Calm Before the Storm

by Cara Lake

  Cassi faltered, her blade clashing with his across his broad chest. They both went still as the battle continued to rage around them. “What do you want from me?” she whispered staring up at him.

  “I want your life.”

  “Why don’t you just kill me then? You’ve had plenty of chances,”

  “I said I want your life, Cassiopeia, not your death.”

  “I don’t understand you.”

  A sudden shove forced them apart, a severed shedu head bouncing off his armor spraying blood all over them. Blood and Death. Cassi was reminded of all the times she had battled against the Discordants, this man in particular. The faces of her fallen comrades and Esseni who had been lost swam into her vision. The anger that had submerged resurfaced with a vengeance. Cassi took advantage of the distraction swinging her sword again at his neck.

  “Stop!” he bellowed, his voice a roar that vibrated through her whole body and he lunged at her forcefully, knocking her to one side. Cassi’s sword connected with his shoulder rather than his neck but she felt the grinding of bone as her blade sliced into his flesh through the weak point in his armor. As they hit the wall, falling masonry crashed around them and she was lucky that his body took the full brunt lying over hers as they landed heavily on the stone floor.

  Cassi dragged herself out from under him, the force of his weight leaving her breathless. The Lord of Thunder lay still on the ground, a river of red running from the gash in his shoulder. There were three arrows in his back. Only chemosh arrowheads could have pierced his chemosh armour, and who had those? Her eyes searched for the archer but failed to find one. Most of the fighting was over, the Eunomi rearguard heading for the exit. She knew she had to go. They would blow the tunnel to block pursuit and she would be trapped if she remained any longer.

  Turning her gaze to the body of the fallen warrior, she knew she should take his head. She should make sure he was dead. A strange sensation in her chest, a pang of…respect. Yes, she had almost respected him for his obvious strength and skill. But he was evil, one of the highest ranking commanders of her enemy. If she could not have Choronzon who had now disappeared, then she could at least have him. She lifted her sword.

  “Cassi! Come on!” Borealis’ voice was in her ear, his hands grabbing her arm. “We are the last,” he yelled at her. “We have to go now!” She gave little resistance, letting him drag her to the exit tunnel under the covering fire of the remaining warriors. Cassi ran down the tunnel in a daze hearing the loud explosion behind, cutting them off from any pursuers and…him. She could not believe she hadn’t taken his head. Her greatest enemy, helpless at her feet and she had hesitated. She knew she had made a fatal mistake, one that was certain to come back to haunt her.

  As their footsteps pounded through the tunnel toward the exit, Cassi could hear a loud roar of anger erupting from the depths of the palace behind them. The sound of it vibrated through her bones, cascading through the length of the corridor, the rough frenzied growls tearing ruptures in the night air. Choronzon was not pleased and his minions were suffering for it. Howls of anguish echoed back, ripping through the darkness of the tunnel, propelling them forward to the relative calm of the forest and safety.

  She blinked from the brightness of the purple-orange glowing sunrise that met them outside. Borealis was still dragging her as they made their way to the starportal through the trees. Finally reaching it, Cassi found Irina still there, refusing to leave until she knew Cassi was safe. Irina was sitting on the grass her arms cradling Tyr’s head as she spoke soothing words to ease his pain. Tyr appeared to be in a bad way but Cassi noted from the rise and fall of his chest that he was still breathing. She heard Tani’s voice. “See, Irina, I told you Cassi would be fine.”

  Irina drew her gaze from Tyr and smiled up at Cassi, relief evident in her eyes. “Thank god you’re okay,” she said. “I needed to know you were safe.”

  “How is he?” Cassi asked.

  “Ziad purged the poison but he’s still unconscious. We need to get him to the healers on Lyra.”

  Just as Cassi was about to go and help Irina, someone grabbed her from behind, squeezing the breath from her chest. “Cassi!” It was Antares. He spun her around kissing her on the lips. “Glad to see you’re safe! You like to live too dangerously!” His brown eyes twinkled in appreciation. He turned from her to Tani, grabbing her in the same way.

  “Antares!” squealed Tani, outraged. “I know you’re happy to see me but don’t use it as an excuse to have your wicked way!”

