CHAPTER 38
Saar gripped Kaelyn’s hand and led her down the corridor. The sunstones lining the Keep’s walls glowed, casting soft shadows over her features. He peered at her. The dark strands of her braid shimmered in the subdued light. His chest expanded, love for her filling him with a happiness he hadn’t known before.
A sexy smile tugged at her lips, her brow furrowing. “What? Do I have a crumb on my chin or something?”
He chuckled, and the sound blended in with their boots clacking as they strode down the hall. “You’re beautiful, and no, there’s no crumb. Stop worrying. You’ll be fine.”
She flipped her braid over her shoulder. “I can’t help it. I want to make a good impression. It’s not every day you meet a king.”
This time the laugh erupted from him, echoing down the hallway. “Says the Ursus queen.”
She bumped her shoulder against him. “Quit. I’m not that here.”
“You can’t change who you are, Kaelyn.” He stopped in front of Noeh and Melissa’s chamber. “This is where they reside.”
When they’d arrived in the Keep, Saar had contacted Noeh through the sunstones. The king had asked them to stop at his private chamber instead of meeting him in the throne room. What would Noeh think of him?
Quentin had said no charges would be brought against him, but he wouldn’t know where he stood until he saw Noeh’s face.
A bead of sweat dribbled down Saar’s cheek. He wiped it away with the back of his hand then rapped his knuckles against the wooden door’s fine grain.
Kaelyn inhaled.
He squeezed her fingers, giving her as much support as he could, which wasn’t much, given the circumstances.
“Come in.” Melissa’s soft voice slipped through the cracks around the frame.
Saar gripped the handle and turned the knob. The door opened on a soft whoosh. Warm air caressed his skin, and another bead of sweat tracked after the first. He stepped forward, leading Kaelyn into Noeh and Melissa’s private chamber.
Melissa stood close by. She wore a blue and green satin dress, the colors of the royal family. “Saar, so glad to see you.”
Her attention tracked to his throat. A knowing smile graced her lips. She gave him a quick hug then glanced at Kaelyn. “You must be Kaelyn. I’m so happy to meet you. Welcome. I hope your previous encounter here didn’t mar your impression of us.”
Kaelyn shook her head and glanced at Saar. She smiled, that beautiful smile he’d grown to love. “No, my memories are good ones.”
Saar’s heart soared, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Noeh stepped from the hallway that led to his private bathing chamber. Dressed in a pair of silken pants and a hand-woven, button-down shirt, he ran a towel over his short-cropped hair. A drop of water glistened on his chin, evidence of his recent bath. Their gazes locked.
A knot formed in Saar’s gut, curling into a hard ball.
Noeh’s features softened. “Saar.”
The king approached.
Saar bent down on one knee. “Your Majesty, I—”
Noeh placed his hand on Saar’s shoulder. “Rise, my good friend.”
Saar rose. His heart pounded loud in his ears. He’d spoken without thought, forgetting that Noeh couldn’t hear him. He met his king’s gaze and tried again. “Your Majesty, I ask for your—”
Noeh held up his hand. “Stop, Saar. No apologies. You did the right thing. Kaelyn is our ally. Had you killed her at my command…” A shudder visibly wracked his body. “Your choice may have saved us all.”
Choice…the word rang like a bell in Saar’s mind along with Kaelyn’s words. “He chose to go with you, didn’t he? You aren’t responsible for his choice.”
Years ago, Saar had made a decision, one with long-lasting ramifications. If he hadn’t asked Noeh to stay to watch the bucks, he wouldn’t have put his friend in jeopardy. Saar had carried the guilt with him for years, but in the end, Noeh had elected to stay.
Life was all about choices and consequences, and he wasn’t responsible for someone else’s actions or decisions. The guilt that had plagued him because of his father’s words lifted from his shoulders. His scar tingled, and his marking for loyalty burned on his shoulder. He didn’t need to see the line to know it darkened.
Saar turned to Kaelyn. “Noeh, I want you to meet Kaelyn, queen of the Ursus, and my mate.”
Noeh’s gaze tracked to Saar’s throat. “So I see, and a good bonding as well.” He returned his attention to Kaelyn and took one of her hands, capturing it between his palms. “Welcome, Kaelyn, Ursus queen. We are thankful you’re here.”
Kaelyn smiled and gave him a quick bow. “Thank you. It is my pleasure and an honor.”
Melissa placed her hand on Noeh’s arm. “Okay, that’s enough formality. I’m so excited for the two of you. Congratulations on your bonding.”
Saar’s chest expanded, and he pulled Kaelyn into his embrace. “Thank you. I’m blessed.”
Kaelyn’s smile widened, and he wanted to kiss her until they ended up all tangled in some sheets in one of the guest bedrooms. There was no way they’d make it back to his quarters, not at this rate.
Noeh ran his hand through his short hair. A few wet strands remained upright. “One other thing. I hear you shifted and returned. How did you…”
Saar glanced at Kaelyn. She smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection.
He swallowed the lump forming in his throat and choked out the words. “I’m not entirely sure, but Kaelyn brought me back. She talked me down with her soothing voice and with the melody from her whistle. With her help, I was able to reconnect the strands linking me to my beast.”
Noeh inclined his head toward Kaelyn. “Do you have an “M” in your hand?”
She blinked. “What?”
Melissa held out her palm. “If you look closely, you can see the outline of an “M” in my hand. Sheri and I have them. We’re both human, and we helped our mates shift back from their beast forms. We believe the mark stands for “Mu” which is short for Lemuria. Do you have one, too?”
Kaelyn held out both hands. Her palms were clear, unblemished. “Doesn’t appear so.”
Noeh wrapped his arm around Melissa’s waist, pulling her close. “Perhaps, then, it has more to do with the mating bond.”
Melissa’s brow bunched together. “But why do Sheri and I have these identical marks?”
Noeh placed a soft kiss on his queen’s forehead. “Between Gaetan and Tanen, we hope to find an answer soon.”
An eerie quiet from the antechamber caught Saar’s attention. “Is Anlon asleep?”
Noeh cleared his throat. “Gaetan is watching him for a bit.”
Melissa glanced at Noeh, a grin forming at the corner of her mouth.
Saar put two and two together. “Uh, I think it’s time we left.”
Noeh winked. “Good idea.”
Saar didn’t need another hint. “As you command.”
He gripped Kaelyn’s hand and turned to leave.
“Welcome home, my loyal friend.” Noeh’s words eased into Saar.
He faced his king once again and bent to one knee.
Noeh placed his hand on Saar’s shoulder, stopping him. He chuckled. “Leave, my friend, before I kick you out.”
Kaelyn wrapped her fingers around her braiding scarf at his wrist and tugged. “Let’s go.” She leaned in and whispered, “I want some alone time with you, too.”
His heart swelled. He was home, free of his guilt and happy for the first time in his life. His love for Kaelyn overwhelmed him, expanding his chest to the point of pain. Faster than he thought possible, he drew her from the room.
Once outside, he captured her in a dark part of the corridor, trapping her between his body and the wall. Slow and deliberate, he trailed kisses up her throat until he reached her ear. “Is this what you want?”
“That will do for a start.” She laced her hands behind his head and kissed him, hard.
He growled, the sound drifting down the corridor.
As he’d predicted, they didn’t make it to his quarters.