Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 4
Naga’s Concubine
Ice dragon Sagenamadeen Zager has always been a loyal soldier, renowned for his cold demeanor. But his life changes when Sage meets and falls in love with Prince Camden Isaiat.
Camden is the only one who truly manages to melt the ice around his heart. But Camden is also a naga, a member of the second caste and a chimera. Their love is a taboo. And it isn’t only the draechen who are against it, but also Camden’s family.
When Sage agrees to join them in the naga capital, he becomes little more than a concubine. But just as Sage and Camden decide they’ve had enough, a vampire ploy targets the naga. Mysterious forces are at work, and Sage is the only one who can keep his mate safe from them. Can he prove the true power of his mate bond surpasses all labels, or will distrust, hatred, and darkness separate him from his lover?
NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest imprint, the Siren Epic Romance collection. This is Book 4 of 7 in the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive series. The series shares an overall story arc with many crossover characters playing major roles in each book. These books are not stand-alone and should be read in their numbered order.
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 75,557 words
NAGA’S CONCUBINE
Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 4
Scarlet Hyacinth
SIREN EPIC ROMANCE,
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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IMPRINT: Siren Epic Romance, ManLove
NAGA’S CONCUBINE
Copyright © 2013 by Scarlet Hyacinth
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-188-3
First E-book Publication: August 2013
Cover design by Siren Publishing
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
About the Author
NAGA’S CONCUBINE
Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 4
SCARLET HYACINTH
Copyright © 2013
Prologue
Ever since the time of the Great Sacrifice, second-caste shifters lived an existence of paradoxes. By the rule of the Shifter Directive, they were assigned a privileged position, second only to that of the draechen. But in spite of this, many still looked down on members of the second caste, more specifically those known as chimeras.
Unlike draechen or even other rare shifters, chimeras couldn’t change fully into an animal. They only had a middle form, where a part of their bodies—usually their legs, although this was not a rule—turned beast-like. Such was the case of mermen, naga, satyrs, sirens, harpies, and centaurs. Even rarer breeds included minotaurs—known for the fact that, upon shifting, they became far more animalistic than other shifters—and the handful of medusas still in existence. In spite of the attempts on parts of the paranormal community to remain politically correct, the attitude of dislike persisted. Gradually, these chimeras became known as halves.
As the insulting word was whispered every time a chimera entered the room, most of these rare shifters retreated from the paranormal community and into their own homes. The mer hid deep within the oceans, where no one would ever find them to point fingers. The centaurs, satyrs, harpies, and sirens found deserted islands, guarding their privacy zealously. The medusas became the guardians of the minotaurs, making sure that their friends didn’t accidentally reveal the existence of the paranormal world to the humans.
As for the naga… This proud, snake-like people formed the beautiful underground city of Patala. Here they dwelled, creating a true kingdom with connections that spanned all throughout the chimera community. They trained their people and created an army in secret. Because the naga knew that, one day, the time would come for the other shifters to pay for what they had done. They saw the huge holes in the Shifter Directive, and anticipated the moment when it would finally fail.
Because the naga had a secret. Their blood carried a potent cure that could heal all wounds. They had acknowledged their own mistake in not intervening to stop the plague sooner, though, and after the Sacrifice, they had used their armies to control the remaining werewolves and vampires. This had earned them their position in the second caste. And since then, they remained aware of their responsibilities, not wanting to repeat past errors.
As time passed, word came of the increasing hostility of the draechen toward magical
creatures. It became obvious for the ruling family of the naga, the Isaiat, that the power-hungry Tersain were no longer content with merely leading shifters. They wanted to swallow the entire world under their hegemony. The only ones who could stop them were the naga themselves.
But what Queen Anais Isaiat and her two mates didn’t know was that chimeras could fall in love with draechen, and the other way around. That love—a love no one had anticipated—would change the destinies of all.
Chapter One
“Cammie… Cammie…” The hatchling gurgled, extending his small hands toward Camden. “Want to carry.”
