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nations, and the Imperium? Wren offered.  How can you possibly
think you can win?
At that, Dassan seemed to hesitate. As the energy storm began to
quiet into a dark, bitter rain, Sassaki s mother turned into her legged
form.
 Perhaps they are right, she said.  Maybe we could give
Sassaki s idea a chance.
Sassaki held his breath. His parents had always been high in favor
with the court, and the presence of their unexpected allies might help.
 I offer you my word that we will look into this situation
officially, Chek said.  It is true the Imperium never bothered to
control the situation in the plague lands. It s high time that changed.
Craving Owen 183
Dassan didn t move to attack them, but he didn t shift either. He
seemed to be contemplating his options. Sassaki knew he didn t have
much time to add arguments before Dassan decided the entire debate
was pointless.
 I swear to you, Your Highness, that I will gladly die at your
hands should things not work out.
At that, Dassan really did shift. He was smirking, Sassaki realized.
 Do you think I am a fool? he asked.  I can take your life any
moment I want. In fact, all of you are most valuable to me dead. No
one will ever find out the young elven princes were even here.
A wave of his hand brought the rest of the wyrms forward. At the
same time, a strange feeling of warmth filled him then, and Sassaki
knew that, for some reason, his mate had ignored all common sense
and come to Tanarak as well.
In a strange development, Dassan gestured for the other wyrms to
stop. Three slender figures appeared from the harbor. Owen rushed to
their side, his expression a mix of relief and fear.  Oh, thank God, he
said.  Thank God you re okay.
 Owen, what are you doing here? Sassaki asked.  It s not safe.
 How could we abandon you? Owen said with a smile. The dark-
haired human who d appeared with Chek gasped.
 Owen? Owen, is it really you?
Clearly, the man was Owen s friend, Connor, but their reunion
could not take place right now. A low growl sounded from Dassan.
 Won t you introduce us? he asked in a hiss.
Sassaki wanted to scream. What could have possessed Owen to
come here, knowing that they would end up smack-dab in the center
of a war?
 This is Owen, he told his leader, unable to contain the hostility
from his voice.
 I don t care, Dassan answered. His gaze was fixed on someone
else.  Who is he?
184 Scarlet Hyacinth
Sassaki stared in confused disbelief as his best friend left their
side and headed toward the wyrm.  K Kani, Sassaki s friend, the
mer introduced himself.  It is a pleasure to meet you.
To his credit, Kani didn t even flinch when Dassan pulled him
close, nuzzling his neck. He caressed Kani s hair, whispering softly in
his ear. Sassaki s hackles rose and he took a step forward, ready to
jump to his friend s defense.
Before he could do so, however, Dassan directed his attention
toward the assembled group.  In celebration of finding my mate, I
will give you one day to discuss the issue with the dryads. If
arrangements can be made, we will attempt a truce. If not, well...Well,
you won t get another chance.
Kani briefly broke away from Dassan after whispering something
in the wyrm s ear. Dassan nodded and Kani made his way to Sassaki.
He hugged Sassaki tight, murmuring,  Thank you for everything.
Until we see each other again, farewell. You ll always be my best
friend, my brother.
Sassaki s heart was breaking.  You don t have to go with him.
Kani smiled sadly.  I do, and you know it. He shrugged.  I ll be
fine. I m his mate. He won t hurt me.
Kani said his good-byes to Fayre and Owen, as well, and indicated
for the rest of their companions to take care of Sassaki. After that, he
returned to Dassan s side. Pulling Kani s hand, Dassan wordlessly led
his troops back into the water. Sassaki helplessly watched his friend
go after the wyrm leader. He continued to stare until all the wyrms
vanished, at the same time remembering all the moments spent with
Kani in the past years. All that was lost now. Whatever Kani said,
Sassaki didn t trust Dassan not to hurt the mer.
Sassaki turned toward the nymphs, angry and brokenhearted. Kani
had sacrificed himself to buy them time. He hoped the bastards
appreciated it.
Thankfully, the nymphs looked chastised. No one made any
further comment on Sassaki s presence, and the small army returned
Craving Owen 185
to Tanarak. Sassaki was completely disheartened. How could he even
convince the dryads to consider a truce with the wyrms in one day? It
would be impossible, and Dassan fucking knew it.
Lyole led him to Yane s quarters and told him to get some rest.
Owen stayed with him, hugging him, whispering comforting words.
Sassaki accepted the caresses, hating the guilt that appeared within
him whenever Owen s hands touched his skin. Later, Hash joined
them. They didn t make love, but simply their presence helped.
Sassaki s mind whirled as he tried to figure out what to do.
Dassan was no fool. He would use this extra day for his own benefit
and gather more troops, perhaps attack the plague lands from all sides.
What could they do to stop this disaster from happening?
He was so lost in thought he didn t feel the approaching army
until they were close to Tanarak. Startled, Sassaki shot out of the bed.
Together with Hash, he ran outside. Once there, they met Lyole who
busied himself with arranging medical assistance for the injured. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]