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I’d known Brokk had a mate, I hadn’t known they were no longer together. “Hiding? From what?”
“From her mate,” Raven imparted tiredly, dropping back to her seat like she couldn’t stand any longer.
“Hiding is a stretch. I banished her from the Faelands.”
“Why?” several voices asked simultaneously. Purposefully separating from one’s mate, especially once younglings were brought into the world, was unimaginable.
“She did something unforgivable,” Raven answered for Brokk, “and if I ever see her again it will be too soon. I wanted to end her existence but Father thought killing my own mother would scar me for life.”
“And I was right to do so, Raven. But that’s not the point. The point is both you and Casimir had dreams along with some deep-rooted drive pushing you towards this moment, towards each other. The universe is communicating with you and is proving to be right. I know ravens are a sign of doom and gloom, and I’m guessing they have everything to do with warning you of Raven’s life being in danger. The removal of the heart, in my opinion, communicates something else. I can only speak to my own experience, but my dream was a warning. I know it was.”
“A warning that you’d lose your mate or a warning of whatever she did?” Lyric inquired.
Before Brokk could reply, Talia lifted her finger. “If I may be so bold to ask, what exactly did your mate do?”
He didn’t answer.
“They’re your friends,” Raven replied airily to Brokk’s questioning look, a contradiction to the annoyance on her face.
“But the trespass was against you, my daughter. It’s not my tale to tell.”
Raven worried at her bottom lip, presumably thinking it over. “Casimir?”
Gods, the sound of my name on her lips… “Yes?”
“Tell me I can trust everyone in this room.”
That she put her faith in my response, that she sought my assurance over her father’s, meant more than she could possibly know. “You can. I’d stake my life on it. However, we can lower the numbers currently present if it will make you more comfortable.”
Talia, my sister in all things but blood, took the hint. “We understand if you’re not comfortable sharing with all of us. We’re strangers and can be a little overwhelming to those who don’t know us very well. Emile? Phalen? Would you be so kind as to join me in vacating the Council Room once more?”
“Of course,” Emile agreed. “Raven, I know I speak for all of us when I say we are glad you are here, no matter the circumstances.”
Raven’s rigid posture eased slightly. “Thank you.”
“Come on, Kol,” Phalen clapped the lad on the back. “Let’s go play with the gargoyle pups. Unless your father has an objection?”
“I think that would be a good idea. I’ll join you shortly.”
Kree squeezed my hand and a trace of heat rolled through the bond. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Raven was jealous—and I found that I liked it. If she hadn’t muted the link again, she may have very well brought me to my knees. Draven had never mentioned anything of this sort and I’d need to ask him for more information.
“I’ll go with them, unless you’d like me to stay,” Kree offered.
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
“That’s good.”
I stood when she did and she grinned. “I can see myself out, Cas.”
“Right.” Lowering myself, I watched Kree walk away.
“Ugh,” Lyric said as she shifted in her chair, grunting. “Sorry. I can’t seem to stay comfortable these days.”
Draven patted his lap and she rolled her eyes.
“Then I’ll make this fast,” Raven assured.
I addressed her before she could get going. “I’m sure this is a deeply personal family matter. If you’re not ready to share it, Raven, you don’t have to, regardless of what your father believes about omens.”
