Kalahn rolled her eyes. “Do we have to be so formal? Keltor may be king, but he’s still our brother.”
He decided to ignore Kalahn’s words. Instead, he motioned toward Azalyn. “Kalahn, may I introduce Azalyn Sulani, your future sister-in-law.”
Kalahn scrutinized Azalyn’s face before sighing. “You’ve made me out to feel old, what with a niece and nephew almost the same age as me.”
He frowned, but Azalyn’s voice filled the room. “Well, when there’s already sixteen years between you and Keltor, it can’t be helped.”
Kalahn snorted. “Using facts against me. You’ll fit right in with my brothers.” Kalahn’s eyes skirted around, no doubt taking in everyone in the room. “I’m guessing the male and female at the table are my niece and nephew, and the younger female holding Father’s hand is my sister.”
Keltor opened his mouth, but Kasarra beat him to it. “I’m Kasarra, although technically, you should call me Aunt Kasarra.”
Kalahn laughed. “I see Keltor getting rid of me didn’t calm things down, with regard to females related to him.”
“I didn’t get rid of you, Kalahn. You ran away,” Keltor pointed out.
Kason jumped in. “Unlike you, we don’t have an unlimited amount of power to use for this transmission. I shall be talking with Kalahn later.”
Keltor was one of the few in the room who could understand Taryn’s reply in CEL. “Both of you need to behave. Remember everything they’ve just gone through. I sometimes think when the tro el Vallen siblings get together, all reason goes out the window.”
Kastor snorted, reminding Keltor that his father was probably the only other one to understand the Earth language. He replied in the same, “I’m glad to see someone can reason with them.”
Taryn opened her mouth, but Kelzal replied in flawless CEL. “Reason isn’t always the best way to handle a situation, although I wish it were.”
Grinning, Taryn replied in her language. “It seems I have a father-in-law and a nephew who can understand me, in addition to Kalahn, Kason, and Keltor.”
Kason grunted. “You still need to work on your Kelderan.”
Azalyn squeezed his hand, reminding him she had no idea what they were saying.
He cleared his throat and switched back to Kelderan. “We shouldn’t be rude. Taryn may not fully be able to reply, but thanks to the device in her ear, she can understand. So let’s continue this meeting in Kelderan.”
Kalahn spoke up. “What else is there left to say?”
“Kalahn,” Kastor said, and everyone’s attention shifted to the former king. “I know I have no right to ask you, especially since you’re the child I neglected to visit the most after your mother’s death, but I hope you can look after your sister, Kajala. She wanted to go to Jasvar to start over, and I made it happen. However, she could use a friend. Please visit her and give her a chance.”
Kalahn’s bravado faded, her eyes turning concerned. “Trust me, you don’t want to give that task to me. Kason should do it.”
“No, Kalahn. I’m asking you. Grant me one last favor before I die.”
The room fell deathly quiet. The topic they’d all been avoiding—his father’s mortality—was suddenly front and center.
“Father,” Kalahn said as her voice cracked.
“Please don’t worry about me, Kalahn. I have lived a full life, with plenty of children to carry on my name, and even grandchildren. I cannot make up for all I’ve done over the years with regards to my offspring, but getting my two families together is all I can hope for. Please, watch over Kajala for me.”
Wiping her eyes, Kalahn bobbed her head. “I will, Father. I’m sorry I ran away without telling you.”
Kastor smiled. “You get it from your mother. And in a way, that comforts me.”
Within seconds, Kalahn, Azalyn, and Jalarra all started crying. As Kason comforted their sister, Kasarra comforted her mother, and Keltor put an arm around Azalyn’s shoulders, he decided the meeting hadn’t gone quite the way he’d planned.
Once the females calmed down a little, Keltor spoke again. “Kason and I will coordinate private meetings with Father over the coming days. I think that might be best.”
Kason nodded, even as he continued to hold Kalahn at his side. “I will ensure there is enough power to do so. I’ll also send my report as soon as possible.”
As understanding passed between him and his brother, the screen went dark.
He looked to his father with Jalarra and Kasarra. “You must be tired, Father. We’ll leave you to rest and will visit you later.”
Kastor smiled. “Make sure to bring my grandchildren.”
“I will try.”
Keltor motioned for Toralyn and Kelzal to follow as he and Azalyn exited the room.
Once in the hall, he stopped and turned his chair toward his children. “Thank you for remaining silent so that my sister and father could reconcile to a degree.”
Toralyn shrugged one shoulder and looked to the side. “I have no wish to upset him.”
“There was little for me to add to the conversation,” Kelzal stated.
“Regardless, thank you.”
His two children looked anywhere but at him. Thankfully his clever Azalyn spoke up and steered the topic toward something less emotional, knowing they all needed it. “Right, I know it’s a little early for dinner, but that means you two can help me cook it this time.”
Toralyn groaned. “I hate cooking. And if anything, I’ll make it taste even worse than yours.”
“Toralyn,” Keltor warned.
