“Segreti… I can’t… please.” Ezra felt as if his body were about to come apart. Segreti continued to hit that sweet spot, his thick shaft driving inside him, their bodies smacking together and the bed moving beneath them. Ezra dug his fingers into Segreti’s shoulders.

  “I’m going to spill myself inside you,” Segreti warned.

  “Yes, please. I want all of you.” Ezra had never been more certain of anything in his life. He wanted Segreti, all of him, for however long Segreti wished Ezra to have him. Just when he thought he couldn’t take any more pleasure, Segreti roared with his release, liquid heat filling Ezra and sending him tumbling over the edge. He shouted Segreti’s name, the light from his Soldati soul erupting from him and filling the room as he spilled himself over his hand and Segreti’s chest. He rode madly until the explosive heat and light faded, leaving him spent and exhausted to collapse on Segreti’s chest, uncaring of the sticky wetness beneath him.

  A contented sigh escaped Ezra, and he snuggled close, loving the much larger body beneath his, the weight of Segreti’s arm wrapped around his waist as Segreti caressed him. Was this what it was like to have a mate? One who held your heart with theirs? No wonder Riley looked upon Khalon as if he hung the moon. Ezra could easily lose his heart to Segreti. A part of him believed he’d already lost pieces of it to his strong and noble warrior.

  “How are you feeling?” Segreti asked tentatively.

  Ezra hummed in satisfaction. “I can’t recall a time when I felt more at peace than at this moment.” A thought occurred to him, and he bolted upright.

  “What is it?”

  “You didn’t claim me.” Ezra couldn’t help the concern in his voice. They’d discussed how Segreti had to be the one to claim Ezra, and Segreti had happily accepted. He hadn’t been the least put off by the mention of Ezra’s powers being a threat.

  Segreti brushed Ezra’s hair away from his face. “The time wasn’t right, my sweet.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’ve disappointed you.”

  Ezra shook his head. “You could never disappoint me.” He leaned forward, his chin resting on his hand as he ran a finger over Segreti’s jaw. “I am puzzled, though, as to why your inner bear still feels unready to claim its mate.”

  Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and kissed the tips of his fingers. “All will be revealed in time, I’m certain. Do you regret what we’ve done?”

  “I have no misgivings in my heart where you’re concerned.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.” Segreti kissed the top of his head, and Ezra begrudgingly removed himself from Segreti. He smiled against Segreti’s lips.

  “Stay right there. I’m simply going to get a washcloth so we don’t stick together. As much as I’d like to have you at my side at all hours, at some point, I suspect, one of us will need to use the facilities.”

  Segreti chuckled, and Ezra forced himself away long enough to enter his washroom and clean himself up. He dampened a clean cloth and delivered it to Segreti with a kiss, then climbed onto the bed next to him. His heart danced with delight as he kissed his way down Segreti’s jaw and combed his fingers through his untamable mane.

  Ezra had been about to tease Segreti about being ready for another bout of sensual activity when a chill engulfed him and he gasped, the world going bright around him.

  No, please. Not now.

  The power of the Eye pulsed through Ezra, throwing him into a vision. He stared up at Segreti, who stood tall in the moonlight, but he wasn’t Ezra’s Segreti. His lips curled in a snarl, anger filling his dark eye as shadows enveloped his handsome features. He swung back his arm, a sword in his hand, but Ezra no longer stood in the path of the weapon intent on murder. Instead, another figure took his place. Segreti swung his sword and sliced a deadly blow, blood spraying his clothes. He loomed over the fallen figure, and Ezra lurched forward, his heart lodged in his throat and tears in his eyes as an agonized wail tore from him.

  Khalon lay dead.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Ezra? Love? What’s wrong?”

  Ezra’s eyes flew open, and he lifted a trembling hand to his lips as he shook his head. No. He refused to believe it. The Eye was wrong. It had to be. Tears welled in his eyes, the scene replaying in his head. Perhaps he’d drifted off and had a nightmare. A terrifying, heartbreaking nightmare. He scrambled out of bed and grabbed his trousers and tunic. Segreti quickly did the same.

  “The Eye.” Recognition seemed to dawn on Segreti. “You had a vision.”

