Author: Scarlet Hyacinth
Date: 2013-08-03 00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Romance; Paranormal; Fantasy; Contemporary; Gay
Description: [Siren Epic Romance, ManLove: Erotic Alternative Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, M/M, shape-shifters, HEA] In the paranormal world, the greatest legend is that of fae prince Talrasar Myrthylar and his dragon mate, Kaelezrin Tersain. It is the story of the Great Sacrifice, a time when two warriors ended their own lives and their bond to save the world from destruction. But their story isn't over yet. An unexpected attack on their descendents suddenly brings them back, two men out of time, relics of a past long considered myth. However, once again their attempt to help costs them, and the two men ar
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand

Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 3

Warriors' Dream

In the paranormal world, the greatest legend is that of fae prince Talrasar Myrthylar and his dragon mate, Kaelezrin Tersain. It is the story of the Great Sacrifice, a time when two warriors ended their own lives and their bond to save the world from destruction.

But their story isn’t over yet. An unexpected attack on their descendents suddenly brings them back, two men out of time, relics of a past long considered myth. However, once again their attempt to help costs them, and the two men are separated. Suffering from amnesia, Talrasar falls into the hands of an unlikely foe. A desperate Kael begins the quest to find his mate, enlisting the help of their descendents.

Meanwhile, a new political ploy threatens Ornoz and its shaky leadership. Can Talrasar and Kaelezrin navigate the murky waters of their chaotic future? Will their sacrifice finally be repaid, or is the warriors’ dream to have a family fated to never come true?

NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest imprint, the Siren Epic Romance collection. This is Book 3 of 7 in the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive series. The series shares an overall story arc with many crossover characters playing major roles in each book. These books are not stand-alone and should be read in their numbered order.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter

Length: 79,764 words

WARRIORS’ DREAM

Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 3

Scarlet Hyacinth

SIREN EPIC ROMANCE,

MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

IMPRINT: Siren Epic Romance, ManLove

WARRIORS’ DREAM

Copyright © 2013 by Scarlet Hyacinth

E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-187-6

First E-book Publication: August 2013

Cover design by Siren Publishing

All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

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WARRIORS’ DREAM

Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 3

SCARLET HYACINTH

Copyright © 2013

Prologue

In the long history of Ornoz, very few cases of black dragons were ever documented. From the beginning of time, most draechen were aligned to one of the elements, usually earth, ice, fire or air. But black draechen were different. They preyed on all energy, not depending on a specific element for their magic. They absorbed it all.

No one even remembers now the true name of the first black dragon. But in those ancient times, when the most powerful ruled and pure strength meant respect, he became the first leader of the draechen, the first one to ever unite his usually solitary people. It was in those days that Ornoz was born, an incipient, reclusive nation hidden away from the rest of the world.

But what seemed to be a promising rule melted into a near apocalypse when, on the black dragon’s two hundredth birthday, the leader lost control of his beast. He hunted down thousands of draechen before finally, he succumbed to his own power and perished. His name faded into the annals of history, replaced by a new one. The Ancient Horror.

Through the Horror’s deeds, the draechen, now far fewer, became aware of the dangers hiding behind the power of the black dragon. When one of these rare shifters appeared, they automatically sought to destroy him or her. But as other nations grew in power, draechen scholars began studying the issue. Black dragons were an incredible weapon, one that could be used for the benefit of Ornoz, if it was controlled.

As they learned, draechen in general could live for two centuries with seemingly no problem. When they entered into their two hundredth year of life, though, loneliness settled in and could potentially drive the dragon in question mad. Usually, this wasn’t a problem, since the situation could be avoided through one simple solution, finding a mate, an anchor. Even in the case where a normal draechen didn’t achieve this until the deadline, he still had hope. But the overwhelming power of the black dragons made the two hundredth birthday an ominous death toll.

It was decided that, as long as there would be black dragons, they would forever become soldiers, weapons to serve Ornoz. Should they become a danger, on the last day of the last year, they would be eradicated. Since they were immune to weapons of any type, as well as spells, the chosen method was, usually, starvation, although scholars warned that they could die should they absorb too much energy, like the Ancient Horror had.

And so, black dragons were allowed to live among other draechen, all the while still carrying the terrible stigma of their legacy and curse. It wasn’t until the time of Prince Kaelezrin Tersain that it all changed. Prince Kaelezrin, the first black dragon in the imperial line since the time of the Ancient Horror, the same one who would, eventually, save Ornoz, and the human world, from destruction.

Chapter One

The 14th century A.D., Italy

The plague was getting worse. With every passing day, more humans were dying all over Europe. Talrasar buried his face in his hands, despair threatening to crumble his soul. Whenever he chose to save a patient, someone else, maybe a few feet away from him, died because of his inability to be there. Other fae healers were helping, but the Ivenian forces were spread thin, and the main factor causing it had not been dealt with.

There were dead and sick people all over the place, in the streets, in public buildings or homes. With one human Talrasar healed, three more fell ill. But even knowing that his efforts were akin to those of the legendary Sisyphus, Talrasar refused to give up. He shook his own personal agony and guilt off and continued on to a sick woman. “Angelo… Angelo di Dio! Aiuto,” the woman croaked out, reaching out to him as he approached.

It was what they always called him because of his fair hair and outlandish looks. An angel. Talrasar wished he truly had divine abilities, because sometimes, it felt that his healing powers didn’t suffice. He obeyed Jenarra and was thankful to the goddess for her gifts, but even abilities as strong as his couldn’t hold back such an outbreak of disease.

Kneeling next to the woman, Talrasar summoned his healing abilities. Jenarra’s light rushed out of him and into the woman, casting away the disease, cleaning her blood and immunizing her to future infection. When he was done, Talrasar got up, leaving the exhausted patient where she lay. Normally, he’d have liked to care for each of these people until they were up and about, but he didn’t have time for that now.

As he progressed toward the next prone form, he found that this particular human hadn’t survived long enough for Talrasar to run to his aid. “Sii in pace, amico mio,” Talrasar whispered as he swept his fingers over the man’s still open eyelids.

His heart broke a little when he saw the dead child the man was holding. Reining in his sorrow, he turned away and waved one of his guards closer. “These bodies need to be gathered and buried. We can’t just leave them lying there. They’re just helping to spread the plague.”

“Yes, Highness.” The man bowed. “We’ll handle it at once.”

Insofar as it was possible, Talrasar aimed to cooperate with human authorities. The sprites were doing their best to control speculation, since with the plague, accusations of witchcraft were running rampant. As if the victims of the plague hadn’t been enough, communities of those who were different became targets. It angered Talrasar, but he couldn’t be everywhere at once.

After the brief exchange, Talrasar went on to another patient, then another. Hours passed, and he became increasingly nauseous and drained, but he didn’t stop. As he finished another healing process, he staggered and likely would have fallen had another fae not been there to catch him. At first, Talrasar thought it was one of his guards, but as it turned out, that wasn’t the case.

He recognized the man behind him as a messenger from his father. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“You’ve been summoned to Eternelle, Your Highness,” the man reported. “Your presence is required for a matter of grave importance.”

Talrasar couldn’t believe his ears. “Now? I’m needed here. People are dying.”

Wincing, the messenger handed Talrasar a white pearl. Talrasar knew what that meant, an order from his father, one he couldn’t ignore, no matter how much he wanted to. When King Amarion made a decision, no one could go against it, not even Talrasar. Frustrated and nearly in tears, Talrasar brushed his thumb over the pearl. Instantly, his father’s face appeared in a sphere of bright light. “I know you don’t want to return to Eternelle,” he said without preamble, “but you must.”

“Father, we are too few here as it is,” Talrasar countered, “and I’m the strongest healer. If I leave, hundreds more will perish.”

“You’re fighting a losing battle, and you know it, son,” he said. “I won’t allow you to make the same mistake your mother did. Come home. I’ve spoken to the draechen. We’re hoping that, together, we can actually handle the source.”

Talrasar’s breath caught. His father had finally managed to reach the elusive dragon-shifters, one of the few races who had the power to contain the hordes of the werewolves and vampires that had brought this menace onto the world of man. They weren’t numerous, but perhaps once other shape-changers saw the draechen had decided to cooperate, they would get involved as well.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, hope surged through Talrasar. But the moans of the sick still sounded in his ears. “Surely, you can reach an agreement with the draechen without my presence,” he told the older fae.

“The agreement itself isn’t the issue. You’re the one who has all the information regarding where the areas most affected are and where the bats and the wolves are likely to be hiding. I have shown your reports to the draechen, and they are demanding to see you.”

Talrasar was torn. His father had a point in that, if a battle against the shifters who’d caused the plague lay ahead, Talrasar would have to get involved personally. He wasn’t only a healer, but also a general of the Ivenian forces. His armies might be spread out all over the world now, but his knowledge was required if they had any hope to defeat this. But that part of him that couldn’t bear one single death urged him to stay, to heal, to rush to the aid of the sick.

Having obviously guessed Talrasar’s thoughts, Amarion added, “I’ve sent additional healers to cover for your absence. Hurry back. The draechen are waiting in one of the outposts, and they’re losing their patience. We can’t afford any more wasted time.”

Talrasar briefly looked away from the pearl, only to realize that, indeed, there were other fae spreading out all over the city. Recognizing a few, he understood what his father had done, and just how needed Talrasar was. “I’m on my way,” he told Amarion. “And thank you.”

As the light started to dim, one of the nearby soldiers handed him a horse. Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, Talrasar mounted the beast and rode out of the city. Earlier today, he’d thought all was lost and that the entire world of man would fall with the fae helpless to do anything about it. But now, he saw that there might be a chance for the humans yet. He only hoped that the draechen wouldn’t prove to be a disappointment.

* * * *

“This is ridiculous.” Orvan huffed and took another sip of wine from his goblet. “What are we waiting for? We should be hunting down those wolves and bats already.”

Kael scanned the map he’d been given and absently replied, “We need the cooperation of the fae if we’re going to have any luck with our task.”

“That’s another thing that pisses me off,” Orvan answered. “Why did they insist on meeting us here? Why not invite us to their capital? Don’t they trust us?”

“We’ve given them no reason to,” Kael answered. Hmm… It seemed that the vampires and the wolves were far more numerous than he’d thought in the beginning. He needed a good strategy if he was going to tackle this problem and expect success.

Meanwhile, one of his commanders, Lord Cordellien Zager, approached and said, “I have that census report you requested, Prince Kaelezrin.”

Cordell’s tone finally made Kael look up. “And?”

“The numbers aren’t encouraging.” Cordell handed Kael the scroll. “We hope to find more people, but for the moment, these are the soldiers we can count on.”

Kael took one look at the report and groaned. “Damn it. If what the fae king told us is accurate, this is never going to be enough.”

Orvan scoffed. “For all we know, it’s complete nonsense. They have to be exaggerating. Not even the humans could succumb to a disease so quickly and in such large numbers.”

Kael threw a glare toward his sibling. Sometimes, it awed Kael how a draechen could be so ignorant of basic historical facts. “It’s happened before. Or have you forgotten?”

“Hundreds of years ago,” Orvan pointed out. “The situation was different then.”

There were a lot of things Kael could have said to that, but before he could reply, a sudden strange emotion gripped him, unsettling his dragon. Kael reined in his beast, frowning. The last thing he needed now was to lose control over his powers.

Before he could come up with a reason for his strange feeling, the doors of the meeting room opened, revealing the cause. A lovely male fae walked in, immediately providing an answer to Orvan’s comment. “Not much has changed in human settlements, in terms of hygiene and medical advancement.” The vision of beauty offered them a small, polite smile. “Greetings. I’m Prince Talrasar. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

This was the Ivenian general famous for crawling in ditches with his men to honor the dead and giving every drop of power he had to heal the sick? Somehow, Kael had imagined him less…delicate. No, that wasn’t the right word. He simply had never thought that someone on this world could be so impossibly beautiful.

Talrasar Myrthylar wasn’t a short man. In fact, his frame likely reached Kael’s shoulder, which was remarkable given Kael’s own height. The robes he wore did nothing to disguise his slender but athletic form. A lovely blue gem shone in the center of his forehead, but his silver eyes seemed to glitter like jewels themselves. His long white-blond hair appeared to be wet, and Kael imagined that he must have just come from taking a bath. That sent Kael’s mind to how Talrasar looked naked and how much Kael wanted to bathe him, with a washcloth or preferably with his tongue. It also made him frown at the thought of how many servants had assisted Talrasar in the washroom. That wouldn’t do. It wouldn’t do at all. No one got to see Kael’s mate naked but him.

Wait, what? His mate? Overlords… It couldn’t be. But it was. Kael’s dragon reared inside him angrily, demanding that he reach out and touch Talrasar, to make sure that this was real and not just some dream Kael had conjured. As most of his friends—or rather, acquaintances—found their mates, Kael had become increasingly convinced that he wouldn’t be so lucky. After all, who would want a black dragon? He carried a curse, one that could drain the life of any living being. Some people had taken to calling him a blight, a plague, at least until the real plague had started. And even now, he wasn’t exactly popular. To this day, he hadn’t met his own mother, and had only seen his father a handful of times, in an official capacity. His brother was the only member of his family who kept in contact with him at all, albeit reluctantly.

This was one of the reasons why Kael had insisted that Ornoz needed to get involved in controlling the plague. His two hundredth year was rapidly approaching, and he wanted to at least leave the world a better place when he was gone. But now, his previous resolve had become irrelevant. By some miracle, his mate had appeared in his life. That changed everything. Or so he hoped. His mate could always refuse to acknowledge him. Kael honestly wouldn’t be surprised if that turned out to be the case.

As their gazes met, though, Talrasar’s eyes widened and his breath caught. There was no disgust in those silver orbs, just recognition. Talrasar could tell that they were mates.

Kael forced himself not to get too enthusiastic. Draechen had virtually no contact with the fae until now, so Talrasar might not be aware of Kael’s curse. Overlords, he must not even know who Kael was since, in his dumbfounded infatuation, he hadn’t even introduced himself.

He opened his mouth to correct his mistake, but Orvan stopped him before he could do so. “Greetings, Your Highness,” he said, smirking as he scanned Talrasar from head to toe. “I am Prince Orvandel Tersain of Ornoz. I must say it is a great honor to meet you.”

As he spoke, he took Talrasar’s hand and brushed his lips over the fae’s fingertips. Kael simply saw red. As the older brother and commander of the troops, he should have been the one to say that, not Orvan. Sadly, since Kael was a black dragon, the law designated him unfit to lead Ornoz. Therefore, Orvan had been chosen as the heir apparent. Occasionally, this made Kael concerned for the future of Ornoz, since someone as arrogant and self-centered as his brother should never have been allowed in a position of authority. Perhaps he’d have been all right with it—or at least halfway so—had Orvan not dared to touch Talrasar.

He only realized he was growling and had taken a few steps forward when Cordell pressed a hand to his shoulder. “Highness,” he whispered, “please remain calm.”

Kael didn’t want to be calm. He wanted to get rid of everyone who stood between him and Talrasar, more particularly of Orvan. The damn fool always took what was Kael’s, but not this time.

He might have done exactly that had Talrasar not extracted his hand from Orvan’s grip and turned toward him. “And you must be Prince Kaelezerin and Lord Cordellien. I welcome you all to Ivenian lands, and again, I must apologize for the delay.”

Technically speaking, Talrasar should have never been forced to make guesses regarding their identity. After introducing himself, Orvan should have granted Kael and Cordell the same courtesy. But it didn’t matter, not when the silver of Talrasar’s eyes hypnotized Kael, making his anger melt. “Thank you,” he said, smiling slightly. “Please, don’t apologize. You had duties elsewhere. We are aware of that.”

For a few moments, the two of them just stared at each other, but then Talrasar shook his head, as if physically trying to cast away a strange trance. “But we should be focusing on the matter at hand right now. Namely, the war.”

As much as Kael hated to admit it, Talrasar had a point. Kael would have very much preferred to focus on his mate, on the bond that was already flickering between them like a firefly in the night. But he’d come here for a different purpose, one that required his immediate attention. “Indeed,” he said, sobering. “Are the numbers on these documents accurate? If so, we have a very big problem on our hands.”

Talrasar shot him a glum look. “In some regards, my reports no longer carry the latest information. Thousands of people, or more, have died just during my trip from Italy here. As for the estimates of the vampire and werewolf armies, they are likely optimistic, too. We have yet to discover their main base of operations, but they seemed to have reproduced beyond anything we have imagined before. Worse, the vampires are able to enslave some of the humans and use them to hunt down my kind. I’ve lost some good men because we no longer know when the people we’re trying to help are trying to stab us in the back.”

“You must be jesting,” Orvan gasped out. “The wolves and the bats are animals. They’d never have this ability to organize themselves.”

Talrasar scowled. “They have been known to attack and spread disease before, although never quite to this extent. But animals or no, they’re decimating the humans. They have to be stopped.”

“I concur,” Kael said. The situation was even worse than he’d thought. “For the moment, we don’t have many men at our disposal, but our magic can cleanse the most affected areas and protect your healers.”

That drew a small smile out of Talrasar. “The draechen are a strong people. I have no doubt that you’ll be very helpful.”

It was in no way a flirtation, and there was no innuendo in Talrasar’s voice. It would have been inappropriate in the circumstances, after all. For some reason, though, Kael had a flash of those lips wrapped around his cock as Talrasar sucked his prick. Or better yet, kissing that sinful mouth as he pumped his dick in and out of Talrasar’s ass.

His already hard as nails prick throbbed in his breeches, but Kael angrily shoved back his arousal, doing his best to control his libido. Talrasar was talking about death and destruction, and here Kael was, unable to think about anything else but fucking the fae. What kind of respect could he earn from his mate if he continued behaving like this?

With that thought in mind, Kael retrieved the map, as well as Cordell’s report. Talrasar scanned the list, humming and nodding thoughtfully. If he was disappointed at the number of draechen available, he didn’t show it. “We should begin distributing them and sending them out at once,” he said. “If or when you manage to muster more people, they will, of course, be welcome.”

“There’s something that you need to keep in mind, Your Highness,” Kael answered. “Each of these soldiers has an affinity to a certain element. They need to be assigned to areas where their abilities would be most useful.”

Together, Kael and Talrasar pored over the documents for hours, organizing their forces. On occasion, Cordell would pipe up with a suggestion, but for the most part, Orvan was quiet. In fact, at one point Kael even forgot his brother was there. He had to admit that Talrasar’s presence was very distracting. They had to lean very close to each other so they could both get a good look at the map, so Kael’s nostrils were invaded by Talrasar’s clean, fresh scent. There was a slight fragrance of roses coming from his hair, which Kael guessed must have come from whatever soap he’d used to bathe, but there was also the smell of pine and of the river. If Kael closed his eyes, he could see himself walking through a flowery meadow in the middle of a brave forest. But he didn’t dare fall into daydreams, because his reality demanded his full attention. Talrasar’s flawless skin was just within his reach, no freckle or scar marring the expanse of his lovely face. His eyelashes would have been the envy of any queen. From time to time, a lock of hair would fall into his eyes. He’d huff in annoyance and push it back, and in that moment, Kael would get a good look at his hands. Kael had never been particularly aroused by palms, but he could easily picture those long, elegant fingers caressing him, taking hold of his dick.

To his credit, Kael wasn’t the only distracted one. Talrasar stole looks at him as well and glanced away guiltily whenever he met Kael’s gaze. Whether he realized it or not, he leaned closer to Kael than strictly necessary. When their fingers brushed as they pointed toward the same area, the fae shivered, his body obviously responding to Kael, just like Kael’s did to Talrasar.

Given the circumstances, it seemed impossible that they got any work done at all. As it turned out, though, Kael had an amazing ability to ignore his own libido and focus on his immediate duty, and his mate seemed the same. It might not have been easy, but they managed, until finally, they had a solid plan of how to organize their forces.

At the end of the meeting, Kael and Talrasar shook hands. “I truly must thank you for your assistance. In the name of my father, I’d like to invite you to sup with us in Eternelle.”

Orvan murmured something that sounded like “Finally.” It was only a whisper, but apparently, Talrasar still heard, because he explained, “I’m afraid we don’t normally take guests, especially now, in times of war. We guard Eternelle zealously, and very few non-fae are ever allowed inside. But our peoples are allies now. You will be welcome there.”

“You honor us,” Kael replied. In truth, as much as he appreciated the culture of the fae, right now he was just glad that he wouldn’t have to leave before he got to talk to Talrasar in private. Overlords, he didn’t want to go at all, but he knew that his departure was a necessity. He’d be needed on the front, to hold back the advance of the vampire and werewolf armies.

For the moment, though, he had a few hours in which he hoped to reach out to Talrasar and speak to him. It was more than he’d expected he’d ever receive, and for that, for this chance, he’d forever be grateful.

Chapter Two

He was gorgeous. Talrasar simply couldn’t get his eyes off the draechen who’d turned out to be his mate. Prince Kaelezrin was everything Talrasar had ever wanted and more. He was also seated across Talrasar at the table, so if Talrasar just extended his leg a little, he could brush it against Kaelezrin’s.

Of course, he did his best to keep his impulses in check. It wouldn’t do if his father noticed him drooling over their guest. Not only would it be unseemly, but Talrasar wasn’t sure how his sire would react to finding out Talrasar’s mate was male. Amarion was aware of Talrasar’s preference for his own gender, but he still stubbornly believed that Talrasar should get a wife.

Fortunately, Kaelezrin’s brother, Orvandel, was quite talkative after having imbibed generous amounts of Ivenian wine. “I propose a toast,” he said at one point, getting up and lifting his goblet. “For the cooperation between our two nations. May it bring a great deal of prosperity for Ornoz and Ivenia.”

Talrasar agreeably followed Orvandel’s example, as did Kaelezrin. They shared a private look, and as their gazes met, Talrasar froze, falling in the dark pools of Kaelezrin’s eyes. He licked his lips, everything inside him screaming to reach out to the draechen. Heat flashed through Kaelezrin’s black orbs, and Talrasar’s entire body pulsed with answering desire. Jenarra, he’d never felt such all-consuming lust.

A loud chuckle startled Talrasar from his trance, and he quickly sat down. He cursed himself for his lack of decorum. If not for Orvandel’s presence, his father would surely have noticed Talrasar’s gaffe. He should be focusing on the war, not on his own private passions.

Struggling to gather his wits, Talrasar turned his attention toward the conversation taking place. “Yes, it’s true my brother is the one who handles day-to-day military matters,” Orvandel was saying. “He’s the soldier of the family. But of course, every soldier needs a commander to lead him.”

Talrasar narrowed his eyes at Orvandel. With the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of Kaelezrin’s fingers tightening on his goblet, and he couldn’t help but intervene. “Oh? It was my impression that Prince Kaelezrin was the commander of the draechen.”

Orvandel froze, and all eyes turned toward Talrasar. “I’m sure the organization of the Ornozian armies is quite complex,” his father replied, shooting Talrasar a warning glance. Obviously, Amarion could tell that Talrasar didn’t like Orvandel.

“The truth is,” the draechen in question replied slowly, “my dear brother is indeed quite an important figure in the army. But you know, there’s a good reason for that.”

Lord Cordellien cleared his throat. “I’m sure that King Amarion isn’t interested in such issues.”

“Oh, but we’re all friends here. It’s notable that my brother is a black dragon and that makes him very frightening to everyone.”

A black dragon? Talrasar gaped in shock. He’d heard legends of the terrible monsters that could drain the energy out of any living being with just a glance. He couldn’t believe his mate was one of them.

Kaelezrin went rigid. Orvandel’s comment obviously upset him. He squeezed the goblet so tightly that the metal bent under the pressure and wine sloshed all over the place. Orvandel chuckled at the sight. “Oh, dear. He’s not known for his manners either.”

As if to contradict Orvandel’s words, Kaelezrin placed the destroyed goblet down and wiped his hands. “I apologize for this little spectacle, Your Majesty. It’s true that I’m a black dragon. Understandably, my brother doesn’t appreciate that particular trait of mine, but we shouldn’t have brought our personal disputes to your table. Perhaps we should go.”

“Nonsense,” Amarion said. “You’re likely both fatigued after your trip. I must insist that you stay the night.”

“Thank you,” Kaelezrin replied, “but it might be best if we went on our way.”

He wasn’t looking at Talrasar. Was he angry? No, ashamed. He hated having his abilities exposed that way. Talrasar’s heart ached for him. This couldn’t have been the first time Orvandel had thrown this secret in his face. Talrasar could only imagine how much Orvandel hated and despised Kaelezrin if he’d disregarded all rules of royal behavior to just blurt this information out like that.

Whatever the case, Talrasar knew he and his mate needed to talk. The draechen clearly thought Talrasar would reject him now that he’d learned this. But Talrasar had never been one to make judgments without knowing the truth behind an issue. He was powerfully drawn to Kaelezrin, and in the short time he’d spent with the draechen, he’d seen nobility in the man. During their earlier conversation, he’d noticed genuine interest in the well-being of the humans and the fae from Kaelezrin’s part. Of course, they didn’t know each other well enough to make decisions yet, but even now, Talrasar’s heart told him one thing. Whatever secret burdens his mate carried, he was willing to help carry them.

As it turned out, the few words Talrasar uttered proved to have more effect that his father’s offer. Kaelezrin turned toward him once more. His gaze shone with so much emotion it nearly crushed Talrasar. Anger and frustration blazed in those dark eyes, but also hope and unconcealed craving.

Talrasar smiled at him. “Stay,” he said again. Silently, he mouthed, “Mate.”

* * * *

Kael couldn’t believe it. His mate knew about his abilities, but was willing to give him a chance regardless. Kael had been determined to leave Eternelle so that Talrasar wouldn’t be forced to be nice to him just because he needed an alliance with the draechen. Apparently, though, Talrasar had other ideas. Otherwise, he’d have never mouthed that simple word.

Almost numb with relief, Kael nodded. “We are most grateful. I do believe that all of us require some rest.”

“In any case, we need to make some final arrangements regarding the distribution of the troops,” the Ivenian king said. “And since we’re not shifters, we’d very much appreciate your expertise regarding our foes.”

“We will of course provide any information you might need,” Kael answered. “Lord Cordellien will prove to be an invaluable source in that regard.”

Taking his cue, Cordell involved the king in a conversation regarding the nature of shape-shifting. With Amarion distracted and Orvan focusing on his dinner, Kael dared to nudge Talrasar’s foot under the table. It was a far more daring gesture than he would have ever tried in public with anyone else, especially a prince, but his dragon didn’t care about courtly manners. He just knew what it needed, what it demanded.

A slight blush tinged Talrasar’s cheeks. That was encouraging, but Kael decided not to push it, lest anyone notice. He had to get Talrasar alone. But how? He didn’t want to be obvious about it and to risk upsetting King Amarion.

In a surprising development, Amarion himself provided him with an invaluable chance to achieve his goal. “If you’re not too fatigued after the dinner, perhaps we could interest you in a tour. My son would be happy to show you around Eternelle.”

“Thank you for your generous offer,” Orvan replied, finally starting to shake off the wine. Such drinks never had much effect on shifters of any type, including draechen. “We’d love to.”

Kael had no illusions that Amarion would reveal state secrets to him. Likely, this was exactly the reason why he’d asked Talrasar to be the guide. The prince would know exactly what details were safe for the draechen to know and what needed to be withheld. Whatever the case, Kael would get at least half of what he wanted, more time with his mate.

As the dinner ended, everyone bowed in front of King Amarion. “It’s a great honor to be here,” Kael said formally. “Again, thank you for receiving us in your home.”

If Amarion was apprehensive about Kael’s presence in Eternelle, he masked it well. “Jenarra welcomes you here, Your Highness. I hope your stay will be enjoyable.”

With that, the king retreated and Talrasar guided them away. “Follow me, if you please,” he said.

Kael, his brother, and Cordell trailed after Talrasar as the fae prince led them through the Ivenian palace. “Eternelle is a city guarded by the strongest enchantments of the fae. It is very important for it to be safe, as here, we have the main temple of Jenarra, the heart of our civilization, so to speak.”

They passed through winding corridors and into a beautiful interior garden. There were thousands of plants growing within view. Talrasar stopped in front of an exotic rose and lowered his face in the bloom, inhaling the perfume. “We honor Jenarra in every way that we can. Our people have brought species of plants from all over the world here, as it is our belief that they represent a part of Jenarra, too. In fact, Eternelle is also called Rose Blanc.”

Talrasar spoke about the flowers with such fondness that Kael couldn’t help but ask, “Did you grow these?”

“Some of them, yes,” Talrasar admitted. His smile faded, replaced by a guarded expression. “When I was younger and not swamped with less beautiful aspects of the world. Let’s move on.”

They left the garden and passed into wide rooms decorated in warm tones of cream and peach. The area had a distinctive woman’s touch, but this time, Talrasar offered no explanation and guided them out without a word. They stepped out into the courtyard, where they could see young soldiers training. Beyond, a large building loomed, with guards around it. It was noteworthy that while the people in the courtyard were of both genders, those particular soldiers were all female.

“Is that the temple?” Cordell inquired.

“It is,” Talrasar confirmed. “I’m afraid we can’t go inside. Very few men are ever allowed there, as the priestesses of Jenarra have taken vows of chastity.”

Talrasar showed them a few more areas, including issues of military interest that were important for when they would do battle together. Kael observed that there were actually very few people in Eternelle. He got the feeling that it was usually quite a metropolis, and even the temple wasn’t as well guarded as it should have been.

He decided to keep his questions to himself, at least until he got Talrasar in private. Finally, the fae prince ended the tour by returning to the actual palace. “Your rooms are ready for you if you’d like to bathe and rest. I believe you’ll be quite comfortable in the guest wing.”

Servants appeared, presumably to lead Kael and his companions there. Talrasar dismissed them with a wave and showed them the way himself. Fortunately, he seemed to have read Kael’s mind in that he granted the first room to Orvan, and the second to Cordell, instructing both of them to summon the staff should they need anything at all.

At last, as Kael’s brother and his friend disappeared into their rooms, Kael was left alone with his mate. Talrasar showed him to the third room and opened the door. “If the quarters aren’t adequate, other arrangements can be made, of course,” he said formally, just like he’d told Orvan and Cordell. “You—”

Kael didn’t allow him to finish the phrase. He shoved Talrasar into the room and stalked after him, closing the door to ensure privacy. Talrasar didn’t lose his balance for a second, turning on his heel to face Kael. Kael just grabbed the fae’s arm, and in one smooth motion, pinned Talrasar against the door, using his own body to hold him there.

“Did you really mean what you said at dinner?” he asked gruffly.

“Which part?” Talrasar asked. “I said a lot of things.”

The words might have sounded dismissive or far too calm, but the tone was anything but. Not only that, but Kael’s proximity to Talrasar also made him brush against the fae’s erection. His mate might be attempting to cling to decorum, but his body wanted what Kael offered.

“The part about me being your mate,” he replied. His voice came out as a low growl, which he’d have liked to avoid since he didn’t want to scare Talrasar.

The fae did shiver, but it didn’t seem a reaction born out of fear. His pupils dilated, and the scent of his arousal permeated the air. “You know I did,” Talrasar replied. “You realized it from the moment we met.”

“So where does that leave us?” Unable to control himself, Kael bit down on Talrasar’s earlobe. “How are we going to handle this?”

Talrasar moaned, clutching Kael’s shoulders convulsively. “We can’t… We can’t tell anyone. And now is not the time for a sexual liaison.”

The fae’s words hit Kael hard. He wasn’t a delicate flower, and he’d been insulted and degraded millions of times. But he didn’t want to hear his connection with Talrasar dismissed so easily by the fae himself. “It’s not just a sexual liaison,” he replied, pressing himself even closer to Talrasar. “It’s a mate bond.”

In his almost angry lust, he grabbed Talrasar’s wrists and immobilized them against the door. This wasn’t exactly the best way to prove that he desired more than copulation, but just Talrasar’s scent had him wild with a need that made him burn.

For his part, Talrasar didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t try to move away from Kael. Instead, he met Kael’s gaze without flinching. “I meant that my father won’t be too receptive to the idea of me having a male mate. And our people, as well as the humans, need us.”

“I need you, too,” Kael whispered. He knew he sounded like a petulant child and such clinginess wouldn’t impress his mate, but he couldn’t help it.

“We’ll figure something out,” Talrasar replied. “I’m not sure how yet, but we will.”

That wasn’t satisfactory at all. Kael’s dragon rumbled, telling him that he needed to show the fae exactly how important this was. But romanticism had never been one of Kael’s priorities in life. Draechen who found their mates usually showed their love in all sorts of ways, but since he’d advanced in age, Kael had forgotten how to display anything except the rawest of emotions.

He couldn’t explain through words or actions the complex mix of feelings engulfing him. He himself didn’t understand some of them, but he found his instincts taking over. While still keeping his hold on Talrasar’s wrists with one hand, he slid the other over the fae’s body. Talrasar gasped as Kael slipped his fingers under his robes, zeroing in on the fae’s groin. Talrasar was wearing some sort of undergarment under his clothes, much to Kael’s frustration. However, he didn’t let that stop him and he palmed the other man’s dick through the soft material, groaning as he felt the dampness gather under his fingertips.

“Kaelezrin,” Talrasar moaned. “Oh, Jenarra… We shouldn’t.”

For all his words, he didn’t try to fight Kael, instead rubbing against him, as if demanding more of Kael’s touch. Kael loved to hear his name in Talrasar’s breathy voice, but he didn’t want any formality. “Call me Kael, love.”

Talrasar’s hot eyes met his own. “Kael,” he repeated. As Kael squeezed his dick through his undergarments, he moaned, saying that single word over and over like a prayer. “Kael. Oh, Kael.”

Every time his mate spoke, Kael’s lust rose higher. His balls ached with the need to come, and his dick throbbed in his pants. He might have lost control altogether and claimed Talrasar right there and then had he not heard footsteps approaching outside. Talrasar must have sensed it, too, because he froze, his eyes wide with apprehension.

If Talrasar was right with regard to King Amarion—which was undoubtedly the case—being caught in this position by a servant could prove to be catastrophic. As much as he hated to admit it, Kael was aware that there were some nations not so accepting to same-sex partnerships as the draechen. Fae didn’t exactly prohibit it, but their strong emphasis on their female goddess made many look down on certain types of relationships, especially liaisons between two men. Kael wasn’t sure if that also applied if the people involved were both female, but he didn’t really care about that now. The issue was that he needed to avoid the king finding out about them, at least for the time being.

Kael pulled his mate away from the door and further into the room. Together, they waited to see what would happen, but fortunately, the person outside passed without stopping. Both Kael and Talrasar released deep breaths of relief. The fae threw Kael a sheepish look. “I have to go,” he whispered. “I’ll talk to my father. Hopefully, I can arrange for the two of us to be in the same company.”

Talrasar freed himself from Kael’s embrace, but Kael didn’t let him go. “Wait,” he said. “Not yet. Not before I do this.”

Holding Talrasar tightly, Kael crushed his mouth to that of his mate. Talrasar’s eyes widened, and at first, he was unresponsive. Kael insisted, licking across the seam of Talrasar’s lips and burying his hands in the fae’s hair, loosening it from its simple ponytail. Talrasar melted in his embrace and gasped, granting Kael access in the process. Groaning, Kael slid his tongue into his mate’s wet cavern, tasting the beautiful fae for the first time. His excitement hadn’t faded even after almost being caught, and now, it flared even hotter and brighter.

Talrasar’s flavor was even more pure and intense than Kael had expected, as if torn from the very heart of nature. The fae was a little shy at first, making Kael guess that his mate must not be very experienced with regard to lovemaking. Kael didn’t mind. In fact, the thought appealed to him, and he looked forward to teaching Talrasar everything there was to know about what a coupling between two men implied.

Of course, when Talrasar’s tongue slid over his, Kael forgot about such considerations and lost himself in the fae’s enthusiasm, and his own. He simply devoured his mate, needing Talrasar more than his next breath, every inch of his being consumed by this all-encompassing desire.

And then Talrasar dared to touch him back, his soft hands tangling through Kael’s hair. As he did so, he rubbed against Kael’s groin. Pure bliss exploded over Kael, and he came in his breeches, biting Talrasar’s lip as the orgasm swept over him. Talrasar trembled in his embrace, his dick jerking against Kael’s. Instinctively, Kael knew his mate had come as well.

Panting, Kael broke the kiss and took in Talrasar’s flushed face. This hadn’t been his intention. He’d only meant to sample the delights of Talrasar’s mouth and touch that sinfully soft-looking hair. In fact, he might have been a little embarrassed about the whole thing, since he hadn’t come like this since… Wait, he’d never come like this. As a rule, people weren’t inclined to steal brief moments of passion with a black dragon. But as indulgent and perhaps inappropriate as it had been, Kael had no regrets. This was normal. Their mate bond guaranteed it, and however his parents might have tried to tame the instincts of the shifters, the fact remained that in some regards, the draechen would forever be part-beast.

Fortunately, Talrasar didn’t seem offended by the way Kael had practically mauled him. In fact, the fae was smiling. More surprisingly, the gem in the center of Talrasar’s forehead shone, emitting a bright, blue light.

Obviously noticing Kael’s curiosity, Talrasar explained, “The gem is a part of me, not an ornament. I was born with it, so it reacts to what I feel at any given time.”

That reminded Kael of all the questions he hadn’t asked yet, such as where exactly was Talrasar’s mother. No one had mentioned her at all, not even in passing. But Kael had a feeling that inquiring about it would just upset Talrasar, so he decided to do so another time. He’d much prefer spending every second he had at Talrasar’s side by holding his mate and getting to know each other.

Sadly their time together was coming to an end for now. “I’m sorry, but I have to go now,” Talrasar said again. He brushed his fingers over Kael’s lips, as if hypnotized by Kael’s mouth, and then shook himself. “I’ll see you again soon.”

Kael had the urge to stop Talrasar from going, but he held back. He couldn’t risk jeopardizing his incipient relationship with the fae just because he was horny. All right, so there was more to it than that, but he had to think in perspective. As Talrasar headed toward the door, though, he suddenly stopped. “My balcony is the third one in the royal wing,” he threw over his shoulder. “Be careful.”

Without explaining those shocking words, Talrasar fled the room, leaving Kael alone and as hard as a rock again. Damn it, he was in so much trouble.

Chapter Three

A few hours later

Talrasar couldn’t believe that he’d been so daring as to invite Kael into his quarters. He paced through his room, berating himself for his stupidity. He’d stressed the necessity for secrecy more than once, and yet, he’d practically thrown himself at Kael. It seemed that from the very first moment he’d met the draechen, he’d stopped thinking with his big head and started using his little one.

He shivered as he remembered how good Kael’s hand had felt on his dick. No one had ever dared to touch him like that. Talrasar had willingly dedicated his life to Jenarra, and while he hadn’t actually taken vows of chastity like the priestesses, he was much too busy to start a relationship with anyone. There had been several men who’d shown an interest in him, in spite of knowing about the king’s disapproval, but none of them had truly caught Talrasar’s interest.

Until now. Until Kael, the draechen who made Talrasar weak in the knees and broke every barrier that he’d erected. Kael had essentially torn apart all of Talrasar’s priorities. It scared him a little, but he had to admit that it also excited him.

Taking a deep breath, Talrasar forced himself to calm down. Night had fallen over Eternelle, and its heavy shroud would mask Kael’s approach should the draechen choose to follow Talrasar’s invitation. The light of the candles could be a problem, though, so Talrasar started to extinguish them with the snuffer. He left only a few of them lit, as well as the fire still burning in the hearth.

After he was done, Talrasar sat at his desk and reached for his quill and ink. He might as well write in his journal while he waited. While he usually didn’t detail his personal affairs, today, the words that appeared on the paper said,

Today, I found my mate, and he is so much more than I’d have ever expected. I do not know where life will lead us. We are at war with the bats and the wolves, and it is unlikely that it will end too soon. The draechen forces will undoubtedly assist us, but I worry about all the lives that will be lost. I worry about the humans, and now, about Kael, too.

As he wrote, Talrasar finally acknowledged how much they risked. Before, he hadn’t feared for himself. He’d been willing to die, if it meant rescuing others. But now, all that had changed, and as much as Talrasar wanted to stop the plague, a part of him wished he hadn’t gotten Kael involved in the first place. This meant that they would have never met, but it would have been preferable. That way, Kael wouldn’t have had to risk his life to fight against their foes.

His hand trembled on the quill, and he abandoned it on the desk, burying his face in his palms. Every day, he’d seen good men, good friends, head out into battle and never return, and it had torn him apart. But that was nothing compared to the pain he experienced just at the thought that it might happen to Kael.

He was snapped out of his trance when he felt a familiar, warm presence approaching. He looked up just in time to see a large shadow land in the balcony. Under Kael’s eyes, the shadow melted into the form of a man, who then slid into Talrasar’s room.

“What’s happened, love?” Kael asked the moment he saw Talrasar. “What’s the matter?”

He rushed to Talrasar’s side and hugged him tightly. Talrasar allowed Kael to hold him and buried his face in the other man’s shoulder. He hadn’t shed a tear for all the dead he hadn’t managed to reach, because he thought that if he started crying, he’d never be able to stop. Ever since the plague had started, he’d needed to remain strong, because his people and all the other healers were counting on him. But now, as Kael held him and whispered sweet nothings in his ear, Talrasar finally allowed himself to let go. The floodgates opened, and tears began to flow, hot, bitter, and yet, freeing.

At one point, Kael stopped asking questions and just held him, caressing Talrasar’s hair with almost worshipful hands. Slowly, those gentle touches calmed Talrasar down. He broke the embrace and wiped his eyes, a little frustrated with his own weakness. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have broken down like a child.”

“Don’t be daft,” Kael said. “You’re upset, so you’re entirely allowed to cry.”

Talrasar arched a brow. “Do you? Cry, I mean.”

Kael’s lips twitched. “It’s considered unseemly for the most frightening draechen in existence to weep,” he admitted.

“There you go. I was right.”

Kael shook his head. “Just ignore whoever says that something you feel or do isn’t right. You don’t have to believe what they tell you.”

“I don’t,” Talrasar replied. The world would have him think that Kael was a monster, when that was obviously not the case.

The draechen smiled, as if he’d guessed Talrasar’s thoughts. He lifted Talrasar in his arms and carried him to the bed. Placing him on the mattress, he then proceeded to take off Talrasar’s boots. Talrasar almost thought that Kael wanted to get back to what they’d started earlier, but as it turned out, he was mistaken. “You need to get some sleep,” the draechen said. “You’re exhausted, especially after the trip my kind and I imposed on you.”

“It’s not the trip,” Talrasar answered. “Everything is… It’s just all wrong. I wish we could wipe the world clean of all sorrow, and then hide together in a place where no one would be able to find us.”

“Oh, Tali… You said it yourself. That’s not possible. But think of it this way. Even in all this pain and death, there’s always hope. Our bond shows that.”

It was strange for Talrasar to hear those words from someone else. He’d always been the one to comfort everyone around him, never the comforted person. Even when his mother had died, he’d been forced to be strong for his father. He didn’t regret it, not for a second, because he understood now better than ever how much Amarion had suffered, and likely still did. But it still felt nice to have someone caring for him. The plague was draining him of energy, of hope, of the love he’d always had for the world. It was almost ironic that a draechen who was supposed to prey on others had already brought Talrasar so much comfort.

Hearing his name shortened with such affection gave Talrasar renewed courage. “Come to bed with me. I want to feel you hold me, Kael.”

It wasn’t a sexual invitation, and Kael seemed to realize that. He slid into the bed, pulling Talrasar in his embrace. His arms were so strong and so warm that Talrasar immediately felt safe. It seemed so hard to believe that he’d only met this man hours earlier. Talrasar already felt so close to Kael, as if they’d known each other forever.

Ironically, it was only at that moment that Talrasar realized Kael was completely naked. How had he missed that? Damn it, he must have committed some sort of sin against Jenarra for not admiring Kael outright. Talrasar’s libido flared back to life, demanding that he explore the wonderful specimen of manhood within his reach.

Only, they hadn’t talked at all, and except Kael’s name and his expertise in military, Talrasar had learned very little about his mate. Normally, a courtship lasted for weeks, even months before one of the people involved—the man in regular couples—declared his intentions. In that period, both of those individuals got to share all sorts of things with each other. But no matter how much Talrasar might respect tradition, he and Kael had no time to wait. He didn’t believe Jenarra had ever intended for same-sex unions to be despised, since Jenarra stood for love, in all its forms. And right now, Talrasar wanted to know the love Jenarra had sent to him, to understand what made Kael tick.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said to his mate as he swept his fingers over his chest. What’s your home like? What about your family? What do you like to do?”

“My home… My home has long white-blond hair and the most gorgeous silver eyes.” As he spoke, Kael threaded his fingers, through Talrasar’s locks. “And the softest lips imaginable.”

“Stop.” Talrasar couldn’t help a light chuckle. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I,” Kael replied, still caressing Talrasar, as if he couldn’t help himself. “I don’t have a real home, or a real family, Tali. My mother wept the day I was born, or so I’m told, because I’ve never met her. For my father, I am a tool, and well, you’ve met my brother.” He actually shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter anymore, none of it.”

Horror flooded Talrasar at Kael’s words. He’d realized that Kael’s position was tricky due to him being a black dragon, but he hadn’t fully grasped how bad it must have been until now. “Kael…”

“Don’t feel bad for me, love.” Kael shushed him. “My power comes with a price, and I’ve long ago accepted paying it. As long as you don’t feel the way they do, I don’t care.” Changing the subject, he added, “As for what I like… I like to fly. There’s nothing quite like flying in the wide open skies, with no one but the winds as company.” He paused and snickered. “Well, nothing except kissing you.”

In that moment, Talrasar swore Kael would never want for anything again, at least, in terms of affection. “We can do both, if you like,” he whispered, slipping out of Kael’s embrace and straddling the draechen.

Kael’s eyes instantly filled with heat. “I don’t need my wings to fly when I’m with you,” he said, his voice filled with gravel.

Talrasar fell into Kael’s gaze, need exploding through his body. Following a sudden instinct, Talrasar crushed his lips to Kael’s. He wasn’t exactly an expert at kissing, so it was more a meeting of mouths than anything else. But then Kael rolled them around, changing their positions and ending up above Talrasar. As the draechen took control of the kiss, Talrasar surrendered to his mastery, losing himself in Kael’s wild, untamed passion. His mate’s flavor assaulted his taste buds, his scent surrounding Talrasar in a cocoon that shielded him from the world better than his own powers ever could. He smelled like the rain and the night, a thunderstorm of passion in the darkness. All the while, Kael thrust his tongue in Talrasar’s mouth, exploring and claiming, apparently experiencing the same desire Talrasar did.

It was too good, too perfect. Had he been upset about something earlier? If so, he couldn’t remember. He couldn’t recall anything beyond this moment, this instant in time when they were together, just two men reveling in the deepest truth of their hearts. But as much as Talrasar liked it, he soon found that he needed more. Kael’s flavor was quickly becoming an addiction, but instead of quenching the fire inside Talrasar, instead of sating the incredible thirst, it just fueled the blaze, making it almost impossible to withstand. Kael’s nudity certainly didn’t help, especially since it allowed Talrasar to feel Kael’s erection against his hip.

When Kael separated their mouths, Talrasar knew there was no more going back. “Tali,” Kael whispered brokenly, “I…”

“Yes,” Talrasar said simply. “Yes.”

He might have been chaste, but he knew what happened between two lovers. Some of it, at least. His father had been quite insistent in trying to keep the information from Talrasar, although as a healer, Talrasar was required to understand all of the body’s functions. So Talrasar understood bits and pieces, although he wasn’t quite sure if things would work out in this particular case.

A discreet peek between his mate’s powerful legs told him that Kael was perfect everywhere, and the size of his cock matched the rest of him. As much as the idea to touch that beautiful shaft appealed to Talrasar, the fact remained that he couldn’t imagine how it would fit in with the destination Kael undoubtedly had in mind.

He must have looked as apprehensive as he felt, because Kael softly cupped Talrasar’s cheek and said, “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

His voice was strained, and he truly looked ready to pull away. But Talrasar had never been one to surrender to his own fears, not in battle, or in life, and he wouldn’t allow them to stop him now. “I do want this. This has just happened so fast, so… Well, what if I disappoint you?”

“Oh, love… You’re already so much more than I expected. Nothing you did could ever disappoint me.” He shook his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I’ve waited so long to find you that I might be overeager. But the last thing I want is to rush you or hurt you.” Kael shuddered, his expression suddenly closing off. “If anything, I’m the one who shouldn’t be here, who shouldn’t touch you. My power is so poisonous that the few people I’ve taken to my bed have always suffered because of it.”

