“It must be Selbrian,” Caelyn sent to his mate. “Oh, he’s likely furious if he’s doing this.”
“Well, if I can’t maul her, I hope her husband does it in my stead,” Graham answered darkly.
As it turned out, Graham’s wish was very likely to come true. When the second helicopter landed, the king stepped out of it, immediately pinning his wife with a glance. “Hello, Onyerre,” Selbrian said pleasantly. “It seems you’ve discovered my little secret.”
The tone was so warm that Caelyn instantly knew Selbrian was more than pissed with the queen. If Onyerre had been wise, she’d have backed up right then. Instead, the words seemed to give her strength. “Indeed, I have. You would do well to hand in the whore and his mutt to the draechen. It will then be clear that Emperor Kavehquader has too many problems within his own house to focus on a war on us.”
Caelyn shared a look with Graham. She didn’t have evidence of Karein’s participation to their escape, but really, they could have never gotten from Germany to France had Karein not gotten personally involved. It was sickeningly obvious, and a risk Karein had taken regardless. “I will do no such thing,” Selbrian said. “Jenarra received—”
“Oh, please,” Onyerre interrupted him. “You and your acolytes always blame Jenarra for everything, including your infidelities. How convenient for you to have that slut in a position where she can confirm everything you say.”
Caelyn’s eyes widened. This was no longer about them. In fact, it had never been about them at all, but about how much Onyerre hated Sari and his mother. But she was questioning her king in front of an audience. Regardless of what problems the royal couple had, it needed to be dealt with in private because some things, once overheard by the population, couldn’t be taken back.
Obviously, Onyerre’s children knew that. “Mother,” Charlize said, “calm down. I’m sure we’ll come up with a way to solve this a different time.”
Onyerre shot a glare toward her daughter. “Don’t you talk down to me, Charlize. I know how to handle this. I always have. Shut your mouth.”
Charlize stepped back warily and threw a glance toward her brothers. But if they wanted to stop Onyerre from saying something even worse, they didn’t get the chance. Crossing her arms over her generous bosom, Onyerre turned toward Selbrian. “I will not allow you to dismiss me and humiliate me any longer. You’ve become nothing more than a puppet in Eanera’s hands. The only reason why you hid these two here was because Eanera’s spawn demanded it. You’ll push Ivenia into a war with your weakness.”
Finally, Onyerre stopped speaking, breathing hard as if spouting her venom had exhausted her. Silence fell, and Caelyn was almost afraid to move lest he cause another outburst. He needn’t have worried, because the king at last spoke out. “Enough,” he said. “You are a queen. If you had stopped thinking about how to hurt me and Eanera, you might have realized that today’s actions only bring you, and the Ivenian throne, shame. I admit it’s my own fault. I should have never attempted to perpetuate our political marriage after I found out I could have had something much truer. But you were the mother of three children I loved so much. For them, I gave you far more lenience than you should have had. Sadly, you’ve gone too far. You’re entirely capable of bursting into a volatile situation and making a huge mess, just to hurt Sari and Eanera. I refuse to justify my political decisions to you. This stops now. Get in the helicopter.”
Finally, Onyerre realized the situation. “Selbrian,” she gasped out, all anger drained out of her. “I—”
“Get in the helicopter, all of you,” Selbrian repeated, interrupting her.
As the Norrenddare family obeyed the king’s order, Selbrian pulled one of the priestesses aside. Caelyn couldn’t hear what was said, and he surmised the king must have thrown a shield around himself to ensure privacy. It didn’t matter. He realized that, at this point, Onyerre had forfeited a lot of the privileges that had come with her position. A small part of Caelyn could actually understand her situation. Having her title as queen continuously threatened by another woman just as powerful as she was couldn’t have been easy. But even Caelyn’s ability for compassion had its limits, and given everything she’d done to Sari in the past, Caelyn couldn’t really feel bad for her.
“And yet, you do,” Graham whispered in his mind.
