Cast A Spell (Mages and Mates #4)

5. Otto

Otto

D ad was annoyed, which was understandable. He’d expected me to be chosen, just me. Two mate bonds caused confusion among everyone involved, even the current guardians. My rejection of the bond only added to his irritation.

I expected this when my mage stone let me know he wanted to talk. “I don’t understand. Now there’s only one. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”

“You know this doesn’t solve the problem,” he said. “You should’ve waited until we could sort this out before making this decision unilaterally.”

My failure to let the big guys decide was the real rub. “No, I shouldn’t have waited. This is my life, and I get to decide my fate. And quite frankly, Dad, if you consider all the facts, the earth must’ve known I’d likely reject the mate bond. Why else would it select two pairings?”

I had no idea if I was right, but it was better than most theories being tossed around.

“You were the first choice, not Owen and you know it. Since it couldn’t be sure you’d agree, it had a backup. There wouldn’t be a need for two if Owen were the first choice.”

He was right, but he was also wrong. “Assuming I was the first choice, that doesn’t change the fact I had the right to accept or decline. The earth wouldn’t have chosen Owen and Lysandor unless they were every bit as acceptable. Bart and Cael had weeks to figure it out, and Jan and Conall didn’t accept their bond for days. There weren’t any spares waiting for them to decide.”

“You’re not as smart as you think, Otto. The fact you and Thalion still feel the bond means this isn’t decided.”

Even more reason I couldn’t let down my guard. “I’m very aware the new guardians haven’t been chosen, but unless I accept the mate bond, there’s only one option.”

The rise of smartphones had many in the mages using them almost exclusively. Communicating with a mage stone, however, was still far superior. They’re safer, more private, and they allowed the emotions of the users to come through. For this conversation, I wished I’d used a cellphone.

Dad was angry, something he rarely let show. “I’ve never asked my children to assume a burden they don’t willingly embrace, but why are you doing this, Otto? Acceptable is not the same as optimal. The fate of the world might depend on the difference.”

I didn’t have all the answers, but I was certain the world would be fine no matter which of us got to be the Southern Guardian. Maybe it was earth magic, but ever since the fight of South Presque Isle, I gained an insight into the next generation of guardians. “If I accept the role, Owen will end up the fifth guardian. We all know what happened to Katarina Hollen and her mate.”

“Otto,” his tone softened, but there was still frustration lurking in the background. “There is no guarantee the fifth will be Owen. It could be Roderick, Avie, or even someone from another family.”

My gut told me Owen and I were entwined in this decision. One of us would be Southern Guardian and live a long life, the other would give his life to anchor the spell. I didn’t have a death wish, but Owen had no idea what fate awaited him if I accepted my bond with Thalion.

“Ever since I took up residence in the dragon palace, I’ve been earth magic sensitive. Owen and I will be the last two guardians, and I get to pick which role goes to him. I’ve made my choice.”

Dad put up his wards because I couldn’t feel anything through my stone. The call was still open, but he’d made sure his emotions didn’t reach me. It was thoughtful of him, but the act of stopping them told me everything.

Like everyone else except Leo, he thought I didn’t want the responsibility. If Owen wasn’t linked to my decision, I’d accept my bond and be Thalion’s mate.

“Otto, you don’t know that. No one does.”

Everyone could pretend nothing bad would happen, but putting our collective heads in the sand and hoping wasn’t a strategy. “He’s just a kid, Dad. Are you willing to risk what would happen if I’m right? I won’t make that bet.”

“I’m not willing to risk either of your lives. Why do you think it has to be you or him?”

I knew if I told him, this would be his reaction. The problem with thinking with your heart was you often ignored the truth right in front of you. “Katarina was the strongest mage of her time. Owen might be second only to Bart. If the fifth guardian needs to be powerful, Owen would be the choice.”

“The earth isn’t seeking exact copies of the originals. Things are similar but different enough that we can’t predict who will be given what role. Katarina was over two hundred years old and quite obviously a female. If we used your logic, your mother or grandmother are better suited to being the fifth than you.

“Of the four guardian pairings, Percival was the oldest mage by a few decades. That means you would be the Southern Guardian, not Owen. If the fifth needed to be the most powerful, why choose Bart to be the Western Guardian?

