Segreti turned his attention to Fausti. “You found Sansone’s brother.”

  Sansone gasped, a hand flying to his mouth. “You?”

  Fausti shrugged. “I knew Lazzari was up to something. That jackal has always been unscrupulous and vile. I followed him one evening and found the hidden den. When he left, I sneaked in and found the poor foxling shackled inside. I eased his terror and promised him we would free him soon. Then I reported my findings to Khalon. When given the orders, I fetched your brother.”

  The tears in Sansone’s eyes spilled, and he launched himself at Fausti, who caught him. “Easy there, my little foxling,” Fausti murmured. He ran a hand over Sansone’s hair. “All is well. Your brother is safe and unharmed.”

  Sansone nodded, his cheeks flushed as Fausti placed him on his feet. Ezra had a feeling they’d be seeing more of these two, judging by the starry look in Sansone’s eyes as he gazed upon Fausti.

  “There’s something I’ve been giving quite a deal of thought to, Your Majesty. How was it possible you and Segreti had this all planned, yet I still had a vision of your death at Segreti’s hands?”

  “Our spies discovered someone close to the queen was aiding the conspirators, but we didn’t know how. They always seemed one step ahead of us,” Khalon said. “How was it possible they were evading capture when we had the Eye to guide us? It soon became clear that the manner of help the Orso traitors were getting was of the magical kind. It was possible they’d gotten their hands on the Soldati Tiger’s Eye.”

  Ezra gasped. That would explain how they knew. “They could see what I saw.”

  “Exactly. That’s when we had the idea of using the Eye’s visions against them.”

  Ezra whirled to face Segreti. “You and Khalon orchestrated a false death.”

  “Yep,” Riley replied cheerfully. “We needed the Eye to see Khalon’s death so Gori and his minions would see it. They’d believe Segreti was going to betray us and kill Khalon. He had no idea he was being fed false information, both from the Eye and Sansone.”

  Khalon nodded. “We had to make it believable in order to draw him and all his followers out once and for all. I would not have them roaming our realm, plotting our destruction.”

  “Which is why you waited to tell me,” Ezra deduced. “You realized I was being watched and needed me to believe what I was seeing.”

  “We had one chance to draw the traitors out, to put an end to their plotting. We couldn’t wait for them to catch us unaware. It was only a matter of time before the traitors foolishly asked the demons for aid.”

  Rayner snorted. “As if demons would keep a bargain.” His expression softened. “Do you forgive us for keeping this from you? Where prophecies and visions are involved, quite complex measures are required to control the situation.”

  Ezra smiled warmly at his friend. “No forgiveness is required, my dear friend. It was a difficult time for all of us.” Ezra cocked his head to one side as he studied Adira. “What part did you play in all this? I’ve barely seen you for weeks.”

  Adira arched an eyebrow at him. “Dear Ezra, who do you think was in charge of putting all the pieces into place on this blasted chessboard?” Ezra blinked at her, and she rolled her eyes. “Men.”

  Khalon chuckled. “Adira was in charge of making certain everyone was where they should be when they should be. She had Verity extended the festival invite to her most trusted Orso warriors, a group which included Gori, Vestri, and Lazzari. We’d suspected them for some time of being involved, though we weren’t certain who was in charge. Adira kept our Soldati from getting in the way.”

  “We needed to limit those who knew of our plans,” Rayner added. “We could hardly inform our entire army. But you know our brethren.”

  Ezra laughed softly. “Quite stubborn, and very nosy.”

  Adira huffed. “Worse than fledgling Soldati.”

  “And then Segreti dropped the hint that I was vulnerable,” Khalon said. “Your vision of my death gave Gori what he needed to put a plan into motion. It was only a matter of time before Gori approached Segreti.”

  “What happens now?” Ezra asked, his gaze going to Fausti.

  Affection filled Khalon’s green eyes. “Queen Verity’s advisor has been arrested, the Soldati Tiger’s Eye is back in our armory, and I have spoken to Fausti and Queen Verity. Both he and Segreti have been released from their pledges and will be declared Soldati during a ceremony this weekend. They are our brothers now.”

  Ezra turned to Segreti and threw his arms around him, his happiness ready to overflow. “You’re staying, then?”

  Segreti chuckled at Ezra’s enthusiasm. “I am.”

