As he slid out of the bed, Karein retrieved his clothing, an even more elaborate version of his uniform. He considered forgoing the seal ring, but decided against it. There was a reason behind those nightmares. He just hadn’t discovered it yet. But Sari was right in that they couldn’t let the past shadow their present. Karein would take the gift he had been granted and enjoy it.
His good mood didn’t even go south when he left his room and found Hareem already waiting for him. “The fae king is arriving in ten minutes,” Hareem said. “You have to talk to him for me.”
“And tell him what? That you have a mate who needs sanctuary from the draechen? Uh-huh. Sorry, Hareem. No can do.”
He pushed past his brother, humming under his breath. Not even Hareem’s annoying inability to make a decision could ruin his day. But if King Selbrian was arriving, Karein did have to greet him. After all, the man would be his father-in-law.
The notion amused Karein. He should probably be going there right now, but instead, for some reason, he headed toward the guest wing. By rights, Sari was likely at breakfast, but Karein wanted to check, just on the off chance that he might be able to speak to Sari.
As always, the guest wing was well guarded, perhaps even more heavily than usual. He greeted King Shaw’nyel Murdokain of the elves, but didn’t stop to chat. Instead, he made a beeline for his mate’s quarters. There were several soldiers watching Sari’s room, far more than usual, in fact. Scanning their faces, he realized they were the people assigned Sari’s siblings. Karein supposed that it was only natural, although as he gathered, Misael and Charlize had never been close to Sari.
Shrugging to himself, Karein knocked at the door. He straightened the collar of his shirt and almost burst into laughter when he realized what he was doing. He was still smiling when the door opened, revealing Prince Misael standing at the other side. “Good morning,” Karein greeted the fae. “I wish to see Prince Sari.”
“Apologies, Your Highness, but you can’t go in,” Misael answered.
Karein blinked, not even bothering to keep his irritation in check. “You can’t possibly tell me that the fae borrowed that strange habit the humans have of not allowing the couple to see each other before the actual wedding.”
Misael didn’t even flinch. “Where do you think the humans got it from? Please, Highness, I must insist that you respect our ways.”
Karein stole a look over Misael’s shoulder, hoping against all hope that he might catch a glimpse of Sari. If Sari was inside—and Karein’s dragon told him this was the case—he must have heard Karein at the door. When Sari didn’t emerge, Karein got the message. His shoulders slumping, he took a step back and decided he had to respect his mate’s traditions. “I see,” he said. “Would you please convey one message to him? Tell him I very much look forward to the moment when we are finally bonded.”
Misael didn’t seem to like that, but Karein didn’t care. As an afterthought, he added, “Oh. Your father will be arriving momentarily. Perhaps you’ll like to greet him.”
“Thank you,” Misael answered. “We shall.”
As the fae closed the door, Karein actually considered waiting for Misael and Charlize to leave and slip inside to see Sari, but decided against it. He wasn’t an errant child. He could be patient, and soon, Sari would be entirely his. Forever.
* * * *
Sari released a heavy sigh as the door closed, keeping Karein out of this room. He fidgeted impatiently which only caused his sister to pull his hair. “Stay still,” she said. “I’m not patient enough to withstand you being a diva today.”
“We have staff to do my hair, and I can dress myself,” Sari pointed out. “You didn’t have to come help me.”
“Yes, we did,” Misael said. “We’re concerned, Sari. You’re getting far too close to General Shtamakarein. Surely you must realize that he’s playing with you.”
Sari had known that this conversation was coming. He’d tried not to show too much enthusiasm when Karein was concerned, but how could he, when he had found his mate? His half siblings might not realize how things truly stood, but even if they had, they’d only think Sari’s perspective was poisoned, tainted by Jenarra knew what. He couldn’t share it with them, not even with Misael who was a little less hostile toward him. So, he just shrugged. “Since I’m going to marry him, I’d much prefer it if we got along.”
