“I accept,” Khalon stated firmly.

  “Your Majesty, if the demons were to discover this—” Adira began, her protest cut short when Khalon held up a hand for silence. He bowed his head to the priestess.

  “Thank you for your kindness and mercy. I’ll do everything within my power to be worthy of you and those I’ve been blessed to share my life with.”

  The priestess put a hand to his head. “I know you will.”

  With that she disappeared, leaving behind the scent of blossoms and a night sky filled with dazzling stars. Each full moon would leave him vulnerable as never before, but that hardly meant he’d be weak. He’d need to exercise caution on those days. Besides, he had his warrior heart and his prince to guide him as he discovered his human strength.

  Khalon stood, bringing Riley up with him. Taking hold of his hand, he pressed it to his lips for a kiss. His happiness bubbled up, and he threw his arms around Riley, lifting him off his feet as he hugged him. Riley’s laughter was a blessing and the most wonderful sound Khalon had ever heard. He placed Riley back on his feet and smiled lovingly at him. Near him his warriors lowered themselves on bended knee and placed their fists over their hearts. The four of them spoke in unison.

  “We honor you, Prince Riley Murrough of the Soldati, and eternally pledge our blades, our hearts, and our fidelity to you.”

  Riley swallowed hard. “Thank you.” He moved his bright amber eyes back to Khalon. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do.”

  Khalon kissed his cheek, Riley’s scent filling his senses. His desire and call to claim Riley threatened to overwhelm him, but he maintained a firm grip. Now was not the time. “Let’s return home. There’s much to discuss.” Riley appeared uncertain. “What troubles you? If you fear leaving your former life behind, know you’re free to visit the human world whenever you wish. You’re my mate, Riley, not my prisoner.” Was it possible…? Khalon swallowed hard and forced himself to speak the words. “If your happiness lies elsewhere and not at my side, I’ll honor your wish. You have only to speak it.”

  Riley stood on his toes and kissed Khalon, the taste of him awakening something deep inside Khalon. He pulled Riley against him, deepening their kiss as the fire spread through them. Khalon felt the heat coursing through Riley, whose desire for Khalon, his need, was as fierce as Khalon’s, answering any misgivings Khalon possessed on whether Riley wished to remain at his side as his mate. Riley’s soft moan sent a shiver through Khalon, and he slipped his knee between Riley’s legs, pressing up against Riley’s hardening length.

  A distinct clearing of the throat brought their passion to a screeching halt. Khalon pulled abruptly away, his face heated and undoubtedly as red as it felt. “I, um, forgive me,” he said, sounding breathless. Goddess above, what was the matter with him? Behaving like some fledgling Soldati.

  Rayner gave him a wicked smile. “Perhaps we should return to the castle. We’ll sneak you in the servants’ entrance so that you might make it to your bedchamber without incident.”

  “Rayner!” Khalon scolded, his face going up in flames. Beside him Riley groaned and buried his face in Khalon’s jerkin as the others giggled like children.

  “Do you wish to get on with your discussion in private without the realm seeking to celebrate the union of you and your prince?” Rayner asked innocently, his intent anything but. “Or shall we announce your arrival and begin the festivities? It’ll be at least a week before you get to any… discussing. Then there’s the coronation, the reception, the—”

  “I get it,” Khalon huffed. “Stop discussing our”—he made finger quotes—“discussion.”

  Rayner threw his head back and laughed. He turned and headed off to the sounds of Khalon cursing him. Adira and Ezra followed, chortling along. Khalon turned to Riley, who met his gaze, his smile bright.

  “I think I’m going to like it here.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Riley had been wrong. He didn’t like it here. He loved it.

  Arching his back, he let out a low moan. It took everything he had to keep himself in control. With his newfound strength and power, he had no idea what could happen if he wasn’t careful. Unfortunately, control was difficult with Khalon’s hard naked body pressing him into the mattress. Not that Riley was complaining.

  “I find those little sounds you make very pleasing,” Khalon purred before trailing kisses up Riley’s torso. He roamed his strong hands over Riley’s body, over his stomach, down his thighs, and in between his legs. Khalon took his sweet time as he explored every curve, every patch of skin, as if mapping Riley, committing every inch of him to memory. With every touch he followed up with a taste, then a kiss. It drove Riley absolutely crazy.

