by Kali Argent
Rya nodded.
It had been the way their government had operated for as long as anyone could remember, but voicing the process aloud sounded terribly convoluted and somewhat inefficient. Then again, there had never been another summit called during her lifetime. For millennia, the people of Xenthian had been content to give the Court absolute power, following them blindly and accepting their words as law.
Ivy’s arrival had changed everything. It had thrown into question the elders’ motivations and integrity. After all, it had been the elders who had decided to place the shield around Xenthian, hiding them from the rest of the universe. The Court had told the people for eons that their soulmates resided on the planet, and if they only looked hard enough, they’d find their happiness with another Xenon—and only another Xenon.
Placing her hand on Sion’s forearm, she squeezed gently and sighed. Clearly, the historical records were wrong, perhaps even falsified. Not that she or any of the other rulers would know, since only the Court had access to such documents.
When Kai had first presented his suspicions, Rya had been hesitant. Falsely accusing the elders came with a heavy penalty, and she hadn’t wanted to believe the Court capable of such manipulation. Still, the more she learned, the more questions she had, questions that couldn’t be easily or adequately answered.
“You’ve been told that the shield around Xenthian protects us,” Kai continued, his voice ringing throughout the hall. “It doesn’t. It hides us, closes us off from potential allies, but it isn’t impenetrable.” Turning, he motioned for Ivy to join him. “My soulmate was attacked in our airspace and crash landed on our beaches. It is undeniable that dangers exist in the universe, but hiding is no longer the solution.”
“Not only is it not the solution,” Ivy added, standing proud and strong with her spine rigid, “it’s not an option. Earth knows about the existence of Xenthian, and by now, our allies will have been informed as well.”
“Allies?” a feminine voice called from the risers. “Other races? How many?”
Rya didn’t recognize the delegate, but she concluded the female to be young, probably not having celebrated her first millennium yet. As required of each ruler, Rya had been sent on an exploration voyage to observe other planets and races before claiming the title of Vasera of the Eastern Isle. It had been both frightening and breathtaking, an experience she’d been grateful to share with her younger brother. Before their journey, however, she’d known very little about life beyond Xenthian.
With each generation, less and less became known about the universe, fewer details shared—all in the name of safety and preservation. Now, most younglings couldn’t even fathom the vastness of space, let alone the idea that they were not alone in it.
“There are several known races across the galaxies,” Ivy answered. “Humans, of course, and the Helios.” She waved a hand in Sion’s direction. “Some of you have heard stories of the Dragon Warriors.”
More gasps and mutterings rippled through the delegates, and a couple of the elders even hissed in agitation. Rya had never met a Dragon Warrior, but she very much wished to one day. Her parents had painted a picture of savage beasts with magic that far surpassed the Xenons, but recently, Rya had realized she couldn’t trust all the stories she’d heard.
“And you want us to join these allies?” the same female asked. “What does that mean for Xenthian?”
“It means opportunity.” After sweeping his dark hair over his shoulder so that the bronze streaks reflected in the light, Kai took Ivy’s hand and brought it to his lips. “Incoming and outgoing communications to distant planets. Travel, if that’s what you wish. The possibility to find your soulmates.”
“The elders have lied to you,” Ivy stated bluntly. “I am clearly human, soulmate of your king, and if that is true, how many more of your destinies are out there in the universe?”
“Our soulmates could be from any race?” Standing, Captain Audra Whitehill looked at the table of elders, then up and down the row of gathered rulers. “Or only humans?”
Grinning, Rya pushed her chair back and stood as well. “As my soulmate is a Helios, I believe we must consider that our intendeds can be found in all races.”
Captain Whitehill nodded, her short dark hair sweeping over her jawline. “Agreed.” A crooked smile graced her lips, and she bowed at the waist. “Congratulations Vasera Clearwater. May you find every happiness.”
“Now, see here!” Elder Lakewood pushed back the sleeve of her robes and linked her fingers together as she spoke. “The Court has not misled the people of Xenthian. We have only ever conveyed what is written in the historical recordings.”
