by Meg Anne
Serena's violet eyes sparkled with mischief, “It's a pleasure to meet you, Kiri.”
“Likewise, I didn't know Ronan had a partner.”
“He doesn't like to admit to that particular weakness,” Serena said mildly, rolling her eyes.
“Never my weakness, always my strength,” the large man said affectionately.
Helena was shocked to hear such tenderness out of his mouth until she recalled Von's own confessions.
“You'll have to let me know if the rumors are true,” Serena said mischievously.
“Rumors?” Helena asked in confusion.
“If Von's performance in the bedroom really matches his prowess on a battlefield.”
Helena blushed fiercely, “I couldn't say.”
Serena's light eyebrows rose in surprise, “Oh?”
“I've never seen him on a battlefield, and I'm usually too tired from the night before to see him practice with the others.”
Ronan and Von roared with laughter.
“Oh, I like you. We're going to be very good friends,” Serena murmured with approval.
As the group gathered, Helena couldn't help but wonder what would happen to Starshine, or why the Talyrian had chosen that moment to reintroduce itself to the world.
She had hoped she would be able to ride the cat while the others mounted on their wolves or horses, but as Kragen had pointed out, the Talyrian was made to fly and there was no way they were going to let her fly in the air while they were hours, if not days, behind her on the ground.
Helena just hoped that she would have an opportunity for another ride among the clouds soon.
Helena heard Gillian's soft drawl and turned towards her. As always Gillian was the epitome of genteel femininity. Whereas both Serena and Helena had opted for pants and tunics, Gillian was wearing a bright pink gown adorned with small rosebuds along the low scooping neck that showcased her delicate gold necklace its purple stone shining in the sunlight. Her copper curls were swept up in an elegant twist, topped with a wide-brimmed hat that tied off under her chin. The hat was angled to shield both her eyes and bared skin from the sun.
Gillian wasn't quite able to school her face in time, and Helena noted the distaste at her own appearance. Though short-lived, that moment was enough to make her question her own decision to wear the leathers.
Feeling her unease, Von ran his hand along her back, pausing to cup and squeeze her backside and whisper into that space in her mind that had become his, “You are beautiful, Helena. No wrapping could ever diminish what the Mother has given so freely.”
Pleasure and embarrassment swept through her, but when he kissed her, all she could think of was him.
Serena let out a low whistle causing the couple to break apart.
Chagrinned, Helena turned towards Serena; the tell-tale flush staining her cheeks.
“You shouldn’t have let me stop you, Kiri, newly mated to a male like that,” she whistled again, “I’m surprised you two have left your rooms at all.”
Before Helena could respond, Timmins called for the group indicating it was time to go.
Von winked and used phantom hands to gently caress her lips, a promise for later, as he started towards Karma.
Helena watched him walk away, struggling to bring her eyes back towards her companion when she asked, “Shall you ride with us, Kiri, or are you going to hole up in that box with the other one?”
Blinking she considered, frowning at the thought of being stuck in a carriage with Gillian rather than out in the fresh air.
“I’d like to ride.”
Serena nodded her approval, “Very well, Kiri, let’s get you sorted.”
The women headed for the pack of wolves that were waiting for riders. The wolves were still, allowing the girls to walk through them as they made their way towards Serena’s mount: a light brown she-wolf named Arrow.
Gesturing to a smaller black wolf, Serena said, “That's Shepa. She's a sweet girl, fast and fierce. She will see you safe, Kiri.”
Serena checked both mounts before helping Helena mount up.
As soon as Helena's was seated there was a bellow back where they had come from.
Startled, Helena looked over her shoulder and saw the Talyrian just as she was stamping her front foot. The ground shook, nearby horses whinnying in fear. The Chosen struggled to remain standing and let out shouts of warning as Starshine reared up to drop down with both front legs.
Oh please. Please don't. Helena prayed as she stared, wide-eyed at the Talyrian.
As if understanding Helena's wish, it leapt into the air instead but shot a quick burst of fire into the air as it roared.
“Mother's tits!” Serena swore, “If I didn't know better, I'd say that cat was jealous you mounted someone else.”
Helena's heart clenched, watching the Talyrian fly away. “You heard Kragen, they weren't going to allow me -”
Tilting her head, Serena interrupted, “When are you going to realize that people don't get to tell you what to do anymore?”
Helena's mouth closed as she pondered the question.
Eyes still on the sky, Helena didn't take another easy breath until she saw Starshine circle back. The Talyrian wasn't leaving then, just keeping guard from above; while she was grounded.
Helena was trying, and failing, not to sulk.
“It's not your fault, Shepa,” Helena murmured to the wolf as it trotted off behind the rest of the riders.
“I wonder what she'll do the next time you take Von for a ride.” Serena mused aloud after a few moments of silence.
Helena's laughter was choked as the image came to life in her mind. Serena gave her a saucy wink and urged Arrow to go faster.
Chapter Sixteen
Just before dark, Von's men called a halt for the night, after finding a large forest clearing to set up camp.
Helena tried not to moan as she dismounted, her legs quaking after the exertion of the day.
