“You have a point,” his twin admitted. “And if he was so kept apart from the world, he might not even know about that whore’s death in the first place.”
Her words were agreeable, but her tone clearly illustrated that she didn’t plan to let this go anytime soon. “You’re not convinced.”
“Of course not,” Akara replied. “For crying out loud, Hareem, Karein just passed his two hundredth birthday without a hitch. And the fae was there with him. Don’t you thing that’s strange?”
Hareem shrugged. “I hardly believe Prince Sareltae’s presence made it possible for Karein to do this. You know he’s always been strong.”
It was the widespread belief in Draechenburg that Karein had managed to defeat the deadline on his own. Of course, Hareem had done his best to encourage the rumor since he didn’t want anyone to actually guess the truth. Fortunately, the draechen as a whole respected Karein very much and were far more inclined to believe in him than to be grateful to a strange fae in any way.
Akara wasn’t likely to be deceived so easily, though. “Not strong enough for this,” she mused.
Hareem didn’t insist on convincing her since it would make her even more suspicious. “What do you want to do?” he asked instead.
“Do?” Akara repeated, almost sounding shocked. “Why, nothing of course. I wouldn’t dare to get involved with my brother’s mating, especially when it’s so important for Sareltae to remain besotted with Karein.” She paused, her lips twisted into a smirk. “But you know how many people make their way through Draechenburg every day. Most of them know about Caelyn Sutharlainn’s death. That tidbit of information is so interesting. Any one of them could slip up.”
“So, what then?” Hareem inquired. “How will it even be connected with our brother’s birthday? What reaction are you hoping for?”
“I’ll know that when I see it,” Akara replied, that strange smile still on her face. Her eyes widened as if she’d suddenly remembered something. “Oh, I completely forgot. Father is expecting some second caste guests today. I have to be off. Bye, Hareem.”
She headed toward the door of his office, but stopped before exiting. Throwing a gaze over her shoulder, she asked, “Before I forget, when are you leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow,” Hareem replied neutrally. He had a perfectly good excuse for his absence that in no way related to Taryn.
His sister nodded and left the room without another word. Hareem watched her go, suddenly feeling exhausted. There was only one remaining advantage about having shared a womb with Akara. She might know him well, but it went both ways. For that reason, Hareem would have staked his title on the suspicion that she had guessed something wasn’t right in Karein’s relationship with Sareltae. She hadn’t figured it out yet, but she was predisposed to doubting everyone, especially Karein, whom she’d never been able to bend to her will. The birthday thing certainly hadn’t helped, and while she couldn’t exploit that angle, she’d certainly use Caelyn Sutharlainn’s death for her own purposes.
Worse, that last question suggested that she might have been informed about Hareem’s own secret. Hareem had to do some damage control, and fast. But likely, Akara expected that and would exploit any panicked knee-jerk reaction from Hareem’s part.
So, for the moment, Hareem did nothing. He sat back down on his chair and waited. “Be careful,” a soft voice came in his mind. “Your sister is a dangerous woman.”
“I know, sweeting,” Hareem replied. “She’s also very determined, and she will try to sabotage Karein’s mating. In the end, I can’t stop her. Right now, you’re my priority, and I don’t want anything drawing her attention onto you.”
His situation with Taryn was complicated to say the least, so Hareem couldn’t afford making risky decisions. At this point, there was only one step he could take, and he needed to see Karein for that.
“Just be safe,” he told his mate. “I’ll be there soon.”
“And I’ll be waiting,” Taryn answered.
Distantly, Hareem wondered exactly how much longer Taryn would be willing to say that. He pushed the thought away, not wanting to dwell on it. He’d find a way for him and Taryn to be together. The important thing now was to keep Taryn a secret, for his own safety, and that of their child.
* * * *
Sari retrieved a book from the shelf and added it to the growing pile he intended to take to his quarters. Since Karein couldn’t stay with him at all times, he’d taken to reading a lot, trying to learn more about draechen culture, and simply enjoying the literature available. Sometimes, he stayed here, in the library, but he really preferred to just retreat to his and Karein’s room.
