The Chosen One Universe Volume Three: An MM Paranormal Fantasy Shifters Series

by Macy Blake

  “Entirely too long, Augustus. I’m here as a guest of Hartwig, the vampire elder. Have you met him by chance?”

  Augustus frowned at her but quickly schooled his expression. “I have, dear lady.”

  “Excellent. A fine leader. And you, my friend. Your heart still weeps for your lost love. Might I recommend a trip to the mountains? I believe you will find some peace there, and perhaps some answers you seek.”

  “Thank you,” Augustus said. “I will do that. May I introduce you to my son, Eduard? Eduard, this is an old friend of mine and your mother’s. Gamayun, this is Eduard.”

  Eduard leaned in and kissed her cheek before giving her one of his best smiles. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

  “And you, dear. You have your mother’s eyes. She was such a lovely lady. She would be very proud of you, you know. Do you know what she loved more than anything but you and your father?”

  Eduard shook his head.

  “Love. And she would be so pleased that you have such an abundance of it.”

  Eduard and Augustus both had tears in their eyes, and Eduard kissed Gamayun’s cheek again. “Thank you. I didn’t know I needed to hear that.”

  She smiled at him. “Would you introduce me to your mates, Eduard?”

  “I would be honored.”

  Eduard turned to Sawyer first, who’d been watching the entire scene with a curious smile on his face. He obviously sensed something different about her. He stepped up to Eduard’s side as Andvari kept watch. He glanced at Loch, who remained on guard as well.

  “This is Sawyer Smith, my mate,” Eduard said proudly.

  “And the Chosen One,” Gamayun added.

  “That’s me,” Sawyer said. She smiled at him and patted his cheek.

  “You’ve met Andvari already,” Eduard said. “This is Draco.”

  “Such a stunning dragon, my boy.”

  Draco bowed his head to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “And this is Saeward.”

  “Oh my. I haven’t had the pleasure of an Atlantean’s company in many years. It’s delightful to see you.”

  Saeward nodded shyly and stepped a little closer to Draco.

  “Have you officially met Loch and Henry?”

  “Not officially, no. It’s lovely to meet you both, officially,” Gamayun said with a smile.

  Cecil appeared with a tray containing another of his icy concoctions. “Madam, might I offer you an herbal tea?”

  “Why thank you. That is exactly what I needed.”

  She had a twinkle in her eye. And a matching one appeared in Cecil’s. Andvari’s frown deepened but before he could question what he’d seen, Eduard touched his arm and he understood then that more was going on than he realized. But Eduard also knew more.

  Andvari stepped back and let the others talk while Eduard took the lead. Gamayun and Augustus chatted with Sawyer as if they’d known him for years. His mate seemed lighter, happier. One of Andvari’s brethren caught his attention and Andvari turned to go to him. Hartwig waited outside the wards, still surrounded by many of the guards. All of then seemed in awe of the leader’s presence and the honor it held. Andvari hurried to him, and his clan leader stepped through the wards to meet him.

  “Thank you for understanding, Andvari. I hope your mate doesn’t take offense to my delay, but I did wish to greet our clansmen and thank them for their continued good work on our clan’s behalf.”

  Andvari tried not to react. So much subterfuge went on around them. Vampires were not thanked for their service and good work. It was an honor to serve their clan in such an important role. He played along, though, reminded of Eduard’s gentle touch on his arm.

  “Of course, not. He is being entertained by your companion as we speak.”

  “Excellent,” Hartwig said. “Now, the others have shown me their duties. Why don’t you share yours with me?”

  “Yes, sir.” Andvari turned away from the backyard, instead leading Hartwig around to the front. “We have wards set out, of course. No one with ill intentions toward Sawyer can pass even if Henry has allowed them entrance.”

  Hartwig nodded, then paused, looking out over the valley. “Word is out, Andvari.”

  Andvari closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. “Yes, sir.”

  “Many will come to see him. You must be prepared. They do not understand that he is a human, but your mate has gathered many supporters in his short time in our world. Many powerful supporters who are speaking very well of him.”

