Darshun became so still it appeared she’d turned him to stone.
Aurora appeared as a nighttime flower, beautiful and mysterious. She sang and danced for what seemed like eternity and then approached Darshun, pushed him onto his back and sat on top of him, holding his hands to the ground.
He felt powerless, dominated. With their eyes locked, lips drifting closer, they kissed, Aurora slipping her tongue into his mouth, tasting Darshun, he in turn tasting her, exploring—enjoying the sensation. “Aurora, we shouldn’t,” he implored, panting heavily. “It isn’t proper to do this unless we’re wedded.”
“Wedded? Oh my.” She giggled, slipping one of her hands into his breeches, feeling his erection, caressing it gently, and further seducing him.
He took his free hand and gently threw down the shoulder straps of her dress, making the top hang to her waist, and then touched her large, soft breasts. They were smooth, immaculate.
Aurora gazed straight into his eyes. “Tell me what marriage is, Darshun?” she asked, tightening her grip around his erection.
Quivering, he answered, “It is when—when…”
“When two people love each other.”
“…yes. Though, I think there is more to it than that—”
“Shhh.” She put a finger over his lips.
His heart raced, adrenaline pumping, and his whole body trembled without ceasing.
“Darshun, do you love me?”
“I do.”
“Then take me.”
“But…it’s not proper—”
“Take me!” she said, reaffirming her dominance. Or was it begging?
Nevertheless, Darshun could not contain himself any longer and gave in to his lusts, throwing her off in a sort of animalistic way. He swiftly removed the remainder of her dress, and his own clothes, stationing himself on top of her.
~~***~~
Midnight came, and after hours of lovemaking there, they lay, side by side gazing up at the stars.
Questions flooded Darshun’s head, whether he’d done good or evil, or whether he should be bothering with these things at all, being there were much more important things to worry about. He couldn’t get her image out of his head. He did love her, wanted her for a bride, and couldn’t fathom the idea of not having her because of this ‘Guardian’ he supposedly was.
“That was wonderful.” Aurora sighed, resting her head on his chest.
He stroked her brow and playfully caressed her hair, which she’d thrown back across his face. “Indeed it was, my lady.”
“'My lady.' Coming from you that phrase works better now.”
“Heh, I guess it does.”
“Darshun, has there been other women in your life?”
“No—being I am a Nasharin I’m still very young for this, my age in all.”
She gave him a haughty, yet playful look. “Are you saying I'm too old for you?”
“Of course not!” He laughed. “What I was going to say before you cut me off is that after being with you, I feel I could be ready for a life-long companionship.”
“As do I. There was supposed to be another in my life but he was killed during the invasion of the boarmen.”
“I am sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m with you now, so there’s no reason for me to dwell in the past. Like you said, life continues on. I’m glad we met.” Shifting her head she felt Darshun’s necklace under his tunic. Becoming interested, she reached in and pulled it out. “This is beautiful. What is it?” she asked rubbing her thumb over the seven-pointed star upon the silver crystal.
Immediately, Darshun felt a terrible sickness and evil. Not understanding why, or perhaps ignoring the warnings, he grasped it out from her hand and tucked it back under. “Just a gift from my father is all.”
Looking uninterested, she seemed to let the subject go and lay beside him. “I have a question a little off subject.”
“Anything, my lady.”
“Why are the Barbarians attacking you?”
“To establish territory. They’re heathens who care for nothing but themselves.”
“Oh come on, Darshun, I know it is more than that. It involves the red crystal my people worshipped, does it not?”
He remained quiet.
“Not going to answer? Well then, I think I should let you know that earlier tonight, when you 'excused' yourself, I overheard a few men briefly speaking about wizard crystals—specifically a red wizard’s crystal, and, some kind of demon lord and a second great war. And they talked as if these events were happening as we speak. This is more than just territory. You’re not telling me the truth.”
“It’s not something we should discuss during nightfall.”
