The Lion Soul by Amy Sumida

Chapter Fourteen

The crown city of Caralin was several hours away, and the carriage slowed us down. So, when night fell, we stopped in the village of Murra. We had passed through another village during the day, so I wasn't awed by the sprawling homes with their flat tops covered in overflowing gardens. I had admired the amazing fae architecture from the window of the carriage and marveled at the wondrous races of Unsidhe who strode down the pristine streets among the Sidhe. I was prepared for the grandeur that made a fae village more beautiful than any human city I've ever seen, but night brought its own glory to Varalorre.

The rooftop gardens held night-blooming varieties of flowers whose scent was more heady than their daytime cousins. Their perfume wound into the carriage and tickled my nose as I gawked at the homes, set to sparkling with fae lanterns in fantastical forms. The lights hung from the roofs, trailed among the plants, topped poles along the streets, and shone from windows, some of which were accented in carved stone that broke the light up to create delicate patterns on the ground. The village came alive, seeming to move in the shifting lights and gaining mystery from the shadows. And above it all, the moon seemed larger and brighter than it did in the rest of the world.

“Murra is a renowned Lion village,” Kaelen said as we headed deeper into the bustling town. “It houses a community of artisans, composed of the most talented faeries in the kingdom. Many faeries come here to perfect their trade and end up staying. But their talents must be analyzed and deemed worthy before they're allowed to sell goods here. Murra maintains a reputation of selling the finest goods in the entire kingdom.”

I made an impressed sound as I looked closer at the shop windows we passed. Fantastical things filled them, items both odd and beautiful, most of which I had no names for. Things whirred and spun, illusions appeared and disappeared, and jewels sparkled with more than light. I was entranced by a contraption that spun slowly, with illusions of lions bounding around it.

“Stop here!” Kaelen called out the window.

The carriage pulled over.

“Anham will drive you to the hotel and get you settled into a room,” Kaelen said to the scholars. “We'll see you in the morning.”

“Very well,” Vaarda said.

“Goodnight, my lords,” Nimalta added.

I inclined my head to them and followed Kaelen out of the carriage. The pedestrians flowed around Kae as he went forward, across the sidewalk and toward a shop. I strode after him as the carriage and our Lion escort left, all but one of them, who stepped up beside me. When Kaelen entered the shop, the Lion took up a position beside the door.

I stepped in after Kaelen, breathing in the scent of pine and leather that permeated the shop. Racks of masculine clothing were set in artistic angles on the hardwood floor, and shelves on the walls showcased items like hats, wallets, and jewelry. A quick glance was all I needed to know that these garments were finer than any I'd ever owned.

A salesperson hurried up to Kaelen. “Welcome, my lord,” he said, but then his gaze went to Kaelen's pendant. “Excuse me, I mean, welcome, Lion Lord. I'm honored to have you in my shop.”

“Thank you, we've just arrived from Stalana, and my valorian needs a wardrobe,” Kaelen said. “I thought I might as well purchase the best for him.”

“Valorian!” the man, a slim blond, exclaimed.

Every customer in the shop turned to us excitedly.

“This is the Lion Valorian.” Kaelen waved me forward. “He is from the island Empire of Nazaka and, due to unusual circumstances, only has the clothes he is currently wearing.”

I had changed into my clothing before we'd left for Varalorre, wanting to feel more comfortable during the journey, but now, I almost wished I hadn't. My attire in addition to my status made me an even greater curiosity to the faeries there. They gave up on shopping to gather around me and gawk at me and my clothing under the premise of welcoming me to Varalorre. I nodded politely and shook hands while sending Kaelen pleading looks. He only grinned and shrugged in a manner that suggested I should get used to such treatment.

“Welcome to the Lion Kingdom, Valorian,” the salesman said as he stepped over to me.

Thankfully, the other customers took the hint and went back to their shopping, but they continued to cast curious looks my way. The salesman also looked me over as he shook my hand, but he did so in a professional manner, assessing the cut and style of my garments.

