The Quest for the Heart Orb (The Orbs of Rathira)

by Laura Jo Phillips

  She blushed but made no move to cover herself as she looked back up at Bredon’s shadowed face. A heartbeat later he covered the remaining distance between them with two quick steps, wrapped his arms around her and took her mouth in a hot, demanding kiss that set her heart pounding.

  His tongue plunged into her mouth, stroking her tongue, withdrawing, plunging in again. She followed his lead, plunging her tongue into his mouth when he withdrew, drawing a deep, rumbling moan from his chest. They broke away, gasping for air. “I want you, Kapia,” he said hoarsely. “Now. Tonight.”

  “Marene?” she asked, unable to form a more coherent sentence.

  “It’s the ritual of marriage that concerns her,” Bredon said. “Nothing else.”

  Kapia nearly asked why, but stopped herself just in time. This might well be her only chance to have Bredon but, if she asked questions, or hesitated, the opportunity would slip away and she would regret it for the remainder of her life.

  “Yes, Bredon,” she whispered, “I want you, too.”

  Bredon swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. He paused, looking into her eyes for a long moment before setting her down. “You’re sure, Kapia?” he asked. “Be sure, surna, because there’s no going back after this. This is surely the most selfish thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I know that. You need to know it, too.”

  Kapia’s eyes gleamed at him as she rose slowly to her knees with an artless sensuality that set fire to his blood. She flung her long silky hair back over her shoulder, baring her throat to him as she shrugged her shoulders, letting the robe slide down her arms to land in a puddle on the bed. She lowered her chin slowly, sliding her hands down her body to the hem of her nightgown. Then she reversed their direction, moving even slower now as she raised her hands from her knees to her thighs, the hem of her nightgown caught between her fingers as she revealed herself to him ever so slowly. Bredon could not have pulled his gaze from her hands if an entire troop of Landorian Germits had burst into the room wielding fire-swords. He barely breathed as her hands slid up another inch, then another, revealing her triangle of dark curls bit by excruciating bit until it was bare to his eyes, causing his breath to escape his lungs in a whoosh. But she didn’t stop there. She raised the nightgown further, baring her hips, then her stomach, so taut and flat, then her ribs. He groaned at his first glimpse of her white, creamy breasts, and abruptly could stand no more. He reached out and grasped her nightgown in both hands, then tore it in half down the front baring her breasts to his gaze. He lowered his head and took one nipple into his mouth, sucking until it stood stiff and hard, then he moved to the other breast and did the same.

  He stepped back to admire his handiwork, then raised his eyes to Kapia’s. She smiled at him, then the tip of her pink tongue ran slowly over her bottom lip before she bit it gently between her teeth. With a soft growl he bent to remove his boots, then tore at the laces of his pants. Seconds later he stood before her, just as naked as she was.

  She’d gotten many glimpses of his body, especially his chest, over the past months, but to see him like this, in all his rippling, muscular glory literally took her breath away. His arms were bigger than her thighs, his thighs bigger than her waist. He was so strong, so powerful, and yet she knew he would never be anything but gentle with her.

  They gazed into each other’s eyes and for just this one moment in time, the world stopped. There was nothing but Bredon and Kapia. Kapia and Bredon. There was no Marene. No Djinn. No worry about what the sunrise would bring. No fear. No anger. No regret. It was just the two of them, together, in this moment that belonged to them, alone. What they made of it was up to them.

  Bredon lowered his head, ever so slowly, and pressed his lips to hers. In a flash the deepest of their desires and the strongest of their needs caused by withholding from themselves the ultimate pleasure for so long flooded them both. The tender kiss Bredon intended instantly became a heated exchange that stoked their arousal into a conflagration.

  Kapia reached eagerly for his erection, holding him carefully in both hands, moaning into his mouth with the pleasure of touching his hot, throbbing flesh. Bredon broke the kiss, giving them both a chance to gulp much needed air. He reached up to roll her nipples with his fingers, the air leaving his lungs completely at Kapia’s passionate response. He pinched them lightly, then ran his fingers down her ribs, over her flat stomach, and into her tight curls. He slipped one finger lower still and stroked the stiff nub firmly, the way he knew she liked. Her hips jerked against his hand and he stroked her again, and again.

