Riley had been so preoccupied by his devastation, by Khalon’s death, he hadn’t noticed the hand Khalon clutched to his side. With his heart in his throat and his body shaking violently, Riley stared at the man lying on his stomach in the mud, face turned away from him. It couldn’t be. He pushed himself to his feet and shakily moved around to the other side of the body, his hands going to his mouth to stifle a cry as he stared into his own lifeless eyes.

  Riley was dead. He shook his head, then took in the carnage around him. That’s why they were all dead.

  “No.” He choked on the bile that rose in his throat. “It’s not my fault.” Tears blurred his vision as he stepped back quickly, tripping on something and falling onto the muddied ground. He turned to see what he’d tripped on. It was Rayner, a sword through his chest pinning him to the ground. A cry tore from his chest.

  “Riley!”

  Riley gasped, rising swiftly to the surface and breaking through. There were hands on him, and someone tried to hold him.

  “Riley, it’s me. It’s Khalon.”

  Riley threw his arms around Khalon, crushing himself against Khalon as he shook. Oh God. It wasn’t real. He pulled back and cupped Khalon’s face in his hands. He was beautiful and warm and alive. Riley smiled through his tears.

  “We need to go to the temple. Now,” he said. “I need to go home.”

  Khalon’s brows furrowed. “What? Riley, what—”

  Riley shook his head. He couldn’t stay here any longer, couldn’t put everyone at risk. They needed to go. It broke his heart, but he pushed away from Khalon, his legs unsteady. When Khalon reached out, Riley threw a hand up to stop him.

  “I’m fine. Please, let’s just go. We need to go.”

  Khalon nodded and Riley silently thanked him. He hurried ahead as Khalon let out a fierce roar. Seconds later, in the distance, and barely audible to his human hearing, the call was answered by several others. A white light beamed above his head, and the barrier melted away. As soon as it was gone, Riley took off into a run with Khalon and the others on his heels. The other Soldati were somewhere to the east, so Riley headed in that direction, cutting through the trees onto a wider path, running as fast as his legs would go, spurred on by the anguish tearing at his heart.

  “Riley, wait!” Khalon called after him, the rest of his words lost on the wind.

  Riley was too focused on getting to the temple to hear what Khalon said. They couldn’t be far. He had to get there as quickly as possible. When he said his good-byes, he would ask Khalon to send his apologies to Flora, Lasa, and Tinia for not saying good-bye and tell them he’d miss them. He probably shouldn’t push himself so hard after what just happened, but this wasn’t his first vision. He remembered now. Remembered the first time he saw the horror. He couldn’t stick around and wait for it to come true. The sooner he was gone, the safer Khalon and the others would be.

  Around them the forest plunged into silence. No birds, no rabbits, squirrels, or leaves rustling. Riley squinted as he tried to see past the trees and bushes into the dense forest. It was dark. Why was it so dark? It was still midafternoon.

  “The path!” Khalon roared as he approached. “You were supposed to stick to the path!”

  The shadows moved as one, and Riley gasped, dread sweeping over him. It wasn’t shadows, it was demons. Thousands of them. Oh God. He’d let his fear and emotions get the better of him and forgotten all about the damned path. How could he have been so stupid? He hadn’t meant to run off blindly. He’d just wanted the pain to stop.

  Riley skidded to a halt, and the four Soldati formed a tight circle around him, hissing and baring their sharp fangs, their collective roars terrifying. Riley crouched down, his hand instinctively going to Khalon’s fur. It wasn’t difficult to differentiate Khalon from the others. He was much larger. Yet even if he hadn’t been, Riley would’ve been able to pick Khalon out from among a hundred tigers. How he knew that was beyond him.