“Katarina cast the seeking spell that located the four pairings. This time it was the eight guardians. My point is, don’t be so sure you’re right just because you see similarities with the past. We’re not following precisely in the footsteps of the original.”

Nothing Dad said was wrong, but he didn’t convince me that I was wrong either. If things weren’t following a predetermined pattern, more reason my instincts could be correct. “The one thing we know for sure is if Owen is chosen to be Southern Guardian, he can’t be the anchor mage. Until someone definitively figures out what’s happening, I’m going with the sure thing.”

“I refused to accept any solution where either of my sons must sacrifice their lives for me. If someone needs to take Katarina’s place, it will be me.”

It was a wonderful sentiment, but things didn’t work that way. “Thank you, Dad.”

“Always. I need to speak to the heads of the Conclave and Assembly about the two pairings. Hopefully, I’ll have an answer for you when I call you back. I love you, Otto. Remember what I said.”

“I will. And I love you too, Dad.”

The call terminated, and I was alone in my room. I needed to get outside and make sense of things. I quietly changed into running clothes, hoping some exercise would clear my head.

I’d almost finished stretching when someone knocked. “Come in.”

Owen poked his head into the room, looking younger than his years. He’d found his mate before any of us, and the concept probably overwhelmed him.

“Hey, bro,” he said as he walked into my room. “I was hoping we could talk.”

I wasn’t ready to have this conversation with him. It was too raw. “I’m going for a run. Care to join me?”

“Oh hell, no.” He took a seat without me offering. “I’m meeting Lysandor for a tour of the ranch.”

I’m sure that sightseeing excursion would entail many private spots where they could pause their walk. “You two enjoy yourselves. I’ll check in when I get back.”

“Before you go, can you tell me why you’re doing this?”

It had been too much to hope for that I could avoid answering Owen. “I don’t want to be the Southern Guardian.”

“Oh, bull crap, Otto. What aren’t you telling me?”

The situation might involve him, but I wasn’t going to tell him the truth. “Nothing. Once you and Lysandor are confirmed as the new Southern Guardians, I’m going back to Maine.”

“Did you think I slept through the lectures on the Great Ward? I know what you’re doing. You can’t change fate. Not for you or me. If it’s my fate to cast the spell, you can’t stop it. I love you for trying to keep me safe, but stop.”

I tried not to show my surprise he’d figured it out. “I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about what I can’t do. Dad said nothing’s decided yet, but count on the fact I’m not going to let you be this generation’s Katarina.”

I stuffed my mage stone in my pocket and guided Owen out of my room. We both needed time to deep dive into our psyches. He’d talk it out with Lysandor, and I’d do it on my run.

B efore I lived in the same house with Leo, I’d run on a treadmill before or after my workout. Even if I didn’t feel like lifting, I still ran inside out of convenience and habit. The first time Leo dragged me out at O’Dark Hundred in sub-arctic temperatures, I was sure I’d lost my mind.

Then I remembered how much freer it felt outside. Running with Leo also pushed me. The skinny twerp could outrun the wind.

Dad might be right, and the fifth wouldn’t be either of us, but Owen was right, as well. We couldn’t change what fate wanted. The promise to save all his sons was pure Dad. He might be mage chancellor, but he was Wilhelm Hollen, husband and father first. If he got the chance, he’d give his life for us.

Except this time he couldn’t. The earth magic centered around me and Owen. If Owen wasn’t the Southern Guardian, it wouldn’t end well for him.

An eagle screeched overhead and I shook off the maudlin thoughts. I’d made my decision. Overthinking it only made me anxious all the time. It also kept me from appreciating my surroundings.

Wyoming was so different from Maine. Flat prairies replaced thick pine forests. It was drier, less humid, and you could see the mountains. The beauty of this land was no less amazing than Maine. I had Leo to thank for my new appreciation of being outdoors. Who said the kids couldn’t teach us new things.

Or remind us of old truths.

My watch vibrated to let me know I’d hit the four-mile mark. There were no milestones in front of me I wanted to reach, so I turned around. I couldn’t put off dealing with the tempest I’d unleashed. Nor did I want to. Refusing to discuss things suggested I was unsure of my decision, which I wasn’t.

A dust cloud ahead announced someone was coming. It only took a second for me to curse silently. Even without accepting the bond, I could feel the being who was fated to be my mate.

