“S-top. Please.”
Abbie continued, slurring and crying through the broken-up words. No one helped me, and there was nothing I could do to stop the progression. A good minute dragged on for what seemed like eternity. Yellow eyes fluctuated in color, deepening to an orange before Ri’s stare shot behind me. Like a weight disappeared, I crumbled into his waiting arms.
“I’m done. I want to go home.”
“Of course you do. You see that door. Walk through it. You’ll be taken back to your room.”
Sweat poured from my skin as I fought through the tremors that pulled me like a puppet. Aside from the twinges, nothing seemed different. The auras were there when I wanted to see them. I wasn’t experiencing hallucinations or bouts of emotional turmoil. It was nothing like the last time Ri decided to push my boundaries.
“It’s gonna be a slow burn, Ina. Don’t count yourself so lucky. This is nothing.”
The door rattled behind me, and the most conniving smile I’d ever witnessed flashed on his face. My head lifted to peer over Ri’s shoulder to see Abbie jerking at the handle.
“It’s locked. It won’t open.”
Ri laughed, turning. “What can I say, the dark isn’t gone yet. You’re going to help with one more thing.”
“No.”
I thrashed in his arms, only to be lowered to stand as he pulled the girl’s energy our way. The tips of her feet barely touched the ground as she waved her hands through the air. Screaming wasn’t an option for either of us as Ri’s hand flattened over my stomach. Like I magnet, both of our mouths shot open at his silent order.
“Just a little. I promise.”
Blinding light illuminated through Abbie’s skin, moving through our connection. My hand heated, pulling her goodness up through my body. Ri’s lips crushed into mine, and sweet thickness coated my throat and taste buds as it began to leave me. The moan from both of us was immediate, and I hated it. I wanted to fight. To flee. To do anything but enjoy what was happening. But the truth was, I couldn’t escape the need I kept trying to deny. Maybe I never would. Maybe I wasn’t meant to.
Chapter 27
Atlas
“Focus. Focus, Kelu.”
“I am focusing! I told you I needed to fast. I told you it was impossible! We cannot make a portal. Not without months of preparation!”
“We don’t have months,” I growled, watching the translucent glow disappear from between our hands. “We have to go to Ri now! You didn’t see her. You didn’t see my mate. His fucking hands…on her throat! Choking her. I swear to all that is holy, to the universe and the stars, when I get my hands on him, there will be nothing left. So help me. So help the world, I’m going to end this once and for all.”
“Not tonight you’re not. It can’t be done. I must fast. It’s the only way to prepare. It wouldn’t hurt if you did as well. We could have five of you and twenty of me and get nothing accomplished in our condition. This practice is sacred. More things can go wrong than you could imagine. We could all lose you, Atlas. You may not end up in Ri at all. Do you understand what I’m saying? If we don’t do this right and take the needed time, your mate may get no help at all. She may die there. Are you willing to risk that?”
I growled, collapsing to the earth’s floor. Blue, white, and a metallic yellow from the pyrite lined the walls in the crystal room, feeding our energy and raising our vibration. Lapis lazuli was plentiful in our home within the earth, but the crystal room was a haven for the precious effects of heightening our gifts and intuition. It also forced truth, and I was too angry not to speak my mind.
“I don’t understand how this went so wrong. Ryder, Kelu? Why? We were finished with him. Done. Weren’t we? I mean, I left, and for years, nothing—nothing until he pulled this fiasco to get you back. Am I missing something more? Did I do something to have you secretly resent me? I can’t imagine why you’d fall for a murderer. Why you’d risk the lives of our people to prove a point. I’m so confused. I shouldn’t blame you. This is my fault, but I can’t stop these questions that keep coming.”
Silence.
Tears raced down Kelu’s cheeks as she stared at her hands, settled in her lap. She sat still, in a half-daze, just as I. We were lost and under the influence of the powerful energy around us.
