Draechen's Mate [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 2] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) (22 page)

Her mother threw a disapproving glance Charlize’s way, but nevertheless responded. “Caelyn Sutharlainn.”

Sareltae’s sprite friend? What information could Eternelle possibly provide regarding that dead traitor? Confused, Charlize nevertheless kept her mouth shut. She wordlessly followed after her mother as Onyerre led Charlize and her brothers out of the palace.

Outside, a helicopter was already waiting to carry them to their destination. The pilot, a priestess of Jenarra, bowed to them. “Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses. We’re ready to depart whenever you wish.”

In spite of her words, the pilot didn’t seem very happy about the task she’d been granted. Onyerre ignored her and just got into the aircraft. Charlize followed her mother’s example and entered the helicopter, with her brothers right behind her.

The pilot slid into her seat, and at last, the helicopter took off. No one spoke during the flight, which was perhaps fortunate. Ironically, Sareltae’s departure had only worsened the tensions in Charlize’s family, making her mother more ill-tempered than ever. Even Misael seemed to be losing his patience. Sometimes, Charlize just wanted to stalk into the Temple of Jenarra and punch Eanera in the face for destroying her parents’ mating. But since she couldn’t do that, she just waited to see what plan her mother had come up with to get even with the Myrthylars.

Eternelle wasn’t too far from Rose Noire, but the trip still seemed to last an eternity. Finally, the old citadel, now a temple dedicated to Jenarra, loomed ahead. In spite of having been practically destroyed during the war, it was now quite a well-developed city, combining a quiet lifestyle in the middle of nature with the latest technologies in terms of security and comfort.

The helicopter landed next to the main administrative building. It didn’t seem that the priestesses had been given notice of their arrival, because guards rushed around, ready to attack any intruders. Likely, the only reason why the chopper hadn’t been shot out of the sky was that it bore the black rose mark of the royal fae family.

In spite of the commotion, Onyerre didn’t seem in the least bit intimidated. As she stepped out of the helicopter, she faced one of the approaching priestesses and asked, “Where is he? I know you’re keeping him here. Bring me Caelyn Sutharlainn.”

* * * *

Caelyn sat in front of the Obelisk of Eternelle, scanning the carvings with eager eyes. By his side, his mate was quietly doing the same. Usually, Caelyn and Graham liked to come here just to gather their thoughts, but this time, they weren’t alone. Several priestesses fussed around them, analyzing the monument with concerned expressions.

“There!” Graham finally shouted. “That image was different a few minutes ago.”

Instantly, the priestesses looked at the area Graham had signaled. One of them snapped a photo, while another said, “You have good eyes, Mr. Powers. Yes, you’re completely correct. The carving is different.”

Caelyn frowned, trying to figure out what the new words meant, but they were written in a language he didn’t know. “Doesn’t anyone here understand what this says?”

The priestess shook her head. “It’s not in any language of the fae. It seems to be a form of draechen, but an ancient one we don’t know.”

Caelyn shared a concerned look with Graham. Something was happening. The obelisk could feel it, and it—or whoever was inside it—was trying to tell them. Did it have something to do with Sari? Caelyn hoped not, but it was probably too much to ask for. News had reached his ears that Sari had been chosen as a mate for Shtamakarein Tersain in Caelyn’s stead. While the draechen prince no longer seemed so terrible, Caelyn still feared for Sari’s life. He couldn’t shake the memories of Draechenburg, of how he and his mate had been treated there, nearly killed by the brutal draechen. Likely, Sari hadn’t been received like that, but that didn’t change the fundamental makeup of the draechen emperor and his predisposition to harm people he saw as enemies.

The obelisk could provide them with some sort of answer, but until they understood what the new carvings said, it would be useless. Caelyn wanted to ask if there wasn’t a book of sorts that could help them translate, but he didn’t get the chance. Another priestess hurriedly approached, coming straight for Caelyn and Graham.

“The queen is here,” she said. “She demanded to see you.”

“Me?” Caelyn asked in disbelief as he got up. “But how?”

The fae queen shouldn’t have been aware Caelyn was even alive, let alone in Eternelle. The priestess shot him an apologetic look. “I suspect she must have spoken to some of the pilots who make regular rounds here. If she pushed them, they couldn’t have kept her from the truth.”

