16. Fersen

Nerves churned in Fersen's stomach as they approached the meeting room, where he was to be introduced to Jaega's family. He wanted to throw up and run away, but he owed it to his mate to make a good impression. But it was hard to do when he had never met royalty before and was uncomfortable around groups of people—especially when one was poised to cause problems like Mitsuki.

"Remember, you are clan now," Kizoshi counseled Fersen. "That means you are under not just Jaega's protection but mine and Kitaro's as well."

With those words, she gestured for a servant to open the oversized wooden doors. Fersen's heart was in his throat, but Kizoshi glided in with the confidence he could only dream about having. With the way her gown fluttered, it gave her the appearance of an ethereal being who floated effortlessly.

King Tatsuki sat at the head of the long, wooden table. Despite sitting down, he appeared to be even larger than Jaega, which hardly seemed possible to Fersen. He was bare-chested, showing off his elaborate, red shifter markings that looked like flowing lava. His expression was neutral as his glowing red eyes assessed Fersen when he approached.

To King Tatsuki's right, a dour man dressed all in black barely paid Fersen any attention. His sights were set squarely on Kizoshi, tracking her like a hunter with their prey. She didn't seem the least bit bothered by it.

On the king's left was a younger shifter with flowing, white hair. His eyes were a piercing blue but filled with warmth and kindness, as was his welcoming smile.

It wasn't hard to tell which one was Mitsuki and Kitaro. Despite Fersen's nervousness, Kitaro's friendly demeanor set him at ease.

Kizoshi sat next to Kitaro, evenly meeting Mitsuki's irate glare with an amused one of her own. But Fersen didn't miss the edge of ice in it that silently warned Mitsuki to be on his best behavior or else.

On Mitsuki's right was a shifter with a striking resemblance to Jaega. It could only be his son, Tyrian.

Jaega stood behind Fersen, resting a firm hand on his shoulder. It helped ground the unicorn shifter, as did feeling the love and support through their bond.

"Welcome back from another successful campaign, Uncle," Kitaro greeted Jaega.

"It is good that you are back, safe and sound," Tyrian added. The love in his eyes as he looked at his father warmed Fersen's heart.

"We are pleased with your easy victory," King Tatsuki added. "We knew that pathetic excuse for a king would be no match for you."

Fersen tensed at the mention of King Decius, but he kept a tight lid on his emotions. A negative reaction would all but broadcast his relationship with the dead ruler.

"Thank you for the warm welcome home," Jaega said from behind Fersen. "I am grateful Kizoshi gathered you today so I could introduce you to my new mate, Fersen Rohesia."

"How unlike you to bring home a war trophy, Uncle." Mitsuki's cruel sneer made Fersen shrink back from him.

"Do not be crude, Mitsuki," King Tatsuki warned in a tone that was laced with a threat of violence. "We will not humor your disrespect to Jaega's new mate."

"And you know I would love to be the one to punish you," Kizoshi reminded him with a playful wave to draw attention to herself. "Just say the word, and I'll put you through another wall with great pleasure."

Fersen had never seen somebody with so much hate and anger in their eyes as the vile contempt Mitsuki held for his younger sister. "I cannot see why you bothered to grace us with your presence at all."

"Have you ever known Kizoshi to miss the chance to say ‘I told you so' to someone?" Kitaro asked in an amused tone. "She predicted Uncle would bring home a treasure, and he clearly has found the most precious of treasures in a new fated mate."

"It is literally her most favorite thing in the world to do," Tyrian added with a laugh.

Mitsuki crossed his arms over his chest with a disdainful sniff. "It is hardly a prediction when she is friends with the Power who can tell her everyone's fate."

"Including yours," Kizoshi reminded him in an ominous tone. "I have been counting down the days for some time."

Her oldest brother rolled his eyes. Before he could retort back, King Tatsuki held up his hand to stop his son.

"Welcome to the Ariake clan, Fersen," King Tatsuki said with a bow of his head. "What a pleasure it is to have someone as unique as you join our ranks. A treasure indeed."

Mitsuki scoffed. "What is unique about another lowly commoner?"

Jaega's grip on Fersen's shoulder tightened, but he gave no other outward indication of being affected by his nephew's words. But Fersen could feel the anger broiling inside his mate.

"Should you continue to insult my mother, I will happily finish with you once Kizoshi has had her fill," Tyrian growled at Mitsuki. It was a reminder that he was as fierce a warrior as his father.

"Are you really so ignorant, son?" King Tatsuki asked in a disappointed tone.

"The answer to that question is always ‘Yes,'" Kizoshi gleefully said, earning her another hateful glare from Mitsuki that could have killed if possible.

"Your blind hatred will lead you to your downfall," the king warned his oldest son. "If you are too stupid to understand what Fersen is, you do not have the right to know such secrets."