“For years after you left, I tried to let it go. I never meant to hurt anyone. Resentment. Maybe a little. You were Atlas, the almighty king. The brave. The strong. The good-looking. Everyone worshipped you. Mom and Dad were endless in their praise. I was always the shadow. The forgotten and overlooked princess of Paltenia. I tried so hard to get them to see me, Atlas. To have anyone see me.” She took a shuddering breath. “When you left, I got my chance to show our people I loved them too. I wanted to protect them. But I wanted to appear as strong as you. Losing Leone and Niya destroyed you. I felt that in our blood. I mourned, just as you. Not only for them, but for the brother I adored. You were getting so bad out there with the humans. I could barely feel you anymore, and what I did feel ate at me. So much anger. So much rage. I only wanted to fix this. To make it right. What I did instead was ruin everything.”
“That’s not true,” I rushed out.
“But it is. I never meant to fall for Ri. Never. He kept coming back for you. We were constantly on guard from his taunting. When I went to him astrally, through the portal, I’d only meant to warn him. Then I faced him, and things got so twisted. He wasn’t what I expected. I was caught unprepared.”
“But you went back,” I said, glancing over to her. “You went back in your original form. You couldn’t have mated in your etheric form.”
Silence. Kelu pulled the hem of her dress finally, nodding.
“I went a few times astrally. I appeared as a ghost, but I could maintain a semi-solid form as well. I was getting better and discovering things I never thought imaginable. But he pushed me too far. When I went to him in my true form, I meant to kill him. I knew things were getting too strong between us.” She sniffled. “I don’t know what happened. One minute, I had the dagger raised, and the next, he was on me. Saying things,” she said, peeking up. “In that moment, I felt my light. I took it as a sign of something I had to use. I was wrong.” She paused. “Atlas, I’m in trouble.”
The sobs that suddenly broke free had me moving to my sister’s side and pulling her into my arms. Her shoulders shook as her cries grew in intensity.
“I’m not mad, Kelu. Please, don’t cry anymore. I’ll fix this. I promise.”
“You can’t. It’s too late. I…” Green eyes brightened as they blinked more tears free. “Atlas, don’t hate me.”
“I could never.”
“You could. You will. I…I…”
“You, what? Kelu, tell me.”
She dug her fingers into my biceps before she met my stare again.
“I’m with a child. Ri’s child. I’m sorry. I—”
My eyes widened as she threw herself into my chest. All I could do was blink. Why hadn’t it occurred to me before? Why hadn’t I questioned my own intimate relationship with Cara? The fear was instant, but I couldn’t think of that now. It’d only drive me crazier.
“A baby?”
“Forgive me. I can leave. No one has to know.”
I blinked the sobering words away, using my finger to make her face me. “Everyone will know. And everyone will accept. The father is of no concern to me. You are my sister. Your child will be loved as I loved my own. You’re not going anywhere.”
“They’ll hate me. They’ll hate my baby.”
My eyes closed as I pulled her back into my hold.
“The pain will exist around the circumstance, yes, but have faith in our people. We’re Paltenians. Your child is Paltenian.”
“Mixed with Ri.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “And someday, I may have a child who is half human. It makes no difference. We’ll love them no matter what. Me and Cara will love your child. You will love ours. Being cousins, they’ll love each other. As a fami
ly, we’ll be happy, and anyone who isn’t okay with that can leave. It’s that simple.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“Because it is. Paltenia has always put love first. It always will so long as I’m king. I love you, Kelu. No matter what.”
She hugged tighter, suddenly reminding me of the little sister who’d always followed me around. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you.”
I laughed, helping us both to stand. “And I’ve missed you. It’s getting late. I have to speak with my guides, and you need rest.”
“I am tired.”
I led Kelu out of the crystal room and into the great room, but didn’t miss Lu lurking in the distance. He needed to speak with me. Badly.
“Goodnight, brother.”
I kissed her cheek, waving Lu over as she began to walk toward the arch entrance to her hallway. Without words, I felt his request to speak in my mind. People were still lounging and although some were uneasy at my presence, others’ energy showed they were happy I had returned.
“What is it? Has something happened?”
“Not exactly. It’s our connection.”
“What about it?”
