Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(120)

“Thank you. It’s nice to be here.”

“So, Heather.” Bree waved a hand at Darcy. “Since she was a captive, she doesn’t know makeup, and we told her about your mad skills. Can you help get her ready?”

Heather grinned. “Absolutely. Makes me feel like an artist.” She handed Sorcha back to Vicki, grabbed her bag, and pulled a chair over to join Darcy at the dressing table.

Darcy glanced around, rather surprised that a bedroom was big enough to fit them all comfortably. Darcy looked around. “This is a great room, Vicki.”

A painting of the forested mountains around Cold Creek set a peaceful tone. An old-fashioned quilt of blues and greens was echoed by a green handmade rug on the hardwood floor. The well-filled bookcase occupied one wall, a dark wood dressing table with a beautifully carved mirror another. “But I didn’t realize a female would have her own bedroom and each male would have a separate, complete apartment.”

Vicki rocked gently as she nursed Sorcha. “Most littermates share a house, and each person has their own bedroom. This room was originally designed for the female, and as with most shifter houses, the male bedrooms had surrounded it. But since Calum and Alec didn’t share Calum’s first mate, they remodeled the floor into two separate apartments. Now I’m here, and they’re sharing everything again. Alec doesn’t use his apartment much.”

Heather stroked a dark brown shadow on Darcy’s eyelids. “Every mate-set chooses how they arrange the bedrooms. Some female bedrooms are huge, and the males join her there. That’s assuming they share in bed, since some shifters prefer one-on-ones.”

Breanne studied Vicki’s queen-sized bed. “I don’t think you, Alec, and Calum would all fit on there.”

“We don’t. The guys have huge beds, and we usually all sleep together in a pile. They decided this room is mine alone.” Vicki’s lips tilted. “They know I sometimes need space—and wanted me to know if I came here to sleep, they’d honor my wishes.”

“Your mates are so nice. But”—Darcy frowned—“if you join them in their rooms, when do they get to be alone?”

Heather started applying mascara. “I like your Darcy, Vic. She reminds me of Emma—always wanting to know why.”

Emma grinned at Darcy. “Well, I need to know why. You want to know how everything works—and how to fix it. Together we could rule the world.”

Darcy smiled back. Oh, she did love these females.

Vicki burped Sorcha, handed her to Angie, and took Artair. “Your turn, munchkin.” She looked over. “Alec never wants time alone. The guy’s totally gregarious. When Calum needs solitude, he heads into the mountains. He has some places in the forest he visits and just…sits. I asked him once, you know, as a joke, if the Gods visit him there, and he said, ‘Not always.’ ”

Bree stared. “Whoa, that’s a little scary.”

Darcy stared. “Uh-huh.” Then again, how did the Gods communicate? Was it in thoughts or images or…

“Here, your makeup is done.” Heather spun her around. “What do you think?”

“You’re an artist.” Darcy stared at herself. “My eyes look huge.”

“Mmmhmm. You have gorgeous eyes; they deserved to be played up.” Heather tucked her kit away.

Sipping her wine, Angie scrutinized Darcy. “Very sexy. We did well.”

The women had decided Darcy’s jeans and shoes would do, but she’d ended up in an emerald green tank top of Heather’s. The shirt was thin and not too low-cut, but somehow—when worn without a bra—appallingly revealing.

Vicki pursed her lips. “I better warn Alec there will be males fighting over her.”

“Very funny.” Darcy reached for her glass and realized no one was laughing. “You’re making a joke, right?”

“New and gorgeous female. Still wide-eyed. Yes, the males will work to get your attention any way they can.” Emma gave her a serious look. “You need to remember, Darcy, everything is up to you. If the gnome-brains want to fight, and you’re not into battles, walk away and find a male more to your liking.”

There were only two males to her liking. But she’d gone by their house earlier, and everything was dark. Why, why, why hadn’t they returned?

“Hell, we need to get moving.” Vicki rose. “If we’re late for the Daonain meeting, Calum will be displeased.”

“Meeting?” Darcy asked.

“Meeting first, then Gathering.”

Gathering. Please, Gawain and Owen, get back. Please.

*

In the back of the pool table alcove, Owen sat on a bench against the wall. The fucking tavern was packed, cheek to jowl, with shifters. He’d hoped Darcy would be here but so far he hadn’t gotten a glimpse or sniff of her in this crowd.

There would be time when all the non-single Daonain cleared out.

He wanted to hold her, to talk with her, to hear her laugh. And, although the full moon wasn’t even up yet, he wanted to be inside her. To sandwich her between him and Gawain and take her, over and over.

But tonight was the Gathering. He and Gawain would have to see her go off with other males. Touch other males. Mate with other males. And he wasn’t sure he could. All his instincts called for him to claim her and fight anyone who thought to touch her. A low growl escaped him.