6. Rehn

SIX

REHN

W hen Rehn had heard the unfamiliar voice, he felt his bear on the defense.

His arm had instinctively gone around Leila, but he could sense her relaxing with recognition.

He finally looked around the office full of people.

Their absence was clearly noticed.

"Professor Xanthus," Leila said quietly.

Rehn looked over the faces of the people piled into the small room.

The older man who had addressed Leila stood in front of the others. Behind him was the Director, Tressa, then a blonde wavy-haired woman, much shorter than the others. Then, Rehn saw his team, including Idris, on the flanks of the professors.

Rehn nodded at Idris's questioning look, letting him know he was fine. Other matters were more pressing at the moment.

The older man, who Leila referred to as Xanthus, stepped forward to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Reluctantly, Rehn removed his own protective grasp on her. It seemed unnecessary with everyone around. Though, his bear still felt the need to be close to her.

"You traveled through time, didn't you?" the old sage asked. His gold eyes seemed to already know the answer.

Leila may know the man, but Rehn still felt protective over her. His bear would allow nothing less.

"How do you know that? She's never done it before." Rehn was slightly unnerved. Old beings had that effect on him. And this man was older than any other sorcerers he had met.

"I could feel it," Xanthus answered without even looking at Rehn. His eyes were locked on Leila.

And her eyes were wide with excited terror.

"Tell me, what was different from our own lessons? How did it feel?"

Rehn realized this sage must be Leila's mentor. The one she had been practicing time-jumping with.

"It was so powerful, Professor," Leila whispered. "I don't know what triggered it, but I could just feel this…this surge course through me like a heartbeat."

"Do you have any idea what could have triggered it?" the man questioned.

Everyone else stayed silent.

"No. That man was attacking me, then Rehn—I mean, the king, broke in as I could feel everything change and the next thing I know, we're in the past. All of us."

Tressa, the director, stepped forward.

"Leila, I know you've been through a lot, but I'm going to need an account of what happened for liability reasons."

Leila nodded as she took a seat with Tressa, Xanthus, and the other blonde sorceress.

Rehn's team gathered around him and Drystan's body while the academics conversed.

"Listen, I need you all to take Drystan back to the territory. We'll handle everything there and need to address the rest of the sleuth. There are too many waiting for his execution that will want to hear about this."

Idris placed a sheet over the body. It took four of his men to lift the deceased rogue.

Rehn stopped Idris before he could follow the others. He shot a look toward Leila. She was still busy recounting the events to her peers.

"Drystan attacked Leila. He came here for her specifically." Rehn nodded at the raven-haired beauty.

Idris followed the gaze.

"I don't understand. Why?"

"I'm not sure," Rehn replied. "He confirmed that he did have help. Based on what he gave away and how he escaped, I'm pretty sure it's a sorcerer."

"Did he say why?"

"Oh, just the usual. I'm going to get what's mine, blah, blah, blah. The usual threats."

"Do you not believe them?"

Rehn looked at his right-hand man with a heavy sigh. "I do. The way this all happened…there's something bigger at play here. And we need to find out what it is and who else was in on it with Drystan." His eyes flicked back to Leila. His bear paced with the uncertainty of her safety. He needed his mate with him, especially since she was in danger.

Idris must have caught an unintentional look that gave Rehn away.

"Sir?"

Rehn thought about telling Idris the truth about Leila – his bear recognized her as his mate. Even with everything that had happened, his body was still riding the natural high of simply being close to her.

Now isn't the time, he decided. But he did know she needed to be with him. He had to know she was safe.

"We need to take her with us."

"Who? The sorceress that was attacked?"

"Yes. Leila. I need you to make transportation arrangements and pack for her. She's to stay in the head house."

"Excuse me, but the hell, I am."

Leila had overheard the conversation and was now standing.

"Who are you to tell me where I'm going? Or pack my personal things?" Leila made her way to Rehn and got in his face. "You're not my king."

