The Soldati General (Soldati Hearts Book 3)

by Charlie Cochet

  “We must hurry!” Ezra said, breaking into a run with Segreti. “There’s no telling what it will do.”

  “The south gardens,” Segreti said. “I’ve friends waiting to get us to safety.”

  They ran for the gardens, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow across the lush greenery and hundreds of colorful flowers. It was almost time. Coming to a halt, Ezra turned to him, puzzled.

  “Why are you stopping?”

  “We’re here,” Segreti called out.

  Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari stepped from the shadows and approached.

  “I don’t understand,” Ezra murmured, his gaze going to the three Orso and then Segreti. “What is this?”

  “What this is,” Gori explained, his eyes filled with darkness, “is that we’re taking your kingdom. When you wake, your king and your prince will be dead. Your world will be no more.”

  Ezra whirled to face Segreti. “What have you done?”

  “Forgive me, my love.” Segreti struck Ezra with the hilt of his sword, catching him as he crumpled to the ground. He lifted his gaze to Gori. “It’s time.”

  Chapter Ten

  Ezra stirred, his head throbbing. Blasted hell, that hurt more than he’d anticipated. The scent of freshly cut grass and flowers filled his senses, but there was something else. A putrid, rancid odor that made him want to vomit. Slowly he opened his eyes and stared at the night sky, confused by the black clouds. Terror gripped him. Those weren’t black clouds, but an ocean of demons blanketing the sky, waiting.

  “What the fuck? You traitorous son of a bitch! Where’s Ezra?”

  Ezra rolled onto his side. Riley stood before Segreti. It had begun. Ezra pushed himself to his feet, running toward them just as Khalon emerged from the castle, Rayner, Adira, and the Soldati close behind.

  “Segreti, no!”

  Distracted by Khalon’s shout, Riley hesitated just long enough for Segreti to plunge the sword into Riley’s side. An agonized wail tore from Khalon, and a small army of Orso emerged from the garden, charging toward Rayner, Adira, and the Soldati while Khalon sped for Riley, only to be intercepted by Segreti.

  “You cowardly traitor!”

  Ezra gasped as the Eye appeared at his side and his vision came to fruition. Segreti swung his sword, slicing through Khalon’s jerkin, blood splattering Segreti. The demons above them screeched and hissed in triumph. The gardens became both graveyard and battlefield as Soldati fought a small army of Orso that had emerged from the trees while demons began to descend. Ezra shifted into his tiger form and joined the battle. He roared, the light from his Soldati soul incinerating the demons it touched.

  “The Soldati king is dead,” Segreti bellowed, standing with sword in hand as Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari encircled him. “Can your men be trusted?”

  “They have been helping since the beginning,” Gori confirmed.

  “Are there any more?” Segreti asked, his gaze sweeping the Orso fighting the Soldati. “I wish to know how many I’ll be forced to share the spoils with.”

  “The queen’s advisor and his personal guards are the only ones absent. He’s the one who gave us the Soldati Tiger’s Eye,” Vestri said. “He awaits word from us on our victory so he and his Orso can dethrone the queen.”

  “Good to know.”

  At the familiar voice, everyone turned, their eyes about to pop from their skulls and their jaws slack as Khalon stood. The demons screeched and froze, their empty eye sockets on Khalon and then Riley, who pushed himself to his feet. Ezra quickly shifted back to human form.

  “What the hell is going on?” Vestri demanded, whirling to face Segreti. “It was a trap.”

  Riley lifted his so-called bloody hand and licked a finger. “I’ve seen enough movies to know how to fake a good murder. Anyway, doesn’t matter. Point is, you’re done.”

  An army of Soldati in tiger and human forms emerged from the trees, launching into battle with the now shifted Orso, their roars filling the night air. The demons above Ezra howled and dispersed, but not before dozens were disintegrated by the Soldati’s light. Segreti fought several Orso who’d remained in human form while Ezra summoned his powers. He thrust a hand to the side, sending an Orso who’d charged Segreti soaring against a tree. The wind howled, and Ezra hurried to his king’s side. As his brethren fought the Orso, Ezra kept his king safe, the Eye funneling its power into him, sparks of white light bursting through him as he made quick work of anyone who would dare to harm Khalon.

  Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari made a feeble attempt to escape, but it was Gori who removed a small crossbow from behind his back and aimed it at Segreti’s back while Segreti fought one of the traitors.

  How dare he attempt to kill Ezra’s mate.

  With a fierce roar, Ezra threw his arms out, the power of the Eye exploding through him. The blast thrust Gori off his feet, slamming him into a tree with such force the tree splintered. Gori dropped the weapon and gasped for breath, blood on the corners of his mouth as Ezra held a hand out, pinning Gori to the tree. As Ezra approached, a gasp escaped him, and bile rose in his throat.

  Gori’s soul… Ezra had seen that murky glow before.

  “You.” White flashed before Ezra’s eyes, and rage filled him. When he spoke, it was with the voice of the Eye. “You were in his cell that day with Pavoni, taking your pound of flesh. You reveled in his suffering.”

  Gori’s lips curled in a vile grin. “And I loved every moment of it. Remember my face, healer. For I was the one who whispered the idea of your beloved’s fate in Pavoni’s ear.”

  With an agonized cry, Ezra threw his hand out, only to stop himself. As fiercely as he desired to end the miserable bastard’s life, it wasn’t his place. The Soldati and Queen Verity would ensure Gori paid for his crimes. With a grunt, he withdrew his powers, letting Gori drop to the ground.

  “I would advise you enjoy the next few minutes of fresh air,” Ezra growled as he turned away from Gori. “For it will be your final taste of freedom.”

  Gori’s war cry echoed through the garden, nearly drowned out by Segreti’s Orso roar as he sped toward Ezra. Spinning on his heels, Ezra threw his hand out, his powers disintegrating the knife Gori had hurled toward the back of his head. Gori charged, rage and hatred in his wild eyes. Closing his fist, Ezra crushed Gori’s windpipe. Segreti called to Ezra in the distance, his voice barely audible over the howling wind as Ezra released the full force of his power. The tree before him exploded into millions of tiny pieces, along with Gori’s body, blood splattering Ezra, but he didn’t so much as blink. Gori would never hurt anyone else, ever again.

  “My love!”

  Ezra lowered his arm. The wind stopped and the night grew silent once more as he turned to face the stillness behind him. Khalon and Riley stood in each other’s embrace, the Soldati army surrounding them. The traitors were on their knees in shackles, the demons gone.

  It was finally over.

  “Ezra?”

  At the soft word, Ezra fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. Segreti ran to his side and gathered him in his arms, cradling him close as the last of Ezra’s power returned to the Eye. He laid his head against Segreti’s chest, eyes closed as Segreti lifted him into his arms.

  “I am safe and well,” Segreti assured Ezra as he carried Ezra into the castle, murmuring a few words to Riley and Khalon before taking Ezra into his bedchamber and closing the door behind them. He placed Ezra on his feet in his washroom and prepared a bath. Ezra didn’t quite know what to do with himself. Everything had happened so fast. He decided not to think on it but instead bask in Segreti’s tenderness.

  The heavenly aroma of lavender filled the washroom, and Ezra allowed himself to be undressed and helped into the tub of steaming hot water. The moment the water sluiced over his skin, he released a sigh that appeared to have come from his very core. A weight lifted off his shoulders, and he laid his head back, smiling softly at the feel of Segreti soaping his body.

  “I wish I could have spared you that horror.”
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  Ezra opened his eyes and lifted his head. He met Segreti’s gaze and cupped his cheek. “It’s done. His vileness was a stain upon this world. Never again will he hurt some other innocent as he did you.”

  Segreti turned his face and kissed Ezra’s palm. “You truly forgive me for the deception?”

  “When Riley said it was time for me to learn the truth, I had been prepared for all manner of platitudes and apologies. I hadn’t expected to discover I was part of a clever plot to flush out the traitors.” Ezra stroked Segreti’s cheek with his thumb, the glow of the wall sconces and gentle lapping of the water as Segreti washed him bringing him peace. “Khalon confessed you’d agreed to help because of me, to keep me safe.”

  Segreti nodded. He leaned over the marble tub’s edge and kissed Ezra sweetly. “For months I’ve been trying to find the traitors, growing ever closer to discovering their identities. I couldn’t allow them to harm you.”