“We are safe up here. I’m not afraid. Please, tell me. I beg you.”
Debating with himself he finally decided there’d probably be nothing he might say which could harm the situation, and so he let go. Besides, he wasn’t very fond of the secretive things anyway. If the world was truly in a second great war then everyone had a right to know. He told her about the Wizard Crystals of the Elements, the Demon Lord Abaddon, and the threat the landscapes of earth were facing. But about him being the Guardian—he decided to keep that secret.
Aurora looked amazed. “So, all along my people were worshiping one of the ancient Wizard Crystals, good heavens! And the Barbarians are now seeking it under the rule of King Tanarokai?”
“Indeed. This threatens all of life. Not slavery, but survival.”
“Is there anything I can do to help? Surely, you must have plans.”
“We do. They’re in progress as we speak. Though for your safety, it’s best you remain at Zithel.”
“I don’t want to. I want to help. I can be a great spy, a wonderful rogue. Please, tell me your plans? You’d be surprised at what I could accomplish. I wasn’t just a ‘daddy’s little girl’ you know.”
“Forgive me, but I cannot tell you. I’ve been strictly commanded to tell no one, not even the majority of the warriors fighting with us know these plans.”
“So, they blindly follow you?”
“It’s not like that. See, they know of the war, and what Abaddon seeks, as you overheard them saying, earlier this night. But they do not know what we’re doing with the Wizard Crystals.”
“What are you doing?”
“Again, I cannot tell you.”
“But I’m on your side and vow to help fight this evil. Not only for you and me, not only for the world, but also for my people, to ensure they did not die in vain. Please, let there be no secrets between us, my love.”
He sighed. “I know these secretive things sound ridiculous. I’m not so fond of them either and partially agree that I should tell you.” It felt as if the most important thing—what he cared about most, clung to life by a thread and he couldn’t play with that thread. “Aurora, if the enemy were ever to take you captive, I couldn’t bear the thought of the pain they might put you through to talk.”
“Darshun, I would never talk!” she vowed, flashing her eyes. “And as for being taken captive, you mustn’t worry about me. Such things happen during war, and we can’t help that. But I want you to understand—I would never betray you. I am loyal to those I love, to the very end.”
“I believe you…it’s just—”
“When I was very young my people were at war with heathen tribes from the north. I don’t recall the name of their clan, only that they were brutal, and merciless. They wanted our sacred crystal. Well, these barbaric men had almost taken the mountain when the strongholds of my people were planning their attack. Being a foolish young girl, I wandered off into the woods alone, not far, but close enough to be taken prisoner. The heathens wanted to know the location of my people. I told them absolutely nothing, wouldn't even acknowledge their existence and kept my head down. They strung me to a tree or rather, its frail branch that stretched over a pit full of dogs…” Aurora halted as tears filled her eyes.
Darshun held his breath while
afraid of what might have happened to such a little girl.
“They told me the dogs were trained to tear victims apart from toe to skull, and they demonstrated this when they cast one of their own wounded soldiers into the pit. Piece by piece the man was ripped apart. Bones cracked, blood splattered, it was disgusting! ‘Till this day I have never heard such screams of agony.” She lowered her face with a sigh. “How could anyone die like that? How could anyone take pleasure in another dying like that, even an enemy?” A long pause went by, and then she glanced back to him. “The branch I was bound to was failing quickly, splitting down the middle.”
“What did you do?” Darshun asked, taking her hand.
“Nothing. Afraid I was, yet never did I come close to betraying my father. I remained silent, and must have been rewarded for it by our god Kieran, because before long my people stormed in and rescued me; by the turning of dusk we won the battle, smiting our enemy.”
“Dramatic indeed.”
“Like I said, I am loyal to those I love. I would never betray you, Darshun, my husband.” She squeezed his hand, rubbing his palm with her thumb. “The very act is against my nature. I only wished to know our chances in this war and whether I might be of any help. But I trust you, my love.” She rested her head against his chest.”
