Eternal Darkness (A Novel of the Amagarians Book 1) (9 page)

She was fascinated by Drac, yet frightened on a deep level by the heartlessness he was capable of. She would not survive if he were to turn on her. Yet, he’d saved her, protected her against his own people, and conversed with her to remove her fear. A fear that he said was repulsive to him.
That
had to mean something, and his kisses…heat cascaded through her sharp and wicked at the
mere memory.

“King Gidon,” Saieke said softy. She drew back, startled for suddenly he was in front of her. They really had to stop doing that. “I have some questions and
a request.”

The grey of his eyes swirled with liquid silver and something akin to hope. It was
very unnerving.

“Proceed,”
he commanded.

“How will you guarantee
my safety?”

He lifted his hand, and the five Darkans stationed at the door appeared behind him. “I have selected five warriors who will be your shadow and protection until you leave. Your safety will be their
only duty.”

“How do I know that I will not be attacked by one of these men? The men who attacked me, were they not part of your warrior forces? They wore the same dark robes as these men with the
same insignia.”

Gidon stared at her appraisingly. “They were indeed from the warrior order; however I can guarantee you that you will not be threatened again while you
are here.”

Saieke observed the five men. The coldness that came from them was bone deep
and chilling.

“Your Archduke, Drac, came to
my rescue.”

One of the warriors twitched, and she felt the surprise through his
chakra
before he contained
his emotions.

“He did,” the
king said.

Saieke paused and thought carefully. “I must admit, King Gidon, I am intrigued to learn about your realm. I have seen your tapestries and weapons— they are made with exquisite craftsmanship. People would indeed trade for such wealth
and beauty.”

“You see wealth in our tapestries?” Gidon gave a cursory glance at the tapestries
behind her.

“They are exquisite, Your Majesty. Despite my interest, I fear it would be impossible for me to feel safe even with your assurance, as I am without my own trusted Queen’
s blades.”

Saieke held herself from fidgeting, maintaining contact with the king’s wintery gaze. She could feel the tension of Lachlan from across the room as he considered
her words.

“What would reassure you, Princess?” The king
finally asked.

Thank Kings
. “I would feel more reassured, if Archduke, Drac El Kyn was assigned to
my protection.”

Gidon’s brow arched, the slow smile that curved his mouth was not one Saieke could interpret. But she was not mistaken about the shrewd calculation that shifted through
his eyes.

“It is not the purview of the Archduke to guard
a princess.”

His voice so cool and unaffected, Saieke hesitated. “What is his purview?” She stood and strolled to the fireplace, needing the heat of the fire to pierce the chill
enveloping her.

She felt the caress of Gidon’s eyes as he tracked her movements, but she did not
face him.

“His responsibility is equal to that of a Province Prince in other kingdoms. Civilians, warriors, elders and chancellors report to him, and he is responsible for their protection and governance. He is my horseman of
the north.”

“My uncertainty of remaining in your kingdom for any duration runs deep, however, I would be very reassured if the Darkan who thought to save me was by my side,”
she said.

Saieke glanced up to meet Lachlan’s eyes which were dancing with amusement. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she looked away from his knowing gaze.
He could not
possibly know
.

“Return to regular duties,” the king ordered, and the warriors disappeared from
the room.

Saieke frowned. “Are you retracting your invitation, King
Al Shra?”

“You have asked for Drac to be your protector. It will
be done.”

“To be a part
of it.”

“With Drac by your side, Princess, there is no need for any
other protection.”

“Thank you.” She curtsied gracefully, his capitulation a
pleasant surprise.

“I bid you good evening, Princess; I will make arrangements for your stay.” He then vanished in the shadows, leaving her care
to Lachlan.

The Darkage—Castle Kerberos

The grand dining room echoed with the din of laughter and the bustle of the servants as they laid out the evening feast. Dozens of large platters were placed on the massive oak table in the center of the dining hall. The savory scent of thyme infused meat, spiced rice and drinks had Saieke’s nose twitching
in anticipation.

When she entered the hall, she had almost faltered in the face of so many Darkans. They had stared at her with inscrutable expressions, but inclined their heads respectfully. From brief introductions, she learned she dined with the Archdukes of the east and south quadrants, the elders and chancellors residing
at court.

She was then thoroughly ignored as the meal
was served.

This did little to disturb Saieke. The only real disappointment was the absence of Drac. She had pampered her skin with scented water and wore a deep blue caftan lined with exquisite silver threading. It hugged her frame and flowed from her waist to curl around her ankles, and she’d left her hair rippling in a fiery wave down her back. And, he had not shown. She was not sure how to entice Drac, but had been certain she would have made some
progress tonight.

“There is a rumor that High Lord El Kyn has been assigned your protector,” a voice said to
her left.

She turned to the first Darkan to speak with her tonight outside of the king and his enforcers. “I can confirm it is not
a rumor.”

