Gawonii stood up, his eyes never leaving my face. “Adsila, your bitterness is beginning to fester.”
Adsila grabbed him by the arm. “You are bonded with her—”
He jerked his arm out of the tree witch’s hand. “And that’s how I know she’s not lying.”
Adsila backed off. “If Iswali didn’t let her in, then are you ready to admit that she is more powerful than you had earlier perceived?”
He nodded, taking my hand. “Ama, I need you to go back in.”
I shook my head, pulling my hand out of his. “No. I never want to go back there again. Besides, I tried to bring Ahyoka back with me, but it didn’t work. None of my gifts work there. Ahyoka said that the only way to get back is back through the way we came in, but the problem is I wasn’t physically there … and she is.”
Onacona squatted on the cold cave floor. “Her mind had to subconsciously find a flaw for her to get in. Something may have caused a rift. She was at the cabin at the time, so maybe the rift is there.”
“But that would mean that Iswali would have been inside the cabin at one point. But when?” Gawonii said.
Tsiyi spoke up, his stance defensive. “Impossible! I never felt his presence.” Gawonii placed a hand on Tsiyi’s shoulder.
“No one is accusing you of being careless, my friend. It just states that Iswali was there before.”
“But without anyone of us knowing it?” Adsila questioned, looking at me. “You insist on trusting her, Gawonii, but—”
Gawonii thrust his hand up, silencing Adsila. “That we will solve later. Right now, Ahyoka is fading and needs to be healed. Ama, we must get you back to the cabin and try.”
Do not be afraid. I will be with you, I heard him say for me only. It provided little comfort. I didn’t have the words to tell any of them how I was really feeling about this idea. All I knew was that I did not want to go back.
All except for Tsiyi and Adsila, we headed back to the cabin. When we arrived, Gawonii went into the kitchen and placed a kettle of water over the heated stove while I waited patiently on the couch. I watched as he crushed dry leaves in a cup, which he then poured hot water over.
He handed me the cup, sitting on the floor in front of me. “Drink, Ama. It will send you into a deep sleep.” I looked down inside the cup at the floating herbs.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered. He smiled, pushing the cup to my lips so I could take my first sip of the brew.
“You did well today.” His hand touched my face, sending the butterflies in my belly in a frenzy. “Minus Adsila’s near brush with death.”
“Is it that easy to kill one of us?” I asked, procrastinating. Anything to hold off the inevitable.
“No, but you are much stronger than she is. You would have succeeded.”
“What about Ahyoka? How is that Iswali can kill her or us in his home?”
“He really can’t, but he can disable us. Having one of us guarantees that the rest of us will try to save the other one—”
“Disabling us all,” I concluded.
“Right. And if he has us all in his realm and not on this plane, we will eventually die. We were created to govern over this plane only. That’s why using your subconscious to follow you into his realm is brilliant.”
“Because we’re not physically there,” I whispered, finally understanding his plan. “But Iswali is fine in that place.”
“It’s a realm crafted by him. He is space and time. It was designed to be our prison and ultimately death.”
“But why—”
He pushed my hand again, making me drink more of the warm brew.
“Gawonii, stop! How did I die then?”
He held up his hand, urging me to finish the tea. “Finish. If we do not get to Ahyoka, we may have another death.”
I downed the rest of the contents and handed him the cup.
Close your eyes.
“I will be with you, so don’t worry. When we find Ahyoka, I’ll be able to take over from there,” he said with his back against the soft leather of the couch.
I nodded my head, but the effects of the tea were working faster than I’d anticipated. I closed my eyes, the world spiraling with the descent back into darkness.
My eyes opened and tried to focus.
“Gawonii?” I called out.
“Right here,” I heard him say, and I sighed with relief. Seeing a glow behind me, I turned to see that he was in fact there, illuminating brightly in the dark.
“How are you here, and how can I see you?”
Gawonii smiled. “Our bond. I’m using our bond to pull through your subconscious. When you ventured here before, you were sleeping, which explains why you weren’t able to bring Ahyoka back with you. I’m bending the rules a bit.”
“I tried to talk to you the last time I was here, but I couldn’t reach you.”
“I’m already present in your subconscious. That is the difference. I wasn’t aware that you’d left this plane earlier. I had no way of knowing because I was focused on other things at the time. To me, it felt like you were merely sleeping.”
I nodded, putting a rest to my questions for the moment and making a 360-degree turn in the dark. “What is this place?” She asked not too thrilled to be making another trip into the ‘nothingness’ again. There was no sound or smell but for Gawonii’s voice and a hint of mint that always seemed to linger on his skin due to his daily habit of chewing mint leaves.
“This is what we call Gvnega galv’lati, or Black Heaven; a place between what is our reality and another world’s reality.” A dim light appeared suddenly, and he took a hold of my arm. “Come. We must move quickly. Iswali travels this plane often, and we need to get to Ahyoka and back before he realizes we’re here.”
I saw the abyss split, and light other than from Gawonii poured through the crack. He pulled me along behind him.
I went to stop him to warn him about what was on the other side, but it was too late. I cringed, waiting for the slimy, icky feeling of what had to be the nastiest substance I had ever come across in my life, but we landed on solid ground, much to my relief.
