“I mean no offense,” he lied as he continued to be forceful, and tried pinning her hands to the wall.
She kneed him hard in the groin. He toppled over, and she turned, desperate to flee back to the great hall. However, he clutched her garments and seized her. He dropped her to the floor.
“Get off me!” Ky screamed as she struggled and fought him.
She heard running footsteps and at once the councilman stood, and put several feet between them. Ky scrambled away from him, crawling backward as fast as she could. A moment later, Cobaaron found her in the hall. He picked her up from the floor and stood between Ky and the councilman. Airia soon arrived in the tunnel, panting as she clutched her chest for breath.
“Explain yourself! What is going on?” Airia asked, eyeing the councilman.
“I should kill you!” Cobaaron roared, looking as if he could tear the councilman to bits. Instead, he held Ky closer to him, and then led her away. His long strides forcing her to run beside him.
“He could smell me,” Ky trembled. “You did something to me, Cobaaron, and I want you to change me back to the way I was. I’m terrified to be alone, now. I trust no one.”
“Cobaaron, stop,” Airia called, and then hurried to catch up. Cobaaron didn’t halt right away. He slowed at first, and then spun around to face Airia. “What is everyone smelling, Cobaaron?”
“It’s the way she smells. It’s sweet like warm honey, or sugarbeads, or maybe it’s sandraberries. I don’t know, but I like it. The scent is very strong,” Cobaaron confessed.
“Well, you better start wanting to be the only man who can smell her because you’re putting her at risk.” Airia poked a threatening finger into his chest as she chided him. “Now, I’m going to study archives. You two can have my room tonight. Why don’t you finish the job?” Airia catechized while scolding him.
“I hate this city. They have no respect at all,” he growled when she left. Cobaaron then began walking Ky to Airia’s room again. They were quiet for some time, at first Ky was calming herself from the encounter, but then she became curious about what Airia said about Cobaaron’s brother. She wondered how much of it was true.
“Have these last few days made you comfortable around me enough to tell me things about you if I asked?” Ky prodded carefully.
“What is on your mind?”
“It’s something Airia said to me.”
“You can speak freely,” Cobaaron said mildly.
“Airia talked to me when you left the room. She told me your brother loved a witch, and they may have had children. Is that true?”
“I never saw children.”
“So,” Ky paused, wary of what he would say. She was merely curious. “Warriors of high rank do fall in love? Airia was adamant that he was ambitious but also loved, while you said warriors with elevated command could never love, that it was impossible because they were born fighters. Which is it?”
He stopped mid-stride, and faced her. “I don’t love. I am a lost cause.”
Ky tried not to be disappointed, but surprisingly, she was. Ky wondered if it was the union, or if she was genuinely attracted to the gorgeous man in front of her. She sulked but nodded. “Right, of course. I wasn’t saying it’s what I want. Airia wants me to love you, and even the warrior part of you, so you will take me with you, and we will both fight the darkness.”
“Is that what the wretched woman is up to? It goes to show how little she knows. My men are like animals. We don’t feel, at least for the most part, we shut it out. A woman around a pack of wild men who crave two things like beasts is a disaster waiting to happen. They’d fight each other, and use you most gruesomely. The thought sickens me. It should you too, because I can’t control thousands of men with no one on my side. I’m not even sure I trust even my closest allies after witnessing their lust. Half those men I fought were loyal to me but...Jax…” He shook his head, disappointed. “He was one of my best. He was the first to stand up to me. I wouldn’t have let them bring you to the great hall if I didn’t trust them. No, it’s madness to think of you living among warriors. Even with me changing your scent so only I smell you.
“And the business of fighting the darkness. How does she expect us to do that? It’s as impossible as it sounds. I can’t touch the sky, let alone change the heavens. No mortal has that kind of power. No magic could reach the sun. We can barely keep the three kings at bay and beasts from entering the cities. They’re forming a new army of dactylas as we speak, which I’m sure is at least one hundred of hundred thousand strong. And if she thinks I’m bringing you into a war, then she’s not only incredibly naive but clearly she has lost her mind. I won’t pretend to be unfeeling enough toward you to allow you to follow me into battle. How would I protect you? And it cannot possibly be what you want. You haven’t seen enough of the world to be frightened of it.”