  Khalon’s whiskers twitched, and he flattened his ears against his head, but he didn’t object to Riley’s hand on his fur. A shrilling sound knifed Riley’s ears, and he covered them, his eyes going wide at the half-dozen demons boring into Riley with their empty eye sockets. These weren’t like the others. They were fouler, fiercer. And they were going to kill him.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Khalon roared, his call echoing through the trees, a warning to the demons that he would tear each and every one of them apart if they dared lay a hand on Riley. He summoned the power within him, channeling it through his body, the heat spreading until a white glowing light emitted from his eyes and body. He had only to brush near a demon with his light and it would crumble to dust. With another fierce roar, he sounded the attack. His warriors drew from their own power, each one with a unique light force. They simply had to keep the demons busy until more of his warriors arrived. Whatever had happened to Riley had been horrific enough to send him speeding off without a second thought to where he went or the danger he ran toward. The terror in his eyes was evidence enough Riley had experienced another vision.

  The four of them charged, slashing and leaping into the ocean of demons, all while maintaining a perimeter around Riley. Khalon wouldn’t allow them to hurt him. Perhaps the priestess had been mistaken, perhaps not. Whatever the reasons for her bringing Riley into his life, Khalon wouldn’t lose him at the hands of demons.

  A wave of foul creatures gurgled up putrid poison, their stench irritating Khalon’s nostrils and their screeching resounding through the forests around them. Their razor-sharp claws scraped at the earth as they crawled, scurried, and hobbled toward Riley. The dark demons were a particular worry.

  “You have to give me something to fight with!” Riley shouted at Khalon.

  Khalon hissed. No simple weapon could kill these demons. “Leave this to us,” Khalon said in his mind.

  “Did you just telepathically talk to me?” Riley looked startled, and Khalon would’ve rolled his eyes if he could. He swiped his claws at another demon, slaughtering it.

  “How else do you think we communicate while in this form?”

  Riley kept himself away from screeching demons, skirting their rotting limbs as they attempted to get nearer. A tide of demons rose, its shadow washing over Riley.

  “Rayner!” Khalon sped toward Riley and skidded to a halt. He braced himself as Rayner leaped and bounded off Khalon’s back to give himself the height needed to eradicate the wave of demons from its center, catching one of the dark demons with a twist of his body in midair. Rayner landed on his paws, and they continued to extinguish the foul beasts.

  Khalon was taken aback by Riley’s resourcefulness. Despite his lack of weapons or power, he found ways to outmaneuver any approaching demons, at one point he led a hoard straight to Khalon for him to pounce on and destroy. Riley caught on fast, using himself as bait to trick the demons. It was a risky maneuver, but it worked. Demons weren’t very bright, and Riley made full use of this knowledge. Adira used a tree as leverage, soaring through the air and twisting to swipe at another dark demon, its companion narrowly missing her claws and hurtling toward Riley.

  “Behind you!”

  Riley didn’t hesitate. He leaped out of the way, but not before the demon clawed at his arm.

  “Riley!” Khalon swiftly dispatched of the foul creature and rushed over to Riley, who sat up in the grass. He sucked in a sharp breath as he held on to his arm. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Just a scratch. It burns, though.”

  “Let me see.”

  Riley held his arm out, his skin torn where the demon had caught him. The small gash was quickly turning black around the edges. Khalon licked at it, the foul stench and burn enough to make his eyes water.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Removing the poison. Hold still. Almost done. There.”

  “Thanks.” Riley smiled and gave Khalon a scratch behind his ear, causing him to purr. Why the blasted hell was he purring at a time like this? Riley’s eyes went wide, a shadow casting over them.

  “Khalon!” Riley shoved Khalon off him with a strength Khalon hadn’t known Riley possessed. Khalon rolled. He jumped to his paws in time to see a demon slash at Riley, its claws catching him across his stomach and chest.

  “Riley! No!”

  Riley fell onto his back, spurting and coughing up blood, his hand covering his wounds as blood seeped through the shredded jerkin.

  “Oh Gods no.” Khalon’s fury rose from within his very depths as he stood over Riley’s broken and bleeding body. It was a primal rage he’d never experienced, one that threatened to tear him apart from the inside out unless released. Khalon’s roar shook the trees. His fur bristled and he called upon his Soldati power to free the rage demanding vengeance. A bright white ring of lightning burst from him with a deafening boom. It swept through the forest all around them, consuming and obliterating any darkness in sight and beyond, its force knocking over trees and shooting leaves in all directions. The demons screeched pitifully, then burst into ashes. Khalon destroyed them all.

