Louis’ question distracted me for a moment. “What do you mean?” I wrinkled my nose at the sorcerer before turning back to the quads.

Braxton looked slightly bored, as if he had not a single care about what was going to happen next. But I could tell by the rigidness in his jaw and semi-hooded state of his eyes that he wasn’t as calm as he portrayed. None of us knew what was going to transpire after the joining of their power.

“You’re wearing quite an interesting look right now, Jess.” Louis’ grin was as wide as his damn, arrogant face. “That dragon has you all wrapped up in emotions.”

I snorted. “You’ve been mated, you know how it is.”

Louis’ face fell, the amusement disappearing, and I wanted to smack myself. Damn, why did I bring that up?

He finally answered, his voice more brittle than usual. “She wasn’t … we weren’t true mates. But it didn’t matter. The fates made a mistake, she was my chosen one.”

I tried to school my expression. I had assumed from the way he’d spoken, the depth of his anguish, that she’d been his true mate, but apparently not. I reached out and rested my hand against his shoulder. We didn’t speak again, but I wanted him to know I was here for him. He wasn’t alone anymore. Louis felt things so deeply, hiding it behind power and his jovial attitude, but he loved with all of his heart. Braxton was the same. This was what made them so dynamic … so amazing.

Now that I knew what it was like to be truly loved by Braxton, well, Louis was right … I was different. I had officially lost all chill. I didn’t even care who knew it. If supes didn’t like me all loved-up, well, they could suck it. I was happy. I’d always been happy, but this was like an entirely new level.

I was granted a reprieve from my thoughts when the quads’ training started.

Quale was the one in charge now. He looked a little hesitant as he addressed the four Compasses. Might have been the way they were standing with their “get fucked” expressions in full force.

“There is only one way to know if you four are going to pose a threat to us or the king. We have sworn an oath to … remain loyal to the command of our leader. Many of the mystics did not agree with Gerard’s decision to allow you entry to the sanctuary, though we understood that the circumstances were a little unusual with Jessa’s odd mark. We voted, and the only way you will continue to be welcome here is if you join your powers together and don’t pose a threat to us in the sanctuary. The compulsion to hunt marked will be strong, you won’t be able to fight it.”