Chapter Thirty-Four

With the Elements' approval, Vex and I celebrated our mating for another hour or so before we went back to the Wraith Lord Citadel. We were only an hour ahead in Invea, so breakfast was still being served in the dining hall when we arrived. We made some plates from the buffet and joined my team at our usual table. Graysen was there as well.

“So, you snagged another man, eh?” Gray said as I sat down. “You guys enjoy yourselves?”

I grimaced and glanced at Vexen. “It was more complicated than usual.”

“What does that mean?” Xaedren demanded.

Before I could answer, the other Tiger Ladrin came to our table. Vex turned to greet them.

“Is it done?” Lord Racmar asked. “Have you bonded with Lord Ember?”

“Yes, and Ember was tested,” Vexen said. “He's been accepted into the clan.”

“Welcome to the Invea Clan.” Racmar squeezed my shoulder.

Then the rest of them welcomed me. Even more surprising—they went back to their table but only to grab their plates and mugs. Then they returned and sat with us. It was at the end nearest Vex, but still.

Meanwhile, Rath asked, “How were you tested?”

“A fight,” I said. “I agreed to fight without magic, but I got around it with the Elements. They helped me.”

“Sneaky,” Keltyr said with a smirk.

“It was that or die,” I said.

Kel, Taroc, Rath, and Xae all narrowed their eyes at me. Then at Vexen.

“I tried to get him to leave,” Vex said.

“It's fine,” I said to them. “I even confessed to Vexen's dad about my rule-bending, and he was good with it. He knew he'd put me at a disadvantage.”

“Hold on,” Xae growled and swung his stare at Vex. “It was your father who instigated this test?”

Vexen cleared his throat. “He's the Chief of our clan. I'm his only child.”

Xae blinked. Sat back. Grunted.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Keltyr asked. “Why are you acting as if he just explained everything?”

“A chief's son mating an outsider is a big issue,” Xaedren said. “They had to test Ember to see if he was worthy of the clan. Vexen might rule one day and that would mean Ember would be ruling under him. He has to be accepted as one of the clan for that to happen.”

Ratharin sighed. “And of course, the way to be accepted is through violence. Fucking Ladrin.”

Instead of being insulted, Xae grinned at Rath. “We value strength.”

“So, you're a chief's son,” Keltyr said to Vex.

“I thought that was obvious,” Taroc said.

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

Taroc waved at the Tiger Ladrin group. “They're protective of him. It was either that or they were all fucking him, and I didn't scent them on him.”

Vex gaped at Taroc.

I snorted a laugh and said to Vex, “You can't slip anything by Taroc. He sees all.”

“Kinky,” Gray said. “So, hey, I'm heading out later today.”

“Shit,” I huffed. “I'm sorry I've been so busy. I wanted to spend some time with you.”

“It's fine.” He waved his hand. “You know where I'll be. Come and see me when you get a moment to yourself.”

I grimaced. “That might not be for a while.”

“That's fine too. The tower's my new home until this war is over. Come by anytime.”

“Thanks, Gray.” I grinned at him. “I'll try to make it by soon.”

“Did things go smoothly other than the test?” Rath asked.

Gray hooted with laughter. “Was that your subtle, classy, Varraen way of asking how the sex was?”

Rath stared at Gray.

Gray cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

“No,” Rath said. “I wasn't asking about the sex. I was asking about the bonding.”

“I'm not finished asking about the test,” Taroc said. “Why did you need the help of the Elements? What happened, Ember?”

I shrugged. “I nearly lost. The guy I was fighting with was too fast. Faster than I thought he'd be. He got me pinned. But Air got him off me while I acted as if I pushed him.”

“I don't like that you put Ember in danger,” Taroc said to Vexen. “You should never have taken him there. We should have all bonded together, as I did with them. That would have been the wisest course of action. But you had to be selfish. I'm not happy with you, Ladrin.”

When Taroc spoke, it was usually short and to the point. He didn't often find the need to use so many words. The fact that he had showed how upset he was.

“Taroc, it's done,” I said. “And I was the one who—”

Vex cut me off with, “You're right. I shouldn't have taken him there. It was selfish and foolish. But I'm glad I did because it made Ember a part of my clan. We celebrated with them and that was important to me. Then we celebrated alone, which was even more important. So, yes, you're right. But I don't care. I'd do it again.”

Taroc growled, bared his teeth, and started to stand.

Rath set a hand on Taroc's shoulder and pushed him back down. “Easy, brother. He may not be bonded with us yet, but he will be soon. He's bonded to Ember. Fighting with him will only weaken us. And that isn't smart either.”

Taroc's expression twitched into a grimace, but he remained sitting. Only then did I notice that the Tiger Ladrin had gone tense, no doubt ready to leap to Vexen's defense. Shit. That could have gone badly.

“You'd better get your men in line, Ember,” Gray said, waving a fork at me. “You guys are supposed to save the world.”

“I handled it, Graysen,” Rath snapped. “We do not need your input.”

Gray held up his hands in surrender, one of them still holding his fork. “So sorry, Lord Ratharin. But it doesn't seem as if you've handled it.” He waved at Taroc, who may have been seated but was still stewing. “I think you guys better get to fucking.” Then he went back to shoveling food in his mouth.

Before Rath could speak and doubtless slice Graysen to ribbons with his words, I said, “He's right. We should get together after breakfast.”

Keltyr groaned. “I hate fucking with a full belly. It can get uncomfortable.”

Graysen made a sound of sympathy. “True. You can get a cramp too.”

I snickered. “Gray, choose a side.”

“Or better yet, shut the fuck up,” Xae said.

“I didn't mean to be aggressive with you, Lord Taroc,” Vexen said. “Just honest. I took a day with Ember to start our relationship right, and I don't regret it. I tried to protect him, but he didn't need me. Even when Ember hobbles himself, he has forces on his side that ensure his safety. The Goddess herself guides him. As frightened as I was for him, I don't believe he was ever in danger.” He held out his hand to Taroc. “Can we put this behind us and start our relationship right as well?”

Taroc stared at Vexen's hand while the rest of us stared at Taroc. At last, he sighed, grunted, and shook Vexen's hand.

The entire table released a sigh of relief.

“Why don't we bathe and relax for a bit while we digest?” Rath asked. “We can meet in our suite in an hour. That should be enough time to get comfortable.”

Vex nodded. “Very well. In an hour then.”

“Can I watch?” Graysen asked.

Xae started to get up, but Gray was already rising. He dashed out of the hall, laughing as he went.

“I like that kid,” Keltyr said.