Soren's Bondmate

by Mardi Maxwell

  "What do you mean if they're close enough?" Soren asked.

  "Krystal disintegrates if a warrior moves more than ten kilometers away from the conjurer or enchantress," Skye said. "But, the scouts aren't the only enemies we need to worry about."

  "You sense that there are others nearby?" Soren asked.

  "Yes, all around us but no enchantresses," she said.

  "Anyone who saw us land the ship will be searching for it now and lying in wait to ambush us when we return for it," Pelyn said.

  One of the rescued females drew their attention when she tried to stand. Skye hurried to her and steadied her. "Don't try to move yet." Soren joined her and helped ease the female back to the mat she'd been sitting on. Once she was comfortable Skye placed her hand on the dark-haired female's shoulder. "Soren, this is Elyna and this," she indicated the female with long red hair, "is her younger sister, Talya. They're from Kryscent. It's a small village near my home."

  Soren crouched down so the females wouldn't strain their necks looking up at him. He pulled Skye down next to him then examined the females. They were pale with dark circles beneath their eyes and so thin their clothes hung on them. They had obviously been neglect but what angered him the most were the bruises he saw on their faces and arms. He reached out and touched one of the bruises on Elyna's face. "They did this to you?"

  "Yes." Elyna took her sister's hand. "They raided our village a moon phase ago. They took us and a healer. She was killed when she tried to escape."

  "Were you unprotected when the attack took place?" Soren asked.

  "We were at home when they invaded. They killed our parents and took us."

  "Our brother, Davyn, was with his friends in the village. We don't know if he's still alive or not," Talya said before she began to cry.

  Soren watched them grow weaker with every moment that passed. The ship could wait. They could not. He activated his communication devise. "Return to the clearing."

  Kelyn and Delyn acknowledged his command as he beckoned to Pelyn. "We're staying here for a while. Once your brothers return Skye will make a shelter for us and we'll rest while we form a plan."

  Skye smiled and leaned against him. "Good idea. We need to eat as well."

  Several moments later Kelyn entered the clearing from one side and Delyn appeared from the opposite direction. Once they were together Skye called on the elements and a large krystal shelter formed around them. She made mats for each of them then conjured food and beverages.

  Once they were seated Soren asked the sisters, "What can we do to strengthen you?"

  "There's nothing to be done," Talya said. "We've managed to take care of each other but now we're both so weak." She glanced at her sister and took her hand. "We've accepted that it's too late."

  "I don't accept that and I won't allow you to accept it either." Soren looked at Skye. "To survive you need to be sustained by a mate or a family member. We don't have a family member but we have worthy warriors." He indicated the three brothers then realized that the sisters had been through a terrible experience and added, "But, perhaps you aren't able to accept a new mate at this time."

  Skye looked at the sisters. "Is that an option for either of you?"

  The sisters looked down and shook their heads.

  "It's okay. We understand." Skye reached out and covered their clasped hands with hers. "We could try a gathering."

  Elyna and Talya looked up, their eyes wide with apprehension. "No," Talya said. "That would be too dangerous for you."

  "What is a gathering?" Soren asked.

  "It's when a mated enchantress gathers her energy and transfers it to another female in need," Skye said. "I could help Elyna and then she could sustain Talya."

  "No. Talya is right," Elyna said. "It's too risky and besides you need at least two enchantresses present to control the transfer and even then it's dangerous." She leaned toward Soren. "I heard your plan to bring your ship here. You must not go without your mate to protect you. Talya and I don't want any of you to risk your lives for us."

  "Because you believe you are dying," Soren said.

  "Yes," Elyna said.

  "I have another idea," Skye said. "I could protect you with encasing krystal again. That would put you in stasis and give us time to find your brother and return you to him."

  "How long can they remain encased?" Soren asked.

  "Indefinitely," Skye said. "Encasing krystal is different from the dark krystal I make for you to use as a weapon. It will exist until I remove it."

  "Are you the only one who can remove it?" Soren asked then added, "And, why haven't you told me about this before?"