They said nothing else, until they reached Airia’s room. He held open the door as she walked in. When he followed her in, Cobaaron said, “I’m leaving in the morning. The council gave you the option of leaving the city. I’d rather you stay here, but I truly do hate it here, and I could understand you needing to leave. I’d have to take women, and I couldn’t bring more than a hundred to satisfy my men for the a few days of travel, but even then…. You saw them, they didn’t want other women.”
“That is soon.” She didn’t want him to leave her in a strange world. Being around him made her feel safe. She went from terrified with the councilor to strangely calm in his silence. Maybe it was the union. On the other hand, his protection was comforting.
“You’ve seen the world, Cobaaron. Where would you have me live?”
“The City of Sterlings is a practical choice. Maybe your destiny is there. It’s a nice city and one of my favorites. It’s no more than three days’ travel, and I’m sure I could somehow help you get there. It would be dangerous. Few Stars travel because of the danger, but you’re stronger than you look. You survived the cave without your light blinking out. If you’re up for it, I’ll get you there safely. I promise. Let me think about what is the best way. You sleep and tomorrow make your wishes known.”
CHAPTER SIX
“Have you made your decision?” Airia asked Ky as she and Cobaaron stood before the council.
“I have,” Ky said confidently. “I have decided to go to the City of Sterlings.”
Airia frowned, disappointed with her decision. Ky wondered if Airia hoped she would wake up afresh with the desire to bond with Cobaaron immediately. Airia focused on Cobaaron, her plan was still not thwarted, and she once again smiled and not very cunningly revealed her next desire by inquiring, “Are you taking her?”
“I am. I’ll send most of my men ahead to wait for us there. Only a very few of my closest men will accompany me to escort the Star.” Ky watched him talk as he divulged his plan. The arrangements were news to her, but she liked the idea. Cobaaron could keep few men at bay from attacking her.
“And the men going with you?” Airia asked.
“Noxis, X-avor, Ly, Davior, Brute, and Edom.”
“You’re taking a Star out into the wild with only six warriors?” a councilman asked, sounding appalled and worried. “That is suicide.”
“It’s seven. And I have proven my capability…” Cobaaron was interrupted and instantly his face flushed with anger.
“We’re the deciding factor, Cobaaron. The council will discuss it, and tell you your mission,” Airia spoke over him, and then the council dropped their voices to a whisper. Cobaaron stared at them, and groaned while gnashing his teeth.
Ky wondered if she should speak up, and say it was her wish that he take her to the City of Sterlings his way, but when she opened her mouth to protest, Cobaaron tightened his fists and growled under his breath saying they knew nothing. Ky realized he was listening. He could hear and smell better than her. Ky wished she could listen in on them, too. She strained her ears, but couldn’t hear anything until, “You’re all idiots. Six of my men are adequat
e,” Ky heard Cobaaron’s voice, but he wasn’t moving his lips.
Was she reading his thoughts? Stranger things have happened in that world. She must have somehow opened his mind to her instead of hearing what they discussed.
“So, it’s done then,” Airia said from inside Cobaaron’s head. Ky watched Airia as she whispered. “We’ll command Cobaaron to take more men, and the Star will go to the City of Sterlings. A disappointment, but maybe the journey might prove productive.”
Cobaaron groaned loudly. “It’s too risky,” Ky heard Cobaaron thinking to himself. “You have no idea what danger you’re putting her in by demanding more men.”
“We have made our decision,” a councilwoman declared, once she stood. Everyone else followed suit. “We’re agreed that Ky will go to the City of Sterlings, but you Cobaaron must take more men to accompany her.”
“Ridiculous,” Cobaaron thought as he made an audible grunt.
