Page 20 of From Frost to Flame

“Understood,” Vega said, taking it reluctantly. “You better make it back home so I can give this back to you. I don’t like wearing it. Messes up my hair. If it gets too dangerous, find your way home. We can regroup and find another way to ensure Orion’s safety.”

Silas agreed, but he knew he would save Lex or die trying. Giving up wasn’t an option.

Vega pulled him close into a hug, and the soft scent of lavender invaded Silas's senses.

The stabbing pain in his limbs from being away from his mate spiked with his anger as he broke their embrace. “Were you with Lex the other night?”

“For a moment. Why do you ask?”

Vega’s eyes glinted. Silas stifled the growl in his chest as Lex’s bleeding hand flashed in his mind. “I found Lex drunk and alone. Can you tell me what happened?”

“I don’t know anything about that.” He shrugged. “Must’ve had a wild night with his family once I left. You know how vamps are. They smell liquor and get drunk. It’d be a bit cute if it wasn’t so dangerous.”

Silas bristled at the word cute. “Travel safe.”

“Silas, you can’t honestly think I’d leave him like that. Had I found him drunk, I would’ve brought him to the castle or stayed by his side through the night.”

“I need to go. I want this message to Orion as soon as possible.”

“I can tell you’re upset, and I should’ve mentioned I saw him. But if you give me a chance, I can explain.”

“I believe, as your king, I gave you an order to leave. Why are you still here?” Silas's words stunned Vega silent. He didn’t pull rank on the pack in most cases, and he never did with Vega.

Shock read on Vega’s face as he stammered. “I don’t want to be on bad terms when you’re about to head into danger.”

“It’s too late for that. You’ve displeased me, but you can make it up to me by doing what I asked. You’ll hear from me if I need you. Now go.”

Silently, Vega shifted into his wolf form, and with his tail between his legs, he dashed off. His speed made him nothing but a cool breeze in the night.

Silas headed back toward the cabin, but Castor stayed put. He groaned and turned to face his brother. “If you have something to say before we go back, make it quick. I’m not in the mood.”

“You hurt him. You realize you don’t actually know what happened between them? You’re making assumptions.”

“I’m not making assumptions. I’m looking at evidence.” He had a twinge of regret for how he treated Vega, but not enough to take it back. “He was with Lex, and then Lex ended up a drunken mess in harm’s way. Dragging others into his need to gain my attention was unacceptable. If a worse person found Lex before I did, I can’t even think about what could have happened.”

“I suppose it could have been bad.”

“It could have been horrible. Vampires are excessively vulnerable. Fae like to torture them for fun. Witches milk them for love potions. Their venom makes them prime targets to get dragged off to bed by nonhumans with no morals. Not to mention—”

“Not to mention Lex is your mate, right?” When Silas fell silent, Castor lit up with excitement. “I knew it! Everything makes so much sense. I was wondering why you kept inviting him back to the castle after he set your room on fire a dozen times. I would have guessed if I had known it was possible.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Silas looked back toward the cabin, worried Lex would hear. “Can we drop it, please?”

“No, we cannot drop it,” Castor said, slinging an arm around him as they started walking toward the cabin again. “My little brother finding his mate is wondrous news. We should have a bonding ceremony. A vampire wasn’t what I expected. If I’m honest, I had my money on you and Vega, like everyone else, but Lex is perfect for you. Tell me everything.”

“What do you mean?” He shoved his brother off. “I already told you that you were right.”

“Tell me how you figured it out! I want to know what it’s like. Was it as romantic and magical as all the elders say it is? I can’t believe you found your mate before me.”

“If I tell you about it, will you stop speaking so loudly? At this volume, all of Wisteria will hear you.” Dating and sex were easy to talk about when they were meaningless, but he had never discussed being soul bonded with anyone before. It was too personal. Too vulnerable.

“I’ll be quiet,” Castor said, practically bouncing as he walked by his side. “Out with it.”

“Remember when you and Vega kidnapped me and took me to Dionysus to celebrate my first day on the throne? Well, I went home with Lex that night.”

“That’s why you ditched us! He said you were preoccupied with some man in a pretty corset. I should have guessed it was Lex.”

“I bought him a drink, and we hit it off. When we were heading back to his place, he clutched my arm, and it happened. As soon as he touched me, I knew.” A small smile crossed Silas's lips as he grew wistful for better times. “It was more amazing than everyone says or I could explain. Being near him is like going home or finding a part of my soul I didn’t know was missing. It snuffed out any doubt I had toward stars and fate.”

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