Page 220 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

Naril is standing at his brother’s side, a hand pressed against Eldrin’s chest as if to restrain him, but we both know it wouldn’t stop him if he really wanted to get past.

“Fuck the king,” the scarred elf barks. His upper lip pulls back in a snarl, but it’s half-hearted, his eyes locked on me instead of the mage. I know what he really wants to say. Don’tgo. He thinks it’s a trap and has been against it the whole time, worried for my safety. Which I think is the only reason why he hasn’t taken his arguments with Grayson any further than that, because he knows the mage can help keep me safe from the king. I’d been expecting physical fights, but he’s been behaving, at least as best as Eldrin can.

“Eldrin, it’s okay,” I call out, forcing a small smile. Of course he can sense it’s fake, and he narrows his eyes at me, but he stops snarling and straightens, understanding he can’t stop me. Taking a deep breath, I look up at Grayson. “I’m ready.”

Needing a moment with my mates, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around Grayson. He lets out a surprised ‘oomph,’ but quickly gets over his shock and circles his arms around me, responding to the pull of our bond. I haven’t had much time with Grayson as a couple, so he’s not used to me instigating touch yet. When he first rescued me, I used to shy away from physical contact, and even now, I only tend to touch those I truly trust. I can feel his happiness that I’ve reached a point where I can turn to him when I need comfort, it practically radiates from him, despite the tension he feels regarding the upcoming journey.

I feel a shift as my other mates are drawn towards me, realising I need their support. Someone presses against my back. From the smoky, manly scent, I know it’s Tor. There’s a low chuckle, then some shuffling as more arms wrap around me. My bonds are humming happily, and I realise Vaeril and Tor were fighting for space. On the surface, everything feels right with the three of them wrapped around me, that warm buzzing sensation in my chest telling me I am complete.

Except something doesn’t quite feel right. There’s a voice in the back of my brain telling me I’mnotcomplete, not yet. Opening my eyes, I see Eldrin watching us over Grayson’s shoulder, and I realise with clarity why I feel that way.Uncrossing one of my arms from behind Grayson’s back, I stretch it out and offer it to Eldrin. There’s a pause as he stares intently at me, his eyes boring into my soul. My chest feels tight as I wait for his decision, and I know this is it, the critical moment of whether or not he can accept being a part of my life and sharing me with a magician. I’ve not had the chance to speak with my mates about my feelings for Eldrin, although with our bonds, I’m sure they suspect something between us already.

Eldrin’s gaze suddenly shifts from me to over my shoulder, and as I look up, I see that all three of my mates are looking between him and my proffered hand, reacting off my feelings echoing down the bond.

Perhaps he’s changed his mind and he doesn’t want me anymore. My hand wavers slightly as my self-doubt plays tricks on me, and I try to push the thought away.Stop whining,I chastise myself.It’s more likely he can’t cope with being in a relationship with a part-human or sharing you with a mage,I reason, trying to prepare myself for rejection.

As if he can read my thoughts, Eldrin frowns at me, lets out a low growl, and mutters something in elvish. Vaeril chuckles behind me, the sound reverberating through me, but I don’t take my eyes off my scarred elf. Letting out a frustrated breath, Eldrin strides forward and places his hand in mine, our fingers interlocking. My heart flutters in my chest as a weight lifts from me. He may be acting like he’s frustrated, but when our eyes meet, I see the emotions he’s trying to hide from the others. He’s afraid of their reaction, I understand that, but we will tackle that together, and from the amusement I feel coming down the bond from Tor and Vaeril, I don’t think it will be as difficult as we expected. Grayson…well, he’s confused but is more concerned about the upcoming journey, so that’s a conversation for another day.

Untangling myself from my mates, and giving Eldrin’s hand a squeeze, I step back and straighten my dress, brushing off invisible lint as I compose myself. The feeling of being watched makes me pause, and I look up. I find Naril watching me with narrowed eyes, and I have to bite my tongue. He’s been suspicious of Eldrin and me for a while now, observing the two of us and making comments, so my little demonstration just now has obviously confirmed something for him. I wait for him to say something, after all, this is Naril, but he just turns around and walks away. Raising an eyebrow, I look around to see if anyone else noticed and see that Eldrin is watching his brother leave with a frown.

“Clarissa, we really should go,” Grayson urges, interrupting my musings with a hand on my lower back, and I just sigh and nod, allowing him to lead me to the front of the university.

It’s a shame we couldn’t stay here longer and that the time we have been here has been tainted with worry and strategy meetings. As we walk through the pale stone corridors, I enjoy the architecture, since I’m not sure when I might get the chance to return. The high, arched ceilings and spiralling staircases seem to be endless, plus with the many manicured gardens and domed buildings, I am in love with the peaceful beauty of the place.

