Sanctuary: Game of Hearts, #2

By Kaye Draper

Kat's return home with her captivating new mates should be a celebration of love and unity, yet the fledgling bond that once united them is now shadowed by resentment and the echoes of Kat's unwilling deception.

 

Larkwood is on the verge of unparalleled growth and wealth, and with its powerful new co-stewards it stands poised to become one of the most important territories in Elfhaven. But unexpected obstacles are cropping up by the second. As setbacks threaten to shatter Kat's hopes for Larkwood's future, she must set aside her worries about her dysfunctional mate bonds and her wounded heart and focus on her duties to the people she governs.

 

When the setbacks become outright attacks against Kat personally, she and her bonded mates are forced to rise above the turmoil and learn to trust each other long enough for Kat to survive whatever political games are afoot.

 

Author's note

*Game of Hearts is a two-book duology. As such, there are unresolved conflicts from book one that lead into book two. The story is complete at two books.

*This story was previously published as the serial story, Tournament of Hearts, but has undergone extensive editing and contains additional chapters and other significant changes.

*The relationship in this story is poly romance (meaning multiple love interests).

*Contains MF, MM, and XM/XF romance

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaye Draper
• Release date: Feb 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224271894

Kaye Draper

Sometimes our greatest strengths come from our deepest challenges. I write magic and romance, starring a cast of creatures with feathers, fins, and teeth. My books include paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance--with the occasional steampunk or alien story thrown in just for kicks. My pan heart firmly believes love is love, so you'll see straight, LGBTQIA, monogamous, reverse harem, and poly relationships in my work. My favorite theme is overcoming our inner demons and the insecurities that hold us back. I also advocate for self-development and mental health and dabble in non-fiction as time allows. I love the outdoors and still hope to be abducted by fae! (I may have more in common with my characters than I care to admit.) You can help Kaye create at patreon.com/KayeDraper.

Book preview

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Chapter 1

The journey from the capital city of Brightfall in the northeastern part of Astra back to my home took the better part of two weeks. There was currently no direct route to Larkwood's central city, Mistvale. The southern limb of the Old Scourge mountains hugged the coast and jutted out between the border of Astra and Larkwood, which meant either going over the mountain or around it. The mountain pass would increase trade and travel between Larkwood and Elfhaven's other territories, changing life for everyone in Larkwood. But it was currently still under construction.

While our party all rode mounts capable of flying, and we would leave the carriage at the small town at the border, the mountains were too tall to simply fly over the top. My pooka mount would have to hold on to a large winged form to carry me, which would exhaust his magic. And the elevation and distance would overtax the griffins that carried my newly bonded mates and our escort of royal guards. Not to mention, keeping us all breathing properly at those elevations would overtax the magic of the spellcasters in our group. We could avoid the mountains altogether by traveling around them and through the territory of Trireme to the west, but that would take even longer. And I was desperate to reach home. So, we took the road that led up and over the mountain.

It would be an excellent opportunity to do my duty as steward of Larkwood and check the construction of the mountain pass while I was at it. Might as well save myself the headache of making a second trip to the mountains after we got home. A short aerial detour would give me a good look at how things were going.

The first day of travel was blessedly uneventful, as far as travel goes. Several towns and villages sat along our route to the mountains, and the roads in Elfhaven were meticulously well-maintained, with waypoints for travelers. So, there were plenty of places to stop for food and rest along the way. The weather was fair and warm, but not so hot as to make things miserable. The late summer sun mostly stayed behind the puffy white clouds and refrained from roasting us all in our seats.

A good wild run helped calm both me and my horse-shaped pooka mount. I was still stressed over the currently strained relationship between myself and the males who had won the Game of Hearts and became my mates. But as I rode, I could redirect some of that energy into enjoying the beautiful landscape around me. And into planning everything I would need to do upon our return to Larkwood.

Balefire calmed down after our run and settled into an easy pace that matched the griffins around us. Jasper talked non-stop to anyone who would listen. First, he exhausted the guards, then he dropped back to ride beside me. His goofy smile was infectious, and his enthusiastic, childlike wonder at the world around him lifted my spirits. He was currently waxing poetic over a tall, twisted tree along the road that was home to a dryad.

The dryad sat perched on one of the thick, nearly horizontal branches over our heads. She and her ancient tree were wreathed in brilliant green vines with purple flowers, and there were so many honeybees dancing about that you could hear their hum from a hundred paces away.

