The Lion Soul by Amy Sumida

Chapter Twenty-Five

On the way out of the palace, a servant handed Kaelen and me each a slim, wooden box.

“What is this?” I whispered to Kae as we settled in his carriage. I opened the box and found a rolled parchment and an elaborate key.

“The deeds and keys to our new properties.”

“New properties?”

“The estates the Queen granted us.” Kaelen lifted his brows in surprise. “Don't you remember when she gifted us each an estate?”

“I thought I had misinterpreted her meaning,” I whispered as I unrolled the parchment. “I couldn't imagine that she'd actually give me property.” I looked over the deed. “Is this a home like yours?”

“I imagine so. She did say it would be near her palace and only the most glorious estates surround the Royal Palace.” Kaelen grinned at my shock. “I was wondering why you didn't say anything about it before. I figured it was part of your 'I'm a stern, strong warrior who shows no emotion' thing.”

I grimaced at him. “I show emotion.” I extended the deed to him and exclaimed, “Kaelen, she gave me a palace? A fucking palace?!”

“Well, look at that, you do show emotion,” he teased me. “And yes, she gave you a palace. You're one of the highest-ranking members of her court, it would look bad if you didn't own property in the crown city. Her gift was necessary for her pride.”

“Still.” I rolled up the parchment reverently and put it back into its box. “It is a most extravagant gift.” I sat back heavily and stared out the window. “I have a home in Varalorre.”

Kaelen took my hand. “You had a home as soon as you accepted my soul, Rie. Should every building in Varalorre fall, you will still have a home with me. I am your home.”

My breath caught. I couldn't speak, only stare at him. This man had become so important to me in such a short time. I had hoped that all his sweet words and hot kisses meant that he felt the same about me, but I didn't believe it until that moment. I couldn't allow myself to. A warrior always protects his heart; one blow to that organ can kill a man. And that defense becomes a mental shield as well. We guard both our physical and spiritual hearts ferociously. Except for Kaelen. He had been open to me from the very start, offering me every part of himself that I wished to see, and he'd done it with a humbling confidence. And yet I, who had dreamed of him for years, held myself back. It was no wonder he thought that I showed no emotion. Compared to his open heart, mine must seem coated in steel.

“Rie,” Kaelen whispered, his expression shifting to concern. He reached out and brushed my cheek. “Why are you crying?”

I blinked rapidly, just then realizing that tears were sliding down my cheeks. “I'm sorry I'm so closed off. I will try to be more open for you, Kae.”

Kaelen smiled softly and brushed the rest of my tears away. “I don't want you to be anyone but who you are, Rieyu Brimara. You are fucking perfect.”

I made a broken, amazed sound and yanked him into a brutally passionate kiss. It was the most beautiful kiss of my life. Wild at first, then deeply tender, expressing everything that I'd been holding back, both consciously and subconsciously. I opened myself at last and let Kae in. And he took my invitation.

The Lion Lord swept me up, off the seat and onto his lap, his arms wrapping around me as if they'd never let go. I straddled his lap, my hands going to his wild mane of hair, threading through it and using handfuls to bring him closer. But then passion slid into adoration, and I moved my touch to his face, to stroke him gently there before sliding my hands down the strong column of his throat and over the expanse of his thick shoulders. This wasn't about sex, though our desire was undeniable; it was so much more than that. He was so much more.

It wasn't love, not yet, but I was open to it now. I was ready. For this man and his heart, I would risk death of the body and spirit. I would risk it all.

Did I say that to him? No, of course not. But I showed him, and that was a huge step for me. Thankfully, Kaelen seemed to sense that. When we eased out of our kiss, his expression was soft and blissful.

“If I'd known I would get this kind of reaction, I would have told you that sooner,” he teased.

I went still and searched his eyes. He had said something similar to me before, but I hadn't truly believed him, and now I knew why. We were different in so many ways and it had drawn us closer but also hindered us. Kaelen's words were too beautiful and given too freely. That's why I couldn't trust them completely. In Nazaka, we didn't boast or flatter. We were humble about our accomplishments and gave praise to others only when earned. Oftentimes, it was only a look or a nod, but when esteem was given, it was treasured. Kaelen's ways were less rigid, and that made me uneasy, but I was starting to understand them and him.

“You are too generous with your compliments, Kaelen,” I said sternly.

His expression fell.

“You cast them at me in such quantities that I can barely catch them, much less believe them.” I stroked his face tenderly. “I saw them as base flattery and seduction.”

“Rie, I—”

“But you aren't a flatterer, are you?” I cut him off. “You aren't saying those things to seduce me. You have me now, there's no need for that. You truly mean them.”

