Cast A Spell (Mages and Mates #4)

12. Thal

Thal

L eaving the comforting embrace of Elana’s house got delayed again. The night Otto and I lay naked under the stars, Lysandor and Owen had done something similar only they didn’t think it through. Not only didn’t they bring a magically enhanced bedroll, but they were also careless with where they stopped. Elana could barely keep back a laugh when she offered them a cure for their poison ivy. Their foolishness meant we couldn’t leave for at least an extra day while a healer cured them.

We used the extra time to be sure we were prepared. The four of us worked in pairs to create static wards we could deploy when we slept. Otto explained these were spells woven into small, common objects we could deploy quickly and easily when we set up camp.

The next morning when we were finally ready to leave, I still had reservations about four of us against Jalen and his rebel herd. I didn’t like charging blindly into danger. Under normal circumstances, Otto and Owen could handle a hundred or so unicorns. The dark magic controlling Jalen, however, made it difficult to plan effective countermeasures. No one had good intelligence on what he had at his disposal.Hopefully the guardians knew more.

Owen swung onto Lysandor with a laugh. They were excited by the adventure we’d been given. Foolish kids. This wasn’t some frat party prank to steal a rival’s flag. Judging by the blight on the land, we faced a powerful enemy.

The pair had barely paid attention to the last briefing Elana’s unicorns gave us. They spent most of the meetings touching each other and smiling. Twice Elana yelled at them, and once, she tried to reason with them. Neither approach totally worked.

I’d suggested to Otto their bond felt superficial and less all-consuming. I noticed it before I’d bonded with Otto. We asked Elana, and she confirmed what we saw, but said this was their fault. They never tried to deepen the bond. She assured us they could, but it had to come from them. The earth could only bring them together. What they did after that was up to them.

“They’re not taking this seriously,” I said to Otto as we packed. “It’s just a big adventure with no possible downside risk.”

“We’ll need to confront them at some point, but let’s get started first. If we embarrass them in front of Elana, they won’t hear us.”

Elana wasn’t one for long goodbyes, which allowed us to get moving just as dawn arrived. Like the trip to Transylvania, I set out with a sense of dread churning in my stomach. The cause was different, but the effect kept me anxious.

The earthy scent of the woods filled my nostrils as we rode under the canopy of the ancient forest. Sunlight peeked through, casting a pattern on the forest floor. Birds sang in the distance, and insects buzzed nearby. The soothing sounds belied the harsh reality that lay ahead.

“I would like to stop before we exit the forest,” Otto said. “The protection around the estate ends a few meters beyond, and then we’ll need to conceal and protect ourselves.”

Otto assumed command of the mission with my blessing. He didn’t like what we were about to do, but like a good leader, he tackled the problem head on. “They won’t take it well, but it has to be done. There’s a small clearing just inside the woods. It’s been a welcome center in the past.”

“That will work.”

I adjusted my gait to move us closer to our brothers. If they noticed, they didn’t react.“ They’re so lost in their heads, we may need to separate them.”

“I hope it won’t come to that.” Otto heaved in a breath and let it out slowly. “We’re going to stop before we exit the forest. I want to set our protection and discuss what’s next.”

“You mean you want to lecture us,” Owen said.

I wanted to take him down a peg, but I let Otto handle his brother. By all accounts, Owen was the stronger mage, but stronger didn’t always mean better. Otto had decades of experience on his youngest brother and had spent those years in the viper’s den of diplomatic intrigue.

“My hope is to have a discussion among four adults, but if you’d prefer a lecture, I can give you one.”

Owen’s defiant expression didn’t change. “If this is their attitude, I’m going home,” I said. “My life isn’t going to depend on two immature beings testing the reins of authority like preteens.”

“I’d disagree, but you’re correct. Nothing will be gained if we die needlessly.”

“We’ve had plenty of discussions,” Owen said. “I think Lysandor and I will pass, thank you very much.”

I stopped walking and turned around. We made it four steps before the outcries began.

“What the fuck, bro?” Lysandor said.

“Yeah, what’re you doing?” Owen asked angrily.

The fact they just assumed they’d dictate terms showed our attempt was doomed. “We’re going home. Neither Otto nor I plan to die on this mission, and your refusal to listen to anyone makes that a certainty. You can explain your childish behavior to Father and Chancellor Hollen when we tell them why we abandoned this operation.”

