“Yes. Seems like a decent group. Their structure is more apprenticeship though, like they do with the magic, less organized training. They were interested in developing that, so I may work with them on that come spring.”
Truthfully, he’d been relieved to find a way to contribute that didn’t involve magic. He was first and foremost a Preddari, and he didn’t want to lose that identity or the skills he’d spent nearly his whole life developing. The guild had been welcoming, and he looked forward to working with them and bringing valuable experience to their training program.
“That’s good. It would be terrible for you to lose all those skills. Zora might leave you for a better hunter if you did.”
“You wish.” Rodric laughed.
“It’s understandable,” Sev continued with a sly grin. “I’m sure you’ll prefer to stick closer to home, less wandering the trails. Lots to learn as Lord Blackwood, I’d imagine.”
Rodric kicked his friend’s boots. “There actually is.”
He was about to elaborate when Celina entered the room. His chest swelled with the warm feeling of home when he saw her. “You made it back before the storm. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I was motivated.” She kissed him hello before turning to greet Sev as an old friend, hugging him tightly. “It’s good to see you! Everyone made the journey safely?”
Sev briefed her on the happy reunions that had occurred.
They chatted for a few moments before Celina excused herself to retire for the evening. “Make yourself at home. You’ll stay for a while, right?” she asked.
“Yes, for a week at least, before I head back.”
“Wonderful. We’ll have to make time to gather together without the children one evening to catch up.”
“Sounds good.”
Rodric’s gaze followed her out of the room, and he struggled to pay attention to their conversation after she disappeared.
A while later, Sev stopped his attempt, laughing buoyantly. “Go! We can catch up tomorrow. Go after your mate.” Sev’s eyes sparkled with mirth, his genuine smile convincing Rodric that he really didn’t mind being abandoned.
“You’re a good friend.”
“Don’t I know it,” Sev murmured, raising his mug in salute.
Rodricmergedhishuntinginstincts with his magic. He grinned when the pull toward his mate led him to a huge set of doors that blocked the entrance to their private wing.
Pushing them open, he walked down the short hall into the grand suite they now called their own. The signature stained glass of royal amethyst hue that adorned the rest of the estate was present throughout the wing, inset in the interior wooden doors and a few select windows that would catch the morning light. He turned toward the only set of full glass doors. Thin, carved wood curled out from the frame, drawing intricate designs atop the colored glass.
The artistic masterpiece opened silently to reveal a sitting area with a fire already roaring. Beyond it to one side, a large bed with heavy winter bedding took up residence. The other direction held a personal work area with a desk, bookshelves, and cabinetry.
There, in a little nook, his mate sat on a one-armed sofa, a leather-bound book in her lap.
Rodric’s heart softened as her joyous emotions flowed through their bond.
When they’d first arrived, Celina had mentioned that she’d never moved into the matriarch suite after her mother’s passing. Feeling her heartache, he’d reassured her that as long as they were together it didn’t matter where they slept. He hadn’t given it a second thought, but Celina had. Only a few weeks after their arrival, he’d returned home from hunting to discover her in their new, very large suite. It already felt like home.
“Found you,” he told his mate, stroking a hand through her loose hair.
“Took you long enough.” She grinned playfully. “I was about to go in search of a leopard’s bane plant to draw you out.”
“Don’t even think about it,” he growled. After kissing her thoroughly to banish any wandering thoughts, he wound a curl of her hair around his finger. “What would you like to do tonight?”
“Show you a secret.”
She led him through the suite to a section of wall that was floor-to-ceiling wood, intricately carved with raised wildlife scenes that called to the part of him that found peace and solace in the wilds. Taking his hand, she pressed it to a particular spot and roused her magic, tugging his along with it.
Following her lead, he fed magic into the wood as he would if healing someone or accessing a memory. The wood warmed, heating his skin for an instant. A clicking sound heralded movement as part of the wall separated and swung open.
Celina stepped through the hidden entrance onto a terrace. “Mother used to let me join her here sometimes. It’s always been one of my favorite spots. It kind of feels like coming home to step out here again.”