I nodded to the dryad, and Jasper waved enthusiastically as we passed. She smiled at the boy and waved back as we continued on by, leaving the tree in the distance. "Did you see the size of that trunk? he breathed. How old do you think they are, her and her tree? Must be five hundred years, at least."

I huffed a laugh at him, a smile pulling at my lips. He sounded as if he were five years old, rather than on the cusp of adulthood. At least, I told him. I believe she and her tree have been here for closer to a thousand years, if I recall my history correctly. My stepmother and I often had picnics under her shade when we would travel between Larkwood and the capital on steward business. The dryad is friendly as long as you're respectful. She loves hearing bits of poetry and songs in exchange for providing shelter to travelers. I winked at him. If he was like most boys his age, he'd enjoy a visit with the buxom, but relatively harmless, dryad. Next time you pass through here, come prepared with a limerick or two, and you can ask her all about her tree.

Jasper's eyes sparkled, and he grinned at me. That's a wonder. He didn't leer or make any additional comment. Bach had trained him well. So, you traveled a lot when you were young? That must have been so nice. He shook his head. I've been stuck in a little fishing village on the ass-end of the continent all my life. We used to joke that the place was a boil on Elfhaven’s left cheek.

Language, Jasper! Bach snapped from behind us.

I suppressed a wry smile. What had I just been thinking to myself about Jasper's politeness and training?

I'd hardly heard Bach speak this whole time, but his barked-out reprimand suddenly reminded me of the sullen males behind me.

Jasper straightened a bit in his saddle and bowed his head to me. Apologies, my lady.

I rolled my eyes. Then I squared my own shoulders and spoke loud enough that Bach could hear me. If he thought I wanted or needed his coddling, then he was greatly mistaken. "You're allowed to say ass, Jasper. And I’ve witness grosser things than boils. I did spend my early years on a farm or pestering my stepmother’s stable master. You're practically an adult. And I'm no prissy, blushing palace highborn."

The poor squire seemed uncomfortable now, jolted out of his easy wonder by the reminder that his employer was watching him. Right. Well, I'd better go see if Commander Currant needs anything. He spurred his griffin forward to join the guards. As if the commander of the royal guard detail had any need for a teenaged errand boy.

I sighed and glared at the back of Balefire's head. This was going to be a very long, very boring trip, if Bach kept scaring away the only person willing to chat with me. The guards were too professional to be anything other but polite and dutiful, and my mates were probably too busy setting silent curses on me to make idle chatter.

I was pulled out of my bitter musings when a big griffin drew up next to me. I glanced to the side, then snapped my eyes straight forward again. Jasper's fine, I informed the broad, black-horned male at my side. Bach looked good on his mount. They were equally matched in power and dignity as they moved. But I refused to let my gaze linger.

He grunted something that could have been agreement or disbelief. It was hard telling, with the permanent look of displeasure he kept plastered on his handsome face ever since the champions' ball.

He needs to remember himself, so he doesn't end up embarrassing you in public once we get to your home territory, Bach said flatly.

I huffed. I'm not that kind of steward. And my people aren't that kind of people. If you're expecting pomp and snobbery, then you're going to be sorely disappointed in Larkwood, my lord.

We rode in tense silence for a time before he spoke again. What should I expect, then? he asked, his deep voice just shy of sullen.

I glanced at him to find those bright blue eyes locked on me with an unnerving intensity. What? I said intelligently.

He arched one dark brow, not looking away. We would like to know what exactly you expect of us, and what our duties will be once we arrive in Larkwood.

A snort of disbelief left me, and I turned to look over my shoulder at the men behind me. And you had to ask on behalf of everyone else, because they've all suddenly lost the ability to speak? I sniped.

My eyes accidentally locked with Fife's, and the searing rage in the cleric's green gaze made me regret absolutely every decision I had ever made in my life. I turned back around, thinking maybe it was a blessing that he wasn't speaking right now. He could be using his beautiful voice to cast spells to injure or maim his lying mate instead. I preferred the barbed silence.

I cleared my throat. I'm not certain yet what duties you'll be given. But that sort of thing might be easier to determine if we were actually on speaking terms. Or would you rather I just randomly assign you random duties as if you are all slaves? I looked at Bach then, frustration overriding my resolve to avoid him and my fear of retaliation from his cleric friend. I'm not the villain you make me out to be.

He narrowed his eyes at me. You lied to us.

I threw my hands up in the air in absolute frustration, and Balefire snorted, turning his head to eye the fae beside me like he was considering whether he should take a bite out of Bach's muscular thigh. I had no choice! I snapped, reining Balefire in before he could maim my stubborn mate.

