Hyacinth, Scarlet - From the Ashes [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 7] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove)

by Scarlet Hyacinth

  “I won’t stop you,” Karein answered. “Like I said, you’re welcome to join us. After all, you are family.”

  A vein twitched in Selbrian’s forehead, and Karein turned toward Sari’s father. “I must stress the need to see Akara. I feel like we’ve reached an agreement here, and I wouldn’t like the progress we made to be undone by others.”

  “I can understand that, although I’m not sure that agreement even exists,” Selbrian answered bitingly. “I suppose that, if Sari trusts you, I have no choice but to give you the benefit of the doubt, as well. But listen closely, Emperor Shtamakarein. Do not cross us. You won’t like the result.”

  “I have no intention to do so,” Karein answered.

  Selbrian said nothing else. He just stared at Eanera, who was looking at him, too. They were undoubtedly communicating through their own mental bond. Seeing it made Karein ache with the knowledge that he’d also had that with Sari, and had lost it. But no matter what happened, whether they failed in their task to restore reality or succeeded, Karein would get that back. The alternative was simply unthinkable.

  A few moments later, Eanera broke free of the group of fae. She walked to Sari’s side and took her son’s arm, physically pulling him away from Karein. Karein allowed it, but only because he had every intention to fix the problem once this blasted meeting was over.

  “Farewell, Lord Selbrian,” he said. “I trust we’ll see each other again soon.”

  Selbrian nodded. “Soon. Before you go, there is something else you must know. The fae king doesn’t agree with our…initiative. Therefore, should you run into Ivenian forces, know that they might not all be friendly.”

  After dropping that bomb, Selbrian turned on his heel and walked away, his back ramrod straight. Karein could have easily demanded an explanation from Sari or Eanera, but he decided it wasn’t a priority. The Ivenian king had likely hated him before. Nothing had changed. And if there were other issues that needed to be addressed regarding that, Sari would mention them.

  “Let’s go,” he said, wanting to get out of Eternelle as soon as possible. “A plane is waiting for us already.”

  Actually, there were two planes, one that would take most of their group back to Draechenburg, and the other that was reserved for Caelyn and Hareem. But before the two could depart to find their own mates, Karein had to make things clear between Sari and Caelyn.

  There were several draechen guards stationed around the jets, which made Eanera tense up visibly. “Exactly what angle are you playing here, Emperor?” she asked.

  “I was completely straightforward about my intentions,” Karein answered. “I just chose to keep my private matters private. Rachen, Phoenix, will you do me the favor of accompanying Princess Eanera and Prince Talrasar to the jet?”

  “Of course,” Rachen answered.

  “With your permission, Your Imperial Majesty, I’ll go with them,” Hareem offered.

  Karein nodded. It was a good idea, since it didn’t seem wise to allow the two fae to be alone with Rachen and Phoenix. “Go,” he replied simply.

  Eanera looked reluctant to part with her son, but that was to be expected. Fortunately, she didn’t try to keep Karein from entering the second jet with his mate and his consort.

  As soon as they were in private, Karein said, “Sari, I’d like you to know that I care for Caelyn a great deal. He kept me reasonably sane when I didn’t even know about you, when I kept wondering who came to me in my dreams. Caelyn isn’t my mate, but he is my friend.”

  “I can understand that,” Sari replied softly, eyeing Caelyn with obvious distrust. “It just… It doesn’t feel like he sees you that way.”

  Caelyn crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me something, Prince Sareltae,” he said. “What are you willing to sacrifice for Karein? Will you trust him above all else? Will you believe in him in spite of the history between Ornoz and Ivenia? Can you be the mate he needs?”

  “Can you?” Sari snapped back.

  “I don’t have to be,” Caelyn shot back. “I’m merely an official consort. My support is important, but comparing a true mate to a consort is, plainly put, stupid. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you evading the question.”

  Karein had noticed, too, but he didn’t want to put his mate in a tight spot. “Caelyn, that’s enough. I can’t ask Sari to trust me overnight. I have to prove myself to him.”