An elegant brow raised in a face that was shockingly beautiful. “Curious…and intriguing.” She stuck out her hand. “I am Lady Farrah Vida. I live at court with my mate.” She inclined her head to massive red haired man speaking intently with
the king.

“
I am…..”

“I know your titles Princess Saieke El Shyokara, High Duchess of Kais, sole heir to the realm of wind and mountains. The court is alive with tales of
your visit.”

“I expected to be a curiosity,”
Saieke murmured.

Eyes of cerulean blue caressed over her insolently. “Oh, you are so much more than mere curiosity,” Lady Farrah said with a
small smile.

“Please,” Saieke drawled, leaning back in her chair, determined to show an indifferent mien. “
Enlighten me.”

“You are a symbol of hope and hatred in
equal measure.”

She already knew of their distaste…but hope? The king offered her a rare opportunity to learn about his kingdom. When he had spoken of fostering trade and opening negotiations, Saieke only thought to capitalize on the opportunity to entice Drac to aid her own cause. Shame burned in her blood. They thought her presence a hope…because it was the opportunity for her to see them as more than their
reputed monstrosity.

Their brutality was not in question—the viciousness of the rage that sprang from their
chakra
had the ability to paralyze her with fear. But, they were obviously more than the savagery they could display. It would be intriguing to discover what they to offer to the realms. If Boreas would listen to them or her would be another issue. The revulsion of the dark ran deep, the stories she grew up listening to indicate a kingdom that was awash in constant bloodletting
and war.

Saieke looked around the table, skipping from face to face. The Darkans conversed freely, laughing and eating with gusto, and the level of camaraderie filled her with an ache for her own court. “Castle Kerberos is beautiful,” she
said softly.

“Did you expect otherwise. Of course you did.” A scathing reply from lips painted
blood red.

“Mayhap. There seem to be many contrived rumors about your kingdom. Its beauty is rough, but it exceeds many I have seen.” Saieke took a deep sip of the fruited wine, its tangy taste she could easily get
addicted to.

“We are comparable to the all the kingdoms in the seven realms. We do not live in holes and murder our babies. We do not only speak
Darkanian
but learn the languages of the other kingdoms, and of Earth. We have great artisans, healers and many inventive citizens who work to make our kingdom a pleasant and safe place to live,” Lady Farrah said with a frosty smile. “But others refused to trade with us, and when we take in desperation we are hated
for it.”

Saieke’s heart squeezed at the current of pain and loss in Lady Farrah’
s voice.

“I know the Darkage is more than the rumors I have heard. I did not know the Darkage knew of
the rumors.”

Lady Farrah soft laughter was warm and pleasant. “We know of most. The worst I have heard is that our king lives in a pit filled with bones of the babies that he eats when he breaks his fast. Castle Kerberos has more than six hundred rooms, over two dozen baileys, with hundreds of windows and arches. There is no hidden underground pit with our
children bones.”

Saieke nodded. Memories of being attacked irked her. The din in the room dropped as she became the focus of
many stares.

“We are able to sense all negative emotions. Please know you are safe. I apologize if I said anything to cause such a reaction,” Farrah murmured touching her gently on
the shoulders.

“It’s but a memory that teases me, not
your actions.”

Saieke felt the weight of eyes on her and met the king’s his
probing regard.

Gidon cocked his eye brow. “Are you well,
Princess Saieke?”

She gave him a lazy wink, and amusement flashed across his face. “I am delighted by your concern, King Gidon, but I
am well.”

Yet hundreds of eyes remained fixated
on her.

“Ignore them. You are
a novelty.”

So
are you
.

After dinner, the grand ballroom was opened, and Saieke only danced with the king. It was simply too soon to be gliding to the sensual and provocative dance with other Darkans. She had excused herself and
pled exhaustion.

Saieke walked with Talon to her chambers. The king had insisted he escort her, along with the dozen warriors trailing several
paces behind.

“Is there a reason High Lord El Kyn had not been
present tonight?”

“Yes.”

Saieke eyed Talon balefully.
That was it?
“Would you care
to expound?”

“No.”

They arrived at her chamber, and he stalked past her like the sleekest of panther. After a thorough check of her room, he bid her a pleasant rest
and disappeared.

They were all
insufferable barbarians.

***

The court was alive with talk of the princess, and the fact she had treated Lady Farrah with such civility at the dinner. Drac had missed observing the High Lords and chancellor’s reaction to her presence because he had visited the dungeons and executed the men who thought to harm her out of misplaced vengeance. The hearing had only been held an hour before, and judgment had been swift and final. Drac’s retribution as he sliced their heads off with his claws had been
even swifter.

He had then visited Gidon and learned of her request to which he had yet
to respond.

“I never thought I would see you speechless,”
Gidon said.

Drac scowled. “I am merely thinking.” And trying to slow the hunger twisting in
his gut.

His king smiled, a flash of calculation appearing on his face, before he smoothed his features into a blank mask. “The princess displayed an interest in you that I did not expect,” he said as Drac joined him on the
secluded balcony.