  “Oh you know me,” He said. “Any chance I get to kiss a girl.”

  Merak strode up. “Did you retrieve both the pendants?” Cassi nodded. “Then we need to get them to safety and perform the ceremony with Tyr and Irina. The Balance demands it.”

  The Eunomi were leaving a rear guard in the forest to delay Choronzon and any shedu that might try to follow. Merak left final orders with Borealis who was to lead the remaining forces. Cassi knew that although they were few, her Eunomi brethren were tough and had the necessary survival skills to ensure their safe return. She found Irina still holding Tyr close and ushered them through the starportal, thankful that this time both her charges were still alive and that her duty to The Balance had been fulfilled. If she thought of the dark warrior at all, it was only in anticipation of their next encounter, when she would most definitely take his head.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Tyr was floating. His body in freefall. Weightless. If this was dying, it was easy. So simple. Just let go. Slide into the void. Leave the chaos behind. He could feel his bones liquifying, melting. He wanted the calm. He wanted the peace. His body jerked. Spasmed. Arms flailing in the empty space. A jolt in his sternum jumpstarting his heart. Peace…he wanted peace…had to get to…peace. Amber eyes. His brain sparked into activity. Amber eyes, chocolate curls. A foggy vision intruded on his freefall. A warm palm against his cheek…heat burning his skin, grounding, solidifying, reforming, restructuring.

  Tyr’s eyes blinked open. Those heavenly eyes hovering above. “Tyr!” A sob. Lungs inflating. Air surging inward, gasps of heavy breath. Tyr’s chest heaved and steadied, matching the rhythmic pounding of his heart, welcoming him back to life. “Tyr!” The voice of peace, honey dripping into his ears.

  “Did I die again?” he managed to croak. His vision sharpened into focus, Irina’s beautiful face the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. She was smiling through the tears that ran down her cheeks.

  “Seriously, you need to stop doing that,” she said.

  “I don’t plan on doing it again,” he rasped, throat thick with the coppery taste of blood. “At least…not for a long time.”

  Irina brushed a soft hand across his forehead, stroking gentle fingers through his black hair. Her face bent downward as her lips hovered over his. “You promised not to leave me, remember.”

  Blistering heat as her lips pressed to his. Tyr’s heart pounded faster. This was what he had lived for. Irina. To be with her. To be complete.

  “Tyr, I love you so much it hurts.” A whisper in his ear.

  “I don’t want you to hurt, little dove. I’ll just have to kiss it better. Where does it hurt most?” He smiled, realizing how little time they had had together to just play.

  Irina responded to the teasing playfulness in his tone. “Here.” She pointed to her neck. Tyr’s lips found the place that made her toes curl with warmth. “Mmmmm.”

  “Where now?” he asked, still nuzzling her throat. She pointed to her ear. Tyr obliged, his tongue licking, nipping her ear, loving the way she shivered at his touch. “Next,” he demanded. She pressed her fingers to her lips.

  Tyr’s mouth found hers, the taste of her lips ambrosia on his tongue. She matched the passionate force of his kiss, her own mouth demanding more as her tongue sought his. Blistering heat building to an inferno. Irina groaned as Tyr pulled her onto the bed his hands seeking other places to heal, his new mission in life to ensure Irina was healthy and content.

/>   “I need you here.” Irina’s hands were stroking over the rounded curve of her breasts as she leaned over him, presenting an enticing sight. Tyr redirected the warmth of his mouth, sucking and rolling a taut nipple through the fabric of her shirt, causing her back to arch in pleasure. Even through the wetness of the fabric, the taste of the hard pearl only serving to increase his desire for her.

  “More!” Tyr could not refuse her demand, making sure her neglected breast was given equal attention. “Is it better now?” he asked blowing hot breath across the swollen peak. More ripples of pleasure.

  “But now it hurts here!” Irina moaned, moving her palm down to rub the area between her legs. “It’s so wet here…” she gasped, “so wet and ready!”

