Sarazen's Betrayal : Sarazen Saga 1.2

by Isabel Wroth

  Falken straightened up tall. The habit of coming to attention as though still on deck of the warship, was one he had yet to break. Tarek made a face at him and moved to stand in front of Cassie’s collection of notes, still hovering in the air in the secured room.

  “At this moment, I am only your friend. Not your Asho. I would discuss something with you.”

  From Tarek’s tone of voice, Falken was certain he knew what the topic was going to be.

  “I am surprised that you ordered Zarak and his squad to accompany your mate to S7. Even more surprised you allowed her to think I was the one responsible for the guard.”

  Falken remained silent, as Tarek was making an observation and not asking a question. Falken’s guts churned with acidic jealousy as he imagined those ten other warriors with Cassie. Doing all the things he himself had promised to do with her and yet failed to follow through on.

  He had anticipated her refusal of the warriors if she had been aware they had been sent at Falken’s order, and not Tarek’s. So he had instructed Zarak and the others not to tell her.

  “She’s quite brilliant, your mate. Clary didn’t have any idea of Cassie’s talents, the depth of the information she was able to gather. I shudder to think what the two of you could accomplish together.”

  Falken huffed a weak laugh, pulling at the tight muscles in his neck as he rounded a chair to stand beside Tarek. “Cassie said something similar.”

  For several tense minutes, Tarek silently regarded the holo-board in front of them.

  “I am concerned for you, Falken. For her. It deeply troubles me to realize I have relied so heavily on your support, that I have damaged your relationship with your mate.”

  Having not expected this to be the turn of events, Falken was unable to respond at first. His tongue felt thick with shock, staring at his commander, his friend, at a loss for what to say.

  “When T’mai gave me back the pride, he did not understand what he was doing. Neither did I understand the disaster I was walking into. I told Clary my brother did not understand the lengths I would go to, to protect her. To protect our cubs.

  “I told my one that I would do whatever was necessary, even raze this pride to the ground if that’s what it took to see her safe. I confess at the time I meant it. I still mean it. But having seen the unbalance between you and Cassie…I have come to ask your forgiveness. And to tell you that your mate has asked me to dissolve any legal bond between you two.”

  Falken felt as though Tarek had reached inside his chest and ripped his heart out.

  “She what?” he managed to choke out, certain he had misheard.

  Tarek shook his head, his jaw flexing hard enough to blanch white, while he stared at the floor. Clearly struggling himself. “Tell me you had irrefutable proof Cassie was experiencing the beginnings of mate sickness.”

  Falken hissed as he spun away from the judgment in Tarek’s tone. Pacing back and forth in front of the months of research Cassie had done in his absence. The evidence of his neglect hovering right there, all the data she had gathered because as she said, she had nothing else to do.

  “I trusted Matem at his word. His mother fell ill to mate sickness after his sire died in battle. I trusted that Matem knew the signs well enough to say. When I arrived, I saw Cassie threatening to kill Matem, her scent and demeanor screaming sincerity.

  “When I pulled her off the chair away from him, she struggled against me. In my panic, I believed her to be ill. All I could think about was getting her home. Getting her safe.” A sound of pained disbelief tore up from his guts. “I wanted to be worthy of her. Going over every iota of data again and again until I could come up with something to identify the traitors threatening us…and she did all this, gathered everything we needed this whole time.

  “I had no idea because I was looking in the wrong place. I was looking in the wrong place! I admit I allowed her access to the public records because it was my mistaken assumption she would take pleasure from reading our history. Not because I wanted her out of the way! I had no idea that Ga’rae had agreed to download the entirety of that innocuous database into Cassie’s mind. All of this, she discovered via public record and I was focusing on a complex matrix of variables…”

  Falken was forced to stop pacing when Tarek threw his hand out to catch hold of his tunic.

  “Falken-”

  “I wanted her to feel safe. I needed to solve this damn puzzle. Find the ones who would rather see her dead than be my mate, but all I did was make her believe I didn’t care for her.”

