by Elle Thorne
She needed him to understand who she used to be and how she was not that way anymore.
She needed to tell him all this.
And so she did.
She looked away because she didn’t want to read any expression in his face. She didn’t want to see disappointment if that was what he felt.
She glanced toward the distant horizon. Toward a mountain’s peak silhouetted in the evening’s light. Staring at that peak, she told him her entire story. Everything. From start to finish.
And by the time she’d finished, it felt as though a weight had been lifted from her.
And with that weight now gone, Cinia found herself in possession of an emotion she’d never thought she’d feel. Freedom. True freedom from the guilt of having been the concubine of a monster.
Qalen was silent. Too silent. Nervous about what he might be thinking, she tore her gaze from the mountain and looked at him. A slight smile played on his lips, and his eyes were gleaming. Gleaming, in a good way.
“What?” she asked him. “What are you thinking?”
“I think I have fallen in love with the perfect woman.”
She scoffed, though inside her heart sang with joy. “Perfect woman? Hardly.”
“Perfect for me.” He lowered his lips, capturing hers gently.
This kiss was the kiss that bound her heart to his in a way she’d have never thought possible.
It was so many things in one. Gentle. Kind. Patient. Loving. Forgiving. Giving.
Her eyes slid shut as she gave herself into that kiss.
Eons later. Or maybe minutes, he pulled away. “Is this a yes? I hadn’t quite finished asking you properly, but could this be considered a yes?”
“It is an emphatic yes. An unconditional yes.”
17
The next morning Cinia and Qalen took Gor and Bel aside. They sat at a bench near the entrance to Gor and Bel’s home. Both were immensely proud and would be honored to officiate.
“When can we have the ceremony?” Bel rubbed her hands together, relishing an elaborate event it seemed.
Cinia fought back the grimace threatening to replace her smile of joy. “I would rather have a private, nonobtrusive ceremony.”
Bel’s expression fell, replaced with disappointment, but she quickly hid that behind an expression of concern. “Is there something wrong?”
Qalen took Cinia’s hand. “We prefer to be inconspicuous. Neither of us enjoys being the center of attention.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.
She leaned against him, thankful to have a man who looked after her needs and wants.
“Of course.” Gor put a hand on Bel’s shoulder. “I know you like the splendor and the pomp of an elaborate occasion, but we should respect their wishes. They’ve clearly been through enough. They should be given a measure of privacy.
Cinia exhaled, not realizing she’d been holding her breath, not wanting to disappoint Bel.
“Naturally.” Bel smiled and hugged her. “We would be happy if you would consider making your home with us.”
Cinia glanced at Qalen nervously. They hadn’t discussed this yet.
Again, he saved the day. “That subject has not come up, but we both love it here and would like to spend a little bit of time, at least until—”
Cinia jumped back. Before her was a shimmering curtain of light. On the other side of the hazy curtain she saw a horizon, but not one that reminded her of an area she’d ever seen before. The curtain of shimmering light was larger than a doorway.
She took another step back when two figures appeared in the glistening light.
Qalen took her hand, pulled her behind him.
The beings stepped through. Both male. One resembled Thane, the Dumarian. The other was clearly Asazi.
Gor glanced at Bel. “Get Thane. And Barz. In case.”
She nodded and moved faster than Cinia would have imagined one so old could have.
Gor studied the newcomers. “You are familiar. But not. Who are you?”
“I am Zale. Friend of Thane. The one you told the female that just departed to fetch,” said the Dumarian.
“And I am Kal. Cousin—nay, brother—to Finn. Here to take his place in the mission to save his father from Saraz.”
Cinia gasped.
Gor glanced her way. “Could you bring Raiza? This clearly concerns her. And please ask her not to bring her son. This is not for the ears of young Feroz. At least, not until we know we can help bring his father Norn back.”
Cinia nodded. She wasn’t sure she could say anything. The events of late had proven quite life-changing for so many of the people she knew. Including herself, now that she was going to tie her life to Qalen.
