White light burst from their open jaws into the sky, spreading over the village and forming a protective barrier, warding it from the demons. The thin veil of magic sealed within seconds, and the first wave of demons disintegrated into black smoke upon colliding with the barrier of light.

  The remaining storm of demons encircled the translucent dome, unable to see in, but from within the barrier, Khalon saw them clearly. He shifted into his human form and approached the barrier, waving a hand so he could be seen by a select few on the outside, or more specifically, one demon. He stepped up close and fixed his gaze on the empty eyeholes of one particularly repulsive-looking demon. It was a dark demon, a scout. Khalon should have known.

  Demons attacked in brute force, driven by the instinct to kill and harvest souls, but occasionally a dark demon could be found among them, leading the others, their intentions far more wicked. Dark demons didn’t merely hunt humans for their souls; they had purpose. This one meant to kill Riley and, in turn, weaken Khalon, leaving him and his warriors vulnerable. Without the Soldati to protect the humans, their souls would be ripe for the taking.

  As expected, the dark demon sensed Khalon’s presence, drawn by his power and the light in his soul. It drew as close to the barrier as possible without contact, knowing it would disintegrate into nothingness should it touch the light. Its mouth elongated, hissing and dripping rotten blackness.

  Despite Khalon’s low growl, he knew the demon could hear him perfectly. “You won’t lay one decayed tendril on him, putrid beast. I promise you.”

  The dark demon hissed and shrieked its annoyance at being unable to claw at Khalon’s face.

  Rayner stepped up beside Khalon and let out a noise of disgust. “Revolting bastard.”

  Khalon nodded. He waved a hand so the horrid creatures could no longer see inside. Rayner followed him as he headed back to the stone cottage where he’d left Riley.

  “I admit I hadn’t expected one to show up so quickly,” Rayner added.

  “Have Adira keep an eye on them, that one especially. It’s likely he’ll call others. Send word to Captain Airaldi. I want him along with three dozen warriors dispatched immediately. Tell him I expect my path to the temple to be cleared by the end of the week.”

  “It will be done. What of Riley? What do you suppose happened?”

  Was that concern in Rayner’s voice? Khalon was about to reply when Flora came running, her brown eyes filled with fright.

  “Your Majesty! Come quickly!”

  Khalon broke into a run, with Rayner on his heels, an icy chill spreading through him as he entered the cottage. Riley’s terrified moans met his ear, and he hurried to Riley’s bedside, his chest tightening at the fear plaguing his soft features, his brow beaded with sweat. Khalon reached out to wake Riley, but Lasa caught his wrist. He arched an eyebrow at the foxling’s boldness.

  She snatched her hand away as if burned, and when she spoke, her voice was quiet. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but I tried to wake him, and when I touched him, I was hurled across the room by a powerful force.”

  Khalon frowned and dropped his gaze to Riley. He was in the midst of what appeared to be a terrible nightmare. His body twisted and contorted, tears escaping from under his closed lids. “He’s of the human world. There’s no magic in his soul.” He believed Lasa nonetheless, yet he could hardly stand by and do nothing. Whatever Riley was experiencing, it brought Khalon great discomfort.

  Bracing himself, Khalon sat on the bed beside Riley. He let out a guttural scream that shook Khalon to his core. Riley was terrified. Khalon called Rayner over.

  “Rayner, I need a moment. Please fetch Ezra and escort Flora and her family to the village square for provisions, as well as a show of my gratitude for their wonderful hospitality.”

  Rayner nodded. With a kind smile, he ushered the foxlings out of the cottage. There was no telling what might happen, and Khalon preferred to keep matters concerning Riley private. When he spoke to Riley, it was in low and soothing tones.

  “Riley, listen to my voice. It is your mate. I won’t hurt you. It’s my touch you’ll feel.” He tentatively eased his hand closer to Riley, taking a deep breath as Ezra appeared. His friend and confidant remained silent as Khalon placed his palm to Riley’s heart.

  Riley’s breaths fell in pants and he released another scream.

  “Riley, I’m here,” Khalon stated firmly. “Open your eyes and see me.”

  Riley’s eyes flew open, revealing nothing but white, and Khalon refrained from cursing under his breath. What the hell was happening? Riley’s back arched up off the bed, his brows drawn together. He fell back onto the bed with a gasp.

