Page 38 of Beyond Fate

Aldrin had appeared the night Jaytee had left with Casimir and Panahasi to enter the Unseelie realm to get back Raidh’s soul. With a single touch to his temple, Kalen had seen Casimir’s life in a flash. He’d thought Casimir’s training was horrific, but serving a deranged king had seemed even worse.

But then he’d witnessed the loneliness and heartache Casimir had endured after escaping the realm. How his own brother had rejected him, how Casimir had wandered the earth without ever making a single friend. Kalen had actually felt the despair that had consumed Casimir as if it had been his own.

That night, Kalen had shed more than a few tears for the warrior. It was why he made sure Casimir knew he had family now. That he was a Frost.

But that still didn’t stop Kalen from being cautious with all three.

“I would tell you there is no need to be cautious, but you’re a father, and fathers worry.” Aldrin smiled.

Kalen narrowed his eyes. “I’ve asked you once before to stay out of my thoughts. A man’s got a right to his privacy.”

Aldrin snapped his fingers. “I have taken away my ability to read your mind.”

“Really?”

“No.”

“You’re an ass.” Kalen looked back toward the house and saw Jax and Elvine arguing. “Are you sure those two aren’t mates?” he asked. “They bicker like an old married couple.”

“You would have to ask Fate.” Aldrin chuckled. “Though he’s in a pretty pissed-off mood right now.”

With furrowed brows, Kalen turned back to him. “He?”

Aldrin gestured to an area next to him, and an image—like the holographic ones Kalen had seen in movies—appeared. He had to admit the guy was gorgeous. Tall, svelte, with long black hair and piercing green eyes, but those eyes were haunted. Kalen sensed a lot of pain in them. “That’s Fate?”

The image vanished. “Yes, and besides Panahasi, you’re the only other person who’s ever seen him. Do me a favor and keep the fact that fate is an actual person to yourself.”

“Why?”

“Would you rather believe fate is a whisper through the cosmos or an actual person directing life’s traffic, capable of causing plenty of accidents over the course of his existence?”

“When you put it like that…” He shook his head. “Sometimes you make conversations depressing as hell.”

Smirking, Aldrin wiggled his fingers close to Kalen’s head. “I could erase that memory for you.”

Kalen growled. “Tinker with my brain and I’ll kick your ass.”

Aldrin quietly laughed. “I truly enjoy your company, Kalen Frost.” He sobered. “I have to go, but be careful. When Casimir defied King Emrys, he was condemned to death. Now there’s a guardian on Casimir’s trail, determined to carry out that sentence. Despite making a shady deal that backfired, Elouan is not to be underestimated. As long as Casimir lives, Elouan can never truly be the new commander.”

“Hell of a motivation.” Kalen ran his hand through his beard.

“Envy always is.” Aldrin vanished.

Chapter Eleven

Damon rubbed his stomach as he headed downstairs. Getting sick at seven in the morning was no way to start his day. It must have been those burritos he’d eaten for dinner. Damon needed to stop being so greedy when his dad cooked.

Now he needed something to settle his stomach because he still felt lightweight nauseous. He was surprised he hadn’t woken his mate with all that retching in their bathroom.

Casimir slept like a rock.

Halfway down the stairs Damon paused, waiting to see if he had to make a run for the nearest trashcan. He breathed out slowly, determined not to get sick again, then went to the kitchen.

“Great, the brats are awake,” he teased when he saw Elvine and Raidh sitting at the table, both with a glass of juice and a bagel. “What’re you two troublemakers doing up so early?”

Damon stopped and gripped the edge of the counter, waiting for another wave of nausea to pass. It couldn’t be food poisoning. The poison would have burned through his system too quickly. He really shouldn’t have eaten six large burritos, but they’d never made him sick in the past.

“Are you okay?” Raidh asked. “You look…weird.”

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