“You told them we were coming?” I asked my mother as I sat beside her.
Toto sat by my feet, and Rantin took up a position behind my chair. I glanced up at Rantin in surprise before looking back at my mom.
“I called ahead.” Mom pulled something out of a pouch that hung from her belt. It was a small box with a round piece in its center.
“Is that a cell phone?” I asked.
Everyone stared at me curiously.
“A device that can connect to similar machines and relay voices through the connection,” I explained.
I was getting used to such explanations; Mom and I had been wading through our cultural differences all week.
“Ah; yes,” one of the men answered. “That is precisely what it is. You have talking devices on Earth?”
“We do. We even have versions where you can see the person you're talking to,” I said.
The fire witches murmured excitedly to each other before looking back at me.
“Perhaps you could tell us more about the machines of your world?” The man asked.
“Another time, Lord Feylan,” my mother said gently. “We are here to talk about uniting the tribes.”
“My apologies,” Feylan said. “Of course; that's also important.”
“Feylan,” the woman chided. “It is more important to remove the Wizard from power than to learn of machines on the other side of the Rainbow, don't you agree?”
“Yes, Misal,” he said grudgingly. “But Tera is already taking notes.”
“Childish of you,” the last man shook his head.
“Enough.” Misal sighed. “Let's focus on this meeting.”
“Sir Rantin, you may take your leave,” Lord Tera said.
“I would prefer to stay,” Rantin said firmly.
The three fire witches went still.
“Why is that?” Lady Misal asked in a light tone that didn't match her penetrating stare.
“I...” Rantin swallowed and tried again. “I wish to offer my services to Lady Tavia and Lady Dareaux; should the Council decide to support their cause.”
“You what?” Feylan asked with wide eyes.
“I want to be involved in this,” Rantin said. “I feel as if I need to be.”
“You feel?” Tera asked with shock. Then he looked at the other leaders. “Rantin feels.”
“Your request will be taken into consideration, Sir Rantin,” Misal said. “But please wait outside the chambers.”
My lady.” Rantin bowed sharply and then strode from the room.
As soon as the doors closed, the three leaders turned to me.
“What did you do to Sir Rantin?” Misal asked with a little suspicion and a lot of amazement.
“Nothing,” I said with shock.
“They have an attraction, I believe,” my mother answered with a smile.
“Rantin and your daughter?” Tera asked in disbelief.
“The Tin Man doesn't feel,” Feylan scoffed.
“Don't call him that,” Tera growled.
“My apologies,” Feylan looked embarrassed.
“The Tin Man?” I asked.
“Rantin chose to be implanted with one of our enhancement devices,” Misal explained with a quelling look at the two men. “It connects to a body's spinal cord and stimulates growth, hardens bones, and speeds healing processes; just to name a few of its capabilities. Basically, it makes you stronger, faster, and quick to recover from injury; the ultimate warrior.”
“The disc on the back of his neck,” I murmured.
“Yes; that's it,” Feylan confirmed. “It's a wonderful invention for the dedicated soldier, but it's not for your average man.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“It has some side effects,” Tera said sadly. “The biggest being a dampening of emotions.”
“The biggest being a dampening of the libido,” Feylan corrected with a huff. “You'd never get one of those things on me.”
“Feylan,” Misal growled with a look Tera's way.
“Sorry,” Feylan mumbled.
“Are you saying that Rantin can't feel emotions or... have...” I left it hanging.
“Sex?” Misal finished for me. “No. The enhanced male is still a fully-functioning man, but an erection is much harder for him to achieve, and the softer emotions tend to elude him.”
“The Tin Man,” I whispered as I cast a look at the door.
“He has had a difficult life,” Tera said softly. “It led him to make the decision to commit to his career instead of a woman.”
“But the point is; Rantin can't possibly be feeling what he seems to be feeling,” Feylan declared.
