Last of the Temple Line

by Nicole Bedford

  "Why?" Jaela asked without edge when the male reluctantly released Emersyn's hand with a gentle squeeze before reclaiming his seat.

  Aegwin raised his glass to Dalaric. Trust Dalaric to fly in the face of convention while still managing to satisfy most Akkadian sensibilities. Dalaric had barely skirted the proprieties by claiming him as second without a mate, but this? "There is absolutely nothing Akkadians love more than power and beauty. Human she may have been born, but she is now the powerful marked of the temple line and the beauteous Sydae-Va to the most powerful male the white dragon clan has ever produced. A jewel without compare."

  Emersyn blushed a delightful shade of rose pink at his praise and Aegwin's smile widened. Hurry, my Sydae-Ra, and claim our mate fully, he silently urged Dalaric. The other male caught the gist of his thoughts, as he usually did, and arched a brow. Aegwin washed down his anticipation with a full portion of the excellent gin the brown breed’s First Son, Aiken, distilled and offered as tithe to Dalaric. My turn will come soon enough, he promised the delectable female who was now as good as his while warmth not attributed to the alcohol pooled in his gut.

  Tasting

  “I have found solitude a poor companion, but a red dragon is a worse conversationalist than a mana-drunk un-blooded.”

  -The Travel Journals of Hofei-

  "Do you have a moment?"

  Dalaric looked up from the book he had been scouring for information on the specters to see his mate. Confusion swirled within his heart. Fear. Embarrassment. Excitement. Smoke gathered in his stomach. How could Emersyn feel so many things at once?

  He nodded and gestured to the empty chair next to his own.

  After the tense dinner, he had retreated to the library. Bannon had taken his wife off to the guest wing to speak to her while Jaela had left the palace to return to Gilvern to seek survivors. She had promised to return the following day to hear the words of his father. Caelwin yet slumbered. He would wake the next day. Aegwin had sought his brothers, three males who had followed him to the continent to seek their fortunes and now trained beneath Aegwin, to discern if there was a threat near the palace.

  "I spoke to your mother. About the mating bond," Emersyn admitted, looking at her fingers while she plucked at the fine threading of her robe.

  The leather binding of the book snapped in his hands. He slowly, carefully, placed the book on top of the others before his claws could further damage the ancient tome. "What did she tell you?" he inquired; voice deliberately bland. Had Meghara already mentioned Aegwin?

  Emersyn met his gaze. She took a deep breath and set her shoulders. "I know you did not do this on purpose. That the bond was formed to save my life." She sat back in the chair, suddenly unable to look at him while embarrassment swarmed over her. "She told me I have to give you a mark in turn. Otherwise, you will suffer for an incomplete bond."

  "I do not need your pity," Dalaric stated. The emotions bouncing from her heart to scatter within him set his teeth on edge.

  "It isn't pity, Dalaric," Emersyn denied. "You have to know I have feelings for you.” She blushed, the memory of their time at the Falls reminding her just how deep her feelings went.

  "Did she explain what it means to claim a Sydae-Va as I have you? The instinct to bond required for my Ki to submit to you for you to return the gesture?" His eyes darkened.

  Taken aback, Emersyn shook her head. "No. Nothing like that."

  "It will require more than tepid emotion to force my Ki to yield," he said.

  "I am here. I am trying, Dalaric. Tell me what you want me to do."

  His hooded eyes revealed none of his thoughts. Frustrated Emersyn jumped to her feet and paced back and forth in front of the silent male. "You know what I want?" she finally said in a rare burst of temper. "I want someone to ask us, really ask us, what we want. You had to spend your whole life searching for a way to save your people from dying out. I got thrown into the Rite business. I do not recall anyone asking us what we wanted. Do you?" she ended the tirade with a fierce scowl.

  He savored the flavor of her emotions in that moment. Anger, he understood. She was not angry at him. She did not rage on her behalf. No. The furious fluttering of her pulse was for them. Where once she had meekly bowed her head to him, she warred for his sake. Tiny fists clenched, hair swirling about her pacing form, her indignation on his behalf drew his Ki to tremble. To want.

