Page 37 of Frost and Fate
She nodded quickly. “Totally.” Aria headed down the hallway, no doubt to begin her party planning.
Darren stopped her with his voice. “And Aria”—she turned to look at him—“no surprises.”
Aria grinned. “None!” She added one more thing before turning to leave. “Oh and you guys should probably go shower before returning to the training room.” She winked and was on her way. Darren couldn’t help but crack a smirk.
Nova looked up at him. “Well well well.” She smiled playfully. “It looks like Aria’s got you wrapped around her finger.”
Darren chuckled and pulled Nova in close. “Well, Aria was right about one thing.” He leaned close to her ear. “We should definitely go for a shower.”
Nova shivered in anticipation. They headed back to the apartments and she allowed herself to feel a small tinge of excitement for the upcoming party, and the formal announcement of her mate.
The fear of the Collectors nagged at the back of her mind. She brushed the feeling aside. It was just one party, what could possibly go wrong?
ChapterEighteen
The following morning was much like the one before. Leah took Nova to her training lessons with Lucas. They studied a myriad of weapons. Nova had successfully created a sword, dagger, and small hatchet out of ice. Each one had shattered upon contact with a real blade. Lucas has been undeterred. He was as patient as ever as he worked with Nova. By the end of the session she was mentally and physically exhausted. Before going back home to shower, she decided to head to the medical wing to check in on Romani.
When Nova arrived she saw Romani lying on the clean white bed. He was being tended to by Matlena and Brona. Brona smeared a green concoction onto Romani’s wounds, while her grandmother, Matlena, mixed the herbs with a mortar and pestle. She watched in fascination as the old woman chanted incantations over the mixture. “You must speak to the plants,” she said, turning to face Nova. “There is power in words.” Nova smiled warmly and headed into the room. Matlena placed her wrinkled hands over Nova’s. “How are you, my dear?” The Chosen woman had such beautiful energy. It seemed to touch Nova’s very soul. Her granddaughter Brona shared a very similar energy.
“I’m good. I came to check on Romani.” The Traveler lay still with his eyes closed.
“He will be fine,” Matlena said as she patted Nova’s hands.
Brona spoke up from the other side of the bed, “We’ve given him something to sleep, so his body and spirit can heal more quickly.”
Nova studied Brona. Her beautiful red hair draped over her shoulders, and framed her milky white face. The stunning woman held a sparkle in her turquoise eyes. Nova once again realized she knew so very little about the woman. “Brona, I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Nova chose her words carefully. “What exactly are your Chosen gifts? The other day when you helped put me to bed, I thought—”
The door to the room swung open. Leah was standing in the doorway looking slightly flustered at the sight of so many people in the room. “Sorry to interrupt. I was just checking on Romani.”
Matlena smiled. “Not to worry, dear, he will be all healed in no time.” Leah stared at the sleeping man. She gave a curt nod to Matlena and exited the room as quickly as she had arrived.
“Oh my heart,” the elderly healer said. “She’s been here more than anyone.”
“Really?” asked Nova. “Why?”
Matlena only smiled. “The heart is a funny thing, is it not?” Nova thought back to the encounters between Leah and Romani. Had she missed something? “Speaking of the heart”—Matlena’s smile widened—“how is that handsome mate of yours?”
“Bestemor!” Brona said in surprise. “Your business is not in the love lives of lycans.”
“Oh hush, child,” Matlena brushed her off. “I know a destined pair when I see one. You are mates, no?”
Nova blushed. “We are.”
“Oh, Nova!” Brona clapped her hands together and came around to embrace her. “I’m so happy for you!”
Matlena came next, placing a weathered hand on either side of Nova’s face. “Your path will not be easy, but your mate will be your strength when times are dark.” Nova couldn’t shake the feeling that Matlena knew more than she was saying. She turned to Brona, who quickly looked away. A knock on the door made them all turn. It was Darren. He looked dangerously handsome in a charcoal suit and tightly fitted white shirt. He smiled at Nova, then nodded to Matlena who came over to place her hands over his.
“I am always right,” she stated without further explanation.
Darren grinned. “You were right. She is the one.”
Matlena let out a triumphant cheer and turned to point at Brona. The redhead rolled her eyes but smiled. Darren untangled himself from the sweet old woman, and headed over to Nova. “Are you all finished here? I have a surprise for you.”
They said their goodbyes to the two Chosen women and headed toward the apartments. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Darren pulled Nova close to him, planting warm, soft lips on her own. She melted into him with no resistance. He pulled away and smiled down at her. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.” His deep, silky voice made heat rush through her body.
“So what’s the surprise?” she asked, still breathy from the kiss.
He gave her a mischievous smirk. “You’ll see.” Nova let out a small sound of protest. “First, you need to take a shower and get ready for dinner.”