  Needing no more encouragement and with a growl of pure masculine lust, Tyr lifted her up so that she straddled his erection. His hands slid up her thigh, pushing aside her skirt, his fingers stroking along the seam of her panties. Within seconds Tyr nudged past the soft cotton triangle, lifting her again so that his swollen shaft could rise to meet the moist heaven beneath the fabric. Irina drew him in, tight muscles contracting around his hard flesh as he thrust deeper into her welcoming core. It felt like home.

  Tyr breathed a sigh as he stilled, every nerve vibrating with the electrical current that connected him to Irina. He gazed up at her in wonder as she gently rocked into him, the teasing friction shooting sparks of ecstasy the length of his throbbing erection. “God, Irina! I love you.”

  She smiled down at him, reciprocation in her eyes, her happiness lighting a fire in his heart, her liquid gaze the tranquil calm before the storm. They moved together in perfect synchronicity building slowly to a crescendo that saw them orgasm in unison, Tyr’s body shuddering on a wave of euphoria as Irina expelled his name on a sigh. Replete, they lay silently together, limbs entangled, hearts entwined in a peaceful state of bliss. “I can’t believe we just did that and I still have my clothes on.” Irina laughed as she lay cradled at his side, running her fingers through his hair.

  “I need to address that situation.” Tyr laughed with her. “I need to get you naked.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to wait,” she teased. “You’re the injured one. I should be kissing your wounds. But I think you’ve had enough exercise for now.” She drew back too soon. “You still need to rest,” she said. “The poison nearly killed you and Merak says you need to stay calm in order to heal.”

  Tyr pulled her back to his chest, settling her head against his heart. “I’m not letting you go,” he said stubbornly. “Stay here awhile.” He gazed down at her loving how she burrowed into his warmth. “You look much better,” she whispered. “I’m so grateful to Ziad. He saved your life by absorbing the poison before it reached your heart.”

  “Then I owe him big-time, little dove. Can you bring him here so I can thank him?” Irina sat up quickly depriving him of her warmth. He hated the cold air that took her place.

  “We don’t know where he is. We lost him during the battle, although Cassi swears she saw him and that he was still alive, but he hasn’t come back yet.”

  “Well as soon as he does, then.”

  Irina hesitated. “That was three days ago,” she said, chewing her lip. “You’ve been unconscious that long. I was thinking you would never wake up.” A tear slid down her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb.

  “Hey now, no tears. I’m awake now. Tell me what happened.”

  Tyr was surprised to hear Irina’s account of Jaro’s help. He could only hope his master hadn’t punished him too severely. The knowledge that Jaro was not the total bastard he had always thought made him wonder who else he had had misjudged. Then he remembered Alcina. She had played them all. Merak had been enraged when he’d found out the extent of her betrayal. And she was still on the loose.

  Later that day, they were visited by Cassi and Tani who were both extremely happy to see Tyr alive, not only for Irina’s sake but also for his own. While they were giving him further details of what had happened on Ophiuchus, they were joined by Merak, whose attitude was visibly warmer toward Tyr now. It seemed that nearly dying was enough evidence of Tyr’s love for Irina and the one thing guaranteed to ensure Merak’s trust and respect. Tyr knew that it made Irina happy that the man she considered her father was now conversing happily with him. Much of the talk was concern over Ziad. His whereabouts and status were still unknown and Merak seemed grateful when Tyr offered his services in locating the missing healer.

  “Thank you, Tyr,” said Merak. “Antares has been deployed undercover for that purpose. We need you and Irina for other more urgent business.” His gray eyes traveled seriously between the two of them. “Realignment,” he continued. “The Balance is fluctuating and we need to realign your essences. We hope that realignment of War and Peace will lead to a cascade of other dualities aligning. We also have Eunomi searching for other potentials and some, like your friend Luc have already been identified and are being monitored.”

  Tyr stole a glance at Irina. He was relaxing on the sofa, still recovering from his ordeal, long legs stretched out across her lap where she was giving him a foot massage. Her eyes captured his, the heat in her gaze warming his heart. He was hers. She was his. But if they needed to make it official… “What do we need to do?” said Tyr, speaking for both of them. Merak seemed relieved.

  “There is a short ceremony with witnesses,” he said, “and then the rest…the rest is up to you.”

