Saban had mentioned he wanted me at his side to help greet the kingdom residents as they arrived. He didn’t say it in so many words, but I can read between the lines. If we welcome them into the palace together, our soul mate confirmation is implied without a formal announcement.
When I reach the entryway, my breath catches in my chest from how dashing and debonair he looks in his dress uniform. Every able-bodied male in the kingdom is required to serve two years in the royal armed forces in their youth. Saban extended his stint and continued in their version of the reserves. While I don’t pretend to understand their rank structure, I’ve learned one vital piece of information.
I am a complete sucker for a man in uniform.
As if he feels me watching him, he turns his head directly toward me. The expression on my face must be a dead giveaway of my thoughts because his steel-gray eyes darken to almost charcoal. The air crackles with electricity as the current passes between us.
“This must be her now.” The elderly man in the doorway is apparently amused with how we’re lost in each other. His skin is weathered from years in the sun. His hands are wrinkled and worn, but the strength in his stature is still apparent. He worked hard in his younger days but has retained much of that vigor in his older years.
Saban clears his throat and regains his composure. “It is, indeed. Princess, come meet a longtime friend of the family.”
I close the few feet between us and extend my hand to introduce myself. “Hello, I’m Sara.”
When he takes my hand, the zing of magic surprises me, and I quickly school my features. “Hi, Sara. I’m Edel. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Edel. It’s a beautiful day for a wedding, isn’t it?” Small talk is still not my forte.
“It certainly is. Seems there may be another wedding in the near future, if the way Saban looks at you is any indication.”
“If I had any say in it at all, we’d already be married, Edel.” Saban laughs good-naturedly, knowing I’m not quite ready for that step just yet. “Trust me, everyone will know when Sara says it’s time.”
“You’re a smart man, Saban. Focus on making her happy, and you’ll never go wrong. Take it from me, son. My wife and I were married more than two hundred years before I lost her. She was the only one for me, and I made every day with her count.”
Edel still has my hand enclosed in both of his throughout the entire exchange. Had he been anyone else, I would’ve extracted mine long ago. But something about him won’t let me. When I crack the armor in my shields, his thoughts flow to me, and I immediately fight against the tears stinging the backs of my eyes.
I worked for your parents when they were alive, Saraya. Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Your cloak is still intact, but I’d know your face anywhere. You spent a lot of time in the garden with my wife and me when you were a little thing. There’s no mistaking your eyes, though. You have the same eye color as your mother.
Edel turns his gaze back to mine, his love for me shining brightly in his eyes. The slight nod of his head is a silent acknowledgment of the emotions welling up inside me.
“I still miss her, so I know you do, too. If there’s anything I can ever do for you, all you have to do is say the word.” Saban’s offer warms my heart. It’s refreshing to see compassion extended to others.
You were our gardener. Your wife’s name was Fern, and you teased her about her name because she loved plants and flowers so much.
“Yes, my Fern was a wonderful woman. There will never be another one like her, and there will never be another one for me. But I have a feeling you already know exactly what I mean, Saban.” Edel acknowledges my memory of them with his response to Saban, keeping our mutual secrets hidden.
“You are correct, sir. Sara owns me, heart and soul, and I’m not too proud to shout it from the mountaintops.”
Edel releases my hand and moves through the already crowded vestibule toward the courtyard. I can’t help but watch him walk away and wonder who else may have recognized me by my eye color but didn’t say anything. With each additional guest and introduction, the question remains in the back of my mind. Many are older and could’ve known my parents.
They’re naturally curious about me because I appeared on the scene seemingly from nowhere. The innocuous questions they ask about me aren’t so harmless if they’re able to put the pieces together the way Edel did. I’m dying to ask Ginevra how he saw through the cloak, but I can’t take the chance of opening my shields with so many strangers here.
The staff begins ushering people through the palace and out the high archways leading to the courtyard. Hordes of people scurry to their seats, vying for the best views of the bride and groom. I take my place on the front row beside Giselli, not by choice but by assignment from the wedding planner since I’m “practically family.”
When the music starts, everyone turns to look at the bridesmaids entering the courtyard, but I don’t. I feel the weight of Gerard’s eyes boring straight through me. One glance in his direction confirms my sense. His lips curl into a devious grin, and it’s cold enough to chill my bones. The fighter in me flexes her muscles, and I see his smile and raise the stakes with an intentionally malevolent grin. His smile immediately falters, confusion taking its place.
If he thinks I’ll just roll over and let him walk all over us, he’s sadly mistaken. Any plans he has to harm Saban will be uncovered, and I’ll expose him for the snake he is. In the meantime, I’ll cover Saban with a protective spell and shield him with my magic from whatever Gerard is planning.
On cue, I feel the very second Saban steps into the area, pulling my attention away from Gerard. With Sagran gone, Isla asked Saban to walk her down the aisle. Being the thoughtful big brother, he couldn’t deny her request. He stands tall and proud, his confident demeanor radiating from his mannerisms with his every step. I wish I could say the bride is radiant and only has eyes for the man waiting at the end of the aisle for her, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Saban long enough to even glance at her. Not that I want to anyway.