Joquil had decided that now would be a perfect time for another lesson. Since her trial, he had been urging her to try testing her limits to see what she was capable of when she focused, and not just what her magic was prone to do in response to her emotions.
He was whistling cheerfully as she limped over to him, it was all she could do not to punch him straight in the teeth.
Her lips twitched in amusement as she imagined Ronan's approval at that style of greeting.
“I'm glad to see you are still in good spirits after such a hard day of riding.”
Helena narrowed her eyes, shooting imaginary darts at his face.
Joquil chuckled, “Easy, Kiri, I do not have anything extreme in mind tonight. I simply thought it might help you tap into your own powers if you could start to identify others'.” His eyes scanned the scattered people, eventually coming to rest on Kragen.
Kragen was making quick work of some tree stumps for the evening's fire.
“Earth,” Helena responded automatically.
Joquil rose an eyebrow as a prompt to continue.
“Strength,” Helena added, lowering herself to the ground as her legs protested the movement.
“And?”
“Air?” Helena guessed.
Joquil nodded, “Yes, the speed with which he wields his ax certainly confirms it.”
“What of Von?” Joquil asked.
Helena's eyes scanned the crowd for a glimpse of her obsidian haired Mate, but she had not seen much of him since he left her side that morning.
She thought back as she answered Joquil's question, “He utilizes Air to create shields, he has minor healing abilities from Water, and obviously strength from Earth.”
“And what of the Fire branch, Kiri?”
Helena's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion, “I – I'm not sure, Master Joquil. I have not seen...” she trailed off, remembering the feel of his hands, warm against her skin. “He can manipulate his body's temperature.”
“Well done, Kiri. The subtleties of the five branches are not always ea
sy to recognize. It’s those details, however, that set apart those who have mastered their branch, and those that are simply gifted with one or two skills.”
“Furthermore, the ability to combine two branches together...”
Helena's mind wandered as the Master continued his lecture. She hadn't known that Von was using both Fire and Water magic when he was gently working the knots out of her back after Ronan's ruthless practices. She had just assumed the magic of Von's hands was all him, but her Mate had used the soothing heat of Fire combined with the healing properties of Water to completely eliminate the aches in her body. That effortless and subtle use of magic was the trademark of a real master.
Is there anything he isn't skilled at? Helena wondered idly.
“I'm an abysmal cook,” came the amused reply.
Helena's eyes were heavy as she rested her head against a tree, Joquil's voice a soft buzz beside her.
“I'm starting to believe that our definitions of abysmal might differ.”
“On my honor, Mate, I've only had to prepare meals over a campfire. I rarely have the foresight to pull something off the fire before it blackens on one side, and I have no mind for plants. One shrubbery looks very much the same as any other, which means I'm as likely to poison my meal as season it; much to the dismay of my potions master growing up.”
Helena's lips lifted in a sleepy smile as she thought of a young Von at his studies.
“When we get to your home, Mate, I will cook for you. My mother always said I could make a feast with scraps.”
“You are my home, Helena. There is no building in any realm that will bring me as much peace at the end of the day, as the feel of you in my arms. I could call a patch of dirt underneath a sea of stars home, so long as I am with you.” Von's deep voice was a seductive purr, wrapping her in its warmth.
Helena wasn't aware she had fallen asleep until she felt Von's strong arms lifting her and carrying her to their tent set aside from the rest of the group.
Her eyes opened only briefly, seeing the strong line of his jaw gently shadowed with the day's beard. She pressed her lips against his neck, snuggling closer into him, her last semi-conscious thought sent down their bond, “You came home.”
“I will always come home, to you.” He responded softly; his kiss a whisper against her forehead.
Gillian moved quickly along the outskirts of the camp, holding her skirt up to avoid brushing against the plants. She didn't have much time to find what she was looking for, that nosy bitch Serena had been keeping an eye on her all night. At least until she wandered off with one of the men from Helena's Circle; the big broody one whose name she could never remember.
Although the sky glittered with stars, very little light was making its way through the treetops. Gillian blinked and reopened her eyes, which now retained the abilities of her hawk form. Few of the Chosen knew of the ability to shift into another form, and Gillian had worked hard to keep that particular talent of hers a secret.
Her eyes scanning the ground could see much more clearly as she worked her way over to the plant she had noticed earlier that evening.
Gillian had thought Helena would be riding with her in the carriage, giving her time to put her plan into action. She had been dismayed this morning to realize her error, once she saw Helena had dressed for riding. Luckily, Gillian was anything if not adaptable, she would simply have to take matters into her own hands.
Reaching the plant, she squatted down quickly. Fingers carefully plucking the heart-shaped leaves, so dark they were almost black. Known as Bella Morte, it was a beautiful, but deadly, plant. Used in small amounts by skilled healers it could induce long-term sleep in patients that required excessive treatments. In larger doses, it caused powerful hallucinations that could trap somebody in the prison of their mind. When in bloom, Bella Morte had luscious purple blossoms, but many did not attempt growing it in any garden. Just a small scratch from one of the sharp sides of the leaves would be enough to knock out a small child for many hours.