Camden chuckled and obediently picked his brother up. He was still very small, but growing more and more every day. Soon, he’d be able to change into his naga shape, although it would take a while until he could master those abilities. Right now, though, Ender was only a baby, and a very cute one at that.
Grinning, Camden tickled Ender’s chin, making his brother squeal in delight. The sound woke Ender’s twin sister, Endra, from her slumber, and she immediately began to cry, demanding Camden’s attention as well. Camden hopped to take her in his arms and sat down on a nearby couch, cuddling both babies to his chest. Endra quieted down, as did Ender, and slowly, the two hatchlings drifted into slumber.
As he watched their small, young faces, Camden wondered what in the world he was going to do. Soon, he was supposed to go to Draechenburg with his sire and brothers. A part of him looked forward to it. He was so very eager to see Sage again, to feel the draechen’s lips on his own. But at the same time, he remained aware that this time, his visit wouldn’t be so benign in nature. The naga were considering an assault against Draechenburg, something Camden wanted to avoid.
He’d always thought that his parents were right in building an army against the draechen. After all, the naga had to protect themselves in case the worst happened and, one day, the draechen attacked. By rights, it was smart to strike now, when the draechen were weak after the fall of their previous emperor.
But the dragon-shifters were no longer a nebulous enemy that had once restricted Camden and his people to the darkness. In his trip, Camden had met many people, some of whom had impressed him through their loyalty and dedication. He’d understood that draechen were just like naga, and taking this step would make Camden’s kind the villain in the story.
Of course, he might have become biased because he had met Sage. To be true, the imperial family hadn’t been very likeable. But Camden’s parents weren’t targeting only the new emperor. Everyone in Draechenburg and Ornoz as a whole would be hurt if a war started. Why couldn’t he come up with a plan to stop it? Damn it, he was all over the place, and Sage was relying on him.
He was so lost in thought that when a familiar voice sounded, it startled him. “You look upset,” his mother said. “What is it, Camden?”
Camden looked up at her and forced a smile. “Nothing,” he lied. “I’ll just miss Patala once we’re gone.”
One would have thought that the naga wouldn’t be loving parents, but that wasn’t the truth at all. Camden had grown up as a happy and well-loved child, more so since he had three parents instead of two. His two fathers didn’t care that only one of them had provided the sperm for his conception. Both he and his brothers received the same affection from the two naga kings. Similarly, his mother had always been a warm, welcoming figure to all of them.
But the fact remained that the naga were eternally lingering at the edge of a dangerous conflict with other shifters. When he’d been Ender’s age, he’d ignored it, not knowing about all the evils hiding in the big, bad world. But now, he had a duty, one he didn’t know how to handle in the wake of what he’d just learned.
He’d have liked to open his heart to his mother, but she would never agree to him mating a draechen. Even under normal circumstances, she’d have been against it. Naga firmly believed that three-way matings were preferable to couples, while draechen would never accept sharing their mates with anyone. For each individual naga, two mates were essential. For draechen, just the idea was unconceivable. Camden was just so confused. Everything he’d been taught had been shaken by Sage’s appearance in his life.
Anais seemed to guess his restlessness. “You’re cold,” she whispered, incipient panic already starting to appear in her voice. “Come here.”
Obediently, Camden got up and placed his younger siblings into their crib. He turned toward his mother, who immediately enveloped him in a tight hug, rubbing her hands over Camden’s arms. The friction helped clear Camden’s thoughts a bit.
Was he cold? That would explain the strange emptiness he’d started to experience whenever he thought about the mate he’d left behind. Loneliness was physically dangerous for naga, so much so that it could even kill them. Camden’s people called it “the cold” because it was like frostbite. First, emotions vanished, and then, it slowly took everything else, the senses, and finally, in time, even life. It was why naga needed more than one mate, to make sure a relationship would always provide the heat needed to keep them alive and happy.
