Wolf’s Cub

Chapter 20

Part 1

The dream was so clear until Colin walked right past her without noticing her greeting, that Melli did not even realize she was dreaming. She was in a room with Colin but he did not see her – which was not all that unusual when he was engrossed in his work with a scroll – so engrossed that he was not paying attention to the twins, whom she now noticed were in the room also, but very small, less than two as far as she could tell. Melli had never been around babies much and the twins looked small to her eyes, though very sweet, alike as they were. She could tell that the small children, hardly more than babies, were Rafe and Nic – and she was fascinated by this view, never having seen them as small as this, though she could recall other dreams where they had been toddlers. There was another cradle in the round room; she assumed her baby self rested inside it  and wanted to go look but did not want to disrupt the dream.

The twins must have been sleeping but that was no longer the case.  They were busily taking off their sleep gowns and were exploring their round little bodies; she was as entranced as they were by their rosy round faces, with their identical dimples, black curly hair and bright green eyes. She felt sure that the most mischievous one who kept putting his twin’s foot in his mouth was Nic, while the sweet baby who tried to put the gown back on his brother was undoubtedly her good Rafe – always better behaved, even in the cradle. She wanted to giggle at his chagrin when the naughty twin threw the gowns over the side onto the floor.  But, as was also very like Rafe, having been defeated by the incorrigible Nic, he was joining in whole-heartedly with the play, and was soon comparing members and toes eagerly.

Their giggling soon grew in volume to the point where even Colin’s concentration was disturbed, but not before Adam and Michael entered the nursery. Adam was greatly amused to see their friend’s distraction, and the children’s way of entertaining themselves, while Michael was most pleased by his brother’s pleasure. He was familiar enough with the twins’ way of creating havoc to be less amused by it, though a smile tugged at his lips also when he saw Colin’s expression of dismay at the identical twin nudists.

Adam’s peal of laughter drew Colin’s attention to the doorway. Melli felt sorry for him, seeing how the young Colin looked especially intimidated by Adam, despite the obvious kindness in the King’s  eyes. So this was Michael’s brother, she thought, looking at him closely and trying to “read” his character from this view of the man long gone. What kind of ruler had he been, what kind of brother, uncle? His cheerful words matched the reputation that had lived through the years of a kind-hearted person who always looked for the bright side of every situation.

“Do not look so fearful, young Colin!  Boys will be boys when it comes to seeking out mischief and these two manage to double the finding of it, do they not?”

Seeing that Adam’s words of reassurance were not helping, Michael walked over to his friend while Adam went to the boys.  Melli moved closer to the two men she knew so well to hear what they had to say.

“What is it, Colin? You look more worried than two naked toddlers would merit.”

Colin whispered back, “I cannot tell them apart, Michael! Tell me that you can, or I am fearful that I have confused the heir with his brother! We are always so careful to dress them differently....”

Michael grinned. “And that is so the Queen is not corrected by her bright little sons, or your even brighter Mellisande, who can tell them apart already. But do not fear, I cannot always tell and they are so naughty, they cannot be counted on not to try to trick us, but we do not have to rely on their clothes. I cannot believe you never noticed.”  To Colin’s shock, Michael called over to Adam, whose royal dignity did not prevent him from sitting on the floor and tickling the bare bellies of the nephews he had lifted free of their confining bed.

“Adam, show Colin which twin is your heir please, he is having a little trouble telling a king’s heir from a king’s heir’s heir when they are buck naked.”

Adam’s big laugh sounded. Melli had always heard that when Adam laughed, you just had to join him and she found it was true.  Even though her own more somber personality found this predicament as serious as she knew Colin was finding it, she couldn’t help chuckling along with the big handsome man who looked so much like her present day Rafe – though much taller and a bit broader.  She certainly was as shocked as Colin when Adam lifted one small foot and revealed the small but deep scar between the largest of what was still a very small toe and the one next to it.

“Behold, the King – well, the someday King.” After revealing the marred foot, Adam picked Dominic up higher and kissed the small foot.

“Dear goddess, however did the child hurt himself?” Colin looked at Michael, whose expression was impossible to read.

“Oh, the babe did not do this to himself,” Adam said casually. “Suzanne’s mother had it done to ensure that the first born would be known. Michael was quite furious at the time...careless guard of hers almost severed the little guy’s toe.”

Melli now understood the reason for Michael’s expression. But something was nagging at her. This vision was troubling for the view it gave of Rafael’s mother’s people – imagine, cutting a newborn’s foot, scarring him on purpose like that – but there was something else.

Then it came to her.

Rafe, her beloved Rafe, had a scar on his foot, between his large toe and the second toe. On his left foot, just as the small baby now squirming to be put down did. The one they were calling Dominic in this vision.

Dear goddess...could it be?

***************

Following the Council in the Woods, as it became known thanks to the bards’ efforts, events moved quickly. The wounded were moved to the former Palace, more recent Council House, which was now known as the Memorial House, while work began on the new Palace. Over the objections of Colin and Ran, but with the support of Beren and Lycan, as well as Michael’s unspoken but subtle approval, the coronation was delayed by the new King. Nic sought out his twin when he sensed that the reasons he gave the others were not enough for the brother who once would not have needed his reasons to be explained – he would have known Nic’s heart as well as his own.

Nic found Rafe by the construction, which was well underway. He cloaked his thoughts so that his approach came as a total surprise to his brother, who did not sense his presence until he spoke.