  His jewel had found her inner fire.

  Ki waged war with deeply ingrained pride and pinched honor. He could not accept her offer without being fully honest with her about what it would mean. The influx of the sweet fire of her mana from within him where it rested with Enkidu tipped the scales. He stood and caught her hand in his, surprising a gasp from her. He pulled her from the library to follow his long stride.

  Emersyn remained quiet and stretched her legs to match his pace while they climbed the stairs. She recognized the familiar furnishings when they turned down a hall. She glanced at the door to the rooms she had woken in. They passed them to stop in front of double doors inlaid with intricate designs offset by precious metals and gems.

  Dalaric placed a hand upon the seam and, with a flash of bright green Ki, they opened. They stepped across the threshold. He turned to reseal the doors. His Ki levels were not recovered, but reinforced by the will of his ancestors, not even the blasted specters could dare it. He turned around to see his mate watching him with curiosity but no fear.

  "To submit is not natural for me, yet it will be required in a bond," he stated. He stopped next to the bed. Emersyn paused just inside the room. Nervousness invaded his senses. Smoke curled in his belly. He called Enkidu to his hand and watched her eyes widen.

  "My mana," she whispered, fingers reaching for the weapon before she drew back. It pulsed within the crystal orb. Called to her. She looked at him with tortured eyes.

  He reached for her. She moved forward and took his fingers without hesitation, eyes still on the weapon. "The Ki within you will prove a more efficient barrier than the strongest of witch weavings," he promised. Eyes not leaving hers, he placed her hand upon the orb and released the power from Enkidu to return to where it rightfully belonged.

  Emersyn closed her eyes when the beautiful stream of mana flowed into her heart to fill the emptiness.

  "You have to recover from its use," Dalaric warned, lest she feel the lack of power and think it permanent. "Just as I warned you would happen. Just as I must recover from the Ki given to you." Though his was returning at a much faster rate than hers would. Her mana came from the breast of the woman herself. His Ki drew from his bond to the land. The very air he breathed. Aegwin. Her.

  A tear slipped down her cheek. Her essence lapped at her senses once more. It did not matter that it was smaller. Muted. It was there. Safely caged within her by virtue of his Ki. She opened her eyes.

  Dalaric's teeth set. Where once the brown of her eyes had danced with the green of his Ki, her eyes glowed indigo. He moved closer, leaned down, and tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. Electric Ki danced within the pupils of her eyes.

  "What are you?" he asked, unable to keep the words to himself. His Ki answered before the words registered. Mine.

  She sucked in a breath. Tilted her head to the side. "Did you say something?" she asked, unsure if she had heard correctly.

  His heart clenched. What had seemed impossible might not be so. Could it be? He sent Enkidu back and lifted his sword hand to call a small amount of Ki to his hand. "Call enough mana to match my power," he ordered.

  She lifted a hand to mirror his and obeyed. Slowly, eyes on her hand, he brought their hands together. Rather than fight each other for dominance, whether to spark or burn, they merged. Mana licked along his hand while his Ki glided through it, snaking its way through the flames as if it owned them.

  She smiled widely up at him, eyes sparkling, and giggled. "That tickles," she admitted.

  He closed his eyes to her innocent enjoyment of their essence tasting of each other. He could feel
it. A living thing within him. She was so good. So vibrant and alive. His Ki begged to bask within the flames.

  His fingers closed over hers. He brought her fingers to rest on his chest, just over his heart. "The marking is the beginning. A joining of our essence. It will give me access to your mind. To your memories if you wish to show me."

  Emersyn's eyes grew large. "This is what will make us true mates? To share minds?"

  "As your Sydae-Ra I will have access to your mind at all times. As you will mine. The taking of a Sydae-Va is sacred, Emersyn. Sydae, in the ancient language of my people, is a special term to describe a mated clan. The Sydae-Ra is the leader of the clan. As the Sydae-Va you will become the Ki mate. The center of my Sydae. The reason for our existence. Akkadian warriors seek purpose outside of the pursuit of strength. For what reason would we need power otherwise? You will become that purpose. Once I give my seed to you, you will belong to me completely. Even your scent," he growled in masculine satisfaction. "My seed will cover your beautiful flavor so completely none will breathe of you who will not smell me."

