by Allison West
The sound of the horn wailed again, and the men and women split off, forming two lines. Only now, as they grew nearer, did Aria see they had changed as well. The men wore no shirts, the women in ribbon gowns. James had a piece of leather barely covering his most intimate area. Aria's eyes searched his, but he didn't look at her. What had happened?
Kali leaned in. "The commander will let us each choose one man. Which is yours?"
Aria nodded toward James, and Kali caught her stare. "He's cute," she whispered through the tribal music and pulse of the drums. Aria felt as though her heart would shoot out of her chest, like the wisps of fire sending ash into the heavens.
The commander raised her arms, and the music and drums ceased. "I call before the tribe, Kali."
Her hand fell from Aria's thigh as she stood. She was slow to approach the men, and Aria's stomach clenched. Kali was first to choose. Would she betray Aria and choose James? If she did, what recourse would Aria have? Did James get a say in the decision? Aria didn't even know what they were agreeing to, but whatever it was, she felt safer with James at her side.
Kali walked by James, slowly glancing him over. She leaned in, whispering something into his ear. He smiled politely, but he remained tense. His muscles were taut, and he stood with his arms at his sides. Kali continued past James, and Aria breathed a sigh of relief while she chose a young gentleman Aria didn't recognize. Had he been part of their tribe? Or had he discovered the island by boat? His skin was similar in color, a caramel rich complexion from the sun's rays, much like Kali and many of the other tribe members. Were they all born on Amity Island, or had others found the island?
Kali took the gentleman's hand and guided him to sit down in front of her.
"Let the ceremony commence!" the commander said.
Kali leaned in, kissing the young man, her lips on his. His fingers trailed through her hair and down her back. She pushed him onto his back and dragged her fingers down his chest before her hand found its way beneath the thin piece of leather separating the two of them. She aroused him. The head of his cock glistened from beneath the tiny bit of fabric. His fingers moved over her body, from her breasts down between her thighs. His moans were quiet, unlike Kali, as she expressed every touch and caress that he provided. Untangling the blue ribbon from her lower region, she cast away the material, sliding down onto his cock.
Aria turned away, unwilling to look at what happened. Every other couple's eyes were on Kali and the man she had chosen. Is this what Aria had been expected to do with James? Her nerves were on fire.
Kali's moans grew feral, and Aria couldn't stop herself from watching the ceremonial unity between the two. She didn't understand it, but she knew it was sacred. It felt as though the world stopped to watch them. Kali's head tipped back and another moan slipped past her lips. She rode him, hard and fast, leaning down, covering his body with hers. There were kissing, and moans, a heated combination, as Aria found James' stare in the distance. He watched Aria. There was so much she wanted to say, but she didn't know how. Besides, now wasn't the time; she couldn't get up from her seat during the ceremony. The commander may not have given her specifics on what would happen between partners, but she did make it clear the ritual was important and not to be disrupted.
Beside her, Kali breathed ragged and the gentleman's moan was hardly above a whisper as they both came. Sated, they lay, spent, together on the grass.
"We welcome Kali and Deice to the tribe," the commander said.
"Welcome," the tribe members said in unison.
"Aria, please choose our final tribe member for this evening, to complete our ceremony."
Without a second thought, Aria stood and walked straight for James. She grabbed his hand and dragged him from the line to sit in front of her.
He looked relieved Aria picked him. Why would she want anyone else? Aria leaned forward, her lips against his ear. "You look terrified," Aria said, keeping her voice so only he could hear her. Her tone was soft, low, and comforting. Her fingers trailed a path down his back and across his arms. She wanted him to feel loved.
"I don't trust these people," he said against her shoulder as he kissed Aria's milky-white skin. "I trust you, though, Aria, and you look—happy."
Why wouldn't she be happy? They were rescued on the beach. With a tribe, their numbers were greater. She'd seen huts to take shelter in when necessary and hammocks for sleeping. There was an abundance of food. This was the closest they'd come to paradise.
