Ezra released Segreti and spun to face Khalon. “You’re arresting him?”
“It’s only a precaution,” Khalon replied gently.
“If I’m foreseen to kill you, why would the Saugur not have the same vision?” Segreti asked as the Soldati approached.
Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “If you’ll recall, in his vision, Riley never saw the face of my killer, only that he was big. Regardless of whether my murder was foreseen to be committed by you or a different Orso, my death would lead to the fall of the Soldati. I can’t take the risk. Until the full moon is over, you’ll be imprisoned for the safety of all. I’m sorry.”
The Soldati took hold of Segreti, forcing his arms behind him. Segreti closed his eye and shook his head, letting it hang in defeat as he was led toward the door.
“Wait!” Ezra turned to Khalon. “Your Majesty, perhaps the Eye is mistaken.”
“I wish it were so, but you know as well as I do what’s at stake.”
“You truly believe him capable of murder?”
Khalon appeared to give his question considerable thought. “I wish I could give you the answer you seek.”
“He’s a gentle, noble Orso. His heart is filled with kindness and honor. He’s fought at your side, Khalon.”
Khalon stared at him. “You’re in love with him?”
“I am.” Ezra moved his gaze to Segreti, who smiled despite the heartache in his eyes. “There must be another way.”
“I’m afraid your love blinds you,” Rayner said softly. “Your duty is to your realm. I’m sorry, Ezra.”
Ezra gaped at Rayner before anger flared through him. The audacity! “My duty? My duty! How dare you! You who defied your king and your entire realm to be with your mate! You dare speak to me of duty?”
“Ezra, please,” Rayner said softly, his expression filled with regret. “Forgive me, that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh? And what did you mean? You almost started a war for your mate! And yet you speak to me of duty?” Ezra held his arms at his sides, his fingers spread as magic pulsed through him, crackling from finger to finger.
Khalon held up a hand. “Ezra, please calm yourself.”
“And you, my king”—Ezra’s vision flashed white as he called upon his Soldati powers—“I needn’t speak the words.” They knew what Khalon had done. How he’d blindly accepted whatever price the priestess declared to have Riley returned to him from the dead. Ezra hadn’t called his king to have Segreti imprisoned like a murderer. He’d expected more from his dearest friends. “You chose love above all else, and now when I seek mercy for my own mate, I’m denied.”
“Ezra, it’s only until the full moon is over,” Khalon explained.
“Then why imprison him? Why not leave him in my care? Put guards outside the door, have them follow us, but put him in a cell?” The more he thought of Segreti imprisoned, the more his anger consumed him. His thoughts went to his vision of a different cell. No. The windows slammed open, a howling wind sweeping through the room.
“He’s right,” Riley said, turning to face Khalon. “If we imprison Segreti, we’re being hypocrites.”
“Riley,” Khalon began, only to have Riley put a hand up to stop him.
“No. I’m not going through this again.”
Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “Riley, please.”
“I have as much power as you do, if not more.”
Khalon blinked at Riley.
“I’ve read the laws, every scroll, every damned book. I’m a Soldati prince, and Saugur. I love you, Khalon, more than anything, and I might not be familiar with hundreds of years of Soldati tradition, but I know my part. I won’t be a prince in name alone. We will find a way to fix this, and that’s all I’m going to say.”
Khalon eyed him, and Riley crossed his arms over his chest, an eyebrow arched.
“Enough,” Segreti growled, jerking his arm out of the Soldati’s hold. He held his hand out to Ezra, who took it, warmth washing over him. He withdrew his power and allowed himself to be embraced. “It’s one day. Then I’ll be back in your arms, and we can discuss our future.” He kissed Ezra, and Ezra didn’t care who was in the room. He melted against Segreti, basking in his light. Segreti pulled back and brushed his fingers down Ezra’s cheek. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” Ezra replied quietly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
With another sweet kiss to his lips, Segreti turned, allowing himself to be secured by the Soldati, his narrowed gaze on Khalon.
“I’m ready, Your Majesty.”
