Cloaked: Easthaven Crest, Book One

by Justice, A. D.

  “I haven’t been able to reach Ginevra by any means—natural or magical. Saban freaked when he saw this. There was no warning, no preamble leading up to what was about to air. This video simply started playing on every device. The electronics that were off all turned on at the same time. Whoever did it was hell-bent on everyone watching it at the same time.”

  “But Ginevra? You believed she would do something like that?”

  “No, of course not. Witches and warlocks can change their appearance with their dark magic. It’s unnatural and deceitful, so those spells are forbidden for us. But I’m afraid of what they’ve done to Ginevra if I can’t reach her, and I believed with all my heart that they’d killed you because you didn’t answer my calls either.” She throws her arms around me and sobs on my shoulder, half in sorrow for Ginevra and half in relief for me. One hundred percent in frustration over the whole situation.

  “Addi, where is Saban? What is he doing now?”

  She sniffles and wipes the tears from her face. “He was inconsolable, Sara. Despite all the strong objections against it from everyone, including me, he took the kingdom’s army to the place where you were last seen. I wasn’t worried about him finding the Veil. That’ll never happen. But I did try to warn him off because of the attacks. I pointed out how vulnerable he would be out there, but he didn’t care. Seeing that video turned him into a crazy man.”

  “I have to get back to the city before a bunch of people are hurt or killed. His phone is going straight to voice mail. You can’t reach Ginevra. I didn’t hear anything from you—magical or otherwise. Do they have the power to block us, Addi? Is that a thing?”

  “If anyone in their ranks has that level of power, we are all in deep trouble. The things someone like that could do are terrifying.”

  “Let’s go stop Saban from starting an all-out war in the streets. I may need your help out there.”

  We take Addi’s car and head toward the hotel where I met Ginevra. While she drives, I focus on Saban, trying to reach his mind. If I can project to him, speak to him through his thoughts and convince him I’m still alive, maybe the tensions will be dispelled before I reach him. I center my attention on him, straining every brain cell in my head, but I can barely break through the obstacles blocking my attempts.

  With every drop of white light in me, I push harder and break through the barrier long enough to reach him.

  “Saban, don’t do this. I’m still alive.”

  An invisible force slams into me, knocking the breath out of me and breaking my connection to him. But my attempt succeeded—he and I both felt the unmistakable tie that binds us together for all time.

  “Whoever’s doing this is blocking me from reaching Saban. There’s definitely a series of brick walls between us, and they don’t want me to get through a single one.”

  “That’s more concerning than anything I’ve seen or heard so far. We’re all in danger if that’s the case. Everyone in the Veil…everyone living a secret life…and every other person in the realm.”

  There’s nothing I can say to that sobering thought. How do I fight an unknown enemy with unimaginable powers and no convictions to stop him from crossing any line?

  The size of the crowd surrounding the hotel is overwhelming. Addi wasn’t kidding when she said Saban brought the entire army with him. I jump out of the car before Addi even puts it in park. Weaving through the soldiers dressed in full riot gear, I scan every face until I see Saban at last. He’s barking out orders to a group of men, driving them to find me at any cost.

  “She’s alive. I know she is out there somewhere, and we’re going to find her today. Right now. You have your orders. Move out!”

  “Saban—I’m right here!”

  When he hears my voice, he whirls around on his heel and stares in disbelief for a heartbeat before he rushes toward me. I run full speed to meet him halfway, leaping into his waiting arms.

  “I thought I’d lost you, princess. When I saw that video… I just…”

  “I know, my love. But it wasn’t real. Someone played a cruel trick on us. No one hurt me, I promise. The woman I met with wants nothing but peace. She didn’t do this. Please tell the troops to stand down before more people get hurt. There are other ways to stop this—better ways.”

  He puts me down but keeps me close to his side as he dismisses the units with a sincere message of his gratitude. “I’m taking you home now, princess. Today went from bad to fucking unbearable in an instant. But now that I know you’re okay, I can breathe again. I don’t understand what’s happening, though.”

  “Take me home, Saban. We’ll have a long talk, and I’ll explain everything. Just you and me. Okay?”

  “Anything you say.” He presses a firm kiss against my lips, full of the promise of love and passion, before carting me away to his vehicle.

  I rehearse what I have to say the entire way back to the palace, but nothing sounds right. Every scenario I run through in my head ends badly, regardless of what I mean, how I say it, or what reassurances I make him about what I am. In the end, he never accepts me. His animosity toward mages overrules his rational mind. Years of conditioning under his family’s thumb have hardwired his brain to distrust anyone who’s not like him.

  By the time we’re back home, I’ve nearly talked myself out of telling him anything.

  He needs to hear it from you, Saraya.

  She’s right. He deserves to know the truth. He has every right to see the real me before making a lifelong commitment. Even if that means I’ll lose him.

  He pulls me close to his side as we walk toward the front door, our steps in sync. His lips are pressed against my head as he murmurs his gratefulness under his breath that I’m still alive. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold tightly, inhaling his scent and savoring what may be the last time I’m in his arms.

