Wynne watched Julian sleep from her position next to him. His dark hair fell over one eye giving him a boyish look. She rested her head on his shoulder and traced a finger down his chest.

"Still awake?" Julian asked sleepily.

"You are a light sleeper." She observed.

"I don't sleep well in strange places." He admitted and pulled her close. "You look like you have something on your mind."

"You actually." Wynne admitted. "I love you. I think I loved you since that first night. Even though I almost scratched you for being so thick."

Julian searched her eyes to see if she was telling the truth.

"Shifters are miserable liars." She assured him, not expecting any protestations of love on his part.

"I love you beyond anything." Julian confessed. "I thought that being part cat…"

Wynne purred. "Many of us do choose mates for life. Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"No."

Wynne nipped his shoulder playfully. "And if I were to say that I knew early on that you were my mate, before you even knew my name?"

Julian rolled her underneath him. "I would say you had an advantage."

"Several advantages. If I hadn't been Chosen I would have snuck in your window and seduced you."

"Feel free to sneak in my window anytime." He kissed the base of her neck at a spot he knew was sensitive.

~*~

"Would you stop that?" Julian asked.

:No.:

The rain that had started the night before was still misting the Palace as they rode under the gate. Wynne, being miserable as a wet tabby, had found warmth under Julian's tunic and was curled against his abdomen purr quite contentedly.

:Purring is not under my control.:

Herald Teren and Herald Elspeth hurried out of the night to meet him.

"Did you find her?" Teren asked immediately. "That is her Companion, right?"

:Good group to start with I suppose.: Wynne commented.

"Yes, I found her."

"Where is she then?"

"Can we go inside?" Julian dismounted carefully.

Herald Elspeth led the way back to the Collegium where Julian directed them to his room.

Wynne wiggled free and hopped onto the bed.

"Where is she? What happened?"

Wynne steeled herself, and shifted to human. "Can I borrow a shirt?"

The two Heralds stared at her in shock as Julian tossed her a clean shirt.

"How did you do that?" Teren asked when he finally found his tongue.

"It is part of my nature." Wynne said very nervous.

"She is a Shifter." Julian offered.

The Heralds all stared at her.

Wynne shifted uneasily.

"How many people knew about this?" Elspeth asked.

"Just Julian, Daire, and An'desha." Wynne answered. "The need to keep what we are a secret was ingrained into us when we were created. As far as I know, I am the only one in Valdemar right now."

"Can you take the form of any animal?" Teren asked.

"No, just cats. Our creator was enamoured of cats. I am also the snow leopard that was out in the field this winter."

"But you look so human." Teren said in disbelief.

Elspeth was watching her with a shuttered expression. "Why didn't you tell us before?"

Wynne suppressed a growl. "Because I am well aware that the most feared monster is the one you can't see. According to An'desha, when we were originally created we looked like someone he called Mornlithe Falconsbane. Someone I understand you have reason to fear and hate. Can you blame me for keeping my secrets?"

"Are you related to Falconsbane?" Elspeth asked neutrally.

"No. My kind was created before the Mage Wars. From what I understand, he patterned himself after us." Wynne's voice was roughened by an annoyed growl.

:Easy little cat.: Daire soothed.

Wynne took a deep breath. "I grew up here is Haven, I know only one Shifter I am not related to. Let's just say I am not a threat and leave it at. I am telling you because my being a Shifter is causing trouble."

"Like what?" Elspeth asked.

"Such as being able to sit in class and hear every word spoken in the Collegium."

"That explains why you learn nothing in class, you are too busy trying keep track of everyone in your area." Teren said in understanding.

Wynne nodded. "An'desha has been teaching me magic in the evenings and I read most nights to keep up in my classes."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Teren asked.

Wynne was surprised by the offer. "I don't know, I have never thought about it."

Elspeth was still obviously uncomfortable with her. "Perhaps tomorrow you can tell me more."

Wynne's eyes narrowed. "No."

Elspeth was obviously shocked at her refusal.

"I see no reason to prove myself to you." Wynne said simply.

Teren smiled slightly. "Would you expect a cat to explain it self, especially to someone who is obviously hostile?"

Wynne grinned openly.

Elspeth looked like she had been hit with a board.

"I have worked with Wynne in the past. Trust me when I say her being a part time cat explains a great deal." Teren said. "They are probably tired. We should let them dry off and warm up."

