Page 108 of Shrine of Fire

“Of course.” I nodded at the Admiral. “We respect that you have already spoken to the Ember King. But the reality is that you’ll be part of our pack.”

Lord Baylin stood. “Let’s give them some space, shall we? We could tour the ship.”

“My First Mate, Jorhn, will take you.” Admiral Xilas nodded at the man standing to his left. He was dark-skinned, with a serious look about him, his hair twisted back into a long ponytail behind him.

First Mate Jorhn nodded. “Follow me.”

Everyone started filing out of the room. It wasn’t until Hashir, Cuan, Kalahar, and Aki remained in the room that the Admiral raised his eyebrows. “Your Highness?”

“Yes?” Stefan managed to sound magnanimous.

“I was hoping for an audience with the two of you.” He gestured at the rest of my pack. “I realize the entire pack is affected by this decision, but is it not your choice and the choice of your omega?”

Stefan glanced at Aki, and then the others. It warmed my heart that he checked in with them. After a slight nod from Hashir, Stefan cleared his throat. “We can allow that.”

Hashir gave the man a tight smile. “Treat them well.”

“You have my word.” The Admiral shot Hashir a stern look.

With that, we were alone with the Admiral.

Iwas suddenly extra glad I had bonded with both Hashir and Stefan. I gave the packbond a little tug and got Hashir’s love and affection in return, along with Stefan’s quiet determination. I took Stefan’s hand under the table, where the Admiral couldn’t see, and gave it a squeeze.

Admiral Xilas steepled his hands together. “Now then, let us discuss manners.”

“I’m listening.” Stefan arched an eyebrow. “We came to spend time with you, to see if this would be a good fit.”

“I see.” The older man chuckled. I didn’t like it, the way he acted like he was so much more worldly than we were.

We had saved the world, for the spirit’s sake.

I straightened my back. “Something funny?”

“No, my dear.” He waved his hand. “Shall we have some tea?”

“Please.” Stefan’s tone was frosty.

The Admiral went to one of the heavily lacquered chests. He opened the top drawer and began to pull out an exquisite tea set. It was made from fine porcelain with a delicate blue and white floral pattern.

“This is one of the emperor’s finest tea sets. We reserve it for special occasions.” He pulled out a large teapot, three delicate cups without handles, and saucers. He also produced small containers for sugar and milk. There were several pitchers on the sideboard, and out of one he poured steaming water into the tea pot.

“While we let that steep, let me share with you a story.” He smiled brightly. “I came into the Emperor’s service as a young boy. I quickly moved up in rank, earning my gold—” he touched the medals on his chest. “At an unprecedented rate.”

“That’s impressive,” I said. “Your parents were proud of you?”

I wasn’t sure how to get around him being part of my pack. I’d considered stringing him along, as horrible as that sounded, until it was safe to refuse him. But I couldn’t sign a legal document and go back on our word. We still had to face the world’s leaders, and in the coming years we would need them to listen. Breaking a pack contract before the entire pack was bonded would be a bad first step.

It was going to take time and effort to search for omegas and shaman with spirit magic. It would take diplomatic missions to secure the Shrines around the world and place an omega with each one.

Our missions wouldn’t be as effective if Stefan and I broke our word so early on.

“My parents accepted nothing less than perfection.” He smiled. “I brought them glory, and triumph to the Empire.”

He set the tea service on the table. “It’s why you will accept me into the Pack. In addition to the arrangements, I have already made with the Ember King, I will make you more powerful.”

It was time for the direct approach, as Lord Baylin and Lady Pelissa had both suggested. It seemed like the only way to get through to this man in the short time I had.

“Do you understand how packbonds work?” I accepted a plate of small cakes and pastries.

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