“But don’t worry,” another one said. “The queen can’t expel you from Eternelle. You are here under the king’s authority, and another one we all recognize.”

As she spoke, she threw a gaze toward the obelisk. The idea that the spirits residing in the monument approved of Caelyn and Graham encouraged him. “Thank you,” he answered. “I suppose we should go see her.”

“No,” Graham said. “I don’t want you meeting with any potentially hostile person. You’re not in any condition to withstand the stress.”

Caelyn rolled his eyes at his mate. “I’m perfectly all right, Graham. Would you stop worrying? Besides, we can’t exactly refuse. She’s still a queen albeit a…not so pleasant one.”

“Not so pleasant?”
Graham asked through their bond.

“Insufferable, more like it,”
Caelyn answered.
“She used to make Sari’s life a living hell.”

He didn’t want to say that out loud because this was still Ivenian land, and the priestesses had been good to him. In fact, the fae had given him refuge when no one else would. Caelyn owed them for that. He had to respect their queen, if only because of their kindness.

Graham released a mental sigh.
“You win, Caelyn. But if she tries anything, I can’t promise my wolf won’t attack her.”

Caelyn took Graham’s arm, ironically finding comfort in Graham’s threat of violence. Like always, it wasn’t the idea per se that appealed to him since as a rule, he much preferred diplomacy over war. But the emotion behind Graham’s words made him feel safe, especially when Graham’s hand came to rest on Caelyn’s swollen stomach. Smiling at his mate, Caelyn said, “Come on, Graham. Let’s get this over with.”

Led by one of his hosts, they headed toward the administrative building. Halfway there, they were intercepted by another group, comprised out of the fae royal family and some more uncomfortable-looking priestesses. It looked like the queen hadn’t been patient enough to wait for Caelyn and had decided to find him herself. “Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses,” Caelyn said politely. “I understand you wished to see me.”

Queen Onyerre fixed him with a glare that would have easily killed him had she been given such powers. “Indeed,” she answered. “I must admit I’m quite surprised to see you so…healthy. The rumor out there was quite different.”

“Rumors have a way of being misleading,” Caelyn answered. “But I’m forgetting my manners. Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, this is my mate, Graham Powers. Graham, I’d like you to meet Queen Onyerre Norrenddare and her children, Prince Darian, Prince Misael, and Princess Charlize.”

Caelyn hadn’t seen the fae royal family in quite some time. They’d never liked him, probably because of his closeness to Sari, so much so that the queen hadn’t stopped until she’d eventually forbidden Caelyn’s regular visits to Rose Noire. Caelyn had never forgiven her for that, but he tried not to let it show. His mate took his cue from Caelyn.

“It’s an honor,” Graham said smoothly. He extended his hand to greet them, which turned out to be a mistake. The eldest prince, Darian, looked like he was about to punch Graham for daring to suggest such a touch between them. Misael and his sister seemed torn between disgust, shock, and outrage. But it was their mother who spoke for them all. “How dare you?” she asked. “Someone like you should never have the audacity to even look our way. Know your place, mutt. Respect your betters.”

At that, Caelyn exploded. “And I suppose you’re better than Graham. I truly must disagree. He’s a kind, strong man, while you…” He wanted to say she was a petty, bitter, and vile woman who didn’t deserve a husband like King Selbrian, but he held his tongue just in time.

Darian narrowed his eyes at Caelyn. “I dare you to finish that phrase, mutt-fucker.”

Misael placed a hand on his brother’s arm. “Calm yourself, brother. This is neither the time, nor the place for an argument.”

“Misael is right,” Charlize said. “Of course, a whore like him would see things this way. He’s not worth it.”

Graham took a threatening step forward. “You can say whatever you want about me, but you will not insult my mate.”

Obviously realizing the situation was quickly deteriorating, one of the priestesses intervened. “I beg you, Mr. Powers, control your temper. I understand you are insulted, but this is a place of peace.”

Graham gritted his teeth, but nodded jerkily. Onyerre smirked in satisfaction, but her grin died when the priestess turned toward her and her family. “My queen, I’m afraid that if you’ve come here with baleful intentions, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. These men are our guests and have been taken under Jenarra’s wing. We cannot allow any affront to them.”