Just like that, all of Talrasar’s doubts dissipated like wisps of smoke in the wind. “I’m not afraid. I know that the two of us can be great together. In fact, it’s likely that my power was meant to be a counter for yours.”

“Tali…” Kael tried again.

“No. We’re both being silly,” he said. “You know that we are mates, and so do I. We’d only be foolish if we hid from it. Let’s admit it. We’re all too aware of what’s going to happen.”

He didn’t want to say it, but the fact remained that starting tomorrow, anything was possible. They might not have too much time together, so playing coy and taking refuge in his chastity was foolish and useless. And Talrasar might be a lot of things, but he was no fool, especially where his mate was concerned.

Kael looked torn. “No one should force you into anything, Tali. This is dangerous. Besides, you already need to handle too much on a regular basis without me pushing you into—”

Talrasar didn’t allow his mate to finish the phrase. Instead, he pressed his lips to Kael’s just like he had before. This time, though, he also reached for Kael’s dick, engulfing it in his fist. Whatever Kael might have said, he was very much aroused and still wanted Talrasar. It was the first time Talrasar had held a dick not his own, but he went with his instincts and brushed his thumb over the leaking tip. He actually felt the moment when his mate gave up the fight.

Not that it was very hard. Kael released a sound that seemed like a cross between a groan, a growl, and something unidentifiable and very animalistic. Before Talrasar even knew what was going on, his clothes started flying off, ripped apart by an increasingly zealous Kael. If Talrasar wasn’t mistaken, the draechen even had claws now, but somehow, they didn’t touch Talrasar’s skin. His garments weren’t so lucky, though, and soon, Talrasar found himself completely naked and at his mate’s mercy, which was exactly where he wanted to be.

The moment Kael’s greedy hands touched his skin, Talrasar forgot about anything that resembled shyness and lost himself to the desire. He touched back, mapping his mate’s body with his fingers, acquainting himself with every delicious muscle. Every inch of Kael was like a treasure just begging to be discovered, so much so that Talrasar didn’t even know what to focus on first. With one hand, he went from Kael’s hair to his neck and his pectorals. The other simply refused to leave his mate’s dick. Not that Kael seemed to mind. If anything, he grew even more frantic with every second that passed. When he tore his mouth away from Talrasar’s, his gaze was feverish, desperate. “I’m sorry, love. I have to take you. I promise I’ll stop if anything’s off.”

His voice was so low that it nearly sounded scary. Talrasar loved it. Kael was unlike anyone he’d ever met before, so strong, so intense, an untamable force of nature. Talrasar wanted to be claimed by him, to lose himself in his power. And yet, in spite of the lust consuming them both, Kael still worried about him. That emotion made Talrasar’s heart clench, pointing out that Kael had been right all along. This wasn’t just about the sex, not at all.

He’d have loved to somehow vocalize how much he wanted what Kael offered. But at this point, he was beyond words. He could only nod and desperately reach out to Kael, wordlessly begging for Kael to have mercy on them both. Fortunately, Kael understood, although he didn’t do at all what Talrasar had expected. Well, Talrasar hadn’t exactly known what his mate planned, but Kael’s choice certainly didn’t disappoint him.

Unexpectedly, Kael lowered his mouth over Talrasar’s dick and took it deep, all the way into his throat. It was Talrasar’s turn to release an inarticulate noise. He’d never felt such sinful pleasure in his life, never even believed it possible. The volcanic heat that surrounded Talrasar’s aching prick awoke every nerve ending in Talrasar’s body. His vision went white, and for a few moments, he thought he’d come right then and there. Miraculously, he didn’t, although he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why that was. Perhaps the pleasure itself was so intense that the orgasm was simply short-circuited somewhere within his body.

He ended up threading his fingers through Kael’s soft hair, fucking the draechen’s mouth in jerky, uncoordinated motions. He truly wished he could have been more experienced and seductive for Kael, but that seemed about as likely as him giving up this mind-melting pleasure.

Kael, however, appeared to actually enjoy Talrasar’s loss of control. He groaned around Talrasar’s dick, making deep sounds of enjoyment that caused delicious vibrations to flow through the shaft. He kept bobbing his head up and down Talrasar’s prick, devouring him, just like he had earlier, during the kiss.

Under the circumstances, it truly came as no surprise that soon, even with the incredible resilience Talrasar had demonstrated, he was on the verge of orgasm. He lingered at the edge of the abyss for what seemed like forever, burning, writhing, dying, and yet unable to fully succumb to the ecstasy. And then a dry finger wormed its way into Talrasar’s passage. At the unexpected sensation of fullness and the surprising burn, the heat that had been gathering inside Talrasar finally exploded. As he came down his mate’s throat, Talrasar had the foresight not to close his eyes, and was therefore regaled with the sinful sight of his mate swallowing his seed. At the last moment, Kael pulled back, making some of the spunk land on his face and hair.

In all honesty, Talrasar suspected he could have come again just from that had he not been in the throes of orgasm already. As it was, the sight of it prolonged Talrasar’s pleasure. And even as he started to descend from the high of it, his dick didn’t actually go fully soft. But Kael wasn’t done with him yet, oh, no. He gathered Talrasar’s cream off his face and slicked his fingers with it. The angle didn’t allow Talrasar to see too well, but he suspected some of the seed went on his mate’s dick.

“You ready for me, love?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” Talrasar gasped out. “I’ve been ready for ages.”

It was completely true, and Kael knew it. He lifted Talrasar’s legs on his shoulders and positioned his dick at Talrasar’s opening. Slowly, ever so slowly, Kael pushed inside.

Talrasar had thought that having his mate’s mouth on his dick was amazing, but those sensations, however amazing they might have been, paled when compared to this. He actually felt the head pop in, stretching the guardian muscles of his anus. Talrasar had been right in that his mate’s girth wasn’t exactly easy to take, but that didn’t really matter, not to Talrasar. It seemed as if his body had been made to accommodate Kael’s dick. Oh, he felt the burn, but it was a good pain, one that purged sadness and hopelessness from his body. Even so, Kael took it slow, not rushing Talrasar and watching his face with those midnight black eyes, as if seeking any sign of discomfort. When none came, the draechen brought their bodies even closer together. He practically bent Talrasar in half, but Talrasar didn’t mind. He might not have had a lot of experience in bed, but he was very flexible, courtesy of a life spent dedicated to the military. In fact, he came to appreciate it a lot when Kael fully entered him while bringing their mouths together once again.

He had never imagined that such an intimate position would be possible between two men. Perhaps in his heart, he’d been more affected than he’d realized by the pressure his father put on him. But now, none of that mattered, not when Kael’s tongue slowly slid into his mouth while his cock penetrated Talrasar’s passage. They were united in the most intimate way two men could possibly be, and oh, Talrasar loved it.

For a few moments, Kael stilled inside Talrasar, waiting and allowing him to get used to the penetration. Talrasar breathed through it, forcing himself to calm his racing heart. He just felt so impossibly full, like any minute now he was going to burst because of the onslaught of pleasure. Kael was his anchor, keeping his heart beating and his lungs working. It was like hovering on the edge of death, only not, like he’d been touched by Jenarra yet thrust into a lava stream. Talrasar simply had no comparison to it.

Just when Talrasar thought things couldn’t possibly get any better, Kael pulled out of him and then slid back inside. In the process, he struck a special spot inside him that made stars burst in his vision. Talrasar clutched Kael’s shoulders as hard as he could, moaning into Kael’s kiss. He needed more, Jenarra above, he needed more.

And Kael gave it to him, over and over. He started an almost punishing rhythm, increasing the speed and strength of his strokes. The bed rocked with the power of his thrusts, and the sound of flesh hitting flesh filled the room. They only broke the kiss when the need to breathe became a compulsion, although nothing could have been more important for him in that moment than feeling Kael, not even life itself. But the end result wasn’t entirely unsatisfactory, because without their mouths fused, Talrasar could get a better look at his mate. Kael’s lips were twisted in a half grimace of something that looked like pleasure-pain. His sweat-slick hair clung to his forehead, framing his cheeks in a cascade of darkness. And his eyes… Oh, his eyes were like seas of flaming lust, dark and all consuming, threatening to melt Talrasar alive.

Talrasar truly didn’t know how long he lingered lost in those orbs and in the blaze of Kael’s lust for him. Time itself ceased to have any meaning. Talrasar’s energies responded to Kael’s at such a visceral level that he became a conduit for the sensual build-up they created together. His dick was trapped between his abdomen and Kael’s, and the friction provided yet another layer of sensation. The need to come burned in his balls, in his spine, in his gem, Jenarra above, even in his hair and toenails.

On instinct, Talrasar tilted his head, demanding something that he himself didn’t fully understand. His knowledge on what draechen rituals of claiming entailed was sketchy at best, but his heart and his soul knew what his intellect didn’t. Kael didn’t delay in taking the invitation. A flash of sharp fangs appeared in Talrasar’s dazed vision, and then piercing and agonizing rapture exploded through him as Kael bit down on his neck.

The pleasure was such that Talrasar couldn’t even try to quantify it in any way. His cock erupted, streams of cum painting his chest and Kael’s. At the same time, Kael’s dick pulsed inside him as his mate pumped him full of hot seed. In that moment, Talrasar sensed Kael’s energy reach out to him, as if to absorb Talrasar into him. Instead, their magic came together, entwining until Talrasar didn’t know where he ended and Kael began. Had Kael believed that his ability would drain Talrasar? It certainly hadn’t. If anything, it fed into Talrasar, making him feel more alive than ever.

As their shared climax rushed over him, Talrasar even seemed to stop existing, at least on a plane of reality that his people understood. He fell into a whole different world, one of pure energy. In the storm of bliss, he could no longer see his bedroom or hear anything he’d considered genuine. His senses did however register the bond clicking into place, like a flash of lightning that electrified his entire body, no, his entire being. Memories and emotions not his own flooded his mind, and he finally understood the extent of Kael’s need for him.

The moment his vision started to clear, Talrasar reached out to his mate, both physically and mentally. Pulling Kael in for another kiss, he sent a thought out. “You won’t ever be alone again.”

“You won’t ever have to be strong for me,” Kael promised in turn.

As the draechen’s dick slid out of Talrasar’s ass, they broke their lip-lock and collapsed together on the bed, exhausted. Distantly, Talrasar registered that there were now cracks in the wall above the bed. Chuckling, he cuddled close to Kael and commented, “I told you that you could never hurt me.”

“I guess it should be a lesson to me.” Kael grinned back. “I should always listen to your advice.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

Still smiling, Talrasar closed his eyes and surrendered to his fatigue. The words he himself had written in his journal earlier faded from his mind. They could do this. Together, they could face any force and win. Talrasar was sure of it.

Chapter Four

A few months later

The feral vampire leapt at Kael, fangs dripping with blood. Kael swept his tail through the air, using it like a whip and sending his opponent flying to the ground. Meanwhile, three other vampires and two werewolves attacked. They were far stronger and more agile than Kael had expected, and while his bulk was quite useful in handling them, it also provided them with an easy target. Fortunately, his scales protected him from the worst of it, and his abilities made him next to invulnerable.

Even so, one of the bats managed to climb onto his back and tried to bury her fangs in Kael’s throat. Kael let her try, focusing on her companions as she bit down on his hide. He laughed inside as the fierceness with which she’d lunged at him turned out to be counterproductive and her fangs broke in Kael’s scales. Even as she screeched in pain, Kael summoned his powers and cast a spell all around him. Both the female vampire on top of him and his other opponents collapsed, drained of energy. These were powerful vampires, since they could stand in the sun without much discomfort. Or perhaps their anger was such that they were ignoring its rays. Either way, Kael had no trouble with them.

With that taken care of, Kael launched himself into the air and scanned the field of battle. Three hundred draechen had been mobilized in Europe, and the remaining three hundred in Asia and Africa. Kael was fighting in the areas where the fewest draechen had reached, to compensate for the smaller numbers. This time, the chosen area was the Mongol Chinese Empire, where poor leadership made humans particularly vulnerable to attacks. The Yuan dynasty was weakening, and Kael already anticipated its fall—if they all survived the plague, of course. For the moment, in spite of Kael’s efforts, the forces of the werewolves and vampires were still running rampant.

Even now, his company was being overwhelmed by reinforcements for the fallen bats and wolves. Powerful vampires were particularly dangerous since, unlike werewolves, they had magic. Their mental manipulation couldn’t touch Kael, but it certainly managed to confuse others of his kind.

He saw Cordell surrounded by a group of enemies down below. With a growl, Kael landed next to the other draechen and started the fight anew. He drew so much energy within himself until he thought he was going to burst and then released it, pushing back his foes. He had to be careful, lest he accidentally harm his own people or worse, absorb too much power and run amok like the Ancient Horror once had.

“That won’t happen.” Talrasar’s voice drifted into his mind for the first time since the beginning of the battle. “You know it won’t.”

Their bond glowed with Talrasar’s love and strength, giving Kael renewed power and hope. He fell upon his opponents with determination, using his magic, but also his claws, his tail, and his size, to crush and subdue. His presence encouraged the other draechen who shook off the hold of the vampires and threw themselves into the battle once more. Sadly, they were strongly outnumbered, twenty to one, or worse perhaps. They were holding their own even faced with the hordes of oncoming shifters, but every foe they took out seemed to be replaced by three others. Kael’s heart fell as he saw one of his best men collapse under the claws of a pack of werewolves. The draechen’s scales would protect him for a while, but with enough effort, even that near-invulnerability would fail.

Kael tried to reach the soldier in question, but there were countless foes in his path. Even as he drew their energy within him, he knew he’d never get there in time. And then, under Kael’s eyes, a bright shield manifested around the fallen draechen, shoving the vampires and werewolves back. Instinctively, Kael knew who their benefactor had been. He could sense it, see it through his bond with Talrasar.

Indeed, from behind the slope of the hill, a company of fae appeared, led by Talrasar. They were dressed all in white and riding white mounts, and with the sun’s rays glowing from behind them, they looked like the angels humans sometimes compared them with. Personally, Kael only had eyes for one of them, the beautiful Ivenian general leading the group.

Talrasar withdrew his sword as one the fae did the same. They were healers, having focused their efforts in the nearby villages to contain the plague. But Talrasar seemed to have gathered those most skilled in battle and taken them here as reinforcements. Kael would have felt guilty about it—he knew that Talrasar had a vested interest in protecting the draechen—except he realized all too well that his lover would have never made a poor military decision. As much as it hurt them both, they were soldiers engaged in a war, and neither of them could focus strictly on each other. In this regard, the fae and draechen needed to be united to eliminate the cause of the scourge.

The vampires and werewolves noticed the new threat, hissing or growling menacingly. The distraction allowed Kael to reach his fallen man and help him up. Meanwhile, Talrasar lifted his sword and shouted, “For Jenarra!”

As the fae attacked, their foes formed strikingly organized lines. Had the fae been alone, the losses would have undoubtedly been great. But they weren’t. With a mighty roar, Kael ordered his own people to assault their opponents. Gathering in the air, the draechen, with Kael in the lead, swept over the bats and the wolves, causing them to scatter in panic and disorientation. When the fae reached them, things became a little more complex, because a blow from a draechen could strike at their allies, too. Kael took a swift decision and landed behind the fae lines, then changed into his legged form. The process was a little slow because of the size difference between the two shapes, but he managed. His men didn’t delay in following his example. It would have seemed like a risky maneuver since, like this, draechen were more vulnerable to attacks. However, while their bodies lost some of their invulnerability, they remained very resilient, and the increase in maneuverability in this close quarters combat was worth the small sacrifice. Not only that, but the draechen had their allies to rely on.

The moment the draechen joined in on the fight, they were engulfed in shielding magic. Talrasar was practically glowing as he moved, his magic protecting everyone around him as he used his sword to take out a vampire who got to close. The other healers cast similar spells, keeping the strain from getting to Talrasar. Under the powerful shields of the fae, Kael and his draechen swept through the vampire and werewolf forces without receiving a single blow.

Still, the battle continued for the longest time, as the enemy shifters were nothing if not persistent. The fae’s power was starting to weaken under the pressure exerted by the throng of vampires and werewolves. In one last desperate effort, Kael and Talrasar united all their forces and fought back with everything they had. By some miracle or perhaps the mercy of the gods, the opposing forces at last started to flee. For the vampires, it was a little harder, because the transition between their legged form and the smaller bat one lasted far longer than the one the werewolves had to go through. Therefore, Kael and Talrasar’s troops actually managed to take some prisoners. Some of the enemy shifters scattered before they could be captured, though. Kael considered sending a few of his men after them, but he couldn’t afford losing any of his soldiers to the traps the werewolves might intend to set up.

And with that, the battle ended in what could have been called a resounding victory. Because of Talrasar’s intervention, casualties had been minimal. Kael supposed he should have felt a sense of relief, or perhaps optimism, at it, but he was well aware that other draechen and other fae hadn’t been so lucky. Even now, more fights were going on hundreds of miles away from his location, and Kael’s side remained badly outnumbered. Some fae had been assigned to fight, but Ivenians were running out of people to send out into the four corners of the world. They often had to choose between healing the sick humans and facing the vampires and werewolves in battle. It should have been an easy decision to make as no matter how many people were healed, the cause of the sickness would still be out there as long as these feral shifters were allowed to roam free. But the war was bound to last for years, and by that time, if the plague was left unattended, half the world’s human population could be decimated.

Abandoning his mount, Talrasar pulled Kael aside and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Impulsively, Kael embraced him, trying to shake off all the hostile energy lingering inside of him. He and Talrasar tried not to be overt in their affection while on the front, but in times like this, Kael desperately needed to hold his mate. Even if they tried to preserve secrecy about their relationship, sometimes, their instincts simply couldn’t be denied.

“Let go, Kael,” the fae whispered through their bond. “I’m here. It’s all right.”

Only it wasn’t, not really, and Kael was failing his mate, unable to fulfill the promise he’d made to him. He knew that while Talrasar was a warrior, the fae hated death in all its forms. In his heart, Kael’s lover was a healer, and having to end a life crushed him. “I’m the one who should be saying that,” Kael replied. “You’re doing it again, trying to be strong for me.”

“How about if we’re both strong, for each other?” Talrasar released Kael from his embrace and smiled. “Thank you, Kael. For the record, you have kept your promise. Your love always shows me the way when the pain becomes too much to bear.”

They weren’t just words, and Kael knew it. For that reason, Kael would have liked to snatch Talrasar away, to steal a couple of moments just for the two of them, during which he could show his mate just how much he cared. But the outcome of the battle still needed to be dealt with. The local human lords were bound to send scouts to inquire into the situation, and Kael didn’t have sprites here to create helpful illusions.

“Come on,” he told his mate. “Let’s round the prisoners up and leave. The last thing we need is to have humans on our backs, too.”

They piled the bodies together and two fire dragons burned them, leaving no trace of any supernatural presence in the area. Once this gruesome task was complete, they headed out, very much aware that the shifters who’d escaped could be bringing reinforcements for a counterattack. As they left the battlefield, the entire company was quiet, both fae and draechen exhausted after the difficult fight.

Of course, in the draechen’s case, they were forced to be silent, as they shifted into their dragon forms for the purpose of travel. This meant that Kael couldn’t ride with his mate, but even so, he counted himself lucky for even being able to fight at Talrasar’s side. Had King Amarion refused Talrasar’s plan, it could have been so much worse. In fact, Kael’s dragon might not have been able to bear it had Talrasar gone into battle somewhere else, without him. At least here, they were together and, to a certain extent, Kael could protect his beautiful love.

“I’m not exactly defenseless, you know,” Talrasar sent to him.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep you safe,” Kael argued. This wasn’t a new discussion, and neither of them would or could do anything about it, but they still remained in this debate regardless. It frustrated them both to allow each other to get hurt in any way, but their duty stood against what they dreamed for themselves. “Besides, it’s not only your body that needs protecting.”

Predictably, they didn’t reach any conclusion until the time came for them to make camp. Some of the fae created a shield around the prisoners, keeping them from escaping, while others started erecting tents. As a rule, Kael’s people simply found refuge in caves or in forests. They traveled a lot in dragon form, which didn’t allow them to lug around too many provisions. This could have proven problematic, but draechen were used to getting by on the fruit of the land, even when they didn’t rendezvous with the fae.

Fortunately for Kael, today wouldn’t be one of those days. He landed next to his mate and melted into his human form. Talrasar studiously didn’t look at him, instead focusing on brushing down his mount. Now that they were away from the field of battle, their bodies demanded their union, but they were still in public. Kael made things easier for both of them by pulling on a cloak a blushing fae provided. Kael shook his head as he watched the healer in question go. It was sometimes entertaining to watch the fae get embarrassed whenever they approached a naked draechen.

“I’m glad that these days, you find other people more entertaining than me,” Talrasar commented dryly.

Kael glanced toward his mate once more and arched a brow. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your voice?”

Talrasar snorted. “As if. They know better than to try anything.”

Kael gaped. Because of the war, they didn’t focus on the bond as much as they’d have liked, so Kael didn’t monitor each and every of Talrasar’s actions. Had the healers said anything about him to Talrasar? Had they noticed the closeness between Kael and his mate?

“Of course they have,” Talrasar replied, handing his horse to another fae. “It’s not like it’s hard. You don’t exactly sleep in your own tent when we camp together.”

Kael’s hackles rose. He knew he wasn’t exactly well seen in the paranormal world, and he didn’t want his mate to suffer because of it. “If you want to, I—”

“Don’t even say it,” Talrasar cut him off. “I’m too tired to do anything else but collapse in your arms. So no arguing on anything today, all right?”

Kael obediently shut up. Together, they entered the tent, and Talrasar plopped onto some furs that had been brought in earlier, sighing. “I told them not to do this, but they do it every time.”

It bothered Talrasar that his men insisted on offering him the same luxuries he’d have received in Eternelle. But Kael was on their side in this one. “They’re aware of the toll the war takes on you, love,” Kael replied. “Let them take care of you. Let me.”

Talrasar nodded, truly looking like he was dead on his feet. Kael couldn’t blame him. Not only had he been through that grueling battle, but he’d also had to heal sick humans earlier. Kael decided that he could ignore the other members of their company and care for his mate like Talrasar deserved. He ushered the fae to lie down on the furs and started to remove his clothing.

It was not the first time he did this. On the particularly bad days, Kael liked massaging his mate, weeding out some of the strain and emotional exhaustion through his touch. When Kael was struck harder, the roles were reversed and Talrasar even used his magic on him. Today, it was Talrasar’s turn to be spoiled. Kael released him from his no longer white garments and dumped them on a nearby trunk. Obediently, Talrasar turned on his belly, and the sight of his tight ass so close made Kael rock hard in spite of his fatigue. It would have been so easy to reach out for him now, to slide into Talrasar’s body, especially since Kael himself was next to nude. But even if seeing Talrasar’s nakedness never failed to provoke a response within him, his sexuality would have to wait.

Brushing Talrasar’s long hair aside, Kael reached for his mate’s shoulders and started to knead. The fae made whimpering noises of pleasure that got to Kael’s prick like nothing else, but he didn’t allow it to distract him. He loosened all the knots of tension from his lover’s body, finding a special kind of satisfaction in the feeling of relaxation that slowly filled Talrasar.

As his hands progressed down Talrasar’s beautiful form, though, the fae’s own arousal flashed through their connection. Talrasar began to move his hips against the furs, and the friction not only stimulated the fae’s excitement, but also Kael’s. What kind of mate would Kael be if he allowed Talrasar to pleasure himself in such an unsatisfying manner? It simply wouldn’t do. It wouldn’t do at all.

Kael flipped Talrasar on his back, and without giving his mate one single word of warning, he took the fae’s dick in his mouth. Talrasar released a choked moan and arched his back, all fatigue melting in the heat of the stimulation. He covered his mouth with his hand to smother his cries, and while Kael would have liked to hear Talrasar freely utter his moans and pleas, he acknowledged the need for some discretion. In a sense, he supposed that it had been foolish for him to ever think that the people who fought by their side wouldn’t be able to tell he and Talrasar were lovers. On the draechen’s side, at least, it was next to impossible to keep it a secret, since shifters had an instinctive knowledge of sexual desire.

But whether the rest of the fighters knew or not, Kael didn’t care anymore, not in this moment, with the passion between them rising so hot and bright. He bobbed his head up and down Talrasar’s dick, the flow of his mate’s pleasure flooding their bond. He could never get enough of Talrasar’s sweet taste. His mate had become an addiction, in more than one way. He was so passionate and so responsive, and yet, so pure. At the same time, he moved with an innate sensuality that drove Kael mad with desire. Kael loved sucking Talrasar’s dick, having his mate at his mercy, drawing out every drop of pleasure from the fae’s writhing body. Just watching Talrasar undulate under him would have provided him with enough incentive for that, but Kael actually felt his mate’s enjoyment of it, experienced the same bliss Talrasar did. It was almost like sucking his own cock, only not, as it came to him filtered through their bond. It actually felt so good that Kael could come just from it without even touching himself.

As Talrasar held onto his hair and fucked his mouth, Kael slowly spread his mate’s legs and reached for his hole. He slid one single finger into Talrasar’s channel, immediately finding the fae’s prostate. Pleasure exploded through Talrasar, and Kael felt it all the way into his body, every nerve ending coming alive with the force of Talrasar’s lust for him. With another muffled cry, Talrasar came, sending hot streams of seed down Kael’s throat. Kael couldn’t hold back either, and his dick pulsed as he climaxed all over the furs. He gulped down his mate’s seed, not allowing any drop to go to waste. And still, his hunger for Talrasar wasn’t wholly satisfied. When he finally released the fae’s shaft from his mouth, he was still hard and aching to bury himself in the velvet heat of his mate’s channel.

Talrasar reached for him, his silver eyes shining with lust and the gem in the center of his forehead glowing, enveloping him in ethereal light. “Yes. Come to me.”

Kael would have undoubtedly done just that, but all of a sudden, a fae burst into the tent. “Your Highness, there’s news from…”

His words died out and he froze when he saw the position Kael and Talrasar were in. Instinctively, Kael shielded his mate’s body with his own. “What is it?” he asked, barely managing to keep himself from snapping. This wasn’t his underling, so as much as it irked him, he couldn’t get growly with the intruder. Overlords, the man hadn’t even come to see Kael, and Kael didn’t even have any right to make inquiries into what business had brought him here.

Nevertheless, he was intimidating enough that his question earned him a response. “A–a messenger has just arrived from Eternelle. He says it’s urgent.”

Talrasar’s eyes widened, all thoughts of desire forgotten. “Tell him to wait for me. I’ll be right there.”

As the fae soldier fled the tent, both Kael and Talrasar cleaned up as quickly as they could and found something to wear. Kael kept some apparel in Talrasar’s trunk, although he only used it during his stays in fae camps. They were as hasty and efficient as possible, but the process still seemed to take far too long. King Amarion rarely, if ever, sent messages. It was very hard for any envoy to find the small fae groups because they moved around a lot. This meant that whatever had happened to make Amarion change his approach was undoubtedly very serious.

When they left the tent, they found the tired-looking messenger waiting outside. The man bowed in front of Talrasar and wordlessly offered him a small white pearl. Talrasar took it and retreated back into the tent, with Kael right behind him. As soon as they had relative privacy, Talrasar brushed his finger over the pearl, activating it. Light bloomed from the item, growing into a sphere that illuminated the entire tent with its glow. Almost instantly, the king’s face manifested from within its rays. “Son. I see my message finds you well. That pleases me.”

Amarion didn’t sound particularly concerned about some sudden attack of their foes. Kael relaxed a little, although not knowing the motives behind the king’s message still made him wary. “Greetings, Your Majesty,” Talrasar replied. “Thank you for your concern. I am well, and we’ve registered some progress in our campaign. We won a very important battle today, with the help of the draechen.”

“Ah, yes, the draechen. I’ve heard a great deal about your close cooperation with Prince Kaelezrin. Tell me, is he there right now?”

Was it Kael’s impression or had the king grimaced? From this angle, he couldn’t really tell. Perhaps he should have left for the conversation, but truly it would have just been dishonest, since his bond with Talrasar guaranteed that he’d have found out everything anyway. There was no point to lie about it now, especially since Kael was beginning to guess what this entire message had been about.

Talrasar took a deep breath. “I won’t let him get between us, even if he is my sire and my king,” he told Kael through their bond. To his father, he replied, “Yes, Prince Kael is here.”

He gestured Kael within view, and Kael complied. “Greetings, King Amarion,” he said politely. “It’s an honor to be in your presence again, even at a distance.”

“I trust that Prince Kael’s presence doesn’t inconvenience you, Father,” Talrasar added.

“I’m afraid you are mistaken, son,” Amarion answered. “He does inconvenience me, and for a reason I believe you’re all too aware.”

“Let’s stop playing games, Majesty.” Kael narrowed his eyes at the fae king. “I love your son. He’s my mate. You obviously don’t approve, but I’m afraid that’s irrelevant right now, when we’re at war.”

Talrasar groaned. “Oh, Kael,” he whispered through their bond.

In hindsight, Kael supposed that dismissing the king’s opinion hadn’t been a very good idea. He realized that Amarion was likely concerned for Talrasar, and rightfully so given Kael’s dangerous nature. But he couldn’t help it, not when he saw his bond with Talrasar questioned or threatened in any way. Still, to perhaps appease the king a little, he added, “But I assure you I will do my best to always be by Talrasar’s side in every way.”

“That’s what worries me,” the king replied. “Surely you must realize how bad you are for my son. But you obviously care very little about him, beyond satisfying your own lusts with his body.”

Talrasar’s embarrassment and frustration flowed through their bond. The fae had obviously not expected his father to make any mention of their sexuality. Nevertheless, he held his ground and said, “Father, Kael is my true mate. Surely you realize how much he means to me. You loved the same way once.”

Amarion’s expression darkened. “Don’t even mention that. Don’t compare your mother to this… this man. I won’t have it. Your mother was a good woman, an envoy from Jenarra. Your supposed mate is, like he himself admitted, a monster.”

“Enough!” Talrasar barked out, his temper flaring. “I won’t allow you to disrespect him. Kael is brave and noble. In his own way, he upholds Jenarra’s will. We’re fighting here together, for the good of mankind. Why do you have to approach this matter right now?”

“Because the last thing you need is a draechen who drains you of energy. You know better, Talrasar. You’re already doing so much, too much, without this man you claim to be your mate putting additional strain on you.”

“If my touch harmed Tali in any way, I would remove myself from his presence at once,” Kael said. “I realize I’ve been brusque about this, Your Majesty, but he is my whole world.”

The look Amarion shot his way clearly conveyed the disgust the fae king felt at that sentence. This wasn’t just about him being a black dragon. “No, it isn’t,” Talrasar confirmed through their bond. “He doesn’t understand that relationships between two men can be as profound as one between a man and a woman.”

Amarion didn’t delay in proving Talrasar’s point. “If that were true,” he said, “you’d have already left him alone.”

He’d have undoubtedly made another comment, but someone Kael couldn’t see intervened. “What is it?” Amarion asked the person in question.

Kael couldn’t hear more of the exchange, but he didn’t have to, as a few moments later, the king returned to them. “There’ve been more outbreaks of the plague,” he reported glumly. “I will go myself in one of the areas, but I need you and a few of your men to provide reinforcements in the other.”

“Of course, Father. Where should we go?”

“London. As I understand it, there are still groups of vampires and werewolves in the area, so take your draechen with you. The least he could do is to keep you safe.” Amarion frowned. “But know this, Talrasar. Beyond the help your mate can provide, I will never agree to this. I’ll rather see you dead than the whore of a draechen.”

Talrasar’s breath caught, and Kael could feel how much those words affected his mate. Before he could provide a scathing answer, though, the light of the sphere dimmed and Amarion’s figure disappeared. Left without a target, Kael focused on his mate. “He didn’t mean it,” he said, wrapping his arm around Talrasar’s shoulders.

“I know, but he said it regardless.” Shaking his head, Talrasar broke their embrace. “Come on. We have to hurry to London. For the moment, things might be quieter here, but we’re going to have to come back.”

Talrasar left the tent and started giving orders. Similarly, Kael began to organize his own forces. He gave Cordell instructions as to what needed to be done in his absence. Hopefully, the bats and wolves wouldn’t fight back here until Talrasar and Kael managed to return, although Kael wasn’t holding his breath. He picked two draechen to join him in London, wishing he could have spared more men, but knowing that he was already depriving the forces here from far too much.

Talrasar gathered a few small packs of supplies and chose two other fae as well. Kael and his men melted into their dragon forms, and the three fae climbed on their backs, Talrasar of course on top of Kael. The trip to London would be long and strenuous, especially while carrying the fae, so Kael had picked the strongest fliers after himself and Cordell. As Kael and his men launched themselves into the air, though, it wasn’t his duty or destination that lingered on Kael’s mind. Instead, he reached out to his mate, trying to soothe him. “We’ll figure this out, love,” he said. “He’ll change his mind.”

“Perhaps,” Talrasar answered, petting his scales. “Don’t worry about it now. I have no regrets.”

Amazingly, it was true. Talrasar was very hurt at his father’s words, but he wouldn’t have done things differently if given the chance. Kael could practically feel his mate’s determination echoing in his own heart. Humbled by the affection, by the trust, Kael vowed to never let his mate down. One day, this war would be over, and Kael could hopefully approach King Amarion and convince him of his intentions. For Talrasar’s happiness, he was capable of anything, even of humbling himself in front of the king.

“I don’t want you to do that,” Talrasar told him. “He’ll understand it on his own, or he won’t. But I won’t allow you to step on your dignity just because he’s too stuck in his prejudice to see the obvious.”

“My dignity is nothing compared to what I feel for you,” Kael shot back. “But let’s give him time. He might change his mind. He loves you.”

“I’m the last thing he has left from my mother.” Talrasar sighed. “It hurts him that I’m a healer like her. I honestly don’t know if he loves me at all, or if he worships the memory of my mother, which he sees in me.”

Kael honestly didn’t want to think too much about the analogy. Talrasar had told him that his mother had been killed during a previous outbreak of disease, when Talrasar had been only a child. She’d given so much of her energies that her body had shut down. King Amarion had been crushed, and according to Talrasar, only his son had kept him alive. Kael didn’t know how to reconcile that knowledge with the man’s current behavior.

Obviously, Talrasar didn’t want to dwell on his conversation with his father either. “But we have too much to worry about to focus on that now,” he added. In a small, strikingly intimate gesture, Talrasar kissed Kael’s scaly neck. “For the record, as long as I have you, I don’t need anything else. Who knows, maybe after the war, we can build our own family.”

Kael had never thought he’d ever be able to have children. Black dragons were sterile, as their seed actually drained the energy of their lovers. The gene skipped generations, and seemed to appear randomly in various pairings. But the concept of being a father, of seeing a baby of his grow inside Talrasar, appealed to him. For the moment, Talrasar was actively suppressing his fertility, so that it wouldn’t happen, but once they could stop being soldiers and could become just mates, they’d be able to do it, at least according to Talrasar.

“I’d like that, love,” he answered. “I’d like that a lot.”

Chapter Five

The moment they reached London, Talrasar knew that his father had been right to send them here. There were a lot of sick humans, but also wounded among the fae and the sprites who’d come to help. Kael and his men pulled some clothing out of the bags of supplies, then went to secure the perimeter. Meanwhile, Talrasar rushed to scan the area for the people who most needed his help.

He found a badly injured female sprite lying on the ground, an exhausted-looking fae trying to heal her but only having little success. Another sprite knelt next to her, crying softly. “Oh, Tara. Come back to me.”

Talrasar moved the man aside and hastened to help the woman, Tara. Sprites could be very powerful combatants if their telekinetic abilities had reached their peak, and their power to create illusions made them formidable opponents. They could also become amazing spies, and a lot of the information Talrasar had garnered was because of the sprites. However, some of the stronger vampires could, at times, see through the enchantments, and if the sprite in question was behind enemy lines, he or she could get badly hurt. For that reason, Elusia had been hit badly by the war, almost as bad as Ivenia.

The mysterious Tara had suffered horrible mistreatment. Talrasar’s stomach roiled as he realized she’d been sexually abused, possibly by more than one man. He allowed his magic to flow over hear, mending torn tissue and trying to provide her soul with calm. Finally, his efforts paid off and Tara’s eyes cracked open.

“Your Highness,” she breathed out and burst into tears, reaching for him.

Talrasar allowed her to hold him for a few moments, knowing that she needed the comfort. He’d have liked to spend more time with her, aware of how much abuse like this could harm a person, even beyond the physical. But he couldn’t afford the time to dwell on a single individual. Kissing her forehead, Talrasar whispered, “Go with Jenarra.”

The sprite woman struggled to her feet, wiped her eyes, and somehow managed to muster a smile. “You, too, Highness. May she forever bless your steps.”

The man who’d been kneeling by her side hugged her tightly. They shared a brief embrace, and then, much to Talrasar’s surprise, both of them joined the other fae and sprites in tending to the other injured and organizing their defenses. Talrasar could only be amazed at the strength of one’s soul. A body could be broken, but the spirit had far more strength. Tara would undoubtedly fall apart in private later, but Talrasar had a feeling she was too brave to allow anything to send her to her knees.

Finding reassurance in her courage, Talrasar went on to heal other people who needed him. That brief flash of optimism started to fade as he found himself buried in death and disease, in helplessness and the despair and pain of so many. No matter how many people he helped, it was never enough. A little piece of him died whenever he moved on to another person, only to find the individual in question still and motionless, his body still warm but already cooling under the ruthless hand of the grim reaper. It was only his bond with Kael that kept him going. How had he been able to do this before meeting Kael? It seemed unfathomable now.

He didn’t know how much time he spent at that when Kael finally found him. He sensed his mate’s approach in the middle of helping a plagued human, and just feeling Kael behind him gave him renewed strength. He finished the healing process and got up, turning toward his mate with a tired smile. “How is everything?”

“The werewolves and vampires are under control,” Kael replied, “but the plague is very bad.”

“You’re telling me.” Talrasar rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I feel like I’ve been at this forever and I haven’t even made a dent in the number of the sick.”

Still, he continued, this time with Kael backing him up. Talrasar might have felt tired, but when Kael pressed his hand to his shoulder, he was physically reenergized. As it turned out, instead of draining him, Kael could actually lend Talrasar strength. It was something they had discovered during their campaign in the Mongol Chinese Empire, and it came in handy. In fact, often, it was the only thing keeping both of them going, as Talrasar tended to give too much energy to shield and heal his people, and Kael absorbed too much while trying to keep everyone else from getting hurt in battle. It was quite ironic that Talrasar’s father didn’t understand Kael might be the only reason why Talrasar hadn’t met with the same fate his mother had until now.

Over and over, they repeated the process, until both of them were nearly spent. “This is a disaster. We have to stop it,” Kael commented as Talrasar started to heal someone else. Talrasar couldn’t have agreed more. Somehow, the vampires and werewolves needed to be contained.

Insofar as he could, Talrasar turned all of his frustration into healing energy. It made him glow, and the man desperately reached for him, moaning. “An angel.”

“Hush,” Talrasar tried to soothe the sick human. “I’m here.”

He focused every inch of his being on eliminating the disease from the man’s blood stream. When he pulled back, he found with satisfaction that the buboes marking his patient as plagued had disappeared. This time, when he tried to get up, though, he staggered, nearly collapsing. Kael released a sound of dismay and caught him. “Are you all right, Tali?” he asked.

“It’s just been a hard day,” he replied. “Oh, Kael… How can we even hope to control this plague? We have people all over the world, trying to contain it, and still, it continues to spread.”

“As much as we fight it, the wolves and the bats keep attacking,” Kael answered. “They’re infesting more and more humans. You know how bad it was centuries ago, in the Byzantine Empire. The wolves and the vampires are stronger now, and it shows.”

Every battle and every day confirmed what Kael was saying. Even with Kael and Talrasar’s efforts, so many were dying. But if Talrasar gave up, if he abandoned all hope, who would care for these humans? Who would heal people like Tara, who’d bravely stood against the bats and the wolves and paid the price?

“Nevertheless, we have to keep trying,” he said, not faltering in the slightest in his decision. As he knelt next to yet another human, his earlier conversation with Kael returned to his mind. He wanted that, a family with Kael, a child, perhaps two. But his dream could never be achieved as long as this threat persisted. These people had families and children, too, many of whom had died because of the plague. Talrasar could never bring a new life into this world, not until he was sure it would be safe.

Just like before, Kael assisted him. But as it turned out, their efforts weren’t in the slightest bit sufficient, and Talrasar’s dream didn’t look like that would come true any time soon. Just as Talrasar finished healing his current patient, a fae messenger rushed to their side, just like the one who’d come to them in Asia. This time, the news was even worse.

“Your Highnesses, we’ve just received word from Eternelle,” the man gasped out. “The wolves and the bats are attacking.”

Talrasar couldn’t believe his ears. His home, the fortress that had kept his people safe for centuries was in danger. Eternelle was more than just a city. It was the center of their civilization, a symbol, the core of their nation.

“We need to go,” his mate said through their bond, obviously aware of the ramifications of the situation as well.

Talrasar swallowed convulsively. “If Eternelle falls… I can’t even imagine the consequences.”

Actually, he could, but he didn’t want to think about it too much lest he completely fall into a panic. “Take over here,” he commanded. “Do what you can for the sick and try to work with the human doctors. Make sure no one realizes the truth about us.”

He honestly didn’t trust human medics in the slightest. Their medicine couldn’t handle the situation, and their knowledge of physiology was sketchy at best. But at this point, Talrasar had to worry about himself and his people for a while. If not, in the process of trying to assist the humans, the Ivenians themselves might be wiped out.

The other fae saluted. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Together, Kael and Talrasar rushed away from the area. As soon as they were far enough away, Kael melted into his dragon form. Talrasar climbed onto his back, and his mate took off. This time, there was no one who could come with them. Fae magic didn’t grant them the ability of flying, and the draechen who’d traveled with them from their field of battle were too fatigued after that trip to join them.

In truth, the journey to France in itself wasn’t nearly as exhausting as the previous one, since the distance was far shorter. However, both he and Kael were extremely tired. They hadn’t slept in days, and the continuous effort of battle after battle, healing or fighting, coupled with the fatigue caused by the travelling, would have long ago defeated them if not for their bond.

This time, it was Talrasar’s turn to support Kael through the flight. And it worked. Kael got them both to Eternelle, just like Talrasar had known he would. But what they both saw when the fae citadel loomed ahead terrified Talrasar.

They were too late. The shields around the citadel were already falling. The screams of the overpowered fae sounded on the battle field. Pain and anger filled Talrasar as he spotted the guards of the temple of Jenarra trying to stave the assault of a throng of vampires and werewolves. Their magic was powerful, but the attackers were too numerous. It seemed they had all gathered here for the specific purpose of destroying the fae.

“You’re the only thing between them and the eradication of the humans,” Kael said through their bond. “Of course they want to destroy you.”

Tears blurred Talrasar’s vision, and indignation chased away his fatigue. He wouldn’t allow it. He wouldn’t allow his people to be destroyed.

“No, we won’t,” Kael confirmed as he landed in the middle of the field of battle. “We’ll face them, here and now.”

It was folly, just the two of them against the throng of enemy shifters. Talrasar himself hadn’t expected the armies of the werewolves and vampires to be so numerous. No wonder no other reinforcements had arrived for those in the Mongol Chinese Empire. Everyone was here, in an attempt to squash Ivenia through sheer numbers.

What could two men do against thousands, no, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions? Well, the first thing they would try was to rescue the remaining fae. Kael remained in his dragon form, his entire body a living weapon. As his mate swept through the crowd of approaching foes, Talrasar summoned his most powerful shields, calling upon the power Jenarra had given to him. A vampire who had just been lunging at a fae priestess was propelled back as he struck the barrier Talrasar erected. The woman in question gave him a wide-eyed look. “Thank Jenarra,” she cried, her voice barely audible over the howls of the werewolves and the screeches of the vampires.

“Please, thank her later,” Talrasar shouted. “Get out of here while you still can.”

The priestess looked like she wanted to protest. She obviously didn’t want to leave Talrasar or Eternelle to the mercy of the enemy shifters. “Go,” he ordered again. “Make sure everyone is evacuated. We’ll keep them back as long as possible.”

It was the only thing that could be done right now. The city itself was lost, but buildings could be rebuilt if the people within them survived. The priestess seemed to realize that, and she rushed back into the main city, using the distraction Talrasar and Kael provided to help the others.

Talrasar did his best to protect the survivors with his enchantments, while Kael fought the werewolves and vampires coming closer like malevolent waves. When he saw three werewolves lunge at Kael, he surrounded Kael in a shield as well. A powerful migraine started to pound at the back of his skull, but he didn’t let up. Instead, he focused on his bond with Kael, just like he’d done countless times.

Kael drew in energy from everyone who attempted to attack him, becoming a proverbial vacuum of power. He siphoned the excess into Talrasar who used it to hold up the shields. They fought like that for what seemed like forever, their despair melting into the strength of a thousand men.

But in spite of their efforts, they were still only two people compared to the army their foes had built. It had been a losing battle from the very beginning. Finally, Talrasar began to realize that his dream had been only that, a dream. He and Kael had been granted the gift of a few months together, but they wouldn’t have a future.

“No, love,” Kael said to him through their bond. “Of course we will.”

The draechen swept his tail through the air, sending a couple of his foes flying, then leapt back to Talrasar’s side. Even if they were still in the middle of a battle, he melted back into his human form and took Talrasar’s hands in his own. “I won’t accept anything else,” he insisted.

“Oh, Kael… I don’t want to either.”

There was only one way out of this. Talrasar hated himself just for considering it, just for thinking about it. His entire being rebelled against the idea, knowing how much it would hurt his mate. It was a terrible betrayal, the worst he could possibly commit. But the howls of the werewolves were so close, and his power was fading. At this rate, their entire world would fall, and Talrasar and Kael would lose their one chance to do something about it.

But would it be so bad? Couldn’t Talrasar be selfish for once in his life? He’d done everything in his power. He’d fought for Eternelle, bled for it, and done his best to help. He couldn’t give up his mate, too. No, he couldn’t. The werewolves could take over for all he cared. He wouldn’t ask Kael to do something so horrendous.

And yet, when he looked into Kael’s eyes, he saw something else beyond his mate’s raw anguish. He saw hope, not that of his mate, a different one. An instinctive knowledge filled him, the realization that the two of them could defeat and face anything, even death.

“Kael, we have to do something,” he whispered. “I don’t think there’s any other way.”

Kael embraced him tightly, brushing his lips over Talrasar’s forehead, right next to his gem. “I don’t want to lose you, love. I can’t lose you. The world needs your light.”

Talrasar’s heart was breaking, but he had to believe in the truth he felt deep inside. He had to believe it, because if not, he’d lose his nerve. “We’ll still be together. I promise I’ll never leave you. But… Oh, Jenarra, Kael… My shields are falling. We need to decide now.”

In spite of actively trying to suppress his tears, his vision blurred, his will faltering once again. Seeking comfort, Talrasar pressed his mouth to Kael’s. Their kiss tasted like tears and despair, but it also gave him another flash of that hopeful future he had seen. He could catch a glimpse of himself and Kael in another time, one when they were free to love each other. Or was that someone else? Talrasar couldn’t be sure, but the vision soothed him just the same.

Kael must have seen it as well, as when he broke the kiss, a new decision shone in his gaze. “I love you so much. Please forgive me.”

“I love you, too, and there’s nothing to forgive.” Talrasar smiled. “We’ll find our way back to each other. I’m sure of it.”

Talrasar closed his eyes and waited. He’d thought he’d been prepared for having his connection with Kael severed, but he’d been so very wrong. Pain exploded through him as Kael undid the thread binding them together. It felt like all of his limbs had been amputated at the same time, only worse.

While Talrasar collapsed on the ground, a loud roar sounded in his ears. Kael pushed him back, melting into his dragon form once again and shooting up into the skies. And then Kael’s power rushed out of the draechen, out of control. At first, it shied away from Talrasar, even now not wanting to hurt him. But as the draechen surrendered to the madness, Talrasar refused to let him go alone. He forced his energies into the wave of Kael’s power. “Don’t push me away,” he shouted, this time out loud, acutely feeling the loss of their mate bond, like a wound in his soul, in his mind, in his very being. “Together, remember?”

Distantly, he saw the tendrils of darkness now emanating from Kael lashing out at the enemy army, taking them out with almost ridiculous ease. But he couldn’t think about anything else except the desperate urge to be one with his mate again. The pain of being separated from Kael was simply too much. He felt like he’d already died, but kept living, just so that he could suffer for this horrible decision he’d made.