  “And it means we can throw a party,” said Tani cheerfully. “Which means, we need to shop!”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Irina was surprised to learn that Tani’s idea of shopping involved a quick visit to Paris. Amazingly Earth fashion was considered some of the best in the universe and she wondered what Versace or Dolce and Gabbana would think if they realized their clothes were to be found all over the galaxy. It was while they were trying on dresses in a Paris boutique that Cassi discovered something disturbing. In fact it was Tani who first discovered it.

  “Stand still, Cassi!” Tani ordered, watching her trying to pull a short strappy number over her head.

  “What?” Cassi stopped moving, hands high in mid-stretch. Tani dropped to her knees and rubbed her fingers across the back of Cassi’s thigh. “Goddamn!” she said.

  Cassi dropped her arms and turned round. “Tani! You know I love you right, but some people might get the wrong impression about us!” Irina, who was peeking through the changing-room curtain, raised an eyebrow at their antics.

  “What’s up?” she asked Tani, curious at the bemused expression on her face.

  “I wonder how long that’s been there,” Tani said thoughtfully, spinning Cassi around to show Irina something that made her gasp in amazement.

  “Now this is just getting weird. What’s going on, you two?” Cassi turned to confront them both. Irina could only stare at her in shock. “Cassi.” Irina took a deep breath. “You have a Taijitu on the back of your thigh.”

  Cassi snorted in disbelief. “Are you trying to get your own back on me for forcing you to try on that strapless dress you didn’t like?”

  Irina shook her head, screwing up her face in pain. “It was bad but I wouldn’t joke about something this serious.”

  Cassi narrowed her eyes and looked at Tani, who was all but jumping up and down with glee. “It’s true. Look!”

  Tani spun her again, back to the mirror, twisting her upper body around so Cassi could see the backs of her legs. Cassi looked down to where Irina was pointing and looked as if she were about to faint with shock.

  “That’s impossible!” Cassi shook her head. “I can’t be an Esseni!”

  “Why not?” asked Irina.

  Cassi bit her lip. “I think someone would have mentioned it to me before now. I’m not exactly a spring chicken!”

  Tani laughed. “Calm down, Granny, and let me concentrate.” She stood staring at Cassi intently, her eyes searching. Tani sucked in a gasp. “Er, Cassi.” She paused as if tryi
ng to think of a way to soften the bombshell. “I think you should know I’m also getting an aura reading from you.”

  “What?” shrieked Cassi, a heated blush in her cheeks. “That’s even more impossible!”

  “I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t been actively looking for it,” said Tani. “It is faint, but it’s there.”

  Irina drew her brows together in confusion. “What does that mean?” she asked. Tani winked at her as she gazed at Cassi’s embarrassed face. “It means that our Cassiopeia has not only met but has been in contact with her partner duality…close contact.” Irina was completely bewildered now.

  “The aura becomes stronger if you cross paths with your partner duality but,” Tani said, stressing the next part, “the Taijitu only manifests if the Esseni pairing kiss or have more intimate contact of some kind.”

  Irina gasped finally understanding. “Oh. So that’s how you knew about Tyr and me after we first kissed at the police station.” She looked at Cassi who was now pacing the room in agitation. “I wondered how you knew.” More enlightenment as Irina pounced on Cassi, offended. “You kept this really quiet, Cassi. Who have you been kissing? You usually tell me everything.”

  “I haven’t kissed anyone!” fumed Cassi, still pacing.

  “Maybe he kissed you?” said Tani.

  Cassi frowned. “No way. I’ve been abstaining from guys for a while now,” she said shaking her head.

  “Think back,” urged Tani, “You must have had a little lip action recently. Unless the Taijitu has been there awhile. You wouldn’t have noticed it where it is.”

  Cassi thought hard. “Oh my god!” she cried so loudly that Irina could have sworn she saw a bulb light up above her head. “It can’t be!”

  “What!” cried Tani and Irina in unison.

  “Antares!”

  “Antares? No way!” said Tani. “You’ve known him forever.”

  “Yeah but I’ve never kissed him before.”

  “Well, when did it happen?”