After Saban gives her to Gerard, his ceremony duties are complete, and he moves to sit beside me. “I’m not pressuring you, but I want you to know that we’ll have whatever kind of wedding you want. Big or small. Hell, I’ll even run away with you and get married on horseback in the middle of the forest. As long as you’re the bride and I’m the groom, the other details are irrelevant to me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t act all surprised if I choose something completely off the wall, though.”
“I won’t say one damn word about it, princess.” His smile is contagious, and I forget about Gerard because I’m completely lost in Saban.
The reception is exactly as I expected—typical and boring. But while all the attention is on the bride and groom, the cutting of the cake, and the pictures with the wedding party, I’m able to work my way back to Edel. Since I can’t ask Ginevra right now, maybe he can help me understand.
“I had a feeling you’d be back to see me.” His eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief. “You always were a curious one. What’s on your mind?”
“I was told the cloak kept me hidden so no one would recognize me, but you did. How is that? That makes me question if others have too but didn’t say anything.”
“Most of the people who knew your mother are long gone, killed during the magic purge. Wren learned from a young age how to change her eye color so her distinctive feature wasn’t so prominent. She only let her guard down when she was around other mages, so the humans never would’ve known the true shade. But to answer your question about the cloak, I recognized you because I knew you long before the spell was cast.”
“What about the people who grabbed me and the others who stormed the castle? Wouldn’t they know me now?”
“No, they may have seen you before, but they didn’t know you, spend time with you. They also weren’t magical beings. There’s a difference, especially where magic is concerned.”
Edel and I walk around to mingle with the other guests while Saban is still busy with his family. Edel introduces me to so many people, it’s getting harder to keep their names straight. There’s representation from every different kingdom present, making me think this ceremony is more of a political rally than a joyous occasion.
Then I see him. Long, blond hair that’s straight as a board. Tall and muscular build with an inherent air of danger surrounding him. Sky-blue eyes that convey his every emotion. And pointy ears. His gaze swings in my direction, and our eyes lock. He instantly recognizes me and excuses himself from the ongoing conversation.
“We meet again.” He stands a full head and shoulders taller than me. He is an intimidating figure, but at least this time, he’s not hell-bent on killing me. “Allow me to introduce myself properly this time. I’m Rycan Zyldan, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sara.”
I nod, keeping my expression neutral. “It’s nice to meet you too, Rycan. What brings you to this event—friend of the bride or the groom?”
“Neither. My father is the king of Elen Sevin and insisted I attend to help foster goodwill between the kingdoms. Perhaps my overreaction to your being on our land wasn’t so helpful in promoting an alliance with the humans. I should apologize for my behavior that day.”
I hold my tongue and don’t point out that he, in fact, should apologize, but he still hasn’t. Saying he recognizes the need for it seems to be as much as he’s capable of doing. “I should apologize for accidentally wandering onto your land.”
But I don’t.
Realization flashes across his face and a smile attempts to break loose, but he regains his passive expression. “I’ve actually heard a lot about you since that day. My father speaks of you often, and that is completely unlike him. Do you have any idea why he would do that?”
“How would I know? Maybe you should ask him directly.”
He chuckles, but it’s not a genuine laugh. There are secrets behind it—information he has that I don’t. “If you knew my father, you wouldn’t suggest that so lightly. He has less tolerance than I do.”
“Well, that is saying something, then, isn’t it?” I smile to let him know I’m joking and all is forgiven.
That elicits an actual laugh from him. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. It’s been a pleasure talking with you, Sara, but it’s time for me to go. If you happen to stroll across the border onto elvish lands again, I promise not to hunt you down like an animal and try to kill you.”
“I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Rycan.”
I extend my hand to shake his before he leaves. He hesitates just long enough for me to know he doesn’t typically touch humans, but he makes an exception for me. When our skin makes contact, we both feel the usual magical reaction, then it turns into something more entirely. In an instant, I’m able to penetrate the shields covering his thoughts, and he can access mine as well.
His eyes grow wide and his lips part before he jerks his hand away from mine. “You’re half elf. How can this be?” His whisper is barely audible, but the thoughts swirling in his mind are screaming loudly. “Sara…Saraya. Now it all makes perfect sense. You know where to find me when you need my help—and you will need it. Those who seek power can’t get enough of it. But you have our support. We never turn our backs on one of our own.”
Chapter 26
Now that Isla and Gerard have been gone for a few days, life in the palace has returned to normal. I never realized how much unnecessary stress and strife they added to the atmosphere until they were completely out of it long enough to allow the rest of us to breathe freely. Even though there’s plenty of space and places to be alone, I keep thinking about the cottage beside the lake and how appealing it is.
Today is my first meeting with the representatives from each kingdom. We agreed to meet here in Easthaven Castle for this round, then set up a schedule that includes visiting each nation to make it fair for all. While I’m looking forward to getting heavily involved in the push for mage rights, I’m also planning a private getaway for Saban and me. I haven’t told him about Gerard’s proposition yet, but I will soon. I’ve thought about it, and I would want to know if I were in his shoes.