  “I can’t find you,” Riley whispered hoarsely, his eyes still void of iris and pupil. His voice broke when he next spoke. “I’m scared.”

  Khalon took hold of Riley’s hand and placed it on his where it lay on Riley’s chest. “Feel me, Riley. I’m here. Tell me. What do you see?”

  Riley whimpered, another tear rolling down his cheek before he replied. “Death. So much death. The world is burning. There’s no hope. They’re all dead. Every last one.”

  Khalon stared at Ezra, whose wide eyes reflected Khalon’s own. Ezra seemed to snap himself out of it and nodded toward Riley. Khalon cleared his throat.

  “Who’s dead?”

  Riley squeezed Khalon’s hand, his body wracked with shivers. He moved his lips, but no sound came out. Khalon leaned in.

  “I can’t hear you, Riley. Tell me.”

  Riley took hold of Khalon’s head and turned it gently so his face was inches from Riley’s, their lips almost brushing. Khalon inhaled sharply as a horrifying scene flashed before his eyes. Riley whispered his reply, but Khalon heard it as if it had been shouted.

  “The Soldati. They’re all dead.”

  A fierce jolt of anguish and pain flared through Khalon, and he tore himself away from Riley and the bed, his chest heaving. Tears welled in his eyes. Oh Goddess above! Khalon shook his head. This couldn’t be. Every last warrior dead. Adira, Ezra… Khalon shut his eyes tight in an attempt to get the image of Rayner’s lifeless, broken body out of his mind. His amber eyes, once filled with such mischief, were vacant, his handsome face and strong body smeared in his own blood caused by the sword piercing his chest, pinning his corpse to the earth. Khalon saw it clear as day, as if reaching out, he might touch Rayner’s bloodied cheek. The smell of burning, rotten flesh stung his nostrils, and he gulped fresh air through his mouth. It wasn’t real. He shook his head of the haunting vision.

  “Khalon!” Riley gasped and bolted upright, his eyes wide and back to their former state as he clutched the blankets on either side of him. His face crumpled, and without thought, Khalon was immediately at his side, drawing Riley into his embrace.

  Riley buried his face against Khalon’s chest, his arms wrapped tight around him. Riley’s sobs made his body tremble, and he clung to Khalon as if releasing him would thrust him back into the carnage. The brief glimpse was enough to unsettle Khalon, and he was a warrior king accustomed to death. He could only imagine how spending any time at all in such horror would feel to a human. Khalon let his cheek rest against Riley’s head, and he tightened his embrace, offering what comfort he could.

  “It was a terrible dream,” Khalon assured him softly. He dared not speak the truth. No sense in frightening Riley any further. He ran a soothing hand over Riley’s back, then gave Ezra a subtle nod. Ezra placed a hand on Riley’s shoulder.

  “Sleep now, Riley Murrough. Dream of coffee and sweet cakes.”

  Riley’s body relaxed against Khalon, his arms slipping from around Khalon’s back to fall at his sides. Carefully, Khalon laid him down, relieved at the smile on his boyish face, his expression no longer plagued by fear. Khalon brushed the feathery golden locks away from Riley’s face then pulled away to stand.

  He followed Ezra into the foxling kitchen, both of them having to duck through the doorway so as not to hit their heads. When he turned to face Ezra, his suspicions were confirmed. “He is Saugur.”

  Khalon shook his head. It couldn’t be. “There hasn’t been a Saugur since the days of our forefathers, and never has there been a human Saugur.”

  “Never has there been a human Soldati prince,” Ezra reminded him. “I didn’t believe either was possible.”

  Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “I have no bloody notion what the hell is going on.” He met Ezra’s amber gaze. “The Eye flows through you, Ezra. Can it tell us nothing?”

  “The Eye can’t find what has never been.”

  Ezra took a seat at the small kitchen table, and Khalon joined him. Why were foxlings so blasted small? Khalon barely fit in the chair, his knees bent somewhat awkwardly. Ignoring his current discomfort, he studied his dear friend. It didn’t bode well that Ezra was at a loss.