  Ezra nodded. The Eye, which had at some point entered the room and been dormant, resting on its velvet pillow, pulsed with golden light. It lifted off the pillow and hovered near Ezra.

  “Please,” Ezra begged of it.

  “Can you tell me?” Segreti asked softly. “You needn’t carry this burden yourself. Not anymore. Let me help you.”

  How could Segreti help when he was the cause of the vision? “For the first time in my life, I’m at a loss of what to do.” Ezra knew what he was supposed to do, what his mind demanded he do, but his heart declared war against him. The love in his heart overflowed for both his king and now… Segreti. How was this possible? How could he have lost his heart to Segreti so quickly? They weren’t fated to be together, not like Khalon and Riley. He shouldn’t feel so strongly, and now…

  Ezra glared at the Eye. “How can you be so cruel?” The Eye itself had brought Segreti to Ezra over and over. Why would you bring him to me only to rip him from my life?

  “That terrible?”

  “Yes,” Ezra whispered, unable to stop the tear from rolling down his cheek. “I am torn.”

  “Between?”

  Ezra lifted his gaze to meet Segreti’s. “My duty and my love.”

  Segreti sucked in a sharp breath. He closed his eye and hung his head. When he opened his eye, he lifted his gaze to Ezra’s, his smile breaking what remained of Ezra’s heart. He took Ezra’s hand in his and kissed his palm.

  “Words I never believed I’d hear from another, much less someone as beautiful and enchanting as you. I wish I could have spared you the pain to your heart. Never had I expected to lose mine.”

  “Segreti…”

  “I won’t be the reason your heart breaks.”

  “You already are.”

  Segreti looked puzzled.

  “Please forgive me.” He placed his hand to Segreti’s cheek. “We’ll see each other through this.”

  “Ezra?”

  Ezra drew on his Soldati power and sent the Eye to Khalon. Within seconds, Soldati flooded his bedchamber, followed by Riley and Khalon, both in their evening robes. Adira, Rayner, and Toka appeared soon after.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Segreti demanded. He turned to Ezra. “Ezra?”

  “The Soldati Eye has shown me a new vision of Khalon’s death.” Ezra wrapped his arms around himself in a feeble attempt at comfort. “At your hands.”

  “No.” Segreti shook his head. “I would never harm Khalon, or anyone.”

  Ezra took hold of Segreti’s hands. “I couldn’t keep my vision from my king. Had I wanted to, the Eye wouldn’t allow it. Please forgive me.”

  “The Eye is never wrong,” Khalon replied, his voice laced with hurt and regret. “I’m afraid I have no choice, my old friend.” He closed his eyes and turned to embrace his prince. “Arrest Segreti. Take him to the cells.”

  Ezra released Segreti and spun to face Khalon. “You’re arresting him?”

  “It’s only a precaution,” Khalon replied gently.

  “If I’m foreseen to kill you, why would the Saugur not have the same vision?” Segreti asked as the Soldati approached.

  Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “If you’ll recall, in his vision, Riley never saw the face of my killer, only that he was big. Regardless of whether my murder was foreseen to be committed by you or a different Orso, my death would lead to the fall of the Soldati. I can’t take the risk. Until the full moon is over, you’ll be imprisoned for the safety of all. I’m sorry.”

  The Soldati took hold of Segreti, forcing his arms behind him. Segreti closed his eye and shook his head, letting it hang in defeat as he was led toward the door.

  “Wait!” Ezra turned to Khalon. “Your Majesty, perhaps the Eye is mistaken.”

  “I wish it were so, but you know as well as I do what’s at stake.”

  “You truly believe him capable of murder?”

  Khalon appeared to give his question considerable thought. “I wish I could give you the answer you seek.”

  “He’s a gentle, noble Orso. His heart is filled with kindness and honor. He’s fought at your side, Khalon.”

  Khalon stared at him. “You’re in love with him?”

  “I am.” Ezra moved his gaze to Segreti, who smiled despite the heartache in his eyes. “There must be another way.”

  “I’m afraid your love blinds you,” Rayner said softly. “Your duty is to your realm. I’m sorry, Ezra.”

  Ezra gaped at Rayner before anger flared through him. The audacity! “My duty? My duty! How dare you! You who defied your king and your entire realm to be with your mate! You dare speak to me of duty?”