When he finished selecting the books for today’s reading session, Sari left the library and stepped out into the corridor. Sage was waiting for him and took most of the tomes from Sari. Sari would have rolled his eyes—he was perfectly capable of carrying the books himself—but he knew Sage was under strict orders from Karein to protect Sari at all times. Besides, in the past month, Sari had actually grown to like the quiet draechen lieutenant. He might not say much, but he was clearly very loyal to Karein, which meant the world to Sari.
Neither of them spoke, but it was a comfortable silence. Together, they headed toward the imperial wing. Karein was at the barracks now, and after that, he had to go to a meeting with his brother, but Sari thought that he could get time to pass a little faster by reading the books he’d plundered from the library.
As he walked, though, he ran into Princess Akarawem, who seemed to be leading a group of guests around the palace. “We could try to slip past them,” Sage whispered in his ear.
Sari shook his head. His duty as a prince’s mate meant that he needed to make himself available for guests whenever he was required to. This happened very rarely, but when it did, like now, he couldn’t just turn tail and run away. He handed the rest of the books to Sage and answered, “We will stay.”
Sage didn’t protest again. In fact, out of the blue, a strange look came over his face, one Sari had never seen in him. But he didn’t have time to dwell on that. Akarawem saw him and came forward, followed by the group. She took the arm of the man who must have been the most important guest, a slender, dark-haired young man. “Your Highness, I’d like you to meet Prince Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain. Prince Sareltae, meet His Highness, Prince Camden Isaiat.”
“It’s an honor,” Sari answered as the other man watched him with slitted eyes. The way Akarawem had presented him still echoed in his ears. Sareltae Norrenddare Myrthylar lea Tersain. He belonged to the Tersain family now, and he had to remember it.
“The honor is all mine, Prince Sareltae,” Camden replied slowly. His tongue lingered over the first syllable of Sari’s name, making it come out in a hiss. When they shook hands, Sari was not surprised to note Prince Camden’s hand was cool.
“We are very happy to have you in Draechenburg,” Sari commented. He managed to extract Prince Camden from Akarawem’s grip and hooked his arm through that of his guest. At the corner of his mind, he felt his mate watching the entire scene through their bond. “Your people weren’t at the wedding. You were missed.”
Camden arched a perfectly defined brow. Perhaps he thought Sari couldn’t have heard of the Isaiat since they weren’t as well known as the Norrenddare, let alone the Tersain. He paused, as if wanting to argue against Sari’s words, but instead, he said, “Unfortunately, it was impossible for my parents to make the trip, for…personal reasons. I hope you were not offended.”
“Of course not,” Sari said soothingly. “I hope their Majesties are all right.”
Camden just nodded, but didn’t give any details, which didn’t surprise Sari at all. The naga were very private people. While not the most reclusive shifters in the world, they certainly came very close. The only reason Sari even knew about their existence was that he’d studied the nine castes extensively and had documented himself on the most preeminent families out of each of them.
Princess Akarawem cleared her throat, drawing Sari’s attention to her. “I’m told Prince Camden has been visiting the most important paranormal families.”
Something in her voice put Sari on the edge. “Oh?”
“In fact, he was just at the Great Krites’ court,” Akarawem added. Her eyes widened as if she’d realized she’d committed some unpardonable gaffe. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned Elusia. You must still be so…crushed after what happened.”
Sari froze. “Crushed?” he repeated. “I don’t understand.”
The naga prince didn’t speak, looking completely unreadable, and that seemed to frustrate Akarawem. After a brief pause, she elaborated, “Well… This isn’t appropriate for me to mention… I was just referring to your friend Caelyn Sutharlainn, may he rest in peace.”
“Rest in peace?” Sari knew he sounded like a broken record, but he hadn’t been ready to put on a performance today. “Caelyn is dead?”
