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Father put a hand on Lauch’s shoulder and smiled gratefully. “Thank you, son.”

He swept his gaze across the room, daring someone to speak. The loudest voices of dissent were those who’d carved positions for themselves in the disarray Grandfather’s erratic behavior had created. Father let the council know that until the king returned, their influence had evaporated.

He turned his attention to Rod and his brothers. “What do we know of Blackstone’s intentions?”

“His ultimate goal is to bring down the Great Ward.” Rod answered. “The Guardians and the Mage Council believe he used recent events to collect dark magic. Bart is the expert on these matters, so I’ll let him explain.”

Father nodded, and Bart led the council through the intel Chancellor Hollen had conveyed to Grandfather. There were shocked expressions when he explained the missing piece was the energy released when a phoenix permanently died.

“It took the death of Archmage Katarina and Princess Adelais to banish the demons from this world,” Bart said.

“The power Blackstone has collected, if released all at once, would probably equal the output of Katarina ending her life. The king’s kidnapping changes one conclusion, and raises a question I hadn’t considered before. ”

“What’s changed?” Father asked.

“He isn’t ready to act. Either he’s still missing something or he needs to act at a specific time or place, or both. If he was ready to act, he’d have killed the king instead of taking him hostage.”

The reprieve from the world being flooded with demons was a relief, but that raised the question he hadn’t considered. “What troubles you now?” I asked.

“Why King Ailpein?” Bart stared into his purple gem. “He specifically wanted the king. I don’t know why, but finding the answer might be essential not just to saving him, but also the world.”

Father let the room discuss the new information, then handed most of the councilors tasks. Those with assignments left and the atmosphere improved.

“Well played,” Colum said too softly for anyone but family to hear.

Father didn’t acknowledge the compliment. “Seal the room.”

The guards shut the doors, but when Rod and Otto pulled out their stones, it was clear he’d been talking to the mages.

A phoenix in a scholar’s robe stepped forward with several scrolls and put them on the table.

“I think I might have some information to answer Bart’s questions,” Father said.

He paused to let the historian spread out a map and Gwyneth moved to his side.

“When I heard about Blackstone’s need to kill a phoenix, I asked my daughter to conduct some research. ”

Gwyneth motioned everyone to come closer. “This is Master Oda. She was a friend of Adelais before the Great Ward. She is one of the few beings alive who knows where the Great Ward was created.”

“The king also knows,” Oda said. “The Guardians were not present when the spell was cast. Adelais and Katarina knew what they needed to do and they had the guardian pairs wait miles away to help stabilize the spell.”

“We think Blackstone needs to cast his spell in the same general location,” Gwyneth said.

The historian tapped a point on the map. “This is where my lady died.”

“Well I’ll be a donkey’s butt,” Rod said. “That explains why the Mage Council made its headquarters in Philadelphia.”

“Why didn’t Dad tell us?” Bart asked. “Or the original guardians for that matter?”

“I’m not sure he knows,” Father said. “I was a boy at the time of the Demon War. No one spoke of where the Ward had been created. Other than the guardians, Father, Oda, and Alegar Hollen were present. The Mage Council didn’t move to Philadelphia until the city was founded eight hundred years later. ”

“If the site was so important, why would they leave it undefended?” Elspeth asked.

“Who says it wasn’t guarded?” Father responded. “The guardians knew the location and so did the Society. The dragon court was a few hours flight to the north, the gryphons were less than an hour’s flight to the northwest, and there were Native American mages who could protect the site if needed.”

“You think he’s going to take Grandfather there?” I asked. “There are more mages there than anywhere else.”

“That presumes he knows,” Rod said, walking over to take my hand. “And we don’t even know if the original site is important.”

“It makes sense that he knew the site was there,” Bart said.

He waited until everyone was looking at him.

“He spent over two hundred years at Utrecht. If there was any place in the world that contained information about where the Ward was created, it would be there. He tried to summon a demon twice on the campus. It feels too convenient to be coincidental.”