"I love you. Forget they're watching. They don't matter," Aria said. Her fingers trailed down his bare back. Every inch of skin and muscle glistened from the glow of the fire. Aria had seen what Kali did, and she knew what to expect. The commander warned Aria that she would have to choose wisely.
Aria's lips covered his as she crawled onto her knees and scooted over, dipping her hand beneath the small patch of leather. With her thumb, Aria circled the head of his cock, teasing him. The kisses refused to slow or waver as her fingers moved down his length. She didn't have to look to feel him grow beneath her touch.
His brow furrowed, and he looked conflicted.
With one hand, Aria continued to arouse him, and the other planted against his chest on his heart. Though she didn't want to give everyone the satisfaction of watching the two of them together, she'd been given no choice.
"I love you too." His soft murmur teased her ear as he nibbled on her lobe. His fingers untied the purple ribbon gown, letting it fall from her breasts, exposing her to everyone. She no longer cared. Aria moved closer to James as his head leaned down and he sucked a nipple into his mouth. Her back arched, her pussy throbbed, and she felt him pulsate beneath her touch. She climbed onto James' lap, sliding down onto his cock, needing to feel him inside of her.
Aria shut her eyes, closing out the world around them as she focused on how James made her feel. Her insides trembled, and she dug her fingernails into James' arms, gripping him to her. She didn't have time to go slow. Her body craved more and so she clenched onto him, riding his length faster and harder.
"Let me fuck you the way you like, Aria."
Aria nodded, and within a second, James had her flat on her back. They changed positions. He hovered over Aria. There were gasps and whispers, but she blocked it all out. His hips ground into hers, and she spread her legs even farther apart, leaving them wide and in the air as he plunged his cock into her. The angle, the sensation, it was all too much.
Her legs trembled, and James grunted from above. She wrapped her legs around him, dragging him tighter as warmth spread through her, forcing her toes to curl and her insides to clench down onto him.
It wasn't but a moment later, and he spilled himself inside of her, shuddering as she felt wetness seep between them.
His kisses were lazy and soft. The moment of what they'd just done weighed heavily on her. The commander welcomed them, as did the tribe. This was just the first day at Amity Island. Aria wondered what would be expected next of them.
James slipped out of her and fixed the fabric patch that covered his privates. He handed Aria the ribbon gown, a long, thin slip of ribbon that had been secured around her body. Kali had been kind enough to help Aria put it on earlier before the ceremony. She wasn't sure she could reassemble it again. Aria covered herself with the fabric, wrapping it around her waist and using the tiny bit left to cover her breasts as she held it in place.
Music filled the clearing once again. The commander walked over and gestured for Aria to stand. The gown fell away quicker than it took her to wrap it herself.
"Let me," Sienna said as she redressed Aria. No one seemed to stare. Perhaps they'd seen this all before? Certainly, no one here was under eighteen in the group. There were no children running around. Though Aria didn't know if that meant there weren't any on Amity Island or just none at the ceremony, which was probably best.
"Thank you," Aria said. She tried to show her appreciation to Sienna for letting them stay and becoming part of their tribe. However, Aria
didn't know what it entailed, and that scared her.
"Of course." Sienna nodded. "You both will be given shelter for the night in a hut, until we can make enough hammocks. How did you arrive on Amity Island? Where's your boat?" she asked and bent down beside the tree line to grab a torch. She took it to the fire, lighting it.
"We were robbed," James said.
She glanced at him, and Aria half-expected her to ridicule him for speaking. Perhaps Aria had become more suspicious of people after all that had happened to her.
"Pirates?" Sienna asked, leading James and Aria away from the flat through the forest.
"They stole our boat and everything we brought with us," Aria said, taking James' hand as he was just a step or two behind her.
"Sounds like the Falcon Clan. They patrol the seas and occasionally come to shore when they're desperate for supplies. It's why we thought it best to bring you to us, The Knight Tribe."
