Page 19 of Lady of Starfire (Lady of Darkness #5)

“Why?” Eliza cut in. “He took orphans from the Syndicate because they had magic in their veins. Mortal children would give him nothing.”

“Nothing but pure innocence,” Nuri countered. “He would likely require more of them without magic in their veins.”

“And you are doing nothing to protect them? Because they are not from your precious Syndicate?” Callan demanded with a sneer.

“What do you think I am doing right now?” Nuri hissed, her fangs snapping out.

She whipped off one of her gloves, showing him her palm.

Eliza couldn’t see anything, but she assumed a Blood Mark adorned it.

“This is the best I can do, Callan. My sisters and I are clever and cunning, but we learned it from him. I have nothing left to barter for their safety with. I would if I could. You wish to be their king? Then be their king , Callan. Stop making idiotic choices out of love , and make decisions as the ruler of a godsdamn kingdom.” She slid her glove back on, turning to Rayner.

“Keep her hidden, Ash Rider. I can only keep her a secret for so long.”

The snake uncoiled from his arm, a soft flash of light leaving Tula standing beside him. He reached down, gripping her arm when she tried to move to Nuri. She tipped her head up to him. “Nuri won’t hurt me, Rayner.”

He gave her a tight smile in return. “I know, Tula, but we do not know when the seraphs will return.”

Tula’s brow furrowed at that, but she nodded nonetheless, stepping closer to his side.

“Aren’t you concerned about the seraphs reporting you to Alaric?” Eliza asked.

“Let me worry about that,” Nuri replied, stepping back further into the shadows of the surrounding trees. “And do tell Scarlett to get on with things already.”

Then she was gone, disappearing into the vegetation. A tense silence settled over their company. Eliza looked up, trying to see if there were any seraphs lingering, but the dense canopy of trees only offered glimpses of the sky.

“Siofra then?” Rayner said, hoisting Tula up so she sat on his shoulders. She looped her little arms around his neck, resting her cheek against his ebony hair.

“That does seem like where they may be. The Witches would be a last resort,” Azrael agreed. He lifted a hand and a swirling sand portal appeared.

“So much for this being a fast mission,” Eliza grumbled under her breath, sheathing her sword down her back.

“We have only been here a few hours. We will still be back within a day,” Razik countered as they watched Rayner, Tula, and Callan go through the portal first.

“You have clearly never met the Shifter siblings,” Eliza replied before she followed the others through.

She stepped through the portal, unbuttoning her cloak as she went.

The heat would be oppressive in Siofra. The House of Water was warm as well, but not like Siofra.

The Shifter capital was more in line with the Earth Court climate.

Arid and hot during the day, cool and comfortable during the nights.

Since the sun was only just starting to set, however, stifling heat it was.

Eliza looped the cloak over her arm. “You couldn’t get us a portal inside?” she accused Azrael.

“Some of us do not have the rapport Aditya has with the Beta,” he returned.

“You have been offered that rapport many times, Azrael Luan,” came a sultry voice.

They all turned to find Arianna Renatus, Beta of the Shifters sauntering down the dusty path that led from the palace gates to a receiving chamber.

Her tight braids hung down her back, the gold beads tinkling lightly as she moved.

Her gown was lightweight and sheer across her stomach.

The sleeves were just as transparent, and the slit up the sides of the dress showed off her dark skin with every step of her gold sandaled feet. A large tiger padded along beside her.

“Look, Rayner!” Tula squealed excitedly from where she was perched, pointing at the feline. “A tiger!” She was squirming, trying to climb down his back.

“That is Jamahl,” Rayner answered, his hands clamping down on her legs to keep her seated. “A tiger is his other form, Tula.”

“Oh,” she sighed, disappointment ringing in her tone.

“Do you have a love child I am unaware of, Rayner?” Arianna asked in amusement, her olive eyes roving over the Ash Rider.

