Chapter 96: History Made

Ravyn POV

Not the time and not the place for a kiss, but at least she pulled the curtain, wrapping it around both of them. With all that fabric, who would see them? She really didn't care what anyone thought, but she and Jude needed a private moment. 

His lips moved on hers with passion, claiming her mouth in a possessive manner. She'd kissed him, yet he pressed her against the curtain and plundered her mouth as if they weren't in the royal palace. As if they hadn't just changed the course of history. Hot and drugging, his lips moved on hers until she opened for him with a tiny sigh. Then, his tongue swept inside, exploring the soft cave he found as if it were their first kiss. 

Her hands clung to his shoulders while his big hand cradled the back of her head. He crushed her body against hers, his hands exploring every curve and contour. Insistent now, he kissed as if there was no tomorrow. As if they didn't have the royal inner circle and their families waiting for them.

Someone pulled at the curtain to straighten it, and in an instant, their cover was gone. Ravyn and Jude broke apart, their breathing heavy. 

Bram smiled cheekily. "We wondered where you two had gotten to."

Jude's look could curl Bram's hair. "Your timing is horrible."

"And nice to see you're taking my advice," Bram said in a cheery voice. "Do you two want to deliver the news of your triumph to the king and queen, if they're revived?"

With his hand on Ravyn's back, Jude reluctantly said, "I suppose we'd better."

They walked the blue-and-white hallway lined with suits of armors and statues. Bram marched ahead of them, as did the others. 

"They both did a magnificent job," Jude stated with awe. 

An enormous grin split Ravyn's face. "How did they know just what to say to energize that crowd of humans, elves, dwarves, and others?"

"How did they touch the hearts of the king and queen?" Jude countered. "For two shy intellectuals, they understand people from all backgrounds and races."

Ravyn quickened her steps. Bursting with pride, she couldn't wait to give Odo and Giselberthe the good news. 

Inside the parlor, Head Mage Pascalline, Lilia, and Daxius had gathered around the king and queen, who were just waking up, groggy.

"Your Majesties?" Mage Pascalline asked.

His eyes hazy, Odo blinked and grumbled, "Who drugged my wine? I feel fuzzy."

Queen Giselberthe ran her hands through her hair. "Someone must have drugged mine, too. The speech! What happened?"

"Everything's handled," Ravyn assured them, gesturing at Jiro and Garnet. 

Odo growled, rubbing his head, "How? Explain."

Everyone enthusiastically shared the story of Jiro and Garnet masquerading as the king and queen of Lugdunum to give one of the most important speeches of their reign. At first, Odo and Giselberthe looked as if their heads were still foggy, but shortly, awe and respect came over their faces.

The only moment of rage the royals had was when Lilia answered their questions about how they fell unconscious. The king and queen suspected sabotage, and they were outraged to be proven right. 

"The nerve of him," Odo thundered. "Head Mage Pascalline, has Mage Edelbert been fired?"

"Oh yes," Pascalline said, her eyes darkening. "We'll find out if what happened is just youthful idiocy or something more, trust me."

Odo's eyes grew huge, like big black buttons, as he came to grips with the close call he and his queen had. He reached out his hands to clasp Ravyn's while Giselberthe squeezed Jude's. "This kingdom owes you," Odo said. "Stupendous! Magnificent."

"And you two as well." Giselberthe gave Jiro and Garnet a glowing look. "You two are so much like us that I'm sure no one was the wiser."

Their chests puffing up, Jiro and Garnet looked triumphant. "It was fairly unbelievable," Jiro confessed. "SHIFTERS passing as humans?"

Dane shook his head. "We've skulked under the radar before, but this isn't like pretending to be a duke or a merchant."

"It was all for a worthy cause," Ravyn said gently.

Leaning slightly on Ravyn, Odo stood, full of energy and enthusiasm. Ravyn swore she could smell satisfaction like a spring rain. Maybe she had acquired some of Jude's keen nose through the bond?

"I wouldn't tell my people about the great service you just did for our kingdom," he said with emotion. "They might misunderstand. But now I want to tell our people all about you. You are truly our friends!"

* * * * *

Jude POV

Not this again.

Jude appreciated Odo's generous heart. He was real, genuine, and loyal. Unfortunately, when he got onto something, he pursued it like a wolf on the scent. He refused to let go! His acceptance of their people was admirable, but Jude wanted to knock some sense into him. Stubborn pup. He could feel Ravyn's exasperation and affection, and he predicted a lecture was coming any second now.

"You're the real deal, Odo," he said gruffly. "Which is why I won't pull you into the training area of your palace and go a few rounds with you until you understand. You're coming from a good place. A place full of heart."

Outspoken Anneliese gasped. "You did NOT just say that to the King of Lugdunum."

"Of course he did," Bram said, rolling his eyes. "My father doesn't care."

"And the king is a warrior," Jiro said bluntly. "He's not some weakling hiding in his palace amusing himself with his crown and his power. He knows we respect him. Besides, within reason, Alphas can speak this way to each other."

Dane agreed. "Otherwise, we'd never get anything done. Jude is right. Your desire to acknowledge us openly comes from your soul."

"Unfortunately, it's ahead of its time," Lilia said sympathetically. "It's enough that we've revealed ourselves to you."

Garnet added, "Besides, for now, we're not telling our people everything that happened here–only that we got assistance from you, and that your mages probably know about us. We've been transparent with our councils, and our inner circles. All of whom can keep their mouths shut until the time is right to reveal the truth."

Ravyn agreed. "Listen to them, Odo. The revelation will cause an earthquake, and needs to be handled with care."

Giselberthe pulled on Odo's sleeve. "Dearest, they're willing to make sacrifices, too. They're not asking us to do something they're not willing to do."

Odo's fine features softened. "It seems wrong …"

"We missed that announcement and got knocked unconscious for trying to speak the truth!" Giselberthe stared into his eyes with her pewter-gray ones. "This is even bigger than the Dark Goddess–and as brave, brash, and ready to charge headlong off a cliff as you are, I don't think you realize just how many more people like Edelbert are out there."

"But there are good people, too," Odo protested.

"Edelbert thought he was doing good, and I don't think he's evil," Ravyn said charitably. "The world isn't split into villains and saints. Honorable, decent people can make choices out of fear, or ignorance, or because it seems like a good idea at the time."

Jude sensed Odo was swayed by their argument, or at least leaning that way. He stood, lost in thought, while his little daughters hugged him. 

"Daddy, why did that mean mage hurt you and Mommy?" Princess Solene asked. "Is it because of these wolves? William told us you were with wolf shifters. He's a wolf."

Her sister Graneila added, "People are so strange. Even magicians."

"It's because progress, and peace, don't come easily, my darlings," Giselberthe said. "And yes, people are strange. And sometimes, it takes a long time to convince them of the truth."

Ravyn smiled. "Listen to your queen, Odo."

Dane saw his opening, with Odo vulnerable, and made his final argument. "We'll celebrate our friendship openly one day."

"That's a promise," Jiro said in his simple, direct manner.

"For now, it's enough that we share this quiet friendship," Jude finished. "Isn't it?"

Odo stood silently, thinking ….