“With Metamorph strength combined with Telepath skill, along with the artistry of the human artisans, all three peoples working together in harmony, the new palace will be finished soon – and it will be a home the goddess will bless. Do you not agree, brother?”

Rafe started in surprise, but recovered quickly. Nic was picking up some of their father’s tricks – sneaking up on a person was one of the less pleasant ones in his view. He frowned – this was his brother, his twin, who had always been mischievous. That trait was not new. It was his own irritability that was different.

“You are angered by the delay,” Nic said softly. “Can we talk about it? In private? I have a pack with a fine lunch all ready, if you can be spared from your work supervising the building, that is.”

Rafe glanced at the workers – they were an industrious group and did not need his supervision – it just made him feel important to stand watch over them. He was not needed in the healing rooms at present. Melli and Colin had that well in hand, and Michael, Lycan and Ran were busy, along with the other Metamorph leaders, with planning forays into the other cities to see whether the Authority had withdrawn completely from the First Kingdom, and if so, then they would check to see if the Second Kingdom was similarly clear of their taint. Michael doubted that the Hooded Men would have given up so easily, and even if they were gone from these lands, they were sure to be regrouping in the Third Kingdom, where their power had first grown.

This made it all the more imperative, in Rafe’s view, for Nic to claim his crown formally, for him to be able to marry Mellisande and for them to build on the success they had achieved in Candone.

Not that Nic had consulted him.

“I am consulting you now,” Nic said, his voice almost a whisper. “Please join me, Rafe. It has been too long since it has been just the two of us.”

Rafe looked at him oddly.  Nic was able to read his thoughts without him knowing it now?  Or was that really not so new; it was just that he was forgetting that it was once the norm to share every thought with his twin as naturally as it was to take the next breath. He tried to start over.

“It has not been my desire that we be less...close. I have...missed you. But you are often with Lycan and his pack.” Rafe tried to hide the hurt he felt but for once, the prized Emory control seemed to desert him. Nic hugged him close, oblivious to the nearby workers. Rafe could not be as uncaring of appearances.

Nic! You should be more conscious of your status! Kings should not....

“Hug their beloved twins? I disagree,” Nic said gently, still choosing to speak aloud, but at least he went on to explain, sensing his twin’s surprise at his choice. “I think that our conversations are actually more private spoken quietly than telepathically out here, with the noise of the construction, when there are so many telepaths around, known and unknown. Not that I am any more ashamed of admitting to loving my twin than I am at being seen hugging him. Still, I was struck by that part of your report of your captivity in the Tower, where you and Melli realized that the thick walls provided a better measure of security against eavesdroppers than your telepathic speech where telepaths of unknown strength lurked nearby and you could not be sure that your mental messages were as secure.”

Before Rafe could respond, Nic added, “Not that I don’t enjoy having you back in my head – I missed that so much when you were gone – your constant mental nagging is a cherished part of my mental music.” Nic dropped his arm around Rafe’s shoulder as he finished on that teasing note and pulled his brother away from the workers. Smiling ruefully, Rafe allowed it, though not without a token protest.

“I nag because you need it. And one of us should keep his mind on his duties, and mine include to help with the work as well as nagging you about yours – but lunch with you as well as private time is too strong an incentive to shirk mine. But just for one hour. Where would you like to go?”

“Thank you,” Nic said solemnly, forbearing to point out that Rafe usually met with Melli for a long lunch – a fact he knew due to the teasing suggestions Lycan’s Pack made about moving the wedding up before any Emory heirs showed up ahead of the bonding. Nic knew the truth was far from what the lusty Metamorphs were imagining – Rafe had incredible self-control and while he and Melli were spending a great deal of time together, Rafe was honoring her chastity, much to their mutual frustration. Since his twin could not take his increasing discomfort out on his intended bride, he was taking it out on the next best target – his brother, whom he saw as the cause of his delayed happiness.

Nic sighed. He hoped this conversation, which Colin had recommended, went well, or he was going to have to allow the wedding to take place that night, visions or no visions. He loved his brother too much to continue like this, barely speaking!

“Would the hillside overlooking the dock be good for you? I know a spot that is private and yet affords a good view of the construction area and the sea – I like to go there to think,” Nic told him.

Rafe was surprised. He had not known that, and he was struck once again by how much had changed in such a short time. He used to know all of Nic’s “thinking places.” He felt a pang – did Lycan know them now, and did he know how much Nic needed alone time? Or was he welcome to share them?

“Lycan does not come with me all of time, not any more often than you did,” Nic answered, again knowing his twin’s thoughts without them being shared telepathically or aloud.  He flashed his dimpled grin at his brother. “Though he gets more annoyed when I disappear on him. It took him a while to accept that sometimes I just need some time alone to think. He is not my twin, and  even the best of mates as Lycan is, he is not the same as my brother. You will find, I think, that even with a mate who has known you almost your whole life, which Lycan has not the advantage that Melli has, that there will still be...adjustments. A mate is a wonderful thing to have but you need to hold onto yourself.”

Rafe was surprised by this advice. It kept him silent for several minutes while he considered it. He did not speak until they had reached the spot Nic had selected for their lunch. He accepted some bread and meat from the bag Nic had carried and they were both stretched out on the soft grass before he responded.