  "Yes, only I can remove it and I didn't tell you because I didn’t think of it until now."

  "Okay." Soren turned to the sisters. "Do you have other relatives?" Soren asked.

  "No, just Davyn," Elyna said.

  "What happens if we can't find him?" Soren asked.

  "When I release them from the krystal they'll begin to grow weak again and die." Skye turned to the sisters. "Was there anyone in your village you were attracted to?"

  Elyna blushed and nodded. "Teryq. We'd begun to court and my parents approved of him."

  Skye smiled. "Then, we'll look for him as well."

  "After we eat Skye will protect Elyna and Talya then we'll begin the journey back to the ship." Soren tore a piece of bread from the loaf and placed a slice of meat and cheese on it.

  Skye handed tankards of water around to everyone and encouraged the sisters to eat. "I'll put you to sleep before I encase you so you won't suffer."

  "Suffer?" Soren asked. "In what way?"

  "Being conscious and encased in dark krystal is a living hell," Skye said. "It's a punishment used for only the most heinous of crimes."

  Tor, Soren thought. To be encased and aware of it would be worse than death. "We must not do that then. We'll come up with another plan."

  Elyna sat forward. "It wasn't too bad before as we weren't encased very long." She smiled at Soren then the others. "My sister and I are grateful for your thoughtfulness but we accept that this is the best plan for all of us."

  "Very well." Soren brushed bread crumbs off his hands and stood. The brothers and Skye joined him.

  Skye pointed to two places on the ground. "Lay down here and get comfortable."

  The sisters rested next to each other and a moment later Skye placed her hands on them. Their eyes fluttered then closed in sleep. She called on the elements and encased them in dark krystal.

  "Tor," Soren said, repulsed and yet fascinated by the way the dark krystal coated the two females. "They look like two ebony statues."

  Skye waved her hands again and created a large flat boulder to cover the sisters. She turned to Soren. "Okay, let's go." With another wave of her hands the large shelter disappeared and they began the trek back to the ship.

  Soren stopped them at the opening to another clearing. "Skye, let me know the nano-unit you sense a conjurer near us. We're going to avoid trouble if we can."

  "Then I'll be prepared to conceal us as needed," she said. "The sooner we get to the ship, pick up the conjurers and get back to my brother the better."

  They let Delyn move ahead of them then after several moments they followed him. They'd walked for ten micro-units when Delyn let them know he'd spotted one of the scouts hiding in the shadows.

  Soren moved up next to him and Delyn pointed the warrior out. "The others must have let him know they were under attack. He was probably trying to get back to them."

  "But we took them out so now he doesn't know what to do?" Soren asked.

  "If he thinks they're all dead he'll try to meet up with other warriors from his planet but only if he recognizes them. They're at war with each other too."

  "Friendly bunch," Soren said. "Is there any way to get by him?"

  "None that I can see without backtracking and going around," Delyn said.

  "Have you seen the other one?"

  "No, but chances are he's
nearby. They usually travel together."

  "Can we get passed them by going over the top of the boulders?"

  Delyn shook his head. "Not all of us. Too much exposure to anyone else who is out there."

  "Okay, keep an eye on this warrior and let me know if you spot the other one." Soren slid back and disappeared into the shadows.

  Skye linked her mind to his. "Soren, what are you doing? Remember we agreed no unnecessary risks."

  "This one is necessary," he thought. "How long have you been linked to my mind?"

  "Most of the day and a good mate would know that," she shot back. "Now, stop trying to distract me and tell me what you're doing."

  "I'm doing what I do best and you stop distracting me or I'll beat your bottom."

  Skye snorted. "I haven't decided on a new discipline yet but whatever I decide it won't involve my bottom."

  "Now, that's too bad, little heart. I have a soft spot for your lovely bottom." Soren sent her an image of them making love with her on her knees and him behind her. His hands covered her bottom and for a moment she swore she could feel his touch.

  She gasped then laughed. "Whatever you're doing stop it and come back to me. We'll find another way around these warriors."