“I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “I know we should have started searching for your mates, but with the approaching war, we’ve neglected you. Do you want to stay in Patala with me? We can review candidates together.”
Under normal circumstances, Camden would have jumped at the chance, but a naga mate would never understand his need for Sage. All-powerful Varuna, Camden himself didn’t understand it. For all he knew, it was just a superficial attraction, an infatuation that would simply go away. But regardless of what the chemistry between Camden and his draechen meant, he couldn’t remain here with his mother. If he did, there would be no one in Draechenburg to prevent disaster.
As that thought passed through his mind, Camden went rigid. Could he really do that, betray everything and everyone he’d ever loved for a man he didn’t even know? Varuna, he wasn’t sure, and it hurt.
“Camden?” his mother asked. “Talk to me, child. You can’t hide these things. You know that it’s poisonous for our kind.”
“I know,” Camden replied, breaking the embrace. “It’s not about me taking a mate. I just…” He didn’t how to reach out to her without risking her wrath. She was his mother and a good woman, but she hated the draechen. “I’m not sure we’re doing the right thing, that’s all.”
Anais frowned. “The right thing?” she repeated. “In regard to what?”
“The draechen,” Camden answered. “They might be building something new. Shouldn’t we at least wait to see what policies Prince Hareematek adopts once he’s emperor?”
For a few moments, his mother was quiet. Camden almost thought he’d completely fucked up and she had realized that he was hiding something, but then she smiled. “You are a good boy. The cold hasn’t touched you yet. That makes me happier than you can imagine. I understand that you do not wish for unnecessary pain on anyone’s part.” Her expression sobered, and her indulgent beam disappeared. “But we are royalty, Camden. We cannot afford to be kind every time. We have a responsibility to other chimeras, and we need to squash the draechen menace while we still have the chance. You would have us wait for Hareematek to get accustomed to his position? Why? You’ve seen the reports. This man holds a werewolf sex slave in clear disregard of the Directive. Do you really think he would be a better emperor than his predecessor?”
When Camden didn’t answer, his mother insisted. “Tell me, Camden. Do you truly believe that he deserves a chance? You’ve met him and his family. What’s your honest assessment?”
At that, Camden shivered, his discomfort returning. “I don’t know him well enough to say,” he offered. “We didn’t really talk much on the plane or while I was there.”
In fact, the only person who’d even paid any attention to him at all had been Princess Akarawem, who’d been dismissive at best. But there were a million different reasons behind that, not just the general attitude of the draechen toward chimeras. “There was a lot of intrigue going on dur
ing my presence. It was my honest impression that Emperor Kavehquader stifled any impulse of initiative, even from his children. As for the sex slave… I honestly don’t know. But regardless, the impulses of one man shouldn’t damn a nation.”
His mother arched a brow. “So are you suggesting that we assassinate Prince Hareematek instead of using our armies against Ornoz?”
Camden shook his head. “I’m merely asking you to consider things carefully.”
“Do you truly think we have not?” Anais shook her head, frowning. “I’m disappointed in you, Camden. I’d have thought you knew your fathers and me better than that. Go to your room. I don’t want to look at you right now.”
Camden had no clue how the conversation had gone so wrong, but he was forced to comply. His shoulders slumping, he left the nursery and retreated to his quarters. He had to come up with a way to get to his mother. But how? How could remain loyal to the naga but still rescue his mate from the coming storm? He was very worried he wouldn’t even get the chance to try.
As it turned out, his guess was proven to be correct when, a few hours after his argument with his mother, a knock sounded at his door. Camden went to open it, only to find his sire on the other side. Much to Camden’s surprise, Zaire was in human form.
“Greetings, Sire,” Camden said. “Are you going to the surface?”
“I’ve just returned from there,” Zaire corrected him. “I was forced to procure those chocolates your mother likes. You’ve really upset her, you know.”
Naga's Concubine [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 4] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) Page 1