Kastali Dun

Bedelth followed Saffra out of her chamber, stopping short at the sight of his parents. Kadeen and Seishi were striding down the corridor, directly towards him. A muffled curse fell from his lips. Saffra said a quiet, "Oh." His heart kicked up, as it always did at the sight of his parents, in nervous anticipation.

"We were just coming to find you," his mother said, eyes darting between him, Saffra, and Saffra's door. A suspicious confusion clouded her gaze, there and gone. "You look well—both of you." She gave a differential bow to Saffra with an added, "My lady." His father did the same.

Kadeen and Seishi had been there for the battle, choosing to fight among the fort's auxiliary wings. The kingdom had lost many lives that day; he should have been more grateful that his parents were counted among the living. He hadn't seen much of them in the days following, too preoccupied with Saffra's recovery. The circumstances following the battle, like Claire's disappearance and Saffra's near death experience, had been kept within their inner circle.

"It's wonderful to see you both," Saffra said, recovering quickest. "With everything that has happened, it has been hard to find time for simple things, like visiting loved ones. I'm sure you are eager to catch up with your son." Saffra turned to Bedelth. "Shall I go—"

"No." He stopped her abruptly, then swallowed. "Actually, there was something I wanted to tell them. Will you stay with me?" And then, before he thought better of it, he reached for her hand. His mother frowned at the gesture, more of that confused suspicion entering her expression, while his father took a step back.

"Of course." Saffra's features softened. She seemed to realize what he was doing. She could have refused, or invented some topic change that forced him to veer away from this subject. They'd only just begun to explore the idea of accepting their mate bond—Saffra, specifically.

"What is going on?" his mother asked, her eyes pinned on their joined hands.

"We're mates." The words landed like a blow. His mother blinked.

His father sucked in a sharp gasp. "Impossible."

"No. I assure you, Father, it is quite possible, and quite true in our case."

"Tell our son that this cannot be," his mother said, looking at Saffra as if she expected the seer to be the sensible one of the pair.

Saffra stiffened. "I will do no such thing. Furthermore, I am appalled that your first reaction is denial and refusal when something so monumental should make you happy." Never mind that those had been Saffra's two key emotions when they'd discovered the bond. He'd never in a million years voice that observation. She was defending him. It left a mess of warm emotions tangled in his chest. "You are his parents," Saffra continued. "You claim to love him. But now I am left wondering, do you?"

His mother's intake was a shocked hiss. The female Rider from Fort Lin would never disrespect someone in Saffra's position. "Of course we love him, my lady. We only want the best for him. As his mate, I would think you would understand this."

"I do, quite well in fact. I want what is best for him." As she said these words, Saffra squeezed his hand and turned her soft brown eyes on him. His chest tightened, a mix of pleasure and pain. The way she looked at him—he'd never wanted her more badly than he did in this very moment. "As far as I'm concerned," Saffra continued, turning back to his parents, "his happiness is what's best for him. I can give him that much, at the least."

"Son, this is...this will...this will ruin you."

"How so, Father?" he demanded, surprised by the tone of authority in his voice. The question was spoken exactly the way his king would ask it. All the time spent around Talon was sure to rub off in some ways.

His father's mouth opened several times before he said, "You are a Shield. You cannot take a mate. Your oath is for life. The law—"

"The king has already made plans to amend the law. The announcement has not yet been made. It will be. Soon. We will wait to seal our bond until then. Regardless, this is my choice, and my king has already given his blessing."

His mother and father blinked at him, utter disbelief marring their features. He sighed, disappointed in himself, at having hoped that perhaps they might take this in stride, support him in his decision. It wasn't the only thing he felt, though. There was pride, too, at what he'd done. All his life he'd feared his parents' judgement, feared disappointing them. Now, he cared little for what they thought of him.

This was their problem, not his. Making that realization and coming to terms with it was freeing. A weight lifted from his chest. He was lighter than he'd felt in ages.

"The king should not change the laws so rashly," Kadeen growled. "They have been in place for tens of thousands of years, since the beginning of this monarchy—"

"Are you questioning our king's decision?" Saffra's voice was harder, colder than Bedelth had ever heard it. Even he was tempted to take a step back from her. Her firm hold on his hand kept him from moving.

"No. No, of course not, my lady. We would never do such a dishonorable thing," his mother amended, saving his father from further disgrace. She shot her mate a look that silenced any more protests over the king's decision. "Our king has the authority to amend laws as he sees fit, with the guidance of his upper and lower councils. We respect the law, and its outcome."

"Yet, you will not approve of your son's taking a mate. Because despite the changing laws, you are still for the old ways." Saffra scoffed.

