I want you to go south for seventy-five yards. There you’ll find the missing stone hidden in a rotting tree stump surrounded by wild ginger. The flowers disguise the stump and I’ve covered the top with dried leaves.
Ariel nodded. What are you going to do? Worry crept into her voice.
I’m going to diminish their numbers, giving us a better chance of escaping with our lives. Once I’ve accomplished that, I’ll come in from the north to meet you in front of the transport.
Okay. Ariel hesitated, glancing over her shoulder one last time. Her gaze caressed Coridan lovingly before she grabbed a liana and swung away, heading in the direction of the stone.
Coridan watched until she’d disappeared. His heart slammed against his ribs as the call for battle rushed through his blood, burning his veins. It was time to end the Professor’s reign of terror.
* * * * *
Ariel found two men resting near the stone’s hiding place. She debated whether to call Coridan assistance, but decided against it. She was an Atlantean woman, more powerful than a human male and at least ten times smarter. Her thoughts turned to her warrior. He already had his hands full with the men guarding the transport and with Rumsinger.
The men lingered, in no hurry to continue their search. Ariel knew she didn’t have time to wait them out. She needed a plan. Her gaze scanned the area, looking for anything that she could use as a weapon. She couldn’t afford to waste an energy blast on these two, and besides she was going for stealth. Locating the perfect item, she swung silently to a nearby tree, which possessed exactly what she’d been searching for a moment ago.
Ariel plucked two unripe mangos, weighing their heaviness in her hands, before deciding they’d make the perfect weapons. Not too heavy, yet not too light, she’d easily be able to hurl her makeshift weapons at the unsuspecting targets. Ariel launched the first mango at the native man closest to her. The fruit made contact, slamming into his head. A strange hollow thud sounded a second before the man dropped to his knees.
The other man rushed forward to help his friend, not suspecting foul play, only to be on the receiving end of an unripe mango to the face. Ariel heard a crack and then saw a gush of blood as the man’s nose rained crimson. He too fell a moment later, a look of shock clearly etched in his wide-browed features.
With the two guides disposed of, Ariel dropped from her hiding place and rushed toward the leaf-covered stump. Her heart raced in her chest as she uncovered the stony prize that she and Coridan were prepared to die for. Ariel strained to hear any sign of struggle, yet the jungle remained ominously silent as if holding its collective breath.
She gathered the stone near her body, tucking it into her ribcage as she made her way toward the clearing. If all went well, there would be no men surrounding the transport. If not, Coridan would be dead and she would be walking into her execution. She stood taller, throwing her shoulders back as she prepared to face either possibility. Ariel knew that she and Coridan were all that stood between Rumsinger and their people’s destruction. Ariel did not fear death. She knew the goddess was always with her.
Her stomach clenched as she realized what she feared most was that something had happened to Coridan. That possibility ate at her insides like scavengers picking over bones. She threaded her way through the jungle, taking care to ensure her footsteps remained silent. She imagined herself as the wind, gently rustling leaves while leaving no trace behind. Ariel reached the clearing within moments.
Blood coursed through her veins, almost deafening in its thunderous journey. She kept to the tree line as she worked her way to the transport. The area looked as if she’d just left it—deceptively undisturbed. Her heart tripped, then stuttered. If all had went as planned, Coridan should’ve been waiting for her.
Fear sliced through her, freezing her in her tracks. With instant clarity, Ariel realized despite her resolve to return to her people, she couldn’t leave this planet without him. If he chose to stay, then so would she. Leaves skipped across the open area as a warm breeze stirred the air. Ariel swallowed hard, listening. Silence ensued. Forcing herself to move, she stalked to the transport. It only took a minute to figure out where to place the stone, but it felt like an eternity.
The second the missing piece slid into place the machine began to rumble. Like a giant puzzle, it needed all of its pieces to create the entire picture or, in this case, place. The center dimmed, turning the once see-through space into what looked like growing clouds. The mist thickened again, churning like a killer storm. Ariel stared entranced, forgetting for a moment why she was there. A thunderous noise cracked behind her. Ariel jumped. She spun around, her hands fisting at her sides in preparation.
