Mer woke up to the sun shining on her from the horizon, and she rolled off Rush into the grass only to skitter back when she stared at someone's sandaled feet. What the hell? She snapped her gaze up to a blond with his arms folded around a staff, and light magic slid across her skin. This mage was a creeper, no doubt, older than her father by a decade or so and just watching them sleep.

What was he doing here? She looked back and Rush was out cold. Could she protect him from this guy? Maybe, but not naked.

"Calm down there, tiger, I'm not here to harm you." The man's voice was gentle, and his chuckle lightened his bronze eyes, but she didn't trust him for a moment as she pulled the blanket over her shoulders and considered whether or not she should shake Rush awake.

"What do you want?" Mer asked, protectively leaning into him just in case.

"What do I want?" the man asked, his short golden hair shifting as he tilted his head. "I got word from the guards on our border that a vampire was just lying in our territory. I came myself to figure out what was going on because the Shades usually don't bother us."

"This is your territory?" Mer looked around at the grassy plain they were sleeping on. Just a few yards away, it was forest that wrapped around the bluff's edge.

"Yes, east of Shasta Falls in the mountains is Shade territory, west, here on the forested side is the Charge territory. We're used to the Shades coming to the falls as we frequent them as well. We are just not used to one of them washing up on our shore. If I am correct in my memory, you are with Remus Shade?"

Like she'd tell this guy that the Shade heir was passed out near him.

"You're so protective. You must be Meredith Aurion, Damien's daughter. Your father and I go way back." The expression on his face was welcoming despite all her suspicion, and she knew it would change if Rush woke. "I'm Tempest Charge, the general around here."

Lovely. "Why aren't you attacking us?" Mer asked, used to the mage order shunning or fighting off the vampires no matter their intentions.

"Perhaps a year ago, I might have seen this as a hostility, but lately I've been forced to come to terms with vampires and mages working together. My nephew was changed into one of the dark creatures to save his life, but he's still the obnoxious kid that I raised. Emil is an Arc now. He is so naïve to the way things work that he likes to visit his family still, and I can't turn him away. Because of this, the Charge's relationship with the Arcs has improved, though we are still wary of them. The Shades are the Arc's allies, so we can't move against you. It would be a waste of energy."

"Oh, this is because of Neil." That midget had been putting in work everywhere.

"Yes. Neil is quite pleasant himself, but his generals, Damien included, can get a bit overwhelming. Your father protects that boy with as much commitment as he had murdering their kind as a mage general, and Ares is as unfriendly as ever."

"Ares gives me the creeps too. He needs to take it down a notch here and there," Mer agreed, and Tempest laughed.

"Ares is loyal and ruthless, what Neil needs. If his generals didn't frighten anyone, it would make his house weak. I was merely here to see that you weren't a threat. I will leave you to your mate, but I have to ask." Tempest paused a moment, his face reddening. "Do the Shades really...uh... fuck in the magical recess?"

The man said the word 'fuck' with the same comfort a parent would when referring to their kid's sexual activities. Meredith turned a bright shade of red, and Tempest laughed again.

"I only ask because I've had mages try that and they all leave dissatisfied. The magic is too powerful and knocks them out before they can have any fun with it. I myself tried that as a younger man, but even I succumbed too quickly."

"I get the feeling you wouldn't ask me this if Rush was awake," Mer said with a glare, and Tempest inched back.

"Definitely not. He'd snap my spine. The Shades don't bother us, but they are extremely closed off to relations with any mage houses. I was surprised the Arcs were so open to interacting with us when Emil requested to see me."

"Sounds about right," Mer said with a sigh. "Not answering you, by the way."

"I had to try." Tempest's golden eyes twinkled and the skin around his eyes creased with his smile. "Enjoy your new mate."

Mer narrowed her eyes.

"We Charges know what they use the falls for. It's a sacred ritual to the Shades, one they make sure to clear the area for if any mages are around. They like their privacy. You can't blame me for being curious."

"Be curious when I have clothes on." Mer glared, and Tempest reddened and turned around.

"Very well, the Charges welcome the new Shade matriarch any time if you'd like a diplomatic visit. Of course, your mate would be welcome by your side if he agrees to not off anyone. Enjoy your day."

Tempest slunk back into the woods, and she flopped on Rush with another groan. If she rolled him into the falls, would that be considered Shade territory? It wasn't something she thought she should try, so she instead wrapped the blanket around her, tying it over her shoulder, and located her clothes in a neat pile a few feet from them.

They were a little dusty, and chilly from the morning dew, but it was better than being butt naked in nature. It wasn't her intention to become a nudist. At least her blouse still had buttons and burying herself in her hoody was comfy. It ran to near the end of her skirt and she slid back on her leggings and shoes before going over to kick Rush. There was no way she was going to make it down the mountain solo.

