more accurately at the gloves I was wearing.

“Questions answered?” Troy asked with a smirk on his face.

I realized he was looking at me when he said it. I thought for a moment. “Mostly.” I shrugged, “if those could be answered.

“Mm,” he nodded slowly, then looked at Rafael again, raising one eyebrow at him.

Rafael still didn’t say a word.

I looked around. He knew what the talk was about. They all knew what the talk was about and yet none of them were going to say anything. I stood there scowling, moving just my eyes from one man to the next and so on; they were all just looking at Rafael.

Making a noise of frustration, Rafael put his hands to the sides of his head. “All of you back off.” He dropped his hands and looked at Troy, then Leone and finally Michael. “None of you are qualified to offer your thoughts, suggestions or advice on this.” He huffed, “I watched you all fail miserably when it was your turn.”

Daxx snorted and Autumn echoed the noise.

I didn’t know if it was the wine or I’d missed something. From where I stood no one had said a word out loud. I blew out a breath, feeling the light-headedness end just like that. In its place was a resolve, almost anger, but not quite. Before I knew I’d done it, I was standing in front of Rafael. “You knew all of this but told me ‘just go with it’ when I asked you.” I poked him in the chest making sure I had his attention. “I’ve spent my whole life having to do things the way others told me I had to,” I poked him three more times, “well, I’m telling you right now,” another poke, “you can keep your mate’s pendant,” poke, “your mate’s mark or whatever it is,” poke, poke, “and you can keep your blood and bond.” This time I thumped him on the chest with the heel of my hand, feeling that needed a little something extra, “to yourself.” One more thump, just because. “The last thing I need is someone else trying to control me and I’ll be a son of a bucket if I let it happen.” I put my hands on my hips and glared up at him.

He didn’t even look upset or annoyed I’d just thumped on his chest. I frowned as his blue eyes studied mine. He reached and put both hands on my shoulders, then my head filled with white noise.

Pushing away from him, I put my hands up and squeezed my head. “Don’t do that.” I ground out, then I looked around. We were in a very dimly lit, large empty room. “Where are we?”

“Shit.” He stomped over and flipped on a light switch. “You had me so distracted I just ported us to my old room.” He came back over and stood there with his hands on his hips. “I didn’t need my brother’s interference,” he waved his hand around beside his head, “here, we can communicate and get inside each other’s heads,” he shook his and took a deep breath, “I thought this conversation would go better with just the two of us.”

Get inside each other’s heads. I shook mine. I didn’t feel good.

“Are you all right?” The concern in his voice was clear.

I waved him off. “I don’t think I like wine.”

He grinned. “Don’t tell Alona that.”

I nodded.

“Look,” he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them to give me a soft look, “I didn’t ask for any of this, and you certainly didn’t.”

I frowned.

“Don’t get me wrong, I feel very drawn to you and I will never let anything happen to you, but the truth is,” he lifted a hand, then dropped it. “I’ve got a lot going on right now,” he tapped the side of his head, “and the last thing I need—you need—is a mate with all of this,” he waved his hand beside his head, “going on.” Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly. “If I don’t get it under control, I’m going to lose my position as Captain of the Guard and,” he hissed a breath, “and that can’t happen.”

That told me nothing, other than I’d been right and he was hiding something, but I wasn’t going to complain. I nodded abruptly. “Okay. Good.” For reasons I couldn’t explain, I felt odd after everything he’d just said. “That’s—fine with me. I don’t do well close to,” I motioned up and down his body, “men.” I hugged my arms around my waist. “Their thoughts never match their actions.” I added quietly.

Rafael frowned down at me. “That’s all wrong.” He said softly. “How could a man think of anything but you?”

I felt my cheeks heat at his words and wondered if that was because of the wine, too. Surely it had to be what caused that kind of reaction. Why would he say something like that after just saying he didn’t want anything to do with me?

Rafael moved closer to me and I felt like my feet were stuck in place, I couldn’t step back. He put his finger under my chin and gently tilted it up so I was looking into his blue eyes. “How any man could look into your beautiful grey eyes and think of anything but you,” he shook his head, “it’s insane.”

I was sure I’d stopped breathing all together as he leaned down and brushed his lips over mine softly. “Just do me a favor,” he whispered against my mouth, “until we get this sorted out,” he brushed his lips over mine again, “don’t go testing that theory.” He kissed me harder. “It could be bad for their health.”

In that moment I would have agreed to fly to the moon if he’d asked me. None of this made sense. He didn’t make sense. I was never drinking wine again.

Rafael straightened up but didn’t release my chin. He’s gaze searched my face, then his expression changed. “You look like that was your first kiss.” He frowned. “Have you ever been kissed? Have you ever been with a man, Kara?”

His tone was gentle, but there was something in his eyes that was hesitant.

“Yes and no.” I mumbled, still feeling strange.

“What?” He smirked. “There is no yes and no to that, Kara.” Rafael stood there looking down at me, waiting. I don’t even think he was breathing.

