Authors: Scarlet Hyacinth
Tags: #Romance
“Well?” his mother prodded. “Do you have anything to say?”
“If you’re talking about the fae problem, I am very much aware of what you’re referring to,” he replied icily.
“Good.” She smirked, crossing her legs. “Then you’ll be happy to note that we’ve already sent a request of matrimony in your name to the king of Ivenia, requesting the hand of your future mate. We’re waiting for the reply now, but I expect it can only be positive. Your father is very pleased.”
In that moment, Karein felt a looming presence approach, as if summoned by her words. The door opened, and his father walked inside, each footstep like thunder on the tiles of the throne room. The swish of his tail always reminded Karein of a heavy whip. Karein kept his head down, already resigned to his fate. If his father had deemed the issue so important as to come personally, it was clear that Karein had no choice in the matter.
“Your future mate’s name is Sareltae, and he is the youngest prince of Ivenia,”
a hissing voice said in Karein’s head.
“Congratulations.”
Karein knew better than to believe that this marriage was for his own benefit. Granted, with the approach of his two hundredth birthday, he needed a mate. But Sareltae Norrenddare had been at the core of the entire plot to help Caelyn. So far, attempts to prove this beyond any shadow of a doubt had failed. However, Karein’s father was nothing if not determined, and his current goal was to start a war with Ivenia.
Given this new information, it suddenly made sense why his father had endeavored to keep Sareltae’s involvement in Caelyn’s flight from the general public. So far, the knowledge had only reached the people closest to the throne. Caelyn’s family, the Sutharlainn, had been sent back to their home and forbidden to mention it again under threat of death, something that, at the time, had relieved Karein. He should have known nothing good could come out of an action his father condoned.
“Thank you, my Emperor,” he replied. “I am honored by your presence and generosity.”
As his father stopped in front of him, a huge, scale-covered paw hovered in front of Karein, and a sharp claw traced his face, drawing blood.
“Good,”
the emperor finally said.
“The fae have no choice but to comply with our demands, or risk the war.”
“In the case the mating does happen, what is required of me?” Karein inquired.
“You will need to use your new mate and provide proof that he truly did participate in the plot to free that sprite and his mutt,”
the emperor indicated.
“Once you mate him, you will be able to see his memories, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Yes, but that implied Karein forcing a mate bond onto the fae, which was monstrous to say the least. Having sex with someone was one thing, but what his father suggested meant that he’d have to bind his life and existence to Sareltae Norrenddare.
In the end, what did it matter? He was a soldier, and he complied with the orders of his sovereign. Besides, even in the eyes of his people, he was nothing but an automaton built, born, and raised to kill for the emperor and empress. Not to mention that his two hundredth birthday was ominously approaching. In a little over a month, if he didn’t find a true mate, he would be killed. It was the law governing the existence of the black dragons. Sareltae wouldn’t have to suffer for too long.
For Karein, everything was very clear. He didn’t have a family, and he didn’t deserve one. This marriage would serve the purpose of the draechen nation of Ornoz, just like everything else Karein had done in his life.
Without bothering to check his wound, Karein saluted his father and bowed lowly in front of his mother. “I live and die by your command.”
As they dismissed him, he turned on his heel and left the throne room, heading toward the barracks. He wasn’t even angry anymore. He had long ago accepted that he was nothing more than a tool for his parents. There was no point in dwelling on it.
Besides, perhaps having an Ivenian as a mate wouldn’t be so bad. At the very least, he’d end up with a regular bed partner without having to bother to find people who weren’t frightened of him. The thought didn’t fill him with much enthusiasm, but it was something to be considered.
Then again, with Karein’s luck, the Ivenian would be hideous or have a horrible temper. The best solution was to just disregard the entire thing completely and act as if nothing had changed. He would wed the famous Sareltae, but his life would just go on like before. His dragon could sate itself on Sareltae’s body, and Karein could continue enforcing the Directive of the Shifter Castes, just like he’d done all throughout his life.
