“Yes, you will. More than fine, I'm sure.” His hand returned to my face and slid up my cheek, into my hair.
I froze.Oh, please, please, please, Goddess. Let him kiss me.My heart went back to its rapid thudding, and I couldn't look away from Rath's amazing eyes. Yes, the Emperor had purple hair, but I preferred the color for eyes. I liked Rath's flawed beauty. That sexy scar that he shouldn't have. Immortals, as far as I knew, didn't scar. And his lips, firm but plush. Not too plump, just right. I'd give anything to feel them on mine.
“You are not alone,” Rath finally said and squeezed my scalp gently. “You have me to help you through this. I'm going to mentor you.”
I didn't say anything.
Rath blinked. “Unless you'd prefer Nex.”
“No!” I shouted. Then I cleared my throat. “I mean, no. I want you.”
Rath's grin at my outburst softened with my last words. “Do you?” He leaned down and nudged my forehead with his. “Good to know.”
Then he took my hand and drew me back into the hallway. As I inwardly groaned and mentally tore apart every second of what had just happened between us, Rath led me out of the Imperial Castle to an orderly courtyard where Nex waited for us. Stone walls surged up before us, broken by towers tipped in gold. The Emperor's flag flew from every tower—a stylized black tree emblazoned on a purple background. Armored men walked the ledge atop those walls, keeping watch both outside the castle and over the courtyard.
I looked back at Rath. Desire is a funny thing. I was on the cusp of becoming a new man, learning how to use my magic properly and possibly help the Wraith Lords fight the Corrupter, and all I could think about was the way Rath held my hand. Tight but not constricting. And the way he had rubbed against me like a cat. Who does that? Why? He wanted me, right? That was him teasing me. It had to be. Why the fuck hadn't he just kissed me?!
“Are you ready?” Rath asked.
“I, uh . . .” I looked from him to Nex, who grinned at me. “Yes, I'm ready.” Deciding to be bold, I wrapped my arms around Rath without his prompting.
“See you there,” Rath said to Nex.
“Yup,” was all Nex said before he turned into a wraith.
Then Wraith Lord Rath tucked his head over mine, enveloped me in his arms, and whispered, “Hold on tightly, little spark.”
Chapter Seven
The Imperial Castle was stunning. Captivating. Just like its owner. Wraith Citadel also mirrored the men who lived there. It was imposing, a fortress as opposed to a palace, but a grand one. We stepped out of the citadel's arrival chamber and into an entry hall with arched ceilings at least a hundred feet high. A stained glass, circular window, set in the wall across from us, between a double staircase, sent colored patterns across the gray stone floor, and suits of Wraith Lord armor stood vigil against the walls. Everything was stone and carved to excess. The only rock not covered in dizzying designs were the floor tiles, but they were half covered by a red runner as if embarrassed of their plainness.
A few broad-shouldered men strode through the entry. They nodded at Nex and Rath, then cast frowns in my direction. Nex only grinned at them and strode to a chain that hung along the right wall. He yanked it, and above him, a massive bell clanged. The sound echoed outward and upward. Soon the clamor was joined by the sound of heavy footsteps.
“What's going on?” I asked Rath.
“We have to introduce you to the Lords,” he said.
“Oh. Good.” I swallowed.
“Steady.” He pressed a palm against my back. “You won't have to say much if anything.”
“Uh-huh.”
Rath chuckled.
“Come on, people!” Nex shouted as he let go of the chain. “Hurry up. We've got big news! Everyone in the dining hall, now!” Then he waved us after the flow of muscular men moving through a doorway on our left. “You want to do the honors or shall I?”
“Go ahead. You'll only talk over me anyway,” Rath said.
“Aw, you know me so well.” Nex winked. “Come along, Ember.” He grabbed my hand and yanked me away from Rath.
Rath glowered at that, then quickened his pace to draw abreast of me. As we entered the crowd, he angled his body to save me from getting jostled. Nex didn't get jostled; he did the jostling as he navigated us down the length of a massive room, all stone like the last, though a touch less ornate. It was rectangular, lit with magical lanterns that hung from the arched ceiling on long chains and had two rows of wooden dining tables running down the length, one to either side of the aisle we strode.
At the end of the rows of tables was an open area with a long buffet table running along the far wall. Nex took me to stand before the buffet table and turned with me to face the crowd. Rath stepped up beside me and laid a supportive hand on my shoulder. He faced the crowd as well, but his expression wasn't as welcoming as Nex's. More of a warning than a welcome.
“Wraith Lords!” Nex shouted. “Today is the day the war turns in our favor.”
“Get on with it, Nex,” a Dhon man said, his curled, ram-horns glinting like jet in the crisp light. He caught me staring at him and smirked.