  Riley had no idea what came next. They somehow managed to sneak into the castle, but not without some sleight of hand from Rayner and the others. Apparently, the whole realm wanted to meet its new Soldati prince. As much as Riley wanted to oblige, neither he nor Khalon could stand to wait any longer. Every second Khalon didn’t lay claim to Riley became torturous. Their bodies were drawn to each other, a magnetic pull that caused Riley to physically ache with his need to have Khalon inside him. It was kind of scary.

  “Are you sure this is what you want? That I’m what you want?” Riley asked, his toes curling and his breath hitching when Khalon found Riley’s entrance with a lubed finger. “I know the priestess said this is who I really am, that I’ve always been a Soldati prince, but I don’t feel all that different. I mean, I feel stronger and there’s this weird, pulsing, warm glow inside me that I can’t explain, but I’m still me.”

  “And I wouldn’t wish you to be any different.” Khalon nipped at Riley’s neck. “We’ll face this new adventure together, guiding each other. I know you might be”—he pushed a finger inside Riley, causing him to cry out in surprise—“overwhelmed.”

  “Bastard,” Riley huffed.

  Khalon let out a breathy laugh and continued to stretch Riley. “But all will be well. I’ll be here with you at your side. Once I’ve claimed you, our bond will grow stronger. More of your true self will be revealed. Whatever happens”—Khalon’s tone softened, and he placed a kiss to Riley’s lips—“we are one.”

  Riley slipped his arms around Khalon’s neck, unable to believe this was happening. Somehow it felt right. He had no idea what being a Soldati prince entailed, but he trusted Khalon. With a shuddering sigh, Riley closed his eyes and gave himself over, spreading his knees farther apart. Khalon settled in between them and lined himself up. Riley braced himself, slipped his fingers down to Khalon’s shoulders, and held on tight as Khalon stretched him. He dug his fingers into his mate’s skin. For all of Khalon’s strength and ferocity, he was also very gentle. Soon the pain and burn gave way to sweet pleasure, and Riley groaned, a soft gasp escaping him as Khalon began to move.

  “Khalon…”

  “I love the sound of my name falling from your lips,” Khalon murmured, taking hold of Riley’s wrist. He brought it to his lips for a kiss before moving it to the bed and lacing their fingers together. He lowered himself carefully, and Riley moved his other hand to the bed so Khalon could take hold of that one as well. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Riley averted his gaze, embarrassed. “I’m not.”

  “You are, and I’ll spend my immortal life showing you how beautiful and good you are. The Soldati realm is fortunate to have you, Riley, as am I.”

  Had this happened back home, Riley would’ve thought he’d gone crazy. It was too soon to feel this strongly about the man in his arms, yet it felt as if Khalon had always been with him. If the mark had been with Riley since birth, simply hidden, then what about his connection to Khalon?

  “My prince?”

  “Yeah?” Riley lifted his eyes to meet Khalon’s, amusement evident in his sparkling green eyes.

  “You’re thinking far too much. Close your eyes and give yourself to me.” The low husky order sent a shiver up Riley’s spine, and he nodded, allowing himself to think of nothing but Khalon and the slow deep thrusts that made Riley gasp for breath.

  Riley’s brow beaded with sweat, his skin hot and flushed as Khalon’s movements became a little quicker, his breath more ragged. It was clear he was trying his best to go slow. Riley wrapped his legs around Khalon’s waist, his voice hushed in Khalon’s ear.

  “Give yourself to me.”

  Khalon smiled, a sexy crooked grin that went straight to Riley’s painfully hard dick. He pulled out of Riley and sat back on his heels. He twirled his finger, and Riley did as he was asked. He turned onto his stomach and got on his knees, his head on the pillow. Riley expected Khalon to plunge inside him. Instead Riley let out a surprised gasp when Khalon began making a meal out of him. He cursed under his breath and grabbed fistfuls of the bedsheet. Moving one hand to his dick, he stroked himself, his moans and cursing seeming to urge Khalon on. Khalon soon replaced his mouth with his thick, hard cock, and Riley groaned as Khalon pushed himself in deep.

  “Please.” Riley wasn’t above begging. He needed to feel Khalon’s release. Needed to feel Khalon claim all of him.