"The only secret is he probably was a whore in King Decius's harem who—" Mitsuki didn't get the chance to finish his sentence.

In the blink of an eye, a giant hole appeared in the castle wall, and Mitsuki was gone. Kizoshi had moved so fast Fersen hadn't seen her send him sailing out of his chair to the outside.

Tyrian applauded her efforts, causing Fersen to arch an eyebrow in surprise.

She looked tremendously pleased with herself. "Is there anything more satisfying than punishing him?"

To Fersen's shock, everyone laughed, including King Tatsuki. Fersen would have assumed an assault on the heir to the throne would have had severe consequences, but the king seemed genuinely delighted by what had happened to his eldest.

"Perhaps watching him sulk for days after you got the better of him yet again," King Tatsuki said, still chuckling. "Please forgive my eldest, Fersen. He is…a challenge at the best of times."

"And a worthless pain in the ass most of the time," Kizoshi added with a scowl. "I apologize on his behalf because he will never have the grace to do so himself."

"Please know that no one in this room shares his opinion of you," Tyrian added. "I am grateful that my father has found another mate. He has spent too many long years alone." It was a relief to hear Tyrian supported Fersen's new role in Jaega's life. If he had opposed their mating, it would have been crushing to Fersen and Jaega both.

"I feel like I am missing something important," Kitaro said as he tilted his head to regard Fersen. "I have never seen a shifter with such fascinating markings that cycle colors like that. My uncle must forgive me for saying you are truly beautiful, Fersen. I can see why Kizoshi described you as a treasure. It brings me great joy to know uncle has found someone like you to love."

Fersen blushed from the unexpected praise and support. "Thank you," he mumbled as he bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"Do you wish to keep your secret or tell my youngest?" King Tatsuki asked, once again shocking Fersen that he was being given a choice. "He was not yet born during the Necromancer War, so he is unfamiliar with your kind. But your secret would be safe with him. Unlike my eldest, Kitaro is skilled in the art of discretion."

"And tact," Kizoshi added with a smirk, causing her father to laugh again.

Since Kitaro was so genuinely supportive, Fersen felt he could trust the younger dragon shifter with the truth of his identity. "I'm the last unicorn shifter."

Kitaro's blue eyes went wide with wonder. "But I thought your kind were all killed during the war?"

"They were. But my mother hid me from the necromancer who murdered her and my father, so I escaped undiscovered. A kindly owl shifter who was a family friend raised me in the forest in Morven to keep me safe."

"How heartbreaking," Kitaro said with genuine empathy. Fersen was relieved there was no pity in Kitaro's blue eyes, though. "Then I am even more glad you found love with my uncle after so much heartache."

"You both lost so much in the war and yet have found your peace with each other," Tyrian said. "Nothing makes me happier."

"Thank you, son," Jaega said. Fersen could feel his fatherly pride through their connection.

The show of support touched Fersen deeply. "Thank you. I truly feel lucky to have been blessed enough to be Jaega's fated mate."

"I look forward to getting to know you better," Kitaro said with a warm smile. It was impossible not to like the young prince. It was almost unbelievable how different he was from his eldest brother.

"As do I," Tyrian added.

"Yes, but first, I must introduce him to Kisano," Kizoshi said as she stood up from her chair. Kitaro started to stand, but she gently forced him back into his seat. "I believe you still have some things to speak with uncle about. You can join us afterward."

Since Kizoshi's intentions were clear, Fersen bowed low to the king. "Thank you for allowing me the honor of being part of your family. I will do everything in my power to make you proud and never bring shame to your clan."

"The only person who brings shame to this clan is Mitsuki," Kizoshi said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Come, let me introduce you to my other favorite brother."

With those words, she deftly guided Fersen out of the room, leaving his mate and the rest of his family behind. It wasn't nearly as scary as a prospect as it would have been before meeting everyone. Jaega had been right about Kizoshi. She was fearsome, but he had nothing to fear from her.

It surprised him when she interlinked their arms as they continued walking. "Congratulations on surviving my father and Mitsuki."

"I can't believe you sent him through a wall!" Fersen exclaimed, still in shock that she had done it fast enough he hadn"t been able to see it. How were there no consequences for doing that to the heir to the throne?

Kizoshi giggled behind her other hand. "It is one of the few ways to teach him a lesson he will remember, at least for a little while. He lacks the common sense and intelligence of the rest of us siblings. I would be more forgiving if he was not such a repugnant creature."

"Thank you for defending me," Fersen said. "I really didn't expect that."

"My uncle's previous mate was remarkable." The sudden switch in topics confused Fersen, but he let Kizoshi speak. "Losing her and their daughters was hard on all of us, even Father. He enjoyed sparring with Caprina's quick wit and indulging in their daughters' gentle kindness. My uncle became a different man after losing them. And who could blame him?"

