Kian was standing with his wife and their daughter, a golden-haired toddler who was currently trying to escape her father's arms with the single-minded determination that only little children possessed. Nearby, Amanda and her mate were engaged in conversation with Annani, the goddess's laughter ringing out like bells across the gathering.
Eluheed hesitated at the edge of the family group, suddenly uncertain. This was the inner circle, the heart of the clan's power structure. Did he have the right to interrupt?
But Kian had already noticed him. "Elias," he said. "Are you enjoying the celebration?"
"Very much so." Eluheed smiled and offered Kian a slight bow. "Thank you for the heartwarming welcome."
"I've done nothing that deserves your thanks. My sister shouldered all the work." He cast Amanda a fond look. "She's the best party planner anyone could be lucky enough to get."
"I'm grateful to your entire family. What you have done for us is above and beyond what any of us could have ever hoped for." Eluheed stopped to take a breath. "Your incredible generosity iswhat gives me the courage to request something of you that I've never asked of anyone before."
Kian's eyes widened with surprise. "I'm curious to hear your request, but I can't promise to grant it. Not before I know what it is."
"Naturally." Eluheed smiled. "Right now, all I'm requesting is a few moments of your time. If it's not too much trouble, that is. I don't want to take you away from your family."
"It's fine." Kian handed Allegra to Syssi with a murmured apology and a kiss to her cheek. "Let's find somewhere quiet to talk."
As they walked over to one of the vacant tables in the back, Eluheed was acutely aware of the eyes following them. People were probably wondering what the human newcomer wanted with their leader, speculating and gossiping. People always did that.
"What's on your mind?" Kian asked when they sat down.
Eluheed thought of his charges, waiting buried under tons of basalt. He thought of Tamira, believing in him. He thought of the oath he'd sworn many centuries ago, and of the sacred trust that had been placed in his keeping.
Some oaths were meant to be kept unto death. But others were meant to be broken when the time was right. When breaking them could save lives or change the course of history or could bring hope to those who had none.
He prayed he was making the right choice.
"I carry a secret that has been kept for over a thousand years."
Kian leaned back in his chair. "That sounds intriguing. Go on."
Eluheed had hoped that would be Kian's response. Curiosity was a powerful motivator.
"I can't reveal it out here, in a public place, but I would like to schedule a private appointment with you in your office or anywhere else our conversation will be guaranteed to be confidential."
Kian smiled. "You didn't need to go through all these theatrics to get a meeting with me. A simple text or call would have done."
Eluheed wasn't sure of that at all. Kian could have offered to meet him a month from now, and Eluheed was all out of patience. He felt in his bones that the time to act was now.
He shook his head. "What I carry is not mere information. It's a responsibility. A sacred trust that was placed in my keeping long before I found myself sold to Navuh by an opportunistic arms dealer."
"Gorchenco?" Kian asked.
Eluheed lifted a brow. "You know him?"
"I know of him."
"Then you know the kind of man he is. I knew that he was dangerous the moment he walked into my shop and requested a reading, and for some reason that I still can't understand I gave him a real one instead of making something up, like I did with most of my clients. He recognized that my abilities might be valuable to Navuh, kidnapped me, and traded me in exchange for an exclusive arms deal with the warlord." Eluheed kept his voice even, though the memory still burned. "I spent months inthat harem, and I don't regret it because I met the love of my life in there, but it was time that I didn't dedicate to my sacred duty."
Kian studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You're being deliberately vague. What is that sacred duty you are talking about?"
"I apologize for the vagueness." Eluheed dipped his head. "But this is one of the things I cannot talk about out here, surrounded by people who might overhear. What I need to tell you requires privacy and your full attention." He swallowed. "It may also require significant resources that I haven't been able to obtain on my own."
"Resources for what?"
"A rescue." The word hung between them, heavy with implication. "I've heard about all the rescue missions your clan runs. You are good people, which is why I'm risking revealing my secrets. I need help. I can't do this alone."
Eluheed paused, searching for the right words.