“Ugh,” I groaned. This was one place I wasn’t looking forward to seeing so soon.
Light-footed, the thin atmosphere not seemingly bothering him, Gawonii took off in the direction of the waterfall, his long hair flowing behind him. I gave it my best effort to keep up with his pace, but he was too fast, and I was out of breath. He pulled out ahead of me, and I soon lost sight of him.
So glad I know where I’m going, I thought to myself, thinking he was long gone until I cleared a few bushes and shrubs, seeing him crouching behind a tree. He held his hand up to me, waving for me to stay back.
Rolling my eyes, I continued heading over to where he was, crouching, but my steps quickly slowed when I got a good glimpse of what he was staring at.
A pack of Yracs trailed behind the aether Angeni, Iswali.
I immediately dropped to the ground, cursing my stubbornness. My eyes rested on this semi-god Iswali, the white hair cascading down his back similar to the Yracs. His features so resembled Gawonii’s, but there was something dangerous about him. My mind drifted back to the night of my last bonding ceremony. Iswali was frightening yet appealing in a way that I couldn’t understand, and I couldn’t ignore the pull I had looking at him. Then once again, my original thought from last night came back to me.
I know him.
Adsila’s words now set off alarms in my head. Lovers!
More than just acquaintances. More than just celestial spirits.
Gawonii faced me, his expression turning dark right as Iswali’s head turned in the direction where we hid. A deadly smirk spread across Iswali’s lips.
No …
My eyes widened in shock. Both of them heard me!
Iswali shimmered, instantly disappearing.
Gawonii held his hand out, signaling for me to stay where I was.
A Yracs screamed, the sound piercing through
the fixed atmosphere, then the pack swarmed out of sight. We waited a few more moments, but nothing happened.
Maybe I was wrong about Iswali hearing me, but there was no doubt that Gawonii heard. I was going to have to explain to him later, and he’d have to do the same for me.
Gawonii stood up, making sure the area was cleared before waving me on. I didn’t waste time before running behind him. We soon reached the disgusting sight of the waterfall where I’d left Ahyoka.
Instead of going through the thick, slime-filled mud, he went around the falls and into the forest. Confused, I remained quiet and followed his lead and soon, I understood what he was doing. We came upon an entrance located in a wall of solid rock. We silently slipped inside, weaving through corridors and tunnels. I was getting ready to question Gawonii’s navigational skills until we finally came to the mouth on the other end of the cave.
There I saw a body sprawled on the cold rocky earth and lying very still.
Gawonii rushed to the lifeless form.
“She is strong and will be fine,” he reassured me, lifting her carefully up into his arms. “How did you get back before? Must we trek back through the trees?”
I shook my head. “No. I just made myself wake up.”
He walked over towards me. “Okay, Ama. We shall do it your way. You must try to make yourself wake up again. If you wake up and I am stuck here, I may need to head back through the gate and have you pull me through from there.”
“All right,” I said, not quite convinced.
I moved to a quiet corner and focused on waking up.
Wake up, Lailah. I repeated over and over in my head, almost giving myself a splitting headache.
After a few minutes, I shook my head at Gawonii. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”
“It is the herbs I gave you. You’re too far under. We’ll need to go back the way we came.”
“Unbelievable!” I threw up my hands. “Can’t we just wait it out?”
Gawonii had already started back down through the tunnel, swinging Ahyoka over his shoulder. “No, this is still Iswali’s home, and I’m already sure that he senses us. We must leave now.”
“But it’s not like we’re able to fight him or those things out there,” I said to his back as I ran after him.
“All the more reason why we need to hurry.”
We exited the cave and speedily made our way back to where the gateway had opened. Even with Ahyoka in his arms and the thinness of the air, Gawonii was fast.
The gate appeared up ahead, and it was one of the sweetest sights I’d ever known up until that point.
“Keep up, Ama,” Gawonii called back to me. “We’re almost there.”
Pressing through the sharp pains in my chest, I picked up the pace, getting closer to the gate. Gawonii never hesitated or stalled his pace. He took a hold of my hand and burst through the torn edges of this world and into the in between.
Back in the passageway of complete darkness, Gawonii glowed to light the way.
“What now? I’m still sleeping.”
“Elowehi,” he hushed me. Gawonii scanned the darkness, looking for an opening to what would be our plane. “I see it. Come.” He began jogging away into what appeared to be nothing but more darkness to me, but I followed. I soon saw what he did up ahead. There was a break in the abyss that filtered light through the crack. Keeping close as best as I could stay in his light, I glanced around me. Tiny specks of light began to shine through in the darkness similar to the light we were heading towards.
Were these other dimensions? Worlds?
I had such a desire to go see for myself, but Gawonii was pulling away. We came up to one gateway, and I stopped briefly to sneak a peek inside. I wanted to poke my head through to check it out before he could notice.
Before I lost the nerve, I took a glimpse through the gap and immediately had to squint at the light that filtered through.
Inhaling sharply at what I saw through the gate, I went in further for a better view. I’d expected to see a world similar to the desolate plane that Iswali occupied, and it took me a minute to adjust the beautiful picture that was presented before me. The contrast was amazing.
