Page 17 of The Mating Quest

Ethan picked up the gold pen and tapped it against the desk’s surface. “How long will thatbe?”

“I cannot say. It could be weeks. Months. But not days, and in the Winter Kingdom where you must venture, time moves differently.” The wizard gave his charge a levellook.

Silence draped the room. Ethan set the pen down. “I’m ready. Ella, if you and Kieran can remain here, with Brianna, it wouldhelp.”

Ella glanced at Tristan. “I’m bound to the Crystal Wizard, so it’s not my call. Kieran is not, however, so I will ask him. He has much experience with the Winter Kingdom, however, since he grew up and lived there. He might be able to help you navigate that task of finding Gideon’stalisman.”

The wizard shook his head. “Kieran is not part of this quest. You’re on your own. No additional Others may join you, except when you search for my talisman. It’s not safe at the other destinations. As for you, Ella, Xavier gives you full permission to stay here for as long as necessary. With yourmate.”

His serious expression dropped and twinkle lit his dark eyes. “Perhaps the jaguar can teach all your wolves some new tricks,Ethan.”

“I’ve met my brother-in-law only once, and I daresay he could. Have to admit I’m relieved knowing another powerful male,” his gaze shot to Ella, “and female will be here to protect mypeople.”

Must be nice to have people you could rely on. Once she’d longed for the same. Ilana rolled her eyes. “Fine, seems like everything is okey dokey. Since we’re off to an early start, any chance you can show me where I can crash for a few hours? Without a group of werewolves growling at myside?”

“Not yet,” Tristan said calmly. “First I must bring Kieran here. Only then will Ethan relax enough to leave tomorrow, and I trust Ethan will wish to meet with his pack before themorrow.”

Tristan waved a hand and a man of average height, with short wavy dark hair and dark eyes appeared. He gave a catlike stretch and an utter look of disdain at thewizard.

“You know I loathe that method of transport, Tristan. Sends all my brain cellsscrambling.”

“As if you have any brain cells, cat,” Ethan drawled, standing up and narrowing his eyes at thenewcomer.

The man’s expression flattened. “Wolf. Should have known. Could have smelled you from a million milesaway.”

Then the two men ambled forward, positions threatening. With wide grins, they embraced each other’s forearms. Ilana had seen warriors of the past do the same, in a measure ofrespect.

“Kieran,” Ethansaid.

The man turned, saw Ella and his expression softened with such joy and tenderness it brought a lump to Ilana’s throat. Too jaded to believe in love, still, it was nice to see it now andthen.

Kieran strode over to Ella and swept her up in a huge embrace, and then kissed her deeply. “Ella-mine,” he purred when they brokeapart.

She smiled and touched his cheek. “Mylove.”

Something stirred her curiosity. Ella held powers almost as great as a wizard of the Brehon and Kieran was only a jaguar shifter. Unless he held darkmagick.

“You’re from the Winter Kingdom,” Ilana observed. “Do you have darkmagick?”

The room fell silent. Even Tristan lookedinterested.

“No.” Kieran gave a little chuckle, then his mouth flattened. “I can smell something different about you. What are you,witch?”

“Mage.” She took out her knife and began playing with it lest the cat decide to test his claws on her because he didn’t like herscent.

Kieran glowered. “Mage, witch, it matters not. Watch your step with my mate and her siblings or you will feel mywrath.”

His wrath was little compared to what injuries his mate could inflict. Ilana ignored the threat. “So you’re mated to Ella, who has lots of magick woo. It doesn’t bother you that yourwife…”

“Mate,” Kieraninterjected.

“Whatever. That Ella is more powerful than youare?”

Kieran blinked. “Why should it? It means she can serve the wizards well and when she is absent from me, I need not worry about her safety. But I can protect her more than enough while she and I aretogether.”

Ella rubbed against her mate. “I prefer to spend our time together having adventures that don’t require anyrisk.”

“Except in the bedroom.” Kieran’s eyesgleamed.