Eternal Darkness (A Novel of the Amagarians Book 1) (8 page)

“Impossible,” Lachlan said. “A beast does not reside within her, we would have
sensed it.”

“Why do you think that?” Gidon demanded, stalking to stand
beside him.

“It’s not possible,” Talon said. “Our people have always mated only with each other. To mate with someone outside of a Darkan
is inconceivable.”

“He’s right,” Lachlan murmured. “Our mating is raw and tends to be filled with pain because of the satisfaction we derive from it. To lie with her would
be impossible.”

“Impossible yes,” Gidon said, clasping Drac’s shoulder. “However, it would certainly solve the issue of a hearing for how you killed the Darkans that attacked her. The laws that protect the defense of a mate
are absolute.”

No it would not...for he would never
claim her.

“We are ignoring something critical,” Lachlan said, moving to also stand at the massive windows. “It is the beast in us that makes us mate for life, how can the bond be created without the princess having a beast? How will
lei
be formed?”

Drac had thought the same thing the minute he wondered if the princess could be his mate. How would they form
lei
, the bonding link only mated pairs shared, a connection that was only possible due to the presence of each beast that bonded together through a psychic connection? Having a mate created a weakness that could be exploited, and he wanted no distraction until he found those who plotted against his king. Worse, having a mate such as her was a weakness onto itself. For if she proved to be his, nothing would be more important than protecting her, not even his king’s life, and the very notion
was untenable.

“A mating is not possible with her. Each beast soothes each other and keeps the blood thirst quenched. If necessary, we can feed off each other’s essence for strength. That is how it is between Cazara and I,”
Talon said.

“It’s not possible that the princess be my mate,” Drac said. “Yet the possession and protectiveness I feel makes no other sense. The taste of her fear and pain is distasteful to me. I cannot feed my darkness
from her.”

“I will have to consult with the elders,” Lachlan said, stalking to the doors. “We need to check our histories to see if we have ever mated with one who did not possess
a beast.”

“No!” Drac said. “To involve the elders now would cause complications we are not ready for. And all of you are missing the most significant fact. She is the treasured Princess of
the Boreas.”

“Kings’ hell!” Talon
muttered harshly.

They stood in silence, contemplating the implications of the Princess of Boreas being the mate of
a Darkan.

He said nothing of the threat she presented to him. Losing his soul...and murdering his
own people.

Gidon Al Shra sat on the throne in his council chamber and deeply contemplated what looked like the beginning of a royal cluster fuck of disaster drifting his way. His council chamber—one of the most beautiful rooms in the castle, designed by his mother to help soothe his father’s beast, offered Gidon
no comfort.

If his suspicions proved correct, his kingdom needed to brace for war. A thing the kingmaker would relish, using the distraction to unseat Gidon from power. He could use all his wiles and manipulative power and not escape this one. They were so hated; all of Amagarie would fight against the princess mating one of
his people.

He lifted his head as Drac stalked into the chamber looking pole axed. That was never an expression Gidon associated with his first enforcer. “I thought you
had retired.”

An incoherent growl came from Drac, and Gidon rose, went to the side-table and poured himself some of their potent wine. The snarl from his beast warned him he would
need it.

“When does she leave with Lachlan?”
Drac demanded.

Gidon didn’t need to ask who she was. “
Five days.”

“Why so long? He is the emissary and he is here now, why will they not
depart tomorrow?”

“Have you forgotten that she was recently injured?” Gidon softly queried. Was this the effect of being near a mate? He had never seen Drac
so rattled.

“You know that she healed herself. She looks better than when she arrived,” Drac
ground out.

Gidon leaned on the mantel and observed Drac. He was actually disturbed. Gidon’s beast could feel the tension rolling off him. He doubted the princess was Drac’s mate considering she was not of their kind, but the reaction that she drew from both man and beast was dangerous. The very fact Drac started pacing like a caged animal was caused
for concern.

“I toyed with the idea of having her stay longer. Giving her time to heal and to also mend the damage her attackers
had wrought.”

He watched the coldness seep deeper into Drac’s eyes upon the mention of the Darkans who were currently being held in
the dungeons.

Gidon had no intention of conducting a hearing for Drac’s actions, and knew the elders and chancellors would be displeased. He was flouting laws that he had laid down but he had been present, the control that Drac had lost due to the princess her being hurt was not something Gidon wanted anyone to be privy to at this time. The cadre he trusted with his life would not reveal anything, and the Darkans awaiting trial had enough
to fear.

“She is mended,”
Drac rasped.