Coridan swung down using a thick brown liana, rivulets of blood streaming from one massive bicep. Angry shouts came from behind him as the Professor and a few of his men followed in close pursuit.
“Run,” he shouted aloud.
The noise shocked Ariel and gave credence to how dire the situation had become.
“Stop them!” Rumsinger bellowed. “Don’t let them get through the transport or it’ll be your heads.”
Shots rang out. Coridan dove for Ariel, taking her to the hard ground. The air rushed from her lungs as he rolled, attempting to shield her with his body. It took a moment before Ariel could catch her breath. It didn’t help having a warrior’s body resting upon her like a leaden weight.
Coridan’s face was a mask of undisguised rage as he leapt to his feet and prepared for battle. Ariel scrambled to her knees in time to see Santo raise a gun and point it at Coridan’s back. There was no time to think or scream, only act. Her hand flew up and energy burst out, knocking the man and herself to the ground at the same time.
She lay there momentarily stunned. Coridan glanced, taking in the situation enough to grit his teeth. He then turned to face the Professor once again. Ariel knew what he was thinking without him having to utter a word. She also knew she’d never hear the end of this if they made it out alive.
Atlantean women were forbidden from fighting, not because they couldn’t fire an energy burst, but because it took such a physical toll on their health. She’d rendered herself defenseless, but Ariel knew she’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving Coridan’s life.
Ariel floundered on the ground listening to the sounds of Hades raining down upon their heads. Pows and zaps slashed through the silence of the jungle as bullets made contact with bark. Coridan fired burst after burst from his hands, until they glowed a constant yellow. Men screamed, the sounds unnatural as the energy bursts hit their targets. Gunfire cracked and popped, sending all sane creatures scurrying for their lives.
What felt like an hour was truly only a matter of minutes. Ariel was finally able to rise, and although weak, she could at least warn Coridan of any other sneak attack.
“Get to the transport, it should be ready,” he hollered over the cacophonous noise.
I shall not leave you. Ariel whispered in his mind.
Coridan growled. We had a plan. Stick to it, Seer. His arm shot out and Raoul fell.
Ariel shook her head. It mattered not that he could not see her. She took a step toward Coridan at the same time Rumsinger raised his pistol and fired. She never saw the shot coming. The bullet ripped through her shoulder, tearing the tender flesh to shreds. She screamed and reached for Coridan as the world dimmed around her.
* * * * *
Chapter Ten
The scream shattered the ice surrounding Coridan’s heart. He turned, catching Ariel a second before she dropped to the ground. Blood was everywhere, striking terror in his heart. Crimson flowed freely from the wound, dotting the ground with a splash of vibrant color. Fury clouded Coridan’s vision as blood covered his hand.
He gathered Ariel close, then spun around and felled the last few men remaining. He then sent out a wide burst of energy to ensure everyone who was down, stayed down, knocking the pistol from Rumsinger’s hands in the process. The Professor stood on the periph
ery, his normally ruddy complexion ghostly white. He gripped the hand that had once held the pistol, his trembling fingers assessing the injury.
Coridan raised his hand, building energy for what he knew would be a death blow. Anger surged. His body shook, trembling under the strain. Golden energy swirled around him like frenzied fireflies.
Rumsinger’s eyes widened as he watched the energy rotate and crackle. Coridan held Ariel around the waist as he brought his free hand back against his body. He’d need all the support he could get once he released the flow.
“Prepare to die, you black-hearted bastard,” Coridan roared.
His muscles tensed as he anchored his hand. Energy singed his skin, making the hair at the nape of his neck stand on end. He took a deep breath and aimed. The Professor stared doe-eyed like prey right before a predator pounces upon it. Sweat drenched Coridan’s body as his arm shook as the power built to the point he could barely contain it. He released his breath and prepared to fire.
The energy roused Ariel. Her hand snapped up, encircling his wrist in a velvet touch that felt more like a shackle. Coridan’s gaze flickered to hers and remained entrapped by what he saw there.