  “And what do the others think?”

  “They are skeptical, of course. Most want to see for themselves. But darkness also rises. For every one who is for him, another is against. Many fear the unknown, and that there are even darker times ahead. It is difficult to trust a human. Easier to trust those who seed doubt and fear, as they have shared history and we know humans are not to be trusted with our secrets.”

  “We’ll keep him safe.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  “Gamayun suggested Henry read a book of yours. Gregorovich’s Grimoire. I wondered if you would mind letting him borrow it.”

  “Not if Gamayun suggested it.”

  “Who is she?” Andvari asked, curiosity finally getting the better of him.

  “She is Gamayun,” Hartwig said. “That is enough for now. She cannot stay long, and therefore neither can I. I am leaving more guards with you and have called on another contingent from our brother clans. I have found a way to keep them from being affected by the dark magic, and will share it with anyone tasked with protecting your mate. That is all I can offer to you.”

  “That is all I could ask for and more, my Leader.”

  “You are a noble warrior, Andvari, and serve our people well.”

  It was the highest praise his leader could give, and it took Andvari’s breath away. “Thank you.”

  “Take me to meet this mate of yours. I find myself curious.”

  Andvari led him toward the back and found Sawyer standing at the edge of the woods. He had a smile on his face and was looking up at a raven that cawed at him from a high tree branch.

  “You okay?” Andvari asked softly.

  “Yes. Just listening to Burt up there, telling me off.”

  “Burt?”

  Sawyer shrugged before realizing they weren’t alone. “Oh! You must be Clan Leader Hartwig!”

  “Yes. And you are Sawyer Smith. I have heard many things about you.”

  “Hopefully most of them good.”

  “Most of them,” Hartwig said with a laugh.

  Sawyer beamed. “Sir, I just wanted to say thank you for all the help you and your clan have given me. I can’t tell you how safe it makes me feel knowing your vampires are here keeping watch over me and mine. It is a true honor.”

  “The honor is ours.”

  Gamayun joined them, placing her hand gently on Hartwig’s arm. “Would you mind if I stole the boys for a moment?”

  “Of course not.”

  She looped her arm through Andvari’s and then reached for Sawyer as well. “Sawyer, I find that I would like a little more shade. Do you happen to know of a nice shady spot nearby?”

  She smiled sweetly at him. Sawyer opened his mouth and then closed it again. He tilted his head and looked at her before opening his mouth once more. “I have a spot in the woods I discovered recently.”

  “Oh, that sounds lovely.”

  Sawyer led the way into the woods, shooting Andvari a puzzled frown. He kept his guard up, but for some reason, he wasn’t overly concerned. Sawyer stopped in the clearing where he’d spoken to yellow eyes. Andvari had retrieved the blanket and basket from the spot so he recognized it easily. He glanced around, wondering if the mystery guardian watched from the shadows.

  “Do not let your Earth brother concern you, Andvari.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “She means that yellow eyes is going to come out when he wants to and not a second before,” Sawyer said. “He’s stubborn.” />
  “He’s patient,” Gamayun advised. “This is a very nice spot, Sawyer. I can tell you draw comfort from it. Tell me, is it special to you?”

  Sawyer started to deny it, then stopped to actually think over his answer. Andvari could see the thoughts racing through his mind.

  “No. It’s not special. It just is what it is. A nice, shady spot.”

  Gamayun glanced up, and both Sawyer and Andvari followed her gaze. A half dozen ravens sat in the trees, watching.

  “Do you ever get the feeling you’re being watched?” Gamayun asked. She laughed as she said the words, and the ravens left their perches, swooping around them in a daring display.

  Sawyer held up is arm and two of them perched on it. The others landed in nearby branches. Andvari tried not to react, even as his mate opened himself more and more to his gifts.

  “Yellow eyes watches me,” Sawyer said. “As do the ravens.”

