Chapter Thirty-Six

Moments after the Emperor left us, Agal reappeared. I was still in the middle of assuring Ara that I wouldn't have to act; he'd be fine. Ara just nodded and waved toward Agal. The Emperor's manservant stared at us as if he couldn't believe we were still there. As if maybe we were a nightmare that should have vanished by now.

Agal said, "Wait here if you please."

As we waited, Xaedren paced, his head swinging toward Aranren often. In contrast, Taroc stood like a statue with his arms crossed and his stare never leaving Ara. Rath remained close to me, his hand on my back in support, but Kel leaned against the wall, trying to look casual about it. I could see the strain in his face, though, and the tension in his shoulders. There was no casual in that corridor.

"Oh, fuck," I cursed. "I didn't even ask about the others. Did any of you tell them we needed to retreat?"

"Yes, of course," Taroc said. "We faded out of the room, then I found Ranor. I imagine the other lords are back at the citadel by now."

"Good," I said.

"I can hardly believe I'm here," Ara whispered and stared around at the opulence. "It's funny. In my moments of freedom, when I was myself, I was so happy for Sarthares. I know he became Emperor to fight me, but he's a good man and the perfect one to lead the world. It comforted me that he was the one who would defeat Death. But I never thought of how he'd be living." He squished up his face. "This is a bit extravagant, isn't it?"

Keltyr snorted a laugh while I grinned. The others frowned at us.

"What?" I asked. "He's right. This is a lot. Does one man really need this much?"

"He is not just one man!" Agal, with perfect timing, returned. "He is the Emperor of Varr and this castle houses his court and army as well as His Imperial Majesty." He glared at us, as did the contingent of the Emperor's soldiers in formation behind him.

"That man is annoying," Ara whispered.

I chuckled and took Ara's hand. "But he's loyal, and I can't fault him for that. Come on." I led Ara over to Agal. "I assume these soldiers are part of the Emperor's precautions?"

"That is correct, Lord Ember," Agal said stiffly. "They will be posted outside your room as you, er, bond with the, uh, this man."

"His name is Aranren, and we're going to make sweet love until the Goddess' magic binds us together forever," I drawled. Then I glanced at the soldiers. "I hope you guys are good with hearing some wild sex sounds."

The soldiers didn't even blink. Agal, however, went red. I saw that as a success. Ara had to cough to cover his laugh.

"This way, my lords," Agal squeaked.

Agal turned around, and the soldiers moved aside for us. Ara and I followed Agal while my lovers brought up the rear. He led us to a doorway, then waved us through. Without another word, he fled. Meanwhile, the soldiers formed a semicircle around us, facing in. My lovers joined them.

"Good luck," Rath said, then kissed my cheek.

"You're not joining us?" I asked.

"Joining us?" Ara echoed me.

"This is a bit more complicated than a bit of magical sex," Rath said. "Ember will bring you into our union with his love, but then we must accept you to establish links between all of us."

"Ah, yes, I see," Aranren murmured. "Very well."

"We won't be joining you this time," Rath said. "It will be difficult enough for you without us there. So, we'll wait out here."

"Thank you, Rath." I pulled him into a hug. Then I went to each of my lovers and hugged them.

Taroc was the only one to approach Ara. He scowled and said, "I hope when I next see you it's to welcome you into our family and celebrate the end of the war. But if it isn't, I will see you dead."

"I understand. And I'm sorry, Lord Taroc," Ara said.

"For what?"

"For trying to kill you."

Taroc smirked. "That was all a part of the Goddess' plan."

"Let's hope this is too."

With those fateful words, I took my prisoner/lover into the Emperor's guest room to bind him to me in love and magic forever.