“I see that you're a warrior,” he noted with a look at my swords. “You prefer loose clothing for ease of movement?”

“Yes,” I said in surprise. “But I'd like to fit in here.”

“Of course!” the man exclaimed. “All of my items are made by myself and local artisans. You will not only fit in, but will be dressed befitting your status.”

I grunted.

The man looked taken aback.

“That's his way of saying, 'wonderful, please proceed,'” Kaelen translated my grunt with a grin.

“Ah, excellent!” The man waved us further into the shop and began to pull garments off the racks, casting me assessing looks every so often and murmuring numbers to himself.

He gathered far more garments than was necessary, but I held my tongue since Kaelen didn't seem bothered by this. Arms laden with heaps of fabric and leather, the salesman showed us to the back of the shop where a row of curtained rooms waited. He went into one and hung the garments on rods attached to the walls, then waved me inside.

“Please step out to show us the items you like even if they don't fit,” he said. “I can help you with finding the correct size and collect similar items once I determine your style.”

“Thank you.” I glanced at Kaelen, and he nodded encouragingly.

I went inside the little room, closed the curtain, and began the long process of fae wardrobe shopping.

Over two hours later, I was overwhelmed and simply over clothing. I had tried on so many pieces that I could have outfit the entire Takahansi clan with them. Throughout the ordeal, Kaelen had patiently sat in a chair outside my room and commented on every piece as he sipped coffee that the salesman provided. I was offered a cup as well, but I didn't want to slow down the process, so I refused. The salesman did, however, know what he was doing, and found me garments for several occasions, from casual to courtly, all of which I felt comfortable in. I didn't think I needed some of the more elaborate pieces, adorned with intricate embroidery or even jewels, but Kaelen insisted on them. I'd probably owe him a small fortune.

Finally, we made our selections, and Kaelen paid for everything. He gave the man the name of our hotel and was assured that the garments would be delivered in the morning. I left wearing one of my new outfits—a pair of semi-loose, black, leather pants with matching boots and a V-necked tunic in dove gray. With my sword belt over it, I felt very dashing.

Also very indebted.

“Why are you glowering?” Kaelen asked as we left the shop.

“I have a feeling that I spent a year's worth of my pay in there.”

Kaelen chuckled as his guard fell into step behind us, the giant Lion garnering barely any attention from the residents of Murra.

“It feels wasteful,” I said in a chiding tone.

“You need those clothes,” Kaelen insisted. “And you don't owe me anything for them, Rieyu. It's a gift. A welcome home gift.”

“I couldn't accept such a large gift.”

“You can and you will,” he said firmly, a hint of the lion coming through his usual cheer. “Don't insult me by rejecting my present.”

I stiffened. “My apologies. Thank you for the gift.”

Kaelen grunted, then grinned when he realized what he'd done. “You're rubbing off on me.”

“Rubbing off?” I asked.

“I'm taking on your mannerisms,” he explained. “Becoming more like you.”

“Don't do that. We'll never be able to communicate if we're both grunting all the time.”

Kaelen glanced at me with lifted brows, and I winked at him. He burst out laughing.

“Well, look at that,” he exclaimed. “You have a sense of humor after all. I never would have thought it.”

“I'm surprised as well,” I said dryly, sending him into another round of laughter.

We strode on companionably, Kaelen pointing out interesting wares in shop windows for me to gawk at as we went. He offered to take me into a few stores, but despite the fascinating goods, I was tired of shopping and very hungry. My rumbling belly finally convinced him to pick up the pace.

“Here we are.” Kaelen nodded to a grand building with a colonnaded front and several stories.

We went inside with his knight and were immediately greeted by a woman with hoofed feet and a wide smile. Kaelen's guards had already checked us in, so she was prepared with keys—one for Kaelen's knight and one for us. His knight left us at last, shifting to Sidhe and slipping into a robe provided by the woman—the Glastig woman—before heading up some stairs.

