“Crossed—walked.”
“Was it still dark when you stopped?”
“Descending mo—.” The last word ended abruptly as their mind connection broke.
He focused his entire attention on her but failed to re-establish their link. Fearing the worst he struggled to go on. When he faltered Razz brushed against him then yipped and ran ahead.
He rounded a curve and with a thankful sigh Ronin saw the encampment in the valley below him. Two guards tried to block him. He sent them a growl of warning. Razz emulated him and the guards stepped back into the bushes on either side of the trail.
Ahead of him, a small group of warriors separated themselves from the group and moved in his direction. Sunlight glinted off the armbands of three of the four. Ronin collapsed to the ground and with the last of his strength he pulled the letter for Taryq from his pack.
Thorn reached him first followed by Soren and Rolf. Taryq arrived last.
Ronin held the letter out to Taryq. “Read.”
Taryq took the letter and ripped it open. He cursed the entire time he read it. “I was wrong. We’ve all been wrong. Belle is a victim of my mother’s hunger for power. She said Arlyn began using her to spy on us over ten annuals ago. She could hear and see everything Belle heard and saw. That’s why she made herself into a person we didn’t want to be around. A person like Arlyn.”
“If Arlyn used Belle is she using other enchantresses in the same way?” Soren asked.
“No. Belle wrote that she could only use her because they’re blood related and Arlyn’s so powerful.”
“That’s how Arlyn found out about the conversation between Skye and me,” Soren said.
Taryq nodded. “Arlyn can also invade Belle’s mind but she can’t read her thoughts.”
“That explains the mumbling she did to herself all the time—she was answering Arlyn’s demands,” Ronin said as Thorn and Rolf helped him to stand. They held onto him as he swayed and tried to stay on his feet.
“Yes,” Taryq said.
“What else?” Ronin asked.
Taryq looked up at Ronin. “She asked that I tell you there was nothing you could have done to save her.” Taryq folded the letter and slid it into his cloak. “The rest is personal.”
“She’s my mate. Mine!” Ronin roared.
Taryq moved closer to Ronin. “Did you lose control and infect my sister with your wretched disease?”
Ronin bared his teeth. “She claimed me. I didn’t lose control.”
Soren stepped between the two adversaries. “Argue later. Right now everyone needs to calm down and find Belle.” He looked at the letter in Taryq’s hand. “Does it say anything about where she went?”
“She mentioned a hot spring,” Taryq said.
“Slept there—night before the battle,” Ronin said.
Soren glanced at Taryq. “She couldn’t make it there in one cycle. She has to be on or near the trail we used.”
Taryq nodded. “You should be able to connect your mind to hers.”
“Our connection broke. I lost her.” He moaned as waves of heat shimmered around him. “She wears my bands.” He’d barely spoken when he passed out. Thorn and Rolf caught him and eased him to the ground.
“Let’s get him back to the camp, gather a hunting party and find her.” Soren bent and grasped one of Ronin’s legs.
Taryq took the other one. “We need to take him with us. Belle will need him.”
“He’ll need her as well,” Thorn said. “If we don’t find her they’ll both die.”
“Let’s keep this quiet so Skye doesn’t get involved,” Soren said.
“Agreed,” Thorn said. “I don’t want Daria snooping around this.”
“I don’t want Elyna getting involved yet either,” Taryq said.
No. Only the other enchantresses can help her. Ronin thought, and struggled to speak the words as he felt himself being carried. The sound of the camp grew louder as his body burned from the heat then shivered from freezing cold and he knew he was experiencing Belle’s suffering. He wanted to speak. To tell them she was in pain and beg them to help him find her. Darkness began to swallow him and he groaned knowing he’d failed her. Right before he lost consciousness he heard Skye’s voice. The sound gave him hope as he fell into the blazing darkness.
Chapter Thirteen
“What’s wrong with Ronin?” Skye asked, her voice demanding. “Where’s Belle?”
Daria stepped closer, glanced at Ronin then grinned. “Is he okay?”
