"I think it's unwise," Lukas said as he leaned against the bathroom door, watching Theo as he bathed. "You have no protections, and I cannot come with you."

Theodore teased, "Ah, I didn't know you cared."

Lukas snapped, "Of course I care. You are a friend." His gaze shifted away from the Prince. Friends had become a rarity for him, and trust even more so. Theodore, the third son of the Kingdom, was one of the precious few. But like all of Lukas's companions, Theodore valued his independence and resisted Lukas's attempts to protect him fully. He refused to grant Lukas unfettered access to his mind.

Theodore's voice drew Lukas's attention back to his face. "I will be fine. I've done this so many times."

Lukas replied, "Yes, but who is this woman they are transporting? Why now? Why here?"

"She is a priestess, one who was of high rank. She was somehow involved in Raja's escape, so the Queen has chosen to punish her."

"A priestess who helped Raja?" It had to be Rosemund. She was alive. "Then, of course, you must rescue her, but let me help you."

Theodore started to speak, but suddenly, his body slumped. Frightened for his friend, Lukas rushed to him, ready to pull him out of the water. But once close enough, Lukas witnessed with awe the Water embracing Theo's body, keeping his head up, cushioning it, and knowing who had called him. Lukas pulled the chair from near the vanity and sat beside the Prince. He did not entirely trust the Elementals, so he would remain to protect his friend and learn what the Elemental Master had to say.

***

Once the Masters had departed, Paulo took a moment to center himself. With a quiet determination, he immersed his hands into the cool water of the bowl, closed his eyes, and focused his thoughts, beckoning for the Lady to appear in his Mindspace.

"Lady, can you locate a ship that travels with a spark of Fire? It has left the Queendom and should be passing near the Kingdom, but I don't know more."

"We do not need to search, friend. Our brother Air is guiding her vessel toward land even now. We are steering them towards your mate," the Lady replied, appearing before him in her youngest form. Her luscious chestnut hair tumbled in cascading waves around her head, moving with a graceful undulation as if submerged in a tranquil pool. The light delicately caught her eyes, revealing a profound, age-old wisdom that defied her youthful visage. An ethereal calm emanated from her presence, accompanied by a soft, melodic whisper that seemed to trail in her wake.

"Why?" he asked, his voice edged with confusion.

The Elementals had acted independently, their rationale shrouded in mystery. Why had they singled out Theodore as Paulo's mate? This notion stirred a deep sense of unease within him. The unexpected interference was disconcerting, and Theodore's involvement amplified his worry to a degree that proved difficult to shake. The uncertainty gnawed at him, casting a shadow over his thoughts.

"Our brother requested our aid in saving his friend. His acolyte healed our sister and took great risks to reunite our brother and sister," Lady Water stated, her tone measured and detached. She lifted her shoulders in a movement that could almost be interpreted as a shrug before turning her head to gaze into the distance. "It is not often that our brother Fire and we align in purpose, for we frequently find ourselves at odds, but in this instance, we shall assist his friend."

"I hope this unexpected help benefits us," Paulo murmured under his breath, knowing the Lady could hear him if she chose. He sighed, not wanting to argue with the temperamental Elemental. He still required more of her. "I need to speak to Prince Theo. Can you help?"

"It is our pleasure to commune with your lover. He has an easy, fluid mind and is in the water now."

Without further preamble, the Prince materialized in the Mindspace, surprise etched on his face. Water dripped from his bare body, glistening in the ethereal light. Without Mind Magic, Theo couldn't alter his mental image to differ from his physical form. Spotting Paulo, he immediately understood his location and smiled as Paulo handed him his overcoat.

"I seem to have picked a good time for a bath," Theo remarked, kissing Paulo lightly. "What's the matter?"

"A once-important priestess arrives by ship to the Kingdom," Paulo said, his heart heavy with concern. "She is one of ours."

"So my sources have told me," Theodore said, a cocky smile playing on his lips. "I am preparing a rescue as we speak."

"Tread lightly," Paulo cautioned, his throat tightening with concern bordering on fear, although he couldn't squelch the swell of pride at his lover's quick action."We believe it may be a trap. We cannot say who they wish to ensnare. We suspect it could be you, but..."

"I doubt I am that important to the Queen, except," Theodore interrupted. He paused, shook his head, and did not complete his thought. "Regardless, we cannot miss this opportunity."

"No, I agree, we may not get another chance, and she is important," Paulo spoke, his voice steady despite the worry he tried to conceal. This visceral reaction to the risks the young Prince took sent a chill through his body. It might be time for him to distance himself from Theodore, but how could he? The youngest son of the King was becoming increasingly vital in their fight every day. "What is your plan?"

