“Words I never believed I’d hear from another, much less someone as beautiful and enchanting as you. I wish I could have spared you the pain to your heart. Never had I expected to lose mine.”
“Segreti…”
“I won’t be the reason your heart breaks.”
“You already are.”
Segreti looked puzzled.
“Please forgive me.” He placed his hand to Segreti’s cheek. “We’ll see each other through this.”
“Ezra?”
Ezra drew on his Soldati power and sent the Eye to Khalon. Within seconds, Soldati flooded his bedchamber, followed by Riley and Khalon, both in their evening robes. Adira, Rayner, and Toka appeared soon after.
“What is the meaning of this?” Segreti demanded. He turned to Ezra. “Ezra?”
“The Soldati Eye has shown me a new vision of Khalon’s death.” Ezra wrapped his arms around himself in a feeble attempt at comfort. “At your hands.”
“No.” Segreti shook his head. “I would never harm Khalon, or anyone.”
Ezra took hold of Segreti’s hands. “I couldn’t keep my vision from my king. Had I wanted to, the Eye wouldn’t allow it. Please forgive me.”
“The Eye is never wrong,” Khalon replied, his voice laced with hurt and regret. “I’m afraid I have no choice, my old friend.” He closed his eyes and turned to embrace his prince. “Arrest Segreti. Take him to the cells.”
Ezra released Segreti and spun to face Khalon. “You’re arresting him?”
“It’s only a precaution,” Khalon replied gently.
“If I’m foreseen to kill you, why would the Saugur not have the same vision?” Segreti asked as the Soldati approached.
Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “If you’ll recall, in his vision, Riley never saw the face of my killer, only that he was big. Regardless of whether my murder was foreseen to be committed by you or a different Orso, my death would lead to the fall of the Soldati. I can’t take the risk. Until the full moon is over, you’ll be imprisoned for the safety of all. I’m sorry.”
The Soldati took hold of Segreti, forcing his arms behind him. Segreti closed his eye and shook his head, letting it hang in defeat as he was led toward the door.
“Wait!” Ezra turned to Khalon. “Your Majesty, perhaps the Eye is mistaken.”
“I wish it were so, but you know as well as I do what’s at stake.”
“You truly believe him capable of murder?”
Khalon appeared to give his question considerable thought. “I wish I could give you the answer you seek.”
“He’s a gentle, noble Orso. His heart is filled with kindness and honor. He’s fought at your side, Khalon.”
Khalon stared at him. “You’re in love with him?”
“I am.” Ezra moved his gaze to Segreti, who smiled despite the heartache in his eyes. “There must be another way.”
“I’m afraid your love blinds you,” Rayner said softly. “Your duty is to your realm. I’m sorry, Ezra.”
Ezra gaped at Rayner before anger flared through him. The audacity! “My duty? My duty! How dare you! You who defied your king and your entire realm to be with your mate! You dare speak to me of duty?”
“Ezra, please,” Rayner said softly, his expression filled with regret. “Forgive me, that’s not what I meant.”
“Oh? And what did you mean? You almost started a war for your mate! And yet you speak to me of duty?” Ezra held his arms at his sides, his fingers spread as magic pulsed through him, crackling from finger to finger.
Khalon held up a hand. “Ezra, please calm yourself.”
“And you, my king”—Ezra’s vision flashed white as he called upon his Soldati powers—“I needn’t speak the words.” They knew what Khalon had done. How he’d blindly accepted whatever price the priestess declared to have Riley returned to him from the dead. Ezra hadn’t called his king to have Segreti imprisoned like a murderer. He’d expected more from his dearest friends. “You chose love above all else, and now when I seek mercy for my own mate, I’m denied.”
“Ezra, it’s only until the full moon is over,” Khalon explained.
“Then why imprison him? Why not leave him in my care? Put guards outside the door, have them follow us, but put him in a cell?” The more he thought of Segreti imprisoned, the more his anger consumed him. His thoughts went to his vision of a different cell. No. The windows slammed open, a howling wind sweeping through the room.
“He’s right,” Riley said, turning to face Khalon. “If we imprison Segreti, we’re being hypocrites.”
“Riley,” Khalon began, only to have Riley put a hand up to stop him.
“No. I’m not going through this again.”
Khalon let out a heavy sigh. “Riley, please.”
“I have as much power as you do, if not more.”
Khalon blinked at Riley.
“I’ve read the laws, every scroll, every damned book. I’m a Soldati prince, and Saugur. I love you, Khalon, more than anything, and I might not be familiar with hundreds of years of Soldati tradition, but I know my part. I won’t be a prince in name alone. We will find a way to fix this, and that’s all I’m going to say.”
Khalon eyed him, and Riley crossed his arms over his chest, an eyebrow arched.
“Enough,” Segreti growled, jerking his arm out of the Soldati’s hold. He held his hand out to Ezra, who took it, warmth washing over him. He withdrew his power and allowed himself to be embraced. “It’s one day. Then I’ll be back in your arms, and we can discuss our future.” He kissed Ezra, and Ezra didn’t care who was in the room. He melted against Segreti, basking in his light. Segreti pulled back and brushed his fingers down Ezra’s cheek. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” Ezra replied quietly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
With another sweet kiss to his lips, Segreti turned, allowing himself to be secured by the Soldati, his narrowed gaze on Khalon.
“I’m ready, Your Majesty.”
The Soldati escorted Segreti from the room, and Ezra balled his hands into fists at his sides. Khalon turned to Ezra, regret in his amber gaze. “I hope that when all this is done, you’ll find it in your heart to forgive us, my dear friend.”
Ezra couldn’t bring himself to reply. He stood as everyone left the room except for Riley, who placed a hand to Ezra’s cheek.
“It’ll be okay.”
Ezra nodded. Silence filled his room once Riley departed. How had it come to this? He’d barely had a moment to understand his own sentiments. He was in love. His heart swelled, then sank. Turning, he spotted the orb floating nearby, a low pulse radiating from it. Grabbing one of his pillows, he hurled it at the offending relic.
“Get out of my sight. The only traitor around here is you. I’ve never regretted being your voice until this moment.” Ezra wiped at his wet cheeks, his face hot and flushed. With a frustrated grunt, he stormed off into his washroom. Perhaps a nice cool shower would help calm his nerves.
Inside his washroom, he lost himself to the fog of his mind. He took his time washing himself, ignoring the floating oversized marble. Dressing in his nightshirt and trousers, he climbed into bed. It was still early evening, but he couldn’t bring himself to face anyone. Instead he lay where Segreti had in his bed and inhaled deeply, Segreti’s heady scent still in his sheets. He closed his eyes and clutched at the blankets, bringing them close against him. It was only for a little over a day. He tried to comfort himself by repeating the thought. Only for a short while. Then his love would be at his side.