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She nodded, her nails scratching up my back.

I coaxed her over the edge again and again and again, holding back my own release unless the deadline of my leaving approached, no longer a thing that could be ignored.

Simeon didn’t comment on my sour mood as I shook out the sensation of the transportation magic. My scent emanated from me in soft waves, the pine dominant to the wisteria proving I was in no mood to chat. Not that any of those who had come with us to the mage school in Oakenbell that was serving as our rendezvous point would have the ability to know exactly what the difference meant. Just like the equinox, my lack of control wouldn’t be on a parade for all to witness. Praise Persynthia for that.

Phillip was already discussing rotations with the rest of my guardsman the mages thought they could reasonably transport alongside the rest of the envoy. Arden and Tegan had been left in Starguard. A mage from the school stood just outside the permanently drawn circle, his hands held in offering of the bags I had slung over each shoulder. With a smile, I handed them to him, knowing he would make sure they were sent to the room in the school I would be using tonight.

“Mr. Kitt is already here. He’s in the room assigned to him for the evening,” he said as he shouldered the packs. “Ms. Emery should be arriving from Frostdale within the next hour.”

“Thank you,” I offered.

As he left the room, I stepped out of the circle and turned to Sutton.

“Feel free to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s travel.” When he’d also left the small chamber, I focused on Simeon. “I’ll speak a bit with Prescott and then retire for the night. Will you alert me when Lorraine arrives? I’d like to speak with her as well before we make the jump in the morning.”

“Of course,” he murmured, dipping his chin. “I’ll have them send dinner to your room.”

“Thank you.”

Phillip glanced up as Simeon left the room. “No need to worry about us. I imagine you don’t want company.”

I couldn’t help a small, sardonic smile. “Not particularly.”

Then I left the utilitarian room, too, in search of the rooms we were given for the evening. I knocked on the one with the closed door, tipping my head back and trying to center myself. I could still feel Amethyst’s tears in my palms as I held her and gave her what little comfort I could considering I didn’t know how long this trip would be. It would be a miracle if she didn’t fall into her heat while I was away.

The thought had me wanting to race back across the kingdom. To know she would have to weather her first heat without me to help her? Jealousy seethed in my blood that Arden, that Elise and Hugh, had not been put in this situation. Even still, I swallowed down the growl that wanted to rise. Prescott was an omega, after all. My scent would give away enough of my mood. He didn’t need to be worried over my vocal anger, too, no matter he’d been bonded for forty years now.

The door swung open before I’d managed to wrangle the frustration into a manageable size. Prescott’s smile faded as he took me in with eyes that saw more than most, just like Reuben.

The lines around his mouth and eyes grew more prominent as he frowned.

“Come sit, Callum,” he said, moving out of the doorway. “Tell me of your omega. Have you been able to complete the rites?”

When I arranged myself on the floor, my arms around my legs and my chin resting on my knee, he sat across from me. Now that I’d spent more than a month with his daughter, I could see the resemblance more readily than before. While Shelby had her mother’s green eyes and the modest pointed ears indicative of her blended heritage—not unlike my own—her hair was a pleasing blend of the Sylvorian’s bright red and her father’s light brown. Tonight, Prescott had that light brown hair unbound and falling over one shoulder, leaving the half-moon scar of his soul bond visible.

The sight had my throat drying out.

“We were supposed to complete them tomorrow.”

Prescott swore. “I’m sorry to have you pulled away. We will pray to Liam that matters are resolved quickly so you may return to her.”

I managed to smile. “With Liams’s will.”

I intended to beseech the God of Peace especially in my nightly prayers in a few more hours.

He circled my wrist. “How is she?”

“She’s well,” I managed to offer. “Settling in. I am glad I made the decision to complete our rites in Starguard. The adjustment for her has been significant.”

He nodded. “And my daughter? They blend well?”

It was clear enough the worry he held, that Shelby wouldn’t get along with Amethyst.

“They do,” I assured him. “She and Amaria have both become fast friends with her.”

“Good.” He pursed his lips, his expression growing contemplative. “I’ve heard from Hugh and Elise that she reminds them of⁠—”

“She is not of that heritage,” I said before he could say it. There were enough here who would spread the comment like it was truth spoken in Medea’s name, and there was no silencing or shield enchantment on the room.