Qalen. She glanced at him.
He gave her a nod. “Do you need me to go with you?
She shook her head and made toward Taya’s abode. Mostly because she had no idea where to find Raiza. She had no clue which home would be the one Raiza and Feroz lived in. Cinia ran through the alleys and cobbled narrow streets of the development until she reached Taya’s home. It wasn’t until she’d reached it that she realized she’d initially taken a wrong turn, and Taya’s home was not so far from where she’d started. Cinia knocked on the door.
Taya opened it.
“Quickly. Come. Gor and Bel.” She panted and sucked in air, filling her burning lungs. “I ran here. I’m searching for Raiza. Got lost.”
Taya put her hand on her shoulder. “Bel just came for Barz. She did not say what she needed him for. Is this regarding the same matter? What is happening?”
“There is a Dumarian. And an Asazi man that said he is the brother—or cousin—of the one called Finn. They are here to help get Raiza’s mate.”
Taya glanced behind her. Cinia looked to where she’d glanced.
Ali was sitting at the table, a stricken expression on her face. “I want nothing to do with Saraz. I will not be exchanged for Norn,” she whispered.
“I am sure that is not the intent.” Taya gave Cinia a helpless look.
“Oh, I am quite positive that is true.”
Ali rose from the table. “I will find out. I’m going with you.”
Moments later, Cinia, accompanied by Ali and Taya, walked back to the portal. Raiza was already there. As was, Barz and Bel.
The one called Zale embraced Ali. “How are you?”
She pulled away stiffly. “What is this I hear? You have come to take me to Saraz?”
He glanced from her to Thane, then back to her. “Not sure where you heard that.”
Cinia stammered. “I-I-was confused.”
“No,” Zale said.
“Definitely, not,” Kal agreed. “I am here on Finn’s behalf. His father Norn is almost like my own father. I could not let this be. No one could stop my return.” He glanced at Zale. “Luckily, I found someone who could facilitate my return here. Now, let’s go get Finn’s father.”
Raiza’s expression was the epitome of determination. “I’m going with you. You’ll need a healer.”
Qalen frowned. “I should go as well.”
“Me, too,” Cinia added.
He snapped his head in her direction. “It could be dangerous. I’d prefer—”
She shook her head. “I’m going.” There was no way she’d let him face Saraz and not be there, just in case. No way.
“Since when do the females dictate policy?” Barz frowned.
Taya walked up behind him, tiptoeing. “Since when indeed, brave warrior.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ll be going along, too.”
“What do you think this is? A picnic? You have my baby to care for.” He rubbed her belly.
Corzine approached. “I’m in.”
Thane nodded. “Of course.”
18
Qalen looked around him, he knew his father was not a good man. Hell, he didn’t even consider him a father, but would they be killing him? A part of him wanted not to be a part of an endeavor to kill the man who
had fathered him. Though he’d just volunteered himself. Why did he do that? He wondered if a part of him wanted to be here to be sure the man who sired him didn’t die. It wasn’t that he had feelings for Saraz, but he did want to know more about the man. Though it was clear he was not a good one.
He scratched his jaw. “Is there…? Will he be…?”
Thane locked gazes with him. “We won’t kill him.”
“What would happen to Kormia if he was killed?” Cinia asked.
“Nothing,” Thane said. “Kormia was a place where he was to be punished, banished forever. It was not foreseen he would be here and create a new race of Kormic. It was not anticipated he would play with the lives of the Asazi and seek to engage them in a nefarious plot to return to Earth and wreak havoc on those who put him here. Though it was not just.”
“What?”
All the Asazi and Kormic snapped their head in Thane’s direction, murmurs and utterings of disbelief came from all.