He felt bemused. “I intend to shadow her so that she is safe while she tours the Darkage, but I need to stay hidden and as far away as possible if I am to proceed with caution. I need to assess what my reaction to her means from a distance,” he replied, while his gut tightened in anticipation at the mere thought of being in her
presence again.

“Could it be that you want her and your beast is responding to your lust for her?” Gidon asked. “She is
very beautiful.”

“No, that’s not it. The need and desperation I feel is deep and not something I can banish since I
tasted her.”

Gidon smiled
with cunning.

“Wipe it from your thoughts, Gidon. She is blood-bound to the Nurian king; and if she were to be mine and he
pursued her...”

“You think the Nurian King would war with us?” Gidon asked with silky menace as he leaned against the balustrade overlooking
the jungle.

“If he wanted her or her kingdom enough, he would march on us. Our laws would allow us to declare war on anyone who thinks to take a Darkan’s mate away, yet his law also allows him to war for a queen by blood-oath.” Drac’s beast prowled restless at
his assessment.

If she was his mate and he claimed her, the Nurian king might very well wage war for her, and then Gidon’s reign would indeed start with bloodshed. Drac faltered. It was why he must resist her, why he had not searched for a mate like some of their kind did. If he loved her, claimed her, he would be forever weak
for her.

“To do so would be a folly on his part. He could not win,” Gidon
said flatly.

“Nuria has over two hundred million citizens, twenty million of them warriors. He has more warriors than our entire kingdom’s population. King Ajali’s feats in the second Great War
are unsurpassed.”

“You doubt our might?” Gidon asked in
mild surprise.

“No.” Drac inhaled, tightening his hands on the railing, creating fissures. “My friend, I know you don’t want to start your reign by delivering death to any kingdom. That would transport us back to the dark times. I do not want to take her if she is not my mate and jeopardize our vision for
our realm.”

“Then proceed with caution,” Gidon warned him darkly before he
shiktred
away.

Unable to deny the need to see her, Drac stepped into the shadows and appeared in Saieke’
s chamber.

Worry.

Pain.

Regret
.

They seeped from the princess, the taste of emotions bitter to swallow. She lazed in the massive tub, gently waving her fingers, spiraling water in the air. A sigh slipped past her lips. “I am so sorry, Mother.”

Ah…he’d found the source of her upheaval. She had been in his realm now for two days, and her kingdom would be beside themselves with fear for their missing princess. She did not understand that when one made a resolve it was pointless to reflect
with regret.

“Drac.” His name from her lips was the softest of whisper, and if not for his enhanced senses he would not
have heard.

His intention to step from the shadows suspended, he drifted even closer. He groaned low in his throat as she stood from the bath, giving him a glimpse of the graceful arch of her back and the smooth firmness of her ass before she drew on a
silken robe.

With a flick of her finger, she removed all water from her body and garment, then flashed to the great windows in the bed chamber, and opened the drapes. She pressed against the cool glass, peering into
the void.

She looked frail and alone. He did not
like it.

He stepped from
the shadows.

She spun from the windows, instinctively bracing for an attack. Terror skittered across her face. A curious feeling of satisfaction filled him when she relaxed instantly. She did not fear him. The very idea of it left him speechless. He could not remember a time when he had not
been reviled.

“You came,” she said, the timbre of her voice husky
and sensual.

“My king advised me that you requested me as your escort for your days in
the Darkage.”

“
I did.”

“Why?” The question that had been eating at him since Gidon
alerted Drac.

Saieke ran her gaze over his frame in a contemplative caress. “I thought it fair that I get to see you naked
as well.”

Thud
. The beat of her heart slammed into him, arousal flared hot, burning his resistance. His beast stretched and tried to taste her
chakra
, but recoiled as it found no answering beast
within her.

Yet its voice still
whispered
ours
.

The spicy scent of her arousal wafted through the room. His mouth watered and he almost sank to his knees. “Do you understand what you invite?” he asked, wrapping the shadows around her and pulling her into his space. Her robe floated around her delicate ankles, caressing
his feet.

She lifted piercing blue eyes to his face. “Yes.”

Impossible
.

“You are heir to the kingdom of wind and mountains, and you offer yourself to me. Why?” he asked gliding around her,
darkly curious.

The allure was too much for him to resist, and her scent was an irresistible beacon. His beast craved her. Too damn much, and the only thing saving her was the part of him that yearned to know her, and the threat she posed to his kingdom if he took her and she was not
his mate.

Her lashes swooped down, hiding her thoughts. A growl slipped from him, and the pulse fluttered at her throat, tempting him to bend and rake his teeth across
her throat.

She snapped her gaze to his. “I
desire you.”

The invitation to pry her legs open and sink his aching cock into her was evident in her scent. How could she trust him with her body and pleasures? He was hated far and wide. The curiosity of it grounded him from pouncing on her. “Are you not
a virgin?”