by CJ England
Caliph narrowed his eyes. “If there is no mating involved, there will be no joining. If you want an alliance, you will give me...” He glanced at his son before going on. “You will give my son a child."
Kira didn't even bother to look at the Emperor, her whole focus was on Koran.
Koran looked at Kira. He could sense her power silently calling to him. Her concern wasn't the mating, but the joining. Without thinking, he reached for her again. His hand stroked her cheek and brushed down her hair, trying to see deeper inside her.
His father was very important to him, and if he wanted Koran to have a child with this woman, Koran would have to consider it. It would be no great difficulty. The Lady Kira was as lovely as any faerie he had ever seen. And the feel of her power when it touched his soul—now that was something he could spend his life enjoying.
But there was something ... something that made him hesitate to mate with her. Is it her faerie blood?
Suddenly, he knew he wanted to join with Kira. Her magical touch called to him. “My father...” He had to approach this carefully. “I would know more about this ceremony. Perhaps the Lady Kira can show me what this joining is. If it pleases me to do so, I can join with her.” He spoke confidently. “The mating can come later."
He looked at the others Kira had joined with, not giving his father a chance to speak. “You have all joined with the Peacekeeper?"
Gallegar let his hand fall from Kira's arm. “We were all chosen by the Lady Kira. I am the First."
"And this joining pleasures you?"
Lucas snorted but didn't answer.
Danolas came forward and dipped his head in greeting. “It pleases us to be joined with our Lady. We share her powers and her mind. She shares ours as well."
Patrick stepped up. “All the joinings are different. When you have joined with Kira, the Chosen then link together. We then can share each other's minds as well as hers."
Benjamin's voice was low as he spoke. “She saved my life by joining with me. Now our lives are one."
"Does this answer your question, Prince?” Gallegar's green eyes pierced Koran.
"Yes,” Koran continued with the arrogant tone. “I would see more of this. With your permission, Father?"
Caliph was stuck. He wanted to refuse, but that would divide him and his son, and he knew the importance of presenting a united front. “All right, my son,” he finally decided. “But join only if you see it as an advantage. I know I have taught you well."
"Thank you, Father. Lady Kira...” Koran bowed and then held out his hand to her.
Kira turned and sent all her joined ones soothing thoughts. She would be all right. They were to keep guard at the door, but be very careful. The Emperor was a cruel man. Koran had been chosen for her. He could not hurt her. Once they were joined, all would be well.
Kira spun back around and followed Prince Koran into his private chamber.
* * * *
Koran's chamber didn't have the ostentatious look of his father's. It was just as regal but more subtly so, like he didn't need to parade who he was in front of others. It was comfortable looking.
"I welcome you to my chamber, Lady Kira.” Koran's smile matched his words.
Kira glanced around at the room. “It looks like you. Cool and comfortable."
Koran laughed. “I will take that as a compliment.” He moved closer to Kira, taking her hands in his.
He smiled enticingly. “You are most beautiful. Any child we made together would be very handsome ... powerful."
Kira looked up at him and frowned. “Why do you do that?"
Koran met her puzzled look with one of his own. “Do what?"
"Pretend to act like your father. It is not you, Koran.” She stepped back from him. “We are not here to mate. I wish to join with you. I thought that is why we came in here. Have you changed your mind?"
"I had not made up my mind, but I wanted you away from my father so we could speak more freely. Tell me more about joining with you. Why is it so important?” He looked irritated she hadn't fallen for his seductive words.
Kira sighed. “Joining with me will help protect your people. The Faerie are not as strong as they once were. After meeting with your father, I now know why. Your people must adapt to the new world around them. They have not done so."
Koran scowled fiercely. “My father is the emperor. He does well for his people. You should not speak of him this way."
"I speak the truth, Koran, and you know it. You have seen what is happening. You know the power your people once held has diminished. When I came here, I thought I would join with the leader of the Faerie, but once I saw Caliph, I knew he was not the one. I felt your power and sensed you were the one I had come for. You are for me, Koran. I am for you."
"How will joining with you help my kind?” Koran was desperate to understand. He didn't like the fact Kira shared his concerns about his father's rule.
"When you and I join,” Kira put a slender hand on his chest. “Our minds will become as one. You will have access to power you have never dreamed of. When you link with the other Chosen, you will gain some of their magicks too. We will become allies against something that is coming to harm all our people. Your people will be safe."
"Your power is strong, Lady Kira, but I do not see it being strong enough to help my people in the way you suggest."
Kira stood still for a long moment before she ran her hand across Koran's chest soothingly. Goose bumps appeared on his skin.
"If I so chose,” Kira murmured softly. “The Chosen and I could bring The Faerie Mound down around your ears. If I wanted to, I could destroy every Faerie I touched."
"How?” scoffed Koran. But he was nervous. Something in her voice told him she was serious, raising the hair on the back of his neck.
Kira eyes glowed. She stared deep into his amber ones. “I know the Words of Death over the Faerie people."
Koran staggered back from her. His hand wiped away the touch of her hand on his chest unthinkingly. “Impossible,” he shot back gruffly. “No mortal knows those words. It is so written."
