Page 1 of Arthur

Chapter 1

Arthur

December

1508

“It’s good to have you back. Although I won’t say it’s a bit disappointing to see you return alone. I had high hopes for Spain,” Father said to me. I had to agree though. I had really hoped to find my One while on my travels in Spain. Sadly, nothing. Not even a twinge. I’d spent months there, visiting many different cities, yet I never once found anything more than someone to spend an unfulfilling night with.

“Yes, it was most disappointing. Perhaps next time. There’s always Italy, I guess. Or Greece,” I said.

“True. We have some new families that have reached out, looking to join us. And there are those few that have reached age while you were gone,” Father told me.

Ahh, yes, how could I forget about them? Our coven was small, but I wasn’t overly interested in finding my One in someone I’d watched grow up. It would be…odd.

“I’m not sure he’s into that idea, love,” Dad said. I smiled at my alpha father. He might not be a warlock, but Wallace was apowerful tiger shifter, and he was much more perceptive than many gave him credit for.

“It would be most uncomfortable,” I stated.

Father laughed, and Dad gave me a sympathetic look.

“Only until you sensed their aura. Then it wouldn’t matter anymore.”

I sure hoped he was right if that were the case. “Time will tell, I guess. How has everyone been? I don’t mind traveling, but it can become tedious.” I wasn’t exactly eager to rush off somewhere else anytime soon. I wanted to spend some time here at the inn and reconnect with my family, both birth as well as my coven family.

“That’s understandable. Everyone is well. Your dad and I have discussed possibly moving the coven.”

We all knew this was coming. We’d been here a long time, and there were those in the nearby village who had started to ask questions again. Others were overly concerned about so many men living together without an equal number of females.

“I’ll do whatever it is you need for support.” I would. Not only was I my fathers’ firstborn, but I knew one day, I would be running the coven. It had already been discussed. Thankfully, there was no rush, despite my years.

“I’d expect nothing less. Now, tell me, do you think it’s possible you’ll find your One in one of our younger members?” Father asked.

I sat back and thought about the question. Did I? No. The only younger member of our coven that I had been even remotely drawn to had been Patrick. He’d been utterly beautiful with his blond hair and crystal-blue eyes. There was simply something striking about him that had always caught my attention, despite my attempts to ignore my thoughts of him. He had been completely off-limits because he was entirely too young, which made my thoughts of the younger warlockquestionable. The last I’d seen of Patrick, he was just turning seventeen, and his parents had decided to move away.

“No. I’m sorry. It’s not to say I won’t find my One in someone here now. But the coven isn’t overly large. Wouldn’t I have sensed them by now?” I said instead.

“Yes. One would believe so. Perhaps you’ll have better luck with new members. There truly is no rush on our part, you realize that, correct?” Father said.

I nodded. They’d been mated for several hundred years already, and although I wasn’t what some would consider old by warlock standards, I was tired of being alone. I wanted someone for longer than a night.

“Yes. I understand. But I’m ready to start that part of my life if at all possible. I can be patient though. It’s not as if I don’t have any choice in the matter.”

“I know it’s frustrating to wait. If I could help, I would. But Primrose has gone quiet,” Father said.

I smiled while shaking my head. If you were a goddess, you could ignore people, even warlocks you’d created, whenever the mood struck.

“It’s quite all right. If you two will excuse me, I believe I’ll have a walk on the grounds before I retire for the evening.” I got up from my seat and left the front room of the inn that we used as our coven house. It was where I’d been born several hundred years ago. We’d updated and had added to it over the centuries. But I understood Father and Dad’s concern with regards to our safety. The safety of those in the coven had always been one of Father’s biggest concerns, even before he found Dad and they had me.

Above all, we had to remain safe. Granted, we were more powerful than humans and could easily overpower them if needed, but that wasn’t the way we chose to live. We wantedto live alongside them peacefully. We did our best to blend in, going as far as only using our magic when absolutely necessary.

I left the inn and headed toward what used to be one of my favorite spots. We had a small brook that ran behind the main house, and there were several places that were perfect for sitting and reflecting. I’d done a lot of that. As their firstborn, I knew from a young age there were expectations of me that any other children wouldn’t have. That was an issue though. I only wanted to make my fathers proud.

I had done everything I could to ensure that I never disappointed them. I listened to Father intently when he was trying to explain the magic that coursed through my body. I studied until I fell asleep from exhaustion. I went to the others in the coven and learned everything I could from them. I was what most would classify as an overachiever. But my efforts had paid off, and I was a powerful warlock in my own right.

Now, if I could only find my One, someone I could spend the rest of my lifetime with and start a family with. I wanted that. I longed for someone to spend long winter nights with. My other half who would give me sweet smiles. Someone to have a family with.

I wandered around the property a little before heading toward the stream. I’d spent many summers playing in the area, often using the calm waters to cool down when the summer became too warm. This time of night, I expected to be completely alone, but I sensed another presence before I arrived at the brook. Never did I expect to see the utterly beautiful woman that was there, but I knew who she was before she turned to look at me. Who else would have a glow around her other than my father’s creator?

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