"To travel with my usual escort to the port. My ship will be made ready for travel," Theodore explained, a hand resting reassuringly on Paulo's shoulder. "I will have some of my men hiding among the port workers. They will handle the real fighting. I will only be there as a distraction."

"Do you need to be there at all? It puts you at risk," Paulo responded, clenching his fist in an attempt not to grab at Theodore's hand.

"If I am comfortable in my castle, my men may not know how to deal with certain contingencies, and I must be present to ensure they perform their task," Theodore said as his hand ran down Paulo's arm, leaving behind a trail of heat and then cold with each lingering touch.

Paulo disagreed, but arguing with Theo was futile once he set his mind. Instead, he changed the subject slightly, trying to keep any hint of jealousy out of his tone.

"And Lukas?"

"What of him?" Theodore's eyebrow rose, hinting at Paulo's lack of success.

"Will he join you?" Paulo asked, lightly grasping Theodore's arm.

"No, he is too valuable to my father. He is not allowed out of the Palace." Theodore's nonchalant shrug belied the tension evident in his furrowed brow, hinting at an underlying anger.

"Would he come if you were in danger?" Choosing not to explore Theo's annoyance.

"Perhaps. Lukas is arrogant enough to think he is almost invincible."

A pang of jealousy shot through Paulo at Theo's wry smile when he spoke about Lukas. Yes, it was time to distance himself from the man.

"Then make him aware of the potential danger," Paulo finally found his words.

"I will speak to him."

"Thank you." Paulo paused. "And bring a Mage with you, preferably an Adept."

"Why?"

"I cannot assure you that any Masters will be able to arrive in time if you need us," Paulo said, frustration creeping into his voice. "The prisoner is an Elemental Priestess, and there might be other clergy members with her, possibly even assassins."

"Ah, I will have to think on how to arrange this, perhaps," the Prince stopped his words again. This time, Paulo could predict the direction of his thoughts and grimaced. He knew that Theo kept a friendly relationship with Dietrich. His nephew had to be who the Prince thought of now. The Fire Adept would be the right choice. Judging on skill and potential loyalty alone, he was the best option. But Paulo could not help but wish Theo would not involve him in this rescue.

"When you have her, bring her to our old meeting place. I can anchor to our old portal there more easily than build a new one in the Palace," Paulo said, leaving so many other thoughts unspoken.

"Yes," Theodore bit his lip in concentration, which Paulo absently found alluring. "I do not know what she looks like. They might have a decoy. Can you show me her?"

"This is Rosamund," Paulo called up the image of her as he had last seen her. He then thought of her captivity. "She may no longer have her hair. Those who displease the Queen are often shorn." He removed her hair from his image. "Will you recognize her?"

"It is hard to say. If they are all shorn, it will be difficult."

Lady Water approached Theo and Paulo. Theo's eyes widened at her casual approach, and Paulo couldn't help but wonder if his eyes had done the same. The Lady did not usually so readily approach one without magic. He had not thought that her pleasure in his mind extended to conversing with him as if he were a Master.

"Brother Fire has marked her," Lady Water explained. The image changed, and a dark patch appeared on her scalp, a slight burn shaped like a flame.

"An Elemental mark. Tell me, how do the rest of you mark your Priests?" Theo asked absently, his free hand passing through the hollow image. Paulo smiled at his Prince's curiosity before he caught himself.

"We do not, usually. But Fire is not the only Element that can burn. This is the easiest way."

"Fascinating," Theo said distantly, obviously not registering the significance of the Lady directly answering his question. Paulo had never witnessed an Elemental addressing one without talent so readily.

"He is part of you, or so we see him," Water answered Paulo's unspoken thoughts. "His being is entangled with yours. He is not quite our friend, but if he is in danger and calls us, we might hear him." Lady Water touched a surprised Theo's face and then looked at Paulo. "We often bond with the partners of our closest friends."

Paulo blinked in surprise and then realized the weight of her words. Glancing at Theo, he sensed that the Prince also grasped the significance. Lady Water had exposed the depth of Paulo's true feelings for the Prince, feelings that had been concealed even from himself. Now that this truth was out in the open, what impact would it have? It couldn't alter their destinies; it would only add further complexity to their situation.

***

Alone, she felt so alone. Even here, with all these bodies, she remained isolated, hopeless, and empty. It was so dark in the room, but they didn't dare put any lanterns near her, so they sat in the blackness. Rosemund's entire body hurt. She could not remember a time when she had been in so much pain for so long. Before, Fire would always heal and soothe her.