  “Falken, I am relieving you of your duties as my second.”

  Tarek’s harsh words were a slap upside the head.

  The humiliation was immediate, and had Tarek not curled a hard hand around the back of his neck, Falken would have immediately backed away and accepted such a brutal punishment with as much courage as he could muster.

  Falken forced out the only words he could think of. “If that is your wish, Asho.”

  Tarek clicked his tongue and gave Falken a small but rough shake. “You gave no objections when I asked you to take time away from Cassie so I could selfishly spend more time with Clary. So blinded by the desire for my own mate, it never crossed my mind that others would suffer for it. Of all people, I know how long you waited to find your one, Falken. I was there when you first saw Cassie.

  “I saw your wonder and the depth of your relief. Your awe. When we arrived home for the first time in what felt like a millennium, I saw the peace on your face and on Cassie’s. Then it came to me to rule this pride and I asked you again to take some of my burden. Like you always have, you shouldered it without complaint and went above and beyond your duty.

  “I have no other whom I trust as much as you, not even my own brother, and it shames me to know I have played a part in this discord. I am releasing you from your duties as your friend, Falken. What Cassie has asked of me leads me to believe she does not fully understand how our bonds work and what would happen to both of you if I did give her what she asks. Fix your bond, however you must. Whatever you need of me, ask and I will give it.”

  Hours later, Falken sat in the chair beside the bed he had shared with Cassie, just watching her sleep. He had often sat in this chair as he had worked, needing her presence even though she slept and was unaware of him there beside her. Needing the strength her proximity gave, the reminder of why he had to continue for a little while longer.

  Assuring his beast that so long as they were near Cassie, they would be able to remember all the reasons why they had to spend the time they did away from her.

  Sitting there in the dark now, watching the way she curled so tightly around her pillow, as though it was the only solace she had left in the world, Falken couldn’t help but grimace. He leaned forward to brace his elbows on his knees, his hands fisted together and pressed against his mouth to stem the growls that wanted to pass his lips. Falken could not imagine how deeply he must have wounded Cassie for her to have asked Tarek to dissolve the bond still not formed between them.

  He stretched his thoughts towards Cassie, hoping in her sleep the walls between them might thin enough for him to connect with her. But it was almost like he had physically come up against a barrier. It was solid, freezing cold, humming with an incredible amount of strength. A wall meant to keep him out. Meant to keep Cassie safe behind it.

  ~My beautiful one. What have I done?

  Cassie murmured something unintelligible in her sleep, but she didn’t wake. She slept on, curled around her pillow.

  *****

  All night long, Falken sat with his mate and wracked his mind for any solution to mend the rift between them. Until the lights in their quarters rose with the sun outside the fortress, and the glorious golden mane of his mate shimmered in the growing brightness. Falken watched Cassie stretch as she began to wake.

  Smiled at the way she pressed her lips together and shoved her hair from her face, rolling to her back to arch and stretch a bit more. Remembering ho
w those stretches had caused her bare flesh to rub and caress his.

  The memories caused Falken to wonder how he had ever allowed a single morning to go by when he did not feel the touch of his mate. Her eyes opened and her sleepy expression faded to one of immediate distrust. Coldness. Disdain. Falken felt a searing lump of pain settle in his throat at that look, choking him, preventing him from telling her all the things he wanted to tell her. From giving her his heartfelt words of love. He doubted she would have believed them anyway.

  “What are you doing?” Frost should have formed at the unwelcome in her voice.

  Falken sighed as he realized what a mess he had made for himself. The fight he had on his hands was going to be long and arduous, but he had yet to be defeated in battle. He sent a prayer out to the Beast who had birthed them all that this battle would not be the one he failed.

  “Waiting for you to wake.”

  “Why?”

  Inspiration struck with the most perfect timing. “Tarek has released me from my duties here in the fortress. In my haste to assure myself of your health, you were forced to leave your work unfinished. If you would allow me, I will take you back to S7.”

