A King to Be Feared

by Brea Alepoú

  “If you hadn’t pulled me away, I’d still be talking to him,” Larkyn said.

  Caspyn sighed. “Well, you shouldn’t be so well sought after.”

  Larkyn glanced Caspyn’s way. He couldn’t be serious—it was his family’s fault that Larkyn was so sought after. He’d been placed on a pedestal that he had no desire to stand on forever.

  “To be fair, it might have been my dad’s fault, but you didn’t help it by soaking up the fame like a sponge.”

  Larkyn wasn’t paying attention to where he was going as he tried to remember that punching his friend, who was technically above him, needed to be saved for later. He collided with someone.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  The man yanked free of Larkyn’s grasp and ran the opposite way.

  “Weird,” Caspyn said.

  Larkyn nodded. He closed his hand, but there was something sticky on it. He glanced down.

  “Larkyn, that’s blood,” Caspyn pointed out.

  Larkyn turned back around, looking for the man, before there was a scream that had his heart lodged in his throat. He didn’t know how he knew, but he just did—that sound had come from Titos.

  “I have to find him,” Larkyn said.

  All hell broke loose in the next second. The large floor-to-ceiling window shattered, and gunshots rang throughout the ballroom and were accompanied by screams. Larkyn grabbed Caspyn and pulled him to the back as the place was flooded with shifted edoli. There were panthers, giant cobras, griffins, and many more. Larkyn ground his teeth, his gaze searching the crowd for a brown-haired male, but he didn’t catch sight of him.

  A panther came barreling toward Larkyn, and he shoved Caspyn behind him. Larkyn relaxed and let his power come forward. It wasn’t nearly what some of his family was capable of once they were made into keepers, but it was enough that Larkyn could use it in a fight. Claws sank into his flank, but Larkyn didn’t pay it any mind. He wrapped an arm around the panther’s neck and flipped it over onto its back. He pushed his power into the animal and jumbled up his mind the best he could.

  The panther whined and shook to get free. Larkyn hooked his leg around the beast as he yanked free a knife from the inside of his suit. He didn’t hesitate as he sank the blade into its neck. Warm blood covered his hands as he jammed it in for good measure.

  Larkyn’s breathing was slightly labored as he got up.

  “What the fuck is happening?” Caspyn asked.

  Larkyn shook his head. He had no idea, but he for damn sure would be finding out. Larkyn got up and once again grabbed Caspyn. He barreled down to outside the ball and found a sight he wasn’t sure how to understand.

  There was a huge manticore wolf, the biggest Larkyn had ever seen. Its spikes outside its body was covered in blood, and one even sported a body. It wouldn’t have been that strange if there weren’t other rare shifter types such as a tree cat. They usually stayed the size of house cats, but the one ripping a wolf shifter to shreds was just as big as a wild lynx, covered in power. Each of them, their eyes were black.

  There was a screech before flames rained down on them. Larkyn pulled Caspyn out of the way just in time. A few edoli screamed as they were doused in flames. Above them was a full-fledged phoenix.

  “Holy shit,” Caspyn gasped.

  If they stayed there any longer, he’d put the prince in danger. Larkyn grabbed Caspyn and ran away from the overly powerful shifters. Larkyn stopped short of running into a large group of enemies.

  “We have to kill him,” one of them shouted.

  “No one told us that there would be so many willing to fight,” another said.

  “Who are they talking about?” Caspyn whispered.

  Larkyn had no idea. He turned away from them, but they’d come for a specific target, one they couldn’t get to. They found the rest of the guards with Julyanah and her keepers. She was a fierce woman, and fighting alongside her were her shifted keepers.

  “Dakota,” Larkyn said to warn the keeper. He turned and slashed the air, sending magic and knocking the griffin back before following up with a slash across his neck.

  Larkyn grouped with the others.

  “We need to get out of here,” Dakota said.

  Larkyn nodded, but he’d yet to see Titos. He tried not to worry—the man had six keepers, but still, his heart ached to go looking for him just in case. What if the enemy were here for Titos? Larkyn shook his head. No, that was the worst-case scenario.