"Leila!" Tressa hissed in a warning tone.

Rehn raised his hand. "No, it's quite all right."

He had to try not to smile at the fiery sorceress in front of him. She looked quite wound up.

"You heard what Drystan said," he spoke, addressing only Leila. "There's a powerful sorcerer out there after you, specifically. One person was sent to get you but failed because I was here. A new person will be sent in his place soon. You need to be protected."

"This Drystan," Xanthus piped up as he stepped forward. Rehn hadn't even seen him stand from his chair, "he was from your kingdom, correct?"

"Correct."

"Then wouldn't that mean that taking Miss Camor there would only bring her closer to the shifter that was after her?"

Rehn's bear growled in protest. "That is beside the point. I would be the one personally protecting her."

"But you couldn't even keep a man in your prison. What says you can keep this shifter out of the castle?"

"Are you suggesting that I can't protect her?" Rehn was growing short in his manners. He didn't like being challenged, especially over protecting his mate.

"No, not at all. Just that maybe there is a weak spot in your system that needs to be sorted out."

Leila interjected before Rehn could rebuttal.

"Do I get a say in this? I'm a grown-ass woman and I can protect myself."

Xanthus turned his eyes onto Leila, calm and kind. "That's been proven evident, but we would all feel safer knowing you are better protected. No one knows what will happen next it seems. I know the academy can undoubtedly put up all sorts of wards to help keep you protected. Probably far better than the king would be able to provide."

The remark at the end felt snide and unnecessary to Rehn. It poked his bear enough that the anger was eating away at rationality.

He was about to say very unkinglike things to the sage until Tressa interrupted.

"Gentlemen, Leila, I think it would be in the best interest of you and the academy if you reside far from campus. For now."

Leila looked crestfallen. "You want me to leave?"

"No, dear. Not permanently. Just while you are a target; this thing has to be sorted out first. For the safety of the students and everyone else. Chaniel can take over your classes for the time being."

The short blonde one stepped forward. "I can keep you up to date with everything we do and I'll follow your books and guidelines."

Leila's dark eyes were soft with gratitude.

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that."

The two hugged as the blonde whispered for Leila to be safe.

"Then it's settled. You'll stay with me."

Rehn tried not to appear too smug about the fact that he had gotten his way. There was no way he was letting Leila out of his sight. Tressa making the decision took Leila's anger away from Rehn since he was no longer the one ordering her to stay with him.

Idris gave his king a skeptical look but said nothing. Rehn was sure he had questions for him, but all in due time. Idris knew better than to question Rehn, no matter how close they were in friendship.

Leila's brown eyes finally met Rehn's gaze again after her quick hugs. She didn't look impressed. Not now anyway. That didn't matter though, as long as she was coming back with him.

"So, Miss Camor. Would you like Idris here to help you pack?"

Now that she wasn't in danger, her confidence was back, as well as her independence.

"I am fine, Your Majesty," she said briskly. "I will be packing my own things."

He could tell she was irritated at having to stay with him. He didn't know why but he was enjoying seeing her trying to be polite.

He shrugged, unable to hide his growing amusement. "Suit yourself."

Rehn turned toward Tressa. "Thank you for letting us take care of this issue internally. I promise we will keep Miss Camor safe. When I find out anything, I will let you know."

Xanthus was the one who answered.

"Please do."

Rehn knew he shouldn't be annoyed with the professor. So, he turned to Leila and let his final words be the comeback needed to annoy his mate's mentor.

"Let's pack up your things and get you moved in."

Leila let out a huff as he followed her through the door.

"It won't be long," she muttered to him.

He just chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll be sad to come back to the academy after you stay at my place."

She rolled her eyes like a stubborn teenager but said nothing.

Before leaving the office, Rehn's ego made him turn back to the silent academics and smile smugly at Xanthus.

"Don't worry. She's in good hands." And with that, he followed Leila out.