“Who is the leader here?” His gravelly voice shakes the air. The remaining villagers have become deathly still. Finally, the blonde demon steps forward.
“I am Xandria, daughter of Pernach, ruler of Hlbafa.” Her voice trembles with false authority.
I peek around Bones’ body, grateful no one seems interested in us. Then I see him…sitting atop one of the winged horses. It’s all I can do to hold back my screams of relief.
Kieron!
As if sensing me there, Kieron shifts his gaze slightly to where I lie huddled behind Bones. His eyes lock with mine, and I feel the familiar flood of love shoot through me. How long I have waited for this moment…to see him again! His mouth twists in the half-smile I adore so much, and my heart flutters with joy. He gives a small nod in my direction and a quick wink. I still can’t believe my eyes, that he is here, and I fight my need to cry out to him. What is he doing with these loathsome creatures?
Wait—didn’t the blonde woman, Xandria, say that Kieron had set me and Lucky up? That we were here because of his trap?
The black-haired demon steps closer. “I am Abbaton. I have been notified that you are in violation of the land treaty that prohibits the capture and killing of demons from other tribes without sanction.”
Xandria pulls her cloak around her. “No, you heard incorrectly. We are within our rights to punish the murderers of our precious sisters. Our prisoners were trespassers who killed five of our noble sentries. We only seek justice, not war.”
Abbaton turns to Kieron who dismounts and walks over to him. My God, it’s so good to see him. I have only to look at him to know everything is going to be all right.
Kieron whispers in Abbaton’s ear, and he nods. “I’ve heard all I need to hear. You are to release the prisoners at once.”
“But that’s not fair! They’re the ones who broke the treaty! It is they who should be—” Xandria starts.
“Silence!” Abbaton looks around until his eyes fall on Bones and me pressed against the wall. “Bring the prisoners to me.”
Someone nudges us from behind, and Bones and I get up and walk over to the demon leader. My eyes search Kieron’s, seeking reassurance, but fail to find it. He looks like the same Kieron, but now he’s different somehow.
I stand beside the two naked men and Bones, who still hasn’t changed to his human form. I wonder why. “Kieron, what’s going on?” I ask bravely as my heart thumps deafeningly in my ear.
He shifts his gaze from me to Abbaton. Abbaton eyes me curiously, circling me. “Are you the demion I’ve heard so much about lately? The one causing so much trouble for us?”
“I—I don’t know what you’ve heard, sir. But I can assure you I had nothing to do with whatever happened here. I just woke up and found myself here with Bones—”
“Show yourself, hound,” Abbaton says. In an instant Bones is human again, and holding my hand. I glance at Kieron, but he just looks away, his jaw rigid. “Speak your position, and tell me why I shouldn’t let the Hlbafa have their justice.”
“It is true we killed five of their sentries, but we had the Otium Peace Torch. We were investigating the disappearance and murders of two of ours…it turns out it was from the Amazèa, but we had no way of knowing that. Yes, we found them on Hlbafa land while following their scents, and we wanted to speak to their leaders to see if they knew anything. We were attacked, and were forced to defend ourselves. Five of their sentries died, and we lost one of ours as well.”
“But this is just your word. How do we know it was not you who provoked the attack?” Abbaton asks.
“You don’t. But not ten days ago a band of Hlbafa ambushed and attacked our peaceful gathering spot in Dryndara, killing over a dozen innocent demons who had nothing at all to do with this. Even then we didn’t retaliate into war…we just came here wanting to save our…friend…who was being held hostage.”
Abbaton turns to Xandria. “Is this true? Did you attack their lands?”
“Well, yes, but only because—”
He snaps his fingers and she vaporizes into the mist. Just like that.
I gasp, dumbfounded. Abbaton turns to us again. I’m too terrified to look at him, so I just focus on Kieron’s hands. On his dirty fingers. His frayed jeans. His dusty black boots. I can’t believe Xandria is gone, in the blink of an eye. Not that I liked her much, but how can someone be here one second and be completely gone the next? Well, I guess she’s not completely gone. A small pile of her ashes still lies at Abbaton’s feet.
