As if he was missing something vital that he never even knew he needed, and that he would never find or recover.
Sin now understood the difference between an Immortal’s Chosen Mate and Destined Mate. They were not always one and the same.
Someday, he would tell all of this to Zai.
Someday, when Zai was ready to hear it.
Once in a while they shared news and information with the raptors they encountered.
They learned that Queen Ashlu had organized a Great Challenge. A tournament admissible only to Dark Ones far and wide where the contestants would compete for the ultimate prize—the right to become her Consort and rule by her side.
To become her Blooded Mate.
The event consisted of many types of matches, mainly of physical strength, agility, strength, martial prowess and mental stamina. Only Immortals with a Dark base could contend, which meant that Pure Ones and humans were excluded. Elementals and animal spirits with a Dark base could still compete, but it was doubtful anyone would try, given how other Immortals regarded their Dark oppressors.
Zai added a few more insights to this news. He himself found the tournament somewhat surprising, for the Dark Queen was said to already have a Consort of sorts, though rumors whispered that it was merely a Blood Slave who possessed tremendous elemental powers.
An Earth Elemental, to be exact. They called him Prince Hulaal.
Zai had only ever heard of him, but had never personally encountered him during his time in service to the previous Dark Queen Gaia. Apparently, the Elemental was only added to Queen Ashlu’s arsenal after she took the throne upon her mother’s death.
Even exiled, Zai had picked up on news of Prince Hulaal’s campaigns against Ashlu’s enemies. Whenever she wanted to make a bold statement, really put on a demonstration of might, she put him to the task.
He could make mountains shake, the stories told. He could make volcanoes erupt. Calling forth a rockslide to bury the queen’s enemies was mere child’s play. The Elemental’s powers seemed nigh inexhaustible.
Limitless.
Strangely, he wasn’t rumored to be one of the contestants, despite the fact that everyone knew he and the Dark Queen were lovers. True, she had many lovers, never just one, but all the spies at court reported that she preferred him above all others.
It stood to reason that the “Prince” did not have a Dark base. As such, he would not qualify to become her Consort.
It was surprising to Zai, who understood Dark politics, that Queen Ashlu kept such a male by her side, and publicly besides. Immortals who didn’t have a Dark base were frowned upon as “inferior.” He could only deduce that Ashlu had made an exception for the Elemental because of his unfathomable powers.
But why would the Elemental ally himself with his Dark oppressor? That was a question none of them had an answer to.
Meanwhile, Ben spent most of his time with the Eagle King.
Sin did not know what they spoke of or where they went. Sometimes, he would see them standing together on the edge of the plateau looking out into the vast mountain range and ever-shifting skies.
They didn’t seem to be talking when he glimpsed them as he passed by. But they apparently communicated in their own way all the same. Ben sometimes took his supper with Sin and Zai and related all that he learned.
For these meetings, Sin took human form and even donned the borrowed clothes. If nothing else, he wanted to show Zai that he could be civilized if he made an effort, part of his ongoing campaign to woo the stubborn Hunter.
This was one of those days.
“He plans to enter the Queen’s tournament himself,” Ben said, his brow furrowed with worry.
“That’s the day after tomorrow,” Sin noted, surprised.
Ben nodded, face grim.
“Yes. He plans to head down the mountain tonight. Tomorrow, he will register for the tournament and…fix some loose ends, he said.”
“Who will protect the aeries while he’s gone?” Zai put in.
“What does he hope to achieve?”
“His Second-in-Command will take charge,” Ben replied. “She is well prepared for the task. He hasn’t said so, but I think it will be a permanent appointment.”