Chapter 34
Evren takes a step away, and I take a deep breath. I think through what I want to say and wonder if I can even make my voice project like it needs to for everyone to hear. Before I can say a word, something brushes against my leg, and I feel tears prick my eyes. Veyra. It’s all I can manage.
I’m here. Who do I need to kill? Her words bring a smile to my face, which feels impossible in this moment. Your mate is on his way.
Hope begins to build in me for the first time since I got here. Really?
I told Jespar what was happening. Your mate is angry.
That doesn’t surprise me. They waited until he left to do this.
Let's kill them all.
Her anger on my behalf softens my heart. Maybe not. There are some good ones here.
Not the dark one.
I don’t have to guess who she’s talking about. The name fits him. Yeah. Not him. I have to address this crowd and need to project my voice. Will you help me?
Of course. Just pull from my power. Seek that connection between us and take what’s being offered.
I search for that tether between us and open myself to it.
I feel a little something; I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I trust her enough to go for it.
I take one more breath. You’ve got this, Bonded One.
Her confidence in me gives me the edge I needed.
“Good morning, Members of the Jaguar Kingdom. I want to thank you for your hospitality. Even though it’s only been a short time, I have felt welcomed by so many of you.
Jorren, Taren, Reika, and Evren made sure the king and I got here safely and have been so good to me.
” At least two of them anyway. “Rakel sewed me this fabulous outfit I’m wearing right now.
She's amazing, but I’m sure you all already know that.
Maelin has been so kind to make sure I have everything I need, and she talks more than I do, which is a feat.
” A ripple of laughter floats through the stadium.
“Sryena healed me when I got here, and I am so grateful. You have the best chefs. Don’t tell the Wolf King, but the food is better here than in their kingdom.
” A cheer goes up, and I smile. “You have all been so good to me, and I won’t forget it.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention your king.
Did you know he went into the Spirit Rites with me just so I wouldn’t have to endure them alone?
He already had his Rites, yet he went through them again with me.
” I leave out the fact that he almost died when he did it.
“Your king is gracious and kind yet deadly if someone threatens his beloved kingdom. He's kind of perfect. I can say that because he’s my mate, but I have a feeling many of you would agree with me.” A cheer ripples through the crowd, and I feel like I have their hearts in this moment.
Veyra must feel it too because she pushes her snout into my leg.
I don’t look down at her; I don’t want to lose my train of thought.
I feel suddenly oddly emotional. “I guess all I’m saying is thank you.
Thank you for welcoming me and for giving me a chance.
You are good people here in the Jaguar Kingdom.
And,” I pause. “You have a really good king.” Thunderous applause sounds, and I can’t help my smile.
I wish Kaldar was here for it because I meant every word I said.
He really is a good king and a good man.
I turn back to Vaelor, and I can clearly see the anger in his eyes. Well, tough.
He approaches me once again, and I see Taren out of the corner of my eyes.
He's only a few steps behind me, which is comforting, especially because Evren is behind me on my other side. I’m not exactly pleased with that position, but Taren is standing almost right beside him.
I trust him to watch my back. “Kneel,” Vaelor commands.
I’ve always been a pretty compliant person, but everything in me screams at me to defy his order.
I force myself to obey and kneel as gracefully as I can manage.
But I don’t drop my eyes; I keep them focused on him the entire time.
I don’t trust him at all. He takes the last remaining step, closing the distance between us.
I take a deep breath. “Put out your hands.”
I do and will them not to shake. Veyra pushes into my side and sits right next to me. He begins to lower the jade into my hands and Veyra stands to her feet. Something is wrong.
Her words make me falter, and my hands lower slightly. What?”
There’s something wrong with that jade.
I don’t take my eyes away from Vaelor, even as I talk to my jaguar. What is it?
I don’t know, but it’s not normal. It’s not how it’s supposed to smell.
Vaelor’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the challenge in his eyes. I steel myself and raise my hands once again. I have no choice; I have to do this. I’ll deal with whatever consequences there are.
I’ll help.
Her words assure me. That is until Vaelor places the jade pieces fully into my hands.
Suddenly, I realize why he’s wearing gloves.
My hands burn where the jade touches them.
I suck in a breath, and panic flares in my chest. The burning shoots up my arms and into my torso.
I’m failing the jade test. It’s the only thing I can think as pain flares through my entire body, making me feel like I’m on fire from the inside out.
Fight against it.
I hear Veyra’s words, but I can’t respond. I'm in agony.
Take my power and fight against it.
I feel something almost tangible pushing at the tether between us.
I open myself to our bond and feel her power rushing through me.
It dulls the burning and makes it more manageable.
