“No.” Segreti shook his head, the horror of what he knew his sweet Ezra was witnessing making him feel sick to his stomach. He blinked back his tears and grabbed Khalon’s arms. “You must do something. We must wake him from that nightmare.”

  “I don’t know how,” Khalon admitted. “This has never happened before. Ezra is nothing but steadfast and rational. He doesn’t make connections of the heart easily.”

  “Um, guys,” Riley said, taking a step back. “Something’s happening, and I don’t think it’s good.”

  They turned their attention back to Ezra. The pain in his beautiful face had been replaced with anger. He lifted off the ground, arms held out at his sides as a gust of wind swept through the trees. It quickly turned into a squall, the howling like agonized wailing.

  “Ezra,” Khalon shouted over the wind. “Ezra, listen to my voice!”

  Ezra placed his arms over his chest in a cross, and Rayner grabbed Segreti. “Everyone, get down!”

  Before they could do as Rayner ordered, Ezra threw his arms out, and the blast knocked them all off their feet. Trees were torn from the ground and fell onto their sides. Black clouds swallowed the sun, pitching them into darkness, as if the sun had set. The boom of vicious thunder resounded in the sky, and lightning struck down from the heavens.

  “Perhaps Riley can reach him,” Toka shouted over the blustering wind. “He is Sauger.”

  Riley shook his head. “I don’t think I’m the voice he’s waiting to hear.” He met Segreti’s gaze. “He’s trying to stop your suffering, Segreti. You’re the one he needs right now.”

  Segreti nodded. He forced himself to his feet—no easy task when the wind kept trying to tear his limbs from his body. All this… for him? Segreti pushed forward, one foot in front of the other until he was almost close enough to touch Ezra.

  “Ezra,” Segreti called out. “Love, listen to my voice.”

  Ezra tilted his head in Segreti’s direction.

  “I’m here. Please, come back to me.”

  “He is causing you great suffering,” Ezra replied, his voice echoing as if several voices were speaking along with his. Was it the Eye speaking through him?

  “He’s dead, remember? He can’t hurt me anymore.”

  Ezra threw his head back, an agonized wail echoing through the gardens. Damnation, what had he done now?

  “Ezra?” Segreti hoped Ezra, or the Eye, or both, were listening.

  “He must pay for what he’s done, even if it means going to the veil beyond. That vile creature belongs in the farthest depths of hell, his soul to be ripped apart by demons for all eternity!”

  “No!”

  Ezra lowered his head, his eyes glowing a bluish white. “Do you not wish for retribution?”

  Segreti placed his palms together, pleading. “I wish for you to stay here with me and help heal me with your soft touch and tender smile. Let’s fill our hearts and our lives with warmth and love. That is what I wish.”

  Slowly, Ezra descended, until his boots were once again on the ground. Segreti dared to take a step closer. He placed his hand to Ezra’s cheek.

  “You once told me not to damn my beautiful soul for a beast so undeserving of me. I’ve taken your words to heart, and now ask the same of you. That foul creature has taken so much from us. Let’s not allow him to take our future.”

  The wind stopped, the trees set themselves to rights, and the sun once again shone in the brilliant blue sky. Ezra closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they had returned to their former beauty. Tears quickly filled them, and Segreti caught Ezra before he crumpled to the ground. Ezra buried his face against Segreti’s chest, his body wracked with shivers and quiet sobs, and Segreti lifted him into his arms. Riley appeared before them and silently motioned for Segreti to follow.

  Ignoring the concerned looks of the castle’s court, Segreti accompanied Riley into the royal wing of the castle to a vast bedchamber he knew immediately to be Ezra’s by its rich blue hues and walls lined with bookshelves from floor to ceiling.

  “My chair,” Ezra mumbled against Segreti’s neck.

  Riley pointed over to the fireplace and the large wingback chair with plush pillows that sat before it.

  “I’ll be close by if you need me,” Riley said softly before leaving the room and closing the doors behind him.

  Segreti prepared to place Ezra in his chair, but Ezra tightened his arms around Segreti’s neck, his voice almost a whisper when he spoke.

