They stayed like that for a few minutes, in comfortable silence, enjoying the lingering buzz of their orgasm. Sadly, they couldn’t remain here forever as Karein had to return to his duties. They’d already lingered in the forest for too long. With great reluctance, Sari pulled away from Karein’s warm embrace. Both of them got up, and it was in that moment that Sari remembered his torn clothing.
Karein snickered. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll carry you directly to our room. The guards will see us approach, but I’ll hold you close so that you won’t be cold and none of your charms are exposed to their eyes.”
As Karein spoke, his gaze swept over Sari’s body. He obviously wanted to sample the charms he’d mentioned again, but sadly, they had no time for that. Instead, Karein started to shift into his dragon form. Meanwhile, Sari went to gather his garments, hoping he could salvage something. Alas, no part of the outfit had survived Karein’s almost wrathful desire, not even the boots. Sari did manage to wipe himself down a little since having spunk leaking out of him while he was carried over the forest wouldn’t be smart or comfortable. He made a bundle out of the unusable clothing since he didn’t want to leave any traces of their presence here.
When he was done, he turned toward his mate. The black dragon patiently waited for him, his tail swaying back and forth, his eyes fixed on Sari with striking eagerness. Fleetingly, Sari thought that right now, the famous prince Shtamakarein Tersain looked like an overgrown puppy.
“A puppy?” Karein’s outraged voice sounded in his mind. “You know, for some draechen that would be a severe insult.”
Sari had only meant it jokingly, but it seemed that the random thought had triggered a memory in Karein’s mind. “But not for you, right?” he asked.
Karein took Sari and the bundle of clothing in his large paw and answered, “No. I know better now.”
As Karein launched himself into the air, a flash of Graham Powers slipped into Sari’s mind. He had been fighting for his life with two draechen warriors. No, being compared to a canine shifter—or in this case, a werewolf—was not an insult at all.
“You know, baby, I have a reason for believing the worst of werewolves,” Karein said. “It has been on my mind and in my head for as long as I can remember. But now that you’re with me, I can think clearer. You’ve given me new perspective, and I thank you for that.”
“Do you want to change the Directive?” Sari inquired, curling against Karein’s scaly chest to keep the frigid air from reaching his naked skin. Like he had promised, Karein protected him from the winds at this height. He was strikingly warm, in spite of this reptilian-looking shape, something which Sari was more than grateful for.
“I would, if I could,” Karein answered. “But as long as my father is leading, that will never happen. In fact, we have more immediate problems than the Directive right now.”
Sari nodded. He hated having politics intrude on his time with Karein, but the fact that he was blissfully happy with Karein couldn’t change the attitude of the other draechen. It would be irresponsible to say the least if he and Karein lost themselves in their love and forgot about the reasons they’d met in the first place.
He was still musing over this when Karein landed in the large balcony of their room. As they stepped inside, Sari saw a small white box on the table. His heart started beating faster. The box hadn’t been there when they’d left, and he knew exactly what it meant.
As he picked it up, he murmured an incantation his mother had once taught him. The box opened, revealing a flawless white pearl inside. He was just about to use it when he remembered he was still naked, likely with his hair all over the place and looking freshly fucked.
“You look great,” Karein said from behind him, having now shifted in his human form.
One glance at the lecherous grin on Karein’s face told Sari that he had to take a quick bath before speaking to his mother. Pushing past Karein, he hastened into the bathroom and jumped into the shower. It was the quickest cleaning session Sari had ever had. Since moving to Draechenburg, baths had become moments of sensual exploration he shared with Karein. In fact, it was the first time since their mating that Sari had showered alone at all. He half expected that Karein would join him, but the draechen didn’t, obviously respecting Sari’s urgency.
As much as Sari would have enjoyed another quick fuck, he was actually quite worried. He hadn’t expected his mother to send him a message so soon. Maybe she just wanted to see how he was adapting, but somehow, Sari doubted it.
