decisions and Tevra's help with the paperwork, they were ready to

  do the binding ceremony in just four days.

  Which meant Najlah needed to stop dithering and select

  which jewels he was going to wear.

  Any excuse for your sparklies, Barkus drawled.

  Tevra snorted softly. "I don't think a Tatoor ruby the size of my

  thumb deserves to be reduced to sparkly. I know people who would

  cheerfully commit mass murder in broad daylight for a Tatoor ruby

  half that size. Where in the world did you get such an obscene

  collection?"

  Having lots of pointy bits makes everyone eager to give me

  good bargains, Najlah replied, eyes swirling green, tongue flicking.

  Really, though, I just sold a couple of the stupid opals everyone here

  is obsessed with. No, three.

  "Opals. Do you mean Tahjili black opals? The ones that

  people have literally killed and been murdered for? The ones that

  pirates would sink their own ships to obtain? Those Tahjili black

  opals?" Tevra asked. "How many of them do you have?"

  Why would I count the stupid things? Najlah asked. Grumbling

  softly, he fetched the black case he kept them in from his dressing

  room and brought it out to Tevra, unlocking it with the key he kept in

  a hidden slot in the case itself and flipping the lid open.

  "Mother of All Life," Tevra replied, swaying slightly before

  dropping into the chair he'd just vacated to start getting dressed.

  "That is enough black opals to buy my father's palace five times

  over. Even I don't have one of these, and I'm a royal prince."

  Take your pick.

  Tevra swallowed. "You're richer than most kings, Najlah. How

  can you be so dismissive of these?"

  All the green and water that you have here in your kingdoms

  is far more fascinating to me than stones I can find practically lying

  around in the dirt back home. They are beautiful, a hundred

  sparkling colors in one small bundle, but to us they are not rare.

  They're just part of the landscape. If you want to see the true beauty

  of Tahjil, stand at the edge of a volcano crater and stare down into

  the churning lava. Bask in the black sands of my mother's den, or

  walk the beaches of black rock where lava hits the water and turns

  immediately to more rock. Opals do not compare.

  Barkus laughed. "You certainly don't mind that the rest of the

  world considers them highly valuable prizes."

  Of course not, Najlah said, tail waving back and forth, tongue

  flicking again. A couple of stupid opals, and I get rubies, emeralds,

  topaz, sapphire, diamonds of every color, jade, garnets, amethyst,

  amber with little insects trapped inside… His eyes swirled with

  colors. All so pretty. All so glittery.

  "Yet none are as beautiful as a sliver of captured rainbow on a

  dark sky," Tevra said softly, holding an opal up to the light. "Nothing

  in my jewelry case even begins to compare. This one is all pinks and

  purples, with a couple of specs of yellow and turquoise. It's

  breathtaking."

  So keep it, Najlah said.

  Tevra laughed. "How could I refuse? Fair is fair, though. I

  have a star sapphire I think you would like, if my brother actually

  brings my belongings as I requested."

  Najlah rumbled in curiosity. Sapphires he knew well. He had

  nearly twenty of them, but he'd never heard of a star sapphire.

  Giving nothing away, Tevra only smirked as he finally went off

  to get dressed.

  Barkus laughed. "You two. Here I am proud of my single,

  solitary topaz."

  "Well, I think between the two of us, you'll have far more than

  that to your name soon. His Royal Majesty of Opals here will keep us

  well supplied through twenty lifetimes."

  Najlah just growled, low and pleased.

  When they were all dressed, Najlah in his shimmery drape

  and jewels; Barkus in his Shidene finest; and Tevra in true court

  finery, the trio headed out, wending through the palace to the throne

  room.

  What looked like every last noble in the palace was present,

  along with their entire personal staff and palace staff.

  It is something of a big deal that a Lukos, a Tahjili, and a

  Gormestian prince are essentially getting married, Barkus said. Also,

  I've been made a duke of an entire mountain range, after decades of

  nobody getting anything close to cooperation from my people.

  Tevra cast him a brief look. Hope you're ready for all the

  people who will be suddenly eager to make your very personal

  acquaintance.

  Giving a mental snort, Barkus said, How do they expect that

  to go, for a Lukos who is binding himself to others?

  I can hear the 'stupid humans' in that, you know, Tevra

  replied.

  Najlah and Barkus both gave him smirking looks.

  Also in the audience, in seats of honor near the throne, were

  Barkus's parents and other members of his family, as well as the

  shifter corps that Najlah was part of, though he would likely be

  formally withdrawing to attend the new duties that came with his

  binding. Barkus's family had arrived too last moment to have been

  properly introduced yet, but the pride on their faces and in the bond

  was unmistakable.

  I am honored that I could serve the Lukos and Shidene so

  well. That they trust me with this where they've never trusted anyone

  else.

