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  “Yeah, they are. Our entire culture was based on the mountains of Anden and the Dragon Spine. Taller than the range in Olost, more plentiful in water and game. More cliffsides viable for building and living. We’ve also lived in them for so long, it’s as if the mountains have adapted to us. This is where we’re meant to be.”

  “It is,” she agreed.

  “Do you want to tell me about what Senri mentioned at dinner? You got home and had to jump straight into work? You disappeared on me, and I got caught to help unload and supply homes for our allies.”

  “Senri found me in the crowd, and I went to see how the females were doing…” Mave groaned. “One of them is pretty dominant. Couldn’t challenge Allaina and win but could try to potentially divide some of the females. I decided to stop that shit fast, especially when she started interrupting me while I was trying to meet and talk to the new females.”

  “Was she rude?” Matesh’s tone went decidedly bland.

  “She was. Angry with the female training schedule. Angry with being free but not being able to do whatever she wants.”

  “Some of the males are like that. They don’t understand.”

  “They won’t until they see it. Too bad we’re in such a state that even defending this place is going to be hard pressed.” Mave crossed her arms as she walked. “But with Sen, we can finally start getting things moving. We can get him a ship, and from there, we can start flooding these mountains with Andinna from Olost.”

  “It’s definitely hopeful,” he agreed. “First, we need Bryn back.”

  “Do you miss him?” she asked softly, leaning into him. Their wings brushed, and he wrapped the tip of his tail around hers. She squeezed, glad for the contact. Tonight was going to be the first night she had her male back in her arms with no distractions. They could wait, though, as they had all day.

  “I do,” he admitted. “I really do, but he’s doing something important, and it’s the right job for him. He’s probably missing us just as badly.”

  “I hope so,” she mumbled. She was insecure about his absence. Since she settled in with Matesh, she barely went a few days at a time without him. The same could be said for Brynec until this mission. He was off in the dangerous Elvasi-held Anden, and there was nothing she could do to protect him. If he got hurt, he was completely on his own, and it could take weeks, if not months, to find and rescue him if they even had a chance. “I hope he’s okay.”

  “I’m sure he is. Alchan probably didn’t want us distracted during the mission.”

  Mave winced. “He got annoyed with me asking for updates. That’s why I was banned from his briefings with Leshaun.” She hadn’t wanted to admit that during their mission because it would have upset him.

  Mat sighed heavily, shaking his head, but he didn’t chastise her. He had every right to because Brynec was as much his family as hers. They were a family, and they all deserved to be together and know what was going on.

  They walked in silence to the front door they were looking for. Like his previous home, Alchan chose something low to the ground and had wooden steps built. The hot spring he used was visible from the small clearing in front of his quiet home, and she rolled her eyes to find him in it.

  “When you ask someone to come over, you shouldn’t be in the bath when they arrive!” she yelled in his direction. He turned slowly, and she watched his shoulders drop in defeat at the sight of her.

  “Sorry, Mave. I just had a moment and thought to claim it. I forgot you were even coming.”

  “How was your day?” Mat asked casually. Even if they were king and warriors, Alchan still maintained a semi-casual relationship with everyone in the Company. No other warriors could ask him such a simple question, but any member of the Royal Guard could.

  “Terrible. Scuffled with a little shit over a direct order.”

  “Really? I had an issue with a female who needed immediate attention. Senri and Allaina didn’t like her attitude toward them, then she gave me one.” Mave and Mat walked closer to the hot spring, and she grabbed Alchan’s towel and held it out. “They’ll learn, though. Don’t let it get to you.”

  “Yes, I know. Thank you.” He reached out and grabbed the towel, throwing it over his head. Mave snorted as it didn’t really touch his hair. It sat on his horns, high above his head. As Matesh also started to chuckle, Alchan growled softly. “I don’t want it getting wet before I get out.”