“I’m sorry,” Akarawem said with obviously fake regret. “I thought you knew.”
“Stay calm, Sari,” Karein said through their bond. “Ask her how it happened. I’m heading your way now. Don’t lose your head.”
“H–how did he die?” Sari stammered, following his mate’s instructions to the letter.
This time, the princess didn’t answer, at least not through words. However, the look she gave Sari clearly illustrated what she meant to say.
“That bitch,” Karein snarled in Sari’s mind. “She clearly suspects something is amiss and wants to get information out of us.”
Karein was completely correct, and Sari’s father had anticipated this as well. At this point, Sari had to react as if he felt betrayed by Karein, but he really didn’t know how to do that. Caelyn was still alive, and Karein had been instrumental to his escape. Sari could lie if need be, but the elaborate deception required in this regard left him stumped. Not to mention that his mother’s warning still rang out clearly in his mind. Sari’s stepmother had no interest to reveal Caelyn’s whereabouts, but just the fact that she knew made Sari feel a little sick to his stomach.
And then, Sari realized that the strange sensation wasn’t caused by his apprehension. Nausea and dizziness flooded him, and Sari swooned, losing his balance. He would have fallen had someone not caught him before he hit the ground. He wished the person in question had been Karein, but even through his haze, he knew this was not the case.
“Highness, are you all right?” a voice called out to him. “Prince Sareltae?”
Sari blinked, his vision a little fuzzy at first. At last, it cleared up, and he realized the man who’d caught him was Sage. “Fine,” he replied. “I don’t feel well, Lieutenant. Can you help me to my room?”
“Of course,” Sage replied.
Before they left, Sari threw another look toward Camden and Akarawem. He noticed the princess’s smug look, but ignored it. “I’m afraid I must go now, Prince Camden. It was very nice to meet you.”
For a few moments, Camden was quiet, as if he hadn’t even heard Sari at all. Finally, he snapped out of his trance and said, “You do me a great honor. I hope you’ll feel better soon.”
With that good-bye, Sari allowed Sage to carry him toward the imperial wing. It seemed that his tentative peace had finally come to an end. What in the world were they going to do now?
* * * *
Karein walked toward his quarters, doing his best to keep a measured pace and not show the urgency he felt. His people weren’t aware of the bond he shared with Sari. If he suddenly had knowledge that only a mate link could give him, it would be more than suspicious.
His dragon roared at him to get moving. His mate needed him. Sari hadn’t fainted because of shock at hearing about Caelyn’s supposed death. Something else was wrong. But what? Could Sari be sick?
His mind rotated around one single idea. Sari had seemed to be all right for one month, showing no effects to their lovemaking. Karein had dared to believe that Sari was truly immune to his powers. But what if the only thing that had kept Sari going had been his healing magic? What if he’d finally reached his limit, and Karein was slowly killing his beloved?
Was that what Prince Kael had been trying to tell him? The visions hadn’t returned, so Karein didn’t know. But regardless of the reasons behind Sari’s problem, Karein had to see him. He had to hold Sari in his arms, at least, one more time.
“Stop being foolish,” Sari whispered in his mind. “I’m just fine. Nothing of importance happened.”
“You fainted,” Karein answered. “How can you call that unimportant?”
“It was just a slight dizziness,” Sari shot back. “You needn’t go into a panic over something so small.”
While they were arguing, Karein finally reached his quarters. The guards in the area gave him wary looks, having obviously heard about what Akara had done. Karein just kept a straight face and slipped past them and into the room.
Sage was waiting with Sari inside Karein’s sleeping quarters. When Karein stepped inside, Sari looked at him and smiled, although it didn’t reach his eyes. “I guess now, the pretend game is going to start.”
Karein sat on the bed next to his mate and gently reached for Sari. At the last moment, he pulled back. He remained afraid to touch Sari since he could worsen whatever condition Sari had. But the fae would have none of it. He grabbed Karein’s hand, scowling. “Stop this. We have enough problems for you to start doubting us again.”
