by Elle Thorne
“My mother died in childbirth. My new mother was Kormic. I’ve been raised Kormic.”
Thane nodded.
A screech overhead interrupted their conversation. Cinia flinched.
Garth flew in, landing on Qalen’s outstretched arm.
“You sent the bird after him?” Taya asked. “He’s trained?”
“We work together,” Qalen explained.
“They work together very well,” Cinia augmented.
Qalen’s smile was like a warm embrace.
“Ali is my mate,” Thane said.
Cinia’s head was spinning. First, she found out Qalen was the same breed as Saraz, then she learned there was another of the same breed, called Thane. Now, an Asazi woman with wings.
Her face grew hot, her knees weak. The last thing she saw before she collapsed was Thane’s concerned expression on his handsome face.
12
Qalen carried the still unconscious Cinia, picking his steps carefully, up one hill then down another as they made their way forward.
Home, they’d said; they were going home.
Qalen had asked whose home, and he’d been told it was all of their home. That Cinia’s friend Taya and her mate Barz lived in a Kormic settlement, and Thane and Ali had joined them when she’d escaped her own home, somewhere far away.
Qalen sensed there was a story in this, but it wasn’t the time for stories. It was the time for shelter. The Elders had insisted on escorting them, in the event Saraz returned.
Thane tapped Qalen on the shoulder. “Let me help you carry her.”
“It isn’t a problem,” he responded, unwilling to let go of Cinia. He’d wondered if all of this wasn’t going to be too much for her. “How much farther?”
“Right there.” Ali, Thane’s mate, pointed, her shimmering wings hidden beneath a cloak she’d donned.
He shifted Cinia in his arms to allow one of his shoulders to bear less as it was going numb just as they reached the top of a rocky outcrop. Below, slightly in the near distance, a settlement abounded with Kormic. A group waited in the middle of this stronghold composed of large rocks twice Qalen’s height. The area enclosed by the rocks was large, larger than Rodina’s settlement had been.
A perimeter of rocks enclosed the entire stronghold, as if they were encircling a moat, but without water. he studied the beings in the area. Gostracks. He’d seen one or two. Never mounted one, nor been up close to one. The two-legged, bird-like creatures roamed freely, foraging, pecking, and scrapping with one another. As soon as his and the rest of the party’s heads appeared over the top of the rise, the gostracks stopped all activity and stared. Then they beat oversized wings and cawed unforgiving warnings of their approach.
Qalen felt as though he’d been living beneath a rock, so strange were these new individuals and their bonds.
“You all have a comfort that makes it seem as if you’ve been allies for a long time.”
Taya laughed, taking Barz’s hand. “Adversity can do that, I think. It builds strong bonds.”
“It doesn’t hurt that we have a common enemy,” Thane added.
“That, too,” Barz agreed.
“And Saraz is that enemy,” Qalen said, not so much asking but needing affirmation, just to be certain.
“He is.” Thane’s expression turned serious. “Though this issue started long, long ago, on a different planet.”
“I’d like to hear about this, when Cinia is better.” Qalen glanced at her face. Her skin shimmered a serene green. From his experience, this meant her body and mind were tranquil and not in distress.
Qalen and the group continued their approach to the settlement. A few paces away from the desert-brown boulders, one of the large rocks shifted, creating an entrance that allowed them in, while also making a barrier for the gostracks.
As soon as they’d all entered the area, the boulder closed behind them and another opened in front, allowing them into the area where the Kormic had been standing.
Qalen found himself surrounded by Kormic, all ages and both genders, and was immediately struck by a pang of melancholy for Rodina.
In front, stood an old Kormic couple, one male, one female, both wearing red cloaks. The female held on to a cane, leaning on it as though she needed the support.
“Welcome,” the male in the red cloak said, clearly a leader. His tone was reverent and his expression respectful as he gazed on the Elders.
“We have guests for you,” the head Elder said, his voice a low rumble.
