“You bear the Mark of them all,” Ada said in awe.
“I do.” Cord pushed his sleeves up, revealing the heavily marked arms. “My back ran out of space,” he said with a humourless grunt.
“To have all five…” Agatha stepped forward reverently, her hand reaching out but not touching. “You will have the balance the others did not.”
“I believe that is their plan.” Cord nodded. The Mark of Velvore had been known to corrupt, and now Cord had the Mark of all Ancients to balance against the pull.
“You did well, Cord Lebedev, bearer of the Mark,” Aryna spoke clearly. “You bring honour to us all.”
“I doubt that,” he said quietly. Cord looked over the seven of the Great Council and inclined his head before he turned to Lucas, his tone mocking. “You got your wish, I am Dark Cast.”
Lucas snorted. “Black suits you better, red washed you out a little.”
Cord tilted his head back and laughed, the sound of his laughter echoing in the room. He inclined his head to his Mentor before he turned and met her gaze.
“Little tiger,” he greeted.
“Castor.”
“I came back.”
“I see that.” Tegan stood and looked around the room self-consciously, aware so many were watching. Listening. “I agree with Council Elder Lucas, black suits you.” Tegan looked to Salem and Leonid. “I will see you later, at dinner.” She turned swiftly and hurried from the room.
In her bedroom, she paced the floor, her mind reeling from the day’s announcements. She was Principal Elder? Michael would be laughing so hard right now.
“You still run, little tiger, from me?”
“You still portal into my room with no regard for privacy?” Tegan turned to look at him. “Sloane has missed you.”
“My brother is fine.”
“You have a lot of work to do,” Tegan told him.
“I do.”
“It is good that you came back.” She looked out of the window. “That tower was…drafty.” Taking a further step away from him, she spoke. “So many will look to you, especially with the Mark of all five Ancients on you. There is so much to be done, the Lycans need to heal their packs, need to gain trust back. The Made have no Court, they are refusing Kateryna’s call to return to the mountain,” she said as she shook her head. “Seriously, she is deranged if she thinks they will return. Father will have his hands full with herandthe Great Council. Do you know all she got was areprimandfor casting that spell?” Tegan’s eyes flashed with anger at the thought. “The Castorsallhave new leadership, they are unsettled, so I think that will help,youwill help.” She could not look at him as she continued to focus on the trees outside, seeing far beyond to the site of battle. “Heirs to Houses were lost.” Tegan swallowed past her pain. “So you see, there is so much work to be done, to rebuild, and it will not be easy.” She glanced at him. “It is good you came back,” she told him.
Strong hands touched her shoulders lightly and turned her from the window. Cool fingers touched her cheek as Cord turned her face up to his. “We can fix it all, Tegan. The Great Council is strong, you played me well,” he teased as her eyes narrowed, and he smiled. “Admit that you missed me.” His lips covered hers as he kissed her lightly, stopping her reply. “I am here now, and I missed you too.”
She felt the warmth on the side of her face. Jerking back, Tegan touched her skin on the left side, finding the flesh smooth. “You healed them?”
“You should never have had them.”
“Iearnedthose scars,” Tegan said stubbornly, pushing away from him.
“I cannot heal the ones in your heart,” Cord said quietly. “But I am willing to try, if you let me.” Tegan felt a tear slip over as she watched him. “You are the Stone,” Cord told her as his thumb brushed her cheek. “You are my rock that keeps me grounded,” he said as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Let me love you, Tegan. I will be worthy of you, I swear on the Mark.”
“You left.”
“And I came back.”
“And if you leave them again?” Tegan asked him. “They need more than you have given them so far. They need guidance, understanding,leadership.”
“Tegan, I am here. I am ready to fulfil my duty, as the Mark and as a Prime to my Cast.”
“And what if it threatens to consume you and makes you leave them…meagain?”
“I will never leave you again.”