  Neither of them moved as Alchan stepped out of the hot spring. She was so desensitized to the nudity of male warriors, she didn’t consider that he didn’t wrap his waist with the towel until Matesh coughed in a very particular way. Alchan grumbled low and wrapped it around himself.

  “Luykas was complaining to me at dinner that you didn’t see him when you returned,” Alchan told her as they started walking to his home. “Please see him tomorrow, so he leaves me alone.”

  “He knows where I am. He can come find me,” she retorted.

  “This is what I get for having blood bonded Andinna of similarly high rank around me all the time,” he growled to himself. “Never listening. Tell him to go see her, and he says no and gets away with it. Tell her to see him and she says no and gets away with it.”

  “You told him to come see me, and he said no?” she asked, incredulous. “Really?”

  “Happens more often than you think,” Alchan explained to her. “You can take it up with him. Tomorrow.”

  “You can’t make me go see him.” She crossed her arms. Matesh ran ahead of them both and got the door. She kissed his cheek as thanks as she walked into Alchan’s home.

  “No, but I can make you come to a meeting tomorrow, and he’ll be there.”

  “You can do that,” she agreed, nodding her head, admitting he had her backed into a corner to see his brother.

  “I don’t understand you two. You genuinely enjoy each other’s company, but you’re too stubborn to admit it and search each other out.”

  “He’s an asshole sometimes,” she reminded him. And judging by the speed he was moving from the center of the village toward Alchan’s home, he was going to be one soon enough for her to witness.

  “And you’re a bitch sometimes.”

  She shrugged. He was right. She had her moments and couldn’t deny her faults. She was a hard ass. That much was proven earlier in the day.

  “Don’t call my wife a bitch,” Matesh said casually. Alchan turned on him, raising an eyebrow.

  “Or my big sister!” Rainev called from deeper in the home.

  Alchan’s face turned red. “I thought you were asleep! I gave you leave to head to bed, Rainev!”

  Rain stuck his head around the corner, a grin plastered over his face. “But then who was going to make sure you aren’t up all night and can function tomorrow?”

  Alchan’s growl was impressive. Mave felt a swift desire to step back, and Matesh actually did, knowing his rank wasn’t high enough to challenge the ferocious king. Rain looked unfazed.

  “I’ll remember this,” Alchan said before stomping down the hall. “Since you’re up, you can get drinks for everyone. Mave, have you tried lyca tea?”

  “I haven’t.” She’d never heard of it.

  “Matesh, if I remember right, it’s one of your favorites. You haven’t served any to her yet?”

  Matesh sighed. “It’s not easy to get ahold of right now. Supply is short, and I don’t want others to go without.”

  Alchan nodded but didn’t look at them as he stopped at a table set up in his family room. He shuffled through scrolls and books until he found the one he was looking for. Mave recognized it as one of the spy books Leshaun kept in secret.

  “I’ll make sure you have some added to your supply lists. There’s no reason the household of the King’s Champion goes without. Mave, lyca is a plant that only grows north of the Dragon Spine in Anden. It’s one of our more traditional spices for food but also makes a warm tea that helps battle the chill better than anything else. Because the seasons here are generall
y colder than everywhere else, we’ve developed dozens of ways to use lyca and several other unique herbs of the region to keep us warm through food and drink.”

  “I know the spice of Andinna food quite well,” she reminded him. “I’ve been eating it for over a year.”

  “You know Olost and Empire spices. We’ve been without lyca for a very long time. Rain—”

  “I’m already putting a pot on. It’s going to take time, Alchan.” Rain sounded exasperated, but he was still smiling when he walked out of the kitchen. “So, what are you two doing here?”

  “They’re here to get a report on Brynec,” Alchan explained before she could say anything. “Have a seat, and we’ll get this out of the way.”

  Mave fell into a soft cushion on the floor, and Matesh pulled another to sit next to her. They didn’t stretch out and get comfortable, even though the look on Alchan’s face told her he wanted them to. He opened the leather-bound book and flipped through several pages.