A different type of pain shot through her as she thought of Fire. He was no longer there. Her Mindspace was utterly empty of his touch, and her fingers could not pull his essence from the air. He was gone from her. She had known it was possible and had thought she was prepared. She had thought wrong; nothing could have prepared her for that moment when the Earth priestess had severed her bond with Fire because no Fire priest would. The worst part had been the Queen's laughter. The woman saw the pain she had caused and laughed at it. What had happened to this woman to have created such a monster?

The ship lurched, causing one of the soldiers around her to stumble. He was smacked roundly by his superior and moved back to his post. The ropes that tied her to the wall at least kept her from falling. Was it a storm that raged? Would she find her death at the bottom of the ocean? Perhaps this would be best.

A light entered the room from an opened door. A sailor stood in the doorway, hesitant to enter but not daring to run away. Rosemund saw the reason for the man's fear as a black-clad figure appeared before him. An assassin guarded her as well.

"What is it?" The smooth voice asked almost pleasantly, with no hint of frustration or annoyance in the deadly man's tone.

"A storm, we must go to port."

"Where?"

"The Kingdom, we are close to one of their larger ports. It is the safest."

"Excellent. Do let us know when we arrive," the assassin answered with apparent dismissal, and the soldier happily obeyed. Anyone who survived an encounter with the Queen's killers counted it as a success, regardless of the circumstance.

The dark figure looked towards Rosemund. His face was covered as usual for his kind, and the dim light from the hallway was not enough to make out even his eyes, but she sensed he was excited about the news.

"My master will be pleased," the assassin said to no one in particular and received no response. He walked closer to his prisoner, so close that Rosemund could smell the char on him, a Fire Mage. "The Mages do not know that they work to our benefit with this. It is all according to his plan. Your people are so easily fooled." The man laughed briefly, then laid a hand on her gagged face. "You will die soon, priestess, and we will have the Queen's prize."

Lukas, they thought Lukas would come for her. Would he? Hope rose into her chest. Could the mighty Mind Master save her? Or at least stop her misery? No, they must know he would not come for her, so who could they be after? Rosemund looked at the man who seemed to will her to understand, and then she did. The Queen wanted Paulo's Prince. No one knew who Paulo was or why he mattered, so why target his lover?

"It is all going according to plan," he continued as he walked towards the door again. "The Empire will be reforged."

***

Natalia sensed the men entering the room but kept her eyes closed. What did Raja's presence mean? Why had Destan brought him here? The bed shifted as Destan sat beside her and touched her shoulder to wake her. He couldn't know she was awake, yet she believed he must. His hand simply rested on her shoulder. She relented with a sigh, placing her hand on his while opening her eyes. She met Destan's gaze and knew she had to address what she'd avoided all week.

When Raja came into view, Natalia felt ashamed. Although his face remained impassive, Raja's eyes revealed the love, concern, and hurt of someone who has been rejected by someone they cared for. He might not have understood their relationship, but his feelings were obvious and would have been clear if she had allowed herself to see them.

Looking into those eyes, she understood the truth that had eluded her for the past week: she loved Raja. It was a different kind of love from what she had felt for Lukas or what she might feel for a future partner, but it was no less accurate. Destan had been right; she had wanted the connection, and Raja had been the right choice. He was her bondmate, and nothing should be hidden between them.

In apology, Natalia pushed some of her feelings through the bond and saw relief in Raja's stoic face.

"Natalia," Raja began as he walked towards her. Destan sighed and stood up, allowing Raja to sit beside her on the bed. She felt sadness in her friend, wondered at it momentarily, and then focused back on her bondmate. "You are well?"

"Yes, I am well," Natalia answered with a laugh. "And you, Raja, are you well?"

"I am better now," Raja responded as she repositioned herself. Natalia heard a slight click and looked over to see that Destan had left them alone. Following her gaze, Raja's smile faltered. "He will return if you need him."

"He wants to give us space." Natalia frowned at the thought of space between her and Destan but knew it was necessary.

"Yes," Raja answered flatly.

"Perhaps we should go back to our rooms. We have much to discuss," Natalia offered as she stood, taking his hand. He stood to meet her, and she drew him into a tender embrace, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. Raja's response was gradual, his initial surprise giving way to a deep, sincere passion.

Natalia sensed that this connection signified a fresh start for both of them. It was time for her to confront the reality of her new life. She could no longer hide from it. Natalia was an Elemental mage and a Mind Master, and she was in love with two men in very different ways. Despite feeling confused and scared, she was no longer willing to sacrifice herself to evade her future.  

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