  There was another large boom, and the doors in one of the ballrooms were knocked inward. Flames quickly followed the wind and licked up the side of the wall. There was too much happening. Larkyn took down another edoli, but there were fewer and fewer in the ballroom they found themselves in. There was a door to the outside just a few feet from them, but with every step they took, they were fending someone off.

  Titos: Help.

  At first, Larkyn was confused. Who’d cried for help? But it was as if his very soul knew who it was. How it was possible was beyond him. He hadn’t been concentrating on the man, not when he’d been elbow-deep into killing the people who attacked them.

  Titos: Help, please.

  Larkyn whirled around. There was so much blood and chaos, but he closed his eyes and concentrated, leaving himself vulnerable.

  Larkyn: I’m coming.

  He wasn’t sure if Titos could hear him or not, but he hoped he gave the man some type of reassurance.

  “Caspyn, I have to go to him,” he said. The other guards were there; Caspyn was safe. He got a nod as they ushered Caspyn outside and into their car.

  Larkyn didn’t hesitate. He pushed past the edoli who were trying to escape and dodged the ones who were fighting for their life. A blade came into view, and he dropped down just in time. The bastard had nicked the tiniest bit of Larkyn’s hair.

  “You have no idea how long it takes me to make it this perfect,” Larkyn grumbled as he swiped the man’s feet from under him. Larkyn was quick and followed it up with a swift kick to the face. He didn’t have the time to kill the man; he needed to get to Titos. He was sure someone would come along and finish the job.

  Tricorns had the ability to read people’s minds, though it was rude to do so. Most edoli had a mental block, so it was an art they used on most humans. When it came to sharing blood and creating a bond with people, but depending on how strong the tricorn was, they could seep into the bond and read everyone’s thoughts. The most Larkyn could do was scramble their brains long enough to attack and subdue them.

  Larkyn had never tried it, but he pushed on, concentrating on the tiny link he had with Titos.

  Claws sank into his back, and it nearly pulled him out of his concentration, but someone luckily pulled them free. He didn’t check who; he just hoped it was an ally. There was nothing but darkness and an overabundance of power. It was nearly choking Larkyn, and it wasn’t even his power to feel.

  Titos: Please help.

  Larkyn waded through the darkness. He’d expected to be in his human form, but no, that wasn’t the case. He was on all fours, and his tail swooshed behind him. He continued to move through the never-ending darkness on hooves until finally, he came upon a small figure. He lowered his head and bumped his nose against it. Titos’s head lifted up, and he stared at Larkyn, his beautiful green eyes full of fear.

  Larkyn: It’s okay. Do you know what’s happening? How do I help you?

  Titos shook his head.

  Titos: This has never happened before. Please. It’s getting to be too much.

  Larkyn could feel the power rising, as if Titos was a cup and he was already full, and yet someone kept pouring more and more power in.

  Larkyn: Shh, it’s okay. Why don’t you stand with me?

  Titos: It hurts—they are hurting. I can’t make it stop.

  Larkyn nosed Titos again. He could already feel his concentration was slipping. He wasn’t going to last much longer.

  Larkyn: Release it all. Stop holding it back.

  Titos: But what if I
hurt everyone?

  Larkyn: Don’t worry about that. I will be there, okay?

  Titos: Wait, stay—don’t leave, please. I can’t talk to them. Bonds are all covered.

  Larkyn’s chest hurt as he heard the despair in Titos’s voice.

  Larkyn was thrust back into his body, and he groaned as he curled over on himself. His head hurt, and his body felt too heavy. But even through all of that, he dragged himself up.

  “You okay?” Julyanah asked. She was covered in blood, her once sleek dress ruined, her blue hair even drenched with the crimson-colored liquid.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Larkyn said. He took a few gulps of air. “Titos is going to unleash some heavy-duty power. Take cover now.” He made sure to warn her before he forced his body to move.

  He remembered exactly where the scary bunch of rare shifters was located. He ran as fast his body would let him toward the area. Unimaginable heat wafted from that side of the building. The paint off the walls was peeling, and the metal was melting. There was an ear-shattering roar just as Larkyn turned the corner. A giant lava bear spewed magma over its opponents before it ripped it in half.