As I turned back to the crystal room, he followed me inside, shutting the door and speaking in a rushed whisper.
“Atlas, I feel you must use me to connect again. The last hour, I’ve been overwhelmed with uneasiness. Something isn’t right with your mate. Without the blood, I can’t see, but I can feel something lingering close by. I think she calls to you.”
My hand was already reaching for my old dagger. I’d put it on after showering, not even sure why. Now, I knew. Even if I couldn’t connect with Cara, my subconscious knew she was in trouble.
Pain from the slice over my palm had my teeth clenching. Lu had already cut his and was meeting my hand the moment I let it surge forward. The connection had both of us gasping as bright colors assaulted my vision. Where I hadn’t been able to see before, I could clearly see my mate sprawled on the floor. Her head rested on top of Ri’s shin, and she was staring up in daze. Black streaks were dried to her face as if she’d been crying heavily. She looked lifeless, yet I could see her chest moving from slow, deep breaths. Ri’s arms were out, and he had the most blissful smile on his face. One of joy. Of a happiness I’d never seen on him before.
“What’s happened? Why isn’t she moving? She’s barely blinking.”
Lu’s questions had my presence pushing against my connection with Cara. I enveloped around it, trying to force myself into her awareness. To get her attention or stir something. All I got was a laugh from Ri.
“I’m afraid, in my happiness, I forgot about you, Atlas. You’re home. Have you rekindled with your sister? Is she ready for me?”
Before I could stop my thoughts, Kelu’s news refreshed in my mind. Pale yellow eyes flashed white before they boiled to a deep reddish orange. I didn’t have to relay her confession for him to know Kelu’s condition. Or that I’d never let her return. Deep pants mingled with threatening growls as he flung to a sitting position.
“You refuse my request? You refuse me!”
The last was so loud, it had Cara jolting to reality. Her stare went to him, then directly to me, even though I knew she couldn’t see me. My lips parted, but everything was happening so fast, all I could do was reach toward my mate before Ri ripped her up to stand.
“Mate for mate. Child. For. Child! You consummated your mating. Are we repeating the past, Atlas? Must I kill your family again before we can end this?”
“No! Don’t hurt her.”
“Atlas? Oh god, Atlas! I can hear you, but I can’t see you.” Cara searched the room, her eyes returning to me as Ri pulled her back to his chest, gripping around her throat. There was a wildness in her dilated pupils. I questioned whether she knew what was going on at all.
“If you don’t want her dead, you’ll bring me your sister. Right now.”
“I can’t do that. Kelu destroyed the portal. I couldn’t if I wanted to.”
Seconds passed as Ri narrowed his darkening gaze. He was testing my truth, and he knew I wasn’t lying.
“Have her leave your kingdom. I’ll provide another.”
“She won’t go. She refuses.”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” he snarled, squeezing Cara’s throat. “She’s coming home. My home. Her home. She’s meant to be here. She’s just as much Ri as the child she carries. And she loves me. Take that how you want it. It’s the truth.”
My teeth bared with the need to attack. As much as I hated the man before me, deep in my gut, he was telling the truth. Kelu had pretty much admitted she’d fallen for some form of him. She’d hoped to change him. My mind refused to even weigh the possibility of them together.
“You’d kill your own mate, my sister, because you’re too greedy to let her go? You’d condemn your child to darkness instead of wishing them a life of love and happiness?” At his silence, I continued. “Think about it, Ryder. You want light so bad, you’re willing to hurt people to get it. I can give your child the life you wish you had. Kelu can remain happy here with her family. You have the power to allow this. Release Cara. Let us take care of Kelu. I give you my word as king, she and the child will never do without. Please.”
The pale yellow was returning as Ri stared into the distance. Seconds passed, and Cara bit her bottom lip quietly as we waited. At the click, we all turned to the right, just in time to see the crystal room’s door open and Kelu enter. The room merged with Ri’s, blurring into muddled shades.