  The Soldati Eye saw all, and Ezra was its voice. Whenever a new Soldati became king, the old king’s trusted council stepped back to make way for the new king’s council. After his father’s departure, Khalon knew of no better council than that of his childhood friends. There was no one he trusted more with his life. Rayner, Ezra, and Adira had been by his side all his life.

  The moment Khalon became king, the Eye chose its voice, a Soldati warrior who would be connected to its power and fathomless knowledge. It chose the gentle and quiet Ezra. It made sense. When they weren’t training or fighting, Ezra’s nose was always in a book. He was a calm and peaceful soul, a little awkward at times, but sweet. A healer even before the Eye chose him. Ezra didn’t have much experience with relationships or emotions of the heart, yet no one was as caring.

  “I don’t understand why the priestess would mark him,” Ezra said, his blue eyes filled with concern. “It seems to me an exceptionally cruel jest.”

  Khalon let out a heavy breath. “I’ve told myself that very thing since we found him.”

  “No, not because he’s a human.” Ezra’s eyes glowed a whitish blue, signaling the use of his powers. He was most likely communing with the Eye. Finally they might have some new information. Ezra let out a gasp, and Khalon straightened.

  “What is it?”

  Ezra’s eyes returned to their usual blue, and he met Khalon’s gaze. “If Riley is truly a Saugur, he’ll die.”

  Khalon stared at him. “What?”

  “As a human Soldati prince, his body is frail and vulnerable, but he can continue to be Soldati. As a Saugur? A human soul can’t hold the power of the Saugur. Once it seeps into his mortal body, he’ll wither and die.”

  “I’m going to die?”

  Khalon jumped abruptly, the chair toppling behind him and clattering noisily to the floor. Riley stood in the doorway, looking stricken. He leaned against the doorframe, his face ashen.

  “You should be resting.” Khalon picked up the fallen chair then walked over to Riley. “Come, get back into bed, and I’ll have Ezra bring you something good to eat once you wake.”

  “Tell me,” Riley insisted, his hazel eyes determined. His expression softened. “Please.”

  Compassion pulled at Khalon. He sensed the fear in Riley, yet he also sensed courage. Here was Riley, a human in a strange world of magic, his life threatened by demons, forced to follow a king who’d done nothing but show anger toward him, and yet he was soft, trusting, and bold. Riley didn’t ask for this. He didn’t deserve to die for someone else’s mistake.

  “You’re not going to die,” Khalon promised. “We’re going to get you to the priestess and have her remove the mark, as well as the gift of Saugur. She made a grave error. A human should never have been made a Saugur.”

  “What’s a Saugur?” Riley allowed Khalon to usher him back toward the bedroom. “And how did we get here?” He scanned his surroundings. “One minute we’re strolling through the woods and the next I’m waking up in someone’s bed. Is this a B&B or something?”

  “This is the home of Flora, Lasa, and Tinia, a kit foxling family in the village of Selvan. We were attacked by demons in the woods, and you lost consciousness. I carried you here.”

  “Oh.” Riley sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his arm, his cheeks turning a rather pleasant shade of pink. Khalon had the sudden urge to sit beside Riley and pull him into his embrace, but he restrained himself.

  “You don’t remember anything after the walk in the woods?”

  Riley shook his head.

  Khalon was thankful Riley couldn’t recall the terrible vision, though a part of him was disappointed their embrace had been equally forgotten. It was a good thing Riley didn’t remember the way he’d clung to Khalon, or how through his fear he called out for Khalon and no one else. Soon he’d be back in his world, with no memory of Khalon or the Soldati. It was best they not grow attached. There was no keeping Riley now. Not that he’d intended to.

  “So what’s a Saugur?” Riley asked, drawing Khalon’s attention.

  “A Saugur is a Soldati prophet, one who has visions of what may come to pass should the warnings not be heeded. They’re exceptionally rare. There’s been a handful in the history of the Soldati.”

  Riley tilted his head in thought. “What makes you think I’m a Saugur?”

  Damnation. How much should he tell Riley? Khalon decided there was no need to worry him further. “Ezra is connected to a powerful force. Its knowledge is all-seeing. Now rest. When you wake up, we shall dine and see about getting you to the priestess.” Khalon summoned a smile. “All will be well.” As he turned to leave, Riley grabbed his hand, the warmth quickly spreading through him. Khalon schooled his expression as he met Riley’s bright hazel eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you for, um, carrying me here. For keeping me safe.”

