Secrets and Stardust

Chapter 53

Emmeric

Phaedros take me, that woman is going to send me to an early grave.

Panic had never had Emmeric so solidly in its grip since he’d received the news of his parents’ deaths. Watching Iyana confront Uther on her own had taken at least ten years off his life. He’d need to consult a mirror to see if he had any gray hairs. For her to go after the emperor without even informing Altair of what she was doing… There was no way that woman had a plan, instead rushing headlong into a dangerous situation.

The magical dome had appeared, and Emmeric had done everything in his power to bring it down. Altair as well had tried hitting it with all of his magic, leaving the star panting, his golden eyes widened with dread. Emmeric had done the only thing he could think of to aid her—by being her Kanaliza and channeling magic towards her. But she had rejected it, pushed it back to him. He knew she had sensed his anxiety because of what she had sent down the bond; it felt like a goodbye. He swore he had actually heard her say it. That she loved him. Them. Iyana hadn’t had enough faith in herself to come out of this alive. The woman never had enough confidence in herself, and Emmeric desperately wanted to change her views. He needed Iyana to see herself the way he saw her—capable, independent, and fierce.

The relief of everyone was palpable when the barrier surrounding the two finally popped, and Uther lay on blood-soaked ground with Emmeric’s dagger through his black heart. Pride filled his body with what Iyana had done, all on her own. He had meant it when he said she could take care of herself.

Zane had immediately taken charge of his father’s men, forcing them to lay down their arms and kneel, hands behind their heads. Someone had killed the last remaining wailer, but screeching in the distance meant they’d need to leave quickly.

His heart and soul longed to go to Iyana. To heal her mangled hand, the cut to her forearm, and all the other scrapes and bruises she’d earned during her hard-fought battle. Arinem had no idea who to thank for their newfound freedom. Emmeric swore to change that when they returned to the mainland, making sure they all realized who was responsible for freeing them—her name chanted in the streets. Mostly, he wanted to heal her heart. Her guilt and relief were swirling together, creating a maelstrom of confusion in her little body. Emmeric wanted to hold her tight, tell her it wasn’t her fault, that it was something the gods had forced her into; that he greatly admired her conviction for doing the right thing, even though she would carry the mental scars of this forever.

That he was proud of her.

But Altair had gotten to her first, wrapping his arms around her and tucking her into his chest. A bolt of jealousy coursed through him before he could stop it, knowing she’d feel it. Sure enough, she turned to him, her caramel-brown eyes red and limned in tears. He held up his own hand—ignoring the echoes of her pain—and mouthed, do you need help? Iyana shook her head, and within seconds Emmeric’s pain disappeared, so he knew she’d healed herself. At least she wasn’t in physical pain any longer.

He glanced over towards his best friend only to find Talon and Zane also wrapped in a tight embrace. Turning to give them some privacy, also a little envious of their happiness, he saw Kaz back in her human form bounding over to him. A sheen of sweat, dirt, and blood covered the shifter’s dark skin, but she launched herself into Emmeric’s arms with a peal of laughter. He held her tight for a moment, needing to hold someone, before she pulled away.

“For the love of Yrza. That. Was. Amazing.” Kaz beamed, white teeth flashing from ear to ear. “I’m so happy you guys asked me to join your little quest.”

“We didn’t ask you, Kaz,” Em said, smiling back, the adrenaline in his system finally beginning to calm. “You invited yourself.”

“I did, didn’t I,” she mused. “Can you blame me, though? I mean, you all were so attractive. Seriously. What are the odds of stumbling upon a group of people where everyone is pretty? Not a snaggletooth, bad haircut, or club foot in sight.”

Laughter bubbled up and out of Emmeric. Throwing his head back to the sky, he let loose all the anxiety and stress the past few moons had given him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so hard.

Once his mirth subsided, Kaz was still by his side, a small smile curving those delicious lips. She gestured towards the ground with a nod of her head, and they found a clean area to sit. They sat with their thighs and shoulders touching, Emmeric luxuriating in the closeness of someone else with no strings attached. Although, Kaz was fun, and exactly the type of woman he would be interested in had he not already met Iyana. Someone to balance him out when he got into one of his moods. It was why he and Tal had been friends for so long. Talon was the push and Emmeric was the pull, the result always ending up somewhere in the middle. Emmeric sighed, peering up at the dull, brown sky. He wondered how much time had passed. Was it currently day or night?

“Kaz, I’m sorry I can’t be more for you.”

A line formed between her brows. The frown was so off-character for her it almost made Emmeric laugh again. “More? I thought we had agreed that what we had was casual. Unless…do you want more?”

“No,” Emmeric said, shaking his head.

Kaz blew out a relieved breath. “Good. Would’ve hated for you to have fallen in love with me, and then I’d be forced to break your heart.”

“Bold of you to assume I’d fall in love with you.”

“Hey, I am extremely lovable.” She knocked her shoulder into his. Emmeric grinned. “What are you going to do now, grumps? Go after your girl?”

He glanced over to where he knew he’d find Iyana. Altair had moved her closer to the cave’s entrance, away from Uther’s body. She was still cradled in his arms.

“I don’t think so. There might be something between us, but with Altair in the picture…I don’t stand a chance. So I’m going to spare myself the pain.”

“I’m still rooting for you two,” Kaz said quietly.

“Thanks.” Emmeric smiled sadly. “No, I’ll go back to Athusia. Help Zane restore some normalcy to the empire. Make sure Talon doesn’t go too crazy.”

“They do make a really cute couple. I’m happy for them.”

“Me too.” Emmeric said, grinning. “What about you? What will you do?”

Kaz sighed. “I think I have to go back to Nyr. I need to tell the king and queen the empire has changed hands, and that a star has fallen. They’ll want to know.”

Emmeric looked at the energetic, carefree shifter in a new light. “You have the ear of the king and queen?”

Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “You wanted to know what Kaz is short for?”

“Yes,” Emmeric said, dragging out the word, curious where this was headed.

“Kazumi,” she said, smiling brightly. “Specifically, Zoara Kazumi Zaya Tsenira.”

Tsenira.He recognized that name… Kaz stood, brushing off her pants to little effect, the brown dust of the Dead Lands adhering to drying blood. She looked down at him, still grinning.

“I’m the crown princess of Nyr. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an alliance to forge.” She sauntered off towards Zane and Talon without a backwards glance.

Emmeric chuckled, shaking his head. He didn’t know why things continued to surprise him.