Segreti pressed his lips together in a thin line and shook his head. He didn’t deserve such tenderness.
“I see a beautiful warrior. A savior of many. I see an Orso general who sacrificed himself to save others. You knew Pavoni’s wrath would fall upon you, yet you spared those villagers because your good heart wouldn’t allow you to carry out such barbaric orders. I see before me the soul of a warrior whom I have come to admire and would be proud to call my mate, should he choose to have me.”
Segreti stared at him. “You… you would take me as your mate?”
“I would be honored, and humbled, to be the mate of such an honorable Orso.”
It was the happiest yet saddest day of Segreti’s life. “I have waited so long to hear those words, but I can’t in good faith allow you to bind yourself to me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s not you who’s drawn to me, but your gentle healer’s soul. You wish to heal the pain inside me, and I’m touched, but that’s not the reason I’d hoped you would give for taking me as your mate.”
Realization seemed to dawn on Ezra. “Love. You wish the reason to be love.”
Segreti nodded. It was a lot to ask of any creature. To love someone like him. Yet, with Ezra, he couldn’t imagine less.
“Do you love me?”
The matter-of-fact question caught Segreti off guard, but surprisingly, the answer didn’t elude him. “I find myself spiraling toward that sentiment with every smile you gift me.”
“I hold a deep affection for you, Segreti. Perhaps it’s too soon to call it love, but would you deny us the chance to explore the depths of our feelings for each other?” Ezra slipped his fingers into Segreti’s hair and smiled warmly. “In such a short time, I’ve come to see you as my champion. My general. You’ve ensnared me with very little effort. I believe it wouldn’t take much more for you to make off with my heart.”
“You truly believe that?”
“I do. It’s rather frightening.”
His conviction squeezed at Segreti’s heart. “Oh?”
A teasing light came into Ezra’s eyes, and it spread a beautiful light through Segreti, one he felt down to his core. Was it coming from Ezra? How was this possible?
“I’ve never had my heart stolen before. What would you do with it?”
“Cherish it,” Segreti replied without hesitation. He swept Ezra’s hair away from his face.
Ezra smiled brightly. “Then it’s yours.”
“And what would you do with mine? I fear it’s stitched together quite roughly.” Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and placed it over his heart. “Do you think you could mend it?”
Ezra nodded. “But not through magic.”
“Then how?”
Ezra leaned in to place a tender kiss to Segreti’s jaw, followed by another, and then another. He trailed butterfly kisses over his cheeks, nose, and chin.
“I think I rather enjoy this form of healing.”
Ezra laughed softly. “Despite what you may believe, it is not merely my soul which is drawn to you, but my mind, my heart, and… my body.”
Segreti met Ezra’s gaze, and he was struck by what was reflected in his eyes. Genuine affection shone through that brilliant blue. Ezra was nothing but sincere. He didn’t know how to be any other way. Some might think him brash, or perhaps insensitive, but Ezra saw no purpose in playing games or being untruthful.
“You truly wish to be my mate?” If Segreti sounded a little awed, he was.
“I’ve never been more certain. You’ve pledged your fealty to Khalon and have been invited to live in our kingdom.” Ezra lovingly stroked Segreti’s hair. “It would bring me great joy to have you at my side. To see your handsome face every morning and night. If you don’t mind my sharing my heart with another.”
Segreti peered at him. “Another?”
Ezra motioned to the wall of books behind him. Segreti threw his head back and laughed. He kissed Ezra’s cheek, loving the flush he brought on.
“I would never think to come between you and your beloved books.”
“See? You’re the perfect mate for me.”
“On one condition,” Segreti said, his expression mockingly stern.
“And what’s that?”
“That when you sit to read your book, you allow me to rest near you. As an Orso, we do enjoy a good nap, especially in the winter. Your lap is far more comfortable than any den.”
It was Ezra’s turn to bark out a laugh. Joy filled his eyes, and Segreti’s heart overflowed with emotion, knowing he was the cause of it.
“My lap and I accept,” Ezra replied, snuggling close.