“I thought that Lycan fulfilled all your needs for companionship, that you no longer needed anyone but him...which is fine,” he rushed to add. “I expect that once Melli and I wed, it will be much the same for us, but I confess, I have missed you and I welcome this time with you, as long as you are not unhappy in your mating. Lycan is good to you, anyone can see that. You are happy, Nic, are you not?”  Rafe looked closely at his twin, part of him marveling at this new grown-up version of the brother he and Melli had always thought of as being so much more immature, despite being technically the eldest

“More happy than I ever imagined,” Nic assured him. “I have studied Lycan’s Pack so that I can be closer to him, but the conclusion I’ve reached is that the Pack is really not so different from how we lived on our island. We were much more similar to a Pack than to a true Royal family as Colin has described them, and I am becoming more sure that I want to continue as we have been.”

“What do you mean?” Rafe asked, concerned. “Surely you do not intend that we all live like the Metamorphs rather than have a Court!” Rafe’s voice rose as he began to envision asking his bride to sleep outside in the woods.

“Don’t worry,” Nic smiled. “I fully intend that we have a palace – and Melli is a Queen in her own right, she will have whatever kind of Court she wishes to have, though I trust that she will listen to her wise Protector.”

Rafe noted that Nic was now using the new term in place of the Assassin title – and had to admit, he liked it, though he normally preferred tradition. “So what are you proposing to do differently from what was done before?”

“I will not be a King who sits on his throne and issues edicts from on high, I can tell you that,” Nic told him earnestly. “Michael is our Alpha, and I do not see that changing any time soon, for all that I am King. I recognize when and where it is suitable for me to make the choices, but I can only do so with the counsel of wiser leaders, and those include first and foremost Michael and Colin, and include Ran, Beren, Lycan, and you, my wiser, cooler headed brother. But with so many, there must be one who has the deciding vote, but one who does so after hearing the counsel of the many, and may the goddess guide me, that is my duty and my burden.”

“So how then is Father the Alpha?” Rafe was pleased to learn that he was included among the leaders, but was genuinely confused to know how this hierarchy worked – since it seemed to have two heads. At the last count.

“Michael will ensure that the choice I make is followed,” Nic said in his simple way before taking a large bite of meat pie. Rafe rolled his eyes – trust Nic to make the most complex political intrigue seem as simple as sharing marbles.

“Doesn’t that make him your Beta?”

Nic gave his brother an incredulous look and Rafe laughed. “You’re right – Michael as beta is a ridiculous idea.” Nic grinned. “We all dance to the Dance Master’s tune. Or would it be, we play the tune for his dance? I am sure that Melli could improve upon that metaphor. Michael still has not explained his power to us, do you think he has told Colin more?”

Rafe shook his head. “Melli says no. Colin has only the vaguest idea of the significance of the Dance Master. You’ve learned more from Lycan, I think, and Bran has told me some as well. It is strange how much lore the Metamorphs know simply by repeating it around the campfire, while we Telepaths have so much written knowledge carefully saved by the druids and bards and still our information has so many gaps. The lore of the Dance Master seems to fall into one of those gaps. But you have drawn me into one of your diversions – we were discussing the changes you have planned for the Royal Court.” Rafe punched his twin’s arm.

Nic smiled and looked out over the water. “No deliberate diversion, merely my usual wandering mind. I would like for us to have chambers close to each other, even after your wedding, as opposed to you and Melli living in a separate wing, or worse, a separate court! But that is something for you to decide, I am only saying that I hope you will make your home in this new palace, at least part of the year, even after we restore the Third Kingdom to Mellisande. And I hope that I am welcome in her Court. I would want to be close to my nephews and nieces, after all.”

Rafe’s heart warmed. He reached over and hugged his brother. “I would like that also.”

Their grandfather and his brothers had not been close. The same had been true for the next generation. Michael had been sent away, and his two elder brothers were not permitted to live in the same palace most of their lives, although Adam and Michael were close. Rivalries were often encouraged – except between King and Assassin, with the Assassin often skipped over as heir so that he would not be tempted to be lax in his duty so as to benefit from his own failure.  Colin described a similar experience. Rafe knew he did not want that for his children nor for their cousins should Nic have children – he did not want that for himself and Nic. Nic continued to speak in his dreamy voice.

“We Royals were weakened by how we mistrusted our own families! And Royals built no alliances with those with whom we shared common interests, the humans in our cities to whom we gave protection and the Metamorphs with whom we traded. We hid our magic and fostered mistrust. I want us to deal with problems openly when they occur, not let them fester as it seems was the norm for royal courts.”

Rafe laughed again. “Perhaps we should fight things out, like a wolf pack?”

Nic tossed a sweetcake at him. “Don’t sound so superior, as though we didn’t do much the same many a time on the island! We may have been boys then but a good tussle in the sand always cleared the air, didn’t it?” Nic looked wistful. “I think we wouldn’t have gone these last few weeks without really talking if you had just tackled me when you were first feeling angry at me.”

Rafe flushed. He started to deny being angry but found that he could not when his brother’s lavender eyes fixed on his steadily.

“I do not understand why you have delayed your coronation, which has delayed my wedding. When it was time for you to mate with Lycan....”

“It happened before I had time to turn around...or have a ceremony with flowers or friends present, or even my brother to stand by my side,” Nic answered softly. “I had the moon and the ocean’s waves lapping softly at the sand, and the mate destiny had chosen for me, but would I have liked to have had a wedding party such as the three of us talked about when we were younger? You know me best, brother, what do you think? And then tell me, why do you think I delayed your wedding and did not want you saying your vows over a blood filled field?”

