* * * *
The moment his connection with Sari succumbed to silence, Karein’s dragon completely took over. The only thing that kept him from going on a rampage was that the bond remained there. However, Sari was in terrible danger. Kael and Talrasar’s power had assisted him, but it would never be enough. Karein knew Draechenburg, and he realized all too well that it wasn’t a place someone escaped so easily.
Having abandoned his brother, Karein flew toward Draechenburg, uncaring that someone might see him. Thankfully, his black scales gave him a measure of camouflage, and Karein melted in the darkness of the night, soaring as high as he could go, his large, powerful wings carrying him toward his beloved mate.
Intellectually, he knew that it would be foolhardy of him to try to cross an entire ocean by flight. However, he couldn’t be bothered to turn back. His dragon urged him onward, roaring that nothing else mattered but getting to Sari’s side. Besides, Karein was much faster than any human plane could ever be.
Hours passed and night melted into dawn as Karein continued his desperate journey. He monitored his connection with his mate, hoping Sari would give him a sign, speak to him. On occasion, he felt a stirring of warmth inside him, like Sari was trying to reach out to him but couldn’t quite manage. But Sari’s voice never once sounded in Karein’s mind, and Karein’s nearly insane fury increased.
He never should have left Draechenburg. He knew that now. In his heart, he’d seen the only solution to their current predicament a long time ago. But he’d been reluctant to go through with it, mindful of the chaos it might cause. And all right, maybe Karein still held a thread of loyalty toward the emperor. No matter how insane and power-hungry Kavehquader might be, he was still Karein’s father.
Karein had been weak, and his mate would pay the price now. And his child… Oh, Overlords, Karein still couldn’t believe he was going to be a father. The thought still hadn’t registered fully, and he didn’t dare to analyze it too deeply. He’d always accepted the fact that, even if he found an anchor, he’d never be able to create a new life. Now that he was faced with this, he honestly didn’t know how to handle it.
Memories surfaced again, those voices Karein had been pushing back ever since he’d been a child. Karein roared, forcing himself to go faster. He didn’t want to think about the life he had ended, so long ago. If he did, he’d truly lose his mind.
Beneath him, the shine of the ocean taunted him with the memory of the glow of Sari’s gem. The waves reminded him of the fall of Sari’s hair. The rays of the sun summoned recollections of the radiance of Sari’s smile. And watching it all, Karein could only collapse further into his mindless rage.
In his heart, Karein knew that Sari was alive, and that knowledge kept him from insanity. However, beyond that, everything else was a mystery. More and more, Karein began to imagine terrible scenarios. Images of Talrasar’s death returned to his mind, coupled with a guilt he hadn’t dwelled on for a long time.
By the time European shores finally loomed ahead, Karein was a furious mess. At one point, a small part of him wanted to stop, change his direction. He might have, except he spotted a human plane approaching him and quickly resumed his flight. He was very close now, too close to hesitate.
Strikingly, the flight grew harder after that. Karein’s wings started to ache, and it was only the knowledge that his mate needed him that kept him going. At last, after what seemed like forever, the familiar Black Forest Mountains appeared ahead of him. They appeared to have been the scene of a battle, as a particularly tricky area to navigate now lay crumbled, as if after a sudden avalanche. It was too easy to imagine what had happened. Likely, Sage had escaped this way, heading toward France to seek haven with the fae. However, the draechen guards must have caught up with him at some point. The thought made ice course through Karein’s veins.
More furious than ever, Karein forgot all about his fatigue, guilt, or any other emotion that could have kept him from his goal. He shot through the clouds like a dark lightning bolt. When he spotted Draechenburg, decision crystallized inside him. He saw guards scampering beneath, as if torn between intercepting him and greeting him.
Karein couldn’t have cared less about anyone who even tried to get in his way. He landed on the cliff and shifted into his legged form. The process was actually faster than usual, but even so, by the time he stood there in his human shape, he was surrounded by guards. Karein didn’t even blink. “Where is my mate?” he asked.
