The Hidden Truth (Shadow Claw Book 7)

by Sarah J. Stone

  “Do you have any sightings to report, Spencer?” Peter spoke up. Katianna had her utensils in her hand, her mouth salivating at the meat that was placed in front of her. She hadn't realized that she was hungry until this moment.

  “Of King Richard?” Spencer asked. “No. It was my understanding that he was killed.”

  “He was,” Peter said. “We just like to check. You spent many years on Earth.”

  “I spent many years everywhere,” Spencer corrected him. “But I assure you, since the report came that he perished here, I have heard and seen nothing.”

  “Unless he's been reincarnated,” Cole said, smirking. Spencer's head shot up, his eyes narrowing.

  “It's possible,” Spencer said, coolly.

  “And it's possible I could figure out how to transform into a wolf,” Cole replied. “Magic works in mysterious ways.”

  Katianna felt the feeling of dread in her stomach again. She waited until everyone was deep in conversation before she spoke softly to Spencer once more.

  “He doesn't believe us,” she said.

  Spencer sighed. “Cole is just snarky,” he said. “He hasn't had a chance to look into anything yet, so he's living inside his own box. Don't worry, my love, he will find an answer.”

  “And if he doesn't?” Katianna asked.

  Spencer raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “I just mean, if he doesn't find evidence that reincarnation exists?”

  “My love,” he looked right into her eyes, “you know in your heart that this is real, don't you?”

  “I…” she couldn't deny it when he was looking right into her eyes and sending shivers up and down her spine. “Yes, I know it's real.”

  “Good,” he said, leaning over to kiss her. “Then that's all we need in the end. But Cole will find an answer. Once he removes his head from his–”

  “Spencer!” Katianna exclaimed, with a laugh. It drew attention back to them, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry,” she said.

  “Share the joke, please,” Peter said, looking right at her. Her eyes widened.

  “Oh no, it was just something funny that happened on Earth,” she said. Peter raised an eyebrow.

  “Which was? Don't be afraid. You are among friends here.”

  “Which was....me...falling into the mud on my first date with Spencer.” It was a lie, but it was the only thing she could think of. “So embarrassing”

  “Oh my,” Enya saved her. “That would be awkward. Clearly, though, Spencer was not too bothered by it.”

  “I did laugh,” Spencer got into the story. “Only for a moment.”

  “What would you do if I fell in the mud?” Enya turned to Cole, cocking an eyebrow.

  “Ask you to stay down there so I could snap a picture, and then help you up?” Cole smirked, and she laughed, shaking her head.

  Luckily for both of them, the conversation topic turned, and Katianna let out a sigh of relief.

  Dinner was finished soon enough, and everyone rose to retire to the library for drinks and general socializing. Katianna felt like she was in the sixteenth century with all these formalities.

  She noted that Ariel rose first, reaching her hand out. Alexander took it, and his wife's arm flexed to support him as they headed into the library.

  “What's wrong with him?” she asked. Spencer's eyes flicked upwards to make sure that they were far enough away, and then spoke.

  “The relationship between supernatural beings and carapaces has always been odd. Sometimes, they were allies, but mostly they were hunted. When Ariel married Alexander, there was many carapaces who didn't like it. Prolonged exposure to them, especially in the numbers they brought, was damaging. He will never recover.”

  “Yet, they continue to be together?”

  “Alexander argues that one carapace, even the queen, isn't damaging. He just can't be on Earth where the rest of them are.”

  “She's the queen of carapaces?” Katianna replied. “Wow. I understand what you mean for a marriage of convenience, but it's not that way now.”

  “What do you mean?” Spencer asked, confused.

  Katianna smiled. “They love each other, isn't that clear?”

  “I…” he looked between them and back to Katianna. “I don't know. It's always been accepted that they were what you call a powerful couple.”

  “Spencer,” she said softly, “can't you see love when it's looking you in the eye?

  He smiled down at her, kissing the top of her head. “Of course, I can,” he said. “I see it every time I look at you.”