  Wyst and Poryth stood in front of their thrones. At their sides

  were Ajith, Korla, and Ranteth, looking muchly improved from the

  ordeal that had, in some ways, started this whole mess. Certainly if

  Najlah had not gone hunting him, mistakenly believing Ranteth

  responsible for the attempted assassination, he would never have

  met Barkus or Tevra.

  He quite liked his trio of brutes, especially after going so long

  as the only hornless in Korla's den. Much as he hated to admit it,

  even with Ajith, he had been lonelier than he realized.

  Life is always better with a pack, Barkus said, the thought soft

  and fond. I like our pack of three.

  I've never really had one before. I like it too.

  At Wyst's bidding, they turned to face the assemblage, Najlah

  in the middle, Barkus to his left, Tevra to his right. Wyst then gave

  one of his speeches, which Najlah could not care less about. They

  were all the same, no matter how prettily spoken.

  Amusement from the other two rolled through his head.

  I get the feeling I'm going to be dealing with all the politics,

  Tevra said.

  Barkus replied, It would do me good to learn more of such

  things. So much to learn about being a duke… I had no idea lords

  actually did any work.

  Tevra's mouth twitched the barest bit, but he managed to

  maintain his composure. Pity, getting yelled at for misbehaving

  during their own binding ceremony would be amusing.

  The softest, barest growl from behind him warned that Ajith

  was on to him, and he'd better quit it. Najlah grumbled back and

  subsided.

  As Wyst finally finished his speech, he beckoned them to turn

  to face one another and take hands, forming a triangle. According to

  everything Barkus and Tevra had read and conveyed to him, as he

  had trouble with some of the older books that were handwritten

  rather than printed, most bindings were between the usual two

  people, but there was precedent for three and even four people.

  "To you, Najlah of Korla's Den, and to you, Prince Tevra of

  Gormestia, I bind myself, in life and in death. I stand with you against

  all ills and strife, I walk with you through all turmoil and hardship. I

  welcome you, on behalf of Clan Shidene, into our pack as family, to

  always have a home amongst the Lukos."

  Tevra went next. "To you, Najlah of Korla's Den, and to you,

  Lord Barkus Shidene of the Lukos, I bind myself, in life and in death.

  I stand with you against all ills and strife, I walk with you through all

  turmoil and hardship. I no longer have a home, but I offer my magic

  and my knowledge, my loyalty and affection, where my family

  rejected all of it, and promise to always make my home with you."

  For the first time since leaving Tahjil, Najlah regretted he

  could not speak in a way that everyone would understand. It would

  have been nice to be properly heard, given how important these

  ceremonies were to humans and Lukos. Still, Korla was here to

  speak for him, and that was no small honor.

  "To you, Lord Barkus Shidene of the Lukos, and to you,

  Prince Tevra of Gormestia, I bind myself, in life and in death. I stand

  with you against all ills and strife, I walk with you through all turmoil

  and hardship. I welcome you, on behalf of Lady Korla and the Tahjili,

  into our den, and promise you will always be warmed and protected

  by the fires of Tahjil."

  As he finished, servants standing ready approached with

  three display cushions, on each a gleaming necklace. Normally

  bindings were done with rings, but given he and Barkus were

  shifters, they had opted for special necklaces, solid gold bands in the

  front, and the rest heavy chain that could be clipped out of the way

  when in human form and snap loose when shifted. Each necklace

  was set with three stones: opal, topaz, and emerald, cut to match the

  curving shape of the band.

  Ranteth stepped forward to affix the bands himself, something

  normally considered beneath as powerful a person as the king's

  advisor. Important, though, as only months ago everyone thought

  he'd been responsible for the attempted assassinations of the king,

  consort, and Ajith. Really, he'd been another victim.

  Najlah rumbled softly, eyes swirling brilliant orange with his

  satisfaction, as his necklace was fastened in place. Once all three

  were set, they turned to the assembled, who cheered and clapped

  for them, no one louder than the Lukos.

  Wyst gave another short speech and announced the banquet

  that would take place that evening that everybody already knew

  about. Then the crowd was dismissed, and Barkus's family all but

  ran to greet them.

  "Barkus," said the man who was clearly his father—not in

  looks, in looks they were very different, aside from that distinct feral

  Lukos edge—but in demeanor, and the love and fondness in his

  eyes before he hugged Barkus tightly. Drawing back, he pressed

  their foreheads together, cupping the sides of Barkus's head. "You

  do all of the Lukos proud, my son, and me most of all. You were

  given to me for blood-strengthening and have strengthened all of

  us."

  "Thank you, Father. It's an honor to do so much for my pack

  and clan and all the Lukos. Here, you can finally meet Najlah and His

  Highness Prince Tevra. My bonded, this is my father, Chief Tidus

  Shidene. My mother, Lady Saraiah, my brothers Yerin and Tasker,

  and my sister Belmis."

  Tevra bowed, despite the fact his rank put him well above

  everyone else present. "An honor to meet the esteemed Lukos. I'm

  sorry my former countrymen have been traipsing all over your

  home."