Once he finished with his shower, Sari quickly toweled himself dry and rushed out of the bathroom. Karein was already waiting for him with new clothes to replace the torn ones. At last, after getting dressed in record time and combing his hair as quickly as he could, Sari reached for the pearl for the second time.
The moment he activated it, his mother’s face manifested in front of him, and Sari knew he’d been right to fear a problem. “Your stepmother knows about Caelyn,” she said. “Be wary, Sari. This is only just beginning.”
* * * *
Meanwhile, France
Charlize quietly trailed after her mother, having no clue as to where they were headed. Onyerre had been quiet ever since they had returned from Draechenburg, but Charlize knew better than to question her. She was fairly certain that her mother had been digging around the reason for her father’s skittishness. Onyerre must have found out something, because she’d assembled Charlize and her brothers and explained that they would be going on a little trip.
Her siblings seemed just as curious regarding their destination. Finally, Darian was the one who broke the silence. “If I may, Mother, where are we going?”
“To Eternelle,” Onyerre answered. “I have reasons to believe we’ll find some answers there.”
Charlize had only been to the old fae citadel once or twice. As a member of the fae royal family, she was among the few privileged enough to be informed about it and visit the area with very few restrictions. She’d never had much interest in it because she disliked the idea of stepping on soil that had witnessed so much death. So, before she could stop herself, she asked, “Answers? Regarding what?”
Her mother threw a disapproving glance Charlize’s way, but nevertheless responded. “Caelyn Sutharlainn.”
Sareltae’s sprite friend? What information could Eternelle possibly provide regarding that dead traitor? Confused, Charlize nevertheless kept her mouth shut. She wordlessly followed after her mother as Onyerre led Charlize and her brothers out of the palace.
Outside, a helicopter was already waiting to carry them to their destination. The pilot, a priestess of Jenarra, bowed to them. “Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses. We’re ready to depart whenever you wish.”
In spite of her words, the pilot didn’t seem very happy about the task she’d been granted. Onyerre ignored her and just got into the aircraft. Charlize followed her mother’s example and entered the helicopter, with her brothers right behind her.
The pilot slid into her seat, and at last, the helicopter took off. No one spoke during the flight, which was perhaps fortunate. Ironically, Sareltae’s departure had only worsened the tensions in Charlize’s family, making her mother more ill-tempered than ever. Even Misael seemed to be losing his patience. Sometimes, Charlize just wanted to stalk into the Temple of Jenarra and punch Eanera in the face for destroying her parents’ mating. But since she couldn’t do that, she just waited to see what plan her mother had come up with to get even with the Myrthylars.
Eternelle wasn’t too far from Rose Noire, but the trip still seemed to last an eternity. Finally, the old citadel, now a temple dedicated to Jenarra, loomed ahead. In spite of having been practically destroyed during the war, it was now quite a well-developed city, combining a quiet lifestyle in the middle of nature with the latest technologies in terms of security and comfort.
The helicopter landed next to the main administrative building. It didn’t seem that the priestesses had been given notice of their arriv
al, because guards rushed around, ready to attack any intruders. Likely, the only reason why the chopper hadn’t been shot out of the sky was that it bore the black rose mark of the royal fae family.
In spite of the commotion, Onyerre didn’t seem in the least bit intimidated. As she stepped out of the helicopter, she faced one of the approaching priestesses and asked, “Where is he? I know you’re keeping him here. Bring me Caelyn Sutharlainn.”
* * * *
Caelyn sat in front of the Obelisk of Eternelle, scanning the carvings with eager eyes. By his side, his mate was quietly doing the same. Usually, Caelyn and Graham liked to come here just to gather their thoughts, but this time, they weren’t alone. Several priestesses fussed around them, analyzing the monument with concerned expressions.
“There!” Graham finally shouted. “That image was different a few minutes ago.”
Instantly, the priestesses looked at the area Graham had signaled. One of them snapped a photo, while another said, “You have good eyes, Mr. Powers. Yes, you’re completely correct. The carving is different.”
Caelyn frowned, trying to figure out what the new words meant, but they were written in a language he didn’t know. “Doesn’t anyone here understand what this says?”