My shoes click against the stone floor, announcing my arrival as we step into the large entrance hall. The rest of our party is already waiting for us, and I smile when I see my aunt and Vida talking with High Mage Ellis. The mage seems to have taken a liking to the two women, personally showing them around the guild.

When Revna said she was coming with us, I was worried. She’s the high chief, she’s important to the tribes, and if this really is a trap, she could be walking right into it. I fought with her, insisting she stay behind, but she refused, and even now,her words echo in my mind.You’re my niece. I lost you once before to that bastard, I won’t lose you again.

After that, I knew there was no point in arguing with her, so we agreed she could come, along with Vida and six warriors. Three wood elf and three sea elf warriors have also joined us.

Standing at the base of the staircase are ten mages dressed in their full ceremonial uniforms. Their double-breasted blue jackets and half cloaks on their left shoulders look smart as they wait for instruction. Running my eyes over them, I notice some of them are sending uncomfortable glances towards the elves standing by the doorway. Pausing just as we enter, I turn to Grayson and nod towards the mages.

“You’re sure I can trust them around the elves?” Keeping my voice low, I examine the group again. Most of them are around my age, in their twenties, but there are a couple of older magicians in there, all of them men. A hand lands on my shoulder, pulling my attention back to Grayson.

“Yes, I trust every one of those men,” he assures me with a smile. “Come and meet them, that might put you at ease.” This does actually help soothe me, along with the positive regard he feels towards those men. Grayson may not care much for the elves, but he wouldn’t risk my safety with people he didn’t trust or think could do the job right. The fact he personally picked each of the mages who will be coming helps to put me at ease a little.

Squeezing my shoulder, he turns to his men and starts walking towards them. Following a step behind, I feel the eyes of the mages fall on me before flicking to my mates, but their reactions don’t change from the professional nods I receive. In fact, some of them smile slightly at me in greeting as I get closer.

“Magicians, this is Clarissa, the Great Mother’s chosen,” Grayson introduces, gesturing towards me. “Your job is to protect her from the king, do you understand?”

They all bark out their agreement, and I have to stop myself from raising my eyebrows at the sharpness in Grayson’s voice, which is so at odds with the softness I’m used to when he speaks to me. He glances over at me, and I know he’s giving me the opportunity to say something to them. Frowning slightly, I think about what I want to say, but it doesn’t take me long.

“This trip isn’t going to be easy. I’m sure the king has something up his sleeve, so I need you to be vigilant.” Taking a deep breath, I peer over my shoulder at the elves waiting by the doorway, then I gesture for my high elves to come closer, the three of them standing by my side. “The elves I travel with are like my family.” I watch the mages for their reaction. They survey my elves cautiously, but they don’t flinch or give me any impression that they want to harm them.

“They will be protecting me as well,” I continue, needing them to know I have multiple guards. “I know you have always been taught they are the enemy. Is this going to be a problem for you?”

Silence greets my question, and I start to worry. Was I foolish to think this might work? That the elves and the magicians could work together?

One of the mages at the front of the group shifts his weight from foot to foot and clears his throat, glancing at Grayson as if asking for permission to speak. Grayson nods, and the mage turns his attention to me. Like most from Arhaven, he has golden skin and blond hair, but he doesn’t wear his in the typical longer style, instead, it’s cut very short and close to his head. Dazzling blue eyes meet mine, and from the fine creases around them, I would say he’s in his early thirties.

“We are beginning to see things are not as black and white as we once believed, beloved.” His voice is deep, and as he speaks, I notice that several of the other mages nod along with him. There is confusion in their expressions, and I understand how hardthis must be for them. “We trust in the Great Mother, and she will guide us true. She is telling us to trust you. If you say these elves are not evil or to be harmed, then we believe you.”

There’s a murmur of agreement from the other mages, and I realise they look up to this mage.I like him, I think as I assess the man in front of me. Everything he says rings true, almost like Merrin’s truth magic, except I don’t feel the thick molasses-like feeling of magic in the air.

Allowing a small smile, I dip my head a fraction in acknowledgement of his statement, trying not to let it show that my heart is pounding in my chest. “What is your name?”

The mage immediately performs a low bow before standing straight and giving me a small, gentle smile. “Samson, ma’am.”

Yes, I definitely like him.His smile is genuine and reaches his eyes, but he isn’t trying to check me out or gain my favour because of my status or relationship with Grayson. My smile widens slightly in return. “Thank you, Samson.” There’s definitely something about him I still can’t put my finger on. “Your magic, do you have a…” I try to think how to phrase it, not knowing the terminology. I know I was gifted by the goddess, but I don’t actually possess magic. Merrin has truth magic, and Ellis is able to put his will into his, but I don’t know if having a particular skill with magic is normal or not. As far as I’m aware, Grayson doesn’t have a particular skill, he’s just strong in all areas, which is how he became a high mage.

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