“Atlas, I forgot to tell you—” Kelu stiffened, her eyes widening at the blood dripping from mine and Lu’s joined hands. She scrambled for the knob, but she couldn’t open the door. Ri had us all trapped in a multi-dimensional web, and it was growing stronger at her presence. The colors brightened until the room almost seemed solid and one.
“What have you done?” Kelu breathed out to Ri. “What is this?”
“You know what this is. You can’t hide yourself and never speak to me again.” Ri dropped Cara, knowing nothing but Kelu. His steps were wide, but not fast enough as I put myself in front of my sister. As I did so, I waved for Cara to hurry to the far side so I could get to her too.
“Stay back. Kelu has not consented to this meeting. If you wish to speak to her, you’ll do it from where you are now. And only if she wants to hear.”
“She’ll listen. She better! Were you not going to tell me? Were you just going to have my child and never let me know? Never let me meet them?”
“Atlas?” Pain drew in her features at the accusatory look.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered over my shoulder. “I was caught unprepared.”
“Come home, Kelu. Don’t pretend you weren’t happy here. We both know you were. You didn’t want to leave. I felt that in you. You wanted this.”
“You’re wrong. It should have never happened. You’re not good. You’ll never be good.”
“I can. You can help me.”
“I can’t! I tried. It’s not possible.”
Cara edged around the room wide as I followed her every move. Curls were falling loose, and the black dress she wore was torn at the shoulder. With the black smeared down her face, and her frightful eyes, the mate in me was in warrior mode. Kelu. Cara. A possible child? I wasn’t sure whether to believe Ri or not, but it was a possibility. And I had Kelu’s to protect as well.
“What do you mean? Kelu.”
Ri’s head moved to the side to peer around me. He could have tried to throw me out of the way at any point, but there was a calmness about him with my sister present. Or maybe it was the light he’d taken. His eyes and light skin told the story, as did Cara’s strung out appearance.
“I’m not the person you know,” Kelu snapped. “That wasn’t me. It was your darkness. That woman you mated doesn’t exist.”
“That’s a lie. It was you. The real you. You can try to be proper in front of Atlas all you want, but with me, you found yourself.”
“No.”
“Stop this and go outside. I’ll come for you. We’ll start over. We can do it your way. Whatever you want. Just work with me.”
“Work with you? Like this?”
Kelu’s hand settled on my arm as she eased around. Ri and I watched as she headed for Cara. Wide eyes blinked my sister in, but my mate wasn’t here. Not all of her. And my sister saw that as she raised her hand in caution, not wanting to cause Cara fear.
“Lolly,” my sister said lowly. “Come here into my arms. Let me hold you, dear sister.”
“She’s not yours to take back, Kelu.” Ri tried to put himself closer, but neither of us would give way for the other. When I tried to get near, his arm came out. When he tried to move in, I shoved against him with my elbow. We were two mated males, doomed to the death if either was triggered wrongly. The only thing keeping us from acting on it was the two women not feet away.
“You say you want me back. What have you done to Cara?” Ri shoved me back, only stopping when Kelu’s finger pointed at him. “This light you take through her is not acceptable. It is not allowed.”
“But it’s you. It’s the closest I can get to you.”
“Wrong! I give you the purest part of me, and this is how you repay that gift? You taint my light with strangers? With frequencies not my own? You killed my vow by disgracing it! How many times have you done this?”
Red stained my sister’s cheeks as her anger climbed to heights I’d never witness.
“I—”
“A number, Ri. I want a number.”
His legs buckled as her hand balled into a fist. He was so weak for her as he scrambled for words.
“I’ve missed this part of you. You know, none of this would have happened if you would have stayed.”
“And I wouldn’t have known if you were loyal had I not distanced myself. I see now, though. I see everything. You fail, Ryder, king of Ri. You fail as a mate, and you fail as someone I can trust!”
Power exploded against my side at Ri’s shove. Before I could catch myself, he was racing for Kelu and Cara. Needle points of light blinded me, and Lu’s hand pulled free, leaving us back in the Crystal Room. No Ri. No Cara. Only the knowledge that he was racing right for her. Given both their states, I was terrified to think what that meant.
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