The priestess shook her head. “It’s not in any language of the fae. It seems to be a form of draechen, but an ancient one we don’t know.”
Caelyn shared a concerned look with Graham. Something was happening. The obelisk could feel it, and it—or whoever was inside it—was trying to tell them. Did it have something to do with Sari? Caelyn hoped not, but it was probably too much to ask for. News had reached his ears that Sari had been chosen as a mate for Shtamakarein Tersain in Caelyn’s stead. While the draechen prince no longer seemed so terrible, Caelyn still feared for Sari’s life. He couldn’t shake the memories of Draechenburg, of how he and his mate had been treated there, nearly killed by the brutal draechen. Likely, Sari hadn’t been received like that, but that didn’t change the fundamental makeup of the draechen emperor and his predisposition to harm people he saw as enemies.
The obelisk could provide them with some sort of answer, but until they understood what the new carvings said, it would be useless. Caelyn wanted to ask if there wasn’t a book of sorts that could help them translate, but he didn’t get the chance. Another priestess hurriedly approached, coming straight for Caelyn and Graham.
“The queen is here,” she said. “She demanded to see you.”
“Me?” Caelyn asked in disbelief as he got up. “But how?”
The fae queen shouldn’t have been aware Caelyn was even alive, let alone in Eternelle. The priestess shot him an apologetic look. “I suspect she must have spoken to some of the pilots who make regular rounds here. If she pushed them, they couldn’t have kept her from the truth.”
“But don’t worry,” another one said. “The queen can’t expel you from Eternelle. You are here under the king’s authority, and another one we all recognize.”
As she spoke, she threw a gaze toward the obelisk. The idea that the spirits residing in the monument approved of Caelyn and Graham encouraged him. “Thank you,” he answered. “I suppose we should go see her.”
“No,” Graham said. “I don’t want you meeting with any potentially hostile person. You’re not in any condition to withstand the stress.”
Caelyn rolled his eyes at his mate. “I’m perfectly all right, Graham. Would you stop worrying? Besides, we can’t exactly refuse. She’s still a queen albeit a…not so pleasant one.”
“Not so pleasant?” Graham asked through their bond.
“Insufferable, more like it,” Caelyn answered. “She used to make Sari’s life a living hell.”
He didn’t want to say that out loud because this was still Ivenian land, and the priestesses had been good to him. In fact, the fae had given him refuge when no one else would. Caelyn owed them for that. He had to respect their queen, if only because of their kindness.
Graham released a mental sigh. “You win, Caelyn. But if she tries anything, I can’t promise my wolf won’t attack her.”
Caelyn took Graham’s arm, ironically finding comfort in Graham’s threat of violence. Like always, it wasn’t the idea per se that appealed to him since as a rule, he much preferred diplomacy over war. But the emotion behind Graham’s words made him feel safe, especially when Graham’s hand came to rest on Caelyn’s swollen stomach. Smiling at his mate, Caelyn said, “Come on, Graham. Let’s get this over with.”
Led by one of his hosts, they headed toward the administrative building. Halfway there, they were intercepted by another group, comprised out of the fae royal family and some more uncomfortable-looking priestesses. It looked like the queen hadn’t been patient enough to wait for Caelyn and had decided to find him herself. “Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses,” Caelyn said politely. “I understand you wished to see me.”
Queen Onyerre fixed him with a glare that would have easily killed him had she been given such powers. “Indeed,” she answered. “I must admit I’m quite surprised to see you so…healthy. The rumor out there was quite different.”
“Rumors have a way of being misleading,” Caelyn answered. “But I’m forgetting my manners. Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, this is my mate, Graham Powers. Graham, I’d like you to meet Queen Onyerre Norrenddare and her children, Prince Darian, Prince Misael, and Princess Charlize.”
Caelyn hadn’t seen the fae royal family in quite some time. They’d never liked him, probably because of his closeness to Sari, so much so that the queen hadn’t stopped until she’d eventually forbidden Caelyn’s regular visits to Rose Noire. Caelyn had never forgiven her for that, but he tried not to let it show. His mate took his cue from Caelyn.
