Lexi was quiet for a moment, and Rao was forced to look up to see why. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth turned down a little.
“Okay,” she said, patting his hand. “I’m with you.”
Those words gave him more courage than anything else on this planet could. His hand tightened on hers, and they just looked into each other’s eyes, letting the feeling between them grow. Rao knew that Lexi could feel it. She may not be a shifter, but something of the fated mate bond was making its mark on her.
For the majority of the flight, they were quiet. Rao was too anxious about the meeting ahead to focus much on a conversation. Several times, he almost told the driver to turn around and take them home again. Part of him couldn’t believe he was doing this. The other part couldn’t believe it had taken him so long.
They cruised over the city of Grayspire, with Lexi watching out the window and pointing at the taller buildings and statues. It was a sister kingdom to his own, with only a few minor differences in its design.
The aircar landed on top of the castle roof, and attendants were waiting to greet them. He saw one servant take one look at them and then run full tilt into the castle. He wasn't sure what Riley had told his brother, but that was most likely one of his personal attendants running to alert him that Rao had arrived.
The servants greeted them graciously but without much warmth. It was very likely that everyone knew of the animosity between the brothers, although few would know why.
Rao allowed one of the servants to lead them through the castle, trying not to let his nerves show. Now that he was here, Rao was hoping his brother was dying for reconciliation as well, and they’d quickly reach an agreement. Something told him it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Rao was surprised when the attendant took them to a massive gym. It contained an obstacle course, a fighting mat, and an array of exercise equipment. Against the wall, there was a rack where different types of weapons hung.
As they entered the room, the man boxing at a dummy nearby turned to face them. Rao was shocked to recognize his brother, Jagi. He’d grown into a man of impressive size, his chest and muscular arms bare and browned from being in the sun. His hands were bound for fighting, and he wore close-fitting pants that wouldn’t interfere with kicks or high jumps.
“Brother,” Jagi muttered, “what a pleasure.”
Jagi ignored Lexi, and Rao was grateful. He’d hoped that their meeting would be a bit more civil than this. A quiet chat over tea was more what he’d expected. It looked like Jagi had other ideas.
Rao whispered to Lexi that she should sit on a bench nearby. She bowed her head in assent and moved out of his way. Rao slipped out of his shoes and walked across the mat toward Jagi.
“Didn’t they tell you I’d arrived, brother?” Rao asked. Maybe Riley hadn't intervened as he had asked. “I know I didn’t call, but you had plenty of time to leave your training session before we got down here.”
“I didn’t want to finish it before you got here,” Jagi growled. “I want to finish you.”
Rao shook his head. “That’s not what I’m here for, brother. I’m here to apologize …”
“Apologize!” Jagi screamed. “You want to apologize? Now?”
Oh, how wrong Riley had been. Had she lied? Had this been manipulation on her part, hoping to push them together?
“Yes,” Rao replied calmly. “Now. I was wrong, brother. I didn’t mean to shut you out …”
“No, no, no,” Jagi waved his hands. “You don’t get to come in here now, after all this time, and expect to be forgiven. That’s not how it works.”
“Jagi,” Rao whispered, holding his hands out, palms up. His brother shook his head.
“Prepare to fight, Rao,” Jagi growled. “Or I will throw you out of here in tiny pieces.”
Rao barely had time to remove his jacket before Jagi charged him. At first, they danced back and forth, Jagi moving with lightning-fast speed in a series of martial arts forms. Rao blocked, stepping back and letting Jagi gain ground.
“I don’t want to fight!” Rao roared.
Jagi pulled his lips back from his teeth and hissed at his brother. “Too bad!” Jagi yelled, charging him again. Before Rao knew what was happening, his brother had shifted into lion form and was springing right at his throat.
Rao shifted just in time. He ducked under Jagi’s dive and spun, turning himself around to meet his brother’s next charge. Jagi leaped on top of him, pinning him to the mat as he roared in Rao’s face.
Rao tried to hold him off, but Jagi’s teeth were snapping right in Rao’s face. With a roar of frustration, he tightened his claws on Jagi’s flanks and marked him, just lightly.
Jagi roared, rolling across the mat. He seemed infuriated that Rao had only marked him a little and was not throwing down with his full strength.
Rao waited, panting, watching Jagi’s every move. His brother stalked around him, finally charging in with a lightning quick attack that left a deep row of scratches down Rao’s flank.
He stumbled away, feeling pain running through his body. He knew he couldn’t hurt his brother. When Jagi charged again, Rao ducked and swept to the side to avoid him. Jagi twisted and turned in the air, slashing Rao down his back.