But not alone.
“Thank you,” I said to Bale, but also my elemental friends.
“You're welcome,” the Elements said together.
Bale just nodded as he lowered my hand. Then he stepped back and bowed to Vexen. “Chief's Son.” He bowed to me next. “Mate of Chief's Son.”
As the cheering died down, the Chief entered the circle and stepped up to us. Vex took my hand as Bale backed away, and we faced his father together.
“You're stronger than you look, Lord Ember,” the Chief said.
“I'm wiry.” I grinned at him. “And I've been taught to fight by wraith lords. I know how to use what I have.”
He nodded. “I didn't consider that. It seems that you have many strengths. Magic is only one of them.” He opened his arms. “Welcome to the Invea Clan.”
I gaped at his open arms a second before I stepped into them. The Chief enfolded me in a hug and kissed my cheek as more cheering came. I was thrilled.
Until he whispered in my ear, “I know you cheated. I don't know how, and I can't prove it, but I know you did.” He stepped back and met my stare. Then he grinned. “Well done, Son.”
“Holy fucking shit!” Fire exclaimed. “Did he just call you out on cheating and then praise you for it? I love this guy!”
“What happened to all the honor Tiger Ladrin are known for?” Water asked. “I thought they were big on that stuff?”
“Evidently not,” Air murmured. “Or maybe the Chief is an exception.”
“Maybe that's how he got to be Chief,” Earth rumbled ominously.
“Who the fuck cares?” Fire asked. “Take the win.”
I glanced at Vexen, who was giving me an anxious, urging look. It had gone quiet again, and I realized that they were waiting for my response. Could I call this man “father?” It felt weird. But, fuck it. Better that than ruin the good mood.
“Thank you, Father,” I said, loud and clear.
The Invea Clan cheered once more.
Chapter Thirty-One
Such events were always followed by a celebration. So I wasn't surprised to find myself sitting between Vex and his father at a long table at the end of a dining hall. Several more long tables like it were lined up in front of us, the Chief's table special only in its placement. Rahu sat beside Vex. Vexen's mother, who I had been introduced to as I came out of the ring, sat on his father's right. She was a statuesque woman with light brown hair that seemed blonde among all the dark-haired Tigers. She was striking and, more importantly, kind. Not only had she kissed my cheek when she hugged me, but she also gave me her first name, along with her mate's, before she gave me the option of calling her mother. I liked the option and knowing what their names were—Anuka and Raram.
The spread of food was impressive, delicious, and unending. I gorged myself with stuffed bread, savory rice covered in curry, fragrant vegetables, and then ended it with an array of sweets decorated in gold. Yup, gold. Thin sheets of the stuff that I was assured were fine to consume. They may look like barbarians, but the Tiger Ladrin ate like royalty.
On our way to the feast, Vex had squeezed my hand as if he thought I might be torn away from him. His expression was tight, his stare shifting constantly. I knew there was nothing to worry about and so did he, but his body hadn't realized it yet. Hewas still in fight-mode. So, during the meal, I rubbed his thigh, his back, and his shoulders. Halfway into the meal, he finally relaxed.
That's when I leaned over and whispered to Chief Raram, “I didn't cheat.”
The Chief blinked and looked at me.
“I agreed to not use magic, and I didn't.” I smirked, then added, “But I never said I wouldn't accept help from the Elements. Frankly, I don't think I could have stopped them if I'd wanted to. I'm kinda important.” I winked at him.
Raram leaned closer, turning his back on his mate, and asked, “Are you saying that the Elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—the magic itself, helped you?”
“Each element has a consciousness. They've recently introduced themselves to me and the other Wraith Lords. They're helping me train to defeat Death.”
“Wait.” He leaned back and dropped the whisper. “Death? What do you mean, defeat death? No one can defeat death.”
I glanced at Vex, who had gone still. “Sorry. I forgot that not everyone knows the intricacies of the war. I'll try to explain briefly.”
Vex leaned across me and said, “We've discovered that the Corrupter is a pawn, controlled by the Consciousness of Death. This sentient energy believes itself to be a god, but he is not. He is the counter to Spirit. He seduced the Corrupter into hosting him in his body and both Death and the Corrupter have been altered because of it. Death is behind the war. He is ourtrue enemy. The Elements are helping Ember train to imprison Death and send him to the Goddess.”
