Khalon's head shot up. "Priestess."
The priestess neared, her bare feet leaving trails of tiny flowers in the grass as she walked. Her dark skin was smooth as silk, her long midnight tresses untamed. Her golden eyes sparkled like the stars and her beauty was unrivaled by any other. She stopped beside him, reaching down to wipe his tearstained cheek with her thumb.
"I allowed my self-importance to blind me, and my mate has paid the price with his life."
"You believe the mark was placed in error. His soul will be claimed by the goddess Thalna and your strength returned. You shall be gifted another mate, one who is not unsuitable to a Soldati king."
"He's not unsuitable," Khalon growled, then recalled to whom he was speaking. "I beg forgiveness." He drew a deep breath and released it slowly. Calming himself, he continued. "It's true, he is a human and perhaps not as strong as I, but that does not mean he is weak or unsuitable as a Soldati prince. He is strong of heart, courageous, and, heaven help me, as willful as any other I have known. He did not deserve this death. This is all my doing. Had I not passed unwarranted judgment upon him, he would still live." He lowered his head, wishing he could do something so the goddess would take his prince to the veil beyond and not leave his radiant soul to wander in the darkness of limbo. Riley deserved to bask in a light equal to his own.
The priestess cupped his cheek and raised his head. He was taken aback by her warm smile. "Khalon King, there is purpose in all I do. What would you sacrifice to have your prince returned to you?"
Khalon stared at her. "You would return him to me?" Was it too much to hope for?
"For a price."
Khalon didn't hesitate. "Anything."
"Your Majesty," Adira interrupted cautiously. "Forgive me, but you must think about what you are saying. The loss is regrettable. Riley was most certainly a noble man, but you are our king. What if the price is too great?"
Khalon swallowed hard. Adira was right. He had a responsibility bigger than himself, and he had known Riley for such a short time. Yet as he brushed Riley's hair from his brow, his long lashes resting against his pale cheeks, Khalon's heart spoke a truth he had attempted so callously to bury.
"He is my prince." Khalon gave the priestess a decisive nod. "Do what you must, but please, return him to me."
The priestess stood and stepped back. She raised her arms, her eyes glowing white. "You shall have your Soldati prince, Khalon King, as was intended."
A fierce wind swept through the trees, rushing out to surround Khalon and Riley, the noise drowning out the concerned cries from his friends. Khalon held Riley tight against him, watching as Riley's body illuminated from within. The Soldati markings around Khalon's arms moved and shifted while Riley's marks grew. What began as a few bands now traveled up his arm in a pattern matching Khalon's own markings. The color returned to Riley's skin and Khalon felt his strength returning to him, along with his power.
Riley arched his back violently, opening his mouth as the white light burst free, disappearing into the sky high above them. With a groan his prince blinked his eyes open, and Khalon noted the gold spreading from the center of Riley's irises until his eyes turned bright amber. A lock of hair on his brow darkened to pitch black.
"Riley?"
"What... what happened?" Riley frowned before turning his face to the priestess and giving a start. He clung to Khalon, making him smile. How good it was to have Riley in his arms so full of life again.
"It's all right, Riley. May I present the great priestess."
The priestess smiled kindly. "Welcome, Soldati prince."
Riley looked puzzled. "I don't understand. I... died. Didn't I?"
"Your king has made a great sacrifice to have you returned to him. I have granted you life and your true form. That of immortal Soldati."
Riley's eyes widened. "You mean like a tiger-shifting Soldati?" His jaw went slack. "Wait, did you say immortal?"
The priestess laughed softly. "You were always a Soldati, young Riley. Your true form would have been revealed once your king claimed you. I simply sped up the process. All that you have been, what you will become, shall be revealed to you in time. This is your destiny, Riley Murrough."
Riley's troubled gaze landed on Khalon. "What did you sacrifice?"
They all turned their attention to the priestess who addressed Khalon, her tone gentle and void of ill will.
"A Soldati King must never deem himself worthier than those whom he protects. Your arrogance and pride have led you to this. Yet you are of kind heart and have ruled your kingdom with fairness and goodness. Your sacrifice is thus, Khalon King. Every full moon you shall live your life as a mortal man, unable to shift and susceptible to wounds, pain, and the frailty you so feared."
"What?" Rayner shook his head in disbelief. "But--"
"I accept," Khalon stated firmly.
"Your Majesty, if the demons were to discover this--" Adira began, her protest cut short when Khalon held up a hand for silence. He bowed his head to the priestess.
"Thank you for your kindness and mercy. I shall do everything within my power to be worthy of you and those I have been blessed to share my life with."