The Lycan Hunter (The Gardinian World Series) (42 page)

“I’m fine, I guess.”

Another stretch of silence passed between them, punctuated by a silent exchange. Lykil finally rose – a little unsteady on his feet – and stood next to Torin.

Afri, doing her duty to get the ceremony back under her control, turned to Kyran.

“As is required for the gift of taking, offer the family of Alexis your
Gavatta, Mikko Kyran.”

Forcing the words he needed to say to the surface, Kyran turned to address Lykil.

“I have come to promise myself, being faithful and true, without
ill intent to take Alexis as my own. I, Kyran, give the god Lykil and
his Hermod my solemn oath that Alexis should never face a need
that is not immediately met, a want that is not promptly acquired, or
a desire that isn
’
t met without hesitation. I will do all this and beyond,
to the depths of my power, to fulfill the tenants of my oaths to her. In addition, though it’s already been given, I will keep her safe where I
failed with her brother.” Kyran removed the braided rope of gold that
had belonged to his father and placed it on Torin
’
s wrist. “May you
find my Gavatta a meaningful presentation for the honor of taking your
beloved as my own.”

Kyran returned to his side of the altar. He resisted the urge to do
a thorough inspection of Alexis
’
health, but it didn
’
t stop him from
noticing the mark on her wrist. The mark of Lykil, a brand, while
relatively small, was hard to miss.

Afri stepped forward, forcing Kyran to pay attention.

“The gifts and oaths of the Gava and Gavatta exchange have been
given and accepted. Kyran, at this time you will make your oath to
your bride, as is proper.”

Kyran helped Alexis stand, turning her so that the crowd had a side view of them.

“With Afri presiding, I offer you my sacred oath. I swear from
this day onward that I will abide by the tenants of my faith, to be the
best that I am able to be. I give you my vow to uphold the strength of our
union until I fade from existence into the waiting arms of Nunginn.
It is with that strength that I pledge to provide for your needs, wants,
and, if the gods see fit, your deepest desires.”

Afri nodded to Alexis. The goddess pulled out a small book and
held it out to Alexis. The book held the oaths to be given – as the
Gardinian ceremony did not allow for personalized vows – for Alexis
to read from. Alexis shook her head in response.

“On this day, with Afri as my highest witness, I offer you my sacred
oath. I swear from this day forward to abide by the tenants of my faith
, to
be faithful and true. I give you my vow to uphold the strength that I
pledge to provide for your lifetime of wants, needs, and, if the gods
see fit, your deepest desires.”

Afri stepped forward, brandishing a thin length of Gardinian rope.
A strand of the goddess
’
hair was braided into the multi-colored rope
that she tied in an infinity knot around their left wrists.

“As per your wishes, I join you. Henceforward you shall spend this
lifetime on Earth and the next ten thousand in Gardas together. By the
right that is mine to give, I bind you. Never will you part.”

A hiss escaped between Alexis
’
pursed lips. Magic seared through
them, using the Gardinian rope at their wrists.

Evidence of their binding became apparent as the rope burned
into their flesh. It solidified as inked bands of infinity knots, their sou
l colors intertwining to form the knots.

For Alexis, the extent of her binding was complete. Kyran suffered
through a magicked brand on his breastbone. The same infinity knot
that decorated his wrist except the goddess’ emblem was in an unearthly
hue of gold as its color, a regard paid to Alexis’ soul color. For males,
the magicked brand on their chest symbolized their wife
’
s ownership
over their soul. He would from that moment forward belong to her, just as she belonged to him.

Coupled with the searing on his chest was a second wave of
knowledge that wasn’t his own. Feelings and thoughts, all infiltrating
from Alexis. Kyran understood that this knowledge, unlike whatever Lykil had given him, would never fade or be lost within him. There
was a pulsing knowledge that showed her like a fixed point. No matter
where she was in the world, Kyran would be able to find her, and she
’
d
find him just as easily.

Kyran had waited his whole life for this feeling. Over a hundred
years spent just waiting, yet none of the lessons, descriptions, or gossip
about marrying your Soul’s Mate truly encompassed the magnitude of what it meant or how it felt.

Judging by the thoughts that Alexis was projecting, they were on the same page.

“Don
’
t worry,” he said, “it
’
s not that bad. I’ll teach you how to
control it later.”

Kyran said this into her mind, demonstrating the mental connection
, which was more of a thought than actual sound.

Alexis jumped at the intrusion but nodded, her thoughts instantly
waning away from panic and surprise. He was amazed at how quickly
she calmed, her thoughts returning to the moment they were in and all
the promises they would get to make and keep to each other.

Kyran took her calming thoughts and gave her a few of his in return.
She smiled to herself and waited while he addressed the audience.

“Thank you all for bearing witness here today, and while I’m grateful
for your attendance, I’m sure you’d rather eat.” There were a few laughs while he gestured to Ronan. “My Tepinok will lead you to the reception, and my Mikkati and I will join you shortly.”

Ronan directed the crowd out, the pack allowing the guests to exit
first, as was proper.

Kyran turned to thank goddess Afri, but she was engaged in a
heated exchange with Lykil. The God of Destruction appeared to be
more bored than irritated, which only seemed to churn the rage of the
goddess. It looked like it was going to be awhile before Kyran would
get to give thanks to the goddess for her willingness to come and perform
the ceremony. Unashamed in his moment of nosiness, he sat with Alexis
in one of the front rows to watch the exchange.