“But he is,” my mother added with a smug smile. “I told you that my daughter could unite us. She is already warming hearts that have gone cold. Dareaux brings the Storm with her.”
“So it seems,” Misal said softly. “All right, Lady Tavia; I've seen enough proof of your daughter's power. You have my vote.”
“And mine,” Feylan added.
We all looked to Tera.
Tera was frowning thoughtfully; staring back and forth from me to the closed door. Finally, he settled his hopeful stare on me.
“You have my support, Lady Dareaux,” Tera said. “If you can bring the fire back to my son's heart, then you shall have my gratitude as well.”
“Your son?” I asked in surprise.
“He's all I have left,” Tera said simply. “His mother and sister were killed by Momba when he was sixteen.”
“I'm so sorry,” I whispered.
“Don't be sorry, Lady Dareaux,” Misal said. “Be resolute; for we are. The Wizard and his three Air Witches must be stopped... at any cost.”
7
“May all the tribes be as easy to win over,” my mother whispered to me at dinner that evening.
We were eating dinner with the Fire Witches inside their massive dining hall; seated at the head table with the witch leaders. The entire tribe was celebrating the Council's decision to go to war. A strange thing to celebrate, but I suppose they had good reason to. The tables overflowed with food, the glasses overflowed with wine, and the space before the high table overflowed with dancers.
“Yes, that would be nice,” I murmured as my stare shifted to Rantin. Again.
He stood along the wall; watching me between bouts of watching over me. I took advantage of one of the latter moments to admire his handsome face. Had I really brought back his emotions? With one handshake—hand-kiss—whatever. It wasn't possible, but I knew I had felt something when we touched, and now I found it hard to look away from him. Even when his gaze shifted back to me, I kept staring.
Rantin's gray eyes heated to liquid steel, and his lips pressed together determinedly. He lifted his chin and started for the high table.
“Oh; here he comes,” my mother said gleefully.
“Mom,” I whined.
“Go for it, darling,” she whispered. “A man like that—who hasn't been aroused in years—is going to be wild in bed.”
“Mom!” I shifted my horrified stare at her.
“Well, he is,” she huffed.
“Lady Dareaux,” Rantin's low voice rolled over me, “would you care to dance?”
The leaders sitting down the table from us went quiet and stared.
“I don't know these dances,” I said softly.
“And I haven't danced them for years,” he admitted with a smile. “Perhaps we could fumble through it together.”
“All right.” I smiled back as I stood. “But I warned you.”
Toto got up as well.
“Stay here, Toto,” I said to him. “I don't think this dance is for doggies.”
Toto sat down with a disappointed huff.
“He's a magnificent animal,” Rantin noted. “With an interesting name.”
“It's Latin—an ancient language of Earth—'In Toto,' means 'all-encompassing,'” I said. “When I was a teenager, a huge storm hit Kansas, and during the night, I heard this p
itiful whining. I opened my window to find Toto sitting there; a little, soaked puppy. I picked him up and brought him inside; we've been inseparable ever since. My Aunty Em said that she was amazed by how quickly he had become everything to me; my life in toto. I liked the sound of it.”
“A storm brought the Storm Witch her companion?” Rantin arched a brow. “That sounds like magic to me.”
My jaw went slack as I looked back at my dog. “Huh; maybe it was. He's not your average canine.”
“I can see that.” Rantin nodded to the way Toto was watching us; as if he understood every word.
“And thank you, by the way.” I looked from Rantin to Toto. “He gave you a compliment, Toto.”
Toto barked at Rantin and then laid back down. We were dismissed.
“He said 'thank you' too,” I interpreted.
Rantin chuckled, and it made his features shift into a different kind of stunning. I started staring again. Rantin had changed out of his armor and into a blue velvet tunic with black leather pants. It was obviously his dress clothes, and a ceremonial sword hung off his belt. Yet somehow, he looked just as intimidating as he had in his metal suit.