Kaelen frowned in thought a moment before answering. “I suppose I've been a bit overwhelmed by you. I knew you'd be coming and there was some anticipation in that. Expectations. And you exceeded them so greatly that I got a bit carried away.”

I moved off his lap and sat across from him. “I see.”

“What I mean to say is that in the excitement of finding you, I forgot that you weren't expecting me. Dreams or not, you didn't save me expecting that I would give you my soul, and we'd become lovers. You weren't as prepared as I was. No matter how much I explain to you, you can't possibly understand our connection as I do. You have to feel it, experience it for yourself, and that process is slower.”

I grunted, unsure of what he was trying to say. Was he taking back his compliments or not?

“I should have held back,” Kaelen said and sighed. “I should have courted you properly and not bombarded you with my feelings, especially when you are so reserved. It was unfair of me, and I'm sorry for that. I never considered that you might find me disingenuous.”

“I don't,” I whispered. Then I grimaced. “Not anymore.”

“Good.” Kaelen grinned. “Because, my fierce Shirie, I meant every word.”

I grinned. I couldn't help it.

“Now, will you come back over here?” he growled and reached for me.

I grunted and took his hand, letting him pull me back to his side of the carriage.

“I like that you don't spout flattery,” Kaelen said softly. “I agree that it seems worthless when given so abundantly. Your words are precious to me because they're so few. Still, I'm holding you to your vow to be more open with me.”

“I will try.”

“Thank you.”

“I wish you would be freer with me around other people as well. We're not in Nazaka. Here, people hold hands and even kiss in public.”

I grunted noncommittally, and Kaelen sighed.

“Where are we going?” I suddenly realized that we'd been traveling longer than it took to reach Kaelen's home.

“I'm taking you to meet my family.”

“What?” I gaped at him.

“Pick up your jaw, Shirie.” He tapped my chin, then nodded out the window. “We're here.”

I followed his nod to a view of a stone wall covered in vines. The top of a building could just be seen above it. And then we rounded a corner, driving through an open gate, and I received a view of a sprawling palace topped with the gardens I'd come to equate with Lion Fae architecture. It was only a glimpse and then we were heading straight up the driveway and my view became that of wild gardens, just barely restrained, with a small lake in a clearing to the right. A child played with a toy boat near the shore of the lake, guarded by a stunning woman with golden hair down to her waist. She looked up as we passed and smiled brightly before waving. Kaelen leaned out the window to wave back.

The woman bent to speak to the child, pointing at the carriage, then the little boy scooped up his boat and the two of them went racing in the same direction that we were headed, laughing in delight.

“My sister-in-law and nephew,” Kaelen said to my inquisitive look.

“You didn't mention that your brother was married.”

“Didn't I?” He grinned, his attention on the mother and child.

It was clear that Kaelen loved his family, and I felt a flash of nervousness. If they didn't like me, it could hurt our relationship. I took a deep breath and smoothed my hair back. First, the Queen, now his family. I felt a little overwhelmed.

Kaelen glanced at me, grinned, and took my hand. “They're going to love you.”

I made another noncommittal sound.

Kaelen chuckled. “There went the openness.”

I sighed. “I am nervous.”

“I know. That's why I said that.”

“If you know, why did you imply that I needed to say more?”

The carriage came to a halt just as Kaelen burst into laughter. “I'm preparing you. If you think I talk a lot, just wait until you meet my family.” Then he jumped out of the carriage and ran up to the little boy, who met him halfway. “You're so big!” he exclaimed as he hugged the child, then kissed his cheek.

I focused myself, as if for battle, and stepped out of the carriage.

“Uncle Kaelen, who is that?” the little boy asked with wide eyes.

“He is our new valorian,” Kaelen whispered conspiratorially. He got to his feet and took the child with him, to hold in his arms.

The woman gasped, then curtsied to me.

“Rieyu, this is Neva and her son, Soril,” Kaelen introduced us.

“It's an honor to meet you, Lion Valorian,” Neva said.

I bowed deeply to her.

“What's a valorian?” Soril whispered back to his uncle, though he did a poor job of it.

“A great human warrior who is so favored by the Goddess, that she changes him into a faerie,” Kaelen explained.

“You were human?” Soril asked me.

“I was. Mere days ago.”

“That's amazing!” Soril shouted and squirmed to be put down. Once on his feet, he ran up to me and lifted his little boat for my inspection. “Do you like ships?”

“I came to this continent on a ship.”

“You did?!” He started bouncing in excitement. “Where did you come from?”

“And island called Nazaka, very far away.”

“Mommy, he's from an island!” Soril shouted over his shoulder.

“Yes, my love, I can hear. In fact, we all can hear very well; you don't have to shout,” she chided as she came over and took his hand.

