A brief shadow of fear clouded Hareem’s eyes before it was quickly masked. Hareem laughed. “As if. Enjoy your little Ivenian whore, brother. It’s the only thing you’re going to get, from Father, and me.”
Karein arched a brow at his brother. “Is that right? At least I’ll get a mate. You, on the other hand, seem to be missing one. Where is your beloved—?”
A gust of ice struck him before he could finish the phrase. “Shut your mouth, Karein,” his brother snapped at him.
Karein was very tempted to teach his brother a lesson. That dark side of him that always responded to hostility by fighting back roared to harm, hurt, and destroy. But Karein pushed it back, having long ago learned to control it.
“I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with your moodiness right now,” Karein shot back. He didn’t even bother to dodge the spell, instead absorbing its cold energy within him. “If you want to take out your problems on someone, do yourself a favor and don’t pick me.”
Hareem’s anger drained out of him, and he suddenly looked very tired. “At least you understand,” he mumbled, “and I can’t hurt you with my magic if I lose control of my dragon.”
Karein mentally groaned. He really didn’t need to deal with a morose Hareem, on top of everything else. Usually, they got along well enough, as the two of them had long ago understood that to survive and prosper in spite of the choking presences of their parents, they needed to be allies. Hareem was the only one who ever helped Karein out with more delicate operations. Similarly, Karein maintained the secrecy of what Hareem did behind their father’s back.
“I’m going to the barracks,” he finally offered. “If you want, you can come with me and we can spar. I promise I won’t kick your ass too badly.”
Hareem grinned. “That sounds great, and painful. It should help.”
As they fell into stride next to each other, they headed together toward the barracks and the sparring field. The familiar sight of the soldiers he ran into reminded Karein he had a job to do. No matter who he wed, that would never change.
* * * *
Rose Noire, somewhere near Calais, France
“Married? Jenarra help me… Father, you cannot be serious.”
Sari felt like he was going to faint as his sire frowned at him. “Sareltae, remember yourself and your position. This is an important matter.”
“Yes, of course.” Sari shook himself and straightened his back. “I just don’t understand.”
“Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that you do,” Selbrian answered, his voice thick with regret. “Given recent conflicts, Emperor Kavehquader has decreed that he wishes to ensure the peace between our two nations. For that purpose, we will sign a truce and decide the terms once and for all. As a sign of our cooperation, you will wed one of his sons.”
Sari’s knees felt like jelly, and he thought he might collapse right then and there in front of his father. His assistance to his friend, Caelyn, had largely dragged him into his position. He didn’t regret what he’d done. Caelyn was happy with his mate and expecting a baby. From time to time, Sari even went to visit them.
Realizing all that, though, meant that he couldn’t possibly refuse his father’s command and avoid marriage to a man he didn’t know, let alone love. The selfish part of him screamed at the injustice. He was far too young to be marketed off like a piece of meat, and he had too many things to do here. He had never even had the chance to explore the real world as he’d always been trapped in the fae palace and its environs. Even knowing that it was his responsibility, that he couldn’t ask anyone else to pay the price for his decisions, he asked, “Why me, Father? Surely, the draechen prince would expect someone more skilled in the erotic arts.”
“My dear son… You might be young, but you’re uncommonly intelligent and gifted in understanding foreign cultures. You’re greatly empathetic, and that will help you adapt.”
Sari knew the decision had already been made, so any protest would be futile. “Who am I to wed?” he asked in a trembling voice.
“Prince Shtamakarein Tersain, Commander of the Ornoz army and General of the Chrysalidian Wyverns.”
Sari closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Finally, the true reason of him being picked emerged. It wasn’t his intelligence or empathy that had urged his father to decide on him. Shtamakarein was a notoriously violent and cruel man. The special division he led enforced the Directive of the Shifter Castes, an absurd piece of legislation Sari considered disgusting and obsolete. One thing was more than clear. Sari’s healing abilities would come in handy in the next couple of years.
“I see,” he replied, calling on Jenarra for help. “It will, of course, be an honor.”
At his answer, his father left the throne and came to his side. “You know you are the dearest of my children, Sari,” he said, hugging Sari. “I would not do this if I had any other choice.”
For a few moments, Sari allowed himself to relax in his sire’s embrace. It was always so comforting to be held by his father. Selbrian had protected him for as far as Sari could remember. It was Sari’s turn to do something for Ivenia. He was afraid, yes, but he would not allow that to stop him.
The decision gave him a measure of steadiness, and he broke away from the embrace. “Worry not, Father. I will be fine. I will not let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” his father answered. “Keep in mind something. I don’t believe for a second that Kavehquader has peace in mind when requesting this. He wants us to fuck up. He wants us to do something that will give him the freedom to attack. This marriage might be the only chance we have to prevent the war.”
Sari’s heart started to beat even faster. Talk about pressure. Could he do all that? Was he capable of handling such intrigue? Of course he was. He had been navigating the murky waters of politics for as long as he could remember. His precarious position as both a prince and a bastard son guaranteed it.