  “Please don’t leave me.”

  “Whatever you wish, love.” Segreti took a seat on the chair, grateful for its enormous size. It was soft, warm, and wonderfully comfortable. He imagined Ezra spent a great deal of time in it as he read one of his many books. Segreti put his feet up on the large footstool so he was better situated, and Ezra curled up against him. He held Ezra tight and laid his cheek against Ezra’s soft hair, running his hand in soothing circles over his back.

  For hours they remained huddled together, and a sense of peace washed over Segreti. He’d never felt so at ease. This was what he’d always secretly dreamed of—to curl up in front of the fire with a kind mate who looked upon him with affection, someone he could share his life with. He didn’t know how long this would last. Ezra might wake up and decide Segreti was far more trouble than he was worth. He might never forgive Segreti for what he’d witnessed. Segreti’s heart squeezed in his chest. He would have given anything to spare Ezra the vileness.

  For now, he would bask in this moment. He inhaled Ezra’s sweet scent and let himself drift in and out of sleep, with Ezra’s soft body cradled in his arms. Together they dozed, huddled in each other’s warmth. At one point, Segreti stirred to find moonlight filtering in through the balcony doors, a cozy fire flickering in the hearth causing dancing shadows across the room.

  Segreti had started to doze off again when Ezra’s quiet voice met his ear. He almost hadn’t heard him with how soft he murmured the words.

  “I have never wished harm upon anyone, no matter how wicked, but him…” Ezra sniffed. When he next spoke, his voice was low and full of disdain. “Had I known what he’d done when he’d stepped foot in this castle, I would have torn his throat out with my own jaws.”

  “There is no need for you to shed blood on my account, my Ezra. That foul beast is where he belongs.” Segreti kissed the top of Ezra’s head before releasing a heavy sigh. “I wish you’d never seen such repulsiveness. What you must think of me.”

  “Of you?” Ezra pulled back, his frown deep.

  “Knowing I… What I allowed him to do.” A tear managed to escape, and Segreti swiftly wiped it away. “I should’ve chosen death. It would’ve been more honorable, but I was a coward.”

  The anger that filled Ezra’s gaze surprised Segreti. “There was no ‘allow’ in the horrors forced upon you. Pavoni stole your right to choose. The only coward in that cell was that repulsive beast.”

  “I would’ve spared you, and you wouldn’t have seen me degrade myself in such a fashion. How can you bear to look at me?”

  Ezra cupped Segreti’s face and gently lifted it to meet his gaze. The heartbreak in Ezra’s eyes took Segreti’s breath away. “Do you know what I see when I look at you?”

  Segreti pressed his lips together in a thin line and shook his head. He didn’t deserve such tenderness.

  “I see a beautiful warrior. A savior of many. I see an Orso general who sacrificed himself to save others. You knew Pavoni’s wrath would fall upon you, yet you spared those villagers because your good heart wouldn’t allow you to carry out such barbaric orders. I see before me the soul of a warrior whom I have come to admire and would be proud to call my mate, should he choose to have me.”

  Segreti stared at him. “You… you would take me as your mate?”

  “I would be honored, and humbled, to be the mate of such an honorable Orso.”

  It was the happiest yet saddest day of Segreti’s life. “I have waited so long to hear those words, but I can’t in good faith allow you to bind yourself to me.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s not you who’s drawn to me, but your gentle healer’s soul. You wish to heal the pain inside me, and I’m touched, but that’s not the reason I’d hoped you would give for taking me as your mate.”

  Realization seemed to dawn on Ezra. “Love. You wish the reason to be love.”

  Segreti nodded. It was a lot to ask of any creature. To love someone like him. Yet, with Ezra, he couldn’t imagine less.

  “Do you love me?”

  The matter-of-fact question caught Segreti off guard, but surprisingly, the answer didn’t elude him. “I find myself spiraling toward that sentiment with every smile you gift me.”

  “I hold a deep affection for you, Segreti. Perhaps it’s too soon to call it love, but would you deny us the chance to explore the depths of our feelings for each other?” Ezra slipped his fingers into Segreti’s hair and smiled warmly. “In such a short time, I’ve come to see you as my champion. My general. You’ve ensnared me with very little effort. I believe it wouldn’t take much more for you to make off with my heart.”