  Ezra’s heart soared. “Will you stay with me, or would you prefer your own quarters? I completely understand if you’d prefer your own. You—”

  Segreti silenced Ezra with a kiss so passionate and heated it made Ezra’s toes curl. When he released Ezra, he was breathless. “What do you think?”

  “I, um, I think I should give you a tour of your quarters.”

  Everyone cheered, and Ezra laughed joyously when Segreti scooped Ezra up in his arms. He threw a glance over his shoulder at Khalon. “May we be dismissed, Your Majesty? I have a mate to claim.”

  “Segreti,” Ezra exclaimed through a gasp, ignoring the knowing laughs and chuckles around the room.

  Khalon waved them off. “You’re dismissed. We’ll discuss your bounty for your part in this victory when you’re less… busy.”

  Ezra was so happy to have his love back, he didn’t care that Segreti still carried him. All he could think of was the love in his heart and the knowledge that Segreti would remain at his side.

  They entered the bedchamber, and Segreti placed Ezra on his feet so he could lock the door. He’d barely turned around when Ezra was all over him, kissing him, undressing him, moaning his need. Segreti chuckled against his lips as he helped Ezra divest them of their clothes. Once they were naked, Ezra pulled Segreti to what was now their bed. He lay down, his arms held out and knees spread, and Segreti came to lie between them. Their lips came together as if starved, and Ezra tangled his fingers in Segreti’s mane, arching up against him as need flooded him. His inner tiger clawed at his soul, roaring and demanding to be united with its mate.

  “Segreti,” Ezra pleaded.

  “I know, my love. I know.” He released himself from Ezra’s grip long enough to fetch the small bottle of oil. “I was away from you only a few short hours, yet it felt like an eternity. I love you, my sweet Ezra. My mate. Are you ready to be claimed?”

  “If I wait any longer, I fear I may shatter.”

  “Then I won’t force you to wait any longer.” Segreti sat back on his heels, and Ezra marveled at his naked form, at his muscular, solid frame, his hair falling over his shoulders and his heated gaze taking in every inch of Ezra. Pouring some oil onto his fingers, he placed a digit to Ezra’s entrance, his gaze never leaving Ezra’s as he pushed a finger in. Ezra sucked in a sharp breath, his toes curling, and his back arched as Segreti’s finger sank deeper. With a moan and near panting breath, Ezra writhed at the intrusive digit, his own fingers clutching fistfuls of the blanket. A whimper he’d never heard himself make, came from his lips.

  “Please.” A second finger joined the first and then a third, stretching Ezra impossibly wide. “Yes. I want all of you.” He wanted Segreti to fill him with his hard length and his essence. When he thought he couldn’t take anymore, Segreti leaned over him and guided himself to Ezra’s entrance.

  “Breathe, my sweet.”

  Ezra did, sucking in a sharp breath at the sudden pain of Segreti’s tip pushing inside him. He sank in slowly until Ezra was seated against him. They both stilled for a heartbeat before Segreti lowered himself on top of Ezra and lifted Ezra’s left leg over Segreti’s shoulder. He pulled out gingerly, then thrust back in. Ezra cried out, the delicious pleasure seeming to clear whatever hesitancy Segreti might have had. He moved his hips, thrusting in deep over and over.

  Segreti kissed him, their breathless panting and bodies coming together the only sounds in the quiet room.

  “Yes,” Ezra cried out, the friction on his rock-hard shaft caught between their stomachs painfully delicious. “Make me yours.” He dug his fingers into Segreti’s back as Segreti pounded into him like a feral beast, laying claim to his body as he was about to do to Ezra’s soul. Segreti moved his lips from Ezra’s to Ezra’s neck, then the muscle between his neck and shoulder blade. The anticipation almost undid Ezra. He closed his fingers around fistfuls of Segreti’s hair, squeezing tight. “Do it. Please.”

  Segreti’s fangs sank into Ezra’s neck, transferring his Orso essence into Ezra. The scalding heat spread from his neck into the rest of him, flaring like an inferno. Ezra opened his mouth to scream, the light from his Soldati soul bursting into the room. Segreti’s hips lost all rhythm as he chased his orgasm, Ezra’s own thundering through him. Releasing Ezra’s shoulder, Segreti roared as he spilled himself inside Ezra, filling him completely, or so it seemed. Ezra’s release exploded, and he gasped as his power flared. The bed lifted several inches before falling back to the floor, then silence.

  The white light in the room faded, and Ezra lay trembling. A tear rolled down his cheek, and he smiled. Carefully Segreti pulled out of him but remained where he lay.

