Soul Binder (Soul Saga (Book #2))

by Todd, E. L.

  They stopped touching Accacia and clicked their beaks at him. Koku hopped back to Zyle’s shoulder, and Zyle took to the opportunity to wrap his arms around his life partner, but Accacia held up her hand to his face. He looked at her quizzically, wondering what he had done to offend her. She was just kissing him a second ago.

  “I’m not interested,” she said.

  Zyle laughed at her joke. He grabbed her and pulled her to his chest, bending his head towards her ear.

  “I’ll make you interested,” he teased. He rubbed his nose against hers and his heart melted at her smile. “Come. Let’s go home. We have a few hours to get ready.”

  “Ready for what?” she asked.

  “The Initiation Ceremony,” he said. “Laura didn’t tell you about it?” Accacia shook her head. “Now that you have been established as a warrior for our people, you are required to swear your oath and fealty to the Asquithian race. It involves the entire populace of Canu and is done the evening of the Master Challenge. We haven’t had one in over fifty years, so everyone is very excited about it. They want to meet the new warrior.” Zyle felt her palms become sweaty with her increased anxiety. He attempted to make her smile. “But they mainly care about all the food that will be there.”

  Accacia laughed loudly at his words. Zyle got the giggles himself and laughed along with her. He grabbed her by the hand and led her through the building then outside toward the center of Canu.

  “I am very proud of you, Accacia,” he said. “I sincerely doubt I could defeat you in battle. I am honored to have you as my life partner.”

  “And I am honored to have you as my soul mate.”

  Zyle stopped his advancement and stared at her. She saw the look of fear in his eyes. He was worried she would run from him again. Zyle swallowed the lump in his throat. “Are you going to flee?”

  “No.”

  Zyle’s eyes softened at her words. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Thank the gods.”

  Accacia laughed. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  He stared at her. “What changed?”

  Accacia looked away. She didn’t want to discuss this in the center of Canu. “I’ll tell you later,” she said.

  Zyle nodded.

  They progressed through the streets of Canu until they came to Zyle’s—and Accacia’s—eave in the tree. They entered the doorway and saw Pia and Koku already at the windowsill, waiting for their return.

  Accacia smiled at them and Zyle shook his head. “They never left my sight when you were gone,” he said. “They thought there was something terribly wrong with me.”

  “That’s so sweet.”

  “Yes, it is.” Zyle cleared his throat and stared at the two birds. His eyes flashed a look of annoyance. “But now that you have returned, I would love some privacy.”

  The birds flew out of the window in a flash. Accacia laughed at their quick departure. Now that they were finally alone, an awkward silence filled the air, which they both could feel. They were both thinking the same thing.

  “I’ll be right back,” Zyle said as he entered his bedroom. He returned with an elegant dress made of out of silk. It was a golden yellow like the sun and accentuated the color of her features perfectly. Accacia gasped at the sight of the gown. She grabbed it from his hands and felt the material slide across her skin. Zyle watched her with a smile on his face, delighted that she loved the dress. “I thought you could wear this to the ceremony.”

  Accacia looked at him. “I love it, Zyle.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  Zyle held up something else. It was a belt laden with white flowers with splashes of yellow on the inside of the petals. “It is a sword belt,” he explained. “So you can wear your sword to the ceremony.”

  She took the belt and tied it around her waist. It fit perfectly. Zyle new the curves of her body and the dimensions of her physique better than she did. “Thank you,” she said.

  Zyle nodded. “You’re welcome.”

  Accacia laid the outfit on the kitchen table then sat down on the couch. Zyle followed her into the sitting room and sat alongside her. He took her hand in his and stared out the window.

  Accacia took a deep breath before she spoke. She didn’t want to discuss this now, but she knew it needed to be addressed. Zyle deserved her honesty. “Before we continue this, there is something you need to know.”

  Zyle nodded. He already suspected what she was going to say. He didn’t want to hear it, but he didn’t interrupt her.

