“Right.”There was a mocking chuckle in her internal voice.“Because Cian’s crush on me would totally keep you from having sex with me. Please! If anything, your inner beast is eager to mark what it thinks is its territory.”
“Because it is,” he nearly replied but bit his tongue. Now wasn’t the time to argue but to focus on getting along. Discovering their truth. Regrettably, that involved Revna and Cian, but there was no hope for it. Nor was there any hope for the jealousy he felt or even the feelings he still had for the seer. No, not the seer, but Raven. It might be known now, but it would still take time to get used to.
And time was something they had very little of by the sounds of it.
“Not the time behind you, though,”Vicar said into his mind, speaking privately.“Once you remember the many moments you’ve already spent with Raven, it will make all the difference. It will make the way far easier.”
He had always been closer to Vicar, so he was glad he was on this journey with them.
“Moments that didn’t dissuade me from being with Revna,”he reminded.“So, how close could we have really grown?”
“Like our kin, you could have grown very close then forgotten it,”he reminded.“Had any of our mates returned to us in the form of a woman already here, we would have done the same. If I were you, I would look closer at that.”
“Agreed,” Raven added aloud. “As much as it sucks, we need to roll back the clock to when you and Revna hooked up, Tor.” Her tone grew dry. “Outside of the obvious, why you were drawn to her. How it all began.”
Though Vicar didn’t say it aloud, Tor sensed how impressed he was that she’d been able to listen in on their private conversation. It was telling of her powers considering Vicar’s own powers now. Nobody, even a potential fated mate, should have been able to overhear them.
Tor led them up another tunnel he had never traveled like he’d done it dozens of times and considered how to go about sharing his time with Revna with Raven. It was damn awkward.
Then again, having an Irish wizard along who was half in love with Raven wasn’t much better.
When he started speaking telepathically, she cut him off.
“I see no reason to keep secrets.” She winked at Cian. “Besides, I’d like my new friend to track our progress, so maybe, just maybe, he’ll share more.”
“Isn’t that a bit uncomfortable for Tor, though?” Trinity wondered, her sweeter side at the forefront. “Maybe he’d like to work things out with you privately first, sis.”
“It’s fine,” he assured. While he didn’t like the idea of having Cian part of every conversation, he agreed with Raven that it might prompt the wizard to share more as time went on.
He did his best not to frown when he turned to help her up a steep incline, only for her to accept Cian’s help instead. If that weren’t discouraging enough, she had magically changed into an era-appropriate yet wholly alluring outfit. Clad in fitted black leather from head to toe with just enough cleavage exposed, she was impossible to look away from, and the Irishman made that obvious. It couldn’t be helped, though. She was perfection.
And, yet again, more familiar than ever in her new attire.
“Loving the new look.” Trinity fingered one of the tiny braids woven into Raven’s hair. “Nice touch.”
“Thanks.” Raven eyed the black fur cloak draped over her shoulders with approval. “My inner dragon did it.”
“Because my inner dragon likes it,” Tor grunted, continuing up the tunnel. “Since the moment you first dressed that way years ago.”
He stopped short at the vivid memory. First, it was in his mind. Then it raced by them in the form of not tiny but little Raven. Though still in spirit form, he had a feeling she had already been born.
“Tor, where are you?” she called out, skidding to a halt right in front of him, almost as if she sensed him there. “I’m back! Who cares if it’s a dream, I’m here!”
Moments later, his little dragon appeared ahead, bursting with anticipation. “Raven, is that really you? Have you come back for more help?”
“It’s definitely me.” Raven shook her head, confused. “Why would I be back for more help, though?”
“Because I help the dead, and you’re dead.” He gestured at her. “See?”
“Dead?” Raven looked down at herself and frowned before relief washed over her face. “No, no, I’m not dead this time, just dreaming.”
She chanted and shifted to her human form. “See! Would I be able to do this if I were dead?”
She was the prettiest little girl he had ever seen with her thick black hair and large, haunted eyes.
“No, I don’t think you could.” He shifted to his human form as well. “And your clothing doesn’t look like dead people’s usual attire.”
“I don’t know much about that.” She considered his clothing. “Should I dress more like you?” Before he had a chance to respond, she flicked her wrist and dressed just like him. In black leather from head to toe, with a black fur cloak. She grinned at him. “Better?”
