16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Renick

Three weeks to the day after our bonding ceremony, Ivex burst into my private living quarters, ceremonial robe in his arms. "What are you doing at the table?" he asked. "It's your installation day and you're not ready!"

"I'm calming my nerves," I said, twirling my spoon in a large mug of corul. "Want some? I made plenty."

"Corul? Sure. Why not? If you're not concerned about getting to your own ceremony on time, why should I care?" Ivex plopped in the empty chair Summer usually occupied. "Are you ready for today?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Not in the least. I don't have a choice. This is my destiny. I can only hope I'm as good at the job as father. I still have so much to learn. At least Mother is willing to help."

"And you have Summer by your side."

"True." I broke out into a smile at the thought of my mate.

"Speaking of Summer, where is she? I haven't seen her all morning." Ivex asked. "She's spent a lot of time on the patio absorbing nature. We've talked a lot in the last few weeks. You're a lucky male, Renick." He brought his mug of corul to his lips, taking a tiny sip. "Her words, not mine."

"She went into town with Mother. They said something about a girl's morning, whenever that means." I had no idea, but if it made Summer happy, then I supported her.

Four successive beeps blasted from Ivex's wrist communicator. "I'm needed for some other last minute preparations. Comm me if there's anything you need." He clapped my back. "Good luck today, brother. Better you than me." he said with a smirk.

"Thanks," I muttered. "Figures he'd leave me to clean the mess he left behind on the table. How anyone makes a mess while not eating, I'll never know."

I took my time preparing according to the ancient rituals ingrained in me since childhood. While I wasn't even sure I was the right person for the job, I would do everything in my power to make sure the ceremony was perfect.

Careful not to crease the robe, I carried it outside to the patio on a hanger. I rested it on a piece of sheeting on the massive table that would be used for the gathering after the ceremony. I glanced at my communicator. Arik would be here momentarily to take Summer, my mother, and me to the ceremony.

"Renick! There you are." Arik burst through the double doors, his fur matted against his skin. "Where's Summer?"

"She's getting ready."

"Your mother sent me to retrieve Summer and escort her here. She's not in your wing."

"She should be." I furrowed my brow.

"Have you seen her?"

"No, not since she left this morning."

Arik shook his head. "Well, go check for yourself. I didn't see her."

"She might be in the bathroom."

"I called, but no one was in the bathroom."

"Maybe she was showering and didn't hear you knock?" I suggested.

"Can you check? I'd feel uncomfortable." Arik wiped his mane. "I don't need to see her in a state of undress."

"Renick," Ivex called.

I glanced between Arik and my brother. "I have to see what Ivex needs. Could you look for Summer again? I'm sure she's there. Sometimes she gets lost in her train of thought. Maybe she's taking a nap?"

Doubt filled Arik's face. "On it." Arik bounded off, and I went to see what my brother needed.

Ivex had just handed me the minute-to-minute itinerary for this afternoon when Arik came flying back through the doors.

"She's not there."

"What do you mean? She's got to be there." I threw the robe at Ivex, not caring if he caught it or not.

I raced to our quarters. "Summer!" I called.

Arik left the bathroom door wide open, the emptiness mocking me. I touched the wall of the shower. "Bone dry. Damn. She wanted to take a shower when she returned."

I stopped in our bedroom next, the bed in the center of the room, mocking me. Not a wrinkle creased the covers. "Summer?" I called again.

"Do you think she fell? Yesterday she complained a bit about her leg hurting," Arik asked.

"I don't know." I ran to my mothers wing. "Have you seen Summer?"

"Not recently."

"When did you last see her?"

"Renick, don't take that tone with me." Mother's eyes flashed.

"No one can find her. I think you're the last person to see her. When?" I tried to keep hope in my voice, but I was quickly becoming desperate to find her.

My mother's face paled. "We walked from the field by the flyer to the patio together. She said she wanted to sit outside a moment to calm her thoughts before she changed. She's here, I know it."

Ivex and Arik shared a glance. They raced out toward the common areas. After what seemed like an eternity, they returned. "She's not in the house, Renick," Ivex said. He tapped furiously into his communicator. "Let me see if I can call in a favor."

"We searched everywhere." Arik snarled in frustration. "Where the hell is she?"

"She's not going to miss your ceremony. Summer is so proud of you and excited on your behalf. She has to be here, somewhere," Mother said.

"I don't care about the ceremony," I said. "Summer is my priority." A pit of dread formed in my stomach. "Where is Summer?" Both my hearts thudded. Nothing else mattered. I needed to find Summer.