Technically speaking, he could have severed the bond, too. Both mates had the actual ability to do so. But he realized now that he never would have had the strength to do so. He’d cruelly thrust this burden onto Kael, but he refused to let Kael carry it alone.

Whether Kael had lost his mind or not, he still heard Talrasar. For a few moments, their gazes met, and Talrasar smiled as he saw the same black eyes he’d fallen inside. “We’ll find each other again,” he repeated.

Perhaps Kael believed that as well, because a wave of energy swept over Talrasar, stealing his breath, stopping his heart. For a few instants, Talrasar heard Kael’s voice again, felt his kiss on his lips. He tried to reach for his mate, but the dark hand of death snatched him away, and he knew no more.

* * * *

From beyond the crumbled walls of the citadel of Eternelle, the priestess tried to do what her prince had told her to, organizing a retreat of the remaining Ivenians. It was a slow process, and seemingly doomed to failure, since the shifters surrounded Eternelle from every direction. They tried to lash out, held back just barely by Prince Talrasar’s shields.

It was only a matter of time until those shields fell. She knew it. They all did. But their power was truly useless compared to what Prince Talrasar was doing. She had no idea how he was even managing to maintain such powerful shields for so long. She could only guess that it was due to the draechen with him.

The priestess had always suspected that the two of them were mates, from the moment she’d seen them, walking next to each other in the courtyard of the palace. They’d been perfectly polite, not even touching, but she had read the truth in their postures, in the way the draechen’s gaze would never quite leave Prince Talrasar. She’d held her tongue about it, of course. Even if she’d been happy for her prince, the king couldn’t have taken it well. She could only hope that fae truly became more powerful after finding their true mates. Everything within her screamed to go help her prince, but she knew that right now, she’d be just a hindrance. Only Prince Kaelezrin could assist Talrasar now.

Perhaps this was the thought that made her steal a look back. Surprisingly, she saw the two men share a brief kiss, as if completely ignoring the battle still going on around them. And then, out of the blue, Kaelezrin’s body jerked, and he pushed Talrasar away. His form blurred, melting into that of his dragon. A loud roar sounded from the draechen prince, making the ground itself shake. The priestess gaped as Kaelezrin started writhing in the air like a mad thing. Reality itself seemed to blur around the beast, and day turned to night around him. Chains of darkness seemed to sprout from his scales, snapping at the shifter army like angry tentacles. Any of those unfortunate enough to touch them collapsed to the ground, obviously dead.

In the whirlwind of darkness, the light Prince Talrasar emitted still endured, giving the priestess hope. But then, Talrasar reached out to the black dragon, as if in supplication. The ground split as the dragon roared again, so loud the priestess fell to her knees, covering her ears and crying out Jenarra’s name, but still watching the scene.

And then, Talrasar’s figure disappeared, his light swallowed by the void. It was like in the legends of the northern clans, stories that spoke of the twilight of the gods. She had no other term of comparison. And yet, as she saw the horror, she shot to her feet, running toward the scene, hoping against all hope that what she knew to be true was only a bad dream.

As it turned out, Talrasar’s shields kept her from advancing, and prevented the darkness from reaching her. Just the fact that they had endured would have encouraged the priestess if not for the absolute vacuum of light and energy outside. In her heart, she understood that she could do nothing to help her prince. Talrasar was beyond their reach now.

Other fae made their appearance, waiting by the shields. Finally, the darkness began to fade and Talrasar’s enchantment dropped. After a few moments, the priestess ran outside, scanning the field of battle in search for Talrasar.

There was no sign of the Ivenian prince anywhere. Countless bodies littered the ground, casualties from the enemy army. However, the priestess noted in surprise that a large part of them had survived and were trapped in miniature black shields. In that moment, the priestess truly understood. Kaelezrin and Talrasar had sacrificed themselves so that the draechen could access the greater power he needed to defeat the enemy army. Likely, the draechen had somehow absorbed Talrasar’s energies as well, resulting in the black shields.

She was not the only one to realize what had happened. Several of the priestesses started to cry softly. She didn’t weep, though. She closed her eyes and remembered them as they had kissed, that one last time.

One of the other fae came to her and asked, “What happened? Where are they?”

“Together,” she replied. “They’re together, and they’ve given us a chance to start anew. Let’s not waste it.”

Chapter Six

Present day, Draechenburg, Black Forest Mountains, Germany

Flowers. Check. Feast. Check. Crown jewels. Ready and under guard. Future emperor. Anxious, but safe. What was he missing? Sari walked through the corridor, watching the draechen work and humming as he reviewed all the arrangements for Hareematek’s crowning. His upbringing had certainly proven to be useful with this. The two people who usually handled such arrangements—the former empress and her daughter—were no longer in Draechenburg, so most everyone deferred to him.

As if summoned by Sari’s thoughts, a servant approached him, panting. “Highness, what rooms should we assign to King Zaire Isaiat and his children?”

Sari mentally groaned as he scanned his memory for the guest list and the way all of the families invited had been organized. “The blue rooms?” he suggested. “The ones next to Prince Hareematek’s old quarters.”

The servant grimaced. “Aren’t those too lavish for—”

Sari narrowed his eyes at the draechen, and the servant quickly bowed, not even finishing that phrase. “Yes, Highness. It will be as you say. I live and die by your command.”

Before Sari could even blink, the servant rushed to do his bidding. Sari released a sigh. He might have gotten accustomed to Draechenburg, but the attitude of the draechen toward him still unsettled him.

“If it helps, I’m the one they’re afraid of,” Karein said through their bond. “They know that if they piss you off, they’re going to have to deal with me, and the idea of ending their days in some Overlords-forgotten outpost obviously doesn’t appeal.”

He had a point. A part of Sari wished the situation could have been handled without anyone losing their homes in Draechenburg. Unfortunately, nothing could change the fact that draechen soldiers had attacked him. They might have been acting upon Princess Akarawem’s orders, but Karein had decided not to take any chances, especially with Sari being pregnant. So the guards who’d willingly participated in hunting Sari and Sage down had been assigned different positions, in areas where they wouldn’t pose a danger, but still under close supervision.

Naturally, this meant that everyone was wary of stepping on the wrong toes. It certainly didn’t help that the draechen remained confused as to who exactly was running the show. After all, Karein had been the one to challenge and defeat his father. Sari hoped some of their anxiety would settle after the crowning, which was why he wanted this to go well.

“Sure it is.” Karein chuckled. “And I’m guessing it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that this will be the first time you see your father and siblings since the wedding.”

Sari groaned. “Am I so obvious?”

“Just to me, baby. Do you expect any trouble?”

Before Sari could reply, the sound of an approaching jet reached Sari’s ears. By rights, it could have been anyone, since there were a lot of guests expected to fly in today. Even so, something told Sari that this particular plane carried his family.

“Looks like we’ll find out,” he sent to his mate. “Meet you on the cliff.”

As he headed toward the runway, he ran straight into Sage. He supposed the ice dragon’s presence shouldn’t have surprised him. Sage no longer maintained his role as Sari’s protector. It was hardly necessary with Karein here and a thought away. However, he often hovered in the hallways, eager for any mentioning of the Isaiat family.

“My family should be arriving any moment now,” Sari said. “The Isaiat have confirmed their presence, and we’re also expecting them today. Come with me.”

As they walked together toward the cliffside, Sage remained quiet, as was his way. Sari would have actually felt uncomfortable if he hadn’t known the ice dragon had a lot of things on his mind. He’d just discovered naga prince Camden Isaiat was his mate, but circumstances had made it impossible for him to claim Camden. Sari truly hoped that the two men managed to figure everything out. No one deserved to be separated from his or her mate, especially not a loyal man like Sage.

“I’d almost be jealous if I didn’t know I’m the only man for you,” Karein teased through their bond.

Sari snorted. “If there’s one thing you don’t need to worry about, it’s my being interested in any other men. Besides, Sage has his own mate to worry about.”

As he spoke with Karein, he and Sage finally left the palace and headed onto the cliff. He found Karein already waiting there, dressed in one of his official uniforms. Sari slid to his mate’s side and couldn’t help but press a brief kiss to Karein’s cheek. Karein took his hand and brushed his lips over his knuckles. As their gazes met, he offered Sari a small private smile that made Sari melt inside. His body responded to Karein’s proximity, and he was very tempted to just lunge at his mate and offer himself for Karein’s pleasure. His libido had gone through the roof as his pregnancy advanced. Karein just had to brush their fingers together, and Sari was ready to drop to his knees and take his mate’s dick in his mouth, or better yet, his ass.

Karein released a slow groan. “Later, baby,” he whispered through their bond. “I promise.”

Sari freed his hand from Karein’s grip and took a deep breath. “Yes. Later.”

Fortunately, the jet he’d heard finally landed, providing them with a distraction. Sari’s nervousness returned with a vengeance. His half siblings had been hostile before, but now, they would likely hate him even more, given that their mother had practically ended up in exile. It wasn’t his fault, but they wouldn’t see it that way. Not only that, but Sari had to talk to his father about the special weapons Caelyn had apparently been provided upon his escape. Sari honestly hadn’t learned any specifics about the matter. He’d just been told that his mother had made arrangements with one of her agents in the United States. His father was bound to know, though.

At last, the plane doors opened and his father made his way out, followed by Darian, Misael, and Charlize. Selbrian beamed brightly upon seeing Sari, and some of Sari’s anxiety eased. “Go on,” Karein urged him. “I know you missed him.”

So, Sari went. He met his father halfway and fell into Selbrian’s embrace. His father hugged him tightly, almost fiercely. “I was so worried,” he said. “When I heard what happened, I wanted to fly directly to Eternelle.”

“It’s okay,” Sari soothed his father. “I wasn’t injured.”

“Yes, Eanera told me.” Selbrian released him, clearing his throat. Apparently, he’d just realized that they were still in public. “In any case, we’ll talk more on this later,” he said. “I should probably greet your mate and the king, and you should say hi to your siblings.”

As Selbrian spoke, Karein approached and bowed slightly. “Greetings, Your Majesty. Draechenburg is honored to have you as a guest once more. I’m afraid my brother is unavailable at this time, as he is communing with the Overlords in preparation of the crowning. Perhaps you will allow me to serve as a temporary and poor replacement.”

Selbrian’s lips twitched. “I hardly think you’ve ever been a poor anything,” he replied. “If there is anyone who can serve as an adequate right hand for future emperor Hareematek, it is you.”

It was very tricky to say something complimentary for both men, given that the draechen were endlessly comparing Hareematek and Karein. Somehow, though, Selbrian had managed. As Karein shook Selbrian’s hand, Sari turned his attention toward his half siblings. “Greetings,” he told them. “It’s nice to see you all.”

“Hello, Sareltae,” Darian answered coolly.

“Greetings,” Misael echoed, his laconic answer clearly pointing out that whatever inclination he might have had to mediate possible conflicts was no longer there.

“You look well,” Charlize bit out. “Father told us of your pregnancy. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Sari forced a smile. He was aware that once they were in private, the insults would start. “Please, follow me. Your quarters are waiting.”

After that excruciating greeting, Karein and Sari led the fae delegation inside. They headed toward the guest wing and walked mostly in silence. Ironically, it was Karein and Selbrian who kept them all from lapsing into awkwardness, as they kept up a light conversation regarding the crowning.

When they reached the guest rooms, Sari dismissed the servants. As if of common accord, everyone entered Selbrian’s quarters. It seemed the moment of truth had finally arrived.

Sari’s half siblings didn’t delay to show their displeasure with him. “Well, well.” Darian sneered as he crossed his arms over his chest. “It looks like you’ve done pretty well for yourself, brother.”

He spat the latter word out like an insult, but Sari didn’t react in any way. “I think so, too. It hasn’t always been easy, but the results are satisfying.”

“You even have an egg on the way.” Darian chuckled. “It almost seems like I borrowed some of your mother’s abilities and anticipated it.”

“Our child won’t be an egg.” It was true that full draechen pairings resulted in eggs, but Sari’s body wasn’t adapted to that. “It’s a regular fetus. And if you did anticipate it, you must know that I’m happy here, with my mate.”

“Your mate,” Charlize repeated dismissively. “Uh-huh. We know all about how you handled this entire matter.”

Karein released a low growl, obviously ready to jump to Sari’s defense. Sari grabbed his lover’s arm, stopping him from doing something he’d regret. “Please let’s not fight. This is a very important period for the draechen. Our own disputes matter very little.”

“Your brother is right,” Selbrian piped up. “If you don’t respect me and Sari, respect the home of your hosts, and Prince Shtamakarein’s presence.”

The reprimand in his tone silenced Darian and Charlize. As always, Misael remained quiet, watching the scene with fathomless eyes. Undeterred, Selbrian continued, “I need a word with you in private, Sari.”

“Of course, Father.” Sari barely managed to suppress a sigh of relief. “Whenever you deem it appropriate.”

“Perhaps we should take our leave,” Darian suggested, sounding a little more subdued.

“Indeed,” Karein said, all warmth having fled his voice. “Let me help you out.”

Sari watched in bemusement as his mate guided his half siblings out of the room. As Karein followed them, Selbrian actually looked concerned. The moment the door closed behind the draechen, the king asked, “He won’t hurt them, will he?”

“Of course not,” Sari answered. He felt a little offended on Karein’s behalf. “He’s angry with them because of their treatment of me, but he’d never actually harm them.”

Selbrian nodded and sat down on a nearby couch. “Sorry about that. I shouldn’t have said it. I was out of line.”

Sari slid next to his father on the settee. For the first time, he realized just how much older his sire looked. Age didn’t generally show for fae, not physically, but it was right there, in Selbrian’s posture and his tired-looking eyes. “Is everything all right, Father?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes and no.” Selbrian released a heavy sigh. “The situation has just become so much harder in Rose Noire, for both me and your mother. Onyerre’s absence should have helped, but it just fueled the flames of the conflict. There are still voices in the Jenarra priesthood that claim Eanara should lose her position as High Priestess for what she did. And while I provided her with an alibi, there’s only so much I can do. My authority over the clerics isn’t absolute.”

It didn’t take a genius to realize that Sari’s half siblings were likely behind the entire situation. “What can I do to help?” he inquired.

“Nothing, son,” Selbrian answered. “This is my mess to untangle. I’m the one who put Eanara, Onyerre, and all my children in the middle of this entire chaos. Perhaps if I’d been braver during my youth, things would have never come to this.”

“Braver?” Sari repeated. He really didn’t understand. “You mean, if you hadn’t married Onyerre.”

“That, too, but I was actually referring to throwing everything to the wind when I met your mother.” His lips twisted in a small distant smile. “She wasn’t always High Priestess, you know, at least not when I met her. I was only a prince at that time, and had just married Onyerre. She was pregnant with Darian, and we were all so young. But I still fell in love with Eanera the moment I saw her. She was so beautiful I felt like I’d fallen into a dream.” For a few moments, Selbrian paused, as if he’d forgotten where he was altogether. “I might have pursued her then, but I feared what my parents, what my people, would say. She had taken her vows of chastity, and I was married and with a child. I thought that I could handle it, that she’d eventually leave Rose Noire. And then, I learned of her new role, and her presence there was undying torment and comfort.”

Sari had never been told exactly how his parents had met and how they’d decided to conceive him, beyond the role Jenarra had played in it, of course. He could have never been so indiscreet as to make inquiries regarding their privacy. He had suspected that they’d continued being lovers after his birth, but they’d never confirmed or denied it. Sari wanted to know, once and for all, if he’d truly been a wanted child, or merely the result of the faith of two fae.

In his mind, Karein murmured, “They love you, baby. Otherwise, your mother would have never risked her position as High Priestess to save you.”

He was right, of course, but years of doubts and uncertainties made him linger on his ideas of inadequacy. Even so, he didn’t ask any questions. It wasn’t his place. As it turned out, he didn’t have to ask, because his father revealed the answer to his dilemma. “I know we haven’t been the best parents for you, and we’ve never explained things as we should have. But the truth is, Eanera is my true mate. I tried to make my marriage work, although once I met Eanera, it was a fool’s errand. In hindsight, it was a poor decision from my part. But still, when Jenarra gave Eanera that vision, it was everything I’d dreamed of. I had one night with my mate, only one night, but I was also given a beautiful son from our union.” Selbrian took Sari’s hand and squeezed it tightly. “I know that at times, I’ve pushed you away, but it’s only because I can’t help but favor you over your brothers and sister. It’s unfair to them, and they’re my children, too. I love them.”

Sari wrapped his arms around his father. Selbrian had suffered so much, and Sari hadn’t even realized it. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I want you to understand how important you are for us,” Selbrian replied. “And I want you to be very careful.”

His tone grew guarded, wary, and Sari instantly knew something was wrong. “Did Mother have a vision about me?” he asked.

“Yes, although she was quite unclear as to what it entailed. She could only see you falling, surrounded by darkness. Then, she explained that there was a flash of something bright, blinding her and keeping her from seeing what had happened. She did manage to gather that someone here will try to hurt you.”

Karein’s alarm instantly rushed through their bond. “Someone? Who?”

Sari repeated the inquiry, but Selbrian just shook his head. “I do not know. But in the coming days, you have to be extra careful. Promise me. Remember that the futures your mother sees aren’t set in stone. She was in deep meditation when I left, trying to clarify things, but until she does so, we must focus on the fact that her visions are guidelines. We have to follow them, to make sure you are safe.”

“I will remember,” Sari promised. Even if he had been inclined to take foolish chances, Karein was already making plans to have Sari under lock and key twenty-four-seven. Sari had no intentions of hiding, but he would take as many precautions as possible. “I promise I’ll be on the lookout,” he added.

“Excellent.” Selbrian seemed to collect himself, and clapped his hands together. “Well, now that I’ve completely and utterly embarrassed myself, I believe I should check up on your siblings to make sure they aren’t up to any mischief.”

Sari remembered that he had something to ask his father, too. “Wait,” he said, grabbing Selbrian’s arm. “One moment. I need to know something.”

Selbrian gave him a puzzled glance. “What is it?”

“When Mother helped Caelyn escape, he was given some weaponry that could hurt draechen. Do you know where they came from? Do the fae produce them?”

His father blinked, obviously surprised by the change in topic. After a brief hesitation, he answered, “You know better, Sari. We’re not weapons manufacturers. But yes, I do know their source.”

Sari waited for Selbrian to elaborate, but his father never did. Instead, Selbrian explained, “I understand your mate is concerned, but I can’t reveal this man’s identity. I can tell you that he has no intentions of selling his weaponry or his research, and that he is and has always been concerned for the state of the world under draechen rule. If Prince Hareematek is as wise as we hope, you should have nothing to worry about.”

“Should?” Sari repeated. “Should isn’t good enough, Father. Please. This is a threat for Draechenburg, for my family.”

Selbrian scanned his face, then cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead. “All right, Sari. Tell you what. I’ll contact him and tell him about your concerns. By now, he must have heard of what happened here. Perhaps he even wants to meet with your mate. But if he doesn’t, I can’t reveal anything further. I beg you, don’t ask it of me.”

“Leave it, Sari,” Karein said through their bond. “That’s fine. We have more important things to worry about right now. Such as your safety.”

Sari made a mental note to have a conversation with Karein. He would take this threat seriously, but he couldn’t exactly retreat in his quarters and miss the crowning. “Actually,” Karein mused, “I was thinking of taking you back to Eternelle.”

“Would you stop?” Sari would have punched Karein had his mate been present. “I’m not abandoning you for some tentative threat we aren’t even sure about.”

“But we are sure about it,” Karein argued. “Your mother’s never been wrong before.”

Sari didn’t answer to that. Instead, he focused on his father once more and said, “Okay, Father. Karein and I will be waiting for an answer from you.”

On impulse, he hugged Selbrian once again. His sire seemed to need him, because as embarrassed he might have been, he held onto Sari for the longest time, refusing to let go. It seemed that the vision had certainly scared him a lot. Sari wasn’t sure what he’d do to handle this, but he did know one thing. Draechenburg might have been full of enemies, but he wouldn’t allow any of them to break apart his family.

* * * *

“And by the grace of the Overlords, I, Hareematek Tersain, shall serve The Great Ornozian Empire and its people. So I vow, as is my mandate of Emperor.”

Riotous applause exploded over the throne room as Hareem placed the imperial crown on his own head, therefore beginning his term as the leader of Ornoz. Karein clapped his hands along with everyone else, all the while scanning the room for any strange behavior from the part of the guests. The Elusian Great Krites had shown up, but were mostly hanging around King Shaw’nyel Murdokain of the elves. Many important figures from the second caste had shown up, all of them forming a tight semicircle around the Isaiat family, allowing no non-chimera to approach. But none of this was particularly surprising. Everyone was wary during changes between political regimes, especially when it happened to such an important empire. Instability among the draechen could easily throw the entire world into chaos.

For Karein’s part, the last thing he could focus on was politics. Since he’d overheard the conversation between Sari and the fae king, he saw enemies everywhere and nowhere. He could so easily imagine any of these men and women lunging at Sari, trying to take the beautiful fae away from Karein. But Karein would not allow it. He’d rather die.

By his side, Sari made a soothing sound, and Karein realized he’d wrapped his arm around Sari’s shoulders and was squeezing him rather tightly. “I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered through their bond, loosening his hold a little. “I’m just worried.”

“I know, Karein,” Sari answered. “I promise that once the crowning is over, I’ll lie low. I have to make an appearance now. Otherwise, everyone would start asking questions, and we can’t afford that right now.”

They couldn’t afford many things, such as the countless changes both Karein and Hareem would have liked to make to the regular policies of the draechen. However, Hareem had decided he wouldn’t linger in Kavehquader’s ways either. For that reason, instead of changing into dragon form, he remained in his legged shape and came to sit on the throne that was normally empty.

“A new rule is beginning today,” he said. “I wish to be closer to my people, and to the international paranormal community. I will be adapting some of our older traditions to modernity, as more than anything, I wish to bring peace and prosperity to Ornoz.”

There was more applause, and most of the magical creatures, Sari’s family included, looked pleasantly surprised. However, some of the draechen nobles present didn’t seem so happy about Hareem’s choice. Undoubtedly, they saw this decision as a sign of weakness. Karein hated to agree with his brother’s previous assessment, but more and more, it became obvious that an empress would be necessary as a buffer between Hareem and the lords engrained in the old ways.

Until then, Karein would have to serve as Hareem’s shield and sword, much like he had with his father, but far more willingly. Right now, though, his priority was Sari.

Sadly, as it turned out, his position as the emperor’s right hand didn’t delay in spawning a duty. A guard surreptitiously made his way to Karein’s side. “He’s arrived,” the guard whispered in Karein’s ear.

Karein groaned. The other draechen didn’t have to elaborate further on that, since Karein knew exactly who the soldier was referring to. But simply leaving Sari alone in this crowd sent cold shivers down his spine. He scanned the area for Sage, hoping he could ask his lieutenant to watch over Sari. Sage was nowhere to be seen, though, and for the first time, Karein realized Camden Isaiat had also disappeared. When had that happened? He hadn’t noticed.

That would have actually concerned him if he hadn’t known the two men were mates. In the end, Karein couldn’t draw Sage away from Camden. It wouldn’t be fair. He had to figure out something else. He spotted Sage’s sister, Hanna, and their parents, and briefly entertained leaving Sari with them. Draechen nobles they might be, but they were, to a certain extent, trustworthy. Still, he hesitated.

“Go,” Sari said in his mind. “I can’t imagine what that poor man must be thinking. He needs someone by his side that knows about his bond with the emperor, and right now, you’re it.”

“Come with me,” Karein answered, knowing that Sari was right but unwilling to allow his mate to remain here without him. Truth be told, there were plenty of guards in the area, but it simply wasn’t the same.

Sari considered the request for a few moments, then nodded. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for him to have another friendly face around. It might help that I’m not draechen.”

Immediately relieved, Karein headed toward the thrones, followed by Sari. Hareem almost didn’t seem to notice their approach, but he snapped out of his trance at the last moment. Just looking into his eyes told Karein that Hareem already knew who’d arrived.

Nevertheless, he went through the process of requesting Hareem’s permission to leave the room. It wouldn’t do if the lords saw him in what they might interpret as an action that disrespected Hareem’s authority. “Your Majesty, our presence is briefly required elsewhere.”

Hareem waved a hand dismissively, although Karein noticed that it was trembling. No one else but Sari would have seen it, though, since the two of them were the only ones close enough to Hareem. “Go. Report to me at once after you’ve finished your task.”

Karein bowed and wordlessly guided Sari out of the room. He did his best to be stealthy about it, but he knew that the guests must have noticed his and Sari’s absence. He hoped that no one would think to approach them, but sadly, he was disappointed.

Prince Misael stopped them halfway to the cliffside. “Sareltae, wait!” he said.

Sari released a heavy sigh, but nevertheless stopped. “Yes? What is it?”

“I need a word with you,” Misael answered, “in private.”

Karein’s reaction was immediate. “No.”

Misael narrowed his eyes at Karein. “With all due respect, Your Highness, Sareltae is my brother. I was not aware that you mating him involved him ignoring his family.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Sari said, kissing Karein’s cheek. “It’s only Misael. He’s never been outright hostile to me. Maybe he has an idea as to how to mend this rift between our families.”

“Normally, I’d be inclined to agree, but given what your father said…”

“Come now, Karein. What can he possibly do? I have stronger magic than him, and we won’t go far. Besides, he would have to be insane to try something against me, here of all places.”

Karein still wasn’t convinced. In fact everything inside him screamed not to separate himself from his mate. “I would never want my mate to lose touch with his homeland. However, given his condition, I prefer to have him by my side at all times. Perhaps you can come visit us in our quarters later.”

“I suppose I could.” Misael’s shoulders slumped. “Never mind.”

Before Misael could walk away, Sari intervened. “Stop. I’ll come. A quick chat while Karein finishes what he has to do. I’ll meet you in five minutes, all right, Karein?”

Karein didn’t want to leave Sari, but he was needed for the task Hareem had assigned to him. Also, he could tell Sari was very determined about this. In his heart, Sari felt guilty about not being able to find middle ground with his family, although it was clearly not his fault. The situation had been impossible, for all those involved, including Misael’s mother, the now-exiled queen Onyerre.

Personally, Karein couldn’t have cared less about Sari’s half siblings, but he had to admit that Sari’s abilities were quite considerable, so Misael truly wouldn’t be able to hurt Sari. “Very well,” he said reluctantly. He had to trust Sari’s assessment on this one. Through their bond, he added. “But promise me that if anything suspicious happens…”

“I’ll come right back,” Sari said. “You worry too much, Karein.”

Karein watched his mate go with Misael, already regretting his decision. Taking a deep breath, he rushed toward the cliffside. The faster he handled this, the sooner he could go find his mate.

Outside, he found a new plane had already landed and was surrounded by a huge number of guards. As Karein approached the jet, its doors open and Taryn Lovington stepped out, framed by more draechen soldiers.

Since Hareem would be bound to Draechenburg for the foreseeable future, he had decided to bring Taryn here, at least temporarily. They were seeking a better solution, especially since Taryn’s pregnancy couldn’t be revealed to the draechen populace. But Hareem had been suffering a lot without his mate, and Karein couldn’t blame him for wanting to indulge, just this once.

Karein had to hand it to his brother. If Karein had been inclined to care about the attractiveness of any people other than Sari, he’d have said Taryn was a beautiful man. As it was, he just wanted to get this over with so that he could return to Sari.

“Follow me,” he said.

Taryn was quiet, scanning his face with deep green-gold eyes. He nodded jerkily, not showing any signs of the hostility he’d once showered Karein with. Ironically, Karein had been the one to capture Taryn in the first place. He wondered if he’d have even done so if he’d known Taryn was Hareem’s mate.

“Of course you would have,” Sari whispered in his mind. “You want what’s best for Hareem, and that includes Taryn.”

As Karein guided Taryn into the palace, he monitored his mate’s progress. “I know that,” he replied. “I just wish my brother could have his mate without being forced to hide him like this.”

“Who knows? They might just find a way,” Sari answered. “Have faith, Karein. We’ll help them.”

The problem was that Hareem didn’t see any way out of this predicament, and he refused any help. But Karein couldn’t worry about that now. He cared about his brother’s welfare, but Sari was and would always be his priority. So far, Sari’s conversation with his brother hadn’t gone particularly well or ill, but Karein just wanted it over with. As he rushed through the palace, he hoped he hadn’t made a horrible mistake in allowing Sari to be alone with Misael Norrenddare.

* * * *

Sari led his brother to one of the receiving rooms on the main level of the palace. “What did you want to discuss?” he asked.

“You have leverage with Father, don’t you?” Misael inquired.

“Leverage?” Sari repeated. “He is my king, just like he is yours. I’m not sure I could possibly have any control over him.”

“You know what I mean.” Misael released a frustrated huff. “He’s always loved you more. He listens to you.”

Sari couldn’t exactly deny that in good conscience, especially not in light of what his father had recently revealed to him. “He loves you, as well,” he replied lamely.

“But not like he does you,” Misael countered. “Look, I don’t want to enter a useless debate on the extent of his affection for any of us. We’re both aware that it wouldn’t lead to any productive results. I merely want to ask for a favor.”

Sari blinked in surprise. He couldn’t remember his half brother ever asking him for anything, although he suspected he knew exactly what Misael would ask. Even so, he played along, if only because he hoped he was wrong. “Yes?”

“Convince Father to accept Mother back in Rose Noire,” Misael said predictably. “She made a mistake, yes, but she didn’t deserve being sent away in shame.”

“Misael, I don’t even live in Rose Noire anymore. What authority do you think I have over Father? I can’t begin to express how inappropriate it would be for me to interfere with his decisions.”

Not to mention that he wasn’t inclined to do Onyerre any favors. He’d have actually tried it, though, on the basis that his assistance with this might help mend some broken bridges. But he’d been completely honest in saying that he couldn’t disrespect his father by intervening.

“I’m sorry,” he added. “There’s nothing I can do.”

“Nothing you will do,” Misael corrected with a sarcastic chuckle. “You know, I’ve always tried to make things right between the two sides of our family. Even if your mother constantly intervened with mine, I figured things were bad enough already without me adding fuel to the fire. I thought that, to some extent, you were the same, and you just wanted to be left alone. But you really don’t care, do you, Sareltae? You hate us.”

Sari’s eyes widened. “Of course not. Of course I don’t hate you.”

“You certainly hate my mother.” Misael glowered at Sari. “This is all your fault, Sareltae. You only care about yourself. Jenarra, it didn’t even matter to you that your dear mate killed your best friend.”

Sari couldn’t help a frown. He hadn’t expected Misael to mention Caelyn. He was aware that his half brothers and his half sister had found out about Caelyn’s stay in Eternelle, but Misael brought it up as if he didn’t know about Caelyn’s survival. Perhaps he was trying to be discreet, given their current location. “Misael, whatever choices I might have made in the past have little connection to your mother’s. Everyone has his own path. Queen Onyerre is the one who hates me, and while in my heart, I don’t blame her for it, she shouldn’t have allowed her disdain for me to usher her into disrespecting Father.”

As he spoke, Sari felt something strange, like another presence close by. He hadn’t realized it until now, but something seemed off about Misael. Before he could figure out what it was, Misael took a threatening step toward him. “How dare you?” he practically snarled. “You know nothing about my family. You’ve only ever tried to destroy us. I see that now.”

Karein’s voice drifted in Sari’s mind, insistent and commanding. “Get out of there, baby,” he said.

Sari hated leaving things like this between him and Misael, but he had to heed the warning his mother had sent him. It might not have anything to do with Misael, but it was better not to take the chance.

“I’m sorry you think that,” he said. “There’s clearly nothing I can do to change your mind, so I must take my leave. My mate is waiting.”

As he headed toward the door, though, a shield blocked his path. “No, you don’t,” Misael said, now sounding eerily calm. “I’ve gone against my family in taking the wrong side so many times. But now, I’m going to fix that mistake.”

Without giving Sari any other warning, Misael retrieved a gun from his robes and shot.

Chapter Seven

Caelyn didn’t know what had made him visit the Obelisk of Eternelle today. Lately, he stayed away from it, more so since High Priestess Eanera had warned them it had become dangerous. But for some reason, today he’d felt the sudden urge to be here.

“It’s a little scary, isn’t it?” his mate asked by his side. “It never used to be, but that black marble is kind of creepy now.”

Graham was right. When Caelyn and Graham had first arrived here, the obelisk had looked…sad, but benevolent and distinguished somehow. But out of the blue, it had become an ominous shadow that Caelyn couldn’t really understand. It had started the day of Sari’s last visit here, or rather Karein’s. He wondered if the obelisk had responded poorly to the draechen’s presence. He couldn’t imagine why that would be, as Eanera had only ever given him cryptic responses.

“It is,” he agreed with Graham. “I miss the way it was before.”

The surface of the obelisk rippled, and Caelyn shivered, placing a protective hand over his stomach. “Let’s get out of here,” he told Graham. “After all, Eanera said to avoid being around it for—”

Before Caelyn could finish the phrase, the ground started to shake. Caelyn watched in terror as the obelisk seemed to expand, energy buzzing all around it as if reaching out to them. Graham pulled him back, and just in time, too. Suddenly, the monument exploded.

For a few moments, the world’s substance appeared to change. Light and darkness melted in Caelyn’s vision as swirls of magic rushed out of the obelisk, shredding the clouds, tearing the sky itself. Graham held Caelyn tightly, trying to shield him, but none of it touched them. If anything, the strange energy seemed to travel away from Eternelle.

Caelyn didn’t know how long it lasted, too fascinated by the process to focus on the passage of time. He’d have probably been terrified, but in Graham’s arms, he felt safe. Distantly, he registered a group of priestesses heading toward them and freezing next to Caelyn and Graham when they saw the destroyed monument. There were gasps and cries all around. “What happened?” one of them asked.

After a few moments, Caelyn snapped out of his trance when he realized the woman was addressing him. “I have no idea,” he replied, still a little dazed.

“I suspect we’ll find out soon enough, though,” Graham added.

As he spoke, he pointed to the place where the obelisk had been. Over the remnants of the marble, Shtamakarein Tersain lay facedown. “How in the world did he end up here?” another priestess inquired.

Graham kissed Caelyn’s forehead and released him from his embrace. “Don’t move, baby. I’ll go check.”

Together with a couple of Ivenian guards, Graham approached the fallen man. They were halfway there when suddenly, Karein stirred. A groan from the fallen man made the entire audience freeze again. And as the draechen got up, Caelyn saw that the new arrival wasn’t Karein after all. It was Prince Kaelezrin Tersain.

* * * *

Taryn followed in silence after Prince Shtamakarein, keeping his head down like a good little slave as his mate had instructed him.

“Don’t be like that, sweeting,” Hareem said through their bond. “You know that if things had been different, I would never force you to go through this.”

Taryn ignored the draechen and did his best to surreptitiously analyze the palace he’d been taken to. There were hundreds of guards in every corridor. The security must have been tightened for the crowning. However, Taryn suspected—largely from information he’d garnered from Hareem—that this wouldn’t change even after all the guests left. This put Taryn in quite a predicament. If he wanted to leave Draechenburg, he likely would be unable to do it without cooperation from a secondary party.

“Taryn,” Hareem said again, “I promised I’ll keep you safe. Please, stop this.”

“You promised a lot of things,” Taryn replied this time. In his heart, he realized how hard it would be for him to abandon Hareem, but he’d do so if the draechen continued with that nonsense of finding another mate. It didn’t take a genius to realize that Hareem’s future empress wouldn’t appreciate Taryn’s existence. Taryn would have chanced it, but he had a child to worry about now. He and his brother, Monroe, had always known that one of their ancestors had been magical, but Taryn hadn’t expected these consequences. Regardless, he would do anything to protect his unborn baby.

Hareem had proven to be somewhat unwilling to allow Taryn his freedom. Not that it surprised Taryn. He hadn’t been an abused slave in the slightest, and he might have actually been open to the idea of becoming a concubine. Because as much as he hated it, he understood Hareem’s position. However, no matter how much he loved his mate, he needed to keep his child safe. Hareem wouldn’t do it. He didn’t want a child with Taryn. It was a hindrance for him, not a joy, and that was something Taryn could never forgive.

“It’s not that I don’t love our baby,” Hareem replied. “I do. You know I do. But this is a terrible time, for all of us.”

Taryn tuned his mate out, even if Hareem’s dismay was like a dagger to his heart. Taryn’s wolf whined, wanting to just run to Hareem’s side, but Taryn reminded it that he couldn’t do that. All these people—with the exception of Prince Shtamakarein—thought Taryn was nothing more than a ninth caste whore, a plaything for their new emperor.

But Shtamakarein knew. He’d seemed strikingly open to assisting his brother in solving their problem, which had kind of surprised Taryn. Perhaps the prince just wanted Taryn out of the way, but in any case, that was something Taryn could work with.

As they finally reached the rooms he’d been assigned, Taryn cleared his throat. “A word with you, General?” he asked softly.

Shtamakarein narrowed his eyes at him, looking a little irritated. After a few moments, he nodded jerkily. “All right, but I don’t have a lot of time.”

Taryn didn’t question Shtamakarein. The famous Dog-Catcher had no reason to listen to him, especially during such an important day. It was impossibly strange for him to approach Shtamakarein out of all people, but he didn’t have any allies here.

They retreated behind closed doors, and Taryn didn’t delay in explaining what he had in mind. “You want me gone,” he said. “Have you managed to contact my brother?”

“There hasn’t been time,” the draechen replied. “And I don’t want you gone. It’s just the position that you put Hareem in that bothers me. But I do wish Hareem could keep you. You’re his mate.”

It was more comforting than Taryn had expected. In fact, Shtamakarein himself seemed less scary somehow. Perhaps his famous mate, Prince Sareltae Norrenddare, had helped him lose some of his legendary cruelty. “Thank you for that,” he answered. “But if Hareem insists on taking another mate, I cannot stay. And I need some sort of haven for when I give birth.”

Shtamakarein nodded. “I will try to—”

He stopped midsentence, his entire body going rigid. Taryn took a step back as the draechen’s form blurred, melting into that of his beast. Had he pissed Shtamakarein off somehow? He didn’t think he’d said anything offensive.

The dragon released a roar so loud it shattered the windows. Taryn instantly changed into his wolf form and leapt back, waiting to be attacked. He knew he didn’t have a chance against the Dog-Catcher, but at the very least, in this form, he could try to stall.

The assault never came. Instead, Shtamakarein burst out of the room, crashing straight through the doors and sending rubble flying all over the place as he moved. Startled guards stared at him, but he moved strikingly fast in spite of his huge form. Taryn padded out of the room, taking advantage of the distraction of the draechen to slip out. “No,” Hareem sent to him. “Stay there. When Karein’s in a rage, it’s not safe to be around him.”

He was likely right, but Taryn had no intention of approaching Shtamakarein. His captors were clearly too busy worrying about their leader running amok to even notice a small stray werewolf in their midst. Therefore, he might be able to use this chance to get out of here.

And yet, in spite of his decision, he found himself following the trail of destruction. How could he leave Hareem now when his brother was obviously in trouble? What kind of mate would that make him? He had to stay, at least for now, because if he didn’t, he’d never forgive himself.

* * * *

“Oh, Sage… Yes, all mighty Varuna, yes.”

Camden groaned as his mate bobbed his head up and down Camden’s prick. They’d slipped away from the throne room in hopes that they’d get a little time alone. Camden hadn’t expected they’d end up having sex, even furtively, like this. But he couldn’t exactly complain, not when his body had been desperately demanding this ever since he’d first met Sage.

When he’d been away in Patala, he’d craved it so much that he’d gotten sick, succumbing to the affliction his people called “the cold.” But that didn’t matter, not anymore, not when he and Sage had finally been reunited.

Thumping his head against the rug-covered floor, he threaded his fingers through Sage’s hair. He’d never experienced such pleasure before, and he hadn’t thought it possible, not between two people alone. But the cold that had been encroaching on Camden’s heart was gone now, replaced by Sage’s passion. Right then and there, regardless of the ways of the naga, Camden couldn’t imagine wanting anyone else except Sage ever again. Just the thought was laughable.

Losing himself in the desire, Camden fucked his mate’s mouth, burying himself inside the wet cavern over and over, seeking the ultimate pleasure of climax. Sage rolled Camden’s balls in his palm, rubbing his fingers over his taint and causing sparks of pleasure to explode all over Camden’s body.

He was seconds away from coming when a loud, no, a deafening roar shook the entire palace. Sage moved away, releasing Camden’s dick from his mouth. “Karein,” he said.

Camden experienced a brief moment of disorientation at the loss of Sage’s heat around his prick. After that, annoyance followed. Nagas shouldn’t have been a jealous people—they shared mates on a regular basis, for Varuna’s sake—but Camden couldn’t deny that he didn’t appreciate hearing another man’s name coming from Sage just seconds after Sage had been sucking his dick. Really, Sage made Camden experience emotions he’d never have imagined. He’d likely acquired this jealous streak upon meeting Sage.

But Camden couldn’t focus on his own irrational feelings because he realized something was wrong. Sage shot to his feet, looking genuinely concerned. Camden got up as well, fixing his clothing as much as he could. Sage helped him, and together, they rushed out of the room they’d used as a temporary haven.

Panic seemed to have exploded all over the palace at the loud roar. The name of Prince Shtamakarein was on everyone’s lips. As they ran past confused guards, Camden wondered what in the world could have happened. He’d seen the prince at the crowning ceremony, next to his mate, Sareltae. He’d looked perfectly all right. Rumor had reached his ears that he’d successfully passed his two hundredth birthday without running amok. But clearly that wasn’t the case anymore. If so, this could be a real problem, and not only for the draechen, but for chimeras as well.

Camden had been hoping that with Hareematek becoming an emperor, his own people would become a little less hostile toward the draechen. If Prince Shtamakarein lost control of his powers, though, all bets were off. His family would never allow Camden to mate Sage. The thought made Camden squeeze Sage’s hand tighter, just at the fear that he might lose the chance to be with his other half. His mate squeezed back, and although they didn’t speak, the gesture was enough to encourage Camden. He shouldn’t panic just yet. He had to find out exactly what had happened. He and Sage would go from there.

It seemed to take forever until they finally reached the source of the noise. Dozens of guards had already gathered there, forming a circle around the broken door and blocking the numerous guests from entering. King Selbrian was attempting to push his way past the guards, seeming angry and panicked. “Let me pass. My sons are in there.”

“We cannot,” the draechen argued. “By the emperor’s orders, everyone is forbidden to pass.”

Camden’s own family was nowhere to be seen, but he knew better than to believe that they hadn’t found out or didn’t care. They were probably trying to find another entrance. “Is there another way in?” he whispered to Sage.

“Through the balcony,” Sage answered, “but we’d be noticed before we even got inside.”

A shifting shadow caught Camden’s eyes. As he scanned the darkness, he spotted a wolf hiding beyond the gathered guests. Camden nudged Sage with his shoulder, pointing to what he’d spotted. Sage cursed. “Must be the emperor’s werewolf. Stay here. If he is seen, it will be worse.”

With that, Sage slipped past the crowd, heading toward the werewolf. Camden guessed Sage must be referring to the famous sex slave Emperor Hareematek had taken. Personally, Sage thought that the laws were too hard on werewolves, since members of the ninth caste were no longer what they had been. He also doubted the werewolf in question would have had anything to do with this incident. No werewolf, no matter how strong, would manage to get past so many draechen guards to do… What had happened anyway?

Well, Camden might not have a way to come inside just yet, but he might be able to find out what had occurred. He approached a guard and threw him an inquiring look. “Excuse me, could you tell me what’s wrong?”

The draechen scanned his face and shot him a cool glance. “I’m afraid we’re not at liberty to discuss it right now.”

Camden suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Why had he thought the draechen would be open in any way to a naga? He tried to peek past the guards, but they formed a human wall that simply couldn’t be passed without the use of force.

In the end, King Selbrian did exactly that. Summoning his magic, he created several force fields and shoved a few draechen aside. Together with two of his children, Prince Darian and Princess Charlize, he slid inside. Camden saw his chance and seized it, rushing after the fae royal family before the soldiers could do anything to stop them. Selbrian’s shield closed behind him, keeping everyone else, including the draechen guards, out.

The fae sovereign must have noticed Camden sneaking in, but he didn’t seem to care. Not that Camden could blame him. One of his sons, Misael, lay unconscious on the couch, while Prince Sareltae was on the floor, in his mate’s embrace and looking very pale. Prince Shtamakarein was caressing Sareltae’s hair, occasionally brushing kisses over his forehead and cheeks. Meanwhile, the Emperor watched over the other fae and scanned the room, as if looking for something.

“What happened here?” Selbrian inquired. “Why was I forbidden to look into the welfare of my children?”

“Your son attacked a member of the draechen imperial family,” the emperor replied tightly. “That’s what happened.”

“My son?” Selbrian repeated, obviously confused. “I don’t understand.”

“You understand, Your Majesty.” Emperor Hareematek turned toward Camden. “Your Highness, what are you doing here? I gave specific instructions not to allow anyone inside.”

Camden had to admit he hadn’t really been considering the implications of his actions when he’d decided to sneak in here. Embarrassed by his own rudeness and lack of foresight, he opened his mouth to apologize. Surprisingly, though, Prince Sareltae intervened. “Please, Your Majesty, don’t be angry with Camden. He’s my friend. He was obviously concerned.” His voice shook, but he struggled to his feet, with his mate helping him up. “And I’m all right, Father. In my regard, you needn’t be concerned.”

“Nevertheless, you are Prince Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain,” the emperor pointed out, stressing the latter part of the prince’s name. “An attack on you is an offense to the draechen.”

Selbrian finally appeared to grasp the seriousness of the situation. “Misael? Misael tried to hurt Sari?”

Sareltae didn’t answer, but Shtamakarein nodded. “He had some sort of strange gun.” His voice was so low it could have been an animalistic growl. “It pierced Sari’s shields. Perhaps we should readdress the matter we discussed the other day, Your Majesty.”

The other members of the royal fae family gasped. “Oh, Misael.” The princess released a soft sob. “How? No, this can’t be right. He wouldn’t do something like this.”

Still, Sareltae wouldn’t speak, obviously not wanting to accuse his brother. He squeezed Shtamakarein’s arm so tightly his knuckles went white. The draechen prince seemed furious, but shut up. Selbrian’s oldest son, Darian, chose this exact moment to intervene and make things worse. “If Misael’s gun did pierce Sareltae’s shields, why isn’t he injured? He looks perfectly fine to me.”

“I’m not sure,” Sareltae answered. “I felt the projectile pass through the shield, and then a strange light enveloped me, stopping it. I don’t know the source.”

“And what about the weapon?” Charlize asked. “Where is it?”

The emperor pointed to the remnants of a device on a table. “Convenient,” Darian commented.

Camden anticipated another explosion from Shtamakarein’s part. He couldn’t intervene with that, but he could dig around a little. Something was off about this entire situation. Yes, there had been tensions in the Norrenddare family, but nothing to warrant such an action. Frowning to himself, Camden slid from the room and onto the balcony. He glanced around for any sign of mischief. While he didn’t originally spot anything suspicious, he stuck his forked tongue out, testing the air.

That was when he smelled it, the distinctive scent of the intruder. It seemed faint, but definitely there. Someone had been here, watching the entire scene. Had this person engineered the attack, or was Camden just seeing—well, smelling—things? Frowning, Camden slid back into the room and looked at the unconscious fae. Here was another thing that didn’t feel right. Camden knew Misael Norrenddare, and his scent was different to the one the attacker carried. It was a very faint difference, and Camden wouldn’t have found it if he hadn’t been looking for it.

As if urged by Camden, Sareltae made his way to his half brother’s side. The emperor frowned. “What are you doing?” he inquired.

“Charlize is correct about one thing,” the fae replied softly. “This is all wrong. No matter how much any of my half siblings might resent me, they know better than to attack me in Draechenburg out of all places.”

As Sareltae spoke, Prince Misael finally opened his eyes. He narrowed his eyes at Sareltae and scanned the room, his gaze stopping over the remnants of the weapon. “Well, it looks like your mate saved you once again.”

Sareltae met the other man’s gaze without flinching. “Who are you, and where’s Misael?”

For a few moments, Sareltae’s attacker didn’t answer. Then, the illusion that shrouded him finally fell, revealing a sprite hiding beneath. Camden immediately recognized him from the files the naga kept on him, although Sareltae was more directly acquainted to him.

