Page 16 of A Duke at the Door

“Above them,” Bates muttered.

“I have been entrusted with this gift. It is my birthright, and it is my responsibility to serve that gift and this pack.” The ire seemed to be directed at Mr. Bates, but Tabitha felt firmly put in her place.

“I ask only because His Grace is doing nothing but controlling his emotions, and I suspect that is part of the larger issue. But naturally, all help is welcome.” Tabitha set down her cup and rolled the serving cart to the side. It would do her authority no good to be seen peering over the teapot. “The duke has avoided me up until this past week. In the time I spent with him, I found him to be discerning, protective, and canny. I feel he is grappling with, as would anyone, the loss of his years in that menagerie. What I am less versed in is how his being is informed by his lion self. I expect it takes quite a lot to prevent the emergence of one’s animal state. Is that why His Grace reacted strongly to the mention of Ostara?”

“You are observant,” Lowell’s Second said.

“It was impossible to miss, Mr. Bates.”

“Thecursiois not only a celebration but a necessity,” Lowell said. “When my mate first came to us, we had to keep our secret until such time as was perfect to disclose it.” Felicity took his hand, and they exchanged a fond look. “It was simple enough for the small Shifters to find time and space to Change, for who would find it odd to come across a mouse or a stoat or a beaver in the park, doing what mice and stoats and beavers do?”

“One might come across a big doggie in the meadow and be taken by surprise,” Felicity said, a comment that had even the stoic Omega smiling.

“I was so in need of Changing, Miss Barrington, that I was not thinking clearly,” Lowell said. This earned an eye roll from his Second. “Her Grace came upon me in my Shape, and had she been anyone else, it would have gone very badly.” He lifted their entwined hands and kissed the back of hers.

“The Change is also necessary for the well-being of the pack as a whole,” he continued. “It is vital that the prey feel at home with the predators. When they see us regularly in our animal skins, when they mix with us without being harmed, it assures them we are there to protect them. When we run together, they understand they are not the object of pursuit, but are joining us in a show of unity. Hence, thecursio. We observe this on our ceremonial days and after milestone events like marriages and births.”

“How spectacular.” It sounded like nothing Tabitha had ever seen. “Is there no way we may witness this?”

“It is rather a lot for ahomo plenusto experience,” O’Mara said. “I would advise against it.”

“Would this event appeal to allversipelles?” Tabitha asked. “Even if they were not part of the pack?” O’Mara nodded. “So, even if he wanted to, it will not be something the duke can take part in, as he is unable to Change. Or does not wish to.”

“If he does not Change, he will die,” Lowell growled.

They were finally at the crux of the matter. “Is that a certainty?”

“It is known amongst our kind,” O’Mara said; her voice took on a light, soothing cadence that helped the duke relax and made Felicity scowl.

“Is it proven amongst your kind?”

O’Mara’s tone turned abrupt. “You would not understand.”

“Exactly!” Theversipellesdid not look as though they had expected that response. Tabitha continued, “This is why I am well-placed to address this. I do not understand, therefore I must strive to do so. I do this through inquiry. It is not my intention to anger you. I am not ignorant, I am uninformed. I will not suffer shame because there is no reason for it. Do you see how I framed this?”

Mr. Bates looked intrigued; the duke nodded; O’Mara cast a look over Tabitha’s shoulder again and sighed, then nodded.

“I question perceptions,” Tabitha said. “The inability to Change is perceived to be dangerous toversipellianhealth. It is clear the duke is suffering. Is it because he does not Shift?”

Lowell leaned forward. “If I do not Shift for a long period, I feel as though I shall die.”

“Oh, I see. Feelings.” Notfeelingsagain. “You are fearful for your creature.”

“Yes.” The duke did not equivocate.

“Is your creature afraid?”

That made him stop to think. “Our connection wavers and I cannot feel him as well as I usually would,” he replied.

“I assumed—badly done of me, to assume—that you are in constant communication with your animal spirit.”

“Not a spirit.” This was relayed with conviction, and Bates and O’Mara both nodded at their Alpha’s statement.

“No?” This was fascinating. “What, then?”

“An essence.”

“What is the difference?”

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