unafraid

Julian was one step away from making himself sick, and that was pissing her off. By the time the men started training, she wanted nothing better than to beat the shit out of Damous just for breathing.

The only thing that stopped her was that he looked as bad off as Julian did. The poor dude did not know that it was his mate being in despair that was causing him to be in despair.

"Julian, no more stalling. Do it or I will."

"Jess__."

"No, babe." She caught his face in her hands. "I just had the most magical morning of my life and that can be yours, too. All you have to do is be brave enough to take it."

"It's not the same."

"It can be. If you let it. The Julian I know is braver than this."

"What if he laughs___?"

"If he does, I'll kill him." She dragged him the rest of the way. "A Syrian wouldn't do that, anyway. Especially this one. Dra and Herns get lost and take Will with you. Damous, we need to talk."

Julian lowered his voice and moved closer to her. "There's no way it's him. No way. You have to trust me on this."

"You have to trust me. Just like you always have."

He took several deep breaths then moved closer to her so that he could get farther away from Damous, who'd just planted his feet in front of them.

He was paler than usual, cheekbones more pronounced. If he wasn't so intimidating, he'd be almost beautiful. In a uniquely weird way.

"My Queen, have I displeased you? I feel your unease."

"It's not my unease, Damous. Before your mark burned, did you have any matches that you favored?"

It was clear that he didn't understand the question.

"Anyone you liked more than the others?"

"No, my Queen. I spent time with each of them and waited for the mark."

"I know you..."

He must be closer to Julian than he normally was allowed, because he kept looking at him, and the more he did, the more he frowned.

"I know you have been worried about your mate. Wouldn't it relieve you to find your mate and know they are safe?"

"Yes, my Queen. It is a great worry for me. We were never told that we might get our mark before we could find our mate. I am unprepared for these circumstances. Do you feel my performance is lacking because of my___?"

"Of course not. You do an excellent job. I know up till now you have been seeing to my training but from now on I would like you to train Julian as well. He needs to learn from the best and I know Kellum wouldn't have put me under your care unless he considered you the best."

Julian's eyes widen as he shook his head at her.

"You honor me, my Queen."

"I feel the same way about you, Damous."

"Should we get started now, my Queen?"

She knew Julian better than she knew herself, and she'd never seen him looking so concerned. So scared and lost. At that moment, she knew the mark wasn't wrong. He wouldn't be so scared if this wasn't so important.

His eyes had stayed on her this entire time, and she knew the moment that he realized she knew everything was going to be okay.

At her little smile, he sighed, and turned to face the other boy.

She could damn well feel the electric current when their eyes finally met. They both stopped breathing.

Damous knew, she could see it in his eyes long before Julian raised the sleeve of his shirt.

He was still staring at Julian's wrist long after his shirt was back in place and the mark couldn't be seen.

Once the shock wore off, he stiffened and stood even straighter, if that was possible.

Julian did the opposite. He relaxed. "If you don't like it, don't blame me. Lord, knows I didn't pick you either."

"You let me suffer all this time?"

That comment caused her guy's eyes to widen. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Tell me. You did not even have to tell me. All you had to do is come to me." He turned and walked away.

Julian watched him, but she watched her friend. She couldn't tell whether that went well or not.

He finally looked at her. He seemed better than he had. "That went well."

"Did it?"

"He didn't body slam me, so yeah. How long do you think it's going to take him to completely freak?"

"I___."

Damous walked back into the gym. He crossed his arms over his chest but came no closer.

"What do you think that means?" She asked in a quick whisper.

"That I still might get body slammed?"

Frowning at his humor, she kicked him. "I'm serious. Can't you feel something? What is his mood?"

Julian looked down at her. "How the hell am I supposed to know?"

"I can feel Kellum. You don't seem worried anymore."

He crossed his arms over his chest, but then he admitted. "I guess he's more hurt than pissed."

She gave him a smirk and a shrug.

"That doesn't mean everything is fine."

"I disagree. Want to know what I do in this type of situation?"

"Hell no."

"Here he comes. Should I leave?"

Reaching out, he jerked her to his side.

"Guess that's a no."

"My Queen, may I speak freely?"

"As long as you don't plan on hurting his feelings. I wouldn't like that at all."

"I would never want to hurt his feelings. Or yours. I am confused about the situation."

"Tell me about it." Julian volunteered.

Damous looked at his mate but spoke to her. "Are you... I mean the both of you... I was under the understanding that... he shares your room, does he not?"

"Out of this whole situation, that's the part you want to talk about?" Julian questioned with a frown. "I don't know, maybe we should talk about the fact I'm not what you were expecting."

"I was expecting a mate, and you are a mate. One who shares the bed of my Queen. Which is highly unusual, and I must question rather I am committing treason just by wanting to be near you."

"I'm a male. Where you're from, that isn't even a thing. No offspring, big guy."

Jess nearly choked to keep her surprise laughter from escaping.

"That is also highly unusual but the lesser of my two concerns."

"Two? Is that all you have? I have a lot more than that."

Dame nodded. "I can tell, but I am unable to offer you comfort until I know___."

"He's my family, Damous. My best friend and a part of me. If you hurt him, you hurt me, and vice versa."

"I could never hurt him. Or you, my Queen."

"You might not mean to, but where the heart is concern, it doesn't take much. Trust me when I say it isn't going to take much. All I can suggest to both of you is to be as honest as you can, and when all else fails, make out. Love ya, babe. If you need me send out a SOS."

"Jess, don't leave me."

"I love you, but I've learned that no one should come between mates, toodles."

"Toodles my ass. Don't you dare___."

With a wave, she was gone. "Dez, I swear to God, if this goes west, I want to know right away."

"West, my Queen?"

"Wrong. If something goes wrong."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Will it be okay, Dez?"

"They are mates, my Queen. I would think if anyone would know how juvenile it is to fight destiny, it would be you."

"When you say it like that, you make me want to punch you."

"Quite impossible, my Queen."

"You have a plug, don't you?"

"You would be lost without me, my Queen."