“No,” Ky asserted, and she could hear Cobaaron’s relief that she had said something. Ky smiled, pausing to concentrate on wanting to hear his thoughts only when convenient for clarity purposes. Slowly his grumblings faded. “Last night, warriors fought Cobaaron to the death over me. Cobaaron is correct to bring as few warriors as possible. Clearly, he’s capable of protecting me. He did it alone while he brought me here. If I find him lacking along the way to the city, I’ll will him to change. I do want him to be a great warrior, and protect me. But I think it’s best to follow Cobaaron’s advice and I’ll follow him with nothing more or less than his plan. It’s my travels, and my safety. We stick with his plan.”
No one was happy with her decision, except Cobaaron, but the council didn’t protest. Instead, Airia sweetly smiled before she asked, “Did he ask you to say no to this?” Everyone else nodded in approval to her question.
“No.”
“You don’t know what is out there,” a councilwoman said. “The dark changes things; it makes evil…worse. Look at warriors for instance. They’re ordinary men beyond their strong build, but put them out in the wild as they battle or constantly travel and they’re near animals when they come back. They become fierce; have a more keen sense of smell like dogs. Some say they’re part wolf.”
“That’s nonsense,” Cobaaron said. “We’re human. Listen, the travel is only three days. She will be fine. Besides, one of those days will be spent navigating the mountain tunnels. There is no real danger beyond a grueling walk.”
“Then she’s to take the palanquin to be carried on, and that isn’t up for discussion. We will provide it and have it ready as soon as Ky wants to go,” Airia said.
“We go this morning,” Cobaaron said. “I’ve already told my men. They’re eating and when they’re full, they move out. The six men I asked stay behind until I’m ready to go.”
“So soon?” Airia asked. “Ky has not bathed, she has no clothes, and we haven’t celebrated her Shooting Star Festival or her Lighting Ceremony.”
“She will get that in the City of Sterlings if she wishes it,” Cobaaron barked. “I’ve stayed here long enough…too long.”
“Well,” Airia said, “it will take some time to get the palanquin to the tunnels. She can at least bathe while we gather clothes for her to wear. You can’t deny her that. Let’s call this meeting to an end so we can prepare her for travel.”
It wasn’t until a half hour later that Ky realized it was a waste of time to bathe. The walk down a well-lit tunnel was long. She entered a large cave full of steaming water, and then the process of bathing took almost another hour as handmaidens washed her. The custom was an extremely uncomfortable experience because there were over fifty other women in the bathhouse, and she wasn’t permitted to wash parts of her own body like her back, arms, and legs. She couldn’t leave the area fast enough, after they dunked her under the water, rinsing her hair of the mud they used to cleanse her.
Ky met Cobaaron at the palanquin, with the accompaniment of Airia. The palanquin had elaborately decorated posts with gems and precious metal, and welded on top two long, gold-plated beams. Sheer white curtains exposed the plush pillows inside along with a bowl of exotic fruit, and water jug with matching silver goblet. Ky wanted to crawl up into the palanquin and sleep the entire way. It beat being scared out of her wits, any time anything remotely chilling occurred.
“I’ve never been to the City of Sterlings,” Airia said, sounding jealous. “I’ve heard it’s beautiful. It’s built inside a huge white mountain. The houses are made of the same white stone, but turquoise is everywhere because of the flowers that grow there. You’re lucky...and brave.”
“She will find out soon enough. You have wasted enough of our time,” a warrior said stepping toward them. Ky recognized the man with the scar on his face from when she’d seen him the night before when escorted to the great hall. He had wild blond hair and carried a short sword in the belt of his black scale skirt. The other men waiting around with Cobaaron were all visibly annoyed and grumbling impatiently. All looked as displeased as Cobaaron, for being kept waiting.
“X-avor, I’ll handle this,” Cobaaron asserted before facing Airia. “You may go now, Airia.” At his words, the six men fell into order taking the poles of the palanquin and heaved it onto their shoulders. Cobaaron easily hoisted Ky up into the palanquin before another word was spoken. The men wasted no time marching off with long strides back into the depth of the mountain.
“And so it begins,” Ky whispered as she worried if she made the right decision. She hoped she would make it to the next city alive.