I sighed. “Yes, I have been, but not really by choice.” I rolled my eyes, knowing how dumb it sounded, “I don’t think.” His eyes darkened. “I was wacked on drugs and one of the orderlies…” I shook my head trying to stick to the facts. “Being around men doesn’t work out for me.” I waved my hand letting him know that was all I was saying about it.

“Wait.” He leaned down so our faces were level, an intense expression on his face. “Orderly?”

I nodded.

“A man?”

I gave him a surprised look. “Yeah.”

“A man that was to care for your well-being?” His voice was so low I had to focus to hear him.

I nodded. Wondering if something I had said hadn’t been clear enough.

He continued to look at me for several tense moments, then straightened up and turned his back to me. He just stood there with his hands on his hips looking at the carpet.

I stared at his back, not sure what to do. “Rafael?”

He inhaled deeply, then turned to me. His eyes were red. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through in your short life—”

I found it odd I could see compassion in his eyes, even when they were red.

“But,” he said softly, “I’m not here to make it worse. Tell me what you need—at any time and I’ll see that it happens.”

I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t the fact that he’d just said he didn’t want to be mated to me any more than I did him, or that a prince was pledging to, what, look after me? It was all of it and none of it at the same time. I couldn’t think. Why couldn’t I think?

Before I could find something intelligent to say, he was in my face again, lifting my chin up, our face so close I could feel his breath against my mouth. I held my breath.

“We need to be around the others. Now.” He grasped my hand in his and walked quickly to the door.

I almost had to run to keep up with him as we moved through the endless hallways.

~

“So what has Raf breathing fire?” Daxx asked, sitting on the table between Bethany and me.

I glanced over to Rafael standing with Michael and Leone. He was moving his hand in a jerky motion, all of them looked mad. “I’m not sure what happened.” I said slowly. And I wasn’t.

Daxx nodded her head and watched Troy walk over to his brothers. A moment later he turned and looked at me, his expression grim.

“Something has them all in protective mode.” She said quietly.

“Whatever it is,” Paisley said in a quiet voice, “Arius took off to get a map.”

“A Map?” Daxx shook her head. “What does a map have to do with it?”

A map. Pieces snapped together in my mind. A map for the asylum. He’d gone all red eyed strange after I’d told him about the asylum. “To find the asylum.” I whispered. “I told him something and,” I looked over to see Rafael standing there looking at me with his arms crossed over his chest, “I think it upset him.”

Alona chuckled. “Yes, that looks like the ‘someone has wronged one of our own’ stance.”

Bethany smiled, “that posture is for a lot of other things too. Like absolutely not.”

“Over my dead body will you do that.” Autumn grinned.

“That too.” Daxx said.

Arius came back in carrying a tablet. He went over to Victor.

Victor nodded and glanced at Crissy. He held out his hand and she got up and went over to him and looked at the tablet. She nodded. He kissed the top of her head and handed the tablet back to Arius, who then nodded to Rafael. They were definitely a working unit.

“Looks like they’ve found where you were locked up.” Daxx murmured quietly.

“Is that good or bad?” I wondered out loud. I honestly didn’t know how I felt about it.

“I’d say good for those that are stuck there and shouldn’t be, and bad for those holding them.” Paisley said quietly.

Ira came in the side door and nodded his head to Victor.

“Let’s take our seats, everyone.” Victor said loudly.

I was still sitting in mine, so I turned around and stared at the empty chairs the elders usually sat in. As I did, Elder Marinus and Segos came in and sat down. They weren’t wearing their robes this time.

Rafael sat down beside me.

Prince Bastian came in the door and bowed his head. “Sorry for the delay in getting back here.” He looked at Troy. “Securing my parents took an odd turn.” He sat down in the chair he’d sat in the last time and looked around. “I take it this is an unofficial meeting?”

Troy nodded. “It is.”

“I hope all is well with your parents.” Victor said.

Bastian ran his hand through his already messy hair. “It is now.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “So, what can I do for you?” His dark eyes moved down the table looking at everyone. When he reached me, he lingered for a moment.

Rafael took my hand under the table and squeezed it.

Bastian looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you able to zero in on a particular soul?” Quinton asked.

Bastian smirked. “Right to the point works for me.” He leaned forward and put his arms on the table. “Yes, but finding it first is the chore. Dark one’s pop right out or the hot ones,” he lifted a hand to the inquiring looks, “those close to crossing. But finding an exact one is still time consuming. Race is also a factor.”

“I see.” Victor answered.

“Whose are you hoping I can find?” He gave Chase an amused look.

“Willis Hubert.” Chase said in a low tone.

“The man responsible for the uproar in our realms.” Bastian didn’t say it like a question. “And I’m presuming you’d like me to keep this off the official record, so to speak.”

“If possible.” Troy leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“If I do this,” he looked at Troy and then Chase, “I’m not saying I can find him, but if I do, there may come a time when I ask for a favor in return.”

The room was silent. Victor looked to Troy for a moment. Troy inclined his head ever slightly.

“We would endeavor to assist you if it’s within our means.” Victor said firmly.

“That sounds like a loophole, if there ever was one.” Bastian grinned and then suddenly turned in chair and looked right at me. “Princess Kara, with the intriguing soul unbound to anyone in this room, what do you say? Can I trust them to help if I ask?”