“Maybe, in a way,” Caelyn admitted. “I’m never going to like her, but I do wish things could have been different.”
The king finished his conversation with the priestess, then joined Caelyn and Graham. “I was notified you were expecting, Lord Caelyn,” he said. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty,” Caelyn answered, bowing. “We’re very happy here and are extremely grateful for your generosity at having offered us this haven.”
“It’s not just generosity. My wife might dismiss Eanera’s visions, but I know them to be true.”
Did that mean Eanera had seen Caelyn and Graham’s future? Caelyn really wanted to ask, but the king stopped him before he could do so. “I have to convey my deepest regrets for what Onyerre did and said today. You are honored guests, and I hold you in great esteem.”
“We’re the ones who are pained, Your Majesty,” Graham answered. “We never wanted to give you any problems.”
That actually made the king smile a little. “I’m afraid these issues have existed long before today. And speaking of which, I’d better go handle it. Don’t worry. Onyerre won’t bother you again.”
With those somewhat ominous words, the king said his good-byes and joined his family inside the aircraft. Everyone stepped back, ensuring the chopper had enough space to take off. Caelyn leaned against Graham’s shoulder as he watched the aircraft begin its ascent. He should have been relieved at the knowledge that Selbrian would take care of Onyerre and not allow her to harm him. But there was something else on Caelyn’s mind, a deep, strange apprehension that gripped him. As the helicopter disappeared into the distance, Caelyn shot a look toward the obelisk, and suddenly, he knew. This wasn’t over yet, not by a long shot. No, it had only just begun.
Chapter Twelve
A few weeks later
The dining room was quiet, almost obscenely so. The members of the imperial family had never been very chatty when Sari was around, but tonight, things were even more tense than usual.
He took a sip of his wine, trying to calm down and not bristle at the obvious hostility. It wasn’t even directed his way, which somehow seemed worse. In fact, all throughout the dinner, people had been giving Karein weird looks, as if they expected him to run amok any moment now.
“They do,” Karein told him through their bond. “It’s my birthday tomorrow, remember?”
Sari did, as Karein had warned him about it beforehand. He had seen the wariness increase as the days pass. Personally, Sari didn’t fear this day. Their relationship had freed Karein from the burden of his loneliness, so there was no danger. But the rest of the draechen—with a few exceptions—didn’t know that Sari was Karein’s true mate, so they expected Karein to lose it.
Their fears might have been justified by the bloody history of the black dragons, but Sari still hated it. Underneath the table, Karein took his hand and squeezed it. “It’s all right,” he sent to Sari. “After tonight, it’s going to be all over.”
“Yes, but until then… I just hate how they treat you.”
Sari shook himself and focused to push back his resentment. It wouldn’t help Karein, and it was Sari’s job as an anchor to remain calm under all circumstances. Besides, even if he couldn’t do that, Karein shouldn’t have to soothe him when he was the one being slighted. “You’re right,” he added. “We just have to be patient.”
Karein’s lips twisted into a barely perceivable smile. Knowing that their exchange might have been monitored, Sari glanced away, directing his attention toward Karein’s siblings. Prince Hareematek knew the truth, but he still remained silent, presumably because he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. Mea
nwhile, the princess scanned Sari and Karein with shrewd eyes. Sari wondered what she saw when she looked at them.
Before he could get an answer to that question, the doors to the dining room opened. The empress stepped inside, followed by several guards. “Come with me, Shtamakarein,” she said without preamble. “It’s time.”
Karein grimaced, but got up. “Of course.”
Instantly, Sari panicked. “What’s going on?” he asked her. “Where are you taking him?”
His mate had told him that, in all likelihood, his parents would trap him in a cell for the night, as per the law governing black dragons. If Karein didn’t lose his control over his powers—and he wouldn’t— he would be released. Still, Sari couldn’t help but fear for his lover. It all seemed so brutal. His heart ached for Karein.
“To the dungeon, Prince Sareltae,” the empress replied. “Surely, you’ve been notified of this.”