“Does he look okay?” Thorn asked, his voice exasperated. “He’s bonded with Belle and he’s lost her.”
Daria screeched then said, “She’s dead! Oh, no. Poor Ronin.”
Thorn covered her mouth with his hand. “Why do you always think people are dead?”
“Because they usually are,” Daria said.
“Well, Belle’s not. She’s just missing,” Thorn said and released her.
Skye placed her hand on Ronin’s brow. “We might be able to save him even if she’s gone on to the next life.”
Soren shook his head. “Baby, he wouldn’t want to live. You know that.”
“Belle was betrayed by her mother. Arlyn’s been using her to spy on us since she was fifteen,” Thorn said.
“What? How can that be?” Skye asked.
Taryq handed Belle’s letter to Skye. “Read this.”
As she read tears ran down her face. Soren pulled her into his arms and held her against him. “It’s okay. She wanted to protect you. All of you.”
Skye nodded then brushed the tears from her cheeks and narrowed her eyes. “It’s time to gather the enchantresses. We’ll have to go with you to search for her.”
“No,” Soren said.
“Yes,” Skye said, her voice determined. “How will you get into her shelter without us?”
“What’s going on?” Daria asked.
“Come with me and I’ll tell you,” Skye said. “We have to hurry.”
They were walking away when they heard a commotion at the far end of the camp. The villagers stopped what they were doing and pointed to the sky.
Above them a small silver craft appeared. It floated over the camp and then landed nearby. A door opened and a large warrior appeared. Thorn and Soren smiled as a small female joined him. Together the newcomers walked down the ramp and headed in their direction.
“How did they get through the interference that blocks our communications and shuttles?” Soren asked.
“Hell, if I know,” Thorn said.
Soren stepped toward his parents, Lia and Valan Eirikson. He hugged his mother then turned to Valan. “Father, how did you get through the interference?”
“It disappeared all of a sudden so we took advantage of it.” Valan hugged Soren then released him and reached for Thorn. As he hugged him, he looked at Ronin. “What’s going on?”
“Bonding fever and he’s misplaced his mate,” Soren said.
“It’s not like Ronin to do something like that,” Valan said.
Skye hugged Lia. “We thought Belle had betrayed us but it turned out her mother’s the real culprit. Belle thought by leaving she could save all of us, but mostly Ronin. We’re going after her.”
Lia smiled. “Lovely, we’d love to go with you.” She turned to Valan. “Wouldn’t we.”
Valan pulled her into his side and stared down. “Yes, we’ll go with you.”.
“Actually, you’ve arrived just in time,” Thorn said. “We think we know where she might be but we’d never be able to walk there in time. Now, you can fly us.”
“How many people will the ship hold?” Skye asked.
“Fifty plus two pilots,” Soren said.
“We’ll need twenty of the strongest enchantresses and their mates to break into Belle’s shelter. I’ll gather them,” Skye said.
“Rolf, choose eight Zarronian warriors to go with us,” Thorn said.
Rolf nodded and followed Skye.
“I’ll tag along with Skye.
” Daria hugged him then smiled at Lia. “Do you want to come with us?”
Lia answered her by wiggling out of Valan’s arms. “I’ll see you back on the ship.”
“Stay out of trouble,” Valan said. As soon as the females were out of hearing distance he turned back to his sons and Taryq. “How long have Ronin and Belle been apart?”
“We think since the last moon rising,” Soren said.
“They don’t have much time left,” Valan said then yelled for Lia.
Turning, Lia answered him, “What?”
“Find Borg and tell him we need him,” Valan said.
Lia grinned. “That means your father will want to come as well.”
Cursing, Valan nodded. “Then bring them both.”
“Bring six warriors,” Soren told Rolf and received a nod of agreement.
“Show me where you think she is,” Valan said.
Taryq kneeled down and drew a map in the dirt. “We’re here,” he said indicating a spot on the make-shift map. “This is the trail we’ve followed. Belle has to be somewhere in this area.”
