Forbidden Journey

by Willa Hart

  Irritation races through Leo. I don’t often question him or his motives. It’s Sarkany that he’s always argued with most of all. Not only are we each elementally different, but my two brothers are often on the far ends of the extreme where politics are concerned. Sarkany is all about acting with his heart, and Leo is all about leading with his head.

  Uncle can be useful to our cause, Leo thinks.

  Which is what? I think. What is our cause?

  To be crowned Kings of the Kingdom, Leo thinks.

  How does that work, I think. Especially now that Sarkany and I have chosen Meela as our fated-mate? She is not your choice for Queen, and as for the laws of the Kingdom—as of now, my declaration to you—both Sarkany and I are fugitives and traitors, are we not?

  You are, Leo thinks. And as such, I am the only rightful King.

  There is a selfishness and greed within you that I’ve not sensed before tonight, I think. Has it always been there and I’ve just been ill-equipped to feel these feelings, or is it new?

  Sarkany’s laugh breaks through my thoughts with Leo.

  Oh, my brother, Taraz, Sarkany bellows, interrupting my mind-link with Leo. Leo has always been a selfish and greedy bastard, much like I’m a nihilistic beast in the extreme. But I’m nearly back to where you and Meela are. Tell me, brother, has she become your Queen as well? My little bird, does she also hold you in her sway?

  I smile at my hedonistic brother’s thoughts and continue to stare at Meela who sits on the ground with pups hopping on and off her lap, unaware that three Princes argue about her in our minds.

  She is my Queen and my fated-mate. Of this I am sure, I think. If she will have me as such, then I shall be hers.

  Quite a conundrum we have then, is it not? Sarkany thinks. Two Princes with the same fated-mate, and one without.

  Don’t be so certain, Taraz. The mating ceremony has yet to transpire, and you might discover something about your Meela to give you pause, Leo thinks.

  My heart beats in my chest, and a horrible feeling pits my belly. I shake my head. I block my mind; does Leo know about Meela?

  Ah yes, Leo thinks, too smug for my liking. The downside to feelings and being in love—you shall experience all that as well I suppose.

  What are you after, brother? Sarkany roars. Why would you torment us? What do want? Were your words to me a lie? Do you act solely on your own behalf now and not for the benefit of the Trinity?

  You’ve broken the Trinity, Leo thinks. Have you not? You did so the moment you chose her over us and didn’t even tell us before the mating ceremony took place beneath the Wishing Tree.

  I did tell you, and what’s more I proved to Taraz that Meela is our fated-mate. You shall see, Leo, you too shall be mated to our Queen. You will have little choice, Sarkany roars.

  Ha! You bastard brother, I have every choice! You won’t force me to be with a Dreg! I’ll choose my own mate! Leo yells through our minds.

  Good luck with that! Sarkany roars.

  Good luck with your banishment, Leo yells. Enjoy the filthy dogs you’re lying with. Why not ask the one you’re riding what he thinks of your Dreg Queen, Sarkany?

  Brother, when next I see you, I shan’t have forgotten your words, Sarkany thinks.

  When next you see me, I’ll be wearing the crown and you’ll be on your knees, Sarkany, begging me for your life and your Dreg’s life as well!

  My Goddess, I think, stop! Stop, stop! We are brothers not enemies!

  No, Sarkany thinks, he has threatened my life and the life of my little bird. Disparaged her and her love for me—we are no longer brothers.

  And with that Sarkany is gone. Still present within the space of our minds, as we can never be completely gone from each other, but he has created a block that prohibits Leo from communicating with him, and me as well if I am mind-linked with Leo.

  Leo, don’t do this, whatever you are thinking to do—our brotherhood—Mother and Fathers would be so very upset by all of this. They would—

  Mother and Fathers lost their lives because of the very woman you’ve decided to love!

  No, Meela may be a Dreg, but it was not her fault that Mother and—

  I know otherwise, Leo thinks. I’m nearly sure of it. And while I’m unsurprised she’s been able to cast a spell over Sarkany, so driven is he by his passions, but you? Taraz? You of all of us I thought to be smarter than this. Wiser. I’m shocked and appalled and—

  You didn’t ever answer my question, Leo. About why you are still there, at the Palace, in the Kingdom, with Uncle. Why didn’t you flee with Sarkany? What is your reason for staying behind?

