Chapter 2

50 years later

He walked through the door and she looked up. Her lips drew downward into a frown. He'd won her father's loyalty that first visit. He was sure she'd never forgive him. Since then he'd enjoyed her wit and her temper and her haughty refusal of his advances. It was a game he'd come to enjoy and he enjoyed so little in life.

'Not injured again, are you?'

He smiled and shook his head. 'Unfortunately, no. I took the long way around.'

'Unfortunately?'

'Well, I certainly wouldn't mind being tended to by so skilled a healer.'

'Ah, yes. You like my hands.' He'd told her so multiple times over the years in various subtle ways. 'Why are you here then?'

'To say hello.'

'You could have waited until dinner.' She lifted a blade from a line on the table and began sharpening it on a stretch of leather.

'I could have, but there's time before the meeting begins.' He came up behind her and took the knife gently from her hand. She flinched slightly, ever so, and he scented a subtle tinge of fear. It passed quickly. He took her place with the strop. She let him. Then she found another task to occupy her hands and time.

'Will the meeting be long?'

He heard concern there. 'Several days at least.'

She nodded. He checked the blade and returned it to the table and then he took up another. The door opened. Stefan entered – another lycan leader from a neighboring den – loyal to Lucian, above Gorski in rank.

'There you are.' He said to the woman. 'I've been looking for you.'

He didn't see Lucian who stood to the right and behind the door. So much the better. If he'd seen the other man he might have fixed his tone to one which would seem less threatening. It was too late for that now. And that same smell Lucian scented earlier floated to him from across the way. Fear. Strong. Fragrant.

Lucian cleared his throat and the man pushed wide the door. His eyes locked with Lucian's. 'My Lord.' The tone was changed completely. 'I didn't know you were here.'

'Janya and I were catching up.'

Stefan nodded then cast his eyes back on the woman. Softer now. 'I'll find you later, then.' He closed the door.

Lucian continued with the strop and Janya continued with the wash. He watched her but she did not look at him. She knew he'd seen too much. He laid the blade down and walked to where she stood beside the washbasin. He sat on the chair to her left. Still she said nothing.

'You're not a coward.'

She looked at him then. Her face was set like stone, a marble mask betraying nothing.

'I've known you some time now. You're many things ... stubborn, opinionated. You've argued with your father in open court, and me as well.' He laughed. 'You even poked Raze in the stomach that one time though he threatened to crush you with one hand. You're not a coward.'

She looked away, back at her washing.

'Tell me why you fear him.'

She shook her head.

'Must I make it a command?'

She turned on him then, venomous. 'This is not your concern.'

He was prepared for her anger. He answered it with calm. 'I think otherwise. I'm the leader of these men. If one has done something to warrant punishment, it's my duty to mete it out.'

It was the right answer to give. Her anger did not lessen but it cooled. There was wariness in her still. She tolerated her newly appointed lord, sparred with him even, but trust was far from earned. But now he spoke of duty and rank. These were things she understood and could accept as an excuse to speak. He could see it in her eyes. A command, then.

'Tell me.'

She clutched the edge of the basin. 'He wishes for me to be his mate.'

Lucian sat silently, waiting, but she said no more. An interrogation, then. 'He asked you to bond with him?'

She nodded. 'For over eighty years. Every time he's here he asks. He won't accept no for an answer.'

Lucian weighed his next words carefully. He knew the woman would not be standing here now, eyes downcast, and hands clutching a washboard rim if Stefan's questioning was the end of it.

'And after you say no, what then?'

She closed her eyes briefly and opened them again. 'He finds me ... when I'm alone. In my room, here in the infirmary, once in the storeroom. He says one day I'll say yes.' Then she whispered. 'I never say yes.'

She stopped there and said no more. There was no need. It was times like these Lucian wished he were not a leader of men. A simple warrior could tear Stefan's throat out in a challenge with few repercussions. Lucian had a sea of lycan politics to navigate. The point became moot when she spoke again.

'You won't tell anyone.'

'I have to.'

'No you don't.'

'He must be punished.'

'I'll deny it. So will he.'

He glared at her then, angry, but he understood. 'He'll find you, later?'

She nodded.

'Then I'll be there as well. And we'll have a private talk.'