  She squeezed his hand as they settled into the library. It seemed an odd way to spend an evening–among princes of Dragons. And yet, somehow, it seemed natural.

  It was only half an hour of quiet conversation before the day hit her. She yawned loudly, and then covered her mouth, blushing.

  “Oh my goodness, I'm sorry.”

  Spencer laughed, rising. “Come, my dear. I shall escort you to your room. It's been a long day for both of us.”

  “Thank you for everything today,” she said to the others, dipping low. “It was…wonderful?”

  Alexander smiled briefly. “Goodnight,” he said, dipping his head. “It was an honor to have your company, Katianna.”

  It was only once she was gone that Cole spoke up.

  “You don't really believe that's Katianna, do you?” he asked his brother.

  Alexander's eyes flickered to his youngest brother. “And what is your opinion, Cole? Although I'm quite sure I can guess it.”

  “That's not the same girl,” Cole said, firmly. “Reincarnation is just not something that happens.”

  “Are you sure?” Rosa spoke up, meeting his witch eyes. “You didn't think the Donizetti line could be revived. You didn't know what magic you were holding until you were told. I'm not questioning your ability, Cole, my dearest brother. I'm saying that we learn new things all the time.”

  “No, you don't.” Cole glanced at Enya.

  “What?” Enya asked, a sinking feeling in her chest.

  “The last time Spencer brought Katianna around here, I…she and I….”

  “Sorry, you did what?” Nicholas smirked, from his place by the fire. “Did you steal her virtue, Cole?”

  “I did not,” Cole replied. “But I may have kissed her. More than once. She may have run because she was avoiding me. I don't think Spencer knows, but she chose to go back to Earth, likely to stay faithful to him.”

  Her husband's romances before they met didn't bother Enya. But she was still put out by his lack of respect for an existing relationship.

  “Were you in love with her?” Enya asked, and Cole laughed.

  “No, it was just a thing. How do you say it? A fling. It meant nothing to me, but I get the feeling it meant everything to her. I know her, and that isn't her.”

  “Cole,” Alexander put his palm to his eyes, sighing. “Thank God you finally got married before you bothered the whole kingdom.”

  “If she's got magic to reincarnate,” Ariel said, “I could possibly feel the same thing from an old corpse of hers? If she doesn't just vanish?”

  “Do you feel magic on her at all?” Alexander turned to his wife, and she shook her head, sliding into his lap.

  “Nada. But there's so many of you around. Maybe I'll make nice and get her alone.”

  “My concern,” Peter said, speaking up for the first time, “is that if he is right, and some people do have the ability to do this, what if Father does as well?”

  Everyone fell silent at that, looking to each other. Cole had not considered that. They had killed old King Richard in a violent battle that no one would forget anytime soon. If he wasn't really dead, everything was for naught.

  “I will look into it,” Cole said, at last. “But really, I'm not sure.”

  “Be sure,” Peter stared down his youngest brother. “Our future depends on it.”

  Ariel leaned into Alexander's chest, her eyes staring off into th
e fire. He squeezed her shoulder, a small smile on his face. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asked.

  “I was just wondering if someone could learn how to do that,” she said, looking back at him.

  “We have to find out if it's real first, Ariel,” he said, and she shrugged.

  “I know. But if you do eventually go before me, maybe you could learn how to do that.”

  “One would think you are fond of me,” he said softly.

  She giggled. “Or I like being a princess. Either way.”

  “Either way,” he echoed, staring into the fire. This world was getting so confusing. No one stayed dead, except, it seemed, for the ones they wanted.

  Chapter 8

  When Katianna awoke, she forgot where she was for a moment. It was only after a confusing look around that she remembered she was in the palace of the dragon princes. And apparently, she was dating one of the nobles. She hadn't actually discussed their relationship in detail, but somehow, the idea of being with Spencer seemed like it was the easiest thing in the world. They didn't need to have a talk; she didn't need to post a Facebook status. She just knew that she was with him.