His heart burst wide open. He felt so much for this woman. "It's all right," he said, leaning down to murmur in her ear. "Allow them their opinions." His mate gave a subtle nod and let the matter drop. "I suppose you will be taking your leave, then?" he added to his parents, giving them an out. There was no point in lingering over such a tense subject; they'd get nowhere.

His father seemed relieved at the topic change. "Yes, we depart later this afternoon."

"Good. We bid you a safe journey home." It was the stiffest, most emotionless goodbye he'd ever given. All he could do was tug on Saffra's hand and move away from his parents as quickly as possible. He left them sputtering in his wake.

Perhaps later he'd feel bad that it hadn't been more heartfelt. No hugs. No kisses to his mother's cheeks. There was a tiny bit of guilt that this could be the last time he saw them. But, no. He needed to set boundaries.

If they wouldn't support him on this, they could stew on their archaic beliefs. He couldn't force them to accept his mate, accept his decision, but he did not need to keep them close, allowing them to make him feel guilty for his choices. Saffra walked silently beside him all the way to King Talon's tower, then up the winding steps until they emerged on the top of the keep, in the queen's garden.

The fresh air was an immediate balm.

Everyone in their inner circle had taken to using the place for solitude over the past week. It was a place to feel connected to the rulers now missing from their kingdom. A reminder of what they still fought for. But also simply a place of peace.

"Are you all right?" Saffra asked after they'd taken a seat on one of the benches spanning the parapet, looking into the depths of the garden. His hand was still clenched in hers. She pulled both their hands into her lap. He glanced down, noting how small hers was compared to his.

"I am—or, I will be. It feels good. I never thought it would."

"To stand up for yourself?"

"Yes." He grunted in acknowledgment, at the absurdity of the matter. That he'd failed to do this for himself before. But standing up for oneself wasn't always easy, especially when it was to those whom you held in high esteem. Those you cared about most. That made him feel all the more victorious.

"I'm glad you did it," Saffra said. "That was brave, Bedelth. I'm proud of you."

His head whipped towards her. "You are?"

"I am." A small smile spread across her lips. "Very proud. And not just of that, but of you, in general. You are...truly something." He wanted to freeze this moment—the image of her—in his mind. Forever. She wore smile that was just for him—offering it to him because of what he'd done.

"You stood up for me too, you know," he said, not failing to have noticed.

"I did, didn't I?" Her smile grew. "I suppose that's what mates do."

Heat exploded in his chest. Before he could stop himself, he was dragging her into his lap, kissing her. Her lips were soft. She tasted of chamomile, the many cups of tea he'd been insisting she drink to recover from her ordeal. Her tongue brushed his and he groaned. Gods, this woman! This woman was everything to him. How had he ever been selfless—careless?—enough to let her be anything but?

She tugged at his lower lip with her teeth, and something low in his gut clenched tight. He wanted her—badly. But he would not dishonor his oath. He would not claim their mate bond without a ceremony. She deserved that.

"How did Talon do it?" he breathed against her lips.

"Do what?" She pulled back to look at him, a small frown pulling her brows together. His face was framed in her hands, cheeks warm beneath her palms. His own hands circled her waist tightly, like he never intended to release her.

"Knowing Claire was his mate, how did he go months without sealing their bond? How did he stay sane?"

"Sane?!" A laugh burst from her lips. They both smiled at that. "If you think Talon is sane..."

"Good point." He nuzzled her hair. The moment turned serious. Because she was his mate, he voiced his insecurities. But only for her. He said, "I'm worried about him. Do you think he's all right, where he's gone?"

There was a long hesitation. "I hope so. King Talon will do whatever necessary to get his queen—our queen—back. Besides, maybe this will be good for him."

"How so?"

"Well, can you imagine what it's going to be like for our king, experiencing his mate's world? Oh, gods. I bet he'll have to meet her parents, do you think?" A manic laugh fell from her lips. "He's going to be squirming in his boots, trying to navigate a world where he isn't king. Poor thing. I do feel a little sorry for him. There will be no bossing people around. No barking orders. Except to Jovari."

Bedelth growled, the image of her words forming nebulously in his mind. "Maybe you're right. It's always good for a king to be humbled once in a while."

"I cannot wait to hear of their adventures. They'll be all right, I think. They have to be."

"Have you seen something?" He held his breath, hoping she had. Anything to lessen the needles of anxiety they all felt.