But it fizzles out quickly, and the burning returns with a vengeance.
Jespar is giving me his power. Her voice is breathless.
Incoming. It’s powerful; it’s his and his bonded’s combined power.
I hear her words, but they don’t prepare me for the blast of power that hits me.
For a moment, I feel like I’m being torn in two different directions.
I bite my tongue to keep from crying out, but then the power from Veyra gains momentum and blasts against the burning in my body.
Blessed cool follows everywhere it touches, and I feel it work its way through my entire body.
My eyes, even when they’ve been watering from the pain, have stayed on Vaelor the entire time.
So, I don’t miss when his eyes widen in shock.
There you go, Veyra says in my head.
When the burning has finally died down, and my legs feel like maybe they’ll hold me, I stand to my feet. A hand under my elbow helps me to my feet, and I know without looking it’s Taren. When I’m standing, I stare Vaelor down. “I’m still alive. I believe that says something.”
His eyes are dark with rage, and I know I’ve just made an even bigger enemy.
But I can’t help the joy that floods me, relief that somehow, I made it through that experience.
Because everything about Vaelor’s response shows me that I wasn’t supposed to.
He takes a step towards me, and I lift my chin, refusing to cower.
And that’s when his eyes flicker over my shoulder, and he stiffens.
For the first time, he shows an ounce of fear.
I know with absolute certainty that Kaldar has arrived, and I’ve never known such relief.
“Is there a reason the Jade Ceremony for my mate was called, and I wasn’t invited.” He uses Jespar’s power to project because his voice reverberates through the now silent stadium.
Vaelor lifts his head, all trace of fear gone from his face. “You were called away, my King. I apologize for the inconvenient timing of things. But as you can see, she passed the ceremony.”
“Of course she did,” Kaldar returns, and I can hear the dark edge of anger in his voice.
“There was never a doubt in my mind that she is worthy to be my mate. If anything, I am unworthy to be her mate. But I won’t give her up.
” His words warm my heart. And then, he finally touches me.
My entire body relaxes at his touch. He puts a hand at my waist and leans forward and drops a kiss on my temple.
Then he turns us so that we’re facing the crowd.
He keeps his hand around waist, and I think he must feel that I’m barely keeping myself on my feet.
“My mate has proved herself in all the ways. She passed the Spirit Rites flawlessly, and now she has passed the Jade Ceremony. There is no other need to test her. She has already proven to be an amazing mate, and she will prove herself to be a just queen. Here me when I say this,” he pauses and when he speaks again, his voice is low and dark.
“There will be no more testing of my mate. She has done everything expected of her. She is my mate, and she will be your queen. That is my final word. Treat her with the respect she deserves, or there will be consequences.” I finally look at him and notice that he has a jade green robe on his back.
It makes him look like the powerful king he is, especially since he’s still wearing the same black pants, shirt, and boots he normally wears with weapons strapped all over him.
“I demand the Reckoning.”
Silence descends so quick and thick, I can practically feel it.
I feel Kaldar go still next to me. I have no idea what Vaelor’s words mean, but I appear to be the only one in the entire kingdom that doesn’t.
I glance up at Kaldar, but his face is expressionless.
The only reason I know he’s mad is because I can see the muscle ticking in his jaw.
It’s enough to send a chill down my spine.
Whatever is about to go down is not going to be good.
Kaldar gives a tight nod. Then without a word, he takes my hand.
Relief flows through me at the connection, but it doesn’t dull the fear pounding through me.
Kaldar leads me towards the stairs and puts a hand on my back.
I climb the stairs, focusing on not tripping.
As soon as we get to the top, a guard opens the door for us and we step through.
Kaldar takes my hand once again, and walks so fast, I can barely keep up with him.
I glance behind us and see Taren right behind us.
His face is grim, and that doesn’t help my worry.
We hurry through the walkway, and Kaldar suddenly tugs me into a small alcove I hadn’t noticed when I walked with Taren.
Taren stops a few feet from us and turns his back to us.
I stare up at Kaldar, wondering what in the world is going on.
Kaldar stares down at me, and I catch my breath at the intensity of his gaze.
“Are you okay?” I nod, unable to say anything.
“Are you sure? I felt you tug on my power.”
“Yes. There was something wrong with the jade; Veyra told me right away. It burned, but I survived.”
He shakes his head in anger and runs a hand through his hair.
“I don’t have a lot of time. I need you to listen very carefully.
” My heart drops to my toes at those words.
His hands come up and frame my face. “First of all, you passed the Jade Ceremony. I knew you would.” He shakes his head.
“I’m so proud of you. You just continue to amaze me. ”