Chapter Twenty
Elouan guided the Harley through darkened streets, very aware of the dragon against his back.
Something had happened when the guardians died that made Jules detectable as a dragon, beyond the bond the two of them now shared.
The concealment spells were gone. At least one portal had opened. So, where was Sakaris?
One way to find out. Elouan headed out of the city, weaving through the evening traffic, Jules nestled against his back.
There was so much Elouan needed to say, to ask, just as soon as he found a safe place to stop.
But oh shit! Jules could partially shift?
Very few dragons possessed the ability. Most of them were betas who used the skill in fighting.
An omega? Why would an omega need such a skill? He just showed you why. Yeah, he did.
They pulled into a truck stop about thirty miles out of town to grab snacks, fill up the Harley, and let Jules attempt to clean off blood in the bathroom.
Then, they hit the road again. The Harley’s rumbling growl sounded different at night, and city scents gave way to the smell of grass and oncoming rain. As many times as Elouan had visited this location over the years, hoping, he’d never gotten results. Maybe tonight would be different.
He turned off the paved road, pulling to a stop in a parking lot with a lone car parked out of sight from the main road. Curtis’s. Good. He’d followed instructions.
“We hike from here,” Elouan told Jules. “Are you able?”
Jules nodded. He hadn’t spoken since they’d left the fight. They hiked down a well-worn trail, relying on their dragons’ night vision and a cellphone flashlight.
A man-made cave appeared, an abandoned attempt to blast a railway tunnel into a mountain many years ago. Elouan wrapped an arm around Jules’s trembling shoulders and entered. Was that a shimmer at the far end?
“Sakaris!” Elouan shouted. “If you can hear me, I need you!”
“Of course you do. I’m told I’m highly valuable.” The voice came from behind.
Elouan whirled, reaching toward his waistband and the gun hidden there.
“I assure you that self-defense isn’t necessary. I was just on my way to get you. Seems one of my ilk unsealed the passage between realms. You remember your uncle’s pet mage? Overly fond of purple?”
Relief warred with apprehension in Elouan. On the one hand, Sakaris might be his salvation. On the other hand, if Sakaris now worked for Urien, he’d brought Jules into a trap.
Sakaris shifted his attention from Elouan to Jules. “Hello, Prince Jules. I’m very pleased to see you. I came as quickly as I could once I heard of the plot to end your life.”
“What’s going on?” Elouan demanded.
“A concerted effort from some dragons in the human world and those in our own. They wish to create chaos. They don’t actually know what the results will be, but they’ve convinced themselves that all their problems will simply go away,”—Sakaris made a “poof” gesture with his hands—“if every ruling dragon suddenly finds themselves dead.”
So much scheming made Elouan’s head spin. “While some leaders might be corrupt, without some system of government, dragons will fight dragons until there are none of us left.”
“Precisely. Though I must tell you that our numbers have dwindled since you left. That’s not our only issue, however.
” Sakaris conjured a mage light, illuminating his wrinkled face.
He appeared to have aged far beyond a mere three years.
His shoulders were decidedly more stooped, with more lines on his face, a tiredness around his eyes.
“There’s more?” Please let it not involve Uncle Urien.
“Your uncle has declared war on what remains of the other courts. While solidifying dragons under one leader and ending the fighting is commendable, or would be under anyone but your uncle, I’m afraid the end is upon us. The Goddess has commanded you to come home and take your rightful place.”
“What about those who say I must take a mate to rule?”
Sakaris barked a laugh. “What do you call our young Jules here? You haven’t bitten him yet, but that’s more of a formality than a necessity. Oh, wait. It seems I do see fang marks on your necks. Congratulations.”
“Who…who are you?” Jules stammered, tucking farther underneath Elouan’s arm. The horror of the night, plus the adrenaline crash, had to weigh on him.
“I, my young omega, am Sakaris, former Mage of High Reaches.”
Wait a minute! “Former?” Elouan demanded.
Sakaris emitted a sigh. “Yes, Prince Elouan.”
Jules hissed, “Prince Elouan? I forgot you told me that.”
