He took her arm and guided her through the crowd, who had gathered in the open area, to the front. Mitch motioned for her to join him just inside the circle of trees.
“I’ll wait here for you and watch for Lonato,” Hakan said. She walked with Mitch into the trees. The sun cast ribbons of light through the tree branches.
“I wanted to talk with you and Lann before the meeting starts.” He nodded toward the other man standing to the side. In the dim light, she hadn’t noticed him.
“You plan to announce who you are. Right?” Mitch asked Kira.
“Yes, and that I’m here to help.”
“Lann, are you going to tell them you’re leaving?”
Lann’s brow furrowed, and his arms crossed. “I’ve told my family. They’ve had to get used to the idea. I believe my tribe will need time to adjust to Kira being here and my leaving. I’m staying until our enemy is caught. By then they’ll be so relieved, they’ll be more accepting of the change.”
“I agree,” Kira said.
“Good. I wanted to be sure you hadn’t changed your minds.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s time to start.”
Kira followed Mitch out and onto the stage that had been set up so they could be seen by everyone. Lann walked behind her. She caught a glimpse of Hakan, and Lonato stood at his side.
When she got on the stage, the size of the crowd shocked her. They were standing on all sides of the platform, but most were directly in front. Gradually people quit talking when they saw Mitch with Kira and Lann joining him. Mitch went to the mic.
Kira felt a bit sick. She’d always hated crowds, and added to it she was going to expose who she was. She’d only known her true identity and role in the tribes for a short time herself. She wasn’t fully comfortable with all these changes. She’d been busy fighting to save her sister and others. There’d been no time to think about all the new information she’d learned about herself. But she couldn’t hide from her people any longer. Somewhere, maybe in the group surrounding them, was the person responsible for the poisonings.
Mitch had turned to Kira and Lann. “Which of you wants to go first?”
Kira stepped to the mic. I might as well get it over with like taking bad-tasting medicine. But these are my people, and I have to get comfortable talking to them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know all of you. I’ve met a few, especially at the hospital. My twin sister is Averil Stanwic. You might know her better.
“As a child I learned early on that I was different. I had different abilities than my twin. We’re not identical. My parents and I hid my secrets. We grew up away from our tribe. When they returned to live with the tribe, I didn’t come with them.
“We weren’t ashamed of what I was, but afraid others might harm me. I know recently many of you have accepted the shape-shifters in my tribe. I hope you will accept me, as I am a different type of shifter. Our ancestors called a woman like me Flaming Beauty.” She stepped back, blinked her eyes, and shifted into the bird with red, gold, and purple feathers intertwined. Kira spread her large wingspan.
People gasped, and murmuring began in the crowd. Elle came up on the platform. “My people, you know I have our historical records. Such a woman is extremely rare and considered the most valuable of our leaders. Back on our planet she would be queen.
“We are extremely fortunate to have found her.”
Gradually Kira’s colors faded as she shifted back. “I have shown you who I am, now I can reassure you I’m working with the other leaders to find the person with the poison. I do not want to be considered a queen. I’ve agreed to be part of the ruling committee, but I don’t want too many changes made for me. I have been used to my anonymity all these years. I hope you will respect my choice to still have periods when I will need to be alone. Thank you. After Lann speaks we will answer your questions.” Lann came to the microphone, and Kira moved back.
“We have had many changes in the last months. A battle won and now another more difficult type to fight. But we will win it also. What I have to say is going to mainly affect my tribe. I know you are busy settling here and getting your homes built. Thanks to Nick the houses and cabins are going up fast.” He stopped a second as the crowd clapped and yelled Nick’s name. Then he continued. “This is going to be another surprise. It won’t happen until after the person or persons responsible for the poison attacks is caught. But then I will be moving to Texas along with about a dozen of our single men.”
“No!” the crowd shouted.
Lann put his hand up. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be your leader, but at this point in my life I want to do something different. I’ll come to visit and see you.” He turned to Kira. “Kira and Garth will take good care of you. She will back up Garth. Someone will always be here to see to your needs. Time changes many things during a lifespan. Ours is longer than the earthlings’. This is one of my changes. I’m sorry it impacts all of you.”
Total silence came over the group as though they needed the time to realize the impact of what Kira and Lann had said to them.
Then one of the women yelled out, “Good for you.” Applause followed. When the group quieted, a man from the third tribe made his way to the stage. “May I come up with you?”
Lann nodded and handed him the microphone. “You all know me. I’m one of the warriors from the third tribe. I wanted to say how much I’ll miss you and your calmness. You had a way of making us feel safe in the most dire circumstances. I appreciate the years you’ve given us. And hope you find what you’re looking for in Texas.” He glanced past Lann to Kira. “For myself, I welcome you. I appreciate what you are giving up to be here with us and to fight for us. Do we all agree?” he asked, turning to the audience.
A roar of yeses filled the air. Kira fought back the tears at the sight of her people giving her such a warm greeting. They’d have misgivings after they got home and thought about it, but they’d give her a chance. She didn’t intend to fail them.