“My ship was slimmer than the one this was modeled after.” I crouched and tapped his play boat. “It had long masts with red sails, and my captain was a woman.”

“A woman captain, Mommy!”

“Soril, use a softer voice,” Neva tried again.

“But we're outside. You said I can be loud outside.” He pouted at her, then dismissed her entirely and lifted his arms to me. “Up, please.”

I blinked and glanced at Kaelen. He widened his eyes and made a lifting motion with his hands.

“Soril, the Valorian doesn't want to carry you,” Neva chided. “Come here.”

Before she could claim him, I scooped up the little boy, settled him against my side, and stood. He beamed at me, then shot a smug look at his mother.

“You don't have to,” she whispered to me.

“It's my pleasure.” I smiled at her.

“Tell me more about your ship,” Soril urged.

“We have to introduce him to Grandpa and Grandma,” Kaelen said gently.

“I am talented enough to speak as I walk,” I said gravely to Soril as I followed Kaelen and Neva up a grand set of stairs.

Soril giggled, and Kaelen shot me an affectionate look.

The doors were opened for us, a servant stepping aside as we went in.

“Hello, Conne,” Kaelen said to the man.

“Welcome home, my lord.” The man bowed.

“He's a valanian from Naka!” Soril said to Conne.

“A valorian from Nazaka,” his mother corrected.

Conne's eyes went wide as he bowed to me. “Welcome, Lion Valorian.” Then he looked at Kaelen and added, “Congratulations, my lord.”

“Thank you, Conne. Where are my parents and Kirran?”

“Your parents are having drinks on the terrace and your brother is in his office. I will fetch him and send him outside.”

“Thank you.” Kaelen patted the man's shoulder and led me further into the large entryway.

This entry hall wasn't as vast as the one in Kaelen's home and yet contained more things. There were display cabinets, side tables, and mirrors on the walls amid the usual artwork and plants. This palace was more of a home, filled lovingly over many years.

I nodded to Conne in passing as I continued to tell Soril about the ship; where I slept on it, what I had eaten, and so on, answering every question he posed. Soril kept it up during the entire walk through the entry hall and down two corridors, but when we stepped outside via a pair of glass doors, his attention veered from me to a striking couple sitting at one end of a long table on the stone terrace. They were near the edge of the curving expanse, to the left of a set of steps that led down into yet another garden, and trees grew along the railing to shade the table.

“Grandma! Grandpa! Look!” Soril exclaimed and waved at me.

The couple turned toward their grandson, eyes alight with pleasure. That pleasure increased tenfold when they saw Kaelen. The man was broad-shouldered and blond, his hair pulled back in a careless ponytail, and he didn't look much older than Kaelen. I could see a little of Kaelen in his face and build, but it was the woman who the Lion Lord most resembled. Her hair was a shade darker than Kae's, but her eyes were the same striking blue, and her jaw had the same sharp angle to it. She, just as her husband, looked no more than thirty.

“Kae!” the woman exclaimed and jumped to her feet, somehow making it look graceful. She strode to her son in a few long steps and embraced him. “Thank the Goddess you're home. Is the war over?”

“No, Mother, I'm just here for a visit. I had to present my valorian to the Queen.” He nodded toward me with a wry grin.

“Valorian?” The man asked as he stood. “You've found him?”

“It was more a case of him finding me,” Kaelen said proudly. “Mother, Father, this is Rieyu Brimara, the Lion Valorian.”

I set the boy down and bowed deeply to Kaelen's parents.

“You don't have to bow to us, Rieyu. You're family,” the man said as he reached for my hand. “I'm Rionthal and this is my wife, Draphea.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Sir,” I said as I shook his hand.

“Come here!” Draphea demanded as she drew me into a hug. “We're so pleased to meet you.” She kissed my cheek then set me back so she could look at me. “And you're so handsome.” She grinned at Kaelen. “Are you two together?”

“Yes,” Kaelen said as I cleared my throat. “We are very much together, Mother.”

“Wonderful!” She clapped her hands.

“Grandma!” Soril did not like losing everyone's attention. “I was going to tell you something.”

“What is it, cub?” She bent down to grin at him and ruffle his long, blond hair.

“Rieyu came here on a ship!”

“You must call him Uncle Rieyu out of respect for his relationship to you,” she chided gently. “And he did, did he?”

“Rie is from Nazaka,” Kaelen said.

“Nazaka?” a masculine voice asked from somewhere behind me. “Didn't you study Nazaka, Kae?”

I turned toward the doors we'd just exited and then felt my jaw drop. After a few blinks, I looked from this new arrival to Kaelen and back. They were nearly identical. “You said you had an older brother.” I scowled at Kaelen in accusation.

