Then he turned the animal, the last rays of the setting sun on their shoulders, heading into the desert. Heading into the unknown.
Chapter Nine
“Senna, wake up.”
She opened her eyes, and for a moment the world tilted sideways. Instinctively, she tightened her grip around Gabriel.
“Where are we?”
The sky above her was dark pearl gray, the color of early dawn a sharp slash of pink in the east. But around them, the air was still dark, cold and still. The last thing she remembered seeing were stars, pinpricks of brilliant light in the blackest of skies. Then...she the oddly soothing gait of the camel must have put her to sleep, despite the chill in the night air. That, or the sheer exhaustion that she felt in every cell of her body.
“I think we’re only a short distance from some kind of camp. I can’t tell from here who or what it is.”
She stiffened. “Aliens?”
“No. They live underground, in strange burrows. They’re human. But which humans, I have no idea.”
“Then how...”
There was a sudden noise near them, and the camel jerked to the side, breathing out a loud snort. Senna grabbed at Gabriel, but she lost her hold, and made a graceless fall to the sand. She landed on her backside with a loud groan. Something large landed in the sand beside her, and she rolled out of the way of one of the camel’s feet as it ran past.
“Senna!”
Blinking dirt out of her eyes, she could just see the outline of the camel a short distance away, a dark shadow that blotted out the sky in a camel-shaped form. There was more snorting and Gabriel’s swearing. She struggled in the soft sand, finally getting to her feet.
“Gabriel. Here.”
She’d no more gotten the words out than she was pushed back to the ground. Landing face first, she had sand in her mouth, in her nose. What she thought was a foot, came down on her back, holding her in place. Spitting sand, she tried to push herself up. But the foot or whatever it was held her down.
“Who are you? And what are you doing here?” The voice was male, muffled by something. Definitely not an alien. But were they from the Ottway’s camp? Or had her father already sent a search party? If she didn’t answer, maybe she wouldn’t give away her identity.
Something sharp poked her between her shoulder blades. “I said, who are you? I have no patience with not getting answers to my question.”
From nearby, she heard Gabriel, his swearing louder now. There was another voice, another man, and she tried to see into the dark, to see if he was on the ground, if someone had a weapon on him as well.
“She’s with me. Let her up. She is...with me.”
Gabriel sounded breathless, and there were the sounds of running footsteps. Then the foot and the sharp thing were taken away from her back. Someone grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.
“Gabriel?”
“It’s alright, Senna.” Gabriel’s voice was close by. A moment later there was a soft metallic sound and she was standing in a circle of pale yellow light. The man holding the lantern looked at her with dark eyes. They were all dressed in long white robes, faces covered to the eyes, heads wrapped in scarves. One man stepped forward, a huge man, tall and broad-shouldered. She thought he was the man who’d had his foot on her back. He reached up, pulling the scarf away from his face.
“Gabriel!” The man’s face broke into a huge smile. Gabriel breathed out a sound between a laugh and a sigh, and then she found herself engulfed as the man swept her and Gabriel into a hug.
“It has been a long, long time Gabriel. Too long.”
Gabriel’s words were muffled against the big man’s chest. And she was having a hard time breathing. Finally, the man released them, and she staggered back, taking a deep breath, slipping in the sand. Gabriel caught her arm, pulling her into another hug.
“Senna, this is Talok. He is my...what? Uncle, even though we are not family. Our fathers were best friends.”
“That is close enough to family for me. And this woman...she is your wife?”
Senna felt her face grow flushed, and she was glad for the dim light. But Gabriel smiled, pulling her even closer. “If she will have me, I would make her my wife.”
Her heart stopped beating for a second, then began pounding so loud she was sure everyone could hear it. But then Gabriel let her go, putting his hand on the Talok’s arm.
“But we have brought trouble with us. It’s a long story, but we are being followed, by both aliens and others. We need to find a place to hide. And we cannot bring that trouble to you.”