  “Ezra, please,” Rayner said softly, his expression filled with regret. “Forgive me, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Oh? And what did you mean? You almost started a war for your mate! And yet you speak to me of duty?” Ezra held his arms at his sides, his fingers spread as magic pulsed through him, crackling from finger to finger.

  Khalon held up a hand. “Ezra, please calm yourself.”

  “And you, my king”—Ezra’s vision flashed white as he called upon his Soldati powers—“I needn’t speak the words.” They knew what Khalon had done. How he’d blindly accepted whatever price the priestess declared to have Riley returned to him from the dead. Ezra hadn’t called his king to have Segreti imprisoned like a murderer. He’d expected more from his dearest friends. “You chose love above all else, and now when I seek mercy for my own mate, I’m denied.”

  “Ezra, it’s only until the full moon is over,” Khalon explained.

  “Then why imprison him? Why not leave him in my care? Put guards outside the door, have them follow us, but put him in a cell?” The more he thought of Segreti imprisoned, the more his anger consumed him. His thoughts went to his vision of a different cell. No. The windows slammed open, a howling wind sweeping through the room.

  “He’s right,” Riley said, turning to face Khalon. “If we imprison Segreti, we’re being hypocrites.”

  “Riley,” Khalon began, only to have Riley put a hand up to stop him.

  “No. I’m not going through this again.”

  Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “Riley, please.”

  “I have as much power as you do, if not more.”

  Khalon blinked at Riley.

  “I’ve read the laws, every scroll, every damned book. I’m a Soldati prince, and Saugur. I love you, Khalon, more than anything, and I might not be familiar with hundreds of years of Soldati tradition, but I know my part. I won’t be a prince in name alone. We will find a way to fix this, and that’s all I’m going to say.”

  Khalon eyed him, and Riley crossed his arms over his chest, an eyebrow arched.

  “Enough,” Segreti growled, jerking his arm out of the Soldati’s hold. He held his hand out to Ezra, who took it, warmth washing over him. He withdrew his power and allowed himself to be embraced. “It’s one day. Then I’ll be back in your arms, and we can discuss our future.” He kissed Ezra, and Ezra didn’t care who was in the room. He melted against Segreti, basking in his light. Segreti pulled back and brushed his fingers down Ezra’s cheek. “I love you.”

  “And I love you,” Ezra replied quietly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  With another sweet kiss to his lips, Segreti turned, allowing himself to be secured by the Soldati, his narrowed gaze on Khalon.

  “I’m ready, Your Majesty.”

  The Soldati escorted Segreti from the room, and Ezra balled his hands into fists at his sides. Khalon turned to Ezra, regret in his amber gaze. “I hope that when all this is done, you’ll find it in your heart to forgive us, my dear friend.”

  Ezra couldn’t bring himself to reply. He stood as everyone left the room except for Riley, who placed a hand to Ezra’s cheek.

  “It’ll be okay.”

  Ezra nodded. Silence filled his room once Riley departed. How had it come to this? He’d barely had a moment to understand his own sentiments. He was in love. His heart swelled, then sank. Turning, he spotted the orb floating nearby, a low pulse radiating from it. Grabbing one of his pillows, he hurled it at the offending relic.

  “Get out of my sight. The only traitor around here is you. I’ve never regretted being your voice until this moment.” Ezra wiped at his wet cheeks, his face hot and flushed. With a frustrated grunt, he stormed off into his washroom. Perhaps a nice cool shower would help calm his nerves.

  Inside his washroom, he lost himself to the fog of his mind. He took his time washing himself, ignoring the floating oversized marble. Dressing in his nightshirt and trousers, he climbed into bed. It was still early evening, but he couldn’t bring himself to face anyone. Instead he lay where Segreti had in his bed and inhaled deeply, Segreti’s heady scent still in his sheets. He closed his eyes and clutched at the blankets, bringing them close against him. It was only for a little over a day. He tried to comfort himself by repeating the thought. Only for a short while. Then his love would be at his side.

  Would Segreti still wish to live in their kingdom? What of the trust and friendship between him and Khalon? Segreti had looked so hurt and angry when he’d met Khalon’s gaze. What if their relationship was forever lost? Would Ezra be forced to choose between his kingdom and his love?

