Chapter One

The Ruins of Caheer – Four years later

“You’re not allowed to look, Papa. Keep your eyes closed. Take my hand.” Tsaria’s heart jumped at the small giggle from his daughter’s throat that accompanied her brother Jael’s words. They were all taking him on some mysterious outing, and he thought their children were more excited than he was.

With the exception of Kamir, who was the giddiest of them all. His mate loved to surprise him and it seemed like every day he came home with some treat or had found yet another way to spoil Tsaria. And all the children loved the idea, especially when Kamir involved them in the secret planning.

They’d taken their carriage to wherever it was they were going. And it wasn’t that the carriage was especially luxurious or anything, it was just it had to be large to accommodate everyone.

Axel, or Mouse as sometimes Jael teased by calling him, was their oldest at fifteen summers. He had finished all his treatments and now walked without so much as a limp, and was very interested in politics and the army, spending much time with his uncle Damatrious. Their next in age wasn’t Jael, as most people would perhaps suspect, but a beautiful daughter named Mimi.

Kamir had met Mimi in the common prayer house when he’d staged the feast to get everyone out of the palace so Tsaria could be rescued. He’d never forgotten the little girl who had asked him so innocently why he ate so much when her family starved.

It didn’t matter that his appetite was nonexistent at that time, but that he had the means to eat his fill when most of his people didn’t.

Kamir had kept a close eye on that family and shortly after Damatrious had been crowned, despite their new medical treatments, her mother had died. She had no father or other family and Tsaria smiled at the memory of the day Kamir had turned up in their home, his big hand clutching Mimi’s and cradling her baby brother.

Tsaria welcomed them into their family, and it looked like Mimi wanted to learn how to be a healer.

He’d thought their family was complete at four, but a woman with a newborn had arrived at the palace about three lunar months ago and said she was sailing with her new husband to Marston Keys and they had no time or inclination to have a baby. She’d heard of the orphanages taking babies, but someone had directed her to the palace.

Kamir, of course, took the baby instantly, and completely fell in love with Osirah’s blue eyes.

So he was being led somewhere by his soft-hearted mate and their five children, Axel, Mimi, Jael, Caresh, and Osirah. The picnic Cookie had packed was so large it had taken both boys to lift it into the carriage.

Tsaria had no idea where they were going, and it was late in the afternoon for a long journey. Plus, neither Mansala nor Tam were with them, so it couldn’t be far as obviously Mansala was trusting Kamir’s guards to keep them safe.

“Nearly there, Papa,” Mimi promised.

“I think that’s far enough,” Kamir said, but before he got the chance to add anything else, Caresh, clearly out of patience, reached over from where her older brother Jael carried her, and ripped off the blindfold.

Tsaria gasped. He gazed up at the ruins of what had once been a temple and knew instantly where they were. The only promise Kamir had yet to fulfill.

His throat grew tight. “Caheer,” he whispered. The area was unspoiled and absolutely beautiful, and he gazed at the open fields that stretched for miles.

The picnic was set out, and of course the guards were invited to join them, and then a bell later Sanjera, Tsaria’s personal guard, took the children to explore and give them some privacy.

Tsaria leaned back against Kamir and watched the sun sinking into the mountains. “Are you happy?”

Kamir dropped a kiss into Tsaria’s hair. “Does the endless desert have sand?”

Tsaria turned his face up for a kiss and for a long moment neither of them could speak. Stolen private moments were rare.

“Are you happy, my love?” Kamir asked.

Tsaria reached up and touched Kamir’s lips with his own, until they were both in danger of forgetting they weren’t alone. “I didn’t think it was possible to be this happy.” Kamir cupped Tsaria’s cheek with his strong hand, and it was only a giggle that made them break apart.

Jael was covering Caresh’s eyes, and shaking his head at them in exasperation. Kamir chuckled. “I feel we might be vexing our children.”

Tsaria watched as Caresh ran off and Jael followed her. This was why he was happy. His mate truly loved him and he had the family he’d always wanted, and he lifted his chin for another kiss.

“We’ve been invited to spend the winter feast with Attiker and Raz,” Kamir said after he had reduced Tsaria to a trembling needy mess. Kamir tightened his arms. “Do you think they are worried about Aristella?” The dowager queen wasn’t getting any younger.

Tsaria chuckled. The queen mother had never heard of the term aging gracefully. “I don’t think so. I think they just want all the children to celebrate the winter feast together.”

“Mansala and Tam will accompany us obviously,” Kamir said, “and I believe Tomas and Katerina have been invited as well.”

Tsaria smiled. Tomas’s new mate was one of Cookie’s assistants. “And Veda?”

Kamir sighed. “You know I haven’t heard from them in months, not since she followed Draul to Abergenny.”

“Draul would never let anything happen to her.”

Kamir smiled. “I know.” Then he was quiet for a moment, before clearing his throat. “I think we’re going to need to look at building another few rooms onto the house. I mean, the girls will need their own space soon.”

Tsaria sat up and turned around. He didn’t bother with a question, just arched an eyebrow. Kamir looked at him, then practically deflated. Tsaria stayed silent, waiting patiently, and trying his best to look stern. Kamir cleared his throat. “I was visiting Moxie, and you know the tremendous success she’s had with adopting the children.” It wasn’t a question, so Tsaria didn’t answer. “Well, there’s this boy that’s been there a while. He’s missing a hand,” Kamir choked out. In years gone by, it had been a common punishment for thieves.

“How old is he?” Tsaria asked gently.

“Twelve, we think,” Kamir said. “Although he isn’t sure.”

Tsaria didn’t even have to think twice, and lifted his head so he could meet Kamir’s eyes. “Sounds like he’ll fit right in, then.”

Kamir searched his gaze. “I promise this will be the last.”

Tsaria turned and lifted his hand to clasp the back of Kamir’s neck, and their lips met. “Why? We have room.” Their house might need extra space. But their hearts didn’t.

Kamir drew back and cuddled Tsaria in his arms, and they both watched as the sky turned orange and red, as the sun goddess dipped and blazed her farewell.

Sanjera brought the children back just then so they could watch, and it was magnificent. They all cuddled together to keep out the autumn chill, and Kamir mentioned there was a boy who might need a new home.

And soon the air was filled with excited voices, all full of ideas on how to welcome their new brother home, and they all helped to gather their things together. Caresh had her eyes closed and looked asleep as Jael held her. Osirah was sitting on Axel’s shoulders, looking every inch the princess she was.

Tsaria tipped his head up as the sky darkened and looked into Kamir’s eyes. And if he looked very carefully, he knew he would see the flame.

Not just the one belonging to Kamir’s dragon, but the one that burned with love. The one that burned for him.

The one that would always burn for him.