Chapter Eleven

Raidh felt the moment Elvine disappeared. How had she done that without chanting the spell? He knew she would try to return on her own, because Elvine was as stubborn as a mule when it came to protecting those she loved. That’s why he wanted to call a meeting right away. He just had no flipping clue she was capable of creating a passageway that easily.

Not even Raidh could do that.

Spinning around so fast he’d almost tripped over his own feet, Raidh sprinted up the stairs and shot inside the house. “Jax! Jax!”

Casimir and Kalen were the first to charge into the kitchen, their footsteps thundering. Then the twins, along with Jax and Arion soon joined them. “What’s wrong, son?”

“Elvine, that headstrong woman, just headed into our realm!” Raidh gritted his teeth, so frustrated and worried he wanted to pull his dang hair out. She was amazing at snooping, never getting caught, but she had a freaking guard after her! The stakes were way too high for her to have gone alone. Especially after what he’d just spotted on her.

Jax cursed up a storm and Arion looked as if he wanted to kill someone. Namely Raidh.

“Why didn’t you stop her?” Arion argued heatedly, terror and anger burning in his amber eyes.

“Don’t take that tone with him!” Jaytee growled, pulling Raidh’s back to his chest just as Jax snarled at his twin for yelling at Arion.

It had only been a few weeks since Raidh’s attack, since so much had gone down with his father, and he still couldn’t deal with hostility.

Seeing that he lived in a house full of testosterone-filled men, Jaytee kept him in their room most of the time while Raidh worked through his issues. It was only when the house was quiet, like the early morning hours he and Elvine occasionally shared together, that Raidh ventured out.

But there were other times as well, like when he needed fresh air and wanted to interact with others. He’d actually been looking for Elvine when he’d spotted her in the backyard, knowing dang well what she was up to, and trying his best to stop her from making a dangerous mistake.

She thought he was neglecting their friendship, and to a point he was, but it wasn’t because he wanted to spend all his time with his mate.

Not in that sense.

Raidh could have told her the truth, but he knew Elvine. His best friend was the most caring person he knew, and she would have taken it upon herself to try and make him better. Like he had always done for her throughout their friendship.

As much as Raidh loved her, what he needed right now was his mate.

And Jaytee needed him. Even though Raidh was alive, Jaytee was still messed up over Raidh’s death, still had nightmares that caused him to wake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

Nightmares of him carrying Raidh’s dead body in his arms.

“Stow the attitudes.” Kalen slammed his fist on the table, causing a large crack to run down the center of the wood. “My daughter-in-law just walked into danger. We don’t need this bullshit right now.” He turned to Raidh, his features softening. “Tell us what happened, son.”

Raidh told them about his conversation with Elvine, omitting the part where they thought the Frost men were hot. He’d assumed she was coming inside with him, but he’d been wrong.

“My dewdrop has somehow learned how to travel between passageways without needing to speak the chant. She just turned and took a step before disappearing.” He glared at Arion. “She’s been my best friend for over nine hundred years. I would never let her put herself in harm’s way.”

Honestly, Raidh was still trying to deal with the fact that vampires lived with them. From what Jaytee had told him, Arion wasn’t seduced by the smell of fae, but after what Raidh had been through, he would never give Arion—or Damon, for that matter—his full trust.

“How do we get to your realm?” Jax asked then looked at Casimir. “You took Jaytee to get Raidh’s soul back. Take me to get Elvine back.”

“There’s something else.” Raidh knew the men were really going to flip. He hadn’t said anything to Elvine when he’d spotted it, because he hadn’t been really sure. But if there was a chance, Jax and Arion had a right to know.

“What?” Jax already looked panicked, and Raidh really hated doing this to him. He’d grown very fond of the Frost men, and looked at them as family. “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I could have sworn I saw a tiny mytconiz on her neck.” He gestured at Damon. “Like that one, but smaller.

Jax lost it. He smashed the kitchen table until it was nothing more than a pile of kindling, growling and cursing the entire time. Raidh pushed himself farther into Jaytee’s arms at the hostile display, though he understood Jax’s rage and panic.