Chapter Five
Pearce stood back in the crowd, listening. No wonder his hackles rose when he got close to her on the plane. She was the antithesis of him. He kept his expression blank, but inside he chuckled. What a battle they’d have, good and evil. He’d lost the first battle. Actually, he didn’t lose it. Phillip got overconfident and lost it all. But they had another chance.
He glanced around for his brother. When he walked closer to the front, he saw Rex and Hakan. He never called Rex “Lonato.” It might remind his adopted father to pay more attention to his real son. Of course, in the end, all of his family, except perhaps his mother, would have to go. They’d never agree to be part of the new tribes.
But he studied Kira Bevyns. She had become a more serious problem. Where was her weak spot? She needed to die, and soon. Nothing would stop him from finding out how to kill her.
As the group broke up, he saw Gala standing close to the trees. He walked casually in her direction.
“Walk with me inside the circle,” he said. He passed on by her and went deeper in among the trees. He heard Gala’s footsteps tramping through the fallen leaves.
“It’s dark in here. The sun must have gone behind a cloud.” Gala looked up at the thick tree branches.
“Whisper. We don’t want anyone to hear or see us. We need to strike fast and hard.”
“I’m afraid. We’ll be caught and die. We can’t win against the magnificent bird. She’ll find us.”
“Silly girl, we’ll succeed. Trust me. How do you feel today?” He pulled her body close against his, tipped her face, and kissed her.
“A little sore, but fine.”
“We’ll meet again tonight at dusk. Can you get off?”
“I have the whole day free.” Gala glanced at the ground and scraped her foot across the fallen leaves.
“Then I look forward to our rendezvous. Let’s make it a bit earlier, say four o’clock, same place.” Pearce tipped her face up and stared into her eyes.
Gala hesit
ated and swallowed. “I’ll be there,” she said in a low voice.
Pearce stood just inside the trees and watched her. Kira, their so-called queen, saw Gala and stopped to speak with her. Gala looked intimidated at first, but after conversing she began to smile.
He heaved a sigh. His hope for a child would have to wait. Gala would eventually confess and implicate him, if she lived. She had to go, before Kira. During their next meeting, he’d do what he should have done the other night.
* * * *
Kira watched the young woman, Gala, walk away. Gala had seemed frightened when Kira stopped to speak with her. She’d been timid and nervous when they first started talking but gradually relaxed and smiled. All of the other women had been comfortable with her. A few seemed a bit shy about greeting her, but they weren’t nervous. She’d asked Gala if she was scared she might become a victim of the poisoner. Gala’s face had gone white for a second. Then she said she was trying to be brave but it was scary. Kira had taken hold of Gala’s hands, and they were cold. She’d reassured Gala, and she finally smiled. But still there was something about her.
Lonato and Hakan broke into her thoughts. “Are you asleep on your feet?” Hakan teased.
“No, just thinking. Did you drive my father’s truck here?” she asked Lonato.
“Yes, I’ll show you where I parked.” They walked toward the community store. “There was one spot left.” Lonato pointed to her truck.
“You look more tired than me. I hope you are going home to sleep.” She observed the tenseness in his body and his drawn expression.
“I am. You were beautiful up there both as yourself and as your bird. It never really hit me what you’d look like and what you could do until I saw you. Hakan told me about your flying. Your mother is probably right. Neither of us ranks high enough to be your husband.”
“Knowing my mother, I’m sure she didn’t say those words.”
“Not exactly. I’m tired. Hakan, take me home to crash.” Lonato pivoted on his heel and walked toward their truck.
“We’ll talk later. Rest.” Hakan hugged her and left to catch up with his friend.
Kira got inside and sat behind the wheel. Maybe she wouldn’t have to worry about them trying to marry her after all. She’d thought freeing herself of their attention would please her, but it didn’t. Still it would be better if they pulled back.
She started the engine and headed to her folks. She had to rest before the enemy struck again.
* * * *
Lonato sank into his chair in front of the fireplace. The evenings were getting cooler. Staring into the flames reminded him of Kira. He didn’t think she’d shown her full self. He had a sense she could turn into a spiraling flame if she went to battle.
“You must be tired. How did the surgery go?” Hakan asked.
“The woman will survive. But she’ll need lots of rehab. How did your dinner go? I gather, from her truck being here, that she spent the night.” He looked across at Hakan.
“She did, in my room. But I slept next door in the spare bedroom.”
“What?”
“She needs to learn to trust us. It was a long, uncomfortable night for me. I took two cold showers. Then I drove her to Sahale’s cabin. She wants a place where she can be alone and fly undetected.”
“We’ll have to see Mitch about buying some land on the edge of the canyon.”
“That’s what she’s planning to do. I’m not sure she’d appreciate us buying it for her. Not yet anyway.”
“She’s very independent, and not at all the type woman I expected we’d be attracted to. Sure, she’s beautiful and sexy, but she brings a lot of extra problems with her.”
“You see her being the Flaming Beauty as a problem?”
“Yes. She’ll be in the middle of everything that happens on the ranch. I want my home to be a place where we can relax. I expected our wife to be a woman we’d love and enjoy having her with us. I don’t want to have to worry about her safety all the time. Kira will be off working and getting into dangerous situations when we’re not around.” Lonato’s brow furrowed. He frowned at the fire.