Once Wynne and Julian were alone she relaxed. "Maybe I should have told someone other than Elspeth."

"I am sure she'll come around." Julian assured her. "You look very tempting there."

Wynne tossed her hair and gave him a seductive look. "So do you. However, Daire is waiting for me to groom him."

"Tevren is reminding me he is damp and tired too." Julian pulled off his shirt and tunic and exchanged them for a dry set.

Wynne located the set of Greys she kept here and dressed quickly. "I can take care of both of them. You look ready to crawl into bed."

"I can take care of Tevren."

"It is the least I can do. After all I drove you nuts purring all day."

"Have I ever mentioned I love it when you purr?"

"Yes." Wynne grinned wickedly.

~*~

Ana, Elwin, Dain, and Kane hurried through the muddy street to the palace gates. Geeva had said they could have the day to themselves, but first they gave the large package to Wynne. Their teacher was ill with a nasty spring cold so they didn't have that chore.

The guard stopped them and asked a few questions before they ran on. Ana led the others to the Stables where Wynne was grooming Daire.

"My kittens! What are you doing here?" She said as she put her brushes to the side.

Ana offered her the package she carried. "This was sent for you."

Wynne looked for any address or markings. "Odd."

"Can we help groom him?" Kane asked eagerly.

"Sure, grab a brush. How's the Cat?"

"Good." Ana assured her. "I made really good biscuits last night and Dain and Kane ate them all." She shot a scowl at her cousin.

"They were good." Kane grinned. "They were so hot that the butter just melted all over them."

"Your Aunt is a Herald, you shouldn't be a thief any more." Ana scolded.

Dain licked his lips at the memory. "How else would we get some?"

"Can we stay with you today?" Elwin asked. "We have the day to ourselves."

"I can't see any reason not to. I spend most of my morning in the library."

"Library?" Elwin brightened.

Five pairs of hands made short work of Daire's tangles. Wynne listened as they all related stories of their lives.

:You should invite them up more often.: Daire suggested as he ambled out into the field. :Ana just promised to bring me a tart next time she comes.:

Wynne picked up the package and let them towards the Collegium. "Swear you won't misbehave?"

"We swear." They chorused, accustomed to the oath.

In the library Elwin was almost in raptures, Ana found a book of poetry and curled up in a chair, and the twins gravitated to the section on war and tactics. With the heavy wooden doors closed the room was one of the quietest in the palace, which was the main reason she studied up here. There was one Herald off at another table but otherwise it was just them.

"Wynne, I thought I might find you up here." Teren opened the door at one end.

"I usually spend my mornings here." She pointed out. "These are my niece and nephews."

The four of them gathered around Wynne to watch Teren suspiciously.

"Suspicious natures run in the family?" He ventured as he slid into the seat across from her.

"Of course." She ruffled the hair of the nearest twin. "This is Herald Teren, he is the Dean of the Collegium."

Elwin's eyes widened. "Really? Have you read all these books?"

"I have probably read many of them at one time or another. Do you like to read?"

Elwin nodded. "Wynne says that being bookish is good. She said I will be a smart man when I grow up."

"I don't doubt you will." Teren reassured him.

"We are gonna be fighters." Dain and Kane said in unison.

"You must be a handful for your Aunt. My bet is you switch places."

Dain nodded. "Wynne always catches us."

"But Geeva never does." Kane finished.

The other Herald replaced his book on the shelf and left quietly.

"They are half-Shifter." Wynne confirmed before Teren asked.

"You told him?" Ana asked in disbelief.

"Just some." Teren said. "Does that bother you?"

Ana bit her lip in thought. "A little."

"We were given rather strong instincts." Wynne started to explain. She was finding it much easier to share now that he knew she could shift. "We are ruled by them if we aren't careful."

"Have you mastered them?" Teren asked.

"I have suppressed most of them, they haven't." Wynne gestured to the children. "Some I can't get over, like a room with only one way in makes me nervous."

"And listening for threats."

"I don't actively listen. It is more like there is a map in my head and I keep track of the locations of everyone in range. If I am doing something with my hands I can both listen and work."

"But not listen to a lecture and listen to threats."

"Not with that many people in the area."

Wynne shrugged. "It is fine, so long as I can see them."

The children returned to their books but kept an eye on them.

"Actually, the reason I came looking for you is about your ability to become a cat."

"Shifting."

"Pardon?"

"It is called shifting."