  “Are you ready?” Khalon asked. Riley nodded. In order for the claim to be complete, they’d have to fully give themselves to each other. Heart, body, and soul, united through Khalon’s Soldati blood.

  Khalon gave Riley what he wanted, driving himself into Riley with deep, powerful thrusts that made the bed tremble beneath them. He dug his fingers into Riley’s flesh and the sound of their sweat-slicked bodies smacking against each other was glorious. Riley kept up with Khalon’s pace, moving his hand faster as Khalon’s thrusts began to lose their rhythm. The bands on Riley’s arms spun furiously as the patterns of his markings danced and shifted.

  Khalon folded himself over Riley, changing his angle and biting down on the flesh between Riley’s neck and shoulder. A blinding pain shot through Riley, and he couldn’t help the strangled cry that tore from him as Khalon’s fangs pierced his skin, sinking into him, and transferring his blood into Riley. The searing heat caused by Khalon’s blood seeping into him lasted mere seconds. Riley’s orgasm exploded through him, and the white light inside him flared out through his body, igniting the room like a lightning strike. He came hard, his limbs shaking from the force of his release and the knowledge he’d been claimed. Khalon soon followed, his heat filling Riley as his fangs retreated, his cry drowned out by the roar of his inner light releasing into the room, the thunderous sound fading when Khalon collapsed onto the bed beside Riley. The white light in the room faded until the warm glow of the wall sconces remained.

  Riley turned with a satiated smile and snuggled up close to Khalon, but then he remembered the bite. Gingerly he placed his fingers to his shoulder, stunned to find the wound already healed. Khalon wrapped his strong arms around Riley, kissing him before they were both forced to come up for air.

  “Wow. That was… impressive.”

  Khalon chuckled. “It was rather exhilarating, wasn’t it?” He planted a kiss on the tip of Riley’s nose. “My prince has quite a wicked streak.”

  “Admit it, you like that about me.” Riley nipped at Khalon’s jaw, loving the low growl Khalon released.

  With a playful roar, Khalon grabbed hold of Riley and rolled him onto his back. He nipped at Riley’s neck before moving his lips onto Riley’s for a long, deep kiss. When he pulled back, he smiled warmly.

  “There is much to like, my prince. You’ve been in my life for such a short time, yet you’ve changed it so much.”

  “What happens now?”

  “Now you search your heart. I’ve claimed my prince, and in return, you’ve laid claim to my heart. Close your eyes and listen.”

  Riley did. He wasn’t sure what he was listening for, but he listened. He heard the water flowing in a nearby fountain somewhere outside the bedroom window in the garden below. Birds chirped, and crickets came out to play now that nightfall had come. All of Riley’s senses were heightened, and he sensed everything. From the gentle breeze against his skin as it drifted in past the curtains, to Khalon’s beating heart. He felt the white light inside Khalon, his soul. They were connected. Whatever Khalon felt, Riley felt. Wait. Does that mean… Riley’s eyes flew open.

  “Can you feel me? I mean, if something happens to me, can you feel it?”

  Khalon placed Riley’s hand to his lips for a kiss. “We are one.” Khalon took Riley’s finger, and Riley watched, mesmerized, as Khalon put the tip to one of his now-elongated sharp fangs. Gently he pushed Riley’s finger until he drew blood, causing Riley to suck in a sharp breath at the same moment Khalon winced. “We are connected. Your pain becomes my pain. My pain becomes yours.”

  Riley worried his bottom lip. “What if I’m not strong enough? I don’t want you to feel pain because I can’t handle it.”

  “Fear not, my prince. I’ll train you, show you the ways of the Soldati.” He brought his hand to Riley’s heart. “Great strength lies in you. We’ve only to bring it to the surface.”

  God, Riley hoped Khalon was right. A thought occurred to him, and he scrambled out of bed.

  “Can you show me?”

  Khalon sat up and chuckled. “You want to shift?”

  “Yes!” Riley was so excited he was practically bouncing.

  Khalon laughed as he got out of bed. He grabbed Riley’s pants and tossed them at him. Quickly Riley pulled them on as Khalon stepped into his own black trousers. He held his hand out to Riley. “Come. Shifting is for outdoors.”

