Destined (War of the Covens 2)

Lucien returned the look and nodded a welcome. “Saffron. What brings you here?”

Her beautiful face was pinched with anxiety as she glided past them and into the sitting room. Feeling a little apprehensive at her appearance, Caia followed numbly, waiting for the ax to fall.

“I’m here because I found out that Caia has asked the Council to give her the right to run for Head of the Coven.”

“Marion told you?”

Saffron gave her a somewhat patronizing look. “No. That’s why I’m here. Marion doesn’t know.”

Caia blinked, sure she hadn’t heard correctly. “How can she not know if you know?”

“Because Marita hasn’t told her. Or Vanne.”

“How does Marita know? I take it the Council found the proof?”

Saffron shook her head, her face angry. “Derren has been imprisoned by Marita.”

Lucien stopped pacing at the window. “What? What the hell is going on?”

“Marita is crafty, Caia. I’ve never really … well, liked her. She’s a different kettle of fish from Marion. I came here tonight to warn you that she won’t play fair in this. With Derren in prison, the Council are going to be suspicious of his whereabouts, and they will probably demand a search of the Center. She won’t let that happen. I hope you are ready for a bloody and relentless battle with this woman.”

Caia gulped just thinking about it. “I kind of have to be.”

“I’m afraid Marion will not take this news well when she finds out. She is very fond of you, Caia, but Marita has a way of manipulating the people close to her.”

“I won’t hold anything against Marion. Marita is her sister. She loves her. She’ll believe her.”

The faerie nodded thoughtfully. “I, on the other hand, have been around a lot longer. I’ve felt this change coming. I will try to keep my eyes and ears open at the Center for you, but Marita has tightened her security since the Council sent in Derren.”

Caia didn’t know what to say. She didn’t understand such an offer.

Saffron smirked at her expression. “You might not have my mistress’s support, but you have mine.”

“That is extremely generous of you,” Caia said.

The faerie chuckled, but the laughter didn’t reach her eyes, which were hard with determination. “There is nothing generous about my offer, Caia. I have survived this long in this war because I’ve always chosen the right people to fight for … the winning side. Quite simply, you are the winning side.”

Lucien grunted. “Thanks for the support, no matter the lack of sensitivity behind it.”

Saffron rolled her eyes at him. “Lykans … you’re so sentimental.”

“Seriously, Saffron, thank you. For the heads-up, as well.”

“Hmm, sure. I will be in touch.”

And then she was gone.

Caia whirled to gawk at Lucien. “Can you believe that?”

He wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her close. “At least we know you have some powerful support. You might actually win this thing.”

“Did you ever doubt it?” she teased.

“Yes.”

She smacked him and tried to pull out of his embrace, but he held tight, laughing at her efforts.

“Just for that, no sex tonight.”

“Oh, come, querida, you know I’m your biggest supporter.”

“No, it’s too late. Damage done.” She sauntered away, heading up the staircase. Teasing him kept the pain of reality at bay for a while. She tried not to smile at the sound of him jogging to keep up, at the same time trying to be as quiet as possible.

As he followed her down the hall to their bedroom, he whispered, “You were joking about the no-sex thing, right?”

She snorted as they entered the room, shutting the door behind them. “We’re balanced on a precipice of potential disaster here, and that’s what you’re worried about?”

He looked at her blankly. “Well … yeah.”

For Jaeden and Ryder, Caia imagined their big day arrived just as slowly. At least that was the impression Jaeden gave her every time she complained about Ryder’s excessive gentlemanliness.

“I’m telling you, I’m losing my mind,” she grumbled to Caia as she practiced her telekinesis. Laila and Vil sat on the back porch, glad to be free of Ryder’s apartment and taking in the fresh air. Caia liked them nearby, still afraid that Marita would suddenly grab hold of Vil’s trace and appear out of nowhere to take them away from her.

Caia chuckled. “You have one more night and then he’s yours.”

“Yeah, he’s going to pay big time for this.” She grunted, throwing all her energy into spinning Lucien’s weights into the forest. Caia had been impressed by Jaeden’s accuracy, but remembering how she’d had to telekinetically throw a car once, she wanted to build Jaeden’s strength. And Lucien pretended to be more than happy to donate his training weights for their purposes.

“Nicely done.” Caia nodded.

“It’s therapeutic,” Jae decided, her hair sticking to her forehead with the exertion. “I can’t wait to move into Ryder’s. My parents are driving me insane.”