Onyx Blood [True North series book 2/3]

Thoridor froze in place, and stared blankly ahead for a few heartbeats.

“Send Aricor,” he said eventually, “tell him to use whatever and whomever he may need. Nothing’s off limits.”

The voice on the other side of the door paused a moment. “Aricor has been out by the border since right after breakfast, when news first broke. He’s the one who called for you, Sire.”

Thoridor grunted and drug a hand down his face, as he rolled off me and adjusted the bulge in his pants. He grabbed his tunic and tugged it over his head, and sent me a longing look.

“I have to assess the situation,” he said apologetically, “don’t move. I’ll be back before you know it.”

I frowned discontentedly. “Can’t I just come with you?” I asked. Thoridor stroked his beard pensively, and then began putting on his chest piece and bracers.

“I need to know what’s going on first,” he rasped, as he put on his boots, “Aricor doesn’t call for me unless absolutely necessary. You’ve not been training for long — it might be a bad idea to bring you out into battle. Plus, I’ll be in beast form.”

I recoiled slightly at the thought. “How long will you be gone?” I asked softly.

“Not long, I reckon,” Thoridor said, grabbing the back of my neck and pressing a rough, passionated kiss to my lips.

“I’ll keep you updated through our mind-link,” he promised, and then turned around and left the chamber.

I was left sitting on the bed, contemplating my options. The borders were under attack. An uneasy feeling settled into the pit of my stomach. Aricor had been there, and called for Thor, an apparently, that meant things were bad.

I slid off the bed and strode into the hallway, looking for a familiar face. I found Morai, Warrian and Maista in the throne room. Warrian immediately left the table to come greet me.

“How are you?” he asked, reaching for my hand. I wanted to grab him, but remembered what Aricor had said. He’d be able to smell Thor on me. Especially now that I had just been pressed into his bare chest moments before, probably.

I paused an arm’s length away, and slowly began scooting back, trying to look casual.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” Warrian replied, and then looked me up and down.

“You’re not fully mated yet,” he said slowly, meeting my eyes again. “No,” I confirmed, gauging his reaction, “but it won’t be long.”

Warrian smiled. “I know,” he nodded, “best not to wait too long. It’s going to wear you both down, and make you two very vulnerable. And as the Crown Prince—”

“About that,” I cut him off, “the borders are under attack.”

Morai scoffed behind us. We both turned around to face her. “You think I don’t know what’s going on in my own Kingdom?” she snarled, “you thought I needed a human to break me the news?”

I scoffed right back at her. “If you’re aware of what’s going on, Sire, then why is your brother the one doing the dirty work?”

Morai rose to her feet. “Who do you think you are, talking to the Princess of Ardanis like that?” she spat.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t think this is worth getting into right now,” I said, “do you happen to know how bad it is, Sire?”

Morai sighed. “It’s all borders. We’re surrounded. I don’t know how long they’ve been planning it — but they’ve thought it through very extensively. They moved through our first line of defense like it was nothing.”

I felt my hands turn clammy, and nerves began coursing through me like the sparks had moments before. Thoridor was headed there. I wondered if he knew the extent of the threat he was about to face.

“What are we doing to defend ourselves?” I asked nervously.

“We?!” Morai scoffed, “there is no we, Calenti.”

It was Warrian who spoke next, stepping in front of me defensively. “Cut it out, Morai,” he snarled, “Serin is an Ardanian now. And your brother’s mate, while we’re at it. She’ll outrank you one day.”

‘Your brother’s mate.’ I was touched. Touched, that he stood up for me, even though saying those words must still hurt him a little. I knew they hurt me.

“That day is not today,” Morai yelled, “right now, she’s just a weak link. She’s weighing him down — a burden. A human burden.”

Warrian took a threatening step closer to her, his usually-kind face now a mask of anger.

“Watch it, Morai,” he whispered.

I wrapped my hands around his forearm and pulled him back. “Thanks, War, but she’s probably right.”

I flung a thought Thor’s way, but it bounced right back, as if it had bounced into a shield. I tried again, to no avail.

“I can’t mind-link him,” I said, panicking, “does that mean he’s—”

“If he’d be dead, you’d be too,” Warrian cut me off, “he’s likely just shutting you out.”

“Why?” I asked, throwing myself against his mental block over and over, “why would he shut me out? It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Warrian frowned, and rubbed his chin. “Well, it’s probably not good,” he mumbled pensively.

“I’m going out there,” I decided, “maybe I can help somehow. Blood wield. Or… complete the bond, perhaps. Make him strong.”

Maista, who had been quietly observing everything unfold, threw her head back and laughed. “Oh yeah, that sounds like a smart idea. Fuck him on the battlefield, why don’t you, set off a several-moons-long sex spree. It might distract the enemy.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Blood wield, then. I’m getting stronger.”

Warrian shook his head. “Sorry, Serin, I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do, at this point. Although phrased rather unkindly,” —he shot Maista a look— “Maista is right. You’re just an easy target now. Anyone could identify you as Thor’s mate, especially now that you… smell like him so much.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Well, what can I do, then?” I asked, “there must be something.”

“Just stay out of trouble,” Morai said, “and stop distracting Warrian. We need to focus.”

I frowned, but couldn’t really argue, because I knew she was right. Then, I felt something shift inside me, and moments later, the humming inside my head returned. Thoridor.

“Are you okay?” I immediately yelled down the bond, “what’s going on?”

“Go find Morai, love,” Thoridor replied, ignoring me, “tell her it’s worse than we thought. Tell her to close off the lake, and send anyone capable of fighting. Everyone else stays inside until further notice.”

Panic clawed at my heart. “And what can I do?!” I yelled back, “I need to do something!”

“Tell Morai,” Thoridor repeated, “and by all means, stay put. I need you safe.”

Then he was gone, and his mind was blocked again.