“Yes, Prince Elouan of High Reaches, and Prince Jules of Sandy Shoals. Brother of King Donovan Craigh. Now, let me finish explaining. Shortly after I secured you and your brothers, Elouan, your uncle summoned enough common sense to realize that someone who’d been loyal to your family for generations wasn’t loyal to him.
I have joined the rebels, a combined force of many failed courts. ”
“What…what of my brother, Donovan?” Jules asked, still clinging tightly to Elouan. Elouan didn’t mind at all.
“King Donovan is alive, well, and leading the rebels.”
Jules pulled away from Elouan, eyes filled with sorrow and…guilt? “My guardians told me I was destined to be mated to an alpha.”
“And so you have.” Sakaris gave Jules the same kindly smile he used to give Elouan and his brothers when they’d accomplished something noteworthy.
Wait. “What?” Elouan couldn’t believe his ears.
“I don’t believe King Donovan knew at the time which alpha and had considered Prince Teron, but the logical choices are now narrowed to one.
Despite the odds, you found each other. The Goddess doesn’t hold much sway in the human world, but sometimes still gets her way.
I might’ve helped. What of your guardians? ”
Jules cast his eyes downward. “They’re dead.”
“I am sorry. Though I only met Moira and Radomir when I sent them here with you and made arrangements for a long stay, I knew of them and their faithfulness.”
“Back up. You’re saying the Goddess intended Jules to be my mate.” Of course, dumbass, Elouan’s dragon rumbled deep in his consciousness. Or as close to words as he could get.
“Yes, Elouan.” Sakaris’ smile turned indulgent. “I needed you removed from the fighting until you found your mate and realized for yourself that you’re meant to be king. You’ve always fought against wanting to lead, but you’ve now come to accept that you must, haven’t you?”
“You asshole!” But yes, Elouan only fully accepted his birthright upon taking Jules as mate, someone to stand by his side, balance his impulses, help him navigate ruling the court.
“I’ve been called worse. Usually by your father.
” Sakaris turned toward Jules. “And you, Prince Jules, have been in danger from the day you were born, but you’ve always fought your fate, wanting to make your own path, and to hell with destiny.
You needed to learn to work as a team with your alpha.
I regret I was too late to save your guardians.
“Elouan, you are the rightful king of High Reaches, returning home with your bonded mate. We’ll arrange for the Goddess’s blessing on the union later. Right now, we must go save our realm.” Sakaris beckoned behind Elouan, where the shimmer had grown larger. “Hurry. The spell won’t last long.”
“Wait! I sent someone here. Curtis.”
Sakaris nodded. “A lovely half-dragon. I’ve sent him to Adrakus, somewhere safe.”
Was anywhere on Adrakus safe? Dread gathered in the pit of Elouan’s stomach. After planning and dreaming, today he’d finally go home. But what would he find? Would he recognize anyone? Would they recognize him?
Did they even want him back?
There's only one way to find out.
“All will be well,” Sakaris assured him. “The Goddess has not blessed your uncle. She is withholding her blessing for the rightful king.”
“And you’re sure that’s me?”
Sakaris gave a gentle smile. “I’m sure. She blessed you seasons ago, remember? And you started the bonding process with your mate when your two dragons met that night in the mountains. Now, you both need to move.” Sakaris gave Elouan’s shoulder a firm shove.
Elouan turned to face Jules. “Jules, you weren’t given a choice in becoming the mate of King Elouan Thorne, and I don’t think you really knew what you were doing when you gave me the mating bite. Do you consent to being my mate, helping me retake our homeland, and ruling by my side?”
“Mating bite? I just felt the overwhelming need to bite you. My dragon insisted.”
“I believe our dragons chose each other, but if you don’t want to be my mate—”
Jules tutted. “Hush, you silly dragon. Of course I want you as my mate.” He kissed Elouan until Sakaris cleared his throat, and they reluctantly parted.
Jules wanted Elouan as his mate. He’d revel later. Right now, he sucked in a deep breath, clutched Jules's hand, and led the way into the shimmer. They were going home.
To Adrakus.