As Segreti wrapped his arms around Ezra and kissed the top of his head, he committed this moment to memory, from the crackling sounds of the fire to the soft breaths of slumber exhaled by his beloved. His mate. Segreti had never felt so blessed. Ezra sighed quietly, his face nuzzled against Segreti’s neck.
One threat remained—the Orso who plotted to destroy everything around him, including his beautiful mate. He prayed to the Goddess that Ezra might forgive him, for the task that lay ahead would be hard to face. He’d finally been blessed with a mate. He couldn’t lose him.
Chapter Seven
Ezra had never felt so unsettled.
As the Soldati Summer Solstice Festival continued, the time of Riley’s prophecy grew nearer. Although they didn’t know exactly when the attempt would occur, it was to happen during the full moon while Khalon was vulnerable. Segreti had left Ezra’s chambers early that morning, determined to find the traitor. Ezra had taken the Eye into the festival, all the while feeling a presence close by. Someone had been following him, watching him, all morning, though he hadn’t caught any one scent that had been constant, which was odd. The Eye had offered no insight, much to Ezra’s growing frustration. None of it made sense, and with each hour gone by, his unease grew. Khalon was unusually elusive, and the Eye took off without notice far more often than Ezra liked. They were running out of time, and he was no closer to unearthing the conspirators. He hoped Segreti was having better luck than he was.
The thought of Segreti momentarily distracted Ezra, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. He had a mate. Well, sort of. Segreti was his mate in name only until he claimed Ezra. The very thought sent a fierce heat rushing through him.
Last night had been heavenly. Ezra had pulled Segreti to his bed, but no thoughts other than comfort had entered his mind, and Segreti sensed it. He’d tenderly kissed Ezra and accepted his invitation. Together they’d held each other in bed, dozing in and out, murmuring sweet nothings and kissing sweetly before drifting off again. Ezra had never experienced that before. Never been simply held by another. Segreti appeared content to do nothing more than stroke Ezra’s arm or hair, to kiss him and nuzzle him. Ezra’s Soldati soul yearned to be claimed, but the time had to be right. Once a Soldati lay claim to a mate or was claimed, it couldn’t be undone. A Soldati loved deep and mated for life, and although it was too soon to speak of love, Ezra knew in his heart he’d belong to only one mate. It was simply who he was.
“Someone looks happy.”
Ezra worried his bottom lip, then came to a decision. After a frustrating morning of investigating with no help at all from the Eye, he could use a little break. He sat cross-legged on the grass beside his prince. “May I confide in you, Your Highness?”
“Of course.” Riley appeared hurt, as if the answer were obvious. “You know you can tell me anything.”
“You are still the prince and king’s mate,” Ezra reminded him. As much as Riley saw those around him as friends and family, he was still Soldati prince and had responsibilities greater than himself.
“Right. I gotcha. So what’s up?”
Khalon always met with the villagers during the festivities, and Riley accompanied him for most of it, but after a few hours, the noise and activity became difficult for his prince, so Khalon insisted he spend some time in his garden. Riley ne
ver argued. He called it his “quiet time.” Despite his great Soldati and Saugur powers, Riley had a gentle soul that still believed itself to be human, but that only made everyone love him all the more.
“Segreti has accepted me as his mate.”
Riley blinked at him. He opened his mouth to reply, but no sounds came out, so he closed it a moment before finally speaking up. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that? For a second I thought you said Segreti was your mate.”
“I did. Well, sort of. He hasn’t claimed me yet, and I’m a little nervous about that part, but I’m certain it will happen in the appropriate moment, and—”
“You have a mate,” Riley replied, stunned.
“Yes. That’s what I said. Are you all right?”
Riley seemed to shake himself out of it. “Yeah, sorry. Oh my God, you have a mate!” He scrambled to his feet, and Ezra did the same, uncertain of what was happening—he often didn’t when it came to his prince. “That’s amazing!” Riley threw his arms around Ezra and hugged him tight. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Riley pulled back and peered at him. “Wait. We’re happy about this, yes? This is something you want? Because if he did something or he thinks he can force you, I will rip his nads off and feed them to him.”
