One of the soldiers shrugged. “You know these mutts. They’re real beasts, and this one is the worst of them.”
They didn’t say more, obviously reluctant to gossip on Shtamakarein’s affairs. “I see,” Caelyn replied. “Well, someone has to see to them anyway, and sadly, that’s my job.”
“Don’t be sad,” the other guard said. “Think of it this way. At least you brighten up our day a little.”
As the draechen guards flirted with Caelyn, Graham tightened his hold on the chains. It hurt to see it, like he was being taunted with the truth of the situation. Unable to hold himself in check, he released a low growl.
The sound broke the banter between Caelyn and the two soldiers, and the guards became fully alert once more. “Come on, Melissa. No matter what the laws say, these mutts don’t deserve good treatment.”
Caelyn nodded, although his spine went rigid. Obviously, he didn’t agree that being tied to a wall with silver chains qualified in any way as good treatment. Briefly, he turned toward Graham. “I’ll come back,” he mouthed. “I won’t leave you.”
Graham would have loved to provide him with a reply, but anything he might have tried to convey would be noticed by the draechen guards. He just looked at Caelyn, willing him to acknowledge what couldn’t be said in words.
He didn’t know if his mate understood, as there was no time to make sure. Caelyn left the cell, and the door shut behind him with a decisive bang. Once more, Graham was left alone. This time, when he closed his eyes, the image that came to him was that of those deep blue eyes practically speaking to him. Graham might have been lower caste, but he’d find a way to get out of here and reach out to his mate. The alternative was simply inconceivable.
* * * *
After leaving his mate’s cell, Caelyn went on to visit all the other prisoners. He wasn’t allowed to take any risks, so he couldn’t enter the rooms of the inmates who weren’t bound. However, he got a pretty good idea of what was going on, as well as of the layout and organization of the prisons.
The servant girl assigned with providing assistance to the prisoners seemed well liked, so no one really questioned him at all. In the past few days, he’d been watching Melissa’s routine, and that of the other servants who worked here, so he knew exactly what to do. Even so, the hostility, the anger, and the pain that practically polluted the air down here still made him sick to his stomach.
Werewolves and vampires suffered here, alone and helpless, just because they refused to succumb to the Directive. Caelyn understood the reason behind its implementations, but it had clearly gone too far. It hurt him to realize that he’d never have known the true extent of it had his need for his mate not pushed him into coming down here. It was much more comfortable to tell himself nothing could be done.
Sadly, he didn’t have much time at his disposal. The real Melissa was in her quarters, sleeping off the effects of a drug Caelyn had slipped into her drink, but she’d wake up soon. Not to mention that his family might notice he was missing if he wasn’t careful. So far, he’d taken a promising first step, but it was just that, one step. He needed far more to be able to free his mate and everyone down here.
As he finally walked out of the prison area, he noted the cameras scrutinizing his every motion, the scanners checking him for any hidden objects. They couldn’t detect his illusion, but even he couldn’t keep up such a powerful spell forever, or enchant all those he wanted to free. Consequently, if he meant to release the prisoners, he had to disable the security systems first.
Musing over this, he headed upstairs and toward the servant quarters. Fortunately, everyone he met with on the way was very busy, and even if they said hi or waved at him, Caelyn managed to escape without being identified as an impostor. But he wasn’t out of the woods yet. Slipping into Melissa’s room, he found her still there, unconscious. He’d made sure she wouldn’t remember a thing, so in that regard, he was safe. So far, so good. He finally allowed his illusion to fade and opened the window. It was an easy drop, just one story high. Caelyn waited until there was no one in sight, and with no hesitation, jumped outside and into the garden.
From there, it was easy to reenter the house as if he’d just been out for a stroll. Just in time, too, because he ran into his mother just as he stepped onto the verandah. “Where have you been?” she asked, glowering at him. “You should be spending more time with the prince and princess at this very delicate time.”
“They’re already thrilled with me marrying their brother,” Caelyn pointed out. “There’s no pressing need for me to coax them to like me. And I’ve just been exploring the grounds of the residence. I needed the break.”
