By now, Camden had been reduced to incoherent moans, his mind filled with a litany of pleas for more, combined with Sage’s name. Sage wasn’t much better off. For all the discipline he’d cultivated throughout his life as a soldier, right now, he was completely lost in Camden, and he didn’t want to find his way back.
Sadly, this also meant that all too soon, Sage found his climax approaching. He tried to hold on for a while longer, but then, Camden tilted his head, offering his throat to Sage. Three words drifted into Sage’s mind, strikingly clear in spite of the haze of pleasure. “Claim me, Sage.”
Sage couldn’t reply, at least not through words. He was too far gone to vocalize his thoughts and emotions. Instead, he thrust one more time inside Camden and buried his fangs into Camden’s flesh. As Camden’s blood filled his mouth, beautiful rapture exploded over him, his climax flowing over him like a tidal wave. It grew to impossible proportions when Camden came, too, and his pleasure reverberated within Sage. For a few seconds—or maybe for an age—there seemed to be absolutely no barrier between the two of them. They were one. Their thoughts, memories, and emotions combined in a cohesive whole, in a unique cocktail that had Sage drunk with sheer bliss.
It was so perfect that even when Sage released his hold on Camden’s neck, the pleasure didn’t vanish. The sweet ambrosia of Camden’s blood burned through Sage’s veins, strengthening him, renewing his decision and his resolve. Even as he slid out of his mate’s body, the contentment lingered. He pressed a kiss to Camden’s shoulder, never wanting to let go of this moment or of this man.
Sadly, reality intruded on their brief respite of peace. The door to the room opened, and Camden’s sire, King Zaire Isaiat, stalked inside. “If you’re done here, your presence is required for the meeting,” Zaire said.
Camden released a soft sound of distress, and Sage shielded his mate from the older naga’s sight. It wasn’t that the chimera king had never seen Camden naked. Obviously, he must have at one point. They were shifters, after all. However, Sage’s possessiveness could reach the extent that even Camden’s parents seemed a threat to him.
When they were in front of other people, both he and the Isaiat tried to curb their natural impulses, but as a rule, they only got along because of Camden. Sage couldn’t blame the Isaiat for their reluctance to accept him. They had lost so much in the war with Sage’s people. They could barely look at him, and even if they tried to cooperate for the purpose of achieving peace, Sage had no illusions about them suddenly becoming loving in-laws.
He tried to calm down, but after he made love with Camden, his dragon was always very close to the surface. That same contentment that had settled on him morphed into aggression, the need to protect his mate becoming stronger than anything else.
He gritted his teeth, fighting back the surge of frustration and burying it behind the wall of ice his element provided. Camden’s hold on him tightened, a pang of distress echoing through their bond. It always happened this way. When there was a conflict between Sage and the Isaiat, Camden was caught in the middle. So Sage did his best to put up a polite veneer and said, “We understand. We’ll be right there.”
Oddly enough, Zaire didn’t immediately leave. Instead, he asked, “You know what this is all about, right? Peace between Ornoz and the rest of the paranormal world?”
He didn’t seem particularly bothered by Sage’s and Camden’s nudity, but perhaps that made sense, given the seriousness of the issue they were discussing. “Yes, Lord Selbrian told us,” Sage answered. After a few moments, he dared to inquire, “Will you support it?”
Raw pain burned in Zaire’s eyes, making guilt swell through Sage. “I want revenge,” Zaire answered, “but…I think Krysta and Arlen would want us to accept. If this works, our people might be spared of the suffering we had to go through.”
Shaking his head, he smiled sadly. “We’ll be waiting for you in the meeting room. Get dressed and hurry. We have no time to waste.”
The words might have sounded harsh, but they held a sadness that made Sage’s anger drain away. As Zaire left the room, Sage’s shoulders slumped. He hugged Camden close and released a heavy sigh. Zaire wasn’t the only one who’d had dark memories stirred by these events. Camden was trembling, the beauty of the orgasm chased away.