The clerk took us in a different direction to a strange, small room whose door was a panel that slid into the wall with the push of a button. I said nothing when Kaelen followed her inside and promptly turned to face the opening, only did the same. But then the panel closed, the woman pushed a numbered button on the wall, and the entire room shook as if it were moving.

I glanced at Kaelen askance.

“It's called an elevator,” he said, a note of disappointment in his voice. “It moves people up and down to the various floors, so they don't have to climb several sets of stairs.”

I grunted, and Kaelen grimaced.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

“I was hoping to shock you,” he admitted sheepishly.

I grunted again, but this time it was with amusement. I had been shocked but after all I'd seen, a moving room wasn't worthy of an exclamation.

The room deposited us on a higher floor, and the woman led us down a corridor paneled in pale wood. She took us to an ornate door and opened it to reveal a lavish suite, with a main room larger than Kaelen's entire tent, a small library, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The clerk scurried around the suite, turning on the fae lights, then handed Kaelen a large key and left. On her way out, Kaelen asked that dinner be sent up for us.

I wandered around the suite with my hands clasped behind my back, peering at the elaborately detailed furniture—carved, gilded, and set with precious metal and jewels. The fabric draping the windows was thick and plush, embossed with designs and trimmed in fringe. The rugs were even more impressive, with pictures of flowers and scrollwork woven into them. Hand-painted paper lined the walls, realistic birds flying across it in unrealistic ways, and every lantern was fae, lit by magical stones that glowed without burning. When I reached the bedroom, I stopped and stared at the massive bed in shock.

In Nazaka, I slept on a simple pallet on the floor. While abroad, that was reduced to a bedroll or, if I was lucky, a ship's bunk. Kaelen's bed in his tent had impressed me, but this one was even grander. It had columns like the hotel did on its terrace, just smaller and carved from wood instead of stone. They stood at each corner and supported a delicate and detailed dome that arched over the velvet-draped bed. It was large enough to sleep five.

“This should do,” Kaelen said flippantly as he stepped up beside me.

I turned to gape at him, and he laughed brightly.

“I'm teasing you,” he said as he nudged my shoulder with his. “It's a very nice room.”

“Do you live like this normally?”

“Maybe a touch better.” He grinned. “I told you, the pay is good at our rank.”

I grunted in an impressed tone.

“Now do you feel a little better about letting me buy the clothes?” he teased.

“Maybe,” I admitted.

Kaelen laughed again and headed into the bathroom. “I'm going to take a shower. If someone knocks on the door, it's our dinner, just let them in.”

I grunted, then paused when Kaelen started to strip. He had left the door open, giving me a lovely show. I watched until his hands went to his waistband, then turned away determinedly. I knew he was trying to seduce me, and it pleased me, even thrilled me, but I couldn't give in now. After shopping and then this room, it would seem as if he'd bought me. Instead, I undid my belt and set my swords carefully on a small couch—so small that it was useless—then wandered back into the main room. There was a balcony off the room, guarded by a pair of glass doors. I opened them and stepped out into the fragrant night.

We were on the top floor and vines flowed down from the rooftop garden above, puddling on the balcony before snaking over the sides. The veil of greenery gave an added feeling of privacy and, staring out at the sparkling city, I felt alone in a good way. I breathed in deeply, set my hands on the stone railing, and said a silent prayer of thanks to the Gods who had brought me there—all of them.

Ry'zaran scared Kaelen, or at least worried him greatly, but not me. There was nothing wrong with a god wanting to help his people, and that's what Ry'zaran was doing. He knew that the Farungal were in the wrong, but he also knew that they had been punished harshly, and he wanted that punishment lifted. I didn't like being a pawn in his game, but I understood him, and I respected what he was doing. Most of all, I knew it was what needed to happen.

Several minutes later, our dinner arrived. I let the hotel employee in, and he rolled a cart to a dining table near the windows in the main room, then laid out two place settings before unloading platters of food between them. I stood to the side nervously, unsure of what I should do, but luckily Kaelen emerged before the man left.