The sound of wood against stone reverberated off the walls as Elder Blue pushed his chair back so that he could prop his booted feet up on the table. Folding his hands together in his lap, he arched one golden eyebrow and snorted.
“Oh, give it a rest, Ana. We all know who wrote those so-called ‘historical recordings.’ You’re not fooling anyone.” Waving her away with a flick of his wrist, he turned his attention to Kai. “What is it that you’re proposing, Vasili?”
Rya’s pulse sped, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe. After so many years, change was finally coming to Xenthian. No longer would her people be oppressed, or kept ignorant of what awaited them beyond their borders. They still had to count the votes, but she could feel the excitement and anticipation sweeping through the great hall.
“It’s quite simple, Elder.” With his arm around his mate, Kai turned to face the Court. “No one should have absolute authority, not you. Not me. No one. I’m proposing we give the power back to the people, and that from this point forward, the Court of Elders act in an advisory capacity only.”
“No more secrets,” Ivy added. “The people of Xenthian have a right to the information contained in the historical recordings.” Pausing, she inhaled deeply, then released the breath through her nose before continuing. “Whether purposely or not, you have failed your people, our people. The universe is changing, and the old ways no longer work.”
Gripping Sion’s hand under the table, Rya practically vibrated in her seat, her anxiety almost palpable. Just like the day she’d made her first and only voyage off the planet, she was overcome with both fear and excitement.
“Relax, princess,” Sion whispered, leaning in closer so that his lips brushed against the outer shell of her ear. “Breathe.”
She tried to do as he asked, but her next breath lodged in her throat when Elder Meadowlark stood, staring down his sloped nose as he addressed everyone gathered in the great hall. His dark gaze flicked over the gathering, his expression twisted into a mask of quiet loathing.
“Then let us vote.”
CHAPTER FOUR
When the elder called for a vote, Sion expected it to happen then. Instead, all the emissaries had left the great hall to convene in a more private location, presumably to discuss the information they’d received and weigh their options. It made sense, and he admired their dedication, but it had been almost two hours since they’d called their time out on the proceedings.
Turning to Rya, he brushed a stray lock out of her eyes and grinned. “Are you hungry?” His stomach grumbled, and he felt like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. “I’m going to get some food. I’ll bring you something.”
The more time he spent with Rya—just sitting next to her, not even talking—the more natural their relationship seemed. The anxiety he’d felt over not having control over his own fate had eased, and with each passing minute, he could feel their connection growing stronger, more solidified. He still didn’t understand it, but he could no longer deny what he felt. Stars above, he was already halfway to being in love with the female, and he barely knew anything about her.
Part of him wondered if he’d still feel the same way with some separation. Without the magic flowing between them because of their close proximity, he questioned if his original doubts and resistance would return. A short trip to the kitche
ns on the lower levels would be a good test. A few moments to clear his head and assess his feelings without putting Rya in immediate danger.
“You don’t need to leave.” Apprehension flickered in Rya’s soft, pink eyes, but she maintained her composure, offering him a sweet smile. “Attendants can bring food if you’re hungry.”
He hadn’t wanted to hurt her more by expressing his worries, but at the same time, he owed her the truth. “Look, Rya.”
Immediately, her head jerked up, and she scanned the crowd. “At what am I looking?”
“Nothing, princess, nothing at all.” He chuckled under his breath as he took her slender hand and clasped it between both of his own. “I want to be honest with you, okay?”
She nodded slowly. “I believe that would be best.”
“I don’t understand this thing that’s happening between us, and I don’t know how much of it is me feeling something, or something making me feel something. Does that make sense?”
Judging by the way her eyebrows drew together and she wrinkled her nose, he figured it didn’t. So, when she shook her head, causing her ebony curls to bounce around her face, it didn’t surprise him.
“What I’m trying to say is that I need a few minutes to think. Just a quick run to the kitchens to clear my head and figure out if what I’m feeling is because of this magical connection between us.”