“Iasan?” Sareltae gaped in shock. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you think?” The sprite sneered. “Don’t ask stupid questions. I thought it was quite obvious. I came to avenge my poor brother. Everyone is calling him the whore of a mutt. He might have made a poor choice, but what if the wolf truly was his mate? Besides, we didn’t even get a body to bury. We were simply told he was killed. For all we know, he was eaten by animals just down below.” Iasan’s voice trembled as he spoke. “And all the while, you, who always claimed to be Caelyn’s friend, are spreading your legs for his murderer. We needed to make you pay. We simply had to.”

Silence fell over the room as the sprite cried quietly. Camden felt a little out of place, and for the second time wished he’d never snuck in here. He was aware of the entire scandal that had emerged after Caelyn Sutharlainn, Prince Shtamakarein’s previous fiancé, and his werewolf lover had been killed. Caelyn’s family had been forbidden to discuss it further, and no one even mentioned Caelyn’s name anymore. It was one of the reasons that had made Camden’s family come out of their self-imposed exile. The draechen were abusing their power, and they had to be stopped.

But Sareltae and Shtamakarein’s relationship had puzzled them all, and they’d decided to wait to figure out what exactly was going on. Camden’s brother and sister had made discreet inquiries that had made them all suspect that Caelyn Sutharlainn was actually still alive. But obviously, if this was true, Caelyn’s brother, Iasan, hadn’t been told about it.

King Selbrian was the one who finally broke the silence. “Where is my son?” he inquired, pinning Iasan with a steady glare.

“Safe.” Iasan wiped his eyes, straightening his spine. “We’re not murderers, unlike you people. He’s simply sleeping off a drought I gave him when I replaced him. I haven’t even moved him from his room. I created an illusion to mask his presence, just in case someone showed up. I figured it would hold until I managed to do what I came here for.”

Selbrian threw a look toward his oldest son. Darian was already in motion, rushing out of the room, followed by his sister. Personally, Camden believed Iasan. Sprites weren’t killers, and it was only despair that had pushed Iasan into this in the first place. Prince Shtamakarein, however, was not convinced. “Regardless of your reasoning, you attacked my mate,” he said, “my pregnant mate. Didn’t you care about the child Sari was going to have? How can you sit there and call us killers when you wanted to kill Sari? Where did you even get that weapon?”

“Off the black market.” Iasan glowered at Shtamakarein. “And why should you have the family my brother was denied? You destroyed him and fed his remains to the beasts. He was pregnant, too, you know. It’s only fair. An eye for an eye.”

Sareltae shared a look with his mate, and Camden knew that the two of them were talking through their bond. “How did you know that?” Shtamakarein inquired.

Iasan burst into bitter laughter. “So you were aware of it, and still murdered my brother. Tell me, what do you deserve for that, Dog-Catcher? I’m not telling you anything more. You can kill me if you want. I don’t care.”

As he spoke, the fae heir apparent reentered the room. “Misael is safe,” he reported. “Charlize stayed with him, but as far as we can tell, he’s only in deep sleep.”

“Well, that is excellent.” The emperor crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, since the crisis has been successfully surpassed, I don’t want to hear any more of these wild accusations. This man attacked a Tersain, and for that, he and his family will pay.”

“They had nothing to do with it,” Iasan argued. “It was all me.”

“And yet you mentioned a ‘we’ several times,” Shtamakarein pointed out. “If your family didn’t help you, who did?”

Iasan didn’t answer, although Camden suspected he knew who was behind it. The magic it took to hold up such a complex illusion in front of so many highly skilled people wasn’t something just anyone could pull off, and he’d sensed something very powerful in the balcony.

Obviously more than one person realized as well, because Emperor Hareematek said, “I will discuss this with your leaders. In the meantime, you will remain imprisoned here.”

Shtamakarein leaned close to Iasan, and for a few moments, he almost looked like he was going to lunge at Iasan. Instead, he whispered, “For the record, sprite. Caelyn is alive. Sari saved his life.”

He didn’t seem to care that Camden could hear him, although as he glanced away from Iasan’s now-pale face, he said, “You don’t seem surprised.”

“Naga never are,” Camden replied calmly. “We can’t afford it.”

Well, there were some exceptions, such as when a naga prince found out his mate was draechen. But in general, nagas tried to be ready for anything. As the nation leading the chimeras, they had to be. It was a lesson Camden had learned well.

However, there was something that Camden hadn’t expected. Out of the blue, Selbrian’s robes began to emit a dim glow. The fae king turned away from them and retrieved a white pearl from his pocket. Frowning, he said, “If you’ll excuse me, it seems someone wishes to contact me.”

He obviously intended to leave the room, but he didn’t get the chance to do so. The white pearl exploded in a bright sphere of light. Camden blinked in surprise. He hadn’t been aware a message pearl could work without its recipient activating it.

High Priestess Eanera Myrthylar appeared in front of them. “Eanera, what’s the matter?” the king asked. “We’re not alone.”

“I know,” Eanera replied. “I just thought you should meet someone.”

Someone else appeared next to Eanera, a dark-haired man with ancient eyes that seemed to pierce Camden’s very soul. Camden’s knees almost gave out at the sight. A naga he might have been, but he wasn’t sure how to handle a man who was supposed to have died centuries ago. But no… This had to be some sort of trick, plastic surgery of sorts. The alternative was unconceivable.

And yet, when Eanera made the introductions, she said exactly what Camden had feared. “This is Prince Kaelezrin Tersain. His Highness wished to speak with His Majesty, Emperor Hareematek, and with Prince Shtamakarein and Sari.”

Hareematek stepped forward, not seeming in the slightest bit impressed. “If this is supposed to be amusing, High Priestess, I assure you I have no patience for jokes.”

“She isn’t jesting,” the strange draechen answered, “and don’t worry. I don’t want your throne. I have my own agenda. Prepare yourself, Emperor. My arrival won’t be a secret, and people will likely handle it poorly.”

Was it Camden’s impression, or did the man’s gaze linger on him? A cold chill passed over his spine, but the supposed Prince Kaelezrin didn’t pay him any further attention. Instead, as Sareltae and his mate joined the emperor, Kaelezrin focused on the couple. His expression almost seemed to soften as he looked at them. “Sari and Karein… I want to see you. Come to the obelisk, today. I need your help.”

For a few moments, Karein just stared at the man. Sareltae leaned against him, having apparently forgotten about the earlier attack completely. “It will be as you say,” Shtamakarein finally replied.

“Good.” Turning toward Camden again, he added, “Tell your people to stay out of this, naga. For their own sakes, they don’t want to get in my way.”

Before Camden could answer, the light of the message orb faded, leaving everyone shocked and speechless. Suddenly, Camden was terrified, and wanted nothing more than to be with Sage. Even knowing that he should probably stay and find out what happened with Iasan Sutharlainn, he fled the room. Thankfully, Selbrian’s shields let him pass, and Camden soon found himself in the corridor once again. He passed by curious guests, distantly noting that there were no sprites around. That really didn’t seem to matter anymore, especially not when he at last ran into Sage.

Sage must have seen his panic, because he pulled Camden away from the crowd and hugged him. “What is it, Camden?” Sage asked, petting his hair. “What’s wrong?”

A woman Camden recognized as Sage’s sister distracted everyone, allowing Sage to lead him to safety. Even so, Camden found himself unable to answer. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know how to explain it. There was one thing he felt certain of. A storm was heading their way, and it would change shifter society forever.

Chapter Eight

A few hours later

Kael paced back and forth in the quiet room, wanting to tear something apart and barely managing to restrain himself from doing so. In his heart, he knew that he couldn’t leave Eternelle until he spoke with his descendant, but his entire being screamed to go find Talrasar. Unfortunately, his mate was gone, and without the mate bond, Kael couldn’t find him. The only thing Kael knew was that Talrasar had instinctually reached out to protect Sari during the attack. His mate might not have been cognizant inside the obelisk, not to the extent Kael had been, but he’d shared a unique bond with Sari. However, beyond that point, Kael couldn’t figure out where his mate could have ended up. The amputated connection could still feel him to a certain extent, so Kael knew his lover must have been resurrected, just like he had. But where was he?

With a roar, Kael grabbed an armchair and threw it against the wall. “That’s not going to help you,” High Priestess Eanera Myrthylar commented. “You know as well as I do that right now, you have to be patient and systematic. Out of control magic can be very erratic, especially given the secondary factor involved. He could be anywhere.”

Kael threw her an ugly look. “I don’t know what possessed me to absorb that man’s energy. I should have left it where it was.”

“You wanted Prince Shtamakarein to be happy. He could have never fully opened his heart to Sari until he was free of the past.”

“That is hardly helpful for me now, is it?” Kael sneered at Eanera. “I was selfless once and killed myself and my mate because of it. I won’t be selfless again.”

“No one is asking you to.” Eanera walked to his side and pressed a gentle hand to his shoulder. “It’s our turn to do something for you. You’ll find him.”

Kael didn’t get a chance to answer, because the sound of an approaching aircraft reached his ears. In the time he’d spent as a spirit, trapped inside the obelisk, Kael had grown accustomed to the new advances in science. Eternelle had developed around him, providing him with answers to anything he needed, but he’d also monitored Karein through their own bond. Not only that, but a side effect of his meltdown so many centuries ago was that the survivors of that event had carried a little piece of Kael’s energy with them, allowing him to see how they evolved.

All that was gone now, though, so Kael had to rely on others for information and assistance. As such, he burst out of the room and exited the temple, ignoring the somewhat panicked looks the priestesses he passed threw his way. He’d waited for too long already. He wanted to hold Talrasar, to touch his mate again, to mend the bond that had been broken in a moment of despair. He had never forgotten about their dream, not even after centuries locked in unyielding stone. Talrasar might not have had the same level of awareness Kael had, but he’d been there, and his warmth had supported Kael, keeping him from losing hope.

He reached the heli-pad just as the chopper was landing. Eanera stood by his side, and together, they waited as the blades stopped spinning. And then, the helicopter doors opened, and for a few moments, Kael thought he was seeing Talrasar. The long, white-blond hair hadn’t changed, and neither had the silver eyes or the gem marking the fae as a chosen one of Jenarra. Before he could stop himself, Kael took a step forward, ready to kiss the breath out of his Tali. But then, his vision focused and he realized that while the man in front of him looked a lot like Talrasar, he was most certainly not Kael’s mate. The details were all wrong, his cheekbones a little sharper, his form a little more slender. Still, it was quite a shock to see, and it unsettled Kael even more that this fae—Sari Norrenddare—was holding the hand of another man.

Taking a deep breath, Kael struggled to control his errant emotions. He walked toward the approaching couple, trying to keep up his facade of calm but very close to being overwhelmed by the memories. When he finally stopped in front of the two men, he froze, not really knowing what to do or say. He knew Karein well, better than the other draechen prince knew himself, but Sari’s presence made the meeting somewhat awkward. It was actually a little strange. Sari had been a regular visitor at the obelisk, so Kael had intellectually registered what Talrasar’s heir looked like. But he hadn’t been ready for his emotional response to it.

The problem was solved when Sari and Karein dropped to their knees in front of him. “Your Highness, it is an honor to be in your presence,” Karein said.

Unfortunately, the new situation created a new predicament for Kael. As Sari lowered his head, he once more looked like Talrasar, and flashes of the times Talrasar had been on his knees in front of Kael passed through his mind. They’d been forced to steal moments of passion together in between battles, but it had always been beautiful regardless. Talrasar’s mouth had felt so hot and wet around Kael’s dick, his moans of pleasure sending sweet vibrations all throughout Kael’s cock, making his body buzz with ecstasy.

Oh, Overlords. He couldn’t think about this, even if he hadn’t sex in over six hundred years. Talrasar was waiting for him, lost somewhere in the world. Kael’s heart was bleeding for his mate, but he couldn’t allow the memories seeping out of him to keep them apart. Besides, Sari was another man’s mate. Kael had to respect that.

Clearing his throat, Kael said, “Please rise. There’s no reason for you to humble yourselves in front of me. I believe that we already know each other very well.”

Both men complied, and instantly, Karein glanced at Kael, scanning his face with eyes identical to Kael’s own. Having Kael return from the dead was obviously not something easy to accept, but Kael actually felt a little pleased to see his descendant show wariness instead of blind faith. However, he couldn’t allow any doubts to linger between them. He had no time for it. “I assure you it’s really me. Remember all those nightmares you had? I sent them to you.”

Karein visibly tensed. “Why? Why would you torment me like that? Surely you must have realized what it was doing to me.”

“I was trying to show you that the werewolves and vampires I knew weren’t like the ones you were hunting.” Kael released a heavy sigh. “The message was polluted because of the darkness you were carrying.”

“Darkness?” Karein repeated, frowning.

As Karein and Kael spoke, Eanera made her way to Sari’s side and hugged him. Sari leaned against his mother but didn’t look away from Kael. “What you took from Karein the last time we were here,” he guessed. “Is it…?”

He must have realized the truth, but Karein was obviously not ready to accept it, because he started shaking his head. “No. That can’t be right.”

“It is,” Kael confirmed. “You had two souls inside you, yours and your twin’s. I drew it out of you when you touched the obelisk, because the fear for your mate had given it far too much power over you. In the past, you’d managed to suppress it, but the shock at nearly losing Sari unlocked it. I had to absorb it.”

“It ended up in the obelisk until now,” Eanera said. “I had your friends watch over it, hoping that Prince Kaelezrin and Prince Talrasar would be able to contain it for a while longer.”

“So… Where is it now?” Karein inquired. He seemed to have foregone his doubts regarding Kael’s identity, at least for now. Kael guessed that while Karein, the man, might doubt Kael’s words, his dragon sensed the truth of it.

“I have no idea,” Kael admitted. “I imagine that it must have been reborn, like me and possibly Talrasar.”

“How is that even possible?” Sari inquired. “I’ve always suspected your spirits lingered here after your death, but your flesh would have been long gone by now.”

“Our flesh became energy when we were killed,” Kael explained. “At that time, I gathered so much energy that it couldn’t have been contained in a living body. However, Talrasar’s need to help you shattered the already tenuous balance we had inside the obelisk. All the power I had preserved went into this.”

Kael patted his chest to show its solidity. Sari peeked closer to him, his eyes so bright and silver they made Kael’s heart ache. Thankfully, Eanera intervened before Kael could do something he’d regret. “We should take this conversation indoors,” she said. “There’s still very much to discuss.”

She was probably right, but Kael had run out of patience. He couldn’t stay and chat anymore, not even for the purpose of secrecy. “We’ll continue it on the way out of here. I need to find Tali. Now.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Eanera agreed. “Although I must admit, I’m not sure where to even begin searching.”

“Have you received no visions?” Sari asked.

Eanera shook her head, just like Kael had known she would. It had been the first inquiry he’d made. “No visions,” she confirmed as they headed toward the helicopter Sari and Karein had used to come here. By now, the other fae had refueled it, although a helicopter truly wouldn’t be able to take them too far.

“I suggest Rose Noire so far,” Sari answered. “Father’s given me the authority to use all Ivenian resources to get to the bottom of this.”

“It’s likely better for you two to stay out of there,” Kael answered. “It’s not going to be pretty.”

For a few moments, Sari stopped and stole a look toward the building. He obviously wanted to go speak to his friend. Only, Caelyn Sutharlainn was already there, hiding in the bushes and keeping his distance to allow Sari and Karein to speak to Kael.

Kael couldn’t deny Sari. Beyond the irrational attraction he felt toward the fae, he’d also gotten to know Sari throughout the years. “Quickly. Talk to your friend, but be swift about it.” He gestured in Caelyn’s direction, and slowly, Caelyn and Graham emerged from the foliage. Sari rushed toward them and threw his arms around Caelyn. He spoke in a low tone, but Kael still heard the exchange.

“Did Mother tell you?”

Caelyn nodded. “About Iasan… Yes. Oh, Sari, this is all my fault.”

“It’s not your fault.” Sari shook his head fiercely. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. You have to be strong and healthy for your child.”

While the two young men spoke, Karein grabbed Kael’s arm and pulled him aside. “It was the Krites, right? They were the ones behind it.”

Kael nodded. He’d felt the interference of one of the Great Krites the moment Talrasar had thrown a shield around Sari. He didn’t know anything after that, because he and Talrasar had been separated, but he was sure of that particular fact. The Elusian High Judges were the only ones who could have created an illusion powerful enough to allow Iasan Sutharlainn to get close to Sari. “Let your brother and King Selbrian handle it. You know the Krites are obsessed with their idea of justice. Unfortunately, by helping Caelyn, you created a situation that involved more people than you believed.”

Karein groaned. “We’d have informed Caelyn’s family if we’d thought they’d be able to keep their mouths shut.”

“Unfortunately, Caelyn’s parents weren’t happy about what he did at all,” Eanera said. “In all likelihood, if we had approached them, the entire scheme would have been discovered by Emperor Kavehquader.”

“I know.” Karein released a heavy sigh. “We couldn’t have said anything. If word reached the draechen populace as a whole that Caelyn and Graham were alive, Hareem would have to make a decision regarding it. He wouldn’t be inclined to hurt them, and that would make him look even weaker. Things are already hard as it is without us adding fuel to the fire.”

“You did what you had to do,” Kael replied, “and I agree that insofar as it is possible, this secret has to be kept safe, no matter what Caelyn’s family might want. But be wary, Karein. The sprites aren’t the ones we need to fear right now.”

A different foe was out there, a malicious version of Karein that knew everything Karein did. Kael hoped that somehow, Talrasar had ended up someplace far away from Karein’s twin, because if not, Kael couldn’t imagine what the consequences would be.

* * * *

Pain beat at the back of his skull, the migraine making it nearly impossible for him to move. He groaned, reaching for his forehead, trying to push back the agony. As he cracked his eyes open, a hand appeared in his line of sight, holding a glass of translucent liquid. “Here,” a male voice said. “This will help.”

Desperate, the man accepted the water and the pill that came with it. As he gulped it down, he felt soft hands in his hair, soothing him, urging him to drink slowly. For a few moments, he allowed himself to lean into the embrace, but as his headache began to subside, he pulled away, feeling awkward and, on the whole, uncomfortable. Finally, his vision cleared and he saw the person helping him was a handsome, muscular man. His dark hair had red streaks through it—or was it the other way around?—and a trick of light made his black eyes seem dark red, too.

The stranger seemed familiar, but for the life of him, the man couldn’t remember who he was. He couldn’t remember anything, period, not even his own identity. “Where am I? Who are you?” he asked, pulling away in wariness.

“You don’t remember?” the handsome man asked. “You suffered an accident. You’re home, with me. Do you recall anything at all?”

The man frowned, trying to scan his memory for any information he could come up with. A voice drifted to him from somewhere at the back of his conscious. “I love you, Tali,” it said.

“Tali,” he echoed. “My name is Tali.” The voice sounded a lot like that of the man in front of him. “Are we… Are you…?”

His mysterious benefactor didn’t immediately answer, scanning his face with those strange, fathomless eyes. Finally, he nodded and sighed heavily. “Then you don’t know me anymore. It’s me, baby. Rachen.”

“Rachen?” he repeated. The name didn’t sound familiar at all. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember.”

“We’ve been lovers for years,” Rachen said almost pleadingly. “Are you sure you don’t recall?”

Tali frowned, attempting to find Rachen in his mind. But the shadows clouding his memories were too strong. He did catch a flash of a dark-haired man, holding him close, whispering sweet nothings in his ear as his dick moved in and out of Tali’s body. His face flamed as his dick responded to the recollection, but for some reason, he didn’t feel inclined to reenact the scene with Rachen. It had to be him, of course, but everything was still so uncertain. Tali felt so confused.

“Not really, no,” he replied, curling into a ball to hide his erection from Rachen. “Perhaps later on.”

“It’s all right. You don’t have to.” Rachen smiled enigmatically and cupped Tali’s cheek. “We’ll start over, just the two of us.”

There was something behind those words that unsettled Tali. Still, when Rachen leaned closer and pressed his lips to Tali, Tali responded. After all, how could he not? Rachen was his lover. Tali would remember eventually, and until then, Rachen would help him through it.

And yet, it all felt wrong. As Rachen slipped his tongue into Tali’s mouth, Tali had the feeling that he was betraying something or someone. He tried to squash it, but when Rachen’s hand tried to slip under Tali’s shirt, he couldn’t take it anymore. He pushed Rachen away, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

“I’m sorry,” he told the confused-looking man. “I don’t think I can do this now.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry.” Rachen took his hand and kissed it. “I shouldn’t have pushed you. You’ve been through a very traumatic accident. It’s okay. I’ll be as patient as you need. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

He embraced Tali, and the touch was chaste enough that Tali allowed it. But even if Rachen didn’t try anything, Tali’s heart still wasn’t at ease. Something was seriously amiss here, and until Tali remembered his past, he wouldn’t be able to figure out the answer to his dilemma.

* * * *

“But, Emperor Hareematek, what the Krites did was treason to the draechen,” the draechen noble argued. “They need to be punished.”

“I agree,” Hareem answered. “But what will you have me do? Start a war with the sprites? We barely dodged one with the fae. Do you truly think this is the best course of action for Ornoz right now?”

Hidden in the quarters adjoining the throne room, Taryn winced at the fatigue in his mate’s tone. This was truly the last thing Hareem had needed, to have an Elusian Krite or High Judge plan an attack on his brother-in-law. The offense couldn’t just be overlooked, no matter how justified the Krite had considered his actions. For the moment, all the guests had been forbidden to leave Draechenburg until Hareem made a decision. Sadly, this would have to be soon, because not even the draechen emperor could afford to hold half of the world’s leaders prisoner.

The draechen lords weren’t helping in the slightest, insisting they act like the previous leader would have. “Ornoz needs an emperor strong enough to eliminate his enemies,” one of them spat out venomously.

“Enough!” Hareem barked out. Ice manifested in his palm as his temper flared. Before the lord could dodge, the spell struck him, freezing him from the neck down. “If you cross me, I’ll show you that I do know how to handle my foes, beginning with you. Guards!”

Through their bond, Taryn monitored his mate’s actions, and was relieved when the soldiers instantly appeared. “Take these men away,” Hareem ordered. “If anyone else wishes for an audience, tell them I’m not taking any more today.”

“Yes, Majesty.” The guards saluted and, as one, said, “I live and die by your command.”

As the draechen lords were led—or, in the case of the frozen one, carried—out of the room, Taryn opened the door and dared to slip inside. The moment everyone else left the throne room, Taryn rushed to his mate’s side. Hareem turned and took Taryn in his arms, squeezing him to his chest. “I can’t do this, sweeting. I can’t be what they want me to be.”

“You need to follow your own path, Hareem,” Taryn replied. “Trying to mimic the policies of the man who came before you would be impossible, and suffice it to say, disastrous.”

“I don’t want to do that, but the lords are right in that I can’t let this slide. Ornoz has made a lot of enemies, Taryn. If they see me as a weak emperor, they’ll certainly attack.”

He was remembering Prince Kaelezrin’s words from the day before. Taryn still couldn’t believe the ancient bane of the werewolves had made a comeback. He literally couldn’t believe it. It had to be some sort of impostor. Nevertheless, his words had echoed against a hidden knowledge in Hareem’s heart, one Taryn had sensed as well.

“Do you mean the second caste?” he asked.

“They’re dangerous,” Hareem confirmed. “That man may or may not have been Prince Kaelezrin, but he had a point. So far, I’ve kept his appearance from my people, but the Isaiat undoubtedly know. How much longer until the entire second caste finds out?”

“Isn’t that a good thing, though?” Taryn inquired, allowing himself to cuddle close to Hareem’s chest as he did that. “If this truly is Prince Kaelezrin, no one would ever dare to cross you.”

“If, by some sort of miracle, Kaelezrin has returned from the dead, he is the one who should be emperor. His black dragon blood no longer makes it impossible for him to lead Ornoz, and suffice it to say, he’s one of the most respected figures in Ornozian history. That would make me even more redundant than I already am.”

“Oh, Hareem…” Taryn’s heart was breaking for his mate. His mate was so strong, but everyone was too busy worrying about the black dragons to see it. Why hadn’t this debate existed when Emperor Kavehquader had been on the throne?

“Because he was cruel enough to compensate for the difference of power between him and Karein,” Hareem answered. For a few moments, he remained quiet, just holding Taryn close, obviously enjoying their proximity as much as Taryn did. They hadn’t made love in what seemed like forever because Taryn had been pissed with Hareem, but now the thought certainly appealed. One blow job in the throne room. What could it hurt? Taryn was so fucking horny. His wolf became more and more needy as his pregnancy advanced, and controlling his libido simply didn’t work anymore.

Hareem groaned and broke their embrace. “You tempt me too much for your own good. Congratulations. You’ve successfully distracted me from my self-pity. It’s hard to feel bad for myself when I’m too overwhelmed by my sweeting’s desire.”

Taryn licked his lips. “You don’t sound overwhelmed. In fact, you seem far too coherent.”

His draechen chuckled. “I think you have a pretty good solution in mind.”

“Indeed, I do.” Taryn knelt in front of his mate and reached for the bindings of Hareem’s pants. He rubbed his palm against the promising bulge, suddenly feeling that a blow job wouldn’t in the least bit suffice. He needed Hareem as much as… as much as Krites needed justice.

The thought sparked something in Taryn’s brain, a way to assist his mate. “They’re all about justice, aren’t they?” he asked. “Well, instead of directing the punishment at their people, maybe you should direct it at their families. It’s only fair, since they attacked yours.”

“Krites don’t have families. They’re generally celibate and never take mates.” Hareem actually looked amused. “And I can’t believe we’re talking about them now of all times.”

Taryn scoffed. “They’re people like any other. How much do you want to bet that the self-righteous Krites have lovers and children hidden all over the world? And focus. We can come up with a solution to this together.”

Hareem thought about it a little and then grinned. “I think you might have something there, sweeting.” He pulled Taryn up and took him in his arms. “And I’m going to take great pleasure in giving you your reward.”

Chapter Nine

A few weeks later

“But, Rachen, I’m perfectly capable of working. I’ve recovered from my accident already. And I have to get out of this damn apartment sometime.”

Rachen scowled at Tali as he pulled on his shirt. “I know it’s hard for you, sweetheart, but jobs are hard to come by these days. You’re so beautiful and so frail. I don’t want anyone out there to take advantage of you.” Rachen kissed Tali’s forehead, right above the gem that adorned it. Tali had yet to figure out how the damn thing even stayed on. It seemed permanently attached to his skin, and no matter how much Tali poked and prodded, he’d never been able to remove it. But then Tali didn’t understand many things, such as who he was exactly, and what his relationship was with the man in front of him.

Tali narrowed his eyes at Rachen but didn’t say any of the things that came through his mind. It had become obvious to him that Rachen was hiding something very serious. It was quite a no-brainer, really. Rachen claimed that they’d left their previous home because his last employer had laid him off and had gotten in an accident on the way here. But beyond that, he clammed up whenever Tali asked other questions, and he refused to allow Tali to even leave their rented apartment without him. Originally, he’d actually forbidden him to get out altogether, but Tali had grown furious, and Rachen had quickly become apologetic and yielded to his demands.

It was actually very strange. Tali would have thought the man was a complete stranger who was taking advantage of him, but then Rachen did something so honestly affectionate that he disarmed Tali. The week before, he’d brought Tali flowers, which would have truly been sweet. Instead of offering him a bouquet, though, he’d purchased a potted plant. So Tali guessed that Rachen couldn’t be some random person if he knew of Tali’s dislike for cut flowers.

Still, those small details aside, Tali knew Rachen wasn’t the man who came to Tali in his dreams. Sometimes, they seemed to look alike, but physical appearance wasn’t everything, and Rachen simply didn’t make Tali feel what his dream man did. But he couldn’t say any of that to Rachen. So instead, he forced a smile. “You’re always so nice to me,” he whispered, taking a step closer and toying with the top button of Rachen’s shirt. “I just want to pull my own weight around here.”

“All you have to do is be mine,” Rachen replied. As he brushed his lips over Tali’s he murmured, “Oh, Sari…”

Tali froze. That name… Why did it sound familiar? “What did you call me?”

Rachen stared at him, blinking in confusion. “Huh?”

“Just now, you called me Sari,” Tali answered. “Who is Sari, Rachen?”

Rachen broke away from me and laughed shakily. “You’re hearing things. I said Tali.”

Only he hadn’t. This was another lie, just like the countless ones he’d told Tali. And Tali was so tired, tired of pretending, of hiding and of accepting kisses that tasted like betrayal. Fortunately, Rachen hadn’t tried to take things further, but he obviously wanted to, and it would be only a matter of time until he tried to take what wasn’t freely given.

“No, you didn’t,” Tali snapped. “Who are you, really, Rachen? Who am I?”

“Baby, I told you, we’re lovers.” Rachen took a step closer to Tali and gripped his shoulders. “You’re everything to me, Sari. Why won’t you believe me?” His earnest expression darkened. “Is it him? You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you? Well, I won’t allow him to steal you again. You belong to me and me alone.”

As he spoke, his eyes actually began to flash red. There was very little sanity in them. His hold on Tali had become painful. Even if Tali didn’t know anyone else in this city, he had to get out of here. Pushing Rachen away, he rushed toward the door. “You’re crazy, and I’m getting out of here.”

“No, you don’t,” the other man snarled. “You’re not leaving me. You’re mine, and I’ll keep you here until you figure that out.”

Tali didn’t bother to reply to that. He reached for the door handle, fully intending to leave and never look back. But before he could grip it, a ball of fire struck it, melting the metal. Tali turned toward Rachen, eyeing him with renewed apprehension. The use of magic didn’t really faze him, as Tali had sensed a similar quiet power within himself. But how hadn’t he seen the violence that was hiding behind the facade of gentleness? “Please, Sari, don’t make me hurt you,” Rachen said, his fingers still glowing with fire. “You’re everything to me. The last thing I want to do is to harm you. But you have to see that the two of us were made for each other. We’re mates, remember?”

Mates. That word went through Tali like a shot of electricity. Suddenly, the shadowy figure in his dreams grew clearer, and he could finally tell that no, Rachen wasn’t the man in his dreams at all. “No, we’re not. Get away from me.”

A strange wave of power swept toward him. It should have startled Tali, but he took it in stride, distant flashes of other times he’d witnessed such abilities returning to him. On instinct, he used his own magic, and a shield appeared between the two of them, blocking Rachen’s spell. The power of it was such that Rachen recoiled, flying back and hitting the wall with a thud. Blinking in surprise at his own action, Tali nevertheless took advantage of it. He found his still-unfocused energies and used a force field to shatter the door.

Rachen wasn’t about to give up so easily, though. Behind Tali, the other man roared, “Sari! Come back here.”

As Tali reached the front door, a wall to his right exploded. Cursing, Tali struggled with the numerous locks on the door, but nevertheless managed to burst into the corridor. He ran into the angry-looking landlady, who glowered at him. “If you’re breaking the furniture, it’s piling right onto your…”

Before she could finish the phrase, Rachen rushed out of the apartment, surrounded by dark flames. The woman screamed and fainted in Tali’s arms. Fuck. Tali couldn’t just leave her. His insane supposed lover could easily kill her. Therefore, Tali draped the landlady over his shoulder and started to run. As he reached the stairs, another spell struck him, and the energy that came with it seemed to want to drain Tali’s strength. Somehow, though, Tali resisted. The image of his dream man popped into his mind, strengthening him, protecting him.

He hastened down the staircase with Rachen unable to stop him. However, having seen this ability couldn’t harm Tali, Rachen returned to more direct ones. A fire wall appeared around the door, consuming everything in its path and keeping Tali from advancing, at least, temporarily. Tali called onto another shield, wrapping himself and the woman he was carrying in his power. The delay gave Rachen enough time to reach the ground floor. “Don’t do this, Sari,” he insisted. “I told you I only want to protect you. Karein can never truly give you what you need.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Tali answered. “I might not remember my past, but I do know I’m not this Sari person you keep mentioning.”

Granted, if he wanted to be honest, both those names sounded familiar to him. However, he couldn’t connect them to any of the memories he’d had, let alone with his dream man. It was all so impossibly confusing, more so because of the strange resemblance between Rachen and Tali’s true lover. But whatever was going on here, Tali would get to the bottom it somehow. The easiest option would be to ask Rachen about it, since he obviously knew Tali’s real identity.

Tali made the attempt, even though he suspected nothing would come of it. “Tell me the truth, Rachen. You owe me that much after having me kept trapped here.”

Rachen fixed him with those dark red eyes and said, “You know the truth. Didn’t you feel it, that time we mated in the palace? Didn’t you taste it in every kiss we shared? Or did Karein ruin that for us, too?” He took a step forward, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “Look, I know I’m possessive. I’ll try to do better. Just stay with me, Sari.”

If Rachen truly had any idea about Tali’s past, he clearly wouldn’t be saying it. Tali walked back, passing through the flames under the protection of his shield. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the man you’re looking for.”

“You’re just confused,” Rachen insisted. “It’s the accident that is keeping you from seeing straight. But we can be together, my love. Just give me a chance.”

A part of Tali—the one that ached whenever people were hurt—almost wanted to stay. He might not know Rachen, not really, but he could tell that the other man was broken inside by some sort of event that involved these two men, Karein and Sari. Unfortunately, Tali couldn’t be in two places at the same time, and he had to find his mate first. His dream man was still out there somewhere, looking for him. Tali just knew it, and he couldn’t perpetuate this unbearable state of affairs. He felt like they’d been separated forever, like there was this empty, gaping hole in his heart he couldn’t heal no matter how much he tried.

Not offering Rachen another answer, he turned and ran out, still carrying the landlady. “Sari!” Rachen called out like a mortally wounded animal. “No.”

Another explosion rocked the building, and as Tali exited it, he was unsurprised to see a crowd had gathered. Fortunately, they were keeping their distance from the structure, but that wouldn’t help them if Rachen ran amok. Not to mention that the block of apartments was starting to tilt alarmingly under the unrestrained pressure of Rachen’s power. Tali couldn’t be sure, but he suspected there were more people inside the building, and they would all perish if it collapsed. Indeed, screams and cries were already sounding from inside, figures of scared humans appearing at the windows.

Tali wouldn’t allow them to be hurt. He was no coward, and he wouldn’t run away from a battle and allowing others to suffer for his own mistakes. Taking a deep breath, he cast a quick spell on the human woman in his hold, then handed her to a man in the crowd. “Call a healer!” he shouted at them. His magic would help her recover, and she’d merely fainted from shock, but there were bound to be other injured inside.

The sound of sirens already approached and just as Rachen stepped out of the apartment building, three cars pulled in, an ambulance and two police vehicles. A part of Tali was surprised to see them. He knew what they were—mostly because of shows he’d watched on TV—but it didn’t fit with his previous experiences, whatever they had been. Nevertheless, he didn’t allow his confusion to show. Two young officers—a man and a woman—left one of the cars and were soon joined by two more members of the police force, an older man and a middle-aged, portly woman. Tali couldn’t imagine they’d be able to do anything against Rachen, though, not with the power Rachen yielded.

Rachen faced the new arrivals and arched a brow. “This is sweet. You brought in humans, Sari?”

Dark flames danced over his fingertips as he spoke. Behind him, the building groaned and protested. Tali took a deep breath and scanned the gathered people with a heavy heart. “Look, Rachen, stop this. I’ll do what you ask. But there are people in there. They’re going to die.”

Rachen hesitated, and that was enough for the police officer to strike. The man retrieved a gun and shot two bullets in quick succession. Rachen tensed, but didn’t move. “Stupid human. Do you really think bullets—”

His words died as the projectiles hit his flesh, embedding themselves in his chest. Rachen released a garbled cry, reaching out to Tali with a lost expression. When Tali didn’t reach back, he collapsed to the ground with a lost moan.

It was certainly unexpected. Tali would have never thought that a human gun would be able to do that kind of damage. Because Rachen clearly wasn’t faking it. He dared a glance in the policeman’s direction, but he couldn’t get a good glimpse at the gun. Besides, he couldn’t just let Rachen bleed out and die. “Get everyone out,” he shouted at the officers as he knelt next to Rachen.

The young man was already rushing to the entrance of the apartment building. Tali willed a shield around the structure, keeping it from crumbling. He said nothing about it to the officers, but oddly enough, the old woman threw a grateful glance his way. Meanwhile, her partner was already dispersing the crowd. “Nothing to see here, folks,” the man said. “Go on your way.”

A medic from the ambulance was tending to the landlady, although courtesy of Tali’s spell, she was already recovering. Meanwhile, the younger two of the police officers entered the building to retrieve the trapped people. Tali leaned over Rachen, studying the injuries. His plans finally dawned on the new arrivals, because the older woman shouted at him, “Leave him. He won’t die, and if you heal him, he’ll just cause trouble again.”

Maybe she was right, but Tali couldn’t just allow anyone to suffer if it was in his power to help. Of course, her comment brought to mind the obvious fact that she knew what he was doing, so she must have had some knowledge of the magical. But Tali couldn’t worry about that right now. “I can’t do that,” he said. Besides, it was his fault. If Rachen attacked again, Tali would go with him until the time came that he could escape once more.

Sending a prayer of apology toward his still-waiting mate, Tali allowed healing energy to flow over Rachen. In all honesty, he didn’t even know where it was coming from, but it felt so natural to use it that he didn’t question it. In the past weeks, he’d experienced only bursts of energy, like a spluttering vehicle that was trying to start, but couldn’t quite make it. Now, however, and during the earlier battle, it had emerged inside him with ease. Tali took it as a sign and willed this power to mend each and every one of Rachen’s wounds. The first thing he noticed was that the bullets hadn’t been common lead projectiles, having dispersed some sort of substance into Rachen’s blood, like an inhibitor of Rachen’s magic. It tried to repel Tali’s own powers, but it failed as Tali was too determined. He just knew he had to help. Because beyond the physical, Rachen was deeply injured in his soul and his mind. His psyche was fractured, and Tali couldn’t get a good glimpse of what Rachen was truly like because too many confusing and contrasting emotions threatened to choke him.

It was those feelings that finally pushed Tali out of Rachen’s body. As he focused on the real world again, Tali saw Rachen opening his eyes. “I’m sorry,” Rachen said simply. “I’m sorry, Tali.”

Without another word, Rachen pushed Tali away. As Tali fell back, Rachen’s form began to ripple, growing until it became a huge crimson dragon. The beast’s scales shone black in certain areas, something that puzzled Tali a great deal. But he didn’t get to ask any more questions or do anything at all, really. Rachen launched himself into the air and disappeared.

“Well, shit, we’re going to have to do a lot of damage control.” The older officer rubbed his thick nape and groaned. “And here I hoped I was going to see the game tonight.”

“Doesn’t work like that, Dad,” the younger male officer said as he and the young woman finished helping the wounded into an ambulance. During the time Tali had been focused on Rachen, they’d managed to finish their task and had rescued the stranded humans. Fortunately, it seemed injuries had been minimal, most of the people having escaped with only a scare. As the ambulance left, the two spread out through the remaining people, calming them down. Oddly enough, it didn’t seem like anyone had noticed the man changing into a dragon right in front of them. Mostly, the people were worried about the goods they’d left behind in the building.

More sirens sounded in the distance, apparently reinforcements from the police and fire trucks. The four officers present grimaced. “Come on. We have to get out of here.”

The older woman grabbed Tali’s arm and ushered him into the vehicle. Tali could have resisted, but where would he go if he did? He had a feeling these people weren’t what they seemed. He’d seen the damage that bullets had done, and the way they’d fled upon hearing the new cars was suspicious to say the least.

As the woman’s partner started the car, Tali waited to see what would happen. Both Tali’s vehicle and the second one, driven by the younger man, sped away from the scene. Meanwhile, everyone remained quiet, and so did Tali, at least until they were far enough away from the area. And then, Tali finally asked, “Who are you people? You’re not the police at all.”

The couple shared looks of wariness, as if silently communicating. “No, we aren’t, just like you aren’t human and that man you let get away was no harmless butterfly,” the older woman finally said. “But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“It’s all right, dear,” the old man said. “We can introduce ourselves if our new friend so desires. I’m James Connors, and this is my wife Elizabeth. The young man you met earlier is my son Raleigh. The driver of the ambulance is my brother Mark, and the nice young lady is his daughter, Caroline. Now, how about you return the favor? Who are you really, and what does the Dog-Catcher want with you?”

“Why must you always ask useless questions, old man?” Elizabeth scoffed. “You know who he is. You heard what the Dog-Catcher was shouting. What more do you want?”

Tali frowned at the two. “Wait. Back up. You know who I am? I’d appreciate it a lot if you could tell me. I don’t remember a thing.”

“Prince Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain,” the woman recited. “That man we chased away back there, Shtamakarein Tersain, was your mate. What do you mean you don’t remember? What happened?”

Sareltae. Sari. Shtamakarein. Karein. These people had some sort of connection with Tali, but no, it couldn’t be right. And James didn’t look convinced either. “I don’t know what happened, but I don’t think that’s who I truly am. The only thing I remember about myself is that I did have a mate, but not that man. Someone else, and he used to call me Tali.”

James twitched, as if he recognized the word. “We’ll see. I want to show you something, if you please, Your Highness. Just be a little patient.”

Tali gritted his teeth, but nodded. “Just know you won’t be able to fool me. I might not remember who I am, but I can tell who I’m not.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” James answered enigmatically.

“Perhaps. In the meantime, tell me about these people… Sareltae and Shtamakarein. I might not be this man, but I have a feeling I know them. And while we’re at it, your names really don’t tell me anything. It wasn’t what I was asking.”

“You will pardon us for the secrecy,” James replied, “but we have our reasons why we don’t trust you.”

“Indeed.” Out of the blue, the woman retrieved a weapon very similar to the one her son had used on Rachen and pointed it at Tali. “Don’t worry, Prince Sareltae. You might have betrayed Caelyn, but you certainly won’t betray us.”

* * * *

The house was quiet, quaint, and completely unremarkable. Or it would have been if not for the beautiful garden in the back. The sight of it just irritated Kael because it reminded him of how Talrasar had looked in the garden of the Eternelle palace. That place had long ago been destroyed, but Talrasar was still out there, and Kael had yet to find a clue regarding his mate’s location.

Grumbling, Kael opened the door to the vehicle and stepped outside. “Why are we wasting time here?” Kael narrowed his eyes at Karein as his descendant left the car as well. “We should be out there looking for Talrasar.”

“I know.” Karein released a heavy sigh. “I can understand how you feel. But Hareem ordered me to check this out, and I can’t exactly refuse. Besides, if this is in any way connected to the attack on Sari, I have my own score to settle here.”

“Would you two calm down?” Sari gave them both disapproving looks, crossing his arms over his chest. “Father told me this weapons manufacturer agreed to see us, but he has nothing to do with any weapon built against fae. So keep your tempers in check. We might find out something useful about Prince Talrasar, too.”

Kael fell silent at the reprimand. Perhaps it was because of Sari’s resemblance to Talrasar, or simply the honest purity of Sari himself, but Kael could never raise his voice at the young fae. Sari still raised strange emotions inside Kael, but he’d grown far better at controlling them. His memories were settling inside him, and while in moments of despair, he still got the urge to hug Sari or hold him close, his dragon had gotten more accustomed to Sari’s presence.

Talrasar’s absence was a whole different thing altogether, and every second spent away from his mate had become another knife embedded in Kael’s shredded heart. But he hoped that Sari was right in that the man they were going to see today might have useful information on Talrasar. If not, those beautiful flowers might not survive his wrath.

Together, Kael, Sari, and Karein made their way toward the house. A man was in the back, trimming bushes and humming quietly under his breath. He must have sensed them approach—which couldn’t have been hard, given that they’d made no attempt to disguise their arrival—because he turned, abandoning his work. He had a typical Hispanic handsomeness, a warm grin, and dark hair that the wind seemed to enjoy ruffling. “Greetings,” he said. “Please, come in. Our common friend said that you would be visiting.” Upon seeing Sari, he fell to his knees and bowed. “Your Highness, it is an honor to receive you in my humble home.”

“I beg you, rise,” Sari said quickly. “We don’t want to dwell on formality.”

“So I’m told,” the man replied as he got up. His dark gaze fell on Kael, scrutinizing him as if he couldn’t quite believe he was there. Kael had gotten that look more than once. Apparently, it was far easier to believe he was an impostor than to trust that the dead hero Kaelezrin Tersain had truly returned from beyond the grave. Who knew?

Nevertheless, their host smiled. “I am Raul Gomez,” he said. “Please, come with me.”

He guided them inside the house, and Kael obediently followed. As the door closed behind them, Kael finally spoke, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gomez, but I believe you know we’re not here to see you.”

“I do, yes,” Raul confirmed. “My friend isn’t here just yet, but he should be arriving shortly. If you would, take a seat.”

Kael couldn’t suppress a grimace of distaste. Beyond his own presence and urgency, the fact remained that Karein and Sari were princes. Being left to wait was very rude from the part of this mysterious weapons manufacturer. Sari pressed a hand to his shoulder. “Thank you. We will.”

They ended up in a tastefully furnished living room, sitting on comfortable leather couches. Someone else might not have noticed, but Kael knew an antique when he saw one. Some of the pieces in this room were almost as old as he was. But Kael hadn’t come here to admire furniture. “If this is your friend’s idea of cooperating and proving his innocence, it’s not working,” he told Raul.

“I know you might not believe this, but he is a very busy man, outside his extracurricular activities,” Raul replied. “Not too busy to see you, of course, but he’s very involved in sharing an existence with humans.”

“Is that smart?” Karein inquired. “If anyone learns our secret…”

“Oh, he’s very discreet in that regard, which was why he doesn’t normally sell his weaponry,” Raul answered. The sound of an approaching vehicle stopped him from saying anything else. Judging by the sound, Kael guessed it had to be a motorcycle. “But I’ll let him explain better. That must be him now.”

Indeed, moments later, the doorbell rang. Raul rushed to let his friend in, and as the other man stepped into the foyer, Kael heard Raul say. “They’re already here, Jude. What happened?”

“Delay at work.” The new arrival released an exasperated huff. “Don’t get me started.”

His voice didn’t sound familiar to Kael, but Karein apparently recognized it, because he groaned. “I should have known.”

“Indeed, perhaps you should have, Prince Shtamakarein,” a blond man said as he stepped into the living room. “It’s been a long time.”

Everyone got up to greet the stranger. “Only a century or so,” Karein replied. “How have you been, Prince Jud’Enealh?”

“I’m no longer a prince,” the new arrival shot back, “and I don’t go by that name anymore. It’s just Jude now. Jude Murdock.”

“I suppose I can understand that. Sari, Prince Kaelezrin, meet Jude Murdock—formerly known as elven prince Jud’Enealh Murdokain. Jude, this is my mate, Prince Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain. And of course, Prince Kaelezrin Tersain requires no presentation.”

“It is an honor. I’ve heard a lot about all of you, although, I must admit, Prince Kaelezrin’s appearance did come as a shock.”

“You needn’t believe me, Jud’Enealh,” Kael bit out. He had no patience to go through this dance all over again. “We’d just like you to answer a few questions.”

“Ah, yes.” The elf passed a hand through his long hair, grimacing. “The famous weapon I supposedly crafted. Could I see it?”

Without a word, Karein retrieved a transparent bag and tossed it at the elf. Jude caught it effortlessly, scanning the remains of the gun Iasan Sutharlainn had used to attack Sari. It had been destroyed by Karein, which was somewhat inconvenient because it would have been much more valuable in working order. Not that Kael blamed his descendant. He’d have done the same, or worse, had it been pointed at Talrasar.

As it turned out, Jude didn’t need the gun whole to identify it. “This isn’t my work,” he said. “I do know who made it, though. Have you ever heard of the benandanti?”

“The name sounds somewhat familiar,” Sari answered. “They were a cult in Northern Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries who could supposedly turn into small animals and fought evil witches. It was never clear whether they were shifters, magical creatures, or merely humans with an overactive imagination.”

“Oh, I assure you they’re quite real, and still exist to this day,” Jude answered. “They’re quite reclusive, and I’ve only run into them once or twice, but like me, they research weaponry that can potentially even the odds in a battle with a far more powerful foe. I admit that my focus has been on draechen, mostly archery styled weapons. I am an elf, after all. You can easily see that this is something else entirely.”

“So why would these benandanti want to hurt me?” Sari inquired.

Jude’s lips twisted in an almost ironic smirk. “Why, I wonder. It might have something to do with how, in some circles, you’re not popular at all after the death of your best friend. But I won’t get into that. I do believe I should give you a fair warning that if draechen plan to start a war on magical creatures at any point in time, they’ll find their foes suddenly armed with diamond-tipped arrows.”