He thanked the man and saw him out, then waved toward the table. “Shall we?”

We filled our plates in companionable silence but once I had a bite, that silence vanished.

“What is this?” I gaped at what I thought was chicken.

“Roasted chicken,” Kaelen confirmed with a grin. “The food here is infused with magic. Everything simply tastes better.”

“Indeed, it does.”

“Wow, you must be impressed.” He chuckled.

“Why do you say that?”

“I got more than a grunt in response.”

“Maybe you're rubbing me,” I shot back.

“Maybe I'm what?” Kaelen burst into laughter.

I scowled. “You said it means that someone is influenced by another.”

“Maybe I'm rubbing off on you,” he corrected around bouts of laughter. “The off is an important addition. What you said sounded sexual.”

I cleared my throat. “Oh.”

“But I'd be happy to rub you as well,” he offered. “Anywhere you like.”

“Kaelen,” I said in a chiding tone.

He chuckled again. “You are very fun to tease.”

I rolled my eyes.

“But I wasn't entirely teasing,” he quickly added.

“Do we need to have another talk about taking things slowly?”

“Dear Goddess, now you sound like my father.”

I cocked my head at him. “Tell me about your family.”

Kaelen smiled, but this time it wasn't in amusement but affection. “My parents and older brother live in Caralin; I'll introduce you while we're there. They're my favorite people in the world. My brother is a bit of a prankster, but a lighthearted one.”

“So, it's hereditary,” I noted. “Is your father like that as well?”

“No, my father is a quiet man, more like you, actually,” he said softly, and his smile turned bemused. “How interesting.”

“Why?”

“I'm just surprised that I haven't noticed it sooner.” He shrugged. “It may be why I'm so comfortable with you.”

“And why I annoy you?” I grinned.

“That too,” he agreed, turning his smile back to its previous brilliance. “Dad annoys my mother to no end with his soft words and thoughtful silences, but when he speaks, everyone listens.” Kaelen went serious. “He's a wise man, and he loves his family. A good father.”

“And your mother?”

“She's the prankster.” Kaelen chuckled. “She probably annoys my father just as much as he does her, but he'd never let on. He told me once that he didn't want to encourage her, all the good that does,” he scoffed. “My mother needs no encouragement; whether she gets a reaction from her target or not is irrelevant, she plays pranks for her own amusement.”

“I'm surprised such different people get along.”

“Differences are what attracts us.” He slid his hand across the table to stroke the length of my pointer finger—a small touch, but one that sent zings of arousal through me. “And the fact that they are mates helps.” He drew his hand back.

“Mate. That's what Vaarda called Nimalta. What does it mean?”

Kaelen's eyes widened as if he was surprised that I didn't know. “Oh, mates are . . . they are people the Goddess has chosen to be together. Every faerie has a mate, someone who has the greatest potential to make them happy, but not every faerie finds their mate. Some people search for centuries before giving up and settling.”

“Settling?” I frowned.

“Well, a mate is special. They can inspire a depth of love in you that no other person can. But that doesn't guarantee a smooth relationship, and if your mate should die, you would suffer greatly. Some faeries even take their own lives. I'm very grateful that my parents have both avoided death so far. Although we are immortal, we are not invulnerable, and faeries can still die. It would hurt me greatly to have to bury one of them and then watch the other suffer.”

“So, you're saying that not everyone wants to find their mate?”

“Yes. Some try to avoid it.”

“Why would the Goddess do that? Why make people search?”

“I think it's for several reasons,” he said pensively. “First, it gives us something to chase. Immortality can become boring after a while. The prospect of a mate gives us something to look forward to and, once found, someone who can alleviate the boredom. Also, I think love is better when you have to fight for it. You appreciate it more.”

“How do you know when you've found your mate?” I asked.

Kaelen shrugged. “Mated faeries say that they sense it.”

