Diaval

Diaval

I listen closely to my old friend’s suggestion for dividing the teams. His logic is sound, especially considering how he divides our old hometown into five quadrants. The tension in the air cuts through that nostalgia. My drake senses it too—a subtle shift in the air, something not quite right with Dezi and his crew. It’s more than just the holiday weight on their shoulders; it’s something deeper, more unsettling. Easton notices it as well, though he’s stubbornly refusing to acknowledge it, at least for now. I even note the occasional twitch of the corner of my eternal’s eye. Something isn’t setting right with her either, but she hasn’t figured it out.

“It doesn’t matter who gets paired up with who, it’s going to be dangerous will all the wild magic as the veil thins.” Fiadh says, then looks over at Dezi.

“The witchling is correct. Leave nothing to chance. If you think it doesn’t look right treat is as if Diaval or I am on the verge of ripping your throat out. That level of imminent danger.” Dezi adds to punctuate the level of danger we may be facing.

“If I may?” I motion to the map, and Dezi steps back with a flourish, his eyes sharp and watchful. There’s something off about him, a subtle unease that ripples through the air. I store it for future reference. I’ll question him while we’re alone on our adventure.

“Five quads, five pairs, one from each nest, so to speak.” My voice carries a slight hiss as my dragon rises to the surface, curious and alert, its gaze sharp as I study the map. “Dezi and I will take quadrant four.” I circle the heart of the night district with my finger, feeling the pulse of danger that lingers there. It’s a fitting challenge, one that promises to keep us both on our toes. It’s the one location that no one would blink an eye about either of us walking around.

“Feray and Tiernan will search quadrant two.” I watch Feray’s face light up with excitement, getting to head into the shifter part of town. She practically bounces over to Tiernan, wrapping him in a hug that’s stronger than he expected. She pulls back, apologizing with a sheepish grin, then bumps shoulders with him in a way that makes me shake my head in bemusement. I still can’t quite figure out how things work between them. Most wolves would normally hate cat shifters. She wasn’t raised a wolf, meat bag , my dragon rumbles, then retreats into silence. It’s a good match—Feray’s formidable wolf and fight training paired with Tiernan’s strength, experience, and training. They’ll be a tough team to beat.

“Easton and Revelin will head to quadrant five.” Sending them into the Elven district makes the most sense. Between the two of them, there’s enough firepower to level half of Briarvale if it came to that. I catch Easton’s glare, knowing full well he’s not thrilled about it. The elvish district isn’t his favorite place, too much magic, too much flaunting of power for his liking. But he doesn’t argue, just sets his jaw and pinches the bridge of his nose, waiting for the next move. Revelin looks Easton over curiously, with as calm as reserved as Easton appears, he is anything but reserved when necessary.

“Khal and Fiadh will go to quadrant one, into the magic district.” I can’t help but notice the glint in Fiadh’s eyes—a spark of mischief that promises trouble for Khal. He may not be as chaotic as his brother, but he’s no less dangerous. He’s got a quiet, controlled fury that can tear through anything in his path when provoked. And Fiadh, with her newly honed power, is a perfect match for him. They’ll handle whatever the magic district throws their way. Khal fist bumps Fi and they nod at each other. I watch as he studies her and flicks his tongue out to learn her scent. Fiadh arches a brow at him as his tongue flickers in the surrounding air. He mumbles about learning her scent and she nods in acknowledgement.

“Finally, that brings us to Torben and Khol.” I glance between the two of them and the last quadrant on the map. “Rumors of haunted woods persist over the years. Quadrant three is as dangerous as it gets, so it makes sense to pair the two of you together.” Torben’s shoulders broaden as he crosses his arms over his chest, his bear’s mass making his human form look even more imposing. “Take nothing for granted. Kill first, ask questions later. There’s an old temple around here…” I point to a spot east of the night district. “If something magical exists, it’ll be there.” Torben pulls up the local map on his phone and they compare notes on where they think they should enter the woods from.

The biergarten is heavy with anticipation as we complete the plans. My dragon settles back, content for now, but ready. The weight of what’s coming is pressing on us all.

Everyone has been given their tasks and locations to search, and I can’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me. The idea of my mate being away from me is intolerable. “Give me a moment,” I say to Dezi before crossing the distance between me and Feray. The tension in my chest eases as I close the gap, needing to be near her, to touch her. “Mind if I steal your partner for the excursion for a moment?” I offer Tiernan a smile, and he nods easily, extending his hand.

“Be my guest, man. Thanks for trusting me to take care of her.” The sincerity in his voice makes me feel marginally better, but I know I won’t be fully at ease until she’s back in my arms.

Feray looks up at me, a soft smile playing on her lips as she adjusts the buttons on my henley. Her touch is grounding, and I can’t help but marvel at how she always seems to know when something’s bothering me. “What’s the matter, D?” Her eyes, warm and perceptive, search mine. I swear she can see right through me.