Recovering from their initial shock at the sudden death of their leader, the panicked villagers again begin running and screaming, pursued by the horsemen, who callously slaughter them either with their long swords, or by pointing their fingers and reducing them instantly to dust. I bury my face in Bones’ chest and hold my breath.
When the commotion finally dies down, I look up. This time, my eyes lock on Kieron, who continues to stare at me intently. I desperately want to run over and throw myself into his arms, but something tells me not to let my feelings show right now. Stay cool. Calm.
Abbaton returns his attention to us. “I think that is all that needs to be done here. You are free to leave except for one. One must be the tribute for the Hlbafa’s lost sentries.”
“But wait, that wasn’t our deal!” Kieron says, stepping forward. “They all need to be let go.”
“I’ve altered the deal. The Hlbafa do deserve their Justice, but only one. Choose,” he says, staring at me.
I’m taken aback, speechless. Does he mean me? Does he want me to choose?
“Yes, you. Choose,” he commands, answering my silent question. “Choose your tribute. You seem to be in the middle of this whole mess, you decide how it ends.”
“Are you kidding? I’m not in the middle of anything. I don’t even know what’s going on—”
“Wrong answer.”
And with that he raises a finger, gives it a quick snap, and suddenly, Bones is gone.
“Wha—?”
“There. I’ve made the choice for you.” He turns, his cape billowing behind him, and strides back to his mount. He jumps onto its back and turns again to glare down at me. “You are an unworthy demon and hereby banished from the realm of Thiberoux.” He looks at Kieron. “You have one hour to return to the mortal world. If either of you comes back here for any reason you will be sent to the Wasteland for a thousand years. You will be tortured, and then, if you’re lucky, you will be vanquished. Understood?”
With that, the Legionare leaves with far less fanfare than at its arrival.
I fall to the ground as the breeze gently flutters the ashes at my feet.
~~~
I hear Kieron’s voice, but it sounds hollow and far away—like he’s underwater, or in a tunnel.
“Liora, come on. We have to go now.” There’s a tugging on my arm, but the pressure is dull. My body is becoming numb.
“Liora…Liora…Lucky!”
I lift my chin slightly, unable to focus on anything in particular. Pictures swish around in my mind… fractured images of agony and ecstasy.
Kieron kneels beside me, grasping my hand in his. “Liora…Lucky…whichever of you can hear me…we need to get out of here right now.”
“Okay,” my voice softly sing-songs as I stare out into space. My hand rests on the pile of ashes beside me, and my finger traces a slow circle through it.
Suddenly, I’m being lifted. I’m sitting on top of a horse, with Kieron’s arm wrapped firmly around my waist. Our steed flies across miles of open countryside, and I close my eyes, unable to feel the sting of the wind as it whips across my face and prickles my arms.
I hear a loud screaming, so loud it drowns out everything else…the clomping of galloping hooves…Kieron’s voice in my ear. It comes from inside me…the scream of ultimate suffering, of a broken soul in the depths of despair, when all hope is lost. The scream of unspeakable agony and immeasurable sadness.
Kieron’s arm tightens across my chest, and he le
ans his head against mine. His warm embrace is the only thing saving me from shattering into a million tiny pieces.
After what could’ve been either a few minutes or several hours, we slow to a stop and Kieron helps me dismount. I take a dazed look around—I know this place. It’s our special spot…the magical meadow where Kieron and I first kissed.
It feels like a lifetime ago.
He holds me steady and gently brushes my hair from my face. He looks deep into my eyes. “Liora,” he whispers, so close I feel his breath on my cheek. “Liora, sweetheart, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I mumble, my voice dull and hollow.
He throws his arms around me, holding me close. His lips are soft and warm on my face and neck. I know I should move…I want to move. But I just can’t.
“We’re back in human world now, right? No more demons?”
“No more demons...only me,” he whispers.