“Don’t be insolent,” Britanni shot back, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the house. “One day, you’ll realize what a good thing you have here and you’ll thank me. Now come on. I’ve arranged for you to have a meeting with Prince Hareematek.”
Caelyn decided that getting a feel for the oldest draechen prince wouldn’t hurt. Still, that didn’t mean his mother’s decision pleased him. “When?” he asked morosely.
“No time like the present,” she replied with a self-satisfied smirk that frustrated Caelyn beyond measure.
“Of course,” he replied between gritted teeth.
He followed obediently after her as she led the way toward the private wing of the palace, where the imperial family resided. The guest wing adjoined it directly, which could become a problem for the future of Caelyn’s plan. However, he’d worry about that when the time came. He just needed to take one thing at a time, and he’d get through this.
As he and his mother walked, they ran into countless guards. Most of them must have known to some extent of Caelyn’s connection with Karein. It was somewhat worrisome that the word had spread quite so quickly, but perhaps Caelyn could use it for his own benefit.
They found Prince Hareematek in his personal quarters. After bypassing yet another group of guards, they were received in the spacious apartments of the draechen in question. Hareematek was already there, lounging on a settee and apparently waiting for them. Or not. As Caelyn and his mother came in, they noticed a lovely dark-haired man disappearing into a room to their right. Caelyn thought the youth looked a little familiar, but he couldn’t tell where he’d seen him before.
He didn’t get the chance to dwell on that, though, as the prince gestured for them to sit. “Welcome. My word, Lord Caelyn, I’ve barely seen you at all these days. I’m going to think I’m not as interesting as my brother.”
Caelyn took Hareematek’s offer and sat down. “You’re both very interesting in different ways,” he answered.
Hareematek chuckled. “But you like Karein’s way better, and that’s the way it should be. You’ll be happy to learn that he’s returning to us soon.”
Caelyn’s heart started to beat faster. “Yes? Did he finish his tasks already?”
Hareematek’s grin looked a little feral. “My brother is very expedient when it comes to orders from my father.”
Expedient. That was one way of putting it. Likely, there had been another incursion, more werewolves or vampires to hunt down. Honestly, Caelyn didn’t know how he managed not to show his utter distaste for the situation.
Instead, trying to sound eager, he asked, “And when is he expected to arrive?”
“Either today or tomorrow, to my knowledge,” Hareematek replied. “When I spoke with him last, he mentioned he would try to make haste.”
To make haste. This wasn’t good. It cut into the time Caelyn had to go through with his plan. He needed to hurry. He couldn’t afford to linger on baby steps anymore.
Knowing he couldn’t let his real emotions show, Caelyn smiled tightly. “That’s excellent news.”
“Indeed,” Hareematek answered. “My sister and I have been considering organizing a party to celebrate your betrothal.”
“Did His Highness officially ask you for your hand?” Britanni inquired. “You never said.”
Caelyn couldn’
t possibly work his way around that direct question. “Yes,” he answered. “I—”
His mother let out a sound of glee. “That’s great news. Oh, I’m so excited. Given the circumstances, a party would be an excellent idea. Your family is, as always, so very thoughtful, Your Highness.”
Her comment irked Caelyn. Apparently, it stood to reason that he would accept. No matter what rumors said of Karein’s cruelty, Caelyn was simply required to be honored at the proposal because of Karein’s position in the first caste.
Officially, magical creatures didn’t form part of the caste system. Their organization had remained looser, less rigid. However, in all reality, everyone knew that the draechen were the top dogs, so to speak. The idea almost amused Caelyn, given all the comments he’d heard, associating werewolves with mongrels, mutts, or other such canines.
His mirth dissolved altogether when the door to Hareematek’s apartments opened. “Your Highness,” a guard said, “we’ve just been notified that Prince Shtamakarein’s jet will be landing in half an hour.”
Caelyn’s plans were quickly crumbling around him. He realized now that, with his fiancé returning, there was no way he could possibly handle this on his own. He disliked the idea of involving someone else in this, but he had no choice.