Through the forest, they wandered over a trail that the tribe had created. The grass was smashed and dead, with dirt peeking its way through the path. Aria caught a glimpse from ahead. Beyond Sienna, was a large hut hidden in the trees. Unlike the flat, the hut blended into its surroundings. Was that on purpose?
"Knight as in chivalry and fighting, or night as in moonlight?" Aria asked, curious what the group stood for.
"We are romantic warriors, fighting and bleeding for one another," Sienna said. She handed Aria the torch. "You'll want this inside. This is your place for tonight."
"Won't you need it to get back to the flat?" Aria asked.
Sienna shook her head. "I'll be heading to my own habitat. It's not far." As quick as she led them into the hut, she disappeared through the forest. Even with the flame beside her, Aria couldn't see her.
Chapter 2
When they stepped inside, the hut was empty except for the bed at the opposite end of the room. Aria wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or concerned. Did they get the place to themselves? This quiet spot of seclusion hardly felt as though they were left alone. The hut had open windows which cast a nice breeze through the thatched cabin, but she suspected if it rained and the wind was ferocious, it might be far less pleasant. Did the shutters close from the outside?
Sienna had left them alone, and Aria breathed a sigh of relief. "What do you think she meant by warriors?" Aria asked, gripping James' hand.
It was late, and though the bonfire flamed up toward the heavens, the distance between them was bathed in darkness. Using the torch, she placed it on the designated post, casting the room in a warm, amber glow. Two quilts rested on straw, on a bed in the corner of the room.
James led Aria to sit down. The bed was far lower than she was used to and not nearly as plush as even the old mattress on the ship. "I guess you didn't hear about it. While we were separated, I was kept with the others from our boat. The commander visited with us, instructed us about the ceremony, and then anyone not chosen would be used to guard the tribe."
"Okay," Aria said. That seemed fair enough. With the pirates lurking along the shore, she did agree with Sienna's decision that guards were needed to ensure protection among their new people. An exchange of muscle for food, it could be worse.
James scooted onto the bed beside Aria. "We're not being given a choice to fight, but at least the men are being trained." He fussed with the bed, adding more straw, shifting to get comfortable.
"It's not your bed at the palace." It would never be that bed again. They had chosen this life; they might as well make the most of it. "What about the women?" Aria asked. There had been a few sapphire girls who had accompanied them on the journey across the ocean. She had seen them earlier at the ceremony.
"They will receive the same instruction to fight off the pirates—"
A loud explosion rumbled through the forest, cutting James off.
The trees lit up, and through the darkness and the small window, Aria could see a ball of fire in the treetop.
Aria grabbed the torch, not that she needed it, and headed outside. James was right behind her. The trail, though dark, was plenty lit from the flaming tree in the distance. James and Aria weren't the only ones to investigate. Through the forest, all of the Knight Tribe stood on the ground, staring up at the tangled metal contraption on fire.
"Invaders from the mainland are coming," Sienna said, her voice calm yet fierce. It echoed through the forest for all to hear.
"What is it?" Aria whispered.
James stood nestled beside her, one hand on her waist, keeping her to him. His breath brushed against her ear, keeping his voice low, "An airplane."
"It's too small," Aria said. She'd seen books with old photographs of massive jetliners that flew people from one continent to another.
"It's not made to fly across the ocean, Aria. It couldn't hold more than one or two passengers."
The twisted metal stressed the treetop, creaking and groaning as mangled bits of plane began to fall like fiery rain. Aria jumped back, pulling James with her out of the way of danger. The propeller sliced through the air on its downward descent, landing where they had stood moments earlier. Everyone in the Knight Tribe stepped back, watching from a safer distance. Thankfully, no one from their group had been injured.
A wail of cries was shouted from the tribe, like a death toll. Sienna lifted her hand to silence the music of the people. "We will not let them take our beliefs or our women. The mainlanders are murderers and thieves, kin with the pirates in the sea. Tonight, we've bonded with our new friends, the drifters from across the ocean, and strengthened our numbers. We will train our allies, join forces to drive the enemy away from Amity Island."