“I didn’t come here to listen to threats, Prince Jud’Enealh.” Kael glowered at the elf. “Wars and weapons don’t concern me. I’m done with them. I’m done with self-righteous creatures who think they have the right to pass judgment on others. I sacrificed the most important thing in my life—and my existence itself—to give the world a second chance. You all blew it, not only the draechen. Do you know, Prince Jud’Enealh, what the elves did during the Black Plague? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. So don’t come in front of me, smirking and with threats of perceived superiority. You’re no better and no worse than anyone here, and I’m not about to debate the past, present, and future with you. The only thing I want is for you to tell me if you’ve heard anything about my mate showing up.”

For a few moments, Jude fell silent. Obviously, though, he wasn’t about to just bow his head in front of Kael and admit he was wrong. Because Jud’Enealh might have forsaken his title, but he was still every inch the proud prince. “You’re correct that my people did very little, which is why I won’t repeat their mistake. The fact that you, or they, dislike it is irrelevant.” He paused, narrowing his eyes at Kael. “You’re really him, aren’t you?” When Kael gave him an exasperated look, Jude actually let out a small chuckle. “Right. No debates. Well, I haven’t heard news of Prince Talrasar. I’m assuming he’s the one you’re referring to. However, rumors have reached my ears of some ruckus in Vermont. Coincidentally, there’s a benandanti coven in that area.”

Karein arched a brow at him. “You really have a problem with them, don’t you?”

Jude just shrugged. “You can choose to believe me or doubt me, if you like. For the record, if I’d planned to lie, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

“It could be worth checking out.” Karein threw a look Kael’s way. “What do you think?”

“All right,” Kael replied, “but the elf is leading the way.”

“Of course,” Jude said. “After all, it isn’t every time that I have the honor of being in the presence of Prince Kaelezrin Tersain. On my honor, I will help you find your mate.”

He sounded honest, and Kael’s dragon settled down. Nodding in grudging respect and gratitude, Kael offered, “Call me Kael. And thank you. Now, let’s get a move on. Tali’s waiting.”

Chapter Ten

Tali’s captors didn’t linger too long in the city. Instead, they headed out onto the freeway, apparently wanting to get away from the scene as much as possible. In that regard, Tali agreed with them. In everything else, he suspected they might not see eye to eye.

“Where are you taking me?” Tali asked calmly. He’d decided to take things in stride. All things considered, his current situation wasn’t much better than his previous one. Rachen might have been insane, but at least he’d cared about Tali in his own way. These people clearly didn’t like him, or at least didn’t like the man they thought he was, Sareltae.

The older woman in particular, Elizabeth, kept throwing venomous glances his way. She never once subsided in her watchful glares. Obviously, any gratitude she might have had for his assistance with rescuing the injured had disappeared. “And don’t you have anything better to do than to glower at me?” Tali inquired, exasperated.

“I’d advise you not to cross my wife,” the man said, “but I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that.”

After that, they all succumbed to silence. Tali could have possibly thrown a shield around himself and jumped out of the car, but he decided to just wait and see what would happen. He suspected Elizabeth could and would hurt him if he tried to escape, and while she didn’t particularly scare him, these people were the only ones who had any information at all regarding his identity. If he left and attempted to search for his mate on his own, he might as well be looking for a needle in the proverbial hay stack.

Soon, though, the oppressive quiet became too much for him. True, the car didn’t come equipped with transport enclosures, but Tali still felt like a criminal in the back seat of the vehicle. “I haven’t done anything wrong, and you have no reason and no right to treat me like this.”

“Maybe we don’t,” Elizabeth replied. “But in our world, we can never be too careful.”

Tali rolled his eyes at her words. In the end, her opinion was irrelevant. Once he got his answers, he was out of here, and not even they, with all their fancy weapons, could stop him. Looking out the window of the car, Tali spotted a road marker saying, Youngsville, 3 miles. He hoped this was their destination, because he’d started to lose his patience.

Fortunately, this guess was proven correct when they entered the small town. James veered off a side road and at last parked in front of a two-story house. “All right,” he said, unbuckling his seat belt. “All of us should get our answers soon enough.”

All of them left the vehicle, with Elizabeth still pointing the gun at Tali, albeit more discreetly. Behind them, the second car parked and the younger two members of the family, Raleigh and Caroline, exited it. The ambulance hadn’t yet arrived, having probably gone to deliver the injured from the scene to the hospital.

“Got any answers out of him yet?” Raleigh asked.

“He claims he’s not Sareltae Norrenddare,” Elizabeth said. “Your father believes him.”

James didn’t comment on that. Instead, he took Tali’s arm and pulled him toward the house. “Come along. I need you to see something.”

The human dragged Tali into the building. They passed through a darkened foyer without stopping. James seemed to have a specific destination in mind, as he headed straight toward a room further back into the house. He opened the door and led Tali inside, stopping in front of a framed painting. A white-clad man glanced at Tali from the canvas with silver eyes identical to his own.

“This is a portrait painted by my ancestor, Tara Connoriel, in the fourteenth century,” James explained. “The man depicted is Prince Talrasar Myrthylar.”

Tali gasped. “He… I am him. That’s my real name.”

“There’s only one problem,” Elizabeth said from behind him. “Talrasar Myrthylar has been dead for hundreds of years. Prince Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain is notorious for looking very much like him. Oh, James, why are you stirring up such old memories?”

“Because similarity is one thing, Beth. They’re identical, and my heart tells me there’s more going on than simply a descendant taking after his ancestor.”

Tali ignored their bickering, just staring at the painting for the longest time. Yes, this was him. But if so… His heart started to race as strange flashes passed through his mind’s eye. Elizabeth claimed that he’d been dead for hundreds of years. Perhaps he had. It would certainly explain why he couldn’t remember a damn thing. But then where was his dream man? Was his mate…dead? No, it couldn’t be. He refused to believe it. His soul screamed that his lover was out there somewhere.

“Do you have other paintings?” he croaked out.

His words stopped the family from their argument. “Other paintings?” James repeated inquiringly. “Is there anything specific that you’re looking for?”

“There was a man…” Tali closed his eyes, remembering. “Dark hair. A soldier like me. He looked kind of like Rachen, although they weren’t identical. He was my mate. He used to call me Tali. I just…I need to know… Did he die?”

Raleigh appeared from behind his mother and father. “Please, come with me,” he said quietly.

They left the room and went up a flight of stairs in absolute silence. Finally, Raleigh opened a door and guided Tali inside. Tali froze as his gaze took in an actual gallery of paintings, dozens of portraits of various people. “Tara Connoriel was a dedicated artist,” Raleigh explained. “Prince Talrasar saved her life after she was attacked and abused by a pack of werewolves, so he was one of her preferred topics.” He gestured Tali in front of a particular painting. “This is Talrasar with his mate, Kaelezrin Tersain. They died in a battle that eventually led to the defeat of the united forces of werewolves and vampires.”

He was still speaking, but Tali couldn’t hear him anymore. His glance was fully focused on the figure of the two men on the canvas. They were holding hands, with Kael embracing his mate, his hand buried in Talrasar’s hair. It wasn’t a sexual gesture, and it could have been mistaken for an embrace between friends, if not for the emotion the artist had managed to convey on the faces of the two men painted.

Talrasar remembered that day. They’d come to London as reinforcements, and during their stay there, Talrasar had healed a lot of people, a sprite named Tara among them. It had been right before they’d left for Eternelle, right before… Talrasar fell to his knees as flashes of what had happened during that last battle passed through his mind’s eye.

His mate… Kael had torn their bond and succumbed to a madness induced by their power. They’d died, together. Kael was dead. Brokenhearted and lost in his grief, Talrasar screamed one single word, “Kael!”

* * * *

Kael had been restless ever since they’d entered Youngsville. He kept looking out the window of the car, expecting to see… What? Talrasar? Surely not. This little Vermont town couldn’t possibly be the place where his mate was waiting for him.

And then he heard it. The cry. “Kael!”

It was heart-wrenching, full of agony, and so familiar that Kael’s entire being went on alert. His dragon roared out of him, and without even bothering to ask his companions to park, he opened the car door and jumped outside. He fell onto the tarmac and started to run. He didn’t even stop to shift, as the delay would have been unforgivable. Fortunately, the building the scream had come from, a human residence, was nearby, and with his supernatural speed, Kael got there in maybe a minute. It still seemed like forever, especially when Talrasar’s voice didn’t call out to him anymore.

“Wait for me, Tali,” he murmured under his breath. “We’re not going to be parted again.”

With no regard to the people who were undoubtedly witnessing his show of paranormal power, Kael burst into the house. An older man intercepted him and pointed a weapon at him, “Hold it right there! You can’t just come into my house and—”

Kael didn’t even allow him to finish. He summoned his abilities, draining the stranger of strength with a thought. The man fell, collapsing to the floor, the gun now useless in his limp hand. Two women rushed into the room and to the fallen man’s side. Kael would have told them not to worry. He hadn’t killed the stranger, just removed him from his path. However, he was too busy rushing up the stairs, following his instincts to his mate. Talrasar was somewhere in this house. He could feel it, deep inside. He might have broken the connection, but a section of it was still there, like a ghostly limb that taunted him but nevertheless pointed him in the right direction.

Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who could sense it, because a door opened in front of him. Kael’s legs nearly gave out at the figure who appeared from the room. Tearful silver eyes met Kael’s own, and then, Kael was running, and his mate rushing toward him. They met each other halfway and fell to their knees, embracing tightly. Kael squeezed Talrasar in his arms, burying his face in his lover’s hair and inhaling that clean, familiar scent of roses and spring water. He remembered that one time he’d thought the flowery scent came from some sort of soap. He’d learned in time that no, it was part of him. Talrasar himself was a rose, a white rose that had been plucked from the Eternelle garden much too soon. Kael hadn’t managed to protect Talrasar when they’d first met, but he wouldn’t make that same mistake again.

Unable to hold back, Kael crushed his mouth to Talrasar’s, tasting his mate for the first time in centuries. Talrasar moaned, wrapping his arms around Kael’s neck and parting his lips. As his lover granted him access, Kael thrust his tongue into Talrasar’s wet cavern. Torn between desire, despair and the unbearable urge to ascertain that this was real and true, Kael pinned his mate to the floor, his hands clutching Talrasar’s hips and digging into the material of Talrasar’s garments.

When they broke apart to breathe, they were both trembling with carnal desire and unrestrained emotion. “This is a dream,” Talrasar said, his voice shaky, a tear sliding down his cheek. “It can’t possibly be real.”

“Oh, love, it is…” Kael answered. “It is. It has to be.”

Truth be told, he himself could barely trust his own senses and believe that he had his lover in his arms again. For the purpose of quieting down that voice that claimed this couldn’t possibly have happened, Kael kissed Talrasar once again. At first, he kept it gentle, almost tender, but then, he bit down on Talrasar’s lower lip, drawing blood ever so slightly. As he sucked on the small wound, the distinctive flavor of Talrasar’s blood hit his taste buds, and Kael shuddered, groaning as ecstasy swept through him. Yes, this was him. This was Talrasar, just like Kael remembered him, sweet, brave, passionate, and so very Kael’s.

As he pulled away from his mate, he licked Talrasar’s tears away. “See? It’s true.”

Seeing his mate cry was something Kael had both dreaded and hoped for during their time in the war. Talrasar’s tears broke Kael’s heart, but they were preferable to his lover keeping all his sorrow and anger bottled up inside, like he had when they’d fought together. It was only with Kael that Talrasar had ever truly managed to let go and release some of the grief that had nearly shattered his soul. Even if Kael had torn their bond, that hadn’t changed.

Kael got up and took his mate in his arms. Talrasar placed his head on his shoulder, taking deep breaths as if he was trying to calm down. Kael was already debating the best way to exit this house without having to face anyone. Now that he had his lover back, he didn’t care about anything else. He just wanted to find privacy so that he could mend what he himself had broken.

Sadly, during their kiss, the younger woman he’d run into on the bottom floor had made their way to Kael’s position. Another man, this time younger, had joined them, having seemingly exited the same room Talrasar had. The older of the two were nowhere to be seen, although judging by the sound of angry voices now reaching Kael’s ears, they’d decided to make Sari, Karein, and Jude their new targets.

“What’s going on?” Talrasar asked. “I don’t remember a thing.”

“I’ll explain everything,” Kael promised. “Let’s just get out of here first.”

No matter how much he’d have liked to retreat to safety with his mate, he couldn’t leave until Karein and Sari got their answers, too. He arched a brow at the young woman in his path, and she rushed to get out of way, looking a little confused and a lot in awe. Still holding Talrasar, Kael went down the stairs and found the older woman glowering at Kael’s companions, while the man was recuperating from Kael’s spell on a nearby couch. “Get out of my house,” she was saying. “How dare you bring them here, elf?”

“How dare you provide weapons for assassinating my mate?” Karein growled. “You will destroy them at once and hand yourselves in for punishment from the Tersain.”

“Dream on, draechen,” the younger man said, coming from behind Kael. “I have no idea what’s really going on here, or if these two are really Prince Talrasar and Prince Kaelezrin. But whatever their identities might be, our quarrel is still with you. Caelyn and Graham were my friends. You have to pay for their deaths.”

“Raleigh is right,” the young woman said as she joined him. “You might think that you’ve gotten away with what you did, but we considered Caelyn and Graham family, and we will avenge them.”

Sari blinked at them and scanned the faces of those present. “Raleigh… Of course. Jenarra, I’m so stupid. I should have known.”

“Should have known what?” Jude asked.

Sari didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he looked toward his mate, who met his gaze. They were obviously communicating through their bond. Kael wanted to have the same thing with Talrasar. He missed it, Overlords, he missed it so much. But it couldn’t happen right now, not just yet. Kael had a feeling that he and Talrasar would be needed here.

Talrasar must have known this as well, because he whispered, “All right. Put me down. We need to handle this.”

With a sigh, Kael complied, just as Sari smiled slightly. “The Connors family. James, Elizabeth, Raleigh, and Caroline Connors.” As he spoke, he glanced at each of those present. “Caelyn told me about you. He was very concerned about your welfare after the fire at his wedding. My mother actually looked into what happened to you, but she found no sign of anything paranormal here.”

“We’re careful,” Raleigh said. “But you can’t throw a bomb like that without explaining. When did you talk to Caelyn?”

It was obvious that Sari planned to reveal Caelyn’s secret to the Connors family. It kind of pissed Kael off. They were telling everyone and their mother about Caelyn, just because they didn’t appreciate not being liked. All right, so that was a simplistic view on it. Kael had to agree that, as things were, these well-meaning people—Caelyn’s friends—were going against Sari, who’d actually saved Caelyn. It was a ridiculous predicament, and it had already led to one victim. Caelyn’s brother Iasan would have to be imprisoned, and the Overlords only knew what would happen between the Krites and the draechen emperor.

The truth was that, by saving Caelyn, Karein had created a far more complicated situation than it would seem at first glance. While Kael understood that his descendant had acted as best as he could have, given the circumstances, the end result of it all was that the current ruler of Ornoz carried the burden of the doubt of his people. If Hareem’s official policies became too permissive from the very beginning, the draechen would rebel. Should the truth come out about Caelyn, the draechen lords in particular wouldn’t take it very well.

At the same time, through keeping this secret, Karein and Sari had drawn the hostility of a lot of people, who, ironically enough, should have been their allies. In the end, it was probably for the best to share the truth with a limited circle, so that this explosion of resentment could be contained. “This has to stay between those here,” he said, “but Caelyn and his mate are alive. Prince Shtamakarein saved them from Draechenburg, and Prince Sareltae provided them with haven.”

“You have got to be kidding.” Caroline released a bitter laugh. “Do you actually think that we’ll believe that?”

“Kael wouldn’t lie,” Talrasar said softly. “You can believe us or not, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s true.”

Everyone glanced toward Kael and Talrasar. Even the fallen man, James, got up, directing their full attention toward the two of them. “You really are the two of them, aren’t you?” he asked.

He didn’t seem distraught in the slightest about Kael’s attack on him. If anything, he seemed in awe with him, but even more so with Talrasar. “You’re the one.”

“I suppose I am. I do remember the woman Raleigh spoke of, although admittedly, I only knew her as Tara. She struck me as very brave, although I supposed it helped that she had her mate by her side.” Talrasar shrugged. “In any case, you don’t want me to hear recollections of a person you probably know far better than I ever will. Just know that Kael has no reason to deceive you.”

The group of benandanti shared puzzled glances. Finally, James said, “We cannot abandon our research. The benandanti have been studying therianthropy—shape-shifting—for as long as we have existed. We’ve found that while lycanthropes are the most common known breed, they aren’t the top of the food chain, so to speak. Theriocephaly—that is, shifters who gain animal heads in their second form—is something that has concerned us as well, especially as of late since the beings you call chimeras have been more restless. But magical creatures are dangerous as well. We cannot simply ignore that. It is our responsibility to be the guardians of the paranormal world, insofar as we can at least.”

“Understandable,” Sari replied. “However, you must realize that, at times, you don’t know everything that happens behind the scenes. Caelyn was very hurt when he found out about what Iasan did, but there’s nothing we can do to help his brother now. Because Iasan attacked me, the most we can hope for is a short sentence in the dungeons. That is, if our conflict doesn’t spawn something worse between draechen and sprites.”

“Sari is right,” Kael piped up. “Do you truly think that what you did encouraged welfare in the paranormal community? Perhaps Emperor Hareematek can come up with an alternative solution, because if not, you will be personally guilty for a war that can potentially decimate the entire world. Is that what you want?”

“We want for people to be able to live and love in peace,” Caroline answered. “It might seem like a childish view, but it is our ideal, the reason why we exist. Our ancestor taught that to her children, and to this day, we follow her decrees.”

“But Caelyn is like my son for me.” Elizabeth teared up a bit. “He didn’t know that we knew about him and Graham, or about his baby, but we did, and we were all crushed when we learned of his death. Is he truly alive?”

“Yes,” Sari answered quietly. “His pregnancy is advancing nicely, and his mate is watching over him.”

Silence fell over the room. Kael took this as a sign that his and Talrasar’s presence was no longer required as a buffer. “And on this note, we’ll thank you for your hospitality, but Tali and I need to leave. Good day.”

And without further ado, Kael grabbed Talrasar in his arms once more and stalked out of the house. He had a mate to claim.

Chapter Eleven

Torn between a thousand emotions, Talrasar forced himself to relax in Kael’s arms. It was hard to believe that just minutes earlier, he’d collapsed in front of the painting of him and Kael, lost in his grief. And then, he’d cried out Kael’s name and, as if by magic, Kael had appeared by his side.

There were a lot of things Talrasar didn’t understand. He’d identified two of the men inside as Sari and Karein, although he didn’t know where that realization came from. It wasn’t conscious knowledge from his part, not like his memories of Kael from the time they’d spent together during the war. However, Rachen’s identity was still somewhat of a mystery to him. He understood that Rachen had some sort of connection with Karein—they were almost identical for Jenarra’s sake—but the entanglements of that particular relationship were beyond him.

However, Talrasar couldn’t focus on someone else’s family right now. His soul was still bleeding after his separation from Kael and after the shock of the memories. He’d managed to keep himself in check in front of the group, but now, emotion was already starting to choke him. He desperately needed to have Kael in his body and in his heart. Ironically, the absence of their mate link hurt even more now than before, because at least then he hadn’t quite been aware of the extent of the loss. But now that Kael was so close to him and Talrasar had actually remembered their mating, it ached to not have that. He kept attempting to communicate through his mind to Kael, only to have his messages sizzle and die before they could reach their destination.

Unfortunately, as Kael stepped outside the house, they found themselves in a new predicament, this one of a more practical nature. They were in the middle of a small-town residential area, and just their presence was threatening to draw attention. Not only that, but they had no way to get out of here or to find a private spot for just the two of them.

Kael grumbled, obviously noticing it as well. “We’ll have to get the car keys from Karein and Sari.”

The thought didn’t appeal in the slightest. They’d have to travel for Jenarra knew how long just to get out of the town, or to attempt to find some sort of hotel. Talrasar didn’t anticipate having to face more people just so that he could be with his mate. Besides, his experience with human rented rooms was limited to his stay at Rachen’s side, and Talrasar didn’t particularly want to relive it.

With the corner of his eye, Talrasar caught sight of something very interesting. In the courtyard of the Connors’ family home, an oak shadowed the garden. That in itself wouldn’t have been particularly remarkable, except within its powerful branches, the Connors had built a tree house.

It was probably risky, and a little ridiculous, but it would do. Talrasar gestured Kael toward the structure, and his mate arched a brow. “Are you sure?”

“Why not?” Talrasar smiled. “In the end, we had to be quiet and discreet in our tent during the war.”

“Yes, but I don’t want us to hide anymore,” Kael argued. Even as he spoke, though, he was already heading toward the tree house. They didn’t even bother with the rope ladder. Instead, Kael tossed Talrasar up, obviously trusting in Talrasar’s athletic abilities. Talrasar landed effortlessly on the wooden platform, and Kael followed shortly after. The space beyond was small, obviously made for children, and Talrasar experienced a moment of doubt, wondering if they should truly be doing this here, in the place that held so many memories for the Connors family. It had been his idea, yes, and he honestly wouldn’t have taken the suggestion back if he could have, but Kael was right in that the circumstances weren’t ideal.

Kael grinned at him. “One kiss and we’re out of here. All right?”

“Good idea,” Talrasar offered. Making out with Kael wouldn’t possibly be enough, but it would at least tide him over until he got what he truly wanted. When Kael pressed him down to the wooden floor and crushed their mouths together, Talrasar found all his misgivings evaporating. He couldn’t in the slightest bit remember what he’d been worried about, because right then and there only Kael’s taste mattered. Only the flame of Kael’s desire remained, burning bright, melting every barrier and restraint. Talrasar wrapped his arms around his mate’s neck, parting his lips for Kael’s invasion and all the while grinding against Kael’s body, seeking more of the addictive sensations. The kiss in the hallway had only whetted his appetite, and they had a lot of time to make up for.

Distantly, Talrasar realized that he hadn’t really talked about what had happened. He still had a lot of questions, such as what exactly had occurred to them after the last thing he remembered. But he didn’t want to think about that now. They were starting a new life together. The past could wait. The future, their dream, had become their priority.

The war was no longer between them. Sure, the situation in the paranormal world wasn’t perfect, but it never would be. Talrasar had no intentions to wait for their society to fix all its problems. This was their chance, and he would grab it with both hands.

He poured himself into the kiss with all the emotion he’d pent up, not only in the weeks he’d spent with Rachen, but in centuries he couldn’t even remember. Even if their bond was no longer in place, Kael still responded to his desire with identical excitement, groaning, sucking on Talrasar’s tongue, exploring him with the same greed Talrasar himself felt. All too soon, though, the lip-lock became insufficient. Talrasar felt like he was choking and not because of the need to breathe. He blindly tried to tear at Kael’s garments, needing skin to skin with frantic despair.

Unfortunately, Kael didn’t let him go much further. He broke away, and still panting, he said, “Tree house.”

Right. They needed a different location for this. Cursing to himself, Talrasar scanned the Connors’ property. Thankfully, his gaze soon fell on a small building that seemed to be a sort of shed.

As soon as he noticed it, he leapt out of the tree house, landing on his feet with ease. Kael followed him, and together, they made their way to the shed. The draechen tried the door, but it was locked, the mechanism quite sturdy. Shrugging, Kael pushed it open and burst inside.

Talrasar expected it to be full of rusty tools and dust, but it was all quite spotless. There was a distinctive scent in the air, one that felt quite familiar to him. Also, he could swear he’d triggered a mechanism while trying to get in.

“Gunpowder,” Kael said. “They store guns here.”

It was kind of amusing to realize what they’d found. They waited for a few moments, just to make sure the Connors hadn’t decided to booby trap the place. When nothing happened, Kael turned toward Talrasar again and shot him a hot look.

It was the only warning Talrasar got before his mate literally swept him off his feet. They didn’t even bother to seek a bed, instead sitting on the floor of the shed. Kael started working on Talrasar’s shirt, and when the stubborn material simply refused to cooperate quickly enough, he just tore it off. With a growl, Kael started to press kisses all over Talrasar’s face. He kissed his nose, lips, cheeks and eyelids, and of course, his gem. When Kael’s mouth enclosed around the jewel, Talrasar moaned and arched against his mate, pleasure skyrocketing through him. “Kael… Oh, yes… More!”

“Shh,” Kael murmured in his ear. “We wouldn’t want someone to overhear.”

Talrasar shivered at the husky tone of Kael’s voice, filled with such dark promise. In the past, he’d hated that they’d been forced to hide, from his father, from their soldiers, from the world. But now, sneaking into this place, like two young men without a care in the world, felt illicit, sinful, wonderful, and so very freeing. He bit down on his lower lip, trying to silence his moans. To a certain extent, it worked, although Talrasar had a feeling it wouldn’t be so easy once Kael touched him in the place he most wanted.

In spite of the urgency they both felt, though, Kael slowed down, swirling his tongue around the gem. The draechen had always shown a nearly obsessive fascination with the jewel, and with Talrasar’s response at having it touched. Of course, Kael was also resourceful and just as fascinated with the rest of Talrasar, and he didn’t delay in showing it. Just as Talrasar thought Kael was going to make him come just by mouthing his gem, Kael abandoned it and progressed lower down Talrasar’s body. He licked and nibbled on Talrasar’s collarbone, exploring the hollow of his neck. All the while, his hands busied themselves with rubbing Talrasar’s nipples, making shocks of pleasure rush through him, pooling straight into his dick.

When Kael took one of the tormented nubs in his mouth, Talrasar released a moan, now unable to keep himself from vocalizing his desire. Kael covered Talrasar’s mouth with one hand, while the other continued to tweak Talrasar’s nipple. Talrasar was actually thankful for that, because at this point, he couldn’t have contained his cries to save his life. He writhed under Kael, wordlessly begging for more, the lust and maddening need burning him from the inside out.

“You’re going to have to hush up for me, Tali,” Kael murmured when he finally released the tiny nub from his mouth. “My hands are going to be busy.”

Talrasar just nodded, already anticipating the touch that would soon come. He could do this. He’d done it many times before, centuries ago. They weren’t hiding their love now, and that helped. Not to mention that Talrasar had a different incentive, of a more carnal nature, to want Kael’s hands and mouth somewhere else.

Talrasar replaced Kael’s palm with his own. The action gave Kael freedom to maneuver. Much to Talrasar’s dismay, though, Kael pulled away and actually got up. He couldn’t fully stand in the shed, but he’d always been very inventive and limber. He slipped out of his clothes with the ease and efficiency of a soldier. Talrasar watched him strip in breathless awe, his body, mind, and soul torn between two conflicting urges. A part of him wanted to reach out to Kael, touch all those magnificent muscles, and suck Kael’s thick prick in his mouth. The other bid him to wait, to enjoy every second of their reunion, to watch and reacquaint himself with Kael in every way. This time, they didn’t have to rush. There would be no battle separating them, no messengers rushing into their tent to break them apart. They could linger on kisses, caresses, and everything they had been deprived of because of their position.

Of course, Kael himself hadn’t actually changed, as proven not only by his worshipful caresses of Talrasar’s gem, but also by what he did next. Out of his own clothes and the remnants of Talrasar’s shirt, he created a small nest. He proceeded to remove Talrasar’s garments, discarding the sneakers on the floor of the shed but adding the jeans to the pile. Talrasar helped him in what he could, wiggling out of his pants and underwear, and most of all, keeping himself from pouncing when it was the only thing on his mind.

At last, when their bed was complete, Kael gestured Talrasar to sit on it. “Wouldn’t want splinters to get in nasty places,” he said with a grin.

Talrasar arched a brow at his mate. “Do I look like I care about splinters?” he asked breathlessly as he obediently crawled onto the impromptu bed. Honestly, Talrasar didn’t even know how he managed to utter anything. Perhaps it was the need in him that spoke out. Talrasar didn’t care. He just wanted to finally be one with his mate.

Thankfully, Kael took pity on him. He enclosed Talrasar’s erection in his hot fist. Talrasar fell back on the nest of clothes, his eyes rolling in his head, anything that he might have said dying into a choked, nearly animalistic sound. By some miracle, he remembered to cover his mouth with his hand. However, Kael seemed to plan to tear apart every bit of Talrasar’s control, as, out of the blue, he dove down and took Talrasar’s dick into his mouth. Talrasar’s vision went white, and he almost came on the spot. It was only the still-unsatisfied need to mend their bond that kept him from doing so. As his mate started to bob his head up and down Talrasar’s prick, he could do nothing but tangle his free hand in Kael’s hair and thrust his dick in and out of Kael’s wet heat. His lover was doing some groaning of his own, but he had his mouth full, so the side effect was entirely different. The vibrations just added another layer of sensation, driving Talrasar wild with unfulfilled lust. And as if that hadn’t been enough, Kael rolled Talrasar’s balls in his palm, massaging the wrinkled sac.

Talrasar simply couldn’t take it anymore. It was too much and too little, the pleasure so intense that it was beginning to get painful. He pulled Kael’s head off his dick and fixed his mate with a look. He didn’t have to speak or explain. Kael knew exactly what Talrasar had in mind. The draechen flipped Talrasar on all fours, and while Talrasar had to use both hands for balance, he could have almost sobbed in relief when it happened. He pushed his ass out, all the while burying his face in the nest of clothing to prevent any potential cries.

That proved to be a wise decision, because the next thing he knew, Kael was parting his ass cheeks and licking a wet stripe over the crease. Frustrated ecstasy exploded over Talrasar. Biting down on the material, he pushed back against Kael. In response, Kael wiggled his tongue into Talrasar’s ass, using it as a tiny dick to stretch Talrasar’s passage. Every nerve ending in Talrasar’s body was awake with sexual rapture, and his dick throbbed with the desperate need to come. And yet, in spite of the nearly overwhelming pleasure, he simply didn’t find his peak. He wouldn’t be able to either, not until Kael was inside him.

At last, Kael deemed him ready and removed his tongue from Talrasar’s ass. Instants later, the thick head of Kael’s cock nudged against Talrasar’s opening. Talrasar tightened his hold on the material beneath him, nearly maddened with the anticipation. And then, Kael slid inside him, slowly and smoothly, keeping a measured pace until he fully impaled Talrasar.

It felt right, like coming home, like they’d never been separated by life and death. Taking into account Kael’s more than considerable size, it should have hurt, but it didn’t. Talrasar’s body opened up to Kael, receiving him eagerly, demanding more. Kael groaned in his ear, obviously experiencing emotions very similar to the ones tormenting and enthralling Talrasar. “Oh, Tali…”

Those few syllables were a torture and a caress for Talrasar. He wanted to fully see and sense the feelings hiding behind them. He needed to be within Kael’s heart again. He missed their bond so very much. The closer they got, the more they touched and kissed, the harder it became for Talrasar to bear the absence of that connection. He could remember it all so clearly now, to the extent that he felt ashamed he’d ever forgotten it or mistaken someone else for Kael.

Agonizing bliss rushed through him as Kael pulled out and thrust back in, his prick nudging Talrasar’s special spot. It was so hard to make sense of what he felt and wished now. Tears filled Talrasar’s eyes as he moved with Kael, needing more of the invasion, but never able to get enough. Every time, Kael’s dick struck Talrasar’s prostate, and even as the carnal pleasure rose, Talrasar’s most desperate desire grew even more potent, almost unbearably so. He lingered on the very edge of the abyss for what seemed like forever, burning, consumed by their shared passion, but unable to fully find his completion. It almost seemed like he was coming over and over and over again, but without really managing it. On instinct, the feelings and sensations were trying to reach out to Kael, but the bond wasn’t there, causing them to recoil within Talrasar in a whirlwind of confusing and chaotic lust.

And then, it finally happened. Kael gave them both what they needed. Sharp pleasure-pain crashed over Talrasar as Kael’s fangs pierced his flesh. The mate bond that had once been broken flared to life once more, stronger than ever, and Talrasar came, his mind almost melting as centuries of need, love, and desire finally erupted into a nearly painful climax. At last, he sensed Kael in his mind, heard that voice he had missed so much, whispering, “Tali, my mate… I love you so much.”

Another climax struck him as Kael orgasmed as well, and this second tidal wave propelled Talrasar into a world where only the two of them existed. He found all the answers to his questions, sometimes painful, sometimes beautiful, but all of them so very true it hurt. And most importantly, he found Kael once again, as brave, loyal, and Talrasar’s as ever.

In one single moment, they relived that agony of being separated. Talrasar saw how much it had hurt Kael to go through with their plan. He saw how difficult it had been for Kael to take Talrasar’s energy. However, Talrasar knew that he’d done the right thing. He had never consciously realized until now, but his soul had been with Kael’s, granting Kael peace while they’d both been trapped in the cold marble of the obelisk. Talrasar himself had no real memories of his time there, but his soul did recall what his mind did not, and Kael’s recollections filled in all the blanks. Everything was finally starting to make sense. But most importantly, the shattered connection glowed between them once again, so real that Talrasar couldn’t believe they’d even dared to break it.

It was a thunderstorm of emotional pleasure, a blizzard of memories and a supernova of carnal pleasure, all wrapped into one. Talrasar had no other way to explain or describe it. He almost couldn’t understand how he even managed to survive such a force, but he did, and he succumbed to it gleefully, losing himself in his mate, at last becoming one with Kael.

He didn’t know how long it lasted. It could have been hours, moments, or seconds. When he slowly started to return to reality, though, Talrasar felt emotionally drained but most importantly, complete. That hole in his heart was at last gone, the grief and loss wiped away by hope, by the love now flowing from Kael through their bond.

They collapsed together on the nest of clothes, panting and exhausted. For a while, they remained quiet, the only sound in the shed being that of their ragged breaths. Finally, Kael spoke out. “Never again,” he murmured. “No matter what.”

“Never again,” Talrasar confirmed.

He would not ask Kael to tear their mate bond once more, not even if the fate of the world lay in the balance. Talrasar and Kael had been warriors, and they still were. If it was necessary, they would stand by the side of their descendants. But the time of the Great Sacrifice was over. Talrasar might not be sure what the future held, but there was one thing he felt certain of. They’d defeat their foes through the strength of their connection, not the deadly power that came out of breaking it.

* * * *

“Well?” James Connors asked. “Are they all right?”

Sari smiled as he slipped back into the house. He wished he could have been more discreet, but he couldn’t help but blush slightly when he answered, “Fine. The best thing we can do right now is not bother them.”

“We really messed up, didn’t we?” Elizabeth inquired. “I can’t believe I pointed a gun at Talrasar Myrthylar.”

“I’m sure he won’t hold it against you,” Sari replied. “Prince Kael, though, is a whole different matter.”

In truth, he’d never met Talrasar until today, and he hadn’t even managed to greet him appropriately before Talrasar had left with Kael. However, he felt like he knew Talrasar as well as he did himself. Every time Sari had gone to Eternelle, Talrasar had been there. He might not remember it now, but that didn’t change the fact that it was true. And Talrasar had also been the one who’d saved Sari’s life and that of his baby upon Iasan’s attack.

Sari had to admit that he was pretty confused regarding the true identity of these people. They seemed to respect Talrasar a great deal, but the exchange between them and Sari’s ancestor had not shed any light on the reason behind it. “Why do you care about his opinion?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Prince Talrasar is the very reason we exist now,” James Connors said. “A long time ago, during the war, he saved a female sprite who’d been sexually abused by werewolves. She gave birth to two children, a boy and a girl. The boy was the first benandanti, neither sprite, nor shifter, not even a half-breed, but something in between. According to ancient records, Prince Talrasar’s healing power caused the two strains of genes to mix in unique ways that would not appear today for normal mixed pairings.”

“And what about the girl?” Karein asked softly.

His guarded tone didn’t alarm the Connors, but then, they didn’t know Karein like Sari did. “She was a werewolf with limited magic abilities. Eventually, she joined a pack, took a mate, and her trace was lost.”

Sari was pretty sure where that trace led. The world truly seemed so small. It was unbelievable that a healing process that Talrasar had likely considered nothing out of the ordinary had rippled throughout history, reaching the Connors family on one side, and probably Taryn Lovington on the other.

But Sari had no intention of sharing that information with the Connors. Fortunately, he didn’t have to, because Raleigh intervened and changed the subject. “So what will you do now?” he inquired. “What’s going to happen with the sprites?”

“That’s out of our hands,” Karein said. “My brother is the one who has to make that decision.”

“Prince Shtamakarein, nothing is ever out of your hands,” Jude pointed out. The elf puzzled Sari a little. Judging by his last name, he was related to the current elf king, likely his son. However, Sari had not been aware of Jude’s existence at all. He wondered what had happened to cause Jude to leave his elven family behind.

For the moment, Sari had to make sure that these people truly understood the importance of secrecy. “Emperor Hareematek is a good man, and he wishes to avoid war,” he said. “However, you must do your own part. Make sure you lie low for a while. The last thing we need is to have you involved in this mess, too.”

“There’s one thing I don’t get, though,” Raleigh argued, glancing toward Karein. “If the man outside is Prince Kaelezrin and you’re Prince Shtamakarein, who is the guy we fought?”

Karein’s expression went blank. “What guy?”

“He looked exactly like you, Prince Shtamakarein,” Elizabeth answered, “with the exception of his hair. His had red streaks instead of being completely black. In everything else, though, you two are identical. He followed Prince Talrasar and kept calling him Sari. I believe Prince Talrasar called him Rachen.”

Sari shivered and shot Karein a look. Could it be? Had Karein’s twin truly come to life with Kael and Talrasar? “Why not, Sari?” Karein asked. “If Talrasar and Kael did it, it’s not impossible for my dead twin to come to life.” Out loud, he inquired, “Where did you find him?”

“Downtown Montpelier,” Elizabeth replied. “What is it? You look concerned.”

“It’s none of your affair,” Karein replied. “Just know that he is very dangerous. If you run into him again, stay away and contact me.”

As he spoke, he jotted down his phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to James. The old man looked a little shocked, having obviously not expected his day to take such a twist. “If for whatever reason I’m not available, find Jude.”

The elf didn’t seem to mind being involved in the matter. Sari suspected that the Connors had their own means to protect themselves, but still, they would be no match for an angry draechen.

Finally, Karein pivoted on his heel, heading toward the exit. Sari followed after his mate, but was stopped when Caroline’s hand landed on his shoulder. “What about Caelyn?” The woman’s lower lip trembled. “Can’t we talk to him?”

Sari released a deep sigh. Caelyn wasn’t happy about the whole thing, but these were his friends. Perhaps Caelyn could ensure their cooperation. With some reluctance, Sari retrieved his cell phone and dialed the number. He just hoped he wasn’t trusting the wrong person.

Chapter Twelve

The next day

“Can you feel him?”

Kael closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. Courtesy of the fact that his soul had temporarily been connected to Rachen’s, he’d been granted a deeper awareness of the younger draechen’s presence that he normally would have had. The wind blew through his hair and the leaves rustled, whispering indistinguishable murmurs in his ear. “He’s somewhere around here,” he replied as he opened his eyes. “I just can’t place him.”

“We’ll keep looking,” Karein said darkly. “I just know he’s close by.”

With that, Karein pushed past Kael, moving through the undergrowth with almost angry determination. Sari followed after him in silence. Talrasar joined Kael and shot their descendants a concerned look. “He blames himself,” he whispered through their bond.

“Of course he does,” Kael answered. “The power he and I wield comes with a lot of guilt. But there’s nothing you or I can do. It’s in Sari’s hands right now.”

Kael had actually offered to deal with the matter, arguing that the emperor needed Karein in Draechenburg. However, Karein had refused, claiming that his brother was eminently capable of handling the sprite issue on his own, and this would be a chance for him to assert himself as emperor without Karein there. Of course, there was more to it than that. Karein obviously thought that whatever Rachen did was his responsibility. Sadly, Kael couldn’t free him of that burden.

Fortunately, he’d never had a twin, so he’d been miraculously spared of experiencing Karein’s situation. However, having absorbed Rachen’s soul within the obelisk, he also knew how much resentment Karein’s twin held. Rachen was dangerous, and while Karein could definitely handle himself in a battle with his twin, dragging Sari into a battle with an enraged and half-insane draechen wasn’t a good idea.

“I don’t think Rachen would hurt Sari,” Talrasar said. “From what I could muster during the time we spent together, he was very confused. He thought Sari was his mate, and kept confusing me with Sari.”

“Of course he did,” Kael answered, walking hand in hand with his mate behind the other couple. “He experienced falling in love with Sari through his brother, and he experienced loving you through me.”

He could only imagine what a chaotic mess Rachen’s emotions must be. Talrasar had caught a glimpse of them upon healing him, and it had given them a good clue as to where Rachen might be hiding. An injured draechen always retreated to lick his wounds in the mountains, and indeed, it was here, among the peaks of the Green Mountains, that they’d caught a trace of him. It had actually been far easier than Kael had expected, which made him a little wary.

And in spite of it all, Kael was still perfectly content. Oh, he remained more than aware of the seriousness of the circumstances, but just the fact that he could speak with his mate through their bond once more was a balm to his heart. Every word that flowed through their connection calmed his dragon, infusing him with renewed strength. In his heart, he’d have preferred to leave Talrasar out of battle, but any separation, no matter how justified it might have been, seemed inconceivable right now. In that sense, he understood Karein and Sari’s choice.

“Not to mention that Sari is always safest at Karein’s side, and we’re here as well,” Talrasar pointed out. “What could possibly happen?”

As if in response to Talrasar’s inquiry, a sudden presence encroached on Kael’s senses. He might have thought it was Rachen, but no, it seemed to be something, or rather someone, entirely different. In front of them, Karein stopped as well, sniffing the air. He directed Sari to stand behind him, and Sari complied. Just in time, too, because out of the bushes, a pack of werewolves emerged, snarling menacingly at Kael and his companions. They were quite numerous, but Kael wasn’t intimidated in the slightest. He’d faced armies of them before, or rather of their more savage ancestors. Of course, the situation was different now since he didn’t want to hurt the ninth caste any more than they’d already been hurt.

Oddly enough, the wolf pack almost seemed to miss his and Talrasar’s presence at first. Their anger appeared to be directed strictly at Karein. Kael figured out why when the largest of the wolves turned into human form. “Shtamakarein Tersain, you and I have a score to settle.”

He spat out Karein’s name like an insult. Karein just snorted. “Monroe Lovington. What a surprise to find you here.”

“You will return my brother to me, Dog-Catcher.” The werewolf bared his fangs at Karein. “Or else.”

“Don’t make me laugh,” Karein shot back. “What do you think you can possibly do to me? I hunted you down once. I’d be able to take your entire pack out if I wanted to. I just don’t have the interest right now.”

“Arrogant bastard.” Monroe growled. “Your dragon hide won’t be thick enough to protect you from me if you don’t free Taryn.”

“Do you see Taryn anywhere?” Karein arched a brow, pointing at the four of them. “If you want him, you’ll have to make an official request with my brother.”

Kael could tell Monroe was a step away from launching himself at Karein. He suspected that, under normal circumstances, Karein might have been able to handle the situation with more diplomacy, but the problem with Rachen was affecting Karein more than the other draechen wanted to show. And then, Sari pressed his hand to Karein’s shoulder and some of the tension seemed to drain out of Kael’s descendant. “Look,” he added, “the truth is that a part of me doesn’t want your brother with mine. Didn’t Philip Strange contact you about it? We meant to return Taryn to you.”

“I don’t trust cats, and I don’t trust draechen,” Monroe answered, not deterred in the slightest. “I don’t care about intentions. Facts are what matter.”

“Well, if you want a fact, it is that I can’t give you Taryn. And now, if you don’t mind, we have something else to handle.”

Without further ado, Karein turned his back on Monroe. It would have been the perfect moment to strike, but Monroe didn’t take advantage of the apparent instant of weakness. He was either too smart or too honorable. Kael respected that. He also knew that it was highly unlikely Monroe would get his wish, as Taryn was Emperor Hareematek’s mate. The situation between the two was currently pretty delicate, but even so, Hareematek was unlikely to let go of Taryn just like that. In spite of his previous connection to Karein, Kael himself had difficulty understanding the specifics. He did wonder what Monroe would do if he found out his younger brother was pregnant with the Emperor’s child, but in the end, it didn’t really concern him. He had too many other problems to worry about that now.

Taking a step forward, Kael cleared his throat. “Alpha Lovington,” he said, easily guessing the werewolf’s position, “we’re currently in the process of scouting the area for a very dangerous individual. I understand your plight, but it isn’t in our power to free your brother.”

“And who might you be?” Monroe gave him a wary look. He’d obviously seen likenesses of Kael and Talrasar and must have noticed the resemblance.

“My name is Kaelezrin Tersain, and this is my mate Talrasar,” Kael replied calmly. “And before you ask, yes, we’re the original ones.”

All the blood drained out of Monroe’s face. “This must be some sort of joke,” he shouted. “What kind of game are you playing, Dog-Catcher?”

Karein was back to ignoring Monroe and continuing to look for his brother. Sari, however, replied in Karein’s stead. “Please, keep your voice down, and stop blaming Karein for everything. As hard as it might be for you to comprehend, all the things that happen in this world aren’t Karein’s fault or his responsibility.”

His voice was tight with the frustration of not being able to help his mate. That snapped Karein out of his trance, and he wrapped an arm around Sari’s waist, pulling him close. The tender gesture didn’t go unnoticed by Monroe, but the werewolf was too focused on Kael to pay it much heed. In fact, he looked from Kael to Talrasar, as if trying to wrap his mind around the concept, or rather convince himself it wasn’t true.

“We aren’t going to hurt you,” Talrasar offered softly. “The war is over for us. Right now, we’re just helping the people we care about.”

“This is ridiculous.” Monroe shook his head, even as the other wolves started to cower and whimper. “Those two are dead. They are never coming back.”

Kael shrugged. “Believe what you like.” He had nothing to prove, neither to a shifter nor to a magical creature. As he spoke, he felt a niggling sensation at the back of his consciousness. “Get down!” he shouted.

A bolt of dark flame exploded over the werewolves. At the last moment, Talrasar threw a shield over Monroe’s pack, protecting them from the spell. However, its caster didn’t seem particularly inclined to fight Talrasar. The enchantment died, and Rachen stepped out in front of them, his gaze dancing from Sari to Talrasar. “You came. I knew you would.”

Monroe gaped at Rachen’s appearance, or rather his resemblance to Karein. “Two of them?”

“Wrong, wolf,” Rachen said, not even glancing Monroe with a look. “I’m not your Dog-Catcher. I’m just a draechen who wants to be left alone. You would do well to stay out of this. In fact, fuck off right now. I don’t like seeing you around my mates.”

The Overlords only knew what conclusions Rachen had drawn during his stay in the mountains. Nevertheless, the way Rachen was looking at Talrasar made Kael bristle. He narrowed his eyes, ready to take Rachen on if the draechen tried anything. “No,” Talrasar said through their bond. “You said it yourself. He’s confused. We have to show him the truth.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

In response, Talrasar walked forward to his descendant’s side and took Sari’s hand. Together, the two fae stepped in front of Rachen. Everything inside Kael screamed to stop this, to pull Talrasar away from danger, but Talrasar whispered, “Let us try.”

Kael respected Talrasar’s opinion as a warrior and a healer, so he just joined Kael, squeezing the other draechen’s shoulder. He knew how much harder this had to be for Karein, given that Sari was no fighter, and pregnant to boot. In fact, Karein was so tense he seemed to have stopped breathing altogether. Kael just hoped they weren’t making a mistake in giving the Ivenians this chance to reach out to Rachen.

As Kael watched, Sari addressed Rachen. “Which one of us is your mate?” he asked quietly.

“Both of you,” Rachen replied without missing a beat. He smiled apologetically. “At first, I thought it was only Sari, but then I realized I cared about Tali too much.”

“And we’re grateful for that affection,” Talrasar said, “but do you truly believe it is based on a mate bond? We already have mates, Rachen.”

“They’re lying.” Rachen frowned. “They just want to take you from me. He always steals everything away.” He threw an ugly glance toward Karein. Dark flames hovered around him, and when that power touched the vegetation, the trees died and the leaves withered. The flames started to blaze toward Karein, but to reach him, they’d have had to pass Talrasar and Sari. The lethal magic recoiled, as if tamed by the presence of the two fae.

“Rachen, do you understand what happened to you?” Talrasar inquired.

“Of course. My brother absorbed my life energy,” Rachen replied. “I’ve lived within him for two hundred years. How can I not understand?”

“And do you realize what happened at the obelisk?”

