by Shyla Colt
“Here you are.” Bastien set the plate of their food in front of her.
“Thank you. This looks delicious.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a seat beside her, and they devoured their food. The sound of chewing and swallowing filled the silent room. Full, she sipped on her water.
“That really hit the spot. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Riv.” The nickname sounded sinful on his lips. She opened her mouth to speak and swayed, clutching her chair. Large arms wrapped around her, keeping her upright.
“What’s wrong, Rivka?”
“The spirits are speaking to me…”
****
Bastien’s stomach dropped. Her hair had turned a deep blue, and heat poured off her body like a sauna. When she opened her eyes they were a familiar green.
“Rivka?”
“Not anymore.” The voice belonged to the woman from his dreams.
“What are you doing to her?”
“Using her as a means of communications, my time here is short. Kade must go on his mission soon, and Ivy Guerin must accompany. The knowledge they’ll gain will be needed to defeat Tavel. His greed has blinded him, overruled his logic. He wishes to enslave the humans on this planet.”
“What!”
“The sanity he held on to by a string has been lost.”
“What can I do?”
“Strengthen your bond with Rivka, train her. She is destined to stand beside you in the final showdown.”
“No.”
“It’s not your choice to make. Her fate was written down long before now. You were brought together for a reason. You’ve much to compensate for. Blood covers your hands. This will make things right, end your cycle of pain and tragedy. For far too long the two of you have waited for an opportunity like this to be redeemed.”
“I-I don’t understand. What cycle?”
“I will touch you, and the truth will be unlocked.” She touched the tip if her index finger to his forehead. “See.”
His vision tunneled, and the present melted away to reveal the past. Suddenly he was surrounded by a large, brown tent full of warm equipment. He sat in a chair, in front of a table with a giant map. He was watching what happened as the man he inhabited, experiencing his emotions as his own.
He cleaned his sword meticulously with a cloth as he waited for his men to finish gathering their gear so they could march on to Vernsta and launch the first attack of what he knew would be many. He’d never imagined once her sister died, people would look to Selia. Not after she’d been disowned. Then she’d be taken. His stomach lurched. The first time Selia was forced to control the weather the new life growing in her womb had been extinguished. The thought had once brought him to tears. Now it fueled his rage.
He would have his revenge on everyone who helped Ekend. The malicious mad man controlled their people through his wife. Her ability to control the weather and predict the future was never meant to be wielded as a weapon. He could feel her soul crying out for the injustices done and the pain she’d caused. A symbol of hope and love had been twisted into an ugly black shadow that caused fear, pain, and devastation. When it snowed in Riksha, a land which never saw more than a sprinkling of rain, its people had been brought to their knees, forcing the King’s hand. His pride wasn’t worth more than his people’s life, nor his throne. He yielded to Ekend, became the ultimate example of what happened to those who did not bow to his will. People had fallen over themselves getting into line after that. Cowards. His lips curled upward, and he spat onto the ground of the tent.
The flap lifted, and his right-hand man, Jeven, entered.
“You can’t really mean to do this, Ralston. Millions of innocent people will be killed.” Ralston!
“I can, and I will.”
“You’ve spent your whole life helping people! I’ve seen you turn down lucrative jobs time and time again because what they wanted to do was wrong.”
“That was before they put their filthy hands on her.”
“Yes, Ekend’s people, not the villagers. They’re simple folk, scared to death of a mad man’s reign.”
“They helped. When a good man does nothing, it’s just as bad! Had they stood up to the man and overrun him before he had Selia under his control none of this would have happened. Look at how fast things have spiraled down. People are starving, mothers fear for the lives of their children. There’s pillaging, raping, and chaos in almost all quadrants of our lands, and it’s spilling over, spreading faster than it can be contained. If they chose to oppose me they will taste the end of my sword and the sting of my power. I stopped caring when I lost Selia. The sooner you realize that, the easier this campaign will be. Are the men ready?”
Jeven lowered his head. “Yes.”
“Then we ride.”
His brain exploded in a white-hot fire that seared the anger out of him as his trip to the past ended. Emotions exploded like dynamite: loneliness, sorrow and resignation. The legend of Ralston and Selia was now his reality. He knew the story well, a mercenary who loved the Princess who controlled the weather and made prophecies for their people. The couple met in secret, bidding their time until her sister took the crown. The exchanged wedding vows existed for the moments they could steal. When her sister stepped up they left together, against her father’s will. He’d disowned Selia, but they refused to let it ruin the happiness they found. Only it hadn’t lasted. A terrible disease had taken her sister’s life. With the position empty for the first time since anyone could remember their people had turned on one another like starving men on a snow-covered mountain. Shame washed over him. Ekend’s rule ended at the cost of millions of others, and themselves, in a horrific display. The sky had rained fire, shards of ice, and snow that covered men up to their necks. It’s Tavel! He’s Ekend.
“Now you understand,” the woman whispered.
“We cannot allow this to happen again. I thought this tale was a myth. But I remember, this almost ended our people.”
