Chapter Twenty-One
Tani frowned at his elder bushes. He was beginning to realize the futility of trying to keep them trimmed, given the numerous ekho creatures that visited his home. With a scoff, he turned around and found Sunu—his father—standing in the middle of the library, staring up at the mural on the ceiling.
“Cale’s painting skills have improved,” Sunu said. “He has quite the memory; this mural is remarkably accurate.”
“He restored it a few weeks ago,” Amu said, coming closer to admire the mural. “May I ask what brings the Immortal Lord to our humble home?”
“Cale called me on an errand,” Sunu answered, clasping his hands behind his back. He offered Amu a polite smile. “When it was finished, I decided to follow Tani home. I’ve never been here, although Anit has visited so often. I thought I should see it, too.”
Amu glanced at Tani, who still stood by the windows. Nearby, Dante glared at Sunu as though he wanted to challenge him outright. Amu tried to catch Dante’s eye, but Dante was too focused on Sunu.
“Looks like I’ve attracted someone’s ire,” Sunu noted with a small smile as he met Dante’s hostile stare. “Child, your fire is barely contained. Fortunately, I’m one of the few people on whom you can unleash it without consequence.”
“Don’t think he can’t burn you,” Tani said, scowling at Sunu. “If you’re feeling energetic, do something about the elder bushes.”
Sighing, Sunu let out a gentle pulse of power. The unruly elder bushes stopped overgrowing and settled.
“No one will remember,” Sunu murmured.
Tani gave a resigned sigh at his father’s effortless display of power. The distance between them felt even more painful now that they were face to face. He watched Sunu and felt a hollow ache in his chest. Even though Dante was angry on his behalf, Tani couldn’t ignore the yearning to have a closer relationship with his father. It pulsed under his skin, accompanied by a thousand questions about his lineage, his powers, and what it meant to be part of the fox clan—and the son of the Immortal Lord.
“May I have a moment to speak with Tani?” Sunu asked Amu and Dante.
Tani wanted to protest, but when he looked at Dante, he saw only encouragement. Crossing the room, Tani allowed Dante to pull him into a brief hug.
“You’ve had a difficult few hours,” Tani murmured, kissing Dante’s cheek. “Go rest.”
Dante shifted and pressed his lips to Tani’s in a lingering kiss.
“I’ll be upstairs if you need me,” he said. “Just call, and I’ll come.”
“Mm,” Tani replied with a nod.
Amu left first, followed by Dante, who shot Sunu an unfriendly glance on his way out.
With a soft chuckle, Sunu walked to an armchair and sat down.
“Your beloved seems to have a low opinion of me,” he remarked. “What have you told him, Sweet Tani?”
“Nothing,” Tani said, taking a seat opposite his father. “There isn’t much to tell. I barely know you.”
Sunu’s smile wavered for a moment. “That’s my fault, though it doesn’t mean I don’t care for you. You are my son—my flesh and blood. Everything about you matters to me.”
Tani thought of how Dante struggled to be present for his children, no matter the secrets or distance between them. He knew Dante felt burdened by the distance he needed to keep between him and his children. After their run-in with Lua Wadi, Tani could understand Dante’s struggles. He suddenly wondered what burdens Sunu faced.
After all these centuries, Tani still found it unsettling that he knew so little about Sunu.
“Are you the reason Uncle Cale always answers when I call?” Tani asked. “Is that why you made him my warden—so he could track me because we share your blood?”
Sunu gave a small nod. “You’re a clever ekho. The Septum exists to balance power in the immortal lands. Without laws and guidelines, Siorai would collapse under the pressure of so many powerful beings. Our traditions have sometimes helped us and sometimes hindered us. History will likely remember my reign as the era when the Septum’s head imprisoned his successor simply for falling in love with a mortal. It’s humiliating.”
Tani bit his bottom lip. “I feel no attachment to the ekho realm. I left it when I was too young. Maybe that was the grand design all along.”
“Perhaps,” Sunu allowed. “Before you were born, Cale sensed you would experience a period of calamity. Anit and I tried to protect you, but we never imagined your calamity would revolve around forbidden love. Even with all my resources, I couldn’t stop it. The best I could do was assign Cale as your guardian.”