Borg and Eirik arrived and Borg examined Ronin while Soren brought them up to date.
Eirik chuckled. “We knew those two would end up bonded. Didn’t we, Borg?”
Borg nodded. “We need to reunite them. Fast. Soren’s fever is almost at its limits. I hate to imagine what Belle is going through.” He rose to his feet.
“Valan, go hurry the females along,” Borg said. “We need to get in the air.”
“There’s no need for you and Borg to accompany us, Father,” Valan said. “We can handle this.”
Eirik laughed and slapped him on the back. “Nonsense, boy. Wouldn’t miss it for all the Zylian pods in the galaxy.”
Borg motioned to Taryq, Thorn and Rolf. “Pick him up and let’s go.” He and Eirik took off in the direction of the star ship. Sighing the younger warriors obeyed the order.
“You know, Soren, the more I get to know your grandfather and his friend the more I understand you. I’d choose death in battle over dying surrounded by your family,” Taryq said with a grunt as he lifted Ronin’s shoulders. “Have you considered settling on Krystali rather than returning to Zarronia?”
“The idea is beginning to appeal to me,” Soren said.
“We’re not going to escape that easily,” Thorn said. “He and Borg would visit all the time. Mother would come with them, but Father would beg off and stay home. He’d be the only one to have some peace and quiet.”
“Undeserved peace and quiet,” Thorn said as he backed up the ramp. “It’s his fault Mother runs everyone ragged. He should discipline her more often.”
Taryq laughed. “I’ve seen both of you with your mates. They run circles around you.”
“Like Elyna doesn’t run circles around you,” Soren said.
Borg and Eirik stood in the doorway. Borg pointed to the back of the starship. “Put him on the floor back there.” The two old warriors stayed at the front of the starship where they could see everything.
Thorn and Soren dropped Ronin’s legs to the floor where Borg indicated. Taryq lowered Ronin’s shoulders then brushed off his hands and collapsed in a seat. Soren and Thorn sat across from him.
Soren picked up Ronin’s arms and crossed his hands over his chest.
Thorn snorted then chuckled. “Jumping the laser gun a little aren’t you?”
“Yup,” Soren said, using one of Daria’s Earth sayings he’d picked up from her. “But, this is our only chance to see him helpless. I think we should enjoy it.”
“Computer,” Thorn said. “I need video and audio of the warrior on the floor.”
“Recording, Commander,” said a soft female voice.
Skye, Daria and Elyna entered the starship and sat beside them. The enchantresses and their mates quickly filled the starship. Valan and Lia were the last to board along with the Zarronian Warriors. Valan took the pilots seat and within micro-units they were in the air.
Eirik moved to the back, kneeled down next to Ronin and activated the tracking device in his armbands. “They’re on,” he told Borg who relayed the message to Valan.
They were in the air for twenty micro-units when Ronin’s armbands began to chime. The sound increased in rapidity as they moved closer to Belle. It turned into a long dinging when they were directly over her.
Soren frowned. “We’re going to have to find a way to block that. I don’t want an enemy locating Skye using the signal from her armbands.”
“The krystal should have shielded it,” Skye said.
“I may have over-adjusted the system when I was on the Venturer,” Thorn said as Valan landed in the clearing where Belle’s shelter lay.
The enchantresses and their mates disembarked and formed a circle around Belle’s shelter. Their mates stood behind them with their arms around their waists. Beginning with Skye the enchantresses began gathering energy from the elements and directing it at the krystal walls. After several micro-units it began to melt away, forming a door.
Belle lay curled up with a blanket around her. Only the top of her head showed.
Skye checked her. “She’s still alive. Bring Ronin now.”
Soren, Thorn and Taryq carried Ronin into Belle’s tomb and laid him down next to her. Skye stepped away from the area and beckoned them to follow her.
Chapter Fourteen
“Belle, come back to me.”
