Page 29

“We’re here,” said Kragen. “Someone will get your bags. I believe the King and Lady Rachel await your arrival.”

Crek. I’m meeting the King? Now?

Morgan sidled closer to him and his tail rested on her lower back. She gave him an encouraging nod. Familiar odors tickled his nostrils—the trees, flowers, and earth.

Silently, he entered the building as everyone but the guards followed.

In the large living area, King Sovex stood with two other Svesti and two human females.

One of the Svesti males had golden bronze skin and lavender eyes suggesting kinship with the Costonian ruler.

The other had deep bronze skin and blue eyes.

While the king and blue-eyed male wore their hair long, the other sported short hair.

One of the females was the tall, lithe blonde from the comm.

The shorter female was curvier, and her hair color was a duller shade than Morgan’s.

Behind him, Kara squealed, then whispered loudly, “It’s her. She wrote the dragon shifter books.”

“Not the time, Kara,” Rain hissed.

“Kara, it’s nice to finally meet you in person.” The dark-haired female moved closer with a wide smile. She looked at each of the Wing Raiders. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to thank you all in person for your assistance when I was kidnapped.”

“We were happy to help Commander Durek.” Makai grinned. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

The short-haired Svesti stepped forward and clasped Makai’s forearm enthusiastically.

“Makai. It is good to see you. Yes, Talia and I are fated mates.” That must be the commander. I should know him, but I don’t.

“Human females are sparking fated mate bonds with the Svesti, too?” Lezon’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes, we’re seeing fated mate bonds again after almost a century of none,” the blue-eyed Svesti said. “I’m Healer Ash’n Rivezt.”

“Lezon. Medic.”

“I would like to speak with you afterwards and compare observations.”

“I would be happy to.”

“Rivezt? Are you Lady Narilla’s grandson?” Morgan asked. At the Svesti’s nod, she continued, “She is very proud of you. She used to tell me stories about your childhood.”

Rivezt smiled.

“She also mentioned you with affection, Lady Morgan. I’m glad I finally get to meet you.”

Tren moved his way forward.

“Morgan was the human female we rescued at the same time as Lady Talia.”

Their welcoming party started in surprise.

“I had no idea, otherwise I would have insisted you return with Talia to heal,” King Sovex said.

“I think I ended up where I needed to be, King Sovex.”

“In private, all of you, please call me Traxen. I don’t require the formalities.”

“Then you can drop the Ladies with us,” Kara piped up.

“Where are my manners? This is my fated mate and Queen of Costonia, Lady Rachel.”

“Queen?” squeaked Kara. “Are you shitting me?”

Rain rolled her eyes. Makai sighed heavily. Grulen silently thanked the Goddess for Kara’s irreverent behavior easing his tension.

“Brinkman, decorum,” Rain barked.

“Yes, Colonel.” Kara straightened her posture and pasted a serious look on her face. She waited until Rain turned, then stuck her tongue out at her.

Queen Rachel smirked. Crax pulled Kara closer and whispered in her ear. Kara’s face flushed.

“I can see you will all get along just fine with the other humans here.” Lady Talia laughed.

“Can we get back to Grulen?” Morgan said quietly.

“Of course.” Traxen exchanged a warrior’s clasp with Grulen. “Welcome home, Grulen Jevax. We have been looking for you for lunars . We feared you perished in the explosion.”

“Explosion?”

“Come, let us get comfortable and we’ll talk more.” Traxen gestured to the next room and the dining area’s long table.

“It appears the Zuvgran attacked the shuttle you were temporarily assigned to.”

“Given the data from the pod where Jevax was rescued, that makes sense.” Makai crossed his arms.

“He must have suspected the danger if he was in a pod at the time,” said Lezon.

“I’ve reviewed your medical records from the Morning Star. You were lucky to survive.” Rivezt held his gaze. “Do you remember any of us?”

“With the exception of the king, all of your scents feel familiar, but no memories accompany the sensation.” Grulen frowned. Morgan leaned into his shoulder and his tail wrapped around her ankle under the table.

“Hmm. Anything else?”

Grulen squinted at the healer.

“Like what?”

Rivezt leaned forward.

“You tell me.”

“It sounds silly.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Grulen let out a long breath.

“Impressions.”

“Please explain.”

“A word or two.”

“Curious. What words?”

“I do not wish to offend anyone.” This healer is tenacious.

“You won’t, Jevax. Think of this as a fact-finding mission.” Queen Rachel’s blue eyes encouraged him.

“Fine.” He pointed at Durek. “Volatile, but fair.” He indicated Rivezt. “Controlled, but compassionate.” Dipping his chin at Lady Talia, he said, “Stubborn caretaker.” For Queen Rachel, his words were “Warrior instructor.”

At their silence, his shoulders drooped. Then Queen Rachel laughed and the others joined in.

“Oh, Jevax, we’ve missed you.” Queen Rachel wiped her eyes.

“Given your accuracy, I believe you will most definitely retrieve your memories at some point.” Rivezt’s fangs gleamed white against his bronze skin.

“Really?” Morgan leaned forward.

Rivezt nodded.

“I don’t know how long it will take, but his answers suggest that the memories are there but misplaced or hidden somehow.” That’s good news.

“Are you a mind healer?” Abby spoke for the first time.

“No. I’ve had training because of my position on the Invictus , but it wasn’t my primary focus.”

“Our best mind healers believe that since Rivezt has treated you for over five years, you may find it easier to speak with him initially. They hope you may have retained a sense of rapport with him and that will reduce the time it takes to remember. Rivezt will report to them and discuss his own impressions. They will offer advice or suggestions as needed. There may come a point when you no longer feel Rivezt is not the one you need to speak with. They will intervene if that happens.” Traxen gestured as he explained.

“Part of me feels there is something important I’m supposed to do, but I haven’t been able to recall what that is.”

“There was. However, the situation no longer exists,” Durek said.

“Can you tell me what it was?”

Rivezt’s ponytail swung as he shook his head.

“At this time, I would prefer not to. I’m concerned it will negatively impact your natural progress.”

Crek. Even when there are answers, no one will tell me. Hopefully, they’ll respond to the next question.

“The file you sent said I was unmated and under no contract. Is there a specific female waiting for me to remember her?”

Morgan tensed beside him and his tail rubbed along her calf. Queen Rachel and Lady Talia laughed.

“Oh, no. No one.”

Morgan pursed her lips.

“What’s so funny?”

“Let’s just say our initial impression of Jevax when we first met several lunars ago was that he was a flirt.”

Grulen frowned at Lady Talia’s words.

“However, he treated all of us with respect and became a trusted friend.” Queen Rachel studied Morgan’s reaction.

“Hmm.”

I hope Morgan doesn’t change her opinion of me based on the females’ words.