No one answered. They looked from one another, as if not knowing what to say. Completely losing what little patience he’d had left, Karein pushed past them and stalked into the palace. There were some real benefits to being the most feared shifter in the world. His men were loyal to him, but also terrified of what he could do. They couldn’t stop him, and they knew it. He could absorb the energy of whatever spell they cast. Perhaps if all of the draechen had gathered together and attacked him, they could have overwhelmed Karein through their combined efforts. But that would never happen. They wouldn’t dare to go against him like that. More importantly, they weren’t aware of his intentions, so they couldn’t possibly think that such a strategy would be justified.
A couple of soldiers did attempt to approach him, but one glare from Karein deterred them from their self-appointed task. Without even bothering to put any clothes on, Karein headed directly for the throne room. Predictably, the guards there looked quite dismayed upon his arrival. “Highness,” one of them said, “I’m afraid we can’t allow you to pass.”
Karein felt an eerie sense of calm flow over him. “You don’t have to. I’m giving myself the permission.”
Without another word, Karein used his powers on the other draechen, leaving them unconscious on the floor. With them out of the way, Karein was free to pass into the throne room. He pushed the large doors open and stalked inside. His mother greeted him with a cool smile. “Ah, Shtamakarein. I see you’ve received news of your…mate’s actions.”
“What happened?” Karein inquired, barely managing to keep control of his temper. “Where is he?”
“The Ivenian whore eloped with your right-hand man after apparently conceiving a child with him.” The emperor actually left his pile of jewelry and came to stand in front of Karein. “It seems that you won’t have to investigate after all. We’re already making plans as to how to retaliate to this gross insult.”
Meanwhile, Rowenasheb scanned him from head to toe, clearly finding him lacking. “I understand your urgency to hunt them down, Shtamakarein, but really… Must you appear like this in front of us?”
Karein slowly approached, ignoring Rowenasheb’s disapproving inquiry. Did he dare believe what they were saying? No. It would be too beautiful, too much to hope for, and his parents had deceived him many times before. Karein needed to know for sure. “So you’re saying that Sari and Sage escaped together? Where to?”
“All signs point that they must have taken shelter in France, although we’re not sure exactly where,” the empress replied.
Her dismissive tone put Karein on alarm. They hadn’t mentioned anything about the black wolves Sari had summoned, likely through Prince Kael’s power, which was suspicious to say the least. And then, the emperor’s voice drifted into his mind. “Worry not, Shtamakarein. As I understand it, the Ivenian whore received serious injuries during his escape. Likely, he will not survive.”
Just like that, Karein’s control snapped. With a mighty roar, he changed into his dragon form once again. There was a brief moment—that delay during which his body got accustomed to his new size—when perhaps his father could have actually done something to prevent the inevitable. But the emperor was too arrogant to believe that Karein would ever attack him. “What are you doing, boy?” he sent out.
Karein couldn’t speak while using this form, but even if he’d had that ability, he wouldn’t have been able to muster an answer. The fear and piercing rage came together in a malicious cocktail, and he lunged at his father, ready to take the emperor
down. The red dragon leapt back, dodging Karein’s first attack and summoning a fireball. Karein didn’t even bother to avoid the spell. As it struck him, the energy filtered through his abilities, giving him even more power.
“Shtamakarein!” his mother screamed.
Karein ignored her and used his own magic on the emperor. Focusing strictly on his foe, he drained Kavehquader’s energy, like he should have done a long time ago. But his father had never been one to give up without a fight. The red dragon roared, wildly lashing about, his tail swinging in Karein’s direction as he futilely tried to escape the spell. He tried to create more enchantments of his own, but the fire sizzled and died, absorbed by Karein’s dark power.
And then, a bolt of ice struck Karein, the cold energy contrasting with the hot one he received from the emperor and creating a few tiny instants of discomfort. Irritated, Karein glanced in his mother’s direction. Without releasing his hold on his father, he sent another spell her way. In instants, her energy rushed into him, and Karein adapted it to his body, accepting it and turning it into a tool he could use. The empress collapsed, unable to continue her fight. She shifted back into her human form and cried out, “Karein, stop! You’re killing him.”