  Nothing I will share with you now. But, brother, Leo thinks, do mind yourself, for while you may think you love this Dreg, she may not be what she portrays herself to be.

  With those final parting words, Leo vanishes from our mind-connection.

  Meela is beside me with a wolf pup in her arms. A lovely female who runs her tongue up Meela’s cheek. Meela smiles and giggles, then looks at me and thinks, Are you okay?

  I nod and slide my arm around Meela’s waist. “You are here with me and Sarkany will soon return, so yes, I am well,” I say.

  She doesn’t believe me; her eyes convey her doubt over my words, but she doesn’t press me for an explanation through word or mind. Instead she presses her forehead to mine with the Wolveskin pup between us. The tiny, fluffy creature turns her head and licks the bottom of my chin. I press my lips to Meela’s lips. I breathe in her sweet scent of earth and soft rain and sunshine even in winter, even in the Wolveskin lair.

  “I love you,” I say. No matter what, we must face all this as fated-mates.

  “I love you too,” Meela says.

  I weave my fingers through hers. From the distance, a howl comes through the cave door. My brother is returning. Meela and I turn and walk toward the cave opening knowing that while tonight we will celebrate Sarkany’s return, tomorrow we must prepare for war.

  The adventure continues in Forbidden Union, Book 3 in The Harem of The Mindslayer Series. Get your copy NOW!

  Excerpt from Forbidden Union

  Harem of The Mindslayer Book 3

  Chapter 1Meela

  “There will be war.” Sarkany stands in the center of the Wolveskin map room. “We must prepare.”

  Prince Sarkany Roya, my fated-mate, leader of the Roya Warriors Guild, one of the Roya Tripsett destined to rule the Eliterrati of the Roya Kingdom, is a man who takes up space. Big and bold and brash, Sarkany is accustomed to being the largest and most intimidating warrior in a room.

  But he isn’t today.

  I glance at King Rex. Skin the color of the deepest starless night, and deep brown eyes lined with silver, he’s sprawled over his map room throne.

  Fear slides through my belly. Can Rex, King of the Wolveskin, and Sarkany, Prince of the Roya, remain in the same room for long? Like similarly charged magnets, they repel. Rex’s gaze slides from Sarkany to meet my eyes. The silver that lines his black pupils pulses and Rex lifts a brow.

  This? I am a Wolveskin King, and this is the human you choose over me? King Rex sends me his thought through the mind connection we share due to my Wolveskin bloodline.

  I did not know of your existence when I chose Sarkany, I think.

  But still? Even now?

  I close my eyes and sigh. “It’s not like that,” I say the words out loud. I’m unused to communicating openly through my mind connections. Only a short while ago, me using my mental abilities would’ve seen me killed, or worse yet, mindslayed.

  Both Taraz and Sarkany turn to me.

  “What are you saying, Meela?” Taraz asks. “Do you see another way? Because as a scientist, I believe war is a horrible misuse of resources, both human and inanimate. Please, if you see another way to protect the Roya Kingdom from Lord Vlissimal, please tell us.”

  Oh my most lovely Prince Taraz Roya: the leader of the Scientists Guild, Taraz’s brother, my fated-mate, and a Roya Prince attempting to keep viole
nce away from the Kingdom.

  “No…” I walk toward the map table. Marble carvings represent Roya forces now controlled by Regent Vlissimal and Taraz and Sarkany’s other brother, the third prince in their Tripsett, Leo.

  “I just…I don’t want to see you three brothers fight,” I say.

  “Leo has threatened your life and my life and has thrown in with Vlissimal!” Sarkany roars. “What other choice do I have but to fight to protect you—my fated-mate—and my Kingdom?”

  “Are you sure?” Taraz asks. “Yes, Leo was angry the last time the three of us mind-linked, and you two quarreled as you often do, but are we certain that Leo is working with Uncle—”

  “Please stop calling him that,” Sarkany interrupts, his voice hard-edged. Frustration pulls on Sarkany’s face. “Vlissimal can no longer hold the title of our Uncle even if he is Mother’s only living brother. After what he’s done to me and you and our people? Surely there’s no greater traitor in the Kingdom than Vlissimal!”