  Cassie’s eyes narrowed skeptically as she sat up, pulling the blankets up under her arms more securely. Shielding her body from his sight. Falken’s throat worked in preparation for her immediate rejection.

  “You will?” The coldness to her tone was now accompanied by doubt.

  “Yes.”

  “Fine. But I don’t want any more of your spies hounding me. If you’re going to smother me in protection, keep them away from me and the library or I’ll kill them. No blood-lust required.”

  Falken inclined his head and agreed immediately, which seemed to make Cassie more suspicious. “You will have protection, Cassie. That is not a matter for discussion, but you will not be smothered or interrupted. I give you my word.”

  Cassie’s expression turned positively mocking. “You giving me your word counts for next to nothing, Falken.”

  Any response Falken would have made was forestalled by a loud, insistent banging on the door of their quarters.

  Falken swallowed his growl upon having opened the door to reveal a flustered looking Ne’tare. The elder male’s mane was disheveled, he reeked of apprehension mixed with manic joy and there was not a hint of Ne’tare’s usual decorum to be seen.

  Thinking something had gone horribly wrong, Falken immediately demanded to know what was happening and the scent of Ne’tare’s joy increased. The grin that split his face was so wide it appeared painful.

  “The cubs are on their way!” Ne’tare hooted gleefully. Bouncing like a male three decades younger in his excitement.

  It took Falken a moment to understand what had Ne’tare in such a lather. But the moment it sank in, Falken felt his face ache from his own grin of happiness. Joy for his friend, his brother warrior, flooding his body.

  “That is fine news! Have you told everyone?”

  Ne’tare shook his head, still smiling like a fool. “No. The fortress is on lockdown and no one is allowed to move through the corridors. That is not why I’m here. The Asho’na is demanding your mate’s presence. Now.”

  “Clary wants me to be there for the birth?” Cassie’s incredulous question had Falken turning to look over his shoulder at her. She seemed clearly shocked and uncomfortable with the need of her commander and Falken couldn’t help but wonder why. It wasn’t unusual for friends and family to be present for births on Saraz.

  Perhaps it was uncommon among humans?

  Ne’tare shrugged, looking to Falken for a clue perhaps as to why Cassie was so uncomfortable. “It is not uncommon for females at the time of their first birthing experience to want friends and family close by.”

  Cassie made a soft sound of understanding and rolled her lips together, the iciness of her previous demeanor vanishing to reveal uncertainty. She had pulled on a pale green tunic and pants and was currently twisting the material in her hands as though she didn’t know how to react.

  “Right. Of course. Um…let’s go then, yeah?” Cassie drew herself up and scooted around him, falling into step with Ne’tare. Falken saw her lips curve slightly in amusement at the way Ne’tare practically floated down the hall.

  Cassie did not however, turn that smile on him when Falken came up beside her. Her expression cooled some, but not before he caught the faintest jangle of sadness and fear along the inconstant thread of their bond.

  Falken didn’t understand where either of those things came from in regards to the birthing process. Almost desperately, Falken grabbed that insubstantial mental connection with all his might and clung to it. Unwilling to let it go again and lose whatever little tidbits of insight he could glean from his mate.

  Seven

  By the time Ne’tare ushered her into Clary and Tarek’s suite of rooms, Cassie was sweating with nervousness. Why in the world would Clary want Cassie present for the birth of her twins? Cassie didn’t know anything about actual babies. And she hadn’t thought Clary held her in high enough esteem to want Cassie to witness the whole event.

  Cassie imagined how she might feel were it her giving birth, and she shuddered to think of anyone but a medic and maybe Falken in the room with her.

  Hypothetically, of course.

  Before entering the suite, they had passed about ten pairs of fully armored warriors stationed at the different corridor entrances, on guard to protect the ruling pride pair should it become necessary. Once inside, Cassie noted Tarek standing beside Ga’rae, having an intense looking discussion with the medic.