“Childish?” Owen screamed. “You two prance around like you’re the kings of everyone. I liked it better when Otto didn’t want to be mated with you.”

Otto wheeled about and a burst of crimson light erupted from his mage stone. I spun around expecting to see Owen dumped on his ass, but he was suspended inches off the ground.

“You can insult me, Owen, but never disrespect Thalion like that again. Our bond is our business, but so you know, I always wanted to be his mate. I needed to be sure it wasn’t a death sentence for you first.”

Lysandor tried to get between the brothers but ran into an invisible wall. “Stand down, Lysandor, or we’ll come to blows. Otto is not going to hurt Owen.”

My brother remained ready to pounce, but he didn’t make any move to attack Otto and me.

“Let me down, or you’ll regret it,” Owen said, as he struggled to move inside his energy prison.

“I need your help,” Otto said. “Open yourself to me so I can draw on your energy. Those two idiots have done nothing but fuck each other. A practical demonstration will make my point better than any words.”

I did as he asked, and an instant later Otto released his brother. Owen landed on his feet, lost his balance, and ended up on his ass. He had his stone out and attacked Otto in one move.

The purple energy splashed harmlessly against Otto’s shield. If my mate flinched, I didn’t feel it. Owen struck again with similar results. Otto raised his hand and an instant later, Owen’s stone was knocked from his grasp. Before he could retrieve it, the purple gem flew to Otto’s hand.

“Give it back, Otto.” Owen tried to rush us, but he ran into the same barrier that kept Lysandor out.

“Or what?”

I couldn’t see Otto’s face, but I pictured the smug expression. Things happened too quickly for Otto to tell me what he’d planned, but this wasn’t what I expected.

Owen suddenly lurched forward and Lysandor cautiously moved by his side. A second later, Otto tossed his brother’s purple mage stone across the space between us in a lazy arch. It landed a few inches from Owen, who held out his hand. The stone flew into his hand and his face lost some of its panic.

“Ready to listen,” Otto asked. “Or should we just head back now?”

I waited as Owen considered his brother’s words. His brows were drawn together and his jaw was clenched. I couldn’t be sure, but it appeared he and Lysandor were discussing the situation. After a long moment, Owen lowered his stone.

“Fine. We’ll listen.”

O tto gave them the option of stopping now, or waiting until we reached the spot he and I discussed. It came as no surprise they chose to delay the chat until we reached the old welcome center.

We rode for more than an hour and neither Lysandor nor Owen spoke to us. They no doubt talked to each other, but Otto and I had already agreed on what to say. We used the silence to enjoy our time together.

The clearing at the edge of the forest wasn’t as well maintained as I remembered. Few visitors came from the corrupted lands anymore, so Elana didn’t send workers to keep up the area.

Earth magic saturated the space to renew weary travelers. Overhead the branches had been shaped to provide a shelter from even the harshest weather. Although designed primarily for unicorns, stone benches were scattered around to accommodate humans and other beings. Owen dismounted and sat on the one nearest to the entrance.

Lysandor stood protectively close as if Otto and I meant them harm. It left me skeptical they were going to listen.

I debated shifting once Otto slid off my back but decided against it. I absorbed earth magic easier in unicorn form. With the land corrupted outside the forest, this was my last access to clean energy.

Otto stood next to me as we faced our brothers. “Getting to the point, you two need to take this operation more serious. We’re four against an entire herd, and we’re stronger if we act as a team.”

“We know it’s dangerous, and we’re not goofing around,” Lysandor said.

“Right,” Otto said slowly. “You barely paid attention to any of the briefings, you act like we’re going to a relaxing resort, and you haven’t completed your mate bond.”

“What are you talking about?” Owen said. “We’ve completed our bond.”

My first instinct had been correct; they didn’t plan to listen. “ Having sex multiple times will not complete the bond. You need to connect on an emotional level. Otherwise, you’re no stronger than if you weren’t mates.”

“He’s right,” Otto said. “Before you get mad, Owen, ask yourself how I disarmed you so easily. Even accounting for my greater experience, I shouldn’t have been able to take your stone. I could because my bond with Thal is complete, and he added his strength to mine. Now, I’ve surpassed you by a lot.”

Owen let out a long breath, his stubborn anger dissipating. “How were we supposed to know? We thought we were, you know, consummating things.”

I tried my best not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold it in. “ You were, but consummate doesn’t mean complete. The final step is to link your souls.”