  “Correct. There is more than one way to see, Sawyer. You’ll find what you seek when you find another way to look.”

  Sawyer sighed. “Vague. You must know Mother.”

  Gamayun laughed. “As a matter of fact, I do. I knew both of your mothers actually.”

  Sawyer gasped and turned to her, startling the ravens into flying away. “You knew Mama Thea?”

  “I did. You know, she babbled like a brook. It was so delightful. Don’t you agree?”

  Sawyer nodded. “Draco says I sound like her sometimes.”

  “What a marvelous compliment to pay. Now, do me one favor?”

  “Okay,” Sawyer said.

  She reached into the folds of her voluminous skirt and pulled out a large pouch. “Will you give this to Cecil for me? This will help your strength. And you are right about…what did you call him? Yellow eyes?”

  “Yes,” Sawyer said, accepting the bag she offered him.

  “He will know when the time is right to come to you. Now, run this back to Cecil for me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Sawyer turned and walked away, sending a curious look Andvari’s way before going.

  “And now for you, Andvari. A long time ago, I received a gift. It wasn’t meant for me, however. I was told that when the time was right, I would know. That is my gift. Knowing.”

  She removed a velvet cloth from another pocket Andvari hadn’t even realized was in her skirt. She held the cloth out to him.

  He took it and unfolded the edges. An immaculate dagger rested inside. The handle was stunning, a mixture of runes and entwined metals. The blade was finely honed, sharper than any he currently possessed. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Keep it with you at all times, my boy. You will know when you must use it.”

  Andvari nodded and knelt down. He removed the dagger he kept in his boot and replaced it with the one he’d been gifted. “I will treasure it.”

  She smiled at him. “You must use it. And now, I must go. Will you take me back to Hartwig?”

  “Of course.”

  “Please give my apologies to Sawyer. I’m afraid we cannot stay for dinner, as much as Hartwig would like to. He did me this favor, and now I must steal him away early.”

  “I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  “Yes, he will. Besides, you’ll have your hands full soon enough.”

  “Should I be concerned?” Andvari asked.

  She laughed as they walked back through the woods. “That depends. Have you had the pleasure of meeting Dalinda yet? I believe she is your mate’s mother.”

  “I have not,” Andvari said.

  “Please remind Draco that his mother means well. He sometimes needs the reminder.”

  He led the way, meeting his clan leader with the others. Hartwig nodded at him once more, then walked back down the hill with Gamayun’s arm through his.

  “What did you think of her?” Draco asked softly.

  “She was something, I just don’t know what.”

  “One of the old ones,” Draco said.

  “She said she knew Mama Thea. Sawyer’s going to struggle with that once he has more time to think it over.”

  “Yes. He knows she was aware of our world, but each new revelation makes him doubt all he knew as a child.”

  “She told me to remind you that your mother means well.”

  Draco groaned. “She’s going to be so annoyed she missed your clan leader. I’m never going to hear the end of it, even though I had nothing to do with it.”

  Andvari couldn’t help but grin. He wrapped his arm around Draco’s shoulder and let his mate pout for a solid minute. He had no clue what to expect having Draco’s parents for dinner, but he had a feeling it was going to be a night to remember.

  Draco

  Draco wasn’t a worrier by nature. Except, of course, where his mates were concerned. He glanced around the yard once more, looking for anything out of place. Then he turned his attention back to Sawyer. His mate still sat with Augustus and the two chatted like old friends. Never mind that Sawyer’s hand shook when he drank his ever-present concoction. This one smelled worse than normal, and probably had something to do with that weird pouch of herbs Sawyer had carried into the house earlier.

  It had been a gift from Gamayun. The name tickled at Draco’s memory, but he couldn’t quite place it. It wasn’t the time to worry about it now, but he’d make sure to figure out later where he’d heard it before. Right now, he needed to check again that everything was in its place before his mother’s arrival. Not that he was worried. He wasn’t. Not at all.

  “Eduard, are these pillows fluffy enough? And they’re a little crooked, right? Are they supposed to be?”