"What cats can you become?"

"Jaguar, snow leopard and house cat."

"Are there any limits on how long you can keep those forms?"

"No. There are as natural to me as human."

"The reason I ask is we already can thin of a hundred instances a cat who is a mage will be handy. Like mountain rescues and tracking bandits."

"I can do that." She assured him. A sense of acceptance and usefulness filled her.

"Can you give us any idea of your abilities?"

"I can out run Daire for two candlemarks, I can crush the skull of an animal, I can hear a mouse in the corner of the Field from my room, I can leap thirty feet easily and accurately, and I can survive the coldest winter you can imagine." Wynne's eyes unfocused as she remembered her last visit to the mountains. She could remember the feel of her muscles stretching in ways a human could never understand. The feel of her paws under her as she leaper and ran. Ana giggled as Wynne started to purr.

"It sounds like you enjoy being a cat." Teren laughed.

Wynne snapped back to the present. "I do. It is freeing."

"Can the children shift?"

"No." Wynne shook her head. "Maybe when they are older. But they do have the natural defense against magic I have and the same senses. For example they can hear your heart beat right now, and your breathing. They can see the ridges of the ink in the books. Thankfully they don't have the need to keep track of everyone in the vicinity."

"Kerowyn would probably love to have them as scouts, especially if they have your agility."

Dain and Kane both grinned at the compliment.

"They obviously heard that." Teren noted the grins.

"And are already making plans to become mercenaries." Wynne added when she heard their excited whispers. "Perhaps Liam would be willing to teach them."

"Who is Liam?"

"Have you ever been to the Purple Cat?"

"No. I haven't had the time."

"He is a massive ex-merc I hired to take care of trouble makers. He used to be a Skybolt."

"Would you mind if I told Kerowyn more about you so she could create a training program for you?"

"I don't mind. I would tell more people but every time I open my mouth to start I get this impulse to run away."

"Understandable. How secret do you want this to be?"

"I don't mind if all Heralds know. It would make working and learning easier."

"I was hoping you would say that. Elspeth is still smarting from being told you didn't wish to explain yourself to her."

Wynne shrugged. "As you pointed out, when would a cat explain herself to someone who did obviously not believe her?"

"Have you thought of anything we could do to help?"

Wynne shook her head. "Just understand when I run off in search of peace."

"Just try to give us some warning." Teren stood. "Thank you for trusting us enough to tell us."

"You're welcome." Wynne smiled as he left.

"Do you really think we will be able to change when we get older?" Ana asked hopefully.

"I am not certain. I remember you fathers didn't know if you would. Full Shifters start shifting at just a few months old, humans however starting exhibiting any abilities at puberty."

"How do we know if we can change?"

Wynne shrugged. "Not a clue."

Ana sat in the seat Teren had vacated and rested her chin on her hand. "What's in the package?"

"I haven't opened it yet."

"It is from a Shifter, isn't it."

Wynne nodded and studied the paper wrapped package. "Should I open it?"

Ana nodded eagerly.

The boys watched as she tore the paper to reveal a carved wooden box of a nearly white wood that was a foot wide, a foot deep, and two feet long.

The scenes on the short sides were of trees and mountains. On the front side was a scene with several cats with a graceful tower on the right and a more twisted one on the left. The back was the backside view of the front. The top was more cats of varying species.

"Look at the detail." Ana traced her finger along the edge.

"Impressive." Wynne agreed. "Why did they send it?"

"Maybe there is a note inside?"

Wynne flipped open the lid then quickly closed it. "No note."

"What's inside?" Ana asked. "You hardly even looked."

Wynne leaned on the lid of the box. "Perhaps another day."

They all glared, obviously curious about what was in the box.

"I am going to put this in my room." Wynne tucked it under her arm.

"When can we see?"

"Never if I have my way." Wynne growled and hurried down the stairs. She tucked the box under her bed. "Don't even consider peeking." She warned.

"What do you do now?" Dain asked.

"Now I have mending. You don't have to stick around if you don't want to."

The boys grimaced predictably. Ana didn't look very enthusiastic either.

"I hope you don't mind if we go?" Kane and Dain asked in unison.

"Can I come back again sometime to look at the library?" Elwin asked as he backed away.

"Off you go then." She shooed them.

Ana was the last to leave. She gave Wynne a hug before she hurried after her cousins.

Wynne watched them run off. She missed the time she used to spend with them.