  Larkyn’s stomach turned. How in the hell was he supposed to get past the beast to be by Titos’s side? There was no use in turning back; Larkyn had promised Titos, and he was going to damn well deliver. He skirted along the wall and stopped every few seconds. The enemy was too busy fighting the giant beasts, and Larkyn was too busy trying not to be seen.

  He wasn’t sure if it was by luck, but Larkyn sank into the shadows, and it was as if none of the rare shifters saw him. Or maybe they knew he wasn’t a threat. Either way, Larkyn held his breath the entire time he made his way to Titos. He lay on the ground behind them as if they were guarding him.

  The realization dawned on Larkyn later than it should have. He shook his head. The rare shifters were all of Titos’s keepers.

  Titos’s eyes were open, and they were inky black. Power poured off him in waves. Larkyn touched him, and it was much easier to get back in. Once again, he was in his tricorn form, one he’d only ever dreamed of. It felt so natural as he moved back to Titos.

  Larkyn: See? I told you I’d be here.

  Titos nodded, and Larkyn felt the moment he stopped holding the power in. His vision exploded with colors, and he was knocked out of Titos’s head instantly. Larkyn fell back and hit his head. He was in a daze for a second as wave after wave of wind hit him and pinned him in place. He choked, trying to breathe. Just as the corners of his vision started to darken, it let up.

  Larkyn sucked in sweet, glorious air. He gave himself only a few seconds before he pushed off the wall and scrambled over to Titos. He lifted him up somewhat and pushed back some of his hair. It was softer than he thought. Larkyn’s hands were still bloody, and he inadvertently left a red stain on Titos’s face and his luxurious white suit.

  Titos’s eyes fluttered open, and Larkyn was once again met with beautiful green eyes.

  Larkyn helped Titos up a little more so that he was fully sitting up. “Are you okay?”

  Titos groaned. “No, but thank you.” He stared into Larkyn’s eyes, and for a split second, it was as if the world around them ceased to exist.

  The others slowly shifted, and they too held their heads, but all too quickly, they were rushing for Titos. Larkyn reluctantly gave up his spot. He wasn’t a keeper or his lover, no matter how much the idea sent butterflies to the pit of his stomach.

  “Alfrik,” Titos shouted.

  The tall man who’d been the scary-as-fuck lava bear stepped forward, his auburn hair wild after shifting.

  “Fuck, I thought you were dead,” Titos said. Tears made his green eyes glossy-looking, and Larkyn wanted to go to him and pull him into a hug. Alfrik did it instead.

  “No, I don’t know what happened, but all of sudden I was forced to shift, and that’s all I can recall,” Alfrik said.

  Gunshots were popping off once more and the clashing of swords.

  “What the hell is happening?” a tall black man asked.

  “We are under attack,” Larkyn said.

  “From who?”

  Larkyn shrugged. “The only thing I overheard is they are here for someone specifically.”

  All the keepers’ gazes went to Titos.

  “Motherfuckers won’t give us a break,” Kail said. He was the only one of the keepers with clothes on.

  Larkyn tried to recall his animal form but couldn’t picture it.

  “Mazki, fire ball,” Titos said. He looked to his men. “I am done with this shit.”

  They marched into the ballroom, and Larkyn followed right behind them. Titos and his keepers instantly joined the fight, and it came clear as day once the edoli who attacked saw Titos that he was the one they’d been after. Larkyn was angry all over again. How dare they come after him. He joined in the fight, but it was more of a roundup by the end of it. Pretty gold flowers were scattered over the floor, and some were even wrapped around the few enemies that were still breathing. They were shoved into the middle of the floor.

  Julyanah stood next to Titos. “Who are you, and why are you here?” she asked.

  Victor in his shadow wolf form killed one of them by ripping his arm off. His screams filled the room before he ended it by tearing out the man’s throat.

  “We can do this until it’s just one of you, and then we can play fucking hot potato with your limbs,” Julyanah said.

  “And I’ll add in the bonus of setting each limb on fire,” Titos said.