  She swallowed, too intimidated by how he looked, how he sounded, to be embarrassed. This was beyond the meaning of marriage. Beyond her human understanding. But her stomach churned not in disgust but in want. He was strong. Honorable. Had been so kind to her and saw in her something other than the fear she carried about her like a cloak. She wanted to belong to him. To wallow in his claiming. To not be alone again. To never feel as if she had to put on a brave face when all she wanted to do was curl into a ball and weep. There would be no secrets with him. No hiding. And he wanted her. With all her weakness. All her flaws. He saw something worthy. A small word tickled her mind, though. “You said ‘our existence’ when you mentioned the Sydae.” she said. “Do you mean your clan?”

  Dalaric stilled, then bluntly stated, "As your Sydae-Ra, it is my duty to present you with other males to serve as our Sydae-Tas. Our seconds. A Sydae is different than a familial clan. As my Sydae-Va you will bind us, your mates, to yourself and also serve as a connection between us to facilitate a sharing of power. Our Sydae-Tas cannot breed on you as my Ki will not allow it, but they will claim our younglings as their own as surely as if they had sired them."

  "Seconds," Emersyn repeated dumbly. The rich merchants and their bevy of wives had been her only experience with multiple spouses, and seeing their loveless marriages had always left a bitter taste in her mouth. Also, an awful feeling came over her when a wisp of memory flared. "You called Aegwin your second."

  Dalaric nodded. "It caused a scandal with other Akkadians that I claimed him as my second. No Akkadian female would ever accept a male she did not personally approve. It was as good a declaration that I would never take a mate. The bonds between the Sydae-Tas and the Sydae-Ra are forged through intimate essence exchange during which I will subdue my power and allow them to dominate me the once so they may take of it to add to their own. Only for my Sydae-Tas would I ever allow such."

  She blinked. That was interesting. "So," she breathed out, hesitantly feeling her way, "you are lovers with Aegwin? Or was it the once only?"

  His fingers gently caressed the backs of her hands that he rested upon his chest. "The Sydae bonds are reaffirmed through intimacy, Emersyn. Though Aegwin would complain it has not happened near enough in the last century, we are lovers. Akkadian warriors have claimed Sydae-Tas of the other breeds in such a way since before we have come to this world, though some aspects have changed since the curse caused us to hatch with two legs. There is pleasure, though for some it is the battle for dominance that they find attractive. Aegwin has been a benefit to the land and has served as an excellent father to Caelwin. It was his influence, I am sure, that has helped my son live to such a long life beyond the need for mana wine.”

  Emersyn allowed herself a moment to consider the revelations. That he and Aegwin are lovers was a surprise, but given all she had just learned, it was with relief that she could accept such. The thought of becoming the one solely responsible for satisfying the physical needs of multiple males was enough to cause her hair to curl. To live in a grouping where all were embraced equally? It actually sounded nice. Sweet, even. But… Aegwin? She did not know the male aside from a few exchanges of words. She cleared her throat. "What will Aegwin be to me and I to him?"

  "To accept me you must accept him as a mate. Once our bond is complete he will need to forge his own with you." Dalaric leaned down to look into her eyes. "He has already shown himself to be enamored of you. And it will mean you will be better protected. While he prefers a plow to a sword, he is still an Akkadian male with the instinct to protect what he claims and I have trained him well to be able to defend you and our young, should it prove necessary.”

  Emersyn took another moment to process everything. To really consider what he asked of her. She tilted her head and sucked on her bottom lip before tentatively querying, "Children? We could have children?"

  "My Ki does no harm to your body in the same manner it has temple witches. It rests easily beneath your skin. My seed possesses only a fraction of what has already been given to you. We do not know yet why this is. It is possible we could have younglings, though I do not know what such a pairing would produce. Even if we cannot have young of your body, there are other means to procure whelps to fill your arms if you have a desire for such."