A warm breezed blew past, blowing red and purple flowers falling from trees down on the ground and into the lake nearby.
I remember this place in the picture Gawonii showed me in his mind. A beautifully made wooden bridge created a path over the lake and onto the opposite bank, where I saw two children playing.
A boy and a girl.
The girl around the age of twelve ran across the bridge while the boy chased behind her. He caught her just as she was about to step off the edge of the bridge. Both tumbled off the bridge and down onto the soft grass before rolling down the embankment and into the water.
The girl splashed to the surface before marching out of the water while the boy chased after her. He was a little older than the girl; I had to guess about 14 or 15, naked from the waist up with jet black hair that barely brushed his shoulders. Before he could reach her, the girl waved her hand behind her, and a large wave rose up, knocking the boy back into the lake. He jumped up out of the water, laughing hysterically as he grabbed the young girl around her waist. She squealed when she was lifted up into the air.
I stared in awe at the girl. She wasn’t someone I recognized, but I had no reason to doubt that she was the former me.
The banter between the two made me smile, and I wished I could get closer to see the boy up close, but I had to get back. I started to go back through before I heard her yell out his name.
I started to turn around when a voice whispered behind me.
“You’re trespassing,” A chill ran down my spine, letting me know that I had stayed long enough. Returning back to the dark passageway, I spotted Gawonii quite a-ways ahead, and I ran after him, praying I got to him before he went through the gate to his home.
I caught up with him just as he walked upon the doorway, relieved.
“You strayed. What did you find?” he asked, not sounding pleased.
“Children … playing.”
“Children?” He turned to me, confused, before walking through the doorway back to the cabin. I followed close behind him.
“Yes, children. Between the ages of maybe twelve and fifteen. A boy and a girl. The girl had powers like my own. She was playing with a boy, and I think he—”
I couldn’t finish before I was thrust away from Gawonii and back into the dark passageway between worlds.
The doorway closed, shutting out all light.
“Gawonii!” I screamed, leaping for the doorway before it closed. Another one opened just as I jumped, and I fell through.
The moment I landed on the ground, a hand took hold of me around my neck and slammed me up against the side of a wall made of marble. I was lifted up off my feet until they dangled in the air. I kicked my legs, desperately trying to get free. A hard object forced its way between them, and I froze.
I blushed, unable to help the cry that escaped my lips when he pressed himself firmly against me.
Iswali materialized before me.
“What do I owe for this unexpected intrusion, my love?” he asked, his eyes glowing. “You underestimate our connection, Ama. Gawonii is not the only one who has a bond with you.”
Chapter 5
Half-Truth
His lips seized mine in an icy kiss that melted away all of my preconceived fears I had about him; no one who kissed as tenderly as he did could have been evil.
I failed in resisting, and I leaned into the kiss, opening my mouth to him. His teeth bit my lower lip, demanding access. His hands, cold as ice, cooled the skin that his touch left burning under its fiery descent, making my blood simmer. I craved more of him. Yes, I knew him, and I wanted him. So much more than I thought I ever wanted anything or anyone else. I felt my emotions running away from me, and I couldn’t control them. Once again, I was standing on the outside, watching things unfold. Lust for this man was immense; t
he need to possess him was strong, and I was unwilling to compromise on how I did it.
The former half of me was aggressive and unrelenting. I couldn’t understand who this woman was who wanted and needed this man so badly.
My hips bucked against his, making his anatomy, which was already securely positioned against my core, set off a stream of exploding fireworks between my legs. He groaned, the sound vibrating against my tongue.
His form shifted into a greyish matter, spreading out along my body and pinning my outstretched arms wide. Iswali traveled down the valley of my breasts between the thin layer of clothing, leaving a cool trail behind. Covering my body under my clothes in an artic blanket, my nipples puckered from the chill and strained to be released. As he played with my hardened peaks, I felt his vaporish touch go lower.
I arched my back, crying out as his form moved through my woman’s region below like fingers. Their chilly touch softly caressing my core was more than I could stand. He appeared before me, and although his hands were touching my face, my body continued to be wonderfully tortured by him.
“Ah, my love. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you.”
“Mm,” I groaned, my body trembling from his caresses.
I felt something push its way into my thoughts, prying its way past the carnal fog that had dominated my senses.
Wake up, Ama. Wake up now!
No! I protested. I didn’t want it to end. I felt myself being pulled away by force.
“Gawonii,” I spoke, unaware, my eyes rolling closed.
I heard a growl, and I opened my eyes in time to see Iswali smash his hands on either side of my head, cracking the marble.
“Your body yearns for me but yet you still call his name!” He spat.
Iswali began to fade. I was in control of my body again, and I could sense Gawonii pulling me back.
“No!” Iswali yelled violently, desperately trying to hold onto me, but that was the last thing I saw right before I woke up on the couch, back in the cabin.
I sat up abruptly, looking at my surroundings and finding Gawonii standing over me. My body still tingled over my encounter with Iswali, and I unknowingly ran my hands over nipples, having this urge to …
The Ageni Series: Queen Page 6