  "I'm going to clear the way for us to get to the ship. Give me a couple small shards of white krystal."

  Skye sent him a frustrated sigh then produced the weapons. "Be careful."

  "You keep saying this word to me but I don’t have a translation for it," Soren sent back just to annoy her as he crawled toward the top. A naturally formed crevice hid him from view.

  "It means—."

  "Stay behind me where you'll be safe? Don't step out and make a target of yourself? Are these the things it means?"

  "Okay, I get your point."

  Soren smiled and moved to the top. When he looked down he spotted the second warrior. He was crouched down at the base of the boulders watching the path they would have had to take to get through the clearing. Soren scanned the area until he found the warrior Delyn had pointed out to him. "Gotcha," he said under his breath and the image of a woman with long black hair and purple eyes flashed through his mind. The unexpectedness of it froze him in his tracks. He tried to recapture the image as it disappeared then gave up when it refused to reappear. He'd talk to Skye about the woman later but right now he had an enemy warrior to deal with. He slid closer but when he was about a meter away his boot knocked a small stone loose and it tumbled down toward the warrior. He began to turn and Soren knew he'd run out of time and attacked.

  He moved as quickly as he could while staying in the shadows. When he reached the warrior he jerked his communication devise away then covered his mouth and planted his knee in his back. A nano-unit later he grabbed a krystal shard and dealt with the warrior. He lowered him to the ground and checked his companion who still hid in the shadows across from him none the wiser that his partner was dead. Soren searched the area, plotted a course across the clearing and began moving toward the warrior.

  Little by little he stalked closer until he was able to rise up in front of him. The male screamed and jumped back but not fast enough. Soren was on him in a nano-unit. He used his free hand to knock the warrior's krystal shard to the side then dispatched him. After resting for a moment he called the others to come forward.

  Kelyn appeared followed by Skye. She threw herself into his arms, nearly smothering him with kisses before she released him and punched him on the arm.

  "Don't ever do that again!" she hissed, her voice quiet but angry. "You scared me. What part of we fight together don't you get?" she asked with a finger poke to his chest.

  Soren caught her hand, kissed her fingers then grinned. "We were together. Your mind was linked with mine and you provided the weapon for me."

  "I’m going to insist that we attend a training for mated warriors." She glared at him, moved a few feet away, bowed at the waist and with a wave of her hand signaled him to move on. "After you."

  Soren gave her braid a tug and her bottom a pat as he moved by her. "Behind me and stay close."

  She harrumphed then followed him with Pelyn behind her. Delyn fell back and covered them as they made their way to the ship.

  Once at the cliff face Skye recreated the steps up to the top and they climbed them. Kelyn was the first up. He raised up just enough to see over the edge then rose up and disappeared. A few moments later he reappeared and waved them up.

  They hurried to the ship and Soren entered first with Pelyn behind him while Delyn and Kelyn stayed outside with Skye, protecting her.

  Pelyn reappeared in the open doorway and beckoned them to join him. As soon as they were aboard he closed the door and the engines started.

  "Grab seats and strap in," Pelyn said.

  Skye settled into the co-pilot's seat next to Soren. He spared her a quick glance then lifted off. She watched the heat scanners as they ascended and began to see multiple enemy scouts around them. "I sensed there were a lot of warriors around us but not this many."

  "Some of them are probably allies but there's no way to tell which ones," Pelyn said.

  "Just as they can't tell if we're friendly or not," Soren adjusted their course. "Do they have weapons they can fire at us?"

  "Even if they did they won't work on Krystali," Pelyn said. "At least not on Edyn."

  "Good to know." Soren turned to Skye. "Once I land I want you to take over the controls. As soon as we have the sisters on board I want you to get us off the ground."

  Skye slid her chair closer to the control panel. "I can do that. You make sure to brace yourselves."