They faced each other, and it was obvious they were talking mentally. “Someone needs to teach them how to talk to each other without announcing to the world what they’re doing,” I sent silently to Otto.

“Among other lessons,” Otto said. “First, however, they need to be open to learning.”

We waited for them to talk things out, and when Owen faced us, my confidence grew.

“I think that’s what’s the problem,” Owen said. “We felt something was missing, but didn’t know what.”

“Can you teach us?” Lysandor asked.

Their bond being out of sync would explain a lot of their childish behavior. They were self-medicating using sex instead of intimacy. “ Yes.”

Otto nodded, and I relaxed. Their quick agreement was a good sign we might all make it out alive.

L ysandor and Owen were different beings when we left the welcome center. Their auras were more stable, they were more attentive, less irritable, and generally more pleasant to be around. Otto’s stress regarding his brother evaporated once the two had a conversation that contained more laughs than frowns.

I was never close with my brother the way Otto was with Owen. Lysandor was still a kid, doing kid things, and I’d already taken on some of Dad’s duties before he’d been born. I didn’t begrudge him the time to enjoy himself, but it kept us from having a lot of interaction.

Despite our differences, we were never at odds like we’d been during the trip. He didn’t completely return to the kid I’d watched grow up, but a mate bond changes beings.

When we stopped for the night, we hadn’t put in as many miles as we’d hoped, but Otto said it was a good thing. The affected land was worse several miles away, and stopping where we had meant we had one less day camping in the heavily corrupted earth. Otto and Owen set up the protection around camp, working seamlessly to strengthen what they’d already created. While they did that, Lysandor and I set up camp and prepared to make dinner.

“I’m sorry,” Lysandor said when we started cooking. “We thought we were acting normally, and it would settle down soon.”

Otto and I spent a lot of the ride discussing this issue. “I’m not sure you can blame yourself. In theory, mate bonds don’t need instructions. The two beings know what to do, just as they knew they’re meant to be together.”

He poured the water into the pot with our freeze-dried meals. Owen had made a face when we told him what we’d be eating, but we used them on the ranch when we were away overnight, and they were not bad. Not like what we ate at Elana’s, but nothing we could bring would taste like home cooking.

“Do you have any idea why our bond went so wonky?” he asked.

The way he asked confirmed what I’d feared. He was embarrassed his bond with Owen hadn’t worked like mine and Otto’s. “I have ideas, but I’m not sure any of them are accurate. The most likely one is the earth was trying to create two mate bonds at once, and some of yours didn’t settle quite right. Otto blames himself. He thinks if he hadn’t been so stubborn, everything would have slotted properly.”

“Is there anything he doesn’t take the blame for?”

I laughed to hide my agreement with the statement. Otto did seem to take on more than his share of culpability. “Although I don’t fault him, he might be right this time. His resistance might have diverted some of the magic from your bond to ours. Otto said he felt an enormous compulsion to accept his fate.”

“I’m glad you two worked it out.” He smiled as he stirred the mac and cheese into something resembling the real stuff. “You deserve to be happy, Thal. You take on every responsibility to spare others. It’s good you have someone to share the load.”

Otto came with his own issues. He took from me as much as he gave, which was how it was supposed to be with mates. “Thanks. I am happy. Happier than I’ve ever been. Otto is exactly the type of being I’d wanted to mate with. Strong, smart, solid sense of duty to family, and kind. I didn’t realize it was on my wish list until I met him, but his good heart is one of his best features.”

“That’s easily the most personal thing you’ve shared with me,” Lysandor said. “You’ve changed. I don’t know if I’d say it’s for the better, but it’s certainly not bad. The best word is ‘different.’ You’ve traded loneliness for the weight of the world.”

And he said I’d changed. “I appreciate that, but right now, we’re both carrying that stone, and there’s no telling which of us will be chosen.”

“Everyone thinks it’s you and Otto, and after seeing you two bonded, I agree.” He stirred in a splash of water and mixed it again. “You two have presence. If this goes ass up, the world needs your leadership more than ever.”

His emotions were hard to read. I wasn’t sure I sensed relief or disappointment.

Owen said something to make Otto laugh, and it was a warning they were about to join us. “You and Owen have a lot to offer the world. Don’t admit defeat just yet.”

I’m not sure I wanted the onus, but as between me taking it on versus forcing Lysandor and Owen to accept it, I knew where I stood. Thankfully, Otto felt the same.