Karein didn’t remember the last time when she had called him by the smaller version of his name. She only did so—or only referred to him as her son—when she had some sort of scheme and planned to use him somehow. Now, though, she seemed genuinely terrified. She was staring at him with wide eyes, no longer the empress, just a woman who could do nothing to stop the far more powerful foe killing her husband.
Beneath him, the red dragon’s form melted into that of a red-haired man. Karein analyzed him for a few moments before dismissing the peculiar occurrence. In two centuries, he’d never seen his own father, and he had no interest in it now. The man was a stranger, and in the blink of an eye, he could be a dead one.
But first, Karein needed to know a few things. Changing shapes once more, he glanced toward his mother. “The truth, Mother. Where is Sari?”
“We’ve already told you the truth,” Rowenasheb said. “He somehow managed to escape with your lieutenant. The people we had on his tail said he was unconscious. They were deterred by a sudden avalanche in the mountains.”
“Is that right?” Karein narrowed his eyes at her. “And why didn’t you continue searching? Why didn’t you send scouts?”
“We simply don’t care about Prince Sareltae,” she continued in a panic. “We got what we wanted. The war.”
“Oh, no, you didn’t.” Karein tightened his hold on his father, who was now barely breathing. “Because I won’t allow it.”
He’d have undoubtedly ended Kavehquader’s life right then and there had Sari’s voice now suddenly appeared in his mind. “Don’t, Karein. You’re better than that. You’re better than them.”
Karein gasped, relief crushing him, almost making him collapse right there and then. “Baby? Sari? What happened? Where are you?”
“I… I don’t really know.” Sari still sounded confused a little. “I’m with my mother.”
In his mind’s eye, Karein saw a lovely woman approaching Sari. Her resemblance to Sari clearly identified her as High Priestess Eanera. Thank the Overlords, Sari was safe. “And our child?” Karein insisted, almost unable to believe the truth.
“Fine,” Sari replied softly. “Can’t you feel it?”
Karein frowned a little, focusing on his bond with Sari. At first, Karein couldn’t quite tell what Sari was referring to, but then he sensed it, the spark of new life that hadn’t been there before. It shocked him so much that he finally remembered himself and realized what he’d been doing.
Shaken, Karein released the spell on his father and stepped back. His mother practically crawled to his father’s side. The sight made Karein shockingly uncomfortable, but he didn’t have the time to dwell on it. He realized that, during his fight with his parents, several guards had entered the throne room. They were now standing in the doorway, gaping at Karein and his parents.
Technically speaking, the duties of the draechen soldiers included protecting the imperial couple. However, draechen tradition dictated that the emperors could be challenged, mostly by their own descendants, but also by other draechen who didn’t even share the emperor’s lineage. This was the reason why recent emperors had taken to remain in their shifted form at all times while in public, for a show a strength that would deter any potential challenger. Sadly, this brought Karein in the somewhat frustrating position of automatically being chosen as the next draechen leader.
Predictably, all the guards went on their knees and bowed their heads. “We live and die by your command, Your Majesty!” they shouted.
Karein had no interest in being emperor. He was a soldier, not a bureaucrat, and he had little patience for politics. He rushed to clarify the situation. “The former emperor is indisposed. Make sure he and my mother are secured in a safe area. When the new emperor, my brother, returns, he will give you further orders.”
One of the guards opened his mouth, as if meaning to protest, but Karein just arched a brow and the man thought better of it. Good. Karein had someplace to be. His mate was waiting, and he couldn’t linger here much longer. As he left the throne room, he reached out to his mate once more. “Tell me, baby. How do I come to you?”
He saw the answer in Sari’s mind. Of course. Eternelle. Karein had learned of its enduring existence when he had mated Sari. He should have figured out that Eanera had taken her son there. As quickly as possible, he rushed through the corridors, ignoring the confused and somewhat panicked looks other draechen threw his way. Finally, he left the palace and reached the cliff. Paying no heed to the way his own people were watching him, he melted into his dragon form and launched himself into the sky.
