Invergarry, Scotland
Summer, 1270
Life had a funny way of turning sharp corners with no warning signs. Sorin Sinclair had thought he had learned to adapt in his search for his mate, but no matter how many times he thought he couldn't be surprised again, he was.
He stared into familiar hazel eyes and wanted to shout for joy. Instead, he smiled at his eldest brother and heir to the kingdom of Drahcir.
"Keiran? Is that really you?"
His brother returned the smile and hugged him, slapping his hands on Sorin's back. "Aye, brother, 'tis me."
Sorin stepped back and looked into a face he feared he might never see again. "How?"
"I don't have time to explain, and it doesn't matter," Keiran answered. "'Tis good to see you."
"I would have thought you'd have returned home by now. Have you not found your mate?"
Keiran sighed and dropped his hand. "Nay, but not for lack of searching. It seems, little brother, that there are forces working against us."
"What forces?"
"I had a visit from a Fae who warned me that the Tnargs are looking for our mates, trying to find them before we do."
Sorin loudly expelled a breath and leaned back against the building. The alley was deserted, giving them the privacy they needed. He didn't like hearing of the Tnargs, the magical beasts who had one mission--kill any mate of a prince of Drahcir.
"This cannot be possible. It is hard enough trying to find our mates and convince them to leave their homes and families behind to come with us. And now you tell me the Tnargs are intentionally trying to find them before we do?"
"Everyone thought that after all these centuries the angered Fae princess would have forgiven, or at least forgotten, our family. However, it seems she wants to end it all. Aimery tells me the Fae banished her from their realm for what she did. I don't think even Father knows of this."
Sorin ran a hand down his face as he absorbed the news. "She's going to kill our mates, ensuring that we don't fulfil the curse upon our family. That's why the Tnargs are trying to locate our mates before us."
Keiran nodded.
"The Fae who visited you, are you sure you can trust him?"
"Of course. 'Tis Aimery," Keiran said. "You might not have seen him the times he visited the castle, but I did. He can be trusted."
Sorin ran a hand down his face. "Have you seen Elric or Lucian?"
"Nay, but Aimery helped Elric find his mate. I have to assume that our brothers have returned home."
"Of course," Sorin said. "We'll make it, Keiran. I know it."
His brother smiled and nodded, the doubt barely hidden in his hazel gaze. "Aye, we will. Keep your eyes opened for the Tnarg. You won't be able to miss the beast, and it won't hesitate to kill your mate. Once you find her, convince her quickly and get her post haste to Drahcir."
"You're leaving?"
"Our time is running thin, little brother, and I have yet to find my mate. Be safe. I'll see you soon."
Sorin clasped his brother to him, almost unwilling to let him go. It had been so long since he'd seen any of his family, and parting again so quickly was torture.
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