The conference room is already full of delegates when I arrive a few minutes early. I greet each person individually, shaking hands for dual purposes, before taking my seat, though I already know almost all of the attendees. Princess Talia and Prince Rio represent Elderwater Basin, and both are magic-born. Prince Rycan is here for Elen Sevin, and obviously, he has elfish magic in him. Prince Vale volunteered for the vampires and dragons, though he said Fadryth sends her love. I already know he’s a wizard. Kobi officially represents the fae, but I know she’s also been delegated to speak for the mages who are too afraid of repercussions to attend on their own.
That leaves the one alpha male brooding in the corner. His keen eyes track each person in the room, suspicious of everyone and trusting of no outsiders. He’s the only one with unknown magical abilities.
“Hi, I’m Sara. You must be Kenyon.” I extend my hand, intent to learn whether the zing of kindred magic will spark. He lowers his eyes, looks at it with a half-snarled lip, and raises his gaze back to mine without accepting my gesture. “All right, then. You can have a seat at the table and make yourself at home.”
I turn to walk to my seat when he grabs me from behind, wrapping his thick arm around my neck. A low voltage of electricity tickles my skin, and I instantly know he’s attempted to cloak his powers. Everyone at the table jumps to their feet, ready to defend me, but I motion for them to sit.
“Never turn your back on anyone you’re not one-hundred-percent certain doesn’t mean you harm.” His words have a distinctive growl to them. His voice is deep and masculine, leaving no room for discussion about who’s really in charge.
“That’s good advice. Thanks for the tip. Can I give you one now?”
His chuckle is dark and ominous. “Sure, little girl. If you think you can impart your vast wisdom to me, I’m all ears.”
With the white energy already gathered inside me, I conjure a rope made of pure silver then command the light to tie him to his chair with it. His grip on me slips away easily when the light instantly deposits him in the chair at the end of the table and secures him with the silver rope.
I take my seat at the head of the table, directly across from Kenyon, and smile through the daggers he’s hurtling at me with his eyes. “Never assume it’s always the damsel who needs saving from the big bad wolf.”
That earns me a genuine grin, and he visibly relaxes. “Okay, that was a good one. You win this round. I’m a big enough man to admit when someone gets the best of me.”
With that, I drop the rope, and the rest of the table releases a sigh of relief. Kenyan puts his elbows on the table and directs his attention to me as I officially kick off the meeting. A few minutes with a wolf shifter revealed so much more about their character than any book I’ve found on their culture. He wanted to know the person he put his trust in could hold her own. When I proved my ability to him, I earned his loyalty and his faith, at least initially.
Now that all our cards are laid out on the table for the others to see, we’re in a better position to get work done. Our discussions about mage rights are long but thorough. Though we’re passionate about our cause, we try to understand and anticipate the opposition we’ll encounter. We have a frank and respectful conversation about when and where magic could and should be allowed, even though we don’t all agree with the suggestions. At the end of our first session, I believe we’ve made significant strides toward our overall objective of having a proposal ready to submit to the leaders.
Nothing will be implemented before my birthday. Knowing mages are still hidden at least until then gives me some comfort. We leave the meeting with a renewed sense of hope and a newfound set of friends. Even Kenyan thanked me for hosting the first meeting and said h
e looked forward to the next one.
“How was your day?” Saban asks when he walks into our wing.
“It was great. How was yours?”
“My day is great now.” He wraps his arms around my waist and presses his lips to mine. “Everything before this moment was torture.”
“I have an idea, if you’re up for a little adventure.”
“With you? Always. What’s your idea?”
“Let’s go back to the cottage for a few days. Just you, me, and the lake. Oh, and Fadryth, if she shows up. We can leave any other canoes you have behind the cottage and just swim this time. No more falling out and hitting your head.”
“Hey, I only fell out because your pet dragon caused a tidal wave.” He chuckles, but I can see the wheels turning in his mind. “That actually sounds like a little slice of heaven to me. Are you okay with leaving first thing in the morning?”
“Yes, I am more than okay with that. I’ll pack our clothes tonight so we’re ready to leave when we wake up. I’m so excited.”
“We won’t need too many clothes. Just enough to get us there and back. We won’t wear any while we’re there. I plan to keep you naked the entire time.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. We laugh together over it, but I have zero objections to his request.
When the sun rises the next morning, Saban and I climb on the horse and fly to the secluded spot in the forest. The lake glistens in the early morning sun. Dewdrops still cover the grass surrounding the cottage. The silence is welcoming and serene, allowing us to drop our guard for the first time in weeks. We put down our backpacks inside and immediately set out for a hike around the lake.
“Look at the water. It’s so clear and still, it’s almost invisible.” I kick off my shoes and wade into the shallow water, admiring the red and green pebbles that line the bottom. “Come on in. The water’s fine.”
Without hesitation, he takes off his shoes and joins me. He inhales a deep breath of fresh air and closes his eyes. I watch the stress leave his face, and contentment takes its place. When he opens his eyes, he catches me during my obvious examination.
Cloaked: Easthaven Crest, Book One Page 20