If there was one thing Emory couldn’t stand, it was disloyalty. Turning against their alpha, their king, under the orders of his mother, was an offence worthy of an excruciating death. She felt no pity for the sentinels, especially since the thought of of Seraphine meddling with her life already pissed her off. There was no hope for these traitors.

Rahl walked up to her, his blue eyes twinkling with admiration. “I don’t know which is more impressive, you or the fire you wield.”

“I told you, I don’t cower,” she said, trying to downplay her exertion, fuelled by anger. She needed to calm herself.

He smiled, a genuine smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Noted.”

Sabine approached them with a small frown. “Next time, a little warning would be appreciated.”

Emory nodded, still catching her breath. “We should get out of here.”

The Red Flock reformed around them, their faces showing newfound respect for her. They continued toward the king’s tower, a single high-rising structure she could see now see piercing the sky.

The smell of gardenias welcomed her as soon as they entered the private estate. Surrounded by thick stone walls and patrolled by an army of guards, the area was isolated from the main tower and guarded with equal ferocity. As they approached the grand fortress, Emory glanced at Rahl as he took her hand again.

“I’m going to cut the head off at the helm once and for all. And you have to go back,” he said.

Emory straightened. “We still need to talk, Rahl. You, me, and Kane. Seraphine has linked us in a way that” we can’t ignore this.”

He said nothing as he led her deeper toward the tower. She noticed the sentinels on this side of the tower were dressed differently, in silver armour studded with inscriptions and gemstones. The sharp, sweeping curves of their helmets gave them an intimidating and regal presence.

A pair of guards flanking the double ornate oak doors stepped forward to open them as they approached. Rahl turned to her and gestured with an outstretched hand for her to enter. Emory snarled unintentionally as he stared at her.

“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I won’t bite,” he joked. “If I do, it’ll just be a nibble.”

When he leaned in, her breath caught, and she stayed perfectly still, wondering what he would do next. The warmth of his breath on her face sent a shiver down her spine.

“It’ll be gentle, I promise,” he whispered.

Was he seriously flirting with her, knowing she had a mate and in front of the Flock? If he was challenging her, he was clearly out of his mind if he thought she’d back down.

“Show me,” she said in challenge.

He smirked, a knowing smile on his lips. “Would you like the gentle version or the knock-your-socks-off version?”

She rolled her eyes and replied, “I think I can handle the knock-your-socks-off version—just don’t expect me to pick them up!”

He chuckled at her response, and she noticed the pleasant glow in his eyes and thought, just as she had before, that he was dashing. Emory stepped past him, and Rahl caught her by the arm. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her body, causing her to freeze and turn her head to meet his gaze.

“You’re safe with me,” he told her.

She wiggled free of him, confused at herself for feeling anything for him at all, and fighting the urge to tell him to go throw a damn shirt on.

Lorkhan and a handful of generals stood at attention inside to greet them. “Your majesty,” they bowed.

“I’ll be with the council for a while. Show Emory around the tower if she would like to stick around until I return,” Rahl instructed Sabine.

After Sabine nodded, he looked at Emory. His gaze, like a magnetic force, captivated her in a thrilling and slightly unsettling trance. Time froze as they locked eyes, a connection that stirred unwelcome emotions within Emory. She could feel her heart pounding as her eyes remained fixed on his, and she could have sworn she heard a low hum in the air. Reluctantly, she blinked, breaking the trance.

Without uttering a word, Rahl moved toward the door, his generals and personal sentinels marching out after him, leaving Emory with a lingering sense of disappointment.

Sabine cleared her throat gently, drawing Emory’s attention. “Are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she replied, turning away, though her mind whirred with thoughts.

“I don’t know.” Sabine shrugged. “You seemed bummed that he left.”

“I need to get back to Kedar.” Emory shook her head, stepping further into the living space. She smiled while looking around the room, noticing its “Rahl” vibe.

“How did you get here from Kedar in the first place? You know, I’m not easily fascinated or impressed, but you’re something else. It’s not every day I meet a fire-wielding, hunter wolf who can materialize anywhere,” Sabine said. “It’s the only way you could have entered Aworyn’s temple.”

Emory let her eyes travel over Sabine. With the black cloak over her red dress, they both looked remarkably similar. Sabine seemed like the kind of “friend” she would get along with—strong-headed and very self-assured.

“Kane’s lair. I used it to transport myself here,” she said, trying to size up Sabine to gauge how much she could trust her.