“It’s an honor,” Graham said smoothly. He extended his hand to greet them, which turned out to be a mistake. The eldest prince, Darian, looked like he was about to punch Graham for daring to suggest such a touch between them. Misael and his sister seemed torn between disgust, shock, and outrage. But it was their mother who spoke for them all. “How dare you?” she asked. “Someone like you should never have the audacity to even look our way. Know your place, mutt. Respect your betters.”
At that, Caelyn exploded. “And I suppose you’re better than Graham. I truly must disagree. He’s a kind, strong man, while you…” He wanted to say she was a petty, bitter, and vile woman who didn’t deserve a husband like King Selbrian, but he held his tongue just in time.
Darian narrowed his eyes at Caelyn. “I dare you to finish that phrase, mutt-fucker.”
Misael placed a hand on his brother’s arm. “Calm yourself, brother. This is neither the time, nor the place for an argument.”
“Misael is right,” Charlize said. “Of course, a whore like him would see things this way. He’s not worth it.”
Graham took a threatening step forward. “You can say whatever you want about me, but you will not insult my mate.”
Obviously realizing the situation was quickly deteriorating, one of the priestesses intervened. “I beg you, Mr. Powers, control your temper. I understand you are insulted, but this is a place of peace.”
Graham gritted his teeth, but nodded jerkily. Onyerre smirked in satisfaction, but her grin died when the priestess turned toward her and her family. “My queen, I’m afraid that if you’ve come here with baleful intentions, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. These men are our guests and have been taken under Jenarra’s wing. We cannot allow any affront to them.”
Onyerre gaped, having obviously not expected the priestesses to turn against her. “They won’t be your guests for long. I demand that you release them in my custody this instant.”
“They are not prisoners,” another priestess said. “They stay and go as they please. So says Jenarra.”
The first woman nodded. “They have been accepted by the obelisk. They are welcome here.”
The implication—however veiled—was that Onyerre and her children were not. “This is treason.�
� Darian snarled. “You can’t do this.”
“Oh, but we can.” One of the priestesses actually smiled. “As your honored mother will tell you, we obey only the authority of the king and that of the High Priestess. The only other orders we follow are Jenarra’s.”
Caelyn had to admit the turn of events shocked him a great deal. He hadn’t expected his hosts to stand up for him and Graham quite like that, especially when faced with the queen. The generosity of the people of Eternelle humbled him.
Undoubtedly, though, the queen wouldn’t have given up so easily had the sound of an approaching helicopter not interrupted their conversation. Caelyn hadn’t heard the queen’s chopper approach—likely because of his strong focus on the obelisk—but he didn’t miss this one, and neither did any of his companions, or the queen’s family for that matter. As the aircraft appeared in the distance, Caelyn saw it bore the mark of the Norrenddare family. The blood drained from the queen’s face, and Caelyn had the overwhelming urge to say “busted.” Obviously, this visit hadn’t been sanctioned by the king, and likely, the consequences wouldn’t delay in appearing.
“We should go, children,” the queen said, turning away from Caelyn and the rest of the group. “Come.”
The priestesses said nothing, just followed her in silence as she headed back toward her own helicopter. Caelyn wondered if she was really going to make her escape like that, so he joined the group, more out of curiosity than anything else. Maybe he should have let it go, but after the insults she’d thrown Graham’s way, he could at least allow himself the enjoyment of seeing her run with her tail between her legs.
Onyerre didn’t look his way again. As they reached the helicopter they’d used to come here, the fae royal family climbed inside and the pilot started the engine. But the blades of the helicopter refused to move, seemingly straining against an unseen force. Caelyn gaped as he realized there was a shield around them, effectively keeping the chopper from taking off. Realizing the problem, the Norrenddare left the aircraft. The queen seemed furious, but shockingly said nothing. She must have realized the source of the situation, just like Caelyn had.
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 17