“Oh.” Her expression cleared briefly before tightening into confusion once again. “You needn’t run. I can transport you.”
Out of everything he’d said, she’d fixated on his method of travel. Stars, she really was adorable. “Rya, I’m coming back, I swear to you. No matter what, we’ll figure it out, okay? I’m not going to leave you.”
“Because I’m sick,” she whispered. “That’s very noble of you.”
“Partly, yes, but it’s more than that. I just need a few minutes to figure out how much more and why.”
Tears welled along her lower lids, but she smiled and reached up to touch his cheek with a shaking hand. “I understand.” Tracing the scar on his face with her thumb, she eased her other hand from his grasp. “Go.”
“I’m coming back,” he repeated, suddenly hesitant to leave her.
Rya ducked her head, but peeked up at him through her long lashes. “I know.”
Forcing himself to stand, he turned toward the risers, searching out Garrik, and motioned for him to join them on the dais. In the next heartbeat, Garrik popped up beside him, his arms folded over his chest, and his eyes narrowed.
“You’re leaving again?”
Sion held his hands up for peace. “I’m just going to the kitchens.” Garrik had every right to be pissed at him, but Sion didn’t want to fight, not now. “I’ll be back, but I don’t want to leave Rya alone.”
“Then go.” Shoving past him, Garrik hit their shoulders together with enough force to knock Sion back a step. “If you don’t return this time,” he added, “I will find you. It would be better if I didn’t have to do that.”
Sion tried to put himself in Garrik’s place, to imagine how he’d feel if their situations were reversed. Brother or not, if Garrik hurt Rya, the guy wouldn’t stay breathing for long. Sion would see to it. He’d screwed up, but he was also doing everything necessary to make it right. So, while he could understand the male’s hostility, Garrik would just have to get over his shit, because Sion wasn’t going anywhere.
Not trusting himself to speak and maintain civility, he nodded once and descended the steps at the back of the stage, making his way to the door in the corner. The small bio-lock beeped twice when he pressed his thumb pad to it, the lights changing from blue to yellow as the locks disengaged. Then the heavy wooden door slid open, retreating into a narrow crevice in the wall and giving him access to the freight elevator that led to the kitchens in the sublevels of the castle.
As he’d suspected, the euphoria that had overwhelmed him while being close to Rya dissipated the longer he spent away from her. However, he didn’t feel “normal,” either. Like an addict counting down the minutes until his next fix, he fidgeted restlessly in the circular lift, debating if he should forgo his search for food and return to his mate.
Mate.
It was the first time he’d use the term in reference to Rya, but the word slipped causally through his mind, as if she’d always been his.
Mine.
His to protect. His to cherish. A bond some spent their entire lives wishing for, and one he’d come very close to tossing out like the evening garbage.
When he’d first met Rya, there had been a recognition, as if he’d known her his entire life. It had been like finding a missing piece of himself, a part he hadn’t know he’d lost until that moment. Truthfully, it had terrified him, and he’d been so convinced that he had no choice, that fate had hijacked him, he hadn’t stopped to consider what that meant. After weeks apart, however, he’d done nothing but obsess over the raven-haired beauty with kind eyes and a brilliant smile.
Now that he’d seen her again, he was finally beginning to understand. Fate hadn’t bewitched him or taken his choices. There had never been a choice to begin with. He and Rya were meant to be together, two pieces of a whole reunited. To refuse her would be akin to denying a part of himself.
It might not seem logical to anyone else, but to Sion, having no choice and having his choice taken from him were two very different circumstances, and it helped give him clarity.
“Fuck it.” He didn’t want food. He wanted Rya.
Reaching for the control panel on the wall, he grunted when the elevator stopped abruptly and the door slid open with a quiet whir. The scent of fresh baked bread, sweet fruits, and creamy puddings filled the air, making his mouth water and his stomach grumble. Well, since he was already in the kitchens, it would only take another minute for him to grab something to take back with him to the hall.