Nodding to himself, Karein left the main building of the palace, his mind already on more important things. The real issue in this entire matter was that Karein actually wanted to avoid the war. He’d always aimed to maintain the peace his ancestor had earned with so much sacrifice, but now, he was more dedicated to that goal than ever. He knew that someone out there had weapons that could hurt draechen. Unfortunately, if he shared this information with anyone, it would likely trigger a massacre, so Karein was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
He hoped that, at the very least, the rest of his family would leave him alone to figure this out. Alas, the world seemed against him today, as he was intercepted by his older brother, Hareem. “I hear congratulations are in order,” Hareem said. “A marriage with an Ivenian prince. Must be your lucky day.”
“Quite,” Karein replied. “Thank you for the sentiment, brother. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
He tried to move past Hareem, but his sibling was nothing if not persistent. “Of course, it means you won’t have any legitimate heirs. Oh, wait. You can’t have any children anyway. My bad. But not to worry. I’ll be the next emperor.”
At that, Karein stopped and turned toward his brother. Something dark rose within him at the reminder of his inability to breed. “Be very careful with what you say, Hareem. Last I checked, Emperor Kavehquader, our father, is still on the throne. Your ambition might be considered treasonous.”
A brief shadow of fear clouded Hareem’s eyes before it was quickly masked. Hareem laughed. “As if. Enjoy your little Ivenian whore, brother. It’s the only thing you’re going to get, from Father, and me.”
Karein arched a brow at his brother. “Is that right? At least I’ll get a mate. You, on the other hand, seem to be missing one. Where is your beloved—?”
A gust of ice struck him before he could finish the phrase. “Shut your mouth, Karein,” his brother snapped at him.
Karein was very tempted to teach his brother a lesson. That dark side of him that always responded to hostility by fighting back roared to harm, hurt, and destroy. But Karein pushed it back, having long ago learned to control it.
“I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with your moodiness right now,” Karein shot back. He didn’t even bother to dodge the spell, instead absorbing its cold energy within him. “If you want to take out your problems on someone, do yourself a favor and don’t pick me.”
Hareem’s anger drained out of him, and he suddenly looked very tired. “At least you understand,” he mumbled, “and I can’t hurt you with my magic if I lose control of my dragon.”
Karein mentally groaned. He really didn’t need to deal with a morose Hareem, on top of everything else. Usually, they got along well enough, as the two of them had long ago understood that to survive and prosper in spite of the choking presences of their parents, they needed to be allies. Hareem was the only one who ever helped Karein out with more delicate operations. Similarly, Karein maintained the secrecy of what Hareem did behind their father’s back.
“I’m going to the barracks,” he finally offered. “If you want, you can come with me and we can spar. I promise I won’t kick your ass too badly.”
Hareem grinned. “That sounds great, and painful. It should help.”
As they fell into stride next to each other, they headed together toward the barracks and the sparring field. The familiar sight of the soldiers he ran into reminded Karein he had a job to do. No matter who he wed, that would never change.
* * * *
Rose Noire, somewhere near Calais, France
“Married? Jenarra help me… Father, you cannot be serious.”
Sari felt like he was going to faint as his sire frowned at him. “Sareltae, remember yourself and your position. This is an important matter.”
“Yes, of course.” Sari shook himself and straightened his back. “I just don’t understand.”
“Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that you do,” Selbrian answered, his voice thick with regret. “Given recent conflicts, Emperor Kavehquader has decreed that he wishes to ensure the peace between our two nations. For that purpose, we will sign a truce and decide the terms once and for all. As a sign of our cooperation, you will wed one of his sons.”
Sari’s knees felt like jelly, and he thought he might collapse right then and there in front of his father. His assistance to his friend, Caelyn, had largely dragged him into his position. He didn’t regret what he’d done. Caelyn was happy with his mate and expecting a baby. From time to time, Sari even went to visit them.
