Caelyn would have never used the word “lucky” to describe the situation the draechen had been with regard to Elusia, at least, not before. Now, though, he could understand what Karein meant. The phoenix could have destroyed their entire world. Then again, it already had, if this new arrival’s words were to be believed. He wondered if Phoenix could truly restore reality, or if they would be stuck with this one. Either way, the information Phoenix had brought might be able to at least contribute to them finding their mates. Now, if only the fae sent their requests already, Caelyn and Karein could actually do something about this instead of just wondering and hoping.
It was just as Caelyn thought this that a knock came at the door. “Yes?” Karein called out.
Upon Karein’s command, Hareem walked into the room. “We’ve received word from the fae,” he reported.
Karein visibly perked up, which was a little strange to see in someone who was usually so serious. It truly put things into perspective and made Caelyn even more certain that this was a good thing for Karein. The draechen emperor needed more than the affection Caelyn could provide. Perhaps Sari Myrthylar could give him that.
“Well?” the emperor asked. “What is it?”
“We’re not sure just yet,” Hareem replied. He retrieved a white pearl from his pocket. “They dropped this off with one of the prisoners taken from Florenz. We are told that through it, you will be able to communicate with the Myrthylar.”
Caelyn was familiar with message pearls. He didn’t have the magic required to create one, but he’d seen them used before. The pearl would allow Karein to speak to the fae in real time, while being virtually untraceable.
Karein took the item from Hareem and pressed his thumb over it. Caelyn moved back so that his presence wouldn’t be noticed by the person whom Karein would contact. As he did so, the pearl began to glow. An image manifested in front of them, that of a serious-looking fae male. “Greetings, Emperor Shtamakarein!” the stranger said. “I see you’ve received our message.”
“I have,” Karein confirmed. “With whom do I have the honor to speak?”
“My name is Selbrian Norrenddare. I’m acting as the voice for the united forces that managed to defeat your troops in Florenz and take your sister prisoner.”
“I see,” Karein answered. “And what are your requests? I assume you mean to barter for her freedom?”
Caelyn could tell Karein was itching to ask about Sari, but doing so would likely put him at a disadvantage, one they couldn’t afford in this situation. “For the moment, we demand a meeting,” Selbrian replied, “for your own interests, and ours. We wish for the attacks against all current Draechenburg targets to stop, and we hope that we can reach an agreement together.”
“Perhaps we can,” Karein offered, his icy tone belying the promise. “And of course you are welcome in Draechenburg.”
“Don’t make me laugh, Emperor.” Selbrian scoffed. “Do you deem me soft in the head? I would not set foot in your citadel, nor allow any of my loved ones there if my life was at stake.”
Karein’s breath caught. Caelyn could understand Selbrian’s point. Judging by the fae’s knowing expression, he seemed to be aware of Karein’s connection to Sari. When he referred to his loved ones, he included Karein’s mate in that category. Because Caelyn knew all too well who Selbrian Norrenddare was—the mate of Princess Eanera Myrthylar and father to her only son, Sari. Selbrian had been one of the most preeminent leaders of the resistance against Ornoz. Now, he was a clear obstacle between Karein and Sari. Caelyn couldn’t imagine Selbrian handing his son over to Karein on a silver platter. In fact, Selbrian had managed to throw a threat out there without openly mentioning Sari at all.
Naturally, Karein didn’t react well. He clenched his hands into fists and inquired, “Well, what do you suggest then?”
“I want you to come alone to the ruins of Eternelle,” Selbrian answered. “I’m sure you’re aware of the location. Once we are there, we will discuss all the matters that concern us.”
Karein looked a second away from agreeing, which was likely a very dangerous thing. Fortunately, Hareem intervened before Karein could jump into this with both feet. “Your Imperial Majesty,” he said, “I must truly caution against this. It could be a trap.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes at his brother. “I know that, Hareem. Mind your tongue and remember your place. I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
His anger was getting the best of him again. In moments such as these, Karein was dangerous. Even so, Caelyn found himself reaching for Karein. For good or ill, right now, they only had each other. Karein was Caelyn’s only hope that he’d find his true heart’s desire, but also a friend and a man who had earned Caelyn’s respect. Their relationship might have been very complicated, but that much remained true.