Thane raised a hand. “It is true, partially. You see,” he took a deep breath. “This is such a convoluted mess. He was not the Dumarian who made the original woman with child, though he thought he was. So he took the punishment, not knowing the woman he loved was also involved with another Dumarian. One who is no longer alive. Saraz paid the price for the other’s infraction.”
A growl built up in Qalen at the injustice of the situation. Yet at the same time, Saraz had not been a good benefactor of the Kormic or the Asazi, clearly. He’d expected to be treated like a god. He’d demanded routine sacrifices in the form of young concubines. Qalen bottled up his anger.
Thane gave him a sympathetic nod. “Long ago, he was not a bad man.”
Qalen heaved a sigh. “I comprehend. I do. I’m in an odd position. He’s the father I never knew.”
Cinia squeezed his hand in understanding.”
“I will not do anything to interfere with this mission. He has not treated anyone well. Including my birth mother. Including the love of my life.”
“Shall we make preparations?”
A few short hours later, a hunting party had been assembled. Qalen, Cinia, Thane, Ali, Barz, Taya, Kal, Zale, and Raiza. Feroz had been left in the care of Gor and Bel.
They’d weaponed up. They’d packed two days’ worth of food, in case they had to stay out overnight, and Barz and assured them he could lead them to the lair he found in the Midlands.
Qalen had taken the opportunity to let them know he’d had Garth follow Saraz as well. Just in case they couldn’t find Saraz at his lair.
They’d departed at the break of dawn, while Cinia was still yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. He had given her a kiss. She’d returned it with a sleepy smile.
“Are you sure you want to go when you could stay in a nice, warm bed?” he’d asked.
“Quite positive,” she’d assured him. “I am eager for this to all end. And for the next phase of my life to begin.”
He’d kissed her in response, relishing the taste of her. Something he wanted for the rest of his life.
Now, the sun was well up. The group had trekked through the Farlands and were now in Midland, with Barz leading the way. His brother Corzine followed directly behind him, while Taya was third. Behind her was Raiza, then Thane, Kal, Cinia, with Qalen bringing up the rear. Garth was alternately flying overhead, and sometimes landing on Qalen’s coat, directly on the padded shoulder which protected him from the raptor’s lethal talons.
The birds were singing in the trees, oblivious to the hunting party and the action it would bring to Midland.
Qalen didn’t know all of the others in the party, nor was he aware of their expertise in hunting or tracking or even battling. He’d seen Thane take on Saraz, and he had faith in his skills, but what of the others? What if Saraz had a guard? Or a small army? Or a large one?
Were the others more informed than he about what they were facing? Why did it feel as though they were going in with no reconnaissance whatsoever?
“What do you know of his guard? Does he have one?” he whispered to Cinia, hoping to capitalize on her experience in his household.
“No.” She sneered. “He’s such an arrogant bastard. He doesn’t have anyone guarding him. He has a staff—servants, cooks, and such—and then there’s the concubines, all tributes submitted by the Asazi.”
“That’s all?”
“Oh, yes.” She nodded emphatically. “He believes he’s a god. That he’s immortal. All-powerful. He’s…” She shook her head in disgust. “I hate him. You have no idea how much.” Then she let out a tiny gasp. “I’m sorry. I know he’s your father.”
Disgust coiled in the pit of his stomach when he thought of what it would take to make a wonderful woman like Cinia hate someone. When he thought of the things she’d told him about Saraz when she told him of her history. A dislike for the one who’d sired him filled him. “He was no father to me. Rodina was mother and father.”
With every passing moment, as he remembered all of Cinia’s recollections, his aversion for Saraz grew. “Not having grown up without a father figure, at first, I thought I’d be excited at the prospect of meeting my own,” he explained to her. “Now. I have no interest in having that individual in my life. In any capacity. I cannot raise a weapon to him unless in self-defense or in the defense of someone I love.” He let that statement sit as he locked gazes with her. She was the one he’d defend against any and all.
“Understandable.” An expression of curiosity passed over her face. “But you wanted to be a part of this?”