“Yes. The universe wept at the sacrifice you two made and waited patiently for the time to right the wrongs done. You’ve come back before, sometimes missing each other, others never finding happiness together. This time you have the knowledge to do what must be done.”
“You want us to harness that power? It leveled an entire planet.”
“That was then. I need you to stay in the present and focus on the future. You’re the same but very different. You can contain it this time, master it and use it for what’s to come.” She smiled. “We have faith in you. It’s the first time we’ve shown ourselves to any of our incarnations.” She reached out and grasped his hand. “When she wakes she will remember.” She smiled. “Go with the blessing of the stars.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Whoa…” She clutched her chest with one hand as the knowledge she’d gained settled. Residual quivers shook her body. They were the souls of Selia and Ralston! This was the man willing to forsake everything for the woman he loved. He'd stepped down from an empire, fought what seemed like the entire world, and died by her side. Bile threatened to climb up the back of her throat, and she choked it down. So many questions raced around in her head on a circular track, looping over and over again at breakneck speed.
Was now their time? They were back in the same position, the priestess, the warrior, and the insane man. A twinge of guilt stabbed her in the gut like a blade. Millions of people had died in war because of her. Did they deserve to be happy? Years of pain, waiting, and heartache flashed through her mind. Yes. God knew how many times they'd done this dance and failed. It was time to set things right. She glanced at Bastien. The love she and Ralston shared was so vibrant! A splash of vivid color painted across a dark sky, it humbled her. A soul didn’t forget that kind of thing, it was still there hidden deep inside, waiting to be accessed. The thought warmed her heart and healed the parts that had been broken over the years. She closed her eyes, basked in the emotions and truth. His hand wrapped around hers.
She'd been forcing herself to hold back, fighting against the very thing her heart cried out for, to love Bastien with her whole self. Surrender to the emotions that had made him a part of who she was at her very core.
Love poured from him. His earth scent filled her nostrils. All the things she'd wanted to say but couldn't danced on the tip of her tongue. Pure joy flooded her like a river. She threw her head back and laughed. It was like being a child on Christmas morning and finding the present you always wanted beneath the tree. She opened her eyes and saw that happiness reflected in his warm, brown-eyed gaze. A smile stretched his lips wide, and she saw the whites of his teeth. His deep chuckle joined hers. Laughter mingled to become the most beautiful song she'd ever had the privilege of hearing. She moved her hands to cup his face between the palms of her hands. "It was you all along," she whispered.
"It was me." His voice was husky, and his eyes were glassy. "Hello, my love, it's been a long time."
Overwhelmed she leaned down to taste his lips and express herself the only way she could, pouring every ounce of emotion she felt into the movement of their lips. He lifted her onto his lap, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Hold on.” He got to his feet.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck, content to simply be held by the amazing soul mate gifted back to her by the universe. The sun began to sink in the horizon behind them, turning the sky into a mass of peaches and pinks. The rays shone through the windows, turning the house into the palette of a dreamscape. It was a moment she knew she'd treasure for the rest of her lives and perhaps beyond. After a few minutes they entered a room made of glass that made her gasp.
“This is amazing.” They’d just stepped into a magnificent garden that overlooked the side of the mansion. Reminiscent of Ralston and Selia's special place it made the new memories seem fresher.
“It’s our way to remember home. I think we all come here whenever we’re feeling particularly homesick. It’s a recreation of the royal gardens. I want to make love to you here and start over. Begin again the way we should've been from the start." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Yes." She was ready to cement the bonds they’d entered into earlier. There was no rush, or greedy need, simply the desire to connect and worship the man who’d carved his name onto her soul. He moved them behind a cluster of pink rose bushes and sent out a mental warning to the others in the house, making a circle of protective energy around them that wavered between invisible and iridescent. He sank down to his knees, lowered her onto her back, and caressed the hair from her face with his fingers. The feather-soft touch of calloused fingers sent a shiver skittering down her body. She studied his face. For the first time I really see him. Pieces of light brown hair fell over his forehead, escaping from the ponytail he'd pulled it back into for training. She reached up to tuck the stray strands behind his ear. He bent down and brushed her lips with his, and her eyes drifted close.
The floral scent of the flowers, the soft grass beneath her body, and his muscular frame pressed against her sent her into sensory overload. Bastien peppered her collarbone with kisses. She reached up, freed his hair from its leather band and buried her fingers in the thick tresses, massaging his scalp. This was the experience she'd always wanted with Bastien but never dared. It would've been the end of the resistance she clung to like a lifeline.
"Let me love you." His words were whispered against his skin. The double meaning not lost on her.
"Only if it’s for forever."
“And beyond.”
She lifted her arms, helping him remove her bulky sweater and the thin cotton shirt underneath. He kissed the swell of her breasts, moving his hand beneath her back to undo the clasp of her bra and slide the straps down her arms.
"Do you know why I'm not using my powers to remove your clothes?”
She shook her head no.
“Because you're a present I've waited a long time to unwrap. Today when I remembered the truth about our past, everything change—I changed.” He kissed her belly and pushed her pants down, nipping her left hip as he removed them along with her underwear.