For his part, Sage realized all too well how close he’d come to not having this. Because of that very same reason, and because he acknowledged that the danger still hadn’t disappeared, he would fight to reach out to the man who had once been his emperor.
“We can do this, Camden,” he said. “Just have faith. I won’t let your siblings’ deaths be in vain. I promise you that. I’ll make sure Patala is safe.”
Camden hugged him back quietly, and for a while longer, they remained like that, holding each other. For some reason, Sage was reluctant to leave this room, because he suddenly knew that things might get worse before they could get better.
Chapter Eight
Talrasar didn’t remember the last time he’d been out of the prison his father had prepared for him. Therefore, everything was strange and new to him, including the peculiar vehicle his descendant got on. Nevertheless, Talrasar did his best not to show his apprehension, and really, with his mate’s anger buzzing at back of his mind, it wasn’t even very hard.
He could barely think and focus on anything except Kael’s pain. Talrasar hadn’t really been conscious throughout his imprisonment, but Kael had. For centuries, he’d been all alone, without Talrasar to anchor him, surrounded by people who should have appreciated him, but had betrayed him instead.
But there was a solution to this. As Sari’s mother started the strange vehicle and they began to move, Talrasar stole a look toward the box with the phoenix feather.
Talrasar had only touched it once. After he and Kael had lost the battle of Eternelle, he’d had a very difficult time and had actually been in a coma. By the time he had recovered, his mate had been lost to him. Naturally, Talrasar had reacted badly. And then, his father had shown up with that peculiar box, and when Talrasar had brushed his fingers over it, he had understood everything.
He and Kael had been robbed of their true destiny, of their dream. They were supposed to be together, to have a family just like they’d always wanted. But some sort of power had kept it from happening, had wrecked their future.
It could have been argued that the phoenix feather had only given Talrasar glimpses of what he wanted to see. However, Talrasar hadn’t only acknowledged the good of the visions, but what sacrifice he and Kael had been forced to make to acquire it. And he knew it was what had been supposed to happen, because he and Kael had meant to do exactly that.
Some sort of power had taken away their choice and twisted it, but Talrasar had no intentions to allow things to remain this way. The key to his problem lay within that box. He just had to figure out how to use it. And in this, Sari, his descendant, could help him. That power had responded to Sari, too. For better or for worse, Sari was just as involved in this as Talrasar, and in spite of the anger flowing through Talrasar, he had to acknowledge that.
As such, Talrasar clenched his hands into fists and did his best to calm down. For the first time, he realized he was wearing clothes. He didn’t remember having them on in the room. Throwing a glance toward the box once more, he wondered exactly what the extent of its power was, and what truly fueled it now that it had been separated from its source.
He didn’t get to figure out the answer to that dilemma, because far sooner than he’d expected, he reached their destination. Hidden within a large hill, yet another compound loomed ahead of them. Talrasar’s hackles rose, his instincts warning him of imminent danger. As it turned out, he was completely right. The moment Sari’s vehicle stopped, it was surrounded by several armed men and women.
It was only when Sari’s mother, Eanera, dismounted from it that the warriors backed down. They did eye Talrasar with apprehension and confusion, but mercifully, they didn’t question Eanera when she pushed pas
t them. It was fortunate, because Talrasar didn’t think he’d have handled it too well.
Also, the female fae seemed aware that Talrasar was on the edge. As they entered the building, she said, “I’d like you to be ready for possible hostility. My mate has spoken with our allies, but they’re not entirely thrilled about the prospect of approaching Draechenburg with…friendlier intentions. They likely won’t appreciate your sudden appearance either.”
“I don’t particularly care,” Talrasar replied blankly, “and if anyone has a problem with me, I won’t delay in pointing out to them that I am not in a very generous mood.”
“Quite understandable,” Sari replied. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”
Talrasar wasn’t convinced by Sari’s words, and Sari himself didn’t seem to believe it. As it turned out, they were completely correct. When Eanera finally guided them into a meeting room of sorts, Talrasar found himself the target of the attention of several people, both shifters and magical creatures. He didn’t know any of them, not really, but the phoenix feather had shown him a handful of images that made most, if not all, familiar to him.