"Rush, we need to get you to a bed or something. You can't just sleep in mage territory in the daytime," she complained.

Rush opened his eyes and jumped into a crouch with a growl. "What do you mean mage territory?" Rush asked, and she face palmed.

"You were so dead to the world that you didn't notice a mage general walk right up to you. Those falls are dangerous if they sap your strength that much," Mer said, and Rush reached out, touched her face, and then pulled her into his chest as he looked around for the danger. "Tempest left."

"Tempest Charge was here?" Rush growled, rolling back his lips into a snarl.

"For a few minutes, yes. He just wanted to know why we were in their territory but said he wouldn't bother us if were allies with the Arcs. Apparently the Charges and the Arcs have gotten a little chummy since one of theirs was changed a year ago or something."

"Emil," Rush ground out, running hand over his face. "I was so worn out that I didn't realize I'd collapsed on the wrong side of the border. It usually wouldn't be that bad, but I had to absorb a lot of extra magic just to keep you conscious that normally a mate could handle as a vampire."

"Let's just get home before you lay the guilt on me. Do I have to stumble and die down the mountain again?" That was not a trip she thought he jelly legs capable of.

"I'd normally take you back by spell, but the recess drains magic so I haven't enough. I will carry you down." Rush dressed in a flash of motion, and she was in his arms before she could take another breath. They flew down the mountain in minutes when it had taken her an hour or two to trek up. "Castle is that way. Fetch Lyon to carry me." Rush pointed, and she ogled him as he crawled into the shade and curled up at the base of a tree.

"Rush!" she complained, but he'd passed out. She poked his cheek a few times and then gave up and started to walk.

The path was flat and it wasn't too bad temperature wise, a little chilly, but nothing unmanageable. In the distance, the castle grew bigger as she approached, but it was still going to take thirty or forty minutes to hike that. Man, what if she had to pee soon? Curse the vampires and their backwater woods trips. Around halfway back, when her feet were tired and she was starting to want a nap, something caught her gaze and she turned into a statue as red eyes lifted to her own.

"Talamayas Sol?" Mer squeaked, and the man smiled. It flashed teeth in the light against his hazelnut skin, and he stood up from the tree he'd been leaning on. The sun crawled over that sleek skin to his belt like it normally did, but it didn't look oiled today. She couldn't stop the smile.

"Meredith. It's pleasant to see you again." Talamayas bowed his head a few yards from her, and her fingers fidgeted. It wasn't like calling on Shiva would save her if this man was hostile. He crushed even Darius with ease. "I am not here to accost you or yours. I came to speak with Darius and Remus about diplomatic matters but sensed that Remus wasn't present in the castle, so I've been waiting outside of their senses for his return. I will remove myself if I bother you."

"Oh... it's okay if you're just here to talk," Meredith said with a slow breath. It was better to not piss him off. If he was hostile, she couldn't do much, and if he wasn't, that wasn't so bad, was it? At the unity gathering, he'd been gracious in watching her and even breaking the men who had wished her harm. Why would he have saved her to off her here?

"Thank you. I'm honored by your acceptance of my presence." Talamayas bowed again, and she narrowed her eyes at the formality. "It's custom to treat the leaders of any given territory with fealty when visiting, even if you are more powerful. I am a strict follower of vampire tradition and law. You are Rush's mate, therefor required the same respect as he is afforded as the heir."

Did she have a "mate" sign on her forehead? How did all these people or vampires just know?

"Fancy, I guess," Mer said, taking a few steps to stand nearer to him, each of which he watched with unnerving curiosity. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Things are going to get dicey around here soon, between the families and between the vampires and mages. I'm sure you are aware after the council meeting. It could be dangerous for you if you were caught between either. I would be happy to grant you refuge in my castle."

"Gonna hard pass there," Mer said sternly, and Talamayas' lip flicked up into a smirk.

"It's an honor as a mage to be offered my protection." Talamayas voice rumbled, but it sounded more like he was amused than offended.

"It's dishonorable to abandon one's mate out of fear for personal safety," Mer countered, and Talamayas eyes flashed, his smirk lifting so high that his fangs glinted in the light once more.

"Meredith Aurion, I like you," Talamayas said, taking a step forward to close the space between them. "I don't want to have to crush you." Fingers grazed the side of her face with dark magic, and the fire in Talamayas' cold eyes sent a chill through her.

In an instant, she was torn back from him, and a roar escaped Rush in a bust of dark magic and hostility as he backed up and put himself between them. And just like that, Darius Shade appeared behind Talamayas with Lyon in tow, both flaring dark magic, Lyon's face already contorted into half a wolf as his call to shift pulled at him.

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Word Count: 2043