Barz turned to Qalen. “These are the parents of my former mate.”
Qalen gave him a curious look.
“She is no longer living,” Barz said.
Qalen nodded.
The old man glanced at Qalen then turned his attention to Cinia. “She is ill?”
“She needs a place to rest.”
“I have a place for you.” The older woman put her hand on Qalen’s arm. “I am Bel. This is Gor, my mate.”
“Qalen.” He nodded then, with a drop of his head, indicated the woman he held. “This is Cinia.”
“Come.” The old woman started a slow shuffle toward an alley.
She reminded him so much of Rodina that his heart ached for his adoptive mother. He walked behind her slowly, followed by Taya and Ali.
All of the buildings looked the same, the desert hues of brown and sunset pink were embodied in the stone abodes. In front of one of the doors, Bel stopped. Taya rushed forward and opened the thick door.
“Thank you.” The older woman gave Taya an appreciative glance for her thoughtfulness.
Taya smiled and hugged the old woman. “Thank you, Mother Bel.” She turned toward Qalen. “Bel has been kind enough to become like a mother to me,” she said in broken Kormic.
“You’ve picked up the language very well,” Qalen complimented her.
“My mate is Kormic. My people are now Kormic. The child I’m carrying will be Kormic, though he will also carry Asazi blood.”
“He?” Qalen asked.
“That’s what I’ve been told.” Taya rubbed her distended stomach.
“A child is a blessing.” Bel put her hand over Taya’s.
Qalen followed her into the one-bedroom home. A pallet on blocks of stone was ready, and he was ready to place Cinia down.
He lay her gently on the blankets, noting it was soft beneath them. He looked up at Bel, a question in his eyes.
“Gostrack feathers. They make very comfortable mattresses.”
Better than the leaves he’d learned to use when he lived in Rodina’s underground home.
Cinia stirred slightly, her lips parting as a tiny moan escaped her.
He pushed her hair back, studied her face, then turned to Bel. “Thank you.”
“She needs a healer,” Bel remarked.
“I have healing skills.” He took his bag from his back, releasing the straps that kept it fastened in place. He removed pouches, examining them for contents.
“Where did you learn your healing skills?” Bel leaned against the cane, watching him.
“Rodina.”
She gasped then clapped her hand over her lips.
He froze. “What is it?”
A sad smile came over her face. “She was the daughter of my uncle’s cousin’s wife. I met her once. Very skilled. And then she disappeared, and no one would speak of her.” Bel shrugged. “I always wondered what happened to her.”
“Rodina tried to save my mother’s life while she was giving birth to me. She adopted me when my birth mother didn’t make it.”
“She was a good one. Almost a full-grown woman when I saw her last. If you have her skills, then I’m sure you’re excellent at healing. Was this one hurt?” She indicated Cinia.
“She was, maybe twenty days ago. A jungle cat. She fell. She injured her head and her arm. I think today’s events didn’t help.”
Bel pointed to a stand made of dark wood in the corner. “Fresh water, in there.”
“Did you know
you’d have guests?”
“The Elders visited my mate Gor. They told him to have a place ready in the event we did. I’ll send someone in with food shortly.” She shooed Taya and Ali out the door. “Let’s leave them in peace. Qalen will see to Cinia’s needs.”
With that, they closed the door behind them and Qalen turned his attention to Cinia. He wasn’t sure why she’d lost consciousness. Maybe dehydration. Perhaps stress.
Either way, he wasn’t going to leave her side, not until she regained consciousness.
Twice, Bel came to visit him and to check on Cinia. Accompanied by Taya the first time, and her mate Gor, the second time.
It had been a few hours; of that he was sure. He’d seen the sun’s fall, and now its rise was heralding the day’s beginning. His eyes burned with the need for sleep. He rose from the bench he’d been on, his body tense from the discomfort of the stone seat with little padding, and he eyed the bed enviously. It was so large. Surely Cinia wouldn’t mind if he took up a bit of it.