"No, no visions. But think about it. Claire is our chosen one. The King Tree shares a special relationship with her. Do you think, in all its infinite wisdom, she would have been selected, brought into our world by the strangest circumstances, a woman of two bloods, who faced Kane multiple times, faced many other trials too, only to go and get killed back in her own world?"

It was a valid point.

Saffra continued, "No. I've learned enough to know everything happens for a reason. If she's there, it's because she needs to be there. If our king is there, it's because he also needs to be there. I just wish we could all be there with them on their next, grand adventure."

He sighed, a bit of relief welling up inside him. "You're right. Of course."

"I'm always right." She turned to look at him, eyes dancing. "You'd better get used to it, if you are truly serious about making me your mate."

"Gods, woman. If you accept our mate bond, you can be right about everything for the rest of our lives, even when you're not." His lips twitched. Her smile widened. "It's a small price to pay for having you."

His arms tightened. He was suddenly reminded of how close he'd come to losing her. He didn't want to think of what he might have done. How he might have broken.

"Let's go flying," Saffra declared, sensing his mood and knowing exactly how to improve it. "That always makes things better."

"Right on all counts." He chuckled. "There? See? Already I'm telling you how right you are—again."

"Oh, stop." She nuzzled into him, then nipped at his jaw before planting a chaste kiss to his lips and hopping off his lap. He watched her for a moment, this incredible creature that was his, and could only bask in her glow. "Well?"

"All right, all right," he grumbled. "I'm coming."

He transformed, careful not to smash any of the precious flowerbeds. Saffra stepped forward, and for the first time, pressed her bare hand willingly against his scales. A shudder went through him at her touch, as their minds melded. Together, they viewed the rolling hills that bordered their homeland, the deserts of Austar just visible on the horizon.

"Home," Saffra whispered against his mind. "That's what you've always felt like to me," she admitted.

A fierce pride welled up inside him. "I am honored to be the place you call home."

Saffra was grinning as she climbed up to the divot between his neck and shoulder blades, settling in. Their bodies remained in contact, their minds connected. Shivery excitement raced through him. "May I?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

That single word changed everything between them. He delved into her mind as she did the same. The landscape of their homeland shifted as they sifted through thoughts and memories. He saw her younger years, her family, the small cottage they occupied in the hills south of the Austar Gate. He saw the nerves she carried when first coming to the capital, the pressure of her new position. There was fear too, so much fear over her visions. But it was mitigated with happy memories as she settled in and learned archery. The memories with Commander Daxton were tinged with sadness. He tried not to look too deeply at those, for fear of the jealousy he'd feel. And then he came to her latest memories. He saw himself the way she saw him, and that only increased his hunger for her.

In a matter of seconds, they'd devoured years, but that was nothing compared to the years of new memories they'd make.

He shifted, and launched into the sky. As he flew, Saffra continued to sift through his thoughts and memories. After all, he had several lifetimes worth. He relished in the closeness of her body and the comfort of her mind.

With the kingdom in chaos, he should have been anxious. Here in this moment, he felt only hope and excitement. Having Saffra made everything less frightening. Whatever they faced, they would face together, leaning on each other. Her love would never be conditional. He'd never need to perform the best, or be the best, to earn it. He could simply be himself, and that would always be enough.  

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Happy Friday, Bookdragons!

I had to take a big, deep breath before writing this little note to you. The end of a book always feels bittersweet. I am so relieved to complete the first draft of this installment. Yes, there's still work to be done. Edits, possible chapter additions for minor characters, etc. I don't anticipate too many changes, though. 

Is it really over already?? I started posting in December, and it's almost been a year. I started writing this November 2022 and it's crazy to think that I'm FINALLY here. It's been a labor of love. 

I'll be honest: I'm pretty burnt out. Between this, and my other writing projects, I'm exhausted. Lady Witch #4 publishes on Amazon (Kindle/print/KU) in 3 weeks on September 26th. I've been juggling that, with this, and also writing The Blood Ruby (which will post to Wattpad Paid and Yonder in the next month or two). So my brain is fried.

I plan to take a break for October. Zero writing for a whole month. November will be Nanowrimo.  And I'll probably have to write my 3rd book in the Arcane Artifacts series to get that to my editor in time. I anticipate starting Jovari the Blue in January, perhaps? I'm itching to get started on it. If I can get a good chunk written, maybe I'll be able to start posting it in Spring 2024??

I'll keep you updated.

In the mean time, don't forget you can keep up with my daily life over on Instagram. My handle is: Melissa.nicole.mitchell 

Thank you for taking this journey with me. You have been amazing. Your votes, comments, and love for my work has kept me going through all the difficult parts and I'm so appreciative of you.

Take care!

-Mel