Tani’s eyes widened. “Are you saying the God of Calamity predicted a thousand-year misfortune for me?”
“Exactly,” Sunu said. “When you were born, I clung to hope that he might be mistaken and kept you with me for your first five hundred years. But then the fox clan began a disruptive movement, claiming the clan would collapse without its goddess—your mother—at the helm. Tensions rose so high that the dragon clan threatened to invade Gralia. Anit had no choice but to return home and stabilize her realm. She took you with her.”
Sunu leaned his head back, gazing at the mural overhead. “The day I watched her leave our citadel, I realized I couldn’t avert your calamity through sheer willpower. I had to let your life unfold and hope that, at the end of all your trials, you’d still grant your parents a chance.”
Tani stared at his father, his heart pounding with indescribable emotion. He barely understood his parents, and the chasm between them felt impossible to bridge.
“Our family was broken from the start,” Tani said with a short, bitter laugh. “If you foresaw all this pain, why did you have me at all? Why allow me to exist if you knew I’d suffer so much?”
Sunu’s amber eyes shone with quiet sincerity. “Because you are a precious gift given to us by fate. I’ll never regret your existence, Tani Ryuzo. You are Anit’s son, and you are my son. We love you—albeit imperfectly. I’m sorry I had to step away when you needed me most. I’m sorry I couldn’t for not being able to take away the pain you have endured. I love you, son. I only hope you can forgive us one day and give us a chance to be your family.”
Tears filled Tani’s eyes at the regret in Sunu’s voice. He turned away, hastily swiping at his tears with the back of his hand. His throat felt tight, and it took him a moment to speak.
“What do I have to do to get these cuffs off my wrists?” Tani asked softly. “Dante made his choice, and the cuffs remain in place. They won’t come off, even though my powers are unsealed.”
Sunu glanced at Tani’s wrists, at the thin gold elder leaf bracelets he wore, and gave a thoughtful nod. “Dante is mortal. The weight of your past affects the weight of his promise.”
“But—” Tani began.
“I’m not saying the cuffs will never come off,” Sunu said with a gentle smile. “I’m only saying it may take longer than a few days. Soul matters aren’t like water pouring from a bucket in one rush. You and Dante share a long, perilous fate. You have to survive what’s coming before you can reach the other side.”
Tani gripped the arms of his chair. “What does that even mean?”
“You’re bonded to a mortal,” Sunu said. “Your life is long; his is not. Kinon has intervened to give Dante a fighting chance, so I can’t predict how things will turn out for him. But I do know that eventually, he’ll have to face the Palladium Gates to weigh his choice. The cuffs might be waiting for that.”
Tani’s heart clenched. The Palladium Gates never allowed mortal souls through; only those with partial ekho blood could attempt it, and even then, it required colossal power. It was why Selene remained in the mortal realm—she couldn’t pass the test of the gates, while her brother had made it through.
“Do you think Dante can make it?” Tani whispered.
“He has Kinon’s lineage, so his fire is strong,” Sunu said. “In the end, his resolve will decide.”
Tani exhaled. “Then if he can’t, I’ll stay here.”
“For how long?” Sunu asked, meeting Tani’s gaze. “Mortals don’t live under the same measure of time we do. Unless Dante passes through those gates, he can’t cross the tides of time with you. You’ll have to face that truth.”
Tani looked down at his hands, resting on the chair’s arms. Time was indeed the true master of the mortal realm—and a formidable enemy for an immortal being. An enemy as old as all the realms.
“Tani.”
He glanced up.
“Whatever comes,” Sunu said quietly, “I’ll stand by your side, as will Cale, your mother Anit, and your uncle Amu. No matter what trials await, we’ll face them with you.”
A surge of conflicting emotions brought tears to Tani’s eyes again, and all he could do was nod. He hoped he’d be strong enough to endure whatever lay ahead.
After a moment, Tani stood. Sunu reached out a hand as though to stop him.
“May I stay a few days?” Sunu asked. His voice was gentle, as though he feared rejection. “I’d like some time in your world.”