“No, Beta,” he answered, reaching up and lifting the still squirming Tula from his shoulders. “This is Tula. She was an orphan in the Black Syndicate.”

“And now?”

“And now she stays with me.”

The Beta’s head tilted to the side. “Even though she belongs with us? She is a Shifter. A powerful one. I can smell it on her.”

“She belongs with me,” Rayner replied, his voice low and carrying a promise of death as ashes flitted around him.

“What is her other form?” Arianna asked, ignoring the icy change in Rayner.

This was why Rayner had kept it such a closely guarded secret that Tula had shifted.

None of them would attempt to use her, but he was right.

Power shifters were rare. Any kingdom would do nefarious things to have one serve in their court.

The Shifter siblings would want her to remain here, to live among her own kind.

They would see it as their duty to protect her, to ensure she was not being used for her gifts.

“It does not matter,” Rayner answered, gently tucking Tula behind him. “She stays with me.”

“Are Briar and Sawyer here, Arianna?” Eliza cut in. Rayner had been on the edge of losing control since they got here, and the Beta’s keen stare on Tula wasn’t helping matters.

It took a moment, but Arianna tore her eyes from Tula and settled her attention on Eliza …

and then Razik, where her gaze remained fixed as she spoke.

“They are with Stellan, along with the Rydeon king and princess. I was sent to see who was at our gates. I will take you to them in a moment. Who is this?”

Eliza felt it then. The possessive nature of the bond that she was so adamantly trying to shove down. She rolled her shoulders, trying to shake it off as she cleared her throat. “This is Razik Greybane. He is the Hand-to-the-Avonleyan King.”

Arianna’s nostrils flared as she clearly scented him. “He is a Shifter.”

Eliza folded her arms across her chest. “Yes,” she gritted out.

“He is also powerful,” Arianna continued, and Eliza could feel all eyes on her. Razik’s eyes. Rayner’s. Everyone except the Beta, who was fixated on Razik.

“He is Avonleyan. A descendant of Sargon,” Eliza provided, cursing Razik in her mind for staying silent, yet also strangely satisfied that he wasn’t speaking for her.

The Beta’s eyes went wide. “A dragon shifter then.”

Eliza nodded sharply.

“One form we are not permitted to take,” Arianna murmured, new interest shining in her eyes.

“Why can you not take the form of a dragon?” Eliza asked.

“Because it was forbidden by Arius and Sargon,” Razik supplied, and Eliza felt him take a step closer. Felt the heat radiating off of him against her back.

“There are other forms you are not able to take?” Rayner cut in.

Arianna hummed an agreement. “There are some beings created by the gods that are considered sacred. We are not able to wear those skins, even as Power Shifters.”

“Can you take us to the Water Fae, Arianna?” Azrael interrupted. Eliza could hear the attempt at politeness in his tone, but she could tell he was agitated with this entire conversation. “Time is of the essence.”

Arianna tilted her head, beads clinking. “Is it? You cannot go with them for the exchange. You have nothing but time until Sawyer returns with Princess Ashtine. Perhaps some rooms to rest while you wait?”

“Not necessary,” Razik said. “We will leave as soon as the princess is retrieved.”

“That’s inconsiderate,” Arianna said with a pout. “My brother will not approve of such manners. Surely your companions know this.”

Eliza sighed. “Would you have extra rooms available so that we may rest for the night before we take our leave sometime in the next day or two?”

“Of course,” she replied, her coy smile returning. “I am certain there is a room for you two near my chambers.”

“We do not need a room together,” Eliza quickly corrected, refusing to look back at Razik.

“No?” Arianna asked with a knowing lift of her brow.

“No.”

“Interesting,” was the Beta’s response. “I am afraid there is only one room available near mine. The other available rooms are on the other side of the palace. You will not object to being so far from him then?”

Eliza tensed, her fingers tightening around her arms that were still crossed and nails leaving crescent-shaped indents in her skin. “No,” she said from between clenched teeth. “He is free to room where he wishes.”

