That finally broke through Xae's irrational obsession with his size. He snickered. “All right, the wolf is backing down. You can stop.”
“Thank the Goddess,” I muttered.
Xae finished dressing, but before we could fade downstairs, a knock came at the suite door. Kel went to answer it since he was closest. It was one of the Creen staff members.
“Hey, Kasu,” Kel said to the man.
My men had been making an effort to learn the names of the Creen who worked in the citadel. They were a bit embarrassed that I'd been there for the blink of an eye compared to them, and I knew more of the Creen than any of my lovers.
“Lord Keltyr.” Kasu bowed. “The Emperor is downstairs and would like to address the Wraith Lords.”
“Holy fuck.” I hurried to the door. “The Emperor is here?”
“Yes, Lord Ember.”
“Let's go,” Xae said and faded.
“Do you want a ride downstairs, Kasu?” I held out my hand.
“A ride?” The little Creen man, no more than three feet tall, gaped at me.
“Fade.”
“You're offering to fade me downstairs?” His eyes went wide.
Behind me, my men disappeared, fading down to the arrival chamber.
“Yup.” I shook my hand. “What do you say?”
Kasu beamed at me and took my hand. “I say, yes, Lord Ember!”
“All right then. Hold on and close your eyes.” I tucked the guy in against me, waited for him to close his eyes, then faded us downstairs.
I was a little worried that he might throw up, but Kasu seemed fine when we appeared in the chamber.
I let him go and said, “We're here.”
His eyes popped open. “I just faded?!”
“Yup. You've never faded before?”
“Once, when I was first brought here. But that was many years ago.”
I led him out of the chamber before someone else faded in. “Well, how was it?”
“Brilliant! So much better than the first time. Thank you, Lord Ember!” He ran off, calling to a friend who was coming down the main stairs. “I just faded!”
I chuckled and headed over to my men. They were waiting just outside the dining hall for me. We didn't have a separate meeting room in the citadel. Any kind of announcement or discussion took place where we ate.
“That was sweet of you,” Rath said, a tender look on his face.
“It was nothing, and it made him happy.” I shrugged.
Rath took my hand, his grin locked in place, and we strode into the dining hall with Kel and Xae. The place was full of Wraith Lords but all the non-Lords were gone, including the Creen. At the head of the room stood General Rontor beside the Emperor. Although the Tytra was larger, the Emperor clearly dominated the space. His stare locked on me as soon as I entered the room. He nodded, and I nodded back.
“Good, we're all here,” Rontor said as we took our seats. He nodded and one of the Creen discreetly shut the door from the outside. “The Emperor has brought us a gift.” He waved at a wooden chest that sat on a small table before him. Then he opened it.
Inside were spheres. Tiny spheres that glowed pale green. The Wraith Lords made soft sounds of awe. I took that to mean the trunk was full of something impressive. But I had no idea what it was.