He leads me over to a mossy patch of emerald green grass. I don’t know how long we sit there, staring at the sparkling lake and infinite valley below. Kieron seems okay just being here with me…in silence. I’m glad, because I can’t think right now. My insides are shredded, and it’s all I can do to remember to breathe.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Kieron’s hand covers mine, and his thumb makes soothing circles on my palm. I instinctively lean closer to the warmth of his masculine body. I need him near. Never before in my memory have I felt so completely fragile…as if the wind itself could break me apart.
“Liora,” Kieron whispers, gracing me with soft kisses. “Oh, Liora, how I missed you. I’ve thought of nothing but your beautiful face since the last time I saw you. How desperately I wanted to return to you sooner, save you from what was happening. But this was the only way—”
“You got Bones killed…you almost got me killed…” My voice fades.
Kieron shakes his head. “I’m just as devastated by what happened to Bones as you are. It wasn’t supposed to happen. None of that was supposed to happen…”
I tilt my head to meet his cobalt gaze, torn between the desire to brush his dark locks away from his handsome face, and the urge to slap it. I clench some grass in my fist instead.
“What did you think was going to happen? They said you set some sort of trap for us.”
“No, Liora. Never a real trap. You have to believe me. The Hlbafa were coming to get you…well, Lucky and Bones, and whoever else got in their way. It was gonna be war…no two ways about it. And they knew about you, that you’d be human by day. They were going to send demons to get you when you were at your weakest, and send a small army into Dryndara to kill everyone in sight—”
“So how’d we end up over there as prisoners?”
Kieron looks down and runs his fingers through the grass. “I allowed myself to be caught. Then I convinced their leader, Xandria, that if I disseminated some info through the underground and made sure it got back to Lucky and Bones, that you’d—Lucky, would try to rescue me.”
“But I still don’t understand how—”
“It was the only way I could protect you. Otherwise, you were fair game, and Dryndara would be at war. I couldn’t risk having you get caught in the crossfire. By claiming to make a deal to trade myself for you and Bones, I knew I could then get the Legionare to step in and take it from there. It was the only way. Otherwise you’d always have a target on your back.”
“Yeah. And what a fine job the Legionare did. Killing Bones for no reason.”
“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” Kieron says quietly, looking away. “I don’t know why Abbaton did that.”
“Lucky will be inconsolable,” I say, rubbing my stomach. A flurry of nerves is creating an unpleasant tickling in my gut. “She may even want to kill you for revenge. Bones has been her very best friend practically her whole life.”
Sadness clouds Kieron’s features. “I know. And she’s already been through so much…lost so many she’s cared for…”
“And what was that about being banished from Thiberoux? I mean, that’s certainly no skin off my back, but what about Lucky? What about you?”
“That is something Lucky and I will have to deal with. But right now I’m more concerned with you. How are you?” he asks softly, his fingertips gently stroking the side of my face. “You’ve been hurt.”
I shrug noncommittally. Truth is, I feel no pain from my injuries. My pain is all inside my soul.
Kieron looks into my eyes. He moves closer, and his lips find mine. Finally, after all this time, he’s here…back in my arms. I should be ecstatic…I should be over the moon with giddiness. But I’m strangely calm. Sad, even.
“What is it?” he whispers. He pulls back, his eyes searching mine.
I look away. For a while, I don’t say anything, and his fingers lace through mine beneath the tall grass.
“You were gone for so long…and I didn’t know why. I thought maybe you didn’t love me…that maybe you changed your mind or something. I tried to convince myself it was okay, that I was over you. I really did. But not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of you. Of your smile. And how good it feels when you hold me. How much I love kissing you.”
“Liora,” Kieron chokes out before firmly moving his mouth to mine again, this time with a deeper, more intense passion than ever before. Gradually I feel our bodies getting back in synch, a rhythmic sense of energy flow that completes the magical, intense circuit that is Kieron and me.
“I love you so much,” he whispers in my ear. “Always know that and never forget it.”
