Lazzari nodded his agreement. “Which is why we must bring him to us.”

  “How?”

  “The healer,” Gori replied, sounding certain.

  Segreti scoffed. “You’re mad.”

  “We’ll use the healer to draw the prince away from his mate.”

  “The Eye will see you coming,” Segreti replied with a shake of his head.

  “What the Eye sees, we see,” Gori replied.

  Segreti stared at him. “Impossible.”

  Gori reached beneath the collar of his tunic and pulled at a black cord to reveal a golden stone with black lines.

  “What is it?” Segreti asked, his blood turning to ice, their fears confirmed. Khalon had been right. They’d found it.

  “The Soldati Tiger’s Eye.”

  “Where did you get it?” The Soldati relic had been gifted to Pavoni’s father by Khalon’s father back during a particularly devastating war against the demons. It was a powerful artifact capable of seeing “echoes” the Soldati Eye pulsed during a vision. It had been gifted to the old Orso king to protect him and his warriors. Segreti hid the rage coursing through him. The relic had been buried with the old Orso king.

  “We have an ally in the queen’s court. The artifact had been buried with the old king, but Pavoni had exhumed the body and taken it when he was informed of its power.”

  Vestri let out a grunt. “Pavoni foolishly tossed it aside, believing it had lost its power, when in truth, he simply didn’t know how to use it.”

  “Thanks to our ally,” Gori said, tucking the stone back into his tunic, “we received letters from the former Soldati King to the old Orso king revealing a hidden clue. The reason it didn’t work for Pavoni was that it only works if it’s near the Eye.”

  “That’s how you’ve managed to remain hidden,” Segreti said. “Because you can see what Ezra sees.”

  “The healer is in his cottage, mourning your loss,” Gori replied, his words striking Segreti’s heart. “At first we’d intended to rid ourselves of him, but with you joining the fight, you can have him to yourself. If you do this, the demons will allow you to keep him if you wish it. Convince Ezra to join you, kidnap him, hell, drug him for all I care. Think about it. He can be yours. Take him away from here and do what you will with him.”

  Segreti pretended to give the matter thought. He leaned his arms on the table, studying the maps that had come from the Soldati’s map room, no doubt retrieved by Sansone. He lifted his gaze to Gori. “What do I need to do?”

  “Go to your healer. Get him to the south gardens. Sansone will use the passages to get to the prince and speak privately with him at the same moment your presence in the castle near the king’s chambers is ‘discovered.’ In the commotion, the prince will slip into the secret passage with Sansone.”

  “And why would he do that?”

  “Because Sansone will inform him that if he doesn’t come, the healer will be killed.”

  That made no sense. “Why would Ezra simply not use his powers?”

  Gori sighed. “Because you will make certain he doesn’t. Love is a weakness, Segreti. Use his love for you.”

  “You honestly think the prince will come?” Segreti asked, sounding uncertain.

  “The prince is still very much human and soft-hearted. Unlike his king, he’s not willing to sacrifice anyone, much less someone he cares deeply for, no matter the consequences. He doesn’t know we have the Tiger’s Eye.”

  Vestri nodded his agreement. “Once we have the prince where we want him, Sansone will inform Khalon of the danger the prince finds himself in. Khalon will fight for his prince, vulnerable or not. His love for his prince will be his downfall. You will lay them all to waste in the garden.”

  “Enough talk,” Gori declared. He met Segreti’s gaze. “Are you with us or not?”

  As if Segreti had a choice. It wasn’t as if they would let him walk away. They all knew it. He held out his hand. “I’ll need a sword.”

  With an evil grin, Gori held out his sword to Segreti. “Let’s go, then. There’s a passage that leads to an exit a few feet from the healer’s cottage. We’ll be in the gardens, waiting.”

  Segreti made to take the sword, only to have Gori pull it back, his darkened gaze on Segreti. “We’re counting on you, General.”

  The words didn’t need to be spoken. Should Segreti think of betraying them or not following through, death would be too easy. He was under no illusion what they would do to hurt him most.