Karein shot Sari a look meant to both calm him down and reprimand him. Sari was aware that he shouldn’t be questioning the empress, but he couldn’t help it. He got up as well and said, “With your permission, Your Imperial Majesty, I’d like to join him.”
“No,” Karein said out loud. “Absolutely not. This is none of your concern.”
His voice sounded cold and ruthless, but Sari could read the undertone of affection. Through their bond, Karein continued, “I won’t have you withstand the discomfort of the dungeon. Please, Sari.”
“I’ll withstand it anyway because I’ll feel what you do,” Sari argued. It wasn’t exactly true since Karein was used to poor accommodations and wouldn’t be very affected by them. Still, Sari refused to abandon Karein. “Besides, none of that matters. Nothing could be worse than your absence.”
Karein didn’t seem convinced, but in the end, it wasn’t his decision. Empress Rowenasheb smirked at Sari, as if amused. “Very well, Prince Sareltae. You can join him.”
They probably wanted to monitor Karein’s interaction with Sari, but even knowing that, Sari rejoiced. He bowed in polite gratitude. “Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.”
They bid Karein’s siblings good night and followed after the empress as she left the dining room. All throughout the trip to the dungeons, they ran into countless people, mostly soldiers who knelt in front of the procession and gave them regretful looks. They acted like Karein was going to his death. It felt quite unsettling, and a thick veil of anxiety settled over Sari’s heart.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—they reached the dungeons soon. The empress gestured them into a cell very similar to the one in Karein’s quarters. A couple of blankets and a mattress were brought in, probably for Sari.
“Well, good night,” the empress told them. “I trust we’ll see each other in the morning.”
“So we shall, Your Majesty,” Karein replied. “As always, I live and die by your command.”
Rowenasheb acknowledged his words with a nod and left the cell. The guards closed the door behind her, and just like that, Sari and Karein were left alone.
Karein released a heavy sigh. “It looks like you got what you wanted,” he said.
“I did what I thought was best,” Sari answered. He’d have been saddened by the thought of his mate not wanting him there, but he knew Karein was just being overprotective again.
This time, when Karein replied, he did so through their bond. “I just love you so much, Sari. And the truth is, even if our bond anchors me, tonight will still be difficult.”
Sari sat down on the mattress and crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m here then.”
His mate gave him a bemused look and joined him. Sari placed his head on Karein’s shoulder. For the first time, he realized the apprehension he’d been feeling hadn’t just been his own, but also Karein’s.
“Tell me, Karein,” he said. “What are you afraid of? You’re a good man. You can’t hurt me.”
The question made Karein tense up. Their bond went strained, like Karein wanted to show him something, and yet, hide it.
“I’m not a good man,” he replied quietly. “I’m not one at all. Just… close your eyes, baby. I’ll tell you one day. I don’t think I can do it now.”
Sari respected Karein’s wishes. It wasn’t distrust that made Karein reluctant, but rather a nearly irrational fear of rejection. There was just too much hurt in Karein’s past for him to let go of it so easily. It would happen in time. Sari just had to be patient.
So, Sari obeyed Karein and closed his eyes. He doubted he’d get much sleep, but he was by his mate’s side, and that was the only thing that mattered.
* * * *
Karein hugged Sari close, inhaling the fae’s sweet incense scent. He was still in awe of how his lover accepted him with all his faults and secrets. Of course, he realized that he’d soon have to tell Sari about his past. It was painful to even try to keep it from him. The only reason why he’d managed to do so was that, throughout his life, he’d gotten used to burying that secret deep within his subconscious.
Tonight, though, he was more than ever aware of his black dragon nature, of what it meant and what it had brought for the people around him. He sometimes wondered if he truly deserved a mate as beautiful and gentle as Sari.
Sari snorted. “You know as well as I do that you and I fit,” he said through their bond. “Stop underestimating yourself.”
“How can I, when I’ve somehow managed to earn such respect and love from you?” Karein asked, petting Sari’s hair.