  Riley took his hand, and they sneaked out of what was now his and Khalon’s bedchamber. They hurried down the stone corridor awash in the warm glow of wall sconces until they reached a heavy arched doorway that led to a winding stone staircase. On the other side of a set of heavy doors, they stepped into the night and a huge gorgeous garden. Khalon released his hand and took a few steps away.

  “Now shift.”

  Riley arched an eyebrow at him. “If I knew how, I wouldn’t be asking.”

  “Riley, you’re thinking as a human. Simply tell yourself you wish to change and you will.”

  It couldn’t be that easy, could it? “Okay.” Riley thought it, and next thing he knew, he was flopping onto his side, willing his huge paws to cooperate.

  “I’m a tiger!”

  “And a stunning one at that. Look at your golden fur.” Khalon nuzzled his head against Riley’s. “You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. The kingdom will be enchanted with you. You’re one of a kind.”

  “There are no golden tigers in the Soldati kingdom?”

  “You alone. You’re indeed our prince.”

  Riley had never felt more exhilarated in his life, or more unbalanced. Why wouldn’t his paws do what they were told? Damn furry things. Wrinkling his nose, he tried something else. He extended his claws and opened his mouth to express his pleasure at doing something right, except a happy chuff came out instead of words. Right. No outside voice. Turning his head, he eyed his butt and the long heavy tail attached to it. He noticed his coloring. He was more gold than orange.

  “This is so weird.”

  Khalon’s soft laugh was clear in Riley’s head. “You’ll grow accustomed to it.”

  Strange didn’t begin to cover it. But the more Riley did it, the easier it became. All he had to do was will it, and it happened. Of course, changing was one thing; getting his new body to do what he wanted was something else altogether. It was like learning to walk for the first time.

  Khalon shifted back into his human form, and Riley willed his body to shift his body mass and bones, morphing back into his human self. Khalon reached down and helped him to his feet, pulling a little harder than intended so Riley ended up against him. A wicked smile came onto Khalon’s lips, and Riley’s stomach filled with butterflies. He leaned in and nipped at Riley’s bare shoulder.

  “I look forward to claiming you each and every night, my prince. Every night, every day…” He placed a kiss to Riley’s neck, sending a shiver through him. “In my study. In the gardens.” He escorted Riley to the castle, caressing Riley’s skin.

  “I look forward to being claimed,” Riley murmured before he ran his tongue up Khalon’s jaw, allowing himself to be led back inside and up the stairs.

  In the bedroom, Khalon lifted him off his feet, making him laugh. He dropped Riley onto the bed and climbed over him, kissing him passionately.

  A huge glowing orb caught Riley’s attention, and he pulled his mouth from Khalon’s. “Um, Khalon? There’s a gold orb thing floating behind you.”

  Khalon cursed under his breath and turned. That couldn’t be good.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s the Eye.” Khalon released a heavy sigh. “It sees all. It also informs us of demons slipping into the human world.”

  Riley stared at the strange orb. “Kind of like an alarm system?”

  “A little more complex than that, but yes. It informs us when humans are in danger and lets us know where the attack will take place. It’s how we found you.”

  “So what now?”

  “Now…” Khalon got up and stretched his long, muscular body much like the tiger dormant inside him. “I’m afraid I must leave you.” He kissed Riley before heading for the wardrobe.

  “Leave? Wait, you’re going after those things?” Riley climbed out of bed and grabbed his shirt off the floor, then quickly slipped into it.

  “That’s what we do, Riley. We protect against the demons.” Khalon opened his wardrobe and began removing clothes from it.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No.” Khalon tossed his clothes onto the chair and crossed the room to draw Riley into his arms. “You’ve yet to grow accustomed to your new Soldati body. Your limbs are still uncooperative and your focus undisciplined. Please, I can’t allow you to face this danger until you’re ready. It could be perilous for the both of us. You know I speak the truth.”

  Riley wrinkled his nose. Khalon was right. Didn’t mean he had to like it. Was he supposed to sit here while Khalon faced those foul things without him? They’d only gotten each other back. He wanted desperately to help, but he didn’t want to put anyone in danger, which was what would happen if Khalon had to worry about his safety while trying to take down a bunch of demons.