Thalion had no right to interrupt my private time. It wouldn’t work, either. I’d leave before I let him pressure me into changing my decision.

I caught myself and almost stopped running. Thalion was hurting. Refusing to accept the bond without letting it fully form ripped at my soul. I couldn’t imagine how it affected the one rejected.

Keeping my pace, the distance between us closed rapidly. I touched the pocket with my mage stone and activated the spell that allowed me to speak mentally with beings. If we were mates, we wouldn’t need magic to communicate.

Correction—if I embraced our bond. We were already mates.

I didn’t acknowledge him as he drew nearer. Maybe he wasn’t coming to find me. I was on a main road and there were many places the son of the alpha might need to visit. He slowed . . . and I was wrong. It was me he’d come to find.

Rather than make it more awkward than it already was, I made eye contact. “Hello, Thalion.”

“Otto.” He dipped his horn as he approached. “Father had a meeting with the heads of the Conclave and Assembly, as well as your father. He wants to speak to the four of us as soon as possible.”

Who the four referred to was clear, so I waited for him to continue. The pause stretched out and quickly grew uncomfortable. There was no reason to send Thalion to deliver that message. Father could have contacted me and given me the news.

“Did you hear me?”

Unicorns rarely got irritated. The whole rainbows and unicorn farts came from their upbeat dispositions. Thalion was a bit more than annoyed, but how was it my fault? “I did, but I was waiting for the rest of the message.”

“Why would you think there is more? Father has been directed to speak to the four of us. I came to fetch you.”

Years of diplomacy kept me from pointing out there was more. He given me more details than he provided at first. “Father or Owen could’ve contacted me to deliver such a simple message. I assumed only something more important would require the heir to personally tell me a meeting had been called. Tell the alpha I’ll attend him once I’ve finished my run and had time to shower.”

“I came so I could bring you back with me.”

Did he really think I wouldn’t see through such a pretext reason? “You honor me, Thalion, but I don’t require an escort. I know the way back.”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t understand. I’m here to give you a ride to hasten your arrival.”

I stopped running and breathed deeply. The alpha would never send his son to carry me like a horse. Nor was the meeting so imminent I couldn’t run back. If it had been, they would have sent me the message first. No, this was all Thalion’s idea.

Not that I’d call him on his lie. I wiped my face with the hem of shirt and started running again. “I thought my answer was clear. I know why you are here, and I am declining the offer.”

Thalion galloped ahead of me, but he stopped after a few lengths. Spinning around, he blocked my path, forcing me to pull up. “Do you hate me so much you’d embarrass me like this?”

The hurt rolled off him, but this was his doing. He hadn’t been subtle, either. “I don’t hate you Thalion, but I can’t give you what you want.”

“Can’t or won’t?” His pain dulled the natural glint in his eyes.

Faced with his heartbreak, I realized my mistake. Logic couldn’t overcome emotion. He needed more than mere words. Spreading my arms I lowered my walls.

“What are you doing?”

“Inviting you to see my sincerity. I can’t and won’t let myself have what I want. The consequences are more than I could live with.”

He accepted my offer and drank from my emotions. It was dangerous. The chance he’d lose himself in me required I keep a close watch. When he’d seen enough I gently nudged him out. Cutting him off too fast would hurt the most.

Like one of those cheesy rom coms where the couple hold hands as they draw apart, Thalion slowly let me push him away.

“What’s going to happen?”

I’d known if I let him see my emotions, he’d ask this question, but not telling him wouldn’t feel like a lie anymore. “Does it matter? It will ruin anything we might have if I give in to what I want.”

The earth wasn’t sentient enough to understand the shitty hand it dealt me. To save myself, I had to sentence Owen to death. To save Owen, I had to not only sacrifice myself, but I also had to doom Thalion to a loveless life. There were no good options, just less bad ones.

Thalion kept his gaze on me, but I didn’t lower my shields a second time. He’d gotten what he needed, but not what he wanted. He turned without saying anything and started running.

It broke my heart to see him leave so devastated, but no matter what I chose, we had no future. If the earth was cruel to me, it was horrifically so to Thalion. At least this way I could save Owen.

I started running again, forcing my muscles to move again after the brief rest. There was no reason for me to stay any longer. Owen had found his mate and together they’d be the next Southern Guardians. And when the time came, I could leave knowing my brother would be safe.