Chapter Thirty-Nine
A lot had changed while we mated. The servants were wearing uniforms now—respectable uniforms. Gone were the laces and chains.
The ex-slaves, now honorable servants, walked the halls with heads lifted, smiling and bowing to Jucai and me as we passed by.
The very atmosphere of the Royal Palace had changed to something lighter and brighter, as if a curse had been lifted.
Jucai raised his eyebrows. “You were right, Mate. All we had to do was speak with them.”
I squeezed his hand. “That wasn't all you did, Jucai. You treated them as equals. You apologized to them.”
“As you suggested.”
“No, that went beyond my suggestion. You were genuine and honest with them. You went among them and comforted them. That's what they responded to. That's why they're still here.”
“And why you're still here?”
I thought about it. Would I have stayed if Jucai hadn't shown his slaves respect and freed them? No, I wouldn't have. “Yes, I'm here because that's the man you are—a man who corrects his mistakes, respects people of every class, and takes pride in doing the right thing.”
Jucai stopped to turn to me and take both of my hands. “Nadar, don't you see? You made me that man.”
“No, Jucai. I only reminded you of who you are.”
“And without you, I would have forgotten forever. I'd be in the middle of a war with your kingdom. You didn't just save me; you also saved Ilshi.”
“You wouldn't have allowed war to happen. You would have gone to King Saric just as you did with me. I only helped move things along.”
“Great Gods! Will you argue with me over everything? If I say you saved Ilshi, then you saved Ilshi!”
I burst out laughing. “Yes, I will argue with you when I think you're wrong, I'll tell you the truth even when it's hurts, and I'll force you to make the hard decisions.” I pulled him into an embrace.
“But I'll also concede when you're right, comfort you, and support you no matter what decision you make.”
Jucai grinned. “I think I can live with that.” He slipped out of my arms and took my hand. “No, come on. I've got a surprise for you.”
We entered the curving dining hall to find the loungers replaced by comfy seating arrangements and a buffet table holding beverages and appetizers. The sound of music and laughter trickled through the room and among the mingling people. And I recognized some of them.
Dragons—both Land and Sea—turned toward us and applauded. I gaped at men and women from my dread as Jucai led me through the hall, around the curve. Several of my friends came up to congratulate me as we passed. I looked from them to my mate. Jucai grinned back at me.
“When did you have time to plan this?” I whispered.
“While you were sleeping one night, my senses returned briefly. I called for my steward and asked him to invite the Land Dragons for our mating celebration. They arrived yesterday.”
“Duke Nadar!” King Saric boomed as he came through the crowd. He wore royal garb, complete with his crown, his blond hair slicked back.
“We've kept the King waiting a day?” I hissed at Jucai before I bowed to my ex-king. “Your Majesty! I'm honored that you came to celebrate my mating.”
“You haven't mated just any man, Nadar.” King Saric clapped my shoulder as he inclined his head to Jucai. “Thank you for your generous invitation, Your Majesty. As you can see, I've brought many members of my dread with me. We were all very excited to see your kingdom.”
“I hope my steward has kept you entertained while we settled our bond.” Jucai shook King Saric's hand. “I tried to plan your arrival to coincide with the completion.”
“You were very close! And yes, we've already gone on a tour of your beautiful city. It's amazing, just amazing. I loved the crab races!”
“Thank you so much. I'm hoping my mate will be happy here even though it's far away from his beloved Zaru.”
“I love you more than Zaru now,” I said. Then I asked King Saric, “Speaking of which, who is looking after Zaru, Your Majesty?”
“My brother and his mate are ruling until I return. So many members of our dread are finding their mates.” His green gaze went wistful and slid to his longtime consort. They'd been together too long for them to be mates.
“Do you hope for a mate or dread finding them?” Jucai asked.
King Saric raised his eyebrows as he looked back at the Sea King. “I . . .”
“I dreaded it,” I spoke into the silence. “I didn't want to commit to anyone, much less an undersea king. But your life changes for the better the instant you meet them, Your Majesty. You may think you know what you want, but you don't. Not until you hold your mate in your arms.”
“The Gods know best,” King Saric whispered.
“Indeed,” Jucai said. “And their magic can overcome a lot. Just look at us—a bird and a fish in love.”
I chuckled. “And we found a way to live together.”
King Saric nodded. “I knew anything was possible when my brother brought a Raltven to Zaru, and that man saved my kingdom and won my brother's heart.”
“Why is that so momentous?” Jucai asked.
I cleared my throat. “Before Duke Daha came to Zaru, Raltven were considered the lowest class of citizens. They were seen as assassins and thieves.”
“And are they assassins and thieves?”
“Yes, absolutely.” King Saric chuckled. “But, as with all races, there are good and bad people among them. Some are killers, and some, like our sweet Daha, are heroes. I never discounted the Raltven, but I never thought one could rise to greatness either. Daha has taught me to look deeper, past appearances and prejudice. You never know what you may . . . find.” The King went still, his gaze shifting behind Jucai.
I turned to see an unfamiliar Sea Dragon.
He reminded me of Jucai, with an exotic beauty unlike any found on land.
His long hair, held back in a simple braid, was deep crimson, not white, and his almond-shaped eyes were blue instead of green.
Still, his nose, jaw, and brow were all Jucai.
He wore sturdy garments, the sort you might see on a pirate, and held a burlap sack in his hands. The sack was bleeding.
“Well, well, well.” The man sauntered past people who drew back out of his way. “Having a party without me? Rude, Brother. So very rude.”
