Chapter 67: They Said Yes!

Garnet POV

In the royal palace in the city of Aquitaine, Garnet had to remember to breathe normally as the seconds ticked by.

The queen pulled the king aside. "Dearest, perhaps we should reunite them with their pets now while we talk about this with Head Mage Pascalline."

Garnet's eyes opened wide. "Cornelius and Lindrat? They're safe?"

Jiro looked mildly disturbed. "We forgot all about them. Patch, Anneliese, and the Chalices will never let us live that down. And it's silly to think about that right now."

Queen Giselberthe laughed, amused. "It's not silly at all. Don't feel too bad about the unicorn and the dragonet. Our children had a fine time with them, but the nanny was exhausted."

Jiro grinned slightly in amusement. "That sounds familiar."

Queen Giselberthe was warm and sympathetic. Immediately, Garnet relaxed. "Thank you."

Queen Giselberthe nodded. "You'll find the unicorn and the dragonet five doors to the right, down the hall in the children's suite."

Garnet pulled Jiro's hand, and they rushed next door, stealing into the children's parlor where Cornelius perked up, and Lindrat came awake, flying to perch on Garnet's shoulder. Cornelius bumped Jiro with his nose, looking up with his big eyes.

"You made me worry," Jiro grumbled, stroking the unicorn's nose.

The children's parlor was quiet, and Garnet could smell the sweet scent of the children. With a sigh, she looked at Jiro and saw his longing for their children in his eyes while feeling it through the bond.

"I miss them too," she said.

He reached out and put his arm around her. "What do you think they'll decide?" he said softly. "I mean, the king and queen."

"I don't know. What do you make of them?"

Silently, they slipped into the hallway and walked back to the king's study. Jiro considered thoughtfully. "They reacted exactly as we might have in their place. We wouldn't be happy to be unaware of a threat to our pack that everyone knew about but us."

"No. I can't believe they're taking all this so calmly." Garnet shook her head. "It's a difficult thing to come to grips with, and they've been ambushed."

"But it's for the good of their kingdom," Jiro argued.

"It's still a shock, no matter how just our cause is!"

They waited outside the closed oak wood door to the king's study, until Mage Pascalline opened the door and beckoned them with a finger. Her serene face gave nothing away, but Garnet smelled a hint of excitement.

Inside the study, King Odo and Queen Giselberthe faced Jiro and Garnet with serious but kind expressions. They weren't alone. Lance-Captain D'Azur was with them, as well as an impressive warrior woman in royal armor, and a portly man about Jude's age with a shrewd look in his eyes.

Queen Giselberthe held up her hands. "Don't be worried, friends. Lance-Captain D'Azur, the commander of the Royal Army, Loreena Vallauris, and the Royal Chamberlain, Axel Allard, have been sworn to secrecy. They are some of our most trusted people. You two must have advisors of your own–a trusted inner circle."

Jiro nodded. "I have my beta, Barrett Malone, my second-in-command, and I have the best one in the twenty-four packs apart from my brother Kyon in Evenhide. Then we have the head enforcer, Petrina. Each pack has a wise woman, a spiritual leader, and a healer. As Alphas, Garnet and I have the final say in everything except going to war, and a situation like this. You have a council you answer to. So do we. In fact, I told our council I'd step down if this decision went badly and endangered our pack and shifters everywhere."

"And so would I," Garnet said, backing him up. "We'd give the throne to my brother and his mate–they're the regents when we're away, and he's our Intelligence Chief."

King Odo's eyes widened, and the others looked equally stunned. "You'd do that?" 

Jiro regarded him seriously. "Any Alpha worthy of the title would. Wouldn't you?"

Queen Giselberthe bristled. "Of course we would!"

Lance-Captain D'Azur asked, "But how did your council hear about this? Did you howl to them or something?"

Commander Vallauris elbowed him. "Try to sound sharp, soldier!"

Garnet smiled. "I'm a shifter witch. I have ways of communicating across long distances–even inside a prison cell."

Everyone looked impressed. Cornelius snorted in agreement.

King Odo faced Jiro and Garnet. "I believe you, and I'll help you. To protect my people, to help the witches that are a part of my kingdom, and to possibly make a new alliance."

Garnet couldn't believe it, and she looked at Queen Giselberthe, who had a big smile. "We believe this is right," Queen Giselberthe said. "But for your and our protection, we'll keep this mission quiet."

Garnet beamed. "Thank you. Just what I was thinking."

"Although it may not be too quiet if I'm leading it," King Odo added. 

What?

Garnet blinked in surprise and immediately looked at the queen for a reaction. The queen had a knowing smile with a hint of concern. But Garnet recognized a true Luna in her. One who supported her Alpha in protecting their people.