  Her stomach growled, and she threw off the covers to get dressed. Her Earth clothes felt inadequate, but she couldn't very well go to Enya and ask for yet another dress. She didn't want to be a burden, even if they assured her it was all right.

  She assumed that breakfast would be served in the banquet hall like dinner was. She followed her nose, almost sniffing for the smell of bacon.

  It seemed to be very early; the hallways were empty. She found her way easily enough and was happy to smell some sort of food. There were no guards at the door like last night, and she pushed them open, straining under their weight.

  There was only Cole in the banquet hall, surrounded by what looked like a feast. When he saw her, he smiled.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “Good morning,” she replied. “Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude.”

  “You aren't intruding,” he pointed to a chair near him. “We're just the only ones who have the sense to eat at a good time.”

  “Where is everyone else?” she asked, looking over the choices for breakfast. She was used to a buffet-style feast from the hotel, but this went above and beyond anything she had ever seen. There were plates and plates of food on silver platters, beautifully displaced and piping hot. It was as if the palace was expecting several hundred people, rather than just the ten of them.

  “Alexander and Peter are always up early. They work at the crack of dawn and never eat,” Cole replied. “Nicholas has taken Yvette to Earth, and my own lovely wife is still asleep. As, I assume, is your Spencer.”

  “We had a long day,” she said with a shrug as she sat down, “but food always wakes me up.”

  “Didn't used to,” he said, and she stopped eating.

  “I'm sorry?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  He smiled. “You don't remember anything about your previous life, do you?”

  “I remember bits and pieces,” she answered, meeting his eyes. “The wings on the side. And that we were friends.”

  “Sure,” he said, taking another helping of food. “We were friends.”

  She heard an edge to his voice and avoided his eyes. There was something about his voice that made her shiver.

  They had been friends, hadn't they? Was there something she was missing?

  Katianna closed her eyes, searching her mind. She was looking for a memory–anything that didn't fit into her current life. He was friendly, sure, and he was handsome, but that didn't mean anything, did it?

  When she opened her eyes, he was looking right at her. His yellow eyes sparkled as he broke the gaze. Katianna felt ice go down her spine.

  “Were we more than friends?” she asked.

  Cole smirked. “Well, if I told you, that would be cheating, wouldn't it? Or is that how Spencer has been telling you things?”

  She took a deep breath. “Why are you being so mean to me? Even if I turn out to be not who you all think I am, what have I done to offend?”

  “Nothing, love,” Cole answered. “But you have to figure it out for yourself, don't you? I can't tell you, and neither can he.”

  “But I know what I feel,” she protested.

  “Aye well,” Cole said, holding her gaze again, “love works in mysterious ways.”

  “How…,” she fought for calm. “Didn't you fall in love with your wife almost by accident?”

  “That I did,” he replied. “She was supposed to be the key to my success and my destruction. Instead, she saved my life.”

  “That's quite a story,” she said. “So, why is my story so unlikely?”

  “Hmm,” he said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. There were no servants today, no beautifully dressed butlers and charming maids. It was just the two of them, and she felt the expanse of the room. “I suppose it's not. But I've never heard of it before. And I know everything magical.”

  “No one knows everything,” she stood up. She had thought that it would be pleasant, but he couldn't stop attacking her. She couldn't sit here and listen to this, not when she wasn't quite sure herself. The truth was, she had doubt deep down in the pit of her stomach. And the last thing she wanted was anyone exploiting it.

  She had thought that she was happy in her life. But she didn't know happiness until Spencer was at her side.

  “Ah, love, don't mind me,” Cole said, indicating she should sit back down. “That's just the way I am in the morning.”

  She paused, her hand trembling. He had made her angry, it was true, but his smile was disarming.

  “I'm sorry,” he said, honestly. His eyes were sincere, and she sighed, sitting back down.

  “I accept your apology,” she said, at last. He nodded, pointing to a platter of eggs.

