Page 20 of Mantle (IMMORTAL FLAME #3)

Despite the expansive grounds stretching for miles around us, Kai’s presence had the disturbing ability to somehow take up all that space and fucking own it.

He stood there completely unruffled now, his sleek black suit looking as immaculate as the rest of him, the tailored nature of it showing off his lean, tall frame and giving note to his toned muscle.

He was just over six-foot, but that wouldn’t have mattered, the energy coming off him would have completely dwarfed anyone in his path anyway.

Just like he was trying to do with me now as his hazel eyes shone with that usual calculative expression of his, and no small hint of malice also.

“So the celestial princess has a voyeur kink,” he mused, cocking his head to the side as he regarded me with dangerous intrigue, his espresso-brown hair bouncing a little as he did. It was in a crew cut but there were glossy textured waves on top.

I glared at him. “It was an accident. I was headed to the gazebo. My gazebo. I had no idea anyone would be there. Let alone you.”

“You remained long after you’d realized what you’d walked in on.”

“I was just caught off guard.”

“You were turned on.”

I blinked back to the immediate after recalling that night and found Kai smirking up at me as he now sat on the top step of the gazebo. “Fond memories, hmm?”

“That’s one way of putting it.” I sighed as I walked to him and settled on the top step beside him. “A lot has changed since then.”

He tucked me into his side. “It certainly has. All positive for you?”

“When it comes to the three of you, yes. No question.”

“External circumstances notwithstanding… are you happy, Ari?”

I looked at him, noting the vulnerability in his question. “Yes,” I said, smiling. “So very happy with our foursome. It means everything to me.”

“Me too.”

I eased away and turned to face him head-on. “And because of that, I can’t just let what was done to Vorzyr go. But I am willing to listen. Because you asked it of me.”

“There’s something larger at play.”

“I’m listening.”

“Cornelius knows what happened—what was done to V, and what I did to pull him out.”

I sat up ramrod straight. “What?”

“He’s been working to remove Zepharion and Serapha from power for years, but he hasn’t been able to obtain incontrovertible proof of their tyranny—of the crimes they committed against their own people.

It’s all been covered up far too well. Until now.

What they did to Vorzyr has turned the tide.

And it’s the final nail in the coffin of their fucked-up reign.

They will fall for this. But it has to be done carefully. ”

“So, me heading off just now to raise hell—”

“Would’ve most definitely fucked all of that up, yeah.”

I cursed.

“It’s okay. You calmed and you stopped to listen.

That’s what matters.” He took my hands in his.

“Cornelius has a contact within the Dracoryn Realm. He will be reaching out to Vorzyr. Carefully, as I’ve emphasized.

Because ousting the current rulers cannot happen alone.

Things need to be in place at the precise time to fill the power vacuum or all-out war will break out.

You know how dragons are when they sense weakness.

And V didn’t reveal this part because he’s still processing it himself, but there’s a baby involved. ”

“A baby?”

“His unborn brother.”

“Oh my God.”

“Yeah. So he needs to be safeguarded through all of this as well.”

“Has Vorzyr said anything about his brother?”

“Not really. His focus where he’s concerned at this point is protecting him from his parents.”

“He doesn’t want him to suffer as he did. Of course. An innocent baby, too.” I shoved my hand through my hair. “This is so much, so heavy for him to absorb.”

“Well, he took a big step with revealing it. Let Nyx lay the groundwork. He’s very good with this sort of thing. Then you and I will be there for him as well. He has support in us. He knows it and he’s now drawing on it.”

I grasped his arm and sank into him. “Thank you for stopping me, Kai.”

“Thank you for being so determined and fierce in wanting to fight for us.”

“We all fight for each other, right?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, we do. I’m just learning that there’s a time and a place, a right way and a wrong way in which to conduct said fight.”

“Grandfather’s watching you, huh?”

“Oh, he definitely is,” he said, chuckling.

“You know that means he likes you? He’s taking you under his wing. That’s a huge thing, especially from him.”

“I’m getting that, yeah.”

“Good. You deserve the admiration and recognition.”

“He certainly does,” a voice came from behind us.

We swung to see Pops approaching.

He came around to the front of the gazebo, taking us in.

He looked tired, drained.

Before we could get a word out, he told us, “It’s time for you to return to Maven Academy.”

“Ketheron hasn’t been dealt with,” Kai said.

“Ketheron is no longer on this plane.”

“What?” I uttered, rising to my feet, and Kai joining me, standing side-by-side with me.

“After days of being unable to track him, even the best trackers in the entire world failing to, we finally obtained a trace. We found magical residue—a magical signature bleed—indicating that he’s left the mortal plane.”

“The fact that he was suddenly trackable suggests he wanted us to know that he was gone, that he drew your people there on purpose,” Kai pointed out.

“Perhaps. This doesn’t mean we will halt or even slow our efforts of developing the means to stop him and render him no longer a threat.

But for the time being, we all need to return to our regular lives and routines.

Especially the four of you. After your heroic actions at the Guardian Compound, you are looked up to, Ari.

Having you back at the Academy will serve as a sign of stability, which will give a great many people comfort.

The Underveil Shields will remain, which are in place at all magical educational institutions as well.

And Blackline Protocol will remain in effect to ensure people are vigilant and careful. ”

“Wow, that’s… I can’t believe it. Why did he just leave?” Part of me was relieved, but there was also more there than that for me where Ketheron was concerned.

A lot more.

“We don’t know. Cassius will be reaching out carefully to the Celestial Plane to investigate. For now, the immediate danger has been removed.” He smiled. “Get back to your life, Ari. You deserve it.”

“Okay, yeah, we’ll… we’ll do that.”

He gestured toward the house. “Dinner will be ready within the hour. We’ll all sit down before you head back.”

“That will be nice, yeah.”

He smiled, then teleported out.

I turned toward Kai. “Well, then. Back to Maven Academy it is.”