"I never said I was mortal, Koran. I do not know what I am or where I came from. But I do know I was sent to you. Look within me and see I tell the truth."
Koran hesitated, and then with a shrug used his magick to delve into Kira's mind. The Words of Death appeared, glowing hotly against the coolness of Kira's emotions.
"Slanboh exch lioth
tandar mequah opher."
"You tell the truth!” Koran's eyes popped open and he blinked at Kira in amazement.
"When I join with you, you will have control over the Words of Death. I will use them to help you rule your people."
He stared at her, thoughts and ideas tumbling through his mind. She was right. The Faerie power had been faltering in the last century. It was decided that it must be due to the thinning blood the older faerie carried. Wheels had been put into motion for more faerie children to be born. But it took time for the stronger magicks to succeed and then to mature.
Koran had long been of the opinion something else might be destroying the power, but he couldn't get his father to listen to him. The old ways were the best ways, his father would intone.
He clenched his hands. He swore if he heard that phrase one more time ... So while his father worked at the old ways, the Faerie were fading around them. And now here standing before him was the solution to his problem. Once he controlled the Words of Death, all Faerie would rally around him.
"You want me to overthrow my father. Become Emperor in his place?"
Kira looked startled, as if she hadn't thought of that. “I do not think so,” she blurted out. “I mean ... I do not know. I am not the one to make that choice, Koran. I am just to give you this tool to help your people. You must decide how to use it."
Koran narrowed his eyes. “I could just mate with you. I would still control the Words through the mating."
Kira looked at him, amused. “You think any of my me
n out there would allow you to force me? Do you think I would allow it?” She came to him and gently stroked his golden cheek.
"Koran, you are not your father. Do not act like it. I will give this gift to you freely once we are joined."
"Whoever I wanted..."
"I will always have free will, Koran. Danolas says you must think of us as a team."
"My father will never agree to this."
Kira put her arms around the elven man. “You say he is a good emperor. Your father loves you. You can make him listen. If more must happen later to save your people, you will have allies to help you."
"Why would you all do this for me? You don't know me. You don't know the type of man I am."
"That is where you are wrong. I knew you the moment my power touched yours. I feel I have always known you.” Kira gave him a hard hug. “We were chosen to be together. Not as your father deems, but as part of the joined. The Chosen will follow, because we are as one, all of us."
Koran looked down at the woman in his arms. The power she offered him was an incredible temptation to one who had spent several centuries waiting to gain the throne. He knew his father would destroy their people if he continued down the course he was on. It needed to change immediately. But just as he was sure of that, Koran knew Kira would be disappointed in him if he behaved in any manner that would be unjust.
He shook his head in amazement. Why does what she thinks of me suddenly matter so much? I am heir to the throne of Faerie. I will do what is best for my people.
Then his gaze met hers and she smiled. He felt his surrender down to his toes.
"I will join with you, Kira. For my own sake and for my kind."
Kira's smile grew and tears filled her eyes. She stretched up to kiss him on the cheek, but Koran instinctively turned his head, so their lips met.
As their lips came together, the powers that lived within them both joined and exploded out of them in a golden burst of light. Kira closed her eyes against the brightness, but she didn't pull away. She knew the joining of their lips was necessary. She also realized as soon as he touched her, that their feelings were not romantic ones. And she knew why.
A laugh bubbled out of her. One soon shared by Koran. He held her tighter, and tighter. Their lips continued to press together. The light bathed them both. It created a sphere of golden space that lifted them off the ground. As one, they pulled back from each other, only holding hands. They stared at each other, utter joy filling their faces.
"Sister!” Koran shouted huskily.
"Brother!” Kira returned, more tears coursing down her soft cheeks. “How is this possible?"
Koran shook his head. “I knew you were Faerie the second I saw you, but my sister ... that is a surprise."
"But I am not Faerie,” Kira stated. “I am more now."
"Well, this will give me a reason to opt out of mating with you. Hopefully, my father must agree."
"You think he would not?"
"Inbreeding in the Faerie realm is not uncommon."
Kira wrinkled her nose and Koran grinned. “I'm not thinking romantically about you any more either."
"I do not understand how this came to be."
Koran squeezed her hands. “Perhaps we will learn more as we join. If it is still allowed?"
Kira nodded. “Yes, we are to join. You have been chosen.” She smiled happily. “And now we know why."
The two brought their lips back together in a passionless, familial kiss. The golden light burned brighter.
* * * *
Outside the door, Kira's joined had taken their places. The Emperor had tried to get them to leave, but one snarl from Lucas had sent him back to his couch. He brooded there, but kept glaring smugly at the men every so often.
"If all weren't well, we would know it.” Danolas wasn't sure whether he was trying to comfort himself or the others.
"She will be fine.” Gallegar ran a hand through his hair. “Her shields are down enough for us to know if something were to happen."
"Was it this bad for you when I joined with her?” Benjamin questioned worriedly.
Patrick snorted. “We were a little busy when you joined, but the answer is yes. Joining makes us all nervous."
