by Heidi Skarie
“Be honest with me, Erling. Have you changed your mind about marrying me? Would you rather be a Coalition agent than a ruler? Is that why you’ve been so remote?”
He took her hands in his. “I still want to marry you, if you’ll have me. I’m sorry I’ve been remote. I’m just having trouble adjusting to the physical world. I know you need me here, but I also suspect there’s something bigger going on behind Onolyn and Zac’s disappearance and I have to find out what it is. I think Seetva’s captured them.”
The hairs on the nap of Koriann’s neck rose. She’d been with Erling several months ago when Seetva hurled a ball of fire at him. “What if it’s a trap? She’s powerful and could kill you.”
“It’s a risk I have to take.”
Onolyn didn’t know how much time had passed or even how many days she’d been in the cage. Time seemed to mesh together. Zac hadn’t come again and she was alone with the spells in the room, weak from lack of water and food. Her head throbbed and her whole body felt stiff and cramped. Was death near? She no longer cared. She was no longer so attached to this world. Death would be a welcome reprieve.
The door opened and she turned her head to see Seetva walk into the room. Onolyn’s heart stopped. She didn’t have the energy to fight the sorceress. Zac followed her in and Onolyn studied his face to see if he was completely under Seetva’s control or if his own spirit still flickered. His face was gaunt, his cheeks hollow, and his eyes sunken with dark circles under them. And as he walked toward her, his movements were jerky.
Seetva came over to the cage and gazed at Onolyn. “She still lives.” The sorceress unlocked the padlock and opened the door. “I’m sorry you made me treat you so harshly, Onolyn. You may come out of the cage now.”
Onolyn tried to move, but discovered she hadn’t the strength.
“I can’t,” she croaked through dry, cracked lips.
“Pull her out of the cage, Zac.”
Zac grasped Onolyn by her shoulders and pulled her out.
“Bring her to the bedroom you prepared for her,” Seetva said. She walked to the bookshelf and took down a book.
Zac lifted Onolyn into his arms and stood. Onolyn was dimly aware of being carried out of the workroom, across the grass, and into the house. He took her to one of the bedrooms and set her down on a soft mattress.
She stretched her legs out, grateful to be free from the cage. Zac covered her with a blanket. “I’ll bring you some water.”
He left the room, returning a few minutes later with a glass of water. He helped her sit up and brought the glass to her lips. She took a few sips.
“Drink some more,” he encouraged.
She took another swallow, then asked, “Why did she let me out of the cage?”
He looked down, not meeting her eyes. “Seetva is using you to control me. She knows I care about you.”
“Why does she want to control you?”
“It has something to do with Erling. Seetva told us before that he’ll come looking for us. When he does, she wants us to capture him. He is the military commander of Borko, leading the planet’s defense against Condor’s air fleet.”
“So Erling is alive. Hendora got there with the antidote in time.”
“Yes, I’ve overheard Seetva and King Zanton talking about him. Zanton wants him dead. Seetva thinks he’s more valuable alive.”
“So we did some good by coming here.” Onolyn’s hand shook as she wrapped it around the glass and took another sip. When the glass was empty, Zac lowered her onto the bed.
“Are you hungry?” Zac asked. “I can bring you something to eat.”
“I don’t think I can eat much.”
“A little gruel, perhaps?”
She nodded. “Okay.” As he started to leave the room she said, “Seetva won, Zac. I can’t fight her spells anymore. I’m retreating into the Inner Worlds. She can have this body. I won’t be a part of capturing or destroying Erling.”
Zac came over and knelt beside the bed. He lowered his head to the mattress. “Don’t leave me alone with her.”
Onolyn put her hand on the back of his head. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
That evening, Erling left the palace and headed down to the ocean. He zipped up his jacket and shoved a hat on his head as he trudged through snow to the windy shoreline. Large waves pounded the rocks and spray flew into the air. The raw force of the waves reminded him of how powerful nature was and of the impermanence of life in this world.