I’m sure I looked like a startled animal at that point. I looked down the table at the others and then back to him. “They are very honor bound.”

“Yes.” Bastian grinned. “That they are.” He sat back in his chair and placed his hands in front of him on the table. “I will see if I can hunt down this soul you’re searching for.” He shrugged. “I’m sure it’s very stained by this point, so it shouldn’t be impossible.”

“What of an ancient mage’s soul? Victor asked. “Are you able to see theirs?”

Bastian smirked. “A young one perhaps, and old one would be a difficult task, but an ancient mage? I’m afraid they don’t have enough soul left to trace.” He shrugged, “the longer they practice their magic the more they give up.”

“Are-are witches the same?” Bethany asked quickly.

He smiled at her. “You have nothing to fear with yours, little witch. Your magic is so pure your soul is like a blinding neon light.”

Bethany looked relieved.

The prince tapped his hand on the table. “If that’s everything, I’ll go start searching.” He stood up.

“Don’t you need details about Hubert?” Daxx asked.

He shrugged. “Not really.” Bastian inclined his head to Troy, then Chase. “You’ll be hearing from me.” Without another word, he spun on his heels and went to the door Ira stood beside.

The men got up after he left. Victor looked at his phone and glanced to Crissy. “Give me a few minutes.”

Crissy nodded. “I’ll go to the cave and wait.”

Rafael released my hand and got up. He nodded to Leone. “Let’s go check on the team watching the tunnel.”

Leone nodded and kissed Bethany. “I’ll be back by dinner.”

One by one the men left.

I continued to sit there, trying to figure out this soul business.

“Come on.” Autumn said to me and motioned to the door with her head.

I followed the women to their cave, still lost in my own head about what Prince Bastian had said about souls. I sat on the arm of the loveseat.

“I don’t know anything about this Solrelm.” Bethany said, sitting down.

“I didn’t like Quint’s reaction to hearing they were coming here. Or that Bastian guy’s answers.” Daxx pulled the knives from the target and backed up. She tossed one, then paused and glanced at us.

“Have you read about them in detail?” Paisley looked at Crissy.

She shook her head. “I can when we get home.”

“Home from where?” Bethany asked.

Crissy put her notebook into her pack. “Handing out protein bars and care packages.” She smiled. “That’s what Victor calls them.”

Daxx stopped and looked at her. “On our side?”

Crissy nodded. “Yes. Victor helps me,” she paused and looked into the space above Daxx’s head for a second, “well, he guards me with other guards,” she shrugged, “all cloaked by the witches, while I hand them out.”

Daxx raised her hand, “wait. He takes you to the other side to hand out protein bars?”

“Yes.” Crissy smiled.

Daxx was frowning now. “I’ve had to turn down thirty different bounties because I’m not allowed to go over there…”

“I think there’s a big difference between handing out care packages to the homeless and tracking down bail jumpers.” Autumn said with a smirk.

Daxx raised her hand. “Not the point.”

“Perhaps Troy is concerned that Willis Hubert knows you’re a bounty hunter and could be setting a trap for you.” Alona offered with a smirk on her face.

“Where’s all this logic coming from?” Daxx threw her hands in the air. “I’m going to find Troy.” She turned and started for the door, “If he can’t find someone for us to beat down, he’s taking me over to do my job.” Shaking her head, she went out into the hall, muttering. “Should be doing it in at least one of the realms.”

She was still muttering as she walked down the hall, but we couldn’t hear what she was saying.

Paisley looked at Alona. “Do we warn Troy?”

Alona smirked. “No. No, I think we should keep it a surprise.”

“I guess telling her that Arius takes me over to check on Mrs. Stein all the time would be bad.” Paisley looked from the door to Alona again.

She smiled. “I’m thinking most definitely bad.”

The phone in my pocket rang, I almost fell off the arm, still not used to the fact that I had a phone, never mind that it rang. I looked at it, then slid the green button over. “Hello?”

“Kara, it’s Izzy. Chase gave me your number. I was calling to ask if you could come to the labs and talk with Cyril about arrows but have just been informed by Michael that they have found Leila.” She paused and spoke to someone with her. “Can you find your way to the elder’s chambers to speak with her?”

I frowned. “I don’t know what I could ask her.”

She laughed. “Others will be doing the speaking, we’re just there to listen.”

“Oh.” I nodded and looked at Autumn. “I can have one of the others take me there.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you shortly.”

I hung up and stared at the screen.

“What’s up?” Autumn asked coming over.

“That was Izzy. They’ve found Leila.”

“Oh,” Alona stood up, “this is a talk I’d like to be in on.”

I nodded. “They want me to listen to her thoughts.” I gave Alona an anxious look.

“She did seem sweet and sincere when I met her.” She motioned to my arm. “Can I borrow that when you take it off? I’d like to be part of this discussion and not feel it.”

I looked at the inhibitor and nodded. “I have to go back to the elder chambers.”

“They don’t have her in the cells?” Paisley gave Alona a puzzled look.

“I know nothing of the what’s, I merely suggested they find her.” She motioned to the door. “Let’s go see what she can offer.”