On the south grounds of the castle, Dex was speaking with Hale and Gavriel.
He spotted Serena instantly, stopping mid sentence. Immediately he crossed the distance and pulled her into a kiss before she could say a word.
Her face flushed.
She told herself she didn't know why.
She did.
She knew exactly why. And he was standing next to Hale.
Gav had to know by now that Dex and her were mates. It'd be shocking if he didn't. But guilt still curled low in her stomach, sharp and uninvited.
Dex shoved calm into her through their matebond without warning, causing her to jolt in shock.
He knew exactly why she felt guilty and a little shy now. He didn't like her thinking about any man other than himself. Absolutely not.
Dex's grin turned downright wicked.
"Yeah, no," he said lightly. He hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her straight up over his shoulder.
"Dex!" she yelped as her feet left the ground.
He laughed, deep and delighted, spinning once just to be a menace.
"There it is," he said. "That is the sound of my favorite person being dramatic."
She squeaked again, half laughing, half startled, clutching at his shoulders.
"Put me down!"
"Absolutely not," Dex replied cheerfully. "You were spiraling. This is a rescue."
He adjusted his hold so she was balanced easily against him, utterly secure but very much not in control.
"See?" he added, smug. "You cannot feel guilty while airborne."
Dex shifted his grip, leaving her hanging upside down, hair spilling toward the ground.
Her startled scream turned into a breathless laugh as he started walking off with her like this was the most normal thing in the world.
"There," he said, satisfied. "Now you are aerodynamic."
She made a very undignified noise.
"Still dramatic," Dex added pleasantly, strolling down the corridor while people stared like this was the strangest parade they had ever seen.
"Efficient," he went on, completely unbothered. "Also excellent for stopping overthinking. All the blood goes to your head."
The doors to the meeting hall came into view. Dex finally slowed and set her back on her feet, steadying her just long enough for her balance to catch.
She straightened, and shot him a look that could have started a small war.
Dex tilted his head, innocent.
"What?"
She shook her head once, annoyed and flustered.
His grin said he would absolutely do it again.
✦✦✦
They listened through the meeting, taking in information. Serena realized pretty quickly that a lot had happened while she was unconscious.
A few uncomfortable moments occurred.
A captain was speaking and cut himself off mid-sentence. Just stopped. His mouth closed. His eyes flicked, unfocused for half a breath, and then he continued as if nothing had happened.
Later, it happened again. Different speaker. Same abrupt silence. A hard cut, like a thread severed cleanly.
Serena knew exactly who they were.
Every one of them bore a mark similar to hers. Not visible to Elara or anyone else. But she had literally put energy into them three days prior.
It was ridiculous. Absurd. A cosmic joke with teeth.
Elara caught her eye once. Then again later.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and mindlinked Serena, completely unaware her mindlink wasn't private. The Alpha, Gamma, and Beta could absolutely hear every word.
Elara:You know what they're referring to. And you broke a rule to find out.
Serena's face went red. She didn't respond. Elara grinned like a wolf who'd just cornered prey.
Later, as they were walking to yet another meeting, Elara's voice slid into Serena's mind again.
Elara:Do you think it's similar to ours?
Serena:Yes. Blood oath, so don't ask them.
All three men ahead of them—Dex, Gavriel, and Hale—stopped mid-stride. Because, of course, by oath, they had to intervene if certain information was being shared or discovered.
That wasn't enough for them to intervene.
But it put them in a tight spot. Real tight.
They also didn't want to give away the fact they could hear their mindlinks. It was way too useful for acquiring information on their mates.
Elara:There are so many parallels.
Serena:Did you catch the three-front assault strategy they slipped into the second meeting?
Elara:Yes. Total déjà vu. Are we sure this isn't a historical reenactment? Should we be wearing costumes?
Serena: Should I say something to Dex?
Elara: I would hold on that. We are new and ignorant. Let's not pretend otherwise.
Serena: Ignorant maybe, but we are also a fresh pair of eyes. I see multiple blindspots.
Elara: Are you referring to Orosia's offensive warfare strategy?
Serena: Gods yes. They didn't even mention Red Death or the fact that they stack armies with Umbrael. The two main factors that led to Frostborne's slaughter.
Elara: Haven't heard you say Frostborne in six years. Big day for you.
Dex and Hale shared a glance but kept moving. They didn't want to interrupt—partly out of respect, partly because they knew better than to spook two women who were finally talking about their origins. They wanted to know.
Gav, on the other hand, was clearly debating whether to crash the conversation and demand answers or wait until Serena had alcohol in her hand.
Serena: I need a drink.
Elara grinned and shook her head once.
Elara: You and me both, after our conversation from earlier. Preferably something strong. And memory-erasing.
Serena chuckled quietly and shook her head.
Elara:Are you their Axis?
Serena:I doubt they use the term Axis.
Elara:My question was rhetorical. When you touched your mark in the cave my literal arm was on fire.
Serena:I think I was feeling Dex's and you were feeling Hale's. My mark is different than Dex's.
Hale, Gav, and Dex stopped again mid-stride. Serena and Elara, too deep in their telepathic spiral to notice, walked straight into them like synchronized fate collisions.
Dex turned around smoothly, entirely too casual, and looked down at Serena.
"Strange how the air feels heavier right here," he said, squinting at nothing. "Might be a gravitational rift. Possibly centered around dramatic women."
Dex grinned, scooped her up into his arms like she was part of the equipment, and kept walking like nothing had happened. Serena blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Safety protocol. You've been flagged as a flight risk," he added, completely deadpan.