“Sentry Jabari.” One of the kitchen attendants grinned widely as she hurriedly brushed her dark locks back from her face. “We haven’t seen you recently.”
“Hey, Darbi.” Rounding one of the work stations, he pulled the young female into a one-armed hug. “What smells good?”
Darbi blushed, as she always did when Sion showed her any kind of attention, and hurried over to one of the enormous stone ovens. “Herb and dianut loaf. Your favorite.”
“Tell me something. Do you know what Vasera Clearwater likes?”
“Oh, I’m sure she enjoys a great many things. Sunny days, beautiful music, bright flowers.”
Sion just snorted and shook his head. “All good things, but I meant food. Do you know what her favorite food is?”
“Yes.” Darbi’s face lit up with an enthusiastic grin, and she practically ran to a work station on the other side of the kitchen. “Vasera Clearwater is partial to sweets. Here.” Removing a tray of pastries that looked like something between a cinnamon roll and a cupcake from a warming bin, she settled the stone tray into a basket with wide handles. “Take these. They’re sure to win her favor.”
“Thanks, Darbi, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to take more than cupcakes to make up for being a complete jackass.”
The female pursed her lips, her head listing slightly to the left. “What’s a cupcake?”
“Never mi—fuck!” Sion jerked back and continued to curse under his breath when Rya appeared in front of him, literally out of thin air.
“Sion, I’m sorry.” She wrung her hands together and stared down at the floor as she spoke. “I know you wanted time to yourself, but the emissaries have returned. They’re ready to vote, and I didn’t think you’d want to miss it.”
The uncertainty in her voice broke his heart.
“Hey, look at me.” Setting the tray of pastries aside, he slid a knuckle under her chin, lifting her face so he could see her eyes. Then he bent at the waist, leaning in until their lips hovered just a breath apart. “Don’t apologize, princess.”
Though he wanted to more than he’d ever wanted anything, he didn’t
kiss her. After everything he’d done, it had to be her choice. Always her choice.
“I...uh...” She searched his face, her gaze intense and questioning. “Are you going to kiss me now?”
“Would you like that?”
In response, she rose up on her toes and leaned into him, pressing their mouths together in a chaste kiss that set his blood on fire nonetheless. He wanted to take the kiss deeper, to completely consume her, but beneath her insecurity, he detected the undeniable hesitation of inexperience. Unwilling to hurt her or even frighten her, he eased away, smiling as he tucked her hair behind her elongated ear.
“We should go.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Right.”
Then the world went black, and Sion’s chest tightened as Rya transported them back to the great all.
“Holy nova,” Sion complained, grabbing the edge of the table to steady himself. “Warn me next time, yeah?”
“My apologies.” She didn’t look sorry in the least. In fact, she seemed amused by his reaction, her smile bright, and her eyes shining with mischief.
“By the ancestors, Rya!” Garrik towered over his sister, his hand reaching toward her. “You can’t just leave like that.”
Sion didn’t think, didn’t stop to consider his actions. Before Garrik could touch Rya, Sion grabbed the male’s wrist and twisted, bending his hand back until his fingers creaked beneath the strain. Shoving the sentry back toward the edge of the dais, Sion loosed a rumbling growl as his fingernails lengthened into deadly claws. Carefully, so as not to actually draw blood, he scraped the talon of his index finger down the side of Garrik’s face.
“Speak to my mate that way again, and I won’t be so forgiving.”
“I don’t need your forgiveness,” Garrik taunted, his voice dripping with venom. “You don’t deserve her, but you already know that.”
Sion flicked his wrist, leaving a shallow cut just under the male’s jawline. In a fair fight, he’d wipe the floor with Garrik, but he didn’t count on the guard to fight fair. If magic came into play, Sion knew he had little chance at victory. The possibility of losing a battle had never stopped him from entering a fray before, and Garrik’s threats wouldn’t deter him this time, either.