Page 20 of Bear Protector
“I appreciate you for doing that, but it will not change the fact that I am riding to the fortress entrance on a shifter’s horse when no one saw me leave this morning.”
“I have a plan for that too. Wait for me at the back of the Great Hall, all right?”
“I will. Thank you, Coco.”
Her familiar flew off, and she and Xander continued riding until they were at the meeting spot. She dismounted the mare. “You do not need to wait here with me.”
Xander took the second set of reins. “I will wait, anyway.”
“Thank you for the meal, and for allowing me into your home.”
“You are welcome. I would still like to give you a tour sometime.”
“I do not believe that is wise, after last night. Goodness, I hope nothing happens to you because of me.”
“You should worry about what Minassus will do to you if he finds out.”
“I will tell him the truth if he asks. I lost track of time outside the fortress, did not want to return home, met you purely by chance, visited the shifter camp, and fell asleep in your cabin after supper.”
He chuckled. “I would love to see your Chancellor’s reaction to such a crisp and accurate account.”
“Why? It is the truth. You think he will not believe me?”
“Hmmm. Let’s see. You have not spent a single night away from the fortress since you were…eleven, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you slept in my cabin?”
“Yes.”
“Nine days before you will cast the shifter transformation spell…and most likely meet your untimely demise.”
“Yes…no…well, not necessarily. I may not die.”
“There is only one way to survive that spell, Kiera.”
“What?” She was not sure she had just heard him correctly. “You know of a way to survive it?”
“Two…no, three.”
“What are they?”
“Either do not participate, be a strong male sorcerer, or fail to cast it.”
“None of those are feasible. I cannot refuse to do it. I’d have to run away or go into hiding or something. I am also not a man. And failing to cast it, do you mean I could act like my spell is not sufficient during the ceremony?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, I cannot do that either. Look, can we discuss the transformation ceremony another time and get back to the challenge at hand? I need to get back to the fortress. I will tell the Chancellor what happened, and he will believe me.”
“If you say so.”
“Nothing happened…between us. You and I both know that.”
“We do, but the question is, will he?”
Kiera thought about it. Nothing had happened. All Xander was guilty of was feeding her and providing a safe place to rest. The Chancellor just had to believe her and leave it at that. If he did not…