No… She murmured in his mind. You have done enough. Do not allow this slug to drag your renewed honor down to his level of hatred.
He has injured you, abused you, and threatened to kill us both. For that, I cannot allow him live.
Ariel’s fingers released his wrist and gently stroked the side of his face. He could feel the strain ease with each pass, each caress.
I do not debate that he deserves to die, but as Seer, I cannot allow my true-mate to come to me with tainted blood upon his hands.
Coridan opened his mouth to argue. Her words fought their way through his muddled mind. Did you say true-mate? He had to ask. He had to know if his mind had simply wanted to hear the words so desperately that it had created them.
She smiled, her full lips parting enough to expose the gold in her breath. The gold does not lie.
Coridan’s eyes widened, his gaze snapping to Rumsinger for a second to ensure he’d not moved, then quickly returned to the angelic woman in his arms. Are you offering me what I think you are, Seer?
Ariel’s aqua gaze turned molten for a moment despite her obvious pain. I shall only offer it once. The choice is yours.
Coridan felt as if he were being split in two. The warrior in him demanded justice. While the man wanted nothing more than to draw his mate near in a searing embrace which would seal their fate forever.
In the end, it was an easy decision to make. He glanced at the Professor, then raised his hand, sending an energy blast shooting through the air. Rumsinger flew off his feet, landing hard on his back.
Ariel frowned. You…you…
Stunned him. Coridan smiled, then raised Ariel up in his arms, taking care to avoid her injury.
The kiss was tentative at first, tasting and nibbling the plump flesh of her mouth as if she was a rare delicacy. In his case, that’s exactly what she was, a rare delicacy, a gift from the goddess, a second chance all rolled into one woman.
Ariel’s tongue darted out, flicking against his lips, urging him to take a deeper taste. Coridan sank into the kiss, devouring her essence as she released her magic into his lungs, performing an energy bind.
Flames shot through his blood, healing his wounds both inside and out. His once shattered heart stitched itself back together as Ariel’s love flowed through him. Coridan inhaled as much of the gold breath as his lungs could hold, allowing it to mingle with his essence before returning it fully to the woman he now called mate.
* * * * *
Ariel’s lungs filled with the spicy male scent that could only be Coridan. The wound at her shoulder began to burn as the binding energy spiraled through her system, bonding and healing. She would have cried out but Coridan refused to release her captured mouth. He fed, he supped, drawing her deeper into a world of pleasure. Her body came alive with a craving for him, which bordered on insanity. Would she ever get enough of him? She didn’t think so.
He was her warrior, her man—her mate.
Reluctantly, Ariel broke the embrace. Coridan’s nostrils flared, his chest heaving in an effort to draw breath. Gold floated in the air between them, circling, spiraling—binding ever tighter. His gaze remained unfocused, heated.
‘Tis time we leave this place.
At her suggestion, his mind seemed to clear. He still hadn’t released her, but Ariel didn’t care. She found comfort in the warmth of his body, in the bond that now existed between them. That had somehow had always existed between them.
Rumsinger groaned, his pudgy hand groping at his chest. He sat up and then quickly rose, albeit on wobbly legs. His mouth opened and closed like a gaping carp.
“You are not worth our time.” Coridan’s voice growled menacingly at the Professor.
Ariel and Coridan turned away and took the final steps needed to reach the transport. With one final glance over their shoulders at the Professor, they stepped into the swirling mass and left the only world they’d ever known behind.
* * * * *
“It’s about fucking time you guys got here.” Jac’s voice broke through Ariel’s and Coridan’s harmonic connection as effectively as fingernails across a chalkboard.
Coridan stumbled, barely righting himself while Ariel found her feet. Ariel’s gaze narrowed on the band of people gathered around them. Guards dressed in black uniforms surrounded them with weapons drawn. The guards’ faces were harsh as their gazes locked on the intruders. Ariel dismissed them with a glance, turning away to address the familiar faces gathering on the other side of the men.