  “You truly believe that?”

  “I do. It’s rather frightening.”

  His conviction squeezed at Segreti’s heart. “Oh?”

  A teasing light came into Ezra’s eyes, and it spread a beautiful light through Segreti, one he felt down to his core. Was it coming from Ezra? How was this possible?

  “I’ve never had my heart stolen before. What would you do with it?”

  “Cherish it,” Segreti replied without hesitation. He swept Ezra’s hair away from his face.

  Ezra smiled brightly. “Then it’s yours.”

  “And what would you do with mine? I fear it’s stitched together quite roughly.” Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and placed it over his heart. “Do you think you could mend it?”

  Ezra nodded. “But not through magic.”

  “Then how?”

  Ezra leaned in to place a tender kiss to Segreti’s jaw, followed by another, and then another. He trailed butterfly kisses over his cheeks, nose, and chin.

  “I think I rather enjoy this form of healing.”

  Ezra laughed softly. “Despite what you may believe, it is not merely my soul which is drawn to you, but my mind, my heart, and… my body.”

  Segreti met Ezra’s gaze, and he was struck by what was reflected in his eyes. Genuine affection shone through that brilliant blue. Ezra was nothing but sincere. He didn’t know how to be any other way. Some might think him brash, or perhaps insensitive, but Ezra saw no purpose in playing games or being untruthful.

  “You truly wish to be my mate?” If Segreti sounded a little awed, he was.

  “I’ve never been more certain. You’ve pledged your fealty to Khalon and have been invited to live in our kingdom.” Ezra lovingly stroked Segreti’s hair. “It would bring me great joy to have you at my side. To see your handsome face every morning and night. If you don’t mind my sharing my heart with another.”

  Segreti peered at him. “Another?”

  Ezra motioned to the wall of books behind him. Segreti threw his head back and laughed. He kissed Ezra’s cheek, loving the flush he brought on.

  “I would never think to come between you and your beloved books.”

  “See? You’re the perfect mate for me.”

  “On one condition,” Segreti said, his expression mockingly stern.

  “And what’s that?”

  “That when you sit to read your book, you allow me to rest near you. As an Orso, we do enjoy a good nap, especially in the winter. Your lap is far more comfortable than any den.”

  It was Ezra’s turn to bark out a laugh. Joy filled his eyes, and Segreti’s heart overflowed with emotion, knowing he was the cause of it.

  “My lap and I accept,” Ezra replied, snuggling close.

  As Segreti wrapped his arms around Ezra and kissed the top of his head, he committed this moment to memory, from the crackling sounds of the fire to the soft breaths of slumber exhaled by his beloved. His mate. Segreti had never felt so blessed. Ezra sighed quietly, his face nuzzled against Segreti’s neck.

  One threat remained—the Orso who plotted to destroy everything around him, including his beautiful mate. He prayed to the Goddess that Ezra might forgive him, for the task that lay ahead would be hard to face. He’d finally been blessed with a mate. He couldn’t lose him.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Ezra had never felt so unsettled.

  As the Soldati Summer Solstice Festival continued, the time of Riley’s prophecy grew nearer. Although they didn’t know exactly when the attempt would occur, it was to happen during the full moon while Khalon was vulnerable. Segreti had left Ezra’s chambers early that morning, determined to find the traitor. Ezra had taken the Eye into the festival, all the while feeling a presence close by. Someone had been following him, watching him, all morning, though he hadn’t caught any one scent that had been constant, which was odd. The Eye had offered no insight, much to Ezra’s growing frustration. None of it made sense, and with each hour gone by, his unease grew. Khalon was unusually elusive, and the Eye took off without notice far more often than Ezra liked. They were running out of time, and he was no closer to unearthing the conspirators. He hoped Segreti was having better luck than he was.

  The thought of Segreti momentarily distracted Ezra, and he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. He had a mate. Well, sort of. Segreti was his mate in name only until he claimed Ezra. The very thought sent a fierce heat rushing through him.

