The Lion Soul by Amy Sumida

Chapter Twenty-One

“Now that performance deserves a drink,” Kaelen declared when he joined me. He handed me my swords, then said, “Come with me, champion.”

I followed Kaelen through the crowd, courtiers bowing or congratulating me as I passed. I spotted Lord Betheal watching Kaelen covetously and when he noticed my attention, he lifted his glass to me in salute—one opponent acknowledging the other's win. I nodded crisply to him, understanding him better now. I wasn't sure how he'd done it, but Lord Betheal had manipulated Lord Rix into antagonizing me, specifically to make me look weak in front of Kaelen and the Queen. If it hadn't been so underhanded, I might have respected him for it.

Although there were servants circulating with trays of drinks, Kaelen took me into an adjoining room and headed toward a bar on the left—the sort of setup that you might find in a tavern. But I stopped walking halfway there.

“What are you—oh,” Kaelen noted the direction of my wide gaze. “That's one of the perks of a Lion Faerie feast. When we're in our lion bodies, we have a preference for raw meat.”

Along the wall, extending down from the bar, was a long banquet table overflowing with all sorts of delicacies, prepared and displayed in artistic ways. But at the end of the table, just past a carving station that served massive chunks of roasted meat, was the largest silver platter I've ever seen. It had to be at least fourteen feet long and was piled high with skinned animal carcasses. Lions tore the carcasses apart, claimed a piece, then went to lay on the stone floor and eat their meal privately. It appeared that, at least in lion form, the Sidhe weren't social eaters.

“Aren't you glad we had dinner first?” Kaelen asked with a twinkle in his eye.

I grunted in agreement.

Kaelen led me to the bar and ordered drinks for us. What the bartender served us looked nothing like the beverages that were being passed around the other room.

“This is my favorite,” Kaelen said as he handed me one of the short, wide glasses, full of amber liquid. “It's called dew.”

“Dew? As in dewdrops?”

“Yes. It's a mixture of a few liquors and rosewater.”

“Rosewater?” I sniffed the drink and enjoyed the scent enough to take a sip. The flavor of wild roses, herbs, and honey ran over my tongue. “I like it.”

“I'm glad. Now take a bigger sip; we have to head back into the main room, and you'll need fortification.”

“Must we, right this second?”

He chuckled. “They're not all like Lord Rix.”

“I don't think Lord Rix is like Lord Rix,” I noted as we strolled back toward the doorway.

“What does that mean?”

“I believe your ex-lover put him up to that challenge.”

Kaelen stopped walking. “My what?”

“Lord Betheal.” I stopped as well. “Isn't Beth a woman's name?”

Kaelen snorted a laugh. “Yes, but why do you think Lord Betheal and I were lovers?”

“The way he looked at you and what he said about your past.”

“Right. I forgot about that,” he murmured.

“Do you deny it?”

“No, I don't deny it. I'm a little embarrassed that I was ever with him. He was not the best choice for me.” Kae paused and lifted a brow. “Do you care?”

“Not in the least.” I grinned. “I'm merely saying that we might do well to avoid him.”

“Betheal can be petty, but I can't imagine him encouraging Rix to hurt you.”

“I don't know if what his intentions were, but I'm certain he was behind it. The look he gave me afterward made it clear.”

“Well, you dealt with it beautifully. Watching you fight is like watching a play. It's art. It's . . . you are so fucking incredible. I'm damn proud to have you as my valorian.”

I went warm with pleasure. “I'm relieved that you didn't feel the need to defend me.”

“I will defend you,” Kae vowed with sudden intensity, his gaze locking on mine. “When you need to be defended, I will fight to my last breath for you. But I wouldn't dream of stealing a fight from you when you're perfectly capable of handling it yourself. I'm hoping that we'll make each other stronger, not weaker, Rie.”

I smiled; it spread across my face slowly, like the rising sun, and brought just as much warmth with it. “I think we will, Kae.”

Kaelen grinned back and bent to nuzzle my face with his. It was such a casually affectionate gesture, like the lion version of a kiss on the cheek, yet it felt primally masculine at the same time. But what was so wonderful about it, so noteworthy, was the way I automatically lifted my face into the motion, as if we'd been making such shows of affection toward each other for years. In short, it felt natural. That it felt natural in public was even more surprising.

“None of that shocked you, did it?” Kaelen noted as he studied my face. “You're very good at concealing your emotions, but I'm willing to bet that not only were you not surprised by Rix's behavior but it also put you at ease. Why is that?”

“Our people are very similar in some ways. Sword fights between courtiers are not uncommon in the Emperor's Palace.”

“They aren't?” he asked in surprise.

“Honor is important to Nazakians. So important that violence is always a breath away.”

“It's not so much about honor here,” Kaelen said on a sigh. “Pride, yes, but not honor.”

We started walking again, but when we entered the main room, Kaelen veered to the left and found a nice spot where we'd have our backs against a wall. It felt very tactical.

“Did you often attend your emperor?” Kaelen asked.

“I was chosen to be one of his guards just after I completed my training. I stayed in his service for a few years before I asked to be relieved.”

“Why did you leave?”

I looked at Kaelen as if he should know the answer. “I knew the lion I had to save wouldn't be in Nazaka.”

“You came looking for me,” he said softly.

“I did.”

“I'm feeling exceptionally fortunate.”

I grinned.

“And a bit aroused,” Kae added with a wicked grin.

“That's probably because we're four feet away from three men fornicating,” I said dryly and cast a look toward the beaded curtain to our left.

Kaelen burst into laughter. When his amusement settled into a smile, he looked me over pointedly and said, “No, it has nothing to do with them.” He lifted his glass. “To us. And to the Gods who brought us together.”

“May they continue to bless and guide us,” I said gravely and clinked his glass with mine.