  “I still love Aleco and a part of me always will, Zyle.”

  “I understand, Accacia.” He caressed her hand with his own, trying to calm her beating heart. He could feel her veins pulse under her tan skin. “You don’t need to say anymore.”

  “One of the reasons why I decided to accept you into my heart is because Aleco told me to. I couldn’t have returned your affection without his consent.”

  Zyle looked at her. “What do you mean?”

  “He left me a message in the Soul Catcher. I witnessed it when I was training.”

  “Is it in the necklace you always wear?”

  Accacia was surprised by his observation. He knew everything about her. “Yes,” she said. “He told me he wanted me to move on. To be with a man who loved me and would die for me. He told me to be with someone who makes me happy.”

  Zyle kissed her forehead. “I think I meet all of his requirements.” He leaned closer to her and pressed his forehead against hers. She could feel the desperation coursing through Zyle. The overwhelming desire he felt toward her. He cupped her face and stared at her red lips, which were less than an inch from his own. She knew he was waiting for her response. He was true to his word and waited for her to initiate the beginning of their physical relationship.

  Accacia kissed his lips gently. “I think so, too.”

  “Good.” Zyle pulled her face to his and kissed her. He gently massaged her lips with his own, running his hand through the long tassels of her brown hair. He kissed her upper lip then sucked her bottom one. He heard her sigh in pleasure. The taste of his mouth fueled Accacia’s desire for him, and she gripped his neck, pulling him closer to her. He leaned his body over her on the couch and she wrapped her leg around his waist, pulling him to her.

  Zyle wrapped his arms around her and picked her up from the couch then carried her into his bedroom. He gently laid her on the top of his bed. When he pulled away from her, she was smiling at him. He ran his hand up her stomach and stopped under her breasts, feeling her thumping heartbeat. “Are you sure?” he asked. Zyle prayed her answer was yes. He had fantasized about making love to her for too long. He didn’t think he could wait any longer.

  Accacia sat up and gripped the ends of his shirt. She lifted the material over his head, leaving his chest and torso bare. She ran her hand across the skin and kissed his stomach with her mouth. She untied his trousers and pulled them down. Zyle felt his heart hammer in his chest when she grabbed the rim of his undershorts and pulled them off, revealing him completely. “I take that as a yes,” he said through heavy breaths.

  She leaned in and kissed his exposed area, trailing her kisses to the tip of his erection. Zyle closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation then kneeled before her so they were eye to eye. He removed her shirt and camisole and stared at her breasts, which he had fantasized about often since they became committed to each other. He kissed each one, sucking on her pointed nipples, before he pulled off her pants and tossed them to the floor. He removed her panties and stared at her naked form. He didn’t know the other half of his soul could be so beautiful.

  He leaned over her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, waiting for him to enter her. She looked into his eyes as she ran her hands through his hair. “I love you,” she whispered.

  Zyle stared at her. “Accacia, I’m four-hundred and twenty-eight years old. And I can’t believe I lived without you for so long.”

  Accacia kissed him and he entered her, shaking as he explored the inside of her
. He rocked his body into her, and she moaned into his ear, clearly loving the feel of him within her. When Accacia felt herself fall into the throes of passion, she felt a pinch in her heart that turned into a throb. The sensation left her in tears as she realized what the moment meant. Zyle knew what she was experiencing, so he continued to make love to her until it passed. Then, he brought her into a climax. The tears continued to fall from her eyes and Zyle’s eyes mirrored her own. She had felt his soul within her, and he felt hers as well. Accacia increased her rhythm underneath him and brought him into a state of euphoria. He released himself into her.

  Canu

  39

  “Accacia, we are going to be late.” He buttoned his collared shirt for the second time. Accacia walked over and began to take off his shirt again, kissing his neck and his exposed chest. Zyle closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation. Accacia wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  Zyle snapped out of her seduction and stepped back. He began to button his shirt again— for the third time. “You are the guest of honor, Accacia,” he said as he fixed his shirt and smoothed out his pants. He had a very noticeable bulge in the front. “We can’t be late. You’re not even dressed!”

