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His jaw ticked. "Does Brokk know about this?"
"He knows. And he approves. More importantly, I approve, which is really all that matters." I didn't need Brokk's permission to keep Casimir as my own.
It was somehow freeing to proclaim it aloud, like a piece of my life’s puzzle was firmly in place. I also needed to clearly send a message to my visitor.
“I’m going to assume you claimed to be my betrothed because you felt it was necessary.”
Nik nodded slowly, the honey glow of his beast's eyes rising to just below the surface, observant as ever. The coloring marked him as feline, though not many knew exactly what kind.
Nik didn’t shift often, but his inner animal was always on guard. It scanned me over before finally settling on the demon I’d just very clearly claimed.
“So,” he appraised, “you’re the one who’s taken my place.”
Casimir held very still. A hot blast of emotion shot across our bond. “The place was never yours. It was always mine.”
Nik held up his hands in a placating gesture. "As a shifter, I know not to fight you on that point. Nothing comes between twin souls. I won't be a problem unless I find you unworthy of her."
I felt Casimir tense beside me.
“That's not for you to determine, Nik," I stated firmly. "I care nothing of anyone else’s opinion. My life is my own. If you interfere in any way, you won’t like my reaction. My bond is not up for discussion with you.”
Nik’s eyes flickered between us, his expression a mixture of hurt and resignation. I hadn't chosen him. Wounds like that were never easy to repair.
“I’m happy you found someone, Raven," Nik said quietly. "Truly, I am. You deserve to be happy, even if that means it's not with me."
Truth.
Casimir's grip on my hand tightened.
Nik glanced at where our hands were joined. "I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I just needed to see you, to know that you were okay.”
Despite our history, he meant it. He really was an honorable male, even if he had trouble restraining his animal instincts when his emotions were strong. He deserved to find a mate.
Nik held out his hand to Casimir. "My name is Nik. I'm an old friend of Raven's."
My mate's eyes narrowed. "An old friend, huh?”
"It's a more appropriate way to introduce myself," Nik replied. "I'm not looking to disrespect you."
Casimir's expression softened ever so slightly and he took the offered hand. "Casimir."
"Cousin to Lord Draven. You're famous in Terek."
"You probably meant to sayinfamous,” Lyric threw out.
Nik’s lips twitched. "Both, I believe."
"Not to interrupt," Draven cut in, “but I’d like you to finish what you were telling me about the two Shadows I sent to Terek.”
Nik's expression altered. "Of course, Lord Draven.”
As we settled down onto the nearby furniture, the Shadow Lord didn’t tell Nik to address him informally, which I suspected was more for his cousin’s benefit than his own.
“As I was saying, I haven’t been anywhere near Grifton’s Bluff. If that was their destination, I wouldn’t have come across them. I’ve been out of Terek for weeks.”
Draven and Casimir shared a look.
Lines formed between Lyrics eyes, her lips pursed. “I bet they’re incognito. They both have limited Sight and could have been clued-in to something. Plus, Talia is as much a badass as she is intelligent.”
