Mara arrived with a tray of coffee, platters of homemade cakes and biscuits and admonishments of, “Callista is preparing a huge spread for lunch, don’t fill up.”
Sonia arrived while Leah was pouring her second cup and it was clear to see why her appearance was delayed.
She’d showered, put on light makeup and her hair shown, falling in sleek waves over her shoulders and down her back but the front was pulled back at her crown with a tortoiseshell oval threaded with a matching stick. She was wearing dusty pink cords and she put on a belted, cream-colored cardigan that fell to her h*ps and had a shawl collar. The soft fall of material was heavy enough to open the front wide, exposing a skin-tight army green camisole underneath.
As she had when she met their guests in her robe at the door, but probably didn’t realize, Sonia looked, from top-to-toe, the queen of a werewolf’s castle.
They all stood when she arrived. Sonia moved toward Callum with a smile at their guests and he saw her claiming chain was hidden behind the material of her cardigan but her wedding rings shown more brightly than usual as if she’d cleaned them.
Callum’s gaze turned to Leah’s finger to see she too was wearing Lucien’s symbols. Hers were black diamonds set in platinum, the engagement diamond was cut in an emerald shape rather than Sonia’s solitaire. Although the diamond was smaller, the engagement ring was layered between two bands. One embedded with smaller, baguette diamonds at the bottom, the other embedded with lustrous black onyx at the top.
At the sight, Callum instantly decided to send his mother out to get an accompanying band for Sonia. Something set with tiger’s eye.
Sonia’s fingers found his and threaded through when Leah noted, “You were right, Sonia, your coffee is good.”
Sonia’s smile deepened and he noticed she’d lost her earlier discomfiture now that she was groomed for company and her innate sociability was clearly in evidence. “It isn’t mine. Mine’s average. Callista is an artiste. Wait until you taste her cooking. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
At her innocent words, Callum’s eyes caught Lucien’s and he knew they both had gone tense.
For The Prophesies were known but they were far from clear. Therefore their mates’ fates were unknown and, as humans, both could easily perish and, as immortals, both Lucien and Callum faced a desolate eternity if they did.
Unfortunately, Callum faced it anyway, sooner or later.
“Have you asked them to stay?” Sonia enquired of Callum, taking his mind from his dismal thoughts.
“No,” Callum forced his smile. “But you just did.”
“We couldn’t,” Leah cut in.
“You are,” Sonia replied, firm but friendly. She let go of Callum’s hand and moved to Leah. “Let me take you on a tour. You can pick a bedroom. There are twelve in total but eight of them are at the top of a turret. Five are taken but, trust me, the other three are fantastic.”
Sonia guided Leah out of the room, tossing a seemingly carefree smile over her shoulder at Callum.
Leah walked with Sonia out of the room, tossing a genuinely carefree smile over her shoulder at Lucien.
The difference was miniscule but it bloody well existed.
“Callum,” Lucien called softly as Callum glared at the door and he turned his head to the vampire.
Lucien didn’t speak for several long moments, waiting until the women were well away and when he finally did, it was low.
“I hesitate telling you but I feel you should know so you can prepare.”
Callum remained silent when Lucien paused.
Then Lucien shared, “Gregor is hiding something from you.”
Callum’s gaze narrowed on the vampire. “Sorry?”
“He’s hiding something about Sonia.” Callum tensed and Lucien went on, “When he was explaining things, I sensed it. I didn’t like it. After I read The Prophesies, I asked him about it and he told me neither you nor Sonia knew anything about The Prophesies. Later, I pressed him about it and he shared with me.”
Callum didn’t respond.
He knew about The Prophesies. He’d been told by Mac though for reasons he didn’t entirely understand and he didn’t f**king like, he’d never been allowed actually to see them.
Before he could react to the knowledge Lucien had, Lucien got closer and his voice dipped lower.
Then he said with unconcealed emotion, “I’m sorry, my friend.”