“We are destroying the Fire Crystal.”
She sat up and raised her face to him, almost in shock. “Destroying it, good heavens—why? You have a great weapon against the Dark.”
“Nay. There are no more Guardians who’ve been entrusted to it. The crystals must be destroyed so Abaddon cannot defile them for his own use. They’re spiritually related, sharing a common bond. Destroy one and the other three become useless, therefore putting an end to Abaddon’s spell of world destruction.”
“I see. But how can you destroy such an essence of great power?”
“The Fire Wizard Olchemy is taking it to Mt. Flame, the place where it was made, and is going to cast the Spell of Self-Sacrifice. We in the east are merely here for a diversion. To keep King Tanarokai's’ eye fixed on us and nothing else. That’s why we sent the Cullach away with a false message. They think Olchemy is ruling these parts of the land with the Fire Crystal and they will strive to get it back. All the while they’re unknowing it’s on its way to destruction. The other two we possess, the Water and Earth, are safely hidden. Their location is known only by my father, uncle and King Adeleric of Zithel.”
“Not you?”
“No. They are a burden to me. I wanted to forget.”
“Burden, why?”
“Eh, it's complicated. I wish not to speak of it, not now, anyway. Nonetheless, we took a great risk drawing the forces of Asgoth here, since the city of Zithel dwells nearby. Now we must defeat the Barbarians before they reach the city. I don’t think poor Adeleric could survive another onslaught.”
“I shall help you.”
“You will be safer at the city.”
“And if the Barbarians defeat you?”
His eyes flashed. “They won’t.”
“I can fight too, you know.” Under her dress and around her waist, she wore a black leather girdle and a sheathed sword. She’d taken it from one of her people.
Darshun felt surprised to find it earlier when he’d undressed her during lovemaking.
Now, she pulled it out and stood up. “Draw!” she commanded.
“…draw?” Darshun asked, rising up to meet her, half laughing.
“I am going to show you what I’ve got, to prove I can fight alongside you.”
Teasingly, he said, “All right, woman, but this could get a little rough.”
She grinned, raising her brows. “For you, Nasharin…yes.” She swung at his head; quickly.
Unsheathing his Milandrith-made sword, Darshun caught her blade, and there was a hard clash. Yet, they did not withdraw weapons. Each clung tightly against the other. They remained still, locked in the stance, gazing into one another’s eyes.
Then Aurora released and attacked, swinging, thrusting and plunging down her weapon effortlessly.
Darshun countered each offense, then attacked likewise.
She too, deflected his blows—and easily. Then she swung at his chest, foreknowing he would block, and when he did she shifted right, swung upward and halted the blade at the hairs of his throat. “You could’ve lost your head,” she smirked, victorious.
“Darling, your intestines would’ve already spewed onto the ground,” he answered, returning the grin.
Aurora peered down at her belly and saw the point of his sword gently against it. When he’d accomplished such a lightning-fast move she didn't know. “Ugh! Disgusting!”
“Yes, it could have been.” He laughed arrogantly.
“I gather I underestimated you. Or, perhaps I wasn’t really trying.”
Smiling, they withdrew swords.
Abrupt-like, Darshun nearly collapsed, catching himself at the last moment with a thrust of his legs.
Aurora grabbed hold of his arm, helping him steady himself. “Darshun, are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine, just exhausted, still being in a state of Transformation—”
“Oh my, I’d nearly forgotten! You poor thing, descend at once.” Aurora sounded quite commanding, like a frantic mother, but she did have a point.
He obeyed and she looked at him oddly, as though he’d just become someone else. He still appeared as handsome, but nowhere near as ecstatic as during his Transformation.
“Forgive me, I should’ve never asked you to do that.”