Ezra gaped at him. “Good heavens, no! I want this. Please don’t… rip his nads off and feed them to him. What are nads? You’ve said this word before, and I’ve tried to find it in my books, but I’ve had no luck, and why are you laughing?”
“Because you’re too cute,” Riley said, wiping a tear from his eye. “Nads are your boys.”
“My… boys?”
“Testicles, Ezra. Your testicles.”
“Oh!” Ezra’s face went up in flames. “No, please don’t, um… Please leave his testicles alone.”
“Okay, but only because I love you. So if you’re happy about this, why do you look so freaked?”
Ezra clasped his hands together and glanced around, making sure the Soldati guarding Riley weren’t close enough to hear. He leaned in to murmur quietly, “He has yet to claim me.”
“I know. You said that already.”
Ezra huffed. “What did Khalon do when he claimed you?”
As if on instinct, Riley touched his neck. “Well, he bit me.”
“While…?”
Riley studied him and realization dawned. “Oh! Right! We were having sex!” He cringed. “Wow, I said that kinda loud, huh?”
Judging by the snickering Soldati nearby, Ezra would say so. He glowered at the Soldati, who quickly stood at attention.
“Sorry. Right. Sex.” Riley tilted his head to one side. “You worried it won’t fit? I mean, the guy is kinda—very big. Like huge. Holy shit!” Riley put a hand to his lips, then whispered hoarsely, “You think it won’t fit?”
Ezra covered his face with his hands, reminding himself he loved his prince and strangling him would be frowned upon. “No,” he murmured. “I’m certain… That doesn’t matter. Well, it does, but that’s not what I’m attempting to say.”
“Then what?”
Ezra threw his arms up in frustration. “Bloody hell, Riley. I’m a virgin!”
Riley winced. “You said that kinda loud, buddy.”
Ezra glared at him.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a virgin.”
“Yes, I know this,” Ezra replied. He felt no shame. “The Soldati don’t shame virginity or the lack thereof.”
“As it should be. I was a bit of a late bloomer myself. There’s no rule that says you have to lose your virginity by a certain time. There’s no expiration date. Also doesn’t mean you can’t have a hell of a time without penetration. Believe me.” Riley waggled his eyebrows.
Ezra spun on his heels to scurry away before he perished from embarrassment. This was not a proper conversation to have with his prince.
“Wait, don’t go. Come on. Sit down. Talk to me. You’re really worried about this, and you don’t need to be.”
Riley sat, and reluctantly Ezra did as well. He tried not to fidget as he spoke. “I’m not accustomed to discussing these sorts of matters.”
“That’s okay. The first time can be a little awkward and uncomfortable, which is why it’s important you’re with someone who’ll take good care of you. Do you think Segreti will do that for you?”
“Without question.”
“So what’s your biggest concern?”
Ezra worried his bottom lip with his teeth. He could do this. He’d never been one to mince words. “I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed. I… wish to please him.”
“Ah, okay.” Riley’s expression softened. “You might not have a lot of experience, but you know what you like, right? You’ve told me you’ve… taken matters into your own hands and that you have some experience in other areas.”
“Correct.”
“Well, try that with Segreti. Explore. Don’t be afraid to try things or ask him. Communicate with him. He cares about you, and he’s going to be looking to please you as well. I bet he has the same fears you do.”
Ezra stared at him. “Segreti?” He couldn’t fathom Segreti being afraid of anything. “You really think so?” Now that he thought about it, about what Segreti had lived through, it dawned on him that Segreti might have his own insecurities where intimacy was concerned.
“I have a question, though,” Riley said, appearing thoughtful. “Why is Segreti claiming you? Usually the Soldati are the ones who do the claiming.”
“Oh, I can’t claim a mate.”
“Why?”
“Because of the Eye. Only one chosen by the Eye can contain its power. No other form can sustain it. Claiming a mate means sharing your power, but in my case that isn’t possible. My mate could be killed.”