“And who is Kane?” Sabine asked, waving the rest of the flock warriors away. They bowed slightly in acknowledgment, and Emory watched them disappear through a rear door. It was strange, seeing such deference shown to someone who was neither alpha or Luna.

“My mate,” Emory answered, staring directly at her.

Sabine’s eyes widened slightly. “You have a fated?” Emory nodded. “By your use of “lair,” I’m guessing he is one of the dragons who just awoke?” She nodded again. “Rahl knows, doesn’t he? It’s why he thinks your link is a complication.”

“You don’t think it is?” she asked, her voice softer.

“If anything, your mate is the complication! Sweet Aworyn! There will be no peace if you don’t mate with Rahl, and he may never” you know what is at stake here, you must reject this dragon, for the greater good!” Sabine retorted, her tone sharp and unforgiving.

Of course she knew what was at stake, but the idea of rejecting Kane was unbearable. “Hmm, I expected a more level-headed response from you, seeing as you’re the high priestess. I’m not impressed,” she said.

“Oh, give me a break! Aworyn has a plan, and “Kane” is getting in the way,” Sabine returned with air quotes when she mentioned her mate’s name. She made no effort to hide her frustration, and Emory could feel the pressure of the goddess’s expectations pressing down on them both.

A sigh escaped Emory’s lips as she settled onto the couch right beside her. “I have no intention of rejecting my mate. So you must figure out a way to break Aworyn’s curse on Rahl so we can go our separate ways. Sit, let’s talk this out.” She gestured to the space beside her.

Sabine hesitated, then sat down beside her. “You don’t understand. This isn’t just about you and Rahl. It’s about the entire empire. Aworyn’s plan is for peace, and if you disrupt that’”

Was it even possible to balance what was expected from her with her own desires? “Do you think I want to disrupt anything? I’m trying to find a way to make this work for everyone. But I’m not giving up Kane. He’s my mate. We need to find another solution.”

“You do have feelings for Rahl; I see the way you look at him, hear your heart pounding so erratically when he touches you,” Sabine said. “There’s no point trying to lie about that. Maybe the best thing to do is to mate with both of them.”

Emory chuckled, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “That’s not possible.”

“Isn’t it? You have a fated, and Seraphine has linked you to Rahl in a way that mimics the soul link too. What’s worse is this link requires you to be close to him. Like it or not, you’re bound to two mates already; might as well make it official.” Sabine shrugged. “Or reject your dragon mate.”

“I won’t,” Emory spat. “I know Aworyn can undo this link with Rahl.”

“No, she cannot. Seraphine made sure of it, and her death solidified it. To unlink, one of you must die, and she has placed that burden on Rahl almost as if she suspects that you would not let anyone hurt him,” Sabine continued.

Either she was telling her the cold, bitter truth or trying to manipulate this to keep her brother alive. “There has to be another way.”

Sabine shook her head. “I wish there were. This link is powerful magic, and it was designed to ensure that you and Rahl remain connected. Seraphine knew what she was doing. He almost died earlier because you left him. Did you tell him you didn’t want him when you last saw him?”

Her hands clenched into fists on her lap. Who knows? She eyed Sabine as she leaned back in the chair. She barely remembered what was said back there. “I don’t remember.”

Sabine placed a hand on her shoulder, her touch surprisingly gentle. “You need to be prepared for the possibility that there may be no other solution. You must stay close to Rahl for now. Your lives depend on it. I apologize if I sounded hostile; I can’t possibly imagine how this feels. It couldn’t be so bad having two mates.”

She was being pulled in every direction, her mind was a complete mess. Could she really handle being bound to two mates? The idea seemed impossible, yet here she was, living it.

She looked at Sabine, searching for any sign of deception, but all she saw was pity, and she hated it. Honestly, it was Kane she worried about. What if he learned the truth and didn’t want her any more? What man would agree to share his mate anyway? She couldn’t share Kane with anyone, ever, and to ask him to do that” she couldn’t.

“I need to go,” Emory said, jumping to her feet.

“But you’ll come back, won’t you? It’s important, you know this.” Sabine shot to her feet as well, her eyes wide at Emory’s sudden stance. She looked ready to tackle Emory to the ground and keep her there.

“I just need to get away. Lair,” she called.