They succumbed to silence after that. At one point, Karein must have dozed off, content while holding Sari. He woke up when something stirred inside him, the same force that usually helped him defeat his foes.
Frowning, Karein released Sari from his embrace. Sari had been slumbering, too, but he instantly snapped out of it. “Karein? What’s wrong?”
Karein wanted to answer with “nothing,” but that would have been a lie. “Just… Stay there,” he told his mate instead.
Sari’s eyes were wide with concern. He nodded, although his entire body was vibrating with the obvious need to reach out to Karein. Karein couldn’t allow that, not just yet.
If he had to guess, the time had finally come. Like most black dragons, Karein had been born shortly after midnight. He and Sari had probably slept for a few hours, so Karein now had to deal with what he’d feared for most of his life.
He couldn’t fight this. He had to accept it and trust himself and Sari. Something clicked in his mind, and Karein shifted into his dragon form, surrendering to his beast.
It should have been scary, but it wasn’t. His animal came to him naturally, and Karein accepted its power, became one with it. Everything was over in what felt like seconds, and then, Sari stepped into his embrace, caressing his scales. “Are you all right?” he asked.
At first, Karein remained in dragon form, allowing Sari to feel it, to experience what Karein did. For the first time, he could truly understand the essence of his power. It made him drunk, almost lost in it, but his bond with Sari was there, reminding him of who he was, of the most important truth in his life. Sari.
Finally, it all began to fade, and Karein shifted back into his normal form. He could see why other black dragons had gone insane because of this. His abilities skirted omnipotence, and for a few seconds there, he might have actually thought he was the only one who deserved to rule the world. But Sari’s presence had shown him the truth, that power mattered very little without love.
When his vision focused, he pulled Sari closer, more thankful than ever that he had the fae by his side. He still didn’t have any answers regarding his mysterious nightmares, or the voices in his past, but he didn’t care. Right now, he was happy.
Sari beamed at him. “Happy birthday, Karein,” he said.
Karein smiled back at his mate, the feeling of dread that had settled over him the day before completely gone now. “It is happy,” he replied, kissing Sari’s temple. “Thanks to you.”
Chapter Thirteen
A few days later
“I don’t know, Hareem.” Akara hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against Hareem’s desk in a rhythmic manner. “I find it all very suspicious. I thought Prince Sareltae was supposed to have been good friends with Caelyn Sutharlainn. Why is he so close to Karein?”
Hareem had to admit the dynamics of the couple had him puzzled, too. He had been genuinely concerned when he’d guessed the extent of the bond between Karein and Sareltae—insofar as he could be worried about anything that didn’t involve Taryn. In any case, he’d feared that upon mating, Sareltae would see what Karein had done in Karein’s mind and would end up rejecting him. The results could have been disastrous. Karein could finally lose control over his dragon, and Overlords only knew what would happen then.
So far, none of Hareem’s scenarios of destruction had come true. The relationship between the young couple seemed to be progressing nicely. To everyone else, Karein appeared to be unchanged, but Hareem saw his brother was less likely to snap, and had even caught him crack a smile once or twice. That expression hadn’t lasted, but its existence, however brief it had been, pointed out that Sareltae was the anchor Karein had hoped for.
This was one of the reasons why his sister coming to visit him today had Hareem out of sorts. Getting up from his seat behind the desk, Hareem faced Akara. “Karein is appealing in his own way,” he answered. He had to find something that would keep her from digging too deeply. If she found out about Karein and Sareltae’s mate bond, their parents would, too, and that was at the top of the list of the futures Karein dreaded. “As I understand it, Sareltae was very sheltered before coming to Draechenburg, so Karein is likely the only relationship he’s ever been allowed to have.”
Sadly, he had to be very careful, because as his twin sister, Akara was one of the few people who could get information out of Hareem. Once, they had been very close, but their bond had lost its power as time passed. It was strange and somewhat painful for him to realize that the person in his family who should have cared about him most—if not loved him unconditionally—had become his enemy.
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 18