by Leela Ash
“Yes, we are her couriers,” the other said. “You will be provided safe passage with us. Join us in our camp and come along with us for the ride.”
“I’m not sure I could refuse,” Cherin said, flashing a secret smile over at Leika. “I’ll go collect my belongings.”
By the time he returned, the couriers were ready to get back on the road and put the attack behind them. It was nearly sunrise, and the men insisted he join Leika in the carriage. They fed him the best of their food as they continued traveling toward the capital city. The carriage was wanting for space, and Cherin’s long, muscular legs pressed against Leika. Both of them seemed embarrassed by the closeness of their quarters, but Cherin was having fun pretending that he didn’t know her and making ridiculous conversation. She played along, though she glared mightily at him the entire time. How could he be so easygoing about everything all the time? Life wasn’t just a game and people weren’t just there to be toyed with and manipulated. Still, it was comforting to have him so close by. Every time she glared at him for saying something outlandish, like asking Leika questions he already knew the answer to, he simply laughed it off and continued with the charade, until they made it through the gates that signified their arrival to the capital city.
Leika sighed, her heart drumming in her chest. What could Lopu Mansana possibly want with her? And what was going to happen now that Cherin was going to be rewarded for his bravery at the same time she received her orders? Would she still feel safe? All she really knew was that now that Cherin was by her side, she didn’t want him to go anywhere.
CHAPTER 7
Before they knew it, Cherin and Leika were standing at the entrance of Lopu Mansana’s quarters.
“We’re all going in together to explain what happened,” the kinder courier said. Leika cast a nervous glance at Cherin. Would Lopu be able to tell that they were friends from the start? What would happen if the whole truth was discovered?
“You may enter,” Lopu’s powerful voice said.
Cherin and Leika moved forward into a room full of bookshelves. In the center was a round oak table where Lopu was pouring over some papers. She was the most elegant of the Loni women, and Leika felt immediately self-conscious in her presence. Lopu fixed her otherworldly golden eyes upon them and she knew for certain that she would be able to keep no secrets in front of this woman. Lonis were oracles and scribes; people with immense and immeasurable intuitive powers. Lying was futile.
“Welcome, my children,” Lopu said, smiling kindly and lowering her reading glasses. She stood and bowed formally, and the couriers rushed ahead of Leika and Cherin, bowing respectfully.
“My Lady, we were attacked by some particularly vicious wolf shifters while we were escorting young Leika here, and happened to pick up the man who saved us.”
“Oh?” Lopu asked, her golden eyes lighting up at the unexpected information.
“I’m very sorry, my Lady, but we brought him with us in hopes of giving him some type of reward for his trouble. We were goners without him.”
“I see,” Lopu said. “Very well. You are dismissed gentlemen. Thank you for your brave service. A hot meal has already been prepared.”
“Thank you!”
The couriers scrambled out of the room, leaving Leika and Cherin alone with Lopu.
“So it seems not everything went according to plan,” Lopu said, fixing her gaze upon Cherin, who was standing with his back straight and chin up like a true Dragon soldier.
“No ma’am,” Cherin replied, fixing his signature grin on her. She smiled warmly at him before directing her attention on Leika.
“Leika, my dear, you must be beside yourself with worry, wondering why I might have called you down here today.”
“Well…” Leika wanted to claim that no such worries had crossed her mind in case it looked like an admittance of guilt, but with Lopu’s all-knowing eyes fixed upon her it was impossible to lie. Instead of trying, she nodded weakly down at the floor without catching Lopu’s eye. The carpet was a plush red and gold. Everything about this room was exquisite. “A little worried, yes.”
“Of course you were,” Lopu said kindly.
Leika cringed, waiting for the axe to drop. She felt suddenly furious that Cherin would be there to see her ultimately get punished by the most important woman on Kaldernon.
“You need not fret, child,” Lopu said, her eyes staring kindly at Leika. “In fact, you should be rewarding yourself. You’ve done nothing but good since we released you from the academy. The same goes to our hero, here.”
Leika glanced at Cherin, whose chin was quivering in an effort not to smile. If they had been alone, she would have gone up to him and tickled the grin out of him. It was impossible to know that he was trying to contain his elation. His smile was her favorite thing in all of Kaldernon.
“The fact is that I’ve got an incredibly important mission that I need you to help me with,” Lopu said, frowning down at the papers. “According to my records there should have been far more descendants of Kaldernon living on Earth to date. When we rescued them, the numbers were shockingly low. And from what I hear, there were several accounts of new members of the Kersh clan appearing out of nowhere. Using their intuition and just finding their way to the place where Kaldernon meets Earth.”
Leika nodded, unsure of what Lopu was getting at. Cherin stood stock still, listening. He knew this information had nothing to do with himself, but he was startled by it nonetheless. He tried to keep a straight face as Lopu continued.
“The thing is, I value my people above all else, and the idea of keeping them on a hostile planet where there are people actively working to eradicate them is keeping me up at night. I need someone to go back to Earth and help me to gather up some of the descendants who were left behind. Use whatever means possible to do so. I have been informed that you are a rare type of Loni – equal parts shifter. Were you aware?”