The soldiers, the mage, and the chamberlain all had proud expressions.

"Your Majesty," Jiro began respectfully.

King Odo smiled. "Please, if we're to share combat together, call me Odo."

With pride, Jiro puffed up his skinny chest. "Odo, I think we'll make an exceptional team. When do we leave?"

"There's a lot to do to prepare." Odo squinted at Jiro and Garnet. "You both look hungry."

Garnet felt an answering rumble in her belly as her wolf approved. "Yes. We eat more than humans because our wolves need it. And being a witch, I use lots of energy as well."

Odo looked curious. "Fascinating. We'll have a light meal brought to you in the dining room while my queen and I make the necessary arrangements for this mission. Head Mage Pascalline, will you show them the way?"

Jiro smiled hungrily. "We did use up a lot of energy with all our activities."

Lance-Captain D'Azur smirked. "And you prefer noodles in beef sauce to eating us, you said."

The king and queen smiled at the humor. Garnet felt a warm glow at the impression Jiro had made on the humans.

Mage Pascalline elbowed him. "You yelled at the men for finding that amusing."

Commander Vallauris chuckled. "I'm sure it was a grim situation, but that was a funny joke."

Royal Mage Pascalline guided them out of the study and downstairs to the dining room, pointing out the fine furnishings and artworks and some of the history of the palace. Garnet had the impression she was doing it to relax them and take their minds off the upcoming mission, as well as show off the surrounding grandeur.

The royal dining room was as big as the dining rooms of Cresta House and Sinsworth House, as well as the one in Faolan Castle, combined. Warm amber chandeliers hung from the ceiling. A long polished wood dining table was set for tomorrow's breakfast. Coaxed by Mage Pascalline, Jiro and Garnet sat down at the table.

In no time at all, delicious smells reached Garnet's nose before a servant came and placed plates of food in front of them. Thinly sliced roast boar, orange long beans, a side of black rice, and stewed fruit. It smelled just perfect, and they both ate ravenously. 

Mage Pascalline stared at them curiously. "The passion of the wolf in human form," she said.

"That's shifters in a nutshell," Jiro replied. 

Garnet sensed Head Mage Pascalline was wrestling with something she wanted to say. "Have you met us before?"

"In a way. I've observed you in the woods close to your borders," Mage Pascalline answered. "And I have often wanted to tell the king and queen about you, to forge an alliance."

Jiro swallowed a bite of meat. "Really?"

Head Mage Pascalline nodded with excitement. "But for that oath, I would have. And I thought of going ahead and doing it anyway because I've sensed the one you call Hades for years."

Garnet choked on her fruit, which was melt-in-your-mouth. "You've been aware? How?"

"Not of who he was," the head mage said, brushing her hair back. "But I sensed his dark, hungry, and powerful presence in the world. I felt the Dark Goddess. It was all I could do to keep quiet. Now, it's different."

Jiro raised his eyebrows. "It certainly is. Our councils will be shocked."

They would need to reassure everyone that the humans weren't going to spread the news about the shifters to every corner of the kingdom. Garnet doubted, given Head Mage Pascalline's honor and scruples, that she would run around with loose lips.

"We'll see how this first joint mission goes," Jiro added with his usual prudence.

Garnet ran her hand along his arm, reassuring him with her touch. Goddess, his pulse quickened. She'd never felt so close to him. Their shared danger and adventure was exciting on a whole new level.

Head Mage Pascalline looked troubled. "Given what I've sensed, it could be risky."

If the mission ended in disaster, it could anger the humans. Garnet felt sick at the thought. Her wolf insisted that everything would be fine.

"We'll just make it a success," Garnet declared.

With a low chuckle, Jiro said, "Now that's my mate."

Mage Pascalline smirked. "I sensed the connection between you. And the connection between the other two–your brother and his mate, yes?"

Jiro nodded vigorously. "And if there's anyone that can claw or charm his way out of a desperate situation, it's my little brother. His mate is even more effective. Bram, Duffy, and Morgana are also resourceful."

Mage Pascalline stood. "Then I should go and pack my potions and charms," she declared.

"And crystals," Garnet contributed.

"Well, of course!" The mage quickly bustled away.

Jiro pushed away from the table and pulled Garnet up into his arms, claiming her with a loving, passionate kiss. "You were incredible," he murmured. "No matter what lies in store for us on that island, in that cursed tower of darkness, we've changed the destiny of shifters and humans forever."

Garnet kissed him back lingeringly. "We just made history. This is a moment we'll remember till the Moon Goddess calls us home."