Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Vexen!” someone shouted just as I reached for Vex.

“Un-fucking-believable,” I muttered. “Is that your cousin?”

Vexen sighed and sat up. “Yes. Don't worry. I spoke to him, remember? He won't try to attack you again.”

“Great,” I said dryly as I watched him climb out of bed. “I'll just wait here.”

“Please, come down.”

“Ugh. I don't want to!”

“Vexen!” A knock came.

Vex stared at me.

“Your cousin is an asshole.”

He continued to stare.

“Fine. Go down and shut him up. I'll be down in a minute.”

Vex grinned, finished getting dressed, then hurried out of the room.

“So close,” I huffed. “I was so close to fucking that beautiful butt.”

“It is a very nice ass,” Fire said.

“What the fuck?!” I jumped out of bed. “Have you been here the whole time?”

“Yes,” she said without shame. “You have some good technique, but if you would twirl your tongue around—”

“No! You stop it!” I pointed at the air. “And get the fuck out of here.”

“Ember?” Vexen's voice carried up to me. “You all right?”

“Shit,” I muttered. Then I went to the open door and shouted down, “Yeah. Just dealing with the Elements.”

“They're here?”

“Fire is. I'm not sure about the others. I'll be down soon.”

“I'm alone,” Fire said. “And I don't know why you're upset. I've seen every act people can do to each other—violent, sexual, sweet, repulsive—all of them. I can give you tips.”

“Here's a tip for you—people like privacy for sex.”

“Privacy is an illusion. Especially for you. You are never alone.”

“Why does that sound like a threat coming from you?”

“I don't know. I would find it reassuring if I were you.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled on my clothes. “Oh? You'd like to be watched all the time? Even when you're performing intimate acts that are supposed to be private?”

“I don't have a problem with it. They are just bodies. What you do with them is natural. Well, mostly. What Death does with them is unnatural.”

“Right,” I whispered. “Death.”

“Sorry. Did I ruin the mood?” she drawled.

“No. It was already ruined by Vexen's cousin.”

“Ah, yes. Rahu. Very handsome. Straight as well. Maybe I should share my tips with him.”

I chuckled, imagining Rahu's shock to hear a disembodied voice telling him how to fuck. “I think that's a fabulous idea. Why don't you go down there and talk to him right now?”

“You have a devious tone to your voice.”

“Do I?” I headed into the hallway and then downstairs.

“Yes. I like it. It's sexy.”

I shook my head as I left the stairwell and went into the main living space where Vex was sitting with Rahu, each with a steaming mug in their hands. Vex waved at the cushion beside him on the couch, then at a third mug on the low table before him. The scent of coffee wafted to me.

“I made coffee,” Vex said.

“Thank you.” I sat down next to him and took the mug. I sipped. The coffee was mixed with the perfect amount of cream and sugar.

“Congratulations on your mating,” Rahu said to me.

I sputtered into the coffee. After swallowing and clearing my throat, I warily said, “Thank you.”

“Our introduction was not ideal,” Rahu went on. “I'm sorry for that. Vexen has explained things to me, and I've had some time to think about it. I've also discussed you and your relationship with the clan.”

“With the clan?” I asked. “I see. And what did they say?”

“That's why he's here,” Vexen said. He rubbed the back of his neck, his hand sliding beneath the heavy fall of his hair. “They want to, uh, test you.”

“Test me for what?”

“For worthiness,” Rahu said.

“Worthiness?” I made a sardonic sound. “Right. So, you're good with me as long as I pass some kind of test?”

“You didn't tell him?” Rahu looked at Vex.

“Very few of them know. It wasn't necessary,” Vexen said.

“I understand. But you mated him. He needs to know. You should have told him before the mating.”

“Um, should have told me what?” I asked. “This is starting to worry me.”

“Ember, I am a wraith lord above all else,” Vexen said.

Rahu made a scoffing sound.

I frowned at him, then at Vex. “Uh-huh. But it sounds as if you're more. So, what are you that has your cousin getting into a fit?”

Vexen grimaced then said, “I'm the Chief's son. His only heir.”

“All right.” I sipped my coffee.

“All right?” he repeated with lifted brows.

“He obviously doesn't know what that means,” Rahu said with a wave at me. The bones in his braids clicked as if chiding Vex.

“My father was not happy when I became a wraith lord,” Vex said. “He thinks it's an admirable path. But not for his heir. He felt that I was abandoning the clan. Not everyone agreed with him. Some saw it as honorable, and a few even followed me into the Goddess' service. I thank her every day that we were all worthy of her. If even one of them had been lost to the trial, I would have carried the weight of their death forever.”

“The other Tiger Ladrin lords? They're all from your clan?”

“Yes.”

“That's why you guys are so . . . clanish. You're like their prince or something.”

He shrugged. “We answer to the General and the Emperor now.”

“Not entirely,” Rahu said. “Tell him the rest.”

“I am getting to it,” Vexen growled.

Rahu sat back and lowered his gaze.

I blinked at that. Processed. Remembered.

Shit. This was why Vex was so upset about me defending myself. He was the son of their leader. They wouldn't have attacked me if he stood between us. And when he said they were his people, he meant it more deeply than I knew. He was responsible for them. And Rahu was his cousin. Maybe that's why he felt as if he could speak to Vex as he had. But Vex had just shut that shit down.

It was kinda sexy.

“We have traditions concerning outsiders,” Vex said to me. “Normally, if you want your mate to be accepted by the clan, you would present them to the clan before mating. This is especially important for our leaders. But my situation is unusual. I gave up my position to become a lord.” His hand went to his chest and rubbed it absently. “I didn't think that rule applied to me anymore.”

“But it does?” I asked, my stare on where he had rubbed.

“Yes.”

“All right. So present me.”

“There is more to it than just an introduction. Because you mated me, the heir, you must be tested. I'm sorry, Ember. I didn't think they'd demand this of you. But, as I said, my father was upset with my choice. He never accepted my abdication. To him, I am still the heir. And so, you must prove worthy of being mate to the heir.”

I took a breath and let it out in a burst. “All right.”

“Really?” Rahu frowned at me.

“Why does that surprise you?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “What exactly does the test entail?”

“You have to defeat one of our warriors,” Rahu said. “The Chief will choose his champion.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course.” I sighed again. “Fine. When do we do this?”

“Ember, are you sure?” Vexen asked me. “We can just leave.”

“And never come back? That would be the price, right?”

Vexen's face twitched. “Right. But I can do that. For you.”

I snorted as Rahu gaped at Vex.

Vexen scowled at me. “That is not the reaction I expected.”

“It's sweet, but we're bonded now. You have just made a huge sacrifice for me. I'm not going to let you make another.” I took his hand and softened my tone. “I don't have any family left. Even when they were alive, it was just my parents. I would give anything to have them back. Blood is important. You still have your father and your clan. If there's anything I can do to keep your ties to them in place, I'll do it.”

“Ember, I don't want you to kill the champion.”

“I won't. I promise.”

“Don't promise me that. My father is angry with me. He'll take it out on you by choosing the toughest warrior he has. I said I don't want you to kill that man, but if it's you or him, do it.”

Rahu didn't react.

“All right. So when do I get tested?”

“Right now,” Rahu said. “And good luck to you, Lord Ember.”

Rahu clearly did not have the confidence in me that Vex had. This might actually be fun.