The intensity in Nic’s voice shook Rafe, and his brother’s emotions flowed over him like the waves he described. He was not empathic at all, but for a few moments, Nic enabled him to feel what it had been like for his romantic twin to give up those dreams of toasts, fellowship and dancing in exchange for a quick night of love and then a sudden separation from all he held dear and familiar to travel into the unknown with a mate he barely knew – and who barely knew him. Rafe had never fully appreciated how much courage it had taken for Nic to leave the island with Lycan – and how much Michael and Colin had demanded of him.

Nic wasn’t done with him quite yet. He next sent him images of what his coronation and Rafe and Melli’s wedding would have been like had it taken place right after the move from the woods. Colin would have been called away by the more pressing needs of the injured as soon as the actual vows were spoken so Michael would have had to fill in to say the concluding prayers – a very distressing substitute for both Melli and Michael! Their friends would have been exhausted by the task of moving to the Council House. He saw Melli crying because Magda was not present to stand up for her and Cena and Cera still crying non-stop over Elkind.  Fen suffered a relapse due to the overload of emotions, which necessitated Michael leaving as soon as the prayers were spoken to care for him in solitude. And the actual crowning of Nic was a matter of mere moments, much like his vows to Lycan had been – his brother once more cheated of a celebration.

“You made the right decision,” Rafe muttered, “so stop these images...please.”

“No, I should have talked to you about it,” Nic said. “That would have been the completely right decision. But in truth, this was one of those times when I knew without a doubt that I was right but I had trouble convincing Colin that I was – he felt sure that it was more politically wise to have my crown firmly on my head before the Authority took any new action, and also that your heir, and also, my heir’s heir, be conceived as soon as possible. I...did not agree.”

Rafe frowned. “Do you see something else in our future, Nic?”

“I see a happy wedding day for you, brother. Will it be enough to make you forgive me for your frustrated nights now or will we have to have that wrestling match after all?” Nic grinned.

Rafe smiled; it was impossible to resist Nic in a cheerful mood. “I should have come to you and demanded an explanation – or trusted that you had a good one. Or at least one you saw as good. I am sorry for not doing that. I have been so cautious of treading where I am not wanted between you and Lycan that I have neglected you – and I will not let that happen again. Lycan will be complaining about how much I am around, I promise.”

“I doubt that. He is a most easy-going creature and he likes you. You would know if he did not. Do you want that last cake?”

***************

The rest of their family had been brought to the Mainland as soon as Michael had deemed it safe and the two girls had greeted each other with joyful hugs...and tears. Magda felt the loss of Keir as soon as she stepped foot on shore, and she swept the injured Donal into her motherly embrace as soon as she could reach him.

Nic was on the shore to greet her and claimed his own hug and kiss, as did Rafe, and if it was the wrong brother who held her tightest, Magda never showed any sign. She was too glad to see both of them safe and well, especially after all that both of them had been through. The two dozen children she’d had in her care she returned to Colin and Michael with a relieved heart and a smile – and the assurance that she was in no hurry to repeat the experience. She would much rather face an army of angry hellhounds she told them.

Eamon and Donal knew from experience that she would not – but did not tell her as much. They were just so glad to see her. Cena and Cera clung to the “mother” of their group and she comforted them as best she could, allowing them to take her off to a room alone to tell of Elkind and Keir. But she soon returned to Fen’s side, this strange new Fen who was so different from the one who had left. Colin had worried that Magda and Leife would clash but to everyone’s surprise, the two strong-willed women got along wonderfully.

Melli shared a room with Magda in the part of the new palace that was completed first. Magda was to be her maid of honor when she bonded with Rafe, but when she awoke from her vision, she knew she could not go to Magda with the news she’d just learned about Rafe and Nic as babies. It was far too critical to the destiny of the First and Second Kingdom, she told herself. Who to tell first, Melli wondered when she woke from the vivid images that had come to her in her sleep. She normally went to Colin with her visions, except when they were very critical to the safety of the Kingdoms or their survival, then she was taught to go to Michael first. Surely this qualified, but she felt that she should make sure of her recollection of the scar before going to Michael with her discovery. 

It was the middle of the night but she decided she had to go to her betrothed and verify what she was sure in her heart was true...and then she would have to go to Michael and Colin – both at once. 

Making sure that she did not wake Magda, Melli grabbed her robe and crept silently out of their room, which was close to Colin and Michael’s. She was surprised to find Jax in the hallway outside her chamber.

“What are you doing here?” She looked at the large Metamorph suspiciously and drew the edges of her robe closer together. Jax refrained from rolling his eyes. Although he did not appreciate the slur to his honor, he understood from Nic that the Queen did not understand Metamorphs well. She did not mean the insults she was forever giving unwittingly. In truth, did she but know it, the other female in the room, Magda, was much more to Metamorph taste, Jax thought, amused. And she was friendlier. Lycan had instructed his men that all Telepaths were off limits, however, so he did nothing more than smile at Magda when he saw her in the halls. Lycan’s word was law. He bowed very slightly to the King’s sister now. Metamorphs did not like bowing to anyone, but he was easygoing and he knew she liked the gesture.

“I am assigned to guard your room,” he explained. He was surprised that she had not known that fact but perhaps she had been told and forgot it? He and Kaden had been taking turns outside her bedchamber for weeks, ever since they had been able to move into this section of the new palace and were waiting for the bonding.

Melli was furious that she had not known. Was this Nic’s doing or Michael’s, she wondered. She waved her hand at the man.