Benjamin looked at Gallegar. “And you've gone through this five other times?” Gallegar nodded. “You got some strength."
Lucas cursed under his breath. “It ain't easy on any of us. It's the not knowing."
"It will soon be—"
Danolas’ thought was never finished. They all flinched as a powerful golden light erupted out from under the door. It was so bright they had to hide their eyes from the glow. A scream brought them around and they watched Caliph throw up his hands and begin dancing in glee.
"It's happened! My son has done it!” he shouted, pointing toward the door. “Do you know what that light is? It is the light of procreation. When Faerie mate, they glow gold!"
Gallegar staggered against the door. “No!” he cried, hoarsely.
"My brother,” Danolas urgently spoke to him. “This is our Lady. Remember your own joining. Kira's power color is gold. That is what we see. Koran and she are joining."
Gallegar looked at him and his gaze was fierce. “Would you know differently, Danolas? Would you know if...” He couldn't finish his thought.
"We would know, Gallegar.” Lucas came to him; his own eyes as hard as nails. He spoke quietly. “If anything different were happening, you and I would know."
Gallegar stared at the man whom he thought of as his friend and his rival. He was offering comfort now.
Benjamin broke in with. “Her shields are just the same. If something were happening wouldn't it be like ... I mean wouldn't we feel it?” He stopped and turned red as he realized what he had almost said.
"Y'all are right.” Patrick glided across the floor and, narrowing his eyes, looked at the now muted light. “This is Kira we're talkin’ about."
"What do we do?” Benjamin asked.
Gallegar looked at Lucas and Danolas. He straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. “We wait."
* * * *
Kira and Koran were locked in the embrace that would join them one with another. Kira felt the love Koran had for her as it glided around her, stroking her, teaching her the way of Faerie. She could sense his absolute delight in having a sibling. The ending of his loneliness.
As his power moved over hers, she suddenly understood why parts of it seemed familiar. They were the same as her own. It gave her a clue as to her own beginnings. She had magick of her own before the Power changed her and made her Peacekeeper.
Kira could recognize the differences in their powers as well. Koran's magick was deeply masculine and as she had noted before, arrogant. But his arrogance came from a deep confidence in himself and his abilities.
As it blended with her own, Kira felt a sense of belonging and knew for the first time she was no longer the only one of her kind. She had a brother, who shared a bloodline with her. The tears that streamed down her face were those of joy.
Koran was overwhelmed by the love that flooded his heart as he joined with Kira. A sister. He had a sister. His own tears mingled with those of Kira's. He had been alone for so long—his father absent from his life most of the time. Now he had someone who belonged to him, who needed him.
Kira's power melded with his and he gasped at the new knowledge he was given. She was more than sister to him ... much more. The Power that had given Kira breath, took him through the sequence of events that brought her to life. Koran stood amazed at his part of it. Sister ... flesh of my flesh.
Their lips separated and they saw in each other a new awareness. Kira's face glowed with the knowledge that had been given her. Koran pulled her to his chest in a bear hug.
"I love you, Koran, brother of my spirit. Join with me now and forevermore be a part of my new family."
"I love you, Kira, sister of my flesh. All I am, I share with you.” Their hands moved at the same time. He gently slip
ped his hand around and placed it upon the small of her back. Hers moved up his chest till it rested in the hollow at the base of his throat.
Her heart pounded as she spoke the words of joining to him.
"I give you companionship. You give me wisdom. Together we can break down all barriers."
Koran smiled and bending, kissed his sister on the forehead.
"You give me companionship. I give you wisdom. Together we can break down all barriers."
The magick exploded between them. It pierced their flesh with a golden heat. Kira's first thought was it wasn't as painful as the rest of the brandings were. She wondered absently if it was because the power was much the same.
Koran gritted his teeth as the flesh at the base of his neck burned. For him it was a surprise, since he had nothing to compare it to. Instinctively, he voiced a healing incantation over both himself and Kira. The pain faded away.
He fingered the “K” now burned permanently in his neck. He carefully turned her around and examined the brand on her back. He smiled as he saw it was a golden crown, the same design as on his signet ring. She roused herself in his arms to look for herself. She smiled as she brushed her fingers over his throat. Blowing out her breath, she slumped back in his arms.
"Tired,” she muttered to herself. “So tired. But we still have much to do.” She raised her face to his. “I would call the Chosen in. You must link with them all."
Koran smiled. “This, I look forward to. What will they say when they find out who I really am to you?"
Kira giggled. “They will be pleased and surprised. No one knew I had a family.” She changed to mind-speech.
"Come to me, my Chosen. Come in and meet your new brother."
Outside the door, they all heard Kira's mind-speech. As one, they turned and entered, ignoring Caliph when he stood up screeching at them, “You can't go in during a mating! Stop! Stop at once!"
They filed in the room and Danolas spelled the door locked behind them. Immediately, they heard pounding on the outside door, but they ignored it when they saw Kira and Koran hanging just below the ceiling wrapped in a ball of golden light. They stood speechless as they watched it drop slowly to the floor and fade from view.