“I love you too,” I breathe, a contented smile on my lips.
~~~
They say time heals all wounds. I’m not sure if that’s true, but by the time the day begins its transition into night, I feel better than I’ve felt in a long time. A really long time.
There’s nothing better in the whole world than lying here beside Kieron, feeling his hands on my arms, tasting his sweet kisses, hearing his loving words, breathing his hot breath. I feel the broken pieces inside me gradually healing and falling back in place.
I don’t want to tell him about Tristan. I know I should. But I just can’t. Not yet, anyway. Not when I just got him back and things feel so amazing between us. Besides, I’m sure he’ll find out about him soon enough. Then again, Tristan was probably one of those nasty Hlbafa demons out to get me. Maybe now that it’s all over he’ll just go away, and I won’t see him ever again. Then maybe Kieron will never have to know what a horrible wretched person I am, and how I betrayed him so soon after he disappeared. When he was busy sacrificing himself to save me.
“What is it?” Kieron asks, watching me with tender concern.
“It’s twilight,” I say, avoiding his question. “I’d say we should get going soon, but I guess it doesn’t matter anymore.” I give him a wry smile. “Remember the first time we came out here?”
Kieron chuckles under his breath. “How could I ever forget? It’s not every day I have angry farmers pulling shotguns on me.”
“Hey, whatever happened that night? The truth this time.” I narrow my eyes, remembering his fishy ‘explanation’ for what had occurred after I fell asleep.
Kieron laughs louder. “Okay, well, when Lucky woke up, she was pretty pissed. She wanted to know why I’d put you in danger like that.”
“Did you tell her it was all my fault?” I ask, sitting up.
He shakes his head. “She wasn’t exactly in the mood to listen. She disarmed the poor guy… nicely, I might add.”
“Nicely?”
“Well, she didn’t kill him. Which was pretty nice of her, considering. She was angry with me and left, but later we met up and talked it out.”
“Oh.” Then after a moment. “You must have thought I was so pathetic, playing it like a fool…lying, trying to cover up and acting stupid—”
“Liora, stop. I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that ever again. Got it? You
did what you had to do at the time, and I understand. No judgments. If anything, I’m in awe of how well you manage to handle things. I don’t think I’d ever be able to—”
“Ha! You think I handle this ‘well’?”
He leans closer and grazes his lips against mine. “I think you are amazing,” he whispers. “Every part of you, everything you do. Right or wrong. I am under your spell now and forever.”
“Tell me why…” I murmur, nuzzling his earlobe.
“Why what?”
“Why do you love me? Why am I amazing?” I don’t care if my questions sound needy, or desperate, or insecure. I have to know what he sees in me…why he loves me the magical way he seems to do.
Kieron tilts my chin up slightly and looks into my eyes, his cerulean pools of liquid as bottomless as the darkest ocean. “This may sound like a corny line, but the first time I really looked at you, I knew those were the eyes I’d been waiting my entire life to see. For the first time ever, I felt like I was home. That I finally belonged somewhere and was born for a specific purpose—to know you…to be with you…and to love you.”
“But how could you really know?” I whisper over the thumping of my heart.
“Honestly, I don’t know how. I just knew. It’s like a light switch suddenly flicked on inside. Everything I thought I wanted was suddenly insignificant compared to you, and the thought of hurting or losing you—it makes me want to rip out my own heart. But above all, I just want you to be happy. Your happiness means more to me than my own. How crazy is that? Do you know how good it makes me feel when I see you smile? When I hear you laugh?”
My mouth twitches at the corners, and a small grin cracks through. “But what about now…now that you know what a complicated mess I—we—are? How can you possibly feel the same way—?”
“It was shocking, I admit. But seeing both sides of you like that…well, if anything, it’s made me love you more.”
I gaze at him, almost disbelievingly. But so desperately hoping. My eyelids grow heavy as the familiar fiery tingles start creeping down my arms and legs.
Fire with Fire (Demonblood Series #2) Page 18