She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she glanced at Rayner, whose eyes were narrowed on her.

If anyone was going to figure this out, it would be the busybody Ash Rider.

Or Cyrus, who could read people better than anyone.

Or Scarlett, who had an uncanny ability to figure out secrets.

Or Sorin, who had known her for centuries.

Fucked.

She was so fucked.

In an attempt to save face and ward off the suspicion she could see in Rayner’s eyes, she added, “As he is free to go to whomever he wishes.”

Arianna’s gaze flicked to Razik when he said tersely, “A room near my company would be preferable, my Lady.”

Arianna looked between them again before she said, “I am sure such a thing can be arranged. Come. Callan is anxious to see Lady Tava.”

“I haven’t said anything,” Callan said, his brows rising.

Arianna smiled knowingly. “Yes, but I can smell her on you as I could smell you on her.”

“That is … Can you take me to her please, Arianna?” Callan replied, his cheeks reddening slightly.

Her gaze swept over all of them again, before she nodded and turned to head back down the path, Jamahl at her side.

They moved silently along. Well, they were all silent.

Tula chattered at Rayner the entire time, excitedly taking in the sights of the oasis palace in the middle of the desert Shifter territory.

They stepped into a colonnade that would take them to a building that housed several meeting rooms. The roof provided much needed shade, while sheer gossamer curtains fluttered lightly between the columns.

They were nearing the next building when a large hand gripped her elbow, tugging her behind a column.

Then her back was being pressed to the smooth marble, Razik’s forearm braced above her head.

“I feel like we have discussed this already,” Eliza bit out. “Just because I am your Source does not mean you get to haul me wherever you want.”

“Not unless it suits your needs, right, mai dragocen ?” he returned.

She glared back at him, ignoring the flash of heat that went through her at his words. “What do you want?”

“To make something clear.” The hunger in his eyes shifted to anger, his pupils changing to vertical slits.

“I am not going to push something you do not want.” Her gaze darted to the side, but he gripped her chin, waiting until she met his sapphire eyes once more.

“But do not imply to anyone that I will go elsewhere when you are right in front of me.”

Flames shifted under her skin, reaching for him, and it took all of her to hold them back.

To keep her magic chained and subdued when it clearly recognized its counterpart.

The fact that his dragon fire had already charmed her own flames didn’t help matters.

Her magic wanted more as much as the bond she was trying to smother did.

“Eliza,” he growled, thumb and forefinger still on her chin.

“I cannot give you what you want,” she said. She wanted it to be a snarky bite, but it came out more of an anguished admission.

“As if you have any idea what I want.”

She scoffed, jerking her chin free, and his brows arched.

“You have never asked. How could you know? You have only made it very clear what you do not want.” He leaned in closer, his mouth inches from hers.

“But that’s not true either, is it, mai dragocen ?

I can feel your magic react to mine. Some of my magic lives in you now.

Part of the Source bond you offered up. I warned you it would intensify this bond.

You do not get to offer me up to the Beta, or anyone else for that matter, to try to make yourself more comfortable.

You chose this. I would have let you go. ”

“Why?” she whispered, something inside her twisting at the words.

A harsh smile formed on his lips. “Because I am used to not being wanted. It does not bother me anymore.”

She didn’t know what she was doing until her lips were already on his.

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. Instead, his hands gripped her face, and he deepened the kiss.

Hot and intense and demanding. The kiss was everything Razik encompassed as his tongue slid between her lips and took control.

Her fingers curled into the front of his tunic, and her flames sang at finally tasting him again.

They broke through any restraints she’d had on them, brushing along his black flames.

Her moan of pleasure mingled with his low groan of the same.

Razik pulled back first, his hands still framing her face. “You bound us together when you chose to be my Source. We could have walked away before.”

His hands fell away, and he left her standing there, going to catch up to the others.

She tipped her head back against the column. Her lips still tingled with the heat from his mouth.

Fucked.

She was so fucked.