This was a good thing, an opportunity to help Ivenia, and the world. Sari smiled, aiming to reassure the older fae by doing so. His sire didn’t seem convinced in the slightest. “Go speak to your mother,” he urged Sari. “I’m sure she has many pieces of advice to give you.”
Sari bowed lowly and thanked his father. As the king dismissed him, Sari practically fled the throne room and headed toward the temple. His steps carried him there with the ease of practice, but sadly, this familiarity meant that Sari’s mind was free to dwell on things he’d rather not consider.
He might have been a virgin, but he was not ignorant as to how the intercourse between two males took place. As a healer, he was required to understand everything about the body’s functions. And there was that time when he’d seen two servant boys all over each other behind the stables. As much as it had embarrassed Sari, it had also excited him, and he’d always imagined that one day, he would fall in love and surrender his body to his fated mate.
But now, that dream was gone like smoke wisps in the wind. It made Sari sick just to think that the act he had waited and craved for would be turned into something ugly and forced. Shaking himself, Sari decided that his life wasn’t over just because of this. He had another, stronger dream, that to defend Ivenia at all costs. He would go on for that, and as the mate of a very powerful man, he could pursue his country’s interests.
Besides, for all he knew, his betrothed might not be such a bad man. Rumors had a way of exacerbating the reputation of people, especially where notorious warriors were concerned. In the end, Shtamakarein was just a man, and Sari would wait until he met the draechen to form his own opinion.
And of course, Shtamakarein had once been Caelyn’s fiancé. Sari had seen the side effects of Shtamakarein’s power on Caelyn, but he also knew that the draechen had, for some reason he couldn’t understand, helped Caelyn and Caelyn’s mate, Graham, to escape. That spoke highly of him and gave Sari hope that there might be more to Shtamakarein than people thought.
He was still deep in thought when he reached his destination. T
he High Temple of Jenarra was within the palace grounds, guarded from every side by female soldiers armed to the teeth. There were few males who were allowed inside, and Sari was, courtesy of his ancestry, one of them.
The soldiers nodded at him and moved their weapons. Sari murmured a blessing and slipped inside, where he was promptly intercepted by a priestess clad in white.
“Your Highness…” The priestess seemed surprised, having obviously not expected his visit. “Welcome. Is there anything we can help you with?”
“Actually, I’d like to see my mother,” Sari replied. “Is she available?”
For a few moments, the priestess was silent. She closed her eyes and froze, seemingly not breathing at all. Sari waited patiently, already accustomed to the ways of the High Temple of Jenarra. His patience was rewarded when the priestess looked at him again. “Yes,” she said, waving him onward. “She will see you now.”
So far, so good. Sari suspected that his mother was already informed regarding his betrothal. Otherwise she wouldn’t have agreed to see him so readily. He walked through the cavernous halls of the temple, keeping his eyes down whenever he passed a priestess in deference to her vows.
Finally, he reached the quarters of the woman who had given him birth. It was a great privilege to even be allowed here. He was one of the two men given permission to approach the Great Priestess of Jenarra in private, with the other being his father. He loved and respected his mother. However, in that moment, a small, guilty part of Sari would have very much liked to have been born from someone else, a normal fae without such powerful healing abilities.
Sari pushed the thought away, chastising himself for even allowing it to register. Angry with himself, he reached for the knocker to announce his presence. The door opened on its own before he could even touch it.
Unfazed, Sari waited a few moments, then slipped inside. As always, the room was dark, dimly lit by blazing lamps in each corner. The windows were covered, though, leaving the bed in the center of the room in the shadow.
Even so, Sari had no trouble in seeing his mother. She lay on the scattered pillows, her eyes closed and her long hair spread on the pillows. Sari had many times been told that he looked a lot like her. He wondered what his future mate would think about that.
“He’ll desire you greatly,” his mother replied, as if hearing his errant thoughts. “And worry not. I’m not offended if you sometimes wish for a different parentage.”
Sari didn’t even know which comment to address first. He had no idea how his mother could do that since, as a rule, fae didn’t have the ability to read minds. It seemed something that happened only when Eanera was deeply connected to Jenarra. “I’m just a little upset about the betrothal,” Sari finally said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought that.”
His mother opened her eyes and beckoned him closer. “Like I said, don’t worry about it. Come. Sit with me. I want to touch you.”
Sari obeyed. He joined her on the bed and crawled next to her, relaxing as her warm arms wrapped around him. Her hands tangled in his hair, caressing him. “We don’t have much time together, dearest. I know I haven’t always been a good mother to you, but I do want what’s best for you. Tell me, what’s on your mind?”
Technically speaking, she could see his every doubt and fear, but Sari knew that it was better to verbalize it just the same. “I’m not even sure what to say. This is a good thing for Ivenia, I realize that. But I’ve always dreamed to marry for love. It’s selfish to even think that, but I can’t help it. And my future mate… I wish I knew how he was like, what he thinks, what he feels. The thing with Caelyn helps a bit, but… Oh, Mother, I don’t know how I’ll handle this.”