  “Then let this be done,” Segreti proclaimed, taking the sword from Gori. He motioned toward the door, following Gori, with Lazzari and Vestri on his heels. They headed out into the maze, walking for what seemed like an eternity but could only have been a few minutes. The passage grew cooler, meaning they were getting closer to the exit.

  “Ready?” Gori asked, moving aside and making way for him.

  “Yes.”

  “We’ll meet you in the gardens. Oh, and General, should you change your mind, know we’re listening.”

  “I’ll get this done.” Segreti cracked open the door and made sure the coast was clear before darting out into the shadows. He slipped the sword into his belt, then hurried toward the cottage, its soft light confirming Ezra’s presence. Using the trees and shadows to conceal himself, Segreti circled the cottage, making certain no Soldati lay in wait for him. Peeking through one of the windows, his heart leaped into his throat at the sight of Ezra sitting on his love seat reading one of his books, a knit blanket about his shoulders and the fire crackling in the hearth. His beauty never failed to steal Segreti’s breath, and he yearned for the day they might sit like this together.

  Heading for the door, Segreti crouched low to the side of it and took hold of the handle. He opened it and slipped inside, then locked it behind him. Ezra gasped and jumped from the love seat, his book falling to one side.

  “Segreti? What are you doing here? How did you escape?”

  Segreti ran to him and pulled him into an embrace. He inhaled Ezra’s scent. “It’s a long story, and we have no time. The Soldati are looking for me.” Gori had alluded to the fact someone was listening. He had to be careful. “I needed to see you, to see your beautiful face once more and taste your sweet lips. Forgive me for the harsh words I said while in that damnable cell. I thought I’d never see you again.” And he might not after this.

  “I’m sorry as well, my love.” Ezra met Segreti’s gaze, his eyes intense. They flashed white before he bowed his head slightly, his eyes never leaving Segreti’s. “This is a dangerous game we play. Know that I forgive your deceit, for I know your heart.”

  He knows, and he forgives me.

  Segreti replied by kissing Ezra soundly, his heart all but ready to burst. “Come with me away from here.”

  Ezra appeared uncertain. “Leave my king and my prince?”

  “You will see them again one day. Khalon has his Saugur. You needn’t be tied to your duty. You’re more than the Eye.” He cupped Ezra’s cheek. “We have a chance to be free and happy. I love you.”

  “And I love you. Yes. I’ll go with you.”

  “Quickly, then.” Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and hurried to the door. He opened it and jerked back as the Eye darted past, disappearing through the trees.

  “We must hurry!” Ezra said, breaking into a run with Segreti. “There’s no telling what it will do.”

  “The south gardens,” Segreti said. “I’ve friends waiting to get us to safety.”

  They ran for the gardens, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow across the lush greenery and hundreds of colorful flowers. It was almost time. Coming to a halt, Ezra turned to him, puzzled.

  “Why are you stopping?”

  “We’re here,” Segreti called out.

  Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari stepped from the shadows and approached.

  “I don’t understand,” Ezra murmured, his gaze going to the three Orso and then Segreti. “What is this?”

  “What this is,” Gori explained, his eyes filled with darkness, “is that we’re taking your kingdom. When you wake, your king and your prince will be dead. Your world will be no more.”

  Ezra whirled to face Segreti. “What have you done?”

  “Forgive me, my love.” Segreti struck Ezra with the hilt of his sword, catching him as he crumpled to the ground. He lifted his gaze to Gori. “It’s time.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Ezra stirred, his head throbbing. Blasted hell, that hurt more than he’d anticipated. The scent of freshly cut grass and flowers filled his senses, but there was something else. A putrid, rancid odor that made him want to vomit. Slowly he opened his eyes and stared at the night sky, confused by the black clouds. Terror gripped him. Those weren’t black clouds, but an ocean of demons blanketing the sky, waiting.

  “What the fuck? You traitorous son of a bitch! Where’s Ezra?”

  Ezra rolled onto his side. Riley stood before Segreti. It had begun. Ezra pushed himself to his feet, running toward them just as Khalon emerged from the castle, Rayner, Adira, and the Soldati close behind.

  “Segreti, no!”