Sari took the initiative of introducing him. “Everyone, this is Talrasar Myrthylar, my…uncle. He’s here to help us with the draechen issue. Talrasar, I’d like you to meet Kings Zaire and Nikhil Isaiat and Queen Anais Isaiat, of Patala, Camden Isaiat and his mate, Sagenamadeen Zager, and Mr. Philip Strange and Mr. Raleigh Connors, in charge of the feline shifters here. And of course, this is my father, Selbrian Norrenddare.”
Each of those mentioned nodded in acknowledgement of Sari’s words. But with the formalities out of the way, they didn’t delay in throwing questions at Sari. “We’re told that you believe Emperor Shtamakarein is your mate,” the naga queen said. “Is this true?”
“It is,” Sari confirmed without missing a beat. “I have faith that, given the circumstances, we can reach a compromise.”
“I don’t think it’s so easy,” King Nikhil answered with a frown. “The Ornozian leader doesn’t strike me as someone who’d change his entire view on the world because of meeting his mate.”
“I’m not so sure,” Sagenamadeen said. “I know the emperor well. He is a fierce, harsh man, but like any other shifter, he wants to have a mate.”
“Besides, weren’t we about to attempt the same thing by using Princess Akarawem as a hostage?” Camden Isaiat asked.
Talrasar was confused. He blinked, trying to remember what he’d once seen through the power of the feather. However, it was all so different and so strange. And all the while, his mate’s anguish lingered at the back of his mind.
He tried to send waves of comfort to Kael, but at this point, it wasn’t enough. He practically heard Kael’s roar as the draechen demanded his presence.
Talrasar couldn’t have denied him if he’d wanted to. “Look, we’re going around in circles for no reason,” he said. “I have no intentions to wait around twiddling my thumbs while you decide whether or not the emperor may or may not go for this. I don’t care about the emperor either way. Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll gladly be off. My mate needs me.”
His words seemed to awaken renewed decision inside Sari. “Prince Talrasar is completely correct. Discussing this is a waste of time. This is something that I will do, no matter what anyone here says.”
The naga queen opened her mouth, as if intending to protest, but then she closed it once more, obviously thinking better of it. Similarly, the shifters remained silent. Perhaps they realized that the strength of Sari’s conviction came from something none of them could argue against. After all, most if not all of the people here had experienced mate bonds. Talrasar wasn’t sure about the felines, but he could ascertain that everyone else had their own soul mates with them.
Even so, Sari’s father, Selbrian, still attempted to change his son’s mind. “But Sari, he’s married. What do you even want to do once you’re there?”
“I don’t know, Father,” Sari admitted, “but I will see when the time comes. For the moment, that’s where my path is leading me. Whether the decision is sanctioned by you or not, I’m going to Draechenburg.”
“Wait a minute,” Eanera said. “I can accept your need to see your mate, but there’s no reason to be rash. Even if you’re right about the emperor, other draechen might not be so accommodating. You can just burst into Draechenburg and expect you’ll be received with open arms.”
As much as Talrasar hated to admit it, she had a point. He wouldn’t be able to help Kael if he stupidly got himself killed. “So what do you suggest?”
Selbrian sighed heavily. “I will send a message, just like we originally established,” he offered. “We will set a meeting point, a location we can control.”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to dangle the threat of Akarawem’s safety over their heads,” Camden added, “just in case.”
Sari didn’t look very happy about that. “I’m not very comfortable with being so overtly hostile toward my mate.”
“We can understand that, but the fact that the emperor might be your other half doesn’t change our history with him,” Raleigh Connors pointed out. “We’re willing to accept this, but we have to be smart about it.”
Philip Strange nodded. “In the end, it concerns your own safety. Why take chances when we have this ace up our sleeve?”
At that, Sari finally relented. “Fine. But for the record, I don’t think it will be necessary.”
“I certainly hope you’re right,” Selbrian answered. “I hope and pray your mate won’t fail you.”
“He won’t,” Sari answered with a wide smile.
