“You’ll have to take back your true name then,” Zor pointed out.
“I like as naught should have long ago,” Death admitted. “For a certainty I wanted to slay the evil one using the name it gave me for many aYessat-Year, yet do I want—nay need—Kari more.”
“The one who enslaved you is like as naught dead,” Kil reminded him. “Leastways, why else would it have taken o’er Elian’s form?”
“’Tis true, your words,” Death conceded. He looked to the Emperor. “And speaking of names…”
“You wish me to rescind the Law of Names.” At the High Lord’s nod, Zor inclined his head. “So be it. I needs must seek Ari’s counsel afore rescinding the law in its entirety, yet I give Kari—Kara—leave to reclaim her birth name effective immediately.”
“I give you my thanks.”
Silence ensued as the warlords contemplated all that was to come. They felt the sorriest for Gio who mayhap would be forced to kill his own sire, yet they felt the most afraid for wee Jana.
“We cannot await the third ship afore transporting to Khan-Gor,” Dak said. “Even if none will go with me, I needs must go find my hatchling.”
“I’d never let you go alone,” Kil promised. “None of us would.”
“Tell Rem to ready his scouts,” Zor decreed. At Kil’s nod, he turned his attention to Death. “High Lord Death, I rename you King Isar K’al Draji of Xaerja…”
Death’s eyebrows rose. Xaerja? ‘Twas irony, that.
“…And I give you leave to enjoy your wedding day for we know naught what the morrow brings.”
The newly minted king bent his head and knee. That formality accomplished, he walked away to go claim his bride. None had to tell him where to find her for he’d had a lock on her scent since the moment he stepped aboard ship.
The ice planet loomed in the distance. ‘Twas portent mayhap for Isar knew not how his Queen would react to his presence much less to her new—and as of yet unbeknownst to her—status. Leastways, he would soon find out.
Just as all of them would soon discover what secrets lay in waiting on Khan-Gor.
Chapter Twelve
“I’m worried for Kari—” Dari shook her head. “Excuse me—I’m worried for Kara.” Naked and lying atop Gio, she looked up to his face. They had just finished making love and so she had time to ponder that which troubled her. “Think you all of her memories will return?”
“’Twill it matter if they do not?”
“Hmm. Mayhap not,” Dari admitted. “So long as she remembers what ‘twas said inhyatzithen she’ll recall all there is to know about your sire.”
He kissed Dari’s nose. “She did not forget High Lord—sorry—King Isar, did she?”
“Nay. Nothing so long back as that. It just worries me that she has no recollection at all of the first time I told her my story.” Dari sighed. “Kar—” She caught herself. “Karais mine Auntie in truth now so I would that I could give her those memories back. ‘Twas a powerful moment for both of us when we realized how deep our connection truly is.”
“I understand,ty’ka.” He lazily rubbed her luscious backside. “Yet I cannot see the newly crowned King of Xaerja allowing his Queen on Khan-Gor. She will be nowhere near this evil you have seen.”
Dari begged to differ with him. Gio didn’t know it yet, but the princess had no intention of allowing him to transport to the ice planet without her.Shewas the one who knew what ‘twas they sought—she and no other. What’s more, Queen Kara K’ala Draji of Xaerja—like as naught being claimed this very moment—would fight her King o’er the right to join him and never back down. Gio simply didn’t know her fiery Auntie the way she did.Hyatzihad joined them in a way words simply couldn’t describe.
“Forget it!” Gio balked, sensing her feelings. “I would never subject you to my sire again under any circumstance!”
Dari playfully licked her lips. “We are newly joined. ‘Twill drive you daft are you removed from me this early in our marriage.”
He grumbled, but didn’t gainsay her. ‘Twas a start.
They were quiet for a while, both of them enjoying the simple pleasure of lying together. ‘Twas Gio who first broke the silence.
“I’m wondering,” he said on a grin, “how Queen Kara is reacting to her Sacred Mate being named the new ruler of Xaerja.”
Dari grimaced. “My guess ‘twould be badly.”
Gio chuckled. Dari half-heartedly punched him.