Azalyn put up a hand. “I’m aware of my faults.” She flashed him a smile. “And I adore that you still choke it down each time I attempt it.”
Kelzal spoke up. “If you want your next training session with Ervan and Xerlig, Tora, then you must attend dinner every evening. Since your agreement was vague, helping to prepare it falls under the stated parameters.”
Toralyn looked askance at her brother. “You’re supposed to be on my side, Kel.”
“I believe in facts and truth. I will protect you if needed, Tora, but this is an agreement you freely agreed to. You must accept the result.”
“Fine. But I may need to alter my agreement going forward. I’m not about to cook every day,” Toralyn grumbled.
Azalyn snorted. “That would be entertaining, but for now, let’s just say it’s for tonight.” She released his hand and stood between the twins. “Now, I have a new recipe that requires some extra hands. Kelzal, I hope you’ll help, too.”
“What about Father?” Kelzal asked.
Keltor grinned. “There’s not much for me to do until I can stand again.”
“Nonsense,” Azalyn answered. “If we place a chopping board on your lap, you can help just fine.” She motioned down the hall. “Now, let’s go. We’re going to need as many minutes as possible to do what I have planned.”
As they made their way down the hall, Azalyn and Toralyn argued about how many courses they needed. Kelzal wisely focused on anything but his mother and sister and remained quiet.
Keltor may be a long way from having a close-knit family that could talk and tease with ease, but it was a start.
And for the chance to experience emotions ranging from love to annoyance, Keltor would gladly put up with as many arguments as it took. He finally had a family of his own, one that would only grow. They would no doubt be his toughest challenge to tackle, but he looked forward to every second of it.
Epilogue
Almost Two Months Later
Azalyn darted into a side room with Keltor at her side. Once the door closed, she let out the laughter she’d been keeping inside. “I hadn’t expected Farren to lead the other council members in a song.”
Keltor sighed. “I sometimes second-guess my decision to put him on my council.”
“That’s silly. He’s clever and full of knowledge. Not to mention he knows how to make people laugh when they need it.”
“You laugh a little too o
ften at his jokes,” Keltor muttered.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “I just became your bride, Keltor tro el Vallen. I want you as my lord, not Farren.”
Leaning on his cane, Keltor reached around her waist and drew her up against him. “I think there are more important matters to attend to than talking about Farren.”
She placed her hands on Keltor’s bare chest; he’d worn the formal attire of tight trousers and a long vest. As she rubbed her fingers against his hard muscles, she murmured, “I hope these matters involve us with far less clothing.”
Heat flashed in his eyes. “Yes, although I’m tempted to simply toss up your skirts and take you once to slake my desire.”
She smiled coyly. “I saw how you looked at me in there. Considering you gave me this dress, you only have yourself to blame.”
Wanting to tempt her lord, she backed away and twirled once, the long, silky skirts a light caress against her skin.
He growled. “I didn’t think it’d be so revealing.”
She smoothed the fabric of her dress, her fingers loving the embroidered birds flying over the colors of a Kelderan sunrise—yellow, blue-green, and purple. One of Veljan’s prized new flowers, a small bloom in dark, iridescent blue, was pinned to one side of her chest, completing the outfit. “It’s perfectly acceptable.”
Keltor stalked toward her, each click of his cane hitting the floor making her heart pound harder. His voice was gravelly as he said, “I can see every curve of your body because of that damn material.”
“Well, not quite all, thankfully.” She stretched the material over her belly, which was a little rounder than it had been when she’d woken up inside the palace over three months ago.
All because of their baby, who had decided they liked food quite a bit and weren’t going to let her forget it.
Her male stopped in front of her and lightly traced the curve of her abdomen, leaving a trail of heat behind. “The most important people know, and that’s all that matters.”
She smiled at the memory of Toralyn tossing her hands up in the air, declaring she had too much family as it was, what with both older and younger aunts and uncles.
However, after the initial outburst, both Kelzal and Toralyn had been supportive, stating as long as they didn’t have to babysit or change diapers, they would enjoy a sibling.
The only person who didn’t know was Korjal, but she was certain Keltor’s men would locate him eventually.
Not wanting to ruin her claiming day with worries about a missing brother-in-law, she turned and slowly swayed her hips as she walked. Keltor followed.
Stopping at the edge of the bed, she kept her back to Keltor. She could tell he stood just behind her as his heat seeped into her body.
His breath tickled her ear. “Just for that, I am going to take you once while you’re fully clothed and I’m not.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she tilted her head. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
With a growl, Keltor cupped her cheek and took her lips in a demanding kiss. Each stroke and lick was another brand, as if claiming her in front of most of Keldera wasn’t enough.
Turning toward him, she threaded her fingers through his hair and met him stroke for stroke, letting him know that she wanted everything he had to offer.
Because she had just as much claim to him as he did to her. He may be king, but to Azalyn, he would always just be Keltor, the male who stepped on her foot inside a shop and ended up winning her heart.
And no matter what came, they could handle it as long as they were together.