“I would have to agree,” he said, gently touching Karein’s shoulder. “I couldn’t advise you not to go, but their demands of you not taking anyone with you are outrageous.”
Karein didn’t snap at him like he had at Hareem, which was a good thing. However, in the process, Caelyn came within the line of sight of the still watching fae. Selbrian arched a brow upon seeing him. “You must be Caelyn Sutharlainn lea Tersain. Greetings.”
Displeasure, disgust, and frustration tainted Selbrian’s voice, but Caelyn hadn’t expected friendliness from the fae. After all, his people had betrayed Ivenia while trying to save their own skins. The sprites had remained a neutral faction all throughout the draechen’s systematic destruction of the remnants of the Ivenian political system. To this day, Caelyn couldn’t understand how the Great Krites could have just stood by and watched. Perhaps they had truly thought that their neutrality would earn them mercy from Ornoz. Naturally, it hadn’t worked, and the only thing they’d gotten for their betrayal was isolation and scorn from the part of most of the paranormal species. If not for the phoenix, Elusia would have been completely eliminated by now.
But if there was something that Caelyn had learned since he’d married Karein, it must have been the importance of standing one’s ground, while still maintaining a diplomatic facade. “I am,” he said with a smile. “It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Selbrian. We’ve heard a great deal about you and your family.” He let his warm expression fade and narrowed his eyes at the fae. “However, while I applaud your initiative for peace, I must urge you to agree on a compromise. You cannot possibly expect His Imperial Majesty to meet with you alone.”
Selbrian glared at him. “He will if he wants to see his mate.”
Fuck. Selbrian had actually done it. He hadn’t even bothered to blackmail Karein with his sister’s safety and, instead, had struck Karein where it hurt the most. Caelyn had hoped that Sari Myrthylar would have the same yearning as Karein did and would manage to control his kin, but apparently, he’d been mistaken.
Karein hissed and pulled away from Caelyn, almost as if he was in physical pain. “Fine,” he said between gritted teeth. “I will do as you ask.”
Selbrian’s smirk was so wide Caelyn would have slapped it off had they been in the same location. Much to Caelyn’s shock, though, it wasn’t necessary. Another fae stepped in, blocking Caelyn’s sight of Selbrian. The new arrival glanced straight at Karein and said, “No, you won’t. I don’t want to risk your safety.”
Karein just stared at the figure, his body as tense as a bowstring. His mouth opened and closed, and the vulnerability and hope Caelyn recognized in his stance nearly broke his heart. It didn’t take a genius to identify this person as Sari Myrthylar, Karein’s supposed mate. Caelyn bristled, because it was so obvious that this fae could easily take advantage of Karein should he so choose. Well, Caelyn wasn’t about to allow that to happen. He would stand down from his position as official mate if Karein so desired. It was doable, through an official order from Karein. However, Caelyn still had some pull over Karein. Even if his influence paled when compared to a true mate bond, he would still do his best to support his friend.
“You
must be Sari,” he said in Karein’s stead. “I’m happy to see you have Karein’s best interests at heart.”
Normally, when they were in public, Caelyn didn’t use the short form of Karein’s name or any sort of personal address regarding to his husband. In front of other people, Karein was always His Imperial Majesty, the Ornozian emperor. Now, he went against that rule on purpose. It was a challenge to Sari’s claim, and a silent message. Caelyn had something Sari wanted. The fae didn’t hold all the cards.
He saw the moment when that message registered for Sari. The young fae’s nostrils flared, his eyes flashing with an anger that didn’t seem to fit with his overall appearance. Inside Caelyn, a silent discomfort stirred. He wondered what Sari had meant for him in the other reality Phoenix had mentioned. Had they been friends? Rivals? Lovers?