“Yeah, I can see how that might put a damper on your relationship. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about Segreti. The guy’s crazy about you. Speaking of sexy bears…” Riley nodded behind Ezra, and he turned to find Segreti and Khalon deep in conversation as they slowly headed their way. A shiver went through Ezra at the mere sight of him looming so large, his long hair blowing in the breeze, his tunic accentuating his broad shoulders and wide chest down to his tapered waist. His legs were strong, and Ezra pictured himself between those muscular thighs.
“You’re not going to pass out, are you?” Riley put a hand to Ezra’s shoulder. “Breathe, Ezra. Suck in some oxygen.”
Ezra laughed softly and playfully batted Riley’s hand away, making him laugh. Ezra had been so transfixed on Segreti’s handsome form, he hadn’t noticed the books in his hand until Segreti stopped in front of him. He bowed in greeting for Riley, then knelt in front of Ezra.
“You’re a vision,” Segreti said, taking hold of Ezra’s chin and kissing him sweetly. “I have something for you.” He held out the books, and Ezra’s heart did a little flip.
“You bought me books.”
“I spoke with the foxlings who set up the tent of rare books. I asked them if they had any special books I might gift to my mate to mark a very special occasion. They had a few in their collection not on display concerning rare herbal teas and medicines.” He showed Ezra one of the books, and Ezra gasped at its beauty. “They also had this story. It’s quite old, I’ve been told, about a sweet young healer who goes on an adventure and finds love along the way.”
Tears welled in Ezra’s eyes. He took the books from Segreti and reverently ran a hand over the intricately detailed covers before handing them to Riley. “Could you hold these for a moment?”
“Um, sure.”
No sooner had Riley taken the books than Ezra launched himself at Segreti. With a boisterous laugh, Segreti fell back with Ezra against him, their arms around each other. Ezra kissed him soundly, his heart all but ready to burst from his chest. No one had ever given him such a thoughtful gift. When he pulled back, Segreti brushed Ezra’s hair from his face, his smile reaching his eye and forming little creases at the corner.
<
br /> “I take it you like your gift?”
Ezra nuzzled Segreti’s neck. “I cherish my gift, but no more than I cherish you for knowing my heart.”
A distinct clearing of the throat reminded Ezra he wasn’t alone with Segreti. With a rueful smile, he sat up. He took the books from Riley and held them close to his chest. “Thank you.”
“Sure.” Riley leaned against Khalon, who now sat with Riley tucked at his side. “Maybe you two should, um, head indoors to… discuss books.”
Ezra stood and held his hand out to Segreti. “A wonderful idea. I think we’ll do just that. Would you like to join me, Segreti?”
Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and kissed the back of it, then pushed himself to his feet. “I would love nothing better.”
“Thank you for your council, Your Highness.”
“Anytime, Ezra.”
As Segreti accompanied Ezra on his stroll to the castle, Ezra felt as though he floated on air. Anticipation thrilled him in a way little else had. Segreti held Ezra’s hand and laced their fingers together, settling Ezra’s nerves.
“Did you have a fruitful morning?” Ezra asked. He greeted the guards at the door as they walked through, receiving a bow from each one.
“Not as much as I’d hoped. Lazzari is still arrogant. Vestri continues to shy away from confrontation. Gori follows Lazzari like a newborn cub. Coiro and Basso are as elusive as ever, and Fausti… Fausti I worry about.”
Ezra paused outside his bedchamber. “You think he could be involved?”
“Never,” Segreti replied, his conviction easing Ezra’s mind. “He’s young and noble, with a big heart. He’s fearless, and at times foolish. His hatred for Pavoni is no secret. Like many, Fausti was forever wounded by Pavoni. His story is not mine to tell, but were Pavoni alive, he would be among the many out to seek his revenge. Had Rayner and Toka not carried out the deed when they did, the Orso would have had a different war on their hands.”
“Then we must help Fausti should he need the assistance.” Ezra headed into his room, pausing when he noticed Segreti hadn’t followed. He turned and cocked his head to one side. “Do you not wish to enter?”
The Soldati General (Soldati Hearts Book 3) Page 8