Holding Rod’s hand, I felt Grandfather’s spell create a magical barrier between us. I could feel Rod, but he was maddeningly just beyond my reach. The more I pushed, the stronger the obstruction became. I stopped when my head throbbed.

“Not yet, love.” Rod rubbed his thumb over my hand. “Hopefully soon.”

I didn’t share his faith. Given Grandfather’s determination to prevent me from mating with Rod, I expected the spell would last even if he were killed. Perhaps the Earth could undo the spell, but I didn’t want to put my hopes in a non-sentient entity solving my relationship problems.

“We need to find Grandfather.” I meant to say it quietly to Rod, but my words filled the quiet room.

“No offense, Cini, but you were the last person I expected to hear say that,” Elspeth said.

“Cini?” Rod asked with too much amusement.

I glared at my sister, but she didn’t seem to care. “I’ll kill El later, but don’t ever call me that.” Unlike most people, Rod wouldn’t do it just because it annoyed me. He was too good a being.

“Grandfather is the key to saving the world,” I said. “Without him, Blackstone can’t destroy the existing Great Ward. We also need him to lift his spell so Rod and I can complete our bond. Only then can we create the new Ward.”

“Can’t you create it without bonding?” Colum asked.

“If they try, it will consume them both before they finish the spell,” Bart said. “The mate bond amplifies both their powers. Without it, the strain of casting the spell will kill them.”

“Then we’d better find Grandfather fast,” Lauchlin said. “When do we leave?”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Father said. “You’re the heir to the throne if the king dies.”

“So?” Lauch asked. “This Blackstone already has the phoenix he needs.”

“Yes, but any rescue attempt will be dangerous,” Otto said. “We’re still trying to determine the extent of Blackstone’s help within the mage community.”

“Everyone is at risk right now,” Father said. “I need you here to help me rule the flock. Today we caught the council off guard. It won’t be so easy the next time.”

Lauch backed down, because how could he refuse Father’s request?

“I’ll contact the Council and update them,” Rod said. “In the meantime, where do we look for the king?”

“Make your call.” Father stood. “I’ll alert the authorities to stop any unsanctioned flights.”

I doubted we’d find Grandfather, and from everyone else’s reaction, no one else did either. Despite the helpless feeling, we had to try. Otherwise, there was no guarantee Rod and I could complete our bond.

R oderick had never been inside my private chambers. The space that had been so depressing and empty for decades now hummed with joy. My joy and Rod’s. This wasn’t permanent, but I told myself this was what the future would be like.

“After four decades of not speaking about our relationship, I didn’t expect the way your family’s welcomed me.” Rod pulled me closer and my inner fire burned brighter. “Was it only your grandfather who opposed us?”

I smiled at how being in my room made Rod nervous. “Three years since we’ve been alone together and you want to talk about whether my family agreed with Grandfather keeping us apart?”

Rather than give him a chance to answer, I cupped his cheeks and kissed him. It wasn’t gentle, not with years of built-up longing.

His mouth claimed mine with an intensity that matched my fire. I pressed closer, molding my body to Rod’s. I coaxed my inner flame until it danced just beneath my skin. My healing energy surrounded him and flickered in response to his touch.

Magic swirled around us, and our bond sang its yearning to meld together and be one. The obstruction created a wave of frustration that threatened to sap the happiness of the moment.

“Cinaed,” he breathed when we finally broke for air. His forehead rested against mine, our breaths mingling in the space between us. “We should slow down.”

“I don’t want to slow down.” I kissed him again, pouring all my frustration and need into it.

He responded with equal fervor, backing me toward the bed. “I want this as well, but?—”

“Father gave us his blessing.” I pulled him closer, drawn by the quiet power that always surrounded him. “And Grandfather’s wards are focused on the wrong type of magic now.”

A smile tugged at his lips. “Looking for loopholes already?”

“Always.” I reached for him, no longer willing to maintain distance. My fingers traced his jaw, feeling the slight tremor that ran through him at my touch. “I’ve missed you. Seeing you across the room, having to pretend we’re just allies—it’s been torture.”

