Fidelis, Blainel, Sodalitas, and four more guards were headed for Norton to do some grocery shopping at the local Walmart. The shopping took them about two hours to get everything and once they were finished, Fidelis gave in to the urge to head to the local park. That overwhelming feeling that things would change if he trusted that instinct drove him to do things he wouldn't normally do.
Not that it mattered. He didn't look like his usual self. His human side was 6'3', blond, and his usual blue eyes were grey. He turned heads wherever he went and that was fine with him. He was used to it from their old world. That was the case at the moment. The humans were eyeing him and his guards. He knew they were a handsome bunch.
"Romeo, are you ready to go yet?" Sodalitas asked him, using his human alias.
"Not yet. A few more minutes, George."
He ignored Sodalitas's sigh. His friend wanted to go home and dive into the cookies they had bought. The man had a huge sweet tooth.
"Take your time," Blainel urged.
"Thanks, Danny." Fidelis liked their human names which seemed to roll off the tongue without much trouble.
His instincts flared and he changed direction heading toward the swings. When he was almost there, the fated mark on his wrist flared up the pain unexpectedly. He casually dropped his gaze and saw the mark glowing. He brought his gaze up and scanned the nearest people. None of them caught his eye. The pain from the mark faded and he frowned. His mate was one of the humans at this park but now she must have moved away.
"Damnit," he muttered.
"What?" Sodalitas probed, coming to stand by his side.
"Nothing," Fidelis growled. His urge to be at the park had faded as well. "Let's go."
He ignored Blainel's searching gaze and started walking to the van. The guards hurried to follow. He was quiet on the drive back to their land.
They made it home and carried in the groceries. He left his guards and headed to his father's office. He knocked and entered when his father gave permission.
He blinked in surprise. His father was not alone. Sitting across from him was High Priest Michaelus. Michaelus stood and bowed to him.
"Your Highness."
"High Priest. What brings you here?"
"You, Your Highness."
"Me?" Fidelis was surprised by his words.
"Yes. Autem has spoken to me. He wishes me to pass along a message."
Fidelis frowned. "What is that message?"
"The one that your heart yearns for is close yet far from you. You must pierce the veil of darkness to let the light shine on the truth."
Fidelis felt the heat of his father's stare. He hadn't talked to his father about the fated mate mark showing up. He was still shocked he had one. He also didn't know until today that his mate was human. That could complicate things.
"I see. Cryptic as always. I will ponder the message and find my own solution to the riddle."
Michaelus nodded, bowed, and left the room.
"My son, is there something you wish to tell me?"
Fidelis straightened and looked his father in the eye. "A fated mate mark has appeared on my wrist." He held his wrist up and the faint outline of the mark could be seen.
His father rose and came around the desk to his side. He took his wrist in his hand and studied the mark intently.
"It has been centuries since a fated mark has appeared. I am worried about what it means for you, our people, and your mate."
"I think my mate is human."
His father frowned. "What leads you to that conclusion?"
"When we were at the park, my mark glowed. My mate was in the crowd. I couldn't pinpoint which one was her." He felt irked again at the thought that he was so close yet missed her.
"I see. Maybe you will find her at school."
"I know. I will keep a lookout."
His father nodded. "Good idea. Once you find her, I would like to meet her."
"I hope she will not be scared by our true appearance."
Fidelis smiled. "I have a feeling she will be fine with it. After all, these humans talk about paranormal creatures and have stories about them, too."
"I hope so for your sake." His father gently slapped his shoulder. "Let's go eat."
"Sounds like a plan."
Together they left and headed for the dining room.