The Soldati escorted Segreti from the room, and Ezra balled his hands into fists at his sides. Khalon turned to Ezra, regret in his amber gaze. “I hope that when all this is done, you’ll find it in your heart to forgive us, my dear friend.”
Ezra couldn’t bring himself to reply. He stood as everyone left the room except for Riley, who placed a hand to Ezra’s cheek.
“It’ll be okay.”
Ezra nodded. Silence filled his room once Riley departed. How had it come to this? He’d barely had a moment to understand his own sentiments. He was in love. His heart swelled, then sank. Turning, he spotted the orb floating nearby, a low pulse radiating from it. Grabbing one of his pillows, he hurled it at the offending relic.
“Get out of my sight. The only traitor around here is you. I’ve never regretted being your voice until this moment.” Ezra wiped at his wet cheeks, his face hot and flushed. With a frustrated grunt, he stormed off into his washroom. Perhaps a nice cool shower would help calm his nerves.
Inside his washroom, he lost himself to the fog of his mind. He took his time washing himself, ignoring the floating oversized marble. Dressing in his nightshirt and trousers, he climbed into bed. It was still early evening, but he couldn’t bring himself to face anyone. Instead he lay where Segreti had in his bed and inhaled deeply, Segreti’s heady scent still in his sheets. He closed his eyes and clutched at the blankets, bringing them close against him. It was only for a little over a day. He tried to comfort himself by repeating the thought. Only for a short while. Then his love would be at his side.
Would Segreti still wish to live in their kingdom? What of the trust and friendship between him and Khalon? Segreti had looked so hurt and angry when he’d met Khalon’s gaze. What if their relationship was forever lost? Would Ezra be forced to choose between his kingdom and his love?
“Ugh, this is torture!” Ezra buried his face in his pillow. He refused to dwell on this a moment longer. Instead, he dwelled on it until the sun rose, its soft light filtering in through his windows, announcing a new day. “Bloody hell,” he said through a groan. Forcing himself to get up, he went to his washroom, grunting at his reflection. His eyes were puffy and red, his hair sticking up in all directions. He was a mess. The minutes seemed to go by like droplets of molasses in their near stillness.
Showered and dressed, he left his chambers and skipped the dining hall. He couldn’t so much as think of ingesting anything. The sound of revelry floated up through an open window in the hall, and he frowned. Outside, the festival carried on as normal with everyone eating, drinking, and joining in the festivities. Perhaps some fresh air might help ease his stormy thoughts. He had wandered the gardens for what seemed like an eternity when he spotted a lone figure sitting on a stone bench, his chin lifted to the sky and his eyes closed. An Orso.
Ezra approached and was greeted with a sad smile as he stopped in front of the Orso, who stood and bowed.
“You’re Ezra, the healer,” the Orso said. “I’m Fausti.”
“Oh!” So this was young Fausti. He appeared as young as Segreti mentioned, though nearly as big, with handsome features and amber eyes with creases at the corners that showed he smiled often. “Segreti often speaks of you.”
Fausti blinked at him. “He does?” His cheeks went pink. “I fear you must think me a cad.”
“On the contrary. He speaks very highly of you, of how honorable and good you are. He’s clearly quite fond of you.”<
br />
“Oh.” Fausti beamed brightly. “He’s always been good to me. A grumpy older brother of sorts.” His smile dimmed. “And now there is nothing I can do to return his kindness. The Soldati king won’t even see me to plead Segreti’s case.” He dropped onto the bench with a frustrated sigh. “How can Queen Verity allow this injustice?”
“It’s only for a day. He’ll be with us again very soon.” Ezra wasn’t sure who he attempted to console, Fausti or himself.
Fausti’s frown grew deep as he regarded Ezra. “A day?”
“Yes. Until, um, the matter is cleared.”
Fausti shook his head, his expression puzzled. “Then the trial is cancelled?”
“Trial?” Ezra’s blood turned to ice. “What trial?”