  “I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you. This is more than love—it’s truly a spiritual connection we can never break. No matter what happens, I hope you know I love you…and I need you.” I look up at him, choking on the ball of emotions stuck in my throat. Dreading the inevitable conversation that will come next.

  His puzzled expression gives way to gratefulness when he realizes how hard it is for me to admit I need anyone. Fiercely independent. Stubborn to a fault. Self-sufficient and driven to succeed. This is how I’ve been described my entire life. Needing someone is the opposite of who I’ve always been. But I’m finding that to be true about a lot of characteristics lately.

  I’ve never felt this vulnerable before…and I don’t like it one bit.

  Chapter 29

  Saban and I head straight to our wing of the palace for guaranteed privacy. There’s too much to say to chance being interrupted, and the last thing I want is for any of his family to eavesdrop on our conversation. He’s his own man, but anyone can be swayed under the influence of their family if the circumstances are right. In this case, the conditions are perfect.

  The second we’re behind closed doors, he scoops me up in his arms and buries his face in my hair. “I know it didn’t seem like it, but I actually held my cool in front of my men compared to what I felt inside. Then, I swear, I heard your voice inside my head, telling me you were alive. For a minute there, I thought I was losing my mind. Then you appeared out of nowhere, and I thought the mages were messing with me.”

  “Saban, about them…”

  “You can tell me all about them in a few minutes, princess. Right now, this is all I care about. I need you in my arms, your body next to mine, feeling your heart pounding against my chest, to convince me you’re alive. When I thought I’d lost you forever, the pain was so bad, I couldn’t breathe. In those few moments, I questioned how I’d ever be happy again. But now you’re here, and I can’t let you go. Ever. We’re conjoined twins now.”

  We chuckle together, but neither releases the other. When I rushed to him on the street, I felt his pain. It was crippling, and I know my reaction would be no less dramatic if the
tables were turned. Which is why this discussion has to happen now.

  “I’m well aware of that feeling. When you hit your head at the lake, I thought I’d lost you too. You don’t doubt my love for you, do you?”

  “Not at all. You saved my life that day, and you gave me a life I never knew I wanted when you agreed to be mine.”

  “I have a lot to tell you, Saban, and you won’t like all of it. What I’m asking you to do is trust me and believe in us if you don’t believe anything else.”

  “You never have to be afraid to share anything with me. Nothing can change my love for you. I’m yours forever.”

  I step back, take his hand, and lead him to the settee beside the window. Finding the best words to start this conversation is harder than I thought it would be. For all my rehearsing, every single word I had in mind has escaped me.

  “I guess first I should tell you these attacks aren’t being committed by the mages or wizards. There are other factions that have broken off and are following their own rules now. They’re the true witches and warlocks, the dark magical element. Mages are good and wouldn’t hurt anyone unless they’re defending themselves. No one knows for sure why the dark forces have started making themselves known since they’ve always preferred the shadows before now. There’s a theory, but it’s not confirmed yet.”

  I pause, letting him absorb everything I’ve just dumped in his lap. It’s a lot to take in, and I’m asking him to trust my judgment based on my word and one meeting with the mage leader.

  “This is what the woman you met today told you?”

  “Her name is Ginevra. Yes, we talked about the witches and warlocks.” I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

  “Sara, what’s the theory? What have you not told me?” He covers my hand with his, giving his reassurance without saying a word.

  “The theory is they’re trying to find me, Saban. I’ve had one run-in with them before, but they didn’t recognize me. Almost no one here has, to be honest.”

  Tell him everything, Saraya.

  “I’m originally from Easthaven Crest, but I grew up in the other world. I didn’t even know about this place until the day I met you. I accidentally fell through a hole in the middle of nowhere and landed here. I’d only heard of this realm in fairy tales when I was little. To be honest, I can’t even remember all of them right now. But what I do know is…I’m Saraya, the daughter of King Taerel and Queen Wren. And I’m also a mage.”

  He jerks his hand away from mine before he withdraws completely from me. His body language makes his thoughts clear enough that I don’t need to peek inside his mind. The hard glare in his eyes and the firm set of his lips barely disguise his disgust. He stands abruptly and begins pacing, running his hand through his hair before scraping it over his face. All the while, I’m holding my breath, waiting for him to say something.

  “What am I supposed to say to this, Sara? Or Saraya? Whoever the hell you are.”

  “Whoever the hell I am? Just a few seconds ago, I was the love of your life. Your soul mate. Now, you want to act like you don’t know me, like you haven’t spent every waking minute with me for months now. Make up your mind once and for all, Saban. Either we’re in this together, or we’re not in it at all. I’m not one to straddle the fence. If you love me, then you have to love all of me—even the parts you don’t like.”

  He stops pacing, and his full attention is focused on me. “I’m sorry, Sara. Forgive me. That came out much harsher than I meant for it to. I’m just reeling over finding out you’ve been lying to me this entire time about who you are and who your family was. I think you can cut me some slack for my poor choice of words, considering.”

  “You’re right—you’re absolutely right. I completely understand why you’re upset about that. I’ve felt terrible about keeping this from you. You don’t know how many times I’ve almost told you. I can explain why I kept my identity hidden. I’m not trying to make excuses, and I know I can’t change the past. But maybe you’ll understand and can forgive me for not telling you sooner.”

