I wrinkled my nose in his direction. “In your dreams, Jake.”
His chuckles increased. “Hell yeah, only not with my brothers as the other parties.”
Okay, overshare much.
Braxton growled again. I pinned him with squinty eyes. “Stop that, Braxton Compass, your growling is giving me a headache.” It really wasn’t, but I needed to keep on top of his dominance or he’d smother me.
His fierceness faded under his amusement. I tried to ignore the way his smile heated my insides.
Jonathon cleared his throat. “I’m a little surprised you didn’t end up being true mates.”
Small beads of pain flashed through me as I narrowed my eyes on him. “How do you know we aren’t true mates?”
He turned his head as if the fierceness of my reaction surprised him. “Because you would have told us, and I don’t sense the sort of energy connection which should be bonding you.”
Louis leaned in toward me, his brow wrinkled. “Actually, they are bonded, but it seems to be … there was a problem with the bond.”
A variety of expressions shot across the faces around me. There were a lot of furrowed brows.
Braxton and I took turns explaining what had happened, from my journey to the land of the white mists, and Braxton’s two mate theory. The Compasses registered some recognition. They remembered Jo’s story too.
I growled. “I’m not exactly happy that fate seems to think I’m going to have to make a choice about my mate.” I hadn’t even known at the time that this choice bullshit was going to involve Braxton.
Louis tented his hands in front of him, before leaning into them. “That story from Jo is true,” he finally said. “The bond between you and Braxton will come to fruition in its own time. But there will be a choice and a challenge. Your young bond will be tested.”
“That’s some pretty obscure mumbo jumbo bullshit you are muttering there, sorcerer,” I snapped.
He was unfazed. “When it’s something this rare, and not caused by magic, then obscure is all I got.”
Braxton shook his head, his icy eyes taking in everyone at the table. “It doesn’t matter, Jess and I will weather any obstacle. We are true mates. I will accept nothing less.”
“Yes,” I agreed, but the tendrils of fear which were scooting through my veins indicated I was more worried than I was pretending. I couldn’t imagine anything in this world, or any other, which could make me doubt Braxton. But I hated overconfidence, it made you stupid, blind to what might be coming right at you. I wanted to be smarter than that. Especially if the choice I’d have to make could save or destroy the entire supernatural race.
We were all distracted as food landed in front of us. I was ecstatic that it seemed to be share platters, a mix of seafood, pasta, and lots of breads. I was too busy for the next little while to talk, but eventually I noticed that Cardia was not here.
“Where’s your mate?” I asked Maximus. He slowed his food intake just long enough to answer.
“She’s with her nest mates. They’re celebrating something.”
I stared at him for a few long beats. “You know you don’t have to miss out on those moments for us, we understand that you’re part of her family now too.”
I sort of understood that.
His lips narrowed, like he had some heavy thoughts going on. “We decided to take it slowly, this blending of two families. For now, I’m okay with that. I can feel her here.” He touched his chest. Lucky bastard didn’t have some weird, half-bond thing.
I squinted, trying to see the energy ties that Jonathon had talked of to recognize mates, but I saw nothing.
I caught my sister’s eye. She had been quiet for most of the meal, eyes downcast as she finished eating her ridiculously small amount of food. I seriously had to get some cake into her, she was becoming uncomfortably thin – fading away even, which was never a good sign for a shifter.
Melancholy seemed to have settled over her and I wasn’t liking it.
She caught my eye. “I’m sorry about your partial bond … maybe you got my share of matehood as well.” She attempted a grin, it was a ghost of true happiness.
I realized she must have been pondering my half bond, and behind her pitiful smile I could see the layers of pain radiating from her. Something was wrong with my sister; heartache bled from her. Could this just be about Maximus, or was there more? I needed to take the time and figure out what it was.
“You have a mate out there, Misch, and hopefully it’s a little less complicated than my … thing,” I said.
Tyson snorted then. “She called you a thing, Brax. God, I love Jess, but she’s going to destroy you, man. Run now, run while you can.”
I leaned across and punched the wizard on the arm. He ruffled my hair like I hadn’t just whacked him. Ass.
Pulling back, I met Braxton’s blue eyes. The dragon shifter didn’t reply to Tyson’s assness, but I could see the anticipation of a challenge in his gaze. I knew he wasn’t worried about us. We totally had this.
I was just reaching out to link my hand with his, when a thin, cold voice trailed over us. “Mischa, it’s time to introduce us to your sister.”
Swiveling around, I focused on the two females about ten feet from us. Judging by the Compass’ expressions, they were not friends. Both were blond, a smooth creamy yellow, unnatural, with large eyes that were dark and empty, and stick-thin figures. They looked to be about the same height as me.