The doorway opened, and she heard Sabine’s gasp but didn’t bother to acknowledge it. Emory stepped into the portal and into Kane’s lair. She quickly removed the cloak, set it down on the stool at the foot of the bed, tugged off her boots, and climbed into the bed.

The familiar warmth and scent of Kane’s lair welcomed her, offering a fleeting sense of comfort. She curled up, pulling the blankets around her, trying to calm the storm of thoughts and emotions raging inside her. This whole day had been a huge mess.

She closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind kept drifting back to Kane. What would he think of all this? Her heart raced as she thought about Kane’s reaction. She imagined his golden eyes filled with disappointment or worse, indifference. The thought twisted her stomach into knots. She needed him to understand, to see that this wasn’t something she wanted or asked for.

The minutes stretched into hours, and Emory’s anxiety grew. She couldn’t stay here, hiding from the truth. She needed to confront it, to find a way to fix this. Even though she knew Kane would support her, the fear of his possible rejection gnawed at her. It was what Seraphine wanted, and it was such an impressive, ultimate “screw you”.

The lair was silent, the only sounds being the faint hum of magic that surrounded the space. She focused on it, letting the rhythmic pulse try to soothe her restless mind.

She laid there, listening to the sounds of the lair, letting the rhythmic hum of magic lull her into a restless sleep. Her dreams were filled with fragmented images of Kane and Rahl, each scene more confusing than the last.

In her dreams, Kane’s golden eyes softened as he reached out to her, but just as she was about to take his hand, Rahl appeared, his presence a dark, looming shadow that pulled her away. She woke up with a start, her heart pounding and her body covered in a light sheen of sweat.

She knew what she had to do. She had to find a way to break the bond with Rahl without sacrificing her connection to Kane. It was the only way forward, the only way to bring peace to her soul.

“I will fix this,” she vowed quietly to herself. She just hoped she wouldn’t have to face this alone.

Kane
Kane stood at the head of the grand hall of the dragon fold, his piercing golden eyes scanning the faces of the Crimson Wing elders. The last time he stood in the halls of this pristine throne room was when he’d congregated with the elders about his slumber. The memories of that day, the enormity of that decision, still lingered in his mind. While some humans had settled into the Qaelasyn Province, they had preserved the royal courts and the Gersentu Tower. He was even more perplexed that the Lycans had not tried to claim the ruins, runes, and riches of the dragons for themselves.

The hall, crafted from obsidian and embellished with exquisite dragon motifs, exemplified the regal and intimidating nature of their species. The light from the sconces cast a beautiful glow, making the gold inlays shimmer and the shadows dance.

Varyn, with his long black hair that shimmered like his scales, rose and dipped in a bow. “Imperial Lord, we need to move forward with the unification ceremony,” he said. The dragons, in their human guises, had one peculiarity that set them apart if the wolves, Lycans, and humans cared to pay attention. Both male and female had long hair with unusual eye colours, a subtle but distinct mark of their lineage. Varyn’s was a vivid purple.

He knew that. The importance of the unification ceremony was not lost on him. It wasn’t just for the stability of the empire, but for the strength it would lend to their kind. It was the joining of two species, two halves and although it had never happened, he couldn’t shake the connection he felt for Emory.

“I understand, Varyn,” Kane said. “There is, however, a possible complication we must address first.” He paused, his next words feeling incredibly heavy. “Seraphine may have linked my mate to the Lycan King.”

A murmur of disbelief rippled through the council. The elders exchanged troubled glances, their faces scowling with concern. Kane could see the unease in their eyes, the doubt that crept into their minds. He sometimes hated that the council had the right bestowed by his forefathers to act against his wishes if it was in the best interest of their kind. But it did take most of the tough decisions away from him, and in times like that, he was grateful.

Kane’s thoughts drifted to Emory, her strength, and the fire within her that matched his own. He couldn’t bear the thought of her being in danger, of their future being threatened. The very thought of Sera threatening her safety had far reaching consequences. If he wasn’t who he was, removing Sera would have resulted in the exile of his kind.

Why did it have to be so complicated? He had thought getting the Crimson Wing accept her as his mate would be the more difficult part in all this, but obstacles keeping rearing their ugly heads. Each one more daunting than the last.

“The link, if it exists, could destabilize not just your bond, but the entire empire. We need to find a way to sever it, or at least understand its nature,” Varyn continued, his eyes locking onto Kane’s.

“Seraphine is dead. Her magic should have died with her,” Lyra demanded, her emerald eyes narrowing.