Jucai spun and then rushed to the man, arms open. “Sero!”
The man laughed and hugged my mate. “What's all this, Your Majesty?”
“Come, come!” Jucai put an arm around Sero's back and led him to us. “I want you to meet my mate. This is Nadar. Nadar, this is my younger brother, Sero.”
“Your mate?” Sero dropped the bag and hugged me. “I have been gone too long , I see. Welcome to the family, Brother.”
“Thank you.” I glanced at the bag. “I didn't know Jucai had a brother.”
“Sero is gone a lot,” Jucai said. “Nearly didn't make it back in time to hibernate with our dread.”
Sero shrugged, but then he saw Saric, and his casual expression sharpened. “And who's this golden piece of man-flesh?”
My eyes went wide. No one had ever spoken to the King like that. But when I looked at King Saric, I found him blushing. My eyes widened.
“Brother, please.” Jucai rolled his eyes. “I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. Please forgive my brother. King Saric of Zaru, may I introduce my uncouth brother, Sero? Sero, this is the King of Zaru. And Zaru is my mate's birthplace. Our dreads are now allies.”
“A king, eh?” Sero looked Saric up and down. “Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.” He held out his hand.
“A pleasure.” King Saric clasped hands with Sero.
“It could be.” Sero smirked, but then his expression went blank.
Saric frowned.
I cleared my throat.
King Saric dropped Sero's hand. “What's in the bag, if I may ask?”
Sero looked shaken. He frowned as if trying to understand the words Saric had spoken.
“Sero?” Jucai laid a hand on his brother's shoulder.
Sero jerked. “Oh, uh, the bag. Yes, the bag! It has a head in it.”
“I'm sorry, what?” Saric wore a half-smile as if expecting Sero to tell him it was a joke.
“I've been hunting frellen,” Sero said. “Sorry, Brother.” He looked from me to Jucai. “I didn't mean to bring such a bloody gift to your mating. I just wanted you to take a look. They, uh.” He glanced at Saric. “They've mutated.”
“Mutated?” Jucai bent and opened the bag. “What the fuck?”
“Yes, it disturbed me as well, and I've killed thousands of them.”
“What's a frellen?” King Saric asked me.
“They're monsters, sire. Terrifying creatures that prey on the undersea races. I've never seen one, but I've heard they are disgusting.”
“Even more so now,” Sero said. “They've grown spikes on their heads.” He looked at Jucai. “I don't know what this means, but it can't be good.”
“No, I don't expect so.” Jucai closed the bag. “Dispose of it, Brother. I don't want this to ruin our celebration.”
“Got it.” Sero hauled up the bag and headed for the door.
“Wait!” Saric cried.
We all went still, every gaze shifting toward him.
The King cleared his throat, “Uh, I'd like to see it, if I may?”
“I'd rather not open it in here again,” Sero said, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Would you mind accompanying me to dispose of it, Your Majesty? I'll bring you back to the celebration afterward.”
“Yes! I mean, uh, I wouldn't mind at all.” He hurried past us to Sero.
Jucai and I watched the two of them leave, heads bent together as they spoke.
“I thought King Saric was straight?” Jucai asked.
“He is. Always has been.” I glanced at Lady Seysara, his consort.
She was watching the men leave as well, her hand lifted to touch the green chain of scales around her throat—the symbol of her status as the King's consort.
“Well, now that you've met my brother,” Jucai said. “It feels as if my world is complete. Come, Mate, let us dance.”
“Dance? Dance where?”
He led me through a door and into an adjoining room. Inside were more of my dread, dancing with Sea Dragons. The music lifted my heart, and all thoughts of King Saric and my new brother vanished. Only Jucai remained.
I should have known he'd be a masterful dancer.
Jucai excelled at everything he did. Within his arms, I floated across a polished red coral floor, the scent of salt and cinnamon reminding me that I was where I belonged.
On a balcony above us, musicians played, and dancers swirled around us. I had never been happier.
“Nadar, my mate.” Jucai twirled me into an alcove.
Leaning against the cool marble wall, I smiled at him. “Yes, Jucai, my mate?”
“There is something that I've just realized I've left unsaid.”
“What is it?”
“I have told you I'm yours, called you my love, and mated you, but I've yet to say the most important thing.”
My breath caught. I knew what he was going to say, and I couldn't wait to hear it.
Jucai was right. He'd said everything but those three words.
I let it go, not wanting to hear it from him if I had to harass him into it.
And as I held my breath, I realized I hadn't said it either.
I'd been waiting for him, as if I needed his permission.
I blurted out, “I love you.”
Jucai's tender expression went annoyed. “Damn it all, Nadar! I was going to say it first!”
Chuckling, I pulled him closer. “Then say it. I've been waiting.”
The Sea King slipped back into tenderness, and his hands slid up my back. “I love you, my daring diplomat.”
“Forever, my sea king.”
“Yes, forever.”
I had feared this. Prayed for it to pass me by. But the Gods knew best. The one man I thought would never make a suitable mate was now the one man I couldn't live without. I didn't regret fighting the magic or the trials we had to overcome. It was all necessary to bring us together.
Our story would never end, nor would our love.
The bird had mated the fish, and after overcoming our differences, we knew we could conquer anything.
Rebellion, abduction, and magic disruption hadn't stopped us.
Jucai could lose his crown and kingdom, and we'd still endure.
Even if the mating magic failed, we wouldn't fail.
It had drawn us together, but now that we had each other, magic was unnecessary.
Love is more powerful than all the magic in existence.