Rachel stood, dressed in a gown of white, a band of jewels woven into her long brown hair. Jac wore a single emerald at her forehead with a gold band holding it in place. Her skirt, which was a lovely shade of jade, was much shorter, showing off her long lean legs to their best advantage. For a second, Ariel experienced a flash of jealousy, then as if realizing her foolishness, she relaxed. Coridan was her mate, not Jac’s.
She turned to her old nemesis. “It’s nice to see you too, Jac.” Amusement filled Ariel’s voice as she watched the woman’s gaze narrow in suspicion.
“Lower your weapons,” Rachel commanded, as she stepped forward. The guards only did so to half-mast. “What took you guys so long?” she asked idly stroking her protruding stomach.
Ariel’s gaze locked onto the Queen’s abdomen, then focused on the slight bulge appearing in Jac’s stomach. “How long has it been?” Her brow furrowed as she calculated the days on Earth.
“Months,” Jac and Rachel answered in unison.
Coridan stiffened beside her, his discomfort rolling off him in waves. Ariel reached down and took his hand in hers. Rachel’s and Jac’s eyes widened a second before matching smiles appeared on their faces.
Jac turned to Rachel, who met her knowing gaze. “Well at least now we know what they’ve been up to lately. You owe me five rubies.”
“A bet’s a bet,” Rachel said.
The women burst into giggles before stepping forward to embrace Ariel. They remained in the group hug for several moments.
* * * * *
Coridan warily watched the exchange, his gaze darting from face to face. From the Queen’s and Jac’s expressions, he knew Ariel was relating their adventure, but she’d purposely blocked him, keeping him from hearing the tale. The women pulled apart, then looked at Coridan.
“You didn’t think you were getting off that easy, did you?” Jac asked accusingly.
Coridan’s face flushed, his muscles tensing for the worst. It was too much to have expected things to change concerning his people. He’d made a mistake and now Ariel would pay.
There was only a slight hesitation before they pulled him into their embrace. For a second, Coridan’s mind froze. His breath caught as he tried to assimilate the information he received from the women. He immediately relaxed, his body trembling beneath their caring touch. He
dropped to his knees, giving the women a traditional Atlantean greeting. Two loud voices barked orders and the guards parted like water when a boat slices over its surface.
Ares and Eros approached, their stern gazes taking in the homecoming scene. The two warriors assessed his tattered clothes, his battle worn appearance with cold eyes.
Coridan rose to his feet, prepared to face any punishment they saw fit to give him. At least he had his true-mate by his side. The men looked from him to Ariel and back again.
Our wives tell us you should be looked upon as a hero.
Coridan shook his head in denial. I acted, as any warrior would have, given the circumstances.
Ares stepped forward until he stood toe to toe with Coridan, his jade eyes giving nothing away about his true emotions. Coridan braced himself. He deserved any blow the warrior bestowed upon him.
Jac tells me you had the opportunity to kill that bastard Professor and you let him go in favor of experiencing an energy bind with your true-mate. Ares’ harsh voice boomed in Coridan’s head, demanding a response.
Coridan fought the urge to flinch under Ares’ regard. ‘Tis true. He whispered in the warrior’s mind. I chose to accept my true-mate’s offer of bond over protecting my people. I shall accept any punishment deemed necessary. The admission burned like acid in Coridan’s throat, even though he knew he’d do so again without question.
Ares’ eyes flared a second before a smile broke out across his face. ‘Tis about time you learned priorities. He threw his head back and laughed, clapping Coridan on the shoulder in a brotherly embrace.
Eros joined the men. Welcome home, warrior. He clamped Coridan on the other shoulder and drew him away from the transport. So when can we expect to have a little Seer added to the family?
Coridan’s face heated, his gaze seeking Ariel. Jac and Rachel, who chattered enough to give monkeys pause, were leading her in the same direction. For a second their gazes locked and heated. In that moment, a promise was exchanged. Coridan broke the contact and turned his attention back to the two men.
Atlantean's Quest Volume 2 Page 11
