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Odessia was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Waterfalls, deep, vivid green foliage, and brightly colored flora. So many species of animal and insect. Spectacular sunsets that painted the skies in dreamy vibrant color. And as much as I did love it here, it wasn’t home. Home was Ordelpho, and in a few months we would be going back, once the Consortium was over and Lucius felt it was time to pass the reins over to a new leader here in this tropical land.
We had been here for several weeks when my estrus made an appearance. By then we had been living in a large home that had been erected only weeks before our arrival. It was airy and roomy, built into the trees, with terraces that looked out onto the wild landscape.
Demos, Lucius, and Fadon each had their own rooms, all of which wrapped around a central space, like a circle. Every night, I’d sleep in one or the other, my mates sharing me. So far it had all worked out. But when that familiar, intense heat came upon me, that central space in the center of our dwelling turned into my personal nest.
The four of us holed ourselves indoors for the duration, my two true Alphas lost to the rut, Demos lost just as much. And me, wanting them with a frenzy, always hungry for them, always waiting for one of them to appear in my nest, their scents all around me, on me, inside me.
For the first time in my life, I had everything I’d ever wanted. So much love, so much hope, and so much to look forward to.
As Demos would say, “By the Wind,” I was one lucky woman.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Demos
The house was quiet, and Demos took advantage of it by reading quietly in his room, on the terrace. The Ongahri, with Sierra included, were all at the outdoor meeting hall with the hundreds of Ongahri that had come for the Consortium, which would take place over four days.
These past few months had been… different for Demos. Lazy nights with Sierra, getting to know Fadon, Lucius. Somehow, he and the two men had bonded as best as they could, being such solitary creatures. But Sierra made it easy, made it necessary, and each of her mates found themselves content.
In a few weeks, they were headed back to Ordelpho, Ander having left in the spring to join Cornelius. Even though Demos had enjoyed the down-time he’d found here, he was looking forward to an occupation, and in Ordelpho, he would have that. He and Lucius had discussed, quite intensely, the relics and old temple of the Delphi, a subject both men shared. Lucius wanted Demos to be in charge of archiving its history, creating a network of scholars, even the possibility of a mission for Servants of the new Order.
Supreme Nevilah had finally retired, only staying on until a new one could take his place. He was still in regular correspondence with both Demos and Queen Alpha Mari, as promised. The new Supreme would be voted in at the end of the month after testing and the usual grilling of a candidate, and a total reworking of the Oath.
Several Servants left. A lot were kicked out and excommunicated. New ones had joined.
So far, the Owl Order was in the midst of groundbreaking changes, forming new—better—alliances with the politicos of Titus, whose landscape now reflected a promising future for its people. So much change had been brought about after winter finally ended.
It was a future Demos was looking forward to seeing play out.
“Knock, knock.”
Demos set the book down and looked over at his brother. Phobius had been busy since spring, hopping to and fro, on errands for Lucius, sometimes gone for weeks at a time.
“Phobius.”
His brother dropped all pretense and looked at Demos solemnly. “Esta would like to speak with us.”
“She’s here?” Demos moved his head, trying to see behind where Phobius stood, the room behind him.
“No, somewhere private. Ready?” He eyed Demos’ book on the table, his tunic and boots. A smile played at his lips, probably thinking how lazy Demos looked, all cozy in a house built for a king.
Demos led the way, taking the long steps down to the main clearing. He could hear the Consortium taking place nearby, chortles and humming of conversation, perhaps a few hoots of laughter that sounded tainted with heavy liquor. He hoped Sierra was being watched.
“Lucius says you all are heading out soon.” Phobius walked beside him, his hands behind his back like Father used to do.
“Yes. Are you not coming with us?”
“Actually, I’m going to be the new Supreme.”
Demos stopped in his tracks and looked at his brother. There, on Phobius’ face, was a mischievous expression, one Demos knew well. “Are you truly?”
“I am. They know me as Servant Thomas.”
Demos laughed and they resumed walking. “Well, congratulations. Clever.”
“I think so. This way we’ll know the Order never again goes off track.”
Nodding, Demos thought about that. But… “What will you do when they see you’re not aging?”