Aria reached for James' hand. Invaders? Mainland? Her stomach flopped. A chorus of cheers erupted amongst the crowd.
Silence settled over the forest. The fire roared above their heads, the body of the plane hadn't budged, and hot embers continued to fall to the ground.
"Kali, at sunrise, take four of our new tribe members with you and procure more sedative for the darts," Sienna said. "I will teach our new friends how to fight."
Sleep wasn't the most comfortable, but Aria made do, even with James keeping her up half the night, tossing and turning. She wanted to ask Kali about the invaders and the mainland but didn't have the opportunity. Instead, she'd been dragged off with James and their shipmates. If these mainlanders were brothers with the pirates, then Aria had little qualm in fighting them.
"This is a dart gun," Sienna said, lifting the weapon in her grasp. "Your job is to shoot the target in the neck without being seen or heard."
Standing in the center of the clearing, Sienna pointed the barrel at a tree straight ahead, painted with a red x in the center. Pulling the trigger, her aim was dead on, nailing the dart into the tree. Were all members of the tribe as skilled as the commander? "Be sure to retrieve all your darts. Our supply is limited. Kali is responsible for filling the darts with enough sedative to knock the invaders unconscious. We do not kill unarmed men. However, should they retaliate, and out of necessity, it is our responsibility to protect the women and supplies within the Knight Tribe. Is that clear?"
A few nodded, but no one said a word.
"I can't hear you!"
"Yes," the group answered in several chants and echoes, agreeing to her terms.
"Good." Sienna walked through the flat, up to the tree, and retrieved the dart. "Everyone has ten darts. Keep track. You are expected to have ten before nightfall."
Aria cleared her throat and spoke up. "What happens after the invaders are unconscious? Do we bring them back to camp?" She wanted to know what Sienna intended to do with them, if not kill them.
Sienna strode across the lawn, the dart in her palm, her expression grim. "Not to the flat. The invaders will be housed in the pit until we can determine whether they're trustworthy or not."
"The pit?" Aria asked and felt James' hand find her arm. He gave her a look to be quiet. Why?
"We require warriors, and should the mainlanders be willing
to accept our beliefs, then they are welcome to stay among us." Sienna handed Aria the gun. "Shoot," she said.
Aria loaded the dart the same way the commander had; having watched her helped ease Aria's mind. "So it's live by your way, or die holding true to your values?" She didn't understand Sienna. She knew they were different, their customs and culture foreign, but they'd given her a chance, along with those who had sailed aboard the vessel. Why would they not offer the same respect to those from the mainland? Were they still at war?
Aria exhaled and fired the gun. The dart hit the tree but nowhere near the target, much too low.
"Aim higher. Back straight. Keep focused, and move two steps closer."
She followed the commander's instruction. It was obvious that getting on her bad side would be deadly. Aria reloaded with a second dart and took the shot. She grew closer to the target, the giant paint on the tree, but not quite there.
"You worry too much about politics. Take orders," Sienna said.
"I worry about what I'm fighting for," Aria said, lowering the gun as she turned to face the commander.
"Fight for your life, because without me in charge, Aria, you'll be dead." She stepped closer, her eyes narrowed.
Aria momentarily feared the commander would throw her in the pit she had spoken of earlier. She hid her concerns, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"You're a sweet girl, but the men from the mainland have a thirst for blood and sex, sometimes together. Is that what you want, Aria? To fall victim to their savagery?"
Aria shook her head.
"Good," she said. "Enough chit chat. Shoot!"
Aria followed the commander, pulling the trigger at twenty-five yards away and then moving closer for the next shot.
She still had a ton of questions she wanted to ask James later, when they were alone and she could trust he'd tell her what had happened when he'd been dragged off the other night, before they'd met up at the ceremony. Had he seen the pit? Eventually, Aria would know of its location, especially if assigned to the team to protect the tribe. Would Sienna trust her after the inquisition today?