“You can leave; I have not agreed to a guard.” She paused – the man was just doing his job – so manners demanded some acknowledgment of his service. “I thank you for providing guard service, which would have been good, had it been needed.” His amused look made her feel foolish; his answer did not make her feel any better, despite his polite tone.

Jax smiled as he looked down from his great height. “You are welcome but I am sorry. My Leader gave me the order to guard you and your sister –  only he can relieve me of the order...uh, M’Lady.”

Metamorphs did not use titles other than Leader, Alpha or Beta being understood. But he thought using one now might pacify this one, who was known to have a temper. From the light of battle in those blue eyes, he didn’t think he had succeeded. He wished he had Nic’s trick of calling Lycan with a thought – he’d like to call him right now!

“Go!” Melli whispered, the command being no less fierce for all that she kept her voice low. Had he known it, Jax might have braced himself against what was also telepathic order being directed against him, but being a Metamorph, what would have been an irresistible compulsion had Jax been human felt merely like a slight whim. Like a sudden thirst for ale.

Easily quashed in the face of duty.

“Sorry, can’t,” he told her, grinning wolfishly.

Turning away from him, Melli clenched her fists. She was tempted to send a psychic blast at the infuriating creature, but decided he was not worth it. Mustering her dignity, she hissed at him urgently, “I am going into my intended... mate’s... room for just a moment...to check on something. Please give me privacy.”

The knowing look on the Metamorph’s face made Melli blush bright red. She almost forgot the urgency of her discovery...almost. Forcibly pushing all thoughts of what that creature was thinking of her from her mind, she walked silently and swiftly down the hall, past Colin and Michael’s room, to where Rafe’s room was. As she opened Rafe’s door, she hesitated. She felt as though she really were sneaking into his room for an assignation! What would Rafe think if he were to see her? She hadn’t thought her face could grow any hotter but she was wrong.

Walking silently into Rafe’s room, happy that the Metamorph had the sense to stay outside, Melli was even more embarrassed when she realized that her beloved did not wear any clothes when he slept. Then she was entranced. There had been many times when she had seen Rafael and Dominic swimming on the island, wearing nothing more than their braes, but it had been some time since those carefree days. Somewhere along the way, her love’s body had changed from a boy’s to a man’s – and he was even more beautiful. She lost track of time as she gazed upon his muscular back, the swell of his buttocks, his long, lean legs, his shapely feet....

His feet.

Moving closer, Melli forced herself to stare at the bottom of his left foot. Yes, there it was, just barely visible, but clearly there, the white scar between his large toe and the one next to it. The scar was thinner now but it was clearly the remnant of a serious cut received when he was still quite young.

Rafael was the older twin! Which meant that he was the true King!

Gasping, her hand to her mouth, Melli started to back away. Rafe, who had sensed her presence the moment she’d entered the room but had not known the reason for her doing so, had lain still, waiting for her to make herself known to him. At her gasp, he twisted around.

“Melli? What is it?”

She shook her head at him, tears filling her eyes. I must speak with Colin, is all she told him before rushing from the room. Rafe looked down at his nude form and tried to figure out what had upset her so. He would have sworn she had been pleased by the sight of him. In fact, he had grown aroused knowing that she stood for so long staring at him. Should he go after her or was this a natural exhibition of maidenly shyness? He flopped back on his pillows and tried to decide what to do.

Nic, are you awake?

***************

With the bewildered Jax watching, Melli ran from Rafe’s room to Colin and Michael’s. Without pausing to knock, she opened the door of their bedchamber and rushed in, closing the door behind her.

“Well, that should be an eye-opener for the little miss,” Jax said under his breath. His keen Metamorph hearing had made it impossible for him to close out completely the activities of the two men on the other side of that thick door – and pleasant activities they were! The King’s sire was an energetic lover, to be sure, and listening to him each night, he and Kaden had agreed, made this duty a bit...frustrating. 

A nude Michael was astride Colin, but the sound of his bedchamber door slamming open sent him rolling off to the side and onto the floor, where he assumed a defensive position, ready to protect his mate. He instinctively sent a psychic block against the intruder. Only his excellent reflexes saved Melli from a painful blow; he recognized his foster daughter before her body slammed against the stone wall of the bedchamber and he was able to cushion her body as it hit the wall. Michael then used telekinesis to lower her to the floor but if his usual finesse was missing, no one could blame him, Colin thought. He had found himself unable to do anything but stare at Melli in shock, failing to even cover himself until Michael reminded him.

Stalking over to the chair where their robes had been discarded earlier, Michael donned his and then tossed its twin over to the dumbfounded druid.

“You had better put this on before you get up,” Michael snapped. “Your daughter looks shocked to have found two naked men in their bed chamber – did you not teach her what bonded couples do when they adjourn to their bed for the evening? If not, I fear my son is in for a disappointing wedding night.”

Colin might have chastised Michael for referring to Melli as only Colin’s daughter and Rafe as his son except that it was a time-honored joke between them whenever one of the children misbehaved – usually it was Nic – but that child became Colin’s at such a time. A good child became Michael’s. It was actually an attempt at humor on Michael’s part, but Melli did not know their private joke and the bright red drained from her face. Colin sighed.

“He is not disowning you, child. Much as it may not seem so, Michael is trying to make a joke. But come now, what is so urgent you needed to make such a rude entry – I do not sense danger and if there were some risk you would have summoned Rafe and Nic and they are both...” Colin paused to locate the twins psychically, then looked at Michael. “Rafe has gone to Nic’s room. If it is any comfort, I am sensing an annoyed Lycan.”