Gillian gathered as many leaves as she could stuff in the small satchel tied around her wrist.
Hearing a branch snap behind her, she spun and stood quickly, hand pressed against her chest as if to contain the heart beating wildly inside it.
“It’s not safe out here for a woman alone,” a low female voice said.
Serena stepped around the large trunk of a tree, her blonde hair seeming to glow in the darkness.
“Oh, it’s you,” Gillian said flatly.
“One would think you were trying to sneak off. What with the way you are out here deep in the forest and far away from the safety of the guards. Are you taking a late-night stroll? Meeting someone?” Serena asked mildly. While the words were idle, it was clear from the predatory gaze in those violet eyes that Serena assumed she was up to something.
“Just relieving myself in peace, lady.” Gillian lied smoothly.
Serena lifted her brow, “Of course, you were.”
“I would appreciate your company on the way back to camp,” Gillian said, attempting to win the woman over, “We are, as you said, far from the safety of the group.”
“Why did you stray so far, if you were worried about being alone,” Serena asked instead, her arms resting on her hips, fingers within easy reach of the weapons strapped there.
“Privacy, lady. It's hardly in my interest to stop somewhere I could be come upon. Not exactly the position I like men to find me in.”
Serena snorted in amused disbelief, although she wasn't sure if it was because of the frank admission or if Serena simply found her to be a foolish female.
“After you,” Serena gestured back towards the camp.
Gillian nodded stiffly and walked beside her back into the warm light of the campfire.
Helena woke up to the sound of songbirds; it was still early, the sunlight barely peeking through the cracks of the tent.
She assessed her body as she stretched her limbs, pleasantly surprised that all the aches were gone. Von, she realized with a smile, twisting to curl into her Mate’s warm body.
He was still asleep, chest rising and falling with his deep breaths. Propping herself up on her elbow, Helena rested her head in one hand, while lightly trailing her other over the expanse of skin revealed by the blanket riding low on his waist.
It was rare that she woke before he did, and she reveled in the opportunity to study him at her leisure. He really was beautiful, all those hard angles exuding power even in his sleep. Her eyes flickered up to his face, noting the way his long lashes created crescent-shaped shadows on his cheeks and how those full lips were slightly parted, almost as if they were begging to be kissed.
Helpless to resist the silent request Helena leaned forward. Her hair fell like a curtain around them as she pressed her lips softly against his, her hand continuing its journey down Von’s rippling stomach.
She felt him stir against her hand, her fingers meeting velvety smoothness as she continued the caress.
He pressed into her hand, eyes fluttering open to find her smiling knowingly down at him. “This might be my new favorite way to wake up,” he declared, his voice rough with sleep.
“If I recall correctly, I promised you a rub,” she murmured closing the distance between their lips with another soft kiss; her hand stroking his swelling length.
He let out a low moan of pleasure against her lips as his hips thrust into her hand. His own hand fisting in her hair, holding her mouth pressed to his.
There was a rustling at the flap of their tent followed by a loud cough.
Von’s head dropped back to the blanket as he closed his eyes with a groan. “This better be important you bastard!” he growled, the threat of violence in every word.
Ronan’s cheerful voice replied, “Indeed it is! The two of you are joining me for a short training session before we head out today. No reason to skip our sessions just because we’re traveling.”
He opened one gray eye to peer at her, “You don’t supp
ose –”
“That means now, Brother! You have one minute or I’m coming in and carrying your ass out,” Ronan shouted.
“The Mother hates me,” Von muttered morosely.
Helena couldn’t help chuckling, although she felt his disappointment every bit as keenly.
“There’s always tonight, Mate,” she offered, her voice warm with desire.
He stole a final kiss, his tongue caressing hers before he pulled back with a frustrated growl. He stood, shaking his head and letting out a stream of curses as he began gathering his clothes.
Dressing quickly, they exited the tent before Ronan could make good on his threat. Helena was still braiding her hair as they made their way to a small clearing beside the camp.
Serena offered her a sleepy smile, lifting a small tin cup in salute before taking a deep swallow.
“Tea?” Helena asked hopefully.
Serena nodded and offered the cup to her. Helena took it gratefully. Lifting the steaming cup to her lips, she took a small sip. She closed her eyes in pleasure before taking another deeper gulp and letting out a low moan of approval.
“I thought you only made that sound for me, Mate.” Von teased, his voice a sensual purr in her mind.
Helena sputtered, tea flying as she coughed. She spun towards him with wide eyes, her cheeks flaming in embarrassment.
Von threw his head back and laughed. Before she could respond, Serena and Ronan joined in, guessing at what had her looking as though she were ready to throw the cup at her Mate’s face.
“Easy now, Kiri. Don’t go wasting good tea on a stupid male,” Serena’s laughter tinged voice called from behind.
Helena thrust the cup back at Serena and gave Von a narrow-eyed stare that had him attempting to school his grin into a chastised expression.
“See if I let you do any of the things that cause those sounds you like so much now, Mate.” Helena growled back through the bond as she stomped to Ronan’s side.
“Hey now,” Von protested.
Helena looked back at him over her shoulder and smirked.