The gods shared a long miserable history. Both gods made a point
to mention it within the Doctrine of Liflasir. In short, Afri was Lykil’s
first love. Through a series of events, where both gods carried their own
amount of blame for the situation, their love ended. Despite the time
that has passed since their relationship ended, neither has appeared
to truly reconcile themselves beyond their mutual agitation.

“Go home, Afri; you have fulfilled your duty.”

“You have no jurisdiction over me Lykil; never forget that.”

“Exactly, Afri. I have none over you, and you have none over me, so
hold your tongue where I’m concerned.”

The goddess furrowed her brow before she nodded and vanished
, taking Kyran’s opportunity to give thanks with her.

“She knows how you operate,” Lykil said. “You
’
re welcome. And
I
know you want to know about earlier. The short version: I gave Alexis
a piece of my eternal existence. That way she can live as long as you, Kyran. There’s not much left to tell, but the rest can wait until later. You have a party to go to, and I’m hungry.”

Lykil walked out of the pool house, successfully ending the
conversation. It obviously frustrated Alexis, but Kyran knew better.
Forcing the issue would yield the same result, so he gave his wife a
thorough kiss and followed Lykil into the house.

ALEXIS CHANGED OUT
of her sari into some overpriced sweatpants
and a tank top before she went to join Kyran in his office. He was in the process of speaking with the other leaders.

The meeting between the Lycans and the Hunters was to take place
in the next couple of days. This was a concession to Liam, Derrick, an
d Omar, being that they were leaders of their respective groups.

At the moment, Alexis wasn’t invited to the meeting between the Lycans and the Hunters, but trusting the gods and their good nature
wasn’t something she was willing to do. She had very few that she
trusted with her own safety. She trusted even fewer with Kyran’s.

To some, that view was backwards, but Alexis knew Kyran operated
the same way. He trusted his pack with her safety, primarily because
he held a degree of power over them. Then again, Alexis was never
alone very long without at least Marcela present.

For Alexis, trusting the other Lycans with Kyran’s safety was not much better than trusting Hunters with his safety. Sometimes – even
to Lycans – the best kind of Lycan was a dead one. Thus she knew they
couldn’t be relied on to make sure that her husband made it home in one piece.

Kyran motioned her over to his lap and pointed to a map stretched
across his desk.

“Do you know this area? We can’t seem to get eyes on it.”

Shock caused her to flounce ungracefully into Kyran’s lap.

“You won’t get eyes on it. It
’
s the training grounds. Sometimes the
military uses it for their more elite branches, and that gives the area
protection from satellite targeting.” Alexis pointed to the map. “Here,
along this ridge, are a series of vantage points that are perfect for snipers.”
She moved her hand to the middle of the area. “This area has a series
of traps, secret hiding places, and staggered bombing locations. All
that makes the field ideal for an ambush.” She turned to Kyran. “I’m sorry, Mikko, but you can’t go there.”

“You’d deem to tell us where we can and can’t go, Hunter?”

Kyran directed a low growl at Tyson, the Hafiz, who, had he been
human, favored those of Latino decent with his dark hair and eyes.

Alexis leaned into Kyran. “No, leopard,” she smiled as he growled
at her blatant disrespect. “I deem to make sure that none of you die. But
if you’d rather I didn’t, go ahead and go. My Mikko won’t be joining you, however.”

Though she spied a telling tic in Kyran’s jaw that said he didn’t
appreciate her speaking for him, what she said was true. He wasn
’
t
going, period.

“You
’
d make him
a coward rather
than have him fulfill his obligations?”
This came from the tigress, Linda.

“There isn’t cowardice in seeking to fulfill his obligation on neutral
ground, Shapa. Stupidity, however, is the quickest way for him not
to meet his goals.” She glanced at the map. “Who came up with this
location, Mikko?”

Kyran handed her a stretch of parchment which she quickly read.

“This summons dictates that all on the list must show, but the
Hunters on this list are all on the Elder Council. Unless they are given
a damn good reason, they aren’t going to come.”

“They won’t have a choice,” Kyran said. “Othion will bring them himself.”

She inclined her head towards the map. “So why on Hunter turf? Of all of the places he could summon them, why there?”

Another parchment rolled to the center of the desk, having appeared
out of nowhere. Kyran reached forward and read it before handing it to the other leaders in the room.

“Othion changed the location.” He pointed to a new location on
the map. “I’ll get Ronan to get some intel on this area and get you up to date tomorrow.”

The others took the dismissal for what it was and left the office. Alexis waited in silence until she was sure that the others were out of earshot before she rose and sat on the edge of the desk facing Kyran.

“I’m sorry.”

“For?”

“I shouldn’t have spoken for you earlier.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he nodded. “Politics isn
’
t your thing
,
so I understand. I wasn
’
t going to go anyway, but if Othion summoned
me, I wouldn
’
t have had much of a choice in the matter. I hope you
understand that.”

Alexis nodded. “I know and I hate that. I can’t just sit here thinking
that you’ll be safe. I need to know.”

“Othion has looked after me this long. I doubt I have done anything
in the last year to earn his ire.”

“I know it’s unrealistic to ask, but I need to do it anyway.”

“You want to go, don’t you?”

She gnawed the inside of her cheek before she nodded.

“Why?”

He already knew why, and she could sense it. He was being polite
since she still hadn’t figured out how to stop transmitting her every
thought to him. Knowing that he already knew that she feared the worse
was one thing. Being forced to vocalize it was another.