Michael sat down on the bed, assuming his usual cross-legged position.

You might wish to pull that robe down or she will be too embarrassed to tell us what sent her in here so precipitously – your...fine parts are not quite covered, love.

Grumbling telepathically about it being his bed chamber and he should be able to sit any way he wished, Michael conjured a pair of breeches. It was quite a trick, Colin thought admiringly, to conjure them already on. A robe was one thing but breeches....

Melli’s huff of exasperation drew his attention back from his mate’s talents...and other attributes.

“I am sorry for...interrupting your...activities,” her choice of words made Michael laugh.

Perhaps I should offer to remove the image from her mind for her? She must have gotten quite an eyeful before...

Before you slammed her into the wall? Undoubtedly. Colin’s tone was dry. I have no idea where her prudishness comes from but I do not think we need go to such lengths to aid it.  On the contrary, I will speak with her – after we find out what is troubling her so much that she felt she had to see us at once.

Rafael will have his hands full, was Michael’s laughing verdict.

Michael’s obvious amusement gave Melli some of her nerve back. She tipped her chin up, the familiar gesture softening Michael’s heart. A chair slid across the room to nudge gently at the back of her knees.

“Sit down, it is late and you must be tired,” he invited, his tone kind.

Melli looked as though she would refuse but Colin’s gentle but firm voice in her mind left no room for argument. Do as he asks, Mellisande. You must have an explanation for this intrusion. Let us hear it with no further delay.

This was not how she imagined presenting her vision – like a child who had misbehaved. Melli clenched her hands. She was a Seeress, and a Queen, and yet she was continually being treated like a child, despite being only a year younger than the twins! It was not fair!

She looked at Michael. “You have told me to come to you at once when I have a vision that is significant to our cause and Kingdoms.”

Michael raised one eyebrow. “Forgive me – you are correct. I had gone so many years without a partner that privacy was never an issue before. Let me amend my prior instruction. If life or death is not an imminent concern, would you in the future knock and give me a chance to put on clothes?”

The color was back in Melli’s cheeks. “I apologize,” she said stiffly. “I was upset by what I saw in my vision and it made me not think of your privacy.”

“Tell us,” Michael instructed, all humor gone. He leaned forward. Colin had risen and was sitting on a second chair, close to Melli. He took her hand to give her support. She quickly told them her vision, describing it in detail as she had been taught.

When she finished, there was complete silence. She waited for a reaction...any reaction..but both men were expressionless. Looking more closely, she saw that they were not really expressionless – they were just working very hard at suppressing their expressions – of amusement!

“How can this be?” she asked, looking at the two of them as though they were drunk, or bewitched. She jumped to her feet. “How could you possibly find this funny? Do you not care that the wrong twin has been considered the King all these years?”

“Well, that is a worry,” a solemn voice from the doorway commented. “But for the stability of the kingdom, perhaps you should keep your voice down, sister dear, while we get this worked out. And really, Michael and Colin, it is not at all amusing. Melli is very distressed. She saw her future husband naked you know. Perhaps she wishes to cancel the wedding?”

Nic came in, closing the door behind him. Melli did not know what to say. She looked to Colin for guidance but he was still composing himself. She was beginning to wonder if she were still asleep.

“Where is Rafe?” she asked Nic. She reached out for her beloved’s mind; he was fine but not talking to her! She raised stricken eyes to Nic, who was jumping up onto his father’s bed and assuming his own cross-legged pose. Colin was glad to see that Nic had at least put on braes beneath his short robe.

Nic politely inquired, “Melli, dearest sister, may I ask why you looked at Rafe’s naked body and then became distraught? He is quite troubled by your...distress. I have my own thoughts as to the possible cause but I promised him I would inquire as to what bothered you before reaching my own conclusion.”

Nic was doing an admirable job of keeping his amusement tamped down, Colin thought, much better than he and Michael were, but Melli knew him well and could sense the laughter bubbling beneath his seemingly serious demeanor. She pursed her lips and looked stubbornly at him. He sighed. Looking at the two older men, he said, “From what Jax told me outside, you two have already done your bit to make Melli more comfortable with the male form, and the goddess knows that Lycan has done his part. Do you suppose it might help if I were to show Melli my....”

Nic paused dramatically, and then lifted up his leg before proclaiming, “...foot?”

That caused Michael to collapse onto the bed laughing. Colin, seeing that Melli was really very upset, walked over to the grinning King and took a firm hold of his royal foot.

“Melli, please look. As you will see, Dominic does have the mark you saw in your vision. He was, is, and goddess willing, will continue to be the eldest son of Michael and Suzanne, and true King of the First Kingdom, unless your glare slays him in my bed, which it gives every indication of doing. Correct me if I am misunderstanding your concern, but this is good news, is it not?”

It is unless she had gotten her hopes up that she was going to be marrying a King, Michael’s thought was carefully directed to Colin only. All humor had left him. The situation was no longer an amusing reminder of the twins’ mischievous nature – and also of the devotion that made a four year old Rafael cut his own foot when he discovered it was the one place where he did not match his twin perfectly.

Odd that Melli had never noticed that both boys bore scars on their left foot and that this vision should come to her now, Michael thought.

Aloud, Michael said, “I believe it is time for Rafael to join us. Colin, would you pour me some wine please?” His displeasure was obvious despite his innocuous words.

