Shadow

Raedwulf Dolph

"She's feisty," Rikki chirps as we watch her and Olen circle each other. She is pushing him around, while still letting him get a few hits in. From watching her with him, I could tell she was 1a good big sister. While she spends most of her day with Olen, not only training but teaching him to be a Viker, the other siblings are nowhere in sight. Like they only see Olen as a nuisance.

"She's confusing. Last night it was like she didn't care at all and now she is going with us to kill the shadowbeast."

"Maybe it's the bond," Danal suggests.

"Maybe she's crazy," Rikki adds next, which earns a growl from me. Idonia is certainly not crazy. She's smart, loyal, caring, watching her today has proven to me that she will be a good mate. That she will stand by my side and help me lead.

And it also made me realize what's going on with her. The northern Aeral's don't trust me, so she is making me a trustworthy Khanal. It isn't just about her, though she does want me to prove myself. She is already doing her job by making me better than I am.

"She's brilliant," it is barely a whisper when I say it.

Later that night, after dinner is done, I retrace my steps to her room. I know she said to not come back, but I had to speak with her. I find the door with the crescent moon on it and knock lightly. She opens it once more but before I can say anything, she covers her lips with one finger, effectively silencing me.

She opens the door fully and allows me in. Once inside she then goes to close the window. "What's wrong?" I ask her as she locks all the windows.

"Men in the courtyard," she draws her curtains closed before turning to me.

"You watch them?"

"There is a nightly training group. When I was a young pup, I used to watch them to get my start. Father didn't want to train me as a Viker when I was younger, then I got into a fight with Inghram," a small smirk plays on her lips. "Then he decided I needed to be trained with my brothers."

"And now you're stronger than them," I state, knowing it to be true if only from the stories of her family. Idonia could easily take Aeren Eske in a fight, especially from what I've seen.

"Most likely I am so strong because I am your mate," she moves to sit beside the fire.

"Maybe I'm strong because I am your mate," I say back to her, sitting beside her on the bench. In a slow movement, I grab her chin and lift her eyes to meet mine. While she and Olen look much alike, their eyes are different. His are a bright, sky blue, while Idonia's are a deep ocean blue. I examine her eyes; every fleck of blue that decorates her irises and every eyelash. "You make me stronger, Idonia."

My lips land on hers in a slow kiss. When it ends, my beast craves more. She doesn't say anything, just stares at me. Then her head tilts and she leaves one more kiss on my chin. "You should go," she whispers to me. "We leave tomorrow for the north."

"You're worried," my smirk comes through at the words.

"I don't want you to die, Rae," her hands shot up to grab my face. I close my eyes, relishing in the feeling of her touch. "But I need you to be better."

"I will be," I peck her lips once more. "I may not have taken a life, but I am strong. We are equals, Idonia, and I will prove that to you."

Suddenly, she pushes me away and stands, putting the whole room between us. Her arms cross in front of her chest and she keeps her back to me. "Goodnight, Khanel."

"Goodnight, Khanelea."

Before I get to the door, I turn to look at her one more time. Idonia has a brush in her hand and she starts pulling it through her long hair. Instead of leaving, I go back towards her and take the brush. Hesitantly, she lets it go and I start to run it through her locks. Idonia sighs happily as I pull her hair into one long braid.

When I am finished, I take her to the bed. She lets me lay her down and pull the covers over her. Idonia settles and I go to the fire, covering it with the grate. Finally, I blow out the candles in her room and leave her room.

In the hall I let out a deep sigh, knowing that slowly I am gaining her trust. Maybe even gaining her love. It is clear in her eyes that she has love to give. She clearly loves her family, especially Olen.

Back in my room, I grab some parchment, ink, and a feather to write a letter. I address it to Khannun Kol, informing him of my mate and the plan to bring her back to Bethlianna once she is ready to leave home. In addition to that, I tell him that I plan to bring one of her brothers with us to train as her personal Viker.

Of course, this cannot be set in stone. Olen only has ten years, but with the training from his sister, myself, and other Viker he will become a great warrior. Idonia will benefit from having her brother nearby as well, it will help her stay calm in the transition into being Khanea. I would bring her whole family to Bethlianna if it would make her happy, though I know it's impractical.

I finish off the letter with my signature and decide to send it off tomorrow morning. With any luck, the letter would reach Bethlianna in a week, give or take, depending on winds and currents.

And if I have good fortune killing the shadowbeast, then I will be leaving with my mate in three weeks.