But Bach wasn't ready to listen to reason. He was still too busy being pissed off. Oh, yes. I know, he sneered. You wouldn't want to disappoint the queen or rob her of her petty games. Clearly, the game and the royal family's favor were more important to you than anyone else's feelings. More important than the fact that you were playing with people's lives.

I opened my mouth to tell him my actual reasons. To let the pompous jackass know about the queen's secrecy spell. But he didn't give me a chance. Kicking his mount forward, he went to speak to Currant. A moment later, he took to the sky with the excuse of letting his griffin stretch his wings while they surveyed the road ahead.

I ground my teeth together. I had been trying my best to see Raven team's side of things these past few days. To understand that they had a right to feel hurt and defensive. That they might not easily see or believe that I truly did care for them and never meant to cause them distress, that I never wanted to deceive them. They needed time to cool off, I told myself. It would all work out, eventually. They would see reason soon, and we'd all learn to work together as stewards in a professional capacity for the good of Larkwood. That was the whole purpose of the tournament after all.

But I was rapidly losing my faith and my patience.

By the time darkness fell and we stopped at an inn for the night, I was ready to draw blood from anyone who spoke to me. I knew I was being unfair to the guards and their commander. They had been nothing but polite and professional toward me. Jasper might have cheered me up with enthusiastic and dramatic stories about his training, but he was keeping his distance now too, probably afraid his boss would bite his head off if he made friends with the enemy.

It was only day one, and I was already sick of being around other people. Yet, at the same time, I really didn't want to go up to my rented room and stew by myself. Which was how I found myself in a corner of the inn's common room sipping a cup of boozy spiced cider while I watched everyone else in the world sit together in small clusters eating, drinking, and laughing.

Ah well, I was used to being alone, for the most part. Back in Larkwood, I had a few trusted staff and old friends who were like family, and I was friendly with the locals. But I performed my duties independently, and I spent most of my private time alone at home. This was hardly new.

If a small part of me had thought maybe that would change after the tournament, well, clearly, that was nothing but wishful thinking.

I was on my third cup of cider. The common room had mostly emptied out, except for the guards who weren't on duty at the moment. And, of course, my sullen mates.

I watched as the men of Raven team finished their last round and got up from their table, all chummy as usual. They headed for the stairs, chatting and chuckling over some shared joke. Bach threw his arm around Fife's shoulders and mimed choking the smaller guy, while Adder ruffled his hair.

They were like a bunch of kids goofing around. And I hated how much I wished I could be a part of their group. Not even as a mate. I'd settle for being punched in the arm like Adder right now, or being on the receiving end of what was probably a biting reply from Fife in response to all the teasing.

Maybe I should stop drinking. I was getting maudlin.

I watched my new mates make their way to the stairs and head up to their beds. But Mirri fell behind. He turned and looked over his shoulder at me. His warm gold eyes met mine, and I looked away, embarrassed that I'd been caught watching them. As if I was pining over a bunch of males who hated me.

That would be ridiculous.

I glanced over at them again, to find Mirri paused with one hand on the banister. He called something up to the others. Then the kindest member of Raven team turned around and headed toward my table.

That soft look on his face was probably pity for the poor, pathetic mixed-blood who was hated by her mates. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down into my nearly empty cup, my fingers curling around the smooth metal as if it might give me courage. I didn't want to be pitied. But I did want to fix this.

Hi, Mirri said, his voice low and hesitant.

I forced myself to look up, to meet the judgement in those pretty gold eyes. But what I found there was only sadness. Pity, maybe, but no anger. I blinked rapidly to keep my eyes from tearing up as a mixture of relief and embarrassment flowed through me. Hello.

He gestured to the chair across from me and tilted his head, causing a wayward wave of auburn hair to fall forward over his short antler on that side. Do you mind if I sit? His wings were covered by his coat, as usual, and I silently wished they were uncovered. Not just because they were beautiful, but because it would give me a bit more insight into what he was thinking and feeling. But there were no flicks or flutters to give away his current emotions.

I shrugged. Do what you like. I don't own you. The words carried more bitterness than I intended. But that was what they all seemed to think—that I had entered the tournament simply to get myself a group of males to treat as servants or slaves. And that was exactly the sort of bonding that Mirri had entered the tournament to avoid.

Mirri sighed. Of course you don't own me, he said, pulling out the chair and sinking into it with an exhausted sight. You've never given us any reason to think that was your aim.

I scoffed into my cup before taking a drink. Maybe you should tell Bach that, I muttered.