“Prince Kaelezrin absorbed my soul from Karein’s body,” Rachen answered. “Yet another man who wants to keep me from what is mine.”

Wow. He understood more than Kael had expected. Kael wasn’t sure if that would be a good thing or a bad one. Talrasar seemed to be going somewhere with this, though. “Kael gave you a gift, Rachen. He granted you access to his energies, and his emotions. Similarly, you existing inside Karein for so long gave you access to his feelings. What you think you want is actually an echo of their emotions.”

Kael held his breath, waiting to see how Rachen would react to the truth. He had a feeling the other draechen wouldn’t have a good reaction to it. “That can’t be right.” Rachen shook his head. “I know what I feel. I’m in love with you both.”

“No, you aren’t,” Sari replied. “Rachen, your mate is out there somewhere. Talrasar and I aren’t the ones for you, but I’m sure you’ll find a wonderful person. You just have to open your heart and accept our help.”

Rachen scanned Sari’s face so earnestly that for a few moments, Kael actually thought it had worked. But the belief in the fake emotion was too engrained in Rachen’s psyche. “No!” the draechen snapped. “You’re lying.”

The flames around Rachen flared angrily, lashing out toward Talrasar and Sari. The magic would have undoubtedly struck the two fae had Talrasar not thrown another shield around them, keeping the lethal flames away. The spell died as soon as it struck Talrasar’s barrier. Kael was actually surprised when it happened, since to his knowledge, Talrasar’s magic couldn’t cancel other spells, not like that. However, he realized that it wasn’t Talrasar who’d retracted the deadly fire, but Rachen himself.

“Overlords…” Rachen’s eyes widened. He took a step forward, reaching out for Sari and Talrasar. “I’m sorry.”

But Kael was done with being patient and giving second chances. His dragon reared to hurt the man who’d tried to hurt his mate, but Talrasar held him back. “Kael, don’t.”

Fortunately for Rachen, Kael was weak when faced with Talrasar’s pleas. Nevertheless, he joined Talrasar, glowering at Rachen. “Enough of this. Talrasar is mine. Surely even you can see that. If they’d truly been your mates, you wouldn’t have tried to hurt them, even as an accident.”

Kael could understand that better than anyone. He’d had to force his dragon to absorb Talrasar’s energies, and he’d only done it because his mate had been in so much pain. It had taken him centuries for his mind to even recover from the trauma of it, and even now, he couldn’t say he’d fully forgiven himself.

His words seemed to finally snap Rachen’s trance of denial. “You were telling the truth, weren’t you?” he asked brokenly. “My life, my existence, is a lie. Everything I feel is poison and deception.”

“Rachen,” Talrasar started to say, “I—”

“It’s all right.” Rachen smiled sadly, interrupting him. “I understand it now. You might think that I don’t care, but this emotion is the only thing I have. And I will follow it until the end.” His gaze fell onto Karein. “My brother. I had thought to battle you, to take back what you stole from me. But I see now that it can never be. You win, Karein.”

As he spoke, the flames around him burned increasingly brighter, so much so that Kael’s eyes started to ache. “I can’t be your mate,” Rachen said, “but I can do this one last thing for you.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Rachen planned. Rachen had clearly been a fire dragon before he had melded with Karein and Kael. Summoning the full extent of his abilities could literally make him explode and turn into pure flame, much like a supernova. It was somewhat like what had happened to Kael when he’d accumulated too much energy, and it was truly dangerous, in spite of Talrasar’s shields.

Rachen must have known this as well, because he winked at the two fae and then melted into draechen form. His entire body surrounded by flames, he launched himself into the air. Kael half expected him to blow up almost instantly, but then, the unexpected happened. Karein also shifted and followed his brother up into the skies. This time, no matter how much he acknowledged the fact that this was Karein’s demon to fight, Kael couldn’t just let it go. He changed shapes as well and took off, his powerful wings carrying him to where the other two draechen were fighting.

Sadly, at that point, Kael found himself in quite a predicament. The two dragons were identical. Previously, Rachen’s hide had been more reddish, but now, Karein seemed to have absorbed some of his fire energy, so his scales looked the same. He could siphon energy out of both of them if needed, but that spell could backfire and kill Rachen, if not Karein, too. It was an impossible situation, with Rachen and Karein using their power draining abilities on each other, creating a vicious circle. Ironically, neither of them were immune to what they themselves could do.

That knowledge helped Kael very little. He mentally winced as one of the draechen bit down on another’s neck and reached out to his mate, “Which one is it, Tali? Ask Sari.”

“The one to your right is Karein,” Talrasar reported after a few moments. “Hurry, Kael.”

Kael didn’t wait to be told twice. He cast a spell on the draechen Sari had identified as Karein’s opponent. Rachen let out a loud roar as Kael drained his energy. Sapped of strength, he shifted back into his normal form. Karein grabbed his twin before Rachen could fall, and slowly, they started to descend.

By the time they landed, Rachen was already beginning to recover. Karein apparently had no plans to allow his brother to try killing himself again. Turning into his human form, he pinned his sibling to the now scorched ground. “Are you an idiot? You were given the chance to live, and you’d throw it away just like that?”

“What do I have to live for?” Rachen bit out. “No identity, no mate, no soul. Even this name is one I gave myself. The least I can do is pick for myself the moment and manner of my death. Why must you rob me of that, too?”

“Because Sari is right,” Karein replied. “I thought I was going to die, too, or have you forgotten? I thought I’d never find an anchor. And then Sari appeared in my life. It can happen for you, too. Come back with me to Draechenburg.”

Rachen released a bitter laugh. “As what, Dog-Catcher? A prisoner?”

“No. As the twin I was denied. Sari is a half of me, Rachen, and you are the other. I know you hate me, but whatever loathing you felt for me is nothing compared to what I experienced. At least give me the chance to help you.”

“I’m over two hundred years old,” Rachen argued. He might have been adding more arguments, but Kael noted that his voice no longer held the same conviction.

“Not really,” Karein replied. “Physically, you were just born a few weeks ago. We can do this, my brother.”

As Karein spoke, Sari slowly approached and knelt next to the two draechen. “My brother,” he repeated, brushing his lips over Rachen’s cheek.

Kael would have thought that was a bad idea given that Rachen had been convinced Sari was his mate, but he didn’t get much choice in it. At first, Rachen didn’t even move, just sitting there rigidly, seeming seconds away from exploding again. Then, Talrasar joined Sari, on Rachen’s other side. Both fae took Rachen’s hand, and their gems began to glow as they summoned their magic.

Kael could recognize a healing process when he saw one. He’d watched his mate do it many times. He could feel Talrasar soothing Rachen’s soul, his magic showing Rachen a truth that couldn’t be conveyed through words. Sari’s warm energy was right there with him, a lot like Talrasar’s, but younger, more innocent.

Together, the two fae finally managed to reach out to the draechen. It seemed to take forever, but at last, a tear slid down Rachen’s cheek. “All right. I will come with you.”

“Thank Jenarra,” Talrasar said. “You won’t regret it.”

As Karein helped Rachen up, Kael slowly approached them. Following a sudden urge, he punched Rachen straight into the face. Rachen staggered back, his eyes widening. Kael didn’t back off. He simply couldn’t, not with the knowledge of what Rachen had tried to do to Talrasar. “I’m not your brother, more like…an obnoxious uncle. Don’t even dare to attempt anything with him. My dragon isn’t happy with what you did, and I should be tearing you apart, so appreciate this chance. Is that clear?”

It was more than Kael’s dragon would have liked to give, but Kael offered it for two reasons. At the end of the day, Rachen had been respectful and affectionate toward Talrasar, in his own way. He wasn’t inherently evil. His actions could be traced to his fractured psyche, and while Kael had never been particularly inclined toward forgiveness, he could do this because he understood. He understood Rachen, through his connection with Talrasar and his own experience as a black dragon.

Rachen nodded, still looking a little dazed and conflicted. “I admit that I still don’t have things completely clear in my head. It might never happen. But on the off-chance that my true mate is waiting out there, I have to fight this.”

Kael had actually expected Rachen to tell him he was completely over Talrasar. He was pleasantly surprised that Rachen hadn’t lied. Of course, he didn’t fool himself. This was far from being over. But, at least temporarily, the fae’s power had helped Rachen gain a measure of control. The best place for Rachen to be right now was with them, where Kael could keep an eye on him, and where his family might be able to give him a hand with finding his own identity.

“Good. We will help.”

Directing his attention toward the still-waiting pack of wolves, he asked, “Well, now that you’ve witnessed what we came here to do, do you have a message to convey to Taryn?”

“A message would never suffice,” Monroe answered. “Can’t I call him somehow?”

“Reception is poor in the mountains, and that sort of communication is too risky between the two of you,” Karein replied.

“You can tell him I know he’s with the emperor. I’ll get him out somehow, even if the entire draechen army stands in my way.”

He’d obviously taken heed of the power Kael and his companions wielded and was aware that he couldn’t force any further information out of them, because he melted into his shifted form. Throwing another ugly look toward Karein, he disappeared into the undergrowth, followed by his pack.

“That isn’t over, is it?” Rachen asked as he watched the wolf go.

“No, it isn’t,” Kael replied. “Not by a long shot.”

* * * *

Meanwhile, Draechenburg, Germany

“This is unacceptable.” Krite Ferradul Cyraltin glowered at Hareem, his hands clenched into fists. “You cannot expect us to just—”

“I can, and I do,” Hareem interrupted them. His hand passed through Taryn’s fur, as if he was seeking an anchor. “The crime your people committed against mine was very serious. There is genuine evidence that a Krite was involved, as Iasan Sutharlainn could have never snuck into the sprite delegation without your knowledge. That alone would suffice as a reason for war. But I do not want a conflict to erupt between sprites and draechen. We’ve lived for a long time in peace, and for that reason, I’m willing to give you another chance, as long as you agree to my conditions.”

“Give us another chance?” a second Krite, Jazara Banniear snarled, her blue eyes practically glittering with fury. “You’re the ones who hurt our own.”

Taryn wished they could have told the six sprite high judges the truth. He was still shocked at learning that Caelyn Sutharlainn was actually alive, but it certainly made sense, given Prince Shtamakarein’s closeness to his mate. “We cannot reveal that, sweeting,” Hareem said through their bond. “Already we’ve told too many people. If it goes much further, it will reach the ears of the draechen lords. I’ll be forced to take an official stance which they probably won’t like. To top it off, I personally shudder to think what the chimeras will do with the information. I can’t imagine why Prince Sareltae trusts that naga so much.”

Taryn nuzzled Hareem’s palm with his snout. Many people might have considered it humiliating for him to be sitting in shifted form at Hareem’s feet, like some sort of pet, but Taryn didn’t see it that way, not when Hareem petted his head so gently. All these hard decisions were straining on Hareem, and while Taryn couldn’t stand by Hareem’s side as consort, he could, at the very least, provide this quiet comfort.

“I don’t deserve you, Taryn,” Hareem sent to him, his mental voice strained with self-loathing and pain. Taryn’s wolf whined at the feeling, wanting to soothe his mate. He jumped into Hareem’s lap, settling himself over the draechen’s legs. He probably shouldn’t have, not under these circumstances and in front of the Great Krites, but Hareem didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he seemed to draw strength from Taryn’s presence and affection.

“The incident with Caelyn Sutharlainn was unfortunate,” Hareem replied to the sprite High Judges, still petting Taryn’s fur. “However, the fact remains that, as things stood at our point, he had betrayed my brother, having pledged himself to Prince Shtamakarein, only to run off with a ninth caste member. That simply cannot be allowed. But we’re not here to discuss the decisions of previous emperors. That event is irrelevant. There is one fact here that we are discussing, the attack on Prince Sareltae. You pride yourselves on serving justice. Do you truly believe it is fair for my brother-in-law to pay for the misguided decisions of others?”

“Prince Sareltae betrayed his friend and consorted with you draechen,” one of the High Judges pointed out. “It is only just that—”

Ferradul Cyraltin lifted a hand, stopping his fellow Krite from uttering something even more incriminating. “There was nothing misguided in Caelyn Sutharlainn’s departure. He made a natural choice, which we agree with and accept.”

“So you would argue that Prince Sareltae deserves to pay the ultimate price because he didn’t do the same,” Hareem said. “And the child? How is the child to blame in all of this? Iasan Sutharlainn tells me that his brother was pregnant as well. But do you have any right to mark the life of an innocent baby as irrelevant, just because someone else did the same in the past? Do you think the ‘eye for an eye’ policy is just?”

The Krites succumbed to silence. They were obviously angry about the entire thing, but they realized they might have been rash. Taryn took advantage of the fact that they weren’t really paying attention to him and analyzed them carefully. He wondered which one of them had chosen to aid Iasan. It was clear that it had happened, and all of them were aware of it, but beyond that, they would never reveal the details that had stood behind their agreement to it.

For his part, Taryn suspected that, if he’d been in human form, he’d have been tempted to drop to his knees in front of Hareem and suck his mate’s cock. The authority in his mate’s voice awoke his libido, making him crave Hareem’s touch.

“As much as I’d like that, sweeting, it’s going to have to wait,” Hareem said through their bond, his hold on Taryn’s fur tightening.

Taryn did his best to suppress his instincts and continued his scrutiny of the Krites. Hareem was losing his patience and finally asked, “Tell me, High Judges, do you want war with the draechen?”

The Krites shared grim looks, although Taryn could tell the decision had been made. “You win,” Ferradul finally said. “I’ll speak to my son and will bring him here as a gesture of our…goodwill.”

Taryn wondered whether Hareem had managed to reach out to them through his little speech, or if they merely feared war. Either way, the result was more than satisfactory. After much deliberation, he and Hareem had decided to demand for the son of Ferradul Cyraltin to come to Draechenburg, as a guarantee that the sprites wouldn’t attempt anything hostile again.

“Excellent.” Hareem clapped his hands together. “I assure you he will be treated most kindly, as our most honored guest. As long as you don’t make any further attempts on the Tersain, of course.”

The Krites nodded. “It will be as you say, Emperor,” a third Krite, Ithual Alleantin, answered. “Just watch yourself. You’re making enemies in all the wrong places.”

“It seems that I already have, Your Grace,” Hareem replied calmly, “or rather, Ornoz has. I can live with that. The question is, can you?”

They didn’t say anything else, but Taryn hadn’t expected them to. In a way, he understood their position. The draechen had been after him for as long as he could remember. Taryn’s brother, Monroe, had protected him, but not even Monroe had been able to fight the Dog-Catcher. And while some would have argued that the change in leadership had made Ornoz weak, Taryn knew that the draechen were still a formidable foe. Obviously, the Krites realized that, too. Otherwise they’d have never agreed to Hareem’s conditions.

“I didn’t think so,” Hareem added. “Please contact your son today and send an envoy for him. I expect him to arrive within three days. Now… If there isn’t anything else you need to address…”

“I believe we’ve dealt with everything,” Ferradul replied between gritted teeth. “A good day to you, Your Majesty.”

Hareem waved them off, looking completely aloof and uncaring. As the Elusians left the throne room, though, Hareem groaned. “Overlords, that was so tiresome. I thought they’d never leave.”

Taryn melted in his human form and ended up naked in his mate’s lap. “Well, they’re gone now, and they agreed. That’s a good thing, right?”

“I suppose.” Hareem wrapped his arms around Taryn’s waist and buried his face in Taryn’s hair. “I admit the thought of receiving a stranger in Draechenburg doesn’t appeal, but it’s far better than the alternative. You had a good idea, sweeting. At the very least, it’ll hold off the draechen lords. I might not have given them the conflict they wanted, but it’s an aggressive enough move to pacify them.”

“I just hope it’ll suffice to keep the sprites in check,” Taryn mused, a little worried now that they’d actually gone through with this. “Leaders have sacrificed their offspring before for the purpose of political gain.”

“Leaders, yes,” Hareem said, “but not Krites. Krites usually refrain from taking mates or having children for a good reason. Their morality wouldn’t allow them to sacrifice a child of their own.”

“Even if they were willing to sacrifice Sari’s?” Taryn arched a brow.

Hareem sighed. “I do wonder about that. Sometimes, the line between justice and revenge is so thin that you can’t tell when you’re crossing it. I suspect this is the actual reason why Ferradul agreed, although to tell you the truth, I’ve never fully understood Krites.”

Taryn didn’t either. Under the circumstances, though, this was the best solution they could have come up with that didn’t involve a war.

Not wanting to think about it any longer, Taryn brushed a kiss over Hareem’s temple. “That aside, I’m sorry for being so impulsive. I know the court isn’t exactly happy about you displaying me like this, but I couldn’t help it.”

Hareem shook his head. “Don’t ever apologize for it, sweeting. If anything, I should be the one to show my regret. We shouldn’t have to hide, like you’re a dirty secret.”

Taryn looked away from his mate’s face. He still couldn’t handle that, and he’d actively tried to ignore it so that he could focus on helping his mate. But his heart still bled whenever he thought he would never be good enough for Hareem. He was and would always be ninth caste, inappropriate as a mate for the man who occupied the highest position in the shifter world. Even for the prince, he’d been inadequate, let alone for Emperor Hareematek.

“Oh, sweeting.” Hareem cupped his cheek and forced their eyes to meet. “I’m so very sorry.” Out of the blue, decision seemed to fill him. “You’re the best mate a man like me could ever hope for. Heed my words. I will never take another mate. You deserve better than that.”

Taryn gaped. “But you can’t, Hareem. The draechen lords will never allow it. And you need a draechen heir.”

“I’m the emperor.” Hareem’s eyes shone with determination. “I can change the system, make it elective. There are plenty of draechen out there who’d be more than deserving of a title like mine. Having blue blood doesn’t automatically guarantee that you’ll be a good leader.”

Taryn was torn. A part of him rejoiced, but another knew he should be talking Hareem out of it. He’d wanted it for so long, and Hareem was finally giving in and granting his greatest wish. But would it be safe? The situation in Ornoz was so unstable now. The draechen lords were already questioning Hareem’s rule. What if they decided to get rid of his mate?

“Don’t panic, sweeting.” Hareem grinned. “It won’t all happen in a day. Besides, remember that soon, they’ll have something more serious to worry about than who I mate.”

“Prince Kaelezrin. Do you really think that was truly him?”

Hareem’s expression turned serious. “I think Karein and Sari believe that. If there’s anyone who’d be able to assess the matter correctly, it’s Karein.”

He was probably right. Taryn shook himself, not wanting to think about it anymore. “For now, just kiss me, Hareem. Touch me. I want to feel you.”

When Hareem obeyed, Taryn lost himself in his mate’s lust. They stopped being werewolf and draechen, emperor and ninth caste, and they became just mates, falling into the simple purity of their desire. All the differences between them ceased to matter. In that moment, Taryn could truly believe that Hareem would make everything work for their family, for him and their unborn baby. The alternative was simply inconceivable.

Chapter Thirteen

The last time Kael had stepped in the halls of Draechenburg, everyone had stared at him in fear and a fair degree of disgust. Now, as he left the plane that had carried them here and faced the ancient citadel once more, he was greeted by a similar silence, this time caused by something different. Awe, perhaps.

Emperor Hareematek didn’t seem to have warned the draechen regarding who exactly was coming. However, in a remarkable feat of respect, he’d come to greet Kael and Talrasar on the runway himself. It simply wasn’t done, but during their absence, Karein’s brother appeared to have made a couple of decisions regarding his rule. It was also obvious that if he believed that Kael and Talrasar were truly who they said they were, he did so because he trusted Karein. Nevertheless, it was brave of him to take this stance, more so since he brought the famous Taryn along.

“It won’t be easy for him, will it?” Talrasar asked him.

“No, it won’t,” Kael confirmed. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to help.”

Together with Talrasar, Kael approached the emperor and bowed lowly. “Thank you for receiving us in your home, Your Imperial Majesty,” he said in the ancient draechen tongue. “We are honored by your generosity.”

“On the contrary, you are the one who honors us with your return,” Hareematek replied calmly, using the same language. To the gathered crowd, he shouted, “Behold! The heroes of the shifter world have returned.”

The draechen started to cheer, but the surprises weren’t over just yet. Karein emerged from the plane, followed by Rachen. There were gasps all around at seeing two Kareins. Hareem had been informed, though, so he just extended his hands toward the two. “My brothers. Welcome.”

Karein and Rachen approached stiffly and knelt in front of Hareematek. “Your Majesty, I live and die by your command,” they said as one.

“Rise,” Hareematek said with a small smile, “and follow me. There is much to discuss.”

The crowd parted as Hareematek led them back inside. He and Taryn walked ahead, with the rest of the group following. As they advanced through the citadel, flashes of his past life returned to Kael’s mind. The building itself had changed very little, but somehow, it had been adapted to add modern conveniences. Kael realized how hard it must have been, but he could definitely appreciate the benefits of plumbing over chamber pots.

But that wasn’t the thing that caught his eye. Kael noticed that, in the crowd and throughout the palace, there were a lot of outsiders. They’d stayed after the crowning, mostly because of the attack on Sari. However, the side effect was that they were all here to see Kael, Talrasar, and Rachen arrive. Kael hoped for a good reaction from their part, but he knew that not everyone would be pleased at their appearance or believe the truth of their identities.

As it turned out, instead of heading toward the throne room as Kael had expected, Hareem guided them to the imperial wing. He stopped in front of a particular room, nodding at the soldiers guarding it. As they stepped inside and closed the door, Hareem turned toward Rachen. “Karein tells me you are his twin,” he said. “First of all, welcome to the family. I’ve taken the liberty to assign these quarters to you. Karein’s rooms are very close by.”

“You are too generous, Your Majesty,” Rachen answered.

“Please, call me Hareem. I’m your older brother, not just your emperor. As I understand it, you know me well enough from your connection to Karein, but I do hope that we’ll be able to spend some time together one-on-one in the future.” Gesturing to the quiet werewolf standing at his side, he explained, “This is my mate, Taryn. For the moment, his role in my life is not widely known, so I would appreciate discretion from your part.”

“Ah, yes, the famous Taryn.” Rachen grinned. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” the werewolf replied quietly, “but I’m hardly famous.”

“You are among your people,” Karein said. “We ran into your brother. He’s determined to rescue you from Hareem.”

Hareem’s expression darkened. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I plan on making Taryn my official consort in the near future.”

Karein gaped. “When did this happen? Before the crowning, you were decided to take another mate.”

Hareem shrugged. “I realized I was being ridiculous. I can make some changes throughout my entire rule without having to compromise my future at Taryn’s side.”

“Very good.” For some reason, Kael felt proud of the emperor. “Learn from the past and don’t ever sacrifice your bond with your mate. It’s the most important thing there is for a shifter.”

“I completely agree,” Hareem replied. “I’m not going to lie to myself and others. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m sure we’ll make it work. In the meantime, Prince Kaelezrin, I’m afraid I can’t return your previous quarters at this time, as they belong to my brother right now. However, arrangements can be made to accommodate your desires.”

“Whatever you pick is fine,” Kael answered, “as long as it is clear that my mate will be staying with me.”

“Of course. There’s one more thing that you need to know, and the reason why I pulled you aside like this. Tonight, the son of one of the Elusian Krites will be arriving. He will serve as insurance that the sprites won’t try anything again. Therefore, I’m throwing a dinner celebration in his honor, and yours. Expect anything.”

That didn’t sound very promising. “You anticipate trouble?” he inquired.

“We always do,” Hareem answered darkly, “and now that you’re here, so should you.”

* * * *

That evening

Talrasar had never been at the fabled draechen citadel of Draechenburg. During the months he and Kael had spent together, they’d mostly traveled all over the world, trying to control the plague and the werewolf and vampire invasion. Courtesy of the memories Kael had of the citadel, he’d been able to have a general picture of how it would be like. However, nothing had prepared him for the organized chaos that was modern-day Draechenburg.

The emperor had been right in one regard. Not everyone would take their arrival with so much enthusiasm. In fact, most draechen nobles, with the exception of a select few, proved to be skeptical or even downright rude. At first, they put up facades of pleasantry, which Talrasar saw straight through. He didn’t allow it to concern him overmuch, because he was too busy getting accustomed to new faces and making nice with countless members of the paranormal society. From the elven king Shaw’nyel Murdokain—Jude’s father—to the naga royal family, the Isaiat, and, of course, the current fae sovereign, King Selbrian Norrenddare, Talrasar was introduced to everyone. The latter meeting was particularly awkward for him. In his heart, he still saw his own sire as king, although from Kael’s memories, he’d found out what had happened to Amarion.

“Don’t think about that right now, love,” Kael told him. “I know it’s hard, and it won’t get any easier, but we’ll handle it together.”

It was easier said than done, because the clash between generations began to wear on Kael, too. At one point, Karein pulled them aside and introduced Lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager and his family. His sister, Hannanteer, was a lovely, almost perky woman, and his mother, Lekishatek, had a warm nurturing air that few draechen females boasted. However, it was Sagenamadeen’s father who drew Talrasar’s attention. He looked a lot like Kael’s old second-in-command, Cordell.

It was yet another reminder that he and Kael were relics of a different time. Nevertheless, both Kael and Talrasar managed to put up an appearance of calm. The lieutenant bowed in front of them with a strikingly serene expression. “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highnesses.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. I knew your great-grandfather well,” Kael said. “He was a good man.”

“He died protecting the emperor,” Sagenamadeen’s father, Bentoniezel Zager, offered in turn. Perhaps he wanted to test Kael. Either way, his comment drew the conversation into a direction Talrasar would have liked to avoid.

“I know.” Kael grimaced. “If only the man he tried to keep safe had been worthier.”

Deafening silence fell around them. Hareem arched a brow at them, and Kael elaborated, “It is not Ornozian leadership as a whole that I criticize, but my own brother. Unfortunately, he was a cruel and arrogant man. But let’s not speak ill of the dead.”

“I do have a dilemma, Prince Kaelezrin,” another draechen lord, Joyceropt Eretar, piped up. “How did you know about Cordellien Zager’s demise?”

“Not even death can keep me away from my people,” Kael answered. “I lingered on Earth in spirit.”

“A ghost,” the draechen said with a sneer. “The hatchlings always joke that Draechenburg is so cold because it’s haunted. I never thought that their claims would actually amount to anything.”

“If Draechenburg is haunted by something, it is by a past cluttered with poor choices and far too much death,” Kael replied coldly. “The state of my cognizance during the time I was absent isn’t something you would understand. It is something only black dragons can grasp.”

“You were reduced to energy,” Sagenamadeen’s sister guessed.

“You’re quite correct. But I’d rather not discuss this matter in more detail. It is in the past. I’d prefer focusing on the future.”

“How convenient,” Joyceropt grumbled, turning his back on Kael.

“If you have something to say, do so out loud and face me.” Kael growled at him, his dragon rearing to attack. The memories of a lifetime of humiliation were making a comeback, Talrasar could tell.

He held onto Kael’s arm as the tension inside his mate accumulated. “Breathe, Kael,” he sent to his mate. “Of course they doubt us. The fact that Karein and Sari believe us is strictly connected to their intimate knowledge of Eternelle. We can’t expect everyone else to follow their example blindly.”

Fortunately, Kael began to calm down a little. “According to the history books, I am a hero,” he said, his voice like ice. “But make no mistake, Your Lordship. I am not a good man. The victory I earned for Ornoz was paid for in blood, mine, my mate’s, and that of countless others. So if you want to go against me, consider that.”

The draechen lord paled, but to his credit, didn’t completely back off. “We honor the memory of Prince Kaelezrin Tersain. However, it is understandably hard for all of us to believe that he and his dead mate have returned now, especially in the wake of the sprite attack.”

“Ah, yes. That regrettable incident.” Kael’s voice had that undertone of death in it. “Worry not. No one will attempt to hurt Prince Sari. Ever. Again.”

Talrasar decided it was time to intervene, because when he got pissed, Kael wasn’t known for his diplomatic abilities. “We support His Majesty, Emperor Hareematek, and the entire Tersain imperial family—Prince Sareltae included—in everything. As I understand, Emperor Hareematek has already reached a satisfactory accord with the Great Krites, and we stand by his decision. Now, if you’re suggesting that Kael and I are illusions… Well, I’m afraid you’re going to have to discuss that with Emperor Hareematek and Prince Shtamakarein. As you can see, we’ve proven our identity to them. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be standing here in front of you.”

“Why can’t you prove it to us, too?” Joyceropt asked. “And what about this new carbon copy of Prince Shtamakarein? How do…”

“Enough,” the emperor said before the man could finish the phrase. “You are disrespecting our most honored guests. Remove yourself from our presence.”

His blue eyes sparkled like chips of ice, and he looked like he was seconds away from turning the draechen lord into a snowball. Likely it was only Taryn’s presence at his side that held him back. Lord Joyceropt shut his mouth. When guards appeared, he quietly followed them out. The emperor clapped his hands together and smiled. “Let’s not allow this little issue to spoil our enjoyment of the evening. Please, everyone, you are all welcome in Draechenburg. This is a very important day. Revel in it.”

For a few more hours, Kael and Talrasar continued to mingle. Talrasar was starting to pray to Jenarra that the sprite delegation would show up already. Fortunately for his sanity, a guard rushed in and headed straight toward Hareematek. He whispered something Talrasar couldn’t hear, but Hareematek nodded and gestured for Karein to approach. Karein did, followed by Sari and Rachen. Shortly after, Karein approached Sagenamadeen. “Congratulations, you’ll be greeting our new guest.”

Sagenamadeen blinked, as if he didn’t immediately understand what Karein was saying. He had been spying on Camden Isaiat, completely enraptured by the naga prince. However, he soon snapped out of his trance and replied, “Of course, Highness. At once.”

Obviously, the Krites had arrived, but they wouldn’t be receiving the same honor Talrasar and Kael had. If anything, sending a lieutenant—no matter how trusted—to greet the delegation pointed out that the Elusians had fallen from favor.

Sagenamadeen left the throne room, and a few tense minutes passed. Everyone pretended to keep chatting, but in fact, they were all aware of the high stakes of the matter. Kael was scanning the room, his gaze taking in each face. “I have a bad feeling about tonight, love,” he said through their bond.

“The emperor said to expect everything,” Talrasar replied, concerned. “What do you think will happen?”

“I don’t know, but it won’t be good.”

Before Talrasar could say anything else, the usher announced, “His Grace, Elusian Krite Ferradul Cyraltin, accompanying Their Lordships, Alwyn Cyraltin and Lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager.”

The three people entered the throne room. Two sprites walked besides Sagenamadeen, one older, one young, perhaps Sari’s age. Apparently, just one Krite had come, not all of them as Talrasar had originally thought. They headed toward the emperor, and when they reached him, they bowed. For a few moments, Hareematek just looked at them, but then he smiled. “Greetings, Your Grace. I see you bring us a great gift.”

“Greetings, Emperor Hareematek,” the Krite said, his voice tight with obvious hatred. “This is my son, Alwyn.”

“Draechenburg welcomes you, Your Lordship.” Hareematek spoke softly as he directed his attention toward the new arrival. “We’ve prepared a small feast in the honor of all our guests. I hope you will enjoy this night.”

“You honor me, Your Imperial Majesty,” Alwyn answered.

There was no fear in Alwyn’s voice. Perhaps he truly realized Hareematek wouldn’t hurt him, or maybe he knew something Talrasar didn’t. Either way, Talrasar’s focus wasn’t only on the Elusian. As he took in the silence that had fallen over the throne room, he knew that Kael had been completely correct. Something would go horribly wrong tonight, and Talrasar had no idea how to stop it.

* * * *

“Pack your things, Camden. We’re leaving.”

Camden stared at his father with wide eyes. “You can’t be serious, Father. So much is happening. We have to be here to monitor the developments.”

“No we don’t,” Nikhil replied. “In fact, I’d prefer it if we were back in Patala as soon as possible.”

Camden’s heart fell at Nikhil’s tone. “But why?” he asked raggedly. “I don’t understand.”

“Come on, Camden,” his sister Krysta said. “Of course you do. Dead princes suddenly becoming resurrected? Prince Shtamakarein bringing in a twin? And now a sprite prisoner. Emperor Hareematek is a ticking bomb, and we have to be out of here when his rule finally comes crumbling down.”

“You saw it yourself,” his brother, Arlen, added. “His own people question him in front of everyone. And that insane man who claims he’s Prince Kaelezrin basically threatened half the paranormal world with his supposed powers.”

“We came here to find an answer,” his father told Camden. “We finally have it. The chimeras have known that this would happen one day. We thought that we might have to intervene and exploit the vulnerability of Hareematek’s rule, but it looks like it won’t be necessary. Ornoz will fall on its own.”

Camden didn’t want to hear that. He didn’t want to leave Draechenburg. Sage was here. They were just getting to know each other. Sage had been impossibly patient about it, acknowledging the difference in their ways in spite of the less-than-ideal circumstances. Camden had wanted to tell his family all about Sage, to show them how wonderful Sage was. He couldn’t abandon his mate just like that.

Now more than ever, Camden wished his sire Zaire had at least come with them. Unfortunately, that hadn’t been possible, as Camden’s new siblings needed care from their parents. It had been a sacrifice on Nikhil’s part to leave at this important time in the two babies’ life, but it had been necessary. While Camden loved both his fathers equally, Nikhil was far less likely to be open to the possibility of Camden having a draechen mate. Nevertheless, Camden had to try.

“We’re staying for the dinner, right?” he inquired.

“I’d much prefer it if we didn’t,” Nikhil answered. “This whole mess is about to blow up. I can feel it.”

“But if we go before the famous celebration, it would be rude, not to mention suspicious,” Camden argued. “Rushing to Patala might just make things worse.”

Nikhil narrowed his eyes at Camden, scrutinizing his face. For a few moments, Camden could have sworn his father would refuse, but then Nikhil said, “Fine. We’ll stay for tonight, but tomorrow morning, bright and early, we’re leaving Draechenburg behind.”

“All right.” Camden took a deep breath, struggling to calm his racing heart. “Before we do that, I just want to tell you something.”

His father crossed his arms over his chest. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with the strange way you’ve been acting, right?”

Camden should have known Nikhil would notice. That was all right. It might actually make things easier. “It does. Just… Give me until after the dinner. I have to get things a little clearer in my head.”

“Is everything all right, Camden?” Krysta inquired.

“Fine,” Camden replied automatically. “I’ll explain everything. I promise. But first, I need a little time to myself.”

Fortunately, Nikhil didn’t ask him anything else. He just nodded quietly, although silent concern shone in his eyes. Camden might not be his blood, not like Arlen and Krysta, but that didn’t matter in their family. He was still Nikhil’s son. Camden had to have faith that his father would understand him, too.

But first, he needed to find Sage and talk to him. Thanking his family, he slipped out of the room and into the corridor. Strikingly, in spite of the palace being in such a whirlwind with the arrival of the new guests, a couple of guards still tracked him as he moved through the palace. Fortunately, he and Sage had established a strategy that would allow Camden to get rid of his pursuers. It was quite straightforward, and even if it might draw attention to them, Camden was willing to chance it this time.

He found Sage in front of the imperial wing. His sister Hanna seemed to be keeping him company, although they weren’t actually talking. Camden had learned that Sage took his duties very seriously, and when he was assigned to guard an area, he didn’t allow distractions. He respected that, because he was the same with the tasks given by his parents. For that reason, he couldn’t just drag Sage away to introduce him. Instead, he approached Sage and said, “A brief word with you, Lieutenant Zager?”

“Of course, Prince Camden. I’m on duty right now, but for you, I can always spare a brief moment.” He threw a glance toward the guards approaching behind Camden. “Take over for a minute?”

“Yes, Lieutenant,” one of them said, saluting.

Sage gestured Camden into a nearby room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Sage pulled him close and crushed his lips against Camden’s. Camden couldn’t help but melt into the kiss, and he remembered himself with great difficulty. Breaking away, he glanced into Sage’s beloved blue eyes. “Sage… My father wants us to leave.”

His mate released a low growl. “No,” he said, squeezing Sage even tighter to his chest. “They can’t take you away from me, not again. I won’t allow it.”

Camden didn’t want to tell Sage that if his father ordered him to go, he wouldn’t have much choice but to obey. He’d be put in the situation of choosing between Sage and his family. Just the idea made him want to hurl. “I want to tell them about us,” he said instead. “After the dinner, can you come with me to meet my father?”

“Of course,” Sage answered. “I’ll ask the general for a change in shifts. He’ll understand. How do you think he’ll take it?”

“I’m not sure.” Camden bit his lower lip. “He’s convinced Draechenburg is headed toward disaster, and I must admit, the show in the throne room doesn’t fill me with faith.”

Sage narrowed his eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Sage, surely you must see that your emperor is acting insane. All these people he’s bringing in can’t possibly have a connection to the Tersain family. I honestly don’t know what to think about Prince Kaelezrin and Prince Talrasar. But your general never had a twin brother to begin with. How did this Rachen character spawn out of thin air?”

“It’s a long story, and I admit I don’t know all the details,” Sage answered. “Nevertheless, I trust my leaders.”

“That’s good, but you’re one person.” Camden clutched Sage’s arm tightly. “I’m afraid, Sage. If something happens, you’ll be in danger.”

“I can protect myself, beautiful,” Sage replied. “It’s precisely because this is a difficult time that all of us who are loyal to the Tersain need to stay strong.”

“You’re right.” Camden sighed. “I know you’re right. I just… I want to stay with you,” he finally confessed.

“Then stay,” Sage told him, caressing his hair. “I have no doubt that Prince Kaelezrin and Prince Talrasar are who they say they are. Prince Shtamakarein would never be deceived in that regard. Their arrival might seem strange to some, but in the long run, it will provide the current dynasty with valuable support.”

“You have a point,” Camden mused. “I’m thinking Emperor Hareematek will need it, with the way he displays his werewolf like that. Taryn Lovington isn’t a slave, is he?”

“I can’t discuss the emperor’s private life with anyone,” Sage replied, “but I will tell you because I trust that this won’t go any further. From what I’ve seen and heard, Taryn is the emperor’s mate. But keep this under wraps. If it comes out… I don’t even want to think about it.”

Camden didn’t either. Things were bad enough with the aggressive and seemingly irrational decisions Hareematek was making. Secretly, Camden agreed with the way the draechen emperor had handled the recent crisis, and if the new arrivals were telling the truth like Sage seemed to believe, Hareematek was actually doing a pretty good job in controlling the draechen lords. But it wouldn’t be enough, not nearly enough, especially not if word came out of a ninth caste member being the emperor’s mate.

Not that Camden would tell anyone. He had kept his mouth shut about what he’d learned after Prince Sareltae’s attack. A part of him had wanted to share the information with his family, but he’d known that it wouldn’t be fair to Sage. Perhaps, taking that into account, Camden had already made his choice. He couldn’t leave Draechenburg, not again. Just the thought made him cold, both inside and out.

Sage might not have fully understood the reason of it, but he still held Camden even closer, whispering, “Don’t worry, Camden. I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything happen to you. Even if your father is right and I’m wrong, we’ll still be together. I promise you that.”

In response, Camden pressed his mouth to Sage’s. The fear within him solidified into unbearable dread, and everything inside Camden wanted to drag Sage off to Patala tonight, or better yet, to elope with his mate. But he couldn’t do that, so he chose the next best thing. “Claim me, Sage!” he murmured as he broke their kiss. “I want us to bond in every way.”

Sage groaned. “Oh, beautiful… We don’t have time to do this right. The other soldiers will be waiting for me to return to the post.”

“I don’t care,” Camden argued. “Just claim me. I need you.”

The draechen didn’t hesitate for a single second. He buried his fangs in Camden’s flesh, causing an explosion of bliss to rush over him. Camden had been hard after their kisses, but nowhere near ready to climax. It didn’t seem to matter, not when he felt the mate bond click into place. As Sage’s emotions flooded him, the steady river of pleasure turned into a wild, out-of-control whirlpool of frenetic sensual desire. Crying out his mate’s name, Camden found his peak, his dick pulsing as he came in his pants.

It was quick, carnal, and perfect. It didn’t even matter that they didn’t have the chance to linger on elaborate foreplay. This claiming was exactly what Camden had wanted, free, sweet, illicit, and oh so right. And as his feelings and memories blended with Sage’s, the cold threatening Camden’s soul finally subsided, as did the fear. The only thing that remained was the love, and the absolute knowledge that he and Sage would manage to surpass every hardship that came their way. Camden gave Sage his memories, and Sage did the same. He was not surprised when he felt Sage’s possessiveness and desire to protect him rear inside Sage. After all, leaving Sage hadn’t been easy on Camden at all.

“I love you so much,” Sage whispered in Camden’s mind. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wait.”

“We’ve already waited long enough,” Camden answered. “I love you, too, Sage.”

“Never again, beautiful,” Sage added fiercely. “You’ll never have to suffer like that again.”

“And I won’t allow anyone to separate us, not even my family.”

If he had to, he’d go against his people, his duty, and his parents. But he wouldn’t abandon his mate, not again, not for a second time. He would stand at Sage’s side and face the coming storm, no matter what.

Chapter Fourteen

The emperor had outdone himself with the feast thrown in the honor of his guests. As soon as the sprite arrived, hundreds of servants swept in, bringing in tables and chairs. It should have seemed strange, but it was actually fascinating, like watching an elaborate dance orchestrated by some unseen director. There were none of the accidents that inevitably happened with events of this scale. The fact that the guests were already present didn’t seem to bother the servants in the slightest. That in itself wasn’t surprising, as the throne room was so large it could have easily housed two feasts of this size. Nevertheless, this was a demonstration of organization that made Kael a little proud. But then, Kael had already known his people were capable of great things. He might have enjoyed it far more if not for the increasing dread in his heart.

Regardless, he tried not to let it show and played along. He and Talrasar were seated at the emperor’s table, together with Karein, Sari, Rachen, and daringly enough, Taryn. Sari’s parents and the two sprites had also been given this honor. Apparently, the emperor was walking the thin line of showing the proper respect to the Krite and his son, while still making it obvious that he wouldn’t be crossed. Other important families, such as the Isaiat, were seated nearby. Kael wondered if this had any connection with Lieutenant Sagenamadeen being so smitten with the naga prince, or if it was just Hareematek ignoring past prejudice for the benefit of future cooperation.

If anyone had any doubts or comments about the seating arrangements, they all held their tongues. As servants started to bring in the dishes, the emperor got up from his chair and held up his goblet. Silence fell over the gathering. “Before we begin, a toast to today. May it bring a better tomorrow.”

“For a better tomorrow!” the entire gathering echoed.

The emperor took a sip of his drink. Kael lifted his goblet, ready to do the same. But Talrasar’s hand landed on his arm, stopping him at the last moment. “Wait,” he said. “I have a bad feeling.”

Karein gave them an inquiring look, but didn’t drink either. Rachen noticed at the last moment and hesitated just as he brought the goblet to his lips. Kael honestly couldn’t imagine what could be wrong with the wine that would determine Talrasar to act like this. Draechen were immune to any poison known to man. Nevertheless, Kael trusted Talrasar with his life. Even if this turned out to be nothing, it was better to be cautious.

Talrasar didn’t have visions like High Priestess Eanera did, but as it turned out, he proved to be completely correct. A few seconds passed, without anything happening, but then, out of the blue, the emperor dropped his goblet, the color draining out of his face. Taryn clutched the emperor’s side, shouting, “Hareem!”

The emperor shot Taryn a desperate glance, then turned toward Karein, making choking noises like he was trying to speak. Instead of words, though, a loud roar escaped his throat. His body started to grow and sprout scales, his clothes tearing as his bulk increased. Kael would have dared to hope that Hareem was only shifting to his dragon form for the purpose of countering whatever poison had been in the wine. However, he soon found that this wasn’t the case. Instead of fully changing shapes, Hareem turned into something that was a dragon but not really, a middle form that draechen only experienced halfway through the shift. And it didn’t stop there. His body kept fluctuating between animal and human characteristics, his flesh passing through a million changes per second.

Hareem fell into Taryn’s arms, writhing and roaring, flashes of ice magic swirling around him. Kael pushed Talrasar behind himself, absorbing an ice blast that came his way. Another bolt of magic headed straight toward the Krite and his son, but Talrasar quickly threw a shield around them all, preventing disaster. Taryn seemed immune to the power emanating from Hareem, but given that the two of them were mates, that wasn’t really surprising. What did shock Kael was the terrible state of most of the guests at Hareem’s dinner party. Every shifter, draechen or otherwise, was going through the same process that tortured Hareem. A whirlpool of elemental power shook the throne room, coming from all the draechen affected. The magical creatures seemed immune and were struggling to keep the palace from collapsing on top of their heads.

This was a job for a black dragon. While Karein stayed with Hareem, absorbing the ice magic, Kael and Rachen intervened, shifting into their dragon forms in the middle of the throne room. “Together now, Rachen,” Kael sent to his companion.

If Rachen was startled by Kael talking in his mind, he didn’t show it. Instead, he followed Kael’s instructions to the letter. At the same time, Kael and Rachen cast powerful enchantments to draw in all the surplus energy in the room. It wasn’t easy, but Kael had done it before, countless times. Of course, he had to be careful not to actually hurt the people who were the sources of the spell, but Rachen helped. Soon, Karein joined in, and together, the three of them managed to contain the outburst of magic.

The screams and roars in the room finally died out. “What just happened?” King Selbrian Norrenddare asked, panting.

“I think you should ask them,” Joyceropt Eretar growled, pointing at the naga. He was lingering at the edges of the throne room, surrounded by guards. This particular guest seemed to have skipped the wine, because he wasn’t in middle form like most of the other draechen. Kael supposed that it had been fortunate for the draechen lord that he hadn’t been invited to the dinner. Fortunate, and suspicious.

Unfortunately, the noble’s words weren’t entirely irrational. The naga were indeed standing in the middle of all the chaos, in shifted form as well, but looking completely sane and healthy. Their lower halves were now reptilian, but other than that, the wine didn’t seem to have affected them.

“Be careful with what you say,” Nikhil Isaiat said. “That’s a very serious accusation.”

“And the evidence is all around you. You’ve turned almost all the shifters here into filthy halves, like you.”

Unfortunately, as Kael threw a gaze toward the emperor, he saw that the draechen lord was correct. Emperor Hareematek walked to their side, half of his body a dragon, while the other remained human. He actually looked a lot like a deformed naga, which was unsettling to say the least. “I am not of habit of making judgments without proof,” he said. “However, it seems clear that chimeras must have had some personal involvement in this.”

“No.” Camden shook his head, his eyes going from Emperor Hareematek, to Sagenamadeen Zager, who was now standing by the door as one of the guards who’d intended to intervene. “We’d never do such a thing. We had nothing to do with this,” Camden insisted. “You have to believe me.”

Perhaps he was addressing the draechen lieutenant, but Hareematek was the one who replied. “Maybe you’re telling the truth. Maybe you aren’t. Regardless, I received you in my home and granted you my trust. In turn, you will remain here until this matter is sorted out and we are reverted to our previous shape.”

Judging by Hareematek’s words, the emperor couldn’t shift back into his human form. “I don’t know what happened, Kael,” Talrasar said through their bond. “The poison was so virulent that by the time I jumped to the emperor’s assistance, it had already taken effect.”

“Can’t you reverse it?” Kael inquired.

“I haven’t been able to, but I didn’t have a lot of time at my disposal. I’ll try again. If nothing else, my power can give us a clue as to the source of the poison and how to counter it.”

That would take a while, though, and unfortunately, the draechen weren’t willing to wait. “With all due respect, Your Imperial Majesty,” a lord growled, “this is obviously their ploy. How can it not be?”

“Back off,” Kael said. “Your emperor has spoken. An investigation will be initiated to find out who is behind it.”

“Speaking of which, Your Highness,” Joyceropt piped up, “how is it that nothing happened to you and your companions?”

All eyes turned toward him, but the emperor replied in Kael’s stead. “I don’t appreciate such insinuations regarding my brothers and Prince Kaelezrin.”

It was awe-inspiring that, in spite of everything, Hareematek still trusted Karein. However, he’d clearly been very affected by the spell because he glanced down at his lower half and his breath caught. He shook himself and added, “This matter needs to be dealt with at once. I trust you will cooperate, Your Majesty.”

Nikhil scanned Hareematek’s face with cool eyes. His lips twisted into a sneer. “It is always so easy to blame chimeras for everything. I can see that we’ve already been tried and deemed guilty. But I won’t give you any trouble. I knew better than to trust draechen. You can do whatever you wish to me. Just let my children go. They’re mere hatchlings. They have nothing to do with this.”

“They will stay,” the emperor decreed. “As long as you don’t cause problems, you needn’t fear for their safety. Or haven’t you heard? Taking children prisoner is a preferred method of mine.”