His hands found my waist, pulling me closer. The heat of my skin didn’t bother him anymore—he’d long since grown used to the fire that burned within all phoenixes. “We should be planning,” he murmured, even as his grip tightened.

“We have hours until dawn.” My other hand slid into his hair, reveling in its softness. “And I need this. Need you.”

His hands found my waist, pulling me closer. The heat of my skin didn't bother him anymore – he'd long since grown used to the fire that burned within all phoenixes. "We should be planning," he murmured, even as his grip tightened.

My fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt, revealing his skin inch by inch. It had been too long since I felt his body on mine. Too long since I felt his heart beat against my skin. I pushed the fabric off his shoulders and helped him toss it aside.

Rod’s gentle hands slid under the hem of my shirt and pushed it over my head. A soft gasp escaped me as the coolness of his body connected with my warmth. His eyes darkened as they traveled over my torso.

“Three years,” he whispered, voice rough with emotion. “Three years of remembering rather than feeling.”

Pulling us together, he tilted his head, opened his mouth and captured my lower lip between his teeth. Our tongues tangled and fuck! I forgot how good he kissed. Pulling back, I gasped for air.

Half of him wasn’t enough. I need to wrap my flesh around his, forgetting where I ended and he began. “Pants,” I managed before crushing my lips back against his.

Rod moved us toward my bed, and our pants joined the pile of discarded clothing.

We broke our kiss, and I filled my lungs with air.

Closing my eyes, I ran my hands over his body, remapping the contours I’d memorized in all of our stolen moments.

The bed touched the back of my legs, and we fell onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs.

I inched closer and cupped the back of Rod’s head.

Our mouths met and my tongue touched the seam of his lips.

I traced the edge, not asking for entrance.

The kiss was soft, as we took our time reacquainting ourselves with each other.

Our lips slotted, and Rod opened his mouth enough for me to push my way in.

The soft kiss had turned in a bone-tingling one that stoked my inner flame.

Moaning softly, I pulled Rod on top of me. His body covered mine, and I hooked a leg around his. He dick pressed tightly against mine with breathtaking friction as our bodies wriggled. Rod slowly inched his way down my body, feathering my skin with soft kisses as he moved.

He swirled his tongue around my left nipple and I nearly shot off the bed.

“Still like that, I see,” he whispered, before shifting to my right side.

I gulped in a breath to keep from shooting. “Still remember what it does to me, I see.”

“Always,” he said before continuing his trek downward.

His tongue painted a wet line down my abs, while he ran his hands up and down my side.

As if sensing my urgency, Rod raised his head and captured my cock in his warm mouth.

Keeping his lips tight, he pushed my foreskin down and ran his tongue incircles around the sensitive head.

I slammed my head back against the pillows and moaned.

“Oh fuck, that feels so good.” I clutched the sheets as I squirmed. Rod cupped my balls in his right hand and ran his left one up my body to tweak my nipple. “That. Just like that.”

He teased his tongue around the tip of my cock, sliding it under the foreskin. After a second, he plunged down until I hit the back of his throat. His breathe tickled the sensitive skin at the base of my cock.

“Oh fuck!” I was reduced to moans, gasps, and groans.

Spurred on by my reaction, Rod enveloped the base of my dick with his finger, and swirled his tongue around my shaft. Pulling up, he used his hand to create more friction.

“Yes,” I hissed. “That’s it.”

I was so close, but Rod didn’t like me to warn him. Given my verbal responses, he already knew.

He surrounded my cock with his lips and pumped his hand up and down. It was too much.

The first blast was so intense, I shoved myself deeper into his mouth. Rod held me steady as I twitched and convulsed with every eruption. After the last spurt, I collapsed boneless on the bed.

Rod lifted his head with a wet pop and looked at me with a mischievous grin. “Liked that, did you?”

I was still too winded to speak so I dragged him up my body and kissed him to give him my answer.

Sex with him was already insanely hot. If it got more intense when we bonded, I might need to regenerate after every time.