  “Maybe one,” King Rex says, his voice silken.

  I turn to Rex.

  “Your brother, Leo,” King Rex says. “From an outsider’s perspective Prince Leo is determined to rule the Roya Kingdom alone. He’s turned against the two of you, his brothers, has he not? He’s aligned himself with your sworn enemy. He has chosen his own needs and desires over those of the group…your Tripsett?” Rex’s gaze meets Sarkany’s and then slides to Taraz. Finally he looks at me, his amber eyes penetrating me. “But that’s what you humans do, isn’t it? Think of yourselves first, before considering what the pack needs.”

  That beast, Sarkany thinks. His chest expands. Across our mind-link, heat bubbles through Sarkany. Anger. While Sarkany may harbor negative thoughts about Leo, his loyalty to the Tripsett rages with Rex’s words.

  Sarkany please, I think, what Rex says about Leo is not untrue. Please control your anger.

  Leo is my brother, Sarkany thinks.

  Yes, he is, and that’s what makes his betrayal all the more hurtful. You can’t blame King Rex for what Leo has done. That’s unfair.

  With my words, like clouds across a blue sky, Sarkany’s anger dissipates.

  “It’s painful to hear your words,” Sarkany says, “but I realize that they may be true.”

  Rex lifts an eyebrow and his gaze locks onto me. Impressive, Princess, King Rex thinks to me. You have such control over the human beast.

  He’s no more a beast than any other living creature in this lair, I think.

  King Rex shoots me a pointed look. Have I overstepped? Rex is sensitive to humans calling Wolveskins beasts; even a half-human, half-Wolveskin like me.

  “You speak of war, Prince Sarkany.” Rex rises from his throne. He’s giant in his human form. Over six feet tall with a well-muscled warrior’s body. His skin is the color of a starless night—deep and dark black. His amber eyes bear the silver circle of the Wolveskin around his black pupil. He steps down off the dais, regal and fluid. He stops at the edge of the map room table. “You have no army. How do you intend to wage war against Lord Vlissimal and Prince Leo when they control all the Kingdom forces?”

  “Once we tell the world what Vlissimal’s done,” Sarkany says, “the troops shall turn and follow us—”

  “And how do you intend to do that?” King Rex interrupts. “I had a similar conversation with your brother Prince Taraz not long ago, before I came to the hunting lodge and saved you—”

  “Saved me?” Sarkany turns and laughs. “Ha! That’s quite a take on the events that took place last night.”

  Rex’s eyes gather a fierce intensity. “You believe that absent me and my packs’ presence at the hunting lodge you would’ve escaped with your life? After Vlissimal’s ambush?”

  “Well,” Sarkany throws back his shoulder and cocks his head to the side, “I certainly wouldn’t have died if that’s what you’re implying.”

  “Well, you certainly wouldn’t have lived!” Fire flashes in Rex’s eyes.

  Sarkany and Rex stand toe to toe, staring at each other. One dark as night with short black hair and silver-ringed Wolveskin eyes. The other olive-skinned with brown eyes and long brown hair. Both giants with muscles and warrior’s bearing. Sarkany’s nostrils flare. Rex’s jaw muscle flinches.

  No one breathes.

  “Stop!” The full force of my voice echoes against the map room walls.

  Sarkany and Rex turn to me.

  “We face a war and you two quibble over a battle that took both of you equally to survive? This is ridiculous! How can you think of your egos when entire countries and peoples’ lives are at stake? I will not be party to two grown men behaving like little boys as though lives saved and land won is a game!” My brows pull tight, and my gaze flashes from Rex to Sarkany. “This is not a game. People will die. People with children, and families, and wives, and mothers and fathers will most certainly die. Don’t get so caught up in winning and losing and forget that there is a cost to be paid for a war.” Heat pricks my eyes. Tears form as I speak. “I refuse to pretend that the cost that will be paid is something that does not impact real people, even while you two giant men push around little marble pieces on a map as though they mean nothing.”

  Sarkany’s gaze drops and Rex looks away. I breathe deep, quelling the passion in my chest.