"From this day on, I won't accept anything less than all of you, and in return I offer you myself. I'm not perfect by any means, but I will continue to love you more than life itself. I have carried you in my heart, across space and time, seeking you out in some shape or form in each life I've ever lived. I don't want to waste a minute now that I have you in my arms again." Bastien skimmed her body with his hands as he made his way back up her nude body. He propped himself up on one arm as he lay beside her and trailed his hand down her body to the moist treasure that awaited him.
"I love the way your hands feel over my body."
He leaned his head down as he eased one long digit inside her.
"Oh." Her eyes fluttered down.
"Keep those beautiful purple eyes open for me, Rivka."
She fought against the heavy weight of her lids to meet his intense stare. He continued to make circles. She squirmed. He hooked his finger and hit her spot. Her legs shook, her breath came in pants. She pushed her hips up, easily catching his rhythm.
"Is that the only thing you love?"
Her body stilled, her tongue grew heavy, and her mouth dried out. This was the moment. She licked her lips, swallowed, and shook her head from side to side. His clothes melded away. She felt the sensation of skin against skin. He removed his fingers and thrust home in one smooth stroke. Filled to the brim with love and cock she felt complete. “I love you too, Bastien."
"And I love you." He pulled out and eased back in, lifting her hips so he bottomed out. Their eyes locked in an embrace as he took them higher and higher. They jumped over the edge together, bodies trembling as he exploded and she milked him dry. They lay together in the grass, trembling as twilight gave way to darkness and the stars came out to celebrate their newfound happiness.
****
Two days had passed since the cold symptoms began, and he hadn’t improved. Something’s wrong. His condition had worsened. His skin was even paler. The whites of his eyes remained red, and his temperature stayed higher than normal. He could go to a hospital and wipe the staff’s memory. But what would be the use? What he had, they couldn’t cure. He sat in a chair, awaiting the read outs from his latest test. He’d botched the Elixir somehow; it was the only answer. Am I becoming more human? The thought filled him with horror. Beep. It was done. He forced his stiff muscles out of the chair and stumbled over to the printer. He blinked to clear his hazy vision, propped himself up against the desk and began to read. His T cells were through the roof, and his D.N.A. was … new. I did it! I finally did. Whatever I am isn’t human or Shar! He coughed. I’m like a caterpillar spinning a cocoon. Once this passes I’ll see what I’ve truly become. I’ll treat this like a human and a Shar sickness, more vitamin C, hydration, rest, and some of the Grisna herb heated up in hot water for tea. This ailment was a small price to pay for glory.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Wow.” Phelan sat across from Bastien at the table in the kitchen where they’d come together to get caught up. His words broke the silence that’d fallen in the room as he told an edited version of what had occurred between him and Rivka.
“I second that, Ralston and Selia, huh?” Mars asked.
“Where do you plan on going from here?” Kade asked.
“I’m not sure, training of some sort.” Bastien shook his head. “I think the key is in the past. Knowing these two actually existed takes lore and makes it a possibility. Rivka is going to pour over the library. I want to get another Shar on it.”
“I know Zasha is only half Shar, but she has all my memories through our bond. She knows our history, and she’ll be going on maternity leave soon. She could use another task to help her continue to work toward bringing Tavel in.”
Phelan’s hopeful look made Bastien
smile. “Works for me. When does she leave the P.I.U.?”
“End of this week after she brings in Dr. Guerin and gets her familiar with the way things run.” Phelan shook his head. “It’ll probably make me sound like a terrible husband, but I’m glad she’s taking a break for awhile. We’re getting close to what we think the due date might be, and my nerves are fraying.”
“I can’t even imagine, man.” Bastien shook his head. Thank the stars, Rivka isn’t in a rush to have a child. I’m still wrapping my head around us.
“You gonna give the new kid a cousin soon, Bast?” Mars asked, a sly look on his face.
“No.” The others laughed, and he rolled his eyes. “You guys are such jerks.”
“We have to laugh about something. It’s been grim lately,” Mars said.
“In some ways but not all. Am I the only one who’s noticed we’ve been dropping out of the dating game like flies?” Kade asked.
“Concerned?” Mars asked.
“No, curious.”
“Of course.” Bastien snorted.
“I can’t help but think there’s a deeper reason.” Kade shrugged. A sheepish expression covered his face.
“Like what?” Phelan asked.
“That’s a question that’s been rattling around in my head. Maybe the girls can look for that too during their research.”
“Not a bad idea, Kade,” Phelan said.
“Mars, you said you heard from your contact today, right?” Bastien glanced at his baby brother.
“Yeah, I did. He said there’s a ship that comes in from Lizen once a month.”
Kade cleared his throat. “Would now be a good time to mention I’d like to do an exploration there for research?”
Phelan laughed. “Does this have to do with bringing Dr. Guerin on the team?”
“Yes. I’d like her to be on the team with me. She’s brilliant and respected by humans and Shar alike.”