  Kapia responded by tightening her hands around him and stroking him up and down the way he’d taught her. His head fell back as the pleasure of her touch raced through him. Then he stiffened and shook his head. As much as he loved the feel of her hands on him, tonight he wanted more. Tonight he wanted everything.

  “Lay down, Kapia,” he said softly. She opened her eyes and nodded before releasing him. She laid down, moving back so there was room for him to crawl up onto the bed beside her. He took a moment to memorize the way she looked, lying there naked, breathlessly waiting for him. Then he lowered his head and drew his tongue slowly up her throat to her mouth, his eyes closing as he savored the moment. Thoughts of all the things he’d dreamed of doing to Kapia, and all the things he wanted her to do to him, ran through his mind in rapid succession, increasing his excitement. He told himself to go slowly and be gentle. In spite of their play these past weeks, she was still innocent, and he was determined that this experience would be filled with pleasure for her, not pain.

  “What do you want me to do?” Kapia asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

  “Just relax, surna,” he whispered. “I cannot believe how beautiful you are.” He caressed her breasts, her stomach, her thighs with slow, gentle strokes of his hands. “You’re so soft. I love touching you.”

  Kapia reached up to his shoulder, then ran her hand down his chest to his taut stomach, then to his erection which she brushed lightly with her fingertips. Bredon shuddered.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  “This is your first time, Kapia,” he said, then swallowed hard. “I don’t want to rush you.”

  “I can’t wait any longer,” she said. “We can go slowly later.”

  Bredon froze, every muscle tense as he argued with himself. Suddenly Kapia raised herself up on her elbows and looked him in the eye. “Bredon, I like it when you call me little flower because you’ve done it for as long as I can remember,” she said. “But if you don’t stop treating me like a delicate little flower right now, I swear I will kick you out of my bed.”

  “I see your tigress shows herself in both war and love,” he said with a grin. She arched an impatient brow and he laughed. Then he leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers while pressing her firmly back to the bed.

  Kapia relaxed as Bredon’s tongue claimed her mouth, thrusting and retreating while one hand reached between her legs. She parted for him, then shivered has he slipped one finger inside of her while his thumb rubbed her most sensitive spot, sending chills racing over her skin. He added another finger and began kissing her jaw, then her neck. He nipped her just below the ear, the small pain sending a rush of inexplicable pleasure through her. She arched against his hand and moaned helplessly, so intensely aroused that she barely noticed when he added a third finger, stretching her carefully. He bit her earlobe, then swirled his tongue over it, causing her sheath to tighten around his fingers.

  “Bredon, please,” she gasped. Bredon nipped her one more time and nearly came at her creamy response. She couldn’t wait any longer and neither could he. He raised himself up and over her, spreading her legs wider to make room for himself between them. She looked up at him with such trust, and such passion, that it brought tears to his eyes. Her heat and her scent beckoned him so strongly that he wasn’t altogether sure he was capable of resisting any more. But he had to ask her, one last time. Not for his sake. But for hers.

  “You’re
certain Kapia?” he asked between gritted teeth. She stilled, her eyes searching his in the dim light for a long moment. Then she smiled.

  “Positive.”

  That was all he needed. He pressed into her, fighting to go slow, but Kapia wanted none of that. She arched her back in an effort to pull him inside of her but her strength was no match for his. “Bredon, please, I need you,” she said.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he said.

  She glared at him, but he saw the hurt underneath. He’d made them both wait too long for this as it was. “I love you, Kapia,” he said, then arched his hips and pressed steadily into her, giving himself up to the pleasure of her hot, velvety body surrounding his. Kapia’s eyes widened, her hands tightening on his shoulders. He started to ask her again if she was sure, then bit his tongue. He looked directly into her loving gaze and thrust all the way in. They both stilled, gripping each other tightly as they savored the moment. Finally, they were joined together as one, as they were meant to be.