Charlize pulled his hair again as she tightened one of his braids back. Sari would have wanted for his locks to be left loose, like Karein had asked him once, but fae had very specific marriage rites, and as a prince, Sari had to obey them. However, his half sister was using the opportunity to point out her frustration with him. “I trust you’ll remember the importance of your duty even when you have his dick up your ass.”
“Char, that’s enough.” Misael pushed her hands aside and took her place. As he continued from where she’d left off, he added, “Ignoring the vulgarity of her comment, she has a point in that you need to keep in mind what’s really important. I understand that it’s exciting to have a dose of romance in your life, but Prince Shtamakarein’s interest isn’t in building a life with you. Please, remember that.”
They didn’t know Karein like Sari did, and Sari had no intentions of clarifying the situation. “I always understand my priorities,” he replied simply. Misael didn’t have to know the fact that these priorities had changed.
Charlize snorted, obviously not believing him. Not that Sari cared. He was finally getting married today, to the man of his dreams. Okay, so the circumstances might not be ideal, but it didn’t matter, not really. Not even Charlize and Misael could frighten Sari with their ominous words and supposedly well-intentioned pieces of advice.
After Misael finished arranging Sari’s hair, he proceeded onto the tedious task of helping Sari with his clothes. Sari might have said he could handle it himself, but it was an outright lie. His traditional fae garb had to be wrapped around him in several layers, like a toga of sorts, but artfully arranged and pinned in just the right places to show a hint of the body hiding beneath. Normally, Sari’s mother would have helped him with this, but he knew that there was no way she’d leave Rose Noire to come to Draechenburg.
In a way, it was risky for the king himself to make the trip, although to miss the celebration would have been a terrible insult. Sari guessed that Darian would be staying behind to watch the throne, just in case something happened. Sari really didn’t want to think that the draechen emperor might be planning to use this marriage to strike at all the world leaders present. Karein would have known about it. Besides, Kavehquader seemed to have more long-term intentions, which would be effectively sabotaged if he took action now.
Finally, Sari was dressed, literally all wrapped up, with his hair pinned so tightly that he wondered how Misael had managed not to rip the strands. Misael gave him a once-over and nodded in satisfaction. “All right. You’re all set. Now remember what we told you. We need to go and greet Father.”
As if on cue, the sound of an approaching plane reached Sari’s ears. It could have been anyone as aircrafts had started to arrive since the day before. But Sari instinctively knew this particular jet carried his father and king. He wished he could go speak to Selbrian as well, but he had to wait here until the moment of the wedding came. “We’ll see you later,” Misael added.
Without a word, Charlize stalked out of the room, and Misael followed. Left alone, Sari closed the door behind them, then stopped. He simply didn’t know what to do with himself. He couldn’t sit down, because he risked making a mess out of his elaborately arranged clothing and hair. He couldn’t read as he didn’t think he could focus on a single paragraph. He had the impulse to find the mysterious wooden wolf, but any moment now, other people would arrive, and Sari didn’t want to risk being seen with it. Besides, he’d placed it at the bottom of his trunk, which the servants would move to his new quarters during the wedding.
It was a little mind-boggling to think his married life would start today.
Misael was right in that he’d always been very romantic and dreamed of the moment when he’d finally find his mate. Karein was a unique and wonderful man, and Sari had faith in him. But there were still so many questions on Sari’s mind. Would they have children? Was it even a good idea to bring a full family into this?
Sighing, Sari slipped out into the balcony where he and Karein had first spoken. He closed his eyes as he leaned against the banister, remembering the way Karein’s hand felt in his hair. It would be so beautiful between them, Sari just knew it. His sister’s comment might have been vulgar, but oh, he wanted exactly that, to feel his mate’s cock pounding in and out of him, stretching his channel, filling him to the brink. Sari’s dick hardened as a rock, and he couldn’t help but rub it a little through the material of his clothing. Damn it, he should have thought to masturbate before Charlize and Misael had made their appearance. There was no way he could get himself off now without soiling himself and delaying the entire wedding because he needed to start the whole process of dressing from the beginning.
