Kari felt herself already growing attached to Jaren’s entire family. His brothers reminded her so much of her own. Thinking of her brothers caused nervousness to build up in Kari. Regardless of what she had promised Jaren, she didn’t know if she could stay here if it meant that he and his people would be put in danger. She felt so tightly wound by the whole situation and desperately needed to confide in someone.
“Um…Marinda…has anyone told you about the problem with me being here?” She wasn’t sure if Marinda had been informed of the details of Kari’s escape and was hesitant to be the one to tell her about it if she hadn’t.
“Well…” Marinda hesitated, a guilty look on her face. She looked like she was struggling to decide whether to say anything, but then it just spilled out. “Okay, so they didn’t tell me, exactly. But they never tell me anything—too overprotective,” Marinda huffed. “So how am I supposed to find out anything if I don’t eavesdrop?” The words came out in a rush and Marinda looked embarrassed for having let her secret slip out.
Kari laughed. “Me too!”
Marinda’s face lit up in a huge smile. “See? I knew I liked you!”
“So, the reason I asked is…” Kari wasn’t sure how to say this next part. “It’s just that…I might have to go back to Montore. I don’t want to, but I don’t know if I can let Jaren or the people here get hurt because of me.”
Marinda stopped working on Kari’s hair and came around to sit on the floor in front of her, a serious look on her face. Her voice was soft and ominous when she spoke. “You can’t leave, Kari. You’re Jaren’s
sha-lia
. Didn’t he tell you what will happen if you leave?”
Kari shook her head slowly, dread suddenly building in the pit of her stomach.
“He’ll go mad, Kari. I don’t mean that he’ll get angry. I mean he will literally become deranged. It would be slow, but eventually he would lose his mind completely.” Marinda’s eyes had a haunted look in them. “It’s awful. No one knows exactly why it takes a
sha-lia’s
presence, but if an Aldryssian male can’t find his
sha-lia
or if he loses her, he will go insane.”
Kari knew that her face must reflect the horror that she felt. Marinda wasn’t finished, however.
“That’s not even the worst part, Kari. Jaren will be king. None of my other brothers have found their
sha-lia
yet. If Jaren loses you, others will challenge him for the throne. The fight will be long and bloody. Whether you stay or leave, Kari, war will come for us. We would rather fight that war with a noble and sane king on the throne.”
Kari choked back the sob that had been building in her throat. Marinda stood up and wrapped Kari in a hug. “I’m sorry I had to tell you. But you had to know.”
Kari reigned in her emotions and nodded. “I’m glad you did. Thank you.” She gave Marinda a weak smile. “I’m glad you’re my new sister.”
Marinda beamed at her and moved back behind her to finish her hair before the coronation. Kari’s mind spun with this new information. She knew there was no way she could leave Jaren and cause him to go insane. She understood honor. Jaren could fight against her father with honor. Whether he would win or not, she didn’t know. But she would not dishonor her mate by leaving him vulnerable to something he could not defend himself against.
* * * *
Kari waited, wringing her hands, as the Montorean vessel landed. Jaren reached over to take one of her hands in his.
“It will all work out, my love. Have faith.”
Kari looked up into Jaren’s earnest face. With all her heart, she now knew that she would not let anyone take her away from Jaren. Her brief time as a runaway was over, and she was standing her ground right where she knew she belonged—next to this man she had fallen in love with. Jaren squeezed her hand, his love flowing to her through the link that she was still learning about. They turned their attention to the ship just as the docking ramp descended.
Trynt and Slaytor stalked off the vessel and headed straight toward Kari. Without saying a word, they swept her up in a three-person hug. Her brothers were as muscular as Jaren and almost as tall. All of the siblings had the same golden hair color, but where Trynt’s was worn long and loose, Slaytor’s hair was cropped short and spiky.
Kari felt like they were going to crush the life right out of her, their arms were so tight and protective around her. When he finally pulled back to speak, Trynt’s voice was raw with emotion. “Little sister, if you ever disappear without telling us again, I swear I will personally spank you until you’re senseless.”