No, Caelyn couldn’t imagine ever having a sensual relationship with the man in front of him. And yet, for some reason, he couldn’t help but feel that they had been close. It was yet another thing that had been lost. The Sari in front of him might not be his rival—Caelyn didn’t actually want to be the object of Karein’s sexual desire—but he was a stranger and his enemy until proven otherwise.
Behind Sari, Selbrian tried to pull his son away and interrupt the conversation. “Sari, let me handle this.”
Sari shook himself free of his father’s hold. “This is my mating, and my private life. It’s not all about politics. I deserve to be involved, to have a word.”
Finally, Karein snapped out of his trance. “Of course you do,” he said. “Like Caelyn suggested, we will agree on a compromise. I will come to Eternelle, but will bring a number of guards with me, my most trusted ones who will not interfere with the process. In the end, you still have the advantage of my sister’s imprisonment on your side, so there is no real risk to you.”
“That would imply us trusting your affection toward her,” Selbrian shot back.
“Well, you must trust it. Otherwise, you’d have never kidnapped her in the first place.” Karein faced the two fae, and Caelyn was happy to see that his husband had regained his composure. “Let’s not play games here, Lord Selbrian. You’re aware of my connection with Sari. You know I want him for myself. You aren’t very happy with the idea of giving him to me, but you will, as long as I agree to certain conditions. How am I doing so far?”
Selbrian didn’t speak, just glowered at Karein in silence. Karein must have interpreted that quiet as an answer in itself, because he continued, “You want to hold me in check with the threat on Akara. But don’t underestimate me, Lord Selbrian. I know many things you don’t. Among other things, I know how you’d be able to get back the children you lost.”
All the blood drained out of Selbrian’s face. “How… What… You’re lying. You fucking monster. You’re lying.”
Karein hadn’t shared all the details of what Phoenix had told him with Caelyn, so Caelyn guessed this was one of those things they hadn’t yet discussed. Judging by what little Karein had said now, Caelyn could only guess that Sari hadn’t been a single child in the original reality. Of course, this entire turn of the conversation had been a huge gamble on Karein’s part. If Selbrian hadn’t been aware at least of the possibility of him having previously had more children, it would have all blown up in their faces.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, as Selbrian’s loss of control clearly illustrated. Even Sari had paled and was staring at Karein with pleading eyes. “I want things to return to the way they were as much as you do,” he admitted. “I believe that, as long as you cooperate, our world can be reborn from its ashes.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Selbrian shook his head, sounding dazed. “It’s not true, none of it.”
“And yet, we are all aware that something is not right,” Karein countered. “But I will not discuss this any further through unreliable means. We will meet in Eternelle, and we will share the information we have. You will bring Sari and Akara to me. In exchange, I will agree to a cease-fire that will last until hostilities are renewed on your part. I believe that’s more than fair.”
At that, Selbrian started to recover. “You don’t disappoint, Emperor,” he said with a bitter chuckle. “Ornoz has always tried to turn unfavorable situations and twist them around for their own benefit. It won’t work this time. We’ll drop the games, but know this. If you think you can deceive us, you are sorely mistaken.”
“Karein has no reason or intention to do that,” Sari piped up. “This is what we all want and need. Peace.”
The young fae still didn’t look happy about Caelyn’s presence at Karein’s side, but he seemed to have left that issue aside so that he could focus on mediating the exchange between his father and Karein.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, baby,” Karein answered with a small smile.
The endearment should have upset Caelyn, since it put him in a strange, uncomfortable position. It didn’t, at least, not because of the most obvious reason. Rather, he experienced a sharp pang of envy at the knowledge that he’d once had someone who’d held him, kissed him, and whispered sweet nothings in his ear.
Just like that, he knew what he had to do. He remained silent as Karein and Sari said good-bye, his decision becoming stronger with every second that passed.
“Farewell for now,” Sari said, the words seeming to drag from his lips.
“I can’t wait to…see you again,” Karein answered. He’d obviously meant to say something else, but was uncomfortable to do so with an audience. “We’ll be together soon. Wait for me,” he finished.
Sari nodded. “I will.”