  His mate had just emerged from the back of the house and had started toward the table where his father and Sawyer sat. He detoured to Draco’s side and wrapped an arm around his waist. “I think they look good. Should I fluff them?”

  Draco scowled and leaned his nose into Eduard’s hair. He breathed him in, trying to relax. “I’m not worried,” he said.

  “I know you’re not.”

  They were both, apparently, liars.

  “It’s just… she likes things just so, and she’s always finding something to criticize and I…”

  “Then how about we intentionally mess up the pillows so she can focus on them and not something important. Maybe she just wants to seem like she’s helping make your life better.”

  Draco glanced at Sawyer before turning back to Eduard. “I can’t handle her saying anything about my mates. Mother or not, that’s the line.”

  “And she knows that, love. She does, because she’s the same. So let her fuss over the throw pillows and maybe complain about the landscaping. I’ll repaint the house if she wants me to.”

  Draco grinned and pulled Eduard into his arms.

  “Draco?” Henry appeared as well, looking delicious in white shorts that showed off his long, tan legs and a blue shirt that brought out his eyes. Draco could give a crap about clothes, but Eduard had been teaching him the aesthetics of it. And there were definite perks, especially in the amount of skin Henry currently had on display.

  “You’re beautiful,” Draco said.

  Henry flushed and scooted over to them, wiggling his way into the middle of their embrace and looking up at Draco with his beautiful blue eyes. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Just a little nervous about my parents coming.”

  “Do you really have three dads?”

  “Yep.”

  “Man, I thought I had it bad with my dads and the pack. But four parents? How did you ever get away with anything?”

  “My sister and I teamed up with my cousins. It was the only way.”

  “I hope we get to meet them one day. I like Asher, and I bet I’d like the rest of them, too.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  “I’m going to go mess up the pillows,” Eduard said. “You said they’d be here soon?”

  “Any min—” Draco paused and looked up at the sky. “They’re here.”

  Eduard kiss
ed his cheek before hurrying away. Henry stayed with him, holding tight to his hand. He had such good mates. His mother would love them or she would face his wrath. That was all there was to it.

  “Lower the wards?” Henry asked quietly.

  “Yes, please. Let her make her entrance. As funny as it would be to see her hit the ward, I’d never hear the end of it.”

  Henry elbowed him in the side as he lifted his arms. Wind swirled around them in a gentle breeze and the wards lowered. The moment his parents crossed them, Henry lifted them again, securing them once more within their boundaries.

  Draco couldn’t help but smile at the display. His mother’s dragon form glistened in the afternoon sun, the deepest fiery red. She’d made an art out of how she used her wings to best show off the multitude of colors they contained. His fathers followed slightly behind her, used to her showing off a little. Well, more than a little. They didn’t seem to mind, though. She really was stunning. His fathers were all darker. Blaise, the deepest blue, so dark he was often mistaken for black. But no, when the sun hit him just right, like it was now, you could see the midnight blue color of his scales. Joash, his middle father, was primarily purple, but he had the same rainbow scales Draco possessed, just in a different tone. And finally, Volos, the true black dragon. His father’s scales had no color, unlike the others. Pure black.

  “They’re so beautiful,” Henry gasped.

  “Yeah,” Draco said proudly. There was no denying his lineage when his parents were together like this. When he stood among them, he had all of their colors in his hide. It made him want to shift and join them.

  Instead, he walked forward, unable to stop his smile. Sawyer met them at the end of the pool, gaping at his parents as well. “Draco!”

  “I know, right?” Draco said.

  “So cool. So extremely cool.”

  Draco beamed, loving that his mates were suitably impressed. As it should be. His parents were incredible and powerful. They shifted back, revealing their human forms, and Sawyer gasped again. His mother had left her long, flaming red hair loose and wore a red silk outfit. She’d definitely dressed for the occasion. His fathers were dressed more casually, but they’d still put care into their dress. He could see it now. He’d never have noticed before. His family was beautiful.