Jaren cleared his throat. “If there is to be any spanking, I would prefer to be the one administering it, if you don’t mind.” Though his voice was completely serious, Jaren was wearing a grin.
The brothers eyed him speculatively, and then looked back at Kari. They continued to look back and forth between her and Jaren, and Kari blushed in mortification when she saw understanding dawn on her brothers’ faces, their mouths falling open in shock.
“Karinna Melonia Artensia, what in the five moons of Pantora have you been up to?” Slaytor’s voice was rough, but Kari recognized the glint of amusement in his eyes. Of all of her brothers, Slaytor was the one who had always been more mischievous than the others.
“Um…” Kari really didn’t want to answer that question. It wasn’t like she wanted to tell her brothers that she had been having incredible, mind-blowing sex with this exceptionally scrumptious warrior standing next to her. Then again, she realized with an even deeper blush, she didn’t have to. They had already figured it out. Kari had a sudden urge to hide behind Jaren.
Jaren chuckled and stepped in to save Kari from her embarrassment. “Brothers of my beloved, welcome to Aldryss. I am High Prince Jaren. I know there is much to discuss, but you have arrived just as a grand celebration is about to begin. It would be a privilege if you would do us the honor of joining my family at the head table as our personal guests.”
* * * *
Kari looked out over the grand hall, appreciating the contrasts between this space and the grand hall in the palace on Montore. This hall, while just as large, was much more welcoming than the cold metal surfaces that comprised the hall she had known while growing up. Garlands of fragrant flowers stretched from thick wooden beams across the hall. High above them, a stunning backdrop of nighttime sky, brilliant stars, and the planet’s twin pale-blue moons were visible through the glass ceiling. Fire-lit torches adorned the white stone walls, and candles were perched on every available surface, creating a soft flickering glow across everything the light touched.
Long tables laden with a great feast were lined along the walls, heavy with every delicacy known to the kingdom. Many couples danced to the music played by the court musicians, while others lounged on soft pillows around the tables, happily feeding each other morsels of food and laughing. Members of the warrior ranks flirted with eligible females, who giggled and encouraged the eager males. Jaxson, Macen, and Maxson mingled jovially with their warrior companions, enjoying the camaraderie and the knowledge that the immediate pressure to find their own
sha-lias
was gone.
Kari was seated at the head table, to the right of Jaren. She tried not to focus on the purpose of the celebration this evening. She still couldn’t believe that she was about to be crowned queen of this world. She was too nervous to eat much. She nibbled on a roll that had a crunchy crust but was wonderfully warm and soft on the inside. Jaren handed her a goblet containing a deep-red liquid that he explained was produced here on Aldryss. It tasted fruity with a hint of a delicious spice that Kari couldn’t place. It was also stronger than the wine Kari was accustomed to, and she felt a pleasant warmth flow through her as she drank it.
Even though she had been born a princess, Kari didn’t feel prepared to be a queen. She hadn’t been trained for it. Kari snorted under her breath. Her father hadn’t trained her for anything at all. She wondered if it had been his plan all along to hand her off to one of his crony supporters. She shook herself mentally and decided she was finished thinking about her poor excuse for a father tonight. This night was for celebration and a new beginning.
She was actually glad that two of her brothers were here to witness this occasion. She and Jaren only had a few minutes before the celebration to inform Trynt and Slaytor that they were now mated. They hadn’t had time to discuss the coronation. She glanced down the table to where they were seated and noticed they both wore very baffled looks, obviously still trying to figure out how their little sister ended up mated to a high prince on another planet in a few short days. She wasn’t sure which would be a bigger shock to them—the fact that she was mated, or that their baby sister was about to be crowned queen.
A nervous giggle bubbled up inside of her and she couldn’t stop it from escaping her lips. Jaren looked over at her, one eyebrow arched in curiosity. “Sorry,” she whispered. “Just nervous.”
Jaren leaned over to whisper into her ear. “If it helps to calm your nervousness about the coronation, you could just concentrate on the fact that I am going to lick your entire body when we get back to our chambers.”