“What does that mean?” Arion backed into the corner of the kitchen, fear in his eyes as Jax destroyed the table. Watching the small vampire’s reaction, Raidh’s heart went out to him. Arion had been livid just moments ago, but now he seemed truly terrified as Jax lashed out.

The scars on his body were a testament to the horrors the vampire had lived through. Raidh wasn’t heartless. He wanted to extend his hand in friendship, but as sorry as he felt for the guy, Arion was still a vampire.

“It means your mate is pregnant,” Kalen replied with just as much worry in his eyes as Raidh felt. “He’s just letting out his aggression, Arion. Jax would never hurt you, son.”

Raidh was still watching Arion, and saw the way he paled at the news. Like he’d just seen a ghost while simultaneously being punched in his gut.

“She’s pregnant?” he whispered.

“You take me there now!” Jax shoved a finger in Casimir’s direction with a demonic growl. “My mate is carrying mine and Arion’s child! You get me to her, Casimir. You help me find her so I can bring her home.”

“He’s got a death sentence on his head,” Damon argued. “If he’s caught, he’ll be immediately executed.”

“And if Elvine is caught, that guard will take what was promised then have her arrested.” Jax’s canines lengthened, as did his claws. “She’s with child, Damon, just like you! Casimir is a commander. He can kill any guard he comes up against. She can’t!”

“I’ll go.” Raidh stepped forward, unable and unwilling to stand by and let his best friend be killed. And she would be, as soon as her mytconiz was noticed and they discovered who she was mated to. “I know the land like the back of my hand. Plus, I can wield dark magic better than anyone in my realm.”

“Raidh, no.” Jaytee shook his head, a pained expression in his eyes. “Your father has probably reported that you’re mated to a shifter. You’ll be arrested and executed if you’re found.” Jaytee looked at Jax. “Brother, I swear I want her back too. She’s become like a little sister to me, but…fuck. We all want her back, but we’ll also be risking the lives of our mates.”

“I’ll protect my nephew with my life,” Casimir promised.

Damon clenched his jaw, hot, angry tears brimming in his eyes. “And if you’re killed? Then what? I raise our pup on my own, without his or her father? There’s no way I can do this without you, nékah . Don’t you even dare ask me to.”

“My mate won’t even have a chance to give birth to our pup if she’s killed!” Jax crossed the room and enveloped Arion in his arms, clinging to the vampire as he buried his face in Arion’s hair.

But Raidh couldn’t be angry with Elvine. She risked losing her parents if she didn’t return. And she’d been right. Jax and Arion wouldn’t have let her return, especially since she was now pregnant.

His dewdrop had already lost her siblings and was terrified of losing her mom and dad. That was why she protected those she loved so fiercely. Her overwhelming fear of losing those she cared about.

Elvine had been dealt an impossible situation, and if roles were reversed, if her parents had been his, Raidh was certain he would have done the same thing.

“My magic has been restored.” Casimir cupped Damon’s jaw. “My nephew and I will bring her back safely. I promise nothing will happen to me, nékah .”

Damon appeared torn. “You better bring your ass back to me, Casimir.”

Raidh turned to his mate. “No.” Jaytee shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jax, but I can’t let him go with Casimir. He already died once. Don’t you dare ask me to go through that pain again. I-I can’t.”

“My father is without magic, thanks to Panahasi,” Raidh reminded him. “I’ll place a protection spell over me and Casimir. And as soon as Elvine is close, I’ll place one over her, too.” He squeezed Jaytee’s hands, smiling at his mate. “Have faith in me. I can do this.”

Because his best friend would do no less for him.

Jaytee yanked Raidh into his arms, hugging him so tight Raidh feared the man would break his ribs. “Bring everyone back, Moonbeam, including yourself. If anything happens to you, I will take an entire army into your realm and wipe out everyone who… Just come back to me.”

Raidh knew letting him go was the hardest thing Jaytee ever had to do. But Elvine was just as important to Jax and Arion as Casimir was to Damon.

“I’m going too,” Jax argued.

“No, you can’t,” Raidh replied, even though it killed him to tell the man he couldn’t go. “We’re already risking everything. I’m not trying to sound dismissive of your abilities as a wolf shifter, Jax, but we can move faster and can wield magic. I’m sorry, but you’ll be a liability we can’t afford.”