Fortunately, Sari was distracted from his arousal by the sound of a knock outside. He slipped back into the room, already anticipating the presence of the one person it could be. Indeed, when he opened the door, he found his father at the other side, beaming brightly. “You look beautiful, Sari,” he said as he entered Sari’s quarters. “Jenarra… You look amazing.”
Sari felt his face flame at the praise. As he closed the door, he replied, “Greetings, Father. Thank you. Charlize and Misael helped me get ready.”
“They did a very good job.” Selbrian chuckled self-deprecatingly. “And here I am, being rude. Hello, Sari, and congratulations. I’d hug you, but I’ll probably undo all of Charlize and Misael’s hard work.”
It was very tempting to tell his father the truth about Karein. Sari could see the sadness in Selbrian’s eyes, even as he remarked on how nice Sari looked. But it wouldn’t be safe. For a little while longer, Sari had to keep this secret, no matter what. “How is Mother?” he asked.
At that, Selbrian’s enthusiasm—half-faked as it might have been—melted altogether. “Concerned. She asked me to deliver this to you since she couldn’t make it.”
He retrieved a white pearl from his shirt and handed it to Sari. Sari swallowed around the sudden knot in his throat. Even knowing that Eanera’s first duty was to Rose Noire, it still hurt that she wouldn’t be here to see him get married. If there was anyone he could have shared his deepest joys and sorrows with, it was her. The only other person, Caelyn, would likely be lost to Sari. He couldn’t go to Eternelle anymore since his visits would jeopardize not only the secrecy of the sacred temple, but also the life of his friends.
Sari desperately wanted to use his gift, but he wasn’t sure it was safe. His father must have guessed his thoughts, because a few moments later, he created a shield around the room that would keep the sound inside. Usually, communication pearls carried a similar power, to a lesser extent, but Sari was reluctant to trust in that while here in Draechenburg. Other than his mother and the oldest, wisest of the fae, some of them members of the Jenarra priesthood, no one could use such complex shields.
Relieved, Sari brushed his thumb over the pearl. Almost instantly, it started to shine, growing into a bright sphere of energy. His mother’s familiar face manifested from it. She was smiling, although, like Selbrian, she also seemed a little sad. And were those circles around her eyes? How odd. “Hello, dear child,” she said. “How have you been?”
“Very well, Mother, thank you,” Sari replied. The question actually puzzled him, because she always knew how he was. Jenarra told her. “You were right in that Prince Karein and I make a great match.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” She paused, her smile fading into a serious expression. “Sari, I can’t see you anymore. I don’t know what will happen to you. Please, dear child, take care.” Her voice was trembling, and for a few moments, Sari could swear he saw tears in her eyes. Quickly, though, she composed herself and added, “Remember the fate of Ivenia lies in your hands.”
“I will remember,” Sari promised. “I’m sure that Jenarra will return you your sight once she deems it necessary.”
“I don’t doubt Jenarra,” Eanera answered. She sounded upset that Sari could have even hinted at it. “I never have and never will. My intention was to merely give you a piece of advice.”
“I understand,” Sari answered. “As always, I thank you.” He paused, uncertain as to whether he should ask for this favor or not. He didn’t want to burden her with the foolishness of a child clinging to the skirts of his mother. Still, she had been such an integral part of his life that he was deeply pained at the knowledge that it would take a while until he’d see her again. “Could I dare to ask you for one wedding gift?”
“If I can, I will gladly provide it,” Eanera replied. “What is it?”
“When you have the time, please send me the occasional pearl. I will miss Rose Noire.” He was a very powerful healer, but he didn’t have the mastery necessary to create something like that.
Eanera’s forcibly stern expression cracked. “Of course, dear child. You’ll likely get tired of me sending you messages.”