Rantin held a hand out to me, and I took it; making skin-to-skin contact with him for the first time. A rushing wind tore through me and blew into Rantin; sending us both to shivering. Rantin automatically steadied me; his free hand going to my waist as we weathered the storm of my magic. Then I felt it; a heat rising through his palm. I looked down at our joined hands and saw a yellow glow spreading out from my fingers to meld with the red haze coming from his. Orange tendrils wove around us; wrapping up our arms.
“Your Air has stoked my Fire,” Rantin whispered.
“Yeah; right back atcha', honey,” I whispered back.
He frowned at my words, and I chuckled.
“I think we may have something unusual here,” I added. “Something special.”
“It's our magic showing us that we can unite without dire consequences,” he explained.
“What do you mean?”
“Air and Fire,” he said. “I had worried over the presence of Water, but your magic seems to know exactly what I need.”
Rantin's eyes went soft and velvety.
“We blend nicely,” I concluded.
“Yes,” he purred. “And we could blend even more nicely.”
His lips hovered above mine, but I was suddenly acutely aware of the attention of the entire hall upon us. I stiffened, and Rantin glanced aside.
“Forget the dance,” Rantin said as he scooped me up. “I have something better for us to do.”
Gasps followed us from the hall as Sir Rantin carried me out like a groom with his bride. I laughed at his excited expression as he hurried down the stone passages and out into the cool night.
“I haven't felt so lighthearted in years,” Rantin declared as he navigated the streets. “Thank you, Lady Dareaux. If nothing more happens between us; this alone has changed my life.”
We came to a stone tower, and Rantin went inside. He started climbing a winding staircase—still carrying me—and he wasn't even breathing hard.
“Why the hell are you still calling me 'lady?'” I asked. “You're literally carrying me off to ravish me. I think you can use my given name.”
“I'm what?” Rantin stopped to stare down at me in surprise.
“Well, aren't you?” I asked; just as surprised.
“No; I would never,” Rantin stumbled over his words. “Is that what you thought...”
“Oh.” Disappointment filled my belly. “Sorry; I thought we had something romantic going on.”
“We do,” he said immediately. “At least; I hope we do. Do we?”
“You're not ravishing me yet,” I pointed out.
“I don't think we have the same definition of that word,” he said with a frown.
“You know; kiss and stuff,” I said. “Make-out. Maybe some light petting, but that's all; I'm not easy.” I lifted a finger to point sternly at him.
Rantin started laughing so hard that he had to put me down on my feet.
“Hey; what the hell?” I huffed.
“I don't know about on Earth, but here in Oz, that's not the definition of 'ravish,'” Rantin was still smiling as he answered. “To ravish a woman means to force her into sexual relations against her will.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “No; that's not what I meant.”
“Obviously,” Rantin said as he eased closer to me. “But you do want to kiss me... and stuff?”
“Maybe,” I said. “Where were you taking me?”
Rantin gave me a lopsided grin before he lifted me up again. He carried me up the last round of stairs, and we came out onto an empty, circular area with a balcony surrounding it.
“This tower has a fantastic view of Oz and is rarely occupied,” Rantin said as he set me on my feet. “I thought we could get to know each other here without the entire tribe watching.”
“It's wonderful,” I said as I stared out across the sleeping desert.
A silver moon hung over Oz; giving a metallic shine to the occasional oasis pond and slender river while setting the rest of the landscape into shades of soft grays. I sighed as I transferred my stare back to Rantin.
“Your eyes match the night,” I whispered.
“And your eyes have become the dawn.” He laid his hand on my cheek. “I see a new day rising within them.”
Rantin lowered his lips to mine as he pulled me closer. I sank into his kiss; the scent of metal and man compounding my excitement. I slid my hands up the muscled plane of Rantin's chest and over his broad shoulders; urging him closer as I enjoyed the solid warmth of him. Rantin groaned and deepened the kiss. But instead of pressing his advantage, he eased back after just a few minutes and stared down at me.
