Brynne could hardly contain her gasp. As prepared as she was to remain on the island with Zael for the rest of her life, there had been a part of her that yearned to see her sister again, if only to say goodbye. But what the elders were offering was something far better. A chance to keep Tavia and the rest of the Order in her life as partners in the alliance.
“Yes, of course,” Zael accepted, bringing Brynne under his arm.
“It would be our honor,” she told the elders. “Thank you for this very welcome gift.”
“It’s well-earned,” Baramael said. He smiled, and it was a revelation to see the stern Atlantean’s face soften with his warm regard.
“You also mentioned a special request,” Zael prompted the dark-haired elder.
“Yes. There is the matter of Tamisia.”
Brynne hoped the council had also softened toward their colleague’s fall from grace. “Have you reconsidered your position with her as well?”
“No,” Baramael replied soberly. “That we cannot do. Her banishment still stands. However, as she’s never been away from the colony to see where to teleport, she will need help leaving.”
He indicated the waiting sailboat.
“Of course,” Zael said, understanding at once. “Brynne and I can take her to the mainland.”
Baramael nodded. “She will be pleased to hear that. We will inform her to prepare for the journey as soon as you and Brynne are ready to depart.”
“As for her banishment,” Zael said, “adjusting to life on the outside may not be easy for her. Will the council allow us to ensure Tamisia has somewhere to go once she’s away from the colony? Someone to help look out for her, if she needs assistance?”
They all agreed, and not long afterward, Brynne and Zael found themselves on the sailboat with Tamisia, heading back for Athens.
The blonde Atlantean remained in the cabin below for most of their journey. But by nightfall, as the craggy shoreline of the mainland drew nearer, Tamisia emerged to join them on the deck.
Her lovely face was still miserable with contrition. “You didn’t have to do this for me. Neither one of you.”
“We wanted to,” Brynne assured her, feeling no animosity for the woman, only sympathy. “Lazaro Archer will see that you have somewhere safe to stay in Rome until you’re settled. We didn’t want you to be all alone.”
Zael had made the arrangements after telepathically connecting with Jordana to explain the situation. As the Order’s command center in Rome was the closest, Lazaro and his Breedmate, Melena, now waited to meet the boat personally in Athens when they arrived at the docks.
On shore, the black-haired Gen One Breed male stepped out of a large SUV with the curvaceous redhead who shared his bond. There was another Breed male with them. Massive, intimidating, there was no question the scowling male with the shaved head and glyph-covered arms was a warrior.
Lazaro and Melena introduced themselves, both of them pleased to hear that the alliance with the colony had been accepted. If Jordana had told them the circumstances of Tamisia’s ousting from the colony, neither of them gave any indication to make her feel uneasy.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the behemoth who stood behind them. Unfriendly didn’t even begin to describe his forbidding demeanor. But Lazaro and his Breedmate seemed to trust the male implicitly.
“Trygg will see you to the car, Tamisia,” Lazaro informed her. “Melena and I will be along momentarily.”
“Thank you,” she said, then turned to Zael and Brynne, remorse glistening in her sky-blue eyes. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
Zael touched her shoulder and gently shook his head. “There is no need. Take care of yourself, and maybe one day the three of us will meet again.”
“I would like that very much.” She smiled at Brynne. “I wish you both every happiness.”
Brynne clutched her hand and gave it a tender squeeze. “The same to you, Sia.”
She headed off, looking more than a little anxious as she followed the big warrior back to the waiting vehicle.
Lazaro ran a hand through his ebony hair. “I hope your friend doesn’t scare easily. I would’ve brought one of my other men along, but I’ve lost one of my team to family obligations and a new Breedmate, and another is gearing up for a covert mission. Trygg’s not much of a people person.”
Zael grunted. “Don’t worry about Sia. She’s never met a male she couldn’t charm.”
“She’s never met Trygg,” Melena said, smiling wryly. She glanced at Brynne. “Congratulations to you and Zael on your mating. I’m sorry—I’m trying not to stare, but it’s difficult. It’s not every day that Lazaro and I get a chance to meet a daywalker or an Atlantean.”
The Rome commander’s mouth quirked. “Not to mention how rare it is to meet the diplomatic envoys for the Atlantean colony.”