Nic looked at his father’s stern expression and sent some much needed calm into the room. Michael looked at him ruefully. “Turning my own tricks back at me, are you?”

“You trained me well,” Nic told him. To Melli, who was quiet, he said coaxingly, “Come, Melli, do you not want to know more? Am I right? Did you see the ‘kingmark’ on Rafe’s foot after all this time and it distracted you from your ardent intentions?”

That got a reaction out of her.

“I did not go into Rafe’s room out of ‘ardent intentions’ and you know it,” she exclaimed.

“Well, I do not know whether I am relieved to hear that or discouraged.” The depressed look on Rafe’s face left no doubt as to his reaction, as he and Lycan entered the room. Lycan had his arm around his bondbrother’s shoulders and Rafe seemed to welcome it. Colin suspected they had gotten a head start on the wine.

“Please, sit,” Michael said, “though I suppose it would be too much to ask you not to sit on my bed?” Lycan grinned and morphed into his wolf form before jumping onto the bed and curling up next to Nic, who laughed delightedly.

“Nic! I forbid your mate to shed on my bed!” Michael commanded, though the twinkle was back in his eyes. Colin had to give Lycan credit for knowing how to relieve tension. Even Rafe, who had looked most discouraged when he came into the room was grinning at the sight of Michael lifting Lycan from the bed with his telekinesis. The large wolf floating above the bed was a funny sight, especially as Lycan struggled to gain purchase against the air.

“He can still shed,” Nic pointed out practically. “The more he struggles, the more he tends to do so, in fact.”

“He’s right,” Colin said, “look how that hair is just raining down. Set him down before Nic’s mate is bald.”

The men were all laughing but Melli was not amused. She got up to leave. Nic stopped her with a thought, If you walk away now, you will be making a grave error. You have deeply hurt my brother’s feelings. You brought the whole family into this by making your supposed discovery of mistaken identify a crisis, you must now see it through.

Melli was not sure how Nic knew so much, perhaps Michael told him, perhaps Nic had been able to read their thoughts – she knew she had not been guarding hers very well – but the fact that Rafe was so closely guarding his thoughts from her told her he was right. Rafe never shut her out like this except when he was very hurt. Unlike Nic, Rafe was not easily upset but when he was, he did not get over it easily.

The trouble was, she was the same way. She spoke stiffly, looking at Nic since he seemed to be the only one paying attention to her.

“I am sorry I misjudged the situation. Of course I am happy that there has been no error in your identities but I had a vision of a scene from the past that showed me the mark on your foot, Dominic, with your Uncle Adam explaining its significance. Since I only recalled Rafe having such a mark, I naturally reached a mistaken conclusion, which I thought the rest of you would find important. I also erred in thinking it was worth bringing to Michael and Colin’s attention....” Her voice trailed off as she realized that it really did not seem like such a crisis when viewed in hindsight.

Lycan, who had changed back to a man, asked, “What is the significance?” at the same moment that Rafe asked, “What did you think would be the result even if your vision did mean that I was the elder? That I would instantly depose my brother?”

Melli was not sure how to answer Rafe. She had thought that if Rafe were the “true” King then he should be recognized as such but she now saw that no one else seemed to agree – so she answered Lycan instead.

“The Queen of the Second Kingdom, mother to the twins’ mother, had her daughter’s firstborn son marked with a cut on his foot so that he could be distinguished from his brother,” she explained in her scholar’s voice. Lycan picked up Nic’s foot and examined it closely. He then grabbed Rafe’s. He looked angrily at Michael.

“The cut that made Nic’s mark was far deeper – though the result on their adult forms is similar in appearance. What kind of people make such a mark on a cub? Can they not tell one from the other without causing pain? You allowed this?”

Michael did not flinch before the angry accusation but felt again the guilt he had experienced when he came upon his crying infant son. He had been so young then himself, just fifteen, and the adults had insisted it was “the way of their Kingdom” so he had no say in the matter. Not that they told him what they were going to do until it was done. But it had been a deep cut, as Lycan could tell, and they would not let Michael heal it as they wanted it to scar. Michael had held two crying babies, since Rafe was distressed by his twin’s pain. Suzanne claimed to be too bothered by their upset to stay with them, and he had done his best to comfort them. Adam had found the story amusing after the fact, and Michael had pretended it was because he never liked to upset Adam, but at the time it was done, it was not at all amusing. It was barbaric, as the Second Kingdom practices often were.

To Lycan, he said only, “I had no choice. It was done, and he healed.” But Lycan saw the true answer in his face and was satisfied. He grabbed Rafe’s foot in his big hand and shook it.

“Let me guess – the brave little warrior cut his own foot to match his brother. Do you recall what made you do it?”

Rafe pulled his foot away from his large bondbrother with a growl that made Lycan laugh. Colin, deeming it time to enter the discussion, said, “I can answer that, as I posed just that question to a very determined, very bloody little assassin in training when I found him with one of Michael’s knives in his hand and Nic and he arguing over whether he had made a deep enough cut.”

“Hey! In my defense, I only wanted us to match, I did not realize it would hurt him!” Nic protested. He was leaning back against Lycan, appreciating his mate’s warmth. He was watching his brother closely though he did not reveal it. He knew that Rafe and Melli believed that they were destined for each other and any effort on his part to convince his brother otherwise would cause deep damage to his relationship with both.