Talrasar didn’t tell him that the time Sari would have with his mate might end up being very short. No matter what Shtamakarein Tersain meant to Sari, for Talrasar, he was an enemy. As soon as Talrasar freed his own mate, he had every intention of enacting revenge on everyone who’d wronged them, and all the people who’d destroyed their dream—starting with the emperor himself.
* * * *
“So let me get this straight. You’ve found your true mate, and you hope to contact him soon.”
Caelyn stared at Karein, unable to believe his ears. When his parents had thrust him into this marriage, he’d been devastated and lost. He had eventually agreed to it because of the knowledge that it was necessary to strengthen the truce between Ornoz and Elusia. He hadn’t expected to actually begin to care for Karein.
Everyone he’d spoken with before his mating had agreed that, most likely, Karein would be cruel to him. Caelyn had gotten ready for the worst. Only, it hadn’t happened. Instead, Karein had protected him, held him during his bouts of sickness. They weren’t lovers, but Caelyn liked to believe they were friends.
And because he really did hold affection toward Karein, he smiled. “Congratulations. You deserve someone like that.”
“Thank you,” Karein replied, his dark eyes glittering with unprecedented enthusiasm. “I’m aware that it won’t be easy. The fae will undoubtedly try to use Sari against me. Especially now that they also have Akara, I’m at a disadvantage. But I believe that this will all work out.”
“If there’s anyone who can make sure that happens, it’s you,” Caelyn answered. A million different emotions coursed through him as he spoke. On one side, he was truly happy for Karein. He’d been entirely truthful about that. He also experienced a powerful relief, because, even if he hadn’t slept with Karein, a part of him had felt like he was betraying something that had once been very important to him, that faceless someone who came to him in his dreams. At the same time, he wondered what would become of him now that Karein would have someone new in his life. Officially, Caelyn remained Karein’s mate. He would, of course, step down and agree to a potential dissolution of their mating—but where did that leave him?
He should have been terrified at the idea, but instead, he just felt impossibly lonely. A voice sounded in his ear, calling out to him. “Angel,” it whispered. “Caelyn…”
Just
like that, Caelyn knew what he had to do. “This Phoenix… Did he tell you anything about me?” he asked. “I have a mate, too, don’t I?”
Karein’s smile faded, and Caelyn suddenly had a bad feeling about what the draechen was going to say. “Yes,” Karein replied. “His name is Graham Powers, and he’s a werewolf.”
Caelyn’s breath caught. In his heart, he wasn’t really surprised. He’d always gotten almost irrationally frightened whenever he heard about expeditions being sent out to investigate possible werewolf sightings. But that didn’t mean he was ready for the knowledge that the man whom he often saw in his dream was very likely dead.
Obviously, Karein must have realized Caelyn’s pain, because he hastened to add, “Hareem’s mate is also a werewolf, and he doesn’t believe they are gone. We’re going to try to find them. Just…hang in there, okay? I understand how you feel, but it’s going to be all right.”
It was easy for Karein to be optimistic when he would likely be able to meet with his mate soon. Caelyn wanted to scream and rage at him, to tell him that there was no way things could be okay. But then, Karein added, “I won’t abandon you. You were by my side all throughout this, and even if you aren’t my mate, I still think that we are close. You don’t know if I deserve finding my other half, but you certainly do, and I will fight for that.”
Caelyn was so moved his eyes filled with tears. He knew that everyone thought Karein was a soulless monster. But Karein had always been kind to Caelyn. They’d had their fights, yes, but more often than not, they’d been united by their shared knowledge that they’d lost important people in their lives.
“Thank you,” Caelyn said softly. “I just…I have to admit that it’s not easy. I have no idea what will happen. The things you’re telling me, about a different reality, are so unbelievable, but… I feel like they are true.”
“I agree.” Karein’s expression became glum. “I knew the phoenix was dangerous, but I never realized the exact extent of the power it had. We were lucky that the sprites didn’t know either.”
Hyacinth, Scarlet - From the Ashes [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 7] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 14