“She is not, Drac,” Gidon said. “The elixir may have healed her wounds, but the terror of what happened must linger within her, and she will question why she was attacked. I will have to explain the distaste many of our people have for her kingdom. I will invite her to remain with us for several days while getting to know our world. We want to form a relationship with a kingdom so we can ascend out of complete darkness for the prosperity of our people. She is the bridge we need to the kingdom of wind and mountains. The potential benefits for our realm if we form a relationship with Boreas are vast. How would that be attained if the princess were to return tomorrow with the memory of her attack at the forefront of her thoughts? She is ignorant as to what we have to offer, and we will take this opportunity to do something our Kingdom has never
done before.”

“Fuck!” Drac curse rang in the chamber. “The desire to be near her is searing and constant. I was in the shadows watching her prepare for an audience with you. She is nervous, and I want to
soothe
her.” He sat in the high winged back chair by the fire, tipping his head to the ceiling. “My resistance will eventually crumble and I will take her. She is so much more fragile than what I am, how would she be able to withstand the viciousness of my beast’s
chakra
? What if I am too rough? What if I lose control, Gidon? What if she is harmed and I go on a rampage?” Drac asked with a throb of some emotion Gidon could not identify as it did not
bespoke darkness.

He frowned at Drac’s statement of intent. “You will stay away from the princess. She is the heir to the Borean throne and is blood bound to Nuria. She is not just an outsider who tempts you. You court war to entertain the thought of
bedding her.”

“If she stays beyond the morrow, for the remainder of the days I will have her under me, over me and every way I can imagine until I am sated. Expect nothing less from me,”
Drac said.

There was a lengthy silence while Gidon observed his friend. He trusted Drac with his life and kingdom. He would never endanger the ideals Gidon and his father worked so tirelessly and mercilessly toward. Drac’s difficulty in restraining his desire in a situation fraught with so many implications troubled Gidon. He could always rely on Drac for his unflappable calm, his logical ruthlessness, and his ability to be unfazed
by emotions.

“Is it that bad?”
Gidon asked.

Drac ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “I enter the hallways and her scent eats at my gut, my beast claws at my mind to reach out to a beast in her that is not present. My cock gets painfully hard with just a fleeting thought of her. Her taste is none like I have ever had. It creates a craving in me that has my control of my darkness tenuous, as it roars wanting to devour. It’s a need that is visceral. I
hunger
for her.”

“Her
taste Drac?”

He met Gidon’s
eye unflinching.

“
Her taste.”

“Fuck,” Gidon replied, which really said it all. “And was the princess open to you
tasting
her?” Not that he thought his friend would force any woman, but she was the damn Princess of Boreas, she should be skittish and fearful, not receptive
to seduction.

Drac snarled and the lust and satisfaction that fired in his eyes had Gidon rocking back on his heels and
mentally cursing.

“I cannot leave here until she departs with Lachlan. I want to be away from her Gidon, but I need to be here. If she was ever attacked again while I am away is not something I want to
even consider.”

It was imperative that nothing at this stage tip the delicate balance they were trying to get established with her nation. A Darkan could not claim a woman belonging to another kingdom without inviting war, much less the heir
of Boreas.

Definitely a royal cluster fuck. “She will be heavily guarded. I have selected a team of my five deadliest and loyal warriors to be her shadow for the duration of her stay if she accepts my invitation. She will not be harmed; you can return to the Northern Keep and concentrate your energy on finding the assassin of my father,”
Gidon vowed.

Drac looked at him as if he was losing
his mind.

“I cannot leave knowing death shadows her steps while she is here,” he stated implacably. “Do not doubt me, my friend, I will find the assassin of our
Ricarkri
, but I need to be here now. It is only five days, and Tehdra is mounting a search for the cowards, and she will
not fail.”

Gidon had never thought Drac capable of putting anything before executing his duty. He was not like many that yearned to find the other half to themselves, and had always been wary of being vulnerable to a woman. They could have relationships, but there came a time when a Darkan meets a man or woman who the beast in them craved, and when they took that mate, it was
for life.

“Do not bed her unless she is your mate. If she is yours then you are bound to her and her to you. Only if you are certain, Drac. If not, stay away from her,” Gidon ordered with finality ringing in
his voice.

“I will depart in five days when she departs.” Drac
shiktred
away.

It really was easier to dominate with fear, Gidon mused. To simply take what he needed from each kingdom would be much simpler, but he had a vision for his people that many did not understand, and he had to rule with fairness and respect the other kingdoms in Amagarie. The character of the
Ricarkri
would be the character of the kingdom. If he ruled with the rage, treachery and viciousness that would be the only way his nation was perceived. If he wanted honor bargains, treaties and gifts for his nation, he would have to rise above the mercilessness inside of him and rule with fairness, strength and graciousness. A challenge, but one
he welcomed.