“Segreti will be on trial for treason against the Soldati. Word is, a plot to murder the king was discovered by his second this morning. Rayner intercepted a letter from Segreti to one of his supposed conspirators, a letter which is to be presented as evidence against Segreti. They say it describes his hesitancy in carrying through with the assassination, as circumstances have changed.”
“Lies!” Ezra refused to believe it. Segreti plotting to murder Khalon? Absolute madness! “Excuse me. I must go.”
“He would never do what he’s been accused of,” Fausti insisted, his eyes glassy. “Segreti is the best of all of us. Believe in him.”
“I do. I will see to this. I promise you.” Spinning on his heels, Ezra ran for the castle, but instead of searching out Khalon or Rayner, he made straight for the winding stone staircase that led to the small prison beneath the castle. The cells were all empty but one. Segreti sat on the cot, his broad shoulders slumped and head lowered, fingers laced between his knees. His clothes had been brought to him, the same clothes he’d worn in Ezra’s bedchamber before they’d made love. His hair fell over his face, shielding him from Ezra’s view as he approached.
“Segreti.”
“My love.” Segreti lifted his head at the sound of Ezra’s voice and smiled, but it quickly faded. “You shouldn’t have come.”
“How could I not?” Ezra held on to the cold bars, standing as close to them as possible, trying his best to be as near to Segreti as he could. Segreti stood and came to him. He placed his hands over Ezra’s.
“Then you’ve heard.”
“It’s not true. I know it isn’t.”
“Your king believes otherwise,” Segreti growled.
“I’ll speak to him. Demand your release. He can’t possibly believe this farce.”
“He has evidence.” Segreti all but spat the word.
“Did you write it?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you’ll be found innocent.” Khalon was reasonable, always had been. His compassion was renowned throughout the land. Ezra refused to believe he would condemn Segreti so quickly and ruthlessly. Something sinister was at work here; Ezra felt it down to his soul.
“You can’t be so foolish.” Segreti released Ezra and returned to the cot, where he resumed his seat.
“What?”
“Khalon will never release me. I’m a threat to him and his realm. He won’t trust me again after this.” He closed his eye and shook his head. “I should never have come into this damnable kingdom.”
“Why did you?”
Segreti glanced in his direction. “It no longer matters.”
Ezra flinched. “And what of me? Do I no longer matter?”
“You were a fairy tale,” Segreti replied hoarsely. “One I should’ve known better than to believe in.”
“You don’t mean that.” Ezra’s words were almost a whisper. How much more could his heart take?
“You… you would do best to forget me.”
“How can you say such a thing?”
“It’s over, Ezra.” Segreti motioned around him. “My fate lies in the hands of your king.” His gaze grew hard. “And you’ve seen for yourself where it’s led me.”
Ezra gasped. “You can’t possibly compare Khalon to that bastard.”
Segreti released a heavy, weary sigh. “No, but that doesn’t mean I can trust him.”
“Please don’t give up. We’ve—”
“You should go.”
Ezra sucked in a sharp breath, tears stinging the backs of his eyes. That was it? This was as far as Segreti’s love went? “I was wrong.”
Segreti glanced at him but remained silent, his expression guarded.
It pained Ezra to say the words, but he forced them out regardless. “When I said you could never disappoint me.” He angrily wiped at the tear that rolled down his cheek. “All this talk of mates and love was simply pretty words. You never meant them.”
Segreti closed his eye, his brows furrowed as he averted his face. “Ezra, please.”
“No. You lied, General. You told me you read those stories because you could lose yourself in the notion that someone might love another so completely they’d face any threat, no matter how great.”
“Please, stop.” Segreti’s pleas were barely audible, but Ezra heard them clearly as if he’d shouted them. He heard the words not spoken.
“And yet here you are, surrendering.”
Segreti launched to his feet, the agony written across his features almost too much for Ezra to bear. “And what would you have me do?”
“Something! Anything but merely accept your fate! You’ve spent centuries at war, yet when the time comes for you to fight for love, you yield.”