Tani hesitated, conscious of the awkwardness between them. This was the first time he’d truly spoken to Sunu as a father, not just as the Immortal Lord. At last, he shrugged.
“Everyone here is equal. You’ll eat the same food we make and treat Tom, Hera, and Deniz with respect. No one will accommodate you just because you’re from the Septum.”
Sunu offered him a genuine smile. “I understand.”
“Good,” Tani said. “There’s a free suite next to Uncle Amu’s. You can stay there. I’m going to find Dante.”
Turning to leave, Tani paused at the door. He caught a glimpse of Sunu’s delighted expression before he shut it behind him. Despite his conflicted heart, Tani couldn’t deny that for the first time in centuries, the distance between them felt just a bit smaller.
****
Anit watched Zal and his minions prepare for the next case, Cale’s warning still lingering in her mind. It left a bitter taste on her tongue. She wanted to follow Cale to discover why Tani had summoned him to the mortal realm, but she could not leave the court until it was formally adjourned. Suddenly, the demands of civility felt stifling.
Her gaze shifted to the five judges listening to a dispute between two neighbors. One neighbor’s young daughter had activated a vine spell in their backyard, causing the vines to grow wildly and spill into the other yard, nearly suffocating a woman who happened to be there at the time. The girl was eight and contrite. Anit knew the judges would likely order training for the child since she showed a great affinity for magik.
“Nela,” Anit called to the strongest of the Bao. She used a concealment spell before Nela shimmered into the court and stood by the chair Cale would have occupied.
“Lady Izuna,” Nela said.
“Nela, can you tell me what case the Anael branch is presenting?” Anit asked.
“The Bao Sentinels mentioned Shugo Hosa’s disappearance in our last all-sentinel meeting,” Nela said. “He’s a candidate in the Anael leadership election, and we keep track of all such elections to ensure fairness. His disappearance has everyone on edge. As my grandfather mentioned, the Bao have been concerned about Zal’s continued leadership in Anael. Zal and his assistant, Tara, have held their positions for too long. It’s safe to assume they’re here to present evidence related to Shugo’s absence.”
“Has Bao searched for Shugo?” Anit asked.
“We have,” Nela replied. “There’s no trace of him in Gralia. Most of our elite teams have searched, but we haven’t found anything.”
Anit exhaled and straightened in her chair.
“Summon all the Sentinel houses,” she said. “I want an audit of the Anael Sentinel Branch. Any cases they’re working on are now on hold, and any plans made with the Anael Sentinel Branch are canceled. By the end of this session, we’ll convene a council.”
“I’ll arrange it,” Nela said, leaving the court to prepare.
Anit gripped the arms of her chair as the presiding judge read the decision for the girl who had unleashed the vines.
“Raven Verda shall report to the Gralia Academy of Acolytes in three days. The court will monitor her attendance. We hope her time at the academy helps her better understand her abilities.”
Raven’s parents thanked the court and apologized to their neighbors. They left with mixed emotions. Anit hoped the girl would learn to balance her power as she continued her training.
“Next case,” the court manager announced. “The Anael Sentinel Branch will present evidence to prove one of their members is missing. Shugo Hosa has not been seen for two moon cycles. The Anael Sentinel will provide more information on his whereabouts.”
“Sentinel business,” Anit said with a smirk, catching Zal’s eye. “I invoke the council.”
“The Fox Goddess has invoked the council,” the court manager intoned. “The court shall empty of citizens. All Sentinel heads and members shall appear in court within the hour. May I ask, Lady Izuna, what the topic is?”
“The Anael Sentinel Branch elections and whatever else Nela Bao decides,” Anit declared, smiling when she saw Zal’s supporters grow anxious. “I can’t wait to hear what has been happening.”
****
Dante followed Amu into the living room after leaving Tani, but he couldn’t stop frowning at the thought of Tani facing a father he hadn’t seen in so long.
“Don’t worry,” Amu said, as though reading his mind. “For all his faults, Sunu loves Tani very much. He won’t do anything to upset him.”