  Ezra’s heart swelled. “My champion.”

  “As you are mine. My sweet Ezra, ready to battle any dragons that may threaten his love.”

  “Always.” Ezra kissed him, melting into the taste of his tongue and the warmth of his mouth. He sat up and placed his hands to Segreti’s face, their kiss deepening until they were panting. A groan of protest escaped him when Segreti pulled back, making Segreti chuckle.

  “Come. The king and the prince wait for us. We’ll see them, then return so I might finally claim my mate.”

  Ezra could barely contain his smile. “It’s time?”

  “Yes, my love.” Segreti brushed his lips over Ezra’s, his voice quiet. “The time has come. My bear would not allow me to claim you with the deceit between us. Had you not been informed of the plot by our prince, I would have told you the moment I could. I have been desperate to claim you as my mate, but there must never be anything but honesty between us.”

  “Yes,” Ezra agreed. He swiftly finished washing and stood, a wicked smile coming onto his lips when Segreti stood and adjusted himself, a low groan escaping him.

  “We should make this a quick visit.”

  Ezra laughed, then thanked Segreti for helping him out of the tub. He dried himself quickly, then dressed.

  They soon stood in Khalon’s study along with Riley, Rayner, Toka, Adira, Fausti, and Sansone. Ezra turned to Sansone.

  “How is your brother?”

  Sansone’s eyes grew glassy. “He is well, thank the Goddess. His Majesty sent someone to find him the moment I informed him of Gori’s treachery.”

  “So Khalon knew this whole time?” Ezra asked.

  Khalon nodded from his seat behind his desk, Riley nestled at his side. “I had asked Segreti if he had an Orso who he trusted with his life. Someone who could carry out a perilous mission for me.”

  Segreti turned his attention to Fausti. “You found Sansone’s brother.”

  Sansone gasped, a hand flying to his mouth. “You?”

  Fausti shrugged. “I knew Lazzari was up to something. That jackal has always been unscrupulous and vile. I followed him one evening and found the hidden den. When he left, I sneaked in and found the poor foxling shackled inside. I eased his terror and promised him we would free him soon. Then I reported my findings to Khalon. When given the orders, I fetched your brother.”

  The tears in Sansone’s eyes spilled, and he launched himself at Fausti, who caught him. “Easy there, my little foxling,” Fausti murmured. He ran a hand over Sansone’s hair. “All is well. Your brother is safe and unharmed.”

  Sansone nodded, his cheeks flushed as Fausti placed him on his feet. Ezra had a feeling they’d be seeing more of these two, judging by the starry look in Sansone’s eyes as he gazed upon Fausti.

  “There’s something I’ve been giving quite a deal of thought to, Your Majesty. How was it possible you and Segreti had this all planned, yet I still had a vision of your death at Segreti’s hands?”

  “Our spies discovered someone close to the queen was aiding the conspirators, but we didn’t know how. They always seemed one step ahead of us,” Khalon said. “How was it possible they were evading capture when we had the Eye to guide us? It soon became clear that the manner of help the Orso traitors were getting was of the magical kind. It was possible they’d gotten their hands on the Soldati Tiger’s Eye.”

  Ezra gasped. That would explain how they knew. “They could see what I saw.”

  “Exactly. That’s when we had the idea of using the Eye’s visions against them.”

  Ezra whirled to face Segreti. “You and Khalon orchestrated a false death.”

  “Yep,” Riley replied cheerfully. “We needed the Eye to see Khalon’s death so Gori and his minions would see it. They’d believe Segreti was going to betray us and kill Khalon. He had no idea he was being fed false information, both from the Eye and Sansone.”

  Khalon nodded. “We had to make it believable in order to draw him and all his followers out once and for all. I would not have them roaming our realm, plotting our destruction.”

  “Which is why you waited to tell me,” Ezra deduced. “You realized I was being watched and needed me to believe what I was seeing.”

  “We had one chance to draw the traitors out, to put an end to their plotting. We couldn’t wait for them to catch us unaware. It was only a matter of time before the traitors foolishly asked the demons for aid.”

  Rayner snorted. “As if demons would keep a bargain.” His expression softened. “Do you forgive us for keeping this from you? Where prophecies and visions are involved, quite complex measures are required to control the situation.”