“It appears she left a parting gift,” Kane replied in a bitter tone. “A binding spell that ties Emory’s life force to Rahl’s. If he dies, she dies as well.”

Kael groaned before he spoke up. “Are you sure of this?”

“I saw the insignia on the Lycan’s chest. I would recognize it anywhere. I will not lose Emory. There must be a way to break this link.”

He had seen the bond’s effects before, knew first-hand how it worked, and the thought of this curse costing him his mate was nearly driving him mad.

“If it is the same bond Seraphine used on your forbearers, then it is impossible. It is ancient and powerful,” Varyn said. “There is a way to break it. A spell of severance, designed to break the most powerful of bonds. But it requires a sacrifice of equal power.”

Kane’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. “There is a way? What kind of sacrifice?”

Lyra stepped forward, away from the pew where the Crimson Wing sat. “We consulted the Codex of Eternity, which holds the knowledge of all dragon magic, including the oldest and most dangerous spells.”

“Why am I just hearing of this?” Kane demanded, rising from his throne, his golden eyes blazing with fury.

“The past imperial lord forbade us from telling you at the time, young Odreil. The severance spell requires a life for a life. To break the bond, someone must willingly offer their life in exchange, and it must be someone of the same bloodline as one of the linked souls,” Dairdat revealed.

Silence fell over the room as what Dairdat said settled in. He would do anything to save Emory, but the thought of sacrificing another life was a burden he could hardly bear. Emory’s only living sibling was Trey, the Alpha of the wolves, and he doubted Rahl had any living relatives. Yet another obstacle, how grand.

“There must be another way,” Kane said quietly. “We will exhaust every possibility before considering such a drastic measure.”

The elders nodded in agreement but Kane saw the doubt in their eyes. They believed there was no other way. If there had been, his parents would still be alive.

“Imperial Lord, this may complicate things. With your mate linked to the Lycan king, she now has two mates, and it could unbind his Lycan,” Varyn said, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders like a dark waterfall. “Do you still wish to claim her as mate?”

“She is mine! Find a way to break this bond. Emory belongs with me, and any solution that does not end with her as my queen is unacceptable!” he barked, his voice echoing through the throne room as his clenched fist caught on fire.

The elders rose, bowing deeply as Kane paced in front of his throne, his rage slowly calmed and the fire died out.

“Yes, your Imperial Highness, we shall continue our search in the Codex and other ancient texts. There may yet be a way we have not considered,” Aomori finally spoke, his long golden hair pouring over his shoulders. He was the youngest of the elders, and quite reserved too.

Kane took a deep breath, trying to calm the fire raging inside him. “I must go to Emory. She needs to know what we’ve discovered and what we’re facing. I need to be with her.”

“Of course, Imperial Lord,” Lyra said, her emerald eyes filled with understanding. “We will keep you informed of any progress.”

Kane nodded and turned to leave the hall, his mind consumed with thoughts of Emory. How would he tell her about this? The thought of her being linked to Rahl was a bitter pill to swallow. He already despised the Wulric for his lineage and for the faint affection Emory felt for him. Now, knowing they shared a bond was nearly unbearable.

As he made his way swiftly to his lair, the familiar surroundings of his domain offered a brief respite from his distress. The corridors, illuminated by flickering yellow lights, closed in around him.

Upon approaching the entrance to his private quarters, the heavy oak doors swung open silently. He stepped inside, the warmth and scent of his lair enveloping him. Emory was there, curled up on the bed, her eyes closed in restless sleep. The sight of her calmed him instantly. All his worries melted away, and there was only her—her beautiful form lying gracefully in that green dress, her red curls cascading over her face.

Quietly, he approached the bed and sat beside her. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch tender. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at him for a moment, her green eyes full of questions and concern.

“Kane,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I’m here,” he said softly. What was she doing back here? He’d left her in Kedar, where she’d insisted on going. Did she crave him too? Was that why she was here?

She sat up slowly, her eyes searching his face as if she could feel his unease. “What’s wrong?”

Kane took her hand in his and she held his face in her hands, her dazzling green eyes searching his intensely. He could see the confusion and concern in them, and it pained him to add to her worries. But she needed to know the truth. “Eilir, the insignia Sera engraved on the Lycan is an ancient spell. Her magic—it’s a binding spell that ties your life force to his. If he dies, you die as well. She might have thought it advantageous to bind him to you, knowing it would complicate our bond and prevent us from mating.”

