Page 9 of The Mating Claim

Much later thatnight in their castle, while the twins slumbered, Tristan made good on his promise toNiki.

Not butter, but scented massage oil, worked deep into her muscles. And then rolling over, Tristan kissed her deeply. And then he made sweet love to her, until they both lay exhausted and sated withpleasure.

But long after the loving, when Niki lay curled against him fast asleep, Tristan remained awake. He needed no sleep, but liked to rest when she did, for Niki was a new immortal and requiredit.

Tonight he would get none. Thoughts danced in his mind, deeplyworrisome.

No sound came from the nursery but he sensed Kara was awake. Tristan slid out of bed, donned gray sweat pants and padded quietly into the room down thehallway.

A nightlamp decorated with a dancing wolf sat on the white dresser, casting a soft gold glow over their children. Keegan remained asleep, but as he’d thought, Kara sat up in her crib, grasping the bars like a restless prisoner. Tristan slipped into the room and picked up hisdaughter.

“Still awake, baby?” He took her over to the rocker and sitting with her cradled in his arms, began to sing. Kara babbled, clasping his longhair.

Tristan rested his cheek against her soft blonde head. Niki had been a trooper, carrying the twins for more than a year, far longer than most Lupines remained pregnant. She’d insisted on birthing them on earth as well, so her twin Nia could be at her side. Tristan had capitulated, even though it meant her labor was long, painful and arduous. But he knew the deep bond Nia and Nikishared.

As Kara finally fell asleep, he felt another presence in the nursery. He rubbed his cheek against his daughter’s head. “Forgive me for not rising, but my daughter just fell asleep. My lady, are you here on officialbusiness?”

The goddess Danu stepped out from the shadows. “Remain where you are, my wizard. I merely came to check on your twins, as I do at night oft times. They are rare and preciouschildren.”

Without words, he handed Kara over to Danu. Kara snuggled into the goddess’sarms.

Danu kissed the top of her head. “Though she has yet to manifest any signs of it, Kara will be a child of tremendous power, Tristan. Perhaps even more so than hertwin.”

“As Sonia, Xavier and Ciara’s daughter, already is.” He gave a wry smile. “But you knew this, even as you knew when I boasted of having a boy that Nikita would carry a girl aswell.”

Danu’s own smile hinted of mischief. “You have much power, my wizard, but you cannot know everything, especially concerning yourmate.”

Then she placed Kara back in her crib on her back. Danu joined him at the rocker, sitting on the window seat. “You are troubled about your old friend,Drust.”

“Yes.” He rocked a little. “He is hurting. I know him, I know how he feels lost and alone. He needsLacey.”

“But he must discover it on his own, just as you did. It is difficult to refrain from guiding one whom you care for, when you know what is right for them. Drust’s journey is hisown.”

He inclined his head. “Of course. However the Book ofShadows…”

“Is dangerous. It makes no difference.” She gazed him thoughtfully, her long red curls golden in the lamplight. “You have guided him well until now, Tristan. It is time for you to let go and allow Drust to rely on his own judgement, wrong orright.”

Something else troubled Tristan. “I only know of the book from what Caderyn has told us in the past. He has been reluctant to inform of us much, only how the book can be destroyed or that it should never have fallen into mortal hands. What is his connection toit?”

Danu nodded. “You need to know, Tristan. I will tellyou.”

When she finished, he did not feel better, but understood the Shadow Wizard’s reasons for creating thebook.

She stood with grace, went over to the cribs and murmured words, sketching runes in the air that glowed with good omens. The magick she created comforted him, for Danu put a protective shield around histwins.

Then shevanished.

For a long time, Tristan remained rocking in thechair.

He had not told the dragon wizard the full truth. There were spells inside the Book of Shadows no mortal should mess with, Caderyn had said. Orimmortal.

Spells that could manipulate matter as the wizardscould.

Or summon demons from the Dark Lands to do one’sbidding.

Or even turn a wizard of Brehon into demonfood.

The book could ultimately destroy them and bring about the downfall of Others and Skins. Because without the Brehon to protect Skins from Otherworlders’ misuse of power, they would runamok.