  Accacia sighed then began to don the beautiful golden dress he got for her. She fixed her hair in a braid and folded it atop of her head then attached the belt across her waist. Her guild sword rested in the scabbard. Zyle retrieved a flower he had picked for her and presented it to her. It was a large, pink blossom. Accacia thought of Orgoom Forest, and for the first time, the association didn’t upset her. She knew Aleco would be happy for her. Accacia smiled at him then placed it into her hair.

  “You look beautiful,” he said. He kissed her neck then began to untie her dress.

  Accacia walked away from him. “Nope,” she said. “We are going to be late, remember?”

  Zyle walked her into the heart of the city and to the erect Tower, the home of her majesty, Roxian, the leader of the remaining Asquithians in the known world. The grassland before the building was crowded with people, and the Canu birds chirped overhead. Every bird of the city was sitting in the trees above them. White round tables of dead wood were erected before the stage made of white limber, and the populace was sitting in their seats. Plates of citrus fruits covered the tables along with exotic nuts, bread, and leafy greens. Accacia smelled the pineapple tart as she walked by and her mouth watered. It was her favorite.

  Laura greeted her as she approached the table. She smiled as she embraced Accacia. “You look lovely, dear.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled.

  “That dress matches your skin tone perfectly. You have great taste.”

  “Actually, Zyle does.” She smiled. “He got it for me.”

  He kissed her on the head. “Guilty,” he said.

  “I’m not surprised.” Laura held her arm out to Accacia. “Are you ready to go?”

  She looked at Zyle in confusion. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “No, I’m afraid not,” he said with a smile. He loved how attached Accacia had become to him. She hated being apart from him at all times. “But I’ll be here when you get back. And my eyes will never leave your face.” He grabbed her cheek and kissed her. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

  Laura took her away. Accacia felt her palms begin to sweat as they approached the stage. She could see Roxian’s form upon the stand, and she felt even more frightened. Other warriors Accacia trained with were positioned on the stage. They were watching her approach the platform. All eyes were on her.

  “What is expected of me?” she asked.

  “Just answer the questions that are asked of you,” she said gently.

  “Okay.”

  “And remember to smile,” she added. “This isn’t your execution.”

  Accacia adopted a fake grin. “I apologize. I fear Roxian with every fiber of my being—she frightens me, Laura.”

  Laura rubbed her arm. “You have nothing to fear, darling. You are a warrior after all—the best in fact. What can she do to you?” She smiled at Accacia. “Besides, I am always here for backup.”

  Accacia smiled in return. “That assuages my unease immensely.” They both walked closer to the stage and were almost to the stairs. Accacia continued. “She has hated me since the moment I set foot on this island, always distrusting me. I know she is still suspicious of me.”

  Laura stopped her advance. “What do you mean since the moment you came here?” Laura had a frightened look on her face. Accacia wished she hadn’t said anything. “Where did you come from?”

  Accacia closed her eyes and sighed. “The Continent,” she answered. “Please don’t tell anyone else. I don’t want everyone to hate me.”

  Laura gripped her arm with a shaking hand. “Accacia?” she asked with a new pair of eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you the daughter of Henral and Portisha?”

  “Yes.”

  Tears flooded behind Laura’s eyes. Accacia had no idea the news would be so displeasing. The information had brought her mentor—a warrior—to tears. Accacia silently cursed herself. Now her only friend hated her—her only female companion besides Pia.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. Accacia could see the mix of emotions in her eyes; intense pain and overwhelming joy.

  Roxian walked halfway down the stairs. She wore an olive green silk dress and her hair covered her shoulders in waves. “Could you please hurry, ladies?” she asked with a smile. Even when the woman was being pleasant, Accacia still felt frightened.

  “I was told not to tell anyone,” Accacia whispered to Laura.

  “By whom?” she asked.

  Accacia looked up at Roxian then back at Laura. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Roxian,” she said.