He’d just come from a meeting with Koriann, Michio and the heads of Jaipar’s military and needed to escape from all the pressures of being a military leader. He drew in a deep, calming breath and imagined himself back in the Master’s hut, listening to Bakka’s words of wisdom. Tension eased from his shoulders and back as he once more began to feel the Master’s presence. How had he lost his inner peace so quickly?
But then again, how could anyone remain serene when the Raptor air fleet was expected to attack in a few days? Worse, he was leaving in the morning to search for Zac and Onolyn instead of taking over the planet’s defense. Why did he promise Hendora he’d go after them? He raked his hand through his hair, frustrated by his predicament. Yet in truth he wanted to find Zac and Onolyn. They were both close friends who had fought beside him to free Jaipar and later to defend Alandra.
What could’ve gone wrong on their mission to Haklute? They’d disappeared just hours after Hendora had left them. He knew they didn’t have enough experience for the mission. But there hadn’t been anyone else to send and they needed to know King Zanton’s plans.
Over the roar of the sea, he heard someone approaching him from behind. He spun around, his hand reaching for his blaster. Assassins could attack even on palace grounds.
A small figure appeared out of the dark. Most likely, it was a woman from the size and way she walked. As the person drew closer, he saw it was Koriann. Beyond her, keeping a discrete distance was one of her personal bodyguards. Her hands were stuffed into her jacket pockets and she’d put up the hood.
“Kori, how did you find me?” he asked when she drew closer.
“It’s no secret that you like to come here to think.”
“The ocean restores me.”
“You hurried away so quickly after the meeting we didn’t have time to talk privately.”
“Sorry. You were talking to your generals and I needed to get away.” His answer didn’t seem adequate, so he tried to explain. “When I was in Kumba, the war seemed distant, less pressing. It was tempting to remain there, away from this terrible struggle.”
“Do you want to live at Kumba, away from the world and this life?”
“Part of me would. After all the fighting and death I’ve seen, a quiet life has appeal. In Kumba the people live in love and peace because they’re at a higher state of consciousness.”
“I understand your feelings,” she said. “Sometimes I wish I could escape my duties. Are you sure you don’t want to live in Kumba, rather than marry me and rule at my side?” Her voice was filled with sorrow and resignation.
He shook his head. “No, Kori, Kumba is an amazing place where one can study and contemplate and realign oneself. But I wouldn’t be happy there. I just needed to take time for myself to rebalance. Now it’s time to reengage and fight for what I believe in. The Master said Samrat Condor’s spread of power must be stopped. He’s attempting to extinguish the Secret Teachings and knowledge of the Inner Worlds to thwart personal freedom. If he wins, the dark powers will overbalance the positive in this world. And if Samrat Condor conquers this world, The Temple of Kumba will be in danger. He will search for its location and when he finds it, he’ll destroy it. He’ll hunt Master Bakka as well, and try to kill him, too.”
Erling cupped his hand on her cheek. “But that is only part of the reason. The other part is more personal. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. My heart is yours, Kori. I love you.”
“Are you sure?” Her voice trembled.
He drew
her close and held her in his arms. “I’m sure. I’ve been confused about many things since I nearly died. My love for you wasn’t one of them. You’re the reason I returned to my body instead of staying in the Inner Worlds. I came back out of love for you.” As he spoke he knew it was true and his love for her filled him on a deep level.
Koriann tilted her head to look up at him. “You may love me, but you’re no longer in love with me. The passion is gone.”
“That’s not true.”
“A woman can tell when a man wants her. You used to look at me with desire in your eyes, even when I was engaged to King Zanton. I could feel heat radiating off you from across the room; I felt you watching me, even when I was turned away. I used to see love and longing in your eyes when you looked at me and I felt it in your touch. I don’t feel it anymore. I don’t want a passionless marriage. I don’t want you to marry me out of a sense of duty.”