The voice was familiar and tempting. Part of Belle wanted to answer it. Another part insisted she stay in the frozen world. The journey had been painful. She’d shivered until her muscles had seized up and she’d had to grit her teeth to stop the chattering. After enduring so much she’d finally arrived at a place to rest. A place to escape the voices in her mind.
A female’s voice had tormented her and a male’s voice had demanded she respond. A memory of trying to reach out to him slipped through her mind. It faded away when a blast of blazing heat swept over her.
The shivering began again. She cried out with pain and fought to escape. Strong arms slid around her and held her against a hard chest. She whimpered and they tightened, forcing her to stay.
“That’s it, baby. Let my fever warm you,” Ronin said.
She opened her eyes. A blue mist flowed around her and the male who held her. Gazing into his eyes, memories flashed through her mind. Walking behind him, sleeping across from him, and the words he’d spoken to her. Tears filled her eyes and she looked away.
Ronin threaded his fingers into her hair and forced her to look at him. “You are a brave and worthy mate. I was cruel to you. I neglected you. I beg you to forgive me. I don’t deserve you but I love you. I’ll always love you.”
Belle let his words into her heart. After a moment a slow smile curved her lips. “Ronin.”
He glanced at the shelter she’d made for her final resting place. The walls sparkled with precious gems in swirls and lines. As he examined them he came to the realization that they were actually words. He smiled at her. “Tell me what the words say.”
Belle looked at the walls. “It says, ‘Here lies Belle, the mate of Ronin, a Zarronian warrior. May the Goddess accept her and grant her final request.’”
“What was your final request?” he asked.
“That you would find your true mate?”
He smiled, and leaned down to kiss her. “Then, your request has been granted.”
The harsh sound of female laughter interrupted them, filling their minds. Now who’s won the war, my darling daughter? Arlyn’s words dripped hatred.
Ronin placed his finger against Belle’s lips and thought, “Do you trust me to handle this?”
She nodded.
“Arlyn,” he said.
Zarronian. I’ve looked forward to meeting you.
“And, I’ve wanted to meet you. I intend to make sure you receive the punishment you deserve.”
Shrill laughter filled their minds. How dare you speak to me in such a manner! I could destroy you with a single
thought.
Ronin laughed. “From now on I’m in charge and I forbid you to contact my mate.”
Another burst of laughter filled their minds. I find you amusing, Zarronian, but weak.
“Baby, say goodbye to your mother,” Ronin said.
Belle smiled and said, “Farg off, Arlyn.”
Arlyn’s screech of rage was cut off as Ronin activated the communication device on his armbands and said, “Two to be transported to my quarters on the Venturer.”
A nano-second later they arrived in Ronin’s quarters on the battleship. Belle waited, believing Arlyn would continue to harass them. When no evil thoughts entered her mind she smiled. “She’s gone?”
“Yes.”
Belle glanced around and laughed when she realized she was on his bed. She hesitated for a moment then said, “How did you know this would work?”
“I’m a warrior. I know everything,” he said, his voice teasing.
She laughed. “Not everything.”
He took the bait. “What don’t I know?”
“That I love you and I need you.”
Ronin eased her onto her back and slid over her. “I feel your love for me in my mind and my soul with every beat of my heart.”
Belle stroked her hands over his shoulders. “I’ll always yearn to be in your arms.”
He kissed her, his lips sliding over hers, nipping the bottom lip, then soothing it with his tongue.
Belle smiled and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth and explore. She responded by stroking the tip of her tongue over his this gently closing her lips around it.
Ronin exhaled, his breath filling her mouth, as the blue mist around them thickened. Pulling back, he said, “I need you. So much. I don’t think I can go slow.”
She threaded her fingers into his hair and tugged him down to her. Sliding her lips over his neck, she nipped his ear and whispered, “Then, don’t.”
The words rippled through him, pushing him over the edge. He grasped the neckline of her gown, reared back and tore it from her. Tossing it away, he ran his hands over her body from her shoulders to her hips. He lifted her and her legs fell apart.
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