Mists of Velvet

her safe. For all her existence, her safety had been her own responsibility. It had been up to her to soothe her aches and pains, to fill her loneliness and need. But now she had Rhys, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight because she feared he would evaporate into the air.
    Nothing was going to take her mate from her. Nothing.
    She knew she was getting the mage’s blood on him and tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold and kept her close to him. “Not yet,” he whispered to her, chasing away the tremors in her body with the palm of his hand. “Let me hold you.”
    They stood like that for a long time, and Bronwnn allowed herself to absorb his strength. All her previous visions of the mage had left her frightened, scurrying to hide for fear he could see her. And she had been right to think that, because he had known she was there all along. He had felt her. He had seen her.
    But this vision left her horrified. So much had been revealed, yet so much left unanswered. She needed answers. She needed the king, who had vowed to protect her. She didn’t dare go to Cailleach, because she would have to take Rhys with her, and she knew deep down inside that Rhys was not safe from the Supreme Goddess.
    “I’ve seen someone else have a vision while having a seizure,” he whispered into her hair. “Her name is Rowan.”
    Instantly, Bronwnn felt envious. Who was this woman? Did she mean something to Rhys? She hoped not, for she had no wish to kill, but she would if the woman thought to take Bronwnn’s mate from her.
    “She’s here in Annwyn, at the king’s residence. I wonder if she could help.”
    Bronwnn wanted to be nowhere near another woman for whom Rhys might have feelings. She knew she was being foolish to think Rhys hadn’t had any previous lovers. He was far too skilled for that. But Bronwnn hadn’t thought about seeing the women he had taken to bed, let alone being introduced to them.
    Suddenly, Rhys stiffened, then pulled her away from his chest. He was gazing down at her, but she refused to look at him. She was filled with envy, and her mouth and chin were covered in blood. But he forced her chin up with the tip of his fingers.
    “Did he see you in your vision?”
    Reluctantly she nodded.
    “Did he speak with you?”
    Again, she admitted he had.
    “Then is it possible that he has visions of you ? That he can see where you are?”
    It was Bronwnn’s greatest fear. Gazing up into his eyes, she nodded.
    “All right. We’re leaving—now.”
    Bronwwn knew he was right. They had to tell Bran. Her connection with the mage must be acknowledged. She only hoped and prayed that Rhys would still want her after he discovered who, and what, she was.

    Keir paced Bran’s study just as he’d paced Rhys’ office. He couldn’t sit. He couldn’t focus. He’d been trying to locate Rhys’ thoughts and still couldn’t.
    “Sit,” Bran ordered.
    “I can’t.”
    Mairi, the king’s mate, came over and took his hand. Her presence did not calm him as she intended. “Why don’t you go and see Rowan?”
    He couldn’t—not when he was unraveling like this. He might do something stupid. He wasn’t thinking clearly.
    A quiet voice interrupted the conversation in the room. “May I come in?” No one had noticed Rowan appear in the doorway. “I’ve had a vision. I think I know where Carden is.”
    Bran shoved back his chair and jumped up. The two warriors who flanked him followed suit. Melor was a black-haired phoenix with the ability to be reborn. Because of that, necromancy was his magick ability. To Bran’s left was Drostan, a griffin shape-shifter who was also a summoner. “She’s a mortal,” the griffin sneered as his golden eyes narrowed on Rowan.
    “And so is my queen,” Bran growled.
    Drostan’s razor-sharp claws retracted. But his eyes were still golden and filled with fire. “And whom does this one belong to?” he asked as his lusty gaze raked over Rowan’s voluptuous body.
    “Me.”
    Drostan’s gaze slowly left Rowan to fix on Keir. Keir didn’t like the look in the griffin’s eyes. He respected no boundaries. He took what he wanted, and he cared for nothing but his own selfish pleasures.
    The griffin wisely chose to keep his mouth in check, but Keir placed a protective arm around Rowan’s shoulders.
    “Tell us your vision,” he said softly.
    Nervously she swallowed and looked at him, Mairi, and then finally Bran. “I fell asleep and awoke in a beautiful