Karein tried to reason with his mate. “Sari…”
“No, Karein. Don’t.” Sari shook his head, sounding frustrated. “You’re my mate, and that won’t ever change. What do I have to do to make you see that?”
Karein cursed to himself. Sari was obviously upset about having to lie, and Karein wasn’t helping things. “I’m just worried, baby.”
“I know.” Sari took a deep breath and gave Karein a pleading look. “But pushing me away is not a solution.”
He was right. Karein had to control his panic and think. “I’m sorry. You’re perfectly correct. Just…tell me if you feel something is off.”
“If I may, General,” Sage intervened, “it could be anything, fatigue, indigestion…or foul play. There are plenty of people here that would want to harm your mate.”
“That’s all well and good, Sage,” Sari answered, “except I’m a healer. I know my body, and I don’t feel sick. Let’s just worry about what the princess is planning.”
Karein met Sari’s gaze, who stared back at him impotently. “There’s nothing we can do,” Karein answered. “You have to act like you hate me.”
Sari grimaced. After a brief pause, he slid out of the bed and walked to the mirror. Karein watched in fascination as his mate swept his arm over the table that held all their toiletries. “Get out!” Sari shouted with all his might. “I don’t want to see you ever again. Murderer!”
He winced as he said the last word, and Karein had to admit it made his stomach roil, too. But it was the only way no one would suspect Caelyn was actually alive. If the truth came out, it would be worse, much, much worse.
Resigning himself to the inevitable, Karein quietly left the bed. He brushed his lips over Sari’s, his heart clenching. “I promise I’ll find a way to fix this,” he murmured through their bond.
This time, Sari’s smile was a little more genuine. “I know,” he replied. “Now go. You’re supposed to be angry, too.”
Karein nodded and turned away from his mate. “Come on, Sage,” he told his lieutenant. “We’re done here.”
He left the bedroom without looking back, all the while very much aware of Sari’s sadness and frustration at the situation. As he stepped out into the hallway, though, he knew there was nothing else they could have done. The soldiers had clearly been waiting for a reaction from Sari, and if it hadn’t come, Karein’s deception would have been exposed.
Furious with himself and, most of all, his people, Karein headed toward his brother’s office. Whatever he did, he couldn
’t show the need that burned through him, begging him to return to Sari’s side. His dragon lashed wildly within him, and everyone moved out of his way, obviously afraid. At one point, Karein realized that even Sage was excessively quiet.
He stopped and pulled his lieutenant aside. “What’s wrong?” he asked Sage snappishly. “Are you afraid of me, too?”
Sage seemed to snap out of a trance. “Huh? I mean, I don’t understand, General.”
For the first time, Karein realized something wasn’t quite right with Sage. In spite of his concern for Sari, Karein realized all too well that Sage had become more than an underling to him. He was a friend, and Karein couldn’t let him handle whatever troubled him alone. “What’s the matter? Is it about Sari, or something else? Has something happened to Hanna?”
Hanna was Sage’s twin sister, and the two of them were very close. Unfortunately, she didn’t live in Draechenburg, which Karein knew pained Sage a great deal. Nevertheless, the twins had kept in contact and continued to have a close bond that transcended geographical distance. She was the only reason why Sage would look so out of it.
“I…” Sage scanned the corridor to see if it was safe to talk. Noticing Sage’s need for privacy, Karein guided his lieutenant into a nearby empty room. Once they were behind closed doors, Sage continued, “When we met up with the princess, there was someone with her, a member of naga royalty. I think…I think he’s my mate.”
Karein just stared at Sage. “A naga,” he repeated. He distantly remembered his brother mentioning the arrival of the delegation, but he hadn’t given it too much thought. “He’s second caste, Sage.”
“I know. But he’s a prince, and I’m just a lieutenant. By rights, his position is far higher than mine.”
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 19
