Chapter 17

Our tender moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. Before I could extract myself from my lover, Tessa’s voice could be heard, “If you two are finished annoying everyone, dinner is in an hour, and others would like a chance to bathe.” Petra started giggling while I chuckled and set her down. After exchanging a quick kiss, we dressed and headed back to our room.

After dropping off our bathing supplies, Petra left to check on the guards around the Manor, leaving me with no distractions for the first time in days. I considered finding a book to read somewhere in the house but decided to meditate for the time being. I followed my mana channels and noticed they seemed more profound. When I got to my core, something had changed here as well. My core was no longer just a ball of colored light. It now looked like a golden ball of molten metal. I became worried when I noticed the braided cords had disappeared.

Fortunately, as I searched for the cords, I caught movement in my core. Patches of red and blue now flowed in and out of view on my undulating mana. Hoping our bonds hadn’t changed, I pushed into my core. There I found a red and a blue sprite dancing around each other. I called Shalyndria’s name, and the red sprite zoomed right over. When she landed in my palm, I was treated to all her emotions.

At the forefront, I felt her anxiety and trepidation. Terrance had found something in the Church. I pushed farther, and there I found something surprising. Shame, I backed off, knowing it was something to ask about in person. Knowing she was ok and planning to talk about it later, I pulled back.

A small rustling sound alerted me to a presence in the room, and I opened my eyes to find Nadine watching me from the table. She asked, “What do you see when you meditate?”

I walked over and sat across from the mysterious woman. “Well, I usually map my mana channels then study my mana core. A few days ago, I found cords braided around it. When I touched them, I was able to sense the emotions and surroundings of my loved ones. There was a cord for my imprinted mate, Petra, but also the Princess had one. Shalyndria and I, while caring for each other, haven’t progressed our relationship. Hell, I was a virgin till an hour ago,” was my response. Her question about any recent changes stumped me for a second before I responded, “Until I assaulted the Church, my core was a ball of gold light. I found everything about it had changed when I started to meditate. Now, it is a roiling ball of molten gold, and the cords are now patches of color that flicker across the surface.”

Nadine looked puzzled, “I’ve never heard of mana cores changing that way. I have heard of heart cords among full beast-men before. I’m surprised you developed not one but another with a human.” We sat in comfortable silence while digesting the new information.

We were brought out of our heads when the door opened. Petra entered our room, followed by Tessa with a cart of food. “Good, I was hoping you would join us for dinner, Nadine,” Petra remarked as she sat in the new third chair our room had acquired. After thanking Tessa for our dinner, we all dug into the delicious food. We spent the next hour swapping stories and getting to know our new friend.

Once we finished and placed the cart in the hall for collection, the three of us headed to Shalyndria’s study to find out what had been found in the Church. We found the door open upon arrival and entered. Terrance and Hank sat across from the Princess on the couches. They all smiled when we walked in. Hank took his leave as the three of us sat down. I took note of the documents and journals on the table between us.

Terrance was the first to speak, “Thank you, Shaun. I have no idea what I would do if anything had happened to Milla. Now on to the bad news. It seems the leader of this parish, a Cardinal Primus Richleau, left the city to meet with other Church leaders several weeks ago. He is due to return next week. The Cardinal is complicit in slavery, and he took several kidnapped girls with him when he left. I can only infer that most of the Church leadership is involved.” The look of disgust on everyone’s face said all that needed.

Shalyndria’s words resounded through the quiet room, “Lord Arbiter, in the name of the innocent citizens of my country, I, Princess Shalyndria McDonaugh, as representative of the Islenase Empire, ask that you investigate the evil that has steeped through the Church of Cicerene. I guarantee any aid you may require.” I only felt determination and hope coming from her sprite in my core.