“Don’t worry about it, Aurora. If anything, you were right—it was a good training.” He laughed. “And my, my, you most certainly are an excellent swordswoman! I am impressed. Therefore, I beg of you to go to Zithel.”
“Did I not just prove to you—a Nasharin—that I can fight by your side?”
“Of course. But if the Barbarians should happen to get by us, we will need such mighty fighters as yourself protecting the city.”
“Oh really, I thought you said they won’t, hmm?”
“Heh.”
She wiped sweat from her brow and lay back down. “You’re probably right though. I should go to Zithel.”
Darshun sat beside her, his body shaking a little from a dramatic loss of energy.
“Tonight was really wonderful, you know, being here with you,” she said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. I don’t want it to end.”
“Everything is going to work out. I promise you with all my heart. We will defeat the Dark and be together.” He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I vow to that.”
“I love you, Darshun.” She cuddled beside him.
He stroked her long soft hair, smelling it, adoring her scent of lilacs and roses. But something felt wrong. Darshun didn’t feel at peace. Something bothered him, something he couldn’t explain. His soul felt torn in two different directions. Not simply because he was supposed to be the earth’s Guardian, and now he wanted Aurora instead. No—something else, it floated through him like a cloud of depression and a darkness within his heart and it wouldn’t release its grip. “Perhaps we should return. It’s getting late and you need the rest for tomorrow’s journey."
“I need rest? I’m not the one who made love to a woman in Transformation for—how long was it? At least two hours.” She said her next set of words in a soft purr, rubbing her side against him. “It may be I carrying you back to camp, my Dar.”
They ventured down the mountain and to the campground where all seemed dark. The fires burned out and everyone except a couple of guards seemed fast asleep.
“Thank you for accompanying me tonight, Darshun.”
“Oh trust me, Aurora, it was my pleasure.”
“Pleasure, yes,” she purred, “I will see you tomorrow, right?”
A dim smile showed on his tired lips. “Yes. I will journey along with you for some of the way.”
She smiled, kissed him then lay next to a tree.
Darshun covered her up with a bundle of feather-stuffed blankets she was given earlier by a few Zithelians, and made sure her head was nestled perfectly onto his very own wool pillow he’d lent her.
“Goodnight,” she said.
“Goodnight.” Darshun found it hard to look away from Aurora, as he watched her drift into sleep, but when he did, he saw Mirabel approaching in the distance. “Father?” he whispered.
Mirabel came face to face with him. “Darshun, we must talk. Follow me.”
Darshun obeyed, but he didn’t like his tone. It sounded strict, stern, and his gaze looked piercing. He felt as if he was about to get scolded, and this time Darshun would not stand for it!
Mirabel led him into the meadow far enough away from the camp, so no one would overhear, then turned sharply to look him in the eye. “Tell me, why did you not attend the council?”
“I’m not a child, and I don’t need to ask your permission for what I do.”
“I never said you were a child, but your concentration on this war is certainly breaking.”
“And how is that? Because I didn’t attend one silly council of bickering?”
“Silly council of bickering? Tonight’s council was very important. Our plans for battle against the Barbarians, who outnumber us by the thousands, were set.”
Darshun hesitated to speak now believing he may have let everyone down. Then thoughts of Aurora entered his mind, and his attitude changed. “Father, what was so important about me attending? So I missed one council. You can tell me the details, can’t you?”
“That’s not the point—”
“So, now were going to lose the battle because of me?”
“Son, it’s the principle of the matter. You’re a Nasharin warrior, are you not?”
“I am.”
“Then you are to follow in our traditions just as you vowed; to protect the earth, life, and the good way. However, you are beginning to fall.”
“I have not fallen away from my duty!” he shouted.
“Then what was so important about missing tonight’s council?”
“I was with the lady Aurora.”
Mirabel glanced back at the campgrounds, and then to Darshun. “Be careful not to get too close to her—you know her not.”
Prophecy Of The Guardian (Guardian Series Book 1) Page 24