“How do you know?” Dante asked, moving to the window to stare into the afternoon sunlight. He could hardly believe that he and Tani had just been in Kirtland. At least he’d managed to see Zach and April, however briefly—it was enough to ease some lingering concerns.
“What happened with your son, Zach?” Amu asked, gently changing the subject.
Dante turned to face him. Amu was like a father to Tani, so Dante supposed he might think of him now as a father-in-law. That idea brought a flicker of cheer to his expression.
Amu sank into an armchair, and Dante took the seat across from him.
“Tani took us to Kirtland,” Dante explained. “It was nighttime there, and when we found the camp where the kids had gone, we found the search-and-rescue team already at work. Tani tracked Zach using a protective spell I’d placed on him. We found Zach asleep in an old gazebo under a green blanket. He was with a man named Lua Wadi, who wanted to use Zach and me to force Tani to call Cale—the god of calamity.”
Dante shook his head. “Does every ekho know about Tani’s calamity and Cale’s involvement?”
“It’s hard to hide,” Amu said with a rueful smile. “Tani is Anit and Sunu’s son. Ideally, he’d live in Gralia’s log house in Yesserin Mountain or at the Citadel with his father, completing rites of passage like anyone else. Instead, he’s here in the mortal realm.”
Dante nodded. “I think his parents miss him,” he said quietly.
“I’m sure they do,” Amu replied. “That’s why Anit visits and leaves all those strange gifts.”
Dante’s gaze settled on the fox carving in the middle of the room. When Tani was here, the statue had been upright and alert. Now it lay curled up as if sleeping. He smiled at the peculiarity, then looked back at Amu.
“Did Lua get what he wanted?” Amu asked.
“I’m not sure,” Dante said. “Tani summoned Cale. After Cale arrived, I got Zach out of the gazebo. Then Tani teleported me to a path near the administrative buildings. I used my magik to compel one of the rescue workers so she would believe she’d found Zach by the river.”
“Did anyone see you?” Amu asked, curious.
“April,” Dante answered with a smile. “She rushed to hug me before I could hide. I hugged her back and told her everything was fine—that Zach was safe—then I sealed her memory of the night.”
“She’ll remember if it becomes important,” Amu said.
“Probably,” Dante agreed. “For the first time, I felt a deep concern for my children, a need to protect them. And I knew that feeling came from Tani.”
“And what do you think of Tani?” Amu asked. “You’ve come back here together. I sense his power is more at ease, no longer so restrained. You’ve made commitments.”
Dante held Amu’s bright green eyes. They were nothing like Tani’s amber, though they shared the same fiery hair: Tani’s red-brown, Amu’s the color of ripe pomegranate seeds.
“Tani is my soul,” Dante said without hesitation. “I can’t live without him.”
Amu studied him, then exhaled a soft sigh. “Finally. It’s good to see you offer him the same devotion he’s always given.”
Dante almost agreed but hesitated, recalling the records he had read at the library before their trip to Kirtland.
“Uncle Amu,” Dante said, smiling when Amu blinked at the address. “Tani calls you Uncle, so I should too.”
Amu nodded in acknowledgment.
“What makes you think the others didn’t choose him?” Dante asked. “I’ve been dreaming about my past reincarnations. That’s how I recognized Tani when we met. At first, I remembered the awful moments of leaving him. Lately, though, I’ve seen how those past lives tried to return to Tani—but Tani was gone, or they died before reaching him. Don’t you think they tried their best too?”
Amu let out a weary breath. “So, do you plan to change what happens this time? Do you think it can be changed?”
“Yes. I’ll make sure no one interferes with my choice,” Dante said. “I’ll fight for him and keep what’s mine. I can be very possessive.”
Amu chuckled. “A wonderful trait when it comes to loving an ekho fox. We’re quite possessive, and it’s been painful to watch my nephew suffer disappointment.”
Dante met Amu’s gaze again, his heart racing at the quiet warning in those green eyes.
“Whatever happens,” Dante said, “I’ll give everything I have. I won’t hold back. I don’t want regrets, and I’ll do everything I can to keep us together.”