“Nonsense. You will come with us. We are in the ravine ahead. We have guards...we can protect ourselves. And you two as well.”
“How is that possible. There is no place here for a village...”
They’d turned toward in the direction Talok pointed. The light was stronger now, and she could see the ragged mountains in the distance. Between those mountains and where they stood was an area covered in big rocks, cut by ravines.
“We are not a village anymore.” Talok’s voice lost any sound of happiness, the set of his shoulders dropping. “You were riding one of the camels from the village. You know that we had to leave quickly. We were attacked by the aliens, riding with shifters. We climbed out the old secret passage to the springs. But many were killed on our run across the desert. Those of us that are left have become nomadic.”
“Are you still being attacked?”
Talok shook his head. “The attacks have become fewer, less intense. Only the aliens. They’re either losing interest, or they have what they wanted.”
Senna was confused. “But what could they have wanted in the canyon?”
Gabriel stopped, his hand on the older man’s arm. “It was not what was in the canyon. It was the canyon itself.”
“Why in the name of all that’s holy, why would aliens or anyone but us want the canyon?” Talok frowned, hands on hips.
Senna stared between Gabriel and Talok, her confusion mounting. And then it was clear to her, as clear as the sky overhead. “They are storing fuel in the canyon.”
Talok turned to her. “Aliens? Or the shifters?”
“It might have been a storage depot for either or both.” Gabriel grabbed Talok by the arm. “Listen. We have to move quickly. Senna was on the Ottway’s train, to become his wife. It was all a ploy, though, to cover the Ottway giving fuel to the aliens.
“It was a political move, to marry me to a horrible man, to bring the two kingdoms together.”
Talok turned to look down at Senna. “But...then how did you...” He turned back to Gabriel. “And you stole her from the Ottway? Man, are you insane?”
With impatience, Gabriel shook his head. “She was to be left as a hostage, or diversion. Or both. I don’t know that...we don’t know that. But...” Gabriel reached out for Senna’s hand. “I love her. I’d have followed her to the ends of this world to get her back. It wasn’t until the train stopped and the aliens attacked...”
“They uncoupled the car I was in. They were going to leave me.”
Both men turned to look at her. For a moment, she expected to be dismissed, as she had been by so many other men. But Gabriel pulled her closer, and Talok shook his head.
“To do that is unthinkable. To leave a man behind, at least he would have a fighting chance. But to leave a woman...”
Before he was finished, Gabriel began to laugh. “Talok, if you had seen her fight, you would know she is just as brave as we are, as any man. She may be a woman, but that is not a weakness.”
Talok threw his head back, roaring laughter to the sky. “Gabriel, you have found a woman who is your equal. It is a wise man who values strength. Come, it is getting light...too light to be out here.”
Putting two fingers to his lips, Talok whistled. It sounded like a night bird, like the birds who sang at dawn at the palace. One of the men brought the camel, another carried a long spear. Then, out of the shadows, several wolves appeared, slinking quiet
ly toward them. For a moment, Senna’s heart thudded in a horrible way, and she clung to Gabriel. But he patted her arm.
“They’re my clan. Don’t be afraid.”
“Ride or walk, Princess?”
A man came forward, holding the reins of the camel. She looked up at the beast, then rubbed her backside. “I’ll walk, thank you.”
They started toward the ravine at a run, and after a few minutes, Senna almost wished she’d accepted the uncomfortable camel. Her breath came in ragged gasps and a pain formed under her ribs, a knife stabbing her with each breath.
One of the wolves ran ahead and disappeared. The man leading the camel followed, and for all the world it looked like they were swallowed up by the earth. But when they got closer she saw there were steps, cut into the rock, leading down into the depths of a ravine.
“Careful...”
Her boot slipped on the first step, and she grabbed for Gabriel.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Keep going.”
She braced her hand on the slick rock wall to her left, watching every place she put her feet. The stairs seemed eternal, and they descended from pearly dawn back into night, gray shadows covering the steps, and then almost total darkness. Someone ahead opened a lantern, and she watched the circle of light descending further.