Onyerre gaped, having obviously not expected the priestesses to turn against her. “They won’t be your guests for long. I demand that you release them in my custody this instant.”

“They are not prisoners,” another priestess said. “They stay and go as they please. So says Jenarra.”

The first woman nodded. “They have been accepted by the obelisk. They are welcome here.”

The implication—however veiled—was that Onyerre and her children were not. “This is treason.” Darian snarled. “You can’t do this.”

“Oh, but we can.” One of the priestesses actually smiled. “As your honored mother will tell you, we obey only the authority of the king and that of the High Priestess. The only other orders we follow are Jenarra’s.”

Caelyn had to admit the turn of events shocked him a great deal. He hadn’t expected his hosts to stand up for him and Graham quite like that, especially when faced with the queen. The generosity of the people of Eternelle humbled him.

Undoubtedly, though, the queen wouldn’t have given up so easily had the sound of an approaching helicopter not interrupted their conversation. Caelyn hadn’t heard the queen’s chopper approach—likely because of his strong focus on the obelisk—but he didn’t miss this one, and neither did any of his companions, or the queen’s family for that matter. As the aircraft appeared in the distance, Caelyn saw it bore the mark of the Norrenddare family. The blood drained from the queen’s face, and Caelyn had the overwhelming urge to say “busted.” Obviously, this visit hadn’t been sanctioned by the king, and likely, the consequences wouldn’t delay in appearing.

“We should go, children,” the queen said, turning away from Caelyn and the rest of the group. “Come.”

The priestesses said nothing, just followed her in silence as she headed back toward her own helicopter. Caelyn wondered if she was really going to make her escape like that, so he joined the group, more out of curiosity than anything else. Maybe he should have let it go, but after the insults she’d thrown Graham’s way, he could at least allow himself the enjoyment of seeing her run with her tail between her legs.

Onyerre didn’t look his way again. As they reached the helicopter they’d used to come here, the fae royal family climbed inside and the pilot started the engine. But the blades of the helicopter refused to move, seemingly straining against an unseen force. Caelyn gaped as he realized there was a shield around them, effectively keeping the chopper from taking off. Realizing the problem, the Norrenddare left the aircraft. The queen seemed furious, but shockingly said nothing. She must have realized the source of the situation, just like Caelyn had.

“It must be Selbrian,”
Caelyn sent to his mate.
“Oh, he’s likely furious if he’s doing this.”

“Well, if I can’t maul her, I hope her husband does it in my stead,”
Graham answered darkly.

As it turned out, Graham’s wish was very likely to come true. When the second helicopter landed, the king stepped out of it, immediately pinning his wife with a glance. “Hello, Onyerre,” Selbrian said pleasantly. “It seems you’ve discovered my little secret.”

The tone was so warm that Caelyn instantly knew Selbrian was more than pissed with the queen. If Onyerre had been wise, she’d have backed up right then. Instead, the words seemed to give her strength. “Indeed, I have. You would do well to hand in the whore and his mutt to the draechen. It will then be clear that Emperor Kavehquader has too many problems within his own house to focus on a war on us.”

Caelyn shared a look with Graham. She didn’t have evidence of Karein’s participation to their escape, but really, they could have never gotten from Germany to France had Karein not gotten personally involved. It was sickeningly obvious, and a risk Karein had taken regardless. “I will do no such thing,” Selbrian said. “Jenarra received—”

“Oh, please,” Onyerre interrupted him. “You and your acolytes always blame Jenarra for everything, including your infidelities. How convenient for you to have that slut in a position where she can confirm everything you say.”

Caelyn’s eyes widened. This was no longer about them. In fact, it had never been about them at all, but about how much Onyerre hated Sari and his mother. But she was questioning her king in front of an audience. Regardless of what problems the royal couple had, it needed to be dealt with in private because some things, once overheard by the population, couldn’t be taken back.

Obviously, Onyerre’s children knew that. “Mother,” Charlize said, “calm down. I’m sure we’ll come up with a way to solve this a different time.”

Onyerre shot a glare toward her daughter. “Don’t you talk down to me, Charlize. I know how to handle this. I always have. Shut your mouth.”