But he worried for his brother, who was much more tender-hearted than he let on. Nic felt that Rafe needed someone lively, someone who would make him laugh – not someone who was even more somber than he was. He loved Melli dearly, as he loved Rafe, but they both brought out the worst in each other, in his opinion. It was fine when he was around, as he had enough liveliness to balance both of them, but with him gone? It was one of the reasons he wanted to ensure that they stayed close after his brother bonded with Melli – so he could help smooth over the rough patches these two were destined to have. He feared for the times of separation he saw coming. He prayed that the Pack helped his brother in his absence.

Nic sighed and pressed closer to Lycan, who tightened his arms around him, and bent to whisper in his ear. “I hope that sigh does not mean you are tired. We too were interrupted in more pleasurable activities.”

Nic smiled. Never too tired for pleasure with you.

Good.

Colin continued the story for Melli, and Lycan, though he sensed that the Metamorph’s attention had wandered, “Once I learned why Rafe had cut his foot, I promised to ‘heal’ him so that he too would have a scar. Because his scar is partially due to magic, though permanent, Lycan is correct that it was not due to a truly serious injury. I had not considered that before, Lycan, as I would have said that the boys’ marks were pretty much identical. Your resistance to Telepath magic is remarkable.”

Lycan nodded his head in acknowledgment of the intended compliment, though it was really just a fact of his being to his way of thinking.

Michael’s fatherly concern made him raise Rafe’s question again, though he tried to keep his tone neutral. “But the question remains, as Rafe asked, what did you expect us to do, Mellisande, if in fact, somehow, somewhere, some time during their childhood, I was so lacking in knowledge of my own children as to confuse Dominic for Rafael, and vice versa?”

Well, I tried to make my question neutral, Michael told Colin defensively when the latter gave him one of his chiding looks.

Not very successfully, Colin replied, though without heat. He really did not blame Michael or Rafael for being upset. It was to Nic’s credit that he was taking it as well as he was – it was his throne that Melli seemed to covet for her intended husband. Colin made up his mind.

“I believe I must speak to Mellisande alone about this. Please excuse us, but she and I will be continuing this discussion of her vision in my tower room. Come.”

When Colin spoke in that tone, no one argued.

Michael did send him a parting thought, his tone plaintive. Will you be long? We have unfinished business.

It was Colin’s turn to be stern. I do not know, but I suggest you use this time to talk to your sons. Especially Rafael. Perhaps feeling he had been too stern, he added....but do not go to sleep before I return.

Michael sent a frisson of desire with his reply that made Colin resolve to get through his difficult discussion as quickly as he could.

Lycan looked at the Emorys after Colin and Melli had left the room.  There was much too much seriousness, he decided. He nudged his mate. “We have a tradition among the Pack,” he began, swinging his long legs off the bed, and pulling Nic to his feet.

“What is it?” Michael asked, his curiosity piqued – and not unwilling to put off a difficult discussion with his son.

“Better that I show you,” Lycan said, his grin especially wolfish, Rafe thought moodily.

“I think I’ll pass,” he said, and tried to walk around his large bondbrother. He found that a large heavy arm falling over his shoulder was an effective deterrent to movement.

“Ah, but you are a necessary participant in the tradition,” Lycan told him. “We drink to the health of the Pack mate who is getting bonded! Nic and I did not have the chance to receive the Pack’s good wishes but we cannot cheat them of the chance to give them to you! It would be a grave insult!”

“It would?” Rafe looked skeptical.

Lycan nodded his head vigorously.

Michael jumped up. “This sounds like a great idea! We are lucky that Lycan has told us in time to avert our insulting the Pack, Rafe! It would not do for you to seem averse to your bondbrother’s traditions.”

Nic chimed in, “Especially those that involve drinking your health...and Melli’s too, I trust?” He looked at Lycan, his eyes twinkling. He was not disappointed. Lycan nodded.

“The health and beauty of the little bride will be much toasted, and our brother will be the envy of the Pack,” Lycan assured them.

Rafe was not good at reading Lycan at the best of times and he knew he was not at his best just then. He looked at his father. Nic might want to make sport of me but I trust you would not, Father. Is Lycan being serious? Do you really think there is such a tradition?

Michael walked over to his son. I believe this is a light-hearted tradition so that he is not serious – but neither is he making sport of you. Nor is your brother. I sense in both of them a true desire to cheer you and remind you that you are embarking on a new, happy stage of your life with a bride you have chosen for yourself. Do not underestimate the value of that, my son. The island men do something similar, though you and Nic have never taken part. It is a party to celebrate the end of your days as a non-bonded male. On Kelway, the party can be quite...a revelry. I confess I am curious to see how the Metamorphs celebrate this rite of passage. But only if you wish to do so. If not, we will make some excuse to Lycan.

Taking a deep breath, Rafe looked at Nic, and said, “I will go along with this – but if Lycan has mischief in mind – I will hold you responsible!”

Nic laughed and hugged his twin. “Lycan, what have you done to my poor brother! Normally I am the one he suspects of plotting! I am sure we will have a few tankards of mead and sing a song or two and then stumble back to bed.”

Lycan just smiled his reply.  With a twin under each arm and his bondfather following closely, he called cheerfully for Jax to gather the Pack.

“We’re having a Bonding Party!” Jax whooped and ran off to gather the Pack.

“Won’t they mind being woken up?” Rafe asked as they headed toward the outer courtyard. Lycan laughed and shook his head, his long hair falling loose.

“Of course not! It is a full moon! The very best time to howl at it.”

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