  She digested that. Her heart fluttered. There was no absolute guarantee she could carry a child of her own, yet it was more than what she had been given just a day ago. But ... "Where are your mother's other mates? Her Sydae-Tas?"

  Dalaric grimaced. That was not a topic he liked to think on, but Emersyn deserved to know the clan she would join had many painful secrets. "My mother refuted the male my father presented to her. In his anger, my father refused to present another."

  Emersyn rolled her shoulders before stating, "First, thank you for being honest with me." She tilted her head to the side and looked off into the space in front of her before sighing. "I am not bothered by the idea of this Sydae so much as the notion that I will be bound to someone I have only spoken to twice. You and I have not known each other for more than a few months, but after all we have been through, it feels like much longer. I know many witches who become intimate for reasons outside of their hearts, but I decided a long time ago I wanted the peace and harmony my parents shared and would not settle for less. While I understand the heart to be big enough to care for more than one mate, I am fearful of being hurt."

  "A valid concern, Emersyn. Yet you asked me to help you determine who was worth your consideration in regard to your role in gifting the Rite. In something so important, as your Sydae-Ra, I desire the privilege of your trust in this as well. I would have asked to be refuted once you were healed if I did not know Aegwin worthy to be one of your Sydae-Tas. He had proven himself as my second for many decades. Ask yourself this: Do you trust me?"

  She took a deep breath. He was right. All things considered it came down to trust. She had already trusted him with her very soul and opened her arms to him and much more, hadn't she? "Before any others are added as Sydae-Tas, assuming you ever find any you like and respect enough for that, you will ask me first?" she ventured in a soft voice.

  "My vow," he promised. "Aegwin courted the distinction as many males would not have outside of the need to mate simply because he wished to prove himself. With you as our Sydae-Va, there will be many who will approach him, as they must gain his approval before he presents them to me for mine. Do not mistake me, Emersyn. Despite your humanity, you will appeal to Akkadian males who lust for purpose and a mate to protect who is worthy of the distinction. However, Aegwin and I are both possessive males. None but the worthiest will even be considered, and even then they must gain your favor before joining our Sydae. I will not force you to accept a vast array of Sydae-Tas for the sake of appearances as some other males of first lines have done in the past."

  She blew a breath out she had not known she was holding. "Then I accept Aegwi
n as I accept you, Dalaric."

  His answering smile was slow but devastatingly effective. She blushed then choked out, "How do we complete the bond so that you can regain stability?" Then her face flushed hot, and she squeezed her eyes closed when, without preamble, he pulled back to remove his robe. She heard the fabric hit the floor.

  He growled out a rough laugh. "You will have to look to know where you mark," he stated with masculine amusement. She pleased him. The matter of her ability to withstand a claiming and Aegwin’s acceptance settled, he could genuinely enjoy what she was to him. What she would be to them both. Against all odds he had claimed a Sydae-Va.

  Emersyn's stomach fluttered oddly. Her heart raced. "How do I do that?" she asked again, eyes still closed.

  He gave a rusty chuckle. She had already changed him. Brought emotions he had thought long abandoned with his whelping years back to his heart. "When I marked you, I sought to erase the path of the poison within you. You do not seek such an end. You can create whatever you like upon my flesh. My Ki will not resist your call. It will answer to the burn of your mana and enhance the scarring." He paused. "You are the only female to tempt it. To tame it to your call."

  Emersyn slowly opened her eyes at his admission. Embarrassment kept her eyes trained upwards, cheeks still pink, but she regarded him in quiet thought. She finally disclosed, "Your mark is everywhere. How can I give equal return to that? I do not have enough mana left to me right now."

  Everywhere? His eyes boldly surveyed his mate's slender frame, flesh hidden away by the robe. Her skin burned a brighter pink at his perusal. Later, he promised himself. The steps of claiming would be observed. First the marking. Then the joy of discovery. His jewel would sparkle within his arms soon enough.

  He growled out, "Then use what you have to declare to the world your claim as clearly as my Ki does." His finger traced the pattern across the soft skin of her cheek and over the bridge of her nose. "Like for like, Emersyn. Equal return."