  “Khalon.”

  Riley’s soft whisper caught his ear, and Khalon quickly returned to human form. He pulled Riley into his arms and ran a trembling hand over his head.

  “Riley… I’m so sorry. I failed you. I promised you I’d protect you, get you home, and I failed.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger for you. You deserve your warrior prince.”

  Riley’s words splintered Khalon’s heart. “Don’t say such things. You’re strong, Riley. Strong and brave and kind.” How could Khalon have been so blind?

  Riley smiled up at him, a tear running down his cheek. “Thank you. I just… want you to know that I was happy, happier than I’ve been in a really long time. You didn’t ask for this, yet you gave me so much.”

  Riley gasped for breath, and Khalon gently shushed him. There was so much blood, and the demon poison would’ve spread too deep and too quickly for Ezra to heal. What good was all his kingly power if he couldn’t save one human? No, not merely a human.

  His prince.

  Why had he fought so hard against what was right in front of him, what his heart had been trying desperately to tell him?

  “You must rest,” Khalon said, placing a kiss to Riley’s cheek. He held him close and let his head rest against Riley’s. Soon he would be at peace. There’d be no more roguish smiles or heartfelt laughter. No wonder coming from his captivating eyes and beautiful face. Khalon would have shown him so much. “Forgive me for my arrogance. You’re far from frail. You’re every bit worthy of the Soldati. If there’s any unworthiness here, it’s mine.”

  Riley nuzzled his face against Khalon’s, his hand on Khalon’s chest. “There’s nothing to forgive. I would’ve liked to spend more time with you.” Riley’s face grew ashen, his lips darkening. Khalon had been drawn to those lips not long ago when he held Riley in his arms. He’d cherish their stolen kisses for however long he had. His heart chastised him, telling him he’d been a fool for pushing Riley away. Their fate had been forged since the beginning. Khalon had waited centuries, and now his arrogance had robbed him of the chance at a life with Riley, no matter how short. Weren’t a few years of bliss with his human prince worth more than an eternity without him?

  “I…” A tear rolled down Riley’s cheek. “I accept my position as Soldati prince.”

  Khalon’s eyes widened, and his heart splintered. “Riley, no!” He kneeled there, motionless and aghast by what Riley had done. How did he know?

  A shaky smile spread onto Riley’s face. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let them kill you, any of you, because of me. It’s the only way.”

  Tears blurred Khalon’s vision. “Riley, what have you done? Your soul…”

  “I know,” Riley murmured. “It’s worth it.”

  How could Riley subject his soul to an eternity of nothingness? Why? Riley’s sacrifice spoke to the magnitude of his courage. Not wasting what little time remained, Khalon placed his lips to Riley’s. Their previous warmth faded quickly, and Riley went limp in his arms.

  “No, please,” Khalon whispered, his face buried in Riley’s neck. “Please don’t go.”

  As Riley departed from their world, so did Khalon’s strength. The white light in his soul dimmed at the loss of his mate, as did his power. It would return shortly once the goddess of the dead, Thalna, claimed Riley’s soul. Khalon had brought this upon them. In his damnable arrogance, he’d sentenced Riley’s beautiful, kind soul to limbo. “Forgive me.” If only Riley could hear him, forgive him despite Khalon knowing he’d never forgive himself for what he’d done.

  Rayner crouched down beside Khalon and wrapped his arm around him, his voice breaking with sorrow. “I failed you.”

  “No.” Khalon shook his head, his body wracked with shivers as the last of his Soldati strength left him. “I failed him.”

  “Khalon, King of the Soldati, why does your heart weep for this mortal man?”

  Khalon’s head shot up. “Priestess.”

  The priestess neared, her bare feet leaving trails of tiny flowers in the grass as she walked. Her dark skin was smooth as silk, her long midnight tresses untamed. Her golden eyes sparkled like the stars, and her beauty was unrivaled by any other. She stopped beside him, reaching down to wipe his tearstained cheek with her thumb.

  “I allowed my self-importance to blind me, and my mate has paid the price with his life.”