He lay next to her gingerly, careful not to disrupt her rest, and closed his eyes, breathing deeply, taking in the delightful scent that was uniquely hers. It was like a sweet herb mixed with earthy tones.
Another deep breath, and his chest rose then dropped, his body yielding to the fatigue.
13
Cinia came to quickly. Her eyes flew open. She was in a room. The color of the walls reminded her of the Farlands dirt and stones, but the room was decidedly unfamiliar and bathed in the soothing rays of a late morning light.
Before she had a chance to panic, a familiar face came into focus.
Qalen.
She was on a bed, a bed so soft to rival the beds in Saraz’s keep.
Qalen’s eyes were closed, and she realized this was the first time she’d ever seen him sleep. All this time, all those weeks in his underground home, she’d never been awake when he was asleep. It was as if he were her permanent sentinel.
His features were relaxed, that marvelous skin of his, so much like her own, yet different, with the scales a bit larger. He glowed a light green, the color of peace. She was thankful to see that hue on him. Considering the last few times she’d seen him he’d been red and orange. Why had he been—
Saraz!
Memories came flooding back. Saraz. A battle. A being like Saraz called Thane. Taya and her Kormic mate. A winged Asazi woman called Ali.
Where am I?
She moved as if to rise but realized she was pinned. Qalen’s leg was over hers and his arm was draped over her waist. She didn’t want to disturb him, so she opted to lay there and study his face and reflect on the day’s events. She looked at the light entering the thin long window in the room. Judging from the sunlight, it was probably morning.
Have I been asleep all this time? Almost a whole day?
Was she even asleep? She didn’t think so. She was pretty sure she’d fainted. She grimaced. She wasn’t the weak, fainting type. What if she’d been out for more than one day?
Curses.
She chewed on her bottom lip, wondering where she was exactly. It couldn’t be too unsafe, else Qalen wouldn’t be sleeping so peacefully.
Emotion flooded through her as she realized he had been watching over her.
His lips, so stern when he was doing battle or angry, were full and tempting. His cheekbones were high set, his forehead tall, his long hair swept back from his face. She wished his eyes were open, so she could see their color from up close. She’d never been this close to him, not while she was awake. Though she was sure they’d had this closeness before, when he had been tending to her, while she was recuperating in his home.
Her stomach grumbled with hunger, and she fought the urge to grab it with both hands in order to silence it.
“Hungry?” His voice was a low whisper, his eyes heavy-lidded.
And if she had to admit it, they were seductive, beckoning her body as if she were being touched. She held her breath and realized he was staring at her mouth, where her teeth were making short work of worrying her lip.
She stopped chewing and released her bottom lip. “I suppose my stomach thinks it is.” She found she was whispering, too, and not sure why. “Where are we?”
“This is the settlement where your friend Taya lives.”
“It’s Kormic?”
“It is.”
A panic set in. “Niptak?”
“With Garth. Over there.” He indicated with his head.
And there, on a sill, perched on a stand, Garth stood guard over a napping Niptak.
“They are good together. Garth is so patient.” Her stomach protested aloud again.
He nodded. “Back to your hunger.” He shifted his arm slightly. “There is food on the stand, from earlier. Would you like some?”
She put her hand on his arm. “Don’t go.”
“I won’t leave. Just to get you the platter.”
“Stay.” She wasn’t sure what possessed her to say that. She wasn’t sure she could name what she wanted from him. She’d sworn off males after her experience with Saraz, but there was something about Qalen that made her want to be around him, and with him.
Concern crossed his face. “Is something wrong?”
How could she begin to tell him everything was right? That having him next to her made matters so very right for her. So very complete.
She shook her head slightly. “Nothing is wrong.”
He moved again a little, and then she realized something.
A blush warmed her flesh, and she could see from her arms that the rose color was beginning to flood upward. He was aroused. Against her thigh, his hardness pressed, insistent. And yet, the man wasn’t pushing her into anything she didn’t want.