With that final promise from Sari’s part, the glow of the pearl faded away. Caelyn addressed Karein, seizing the moment to do what he should have done a long time ago. “You’re pursuing your love for your mate, and I wish I could help you,” he said. “In fact, I want to come with you to this meeting with the fae. But after that, I must plead you to let me go. I know that my mate is waiting for me out there, and I need to find him.”
He held his breath, hoping that Karein would allow it. In the end, even if Caelyn and Karein got along, Karein was still the one who gave the orders which Caelyn unavoidably had to obey. He couldn’t actually make demands. No one could, not of the Ornozian emperor, and the only reason why the fae attempted to do so was because they had leeway in the form of Karein’s mate.
At times, when he was in one of his worse moods—when his hair and eyes flashed blood red—Karein was actually prone to refusing whatever Caelyn asked. Now, however, he glanced at Caelyn with almost gentle eyes. “You know, I understand it now, why I felt so drawn to you, why I wanted to marry you instead of any other sprite. I think…I think you’re a lot like Sari, and you reminded me of him.”
“You mean I was a replacement,” Caelyn answered. He didn’t want to address this, or the obvious fact that even physically, he and the fae had a lot in common. “That doesn’t matter anymore.”
“It does. You made my life bearable. You made it possible for me to stay a person. If not for you, I’d have never endured this existence up until this point. Even insane as I am, I live on. Your presence bought me that time. And for that, I thank you.”
Caelyn was surprised at the display of gratitude. Even if he’d known Karein wasn’t nearly as harsh as he seemed, that the very core of his being was kind, he hadn’t expected this open declaration. And Karein wasn’t done just yet. “You’re not a replacement. You’re a dear friend, and I couldn’t deny you your request. After the meeting, you and Hareem will go find your mates. You deserve to be happy. I know you are afraid for their lives, but I trust that Hareem will find them.”
“I will,” the older draechen answered, hard determination in his voice. “They’ve been lost to us for too long.”
In Hareem’s words, Caelyn heard the same yearning he himself felt. Coming from Hareem, who’d always been so cold and aloof, it was yet another shock, but it also reassured Caelyn.
“Th
ank you,” he answered, his voice trembling in spite of his efforts to control the overwhelming emotions coursing through him. “I…I know I’m asking for a lot, and I have no right to demand the use of Ornoz’s resources. But…I…”
Karein’s warm arms enveloped him in a strong hug. “You’ll find him,” he said fiercely. “I believe that. And if he doesn’t exist in this world, we will change it back. We can do it.”
All of a sudden, Caelyn knew that what Karein had promised, both to Sari and Caelyn, was possible. They would be together with their respective mates soon. And so, Caelyn hugged Karein back. Yes, he would find his mate. No matter what.
Chapter Nine
The next day
The ancient war with the werewolves and the vampires had devastated the world. The original failure of the forces of the draechen-fae alliance to hold back the forces of the attackers had led to countless deaths, a lot of them on the Ivenian side. The ruins of Eternelle were testament to that fact.
Karein walked over the field that had once held a thriving settlement. Up ahead, he could see the decrepit remnants of the fae citadel, now overrun by time and vegetation. He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised that the fae had picked this location for their meeting. It was a symbol of their previous inability to collaborate, and of all the people who’d died because of it. Was that the mindset the fae would bring to the negotiations? If so, it would take a lot of effort from Karein’s part to achieve his goals.
He stole a look at Phoenix and Rachen, watching them take in the sight of the formerly beautiful Ivenian capital. Both men had a haunted look on their faces, and Karein wondered what other difference existed between their worlds with regard to Eternelle. According to the reports Phoenix and Rachen had obediently provided, he’d gathered that the war had been similar, up until the Eternelle battle at least, which meant that the fae capital had been destroyed in the original reality, too. Of course there must have been details which Phoenix and Rachen hadn’t had the time to mention, and the fate of Eternelle could be among them. Karein would have to remember to ask. In the meantime, he could only be in awe about how easily he’d adjusted to the idea that another world existed outside the one he ruled, one where he had a family, a child, a lover, and a stable empire.
Hyacinth, Scarlet - From the Ashes [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 7] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 15