Riley arched an eyebrow at him. "If I knew how, I wouldn't be asking."
"Riley, you are thinking as a human. Simply tell yourself you wish to change and you will."
It couldn't be that easy, could it? "Okay." Riley thought it, and next thing he knew, he was flopping onto his side, willing his huge paws to cooperate.
I'm a tiger!
And a stunning one at that. Look at your golden fur. Khalon nuzzled his head against Riley's. You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. The kingdom will be enchanted with you. You are the only one of your kind.
There are no golden tigers in the Soldati kingdom?
Only you. You are indeed our prince.
Riley had never felt more exhilarated in his life, or more unbalanced. Why wouldn't his paws do as they were asked? Damn furry things. Wrinkling his nose, he tried something else. He extended his claws and opened his mouth to express his pleasure at doing something right, except a happy chuff came out instead of words. Right. No outside voice. Turning his head, he eyed his butt and the long heavy tail attached to it. He noticed his coloring. He was more gold than orange.
This is so weird.
Khalon's soft laugh was clear in Riley's head. You'll grow accustomed to it.
Strange didn't begin to cover it. But the more Riley did it, the easier it became. All he had to do was will it, and it happened. Of course changing was one thing; getting his new body to do what he wanted was something else altogether. It was like learning to walk for the first time.
Khalon shifted back into his human form and Riley willed his body to shift his body mass and bones, morphing back into his human self. Khalon reached down and helped him to his feet, pulling a little harder than intended so Riley ended up against him. A wicked smile came onto Khalon's lips and Riley's stomach filled with butterflies. He leaned in and nipped at Riley's bare shoulder.
"I look forward to claiming you each and ev
ery night, my prince. Every night, every day...." He placed a kiss to Riley's neck, sending a shiver through him. "In my study. In the gardens." He walked Riley toward the castle, caressing Riley's skin.
"I look forward to being claimed," Riley murmured before he ran his tongue up Khalon's jaw, allowing himself to be led back inside and up the stairs.
In the bedroom Khalon lifted him off his feet, making him laugh. He dropped Riley onto the bed and climbed over him, kissing him passionately.
A huge glowing orb caught Riley's attention and he pulled his mouth from Khalon's. "Um, Khalon? There's a gold orb thing floating behind you."
Khalon cursed under his breath and turned. That couldn't be good.
"What is it?"
"It's the Eye." Khalon released a heavy sigh. "It sees all. It also informs us of demons slipping into the human world."
Riley stared at the strange orb. "So it's kind of like an alarm system?"
"A little more complex than that, but yes. It informs us when humans are in danger and lets us know where the attack will take place. It's how we found you."
"So what now?"
"Now--" Khalon got up and stretched his long, muscular body much like the tiger dormant inside him. "I'm afraid I must leave you." He kissed Riley's lips before heading for the wardrobe.
"Leave? Wait, you're going after those things?" Riley climbed out of bed and grabbed his shirt off the floor, quickly slipping into it.
"That is what we do, Riley. We protect against the demons." Khalon opened his wardrobe and began removing clothes from it.
"Then I'm coming with you."
"No." Khalon tossed his clothes onto the chair and crossed the room to draw Riley into his arms. "You have yet to grow accustomed to your new Soldati body. Your limbs are still uncooperative and your focus undisciplined. Please, I cannot allow you to face this danger until you are ready. It could be perilous for the both of us. You know I speak the truth."
Riley wrinkled his nose. Khalon was right. Didn't mean he had to like it, though. Was he supposed to just sit here while Khalon faced those foul things without him? They'd only just gotten each other back. He wanted desperately to help but he didn't want to put anyone in danger, which was what would happen if Khalon had to be worrying about his safety while trying to take down a bunch of demons.
"Stay here," Khalon said softly, delivering a feathery kiss to Riley's temple. "Explore the castle, get to know the court. I will assign guards to accompany you."