Sari would have liked to keep talking to her for a while longer, but it seemed that finally the moment he’d been waiting for had come. A knock sounded at the door, and Misael slid into the room. “It’s starting. Come on, Sari.”
“All right,” Sari said to his half-brother. Turning toward Eanera’s glowing figure once again, he said, “Thank you, Mother. And don’t worry about me. I will be fine.”
She smiled and murmured a blessing in the name of Jenarra. “Be safe, dear child.”
As the light from the pearl finally dissipated, Sari experienced a brief moment of abandonment. But no, he wasn’t alone. Outside this room, his new family was waiting. Today, he would at last be united with his mate, Karein. As always, when new things started, old ones had to end. Sari’s life in Rose Noire was over. His new existence as Karein’s husband and anchor was only just beginning. His parents might not be happy about it, but in his heart, Sari knew this was where he belonged, at Karein’s side.
* * * *
From the beginning of time, draechen wedding ceremonies had been among the most complicated marriage rites ever created. Other shifters didn’t bother with such things. They simply claimed their chosen mate according to their own ways—usually through a mating bite—and called the union complete.
Draechen had a different thought process. Since they were as old as time, tradition dictated that the more important the ceremony, the longer it should last. There were countless things that needed to be said, speeches from the emperor, from representatives of the two mates, and so on and so forth. The friends of the draechen getting married would gather around and stage a show of flight acrobatics in his honor. If both mates were draechen, they would also participate.
Karein had always respected the ways of his people, but today, he was impatient. The ceremony hadn’t even begun yet, and he already wanted to fast-forward to the end, when he’d finally have Sari in his arms, and kiss that sinfully beautiful mouth. His dragon was already pacing, as nervous as Karein the man. But instead of rushing to find his mate, like he wanted to, he knelt on the floor of the temple of the Overlords and prayed.
He had never been an exceedingly religious person, at least, not by the standards of the draechen. When he addressed the Overlords, he did so in the privacy of his own mind. Once, a long time ago, he’d tried pleading for the nightmares to go away until he understood that they’d been given to him for a purpose.
Since that moment, Karein had understood that he didn’t need to be physically present in a certain location for the Overlords to see him and guide him. But today, for the purpose of the ceremony, he’d come here regardless.
He knelt there for the longest time, in the quiet and absolute loneliness of the meditating chamber. He was supposed to be communing with his dragon, to understand
if his beast accepted what was to come. This was particularly important because of the apparently political nature of their union. But his dragon more than agreed. In fact, it wanted for Karein to stop wasting its time and find Sari already.
Karein would have long ago done that, had he thought it would be permitted. Fortunately, his patience was rewarded when, at last, the door to the temple opened, allowing Hareem to enter the room. “Ready?”
Nodding, Karein slowly got up. “Is everything in place?”
“Your future mate is waiting,” Hareem replied. “I must say, upon seeing him, I’m revising my opinion of being stuck with an Ivenian mate. It certainly seems to have its perks.”
Karein glowered at his brother. “Indeed,” he said between gritted teeth. “Just remember to hold your tongue around him.”
He was just about to step out of the room when Hareem suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him back inside. Karein was getting tired of his brother’s insistence on a matter that could have long ago been settled. “Hareem, I told you a million times. Taryn—”
“This isn’t about Taryn,” Hareem interrupted him. “I’ve been watching you, brother. I know the difference between pretense and honest enthusiasm. And you might have an excellent poker face, but you aren’t fooling me. Tell me honestly. Is Sareltae your true mate?”
Karein narrowed his eyes at his brother. He knew he should probably say no, but his heart and his dragon wouldn’t let him deny his connection with Sari. “This doesn’t concern you, Hareem,” he said instead. “Now get out of my way. I have a wedding to get to.”
“So it’s true.” Hareem narrowed his eyes at Karein. “I think I don’t have to tell you how disastrous it would be if Father found out.”
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 11