They were deep within the winding caves in minutes. It no longer surprised her that Cobaaron was constantly telling her to hurry. She was painfully slow in comparison. The other day she was probably testing his patience since she was so excruciatingly slow. She guessed the burly men were running at least six miles an hour, even with carrying the heavy palanquin.
Ky got comfortable, laying down on three large, flat pillows and then tugged a white thick, wooly blanket over her. Guilt rushed over her that she was relaxing while the warriors carried her, but decided it was best considering she was so slow.
Ky glanced over to Cobaaron, but then kept her eyes on him as he jogged beside the cave wall with his men. She rested her head on her arm, and observed. He was lean, and she could see his every muscle tighten. His abs flexed, and pecs pulsated with each swing of his arms. His handsome face complimented his remarkable machine of a body. Because she enjoyed looking, she continued to do so. Maybe she was mildly infatuated, but he was truly stunning. It was inevitable she was drawn to him, she supposed.
Maybe it wasn’t as dire as he made it sound. When he wasn’t gruff, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy and at times playful. There was compassion in him; he didn’t like fighting his men. There was more to him than met the eye, and Ky was glad she was getting the opportunity to spend a few more days with him. She wanted to pull back the layers, everything he was keeping from her, to find out what she really thought of him.
They stopped at odd times while Cobaaron listened or sniffed the air. He would bark commands telling them to take turns checking tunnels. She kept her eyes on him, and felt her heartbeat quicken each time he glanced at her.
“We’re being followed,” Cobaaron said when they stopped again. “I don’t know what it is, but I hear something.” He sniffed the air, and then peered at Ky through the sheer curtains.
“What do you smell?” a warrior asked.
“Redolence of warm honey, and,” he took another sniff of the air, “I smell,” he paused, and his brows tightened, “a pack of night wolves. Run!”
They sprinted through a huge cave. Rocks on the floor somehow formed uneven stairs. Some were square stone and standing upright, others leaned sideways against the steps. The men had to leap over the toppled pillars. Soon Ky heard barking, and she jerked toward the sound. The black wolves were in the cave and swiftly gaining. Each was dark as night and furless. From padded foot to pointed ears, they reached at least eight feet
in height. The eight wolves could jump several stairs at once. The men were running flat out, but they were no match for the four-legged creatures.
Ky spun around, looking at the small gap at the end of the cave. They weren’t going to make it to the exit. The night wolves would be at their heels in no time. Cobaaron thought so, too, because he yelled, “Keep running!” before whipping around, and raced toward the pack. She screamed, wishing someone else would defend them. “No, Cobaaron!” She panicked, fearful he wouldn’t survive.
He sprinted faster than Ky knew possible. At once he matched the speed of the wolves, bounding with such strength he was soaring. Within seconds he dropped in the midst of the pack. Cobaaron ran at the first enormous beast. He jumped, and struck the wolf in the chest with both feet. A loud crack clapped in the cave when the wolf’s ribcage snapped as the two collided. They bounced off each other. The wolf yelped, but it wasn’t killed. The beast fell to the ground unable to move, only whimper. The pack lunged for Cobaaron. He quickly rolled along the ground, and stood mere feet from the rest of the pack. He took a large rock from the ground as the snarling wolves encircled him, exposing their huge, yellow teeth.
Cobaaron rushed a wolf, and slammed the rock to its head. The rock shattered, and the wolf crumpled. The remaining wolves barked and circled. Cobaaron snatched up another rock, and cleaved it in half with a hard tap, making both pieces dagger-like. He held them with outstretched arms, as he slowly spun in a circle taunting them to attack.
While barking, snarling and growling, the wolves closed in. They could have lunged and easily attacked. Cobaaron’s next action was so swift, he killed off the pack in the length of time Ky stifle her scream with her hand as she flinched. In one clean swipe Cobaaron spun around, slitting each throat. They all fell dead; he walked around stabbing their hearts and making certain all the creatures were lifeless. Then he dropped the blood-soaked stones.
The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 7