The chill in his voice left no doubt to the fact that there would be no changing his mind. Nikhil slid forward, ready to lunge. Kael caught the naga king before he could worsen the situation. “Don’t,” he whispered. “You can’t win this fight. Be patient.”

“Patient?” Nikhil repeated, giving him a disdainful look. “My family is being threatened. I’ve been accused of stabbing the draechen in the back. How could I possibly muster any patience?”

“You can and you will,” Kael shot back. “Losing your temper and attacking the emperor will just serve to incriminate you further. Is that what you want?”

He wanted to say more, to point out that he didn’t believe the naga were guilty. The poison of choice did point in their direction, perhaps a little too neatly. Maybe that was the whole point. Nikhil Isaiat was a soldier, but one who loved his family. If he’d wanted to poison Hareematek, he would have never done so while his children were here. It just didn’t make any sense.

Nikhil must have realized Kael was right, though, because he backed off. “I hope you truly are who you say you are,” he murmured back, “because it will take a miracle now to prevent a war between our nations.”

It was a threat if Kael had ever heard one. The emperor was close by and couldn’t have missed it, but he made no comment on it. Instead, he gestured for guards to approach. “Make sure they are kept under lock and key in their quarters, for their safety and ours.”

Sagenamadeen Zager advanced toward the naga, his gaze fixed on Camden. Kael didn’t put it past him to free the chimeras. However, before the lieutenant could do something stupid, a shifted dragon woman intervened, grabbing his arm. “Sage,” she croaked out. “Help us!”

She was obviously in pain, and behind the icy façade of Sagenamadeen’s demeanor, Kael saw the heartbreak it caused. As the woman fell, the lieutenant took her in his arms. Briefly, his gaze went back to Camden, before he looked away.

The naga prince seemed to want to approach the lieutenant, but he didn’t get the chance. The guards started to guide the naga out, and Talrasar said, “Go with them, Kael. They’ll need the support of someone objective. I’m going to see if I can help the emperor.”

Kael nodded, already following the chimeras. “Good luck, Tali. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”

* * * *

Talrasar scanned the emperor’s body, Jenarra’s energies flowing through him and into Hareematek. Courtesy of his experience as a healer, he was well accustomed to draechen physiology, but this still puzzled him. Shifters were generally very much in tune with their beast, and whatever poison had been inside the wine had destroyed that balance. As Talrasar tried to fix it, the dragon inside Hareematek reared angrily, lashing out at him. Talrasar put up a shield, trying to continue the struggle, but in spite of his efforts, he eventually found himself propelled back into his own body.

“It didn’t work,” Hareematek said the moment Talrasar looked at him. “You failed.”

“Whoever created this potion anticipated fae magic,” Talrasar replied, not allowing the emperor’s resentful tone to get to him. “Once we receive the results of the analysis on the wine, I should be able to counter the effects.”

“But surely you must have figured something out.” Taryn shot him a pleading look, quickly rushing to Hareematek’s side. “There has to be a solution.”

Talrasar didn’t want to admit it, but he had sensed something, the undertone of chimera essence. But there was another power that Talrasar couldn’t quite identify. “I’m not sure about the solution just yet. I will go speak with King Nikhil shortly. In the meantime, I can safely say that there’s more going on here than meets the eye.”

“I know that,” Hareematek replied, smiling bitterly. “I suppose it was foolish of me to expect the dragon lords to just accept my authority without question.”

Taryn hugged the emperor tightly. “It’s all right. I’m sure we’ll find a way to surpass this.”

Hareematek brushed his lips over Taryn’s temple, pulling him close. Or he tried to at least. He wasn’t used to maneuvering the lower part of his body that was so much larger than usual. He ended up swishing his tail toward Talrasar in a whip-like motion. Talrasar threw a shield around himself, preventing the blow from falling. Hareematek tried to stop, but in the process, he became unbalanced and pushed Taryn away. The werewolf fell to the floor with a pained sound.

Silence fell over the room. Hareematek stared at his mate, then looked at the lower part of his body again. “Guards!” he shouted. As soldiers burst into the room, he ordered, “Get Prince Shtamakarein.”

“Yes, Majesty,” the draechen said, retreating into the corridor.

With a gasp, Taryn shot to his feet and clung to Hareematek’s side. “No! Don’t do this, Hareem. Don’t send me away.”

“You wanted to go,” Hareematek said.

Taryn didn’t answer, at least not out loud. He tried to crawl onto Hareematek’s lap, but the emperor’s new shape made it awkward. Feeling like a voyeur, Talrasar left the room. “Kael, this is a disaster,” he sent to his own mate. “How’s it going on your side?”

“I managed to speak to the naga king,” Kael reported. “Get this. They planned to leave tonight, before the dinner, but changed their minds at the last moment because Camden asked them to.”

That was an amazing clue. “Someone knew about it. If they’d gone, they’d have been blamed automatically and had no chance to defend themselves.”

“Quite. That is not to say that their situation is ideal right now, but yes, if they’d left, it would have been much worse.”

Before Talrasar could reply to that, he ran into Karein and Sari, who were headed their way. “Prince Talrasar,” Karein greeted him glumly. “Any idea why my brother wants to see me?”

Talrasar sighed. “He means to send his werewolf away. I suspect he’ll give you the task to accompany him.”

Impossibly, Karein’s expression darkened even further. “Excuse me, Prince Talrasar. I need to go speak to him.”

He left Talrasar and Sari alone in the corridor and headed toward the emperor’s quarters. Sari released a small frustrated sob. “It was all going so well. Why did this have to happen?”

Talrasar wrapped an arm around Sari’s shoulder and pulled him away. The younger fae was actually a lot like Talrasar might have been, if not for circumstances beyond his control. Therefore, Talrasar understood Sari’s helpless anger well. “The world isn’t perfect, Sari. There will always be those who dislike seeing other people happy.”

“I know,” Sari replied with a heavy sigh. “That doesn’t make me feel any better about it.”

As they spoke, they walked toward Sari and Karein’s quarters, bypassing several guards in the process. Talrasar was reluctant to address the matter on his mind while out in the open, so he directed Sari into the room. When they were behind closed doors, Talrasar said, “Tell me. Did you manage to find out anything about the wine? How are the other injured?”

He hadn’t wanted to take Sari along for Hareematek’s healing process because of his descendant’s pregnancy. However, Sari and Karein had done something just as important and looked into the source of the poison. “As far as I can tell, it’s a poison based on naga blood,” Sari whispered. “It has another element, though. I couldn’t grasp it.”

Sari’s words confirmed Talrasar’s earlier assessment. “King Hareematek believes the draechen lords are involved. I have to admit I agree, but this looks very bad for the naga.”

The younger Ivenian nodded. “My father has extended his stay here. He’s sending Misael, Charlize, and Darian home tomorrow, though. He seems to think his presence might be required.”

Talrasar had to say he agreed with Selbrian. Things had already been volatile, what with a sprite having attacked an Ivenian prince. “How is he taking the thing with the Elusians?”

“As good as can be expected.” Sari grimaced. “Both Misael and I were attacked, and he would have liked a sterner punishment. But he knows that right now, all of us, including Iasan, are prisoners of our circumstances. He and the emperor agreed on Iasan’s punishment. Besides, we have other things to worry about right now.”

“I want you to be very careful, Sari,” Talrasar said seriously. “This is going to get worse before it gets better. You need to watch yourself.”

“I’m not a target anymore, Prince Talrasar. I’m yesterday’s news. You and Prince Kaelezrin are in far more danger than me.”

At that, Talrasar smiled without mirth. “Maybe. But Kael and I have taken on an entire army before. Let them come if they dare.”

“I doubt it will be that easy,” Kael said through their bond. “The lords aren’t stupid.”

“So we’ll bring the battle to them.” Talrasar grinned as an idea occurred to him. “What do you think, Kael? Care for another battle, one last time?”

“As long as it is for you, I’ll fight forever,” Kael replied without missing a beat. “I’d rather if you didn’t get involved, but I know better by now.”

“The two of us make a great team. They won’t know what hit them.”

And this time, there would be no sacrifice to prevent the loss of more life. This time, Talrasar would stop the war before it started. For himself and Kael, and for everyone else, he had to.

Chapter Fifteen

The day after the fateful dinner party dawned with sadness and unshed tears. Taryn was unable to convince the emperor to let him stay. In the end, perhaps it was better this way. Kael had no doubt that, even if they did manage to find a cure for Hareem’s condition, these recent events would lead to an explosion of hostility that would be dangerous for a pregnant man.

Karein and Sari ended up assigned to take Taryn to his new home. From what Karein had been told, Taryn would be staying in one of the most secure draechen outposts in New York. It was a bad time for Karein to leave, but Kael couldn’t blame Hareematek for picking Karein for the task. After all, Karein was likely the one person the emperor could trust with his mate’s life and safety.

Hareematek didn’t see Taryn off, but Kael decided to do so in his stead, or rather, Talrasar suggested it. As they gathered on the quiet cliffside, Taryn faced him without flinching, his eyes red and swollen, but otherwise showing no sign of anxiousness. “Please, take care of him.”

“I will,” Kael promised.

Taryn nodded. He didn’t seem apprehensive about what Kael had done during the war, but then, the werewolf had other things to worry about. “Farewell,” Taryn said simply.

“Good-bye, Taryn,” Talrasar replied. “And be very careful, until our next meeting.”

The young shifter’s lips twisted into a small smile. “Until our next meeting,” he repeated.

He turned on his heel and entered the jet that had been waiting for him. Karein wordlessly shook Kael’s hand, while Sari hugged Talrasar. As the couple joined Taryn and boarded the plane, Kael and Talrasar remained alone on the cliffside. “He doesn’t expect to come back,” Talrasar said through their bond. “Taryn, I mean.”

“He and the emperor must have argued.” Kael sighed and wrapped his arm around Talrasar’s waist. “We can only hope that after we solve this problem, Hareematek will reconsider his decision.”

As Kael and Talrasar spoke, the plane took off, abandoning the runway and heading toward its destination. Kael was just about to turn and head back inside, when out of the blue, a flash of red swept over the sky. He watched in shocked horror as it struck the aircraft. In a blinding flash, the jet exploded, painting the clouds in pure flame.

For a few moments, both he and Talrasar froze, completely shocked by this development. Then, with a growl, Kael melted into his dragon form. Talrasar climbed onto his back, and Kael launched himself into the air. It was unlikely that Karein had perished. He could absorb fire energy, and the explosion wouldn’t have hurt him. However, Sari, Taryn and the pilot of the plane were a different matter entirely. And who had launched that projectile Kael had seen?

He had no trouble finding the wreckage of the plane, as he had a good instinct for sensing Karein’s presence. Even if he hadn’t been granted this ability, the still burning husk of the jet would have drawn his attention. Kael landed next to it, or rather, next to Karein and Sari. Apparently unharmed, Sari was tending to Taryn, while Karein spoke in a low voice to the pilot.

“What happened?” Talrasar asked as he leapt off Kael’s back.

Holding a shivering Taryn in his arms, Sari answered, “I don’t know. I just had this flash that something was going to happen and threw shields around everyone. Karein helped us all get out before the plane hit the ground. But I’m not sure what made the plane explode.”

Under Sari’s care, Taryn began to calm down and the color returned to his face. “Someone tried to kill us. Why?”

“There are a thousand possible reasons for that,” Kael answered darkly. “But you’re not returning to Draechenburg. I’m going to fly you to New York myself.”

“Is that even safe?” the pilot inquired.

Karein shrugged. “I’ve done it before. Granted, at that time, I was furious and terrified, but Prince Kaelezrin here can testify to the fact that our people used to do it all the time.”

Kael turned back into his legged form and nodded. “Quite true, although carrying people over a long distance could become strenuous. Take your pilot with you. He will help for a portion of the way. You can commission another aircraft in Britain.”

“Good idea,” Karein answered. “But will you be able to handle things on your own here?”

Kael arched a brow, and his descendant rolled his eyes. “What am I saying? Of course you will.”

“I think His Majesty would approve,” Taryn said carefully. “He would want you to go through with what you originally discussed. Perhaps we should hurry and go through with this.”

That was Taryn’s way of saying he’d spoken with the emperor using their bond without exposing the truth to the pilot. “Be extra careful,” Kael indicated. “We’ll scout the area for the source of the attack.”

“For the purpose of your investigation, I do have some information. I absorbed some of the energy of the blast and I suspect a fire dragon was behind this,” Karein added. In the distance, the sound of other approaching draechen reached Kael’s ears. Karein must have heard it as well, because he said, “We will be off. Good luck, Prince Kael. I leave my brother in your care, but I will return soon.”

Karein shifted into his dragon form and took Sari and Taryn in his paws. The pilot changed shapes as well, and when Karein took off, he followed. Even as Karein disappeared into the distance, Kael had no doubt that his descendant would do exactly what he’d said. Once he got Taryn—and perhaps more importantly, Sari—to safety he would return to hunt down the person who’d attempted to kill them. Kael had seen it in Karein’s eyes, along with the same dark determination that had once urged Kael to take out entire armies of shifters.

It would be far preferable to handle the situation before Karein returned, especially given the information Karein had provided. It was clear the person behind the whole thing had a score to settle with the Tersain. Otherwise, they’d have never attempted something as foolhardy as blowing up the plane. The potential—if not certain—involvement of a fire dragon made things quite clear.

“Do you think the emperor knows?” Talrasar inquired.

“It must have occurred to him,” Kael answered. “But if he hasn’t mentioned it, we won’t, not just yet. This is a serious situation, love. The draechen lords are likely complying with outside commands. We need proof before we make any accusations. Let’s go back to the palace. I think it’s time to put on a little show.”

Talrasar grimaced. “I wish there was another way. The naga won’t like it.”

“If we don’t do it, the naga will be the first to pay the price,” Kael reminded his mate. He changed shapes and gripped his mate in his paw. He was just about to take off when a group of draechen finally reached their position. They landed right in front of Kael and shifted into their legged form. “What happened here?” Lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager asked. “Where is the general?”

“Prince Shtamakarein is fine,” Kael sent out through his mind’s abilities. “Fortunately, injuries were minimal.”

He had no intention to provide more information than strictly necessary. However, his choice to use telepathic speech made all the guards, Zager included, freeze. Kael mentally sighed. He hadn’t forgotten that only the eldest sons in a dynasty—who were supposed to be heirs—had this gift. Karein didn’t have it, as he’d been second son, but Hareematek did. Just great. He might have told Hareematek that he was no danger to his rule, but he could already hear the speculation exploding throughout Draechenburg.

But perhaps they could use this. If they put enough pressure on the draechen nobles, while suggesting that they believed the naga were behind the ploy… Yes, it just might work. “We need to speak to the emperor at once,” he added.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Sagenamadeen said. “He has already ordered a meeting to handle this issue.”

“Good,” Talrasar said. “Spread out to search for clues. We will be returning to Draechenburg. Lieutenant Zager, you stick with us.”

Technically speaking, they didn’t have to obey Talrasar since Kael’s mate was Ivenian and had no official authority over these men. However, as the soldiers scrambled to do their duty, it became obvious that they were starting to believe Kael and Talrasar were telling the truth regarding their identities. Not that it really mattered, at least not for the problem at hand. Kael highly doubted these people would find anything of use.

“If they do, it’ll probably be some sort of scale or another such clue to incriminate the naga,” Talrasar said through their bond.

Unfortunately, Talrasar was right. Draechen could be very resentful when they thought they knew what was best. Past centuries had made them even more arrogant than they’d been in Kael’s time, and chimeras had never been popular to begin with. King Nikhil had a point in that it had been very easy to blame the naga for the treachery.

However, Kael had every intention to reveal the true culprit, and what the guards believed was irrelevant. He launched himself into the air and shortly after, Sagenamadeen followed. “Listen closely, Lieutenant,” Kael sent to him. “I know you have a vested interest in the naga’s welfare. Likely what will happen today will upset you. But I need you to remain calm. If you have a mate bond with Prince Camden, make sure he attempts to calm his family down.”

Sagenamadeen couldn’t reply, but Kael felt his agitation regardless. Still, Kael had already realized that the lieutenant was not one to openly show his feelings. When they reached the citadel once more, they found more guards waiting for them, but even when Sagenamadeen and Kael changed shapes, no one could see past the mask the lieutenant had forced on. The younger draechen’s face could have been carved out of stone for all the emotion it showed.

Kael couldn’t worry about that now. He hoped Sagenamadeen would listen and not intervene, because this plan largely relied on their foes believing they’d won. A guard intercepted him and said, “Your Highness, your presence is required in the throne room. His Imperial Majesty summons you.”

“Of course,” Kael said. “I just need to drop by my room to put some clothes on.”

He wasn’t shy—no shifter could be—but a summons from the emperor implied official business, and as such, required certain protocol. “In the meantime, Lieutenant, report our findings.”

Kael and Talrasar rushed inside and headed toward their quarters. The palace was in a whirlwind, everyone confused as to what had happened. Judging by the whispers, though, the draechen had already reached the conclusion Kael had anticipated.

As they burst into their room, Talrasar released a huff of frustration. “Why are they so quick to judge and draw conclusions?”

“Many people hate chimeras,” Kael replied, already pulling on a suit of clothes. “They only became second caste in the first place because they jumped in to help after Eternelle. There’s still resentment because of that achievement.”

Talrasar sighed. “Jenarra, I hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces.”

Kael hoped so, too. Desperately. Because if this plan didn’t work, another war would start, one Kael might be helpless to stop.

* * * *

The throne room was quiet, strikingly so given the number of people that had gathered there. Camden stood in front of the throne with his family, surrounded by guards, but they were the only non-draechen people in the area. The sprites and the fae seemed to have stepped back out of the matter. The day before, Prince Kaelezrin had stuck around and his presence had helped temper the hostility a bit, but now, Camden felt exposed to all the resentment. If not for his mate bond with Sage, he’d be a wreck right now.

“I wish I could help more,” Sage whispered in his mind. “There’s more going on than we know. Prince Kaelezrin warned me not to get involved.”

“You know he spoke to Father, too,” Camden answered. “I do believe he thinks we’re innocent, but I’m not sure if that will help us. For all we know, the emperor is too angry to see reason.”

“Just breathe, beautiful,” Sage answered. “If Prince Kaelezrin doesn’t pull through for us, I’ll get you and your family out. I promise.”

Camden believed him. Even if it meant betraying everything Sage had been faithful to all his life, the draechen would jump in to rescue Camden should the need arise. But Camden still hoped that things wouldn’t come to that. Under the circumstances, he hadn’t even been brave enough to approach his father about Sage. Regardless how this all turned out, he knew that his father wouldn’t react well to the news.

Unfortunately, he also knew that Sage had been personally affected by this attack. His sister and parents had also become victims of the poisoning. Camden could still remember the way Sage had looked when holding his tortured twin in his arms.

“I’ll find out who really did this,” Sage told him, “for them, and for you.”

Camden was heartbroken for him, and he’d have liked to rush to his mate’s side and comfort him. Sadly, it wasn’t possible. Finally, the two people who’d been missing from the gathering, Prince Kaelezrin and Prince Talrasar, entered the throne room. There was no big announcement, just murmurs and unsettled whispers. Wordlessly, the couple made their way to the throne. Neither of them looked in Camden’s direction. Camden’s heart fell, but he clung to what Kael had told Sage.

Sage was the last one to arrive, but he lingered in the doorway, as his position didn’t allow him to approach Camden without drawing the suspicion of the draechen lords. Even so, Camden felt him, and just Sage’s presence was like a balm for his heart.

Camden’s father didn’t have that support, though. “Something’s very wrong,” he whispered. “I don’t know what happened, but things seem worse than yesterday.”

And they were much, much worse. Camden wished he could explain, but doing so would imply revealing his mate bond with Sage, and now was not the time or the place. Fortunately, he was spared from making any comment or coming up with a lie by the entrance of the emperor. Hareematek was accompanied by Prince Shtamakarein’s supposed twin, whose existence had yet to be explained. His body remained in chimera form, and Camden surmised that, so far, the fae had proven to be unsuccessful in finding a cure.

At first, the emperor focused strictly on the draechen. “Treachery has struck Draechenburg again. My brother, Prince Shtamakarein, and his mate were entrusted with a task from me, but as they departed from Draechenburg, their plane was attacked. Fortunately, the Overlords protected them and they are on their way to safety.” His gaze turned toward Camden and his family. “Under the circumstances, we can only believe that this is retaliation from the chimeras. What say you, King Nikhil?”

“Your accusations are outrageous falsehoods,” Camden’s father replied. “Even if we had wanted to fight back, my people would have never done so while my children and I remained here.”

The emperor arched a brow. “Why should I believe you, half? You threatened us last night. Everyone heard it.”

Nikhil released a snarl at the insulting appellative. “You’ve done far worse, Emperor. And tell you what. You’re a half now, too.”

Shouts of outrage exploded over the throne room. Camden mentally groaned. That was exactly what the draechen had needed to make his family look even guiltier. But then, just like his father had said the night before, this was only a farce. The decision had already been made, and Camden had no chance to change it.

“I’ve heard enough,” Hareematek shouted. “Take them away. I want them locked in the dungeons until I decide on a permanent punishment. Rachen, in Karein’s absence, you’re in charge.”

Prince Shtamakarein’s carbon copy saluted, just like the original one did. “I live and die by your command,” he said.

Rachen walked to Camden’s side and took his arm. “Come along, naga. Don’t make this harder on yourself.”

“Unhand my son, you monster,” Nikhil protested, looking ready to lunge.

“Father, don’t,” Camden rushed to say. “It’s okay. We’ll find a way out of this somehow.”

Rachen chuckled darkly. “No, you won’t, naga. The enemies of Ornoz never live to tell the tale.”

* * * *

Talrasar watched Rachen lead the confused and angry naga out of the throne room. One thing was certain. If the emperor wanted to point out his decision to punish the chimeras, he’d certainly picked the right man for the job. “I hope Rachen doesn’t lose it,” Kael said through their bond.

“Have a little faith,” Talrasar replied. “In his heart, he’s a good man. And the emperor trusted him with this.”

Kael arched a brow at him. “Hareematek trusts Karein, and it’s far too easy to confuse the two of them. Don’t forget that Rachen was once Karein’s dark side. I do have faith, in you and your opinion. But I don’t have faith in him.”

Talrasar couldn’t expect Kael to like Rachen, not after what the draechen had done immediately after their resurrection. However, he truly did believe that Rachen would help them, and this time, they didn’t need distrust to divide their ranks. “If he ever attacks someone, it will be the Tersain.”

It occurred to Talrasar that if the bolt that had destroyed the plane had come from a fire dragon, it could have easily originated from Rachen. Karein’s twin had originally been a fire dragon before he’d borrowed some of Karein and Kael’s abilities. But no, Talrasar didn’t want to think like that. He’d seen genuine good in Rachen’s heart.

“I do wonder if the emperor agrees with you,” Kael said. “I don’t think he actually told Rachen about our suspicions.”

Kael was probably correct. Hareematek might have sent Rachen away for the specific purpose of keeping him out of the loop. Rachen must have been aware of Kael and Talrasar’s belief that the naga were innocent, but what with this new attack… Talrasar honestly didn’t know what to think anymore. He hoped that his original guess had been the correct one.

Either way, their plan was already in motion. Talrasar had to admit he’d have preferred to discuss it more before they sprung it on the naga like this, but the explosion of the jet had forced things to go far faster than Talrasar would have liked. He honestly didn’t know if Hareematek had developed Kael and Talrasar’s tentative idea any further.

As if sensing Talrasar’s confusion, the emperor called out to them. “Prince Kaelezrin, Prince Talrasar, I’d like to speak to you in private,” he said.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Kael said.

The emperor left the throne room through the same side door he’d used to enter it. Kael and Talrasar followed. They passed through several areas, but Hareematek didn’t stop, not until he reached one final room. Much to Talrasar’s shock, King Selbrian and Krite Ferradul Cyraltin were waiting.

“How did it go?” Selbrian inquired.

“As well as could be expected,” the emperor replied. “They’re outraged.”

“I can’t blame them,” the Krite said. “Regardless of what happened, there is no real evidence that they were behind this.”

“The problem isn’t the lack of proof,” Kael piped up. “Believe me, Your Grace, if you were poisoned by a substance based on draechen blood, you would also be inclined to believe the worst. But that’s beside the point. It’s all too convenient, and personally, I’ve never believed that the most obvious solution is necessarily the right one.”

“In any case, this isn’t why I summoned you here,” Hareematek offered. “Prince Kaelezrin has pointed out that by pretending we believe the naga are guilty, we can draw out the true culprit. He will be watching a certain draechen noble. If all goes well, we will need Your Grace’s assistance to pursue him to the brains of this operation. A traitor he might be, but he’s quite skilled in stealth and one wrong move can alert him that he is being watched.”

“And why should I do that?” Ferradul sneered. “You haven’t been exactly accommodating to my wishes and desires.”

“Because I’m willing to free Iasan Sutharlainn if you do so,” the emperor answered.

“The only reason for which I would ever place my abilities at your disposal is if you agreed to release my son,” the Krite shot back.

“I can’t do that, and you know it,” Hareematek replied. “Furthermore, take into account that it isn’t only me whom you offended. In your foolishness, you also attacked King Selbrian’s people.”

“This is true,” the Ivenian sovereign answered. “I want peace between our nations, but I cannot accept you just getting away with this. As a father, I want Iasan to stay behind lock and key, but as a king, I understand that no real harm was done. If it is for a greater cause, I am willing to allow him into your custody. But what is to say that you won’t try again after that? No, Your Grace. Your son will stay, and if you go against us, you’ll find Ivenia is still a formidable foe.”

“Fighting among ourselves is useless,” Talrasar intervened. Sometimes, he really hated politics, and right now, he had no patience for it. “Will you assist us with this, Great Krite? Yes or no.”

For a few moments, Ferradul was quiet. Then, much to Talrasar’s surprise, he nodded. “I will help, if not for you, for the chimeras. If they truly weren’t involved in this, it is not just for them to have to pay the price.”

“Excellent.” Hareematek smirked. “Now, listen up. Here is what we’ll do.”

* * * *

“So the naga were at the feast when the plan was set into motion? I thought they were supposed to leave tonight.”

The draechen woman grimaced. “They were,” she replied. “But they changed their minds at the last moment. Our contact decided to go through with the plan regardless.”

Her superior growled, clenching her fists in anger. “We should have never enlisted that idiot Joyce,” she said. “He has his own agenda, and he could never see farther than his own nose.”

It was a show of temper that the older draechen female would have never displayed before. But things were different now. Everything was different, and they had to adapt if they wanted to survive and take out their enemies.

“In any case,” the younger woman said, “the plan was successful. Hareem is a half now. The fae can try to heal it all they want, but they’ll never be able to undo it. The naga will take the fall for it, and it’s only a matter of time until Hareem falls from the throne altogether.”

“What about Shtamakarein?” her leader asked. “And these new people claiming to be Prince Kaelezrin and Shtamakarein’s twin, out of all things.”

“They didn’t drink the wine,” she replied. “I did attack the plane he and his whore were on, but they survived.”

A roar echoed in the large room, this time not from the older draechen female, but from the man lying on the bed. “What’s the use, then? Shtamakarein has to pay for his treachery.”

Every syllable was punctuated by a gasp and a pained moan, as if he was having trouble vocalizing his thoughts. Not that it surprised her. Shtamakarein had, in one act of treason, destroyed the grandeur of the Tersain dynasty.

Princess Akarawem watched her mother return to her father’s side. “It’s all right,” Rowenasheb said. “Sleep now, Kaveh. We’ve won this battle anyway, and we have agents working for us in Draechenburg. The first step is to take out the naga.”

“From what I hear, they’ve already been blamed for it.” Akara smirked. “If nothing else, Hareem will bring the wrath of the chimeras onto his head by killing the royal family.”

“Don’t lose your focus now,” her mother warned her. “Even if a war starts, our end goal is to return the rightful leader to the throne.”

At this point, Kavehquader would never be able to lead, but, if needed, the consort could take over rule of Ornoz. It had never happened, not once in the history of Ornoz, but Akara believed that her mother was more than capable of righting the situation.

“Go, Akarawem,” her mother commanded. “And remember. You are the final hope of the Tersain. Do not fail us.”

Akara had no intention to. Her brothers might have discarded her as a useless element, but they would pay for their deeds. Hareem in particular because he was her twin. He was supposed to be on her side, not Karein’s, no matter what.

Vengeance burning in her heart, Akara stepped out of the room. She might not have Shtamakarein’s dark power, but she was still a Tersain, and she would show everyone, including her foolish siblings, what being a leader truly meant.

Chapter Sixteen

Rachen was familiar with the palace dungeons. He’d been here countless times before. Well, it felt like it, at least, because he’d never actually stepped inside them of his own accord. It had always been Karein, with Rachen’s soul inside him.

Still, Karein’s knowledge of the cells lingered within him, so he had no trouble navigating through the chilly darkness. He led the group of guards without faltering once and stopped in front of one of the most secure areas. “Open this door,” he ordered.

The soldiers still didn’t know what to make of him, but his resemblance to Karein was enough to frighten them into complying. One of the draechen inserted the key in the lock and granted Rachen entrance. Rachen mockingly gestured the naga inside. “Your home away from home. Please, be my guests.”

King Nikhil looked like he was about to pounce, but he somehow managed to keep himself from doing so. It was a good thing, because contrary to popular belief, Rachen didn’t want to hurt the naga. He had no quarrel with these people, because, like his brothers, he realized all too well the chimeras hadn’t been the ones behind the entire ploy. Furthermore, while other naga might have been inclined to attack Karein’s plane, Rachen somehow knew it hadn’t been the way of things. Someone else had planned it all, and that person had almost killed Sari. Rachen wouldn’t stand for that.

To a certain extent, Rachen understood now that he’d borrowed some of Karein’s feelings for Sari. However, the fact remained that he, as a person, had been there as Karein and Sari had fallen in love. He’d seen Sari’s kindness and trust, his sweet and gentle nature. He’d been a witness to moments of passion that, perhaps, he shouldn’t have snooped upon. For all those reasons, even if he intellectually tried to grasp that Sari wasn’t his mate, he still felt protective of the young Ivenian. Therefore, the guilty party in this entire thing had to pay.

Also, Rachen didn’t fool himself. He knew the emperor didn’t really trust him, and that part of the reason why he’d been given this task was because Hareem was taking into account a possible involvement from Rachen’s part. Rachen would have felt offended or hurt, except his older brother was correct in not putting his faith in Rachen. After all, the resentment of centuries couldn’t be simply washed away in one day, and the Overlords only knew that sometimes, Rachen wanted to go through with his original idea to enact revenge on Karein.

He had never done so, for two reasons. The first was the affection he felt toward Sari and Talrasar. The second, and more unexpected one, originated from his bond with Karein. They were still twins, no matter what. Karein had saved his life. And in spite of himself, a part of Rachen dared to believe that he could have a family.

Therefore, Rachen had to go along with what his older brother and emperor had asked. “Inside, if you will,” he urged the naga again.

The guards shoved the younger of the princes, Camden, into the cell. Nikhil turned on his heel, but Rachen grabbed the chimera king’s arm before he could attack the draechen soldiers. A spell from Rachen made Nikhil collapse in his arms. “Thank you,” Rachen told the guards. “I can take it from here.”

Without another word, he grabbed the keys and closed the door, effectively shutting himself in with the naga. Handing Nikhil to the man’s oldest son, he said, “Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Emperor Hareematek has tasked me to keep you company and ask you a few questions regarding the poison.”

Nikhil’s oldest son, Arlen, growled in obvious anger. “We’ve already told Prince Kaelezrin that we don’t know anything about that. What more do you want from us?”

“Arlen, please,” Camden intervened, “let’s listen. Maybe things aren’t exactly how they seem.”

“You think?” Princess Krysta narrowed her eyes at her brother. “I hope you’re happy, Camden. If you hadn’t told Father we should stay in Draechenburg, we’d have been safe in Patala right now.”

Camden winced, but didn’t answer. Personally, Rachen had found that issue quite interesting ever since he’d first learned of it. It was crystal clear to him, and to the rest of the Tersain, that someone had focused this entire plan around the departure of the naga. He wondered if the Isaiat really did know something about this, maybe not because of malevolent intent, but rather, as a clue regarding the substance used on Hareem.

“You can’t run away from this,” he said. “Tell me, how exactly did a poison based on naga blood end up in the wine of our emperor?”

“Naga blood?” Arlen frowned. “That can’t be right.”

“It’s what the fae reported.” Talrasar had checked personally, and Rachen trusted his assessment.

Arlen, Krysta, and Camden shared a look, but it was Nikhil who answered. Shaking off the weakness that had come with Rachen’s spell, he straightened his spine and glowered at Rachen. “It’s impossible. Naga blood cannot be the basis of any poison.”

Rachen suddenly felt that he was at last getting somewhere. “How so?” he asked.

“I will not tell you the reason,” Nikhil shot back. “I do not trust you with the secrets of our kind.”

Rachen was getting tired of all this dancing around. “If you have information that could benefit you, don’t keep it to yourselves. It might be your only chance to share it.”

“Then I’ll just have to live with that decision,” Nikhil answered.

Shrugging, Rachen decided that he just didn’t have the patience to deal with another stubborn family. He had enough problems of his own without having to worry about people who blatantly refused his aid. “Fine. Suit yourself. But rest assured that you won’t get out of this if you stubbornly refuse to cooperate.”

On his part, he had other ways to investigate the matter, without having to force information out of unwilling people. In fact, he was pretty sure that he could drop this burden on someone else, someone who had a far more personal interest in the naga’s welfare than him. He looked at Camden and arched a brow. “And if you don’t trust me, perhaps you will trust others. But in the meantime, I’m afraid I just can’t leave you here free.”

Opening the door once more, he summoned the guards. “Bind them. Until the emperor decides what to do with them, they will be unharmed.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the draechen said, already rushing to do his bidding.

He stayed until he made sure that the naga wouldn’t give the guards any trouble, and then, once the Isaiat were secured and in chains, he left the cell. Truly, he wished things could have been solved in a different way, but it was out of his hands now.

Perhaps he’d have put more effort into making the naga see the error of their ways, but he felt truly and deeply troubled. He didn’t want to think about it too much, but a sense of dismay lingered over him since the day before, and not because his brothers had been attacked. It angered him, because he should be focusing on getting his family and his people out of this mess, and most of all, on figuring out his own confused emotions.

But as much as he wanted to avoid the cause of his predicament, Rachen found his steps leading him to the guest wing. When he got there, though, he had no idea what he could possibly do to face this new problem. Overlords, he shouldn’t have to call the man his dragon identified as his mate a problem. But sadly, he’d thought the same thing about two other men, and that had turned out to be a bust. This could easily be caused by his own need to find someone for himself.

While his reason was trying to push the potential hope away, though, his beast perked up as he felt the approach of the cause of his torment. Rachen turned, just in time to see Alwyn Cyraltin slip out of his room. He threw a gaze toward Rachen and froze. Rachen’s dragon roared at him, “Why the fuck are you doubting? Look at him.”

Rachen did look. He couldn’t get tired of it, of the beauty of the man in front of him. Alwyn was young and slender, like Sari, but the similarities ended there. Alwyn’s dark hair and eyes rivaled the night itself, but that jet-black gaze was filled of the same wariness, discontent, and confusion Rachen himself experienced. Not that Rachen blamed him. The man had essentially been torn away from his home and brought here as a prisoner, paying for something he hadn’t done. To top it off, he was surrounded by people hostile to him, under less-than-ideal circumstances.

As if to confirm Rachen’s thoughts, a couple of draechen guards appeared, heading straight for Alwyn. “You, sprite. What are you doing? You shouldn’t be loitering out of your room.”

Alwyn turned toward the soldiers and started to explain, “I merely wanted to…”

Rachen couldn’t help but notice that Alwyn’s voice was as beautiful as the rest of him, but he didn’t get the chance to dwell on that nauseatingly romantic thought. The other draechen interrupted Alwyn, snapping at him, “Just get back inside. The last thing we need is you treacherous creatures stabbing us in the back again.”

The guards approached Alwyn, but Rachen was faster. “That’s quite enough,” he barked at them. “Lord Alwyn is His Majesty’s guest. You would do well to remember that. Understood?”

They blinked in surprise. “Yes, Highness. Of course.”

“Excellent,” Rachen replied. “You’re dismissed.”

They practically fled, and Rachen watched them go with a measure of smug satisfaction. He was beginning to believe that the root cause of their panic was the fact that Karein had mellowed out since meeting Sari. They’d gotten used to that somewhat kinder version of Karein, and now they had to face one harsher than ever before.

Any disdain or hostility melted out of Rachen as he turned toward Alwyn. His dragon wanted to curl at Alwyn’s feet, to have Alwyn’s fingers caress his scales, or better yet, to touch, kiss, and fuck the sprite. Rachen shook himself, doing his best to hide his confusing emotions. “You have my apologies for their outburst, Lord Alwyn. I would promise you that it won’t happen again, but unfortunately, things are quite delicate in Draechenburg at this time.”

Unable to help himself, Rachen took Alwyn’s hand and kissed it. Alwyn blushed, but didn’t free his palm from his grip. “Th–thank you, Your Highness,” he stammered. “I admit I’m quite anxious, given what happened yesterday at the dinner. No one’s told me anything about the issue since then, but I know something’s going on.”

“Didn’t your father explain?” Rachen inquired. “My brother’s plane was shot out of the sky. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the emperor has decreed the naga guilty of it. They’re bound to be punished any day now.”

The lie tasted bitter on his lips, and the horrors it suggested made Alwyn pale. At last, Alwyn retracted his hand from Rachen’s hold. “But are you sure they’re the ones behind it? Shouldn’t there be a more thorough investigation?”

Rachen would have liked to explain everything to Alwyn. In fact, he wanted to give Alwyn the world, and that urge made him come to a decision. “I assure you, Emperor Hareematek would never issue a command without being absolutely certain. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go see him. Good day, Lord Alwyn.”

“Good day,” Alwyn echoed softly.

Without another word, Rachen turned his back on Alwyn and walked away. His dragon could fuck off, because Rachen was in no condition to think clearly and claim a mate. He wouldn’t force anyone to bond with him, because sometimes, he didn’t even know who he was. In some ways, his mind, his heart, and his soul remained dependent on Karein. And as long as Rachen couldn’t be an individual person, he wasn’t worthy of a true mate. No matter how much it hurt, he had to accept that.

* * * *

The moment Prince Rachen and the soldiers stepped out of the cell, Camden reached out to his mate. Sage’s anxiety, guilt, and despair flooded him, so intense it almost suffocated him. The draechen was already making plans to bust Camden out of the cell in the next five minutes. “Don’t,” Camden said. “I think the emperor is planning something to find the true culprit.”

And really, if Sage got involved in it at this point, he would forfeit his entire life as he knew it. “I don’t care about that,” Sage assured you. “I can’t allow you to be bound in that prison cell like some sort of criminal.”

“I won’t be,” Camden answered. “I just need you to look into something for me.”

“Anything, beautiful,” Sage replied. “Just tell me what to do.”

“Prince Rachen claims the poison was made out of naga blood,” Camden answered. “That can’t be true. Our blood has curative properties. We believe that a long time ago, the Great Varuna gave us this gift. We were touched by the gods. In fact, one drop of naga blood can heal any wound. I suspect that if you got in a battle now, you’d be feeling the aftereffects of tasting it.”

“Seriously, Camden? That’s very dangerous information. If it got out…”

“We’d be hunted and killed, yes.” It was forbidden to even mention it to outsiders. By rights, Camden shouldn’t have told Sage, but Camden had no secrets from his mate. “I need you to look into this, Sage. There are other reptilian species that could have been confused for naga. Medusas come to mind, although I highly doubt they would get involved in this. Hydras and basilisks also share some of our characteristics. You’re the only one who can do this, Sage. If you find the real source of the poison, the cure for it will be close by.”

“I can’t possibly leave your side now,” Sage argued.

Camden couldn’t force Sage to go, not when he understood all too well how Sage felt. And really, Sage was the only one who could help if things got truly bad and they needed an urgent helping hand. “Talk to Prince Shtamakarein,” he finally said. “I can’t imagine this will all be over by the time he returns. Whoever is behind it won’t just jump in and admit they’re guilty.”

“All right, Camden,” Sage replied after a brief pause. “It will be as you say, but I can’t allow you to stay imprisoned until then. I’ll speak with the emperor.”

It was pointless to go against Sage in that, and truly Camden didn’t want his family to experience humiliation and discomfort either. He didn’t care so much about himself, but his father was the king of the naga. He deserved better than this.

“I won’t fail you, Camden,” Sage added. “I promise.”

In spite of the tight hold of the cuffs around his wrists, Camden found himself hiding a smile. Even under these awful circumstances, Sage’s loyalty and affection made him feel warm inside. That comfortable emotion came with guilt, however, because as Krysta had said, in some ways, it was his fault they’d ended up here.

With that thought in mind, Camden directed his attention toward his father and siblings. “Don’t worry,” he tried to encourage them. “I’m sure we’ll get out of here soon.”

They didn’t answer, not that Camden expected them to. Mentally sighing, Camden put all his hopes in his mate. The emperor’s interests certainly didn’t run their way, and if Sage didn’t find out who had truly attempted to kill Prince Shtamakarein, things would get even worse. For the naga, and for them all.

Chapter Seventeen

A few days later, somewhere in Greece

“Are you sure this is the place?” Karein shot Sage a frustrated glance. “We’ve been waiting here forever.”

Sage double-checked with Camden, and nodded at his prince, friend, and general. He could definitely understand the other man’s agitation, as he was experiencing it too. He hadn’t exactly expected a clue to drop in his lap so easily, and as a soldier, he understood the value of patience. But right now, being on this stakeout was akin to burning in the fires of hell. For an ice dragon, that was saying a lot.

Even so, he did his best to remain calm. “It’s here,” he whispered. “We just have to be a little patient.”

Camden had guided them to an island just off the coast of Greece. Shrouded in mist and mystery, it was supposed to hide some of the last remaining medusas in the world. Sage would have never found the place at all had he not known where to look, which was apparently no coincidence.

According to the information siphoning from Camden’s mind into Sage’s, the entire area should have been crawling with guards. For that reason, Sage and Karein had found a hiding place behind a large stone. Only, so far, they hadn’t seen any sign that the island was inhabited at all.

Sage was actually beginning to doubt his own interpretation of Camden’s knowledge, when a large shape appeared from the shadows of the trees. Both he and Karein stilled, holding their breaths. At first, the approaching figure seemed to belong to a man, but soon, Sage realized that it wasn’t exactly the case. The stranger’s head was not human, but bovine. A minotaur.

“Something’s wrong,” Camden whispered in his mind. “The minotaurs never wander around unchecked. There are always a lot of medusas checking the perimeter.”

“We must be on the right track then,” Sage mused.

He waited until the male chimera was gone, and then turned toward Karein. “We should go further inland,” he suggested. “We might find something of real importance here.”

Karein nodded wordlessly. Obviously, he no longer believed that Sage had made a mistake. How could he, after all? Sage hardly thought that the world abounded in strange islands haunted by theriocephalic creatures.

Together with Karein, Sage left their hiding place and stealthily made his way through the undergrowth. The Mediterranean vegetation provided very little cover, and Sage half-expected that any moment now, they would be discovered. But they weren’t. In fact, the whole place seemed eerily quiet. Sage suspected that once they figured out the reasons behind this strange situation, they would also learn how to prove the naga hadn’t been behind the strange poisoning.

He didn’t know how long they trekked through the strange island when they finally spotted a structure up ahead. It looked like a large villa, Corinthian columns and oddly lifelike statues surrounding it from every direction. Distantly, Sage wondered how many of those statues had once been people.

“Not many,” Camden said in his mind. “Medusas don’t have that kind of magic anymore.”

“Uh-huh,” Sage replied. “You know as well as I do that artwork can survive the onslaught of time far better than people.” Not that it mattered. Even if the medusas could have turned him into stone with a glance, Sage would have still gone straight in there. It seemed clear to him now that the answer to their predicament lay within.

As if in answer to Sage’s thoughts, a figure slid through the courtyard, passing from one part of the villa to another. Even from the distance, Sage could tell that this time, the silhouette didn’t belong to a minotaur, but rather, a medusa. She moved quickly, her snake-like lower half faster than Sage had expected.

“Be careful,” Camden warned Sage. “Medusas have amazing senses, extremely bad tempers, and a serious dislike for males, with the exception of minotaurs.”

Well, in that regard, at least, real medusas resembled their legendary ancestors. Either way, Sage didn’t fear her, but he had no plans to burst in there guns blazing. Right now, the point of this expedition was to garner information and evidence to back up the naga’s innocence. Secondary considerations were irrelevant.

In the end, the medusa seemed in quite a hurry, and she didn’t see them. She was completely intent on her goal, so much so that she didn’t see Sage and Karein. Taking advantage of her distraction, Sage and Karein followed after her, moving slowly and carefully. When she entered the building, Sage knew they couldn’t go after her. Fortunately, the building had huge windows, which allowed them to monitor her.

Inside, the medusa started to work at something that looked like a lab table. She used a scalpel to create a small cut over her wrist then mixed the blood with some additional substances she carefully retrieved from various vials. It took her quite some time, but Sage and Karein didn’t interrupt. For his part, Sage suspected this might be very important, not only for providing evidence of Camden’s innocence, but also for healing everyone who was relying on them.

At last, the chimera finished her task, then retrieved a cell phone from the pocket of her blouse. “Yes,” she said without preamble. “It’s ready.”

She was a good distance away from Sage, but he still heard the voice at the other side of the connection say, “Excellent. You will meet me in Germany.”

It was a female voice, one that sounded very familiar to Sage’s ears. To a certain extent, he wasn’t surprised by the identity of the true culprit. In his heart, he had known that it was unlikely for the previous emperor and empress to just fade out of the limelight with no protest. Likely, Hareematek and Karein had already suspected involvement from their part, but had no way to prove it.

Fortunately, it seemed that was about to change. “My secondary agent will also be present for the meeting,” Princess Akarawem said. “We’ll go through with the final step of my plan after that.”

“I don’t care.” The medusa’s voice held barely leashed anger and maybe even remorse. “You’ll keep your end of the bargain after that?”

“Of course,” Akarawem purred. “It is what we agreed upon.”

She named the time and place of the meeting. Fortunately, it would be soon, which meant that Sage might be able to free Camden faster than expected. For the first time since this entire thing had begun, optimism swelled inside him. “I’ll keep my promise to you, beautiful,” he sent to Camden. “I’ll get you out of there.”

“I always knew you would,” Camden replied softly. His trust in Sage had never once faltered, and that gave Sage true hope that they’d manage to build a future after all this was over.

“We will,” Camden told him. “And I do trust you, with my life, my soul and my everything.”

Taking heart in that, Sage focused on the medusa inside the building once more. She was hissing and snarling as she ended the call, obviously furious with Akarawem. Obviously, there was more to this than met the eye, and more people involved than one lone chimera.

“We have to contact Draechenburg,” Karein murmured. “I have a pretty good idea regarding the identity of Akara’s agent.”

It really wasn’t that hard to figure out. A burst of anger exploded in Sage as he understood who had been the one to poison his family.

For Camden, though, he’d stay calm. He and Karein had found the clue they’d come here for, and now that he knew what had happened, Sage would hunt down the guilty party behind this ploy. After that… Well, he could only hope that life, and his mate, would forgive him for having failed in the most sacred duty of all, protecting his other half.

* * * *

The thick veil of night surrounded Akara as she moved through the undergrowth. She was supposed to meet with her agents today, as they couldn’t discuss the specificities of their arrangement in their respective homes. So far, results had been more than satisfying. Although it pissed her off that she hadn’t managed to kill Karein and his Ivenian whore, she hadn’t truly expected it would happen. The entire thing had been more of an impulse on her part, and it had worked out far better than expected. The naga had been blamed for it and were rotting in the Draechenburg dungeons. Now, all she had to do was to magically appear with the cure for the chimera poisoning, and her parents would be freed from their exile.

She stopped in the grove she herself had decided would be the meeting spot, lingering in the shade of the trees so that she wouldn’t be discovered in case anyone flew by. She didn’t have to wait for long, because her draechen contact, Lord Joyce, emerged from the greenery. “Greetings, Your Highness,” the draechen noble said. “I have news from the citadel.”

He paused, as if for effect, and Akara released a frustrated huff. “Tell me already. What are you waiting for, a special invitation?”

