Two weeks later
“You do know this isn’t over yet,” I said as we waited in the house for Arim.
“Obviously,” Marcus answered. “If it were, we’d all be going home. But I’m sure Arim will explain when he gets here.”
A sure sign that Marcus loved Tessa—the River Prince didn’t mind waiting for explanations.
I couldn’t help my joy for my brother. First Darius and then Marcus, a stubborn mage if ever there was one, had found love and happiness despite the upcoming war. At least half of us would be away in Tanselm to help Mother protect the kingdom.
My nagging certainty that the woman in white would bring more trouble than I wanted to handle plagued me. But she was a matter that could wait.
At least the burden of gratifying the prophesied Tetrarch—the next Royal Four—had been halfway fulfilled. If something were to happen to me, at least Darius and Marcus stood a chance to reinstate the Storm Lord line.
Though brooding about my possible death didn’t help, I couldn’t stop myself. I’d been close to giving up my life with a spell sure to kill me. Then that woman in white had come. And she promised trouble.
There you go, thinking about her again.
Annoyed, I returned my attention to my brothers. The mood in our living room felt warm with Marcus set to return to Tanselm today. But Cadmus worried me. As he’d been worrying me for weeks.
“I’ve got to be at work early tonight.” His mouth tightened before relaxing into a lazy smile.
If I hadn’t been looking so closely, I’d have missed it.
Cadmus added, “Ellie has issues Gerry thinks I need to address.”
“Issues?” Tessa asked.
Since the fight in Davis’ apartment two weeks ago, Cadmus had been surprisingly upbeat. Granted, we’d defeated Sin Garu, but that had been with help none of us could explain. But even Marcus had commented on our brother being off.
Cadmus shrugged. “Her issues with me. I don’t know. Half the time the woman’s a major headache, the other half she’s not even there. Who am I to complain?” He grinned and elbowed me, changing the subject. “Didn’t I tell you Marcus would be the next to fall? I knew he had the hots for Tessa from day one.”
“Cadmus, we both know you had no clue who Tessa really was,” Marcus said, his tone condescending. “It was only my decision to lower my standards after so many months that allowed me to see her as an acceptable bride.”
Sudden silence met his declaration. All eyes turned to Tessa.
Marcus’, I noted, shone with laughter.
“I just love when that stick appears up his ass.” Tessa grinned.
Cadmus chuckled with a sincerity that made me happy to hear.
“Lowering standards, that’s a good one.” Tessa smacked Marcus on the arm.
“But you know that’s not true.” He kissed the breath out of her and whispered, loud enough to be heard, “Around you, sertia, nothing on me is lowered.”
Tessa blushed while the rest of us laughed.
Joy could be infectious, and it was needed to combat the dread pooling in my belly as we spent day after day with no answers. Who was the woman in white? Why had Jonas Chase, a supposed human, hidden his nature as a Djinn only to turn around and help us? And what had really happened to Sin Garu?
As much as I wanted to believe he’d gone, I knew, deep down, we’d see him again.
“Just what I love to see, a royal prince desperately in love with his affai,” Arim said, suddenly in the living room, appearing from out of nowhere. “So you’re finally ready to go home then?”
Marcus nodded. “Might as well. Then Tessa can find some acceptable clothes to wear.” He eyed her frayed jeans and blouse with disdain.
“You’re such a snot. Remember, Marcus, I’m about to become a queen. Show a little respect.”
Arim gestured to the dark circle growing on the far wall of the living room, a portal to Tanselm. “Your future awaits.” Arim smiled at them, but when he looked at Cadmus, he frowned.