  Something inside of Kapia relaxed for the first time in months. This was what she’d needed, what her heart and soul had craved for so long. Not just the physical joining, but the sense of being one with Bredon in every way, even if it was only for these few moments. If Bredon died tomorrow she would always mourn him. But at least she would have this memory of them joined together in mind and body to hold and cherish instead of the sharp pangs of regret she’d experienced while he’d been gone.

  Bredon began to move within her, slowly at first, with long strokes that inflamed them both, then faster, and faster, until finally, Kapia’s entire body tightened and her mouth opened wide. Bredon leaned down to capture the scream of her orgasm in his mouth, then gave it back to her as he joined her in ecstasy. When Kapia felt him pulse inside of her as he gave her his seed, she tightened her arms and legs around him, and closed her eyes in silent prayer

  Chapter Nineteen

  Just after sunrise Karma, Tiari, Kapia, Ren, their men, and Nikura stood on the wide balcony outside of the King’s private sitting room. They looked over the railing at the array of gigantic statues below, noting that the top of every head had a flat area that was perfectly even with the floor of the balcony. Kapia ran her fingers along the railing until she felt a catch. She slid it to one side, and opened a hidden gate.

  “I can see the pathway,” Tiari said. “It’s very narrow and enormous, like a giant maze. It touches every statue of course, so it has to be. This is going to take a long time.”

  “I’ve got an idea,” Tomas said. “I’ll be right back.” He stepped inside, then returned a moment later. “When Tiari and I crossed over lava on a trail only she could see, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get back across with her injured and unconscious. I soon discovered that, with the aid of the Sun Orb, I was able to see that the trail was a transparent material of some sort. It’s not invisible or mystical. It’s just something that only she can see without help. I was able to see it with the help of the Sun Orb, but we’re in sunlight now, so that’s not the answer this time.”

  “Sir Tomas?” Timon said from the doorway.

  “Thank you, Timon,” Tomas said, taking the proffered burlap bag that he’d requested. He opened the bag, reached inside, scooped up a handful of sand, and tossed it over the area directly in front of the gateway. Much of the sand fell to the ground several stories below, but the sand that landed on the transparent walkway made it visible to everyone.

  “Perfect,” Tiari said, beaming at her husband.

  “Good thinking, Tomas,” Zakiel said.

  “We’ll need a lot more sand since much of this is going over the edges,” Tiari said, then frowned as she looked out over the maze that only she could see.

  Zakiel nodded at Timon, who turned and sped away. Then he turned to Tiari. “What are you thinking, Lady Tiari?”

  “I’m thinking it’s going to take a very long time for us to cover this entire maze with sand, Highness,” she said. “The walkway is very narrow, so we’ll have to go slowly.”

  “No,” Zakiel said, shaking his head. “You women are far too important to risk. You’ll wait here, on the balcony, and I’ll call for volunteers to spread the sand.”

  Karma opened her mouth, but Zakiel shook his head firmly. “Do not argue with me on this, Valia. We haven’t the time for it, and I will not change my mind.”

  Karma looked at Ren, Tiari, and Kapia, then nodded. Zakiel was correct. If one of them fell, all hope would be lost. Zakiel leaned down to kiss her, then gestured to Sir Garundel who stood in the open doorway.

  There was no shortage of volunteers willing to spread the sand on the invisible walkway. Zakiel let Garundel choose a dozen men he judged best suited for the task, and in less than an hour the entire maze was revealed.

  “Now what?” Zakiel asked after thanking the volunteers.

  “Now Ren, Tiari, and I need to select our statues and place our orbs,” Kapia said. “After that, it’s up to Karma.”

  “What do you mean, select your statues?” Zakiel asked.

  “According to the orbs, there are carvings on top of each statue,” Kapia said. “Apparently, we’ll know which one is ours only when we see it.”

  “Be careful, Sister,” Zakiel said as he bent to kiss her on the forehead.

  “I will be,” she replied, then smiled at Bredon before stepping out onto the sand covered walkway. Tiari and Ren followed, then they spread out, each of them taking a different path so that they could cover as many statues as possible.