He had to get out of here to contact the one person who could help. But how? How could he bow out of the conversation without sounding rude and drawing unwanted attention to his actions?
Shockingly enough, his mother was the one who provided him with the chance he needed. “Caelyn, you should go get ready. You have to look your best for His Highness’s arrival.”
For once, Caelyn was happy to comply. Getting up, he said, “Of course, Mother.” Turning toward Prince Hareematek, he bowed slightly. “Thank you for receiving us and for being so hospitable. I’m truly humbled by your generosity.”
Hareematek waved off his words. “My brother needs a mate, and you’re perfect.”
There was something in the way the prince said those words that unsettled Caelyn, but he discarded it as irrelevant. “Thank you,” he answered.
With one final bow, he fled Hareematek’s quarters and headed for his own. It seemed to take forever until he reached the guest wing. Finally, he slipped inside his room and closed the door behind himself. With trembling hands, he reached for his phone and speed-dialed a number he should have used a long time ago.
The person he was calling didn’t immediately reply. Caelyn wasn’t really surprised. His friend often tended to get lost in his own world and his numerous tasks.
Caelyn tapped his foot impatiently, praying that Sari hadn’t forgotten his cell phone in his room yet again. Fortunately, Jenarra must have heard him, because the call finally connected and Sari’s face appeared on the screen.
Caelyn didn’t even bother to greet his friend. “Sari, I need your help.”
“You have it,” Sari replied automatically. “Tell me.”
Caelyn let out a breath he hadn’t even known he was holding. The fact that Sari had agreed to assist him so readily humbled him, but also gave him great relief. Still, he didn’t know what Sari’s reaction would be when he actually heard what Caelyn needed. “Don’t promise anything just yet.”
“You’re upset,” Sari replied, looking concerned. “That’s enough for me. Now stop stalling and explain so I know what I have to do.”
Sari was a fae, and the direct descendent of Ivenian Prince Talrasar, one of the men who’d sacrificed themselves for a peace that hadn’t really lasted. Therefore, his natural instinct was to heal and to shield people from harm. Since the Ivenian fae and the Elusian sprites were, in some respects, sister nations, he and Caelyn were cousins of sorts, in a very distant way.
Caelyn and Sari had always been great friends, and growing up, Caelyn had been among the few people Sari had been allowed to hang around with. Unfortunately, that had changed as both of them had reached marital age. Sari’s unique position kept him mostly isolated in the palace of his father, the Ivenian king.
It was a small mercy that they were even allowed to communicate this way. Probably only the insistence of Sari’s mother had made it possible. Either way, Caelyn was more than grateful for it because there was no one else Caelyn could trust with this.
“I’ve found my mate,” he blurted out. “He’s a werewolf, and he’s a prisoner of the draechen.”
Sari released a soft gasp, his eyes widening in something like… realization. “Did you already know?” Caelyn asked.
“No…” Sari replied. “My mother mentioned you yesterday, but you know how she is. You can never make heads or tails of what she says.”
Caelyn did understand what Sari meant. Sari’s mother wasn’t the Ivenian queen, but the High Priestess of Jenarra, Eanera. From time to time, the goddess granted her strong visions, although Caelyn had never understood how it worked. He’d only met her once, when he’d been a child. She struck him as beautiful, kind, and mysterious, and even then, she spoke in riddles that had puzzled him a great deal.
The fact that she knew about him and his mate surprised him, but he supposed it shouldn’t have. Jenarra saw all. Maybe it was a good sign that Eanera had warned Sari of it ahead of time.
“Well, it’s like this. Prince Shtamakarein asked me for my hand in marriage. Meanwhile, I met my mate here, and I’m trying to free him. I don’t have much time before Karein returns from whatever expedition he’s on.”
Sari looked concerned. “I hear he’s very intelligent and fierce. He’ll figure out something is wrong.”
“He might already suspect.” Caelyn couldn’t forget what the guards had mentioned earlier, that his mate had done something to piss Karein off. It could have just been the werewolf’s defiant attitude, but for some reason, Caelyn doubted it.