  Last night had been heavenly. Ezra had pulled Segreti to his bed, but no thoughts other than comfort had entered his mind, and Segreti sensed it. He’d tenderly kissed Ezra and accepted his invitation. Together they’d held each other in bed, dozing in and out, murmuring sweet nothings and kissing sweetly before drifting off again. Ezra had never experienced that before. Never been simply held by another. Segreti appeared content to do nothing more than stroke Ezra’s arm or hair, to kiss him and nuzzle him. Ezra’s Soldati soul yearned to be claimed, but the time had to be right. Once a Soldati lay claim to a mate or was claimed, it couldn’t be undone. A Soldati loved deep and mated for life, and although it was too soon to speak of love, Ezra knew in his heart he’d belong to only one mate. It was simply who he was.

  “Someone looks happy.”

  Ezra worried his bottom lip, then came to a decision. After a frustrating morning of investigating with no help at all from the Eye, he could use a little break. He sat cross-legged on the grass beside his prince. “May I confide in you, Your Highness?”

  “Of course.” Riley appeared hurt, as if the answer were obvious. “You know you can tell me anything.”

  “You are still the prince and king’s mate,” Ezra reminded him. As much as Riley saw those around him as friends and family, he was still Soldati prince and had responsibilities greater than himself.

  “Right. I gotcha. So what’s up?”

  Khalon always met with the villagers during the festivities, and Riley accompanied him for most of it, but after a few hours, the noise and activity became difficult for his prince, so Khalon insisted he spend some time in his garden. Riley never argued. He called it his “quiet time.” Despite his great Soldati and Saugur powers, Riley had a gentle soul that still believed itself to be human, but that only made everyone love him all the more.

  “Segreti has accepted me as his mate.”

  Riley blinked at him. He opened his mouth to reply, but no sounds came out, so he closed it a moment before finally speaking up. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that? For a second I thought you said Segreti was your mate.”

  “I did. Well, sort of. He hasn’t claimed me yet, and I’m a little nervous about that part, but I’m certain it will happen in the appropriate moment, and—”

  “You have a mate,” Riley replied, stunned.

  “Yes. That’s what I said. Are you all right?”

  Riley seemed to shake himself out of it. “Yeah, sorry. Oh my God, you have a mate!” He scrambled to his feet, and Ezra did the same, uncertain of what was happening—he often didn’t when it came to his prince. “That’s amazing!” Riley threw his arms around Ezra and hugged him tight. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  Riley pulled back and peered at him. “Wait. We’re happy about this, yes? This is something you want? Because if he did something or he thinks he can force you, I will rip his nads off and feed them to him.”

  Ezra gaped at him. “Good heavens, no! I want this. Please don’t… rip his nads off and feed them to him. What are nads? You’ve said this word before, and I’ve tried to find it in my books, but I’ve had no luck, and why are you laughing?”

  “Because you’re too cute,” Riley said, wiping a tear from his eye. “Nads are your boys.”

  “My… boys?”

  “Testicles, Ezra. Your testicles.”

  “Oh!” Ezra’s face went up in flames. “No, please don’t, um… Please leave his testicles alone.”

  “Okay, but only because I love you. So if you’re happy about this, why do you look so freaked?”

  Ezra clasped his hands together and glanced around, making sure the Soldati guarding Riley weren’t close enough to hear. He leaned in to murmur quietly, “He has yet to claim me.”

  “I know. You said that already.”

  Ezra huffed. “What did Khalon do when he claimed you?”

  As if on instinct, Riley touched his neck. “Well, he bit me.”

  “While…?”

  Riley studied him and realization dawned. “Oh! Right! We were having sex!” He cringed. “Wow, I said that kinda loud, huh?”

  Judging by the snickering Soldati nearby, Ezra would say so. He glowered at the Soldati, who quickly stood at attention.

  “Sorry. Right. Sex.” Riley tilted his head to one side. “You worried it won’t fit? I mean, the guy is kinda—very big. Like huge. Holy shit!” Riley put a hand to his lips, then whispered hoarsely, “You think it won’t fit?”