Mirri put his elbows on the table and rested his lips against his folded hands, regarding me with those liquid gold eyes. I was surprised at the understanding I saw there. He's angry, he finally said, giving me a shrug. But he'll eventually realize that it's not you he's angry with.

I set my cup down and arched a brow at him. Oh? Then who is he so furious with?

Mirri dropped his hands to the table and smiled faintly. Himself.

I shook my head, but he held up a hand to stop my protest. No, I mean it. Bach has this…complex, I suppose. Ever since we were all kids, he's acted like it's his job to protect us all. He was…the chief of our wild little tribe. Not necessarily in a bad way—for the most part he isn't bossy or domineering. But…. He sighed and gave me a wry look. "He thinks he's responsible for everyone. Especially our little group. And he takes that far too seriously. Sometimes he gets his mind set on his goals, or his duty, or his need to protect the people he loves…and it's like nothing else gets through to him."

I pondered that for a moment, pressing my lips together as I watched Mirri watch me. I see. But what does that have to do with our current situation?

Mirri sighed. Isn't it obvious? He thinks he should have known who you were. He thinks he should have figured out everything that was going on with the tournament so he could protect us from…whatever it is he thinks he failed to protect us from. I don't know. From being deceived? From looking like fools? From getting our feelings hurt? From the fact that he tried to withdraw us from the tournament and disregard our original goal to get free of my family's reach? It’s hard to say with him. The point is, he's mad at himself more than you. He just needs some time.

I nodded slowly. That did fit rather well with what I knew of the infuriating leader of Raven team. Why are you here telling me this? Aren't you and the others mad at me too, regardless of what Bach has to say on the matter? I wasn't stupid enough to think that the other men weren't capable of independent thought outside Bach's leadership.

Hurt, Mirri said, his soft gold eyes meeting mine and his expression sad. "Not mad, Rina—sorry, Katrina. We're hurt. He smiled that faint ghost of a smile again. Though I'm sure Adder and Fife haven't realized the difference yet."

I ran a hand through my hair. I get that. I do. But I did what I had to do during the tournament. I couldn't tell anyone the truth. All I could do was do my best to keep Raven team in the running until I could reveal my identity. I didn't have any other choice!

He just gave me that sad look again. "I believe you think you didn't have a choice. But that doesn't make the whole situation any less painful. In the end, we were misled. You let us all fall in love with you, then rejected us when we would have given up everything for you. Then you flipped our entire world upside down by announcing you were the Prize, and we were to be yours. We keep losing our footing, don't you see? It's hard to know where we stand with you now, if this is your last secret, or if we will once again find ourselves the butt of some grand joke or caught up in some game we don't know the rules of. And for some of us…well, trust doesn't come easily. And once lost, is nearly impossible to regain."

I opened my mouth to tell him about the queen's spell, but he stopped me, putting a hand on mine, where it rested on the table. Don't, he said softly. Don't argue. Don't justify. Just give us time. You owe us all that much, at least.

I clenched my teeth. Fine. It seemed even the reasonable member of the group didn't want to give me the chance to explain myself.

He must have seen the anger in my expression, because Mirri pulled away, taking his warmth with him. I might seem like a soft touch. But even I'm not immune to feeling used, he murmured. The only difference is that I know lashing out in anger or sulking in silence won't help anything. So, even if I'm still mad, I'll talk to you again tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. Until we work things out. Good night…Katrina.

I watched him walk away, not sure if I felt better or worse.

As I finished my drink and made my way to my room, I felt a bitter resolve hardening inside me, anger replacing my sadness, armoring me against the hurt. Not once had the men of Raven team asked me to explain my actions. They weren't interested in hearing my side of things. And I wasn't going to beg them to listen. They could come to me when they were ready to see my side of things. Until then, screw them.

Screw them! I muttered aloud, slamming the door to my room, then leaning back against the portal as I struggled to get my boots off. Males are ass-faces, I said with a slight slur as the full force of all the alcohol I'd consumed finally hit me.

Balefire padded over to me in his creepy, needle-toothed black cat form and rubbed against my shins, prompting me to pick him up. We don't need them, I said as I buried my face in his silky fur. I flopped onto my bed with the pooka in my arms, lulled to sleep by the comforting prickle of his long claws kneading my shoulder.

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Chapter 2

The next day dawned foggy and gray. Which was just fine because it suited my mood and kept me from getting sunburned while we rode. If everything went as planned, we would ride all day and reach the base of the mountains this evening. The tiny village there would afford us one last opportunity to sleep in a proper inn. Then it would be camping and small way stations until we reached the other side of the mountains.