It was almost foolish that he hadn’t realized the reason why his dragon had wanted to stop during his trip toward Germany, but now was no time for regrets. Karein pushed away every thought that wasn’t related to Sari from his mind and focused solely on his mate. “Tell me again,” he said. “Tell me you’re all right.”
Sari’s soft laughter came to him through their bond. “I’m just fine. But why don’t you hurry here to see for yourself?”
Karein had every intention to do exactly that. In fact, he planned to never leave his mate’s side again. He was no fool. He might have taken out one enemy, but this wouldn’t magically solve all their problems. It was like with legendary hydras. He had cut one head off, but undoubtedly, more would sprout. Ironically, he was fairly certain real hydras died when decapitated, but that really didn’t matter right now. The only thing that did was Karein’s renewed resolve to love and protect his mate forever. He wouldn’t fail the person closest to his heart. He wouldn’t fall in the same mistake he’d committed before he’d even been born. This time, the power of the black dragon would serve to keep Sari safe, no matter what happened.
But even as he flew away from Draechenburg, a voice kept whispering in his mind, the same one Karein had been trying to avoid. “Go back,” it said. “Kill them. Destroy them all.”
It wasn’t Sari, so Karein ignored it. But how much longer would it take for it to turn against his mate? Karein didn’t know, and that scared him.
* * * *
Sari paced in front of the obelisk, feeling worried and impatient. He could keep track of his mate’s progress as Karein made his way toward him, but Karein’s emotions were still all over the place. Karein’s fear for Sari’s life seemed to have stirred old wounds, awakening a guilt Sari hadn’t even been aware of.
He was so lost in thought that when a soft hand pressed against his shoulder, he released a gasp and jumped back, instinctively throwing a shield in front of himself. Caelyn shot him a surprised look. “Are you all right?” he asked.
Sari deflated and cancelled his spell. “Just…restless, I guess.”
With a soft smile, Caelyn walked to his side. “Come on,” he said, taking Sari’s hand. “Tell m
e.”
They sat together at the foot of the obelisk, right next to the spot where Sari had found the strange wooden wolf. Sari remembered that, technically speaking, the toy had belonged to Caelyn and Graham, and he’d never apologized for taking it. “I stole one of the wolves Graham carved for your son. Sorry.”
Caelyn gave him a confused look. “Huh? Sari, what in the world are you talking about? Take a deep breath and start from the beginning.”
So, Sari did. He told Caelyn everything that had happened since the last time they’d seen each other. As it turned out, Caelyn knew some things, having been kept informed by the priestesses. The details of Sari’s relationship with Karein were, however, all new. Caelyn listened in silence, never letting go of Sari’s hand. As he spoke, Sari was reminded how much their friendship had always meant to him and how easily Caelyn understood him.
He was reluctant to confess some of the more private things Karein had shared with him, but he knew Caelyn didn’t mind. At one point, he had to address something that had bothered him ever since he’d met Karein. “You shot my mate. With a crossbow.”
“Oh.” Caelyn blinked, as if surprised by the words. “Well, I did what I had to do. At the time, I thought Karein was my enemy.”
“Yeah, I know.” Sari groaned, very aware that Karein hadn’t been exactly nice to Caelyn’s mate, Graham. It was unreasonable for him to hold a grudge for something like that. “I’m all over the place, Lyni. This is so very confusing. Today, something really strange happened, and I feel like Karein is a Pandora box of secrets.”
At that, Karein’s voice drifted into his mind. “I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Just… Don’t be afraid of me, all right? I don’t think I could bear it.”
“Never,” Sari answered. “But something’s changed inside you, Karein. What is it?”
For a few moments, Karein didn’t answer. Sari’s concern for his mate increased. Caelyn must have noticed it, because he asked, “You’re talking to him now, right?”
Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 23