  Distracted by Khalon’s shout, Riley hesitated just long enough for Segreti to plunge the sword into Riley’s side. An agonized wail tore from Khalon, and a small army of Orso emerged from the garden, charging toward Rayner, Adira, and the Soldati while Khalon sped for Riley, only to be intercepted by Segreti.

  “You cowardly traitor!”

  Ezra gasped as the Eye appeared at his side and his vision came to fruition. Segreti swung his sword, slicing through Khalon’s jerkin, blood splattering Segreti. The demons above them screeched and hissed in triumph. The gardens became both graveyard and battlefield as Soldati fought a small army of Orso that had emerged from the trees while demons began to descend. Ezra shifted into his tiger form and joined the battle. He roared, the light from his Soldati soul incinerating the demons it touched.

  “The Soldati king is dead,” Segreti bellowed, standing with sword in hand as Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari encircled him. “Can your men be trusted?”

  “They have been helping since the beginning,” Gori confirmed.

  “Are there any more?” Segreti asked, his gaze sweeping the Orso fighting the Soldati. “I wish to know how many I’ll be forced to share the spoils with.”

  “The queen’s advisor and his personal guards are the only ones absent. He’s the one who gave us the Soldati Tiger’s Eye,” Vestri said. “He awaits word from us on our victory so he and his Orso can dethrone the queen.”

  “Good to know.”

  At the familiar voice, everyone turned, their eyes about to pop from their skulls and their jaws slack as Khalon stood. The demons screeched and froze, their empty eye sockets on Khalon and then Riley, who pushed himself to his feet. Ezra quickly shifted back to human form.

  “What the hell is going on?” Vestri demanded, whirling to face Segreti. “It was a trap.”

  Riley lifted his so-called bloody hand and licked a finger. “I’ve seen enough movies to know how to fake a good murder. Anyway, doesn’t matter. Point is, you’re done.”

  An army of Soldati in tiger and human forms emerged from the trees, launching into battle with the now shifted Orso, their roars filling the night air. The demons above Ezra howled and dispersed, but not before dozens were disintegrated by the Soldati’s light. Segreti fought several Orso who’d remained in human form while Ezra summoned his powers. He thrust a hand to the side, sending an Orso who’d charged Segreti soaring against a tree. The wind howled, and Ezra hurried to his king’s side. As his brethren fought the Orso, Ezra kept his king safe, the Eye funneling its power into him, sparks of white light bursting through him as he made quick work of anyone who would dare to harm Khalon.

  Vestri, Gori, and Lazzari made a feeble attempt to escape, but it was Gori who removed a small crossbow from behind his back and aimed it at Segreti’s back while Segreti fought one of the traitors.

  How dare he attempt to kill Ezra’s mate.

  With a fierce roar, Ezra threw his arms out, the power of the Eye exploding through him. The blast thrust Gori off his feet, slamming him into a tree with such force the tree splintered. Gori dropped the weapon and gasped for breath, blood on the corners of his mouth as Ezra held a hand out, pinning Gori to the tree. As Ezra approached, a gasp escaped him, and bile rose in his throat.

  Gori’s soul… Ezra had seen that murky glow before.

  “You.” White flashed before Ezra’s eyes, and rage filled him. When he spoke, it was with the voice of the Eye. “You were in his cell that day with Pavoni, taking your pound of flesh. You reveled in his suffering.”

  Gori’s lips curled in a vile grin. “And I loved every moment of it. Remember my face, healer. For I was the one who whispered the idea of your beloved’s fate in Pavoni’s ear.”

  With an agonized cry, Ezra threw his hand out, only to stop himself. As fiercely as he desired to end the miserable bastard’s life, it wasn’t his place. The Soldati and Queen Verity would ensure Gori paid for his crimes. With a grunt, he withdrew his powers, letting Gori drop to the ground.

  “I would advise you enjoy the next few minutes of fresh air,” Ezra growled as he turned away from Gori. “For it will be your final taste of freedom.”

  Gori’s war cry echoed through the garden, nearly drowned out by Segreti’s Orso roar as he sped toward Ezra. Spinning on his heels, Ezra threw his hand out, his powers disintegrating the knife Gori had hurled toward the back of his head. Gori charged, rage and hatred in his wild eyes. Closing his fist, Ezra crushed Gori’s windpipe. Segreti called to Ezra in the distance, his voice barely audible over the howling wind as Ezra released the full force of his power. The tree before him exploded into millions of tiny pieces, along with Gori’s body, blood splattering Ezra, but he didn’t so much as blink. Gori would never hurt anyone else, ever again.