Realizing all that, though, meant that he couldn’t possibly refuse his father’s command and avoid marriage to a man he didn’t know, let alone love. The selfish part of him screamed at the injustice. He was far too young to be marketed off like a piece of meat, and he had too many things to do here. He had never even had the chance to explore the real world as he’d always been trapped in the fae palace and its environs. Even knowing that it was his responsibility, that he couldn’t ask anyone else to pay the price for his decisions, he asked, “Why me, Father? Surely, the draechen prince would expect someone more skilled in the erotic arts.”
“My dear son… You might be young, but you’re uncommonly intelligent and gifted in understanding foreign cultures. You’re greatly empathetic, and that will help you adapt.”
Sari knew the decision had already been made, so any protest would be futile. “Who am I to wed?” he asked in a trembling voice.
“Prince Shtamakarein Tersain, Commander of the Ornoz army and General of the Chrysalidian Wyverns.”
Sari closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Finally, the true reason of him being picked emerged. It wasn’t his intelligence or empathy that had urged his father to decide on him. Shtamakarein was a notoriously violent and cruel man. The special division he led enforced the Directive of the Shifter Castes, an absurd piece of legislation Sari considered disgusting and obsolete. One thing was more than clear. Sari’s healing abilities would come in handy in the next couple of years.
“I see,” he replied, calling on Jenarra for help. “It will, of course, be an honor.”
At his answer, his father left the throne and came to his side. “You know you are the dearest of my children, Sari,” he said, hugging Sari. “I would not do this if I had any other choice.”
For a few moments, Sari allowed himself to relax in his sire’s embrace. It was always so comforting to be held by his father. Selbrian had protected him for as far as Sari could remember. It was Sari’s turn to do something for Ivenia. He was afraid, yes, but he would not allow that to stop him.
The decision gave him a measure of steadiness, and he broke away from the embrace. “Worry not, Father. I will be fine. I will not let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” his father answered. “Keep in mind something. I don’t believe for a second that Kavehquader has peace in mind when requesting this. He wants us to fuck up. He wants us to do something that will give him the freedom to attack. This marriage might be the only chance we have to prevent the war.”
Sari’s heart started to beat even faster. Talk about pressure. Could he do all that? Was he capable of handling such intrigue? Of course he was. He had been navigating the murky waters of politics for as long as he could remember. His precarious position as both a prince and a bastard son guaranteed it.
This was a good thing, an opportunity to help Ivenia, and the world. Sari smiled, aiming to reassure the older fae by doing so. His sire didn’t seem convinced in the slightest. “Go speak to your mother,” he urged Sari. “I’m sure she has many pieces of advice to give you.”
Sari bowed lowly and thanked his father. As the king dismissed him, Sari practically fled the throne room and headed toward the temple. His steps carried him there with the ease of practice, but sadly, this familiarity meant that Sari’s mind was free to dwell on things he’d rather not consider.
He might have been a virgin, but he was not ignorant as to how the intercourse between two males took place. As a healer, he was required to understand everything about the body’s functions. And there was that time when he’d seen two servant boys all over each other behind the stables. As much as it had embarrassed Sari, it had also excited him, and he’d always imagined that one day, he would fall in love and surrender his body to his fated mate.
But now, that dream was gone like smoke wisps in the wind. It made Sari sick just to think that the act he had waited and craved for would be turned into something ugly and forced. Shaking himself, Sari decided that his life wasn’t over just because of this. He had another, stronger dream, that to defend Ivenia at all costs. He would go on for that, and as the mate of a very powerful man, he could pursue his country’s interests.
Besides, for all he knew, his betrothed might not be such a bad man. Rumors had a way of exacerbating the reputation of people, especially where notorious warriors were concerned. In the end, Shtamakarein was just a man, and Sari would wait until he met the draechen to form his own opinion.
And of course, Shtamakarein had once been Caelyn’s fiancé. Sari had seen the side effects of Shtamakarein’s power on Caelyn, but he also knew that the draechen had, for some reason he couldn’t understand, helped Caelyn and Caelyn’s mate, Graham, to escape. That spoke highly of him and gave Sari hope that there might be more to Shtamakarein than people thought.