Page 135 of Possess Me at Midnight

“I think it’s a solid plan,” I chime in. “Mathias’s witch, Rhea, is in the dungeon. Since she isn’t Mathias’s mate, he should be unable to trace her. We’ve begun questioning her. Already she’s admitted to placing the tracking spell on the Doomsday Diary. I…persuaded her to remove it. She’s a valuable hostage, and relocating her would be fraught with opportunities for her to escape or give Mathias the potential means to free her. It’s best if we all remain here.”

“Good. It’s settled.” Bram slaps the table. “Caden, thank your mate for her prompt and excellent transcast. So glad I sent you to that silly human rag she worked for to lure her away.”

Caden frowns. “You sent me there to shut her up.”

Bram waves. “Whatever. It worked.”

Most wizards around the table laugh as they rise. Predictably, Caden goes in search of Sydney, Marrok after Olivia, while Ronan seeks out Kari.

Beside him, Raiden grumbles. “Mating has turned you into a sap.”

Ronan’s stare swivels, studying his twin’s increasingly dark mood with a scowl. “Aren’t you a bright ray of sunshine these days? Bloody miserable, more like. Still not speaking to that witch you got pregnant?”

Raiden’s face goes stone cold. “Tabitha is better off without me.”

“Right. Because you’re such a terrible wizard?” Ronan’s voice drips sarcasm.

“She needs someone who can give her what she deserves, not some cursed manwhore who will never be able to sense if she’s truly his.”

“The curse is bollocks. I’m living proof of that, and you know it.”

Raiden’s jaw works silently. “Doesn’t matter now. Her parents arranged for her to mate with an acceptable wizard, the Council Chancellor’s nephew.”

“She’s having your youngling.”

Raiden flips him a flat stare. “No one cares. Besides, this is better for everyone.”

I don’t mean to eavesdrop…but it’s hard not to overhear. The pain bleeding through Raiden’s mental barriers hits me unexpectedly. Walking away from the witch and his coming child filled him with raw anguish and nearly brought him to his knees, but he forced himself to do what he thought was right—even if it’s destroying him.

“Stop bashing yourself,” Ronan argues. “You’re more noble than you think, brother.”

I have to agree. Though I grew up with the twins, who admittedly lived colorful lives before Mathias’s return, I’ve seen a change in them. Raiden’s thoughts and choices are so much like my beloved Ice’s that I’m forced to agree with Ronan. His twin is more noble than he’ll let himself believe.

“It’s done. Leave it,” Raiden snaps, stalking away before Ronan can probe deeper.

Ronan stares after him, shaking his head at his twin’s stubborn martyrdom.

“He’ll come around,” I murmur. “Tabitha never strays far from his thoughts.”

“It will be too late. Tabitha will be mated to someone else, and I’ll continue losing my brother to heartbreak.”

He’s not wrong, but I’m in no position to persuade Raiden. The last few weeks aside, we’ve barely spoken since we were kids.

I send him a supportive smile, then cast a lingering stare Ice’s way. “Don’t give up. Things may change yet.”

Duke says his farewells and teleports away to tend to preparations for the upcoming wedding. Finally, Bram and Lucan stride side by side out of the room.

My brother pauses to pat my shoulder. In that single glance, I read his pained acceptance. Bram giving his blessing for a mating he’s long opposed is costing him, but he’ll no longer object or try to stop me. Ice has proven himself a worthy warrior, loyal to me and the cause. Now that Ice is a fellow Councilman, Bram has no other logical objection. The development isn’t perfect…but it’s a start. I smile in return.

With that, Bram turns back to Lucan, murmuring that he had a call from Anka, who has information about Mathias’s next move. She also wishes to speak to her former mate. Intriguing, yes…but not my first priority.

Finally, Tynan, looking angry and introspective as always, stomps from the room. He’s a heartbeat away from an explosion of violence or grief. I know he’ll break free of his control someday. Then? Watch out…

That leaves me alone with Ice, who’s staring at me with a mix of dread and resignation that makes me wonder if he’s put too many obstacles between us to have any sort of future.

Chapter

Forty-Five