  Sari’s eyes widened. “That wasn’t what I meant. Of course I trust you, Karein. It’s so strange, but…I feel like I’ve known you forever, like we’ve been separated, but we’re just now reuniting. And really, it’s kind of like that with Caelyn, too, only…only, he has you, and I don’t.”

  At that, Caelyn chuckled. “Don’t worry, Sari. I’m not a threat to you. I never was. The only thing I want is for Karein to be happy, and…I think you can give him that.”

  For a few moments, the two men stared at each other. Karein wondered what they were thinking and realized with a pang that, at least in Sari’s regard, he should have known it.

  Finally, Sari said, “We were very close once. Perhaps we can have that again.”

  Caelyn nodded. “Perhaps. I’m leaving to find my own mate, Sari. I’ll have to entrust Karein’s welfare to you.”

  Karein arched a brow. “It’s not like I can’t take care of myself.”

  “You yourself admitted that you relied on Caelyn for emotional support,” Sari pointed out. “No man is an island. Now, you have me.”

  The words weren’t meant to be sexual, but somehow, Karein’s mind translated them into a sensual suggestion. He could easily imagine all the ways he would be able to have Sari, to own him and claim him once more.

  He met Sari’s gaze, and he was probably very transparent in his desires, because Sari’s face flamed. Some sort of hidden knowledge told Karein that the beautiful blush went all the way over Sari’s body. He was well aware of how responsive Sari could be to his touch, even if, in this reality, they hadn’t even kissed.

  Karein supposed that it was high time he fixed that. This was, technically speaking, the plane meant for Caelyn, but the sprite realized what Karein had in mind. He kissed Karein’s cheek and said, “Congratulations. And thank you. I wish we had more time to talk, but I think you have more important things to do.”

  With that, Caelyn abandoned the plane, leaving Sari and Karein alone. Sari seemed surprised at this development. “Wait… What?”

  “He’s giving us some privacy,” Karein replied, pushing Sari against the wall of the plane. He cupped Sari’s cheek gently and slid his fingers over Sari’s soft skin. If his hand trembled when he touched Sari, the young fae didn’t mention it. And when Karein inhaled deeply, the scent of incense and arousal surrounded him, making him drunk with lust.

  Karein couldn’t stop himself any longer. He crushed his mouth to Sari’s, finally tasting his true mate after what seemed to be forever. Sari gasped, and in the process, he granted Karein entrance. Karein thrust his tongue into Sari’s mouth, sampling Sari’s delicious flavor, unable to get enough.

  His cock was already rock hard, and he rubbed himself against Sari, finding his mate’s dick just as stiff. Grunting at the evidence of Sari’s desire, Karein bit down on Sari’s lower lip, all the while allowing his hands to travel over Sari’s body.

  He only broke the lip-lock when the need to breathe forced him to. Sadly, the brief respite gave Sari some time to think, and he started to shake his head. “Karein… We can’t. You’re… You’re still married.”

  It was true. Karein had taken Caelyn as his official consort, and throughout their marriage, he’d never once strayed. Even if they’d never had sex, Karein had respected Caelyn and the vows he had made. But how binding could those vows be considered when he knew in his heart that Sari had been his true husband?

  “Yes, I am,” he replied. “To you.”

  Sari didn’t answer, his body trembling in Karein’s arms. There was nothing Karein would have wanted to do more than to tear off the fae’s clo
thes and bury himself inside Sari’s willing flesh. But he had to acknowledge his mate’s wishes and allow Sari time to get used to the idea of being with Karein. It was far too soon anyway. By rights, he shouldn’t even have kissed Sari while still being married to Caelyn. Even if Caelyn didn’t mind, even if they both understood a mate bond meant far more than societal mores, he could never turn Sari into a side dish.

  With a nod, Karein backed off. “All right. I understand and I can wait. We’ll take our time. Once Caelyn is back, I’ll make arrangements to dissolve my union with him, and then, we can finally be together without guilt.”

  “Thank you, Karein,” Sari answered softly. “I want you… I want you so much. But not like this.”

  Karein looked away from his mate, his dragon roaring in frustration at the unfairness. But it wasn’t Sari’s fault, and he refused to take it out on the beautiful fae. He’d just have to channel his anger into something useful.