  “You believe the mark was placed in error. His soul will be claimed by the goddess Thalna and your strength returned. You shall be gifted another mate, one who is not unsuitable to a Soldati king.”

  “He’s not unsuitable,” Khalon growled, then recalled to whom he spoke. “I beg forgiveness.” He drew a deep breath and released it slowly. Calming himself, he continued. “It’s true, he’s a human and perhaps not as strong as I, but that doesn’t mean he’s weak or unsuitable as a Soldati prince. He’s strong of heart, courageous, and, heaven help me, as willful as any other I’ve known. He didn’t deserve this death. This is all my doing. Had I not passed unwarranted judgment upon him, he’d be alive.” He lowered his head, wishing he could do something so the goddess would take his prince to the veil beyond and not leave his radiant soul to wander in the darkness of limbo. Riley deserved to bask in a light equal to his own.

  The priestess cupped his cheek and raised his head. He was taken aback by her warm smile. “Khalon, there is purpose in all I do. What would you sacrifice to have your prince returned to you?”

  Khalon stared at her. “You would return him to me?” Was it too much to hope for?

  “For a price.”

  Khalon didn’t hesitate. “Anything.”

  “Your Majesty,” Adira interrupted cautiously. “Forgive me, but you must think about what you’re saying. The loss is regrettable. Riley was most certainly a noble man, but you’re our king. What if the price is too great?”

  Khalon swallowed hard. Adira was right. He had a responsibility bigger than himself, and he’d known Riley for such a short time. Yet as he brushed Riley’s hair from his brow, his long lashes resting against his pale cheeks, Khalon’s heart spoke a truth he’d attempted so callously to bury.

  “He is my prince.” Khalon gave the priestess a decisive nod. “Do what you must, but please, return him to me.”

  The priestess stepped back. She raised her arms, her eyes glowing white. “You shall have your Soldati prince, Khalon, King of the Soldati, as was intended.”

  A fierce wind swept through the trees, rushing out to surround Khalon and Riley, the noise drowning out the concerned cries from his friends. Khalon held Riley tight against him as Riley’s body illuminated from within. The Soldati markings around Khalon’s arms moved and shifted while Riley’s marks grew. What began as a few bands now traveled up his arm in a pattern matching Khalon’s own markings. The color returned to Riley’s skin, and Khalon’s strength returned to him, along with his power.

  Riley arched his back violently, opening his mouth as the white light burst free, disappearing into the sky high above them. With a groan his prince blinked his eyes open, and Khalon noted the gold spreading from the center of Riley’s irises until his eyes turned bright amber. A lock of hair on his brow darkened to pitch black.

  “Riley?”

  “What… what happened?” Riley frowned before turning his face to the priestess and giving a start. He clung to Khalon, making his heart swell. How good it was to have Riley in his arms so full of life again.

  “It’s all right, Riley. May I present the great priestess.”

  The priestess smiled kindly. “Welcome, Soldati prince.”

  Riley looked puzzled. “I don’t understand. I… died. Didn’t I?”

  “Your king has made a great sacrifice to have you returned to him. I have granted you life and your true form. That of immortal Soldati.”

  Riley’s eyes widened. “You mean like a tiger-shifting Soldati?” His jaw went slack. “Wait, did you say immortal?”

  The priestess laughed softly. “You were always a Soldati, young Riley. Your true form would have been revealed once your king claimed you. I simply sped up the process. All that you have been, what you will become, shall be revealed to you in time. This is your destiny, Riley Murrough.”

  Riley’s troubled gaze landed on Khalon. “What did you sacrifice?”

  They all turned their attention to the priestess, who addressed Khalon, her tone gentle and void of ill will.

  “A Soldati King must never deem himself worthier than those whom he protects. Your arrogance and pride have led you to this. Yet you are of kind heart and have ruled your kingdom with fairness and goodness. Your sacrifice is thus, Khalon King. Every full moon you shall live your life as a mortal man, unable to shift and susceptible to wounds, pain, and the frailty you so feared.”

  “What?” Rayner shook his head in disbelief. “But—”