Kari let out a little squeak, feeling the heat of a blush flash across her face. She glared at him, even as she felt the slick heat building at her feminine hole in anticipation. Jaren inhaled deeply, grinning a feral grin.
“Ah, youth.” King Tibon, who was sitting on Jaren’s other side, was chuckling and shaking his head. Kari realized with horror that he probably just heard every word Jaren said and could likely smell Kari’s arousal as well.
“You are in so much trouble, Jaren.” She hissed warningly.
“Don’t make promises you aren’t prepared to keep.” Jaren’s grin was teasing, but there was a hunger growing in his eyes that Kari recognized all too well.
Kari didn’t have time to think about Jaren’s statement, since King Tibon took that moment to stand up and extend his hand for Queen Alynna to join him, leaving Marinda seated alone next to Kari’s brothers. The king and queen walked around to the front of the table. Kari swallowed hard, knowing this was it. Jaren stood and extended his hand to Kari, before escorting her around the table to join his parents. The chatter and laughter in the hall quieted and Kari saw the guests turning their attention to them. Her anxiousness must have been flowing through their bond, because Jaren squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“My fellow Aldryssians, welcome.” King Tibon’s voice was strong and proud, despite the illness that wracked his body. “Tonight, it is with great happiness that I announce to you that High Prince Jaren has found his
sha-lia
. It is my privilege to present to you Princess Karinna of Montore, the newest member of our family.”
There was an audible sigh throughout the great hall that Kari thought sounded like relief, and then the attendants broke into shouts of joy and congratulations, their happiness evident on their faces. Kari curtseyed, her heart warmed by the sincere excitement of the people. King Tibon made a motion with his hand, and the crowd slowly calmed, though their faces were still lit with happy smiles.
“I have a second announcement, which I must say, I am almost as excited about as the first.” The king’s voice was full of amusement as he turned and winked at Jaren and Kari, drawing chuckles from those closest to the front.
“You have all watched High Prince Jaren grow into the noble warrior that stands before you now. He is strong in spirit, wisdom, and honor. As such, and in keeping with our ancient tradition, tonight I relinquish the throne of Aldryss and name my successor.” Excited murmurs broke out across the room like a crashing wave. King Tibon motioned again, and the crowd fell silent in anticipation. “High Prince Jaren, please approach with your
sha-lia
.”
Jaren led Kari to kneel on the steps just below the king and queen. “My son, by the power bestowed upon me by my father, and his fathers before him, I hereby crown you King of Aldryss.” Jaren’s father lifted the ornate gold crown from his own head and leaned down to place it upon his son. “May your reign be long and filled with peace.”
Kari tensed, knowing it was her turn. “My new daughter, Karinna,
sha-lia
of King Jaren, I hereby crown you Queen of Aldryss.” The jeweled gold crown was lifted from the head of Jaren’s mother and placed on Kari’s. “May your reign be long and filled with joy.”
Kari risked a glance at her brothers, who were still seated facing her at the head table, and instantly wished she hadn’t. Their stunned looks were so priceless that Kari almost burst out laughing, which would have been entirely inappropriate given the circumstances. She managed to stifle the laughter, but she couldn’t contain the grin that spread across her face.
Jaren began to stand and he took Kari’s hand to help her up, then turned them both toward the expectant audience. Suddenly, it sounded like the entire hall erupted. Great shouts rang out as people jumped to their feet, clapping and cheering for their new king and queen.
Jaren escorted Kari back to their chambers after the coronation. They had invited Kari’s still-stunned brothers to breakfast the next morning with the promise that they would discuss the events that had brought Kari to Aldryss and, hopefully, come up with a way to thwart a confrontation between the two worlds. Even though Jaren had only been able to speak with Trynt and Slaytor briefly, his innate ability to sense motives told him that Kari’s brothers were honorable and truly cared for their sister. He was optimistic that they would be able to devise a strategy that would prevent a war.
As they entered the foyer of their chambers, Jaren heard Kari take in a sharp breath. He realized that she had caught their reflection in the full-length mirrors mounted on the wall next to the door. He wrapped his arm around her waist, letting her have a moment to absorb their reflections. She had been too distracted to notice her appearance before the celebration.