~*~*~
Did you enjoy this story? Then please consider leaving a review. :)
The next story in this series will be The Forbidden, which will be about Princess Kalahn and Ryven Xanna (Kason's best friend). The book should be out in July 2018 and will take place on Jasvar. Their story will give us a chance to not only meet Kalahn's half sister Kajala, but also give you a mini-update on everyone we know on the other planet! While waiting for the next story, you may want to check out one of my other books, Blaze of Secrets. I've included an excerpt after the Author's Note. Also, if you wish to keep up-to-date on releases, you might want to join my newsletter on my website.
Author's Note
The water maze Keltor showed Azalyn was inspired by the actual water maze at Hever Castle in Kent, England. While the one at Hever Castle is outdoors and lacks the statues of the one inside the Kelderan Palace, the concept and mechanics are the same. I had no idea when I went there on vacation in September 2017 and watched the children deliberately step on the wrong planks to get wet that it would play a role in a science fiction romance book! Not only that, but Veljan Ranna's character was inspired by my many visits to formal gardens in England and France in 2017. I hope to tell his story eventually and further use the knowledge I've gained about garden design and layouts. I may even need to visit a few more famous gardens for inspiration. :)
Another point I wish to bring up is Kelzal's character. During the editing and beta process, quite a few people caught on to his quirks and figured out what they were. If he were a human male, Kelzal would probably be diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, which was folded into the more general autism spectrum disorder in 2013. I was lucky enough to spend a few years working as a substitute teacher in the USA and most of my time subbing was in special education classes. Some of my favorites were those for students on the autism spectrum, ranging from mild to severe. I never understood why so many people turned down jobs in those classes as a lot of the students had huge hearts and I always looked forward to going back. At any rate, those experiences influenced Kelzal's character. Since he's Kelderan, his condition is slightly different, but everyone will get to know him better when he has his own book!
And lastly, if you're wondering about how the laws will or won't change, or even about King Kastor, that is to come. The next book will be about Princess Kalahn and will take place before the epilogue of this book. My Kelderan series is turning out to be a saga, and change takes time. I hope everyone has a little patience. Especially since we have a lot of new characters to learn about in the future. :D
As always, there are several people I need to thank for getting this book out as it is:
Becky and her team at Hot Tree Editing were amazing as always. I'm fortunate enough to have an editor that gets me and isn't afraid to push me to be better. Becky is the best.
Clarissa Yeo of Yocla Designs produced another beautiful cover for me and I'm fortunate to have found her back in 2014!
Finally, a big thank you to my beta readers—Donna H., Iliana G., and Alyson S. They help to catch some of the lingering typos and minor inconsistencies that true fans would notice.
And of course, I'm eternally grateful for my readers. This series pushes my creativity to its limits and I'm grateful that I can continue to write it, thanks to those supporting me. Writing this series helps refresh and renew my love for my dragon ones.
Princess Kalahn's book should be out in July, and toward the end of the year I hope to have a follow-up novella for either Taryn and Kason or Vala and Thorin. I know my readers love updates as much as I love writing them, and I can't wait to revisit some of our beloved characters.
Blaze of Secrets
(Asylums for Magical Threats #1)
After discovering she has elemental fire magic as a teenager, Kiarra Melini spends the next fifteen years inside a magical prison. While there, she undergoes a series of experiments that lead to a dangerous secret. If she lives, all magic will be destroyed. If she dies, magic has a chance to survive. Just as she makes her choice, a strange man breaks into cell, throws her over his shoulder, and carries her right out of the prison.
To rescue his brother, Jaxton Ward barters with his boss to rescue one other inmate--a woman he's never met before. His job is to get in, nab her and his brother, and get out. However, once he returns to his safe house, his boss has other ideas. Jaxton is ordered to train the woman and help her become p
art of the anti-magical prison organization he belongs to.
Working together, Kiarra and Jaxton discover a secret much bigger than their growing attraction to each other. Can they evade the prison retrieval team long enough to help save magic? Or, will they take Kiarra back to prison and end any chance of happiness for them both?
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Blaze of Secrets is now available on Google Play.
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Excerpt:
Chapter One
First-born Feiru children are dangerous. At the age of magical maturity they will permanently move into compounds established for both their and the public’s protection. These compounds will be known as the Asylums for Magical Threats (hereafter abbreviated as “AMT”).
—Addendum, Article III of the Feiru Five Laws, July 1953
Present Day
Jaxton Ward kept his gaze focused on the nearing mountain ledge ahead of him. If he looked down at the chasm below his feet, he might feel sick, and since his current mission was quite possibly the most important one of his life, he needed to focus all of his energy on succeeding.
After all, if things went according to plan, Jaxton would finally see his brother again.
He and his team of three men were balanced on a sheet of rock five thousand feet in the air. To a human, it would look like they were flying. However, any Feiru would know they were traveling via elemental wind magic.
Darius, the elemental wind first-born on his team, guided them the final few feet to the mountain ledge. As soon as the sheet of rock touched solid ground, Jaxton and his team moved into position.
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