“I feel again, and I want to feel more,” Rantin whispered. “But first, I want to know more. Tell me about your life, Dareaux. The life you had before it intersected with mine.”
“My life before this moment is becoming a little hazy,” I teased him as I brushed a finger over his soft lips.
Rantin grinned as he lifted me and set me on the wide edge of the railing. “Try to remember,” he urged.
“For you,” I sighed dramatically. “I will attempt it.”
And so I told him. I told him about my life on Earth, and then I told him about coming to Oz. In between my stories, Rantin told me his; how his mother and sister had been murdered, and how much it had hurt him and his father. He told me about his quest for revenge, and how it had driven him to have the enhancing device implanted. Rantin had lost his emotions entirely, and back then, that had been a blessing for him. But now that he could feel again, Rantin regretted his choice. The pain was horrible, but it was worth the chance of moving past it; the chance of finding happiness again. And then there was Tera.
Rantin realized that he had left his father to suffer alone; effectively suppressing the last family member Tera had. But now, Rantin was whole again, and he intended to make up for lost time with his father. But pain and love weren't the only emotions to return to Rantin; his need for revenge had come back in full measure, and he was more determined than ever to put an end to the reign of the Wizard and his Air Witches.
I was in awe of him. The resolve, the dedication, the honor, and even the depth of his pain; they all affected me. I was half in love, and it hadn't even been a full day. But time didn't seem to matter with us. When the sun rose over Hearth the next day, Rantin and I watched it together from that tower room—his arms wrapped tightly around me—and I knew that I wanted him beside me for every sunrise to come.
8
Later that morning, my mother, Toto, and I left with a slew of new traveling companions. Tera sent a unit of soldiers under Rantin's command to accompany us on our journey. He also provided us with vehicles, camping equipment, and supplies. We rolled out of Hearth in three military “sparks”—armored torpedo-shaped conveyances equipped with literal firepower. I rode in the
lead spark with Rantin, my Mom, Toto, and five fire soldiers. The other sparks each held only a single driver and supplies; leaving room for any passengers we may pick up along the way.
Riding in the sparks made the journey go by quickly. Although, we did spend one night camping in tents which erected themselves. Rantin purposefully stopped us while we were still on Fire Tribe land to make camp; I suppose he felt safest there. The next morning, we left the desert and sped across a landscape of lush forests, crystalline lakes, and ice-capped mountains. Finally, we reached a stretch of farmland. We slowed as our path took us between fields of ripening corn.
“The Wetlands,” Rantin said. “We're approaching the village of Riverend.”
“They don't look so wet to me,” I noted as I stared out the bubble of a spark window.
“The cornfields form a border around the wetlands,” my mother explained. “Rice fields come next, and then we'll reach the Water Witch Village.”
“Great Smokestacks!” Rantin declared as he brought the spark to a screeching halt.
The sound of the two sparks behind us performing similar maneuvers faded into the background as I followed Rantin's gaze out of the main window. There was a man standing in the road. He wore a long, hooded cloak of tattered, indigo wool which hid his entire body. His head was lowered, but his gaze was lifted... and set on me with shivering intensity.
“Is that Crow?” One of the soldiers asked.
“It is,” Rantin confirmed with a wary tone. “What in embers is he doing out here?”
“The Scarecrow,” my mother whispered as she moved toward the door. “Most excellent.”
“Mom?” I hurried after her, and Toto hurried after me.
“Hold on,” Rantin grabbed my arm. “That man is dangerous; a hermit who scorns his own tribe to live alone in the forest. He's an elemental aberration.”
“Rantin, if you want to come, you can, but you're not stopping me from going anywhere,” I said calmly.
Rantin sighed and nodded. “Fine; at least let me go first.”
I waved him forward, and Rantin exited the vehicle with his hand on his firesword. I shook my head and hid my smile as we approached my mother; who was already conversing with the strange man called the Scarecrow.
Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection Page 80
