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Father cleared his throat. “Trillian, as always, I’m glad you’re well. Don’t feel you have to stand on ceremony with me. I won’t. But then, you know my feelings about you and my daughter.”
Whoops, we were being blunt here, so it seemed.
Trillian dismissed the comment with a wave of the hand. “Over the years, you’ve made your disapproval abundantly clear. I don’t expect that to change. So I accept your greeting for what it is.” He reached out with one hand and my father let out a long huff, but took it, rolling his eyes.
Just then, Morio and Iris joined us, and Trillian let out a short cry. He leaned down to hug Iris. “My lady,” he said, gently. “I did not expect you to be joining us but I’m happy to see you.”
Iris had always been able to tame Trillian—just like she was able to keep Smoky in line. Whatever charm the woman had, I envied her. She could stop an argument with a soft-spoken word. Nobody ever laughed at her when she complained. Now, she broke out of her gloom and kissed him on the cheek.
“Trillian, I’m so glad you’re well. We’ve missed you sorely.”
“I’m sure some more than others,” Trillian said, turning to Morio. The two men stood for a moment, then Morio clasped Trillian in an embrace and Trillian returned the hug, clapping Morio on the back. “Fox Boy, it’s good to see you. Have you been taking care of my woman for me?”
Uh-oh. Now was so not the time to spill the fact that I’d married Morio. Or Smoky. I prayed that Morio would keep his mouth shut, but where men and testosterone were concerned, there was no telling whether the big brain in their skull would override the little brain in their pants.
Morio glanced at me, a teasing grin on his face, then nodded. “Smoky and I have kept her safe, but truly, you have been missed.”
“So, now that the reunion’s over, when do we see the King?” My father interrupted us, still looking put out as his gaze fell on Trillian. I let out a low growl. He didn’t like him just because he was Svartan. That was the only reason, and it was getting on my nerves.
“Give it a break, Father. Trillian’s been missing for six months—”
“It’s all right, Camille.” Trillian kissed my forehead.
“No, it’s not all right.”
“Your father is more concerned with matters of state than our love life. In fact, I’m here to take you to King Upala-Dahns. I’ve been working with the Dahns Unicorns for the past couple of months. Your father knows all about it.”
That stopped me cold. Working with the unicorns? Tanaquar sent Trillian on some odd missions, all right. I was dying to know what he’d been up to during the time he’d been missing. I’d finally accepted that his disappearance had to go unquestioned, but now surely he could tell me what had been going on.
Father let out a short laugh. “Yes, I know and that’s why I’m so anxious. Camille, Trillian’s correct. While I make no pretenses to liking the fact that you are a couple, the subject is moot and has been for a long time.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m impatient because I must discuss certain matters with the King. There are still renegades supporting Lethesanar roaming the land, as well as other concerns that affect both Dahnsburg and Y’Elestrial, the demon menace among them. As a member of the Intelligence Agency, you should understand how fatal it can be to jump to conclusions.”
I let out a long breath. “Right. Okay then. So will we see Feddrah-Dahns today? I’d like to pay my respects to him. I miss him.” I’d grown fond of the Crown Prince during his brief stay over Earthside and thought about him every time I used the horn of the Black Unicorn.
“Oh yes, you’ll see him. But first, the King wishes to speak with your father.” Trillian motioned to two Dahns Unicorns standing nearby and they loped over. They wore sashes designating them as members of the royal guard. “His Excellence, Advisor Sephreh ob Tanu from Y’Elestrial is ready for his audience with His Highness. Please escort him into the throne room.”
One of them whinnied, tossing his mane, and turned to canter toward the central tent. Father followed, speaking in soft tones to the other guard who walked by his side.
I watched them go, wondering what was up, but it wasn’t my place to ask. By the time I spoke my first word, I’d learned that state secrets were just that. Many times Father had come home burdened with information that he couldn’t share with us. As the daughter of a Guardsman, I’d grown up accepting hierarchy and protocol as a matter of fact.
Turning back to the others, my gaze fastened on Trillian. The tension between us was palpable, a hunger that throbbed. Morio looked at the two of us, then motioned to Iris.
“Let’s explore the surrounding gardens,” he said.
She gave him a brief smile. “You mean, let’s give them some privacy? Good idea. Meanwhile, I’m looking for someone in the city and you might be able to help me find him. The Great Winter Wolf Spirit, to be precise.”
“Who’s that?” Morio asked. He glanced back at me and blew me a kiss, then followed Iris to the outer gardens.
I turned to Trillian, one thing on my mind. “Is there a place?” My voice was husky, and I tried to calm the trembling in my stomach. I’d tell him about Smoky and Morio in a while but right now all I could think about was how much I needed him. “Do we have time?”
Trillian gazed at me, his lips so full and luscious I wanted to bite them. “Come.” He held out his hand.
We hurried down a side street so small it might be an alley until we came to a door leading into a two-story building. Trillian pulled out a key and unlocked the door, and I followed him into a narrow foyer. The hallway led into a spacious apartment.
“Who lives here?” I asked, gazing at the finely crafted furniture and antiques that littered the room.