“Forgive me for worrying about you outside of our nest, my eternal.” I thread my fingers through her hair, watching as the strands fall free, catching the light. It’s a simple gesture, but it soothes the restless dragon within me.

She reaches up, her hands framing my face as she pulls me down for a kiss—gentle, tender, a balm to the worries that swirl in my mind. Her smile presses against my lips, and my dragon rumbles contentedly at her. “I will be safe. If anything happens, I’ll call for you and Easton. Then you can smite the village to your heart’s contentment.” Her tone is casual, as if she’s discussing a simple task, not the potential devastation of an entire village. The others glance our way, but I barely notice. My sweet angel of a mate has developed a vicious streak a mile wide with protecting what’s hers. And I love her all the more for it.

“I almost forgot.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the collar from Dezi, placing it around Feray’s neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Dezi’s approving smile. Then, from my other pocket, I retrieve the coin I gave her, marked by my claw. Before we headed north, I had it turned into a pendant, and now it hangs from a chain just below the collar. Two powerful talismans rest against her skin. I can only hope they’ll be enough to protect her when I’m not by her side. As a final touch, I adjust Easton’s feather so it sits prominently, a clear sign that she’s his as well.

“Being a little possessive, D?” Feray’s teasing lilt draws a chuckle from me. She rests her hands on my chest, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me again, and I smile against her lips.

“Always. You are mine as much as I am yours, forever.” I pull her close, hugging her tight to my chest, my lips resting on the crown of her head as I breathe in her scent. This perfect moment, just us, wrapped in an embrace.

When we finally pull apart, I notice the stares from everyone else. They look at me like I’ve grown another head. I realize then—they’ve never seen me like this, openly affectionate with my mate. My bond brothers are all smiles, clearly amused.

I give Feray a playful smack on the ass, sending her toward Torben and Easton to get her snacks and water before she leaves. “Tiernan?” I arch a brow at him as he accepts the additional snack bag from Khal, who then moves off to kiss Feray.

“Yes?” Tiernan looks up, curious.

“She’s very stubborn with drinking enough water, and she gets hangry very easily. For whatever reason, her wolf requires more food than any other wolf I’ve known over the centuries,” I explain, passing on my hard-earned knowledge.

“Understood. The last thing we need is an angry she-wolf running amuck.” He laughs, then adds, “I think you and I have the best end of this deal.” He grins as the others pull faces, making it clear they agree. From what I remember of our prince, snakelet, and Fi, I almost feel sorry for my bond brothers.

If we make it through this with no one getting arrested, it’ll be a miracle.

Feray comes back to me with a small bag of snacks and drinks, her eyes bright with anticipation. She’s seeking my approval, as she always does when she’s excited but wants reassurance. I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips as I lean in and kiss her temple softly, letting the warmth of our bond seep into that brief touch.

“There’s my good girl,” I murmur, my voice low and affectionate. “Enjoy your time with your friend. And remember, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.” I give her that reminder, knowing she’ll take it to heart before she steps away and heads off with Tiernan.

My gaze follows her, lingering on her retreating figure as my senses stretch out to encompass the area. The others are completing their plans, the quiet murmur of voices and rustling movements filling the air as they prepare to depart on their respective missions. My eyes sweep over them, cataloging their movements, ensuring everything is in order before I finally look back at my old friend, Dezi. I tilt my head slightly, a silent signal that it’s time to move.

We walk in silence, our footsteps crunching softly against the ground, but the quiet stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words. We cover several hundred yards before the tension gnaws at me. I turn my head slightly, my voice low enough that only Dezi can hear. “I know you’re hiding something. Your entire coven feels off.”

His eyes dart around, cautious, before settling back on me. “That is correct,” he admits, his voice equally hushed. “I cannot say what I would like without making trouble. Remember your lessons on Faerie versus here, but do not say what you figure out.” His words are clipped, his mouth shutting tight as he looks away, resuming our silent march.

The mention of lessons about Faerie versus here sends my mind racing, the implications twisting like a serpent in my thoughts. I sift through the knowledge I’ve accumulated, trying to piece together what could be a problem. Time—how it moves differently depending on the court one ends up in. A shiver crawls down my spine at the thought, unease curling in my gut. I can’t remember whether time moves faster or slower there, but if that’s the issue, I need to keep my mouth shut. Better to let the rest of my nest live in blissful ignorance than risk the future being shattered by one careless question.

Dezi glances at me as I piece it together, his eyes catching mine in a silent understanding. No more questions. No unnecessary details. One wrong move, and the future could unravel beyond repair.

As we cross into the night district, the atmosphere shifts, growing darker, more oppressive. Dezi pulls out a local map, holding it between us as we walk. “We’ll start here and then search out from there,” he says, pointing to the oldest part of the district where abandoned buildings lie in wait like silent sentinels. The weight of our task settles over me. The longer we stay here, the greater the risk of a slip-up, and the more precarious our future becomes. We need to find what we’re looking for—quickly, before it’s too late.