  The dark voice in his mind returned to taunt him. “Why do you even care about it all? You know he is yours, and you know Phoenix is mine. The world is at your fingertips. Why change it? You just have to get rid of that idiotic clone and claim your mates.”

  Karein growled, pushing that part of him back. Sari’s gentle hand landed on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked softly.

  When Karein faced Sari again, he realized a very simple thing. Their separation wasn’t even about Karein’s marriage with Caelyn, at least not completely. An abyss stood between Karein and Sari, one dug by generations of conflict, of war and destruction the draechen had caused. Karein himself had contributed to it, had encouraged it. Until meeting Sari, he had deemed it natural and right. He had been somewhat uncomfortable with keeping his ancestor prisoner, but it had been easy to dismiss it as none of his concern, as a policy of previous leaders that he just needed to preserve.

  In Sari’s eyes, he saw that it was all wrong, and until Karein redeemed himself, he didn’t truly deserve to be with Sari. Karein might have gotten angry with Sari’s parents for questioning his intentions, but they’d been completely correct in their distrust.

  When he didn’t immediately reply, Sari released a soft sound of distress. The gem in the center of his forehead began to glow, and suddenly, both Sari and Karein were engulfed in bright light. Healing energy flowed over Karein, and the darkness within him subsided, fleeing Sari’s power. Even knowing that he shouldn’t do it, Karein found himself pulling Sari into a tight embrace.

  He carefully kept his hands above Sari’s waist, respecting the boundaries Sari—and Karein himself—deemed necessary. In fact, he didn’t do much of anything but simply hold his beautiful mate. He buried his face in Sari’s hair, the same scent of incense soothing his senses.

  Sari hugged him back, silently holding Karein. They didn’t speak, but it wasn’t needed. The quiet intimacy of the moment mended the injuries in Karein’s torn heart, providing a promise that one day, he would finally be able to claim his true love.

  The sound of a cleared throat interrupted the moment. Reluctantly, Karein broke the embrace and turned, only to see Talrasar standing in the doorway. “While this is all very touching,” he said, “I believe you made me a promise. I want to see my mate.”

  Karein’s annoyance returned, but he managed to tame it when he wrapped his arm around Sari’s waist. “Of course,” he answered. “Let us go.”

  They left Caelyn’s plane and found the sprite waiting outside, gazing into the distance as if deep in thought. Karein squeezed his consort’s shoulder one last time. When Caelyn turned toward him, Karein said, “Good luck. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Caelyn replied. Stealing a look toward Sari, he added, “You’re a good man. Perhaps when we next see each other, we’ll both be where we belong.”

  “May Jenarra heed your words,” Sari answered.

  Caelyn got onto the plane Karein and Sari had just left, and soon, Hareem appeared as well. On impulse, Karein released his hold on Sari and hugged his brother. He didn’t remember ever embracing Hareem, but for some reason, it seemed very important that he do so now.

  “Take care of yourself, and of Caelyn,” he answered.

  “I will,” Hareem promised. “You be vigilant, too. These developments will only make the situation more volatile. Help Akara, and if I don’t make it back until her return, tell her I…”

  He trailed off, obviously uncomfortable with expressing his feelings toward his twin. Akara had always been a chink in Hareem’s icy armor, although he’d rarely, if ever, shown it. The fact that he did so now pointed out exactly how affected Hareem was at the entire situation.

  “I will,” he promised. “Don’t worry about it.”

  He released his brother, and Hareem finally fell back on his courtly manners. “I appreciate your concern for me, Your Imperial Majesty. I vow that I will not let Ornoz down.”

  “I’m sure you won’t, General,” Karein replied. “You’re dismissed.”

  Saluting, Hareem gestured for the troops he’d brought with him to get on the plane, too. As they complied, Karein, Sari, and Talrasar entered their own aircraft. This jet was smaller, more discreet, but with less fuel capacity. The second one—Caelyn’s—could carry passengers on a longer distance, which was necessary, given that Caelyn and Hareem needed to travel over the ocean, all the way into the New World. Both planes were built with the latest in draechen technology, the most advanced on the planet.