“Immediately?”

“Not always,” his voice softened. “Usually, it takes a while. My father said it was over a month before he recognized my mother as his mate. She just walked into a room one day, and he caught a whiff of her scent. That's when the lion inside him recognized her as his mate.”

“Then it's the animal that knows?”

“The animal senses,” he corrected. “We often speak as if our beasts are separate from ourselves, but they aren't. They are just alternate forms for us, but because they have heightened senses, they feel different to us. Those senses will transfer a little once your two forms harmonize; that takes a bit after your first shift. But when it happens, you'll be able to sense things nearly as well as your lion.” He blinked and cleared his throat. “I mean, your Shirie. Each animal is different. Lions have excellent sight, hearing, and smell, though our eyesight isn't as good as, say, an Eagle. It may be a little different for you, but I don't imagine it will differ greatly.”

The addition of heightened senses excited me but not enough to distract me from the subject at hand. “Mates are like spouses?”

“A mating is a stronger bond than a marriage,” Kaelen said with reverent sincerity. “As strong as, or perhaps stronger than, the bond between a warlord and his valorian.”

That made me pause. I picked up my fork and resumed eating, to cover my anxiety. What if I wasn't Kaelen's mate? In fact, it was more likely that I wasn't, what with me being part Farungal. What if I grew attached to him, or even fell in love with him, and then he met his mate? Would that bond draw him away from me?

“Hey, talk to me,” Kaelen said softly and touched my hand again.

I looked up and set my fork down. “Am I your mate?”

He blinked and fell back against his chair. “Wow, you just came out and asked it.”

“I see.” I picked up my fork.

“You see what?”

I set it back down. “I'm not your mate.”

“Rie, could you wait for me to answer before you draw a conclusion?” Kaelen huffed.

I grunted in a way to prompt him to continue.

Kae rolled his eyes. “I don't know, all right? I don't know if we're mates. I haven't sensed it yet, but that doesn't mean anything. Do I think it's likely? Yes. As far as I know, most, possibly all, of the warlord and valorian couples have turned out to be mates. I hope that we will as well.”

“Even though it could mean suffering if I die during the war?”

“Fuck, Rie, don't talk . . . like . . . that,” he trailed off, then laughed self-consciously.

“What's amusing about that?” I scowled at his strange behavior.

“Nothing. I'm just remembering a conversation I had with Aidan about valorians in which the roles were reversed. I had thought I was being candid with him but now I see that I was insensitive.”

“What did you say that was so insensitive?”

“I told him that if my valorian died in battle, I hoped that I would follow him into death.”

I went still. “Why?”

“Why?” He gave me an amazed look. “Don't you feel it? Mates or not, Rieyu, what we have is special. It's beautiful. We've seen each other's souls. A piece of mine is still inside you. I don't want to lose you.”

I gaped at him.

“I'm not saying that I'm in love with you,” he hurried to add. “But I'm nearly certain that love will come because what I've seen and learned about you so far astounds me. You're incredible.” He paused, watching me carefully, and added, “I hope that doesn't scare you.”

“No, it doesn't scare me,” I whispered. “You are incredible too, Kaelen Brimara.”

“Thank you.” Kaelen beamed at me. “I'm glad we've got that sorted. Now you can eat without me interrupting you.” He winked at me.

That wink was like a spark that lit the kindling of his words, setting a fire inside me that threatened to burn forever. I hadn't known Kaelen long, but it felt as if I had. I had been fighting for him ever since I was a child and now, I knew why. Kaelen Brimara was worth fighting for. Maybe even dying for. Neither war nor death scared me; I had trained for one and accepted the other as inevitable long ago. But Kaelen's wink changed everything. Now, I had something to live for and immortality offered me the chance to live forever. But, as Kaelen had made abundantly clear, immortality was not invulnerability. I could still die, or he could, and that terrified me. Because with that wink, I realized that I was falling in love with the Lion Lord.