“As you pointed out,” Segreti said with a sigh, “I’ve spent centuries at war. I’m tired of fighting.”
Ezra shook his head, unable to understand. Nothing made sense to him. He stepped away from the cell, refusing to surrender to the anguish in his heart. How could he have been so foolish? He needed to be alone. To think. With one last look at Segreti, he shook his head before leaving.
He didn’t bother seeking out Khalon, Rayner, or even Adira. If Segreti refused to help himself, what could Ezra do? Not able to bear being in his room, he sought the comfort of his cottage. Although touched by memories of Segreti, Ezra could lose himself in his herbs and books. By sunset he was so exhausted, he fell asleep on the love seat, a book in his hands. When he woke, he found Riley sitting at the end of the love seat, staring off at nothing in particular.
“Your Highness.”
Seeming to snap himself out of it, Riley gave him a sad smile. “Hey. Sorry if I woke you.”
“No, you didn’t.” Ezra placed his book on the table next to him.
“How are you holding up?”
“I can see why some have sworn off matters of the heart. It’s unbearably painful.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry things have turned out this way.”
Ezra nodded his understanding. “Thank you for trying to help.”
“I had a long conversation with Khalon. I know there’s been a bit of a learning curve. Okay, a lot of a learning curve, and it’s partly my fault. I’ve been so afraid of failing that at some point, I stopped trying. I accepted my title. It’s time I acted like it. Khalon may be king, but I’m his mate, the prince, and Saugur. By hiding away in my garden, I’ve been letting the Soldati down. I won’t do that anymore. What good are my powers if I don’t use them?”
Ezra smiled despite his heartache. He held great admiration for his prince, always had.
“Khalon’s used to being the one who makes all the decisions, and I get it. Change is hard.” His eyes widened. “Boy, do I get it. But guess what? We either embrace them and adapt or get left behind, and I refuse to be left behind. From now on, we make decisions together, and if we don’t agree, that’s what the council is for. You, Rayner, and Adira, your positions are critical to the Soldati monarchy; don’t ever forget that. Anyway, I’ve babbled on long enough. We’re going to get through this. Something about this whole mess reeks.”
Ezra sat forward. “You sense it as well?”
“You bet I do.” Riley folded his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowed. “T
he visions haven’t changed, and none of us have had any luck finding the traitors. There might not be a whole lot we know about my powers, but the Eye? How are these assholes hiding from the Eye?”
“Do you think they have help?” Ezra asked, the pieces starting to come together. It would explain why the conspirators had remained out of their grasp for so long. If they were receiving some kind of help from someone or something, whatever it was would have to be powerful enough to interfere with the Eye’s power. There was nothing he knew of with such power. Not anymore.
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Has the Eye ever been wrong?”
Ezra shook his head. He’d never been so miserable in all his life.
“If Segreti’s found guilty… what will they do to him?” Riley asked.
“He will be presented to the Goddess. She will decide his punishment.”
“Meaning…?”
Ezra swallowed past the lump in his throat and closed his eyes. “I’ll never see him again.”
Riley grew silent, which was very unlike him. Something was wrong.
“Your Highness?”
“I think it’s time.” Riley turned to face him, his expression determined.
“Time for what?”
“Time for you to know the truth we’ve been keeping from you.”
Chapter Nine
Segreti sat on the cot, his head against the stone wall as the first rays of moonlight entered his cell through the small window. He’d been here for hours, and with every passing moment, the ache in his heart grew deeper. Why hadn’t he foreseen this? He should have known such a complex plot would bring about complications. Of course, he’d never expected the complication to come in the form of his beautiful Ezra.
With a frustrated growl, he stood and paced the cell. Never would he have imagined losing his heart so completely in such a short time. Perhaps he’d lost his heart to Ezra centuries ago and hadn’t realized? Or perhaps his inner bear had known all along that Ezra was destined to be his. Patience he had, more than most, but now, knowing the pain he’d brought to Ezra, his conviction wavered.
The Soldati General (Soldati Hearts Book 3) Page 10