  “Ugh, this is torture!” Ezra buried his face in his pillow. He refused to dwell on this a moment longer. Instead, he dwelled on it until the sun rose, its soft light filtering in through his windows, announcing a new day. “Bloody hell,” he said through a groan. Forcing himself to get up, he went to his washroom, grunting at his reflection. His eyes were puffy and red, his hair sticking up in all directions. He was a mess. The minutes seemed to go by like droplets of molasses in their near stillness.

  Showered and dressed, he left his chambers and skipped the dining hall. He couldn’t so much as think of ingesting anything. The sound of revelry floated up through an open window in the hall, and he frowned. Outside, the festival carried on as normal with everyone eating, drinking, and joining in the festivities. Perhaps some fresh air might help ease his stormy thoughts. He had wandered the gardens for what seemed like an eternity when he spotted a lone figure sitting on a stone bench, his chin lifted to the sky and his eyes closed. An Orso.

  Ezra approached and was greeted with a sad smile as he stopped in front of the Orso, who stood and bowed.

  “You’re Ezra, the healer,” the Orso said. “I’m Fausti.”

  “Oh!” So this was young Fausti. He appeared as young as Segreti mentioned, though nearly as big, with handsome features and amber eyes with creases at the corners that showed he smiled often. “Segreti often speaks of you.”

  Fausti blinked at him. “He does?” His cheeks went pink. “I fear you must think me a cad.”

  “On the contrary. He speaks very highly of you, of how honorable and good you are. He’s clearly quite fond of you.”

  “Oh.” Fausti beamed brightly. “He’s always been good to me. A grumpy older brother of sorts.” His smile dimmed. “And now there is nothing I can do to return his kindness. The Soldati king won’t even see me to plead Segreti’s case.” He dropped onto the bench with a frustrated sigh. “How can Queen Verity allow this injustice?”

  “It’s only for a day. He’ll be with us again very soon.” Ezra wasn’t sure who he attempted to console, Fausti or himself.

  Fausti’s frown grew deep as he regarded Ezra. “A day?”

  “Yes. Until, um, the matter is cleared.”

  Fausti shook his head, his expression puzzled. “Then the trial is cancelled?”

  “Trial?” Ezra’s blood turned to ice. “What trial?”

  “Segreti will be on trial for treason against the Soldati. Word is, a plot to murder the king was discovered by his second this morning. Rayner intercepted a letter from Segreti to one of his supposed conspirators, a letter which is to be presented as evidence against Segreti. They say it describes his hesitancy in carrying through with the assassination, as circumstances have changed.”

  “Lies!” Ezra refused to believe it. Segreti plotting to murder Khalon? Absolute madness! “Excuse me. I must go.”

  “He would never do what he’s been accused of,” Fausti insisted, his eyes glassy. “Segreti is the best of all of us. Believe in him.”

  “I do. I will see to this. I promise you.” Spinning on his heels, Ezra ran for the castle, but instead of searching out Khalon or Rayner, he made straight for the winding stone staircase that led to the small prison beneath the castle. The cells were all empty but one. Segreti sat on the cot, his broad shoulders slumped and head lowered, fingers laced between his knees. His clothes had been brought to him, the same clothes he’d worn in Ezra’s bedchamber before they’d made love. His hair fell over his face, shielding him from Ezra’s view as he approached.

  “Segreti.”

  “My love.” Segreti lifted his head at the sound of Ezra’s voice and smiled, but it quickly faded. “You shouldn’t have come.”

  “How could I not?” Ezra held on to the cold bars, standing as close to them as possible, trying his best to be as near to Segreti as he could. Segreti stood and came to him. He placed his hands over Ezra’s.

  “Then you’ve heard.”

  “It’s not true. I know it isn’t.”

  “Your king believes otherwise,” Segreti growled.

  “I’ll speak to him. Demand your release. He can’t possibly believe this farce.”

  “He has evidence.” Segreti all but spat the word.

  “Did you write it?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Then you’ll be found innocent.” Khalon was reasonable, always had been. His compassion was renowned throughout the land. Ezra refused to believe he would condemn Segreti so quickly and ruthlessly. Something sinister was at work here; Ezra felt it down to his soul.