  “You’re welcome.” Khalon meant to leave, but Riley held on to his hand. As if reading his thoughts, Riley released him.

  “Sorry.”

  Khalon nodded and left before he did something foolish. Like stay.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Riley woke up to the most delightful smells. His stomach rumbled, and his mouth watered. Man, he was starving. When he opened his eyes, it took him a second to remember where he was. That’s right. They’d run into demons and were in a cottage in some village. Why the hell did he pass out in the woods? Maybe he’d overexerted himself and not realized it. How embarrassing. Khalon probably thought he was pathetic. At least he was nice enough to carry Riley’s sorry butt to safety. He didn’t seem too pissed off about it.

  Chatting and a childish squeal, followed by a giggle made Riley smile. He got out of bed and headed toward the sounds. The cottage was cozy, with an exposed wood-beam ceiling, stone walls, and a stone fireplace. He left the tidy bedroom decorated in earthy tones and walked to what he assumed was the living room. Vases with colorful wildflowers highlighted the furniture, which was all dark wood with rich hues in reds and browns. The twinkling white string of lights arranged around the walls gave the place a warm, cheerful air. Riley was absolutely enchanted to discover they weren’t lightbulbs, but tiny glowing flower buds. More charming than the décor was the sight of Khalon laughing as he entered the room. Riley stood transfixed.

  Khalon’s entire face was transformed. His full lips were wide, and little creases formed at the corners of his eyes. He looked like a different person. Equally surprising as seeing him laugh was seeing him playing with the little girl in his arms. Her coloring was different from Toka’s and Tura’s, with her hands and feet white as snow, the color traveling up before fading into her fair skin. The kohl around her big dark eyes was barely visible, and her copper-colored bob bounced as she climbed all over Khalon. She seemed to be about six or seven, but he had no idea how foxlings aged. Khalon wrapped an arm around her and carried her at his side like a satchel. She squealed and giggled, kicking her small feet. With a laugh he sat down on the loveseat, taking up almost the width of it. He looked out of place, the black of his hair and clothes a stark contrast against the floral cushions. As if sensing Riley, Khalon lifted his gaze. Their eyes met, and Riley’s breath hitched at the beautiful smile aimed at him.

  “You’re awake.” Gently, Khalon placed the little girl on her feet, whispered something in her ear, and chuckled as she ran off into the kitchen. Riley stood exceptionally still as Khalon stood. He stopped in front of Riley, his expression turning concerned. “How are you feeling?”

  Riley opened his mouth, but his stomach answered with an obscenely loud grumble.

  Khalon laughed. “I guess we have our answer, though I’m not surprised. You were asleep for two days.”

  Riley gaped at him. “Two days? What? How?” Something in Khalon’s gaze worried Riley. He seemed reluctant to answer. A part of Riley didn’t want to know, but he asked anyway. “Is it because of the whole Saugur thing?”

  “It’s possible,” Khalon replied quietly.

  “Oh God, am I dying?” Was it happening already? Riley couldn’t believe this. First, he’d been swept away to another world and told he was a prince, then a prophet, and now he was dying? His knees grew weak, and Khalon wrapped an arm around him and led him to the loveseat he’d vacated moments earlier.

  “You’re not dying,” Khalon assured him. “If you’re truly a Saugur, it would take time, several prophecies before your body began to feel the strain of its power.” Riley plopped down onto the loveseat and Khalon kneeled in front of him, his strong hands on Riley’s knees. “Several of my warriors have arrived, and they’re keeping vigilance with Rayner, Adira, and Ezra. The rest of my warriors are forging a path to the priestess’s temple as we speak. I’ll get you home, Riley. I promise.”

  How could Khalon make a promise like that and expect to keep it? After what Riley saw in the woods? It seemed like every time he made a move, the number of demons trying to kill him quadrupled. How long until they were outnumbered?

  “What’s to keep the demons from coming back after your warriors clear a path?”

  Khalon shook his head. “No demon will escape their light. They’ll become nothing but ash. The stench will alert the others of the danger, and they’ll attempt to find another way. As long as we stick to the path, all will be well.” He gently squeezed Riley’s knees again. “Have faith, Riley.”