“Good. Because we can’t just bring one back. It’s asking for a shitload of trouble. Not only does Earth have Guardians—”
At his brother’s confused frown, Aerén grunted in annoyance. “Guardians are immortal warriors who protect Earth and humans from otherworldly scourges, Daén. And a pain in our asses. Apparently, we fall into the same category of evil as demons and rebels,” he bit out. “We cannot force a mortal to come here. Free will reigns in the human realm. Those Guardians will crucify us if we do, and we won’t be allowed entrance back on Earth.”
“I will talk to the archangel Michael.”
“He knows. If we draw notice to ourselves, then the rebels will have the upper hand. What do you think will happen? They abduct any female we spend time with to find out what’s happening. We cannot risk the rebels learning about what happened to the shattered Stone of Light or the females who house its magic. Those women would be hunted mercilessly. Is that what you want?”
“Very well.” Daén’s lips thinned, his tone implacable. “You will mate the next one found.”
Hell! His brother was one-tracked in this.
“Daén,” he gritted out, trying to hold in his ire, “even if I wanted a mate, there are no more Chosen or any leads to the rest!”Fuck. He pressed his fingers to his throbbing temples. “If Reynner used Eve’s blood to scry for more of them, I wouldn’t know. I’ve been away from Earth. But mated males can no longer sense a new Chosen.”
“Then you will take your enforcers with you.”
Vae, trying to get through to his brother, was like talking to this damn cliff. “I thinkyoushould spend a few days on Earth. It’s mere hours for us. You are theelyon, not just of Élendium but of all Empyrea.Youshould set an example.”
Daén’s stare remained as flat as the ice freezing the many lakes in Élendium during the storm season. “This isn’t up for debate. As we speak, there are rebels crawling into Élendium. Trouble’s brewing in the West. And we have no leads yet to our parents’ whereabouts. It’s been two years…” He pinched the bridge of his nose, a long, weary exhale escaping him. “Very well, if you don’t want a mate, you’re to bring the next Chosen here. I will get one of the nobles to mate her or do so myself,” he stated, tone nonnegotiable. “Either way, the next Chosen will belong to this realm.”
Aerén gritted his teeth at the orders.
“On another note,” his brother continued. “Eregen mentioned something about a promise made to his family by our parents. You know anything about that?”
Eregen, the noble whose sire oversaw Issyrus, one of the border towns of Cidéra, was of little concern to him. “I’ve lived most of the past year on Earth. How the hell would I know? If it’s to do with our folks, that info disappeared with them.”
Daén hesitated. “Well then, find the next Chosen, Ren.” His order reverberating, he dematerialized.
Scowling, Aerén thrust his fingers through his hair, the pain in his skull amping up.
“Your Highness?”
He glanced over his shoulder. Thiorr, his bodyguard and enforcer, approached. He lowered his hand. “Good, you’re here.”
“I thought you’d gone back to the mortal realm?” Thiorr’s bright orange eyes skimmed him. The light breeze tugged loosened strands of his black-streaked, flame-red hair from his ponytail, a style he’d worn since Aerén was a lad.
“I am about to. I need you there. Get someone to take over your duties. I’ll explain when you get to Earth.”
Thiorr stilled. “I thought High Lord Reynner had your safety in hand?”
“I’m not in any danger, Thiorr,” he grunted. “It’s the human world.”
“Where rebels abound.”
“I can handle them. I’ll see you there.”
Aerén leaped several hundred feet from the cliff, landing on the shore, the wet pebbles squeaking beneath his boots. He lifted his hands, and a swirling portal split the air. Pain hammered nails into his skull, causing his power to churn beneath his skin.
Fuck! He pressed his fingers against his skull, wishing he could just claw out his damn brains. He should have gone to Ground with his buildup of power, but with the oncoming change of seasons, they couldn’t afford to wait and have another island sink and more lives lost. He had to find a Chosen ASAP, not only for Élendium, but for his brother.
Once Daénmates her, he’ll finally get off my back!
* * *
Everyone had their demons. Aerén more than most.But within them,not watching him from a distance, with a smirk he wanted to wipe clear off the godsdamn rebel’s face!
Not even an hour in the mortal realm, and he picked up the damn tail.
Thefosserslouched against the building wall and grinned at him.