Finally, they came to the end of the steps. There were more lights, and she could see tents pitched in a rough circle.
“Where’s the camel?” It had been lead down ahead of her, but it wasn’t in sight.
Talok pointed back up the cliff. “There’s a wider ledge where we stable them. Not ideal, but they refuse to climb stairs. Ornery beasts.”
Her breathing was still ragged, the pain in her side still there but lessening. But at least she could take a deep breath.
“Eat and rest.” Talok was guiding them toward a tent. “And we will make a plan.”
The inside of the tent was a cool, fragrant paradise. It smelled like incense and spices and clean linen. For a moment, all she wanted to do was sink down on one of the cots and sleep. But a woman was coming toward her, holding out her hand.
“Come, lady. Let’s find you some clean clothes. And a bath.”
Gabriel was beside her, and she turned to look up at him. “Go. We have time. There are guards posted and if anyone...” She nodded, and then he turned and walked away with Talok. Senna didn’t want to think about who, or what, those were out there. No matter who they were, they were after her, and now Gabriel. Because they were here, now Talok’s village was in danger. For a moment, she thought it might be better for everyone if she just climbed back up the stairs and let the desert take her.
But the woman had her arm now, leading her toward the back of the tent. “Here. There are clean clothes, and a basin of water, and towels. I’m afraid the soap might not be what you’re used to...”
Tears welled up in Senna’s eyes. She turned to the woman, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Whatever you offer me is more than enough. I have brought danger here...”
The woman shook her head. “You are with Gabriel, and that makes you one of us. What we have, is yours.” She bowed her long braid trailing on the floor, then unhook a tieback, letting a curtain fall across the tent, giving a semblance of privacy. For a minute, Senna thought of Anacelia, and couldn’t hold back her tears. She missed Anacelia more than she missed her father. It was a sad thought, and she pushed it aside.
The basin was deep and the water warm. Senna pulled off the clothes she’d taken from the cliffs, folding them carefully. They were dirty, but they were still serviceable. And frankly, she and they smelled of camel and sweat. It was disgusting, and she grabbed the soap and a cloth. The smell of the soap was pungent, but she didn’t care. It took away layers of grime and stench, leaving her cleaner than she’d felt in days.
She wanted to wash her hair, but there wasn’t enough water or time. So she dressed again in another woman’s clothes. This time, it was a simple dress, long, belted at the waist with a worn, but clean white linen shift to go underneath. The simple fabric against her skin felt more luxurious than any of the silks or satins she’d left in trunks on the Ottway’s train. A ripple of laughter ran through her: for all his trouble, the only thing the Ottway had were trunks of women’s clothing. No wife, no agreement with her father. Just silks and satins and yards of useless fabric.
When she was done, she pushed aside the curtain. The woman was sitting on a low stool, and she rose. “You look a hundred times better. Refreshed.”
“I smell a hundred times better, I’m sure.” She smiled at the woman. “Riding a camel is a smelly adventure.”
The woman laughed, then pointed to the stool. “Sit. We have food and wine. And then you can rest until the men return.”
Senna waited while the woman brought a tray with bread and a thick stew, along with a tall bottle and two pewter cups. She poured a dark red wine, handing a cup to Senna.
“It is customary to share a meal with family. But I do not need a second meal today. But I will drink with you.”
Senna took a piece of thick bread, and dipped it in the stew. The bread was thick and dense, with a good crust, the stew flavorful and rich. She ate without thinking, finally wiping the bowl with the last piece of bread. She looked up, hiding her mouth behind her hand.
“I’m sorry. I have manners. I...”
“No apologies needed. You have been through a terrible ordeal. I don’t know the details, but it cannot have been easy.”
Senna put her bowl on the tray, and picked up her wine. It was a heady red, and after only a few sips, she was feeling lightheaded, even with a full stomach.