“Aren’t we all?” Leika asked, frowning.
“Afraid not, my dear. You’re blessed with physical strength and a sort of practicality that most Lonis are not naturally gifted with. This makes you the ideal candidate for a rescue mission.”
“Alone?” Cherin blurted, his eyes wide with fear.
“Perhaps,” Lopu said, gazing steadily at him, her amber eyes glowing. “But perhaps fate has decreed that she is to have company on this journey. The pinnacle of our warriors would be worthy company on a mission this dangerous. What say you, Cherin of Jairn? Would you like to accompany my Loni warrior on this rescue mission?”
Cherin turned to face Leika, his light blue eyes wide with surprise. He wanted to jump on the opportunity to protect her, but he knew that she probably wouldn’t appreciate him tagging along on her first important mission. Leika wanted him, and everybody else, to know that she could take care of herself. Clearly, Lopu Mansana felt the same way about her capabilities, but he wouldn’t give an answer without Leika’s consent.
To Cherin’s surprise, Leika smiled broadly at him. Cherin’s heart thudded as he turned to Lopu, his voice caught in his throat. As he stammered to make his reply, nodding like an idiot as he attempted to speak, Lopu smiled graciously.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Is that all right?”
Cherin nodded dumbly and Lopu and Leika laughed in delight.
“It’s settled then,” Lopu said, looking as if a burden had suddenly been lifted from her shoulders. “First thing in the morning, the two of you will be sent to Earth and the rescue mission can begin. I’ve drawn out papers already in case there is any confusion about your task. You may go over them tonight or choose to rest yourselves now and look over the technicalities as needed during your journey.”
“Yes, my Lady,” Leika said with a courteous bow. Cherin also bowed stiffly, his whole body quaking with bottled up excitement. He had always dreamt of such a mission, Leika knew, and now he was finally being given his chance to make a real difference in Kaldernon.
“I believe in you two,” Lopu ca
lled to them as they started to leave. “You will make all the difference to the people who are still stuck on Earth. This is going to be the most important mission in their lives, and you two are fit for the challenge. I will see you both when you get back. In the meantime, feel free to treat yourself to any of the hospitalities this place has to offer. Thank you both.”
And with that, Cherin and Leika left through the heavy double doors that normally separated Lopu Mansana from the rest of Kaldernon, both with a feeling of elation deep inside their breasts. Together they had been sent to an unknown planet and together they would ensure the safety of the descendants of Kaldernon.
CHAPTER 8
Cherin could hardly sleep at all that night. He’d spent most of the carriage ride catching up on his lost slumber, but knowing he was going to embark upon such an important mission with his best friend was enough to send nervous butterflies surging through his stomach any time he opened his eyes or considered the adventures that would await them in the strange world below. Across the hall, he knew that Leika was probably sound asleep. Or, more likely, having the same feelings as he was.
Back when they had been in the academy, they used to sit outside by the fountain, just outside Lopu’s quarters, and meet there to talk. Neither of them had to ask if the other had been having a bad day. They simply went there when they felt it and would find each other when they needed it the most. Cherin suddenly got out of bed and slipped on one of the beautiful Loni-crafted robes that had been hanging on a hook on the door, clean and at the ready for whoever happened to use the room and need a breather.
Cherin crept in slipper-clad feet outside the manor and paused to get his bearings. The fountain had been to his left from the academy, but from the manor, it would be to the right. He was pleased when he heard the gentle trickle of water in the distance. His heart surged when he saw Leika sitting on the edge of the stone fountain, trailing her long fingers gracefully through the water, her purple eyes faraway and her black hair tied loosely at the back of her head.
She didn’t seem surprised to see him approach, and they smiled warmly at each other. He sat down heavily and sighed. The courtyard was empty and dark, lit only by the comforting glow of Loni magic. It was what made the place so special to them from the start. It was almost like their own private little world. Nobody had ever dared enter or bother them there, and it made the place seem sacred somehow. Almost romantic.
“I can’t believe she asked for me specifically for this,” Leika finally said, turning to face Cherin. Cherin grinned.
“Why? You’re the best.”
“Yeah, that’s what you say. But you’re biased.”
“Or maybe I just know a good thing when I see it,” Cherin chided, bringing a pout to Leika’s lips. He laughed quietly, thinking to himself how beautiful she looked in their special little world. She had always been the most beautiful person he had ever known. Nothing had ever changed his opinion on that. It seemed rather a fact of life to him at that point. Leika was the most beautiful, and he was there to protect her beauty and keep her out of trouble. Things had never changed before, so why would they now that they were no longer children; when the stakes had never been higher?
“I don’t understand you,” Leika said softly. Was she thinking about his kiss? Cherin blushed furiously, glad for the cover of night to hide his embarrassment. She could probably already tell how he was feeling, though. Her intuition was strong and pure. Far more advanced than any of the other Lonis he knew.
“There’s not much to understand,” Cherin said. “I’m a simple guy. I follow my best friend around and get in the way. When I’m not getting in the way, I’m saving her ass. And vice versa.”