  “My love!”

  Ezra lowered his arm. The wind stopped and the night grew silent once more as he turned to face the stillness behind him. Khalon and Riley stood in each other’s embrace, the Soldati army surrounding them. The traitors were on their knees in shackles, the demons gone.

  It was finally over.

  “Ezra?”

  At the soft word, Ezra fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. Segreti ran to his side and gathered him in his arms, cradling him close as the last of Ezra’s power returned to the Eye. He laid his head against Segreti’s chest, eyes closed as Segreti lifted him into his arms.

  “I am safe and well,” Segreti assured Ezra as he carried Ezra into the castle, murmuring a few words to Riley and Khalon before taking Ezra into his bedchamber and closing the door behind them. He placed Ezra on his feet in his washroom and prepared a bath. Ezra didn’t quite know what to do with himself. Everything had happened so fast. He decided not to think on it but instead bask in Segreti’s tenderness.

  The heavenly aroma of lavender filled the washroom, and Ezra allowed himself to be undressed and helped into the tub of steaming hot water. The moment the water sluiced over his skin, he released a sigh that appeared to have come from his very core. A weight lifted off his shoulders, and he laid his head back, smiling softly at the feel of Segreti soaping his body.

  “I wish I could have spared you that horror.”

  Ezra opened his eyes and lifted his head. He met Segreti’s gaze and cupped his cheek. “It’s done. His vileness was a stain upon this world. Never again will he hurt some other innocent as he did you.”

  Segreti turned his face and kissed Ezra’s palm. “You truly forgive me for the deception?”

  “When Riley said it was time for me to learn the truth, I had been prepared for all manner of platitudes and apologies. I hadn’t expected to discover I was part of a clever plot to flush out the traitors.” Ezra stroked Segreti’s cheek with his thumb, the glow of the wall sconces and gentle lapping of the water as Segreti washed him bringing him peace. “Khalon confessed you’d agreed to help because of me, to keep me safe.”

  Segreti nodded. He leaned over the marble tub’s edge and kissed Ezra sweetly. “For months I’ve been trying to find the traitors, growing ever closer to discovering their identities. I couldn’t allow them to harm you.”

  Ezra’s heart swelled. “My champion.”

  “As you are mine. My sweet Ezra, ready to battle any dragons that may threaten his love.”

  “Always.” Ezra kissed him, melting into the taste of his tongue and the warmth of his mouth. He sat up and placed his hands to Segreti’s face, their kiss deepening until they were panting. A groan of protest escaped him when Segreti pulled back, making Segreti chuckle.

  “Come. The king and the prince wait for us. We’ll see them, then return so I might finally claim my mate.”

  Ezra could barely contain his smile. “It’s time?”

  “Yes, my love.” Segreti brushed his lips over Ezra’s, his voice quiet. “The time has come. My bear would not allow me to claim you with the deceit between us. Had you not been informed of the plot by our prince, I would have told you the moment I could. I have been desperate to claim you as my mate, but there must never be anything but honesty between us.”

  “Yes,” Ezra agreed. He swiftly finished washing and stood, a wicked smile coming onto his lips when Segreti stood and adjusted himself, a low groan escaping him.

  “We should make this a quick visit.”

  Ezra laughed, then thanked Segreti for helping him out of the tub. He dried himself quickly, then dressed.

  They soon stood in Khalon’s study along with Riley, Rayner, Toka, Adira, Fausti, and Sansone. Ezra turned to Sansone.

  “How is your brother?”

  Sansone’s eyes grew glassy. “He is well, thank the Goddess. His Majesty sent someone to find him the moment I informed him of Gori’s treachery.”

  “So Khalon knew this whole time?” Ezra asked.

  Khalon nodded from his seat behind his desk, Riley nestled at his side. “I had asked Segreti if he had an Orso who he trusted with his life. Someone who could carry out a perilous mission for me.”