“That’s bad news,” Sari replied. “Look, I’ll speak with my mother. You know I can’t leave here—the queen would have my head—but maybe I can get Mother to make some arrangements and send someone to help.”
It was a tremendous risk to take. Helping a werewolf would be tantamount to declaring war on the draechen. Caelyn realized that, and he hadn’t actually considered such a powerful reaction from Sari’s part.
“Sari, that’s too risky. Your people—”
“I know what you’re thinking, but I don’t like the Directive either. I understand why it was created, but I’ve always hated it, and so does Mother. Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to intervene without being discovered.” Sari smiled slightly. “If there’s anyone who can do it, it’s Mother.”
Caelyn supposed Sari was correct. Although he didn’t know the full extent of Sari’s affairs, from some comments his friend had made, he realized that Sari’s stepmother, Queen Onyerre, was forever jockeying to get rid of Sari and Eanera. It was a precarious position to be in, and yet, the Priestess remained highly respected all throughout Ivenia and the magical world in general.
“Thank you,” he answered. Outside, the sound of an approaching jet reminded him of the imminent arrival of his fiancé. “Look, I have to go. Karein is coming back, and I need to keep up appearances.” He remembered what Hareematek had said earlier. “Oh, before I forget. There’ll be a party to celebrate my engagement to the draechen prince.”
“Excellent. We can use that.” Sari’s smile melted into a concerned expression. “One more thing, Lyni… Do you plan to go with this wolf when he escapes?”
Caelyn liked that Sari said when, not if. The actual question had him puzzled, though. “Of course.”
“You’ll be lost to your family, to the upper castes. The draechen will be furious with the sprites.” Sari bit his lower lip. “I don’t mean to discourage you. I want you to be happy. But…this werewolf…what do you really know about him?”
Caelyn would have bristled at the inquiry, except Sari was right. He hadn’t even managed to learn his mate’s name. Everyone just called him “the mutt” or something else equally as insulting. And of course, he realized the implications of
his actions. If he abandoned his family after agreeing to wed Karein… Jenarra above, it was a disaster in the making.
“What else can I do, Sari?” he asked. “I can’t marry the draechen, and I can’t allow this abuse to continue.” Tears blurred his vision as he recalled what he’d seen in the prisons. “You should have seen it, Sari. They’re treating the lower caste rebels like animals. It can’t be condoned. No matter what happened in the past, it has to stop.”
“I know.” Sari’s eyes grew a little distant, as if he wasn’t thinking about Caelyn anymore. Quickly enough, though, he recovered, his expression clearing. “Just think on it. I’ll speak with Mother like I said. Good luck.”
Murmuring another thank-you, Caelyn ended the call. Sari had a point in that the situation was far more complicated than Caelyn had dared to even think. He’d wanted to free his mate and the rest of the prisoners, but what did he know about them really? What if some of them were truly dangerous? Was it fair for him to make rushed judgments just based on what little he had seen?
Shaking himself, Caelyn abandoned his cell phone on his bed and stalked to his wardrobe. As he started to change clothes in preparation for his meeting with Karein, he went over everything he knew and didn’t know. In the end, none of this was fair, not really. The werewolves and vampires had been trialed and sentenced just based on the species they belonged to, a war that had ended a long time ago, and a law that should have never been allowed in the first place.
The question wasn’t what would happen if Caelyn left. His family would disown him, of course, and they would lose favor with the draechen. However, he wasn’t royalty, no matter how important his connections in the paranormal world had become. The Tersain wouldn’t start a war over his elopement.
The real dilemma lay in what would occur if he stayed. He’d have to give up everything he’d ever dreamed of and agree to share his life with someone he practically despised. He might not have been sure what to think of Karein now, but he was sure the two of them would end up hating each other if they became mates. But most importantly, the image of one lone man flashed through Caelyn’s mind. Bound in silver chains, he’d still been as proud and strong as ever. No one had been able to defeat or crush his will or dignity.
Hyacinth, Scarlet - Werewolf's Way [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 1] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 4