Amu looked toward the living room door. Dante followed his gaze and found Tani standing there, smiling.
“Are you happy?” Amu asked, getting up to stand beside Dante’s chair. He patted Dante’s shoulder with a small smile.
“Yes,” Tani said.
“Good,” Amu answered as Tani walked over to them. “So, your father—are we accommodating him?”
“Yes,” Tani said with a nod. “I told him to stay in the suite next to yours.”
“I’ll go check on him,” Amu said, then left the room with brisk steps.
Dante stood, and Tani launched himself into his arms.
“I love you,” Tani murmured, pressing his face into Dante’s shoulder.
“And I love you,” Dante said, kissing Tani’s hair. “With everything I have.”
Tani clung to him, then lifted his head. “I’ll take you somewhere.”
“Where?” Dante asked, cradling Tani’s waist.
“A quick tour, then we’ll visit the first place we ever said ‘I love you’ to each other,” Tani replied. “Close your eyes.”
Dante did as he was told, trusting Tani’s teleportation. He’d grown used to the sudden shifts in location and had even come to appreciate them.
Tani took Dante on a tour through the forest surrounding the conservancy. Tani showed Dante the marshlands, a thick forest with ancient endangered trees. They ate oranges in a hidden grove and fought with territorial monkeys over the ripe oranges. Finally, they stopped by a hollow tree, and Dante crouched with a broad smile as Tani petted two small foxes.
“Why are they living here?” Dante asked.
“The river flooded,” Tani explained, “and I helped them find this hollow. Aren’t they adorable? Want to try?”
He picked up one of the foxes and turned to Dante.
Dante approached cautiously, hand trembling as he reached out. The little fox let him pet it for a moment before shrinking away.
“What’s wrong?” Tani asked, lifting the fox to eye level.
‘He’s too hot,’ said the fox. ‘His fire stings.’
Tani patted the fox’s head and returned it to the hollow, where it disappeared inside the tree with its companion.
He glanced at Dante. “They’re wary of the fire in your blood. You’re still running hot from our fight with Lua.”
“I was triggered when Zach was in danger,” Dante said, inspecting his palms. A faint orange-red glow pulsed beneath the skin. “It’ll take time to cool.”
Tani took Dante’s hands and pressed them against his cheeks. “I think it’s perfectly nice.”
“You’re biased,” Dante teased with a helpless grin.
“I need to tell you something,” Tani said softly, still holding Dante’s hands.
“Something your father told you?” Dante guessed.
“No,” Tani answered. “Lua confessed he brought kara ot from the ekho realm—specifically designed to harm a mortal. He helped a villain use it against you. Every time you tried to return to me, they interfered, and you died. I don’t know what to do with this revelation. Thankfully, Cale and Sunu learned the truth, and they’ll make sure Lua and his accomplices are punished.”
Swift relief swept through Dante. He exhaled and met Tani’s gaze. “I’m glad. They never entirely tore us apart. I’m happy to know the others never let our love down. Let your love down. That although broken and twisted, they still knew to find you again. Even if it took so many tries, I still found you.”
Tani leaned up and kissed him. “I should have stayed so you could find me more easily,” he murmured. “Maybe none of this would have happened if—”
“No regrets,” Dante whispered, pulling him close. “Maybe everything led us to where we are now. I’m finally strong enough to face your true existence head-on. And I’m grateful we discovered the truth together.”
Dante pressed his forehead against Tani’s shoulder.
“I’m glad it was with me,” Dante repeated, unable to hide the jealousy at the thought of Tani finding his happiness with the others, especially the janissary.
Tani chuckled. “Stop drinking your vinegar. How can you be jealous of your past self?”
“Can’t help it,” Dante admitted, hugging Tani tighter. “You and the janissary built a castle that is still standing today. All I’ve done is help with some apple trees at your hidden cottage.”
Tani laughed. “Then let’s build something too.”
“What?” Dante asked, voice muffled by Tani’s shoulder.
“I’m not sure. We’ll figure it out. But first, another special place.” Tani pulled him close, teleporting them away from the fox hole. “We’re here.”