"Certainly not me. I don't know how he survived it at all." His heart still broke for Jaega's family being destroyed so senselessly.

"If it weren't for Tyrian, we would have lost him, too." Kizoshi was silent for a long moment before continuing. "But you will bring Uncle all the joy he has been missing and then some. For that, you will always have my eternal gratitude and support."

The way she said it with such certainty would have confused Fersen if it weren't for the fact she was best friends with the Fate Power. It made him realize something. "If you're friends with Sophina, then does that mean you know how Jaega and I really met?" His stomach dropped at the thought of her knowing the shameful truth.

"That is a secret I will guard with my life," Kizoshi swore to him. "Mitsuki heard nothing from me. He unfortunately has an imagination for that specific scenario since it is the cruelty he would indulge in if he thought Father or I would let him get away with it."

"I believe you," Fersen said. It was weird trusting in someone he had just met, but Kizoshi seemed to be a woman of her word. "Thank you."

"There is no shame in your past. You are a survivor." She patted his arm reassuringly. "The important thing is that you are here, and you are loved by Uncle and supported by all of us, except Mitsuki, of course. But he only supports himself and no one else."

"Not even your father?" Fersen found that almost unbelievable.

She scoffed as they descended an ornate staircase. "Father is under no illusion. He is fully aware Mitsuki would stab him in the back if it meant getting what he wants."

"And yet he is still heir to the throne? How is that possible?"

"Because there are things still to happen." The cryptic comment was a reminder of Jaega describing his niece as "enigmatic." He wasn't wrong. "But enough with such heavy talk."

She led them to a massive set of doors, which opened to reveal the largest library Fersen had ever seen before. There were bookshelves as far as he could see in all directions and higher than he would have thought possible for a single room. "Wow. This is magnificent."

"See, Kisano? I told you I would bring you good company. This is Fersen, Uncle Jaega's new mate," Kizoshi said as she led Fersen over to where a very timid dragon shifter peered from behind a bookshelf. His blond hair was so light, it was almost white. He was as pale as Fersen, and his faint markings could barely be seen. Most striking were his soulful, yellow eyes. It looked like one gust of wind would knock him over without any effort. It made sense now why Kizoshi insisted on keeping Mitsuki far away from Kisano.

Kizoshi led them over to a table, gesturing for them to take a seat. Kisano moved without sound. He was very unassuming in simple clothes that were closer to Fersen's normal wardrobe than what he would expect the second eldest son of a king to wear.

"Your library is so impressive," Fersen said in awe, still looking around the massive space. "I didn't even know this many books existed."

Kisano tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "I am fortunate to have such a collection. Do you also collect books?"

It was hard not to feel pain at the memories of loss. "Because I lived in the forest by myself without a source of income, I couldn't buy books. My friend left me hers when she moved, but they were recently destroyed in a fire."

Fersen was stunned to see Kisano's eyes fill with tears. "Oh, how awful. I am so sorry, Fersen."

His sincerity touched the unicorn shifter. "Thank you. In some ways, losing those books hurt almost worse than losing the house." He fondly remembered that Olina used to read to him when he was a child. But those were ash in a distant land now.

"I know it could never make up for such a loss, but please use my library to your heart's content," Kisano offered, wiping tears from the corner of his eyes. It was sweet how connected he felt to the books.

"That is not an offer Kisano makes lightly," Kizoshi added. "He only trusts good people with his books."

"I will treat them with the respect they deserve," Fersen promised. "Thank you for sharing your massive collection with me. This really is a paradise in the Living Realm."

Kisano tilted his head as he regarded Fersen. "It is strange. You are nothing like Uncle's last mate, and yet you seem perfect for him." He blushed scarlet. "Please forgive my rudeness."

"It's not rude at all," Fersen assured him. "Trust me, I can still hardly believe he would be interested in someone as unremarkable as me."

"How could the last surviving unicorn shifter ever be unremarkable?" Kizoshi scoffed. "Uncle will have to work hard to build up your self-confidence."

"I've lived a quiet life alone in the forest for centuries. I would tend to my garden by day, read by candlelight at night. I don't know why anyone would look at me twice."

Kisano's expression was sympathetic. "I feel the same way. I will surely never find a mate."

"Why do you refuse to believe me that your fated mate is out there?" Kizoshi asked with a sigh. It was clearly a long-standing argument. "It is only a matter of time."

"Unless I fall in love with a servant, it will never happen," Kisano insisted. "My world is too small."

"For now." Kizoshi's smug sense of satisfaction made Fersen endlessly curious.

He had certainly joined a fascinating family. It was overwhelming, but after a lifetime spent alone, Fersen was excited to have supportive people in his life once more.