  “What’s this?” Segreti asked, his quiet voice laced with concern.

  “We are connected.” Ezra brushed his lips over Segreti’s. “My power may not flow through you, but my Soldati strength will always be with you.”

  Segreti peppered sweet kisses around Ezra’s face and jaw. “What does that mean?”

  “Should you need it, you can draw strength from me. No one will ever hurt you again, my love.”

  Segreti seemed to consider this. “Will I know if your life is in peril?”

  “Yes. Just as I will know if yours is as well.”

  Segreti shook his head, awe in his expression as he ran a hand over Ezra’s head. “We are one.” The words came almost reverently. “You’re my mate.”

  “And you’re mine.” Ezra kissed him, letting the love he felt in his heart overflow. This was where he belonged, right here in his Orso—no, Soldati general’s arms. As they lay facing each other, caressing skin, delivering sweet kisses, and murmuring promises, Ezra didn’t need the Eye to see he’d found his true love.

  Want to read what happens next with Sansone and Fausti? Join my Facebook reader group: Donuts, Dog Tags, and Daydreams, or sign-up for my Newsletter for a free short story! You’ll also get access to member exclusives!

  Enjoying Charlie’s shifter fantasy books? Check out the Paranormal Princes series. Join these shifter princes as they embark on a magical quest to prove themselves worthy of their crowns. Filled with humor, shenanigans, adventure, and plenty of romance. Available on Amazon and KU.

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you so much for reading The Soldati Hearts series. I hope you enjoyed the adventures from this magical world, and if you did, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Reviews can have a significant impact on a book’s visibility on Amazon, so any support you show these fellas would be amazing. Looking for more paranormal fun? Check out Charlie’s Cochet’s Paranormal Princes on Amazon and KU.

  Want to stay up-to-date on my releases and receive exclusive content? Sign up for my newsletter.

  Follow me on Amazon to be notified of a new releases, and connect with me on social media, including my fun Facebook group, Donuts, Dog Tags, and Day Dreams, where we chat books, post pictures, have giveaways, and more!

  Looking for inspirational photos of my books? Visit my book boards on Pinterest.

  Thank you again for joining the Soldati on their adventures. We hope to see you soon!

  ALSO BY CHARLIE COCHET

  FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE

  STANDALONE TITLES

  Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts

  FOUR KINGS SECURITY SERIES

  Love in Spades

  Be Still My Heart

  Join the Club

  Diamond in the Rough

  BLACK OPS SERIES

  OPERATION ORION’S BELT

  Kept in the Dark

  THE KINGS: WILD CARDS SERIES

  Stacking the Deck

  Raising the Ante

  Sleight of Hand

  RUNAWAY GROOMS SERIES

  Aisle Be There

  SHIFTER SCOUNDRELS

  CO-WRITTEN WITH MACY BLAKE

  Notorious

  Dangerous

  THIRDS UNIVERSE

  THIRDS SERIES

  Hell & High Water

  Blood & Thunder

  Rack & Ruin

  Rise & Fall

  Against the Grain

  Catch a Tiger by the Tail

  Smoke & Mirror

  Thick & Thin

  Darkest Hour Before Dawn

  Gummy Bears & Grenades

  Tried & True

  THIRDS BEYOND THE BOOKS SERIES

  THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 1

  THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 2

  THIRDS: REBELS SERIES

  Love and Payne

  TIN SERIES

  Gone But Not Forgotten

  PARANORMAL PRINCES SERIES

  The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard

  The Prince and His Captivating Carpenter

  The King and His Vigilant Valet

  SOLDATI HEARTS SERIES

  The Soldati Prince

  The Foxling Soldati

  The Soldati General

  COMPROMISED SERIES

  Center of Gravity

  NORTH POLE CITY TALES SERIES

  Mending Noel

  The Heart of Frost

  The Valor of Vixen

  Loving Blitz

  Disarming Donner

  Courage and the King

  North Pole City Tales Complete Series Boxset

  STANDALONE TITLES

  Forgive and Forget

  Love in Retrograde

  AUDIOBOOKS

  Check out the audio versions on Audible.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.

  Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

  Website: www.charliecochet.com

  Email: charlie@charliecochet.com

  Sign up for Charlie’s newsletter:

  https://newsletter.charliecochet.com

 

 

  Charlie Cochet, Soldati Hearts Boxed Set

 

 

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