  “Here it is. Brynec’s last contact with us was six days ago, telling us he was safe and unharmed. He provided no location or a mission status, but that probably just means he had nothing to report beyond what he’d already told us. He’s been lying low for the most part. Knowing him, he’s gathering information still and doesn’t want to give me anything inconclusive. Leshaun wrote him back, asking for more information, at least his location, but he never replied. Probably went hunting since he’s on his own for food at this point.”

  “That’s it?” Mave huffed. “Really?”

  “That’s it. Now, I don’t want to be bothered more about it. If he were really hurt and needed our assistance I would have told you, but he’s managing the mission just fine.”

  “The drinks aren’t even done,” Mat pointed out, sounding as confused as she felt.

  “I figured we could sit around and chat,” Alchan said gruffly. “It’s not like I have many people to do that with.”

  Mave didn’t say anything about the brother of his standing outside. He’d landed only moments before but wasn’t moving anymore. Whatever was on Luykas’ mind, he didn’t let his emotional currents leak through the bond.

  “You bribed and tricked us into hanging out with you…” Matesh said.

  “I wouldn’t call it a trick,” Alchan snapped. Mave felt Luykas move and turned slightly to eye the door, knowing her piqued curiosity would be something he felt. “But since Rain is up making drinks and…” He trailed off as a soft knocking began at his front door.

  “It’s Luykas,” she told him.

  “You couldn’t tell me he was on his way?” Alchan snapped, standing up. “One moment. Rain, can you put on something for him?”

  “I’ve got enough water going for him to have a glass of tea,” Rain answered from his place in the doorway to the kitchen.

  Alchan walked out quickly, shutting the front door behind him when he went outside. Mave frowned as they never came back, moving further away from Alchan’s home. Rain poured their drinks and sat down in the abandoned seat left by him.

  “Where are they going?” she asked, not expecting an answer.

  “They’ve done this once before. Most of the time, Luykas comes in for late-night talks, but when they left, I was never given an explanation. I know better than to ask.” Rainev sipped his tea and kicked her calf. “Drink your tea. If neither of them is back by the time you’re done, you can head out without getting into trouble, and I’ll get some much-needed sleep.”

  “Thank you,” she said, lifting the glass and sipping on the cinnamon-colored liquid. It had a kick, warming her belly quickly. After a moment, sitting in front of Alchan’s hearth and letting the tea settle, she noticed a heaviness to her limbs. “Is it always like this?”

  “Yeah. Common winter night drink. Helps with sleep and warmth,” Matesh said, sighing happily after he drank another swallow. “There’s stuff you can add to offset the drowsiness factor, but it’s late. Thank you, Rain.”

  “Any time. You know you two can visit without needing business with Alchan, right? I live here just the same as him. He doesn’t deny me visitors.”

  “We’ve barely lived in this village for two months and just spent five weeks on a mission. You do remember that, right?” Mave eyed him and saw a blush beginning to form on her little brother’s face.

  “Yeah. I just figured I should mention it. Can you tell my dad that? Actually, he was staying in the communal barracks. I asked Alchan if we can get him his own place—”

  “He’ll be staying in our guest room now. You don’t need to worry about him,” Matesh explained quickly. “Plus, you know he would hate living in a house alone. He would turn into a shut in or just never go home. He’s never been good with being alone.”

  “Yeah…” Rain’s small smile melted her. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

  “He’s family,” Mave said softly, taking another sip of tea. This was just what she needed after weeks on the road. Tomorrow, she would get back to work. Tomorrow, she would sit down in a giant meeting with Sen, Alchan, and Luykas to discuss the future of the rebellion.

  But for now, it was good to relax.

  When their tea was done, Alchan hadn’t returned. She felt the bond tugging her gently in Luykas’ direction but made no move to try to figure out where he was or what he was doing. Whatever it was, it was something he obviously wanted to keep private.

  “We’re going to head home,” she announced, forcing her body into action. “It’s been good just sitting around, Rain. Tell Alchan I hope everything is okay, and thanks for the information on Bryn.”

