Bear Protector - Bella Love-Wins Page 0,25
Commander Oslo.”
“Good morning, evil shifter witch,” he answered gruffly.
“Keep it up and I’ll give you a good reason to call me evil, Kodiak bear,” she hissed.
“Coco, focus please.” Kiera had no time for their conflict. She got back to the point. “I suspect it was the containment spell around their camp that kept me hidden. Everyone must be worried. God, I must be in big trouble.”
“Not likely. Well, perhaps, but I’m not sure. Reena told me you had left when I got back to the fortress last night, so I did my best to help cover for you. We told the Chancellor you were in your room meditating. I cannot say for certain that he believed us, but I did a blocking spell at your bedroom door.”
“I appreciate you for doing that, but it will not change the fact that I am riding to the fortress entrance on a shifter’s horse when no one saw me leave this morning.”
“I have a plan for that too. Wait for me at the back of the Great Hall, all right?”
“I will. Thank you, Coco.”
Her familiar flew off, and she and Xander continued riding until they were at the meeting spot. She dismounted the mare. “You do not need to wait here with me.”
Xander took the second set of reins. “I will wait, anyway.”
“Thank you for the meal, and for allowing me into your home.”
“You are welcome. I would still like to give you a tour sometime.”
“I do not believe that is wise, after last night. Goodness, I hope nothing happens to you because of me.”
“You should worry about what Minassus will do to you if he finds out.”
“I will tell him the truth if he asks. I lost track of time outside the fortress, did not want to return home, met you purely by chance, visited the shifter camp, and fell asleep in your cabin after supper.”
He chuckled. “I would love to see your Chancellor’s reaction to such a crisp and accurate account.”
“Why? It is the truth. You think he will not believe me?”
“Hmmm. Let’s see. You have not spent a single night away from the fortress since you were…eleven, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you slept in my cabin?”
“Yes.”
“Nine days before you will cast the shifter transformation spell…and most likely meet your untimely demise.”
“Yes…no…well, not necessarily. I may not die.”
“There is only one way to survive that spell, Kiera.”
“What?” She was not sure she had just heard him correctly. “You know of a way to survive it?”
“Two…no, three.”
“What are they?”
“Either do not participate, be a strong male sorcerer, or fail to cast it.”
“None of those are feasible. I cannot refuse to do it. I’d have to run away or go into hiding or something. I am also not a man. And failing to cast it, do you mean I could act like my spell is not sufficient during the ceremony?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, I cannot do that either. Look, can we discuss the transformation ceremony another time and get back to the challenge at hand? I need to get back to the fortress. I will tell the Chancellor what happened, and he will believe me.”
“If you say so.”
“Nothing happened…between us. You and I both know that.”
“We do, but the question is, will he?”
Kiera thought about it. Nothing had happened. All Xander was guilty of was feeding her and providing a safe place to rest. The Chancellor just had to believe her and leave it at that. If he did not…
“You should go now,” she blurted out all of a sudden.
“Why?”
“Because you are right. The Chancellor will probably believe I—”
“He will think the worst of you…and me. Especially me. That is how the man’s mind works.”
“If the guards do their rounds, they will see us here, and they are sure to question us. It is best if I am alone. I will wait inside until Coco returns. No matter what her plan is, it’s better than giving the Chancellor fodder for him to doubt.”
“The truth is not fodder, Kiera.”
“I agree, but you just said it yourself. The Chancellor will think the worst of us. Please, can you just go now?”
“Fine. Send word of what happens with your familiar. She can find me inspecting the walls for most of today and tomorrow.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
He turned his horse and the riderless mare. “Have a good day.”
Kiera waited inside, pacing around as she brainstormed a slew of ideas on what to tell the Chancellor. Each scheme was more preposterous than the last. Eventually, she dismissed them all. Lying was