Dante opened his eyes, arms still wrapped around Tani. He drew in a sharp breath at the sight of a waterfall plunging from a tall cliff into a clear blue lake, evergreen trees towering on either side. A cool mist clung to the air, and the cascading water sparkled in the late afternoon sun.
“Where are we?” Dante asked, looking at Tani. “I’ve seen this in my dreams. You brought Durante here. There’s a cave behind the falls.”
“It’s deep within the conservancy,” Tani said, taking his hand. “Want to swim?”
“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
“Who needs one?” Tani teased, shrugging off his suit jacket and dropping it on a nearby rock. He peeled off his shirt and trousers, beaming when he stood there naked.
Dante grinned back at his carefree lover, who dashed into the lake with an elated laugh, disappearing beneath the surface. Dante tore off his clothes and dove in after him. The cold water shocked his overheated skin, making him laugh as he swam. The roar of the waterfall echoed around them, and Tani’s playful splashes drew him close.
They chased each other like spirited children, the afternoon light dancing through the trees. Tani flung water at Dante, and Dante dunked him in return until both were breathless and laughing.
Tani drifted in close, kissing Dante’s shoulder before darting toward the waterfall. Dante followed, spellbound by the copper glints in Tani’s hair. Sunshine and water mingled in a scene that felt full of promise—like a world where happiness could last.
Catching up, Dante seized Tani’s arm, pulling him into an embrace. He found Tani’s amber gaze and kissed him, warmth sparking through every nerve. Tani sighed contentedly, winding his arms around Dante’s neck. In that moment, time faded away, leaving only the two of them.
The waterfall’s thunder mixed with their murmurs. Their kisses and tender touches grew urgent and passionate, stoking desire. Tani broke their kiss, and suddenly Dante was resting against a warm comfortable surface with Tani leaning over him. With a quiet gasp, Dante realized they were no longer out in the open; Tani had whisked them into the cave behind the falls. Blue crystals on the walls cast a soft glow, and a thick wool blanket lay on a natural ledge. It felt intimate and secret—a space belonging only to them.
“You’re full of surprises,” Dante murmured against Tani’s lips.
“The good kind?” Tani asked, threading his fingers through Dante’s hair.
“The best kind,” Dante replied, deepening the kiss. Sparks of magic danced along Tani’s skin, and Dante shivered at the electric thrill when Tani returned his caresses with equal eagerness.
“Dante,” Tani breathed, voice trembling with want. He held Dante tighter, urging him on.
A gentle, pulsing glow lit the cave as their magic mingled and twined. Each caress sent a jolt of electricity racing along Dante’s senses. He shivered when Tani’s hands explored him with matching eagerness, their bodies moving in a harmony older than time. Minutes or hours might have passed; it felt endless. Dante marveled at how perfectly they fit together, as though they had been made for this dance since the dawn of creation. Tani’s breath came hot against Dante’s neck, and soon neither could tell whose heart was pounding louder, their mingling voices blended with the waterfall’s steady drum.
They savored every moment, lovemaking unhurried and comforting as if time itself had paused for them. Finally, they lay entwined on the blanket, enveloped by the glow of the crystals and their shared afterglow.
Tani nuzzled Dante’s shoulder and sighed. “What if I asked you to stay here forever with me?” he said, half-teasing.
Dante smiled, tracing slow circles on Tani’s back. “I’d say yes in a heartbeat. Think we can manage that?”
Tani lifted his head, his grin playful. “You’d make a handsome forest king, but you might miss Artri House.”
“We can always visit Artri House—but we don’t have to stay,” Dante said, threading his fingers through Tani’s hair. Tani’s eyes slid shut, enjoying the touch.
“I think it would be lovely to stare in your family home,” Tani said after a while. “It feels like somewhere I can always find you.”
“Then we’ll live there when we’re ready,” Dante replied warmly. “It’ll be our home.”
They fell silent, cradled in each other’s embrace, safe in the cave’s secret sanctuary. For that perfect period, nothing else mattered—only Dante, Tani, and the soft hush of the waterfall, promising a future as bright and steadfast as the love they shared.
Sui Writes 