  It only took them a few micro-units to arrive at the clearing where they'd left the conjurers. Soren landed the ship then he and the brothers went after Elyna and Talya. Just before they reached them Skye removed the concealing boulder that surrounded them. Soren and Pelyn picked up Elyna while Kelyn and Delyn lifted Talya.

  Skye waited until she saw the light on the panel indicating that the door had closed then she took off. The sound of shards of krystal hitting the ship startled her but she held it steady and flew it out of the clearing.

  Several moments later Soren dropped into the chair next to her. "Can you locate your brothers group?"

  "Yes. We'll be there in a few micro-units." She flipped a switch then settled back in her seat. "I think we should get everyone on board and fly to Kryscent this moon rising. The sooner we find their brother or this warrior Taryk the better."

  Soren turned to Pelyn. "Are you in contact with Berit?"

  "Yes," Pelyn said.

  "Tell him to be prepared to board as soon as we land." He grinned. "I hope Kryscent still has a tavern. I think it's time we had a drink together."

  Chapter Ten

  Soren raised his tankard, took a long drink then offered it to Skye. She took a sip, snuggled against him and smiled at Berit. He sat across from her and Soren, frowning and picking at the food on his tray.

  "Come on, Berit, we're alive aren't we?" She smiled then laughed.

  "Barely, and no thanks to the two of you." Berit glared at them while he dabbed at the split on his lip.

  "It wasn't our fault," she said. "Besides it was a good plan."

  Berit snorted. "Really? Carrying the conjurers encased in dark krystal into this tavern and asking if anyone knew them is your idea of a good plan?"

  "It worked didn't it," she asked. "We found their brother and Elyna's friend Teryq."

  Berit took a sip of ale, grimaced when it stung his lip and slammed the tankard down onto the table top. "We could have explained that we'd rescued two sisters from this village and asked if anyone knew their brother, Davyn."

  Soren laughed. "Where's the fun in that? My way we made new allies." He stood, raised his tankard, and yelled, "To the enemy—may they be worthy of the death we bring them."

  The other warriors in the tavern stood, chugged their ale then clanged their empty tankards on the tables.

  Davyn reached across the table and
clashed his half-full tankard against Soren's. "To our alliance."

  "Our alliance." Soren emptied his tankard and sat down again with Skye on his lap.

  Pelyn motioned to the tavern owner. "Drinks for everyone."

  Soren watched Davyn and Berit. They sat across from him with an empty chair between them. Both of them were huge warriors, battle proven and scarred, but it was obvious that his alliance with Davyn didn't extend to Berit. He looked around the tavern and realized Berit's warriors kept to themselves on one side of the room while Davyn's warriors did the same. His curiosity got the best of him and he asked, "You're leaders and you're from the same continent. You fight a common enemy so why don’t you fight together?"

  Berit stiffened with anger and rubbed a finger over the cut on his lip while Davyn rubbed his bruised knuckles and sent him a taunting grin. Before either of them could answer Soren's questions a stunningly beautiful enchantress with long dark hair and dark almond-shaped eyes slipped into the chair between them.

  Skye cursed beneath her breath and tightened her arm around Soren's neck. He glanced at her and she sent him a deep warning frown. "If you stare at her I'll scratch your eyes out, warrior."

  Soren glanced at the woman then back at Skye. "She's very beautiful, little heart, but I prefer blonds."

  Skye swirled her fingers over the back of his neck. "Don't forget it."

  He kissed her then looked at the sensuous beauty across from them. She boldly made eye contact with him before she sent Skye a taunting smile. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

  Skye forced a smile to her lips. "Soren, this is Bellya. An old—acquaintance." Skye ran her hand over Soren's chest. "This is my mate, Soren."

  Bellya reached across the table, forcing Soren to take her hand or offend her family. He barely touched her fingertips before drawing his hand back and placing it on Skye's hip.

  Bellyn ignored Skye and focused on Soren. "You asked why the warriors don't fight together," she said, her voice a sultry invitation. "Because of the females. Conjurers." She nodded toward Skye. "Enchantresses, like me. Like Skye. They're afraid the other warriors will take us from them."