  “These are good, you should try some.”

  “Cole!”

  Both of them jumped as Nicholas burst into the room. Cole scrambled to his feet, looking like he had been caught at something.

  “Did you invite Evan Moonlit here?”

  “What?” Cole answered in shock. “Why would I invite the wolf king here? He's Alexander's best friend. Why don't you ask him?”

  “Alexander isn't here right now,” Nicholas said, through clenched teeth. “And Evan is asking if he's here, with a trunk at his feet. He's been invited by someone, and it wasn't Alexander.”

  “But I didn't,” Cole said. “We don't have anything ready, security wise.”

  “What's going on?” Katianna couldn't help but ask, looking between the two of them in confusion. Cole glanced to her and then decided that there was no harm in telling her.

  “Evan Moonlit is the wolf-shifter king. He's an ally, very close to my brother. But when a king visits from another realm, we have to up security, make sure that he feels safe. God damn it, nothing is ready,” Cole ran a hand through his hair. “He's going to think we're a raggedy bunch.”

  “Even more so if we don't figure out who invited him,” Nicholas said. “Never mind that we don't have a room for him.”

  Those words perked up Katianna's ears. “I can help,” she said, standing up. Both brothers turned to her in confusion. “My parents run a hotel, and I'm studying tourism. Stalling a VIP guest while we scramble to figure out what the hell is going on is my specialty.”

  The two looked between each other, and then Nicholas shrugged.

  “Better than what I could come up,” he said. “Come with me then. He's an easy fellow, but we need to make preparations.”

  “Right,” Katianna scrambled after them. Nicholas said something to Cole in dragon lore, and it made her gasp. “Does he speak English?”

  “He speaks dragon,” Cole said, glancing to Nicholas. “Does he speak English?”

  “Why are we arguing over this when your wife is a translator?” Nicholas asked. “Go get her, and we'll make it right.”

  A blast of trumpets made them all tense. Nicholas' eyes widened
, apparently listening to the notes that were played.

  “That's…” he said, and Cole filled in for him, equally shocked.

  “The lion queen?” he asked. “Tahitian hasn't been here for a year, and suddenly she shows up unannounced?”

  “Are you sure you didn't invite a mass convention of rulers and forget about it?” Nicholas asked.

  “Why would I do that?” Cole shot back. Katianna was about to speak up when they rounded the corner.

  In the front hallway, waiting to be served, were clearly two rulers. Evan was dressed sharply, a middle-aged, lean man with kind eyes and long hair, the way werewolves were portrayed on television. Tahitian was stunning, with strawberry-blonde hair and a sleek figure. Both of them were accompanied by an entourage and trunks. They had clearly been invited, but it bothered Katianna that no one knew by who.

  She searched her mind, trying to remember what her parents had done when someone had shown up without a reservation. Nicholas made small talk for a few moments, while Cole scrambled off to get Enya. It seemed the two youngest dragon princes were a bit of a loss without their older brothers.

  Enya scrambled into the room, looking exactly like she had just been dragged from bed. But Nicholas introduced Katianna, hoping she could take over while the princes scrambled, and Enya translated for Katianna, who bowed deeply.

  “I'm new to the palace, but I'm happy to welcome you,” she looked between the two of them. It took a while for Enya to translate, as she had to try a few languages before she found a common one. Finally, both of them smiled. “It's so wonderful you could both make it. Were you aware that you were both invited?”

  Tahitian said something, and Enya raised an eyebrow, turning to Katianna.

  “King Richard must have planned this well, for the note was postmarked nearly ten years ago.”

  “What?” Katianna hissed to Enya. “Isn't that king dead? How…?”

  “She thinks that the note was old,” Enya replied. “A delayed email if you will. I wonder what the hell it says?”

  “Ask them if we could have the note,” Katianna thought fast. “For his sons would be grateful of anything that their father wrote. For memories.”

  “Good thinking,” Enya said, and turned back to the royals, translating.