***

The king’s private room was designed with regal elegance. The floor was made with onyx stones, and the great chairs and the dais were made from oak and padded with the softest of silver and blue velvet. The cavernous fireplace blazed with a fire that illuminated the stunning mastery of the tapestries which adorned the walls. Her feet sank into plush carpets threaded with an intricate design. Upon peering closer Saieke realized the threading had drawn pictures of several beasts
in motion.

“Princess El Shyokara,” Gidon greeted her with a slight bow. “I present Lachlan Al Bien, my east quadrant enforcer and the emissary I have chosen to travel with you
to Boreas.”

Saieke curtsied, meeting the tawny eyes of Lachlan. She was beginning to realize all Darkans were
dangerously beautiful.

“Princess,” Lachlan murmured on a bow, assessing her as he escorted to the chaise by
the windows.

Five other Darkans were positioned motionless at the door. The king sat opposite her, and Saieke ignored Lachlan as he sauntered gracefully to the fireplace. She held her back rigid, refusing to relax in the plush seat and studied
the king.

“I offer you our deepest apologies that you were attacked by citizens of the Darkage. They will be put to death for their actions against you and the Kingdom of Boreas,” Gidon said with
calm authority.

Saieke flinched. She had tried not to dwell on the attack, and she hated to remember the fear that had gripped her in those moments. It had been unbearable. She inclined her head in acknowledgement of
his apology.

She smiled at the servant who appeared with goblets of fruited wine. She sipped tentatively and her lips tingled at the zesty taste of the drink. “Why was
I attacked?”

Gidon’s face became inscrutable. “Boreas is despised by many. You are
your kingdom.”

“Why are we hated?” Saieke clasped the goblet with her both hands to keep them from shaking. The memory of his beast kept flitting across
her mind.

“Our queen, my mother, was severely ill and our healers could do nothing. We petitioned your kingdom for aid which was
denied twice.”

She stiffened. “That is not possible. My
Ricarkri
would not deny another kingdom of Amagarie our waters when it could save the life of
a ruler.”

A sardonic smile twisted the king’s his lips as he leaned forward, resting his muscular forearms on his thighs. “I am sure you are aware of our reputation, Princess. We are reviled and Boreas treated us with contempt. At the death of our queen, many wanted vengeance on your kingdom. You being in the Darkage and of the house that denied our queen the possibility of life motivated some to seek vengeance. It will not
happen again.”

Saieke’s heart thudded. It was possible her father denied them. Yet it would have been cruel for her king to deny a petition when the elixir they had was
so bountiful.

“I know that attack on you only confirms our reputation. I invite you to spend a few days in the Darkage to learn about us so we can foster trade and diplomacy between our nations and show you that we are more than
our rumors.”

Saieke frowned at the unexpected invitation. She had assumed that Gidon would desire her immediate departure to honor
their bargain.

Open talk of trade with
the Darkage?

The very idea was daunting. She could present all she would learn to the Princes’ Council, who would then take it to the
Ricarkri
. The fact they had saved her from Mevia was in their favor, and this was an opportunity for her to extend her stay and rid herself of the barrier that could save
her people.

A deep part of her wanted to leave and return to the comfort of her realm. Even if that comfort would be short lived. But how could she agree to stay? How could she remain in a kingdom where many wanted her demise because of the perceived infraction of her kingdom against their queen? It was unfair, but Saieke knew there was a possibility that all the kingdoms would have denied
their petition.

She had let down her guard, trusted them, and she almost died. If not for the arrival of Drac, her kingdom would now be in mourning and embroiled in war. “I would like a few moments to think,” she said as uncertainty pelted
inside her.

Gidon inclined his head and strode to the wide stained window overlooking his domain. He stood proud, with his hands clasped behind his back, garbed in a black tunic with only a deep grey undershirt to match the wintry grey of his eyes, midnight hair held back with a tong flowed to his back, and his frame was muscular and powerful. Something about the way he stood made her wary, yet her heart
strings tugged.

She believed he braced himself for her refusal. Would he try to use fear if she demanded to leave? For some unfathomable reason, Saieke did not think so. If she wanted to be free of her kingdom’s pledge to Nuria she had to take a lover. And Drac had shown he desired her. To travel home would deny her the opportunity to seduce him, yet to remain in the Darkage she courted death. Her choice was simple. To prevent the death of her kingdom, the loss of their traditions, their legacies and culture, and everything that made Boreas unique, she would return an impure and imperfect bride, even if it meant skating close to the edge
of death.