  "They'll not be doing it again anytime soon," Tidus said, a

  gleam in his eyes that reminded Najlah strongly of Barkus. It was

  increasingly clear just how much he looked up to and took after his

  father.

  He is everything a clan chief should be. Of course, I admire

  him.

  I admired my father when I was a little boy, Tevra said sadly. It

  was hard, the day I had to admit to myself he did not deserve it.

  Najlah rumbled. I have always admired my mother, and of

  course Korla is as fine a bitch as any dragon. We don't really do

  fathers.

  I never really noticed before, Tevra said with a silent laugh,

  but no, I suppose you don't. I wish more of Gormestia could meet the

  Tahjili and the Lukos, and truly learn that 'family' has no one true

  shape or appearance. Someday, maybe.

  "Shall we to my private dining room?" Wyst asked. "We can

  speak comfortably there and smooth out the details of the united

  front we will be presenting to Prince Fedor and his entourage." As

  everyone nodded, Wyst signaled Ranteth, who led the way out of the

  throne room.

  *~*~*

  Prince Fedor arrived three days later, late in the night after

  being slowed by a last-minute storm. Lucky for him, Najlah and

  Barkus had not quite started on their plans for Tevra.

  Tevra's face went hot. "Was I going to get notice or an opinion

  on these plans?"

  Barkus rumbled and dragged his tongue along Tevra's throat,

  making him shudder and cling to Barkus's fur. No.

  Najlah growled and playfully nipped Tevra's leg. Your opinion

  is well-established.

  "Stop that right now! I refuse to go see my brother and

  discuss this whole grim mess while struggling not to have a hard

  cock, you absolute reprobates."

  Barkus licked his throat one last time and then withdrew,

  nudging Najlah back with him. A torment for a less serious time, to

  be sure.

  "I hate you both," Tevra grumbled as he stood to finish getting

  dressed.

  When they were ready, the three headed for the throne room,

  where they were bid stand on the dais to Wyst's right. At Tevra's

  request, Barkus and Najlah remained in their non-human forms,

  partially to unsettle, but mostly to emphasize the choice that Tevra

  had made and ensure that no one could hide from the full weight of

  that decision. He was bound to a wolf and a dragon. If that made

  people uncomfortable, that was their problem to deal with.

  Just moments later, the main doors opened, and Fedor strode

  in, accompanied by two of his own bodyguards and nobles that

  Tevra identified as Lord Yuli, his longtime lover, and Lady Vitaliya,

  whom he'd likely make his steward one day when he took the throne.

  Several paces behind him came ten more guards, carrying chests

  that looked as though they were quite heavy.

  When the chests had been neatly arrayed behind Fedor, who

  stopped with his companions several paces from the throne, all but

  two of them departed again, the remaining two kneeling behind the

  trunks, heads bowed.

  I smell blood on Fedor, Barkus said.

  As do I, Najlah said. A wound, I think. Deep. Painful.

  Tevra frowned. Do I need to tell somebody?

  No, I don't think so, Barkus said thoughtfully. Whatever is

  wrong, he doesn't want it known. Let him have his way for now.

  "Prince Fedor," Wyst said as the doors closed and silence fell,

  his voice colder than the howling winter wind outside the castle. "Let

  us cut to the heart of the matter, shall we?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty. Apologies are not enough for the

  atrocious things done to your people on my father's command. Nor is

  my ignorance any excuse. There's nothing I can say or do that will

  make the situation right or ease the pain of suffering loved ones. I

  will not insult you by trying."

  Wyst grunted. "That's a good start, Your Highness. How about

  you move on to explaining to me why your father is so dead set on

  starting a war with us and Tahjil?"

  "Money, power, and wounded pride," Fedor replied. "I knew

  his ambitions, but like a fool I thought he was going the diplomatic

  route, and he went to great pains to convince me of that. I won't

  plague you with the details here, but my steward has gone to the

  trouble to write up a lengthy and detailed report."

  Tevra's breath hitched, and he stepped forward without

  thought before Barkus moved forward to block him and force him

  back to standing between them. "Your steward? Fedor…"

  "You understand correctly," Fedor said, mouth flat as he finally

  looked at Tevra, eyes dark and sad. "Father has been removed from

  the throne, effective just hours after we received your message. The

  matter has not yet been made public, and he makes token

  appearances in public under heavy supervision until I return and

  formally take the throne."

  Wyst gave a slight nod and rose, descending the stairs and

  waving off his guards. "That is a very good sign, Your Majesty. What

  are these trunks?" He offered a hand, and Fedor took it, holding it

  briefly before they let go again.

  "Reparations, taken from my father's private funds. I did not

  have the final, exact numbers, but I went off the rough estimates you

  sent to us and brought more than sufficient extra to cover gaps.

  Each payment is twice what international law demands. Again, it

  does not make right what we have done wrong, but I hope it helps

  the families we have hurt. There is a mix of coin and jewels, and

  should more be needed, you've only to notify me. It will be sent