“Is there a way to undo it?” she asked quietly, and her voice trembled slightly. Her reaction wasn’t what he had expected; if he didn’t know better, he’d think she already knew about this.

“An unholy sacrifice,” he said, and Emory’s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing her face.

Kane scooped her into his arms and got into bed, lying back and resting her on his chest. She scooted up, linking her fingers on his chest to rest her chin on them, her eyes never leaving his.

“What kind of sacrifice?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“A life for a life,” Kane said. “It must be someone of the same bloodline as one of the linked souls.”

Her brows drew together in that pretty frown as she pulled away from him slightly. “My brother or” or someone from Rahl’s bloodline.”

He nodded. “Yes, but that is out of the question. We will find another way. I promise you that.”

“I’m starting to think there’s no other way,” Emory murmured, crawling away from him to sit up in the space between his legs.

Kane sat up, pulling her back into his embrace. She leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. He held her against him, not speaking, not moving for a while. As they sat there together, Kane held her close, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. She adjusted slowly to wrap her arms around him as far as she could, and he smiled at the gesture.

“How do you feel about this?” she asked, her voice vibrating against his chest. “That I’m linked to Rahl.”

“I don’t hate it as much as I hate hearing you say his name,” he confessed. “I should find him now that I think about it. He was in such bad shape when we last saw him. We need to keep him safe to make sure you’re safe.” Then he kissed the top of her head and slipped away from her, the cold air rushing in to fill the space between them.

“About that,” Emory turned to him on the bed, her eyes dimming in a way that made him uneasy. “I may have gone to Aworyn’s Temple to speak to him earlier, but only because Rodyn had told me about a coup to dethrone and possibly kill him.”

Kane’s eyes widened slightly, but he kept his composure. “You went to see him?” And who was Rodyn?

She nodded slowly. “Yes, I had to warn him. He’s vulnerable, and if something happens to him, it affects me too. I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing.”

Kane sighed, running a hand through his hair, his silver strands slipping through his fingers. “I understand. But it’s dangerous for you to be near him. We don’t know the full extent of this link, and I can’t risk losing you.” To him. That was his greatest fear here, losing his mate to that puny creature after only just finding her.

“I know, but I had to do something. He’s in danger, and so am I because of it.” She climbed out of bed to stand before him, her eyes pleading for understanding.

“Eilir, can you honestly tell me that is the only reason you went, not because you were worried about him or wanted to see him?” he asked and as much as he tried, he couldn’t hide his jealousy.

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I’” She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “Yes, I was worried about him. But that doesn’t mean I have feelings for him. You’re my mate.”

Kane studied her, the sincerity in her eyes easing some of his fears. He understood the conflict she was experiencing. He could see it in the way her eyes flickered with uncertainty, the way her hands trembled slightly against his chest. “I know. This is complicated and unfair to both of us. But you walked away from me once before because it was the easy thing to do and’”

She stepped closer, her hands pressing firmly against his chest, grounding him. “I’m with you, Kane. I’m not going anywhere.” She took his hand and placed it over her heart, the steady beat reassuring him. “Now, this might not be as trite as your speech from earlier, but this heart only beats for you.”

Kane chuckled softly, pulling her into a tight embrace. He kissed the top of her head, drawing strength from their connection. Then he pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. “I need to speak with him about this link and other empire matters. It’s long overdue.”

“Right this minute? I was hoping you’d spend some time with me, in the brook,” she grumbled with playful disappointment. “I won’t keep you too long, lover.”

Kane smiled, brushing a thumb over her cheek. The endearing term she used for him sent a thrill through his chest. It was the first time she called him anything other than his name, and he really liked it. “I promise, as soon as I’m back, we’ll have that time together. I won’t be long.”

She sighed but nodded, her eyes twinkling with understanding and lingering desire. “Alright, be careful.”

“I will,” he assured her, giving her one last lingering kiss before stepping away. Her scent lingered on his lips, a reminder of what he was fighting for.

As he exited his lair, the familiar pressure of his responsibilities settled back onto his shoulders. He appeared in front of an impressive estate, the architecture grand and imposing. The Lycans standing guard turned to him, startled, their eyes widening at the sight of him. They shifted uneasily, circling around him as he fastened his arms behind his back.

“When you’re done with this foolishness, fetch your king,” he told them, his voice carrying the power of his authority. He had no patience for their posturing.