Prior

He got up from bed, Danna had fallen to sleep not long after they’d made love and he sighed and stretched and got dressed, he left a note, saying he had to speak to his cousin, and who she should speak to to find him. He dressed and walked down to the apartment that Evan and Raymond shared and opened the doors.

“If you refuse to even consider it what would you like me to do?” Marina said throwing up her hands.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t considering it,” Raymond said calmly back to her, “I’m saying we should begin in the archives.”

“If there were unpurged records in the archives, I would know,” Marina argued back.

“Rina, you aren’t omniscient,” an amused voice said from the fireplace, Prior met Tristan Dugarry’s eyes, and grinned at his old partner. Tristan winked back at him. “You can’t know everything that’s in the archives.” The Duchess whirled on her feet and glared at him. “Prior might have an opinion.”

“On research methods,” Prior said and sat down, “perish the thought.” Evan chuckled from his desk.

“About where to best find what if any line your Danna belongs to, actually,” Evan said. Prior sighed.

“There’s a place to begin besides the archives?” Prior frowned.

“Yes,” Marina said as Raymond said, “No,” at the exact same time.

“I’m sure you missed this,” Tristan said and sat down next to him.

“My father knows more about magical family lines than anyone else in the country,” Marina said. “He read everything there is to read about the old families when he was trying to figure out how to break the mandates.” Prior inhaled. Of course, Lestat Sanpierre had worked tirelessly to free first his sister and then his daughter from their magical destinies. He’d failed, but Marina had survived what the Goddess Rana had needed of her and was now probably as close to a goddess herself as any human could be.

Yes, the former Duke would probably know where to begin to find Danna’s family. If Danna wanted them to be found that is.

“And I pointed out, that I would be thrilled for my dear cousin to help us,” Raymond said, “but as he’s in Brightcoast, perhaps we could begin without him while he travels.”

“I don’t know if Danna wants to find her line,” Prior said. Marina blinked at him.

“I’m afraid that doesn’t matter much,” Marina said. “I understand that sounds callous, but this is important, it’s important for history and for magic and for Cammadan.”

“Rina,” Tristan said with a sigh. She frowned at him. Tristan and Marina were twin hearts, linked by fate and the gods on the wheel of the destiny. It made their relationship endlessly complicated, and drove their spouses to distraction. “You should know better.” She exhaled.

“I will ask her, of course,” she said. “And explain why it’s important.” Prior nodded. “I’m sorry, Prior,” she sighed, “it’s all very exciting though.” He smiled.

“Have you written to your father?” He asked. She nodded. “If my opinion is wanted, I would say that is a good place to start. He wasn’t researching these things for theory it was to help you and Queen Marie, he’d know how to do it right.” She smiled.

“Come on, Raymond,” she said and pulled him out.

“I should go with them,” Evan said, “when they’re in this kind of mood they might kill each other.” Prior laughed and Evan stopped and clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’re home, Prior.” Prior smiled at him. He left.

Tristan looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“Caro said she’s lovely but skittish,” Tristan said. Prior nodded. “New and different for you.” He snorted.

“Annalise is pregnant,” Prior said softly. Tristan sighed.

“Yes, that,” he muttered, “I said we should have told you. Caro said we needed to stay out of it.” Prior laughed. “It’s been years, Prior.”

“I know, it’s just,” he exhaled, “I didn’t think I would care.”

“Ah,” Tristan nodded. “That’s all?”

“And why isn’t he here?” Prior raged. “I shouldn’t be surprised he left when she,” Tristan raised an eyebrow.

“When she asked him to?” He said. Prior frowned. “Queen Aimee insisted on being here. Annalise knows that will put Eric on edge, as his family always does. He’s concerned how they’ll take it if the child is a boy.”

“Why?” Prior asked.

“Because if Eric has a son, there’s even more continuity to him as Daniel’s heir,” the door opened and Damian Lestoff walked in. The Duke of Brightcoast was a tall man, with light brown skin, and he wore his dark curly hair tied into a tail at his neck. “Marina says its a girl though.”

“Your Grace,” Prior nodded.

“Commander,” Lefty bowed. “I’d expected to find you at the bottom of a bottle.”

“Lestoff,” Tristan sighed.

“Dugarry,” Lefty teased back.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in Pharras, fighting for freedom?” Prior said.

“I was,” Lefty said, “but my lady wife has decided she needs to be with her queen and cousin.” Prior nodded. “I go where she goes.” Prior nodded. “You actually found the dragons.”

“It’s a little more nuanced than that,” Prior said gently.

“So now what?” Tristan asked. Prior sighed.

“Even with this mission over things in Westran are still bad,” he shook his head. “The settlers are taking more and more. The tribes are getting fed up with it. I don’t know how much longer even Harran holding things off will work.” He paused. “Your people aren’t helping.”

“We never do,” Tristan sighed. “I’m trying to convince my grandfather to slow down on issuing charters but he’s refusing to.” Prior nodded. “Caro is hearing bad things from her end as well.”

“Caro always hears bad things,” Lestoff shrugged. “But your grandfather’s speed is alarming people down south too.” Prior took that on. Something was going to break. He hoped they could stop it.