“Send the edicts on to the council for me,” the king ordered his servant before turning to Eilam. “There. That’s done. What is it you wished to speak with me about?”
Eilam had been trailing behind the king—at His Majesty’s request—for three hours, awaiting his turn to speak. The king had done so purposefully, Eilam was sure of it, as a punishment of sorts.
The king had done it before…
No longer.
He waited until the servant left the room to speak his peace. As soon as the door closed, he spun to face the regent.
“Do you have any idea how busy a man I am?”
The king turned to face him, anger in his stare. “Watch your tone.”
“I’ve wasted a quarter of my day chasing after you, awaiting the moment you deem to pay me a moment’s attention so we can finally get around to the important issues pertaining to your security. I have men to train, inspections to perform, checks to make, and am I doing those things? No, I’m chasing after you because you’re a spoiled, impudent child who likes to piss me off.”
The king lifted a hand, ready to send a blast of his power—forgetting his magic had no effect on Eilam. “How dare you,” he seethed, lowering his hand.
“I dare—did you know we’ve had rumors of another assassin coming for you?”
The king’s ire faded a moment, but his bravado was back in full force seconds later. “Many have tried. All have failed.”
“Not when the King’s Guard was so undermanned. Not when the king has the head of his security stuck following him for three hours… Not. Doing. His. Job.”
The king had the nerve to look haughty. “Fine. I’ll do my best to cater to your needs instead of my kingdom.”
“If you’re dead, you won’t have a kingdom to rule.”
The king glared at him, but Eilam didn’t care. The warlock was his and Noah’s mate—even if the king refused them. Eilam wouldn’t allow harm to befall the man. He’d give his own life for his king.
If he had to step over the line to make the man see reason, so be it.
“Then go,” the king blasted. “Go keep me safe from harm.”
“Gladly,” Eilam said as he strode toward the door. He paused, holding the knob. “Are you truly so bloodthirsty?”
“What?”
“What you said to Hart about Garret and Solomon—did you really wish to see them fight over the human?”
“I said it was a joke.”
“You don’t joke,” Eilam said, lifting one brow.
“Perhaps I am just that bloodthirsty. You don’t know me as well as you think you do.”
“Then perhaps I’m glad you refused my claim.”
The king glared at Eilam. “As am I.”
Something shimmered in the middle of the room. Eilam sensed it before he actually saw it. He raced toward his mate, instinct taking over.
The assassin materialized in the middle of the king’s chamber, sending out a blast of dark magic just as Eilam crashed into him. They landed on the floor, a tangle of fists. Eilam fought the strong male—at least he assumed it was a male.
He wore all black, including a face covering, to hide his identity.
“Get out of my way!” the king screamed.
Eilam rolled off the attacker—and the king sent a burst of dark magic.
Which simply bounced off the attacker and vanished into the wall. Before Eilam could react, the assassin sent another burst of energy at the king. The king ducked seconds before the magic could hit him.
Half shifting, Eilam let his bear surface.
He clawed the assassin’s gut, ripping a hole into the man.
As the assassin slit Eilam’s throat.
The attacker fell to the ground as Eilam lifted a hand to his neck. Warm blood coursed out faster than his body could heal. He dropped to his knees and fell to the floor, the blood loss making his vision blur.
The last thing he remembered seeing was the king’s terrified face.
* * * *
The king lifted his hands, casting a healing spell over Eilam and watching it fade into nothing. “Help!” he screamed toward the door. “Help me!”
The door was shaking, had been shaking since the attack had begun. There must be a spell on it. He waved his hand—yet the door still wouldn’t open.
He’s going to die!
Summoning up all his strength, the king sent a blast, ripping the hinges off the doors. They flew through the air and landed a few feet from them. He held a hand to Eilam’s throat, panic setting in.
My magic doesn’t work on him… by the gods, he’s going to die on me!
He can’t die…
He can’t…
He held a hand there, trying to stop the bleeding as his guardsmen rushed in. “We were attacked. Eilam’s neck has been slit. He’s bleeding out.”
“Eilam! You listen to me, you bastard… you won’t die. Do you hear me? I don’t give you my permission. You can’t die.”
You can’t die… because I love you.
Healers raced into the room and took over. The king looked down at his blood-soaked hands… hands that could control the world but were worthless to save the man he loved.
He watched as the healers worked feverishly to save his life.
“I’ve lost a heartbeat,” one of the healers said.
The king stopped breathing for a moment.
“No, there… there it is,” the healer said. “Weak… very weak… but it’s there.”
“We need to get him to the hospital,” the first said.
“I’m going with you,” the king said.
“Your Majesty,” Theis said to him. “You must stay here… where we can protect you. What if there are others?”
“They got to me. In my private chambers… which I bewitched with my own powerful magic. Nothing should’ve ever come through here. Whatever’s coming for me is coming, no matter where I am. I won’t sit here and wait to die while Eilam’s dying in a hospital without me.”
Theis met his stare. “Then we’ll come with you. Wherever you go.”
The king nodded and followed his bear…as the man was rolled out unconscious on a gurney.
He has to live…