“I made love to her at the cave. I plan on marrying her with or without you. If I can get her to accept my proposal. It’ll take time.”
Lonato glanced sharply at Hakan. He was surprised by his cousin’s ultimatum. They’d planned to have their marriage be a threesome for a number of years. Kira must have touched Hakan deeply. Suddenly he felt sad and left out. He took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feelings.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just too tired to think. I’m going to bed.” Lonato walked down the opposite hall into the master bedroom. Hakan and he had agreed he’d use it alone until they married their mate.
He closed the door and went into the large bathroom. They’d had it built for three, as many of the threesome couples did. There were two sinks on one side, and on the opposite side, right by the big bathtub, was a separate sink with drawers underneath for all the cosmetics and such a wife would bring with her. He headed toward the shower at the end of the room.
Turning on all three jets, he set the temperature for warm and turned on the sound system to his favorite classics. As the water poured onto his tired muscles, the music soared through his body, lifting his spirits and bringing a sense of peace. After a while, he forced himself to get out.
Once dry, he walked to the extra large king-size bed, pulled back the covers, and fell onto the mattress. In seconds, he slept.
In the darkness of sleep, he felt her hand brush across his chest. Kira stood by his bed. Her hair glowed as though lit from a fire inside of her. She was naked. Her creamy skin tempted him, and he touched her face with his fingertips. Her body was warm, and her eyes turned from misty purple to deep purple when his palm caressed her face.
“Will you join me in bed?” he asked.
“Do you want me to? I thought you’d changed your mind.”
“Not about wanting you.”
She moved onto the bed and straddled his legs. He watched as she cupped his large dick in her small hands. Lonato felt himself get harder, and his balls ached with his desire to be inside her pussy. As though she heard his thoughts, she cupped his sac in one hand and moved the other up and down his cock.
He arched his head back and groaned out his pleasure. When her tongue swiped across his crown, his heartbeat went into overdrive. Then she took him into her warm mouth as far as she could and sucked. He jerked and pushed in farther. She pulled back all the way and then went down again. Her tongue tortured him by swirling around the sides and up against the hard ridge underneath his cock. He had difficulty holding back, but he wanted to come inside her. Lonato put out his hand to stop her. When she raised her head, he flipped her underneath him.
“I want to be inside you. But first I want to taste you.” His lips covered hers before she could comment. Their tongues dueled inside the soft interior of her mouth. She tasted sweet as purple grapes just picked from the arbor.
His lips trailed over her soft neck and tasted her sweet-as-cream skin. Her heart pounded below the translucent skin. He licked across the spot in the curve of her neck and shoulder.
“You taste as good as you look.”
She playfully bit the edge of his tough jaw. “And you taste like hard jerky.” His laugh made her smile. “You don’t do that often enough.”
“Perhaps you can teach me. If you stay around.”
When he came to her lush breasts, he had to stop and enjoy the view. They were round as goblets, and each breast was topped with a rosy cherry. Bending down, he sucked on the nearest tempting nipple and ran his tongue across the peak. Her moan excited him more. He took his time kissing, sucking, nibbling on her sweetness. Her scent of arousal urged him to move on.
His teeth lightly brushed across her soft, flat stomach. Then he found her clit and licked the dainty button. Her exotic, spicy flavor sent liquid heat rushing through his veins. He licked from Kira’s clit, along her velv
ety petals to her wet pussy. Taking a deep breath of the intoxicating scent, he flipped his tongue inside her pussy opening.
She screamed and bowed her back. He licked more and put pressure on her clit with his finger. Her body bucked as her orgasm began. Quickly, he positioned himself at her opening and plunged inside. She was wet and hot, and her pussy rippled around his large cock. When she clenched tight, he almost came, but he held back and began to move in and out fast and hard.
Her hips followed his movements. He stared into her jewel-colored amethyst eyes. They kept contact as the crescendo built into an electrifying ecstasy. His heart felt like it might explode, and then his body did, every nerve tingling as he found his release. Kira threw her head back and screamed his name as her body shivered in climax.
Lonato sat up in bed. His heavy breathing was the only sound in the room. His hands moved across his body and the bed. She wasn’t here. Had it been a dream? But it was so real. His heart raced, and his cock still throbbed.
When he laid his head down, he smelled her scent. He got up and went back to the shower. The water ran over his head and down his body. Afterward, he crawled into bed and pulled the pillow under his chin, and as he fell into sleep, he breathed in the fragrance of roses and exotic musk.
* * * *
Bright sunlight coming in her window woke Kira. She sat on the side of her bed and held her head. What happened last night? Did I dream of making love with Lonato or did I transport myself to his room? I’ve heard some shape-shifters can do that, but I’d never tried. I fell asleep fast because I was tired, and then I dreamed I heard Lonato saying he wasn’t sure about his feelings for me. Why didn’t that satisfy me? Instead, did I really go to his bedroom and make love to him?
“Kira, are you feeling sick?” Her mother opened her bedroom door. “I knocked and you didn’t answer.”
“Sorry, I was deep in thought. Did you need something?”
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 5