“I am older,” Kaelen's twin said, then winked at me. “By two minutes.”

“And he's never let me forget it,” Kaelen said as he strode over and hugged his brother. Then he motioned me over. “Rieyu, this is my twin brother, Kirran.”

I started to bow, then caught myself and stepped over to offer my hand.

“Nice to meet you, Rieyu,” Kirran said, then frowned at my face. “I thought you were from . . . oh, shit. I completely forgot that humans can't get through the mists. Not unless they're pregnant with a fae baby, and you obviously can't be pregnant.”

“Kirran, watch your language!” Neva hissed.

“You're our valorian, aren't you?” Kirran ignored his wife, his stare locked on me.

“He is,” Kae confirmed. “And to answer your earlier question; yes, I've studied Nazaka. It seems that the Goddess has known for a long time that Rie would enter my life.”

“Praise the Mother,” Draphea whispered reverently.

“Indeed,” Rionthal said. “This is a great day. We need to celebrate.” He ducked inside the palace to call for one of the servants and ask that a special dinner be prepared and a bottle of wine be brought out. Then he waved us all toward the table. “Let's sit down and get to know each other.”

“I can tell you about him, Grandpa,” Soril said proudly. “I even know what he ate on his ship.”

“That's very interesting.” Rionthal picked up the little boy and took him to the table, settling him on his lap after he sat down. “But I'd like to talk to Rieyu. You can tell me about what you learned later, all right?”

“All right.” Soril agreed and set his boat down on the table.

“Good boy,” Kirran said approvingly as the rest of us joined them. “Now, Rieyu, how did you inspire my brother to offer you his soul?”

“His soul?” Soril asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, cub, now hush,” Neva whispered.

I cleared my throat. “I . . .”

“He's not going to tell the tale properly,” Kaelen cut me off. “Nazakians are too reserved to brag. He'll give you a watered-down version of what happened.”

“Admirable,” Rionthal said gruffly. “But I still want to hear about it.”

Kaelen told our story while I sat back and listened, feeling content in a way that I'd never had before. His family had welcomed me as warmly as he had. I wasn't sure why I'd thought it would be any different, but now that I was sitting there among them, I knew I shouldn't have worried. Kaelen couldn't have been raised by anyone who wasn't as kind and caring as he was.

A servant came outside as Kaelen spoke. He poured us glasses of wine, then paused to listen to Kaelen with an awed expression. No one told him to leave. In fact, when the story was over, Rionthal shared an impressed look with the servant. The man shook his head in wonder before heading inside.

“The entire household will know of your valor in about ten minutes,” Draphea said to me with a chuckle.

I smiled politely at her.

“You're so quiet,” Kirran said to me. “It's a nice change from this one's blathering.” He nodded toward Kaelen.

“Says the man who loves to hear his own voice above any other,” Kaelen shot back.

“Boys,” their mother chided. To me, she added, “They're only playing. Though there are times that their play can get out of hand.”

“That's your fault, Mother,” Kirran declared. “I inherited my trickster ways from you.”

Instead of chiding him again, Draphea grinned wickedly and whispered across the table to me, “He did. Beware, Rieyu, we'll get you too.”

I chuckled. “I appreciate the warning.”

“It's far more than I got,” Kaelen grumbled.

“Well, you ruined my fun by liking men instead of women,” Kirran said. “We could have—” he cut himself off when he caught his wife's glare.

“Could have what, Daddy?” Soril asked.

“Yes, Kirran, what exactly could we have done?” Kaelen asked with a smirk.

“We could have played pranks together,” Kirran said smoothly. “Instead of forcing me to play them on you.”

“Oh, you were forced to pretend to be me and flirt with men you knew I abhorred?” Kaelen lifted a brow at his brother.

I snorted a laugh, then clasped a hand to my mouth in embarrassment.

“No, feel free to laugh,” Kaelen said. “It was funny. Up until the moment I punched Jonner Pricannis in the nose because he tried to kiss me.”

Kirran burst out laughing.

“You punched someone for kissing you, Uncle Kaelen?” Soril asked with wide eyes.

“I didn't want to be kissed by him, Soril,” Kaelen said gravely. “And you shouldn't kiss anyone without knowing for certain that they wish to be kissed by you.”

“I won't,” Soril promised as he rubbed his nose.

“To the newest member of our family,” Rionthal cut off the trickster talk with a lift of his glass. “Welcome, Rieyu, we are so blessed to have you.”

Everyone clicked glasses as I inclined my head solemnly. Kaelen's hand slipped onto my lap and found mine, drawing my attention to him. His smile was tender, proud, and so happy that it almost hurt to look at him. Or perhaps that was my unprotected heart taking a blow.