Page 63 of Cam's Treasure

Things had slotted in easily with Ember, but Kai was going to be a challenge. I could already tell. While he'd accepted our claims, he'd done it with the resignation of someone out of options. We'd need to prove ourselves to him, and break down whatever walls he'd built around himself after being betrayed by the mage.

It wouldn't be easy, and it might take time, but I was ready. "I am," I answered out loud, even though I knew Micah had witnessed my whole thought process. Still, he smiled warmly at me, moving his arm to squeeze my elbow.

"Good."

Ember sighed softly as he tightened his hold around us, and I was just about to sink into the cuddle when there was a knock at the door. It opened before I could get up, and I realized I'd forgotten to lock it. A lock wouldn't keep out anyone who could actually hurt us, so I usually just bothered out of habit.

Then again, Kai was vulnerable, so I needed to do better.

"Where are my favorite nephews?"

I grinned as Raphael stepped into the living room, leaving the couch to give him a tight hug. He patted my back then pulled back, his green-brown eyes scanning my face as he impatiently tucked his loose blond hair behind his ears. "Are you okay? You said you needed my healing magic."

In my hurry, I hadn't really explained the situation to Raph, and I took his arm, leading him to an armchair.

Once he was seated, I spoke. "We found our final mate. He's a selkie, and he's hurt."

Raphael's eyes filled with worry. "Is it bad? It must be if you need me."

"It's not bad," I said hesitantly, then added, "Someone stole his coat, so his magic is on the fritz. He can't heal himself."

"Oh! I'll do my best then, but you know as well as I do that my surface healing is a bit... finicky."

Years ago, Raphael had left Ravenshire after decades of verbal abuse from his parents because of his 'faulty' magic.

It was only later that he'd realized his magic wasn't faulty, just different. All he'd needed was acceptance and some space to figure that out, something he'd never been afforded by his family.

Since then, regular practice had helped him bridge the gap between his magic and the expected healing magic, and he could repair wounds and injuries...most of the time.

"Just do your best."

I glanced up as I heard footsteps on the stairs, and hoped Kai would accept my assurance that Raph wouldn't harm him, that he was one of the good ones.

Twenty-Six

Kai

I heard the new voice before I reached the living room, slightly higher-pitched, laced with kindness. Was that the healing mage they'd mentioned?

My head wasn't bleeding anymore, but it hurt like a bitch, so I sucked up my fears and walked into the living room.

Ember and Micah were on the couch, while Cam sat on the arm of a chair taken by a blond stranger.

The stranger glanced up at me, then smiled widely, his green-brown eyes brightening right up. He shot to his feet—and sent Cam falling before he caught himself—but didn't approach me.

"You must be Kai. I'm Raphael Presley. It's nice to meet you!"

I tilted my head, puzzled. His last name didn't sound like a mage name. Had he changed it after coming here?

"I'm Kai. Nice to meet you too," I said, reluctantly taking a few steps closer. It was clear the other three all trusted this man, but he was a mage. I couldn't stop myself from being nervous around him. I knew not all mages were like Osric—Micah was a mage, and he'd been nothing but sweet and kind to me—but I couldn't help myself.

"If you'll take a seat here, I can check out your injury. Is your head the only place it hurts?"

It wasn't theonlyone, but it was the most prominent. The others were just bruises that would heal on their own anyway.

"Yeah." I took the chair, sitting upright with my fingers digging into the armrest. Yet the moment Cam placed his palm on my shoulder, I felt better. Safer.

I couldn't feel the mate bond that connected us, but its effects were still there, and I couldn't deny them.

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