Sana turned in his direction and their eyes met across the expanse. His heart seized and air trapped in his throat. Gold eyes, like most of their people had, stared and narrowed. Then, proving her heart to be as cold as their mating bed had become, Sana turned away and cooed to her baby.
Bitter pain sliced through Rylin’s heart for the child he’d once longed for. Mikal kissed the top of Ani’s red hair—a match to her mother’s, tickled the baby’s fat cheeks and joined the others by going to one knee and removing his shirt. They exchanged glances and Mikal nodded.
Rylin heaved a sigh, shoving regret far away, and faced forward. The large chambered doors clattered closed behind them. King Sarkin stayed quiet a moment, allowing the silence to gain steam. Time slowed as the tense pall spread, and then he spoke.
“We know why I have gathered those of the black.” His voice resonated with ancient power.
One of the females against the wall cried out. Her blonde hair lay in loose coils about her shoulders. As always, her dress and manner proclaimed her royalty despite her pale features and tearstained eyes.
King Sarkin smiled at his lira gently. “My time has come and I’m not afraid of the great beyond. Save your tears, my heart.”
Rylin braced his hands on the floor as his shoulders grew taut. He wasn’t surprised. King Sarkin had marked his two hundredth year among them this year. A king did not summon all of the males in his caste with such short notice unless the end was near.
“The essence of my Dracol,” King Sarkin continued, once again facing the men gathered, “will choose a worthy male to carry on the black mantle. I only request that he who rises in my stead take care of my lira in my absence.”
Another choked cry came from Queen Miram.
“Will my last order as your King be heeded?” King Sarkin asked.
The room rumbled with the shouted reply as it echoed through out. “Yes, Sire!”
Though Rylin called out his response as loud as the others, one look at the Queen and he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t choose the path of others before her. When the king died, the queen more often than not chose to follow.
King Sarkin sighed and leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, palms clasped together. His voice when he spoke next was lower, rougher. “Let us not linger. I’m weary.”
Every man in the room kept their gaze forward. Many hoped, prayed to be selected to wear the weight of the mantle and assume the crown. Rylin had no such desires or cares. He was content with his lot in life, but his essence swelled in preparation. Centuries’ old instinct could not be denied and his nature fought for dominance.
“I summon the mantle.” The room vibrated with energy as the King called forth the root of the Black Dracol power.
Lightning cracked overhead and flashes of light filled the room. Rylin found himself grinding his teeth as wave after wave of power cascaded over him and the floor trembled beneath him. Others hunched over, and loud groans followed.
“Bring forth the new King and a new reign!” King Sarkin roared, rising to his feet , arms extended over his head.
Even more power gathered and coalesced. Someone screamed to the left of Ry and fell to the side. The males around him began to collapse under the strain of the mantle seeking another.
Ry curled his fingers into balled fists, knuckles turning white as he pressed them into the tiles until the pain distracted him from the pounding his body took. Thunder boomed above and the walls heaved.
Panting from the overload, Ry dropped his head in time to witness the floor buckle. With every muscle straining, he forced his head back up.
King Sarkin shouted, his back arched. “Is there none worthy, oh mighty one?”
Mikal grunted and fell to his stomach, limbs splayed. Rylin recognized Sana’s scream of denial. “No! Get up!”
Arms trembling, Rylin checked on his friend, relieved to see Mikal’s chest rising. The relief was short lived. Rylin reared back on his haunches as a fist slammed into his mid-section. Pain exploded in his head and radiated throughout his entire body. His teeth grinded and uncontrollable grunts broke out as he sustained blow after blow.
Through blurry eyes, Ry saw King Sarkin’s gaze lock on him. The King’s amber eyes lightened. Relief glinted and his mouth curved upward.
“Rylin,” he whispered. “A good choice.”
A bolt of lightning burst from the King’s chest and struck Rylin dead center. Rylin’s last clear image showed King Sarkin slumping to the floor then hundreds of voices slammed into his head and fire lit a path down his spine. He screamed at the sensation of burning skin being peeled from his back.
Rylin’s perception dimmed as phantom claws ripped him open from the base of his neck down the length of his spine. His essence rose at last to meet the burden and wrapped around him to buffer the effect. Rylin fell forward on his hands and knees, shaking. The voices faded until one word repeated itself clearly.
‘Mantle.’
‘Mantle.’
Rylin’s awareness came back in small increments. Females cried and males moaned. Rylin couldn’t stop his own choked gasps as he continued to twitch with residual spasms. When he lifted his head, one of the King’s men grasped him about the shoulder and helped him to his feet.
“What happened?” Rylin mumbled, trying to restore his balance. Everything around him wavered, his vision going in and out of focus.
“Come with me,” Nolan instructed.
Rylin followed blindly as they headed toward the throne, one stumbling step at a time. At the foot of the gold dais, a pile of black ashes on the floor swirled then flew out the open window. Confused, Rylin blinked as Nolan helped him to sit on a cushioned seat.
“The mantle has chosen,” Nolan announced. “All hail King Rylin of the Black Dracol.”
Books by Michelle
* Honor Bound (Book 1 Warlord Series)
* The Overlord’s Heir (Book 1.5 Warlord Series)
* A King’s Revenge (Book 2 Warlord Series)
* Rise of the Shadow Warriors (Book 3 Warlord Series)
*A Warlord’s Heart (Book 3.5 Warlord Series)
* Project Genesis (Alpha Squad)
* No Reason to Run (A Harmony Novel)
* Mating Urge (cat shifter novella)
* Torkel’s Chosen (A World Beyond Book 1)
* Arak’s Love (A World Beyond Book 2)
* Lindsey’s Rescue (A World Beyond Book 3)
Coming November 2015
Bound By Heat (anthology with MK Eidem and JA Hornbuckle)
Coming Soon 2016
Kyele’s Story (A World Beyond Book 4)
Kavan’s Book (Book 4 Warlord Series)
About the Author
Michelle Howard like many authors dreamed of writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago. She loves paranormal and contemporary romances and is a fan of the classic romances by Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.
I love to hear from fans so please reach out to me. If the mood hits you, leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @mhowardwrites
Website: www.michellehowardwrites.com
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Lindsey's Rescue: A World Beyond Book 3 Page 23
