Chapter 57
Gideon
Marcus, Nora, and I left the castle under cover of the darkness. We did not want to alert anyone to our plan. If we succeeded, I was sure Father would forgive us. It was not unusual for a wolf, even a prince, to break a few rules to reach their fated mate.
For Nora and Marcus’ sakes, I did not waste time contemplating what would happen if we failed. It was not likely. Clara was Marcus’ mate. She would return to him, and the ragtag mess of Rogues and rejected vampires of the Warren would not dare to interfere.
I led the others along the track I had followed. It was fortunate that my memory was so good, because Clara’s scent had faded. We found the river and followed it downstream until we reached the place where the escaped prisoners stashed their raft. The makeshift watercraft was still in its hiding place.
From there, I led the others into the mountains.
“Where exactly is this Warren? I see no evidence of caves or any shelters,” Marcus asked.
“Well, to be honest I was captured while investigating that odd little shelter over there,” I admitted, pointing to the lean to.
“And you didn’t pay attention to where you were being taken?” Marcus asked.
“I was blindfolded,” I said.
“You should still have some idea what direction you were taken,” Marcus said.
“I had hoped that you would be able to sense your mate, once we were this close,” I said.
“Clara and I haven’t bonded yet,” Marcus said.
“Why not? She is your fated mate, and your mistress,” I said. I was honestly confused.
“You haven’t bonded to your little maid,” Marcus pointed out. “What are you waiting for?” He paused, and nodded to Nora. “My apologies, Nora.”
“It’s all right. Gideon is being patient with me,” Nora said.
The truth was, I’m pretty sure she would have bonded to me the first chance she had. I was the one who hesitated. She said she was my fated mate, and maybe she thought she was, but I still felt nothing from my wolf.
It was a little frustrating, actually. Despite her low class birth, Nora had made herself a fine mistress. She took her lessons seriously and applied herself to everything I asked of her. I wasn’t sure she would be accepted by the nobility, but if my wolf would just speak for her I would face them all down to have her.
Yet the stubborn beast was still caught on the idea of Clara, despite all evidence that she should be with Marcus. I think that one aphrodisiac inspired night had addled the wolf’s senses.
“He’s being a coward, because he thinks Father the King will disapprove,” Marcus replied to Nora, although he glared at me. “And he might, you know. You’re being cruel, Gideon. You should claim the girl, or let her find a mate among her own class. You shouldn’t lead her on like this.”
“I’m not leading anyone on,” I protested. “I am taking the time to make a wise choice, and to make certain that I am the one Nora wants.”
Marcus snorted. “What maid wouldn’t want a prince in her bed? Besides, anyone with eyes can see she adores you. Don’t you? Don’t be shy,” Marcus winked at Nora. “It’s fine. I’ve come around to the idea of a maid as a sister-in-law. I think you’re charming, now I’ve spent time with you.”
“Oh, well, thank you, Prince Marcus. I do adore Gideon,” Nora said.
“Of course you do. And call me Marcus, there’s no use in titles, we’re going to be family after all,” Marcus said.
I could not tell whether Marcus was being sincere, or mocking Nora. She didn’t seem upset, though, so I let the matter rest.
“Well, that was an amusing little drama,” a voice declared from the trees above us, “but I do recall sending you home with a promise not to return, werewolf Prince.”
“You stuffed me unconscious into a barrel!” I snarled at the vampire who dropped out of the branches. “That is no way to treat a prince.”
“Yeah, well, you stuffed my people in a dungeon and interrogated them. And you were cruel to Clara. So consider yourself lucky I didn’t toss your barrel into the river and be done with you.” The infuriating vampire said.
“I am here for my mate,” Marcus declared, stepping between me and the vampire.
“And who would that be, then?” the vampire asked, as though he could possibly not know who we were here for.
“Clara. Your people took her from the royal compound. She is my fated mate, and my mistress, and I have come to take her home,” Marcus declared.
“Now see, in the Warren, we let folks decide for themselves whether they’ll stay or go. And Clara has chosen to stay,” the vampire said.
“I will hear it from her,” Marcus said. “I am owed that much.”
“You’re owed exactly nothing,” the vampire said, his face never losing that taunting smirk. “But if you want to be rejected face to face, I can arrange that. Wait here, I’ll bring Clara to you. And don’t get any cute ideas about forcing her. She won’t be alone.”
“What kind of beast do you think I am?” Marcus snarled.
The vampire shrugged. “I think you’re the kind of beast who allowed his fated mate to be sentenced to death for the crime of being born half vampire.”
“I have convinced my father to spare her,” Marcus said.
“Well, tell her that,” the vampire said. “Maybe it’ll change her mind. But I doubt it.”
“He’s very confident,” Nora whispered after the vampire left. “You don’t think they’re compelling her, the way Kyle compelled me?”
“It’s possible,” I said, “She didn’t seem to be under control when I saw her, but I’m not an expert in these things.”
“I am,” Marcus said. “I’ve dealt with mind controlled agents of the vampires before. I’ll know.”
We weren’t left waiting long. The smug vampire returned, with a female vampire I vaguely recognized from my captivity and with Clara. She was clearly surprised to see us.
“This fine gentleman,” the smug vampire said, “has declared he is your fated mate, Clara. He wants you to go home with him. He claims he has convinced his king not to kill you.”
Clara shook her head, and stepped behind the vampires. She pulled out a little leather book, the one she’d used at the trial, and wrote a message. Surprisingly, it was to me, not Marcus.
“You said you would not come back, and that you would leave these people alone,” she wrote.
“He didn’t bring an army. He brought me. But I will bring an army, if that’s what it takes to bring you back to my side,” Marcus declared.
“Don’t even think about it,” the female vampire growled.
“I am your fated mate, Clara,” Marcus said. “You can’t ignore that.”
She wrote another message, and the female vampire handed it to Marcus.
“I can,” she wrote, “And I will. I am courting Ronan.”
“Who is this Ronan? I demand the right to challenge him for my mate!” Marcus demanded.
“I’m Ronan,” the smug vampire said, “and sure, I’ll fight you here and now.”
Clara moved between them. She shook her head furiously.
“No fighting. Not over me,” she wrote.
“Well, that’s traditional when two males want the same woman,” Marcus said. “But there is another way to solve this little dilemma.”
“Do tell,” Ronan said, crossing his arms.
“We both court her,” Marcus said. “We set a term, say, until the next full moon. At the end of that term, Clara makes the obvious choice and comes home with me.”
“And if she chooses me, you go back to your little castle?” Ronan asked. “And you leave her and us alone from now on?”
“In the unlikely event that she ignores her wolf and chooses you, yes,” Marcus said. “I will swear to it in blood, if you insist.”
Ronan nodded once, and turned to Clara. “It’s your choice, Clara. I’ll fight him here and now, or we can do this courting thing.”
Clara wrote something I didn’t see. I would later learn that she agreed out of fear for the safety of the Warren.
“She’s agreed,” Ronan said after reading the note and crumpling it up. “You’ll all be welcome in the Warren as our guests until the full moon.”
“Is my old cell still open?” I asked.
“Nah, we have guest rooms. Well, a guest room. You’ll have to share.”
Clara tugged at his arm, and wrote another message.
“Ah, well, this fine lady,” Ronan nodded to Nora, “is welcome to stay with Clara and her aunt. You princes will have to share.”
Clara had an aunt among this rabble? I didn’t think she had any family at all.
Marcus accepted the terms, and we were led, once more blindfolded, into the Warren.