  Rain yawned, blinking slowly as she stood up. “Okay. It’s late. I’m going to tuck in.”

  “Go,” Matesh ordered softly. Rain nodded slowly and padded out of the room before she could even fix the laces on her boots.

  She and Matesh left together, wrapping their arms around themselves. She didn’t feel cold, thanks to the warm feeling of the tea coursing through her system, but it was habit. The mountains were chilly at night.

  Once they got home, Mave was eyeing Matesh like a piece of meat. Knowing Bryn had been in contact semi-recently and had been safe, she was able to relax a little. She was reaching to undo Mat’s breeches before they made it through the door. He chuckled as he kicked his boots off, and she scrambled to keep up with him, yanking off her own with her eyes still on the prize—weeks of being unable to take him and own him, her perfect male. Other females wanted him to the point of jealousy, and he belonged to her.

  She shoved his breeches down as they reached the family room. Their lips met.

  Something clattered to the ground.

  “There're rooms for a reason!” Zayden roared.

  “Go to yours,” she snapped, turning to glare at him. “This is my fucking house.”

  Matesh picked her up in a single motion, turning her, so she couldn’t see her new roommate anymore. “Finish eating, Zayden. I’ve got her.” He carried her back to their bedroom, laughing as he opened the door. Lowering her gently onto their bed, he gave her everything she wanted.

  5

  Alchan

  Alchan watched his brother shuffle uncomfortably, kicking up dirt and rocks from the banks of the river that ran through their valley. Five weeks away had changed nothing. Ever since Shadra had decided to reach out magically to Luykas, his brother had been out of sorts. Alchan didn’t need to know exactly what was said during that conversation, and he never asked, waiting patiently for his brother to finally tell him what was eating him.

  “I don’t know why I needed you tonight,” Luykas finally admitted, sitting down on a large boulder. “My skin itched.”

  “I thought she couldn’t reach you north of the mountains. Her power fades in the Dragon Spine.”

  “Yeah, because the land here has so much magic living in it. Millenia of blood magic done on the land practically makes a wall against outside forces, but I’m still itchy like magic is being used on me.”

  “You’re being paran
oid.”

  “Wouldn’t you be? Our greatest enemy had a direct line to me, your advisor, your brother.”

  “She’s your mother. She’s always going to be able to get to you even if it isn’t out of malice.” Alchan frowned. “You know, I don’t hate or distrust you because you’re related to her. You’re my brother first. Everything else doesn’t matter.”

  “How can you say that? How can you not worry about the giant security risk I am?”

  “Because you’ve been tried and tested by this once before. When our own father tried to point the finger at you when the Empire initially invaded, I stood by your side. I always will.” Alchan let those words hang between them before shaking his head. “To think I gave up a night of relaxation and peace to come out here and handle your insecurities.”

  “With Mave,” Luykas said softly. “What the hell, Alchan?”

  “She and Matesh deserved an update on Brynec. Rainev put on tea for everyone. I thought it would be nice to have a relaxing evening with two people I sometimes like, after the last five weeks on the road. You could have come in and enjoyed a drink with us, but you wanted me to come speak to you. So, here we are.” Alchan spread his hands nonchalantly. “First night I’m back, and you want to make sure I get no sleep for it.”

  Luykas looked struck and turned away. With a tinge of guilt, Alchan stood up and moved to the boulder his brother sat on. Settling on it next to him, he rubbed Luykas’ back.

  “I didn’t want to see her while I was itchy. I was planning on finding her, then it hit and…” Luykas was talking fast now, and Alchan almost missed the switch to Elvasi. “Why does she do this? Why does she go out of her way to ruin everything I like?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked gently. “What has she ruined? We’ve been fighting her for centuries. She’s been trying to ruin the Andinna.”

  His brother stiffened, and Alchan knew the answer without it needing to be said. This had to do with Mave.

  Skies damn it, he needs to grow some fucking balls.