Jax breathed heavily as Arion said, “Please, bring her back. I’m sorry for yelling at you, Raidh.”

Raidh wasn’t sure how to reply.

“Thank you for going after her.” Arion pulled from Jax’s arms and walked toward him, causing Raidh to take a step back. “I promise your smell doesn’t affect me,” Arion said, seeming upset that Raidh feared him. “Neither does Casimir’s. I’ve been starved so many times over the past decade, I’ve learned how to control my hunger.”

Fizzle sticks. The vampire was so small, like Raidh and Elvine, only a bit taller, and seemed sweet. Even though he still would never fully trust Arion, maybe Raidh could give Arion his friendship, and in return the vampire could help Raidh to take back his life. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know him. They were family, after all. Arion was also Raidh’s best friend’s mate.

And how freaking tragic was it that Arion had learned that ability through torture?

“Just don’t be upset if I’m still wary of you.”

Arion shrugged. “I don’t expect to be welcomed into this family after what I did to Casimir. I’m just glad no one is trying to hurt me anymore.”

“You’re a Frost, Arion,” Kalen said with conviction. “Don’t you ever doubt that, son.”

Raidh had never met someone, aside from Elvine, with a bigger heart than Kalen, and was aware of why he called everyone son. Raidh’s father had been the worst. And although Casimir was thousands of years old, he’d been taken from his family at a young age, and a part of him still yearned for a father figure in his life. The warrior deeply respected Kalen, and even though he’d never said it out loud, wanted the man’s approval.

And clearly Arion also needed a father figure in his life.

It was simply Kalen’s way of making the mates feel just as much a part of this family as his own children.

“We settled the matter,” Casimir added. “I’m no longer harboring any bad feelings toward you. You’re one of us, Arion.”

Everyone in the room agreed.

“Go.” Arion waved Raidh away. “Bring everyone back so you and I can get to know each other.”

Raidh smiled. “Deal.”

Jax curled his arms around Arion. “Thank you both for going after her.”

With a nod, Raidh chanted the spell. A glimmer of light appeared on the floor and twisted upward like a serpent, forming a luminous golden line that stretched seven feet into the air. He’d had to make it taller to accommodate Casimir’s height. Elvine was going to tell him how she could do it without the golden line or chanting, then she was going to teach him.

Jaytee grabbed Raidh by the neck and kissed him so thoroughly that, when his mate released him, Raidh felt woozy. “Come back to me, Moonbeam.”

“I promise.” Raidh licked his lips then waited for Casimir to stop making out with Damon.

“I think you need to let him go,” Kalen said with a smirk.

“If clothes start coming off, I might go blind.” Jax grimaced. “No one wants to see your hairy ass, bro.”

They were still kissing as Damon lifted his hand and flipped off Jax.

“Damon!” Jaytee growled. “The sooner you stop trying to suck Casimir’s tongue down your throat, the sooner they can get back, horndog.”

Raidh just stared wide-eyed at them, hoping clothes didn’t actually start coming off. Damon wasn’t just kissing his mate. He’d tossed a leg over the warrior’s hip. And although Raidh knew it was Damon, he still felt like attacking Casimir because it looked as if the fae was making out with Jaytee.

Being mated to a twin sometimes sucked.

Before he was tempted to zap Casimir with magic, Raidh turned away. “Can we get moving before my best friend gives birth?”

Which would take three months, but at the rate those two were making out…

Finally, Casimir pulled away from his flushed mate. “ Urainym halder nim fyte, nékah ,” Casimir growled softly.

Raidh’s face burst into flames. Roughly translated: You will be fucked hard for many hours upon my return, most cherished.

“What did you say?” Damon asked.

“You don’t want him to translate in front of everyone,” Raidh warned. “I wish I hadn’t understood him.”

Casimir chuckled and whispered so low into Damon’s ear that no one could hear him, even with their supernatural hearing, but the others probably got the gist when Damon’s face exploded with a deep, red blush.

“Jeez.” Jaytee rolled his eyes.

“Can you guys get moving?” Jax argued. “While you’re already trying to work on baby number two, my mate could be in danger.”

Raidh walked through the passageway, Casimir right behind him, and then the luminous line vanished.