He shrugged. “I did. I do. I am not sure I understand it myself.”
“I’m here with you.” She ran her fingers along his triceps. “I’m here for you.”
A thrill ran though him, starting at the top of his spine and trailing downward. “Be there for the ceremony,” he reminded her.
A light-pink color infused her scales. “I will.”
The group trudged their way through the Farlands desert plains and then through the Midland woodlands, until a few hours later, Barz turned around and assembled all in a tight circle.
“We are near,” he informed them. “Time to prepare and be silent. Experience dictates we should expect the unexpected with him.”
The group nodded collectively, and the trek began once more, as silently as possible as they traversed the densely packed trees and overgrown ivy that covered trunks and cascaded onto the rainforest floor.
Less than an hour later, Barz paused and pointed toward a particularly dark part of the undergrowth, where foliage covered a large outcropping of boulders.
Cinia leaned close to Qalen and whispered in his ear, “This is the lair Taya and I escaped from. There’s a hidden door there. Though we used another exit when we fled.”
They stayed back while Thane, Kal, Zale, and Barz approached the spot where Cinia said the door was. Clearly, they knew where it was, so Qalen imagined Taya had told Barz, just as Cinia had informed him.
The foliage parted, and a door was revealed. Moments later, they’d opened it and headed inside, motioning for the others to follow. Qalen led the rest of them toward the entrance where they reassembled and began to make their way through a semi-dark tunnel, partially lit by occasional lapses in the ivy growth.
“Do you know where this tunnel leads?” he whispered to Cinia.
She closed her eyes briefly then opened them and nodded. “It opens up to a corridor just off the great hall. It’s where most of us assemble during the day. Near where we take meals.”
“How many—” He caught himself. He’d almost said concubines. “How many women do you think are there? How many are usually there?”
She scratched her head. Her eyes had a faraway look, as though she were in the past. “I think more than a dozen, maybe two, were there when Taya and I were. I don’t know if there are more now. Or less.”
Those women would need saving as well. Though he wondered if any were loyal to Saraz. “Do you think they will be happy to be res
cued? Or do you believe they’ll want to stay with him? Possibly get involved in a fight?”
“With his mind control, who knows?”
Qalen remembered all too well what she’d told him about Saraz and his mind control.
Barz gave them a backward glance, as though telling them something. He motioned Qalen forward.
With a quick squeeze to Cinia’s fingers, Qalen joined the other men at the front.
“It’s empty,” Kal informed them. “I slipped ahead of us and found it empty.”
“All of it?” Thane asked.
“All of it. Not a single sound. Not a single heartbeat.”
Zale nodded. “I can’t hear anything either.”
“We should doublecheck,” Qalen said.
Thane nodded. “Zale and I will go together. The rest of you stay and guard the women.”
He grimaced. He’d have hoped to go.
Thane was watching Qalen’s expression. “Give me a moment?” He pulled Qalen away from the group.
“As Dumarians, Thane and I are immune to Saraz’s mind control. You are half Dumarian.”
Qalen could see where he was going with this. He recalled his fight with Saraz. He remembered the thrumming. “I am also immune.”
“I thought as much. This is why I’d like you to stay behind and protect the others. They might be vulnerable to Saraz’s efforts.”
“I’ll stay here while you check out the rest of his lair. Too bad there isn’t a way to neutralize his mind control.”
“I’d like to see him neutralized. Not simply his mind control.”
Qalen nodded.
Thane clapped him on the back and returned to Zale. The two departed for the depths of the rest of the tunnel.
Qalen strode toward Cinia. “They’re going to make sure it’s really empty. So far, no Saraz. No sign of anyone at all.”
He glanced toward his shoulder, where Garth perched, his dark eye gleaming in the darkness. He reached for the raptor’s head and petted his cheek. “Might need your help in a bit, friend.”
Garth ruffled his feathers, stretched his neck as though preparing for action.