  Ezra smiled warmly at his friend. “No forgiveness is required, my dear friend. It was a difficult time for all of us.” Ezra cocked his head to one side as he studied Adira. “What part did you play in all this? I’ve barely seen you for weeks.”

  Adira arched an eyebrow at him. “Dear Ezra, who do you think was in charge of putting all the pieces into place on this blasted chessboard?” Ezra blinked at her, and she rolled her eyes. “Men.”

  Khalon chuckled. “Adira was in charge of making certain everyone was where they should be when they should be. She had Verity extended the festival invite to her most trusted Orso warriors, a group which included Gori, Vestri, and Lazzari. We’d suspected them for some time of being involved, though we weren’t certain who was in charge. Adira kept our Soldati from getting in the way.”

  “We needed to limit those who knew of our plans,” Rayner added. “We could hardly inform our entire army. But you know our brethren.”

  Ezra laughed softly. “Quite stubborn, and very nosy.”

  Adira huffed. “Worse than fledgling Soldati.”

  “And then Segreti dropped the hint that I was vulnerable,” Khalon said. “Your vision of my death gave Gori what he needed to put a plan into motion. It was only a matter of time before Gori approached Segreti.”

  “What happens now?” Ezra asked, his gaze going to Fausti.

  Affection filled Khalon’s green eyes. “Queen Verity’s advisor has been arrested, the Soldati Tiger’s Eye is back in our armory, and I have spoken to Fausti and Queen Verity. Both he and Segreti have been released from their pledges and will be declared Soldati during a ceremony this weekend. They are our brothers now.”

  Ezra turned to Segreti and threw his arms around him, his happiness ready to overflow. “You’re staying, then?”

  Segreti chuckled at Ezra’s enthusiasm. “I am.”

  Ezra’s heart soared. “Will you stay with me, or would you prefer your own quarters? I completely understand if you’d prefer your own. You—”

  Segreti silenced Ezra with a kiss so passionate and heated it made Ezra’s toes curl. When he released Ezra, he was breathless. “What do you think?”

  “I, um, I think I should give you a tour of your quarters.”

  Everyone cheered, and Ezra laughed joyously when Segreti scooped Ezra up in his arms. He threw a glance over his shoulder at Khalon. “May we be dismissed, Your Majesty? I have a mate t
o claim.”

  “Segreti,” Ezra exclaimed through a gasp, ignoring the knowing laughs and chuckles around the room.

  Khalon waved them off. “You’re dismissed. We’ll discuss your bounty for your part in this victory when you’re less… busy.”

  Ezra was so happy to have his love back, he didn’t care that Segreti still carried him. All he could think of was the love in his heart and the knowledge that Segreti would remain at his side.

  They entered the bedchamber, and Segreti placed Ezra on his feet so he could lock the door. He’d barely turned around when Ezra was all over him, kissing him, undressing him, moaning his need. Segreti chuckled against his lips as he helped Ezra divest them of their clothes. Once they were naked, Ezra pulled Segreti to what was now their bed. He lay down, his arms held out and knees spread, and Segreti came to lie between them. Their lips came together as if starved, and Ezra tangled his fingers in Segreti’s mane, arching up against him as need flooded him. His inner tiger clawed at his soul, roaring and demanding to be united with its mate.

  “Segreti,” Ezra pleaded.

  “I know, my love. I know.” He released himself from Ezra’s grip long enough to fetch the small bottle of oil. “I was away from you only a few short hours, yet it felt like an eternity. I love you, my sweet Ezra. My mate. Are you ready to be claimed?”

  “If I wait any longer, I fear I may shatter.”

  “Then I won’t force you to wait any longer.” Segreti sat back on his heels, and Ezra marveled at his naked form, at his muscular, solid frame, his hair falling over his shoulders and his heated gaze taking in every inch of Ezra. Pouring some oil onto his fingers, he placed a digit to Ezra’s entrance, his gaze never leaving Ezra’s as he pushed a finger in. Ezra sucked in a sharp breath, his toes curling, and his back arched as Segreti’s finger sank deeper. With a moan and near panting breath, Ezra writhed at the intrusive digit, his own fingers clutching fistfuls of the blanket. A whimper he’d never heard himself make, came from his lips.