“I . . . ah.” he faltered, not knowing what to say.” She spoke the truth, though he didn’t understand it himself. “I almost died. Things shifted, changed in me. I’m still trying to put the pieces back together.”
“Do you think you’ll ever desire me again?”
“God, I hope so.” He buried his face in her silky hair breathing in the smell of lilacs. Their lips met and he felt a quickening in his body, an awakening as if from a deep sleep. The part of him that didn’t want to be caught up in the physical world fought the sensation.
As they continued to kiss, Kori’s love poured into him. His heart opened and a haunting wind from the higher regions of the Inner Worlds filled his being. He stopped resisting the sensations building within and let himself enjoy the pleasure of her full lips on his and her breasts pressed into his chest. He remembered the Master telling him that the heart of a woman could lead a man to God.
Her cool hands slid between his jacket and shirt onto his back. His breathing deepened and an aching for her coursed through him. He slid his hand onto her breast, feeling its fullness through her jacket. She moaned and an answering tremor of desire shot through him. Aware that her bodyguard was nearby, he removed his hand and said, “Let’s go inside.”
“I don’t want to take the chance of you losing interest.”
He chuckled. “Kori love, you’ve managed to awaken my interest with a few kisses. Imagine what you could do in my bed.”
“Is that an invitation to your bed?”
“Yours or mine. I’m not picky.”
She pressed her hips against him. “You do feel aroused. Perhaps a warm bed would be preferable to a snow bank.”
“And more private.” He put his arm around her and they started back to the palace. He was aware of her beside him in a new way and felt so close to her that he didn’t want to let go. They entered the palace through the garden door and went to Erling’s bedroom.
“Someone lit a fire,” Erling said, pleased to find the outer sitting room warm and welcoming. He locked the door to the hallway, took off his jacket and tossed it on a chair, then helped Kori take hers off. “Have I told you how beautiful you are, Kori?” he asked, drawing her into his arms.
“Not recently,” she said, smiling at him.
“I’ll have to make up for my lack of attention.” He backed her against the door and kissed her thoroughly aware that she was a virgin. He wanted to go slowly to increase her pleasure. Without moving his mouth off hers, he made room between their bodies and slid his hands under her sweater onto her breasts. She sighed and closed her eyes, trembling. His arousal deepened with her response to him.
He lifted her into his arms, carried her over to the fireplace and let her slide down his hard body until her feet touched the rug. His open lips claimed hers and the excitement built between them to unbearable heights of passion.
Erling lifted his head and gazed down at her. “If you don’t want to make love, we’d better stop now.”
“When you almost died, I wished that we had made love so I’d have that memory to cherish. I want to share pleasure with you.”
Her breath quickened as he pulled her sweater over her head and unsnapped her bra. She unbuttoned his shirt, tugged it off and they sank onto the thick rug. He kissed her again, feeling her uncertainty. “Don’t be afraid, Kori love.” Their mouths hungrily devoured each other with kisses as the logs crackled beside them, giving off heat.
He slid off her pants, then gazed at her, transfixed by how lovely she looked bathed in the firelight. Her hair tumbled down her back, her blue eyes shone with love and her lush body trembled, eager for his caresses.
He covered her breasts with kisses, tasting the sweetness of her skin and breathing in her natural perfume. He groaned. “Kori love, you don’t know what you do to me.”
“Am I driving you crazy with desire like you’re driving me crazy with desire?”
“Every part of me aches for you. I love you, Kori.” All of Erling’s worries disappeared as he and Koriann became absorbed in each other and enjoyed the sacred gift of lovemaking.
When at last they joined together, he felt her responding to him in a flurry of emotions. She whispered his name over and over as they soared together.
As their pleasure mounted, he became aware of their closeness, their inner linkup, and the spiritual significance of physically joining together. At the height of their passion, he realized their lovemaking was a powerful force that had expression on many levels. He knew they would never again be separated because of their great love for one another: a love that held them together in this world and in the Inner Worlds. He felt a deep spiritual tie with Kori and felt raised in consciousness.