“The naga are still imprisoned,” Joyce reported hastily, “but for some reason, the children have been moved from the original cell into more comfortable ones. Word has it that it was a personal request for Lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager.”

Akara glowered at him. “You must be mistaken. That block of ice would never intervene on the naga’s behalf. He’s completely devoted to Karein.”

“Regardless, the chimera princes and princess have no longer been shown so much hostility. The king remains in the dungeons.”

“I see,” Akara said, musing over this information. This was actually a good thing. Hareem was, at the very core of his being, a far too kind individual, and if he’d taken harsher measures with the naga, Akara would have actually been suspicious. “All right. What about Karein?”

“He returned briefly, without his Ivenian, and left again. In his absence, Prince Rachen handles all the matters Prince Shtamakarein used to.”

“Don’t call that man a prince.” Akara snarled at the noble. “I have only two brothers, and Rachen isn’t one of them.”

Before Joyce could answer, another figure emerged from the forest. Wrapped in a tight, hooded cloak, the woman was almost invisible under the cover of darkness. Akara turned toward the new arrival and asked, “Well? Do you have it?”

“As promised,” the other female replied as she retrieved a small bottle from her coat.

“This will neutralize the effects of the poison?” Akara inquired as she took the item.

“Indeed, Princess Akarawem,” the female chimera answered. “Now, would you uphold your end of the bargain?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Akara replied dismissively, already planning her next move.

At that, the other woman dropped her hood. “You said you would free my sisters if I helped you.” The snakes in the medusa’s hair hissed at Akara. “I’ve gone against everything I was taught. I’ve given my blood and my magic for you and betrayed the Isaiat. You will return them, or else.”

“Or else what?” Akara drawled mockingly. “You’ll turn me to stone? Don’t make me laugh.”

The medusa glared at her, as if willing her gaze to petrify Akara. It didn’t work, of course. Not all medusas had the ability of their legendary ancestor, and Akara had made sure she’d be safe from such magic before starting the entire thing. “I’ll release your sisters when I’m good and ready,” she added. “In the meantime, you will serve me. I still have a long way to go until I get rid of those pesky brothers of mine permanently.”

Out of the blue, a hand landed on her shoulder, snatching the bottle with the cure away from her. “Good luck with that,” a familiar voice said. “You’re going to need more help than one medusa can give you.”

Akara turned, only to find herself facing Karein. Her brother smirked at her, his eyes glittering with dark promise. “Hello, Akara. Fancy meeting you here.”

She’d heard many rumors as to how much Karein had changed since mating the Ivenian. Right now, though, he seemed exactly the same, dangerous and murderous. On instinct, Akara tried to free herself from his grasp, but his power flowed through her body, immobilizing her and draining her of strength. “You fool!” she managed to shout at Joyce. “You allowed them to trick you.”

The draechen paled as he realized that he’d been followed. “I… No, that’s impossible. I was very careful. I should have sensed him.”

He was right. In fact, Akara’s own senses should have detected Karein’s approach, since he had been standing right behind her at one point. But she had no time to come up with an explanation, as two other men appeared from the forest. Akara gaped as she took in their resemblance to the legendary heroes who’d given their lives in the Great Sacrifice. She’d been informed of it, but seeing it for herself still shocked her.

This second Prince Kaelezrin caught Joyce before the draechen lord could even try to make his escape. Meanwhile, his Ivenian companion headed toward the medusa. She glanced at him in awe, her eyes wide. Talrasar took her hand and said, “Remain calm. We’ve come to help. I take it Princess Akarawem forced you to assist her?”

The medusa nodded. “She had this man kidnap my sisters and threatened to kill them if I didn’t make a poison she could use against the emperor. I didn’t want to do it. I realized the Isaiat would be blamed, and I respect them a great deal. But what choice did I have?”

“What choice, indeed?” Prince Kaelezrin repeated. As the strange man spoke, Joyce’s eyes rolled in his head and he fell to his knees. The supposed Prince Kaelezrin watched him with a small, enigmatic smile, then ignored him.

He made his way to Akara’s side. “Do you know what’s interesting about my situation, Princess Akarawem?” he inquired idly. “I’m older than you and your brothers put together. I’m also thought to be dead, and no authority can control me. If I wanted to kill you, who would stop me?”

“I am still a princess,” Akara replied. “My twin is the emperor. He wouldn’t want me harmed.”

“I’d advise you not to speak in my name,” a familiar voice said.

With the corner of her eye, Akara spotted her brother’s large bulk appear from the undergrowth. She had to admit that even if she’d gone through with this with no remorse regarding her twin’s well-being, the sight of him took her aback. They’d once been very close, bound at the hip, so to speak, until Akara had realized her loyalty needed to lie with Ornoz and the Tersain as a whole, not to her brother as an individual. Hareem had disappointed her greatly when he’d sided with Karein. But then, what had she expected? Hareem couldn’t have physically defeated their black dragon sibling. It was simply impossible, as proven by what Karein had done to their father.

Had she been wrong to blame him for taking the throne? No, she didn’t think so. In her eyes, he was demeaning himself by becoming Karein’s puppet. Not to mention that, according to her agents, he kept appearing in public with that werewolf slave of his. And yet, in spite of this, she experienced a pang of regret at seeing him so deformed. He’d been so handsome and so proud, her brother, her twin. Now, with half of his body human and the other dragon-like, he looked like a mockery of what it meant to be a shifter, a strange combination between a draechen and a naga that should have never existed.

Two other men were with him, the famous lieutenant Sagenamadeen Zager, and one of the Great Krites, Ferradul Cyraltin. Now it was all starting to make sense. The damn sprite had intervened to cloud her senses, and Joyce’s. No wonder they hadn’t been able to detect the approach of their foes. This was quite unfortunate, since he’d likely heard the whole thing.

Nevertheless, she was better off attempting to earn his mercy than falling into the hands of these strangers. “Well, hello, brother. Thank the Overlords you’re here. You have to tell them to back off.”

“No, sister.” Hareem actually looked sad as he shook his head. “I don’t have to tell them anything. They already know what to do.” Turning toward Zager, he added, “It looks like you and Karein were completely correct in your assessment, Lieutenant. How on earth did you know?”

“I have good sources,” the other draechen replied enigmatically.

As they spoke, Akara’s reality blurred around the edges. When her vision cleared, she found herself sitting on the ground, with Prince Kaelezrin looming above her. “Ready to tell us where the medusas are, or do I have to get nasty?”

Akara faced him without flinching. “Go ahead and do whatever you want,” she replied. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Impossibly, Kaelezrin’s smile brightened. “Is that right? Well, I’ll just have to see what I can do about that.”

In his dark eyes, Akara saw death. And as terror gripped her, she realized that meeting here, in the middle of nowhere, would serve for another thing. No one would be around to hear her scream.

* * * *

Desperate shouts sounded through the grove as Princess Akara writhed in torment. Talrasar grimaced, squeezing Kael’s hand. “What is he showing her?”

“The Overlords only know.” Kael shrugged, not really caring one way or another. It seemed the Krite had decided to enact vengeance where he could, and for the moment, Akara had become his chosen target. It was very strange to see the sprite using his powers like this, to actually harm someone. Of course, it was far better than what Kael would have done if pushed, so Akara was, on the whole, lucky in that regard. Ferradul seemed to be making Akara believe Kael was the one hurting her, among other things, but Kael supposed that had more to do with the fact that deep inside, Akara feared him.

In any case, Kael had more important things to worry about right now. He handed the potion to the emperor, all the while glancing at the shocked medusa. “Does this really work, or is it another ploy?”

“It works,” she assured them. “But what about my sisters? What will happen to them?”

“You will notice that His Grace is interrogating Princess Akarawem about their location, among other things,” the emperor answered. He looked tense, but didn’t seem to have any intention on helping his twin. “Now, if I take this, it’ll turn me back to normal?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the medusa assured him.

“Just to be sure, perhaps we should test it first,” Talrasar suggested. Kael agreed with his mate. While the medusa seemed to be an unwilling participant in the ploy, she had been Akara’s co-conspirator nonetheless, and she couldn’t be fully trusted.

The emperor ignored Talrasar. After a brief moment of hesitation, he took a sip of the potion. Seconds later, he went rigid and swooned, his large body twitching as it once more changed between draechen and human. Kael caught Hareematek, grimacing as the emperor’s flailing hands threatened to take out his eyes. It wasn’t easy to even hold onto him given his large bulk, but Kael managed. Meanwhile, Talrasar hastened to his side and used his power, trying to contain the emperor’s anguish. Fortunately, just as Kael was debating how exactly to make the medusa pay for her deception, Hareematek went limp and his form stabilized into a human one. Groaning, he opened his eyes. “All right. I’m not doing that again.”

“Is it gone?” Karein asked, having abandoned his sister into the sprite’s care in favor of watching over Hareematek.

The emperor nodded and freed himself from Kael’s grip. “The dragon is at peace again. Well, insofar as it’s possible, at least, under current circumstances.” He directed a glance toward the medusa. “Your sisters will be freed. You should have never been involved in a conflict that is strictly draechen in nature.”

“It’s doubtless that our parents must have known and sanctioned Akara’s actions,” Karein added. “Perhaps our next destination should be there. It seems like the most obvious place.”

“No,” Ferradul finally said. “The medusas are being held in Draechenburg.”

He’d obviously drawn the information from Akara, having been far more efficient than Kael had expected. Truly, Kael almost wanted to burst into laughter. It made so much sense. Draechenburg was an impenetrable fortress, but its size made it impossible to watch in some respects. A draechen lord could easily sneak in a couple of prisoners without being spotted.

“Well, it looks like you’re invited to Draechenburg,” he told the medusa. “Congratulations.”

“In the meantime, I’ll go check on our parents,” Karein said.

“No, Karein.” The emperor shook his head. “This is my task. I’ve left it in your hands once before. But I am emperor now. I might not have challenged our father, but he challenged me now, through this entire ploy. I will look into his eyes when I sentence him.”

Everyone fell quiet, and Kael suddenly became aware that even if the effects of the poison on Hareematek were gone, its consequences—or rather the consequences of what had happened—would not fade so easily. He could see it in Hareem’s eyes, in his dark determination.

Fatigue flooded Kael. He just wanted to crawl into his quarters with Talrasar and not have to worry Draechenburg would collapse around them. He had not forgotten about their dream, the promise he and Talrasar had made to each other. But to ensure that, to build a safe world for Talrasar and their potential family, Kael had to remain what he’d always been, a warrior.

“We’ll join you,” he told the emperor. “We’re part of this, too.”

“Very well, Prince Kaelezrin,” Hareematek said. “I accept your proposal.”

The emperor melted into his beast form, the ice-blue dragon now looking majestic and beautiful, almost shining as the rays of the moon hit its scales. It seemed that whatever weakness had almost made him swoon was gone. Kael changed shapes as well, and Talrasar mounted his back. As they followed after Hareematek, Talrasar told him, “Be careful, Kael. You need to let the emperor handle this. It’s his battle.”

“I know. We can’t allow him to just go there alone, though.”

“I just want this to all be over,” Talrasar admitted. “It’s so strange, really. Centuries ago, we were fighting this great battle, and we never once gave up. But now… I just don’t have the strength for it anymore.”

“We’ve been strong enough for our people once, Tali,” Kael told his mate. “Now, we can save that for ourselves.”

He wanted so many things. He and Talrasar had never had a true official marriage ceremony, by the rites of their kind. There simply hadn’t been enough time. Even now, upon their return, everyone else always took priority. When Karein and Sari didn’t need protecting, the draechen were thrust into yet another potential conflict. After all this was over, Kael would say fuck off to duty and focus purely on his bond with Talrasar. His mate deserved better than what Kael had been able to give him.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Talrasar told him. “It’s not your fault, for anything that happened. And we won’t start that debate again. It was my choice, and I already blame myself enough for both of us.”

Before Kael could tell his lover just how foolish that was, the emperor started to descend. Kael spotted a large mansion up ahead, hidden amidst the trees. It was surrounded by numerous draechen guards, presumably to make sure the people within didn’t cause any trouble. “What do you intend, Your Majesty?” Kael sent out to the emperor.

“My parents were given too many privileges, and they abused them,” Hareematek replied, also using his mental abilities. “It’s time for that to stop.”

Talrasar breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Kael, insofar as he could in this form, at least. He’d been worried that the emperor would do something he’d later come to regret. Not to mention that he was uncertain as to how the people of Draechenburg would take their previous leader’s murder. He noted with some concern that, as the emperor landed in the courtyard, guards surrounded him. Perhaps they didn’t recognize him, but Kael was still glad that he and Talrasar had decided to come along.

“Weapons down, men,” Hareematek said. “I need to have a word with my parents.”

Some of the draechen looked reluctant, but as Kael dropped down behind the emperor, they backed off. Hareematek shifted into his legged form, giving them all exasperated looks. “Do you have any clue who I am? Do you realize it at all?”

It sounded like a rhetorical question, but it obviously wasn’t, because when they remained silent, he insisted, “Well? I’m waiting.”

“You are our emperor, Your Majesty,” someone finally said.

“Am I? Judging by your behavior, you don’t really believe it. It’s almost amusing. You’d probably be happier if I started blasting people into oblivion. But you know what? I won’t. If you have a problem with that, you’ll find I can be quite unpleasant without killing anyone.”

There was something in his tone, a dark edge of fury that hadn’t existed before. “It’s Taryn’s absence,” Talrasar said. “It’s getting to him.”

It certainly explained why the emperor had barely blinked upon seeing his sister tortured by the Krite. In fact, his voice was so threatening that Talrasar and Kael’s presence no longer seemed necessary for the soldiers to be taken aback. They fell to their knees, giving Hareematek a wide berth.

The emperor ignored them and simply passed them by, entering the mansion. Kael considered following, but decided against it. Hareematek had said it himself. This was his battle, and as long as he had people more powerful than him always display their lack of belief in him, he’d never be able to establish himself as a leader over Ornoz. Therefore, Kael remained in his dragon form and curled on the ground, waiting and not addressing the soldiers in the slightest. Talrasar leaned against him, petting Kael’s scales.

It was somewhat reminiscent of the times they’d rush into battle and steal moments of affection whenever they could. Still, Talrasar remained tense and uncomfortable. He fidgeted, a slight feeling of nausea sweeping over him and into Kael. “Are you all right?” Kael asked, his dragon immediately panicking.

“Fine,” Talrasar replied, chuckling slightly. “Stop worrying. I just wish I knew what was happening in there, and in Draechenburg.”

“It’s out of our hands now, love,” Kael soothed him. “Sometimes, we just have to believe in the people who surround us. We can’t carry every burden, not anymore.”

They were interrupted from their conversation when a few guards approached them. “We have to ask. Are you truly the legendary Princes Kaelezrin and Talrasar?”

Kael really didn’t have the patience for more explanations, doubts, and comments. He actually felt tempted to say no, so that the other draechen would just leave him and Talrasar alone. But Talrasar answered before Kael could said anything, “We used to be. Not anymore. Now, we’re just two warriors supporting Emperor Hareematek.”

An explosion from inside pointed out that their service and assistance might be needed sooner than expected. Talrasar leapt off Kael’s back and rushed into the mansion. It took a little longer for Kael, because he had to change into his human form before doing so. However, he was quick about it, leashing his dragon with far more ease than others of his kind. Now in legged shape, he followed Talrasar inside, bypassing more guards as he did so. They had obviously been no deterrent for Talrasar, and they weren’t one for Kael. He caught up with his mate just as the fae was opening a large wooden door which seemed to be the only thing keeping him safe from whatever chaotic violence was going on in the room beyond.

“Let me, love,” Kael intervened. He and Talrasar had been through many dangers together, but his mate’s earlier nausea unsettled Kael more than the idea of another war. Kael wouldn’t allow Talrasar to ever be in danger, not after what had happened so many centuries ago.

Talrasar rolled his eyes, but allowed Kael to go first. In truth, it was likely more for Kael’s peace of mind than anything else, because Talrasar could easily throw a shield around himself. Still, when Kael slipped into the room, he was more than glad that he’d made this decision. He had figured out that the emperor was done holding back with his family. The previous rulers were unlikely to just accept whatever Hareematek decreed. However, even acknowledging all this, Kael hadn’t expected this to escalate into an all-out battle, which, in hindsight, had been stupid of him.

Supposedly, the previous emperor had been left next to catatonic after being defeated by Karein. He certainly didn’t look that way now. Instead, just as Kael walked into the room, Kavehquader created a fire bolt and threw it toward his son, who was standing quite close to the door. Hareematek dodged, and it almost hit Kael. He managed to evade it. Following the flame spell of the previous emperor, the empress manifested a bolt of ice. “Traitor,” she shouted. “You’ll lead Ornoz to its downfall.”

“Sure I will,” Hareematek replied blandly. “Because whatever you say is the automatic future. Face it, Mother. You’ve lost. Come along quietly and I’ll provide you with a comfortable cell.”

“Never!” the former emperor shot back. “You aren’t worthy of the Tersain name, or of the Ornozian throne. You and your werewolf whore…”

Kael was tempted to intervene, but he didn’t get the chance. Hareematek’s roar interrupted the former emperor’s phrase. A thousand icicles exploded through the room, as if creating by the emperor’s ragged emotions. It seemed that nothing could get to Hareematek like Taryn. “Don’t talk about him like that,” he snapped as frost novas struck his parents, freezing them in place. Shockingly enough, even his mother was affected, even if, by rights, she shouldn’t have been. She was an ice dragon herself, and while that didn’t grant her immunity to Hareematek’s magic, it should have given her some resilience.

In fact, she seemed to have counted on it, because she tried to place herself between the ice blast and the former emperor. However, when the wave hit her, her eyes widened and she literally froze in place, making choked noises like she couldn’t breathe. Kael didn’t know if it was loyalty, a genuine mate bond, or simple strategy that had made her try to take the blow for her husband, but either way, it didn’t work.

She collapsed under the force of the spell. The emperor himself seemed surprised, but his father stepped forward, not allowing him to dwell on it. During the time the previous empress had provided a distraction, he’d melted into his dragon form. Kael took a step forward, ready to step between them, but Hareematek shook his head. “My fight,” he said in an echo of what he’d told them outside.

As it turned out, Kael had nothing to worry about. Another ice spell struck the large red dragon, making Kavehquader roar so loudly the windows shattered. “Enough of this, Father,” Hareematek said. “You’re no match for me, not in this condition. There’s no point for us to take the fight further.”

The former emperor tried to resist, but the ice was crawling up his large body now. He collapsed onto the floor, breathing hard and unable to move. It seemed obvious to Kael that the emperor’s abilities had developed beyond what his parents knew of him, likely because of his mate bond with Taryn.

Silence fell over the room. Kael and Talrasar finally approached the emperor. “Are you all right?” Talrasar asked softly.

“Yes,” the emperor replied. “As all right as I can be, at least, under the circumstances.”

Guards were peeking into the large room now, watching the scene. As Kavehquader turned into his human form again, the emperor beckoned the soldiers forward. “Grab them. I want them on the helicopter posthaste. We will be transporting them to Draechenburg.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the draechen said, already surrounding the two former sovereigns. Apparently, the display of power had made them realize the emperor was serious about what he’d said outside.

As the guards carried the unconscious former sovereigns out of the room, Kael, Talrasar, and Hareematek followed them, heading back outside, this time toward a nearby helipad. The draechen here were already rushing to do Hareematek’s bidding, strapping Rowenasheb and Kavehquader into the aircraft. Someone brought cloaks from inside and offered them to Kael and the emperor. Both Kael and Hareematek wrapped the garments around their shoulders, although really, shyness was the last thing on Kael’s mind right now.

As the emperor got on the helicopter, though, it occurred to Kael that Hareematek had things well in hand. Once he got to Draechenburg, Karein, Rachen, and Sage would be there to back him up, as well as Sari and the other fae. Sure, it wouldn’t be easy for the emperor, but would Kael and Talrasar truly be needed now? Would they be helping or would they become another impediment, keeping Hareematek from ensuring his position on the throne?

“I think you already know the answer to that question, Kael,” his mate said. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be wondering about it.”

It was true. Hareematek had too many problems to have to worry about Kael and Talrasar, too. And if Kael wanted to be perfectly honest, just the thought of returning to Draechenburg right now made him want to recoil. The atmosphere there was poisonous, and Kael didn’t want Talrasar to set foot in the draechen citadel with so much tension and hatred surrounding him. Besides, it was high time that they found their own path, one that would grant them the peace and togetherness they needed so much.

The emperor gave both Kael and Talrasar puzzled looks when they didn’t get in the helicopter. “Your Highness? Come. There is still much to do in Draechenburg.”

“Perhaps for you, Your Imperial Majesty, but not for us,” Kael answered. “You’re perfectly capable to handle the responsibilities of the throne, and you have your brothers to assist you should an immediate problem arise. You don’t need us anymore.”

Hareematek didn’t look awfully surprised. “You mean to leave us, then? I have to say that to a certain extent, I expected it. You have mentioned your need for a private life before.”

“Kael and I have always wanted a family,” Talrasar said softly. “During the war, it simply wasn’t possible, but now… We want to make up for all the time we lost. We will still be close by if Ornoz or Ivenia need us.”

The emperor’s lips twisted into a small, sad smile. “Good for you,” he said. “Grab this chance with both hands, because you’ve already sacrificed enough.”

Gazing at Hareematek, Kael suddenly had the feeling that they weren’t the only ones who would have to give up love for duty. He’d have liked to tell the emperor to learn from his and Talrasar’s experience, but it was none of his affair and he had no clue how to approach the emperor about it anyway. Hareematek didn’t even allow it. “So what now?” he asked. “Where will you go?”

Kael shared a look with his mate and said one word. “Home.”

Epilogue

The next day

A small, quiet obelisk rose in the shade of the trees, shielded from prying eyes. Talrasar brushed his fingers over the stone, tears threatening at the corner of his eyes. He’d tried not to think about this too much so that he could get the job done, but now that he was here, he had to face it.

“Oh, Father. Why did you have to do it?”

Kael’s large hand landed on Talrasar’s shoulder and squeezed. He didn’t say anything out loud, but through their bond, his love and affection flooded Talrasar. “He loved you,” he told Talrasar. “He wouldn’t want you to feel guilty for something he did.”

But Talrasar did feel guilty, not because he’d chosen to die at Kael’s side. He’d done his duty, and while a part of him regretted it, it was not because of Amarion, but Kael himself. However, the last things he and Amarion said to each other had been horrible and heart-breaking. Talrasar could only imagine how his father must have felt once news had come of his death.

The priestesses of Eternelle had buried the last Myrthylar king here after Amarion had committed suicide. There were no records regarding Amarion’s actions beyond the manner of his death, and even Kael didn’t know much, only that Amarion had thrown himself off a cliff, causing injuries that not even the most talented healers could fix. Still, Kael was probably right in that Amarion would have never wanted Talrasar to blame himself for it.

“It just hurts,” he told his mate. “I wish I could have made him see the happiness you brought me.”

Kael wrapped an arm around Talrasar, and Talrasar relaxed against his lover, tempted to close his eyes and just sleep. He didn’t know why he felt so strange and all over the place. He was just glad that his mate had brought him here, to Eternelle, where they were safely hidden from the rest of the world.

Of course, they weren’t completely alone, as proven by the slight sound Talrasar heard behind him. In spite of the ache in his chest, he couldn’t help a smile.

“They don’t want to bother us,” Kael noted.

“They shouldn’t worry about us right now,” Talrasar answered. “But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” Out loud, he said, “Come on, Caelyn. It’s not like we can’t feel you and Graham there.”

Sheepishly, the couple appeared from the undergrowth. “We just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Caelyn said. “We haven’t spoken at all since you came back to Eternelle.”

“We’d never want to intrude on your time,” Graham added.

“You don’t intrude,” Talrasar replied. He liked the two men, although he couldn’t remember their arrival through his own recollections, only through Kael’s. “You know Kael and I care about you a great deal. How are you feeling, Caelyn?”

Caelyn’s lips twisted in a small smile. His hand landed on his slightly swollen belly. “Fine. I haven’t had much trouble. I get sick from time to time, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Talrasar had to admit he felt a little jealous. He wanted to have that, with Kael, a real family. He wished his parents could have been a part of it, too, but they were long gone now.

Even as he thought this, a wave of dizziness swept over him. This wasn’t the first time it had happened in the last couple of days. Talrasar’s heart started to beat faster. Could it be…? No, there was no chance. His reunion with Kael had been too recent. Talrasar couldn’t let his wishful thinking cloud his senses.

Kael lifted him in his arms and kissed his forehead. “We have to go,” he told the other couple. “Tali hasn’t been himself lately.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Graham asked. “Should we call a healer?”

“No,” Talrasar replied, shocked at the weak sound of his own voice. “Just Kael.”

“All right, love,” Kael murmured through their bond. “Whatever you want.”

He carried Talrasar away from Amarion’s grave. Talrasar clutched his mate’s shirt, clinging to him. He already felt a little better, if somewhat ashamed for worrying Caelyn, Graham, and most of all, Kael. “Don’t be ridiculous,” Kael said as they headed toward the little cabin the priestesses had assigned to them. “No more guilt between the two of us. We’re starting over, remember?”

Yes, Talrasar did remember. He’d spent every waking moment since their reunion dreaming of it, and now that it was finally within his reach, it seemed so hard to believe that he and Kael would finally be granted the peace to love each other.

“Believe it, Tali,” Kael said, sounding a little calmer as the tension inside Talrasar started to ease. They reached the small cabin and slipped inside. By now, Talrasar had completely recovered from his dizzy spell, and his body was responding to Kael’s proximity.

By rights, he shouldn’t have felt this incredible arousal, but he’d been traveling on a roller coaster of emotions for a while now. With only a brief pang of guilt, Talrasar let go of past memories. He pressed his mouth to Kael’s, every inch of him knowing and feeling how right and true this was. Kael groaned, and his tongue licked over the seam of Talrasar’s lips, demanding entrance. Talrasar gladly gave it, and as Kael’s slick muscle slid into Talrasar’s mouth, he lost himself into the kiss, in Kael’s heat. He didn’t even realize they were moving until Kael gently lowered him on the bed. “I want you so badly,” Kael said. “Please let me make love to you.”

Talrasar didn’t even know if Kael was speaking in his mind or out loud. Right then and there, it didn’t seem to matter. He himself couldn’t find any words. He just nodded, extending his arms toward Kael. His mate joined him on the bed, crawling on top of Talrasar. Instead of rushing into action, though, Kael just gazed at Talrasar, cupping his cheek gently and brushing his thumb over Talrasar’s lips. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

It wasn’t a gratuitous compliment, or one that appeared out of the blue. There was far more behind it than mere physical lust. Those seconds stretched between them like ages, and then, Kael climbed on top on him, crushing their mouths together once more. The kiss was almost violent this time, a clash of teeth, lips, and desires. Talrasar moaned and buried his hands in Kael’s hair, grinding his erection against Kael’s hip. Kael’s suddenly clawed hands ripped Talrasar’s shirt and yet somehow managed not to harm Talrasar’s flesh. Honestly, Talrasar wouldn’t have minded feeling the sharp tips. They were a part of Kael, a part of the dragon who had claimed him that night, so long ago. And Talrasar wanted to be claimed yet again, here, in Eternelle, where their bond had first been born, where it had died and yet persisted, keeping their souls united even beyond death.

As Kael’s greedy hands finally made short work of Talrasar’s shirt, Talrasar followed his mate’s example, or at least tried to. He was so frantic to touch Kael’s skin that he couldn’t seem to get even Kael’s top off. It was beyond frustrating, and not only for Talrasar, but for Kael, too. In the end, Kael broke the kiss and did it himself. He moved so quickly that he would have probably been impossible to see for the human eye. But Talrasar did see him. In fact, he got quite a show. His mouth went dry and his body hot as Kael discarded his clothing. Kael had told Talrasar he was beautiful, and Talrasar should have responded in some way, but really, when he looked at the magnificent specimen of masculinity that was his mate, his brain simply short-circuited. The draechen grinned at him, obviously intercepting his thoughts. Proving that, yes, mates could be evil, too, Kael slowed down, his quick motions becoming languorous, sensual, and seductive. One single garment covered his body now, and it shouldn’t have taken him more than a second, but Kael prolonged it, wiggling his hips, drawing Talrasar’s attention to the bulge of his crotch.

“Kael,” Talrasar somehow managed to croak out, “don’t tease me.”

“I’d never dare to tease you,” Kael said, his voice filled with gravel. “I want to take my time and worship you.”

Talrasar could understand that, since he felt an echoing urge to reach out to Kael and lick every inch of his body. Somehow, with everything that had happened, they never seemed to have the time to linger over one another like they’d have preferred. But Talrasar had every intention to remedy that, right now. In fact, he was burning to do it, craving Kael more than his next breath.

Fortunately, Kael had always understood him well, as he at last shimmied out of his pants. As the garment pooled at Kael’s feet, Talrasar’s greedy gaze took in his mate’s form in all its glory. From the rippling muscles of his pecs, to his thighs, feet, and especially everything in between, Kael was all mouthwatering man. His hard prick pointed accusingly at Talrasar, as if demanding attention. And when Kael crawled back over him, Talrasar gladly gave it. He engulfed the draechen’s cock in his fist, rubbing his thumb over the leaking tip like he knew Kael enjoyed. Pleasure rushed through Talrasar as the sensations he himself provided sizzled through Kael. Needing more, Talrasar imagined what he wanted, knowing all too well that Kael would understand and comply. Indeed, Kael groaned and straddled Talrasar’s shoulders, bringing his erection to Talrasar’s lips. His mouth already watering, Talrasar stabbed his tongue into the slit. Kael’s flavor exploded through Talrasar’s taste buds, making Talrasar’s own dick throb in his pants. But Talrasar didn’t reach for it, nor did he ask his mate to finish disrobing him. Like Kael, he didn’t want to rush. In fact, he deliberately took his time, not rushing to swallow Kael whole like he might have done in the past. Instead, he swirled his tongue over the head, then traced the largest line of the member with the slick muscle, all the while reaching down to cup Kael’s balls.

Kael’s strong hand clenched in Talrasar’s hair, but he made no attempt to force Talrasar into taking more of him. He let Talrasar decide when and how to progress. For a little while, Talrasar allowed himself to enjoy the sensual tension, the sweet torture he himself was creating. Then, he parted his lips and took his mate’s prick in his mouth. Kael released a sound that was more animalistic than human, and his resolve to go slow—identical to Talrasar’s—faltered. Feeling his mate’s need, Talrasar squeezed Kael’s hip in wordless encouragement and sent out a message through their bond. “Come on, Kael. Fuck my mouth. I know you want to.”

His words unleashed the beast within Kael. With a snarl, Kael started to move in and out of Talrasar’s wet cavern. Talrasar surrendered to the passion, to his mate’s domination and the ever-increasing lust between the two of them. He breathed through his nose, allowing Kael to use him in whatever way the draechen seemed fit. Still, Kael didn’t push him too far. He made no attempt to slide into Talrasar’s throat. Even without their bond, it would have been obvious that Kael was still worried about Talrasar’s earlier dizziness, and he hadn’t truly let go.

With each second that passed, that wariness dissipated more and more, but never quite vanished. Talrasar couldn’t say it truly bothered him. If anything, he understood it. The protectiveness came with the bond. It would never fade, especially not after the experience that had scarred and separated them. But Talrasar didn’t want to think about that now. It was in the past, and today, they were building a new future.

Ecstasy coiled through Kael, so much so that Talrasar could almost feel the orgasm pooling in his balls. Just as Talrasar thought that he would find his peak just from sucking Kael’s dick, Kael slid out of his mouth and crawled lower down over his body. “I don’t want to come until I’m inside you,” Kael murmured through their bond. “I need you so badly, love.”

Talrasar just nodded, arching against his mate as Kael finally finished undressing him. His boots thumped over the wooden floor as Kael removed them one by one. The pants were next, and this time, they had more luck, because Talrasar wisely stayed out of it and let his mate work. When he was at last naked, his mate’s hot gaze swept over him like a physical caress. Kael didn’t say anything, but his emotions and desires roared through their bond, as if Kael’s dragon was showing Talrasar the extent of his desire. When Kael’s fist closed in on Talrasar’s dick, it was his turn to groan like an animal. He fell back on the bed, staring at the ceiling without really seeing it. His entire body was alight with pleasure, but Kael was only just beginning. When Kael sucked the head of Talrasar’s prick into his wet cavern, Talrasar’s brain simply stopped working, in any coherent way at least. His thought processes now rotated around three concepts, “Kael,” “more,” and “ugh, so good.”

Undoubtedly, he would have come in spite of his need to have Kael inside him, but Kael knew Talrasar’s body well, perhaps too well. Just when he thought that he would explode, Kael released his dick and squeezed the base of his shaft, stopping his climax. His tongue abandoned Talrasar’s prick and went up over his abs, wriggling into his belly button. Talrasar writhed as Kael kissed up his chest, exploring, nipping and sucking, worshipping him just like he’d said he would. When Kael’s mouth engulfed one hard nipple, Talrasar screamed. Or at least he thought he did. He was starting to lose his grip on the real world, melting into Kael’s mastery of him, overwhelmed and lost in the ever-increasing lust.

Kael’s nimble fingers tweaked his nipples, traveled over his sides, and clutched his hips. Everywhere they went, trails of fire danced over Talrasar’s skin. No, not fire. That wasn’t the right word. Rather, Talrasar felt like he’d fallen in a pool of pure energy that stimulated every inch of his body, like a livewire of lust was feeding shocks of ecstasy through each and every nerve ending. At one point, his synapses stopped being capable of processing it all. He became a simple conduit of need, with Kael making his desire rise more and more.

Just when Talrasar thought it simply couldn’t get any better, Kael briefly pulled away from him, leaving him momentarily bereft and confused. Distantly, he registered Kael finding the oil in their nightstand, although his mind had trouble focusing on anything that wasn’t the way Kael moved, like a predator intent on consuming Talrasar. It was beautiful in a dark way, and so uniquely his mate that it made the lust inside Talrasar grow to nearly painful extents. Unable to control himself, Talrasar actually whimpered and lifted his legs, bending himself in half and exposing his nether opening to Kael’s gaze.

Kael wasn’t at all indifferent to the all-consuming passion between them. His hands trembled as he joined Talrasar on the bed once more, and he almost dropped the oil. Fortunately, his natural balance helped, and he managed to rein himself in, although he was hovering on the edge of losing control. Talrasar could feel it, the harshness of the dragon now so very close to the surface. And oh, how he loved it. He wanted Kael to trust himself with Talrasar again. Once, they’d believed in each other in a battle of life and death. They’d fought side by side, and Talrasar had never rejected Kael’s dragon. By forcing Kael to break their bond, he’d shattered that trust. A part of Talrasar’s dream was to have it back, even if they never participated in a war again.

“I do trust you, love,” Kael said through their bond, suddenly very serious. “I trust you with my life.”

That was the most painful, that Kael didn’t truly blame Talrasar for anything. It wasn’t Talrasar he doubted, but himself. “Can we wipe away the past, Kael?” he somehow managed to ask. “Can we simply forget?”

In response, his mate supported Talrasar’s legs on his shoulders. His fingers nudged against Talrasar’s opening, rubbing gently. Kael didn’t speak, just holding Talrasar’s gaze with those deep, black eyes. His thoughts were a whirlwind in Talrasar’s mind. Could they forget? Did Kael have the right to do so? Would Talrasar be safe?

Talrasar just opened himself to his mate, allowing Kael to see everything in his heart and soul. He felt the moment when Kael yielded. Beyond the heat of the lust, there was hope and surrender. Shadows faded, leaving behind only the brightness of their passion and love for each other. Kael’s digits started to slide inside Talrasar’s channel, and Talrasar was back in that head space of pure desire that had built up earlier. Throughout their more serious exchange, some of his excitement had surrendered to the awareness of his mate’s anxiety, but it now returned with a vengeance. His anus clenched around Kael’s fingers, needing more of the penetration, craving that moment of complete union with his lover. When Kael rubbed his prostate, Talrasar pushed back into his mate’s touch, frustrated pleasure rushing over him. “P–please,” he stammered out. “Kael!”

Thankfully, Kael took mercy on him. He pulled his fingers out of Talrasar’s ass and used more of the oil to slick up his dick. Supporting Talrasar’s legs on his shoulders, he positioned his dick at his opening and pushed. Talrasar’s vision went white, and he clutched Kael’s shoulders, needing an anchor in a world that was quickly losing solidity. He actually felt the head of Kael’s prick pop in, stretching the guardian muscle of his opening. The draechen went slow, sliding into Talrasar with almost excruciating gentleness. This time, though, the past no longer hovered above them like a malevolent cloud. Instead, in that moment, as Kael finally bottomed out inside Talrasar, both of them dared to believe.

Centuries ago, when they’d first met, Kael’s eyes had often been shadowed by the knowledge of the burden he carried. No longer. Now, they only held love and passion, a complex array of emotions that flowed into Talrasar through their bond. The intensity of it was almost painful, and only one thing could soothe that ache. Fortunately, Kael gave it to him. He pulled out of Talrasar and thrust back inside, pegging Talrasar’s gland in the process. All of a sudden, Talrasar felt that quicksilver was running through his veins, shocks of pure pleasure rushing over him. In an attempt to find a measure of control, he closed his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek. He didn’t want this to be over, not just yet.

Kael’s voice drifted into his mind, low and intimate. “No, love. Don’t look away from me.”

Talrasar complied, half because he could never resist any of Kael’s pleas, and half simply due to his own need to watch the spectacle of beauty that were Kael’s emotions as they flashed over his face. Torn between physical pleasure, crushing love, and an almost unbearable feeling that he was still missing something, Talrasar writhed under his mate, whimpering, moaning, and feeling like any moment now, his body would shut down. His dick throbbed as it rubbed between his abdomen and Kael’s, the friction maddening but not enough. Then again, Talrasar would never get enough of his mate. He was completely addicted to Kael’s scent and taste, to the way Kael’s dick stretched him so perfectly, filled him so completely.

And most of all, he craved Kael’s claiming bite with every fiber of his being. It was the only thing that could truly push him over the edge now, to give him that ultimate bliss that both of them needed. And yet, a part of him shied away from rushing to climax. He just didn’t want to let go of these precious moments of union when he and Kael became bonded in the most intimate way two men could be. As Kael moved in and out of him, the draechen’s sexual heat burned Talrasar from the inside out. Every time Kael’s dick struck his prostate, Talrasar felt it all over his body, from his nipples and his balls, to places that shouldn’t have even had nerve endings. He was dimly aware of his gem glowing brightly, engulfing Kael in a bluish light. Kael’s powers reached for him, and Talrasar’s responded, their souls and physical forms entwining in each possible way.

It went on and on, until finally, Talrasar couldn’t take it anymore. He tilted his head, offering himself for Kael’s claiming. Kael released another of his trademark growls and buried his fangs in Talrasar’s flesh. Instantly, a burst of energy exploded through Talrasar, like a supernova flaring in every atom of his being. As he came, Talrasar arched his back and cried out, his cock spurting white streams of cum that landed all over their chests and even onto their cheeks.

Talrasar barely registered the mess. Another rush of heat filled him as Kael thrust one last time into his channel and found his peak as well. Their shared orgasm made Talrasar’s head swim. He became one with Kael, melting into their bond until he even seemed to lose his sense of identity. No boundaries existed between him and his mate. Time stopped, with Talrasar frozen in the throes of his climax.

And then, it came to him, the answer to the question that had tormented him and Kael for longer than he himself had even realized. Through his mind’s eye, he saw himself sitting against the trunk of a tree, watching Kael indulgently. Kael was tossing a small baby in the air, laughing as he caught the child and cuddled him close. It was such a domestic image it made Talrasar’s breath catch. Seeing Kael chuckle so freely brought him almost as much pleasure as the orgasm itself. It was something Talrasar himself couldn’t have been able to explain, a bliss that went beyond the physical, melting into a beautiful, almost surreal peace.

As the high of climax finally began to fade, Kael beamed at him, the expression strikingly reminiscent of that happy grin in the vision. “It looks like I need to work harder for your orgasms.”

Talrasar chuckled breathlessly, guessing that once more, his mate had overheard his thoughts. “Or maybe you should just laugh more often,” he countered.

Kael slid out of Talrasar, his smirk fading into a more serious look. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem from now on.”

The draechen lay by Talrasar’s side, his hand landing on Talrasar’s stomach. He paused briefly. “Marry me, love. I want you to be mine in every way.”

Technically speaking, they were already bonded, at least through what mattered most, the mating bite. But they’d never had a ceremony, and the thought of one appealed to Talrasar. “Yes,” he replied. “Oh, yes.”

As he spoke, a feeling of peace settled into his heart. Talrasar cuddled in his mate’s embrace, he knew without a doubt that his mate had been right. From now on, there would be no more tears, just laughter. Their dream had finally come true.

* * * *

“And you’re just going to let us go?” The medusa scowled at Emperor Hareematek, obviously not believing him. “We were involved in the poisoning of your people.”

“I’m well aware of that,” the emperor replied. He watched the gathered group of chimera females with a cold expression. “Draechenburg’s official position right now is that you were victims of my sister. However, I expect you to remain in contact with the draechen from now on so that such situations never occur again.”

The words held an underlying threat that made Camden shiver. The draechen had actually been far more understanding about the situation than Camden had expected, at least with regard to the medusas. But that didn’t change the fact that Camden and his family had still been wrongfully imprisoned. Camden shuddered to think at the consequences that would bring about.

“We’ll keep in touch,” the emperor added, and it wasn’t a suggestion.

The medusas took the words as a dismissal and bowed politely. Camden watched them make a hasty retreat. He doubted they’d ever step on draechen soil again, or even attempt anything against draechen at all.

Once they were gone, the emperor focused on Camden and his family. “On a different note, Ornoz would like to officially apologize for any offense addressed to the naga as a whole, and the Isaiat in specific. If we could have avoided this situation, we would have.”

Emperor Hareematek left the throne and came to stand in front of Camden and his family. “We truly would like for Ornoz to have a closer relationship with the chimeras from now on.”

Camden suppressed a wince. If the draechen leader expected things would be solved so easily, he was sorely mistaken. Sage might have managed to get Camden and his siblings out of the worst cells, but Camden’s father hadn’t been so lucky. In fact, Camden would have bet money that his parents were aware of the problem and had already started making arrangements to retaliate—violently.

Predictably, Nikhil glowered at Hareematek. “I care little about what you would or would not like, Your Majesty. You cannot seriously believe that we will let this humiliation slide.”

“Realistically, no, I don’t believe that.” Hareematek paused. “But you are an intelligent man, King Nikhil. You know what benefits you and what doesn’t.”

The throne room fell into silence as Nikhil glowered at Hareematek. It should have been strange, given the number of draechen present, but they all seemed terrified and anxious. Not that Camden was surprised. Seeing their former leaders, as well as an important member of their community, sent to rot in the Draechenburg dungeons unsettled them. Personally, Camden was relieved that the threat had been eliminated. The cure provided by the medusa had worked on everyone who’d been afflicted by the poison. Even so, Camden dreaded the moment when his family would learn of his involvement in the entire matter.

As if summoned by Camden’s thoughts, a soldier slid into the throne room. He came to the emperor’s side and whispered something Camden couldn’t hear in Hareematek’s ear. The emperor nodded, and the other draechen left. Moments later, the usher of the throne room called out, “Announcing the arrival of Queen Anais and King Zaire Isaiat.”

Camden was in shock. The fact that his mother had come here herself was very serious indeed. She’d recently given birth to twins and more often than not, remained in Patala to care for them.

Sage’s voice drifted into his mind. “Breathe, baby. Remember I won’t let them separate us.”

Camden turned toward the throne room doors, half because he wanted to watch his family approach, but also due to the simple fact that he needed to make sure his mate was truly there with him. He found Sage in the crowd with some other guards. As their gazes met and locked, Camden’s racing heart began to settle a little. He had to have faith in Sage, in their bond. Nothing, not even Camden’s parents, could destroy that connection.

The doors opened, and Camden’s mother and sire stepped inside. Their gazes immediately fixed on Camden, his father, and siblings. Some of the tension seemed to leave Nikhil’s shoulders, although he clearly remained on the edge. Slowly, Anais and Zaire approached, until they reached Nikhil’s side. They didn’t bow in front of Hareematek.

“Greetings, Emperor Hareematek,” Zaire said. “We come to discuss the serious matter of your treatment toward the Isaiat.”

“You honor Draechenburg with your presence and your trust,” Hareematek said. “I realize the situation is quite delicate. I trust your arrival bodes well for the future of our two nations.”

“Do not deceive yourself, Emperor,” Anais said. “The only reason why we decided to come here is that even you aren’t arrogant enough to challenge us when our armies are on your doorstep.”

Camden’s blood froze in his veins, but Hareematek didn’t look surprised. The room erupted in confused murmurs. “No one here is arrogant,” Hareematek replied. “We’re all doing what is best for our families and our people.”

Oh, Varuna. This was what Camden had feared. Before he’d met Sage, he’d considered the possibility of a war between draechen and chimeras as a necessary evil. But now, he dreaded the thought, not only because of the unavoidable casualties. His priority had become Sage, and selfishly, he simply couldn’t bear the thought of the intricacies of politics getting between them. He willed his parents to keep an open mind, to think about more than just the slight against them. After all, their imprisonment might have been humiliating, but it had likely saved their lives and possibly prevented a greater conflict.

Sadly, they couldn’t understand that, or understand him. Even so, they didn’t immediately declare war like Sage had feared. Instead, Zaire gave Hareematek a serious look and asked, “Could we have a word in private with you, Emperor Hareematek?”

“Very well,” Hareematek said. Briefly turning away from Camden, he addressed the draechen nobles. “This meeting is dismissed. Go, and live in service of Ornoz and the Overlords.”

He gave no explanation regarding what Camden’s parents had said, and no one asked. They bowed, all of them saying the now-familiar words, “I live and die by your command.”

Sage was the only one who stayed. Distantly, Camden wondered where Prince Shtamakarein, his mate, and his twin had gone. It seemed strange that they hadn’t been present for this meeting.

“They’re investigating the strikingly high number of naga in the Black Forest,” Sage explained through their bond. “But don’t worry. If your parents had truly wanted a war, they would have started it by now.”

Camden’s father threw a gaze toward Sage, but before Nikhil could comment on it, the emperor explained, “Lieutenant Zager is of my utmost confidence. Now… There’s something on your mind. What did you want to speak to me about?”

Anais didn’t delay in addressing the matter at hand. “Tell me, Your Majesty. Exactly how did you know the medusa might be involved? Who gave you information on chimeras?”

Every muscle in Camden’s body seized up. This was it, the moment he had feared so much, the moment when the truth would finally come out.

The emperor didn’t immediately answer, and Camden knew he had to own up to what he’d done. He had to tell his parents about Sage. In his heart, he had no regrets. He trusted Sage with his life, and with all the secrets the Isaiat guarded.

He might have been wary, but then, Sage made his way to the emperor’s side, standing straight in front of Camden. His expression might have seemed completely impassive to someone who didn’t know him, but Camden saw the warmth, the nearly worshipful affection in it. That simple gaze offered him the strength he needed.

“I did,” he admitted, his voice not trembling in the slightest. “I told him.”

End of Book 3: Warriors' Dream

To be continued in

Book 4: Naga's Concubine

WWW.SCARLETHYACINTH.WEBS.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native Romanian, Scarlet was born in 1986 and grew up an avid fan of Karl May and Jules Verne, reading fantasy stories and adventure.

Later, when she was out of fantasy stories to read, she delved into her mother’s collection of books and, of course, stumbled onto romance.

As a writer though, Scarlet Hyacinth was born one sunny summer day, when a dear friend of hers—the same friend who introduced her to GLBT fiction—proposed they start writing a story of their own. As it turns out, the two friends never did finish that particular story, but Scarlet discovered she had a knack for writing and ended up starting to write individually. And so, between working on her dissertation, studying for exams, and reading yaoi manga, she started writing the Kaldor Saga. Along the way, Scarlet met a lot of wonderful people who supported her, and in the end, she found her story a home and, in the process, fulfilled a beautiful dream.

For all titles by Scarlet Hyacinth, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/scarlet-hyacinth

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

Table of Contents

- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Prologue
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Six
- Chapter Seven
- Chapter Eight
- Chapter Nine
- Chapter Ten
- Chapter Eleven
- Chapter Twelve
- Chapter Thirteen
- Chapter Fourteen
- Chapter Fifteen
- Chapter Sixteen
- Chapter Seventeen
- Epilogue
- About the Author