A soft sigh escaped her before she could put a stop to it. She licked her lips, not realizing the message she was sending until desire flickered in his eyes and his color changed, going through an array of hues.
“I—” She had no idea what she was going to say. She should say something. What she wanted to say was that she wanted him with every fiber of her being. She wanted him the way she’d never have thought a woman could want a male. She wanted him in her, around her, kissing her, taking her, claiming her.
She glanced down, unable to look into his eyes for fear he’d see the fierceness of her desire for him.
He placed his fingertip on her chin, raising her face to his.
Time stood still as their gazes locked. A silent whirlwind sucked her into a place where it was only the two of them and an extraordinary surge of chemistry between them.
The burning in her lungs gave away that she was holding her breath. She drew air in deep.
“You feel it.” His voice was husky, low, and sexy.
He wasn’t asking a question, and she didn’t need him to expand on his statement. She knew exactly what he meant. Her nod was slight, and, for the tiniest of moments, she almost wondered if he’d caught that she nodded. She didn’t need to wonder long as his head lowered, his face approaching hers, his lips locked on a target—her lips.
When his mouth touched hers, it was as if a typhoon whipped in, whooshing aside the stillness of her held breath and taking her tumbling into another dimension, one that left her breathless in a wholly different way.
His mouth staked its claim, and the second it did, she was gone. She was tentative, at first, hesitant to release a passion within her that wouldn’t be denied. She gave in, her tongue dancing to a primal beat, granting him ownership of her heart.
She kissed him back, exploring the shape of his lips, the taste of his mouth. His groan was deep in his chest, and she drank it in, letting it fuel her.
Where am I going with this?
She didn’t care, wouldn’t stop, couldn’t stop. It seemed as if an eternity of emotions were fighting for release.
He tasted earthy, good, clean, but mostly, he tasted sexy. And she wanted so much more than this. She wanted—
A knock came at the door. Gentle, as if the
one on the other side of the door was considerate of the notion someone might be resting.
Cinia jerked away from him, feeling guilty. A heat traveled throughout her body, making her flesh flame with color.
He smiled at her. “You don’t need to be ashamed. It’s natural. Perfectly natural.”
She lowered her head, hiding from his appraisal.
That was a bad move. Now she had a full view of what her kiss, her tongue, her desire even, had done to him. He was engorged, filling his pants, leaving an imprint that was undeniable and so very desirable.
She turned her head away slightly when he laughed, her blush becoming more intense.
“Stop that,” she hissed.
Qalen rose from the bed, adjusted his clothing, put his coat on, and made sure it covered the area she’d had her eyes affixed to mere seconds ago.
Another knock sounded, again softly.
Qalen opened the door.
Taya stepped in. “You’re awake.” She darted toward the bed and pulled Cinia into an embrace. “I’ve been so worried.” With a backward glance at Qalen, she added, “But I’ve been trying not to be a nuisance.”
“Bringing more food every hour wasn’t a nuisance.” Qalen smiled at her, clearly teasing.
Taya nodded. “I suppose I was transparent.” She turned to Cinia. “How long have you been awake? Are you hungry?”
“A few moments.” Her stomach grumbled a response.
Taya and Qalen laughed while she tried to contain her embarrassment.
“I was just going to give her the platter.” He picked up the large plate.
Taya leapt to her feet, taking the food from him and setting it down again. “Oh, no. No! You must come to dinner.” She glanced at Cinia, her eyes filled with worry. “If you are up to it. Everyone is eager to see you. To visit with you. There’s so much to catch up on.”
14
Cinia and Qalen walked out of the Kormic house they’d been in, and it felt as though she’d walked onto a different planet. Niptak was settled in the folds of her top and overhead, Garth soared in lazy circles, as if enjoying a relaxing flight. She glanced at Qalen, next to her. He appeared at ease.