  The Asho’s eyes never wavered from the figure of his mate as she paced back and forth around the room. All of Clary’s hair was piled high on her head, her cheeks were hot with exertion, sweat shimmered on her brow. Lines of pain bracketed her lips while she breathed long and slow from her nose.

  The second Cassie crossed the threshold, Clary’s head shot up and relief painted her expression. Cassie had to swallow the uncertainty of why that might be. Why Clary would be so relieved by her presence versus Gwen, a doctor, or Clary’s own mate.

  “You look like shit.” Clary greeted.

  Cassie immediately broke into laughter. “Says the woman about to pop like an overfilled balloon.”

  Clary laughed, then almost instantly gave a pain filled groan and doubled over. Tarek was across the room to her before Cassie or anyone else could even move.

  It was the most incredibly moving sight in the world to watch Tarek pull Clary up to hold her while contractions gripped Clary’s body. Because of her beast, Cassie could smell the sharp, acrid scent of Clary’s pain. Hear the tender murmurs Tarek whispered into Clary’s ear. Doing his best to soothe her while she labored.

  Cassie hadn’t ever felt so shamefully jealous in all her life and wished a black hole would open up and swallow her whole right now.

  “It’s going to be alright, Cassie.”

  The female voice in Cassie’s ear had her jumping a bit, looking to find Ilaria standing beside her with a gentle smile on her face.

  The Matavei reached out to touch Cassie’s arm, the buzz of her energy soft and soothing. And then Ilaria just, poof, vanished. One blink to the next and the alien being was gone like some kind of fairy godmother.

  “I’m fine. I’m good.” Clary’s voice snapped Cassie back to the scene unfolding. Clary straightened up and nodded to her mate, visibly relieved as she turned her face into the careful wipe of the wet cloth Tarek moved over her forehead and nape.

  Cassie shifted with discomfort, not bothering to tell Falken off when he stepped up behind her and set his big hand to her waist. Truth be told, not that she would ever say it aloud, his touch actually steadied her.

  “You wanted to see me?” Cassie prompted when it seemed appropriate. Having to force some steel into her spine when Clary waved her forward. When Cassie got within touching distance, Clary grabbed her arm and drug Cassie along into the path of Clary’s pacing.


  “I thought I had this all handled and I’d be fine. But I’m freaked out and I could use some wise words about what’s going to happen here.”

  Cassie just stared incomprehensibly at Clary. All Cassie could think to say was, “Um, well. I hear that it’s normal to be nervous your first time with the whole delivery thing.”

  Clary growled at her and the wave of power that rolled off the redhead made Cassie shudder. It felt like she had just stepped through the open field of a generator and gotten a shock. “Don’t bullshit me. What’s it like?”

  Cassie gave herself a little shake and frowned right back at Clary. “What is what like? Giving birth?”

  “No. Knitting a sweater.” Clary snapped sarcastically, getting mad now. “Yes, giving birth!”

  Cassie stopped the other woman in the middle of the room, forgetting for a minute they had an audience. “Clary, why it the world would you ask me what birth is like?”

  “Don’t fuck with me right now. My hormones are raging! I feel like I’m being ripped in half by the demon seed of the biggest alien I’ve ever seen, I am this close to losing my mind,”

  Clary held her now fully sprouted clawed fingertips up in front of Cassie’s face, a half inch of space pinched between Clary’s thumb and finger. “And I am not in the mood for bullshit. If you think I didn’t notice the patches you were wearing, you’re dead fucking wrong. You were in the eugenics program. Eugenics equal babies, so…talk!”

  “I think what Clary is asking you, Cassie, is what it was like your first time.” Gwen had helpfully appeared and explained with a kinder smile.

  Cassie went a little numb. “My first time.”

  Tension from a particular area in the room rose up about ten notches, and Cassie could feel the laser-like focus of Falken’s gaze on her back. Clary hissed as another pain ripped through her, but this time she waved Tarek off with a little snarl. Opting instead to crush Cassie’s hand hard enough that Cassie was sure a few bones had been broken.

  “God damnit, Tarek. I hate you so much right now!”