His mother listened to everything he had to say without making any comment. At last, when Sari finished, she kissed his forehead, right under the jewel decorating it. “I have always known you were meant for great things, dearest. I knew that when Jenarra gave me my first vision of you and I saw your little, beautiful face in my mind. You have great strength, my child, and you must trust it. I won’t say anything about your future mate as you need to get to know him yourself. Just don’t be afraid, and you can face him.” Her tone grew harsher, more serious. “Now, for the other Ornozians. Don’t trust them, dearest. They will hurt you if they can, especially those closest to your betrothed. Selbrian is right in that they’re planning to use you to start a war. So remember your lessons and be very careful.”
The warning should have frightened Sari, but it didn’t. Instead, he felt reassured. “I will remember,” he promised. “Thank you, Mother. I won’t let you down.”
Chapter Two
“This is a disaster.”
Kael looked at the human who lay on the ground, moaning and in pain. The grotesque sight of the buboes that had appeared over his neck and groin made anger and frustration course through Kael. “We have to stop it.”
He turned toward Talrasar, who was currently working on healing another fallen man. “An angel,” the sick patient gasped out, his eyes glazed with agony and the knowledge of imminent death.
“Hush,” Talrasar said. “I’m here.”
The gem in the center of Talrasar’s forehead shone as he allowed his power to flow over the human. The light emanating from the fae touched Kael, and he immediately felt more at peace, calmer. But then, Talrasar always had that effect on him. Even under the worst circumstances, the fae calmed down Kael’s dragon, keeping him from losing control.
As the light started to dim, the human patient slumped on the ground, his coloring much better. The buboes that had oozed blood and pus had completely receded. Likely, he would make a perfect recovery, and even if he remained in the presence of other sick individuals, he wouldn’t fall sick again.
Once the healing process was finished, Talrasar got up. Unfortunately, the effort seemed to have drained him as he staggered, looking very pale. Kael caught him and brushed Talrasar’s white-blond hair out of his face. “Are you all right, Tali?” he asked.
His lover nodded. “It’s just been a hard day,” he whispered. “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 reminded his mate. “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.”
It was true. Historical records of Kael’s people had long ago proven that the Plague of Justinian had also been caused by the involvement of werewolves and vampires. Ultimately, the virus had been stopped, but its cause had never been contained. And now, a new outbreak had spread out, all throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.
All the while, the armies of the now-united wolves and bats marched onto those who would oppose them. The draechen tried to push them back, and to some extent, they succeeded. Their magic was very strong, and their invulnerable skin helped in fighting off the wolves and the bats. But draechen were so few, and their opponents so many, that eventually, they were overcome. Talrasar’s people, the fae, were trying to stop the plague, to keep it from decimating the humans, and they had saved countless lives up to this point. But still, it was not enough.
Taking a deep breath, Talrasar pulled away from Kael. “Nevertheless, we have to keep trying,” he said.
He knelt next to another human and repeated the healing process. Kael would have liked to stop it, to keep his lover from the pain and the strain, but he knew all too well that it wasn’t possible. Talrasar was extremely dedicated to the welfare of the humans, so much so that sometimes he threw all caution to the wind so that he could help them. Kael loved his generosity and spirit of self-sacrifice, but sometimes, he wished Talrasar had been a little more selfish.
Since he couldn’t convince the fae to stop, Kael pressed his hand to Talrasar’s shoulder and focused on his magic. Before meeting Talrasar, he’d only used his p
owers as a weapon, never as a tool for good. He could drain the energy of a foe with a simple spell, leaving the man or woman in question helpless. This time, instead of taking, he gave, offering his lover the strength he needed to complete the healing process.
It worked, and within the light that engulfed them, Kael felt Talrasar’s gratitude and love for him. As his lover finished healing the sick human, Kael considered dragging Talrasar off for a few kisses. It was irresponsible, and he wouldn’t be able to do it, but that didn’t stop him from dreaming.
As it turned out, his desires had to wait. Just when Talrasar got up, another fae made his appearance, rushing to their side. “Your Highnesses, we’ve just received word from Eternelle. The wolves and the bats are attacking.”
Kael shared a look with his mate. “We need to go,” he said through their bond.
Talrasar nodded. “If Eternelle falls…I can’t even imagine the consequences.”
Also called Rose Blanc, Eternelle was the strongest, most important citadel of the fae. It was shielded by heavy, near-impenetrable enchantments. But with the fae troops dispersed all over the place in a desperate attempt to control the plague, it was in danger. Kael couldn’t even imagine how the wolves had figured out Eternelle’s location, but it clearly illustrated the seriousness of the situation.
“Take over here,” Talrasar ordered the other fae. “Do what you can for the sick and try to work with the human doctors. Make sure no one realizes the truth about us.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the man answered, saluting.
Talrasar and Kael rushed away from the plagued humans. Kael hated leaving them, and so did his mate, but they had no choice. Eternelle needed them. Kael only hoped it wouldn’t be too late.
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 2