This brought a smile to Leika’s lips and Cherin sighed, glad to see it there. He wondered how long it would be before she smiled at him again. She had seemed pretty irate in the carriage, though it was easy to see why. He was honing in on her summons, and more than that, his games could have gotten them both into trouble. Or they could have if Lopu was a less reasonable and compassionate person. But both of them knew she would laugh this kind of childish prank off and forget about it in minutes.
“I’m kind of nervous,” Cherin admitted. “Are you?”
Leika straightened her shoulders, always reluctant to admit her weaknesses to Cherin.
“It’ll be all right,” she said, patting him on the shoulder gruffly. Cherin laughed.
“Thanks.”
“I guess it’s pretty scary. I’ve only heard terrible things about Earth. Why not send someone from Earth to help us?”
“I think there’s been active efforts to help the survivors forget about the past and make way for a better future. Sending them back there would undo months of intensive emotional work. It’s not fair to them.”
“That makes sense,” Leika sighed. “But do you think I’m ready?”
Cherin was surprised by the question. Normally Leika would take a lot more cajoling before she opened up about what was really bothering her. It almost felt sinfully easy this time. It must really have been weighing on her. Or perhaps something else had changed.
“Of course! You’ve been ready since we were out of diapers,” Cherin exclaimed. “If anybody can do this, and do it right, it’s you.”
Leika stared into Cherin’s eyes, an expression on her face that he had never seen before. He wasn’t able to help himself. The same thing that had happened a few days back began to happen again, and he lowered his lips against hers. The warmth of her mouth against his sent a rush of heat through his body that almost made him moan out loud as he felt himself grow hard from her touch. If she knew, would she pull away again? How was she feeling? Leika pressed her lips firmly against Cherin’s. He wasn’t mistaken in thinking that she was kissing him back. Maybe she was comforted by his nearness and the strong physicality of his body so near to hers. They pulled apart mutually this time and exhaled deeply.
“I don’t know what any of this means,” Leika said, standing abruptly. “But thank you. I’m glad you’ll be going with me to Earth.”
Neither of them said anything else as Leika turned her back to him and walked calmly back toward the room where she was sleeping. In all honestly, Cherin didn’t know what was going on either. All he knew was that the most beautiful Loni in all of Kaldernon was his best friend, and he was about to follow her on a dangerous mission that might change both of their lives forever.
***
Leika shrugged off the robe she had worn outside, when she had foolishly slipped it on in the hopes that Cherin would know to meet her once more in the special place they had selected to go to when things were feeling hard. But why had they decided to make things even harder than they had to be? Complicating their bond of friendship was a miserable idea. She knew how things like this worked. It seemed like a great idea until the fickle flames of romance died down and left your once perfect friendship in shambles. She wouldn’t stand for it, and she was pissed that Cherin might be suggesting that the two of them break the sacred vow of friendship they had been nurturing for so long.
She tossed and turned that night, furious with herself and with Cherin as well. He had initiated another kiss, and this time he didn’t have sleep deprivation to blame. Not that he had really blamed it the first time. That had only been her excuse for him when she tried to justify why he might be willing to throw their friendship away after so many years of working together without any of these ridiculous feelings getting in the way. Whether they had always been there as a possibility or not, just a thought away, was meaningless. It only meant something when you acted on it. And somehow he had acted on it, and was starting to get her to act on it too. This needed to stop. Especially if they were going to be trapped on Earth; one of the most hostile planets possible for the vulnerable shifters.
Leika shivered. The fundamentalist group that called themselves the ‘Guardians’ of Earth were constantly studying the shifters, and had been for the past hundred years or more. Ever since they had
discovered something strange afoot. To them, the beautiful, compassionate, and powerful shifter and Loni people were nothing but an invasive species and an alien race that had to be exterminated immediately. She was furious on behalf of all of the surviving descendants of Kaldernon, and even more horrified at the thought of the poor souls who had endured the torture that the Guardians subjected them to in an effort to learn more about the world where they were from.
As soon as daylight shone, she was to be whisked away to this dark planet, so lacking in light that they forced beautiful and colorful souls like the shifters and Lonis underground to hide their power and grace from the world at large. What was going to happen when she and Cherin were alone in the unfamiliar place? They had studied all about it during their days in the academy, but everybody knew that experience was very different than learning in books. There were going to be drastic differences and they were all just going to have to deal with it as an inevitability.
It took a long time before she finally managed to sleep. Even then, her mind was cluttered with images of war and terror on the planet where she was going to be sent. But mixed between those nightmares was a deep, wafting desire, urged by the sight of Cherin’s face and the memories of his soft lips brushing against hers, bringing them both the first taste of an unbidden pleasure yet to come.
CHAPTER 9
“Rise and shine! Time to get moving.”
Cherin recognized the voice of the courier who had been responsible for seeing to Leika’s safety. It was nice now that he knew they weren’t taking her to the capital city to punish her for whatever reason she was afraid of. Much of the time, Leika was full of anxiety about getting into invisible trouble. She so rarely worked outside the lines that it was impossible to imagine anything she might get into trouble for. The thought was laughable.