  They were a terrifying partnership.

  “The powerhouses came together,” someone said. “No one else was the target, just him.” They pointed at Titos, and before Larkyn could even blink, they were on fire.

  “One of those houses Olvix?” Titos asked, an eerily calm chill to his voice.

  “No, they refused to join in on this one,” someone else confessed.

  They were snitches, but they were each hoping to survive this. They’d started a battle they’d assumed they’d walk away from victorious, but now it was looking as if only one or two would make it.

  “What do you want to do with them?” Julyanah asked.

  “Only one needs to really get the message across,” Titos said.

  Larkyn grinned at the ruthlessness that was Titos. He’d seemed so kind and soft before, but in the heat of battle, not only was the man who was destined to be his master powerful, but he had conviction as well.

  “I have tried to be left alone, and yet I am constantly attacked. I am done with idly sitting by.”

  Titos took a step forward. The remaining enemy who’d crashed the party took a step back. As they should. Larkyn was enamored by the man before him. The man who was meant to be his mate.

  A harsh wind blew and tousled Titos’s short brown curls. “You will learn that I am not a king to be stepped on but one to be feared.”

  “How are you feeling?” Seth asked. His breath fanned against Titos’s ear. The bed wasn’t nearly big enough for all of them to sleep in, even with everyone willing to dogpile. Seth, Adom, and Kail occupied one bed with Titos happily sleeping on top of them.

  “What time is it?” Titos asked.

  He knew he’d been feeling tired lately and had ignored it the best he could. They’d had too much to do, but he should have known better. He didn’t get sick and fall asleep like usual; he’d lost control, and granted it had worked out in their favor, but he still hated the idea of going through it again.

  “Nine in the morning,” Adom answered.

  Kail groaned and put his head under the pillow. “More sleep,” he mumbled out.

  Titos chuckled at Kail before meeting Seth’s eyes once again. “I’m fine.” He checked himself completely. He didn’t feel tired, and there was no sickness. The power that had felt overwhelming the day before was a calm sea inside of him.

  Seth’s warm hands cupped his face. “We can rest a bit longer.”

  “Unless you’re all up for some fun.” Mazki’s head p
opped up next to them.

  “Down, boy,” Adom said.

  The bed dipped, and Titos glanced over his shoulder to see Gin getting into the bed, gold streak in his hair tucked behind his pierced ears.

  “Are mornings always like this?” Gin asked. He sported the biggest smile.

  Titos swore it was like staring into the sun itself it was so bright.

  “More or less,” Mazki said.

  Kail grumbled something, but it was too muffled by the pillow for any of them to make it out.

  “Pooh Bear, it’s time to wake up,” Mazki singsonged.

  There was a deep growl before auburn hair that looked as if it had a fight with a hairbrush and the brush lost appeared in Titos’s line of sight.

  “I vote that we put a muzzle on a certain someone before going to bed from now on,” Alfrik said sleepily.

  Kail popped his head out from under the pillow. “I second this motion.”

  “Hey,” Mazki shouted.

  Titos burst out in laughter; he could oddly see Mazki wearing a muzzle, not that it would keep his rowdy phoenix down. Mazki would find another way to make mornings wild.

  Titos sat up and stretched his hands above his head. He groaned as his back popped in that satisfying way. “Stay hiding in here or go mingle?”

  “Sleep,” Kail growled out.

  Titos shook his head.

  “We should see what the others are thinking. I know Julyanah said the prince stayed behind as well,” Adom said. He sat up, his hairy chest on full display, distracting Titos for a split second.

  Mazki was laughing when Titos’s head snapped back up. “Adom, I’m pretty sure Titos missed everything you just said.”

  A cheeky grin curled Adom’s lips. “I was saying the amount of power you displayed yesterday and your declaration to the survivors. We need to see what their thoughts are now.”

  Titos sighed, knowing all too well Adom was right. But he’d lost control, and he’d allowed the power to overtake him. One moment he’d been at the party, and the next, he’d been covered in blood. “Okay, let’s go,” he rushed to say before he lost his nerve.