  “Kapia,” Ren called ten minutes after they began, “I think this might be yours.”

  Kapia crossed to where Ren stood, moving carefully on the narrow walkway. The moment she looked at the engraving of a man holding an enormous moon between the palms of his hands she knew that it was hers. A few minutes later Tiari found an engraving of a woman wearing the sun in an elaborate head dress, and shortly afterward Ren found an engraving of a male Mareon holding the palm of one hand over his heart, and a trident in the other. They each placed their orb directly over the engraving, unsurprised to see that the orbs formed a perfect triangle.

  “My turn,” Karma said softly. She extended her staff to its full length, then made her way carefully to the statue at the center of the triangle. She knew what she had to do, and she was nervous about it. Since the beginning of the Orb Quest Nikura had encouraged her to work with the Ti-Ank. She’d taken his advice seriously, and had practiced every day, building her strength up until she could channel power through it with more ease than she’d imagined possible. But she’d never even thought of trying what she now had to do.

  “You will not fail, Lady Techu,” Nikura said calmly from his perch on the balcony railing. “Frankly, I don’t believe you know how.”

  Karma laughed softly. “Thank you, Nikura.” The Sphin nodded slowly, and Karma thought of how much he’d suffered for the people of Rathira, and for how long. It was too overwhelming to let herself think of all the lives that depended on what they did this day. But thinking of Nikura, of how long he’d suffered, and how much he’d sacrificed, was easier. It gave her an immediate focus and incentive, and she needed both to overcome her nerves.

  As she returned his steady gaze she gathered her own power, then sent it to the Ti-Ank. Then she shifted her gaze to the Moon Orb and, using the now empowered Ti-Ank, drew on the power of Rathira’s moon. An icy white beam of light shot from the Ti-Ank to the Moon Orb. She was relieved to feel Kapia join her in the effort to hold that beam in place, and without giving herself time to think about it, Karma drew on the sun, sending a beam of fire to the Sun Orb. Tiari joined in the effort to maintain the sun beam and Karma, her heart beginning to race madly with fear and excitement, turned to face the Heart Orb. She took time for one deep breath, then drew on the power of Rathira’s core, the essence of the planet itself, and sent a solid red beam to the Heart Orb. She felt Ren take hold of the heart beam and wondered uncertainly what they were supposed to do next.

  Al
most before she finished the thought a brilliant light flared, nearly blinding her. She blinked rapidly, surprised to see that all three orbs had connected with each other, forming a triangle of light with herself and the Ti-Ank at its center. A moment later, without warning, a narrow beam of white light shot from the top of the Ti-Ank into the heavens above. For long seconds no one moved. Then the beam vanished as though cut off, and Karma stood there, exhausted, her energy spent.

  “You need to move now, Lady Techu,” Nikura said, leaping to his feet. “All of you! Quickly!”

  “Get back on the balcony,” Karma shouted, retracting her staff slipping it through the loop on her belt. “Hurry!”

  “Do we leave the orbs?” Kapia asked.

  “No!” Karma shouted. “Grab them and run!”

  When she was sure the other women were hurrying to safety, Karma started back along the sand covered pathway, her limbs trembling with exhaustion. She stumbled, caught herself, and stumbled again. The second time her sandals slipped on the sand and she lost her balance. As her feet left the walkway she flung her body around and grabbed desperately at the edge. One hand missed, but the other caught and held. She hung there for a moment, barely daring to breathe, but she could already feel her fingers slipping. Just when she knew she could hang on no longer, Zakiel reached down and caught her wrist. One moment she was hanging by her fingertips, the next she was wrapped safely in Zakiel’s arms.

  She hung on tightly as Zakiel raced back to the safety of the balcony. The moment his foot touched the balcony floor, there was an explosion of sound, like a giant flattening a mountain with a hammer. Immediately afterward they were hit with a rush of wind so strong that it knocked everyone to the floor of the balcony. The wind stopped as quickly as it had begun, followed by absolute silence. Karma looked over at Kapia to make sure she was all right, then to Tiari and Ren. Zakiel gasped and Karma turned around to check him, then froze.