  Karein plopped down on one of the seats, and his mate took the one next to him. Eanera and Talrasar seated themselves in front of Sari and Karein, while Phoenix and Rachen remained a little further away. Perhaps they realized that Karein was still a little angry. Either way, he had no intentions of losing his temper, and with Sari by his side, he knew he could keep a cool head from now on.

  But as the plane finally took off, Karein’s mind returned to Caelyn and Hareem. He wondered what the two of them would find in the New World, and if it would truly be what they all hoped for.

  Chapter Ten

  Talrasar had never actually been to Draechenburg. Before the war, he’d never gotten the chance, and after that… well, he hadn’t exactly been around to do any visiting.

  He had expected a majestic citadel, with people tripping over themselves to comply with the emperor’s commands. He had expected to see distrust and disregard for the fae guests. He got exactly that.

  The guards that had greeted them in the jet didn’t show it so much, but when the plane landed in Draechenburg, Talrasar found himself facing the exact same emotion he had anticipated. When they left the plane, everyone in sight gaped at Sari, Talrasar, and Eanera.

  Talrasar suppressed the urge to sneer and snap at them. It wouldn’t help him get to his mate, and really, the last thing he wanted was to draw even more suspicion onto himself after his earlier rash attack of the creature who called himself Phoenix.

  Thankfully, the emperor kept his word in that he didn’t allow any disrespect toward his fae guests. One glare from him had everyone fumbling to offer Talrasar various services, from a complete wardrobe to a furnished room. Apparently, they had been prepared beforehand, even if the emperor hadn’t actually notified his servants as to what guests would be coming.

  Talrasar didn’t care about any of that. No sooner had he stepped onto the cliffside of the draechen citadel than he turned toward Shtamakarein and said, “Your Imperial Majesty, I must thank you for your hospitality. I’m very flattered. However, I must insist that we go through with what we originally planned.”

  “So we shall,” the emperor replied. “Soon.”

  Talrasar really wanted to drop the façade of politeness and point out that he didn’t have the patience to wait around. However, he was in the draechen’s territory now, and doing that would be just stupid. And so, he gritted his teeth and held his tongue when he actually ached to lash out at the bastard who’d kept his mate imprisoned for so long.

  Right now, that same man se
emed completely infatuated with Talrasar’s descendant, so much so that he appeared to have discarded his official consort. That was something Talrasar could use for his planned revenge. Then again, as much as he hated to admit it, he liked Sari, and he didn’t actually want to do anything that hurt the younger fae.

  Naturally, it all depended on Kael and whether or not Talrasar would manage to get him back. Talrasar had faith in their enduring bond, but if things didn’t work out as Talrasar hoped, all bets were off.

  Shtamakarein led them all into the palace guest wings and to their rooms. There was so much to discuss, especially with regard to the elephant in the room—Phoenix’s claim that he’d changed reality itself and that he might be able to return it to its original state if he had his powers back. However, the corridors weren’t the best place to address these matters, so they all succumbed to awkward silence.

  When they finally stopped in front of the prepared quarters, Shtamakarein said, “I will lead Prince Talrasar to his mate and then I will return. There is still a great deal we need to address, both regarding our policies, and yours. I don’t want any other surprises when your allies arrive.”

  “Very well,” Eanera answered, “we will be waiting. Do not fail us, Emperor.”

  The draechen just arched a brow at her. He kissed Sari’s cheek, then turned toward Talrasar. “Come. Your mate has been waiting long enough.”

  They left the other two fae in their respective rooms and walked in silence out of the guest wing. Talrasar felt strangely like he was being watched, but he couldn’t confirm it one way or another. At last, they started to descend into the lower level of the palace, finally reaching the dungeons.

  They bypassed a line of guards who saluted the emperor and eyed Talrasar with obvious suspicion. However, no one followed them into the depths of the mountain, and finally, they were all alone.

  The air was cold and damp, smelling like despair and fear. Talrasar felt his mate here, and the more he advanced, the angrier he felt. And then, Shtamakarein suddenly said, “Now that it’s just the two of us, I want to make something clear. I’m well aware that you loathe me. I’m not an idiot, and I realize that me allowing you to see your mate won’t change my slight against him. However, I will not accept any mischief. Right now, we have too many problems to worry about our supposed allies stabbing us in the back.”