I didn't speak to my mates at all, resentment still simmering in my gut. Jasper rode beside me for a time, and I told him all about the mountains that surrounded my home territory and the adventures I'd had there as a child. But the fog and the glaring of his employer seemed to have permanently dampened the gregarious redhead's mood. So, I spent most of the day riding in silence.

I tried to mentally prepare for what would need to be done once I reached home, cataloging all the duties that had been neglected in my absence and deciding which tasks would need my immediate attention upon my arrival. There were people covering things for me while I was gone, but they were only doing the bare minimum, the things that absolutely couldn't wait. There would be other things that needed catching up now that I was back, and probably a stack of official items that needed my signature or attention specifically.

It's probably a good thing I have a shiny new group of bonded servants to do my work, then, I thought bitterly. Hopefully, one of the men was good at filing papers and writing business correspondence. Those were my least favorite jobs. And the assholes behind me deserved a little boredom. I suppressed a wicked grin and spent an hour or two happily planning all the horrible, tedious tasks I would assign to Raven team as punishment for their behavior.

It was a pleasant distraction. Until I felt the first drop of rain.

I stared down at the offending droplet that glistened on my hand. Then I sighed and turned to rummage around for my cloak, which had a minor dampness-repelling charm worked into it. More rain pattered down as I wrapped the cloak around my shoulders and tucked it in around my legs. I yanked my hood up in the hopes that the stiff brim would keep the rain from dripping into my eyes. The garment would help, certainly, but it wouldn't keep me completely dry. Damn it.

I glared ahead at the steely gray clouds. I wanted to be home as quickly as possible. Rain would only slow us down. I knew it was unreasonable of me to expect the weather to be perfect for the entirety of our journey. But I wasn't in the mood for this right now.

Currant dropped back to ride beside me, her own waterproof cloak wrapped around her, and her hood pulled up. What would you like to do, my lady? We can stop and set up camp, try to stay dry until it passes. Or we can press on, knowing we'll be wet and miserable, but with the promise of a dry bed and a bath at the end of the day.

I huffed, and she gave me a wry smile. She knew how impatient I was to get home. You can always ride in the carriage, she informed me. "Then you'd be dry and keep up the pace. That is why we brought the thing with us in the first place."

I eyed the fancy carriage that trundled along behind us. It was a silly convenience, but one that the royals had insisted on. We'd be leaving it behind when we reached the base of the mountains, but it was an option for one more day. I would feel like an ass, though, if I was all cozied up inside comfy and dry while Jasper and the guards were out here in the damp and cold. My mates were another story, but I refused to think about them just now. They didn't exist.

I'll ride for now, I told Currant. Not fair to the rest of you otherwise. And we'll keep going. But if the guards truly get too uncomfortable and tired of this, let me know and we'll stop whenever you say it's needed. I want to get home, but I don't want them to suffer for my impatience.

She nodded, her expression saying she respected my decision. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness toward your guardians. But no one will think less of you if you take to the carriage at some point. I'll agree to stop the travel when the guards are done in if you agree to take shelter when you need it. You're not a soldier, my lady. No one expects you to suddenly be used to traveling like one."

I returned her respectful nod, and she moved off to give her orders. With any luck, the rain would let up soon and the discussion would be pointless, anyway.

But it turned out that, too, was wishful thinking on my part. It seemed to be a problematic pattern with me lately, always hoping for the best, then being sorely disappointed. The rain stuck around, mostly an unending drizzle, with the odd blast of heavier rain and wind now and then.

I made it for a few more miserable hours as water seeped in around the edges of my cloak in uncomfortable trickles and soaked my uncovered legs. The wind had picked up a while back, and it chilled every damp inch of my body. Finally, I gave up my pride and went to speak with the commander.

Carriage? Currant asked as I urged Balefire up beside her on her griffon, before I even had a chance to speak.

I sighed at her cheeky grin. Oh, shut up. Yes, carriage, damn it. You were right about my inability to weather hardships. Unless you and your people need to stop and make camp?

She shook her head. We'll pause long enough to let you get settled in your comfy ride, and pass around some fortifying potions and a flask, she said with a wink. But unless it gets a whole lot worse, we'll probably press on to the inn. A proper bed and a bath sound really good right about now.

I nodded in agreement. She gave the order to halt, and I slid off Balefire's back. The pooka immediately shifted into a large black rat and scurried up my leg and into my jacket to get out of the rain. I snorted at him. Coward, I muttered. It's just a little rain.

I stiffly moved toward the carriage, hesitating when I saw that