“The hardest was knowing my father didn’t care enough to find out if I was going to be safe, where I went. To trust the Ottway, and not take my feelings into account.” She took another swallow of wine. Tears had come back, and even though this woman seemed to genuinely care, it was too much to try to explain.
“It was hard, all of it. But...” Senna raised her eyes to the woman, tears spilling down her cheeks. She smiled, and it felt like the first time she had smiled a real, from the heart smile. “But Gabriel was there. He got on the train, and didn’t have a plan, other than to save me. And run away.” She sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. “He put his life in danger for me, to be with me. It doesn’t matter anymore about anything else. He came for me.”
The woman smiled and stood, setting her hand gently on Senna’s head. “He is a good man. I was much younger when they took him. He was a good boy then, and he has grown into a good man. You are very lucky to have him. And he to have you.”
The woman collected the plates and broken food and took them away, then returned. “Come. You need to rest.
“I can’t. I need to find Gabriel, to see if...” Senna stood, then swayed with exhaustion.
“If something, anything, happens, they will wake you. We have a saying; eat when you can, sleep when you can. You may not have the chance again.”
Senna nodded, too tired to argue anymore. The woman took her hand, and led her to a cot in the corner. Senna curled up on the blankets, and the woman covered her with a soft blanket.
“Sleep. We are all here. You are safe.” The woman kissed the top of Senna’s head and then left.
Senna lay in the dark, listening to the sounds outside. There were voices, men mostly. It was hard to tell, but she thought she heard Gabriel’s voice. But she was drifting to sleep. It was hard to believe she was safe, knew the woman was only telling her the words she thought Senna wanted to hear. Safety right now was the last thing she felt. She was in a tent in a strange land, with strange people. But then she smiled. According to them, she was family.
Her eyes blinked open, fatigue fading for the moment. Gabriel had said if she would have him, he would take her as his wife. In all the confusion, he’d said he would marry her. She smiled and closed her eyes. And that was the thoughts she fell asleep to, being married to Gabriel. Being his wife.
&
nbsp; Chapter Ten
A sound woke her, but she couldn’t tell what it was. Bells, maybe? Metal something hitting against metal something else, but there was nothing in the palace that sounded like that.
Then it came back to her, where she was. She sat up, pushing the blanket aside. She was alone in the tent, but outside there were voices, and they had an urgent sound she did not like.
The flap of the tent opened and Gabriel came in. She saw daylight outside, and he stood for a moment, blinking.
“Gabriel.” She stood up, smoothing down her dress. “I’m here.”
“I should have better eyesight than this, but it’s full daylight out there, and dark as a cave in here.” He smiled, and then crossed the tent to her. “Sit. I have news.”
Her heart made a sickening thud in her chest, more from the tone of his voice than from his words. Gabriel had changed into robes similar to those of the rest of the tribe. In the dim light of the tent, he looked dark and handsome, mysterious with his head wrapped in a red scarf. More than anything, she wanted to just stay here with him, in the tent, and pretend all of this was just a bad dream. But she sat, and he joined her on the cot. He took her hands, rubbing his fingers across her knuckles.
“I have news.”
“The Ottway? His shifters...”
“Yes. But there is other news. The Ottway, and the aliens are very close, and we must leave. But I wanted you to know...it’s your father, Senna. He is dead.”
She was sure her heart had stopped beating. “Dead? When....how? I’ve only been gone...not that long.”
“The Ottway, apparently. With the help of the Prime Minister.”
“Oh...” Her body went cold, and she began to shiver. Gabriel put his arm around her shoulder as she started to cry. “I was so mad at him, but I never wished anything like this to happen to him.”
“Of course not. He was your father, and despite everything, I’m sure he loved you deeply. How could he not? I suspect now that he had no idea what the Ottway’s plans were for you, or knew about the fuel trading with the aliens.”
Wild Things (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance): Shifter Lovers Romance Page 12