  “Meela is absolutely correct,” Taraz says. “And while I respect both of you as warriors and understand that your best selves protect us all, we can’t forget our obligation as rulers to protect and serve and do what is best for our people”—Taraz looks at King Rex—“and pack.”

  Sarkany lifts an eyebrow and sighs. “I would not be here,” he says, “without the help of you and your pack. Thank you.”

  King Rex nods, accepting Sarkany’s words. “And my pack would be less safe without your presence here today.”

  Both step back. This is a tenuous peace, but a pact. My mind connection to each senses a mutual respect for the other and an acknowledgment of each of their individual warrior spirit.

  All three men turn to me; Prince Sarkany, Prince Taraz, and King Rex.

  My stomach tightens. I’m at a loss. While through our individual mind-connections I feel the inner emotions of these three men and hear their thoughts, now they seek guidance from me. A girl who not long ago washed soiled sheets and dirty linens in the Ninaku Dreg laundry.

  Fear clutches my insides. I am a girl. A Dreg…or maybe not. Perhaps half-Wolveskin and half-Eliterrati…perhaps not. My memories are suspect until such time as I have proof. How am I to provide leadership and guidance to these men? I’m not smart enough, strong enough, knowledgeable enough; there is no way that I can provide the correct counsel which they seek from me—

  No, Meela, you are wrong. A voice…a voice that I’ve heard before but that only visits me in my dreams. The voice floats through my mind.

  I close my eyes.

  The White Wolf appears in my mind.

  You are meant to guide them all. You and your visions, and what you know to be true and just, shall be what saves the Wolveskin, the Eliterrati, and the Dregs. Your vision and justice shall unify them all.

  I…I…am not ready for this, I think. What you ask is impossible. I have not been prepared…I do not know enough…I can’t—

  You can and you will. Your life has been your preparation. Follow the seeds of the memories that were planted; add them to what you know to be true in your heart. And listen, Meela: follow the visions in your mind and listen to the voices in your head, for they tell you even with their unsaid words what you must do. And like mist above a waterfall, the White Wolf is gone.

  I open my eyes and look at the two warriors that stand before me and the scientist Prince Taraz. Two Princes, One King, two fated-mates, and one Wolveskin.

  “You are correct,” I say, my voice strong, “There will be war.” I turn to the map table. “But it’s not yet time for that war to be waged. So now, today, we do the hardest thing of all: today, we wait.” I close my eyes and I feel a
wave rising within me. “It’s coming,” I say. “And the army that you shall lead will be ready for its leaders to arrive very, very soon.”

  Forbidden Union, Book 3 in The Harem of The Mindslayer Series. Get your copy NOW!

  Also by Willa Hart

  Harem of Fire

  Book 0: The Glow of The Dragon’s Heart

  Book 1: The Spark of The Dragon’s Heart

  Book 2: The Heat of The Dragon’s Heart

  Book 3: The Flame of The Dragon’s Heart

  Book 4: The Fire of The Dragon’s Heart

  Book 5: The Blaze of The Dragon’s Heart

  Harem of The Mindslayer

  Book 0: Forbidden Mindslayer

  Book 1: Forbidden Power

  Book 2: Forbidden Journey

  Book 3: Forbidden Union

  Book 4: Forbidden Love

  Book 5: Forbidden Queen

  Afterword

  Dearest Reader,

  Publishing a book is both terrifying and the best feeling in the world! If you like big roller-coasters it’s a little bit like that; excited to ride but terrified you might throw up. So THANK YOU! Thank you for reading Forbidden Power book 1 in Harem of The Mindslayer series. This is my second series (have you read Harem of Fire yet?) Go get it NOW, I’ll wait.

  I’ve spent the last year+ working on this series. As an established New York Times and USA Today best-selling romance author, I understand the pain of starting a series only to wait months, even years, for the next book, so when I decided to start this new reverse harem pen name I pledged to never start releasing a new series until the entire series was fully written. Which means I’ve been living with these characters for a very long time and — again — I’ve fallen in love with them!

  Meela is amazing. Empathetic and strong she has a HUGE secret and the weight of the world on her young shoulders; but it looks like she’s got at least two of the Roya Tripsett to help her and Jix too.