  Laura shook with fury. The warrior already despised the monarch of their people. When her husband was stationed at the top of their highest mountain, along with other survivors, Roxian refused to turn back. She let them perish into a watery grave. Now Roxian had purposely hidden a life changing truth. The woman had betrayed Laura a second time. She dragged Accacia up the stairs. “Come on,” she said as she guided her upwards.

  They reached the stage and Laura plastered a fake smile to her lips. She embraced Roxian with a hug and smiled at the Queen of the Asquithians. Accacia reached the stage and hugged Roxian as well. When Accacia was cradled into Roxian’s arms, Roxian whispered into her ear.

  “I never authorized you to enroll in the Battle Academy. I specifically said where Zyle goes, you go, and I wasn’t referring to his bed.” Roxian pulled away and smiled at her. “You will pay for your disobedience.”

  Accacia’s smile faltered and the sweat dripped from her palms. She had assumed it was appropriate for her to attend the Battle Academy because Zyle had said so. She never would have defied the queen’s command on purpose. The comment pertaining to Zyle confused her. Was she not allowed to love him either? She forced herself to smile at Roxian since every member of her kin was standing at her feet. She stepped back. Fear gripped her heart and she didn’t know what to expect. She was glad she had her sword with her.

  Laura addressed the audience. “I am much honored to announce the addition of a new warrior to our ranks. She has not only surpassed the physical standards that are expected from a solider, but she has also exceeded the standards of the intellectual mind. She is worthy to stand among us.” She turned to Accacia. “Come forward please.”

  Accacia walked to the end of the stage and smiled at her mentor. Laura opened her mouth to speak, but Roxian spoke first.

  “I have an announcement to make and terrible news to relay. Accacia is not one of us.” The crowd below her feet looked at each other in confusion. They whispered to their neighbors and asked if they knew what the queen referred to. Zyle bore her a look of hatred. “She came to us from The Continent. A sailboat brought her to our shores. Her arrival and knowledge of our existence can only mean one thing. She has sold our whereabouts to
the enemy.”

  There was uproar in the crowd at the revelation. They flashed Accacia looks of anger at the betrayal. Accacia felt her palms moisten with sweat and her knees shake in fear. She hadn’t expected this.

  Laura stepped forward. “Accacia is the daughter of Portisha and Henral, our long lost child that was a victim to the terrors of the Continent. She was forced as a slave until she escaped the clutches of imprisonment. After everything she has done for our race, we owe her our allegiance and respect. I am Portisha’s sister, Accacia’s aunt, and I will protect her with my life. By my oath to the Asquithian race, I promise you she means us no harm.”

  Accacia stared at Laura with new eyes, and she felt the tears bubble beneath the surface. Laura was her family—she had a family. She was honored that such a strong and graceful woman was her kin. She wasn’t alone in this world, after all.

  “Then why did she enroll in the Battle Academy, directly disobey my order, and choose to learn the secrets of our craft? So she could destroy us—that is why.”

  Laura dropped her smile. “That is absurd, Roxian!”

  “Accacia lied to me. I asked her a direct question and she lied to my face. But I found out the truth.” Roxian walked across the stage and locked her gaze onto the eyes of her subjects. She knew they had her support by the looks of hatred in their eyes. “When I asked her who knew of her location, she said it was only one man, but that wasn’t so. There was another—a former lover—who seeks to find her again. He will come to these shores with men and fire.”

  Accacia looked away from the crowd and down at her feet. She felt their heated gaze fall on her countenance. They all hated her. She knew they did.

  Laura stared at Roxian. “How could you possibly know if she was lying?”

  Roxian looked into the crowd and locked eyes with Zyle. He gave her a look of hatred that clearly said, “I will kill you when this is over.” She pointed at Zyle. “Zyle, my ambassador, gathered information about this wary stranger and confided it to me. “Isn’t that so, Zyle? That is what she told you? Her lover knew where she was?” Zyle said nothing as she questioned him.