Joy filled him as the Eternal Life Stream flowed through him. Erling understood he didn’t need to withdraw from life, for through loving Kori he was learning to open his heart to divine love.
Afterwards Erling was aware of a sense of completeness and fulfillment. He felt especially close to Koriann and acknowledged great significance in their lovemaking. He didn’t know how to express to Kori how he felt, but he knew they were connected in a special way.
“Kori, I love you. I’m sorry for hurting you by being so distant.”
“Shh, don’t apologize for what couldn’t be helped.” She kissed him tenderly on the mouth and laid her head on his shoulder.
“You are so precious to me.” Erling pulled her more closely to him.
“I was so afraid you didn’t want me anymore.”
“You were afraid! Imagine how I felt!” he exclaimed. “I shouldn’t have worried. With an alluring woman like you around, celibacy doesn’t stand a chance.” His lips found hers again and he lowered her onto the rug.
“Erling!” She laughed, a pretty lilting sound, and pushed her hands against his shoulders. “We just made love.”
“We have to make up for lost time.” He rolled onto his back, taking her with him so she ended up on top. “I suppose you’ll find me too demanding now. Thank you for being patient with me. I know the responsibilities of the country are overwhelming and my behavior was hard to understand.”
She gazed down at him. “I thought you didn’t love me anymore.”
“I loved you but was confused and uncertain of my future. When I met with the Master, he said it was my destiny to rule Jaipar alongside you. The battle with Zanton was a test of my love for you.” He kissed her tenderly. “We should get married soon. I don’t want to take the chance of losing you again.”
“We’ll get married as soon as we drive off the Raptor air fleet.”
27
Stepping into Danger
Erling awoke early the next morning and tried to get up without waking Koriann who lay curled in his arms with her back to his chest. She rolled over to face him and slid her fingers into his hair. “It is time?” she asked.
“Yes, I have to leave. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I love you.” He kissed her.
“I’m afraid I’ll never see you again. Be careful.”
“Don’t worry; nothing will keep me from returning to y
ou.” He put on the Haklute military uniform, he’d commandeered the day before, including a hat and aviator sunglasses.
When Erling arrived at the airfield, he found Michio by his ship The Blue Lady.
“I came to see you off,” Michio said. “I’d like to go with you, but one of us has to stay and lead Jaipar’s defense. Surround yourself with an inner shield at all times so that Seetva can’t invade your mind. Focus on the Master’s love constantly. I’ll be with you inwardly.”
Michio’s words held a lot of force and Erling was immediate uneasy. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Going to Haklute is dangerous, but it’s part of what you were trained for at Kumba. You’ve been pushed hard lately, to open you as a channel because you’re needed. I know it hasn’t been easy and has, at times, been unbalancing, but you’re growing fast spiritually. Always remember, your true strength lies in your spirituality, not in your mind or physical body.
“A force field of negative power exists where you’re headed and you’ll be walking into a trap, but you still need to go.”
“Are Zac and Onolyn alive?”
“I don’t know. Unfortunately, you don’t have much time to search for them. Tomorrow you need to return to lead the defense of planet Borko. The other world leaders have placed their trust in you and we don’t have much time before the Raptor fleet attacks.”
“A day isn’t much time to find them.”
Hendora approached them, also dressed in a Haklute uniform. No women were allowed in the Haklute military, so she was disguised to look like a short male soldier. “Greetings, Michio.” She bowed formally. “All set, Erling?”
“Yeah, start the pre-flight check; I need another minute alone with Mich.”
After Hendora boarded the ship, Erling said, “Take care of Kori. Not just now, but if I don’t make it back—it’ll be hard on her. I’d feel better knowing you’ll be there for her.”
“I will, but you’d better make it back.” They embraced and Erling felt a surge of energy as the Eternal Light Stream flowed through him. He looked into Michio’s eyes and saw a spark of the divine that blazed like the sun.