  “Of course I forgive you. When I said nothing would change my love for you, I meant it. That means forever, Sara. Just give me a minute to deal with this.”

  He paces for several more minutes, walking from one end of the room to the other. When he finally stops to speak again, I can feel the weariness rolling off him. “You’re the heir to the throne. My pet name for you isn’t far off the mark, is it, princess? I suppose I’ll have to change that to ‘queen’ now.”

  “I am the heir, yes. But I didn’t know that when I met you. I didn’t find out until much later. I couldn’t tell you any of this because there are other mages I have to protect. Your family isn’t exactly known for their great love of mages.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” He puts his hands on his hips and furrows his brows.

  “That means your mother and your sister openly revile mages to this day, and your parents were the ones who killed my mother for being a mage.” His immediate crestfallen expression breaks my heart. “You didn’t know?”

  “No. I had no idea. Are you sure?”

  “As sure as I can be. I never knew my parents. They died when I was very young. My father died protecting my mother when the kingdom turned on her for being a mage, but not before he sent me away to safety.”

  His knees buckle, and he barely makes it to the couch beside me. “Is that what my father meant when he used to say the sins of his past would catch up with him one day? Sara, I didn’t know, I swear it.”

  “I believe you, and I don’t hold the sins of your family against you. What I need to know is how you’ll deal with this. Will this cause a rift between us? Will you be able to live with knowing I’m one of the people your family hates?”

  He shakes his head. “I stand by my promise to you, my queen. I love you, no matter what. Can you start from the beginning and tell me everything? I think I missed parts when my blood was rushing through my veins and beating the bass drum in my ears.”

  “Yes, considering I’ve been in your shoes before and understand how unsettling this story is, I can do that.”

  He listens as I recount the story from the very beginning when my parents were the king and queen and the mysterious attacks began that frightened the humans, much like what’s happening today. How Nana barely escaped with our lives and had to start over with nothing in the other world. He asks questions about my experiences there, interested in everything about me. His concern for my safety is visible when I tell him about Nana’s disappearance and the cloaking spell that hides me from those who are still on the hunt.

  We spend hours simply talking now that I can share everything about my life and my abilities with him. His initial anger and distrust from my pretenses fade, replaced by empathy and acceptance. When he realizes all those hunting missions he and his father conducted in the other world were to find me, he visibly pales.

  “What if we’d found you then? Would he have killed you?”

  “I think that was exactly what he intended to do.”

  “You thought I’d be mad about the throne, didn’t you? That it would be you sitting on it instead of me.” He lightly strokes my cheek and searches my eyes.

  “Yes, I did. You’ve had a lifetime of being pushed to take it, to lead the kingdom. I fell from the sky and inherited it without even knowing this place existed. Life isn’t fair. I’ve learned that the hard way. But I didn’t want you to think I’d planned any of this behind your back.”

  “If the thought crossed my mind, even for the briefest moment, I have no doubt about the day we met. Rycan intended to kill you for crossing the border onto his land. He wouldn’t have done that if he’d known who you are…and you could’ve stopped him in his tracks if you’d announced your lineage. In fact, I was damn surprised he didn’t catch you. Not many can evade his patrols. Even I would be hard-pressed to escape.”

  “I used the thick trees since the horses couldn’t run full speed through them
. That was my only saving grace. Until I met you.”

  His eyes darken with need as he threads his fingers through my hair. His sultry expression makes my temperature rise instantly. Without a word or a gesture, I’m completely under his spell. With a single touch, my body is in his charge. But when he looks at me like that, my heart races at the speed of light, and everything in the world disappears except him.

  A slight tug on the back of my neck prompts me to straddle his lap. Our mouths clash with reckless abandon. He swirls his tongue around mine before nipping on my bottom lip. The feral growl from his chest is deep and dark, both dangerous and exciting, sending chills down my spine. We tear at our clothes, the urgency of the moment taking over.

  “I want to feel you wrapped around me. I need to be inside you right now.” The deep timbre of his voice and the way he murmurs the words against my ear drive me crazy.

  “You know I can’t resist you.” I position myself over him, poised to take all he’s offering.

  “You have no idea how much I’m counting on that.” His lips land on my outstretched neck. He bites and pulls my skin between his teeth as I lower myself onto him. “Mmm. You feel so fucking good.”

  I barely begin moving my hips when he suddenly stands. He grips my bottom in his hands, and he holds me up with his muscular arms with no effort. I wrap my legs around his waist and lock my arms around his neck. The wild expression in his eyes makes the butterflies in my stomach take flight. My back hits the wall, and he slides his arms to the bend of my knees, steepening the angle. He thrusts upward to the hilt, and sparks fly behind my eyelids. I curl my fingers, scraping his smooth skin, and my body shakes and shudders involuntarily from the waves of pleasure that repeatedly surge through me.

  Our bodies are both slick with sweat, but he shows no signs of slowing. My body is nearly spent and dehydrated from the onslaught of repeated climaxes, but he’s still going strong.