Alliance Forged

by Kylie Griffin

  Peace. A deep, restful peace.

  Turning in her hold, Varian pulled her in against him and buried his head in the crook of her neck. “Kymora…” His voice broke, but he didn’t care.

  Her strength gave him an anchor. She stroked his hair, her touch so gentle it made his eyes burn.

  “I know.” Her lips pressed against his temple. Her courage astounded him. “I know, Varian. I sense it…. I’ll hold you. I won’t let you go.”

  Closing his eyes, Varian relaxed with a shuddering sigh. And believed.

  “LIGHT Blade…” The voice came from a long way off, as if from the end of a very long tunnel. “Light Blade… you have to wake up….”

  This time the voice came with a shaking motion that made the pounding in Arek’s head worse. He groaned and rolled onto his side. An earthy odor filled his nostril as his cheek pressed against something prickly but cool and damp. Hands helped him to sit. His shoulder scraped against a rough, fibrous surface. A tree?

  “Come on, Light Blade.” The cajoling voice was edged with tension. “Our time is short…. Can you hear me?”

  Arek forced open eyes that wanted to stay shut. Dim light and shadows danced around him. He blinked several times, trying to make sense of what he saw. Was that moonlight or had his head been hit so hard he could no longer see clearly? Gazing upward, a half crescent moon silhouetted branches swaying in the darkness. A breeze rustled the leaves overhead.

  “Is he awake?” A feminine voice, soft, filled with fear.

  Arek worked his tongue around his dry mouth and tasted the lingering iron tang of blood on his lips. “Where am I?”

  The broad-shouldered shadow crouched in front of him turned from surveying the darkened woods. “You’re in the Crag Forest. West of Ostare.”

  The last thing he remembered was a Na’Reish gloved fist connecting with his head. He frowned, wincing as pain lanced through his head. The image of retreating figures pushed through the ache.

  Varian. The others.

  Had they escaped?

  Arek shivered, and not because of the cool temperature. There’d been another dozen demons converging on the clearing. He’d fallen. Why wasn’t he dead?

  “How did I end up here?”

  “The Na’Hord pursued your patrol. In the confusion, you were left for dead.” The female voice moved closer. Moonlight lit the slender figure of a girl in her midteens. She huddled beside the older man. Their simple garb identified them as crofters. “Yenass and I dragged you away, then we carried you here.”

  A spine-chilling howl echoed through the forest.

  Arek stiffened and jerked his head in the direction of the sound. The sudden movement blurred his vision. A wave of nausea rolled in his stomach.

  Vorc.

  Way too close.

  The Na’Hord were using the beasts to track them.

  The girl bit back a cry as the man’s gaze locked with his. “We’re being hunted.”

  “Run…. Leave me….” Arek didn’t even try to rise. His limbs felt heavier than they should, and with the light-headedness and nausea, he’d be sick before he took a dozen steps.

  “You’re our only hope, Light Blade.” Sour sweat filled his nostrils as the crofter moved closer to him. “Unbuckle his armor, Senna.”

  “What?”

  The man began yanking at the straps of his armor. “I’ll trade clothes with him.”

  The jerky movements made the drum in Arek’s head pound harder. He groaned. “No, you have to go… while you can….”

  “Yenass, you can’t!” The girl grabbed the older man’s arm.

  He rounded on her, expression tight. “Listen to me, sister. He stands a better chance of freeing you than I do once you’re recaptured, but not if they see him dressed as a Light Blade.” He shoved her toward Arek. “Get his boots off. Hurry!”

  Another howl pierced the stillness of the night. This one much too close for comfort.

  Arek blinked the crofter into focus. “Run.” The word felt thick in his mouth.

  “How far do you think we’ll get before being chased down?” the man hissed. “There’s a gash on the side of your head as wide as my hand, and a lump to match. You’re motion sick. If we run, you’ll die. Senna and I will still be recaptured and in no better position than before when the Na’Reish took us from our village.” Desperation strained his voice. “At least this way they won’t know you’re a Light Blade, and once you regain your strength, you might be able to help Senna or any others they recapture. The chance may be slim, but it’s better than nothing.”

  Nausea rose to the back of his throat. “I can’t let you sacrifice yourself….”

  With one swift motion, the crofter whipped his coarse-woven shirt over his head. “Put this on the Light Blade, Senna.”

  Sobbing, the young girl followed the order. The man tugged his chest plate free. Arek’s vision faded in and out with the rough movement. His head dipped toward his chest; his eyes closed of their own accord. Merciful Mother, he couldn’t lose consciousness now. He forced his head upright and sucked in a deep breath.

  As he became aware of his surroundings again, he lay flat on his back on the forest floor. The crofter was lacing a pair of trews over his hips. The coarse material scratched against his skin as he tried to sit up. Cool air brushed the bare soles of his feet.

  A savage growl filled the air. Senna screamed. Yenass spun to face the threat. Arek rolled onto his side, gritting his teeth. He reached out, too late, to grasp the farmer’s leg, the one wearing his leather breeches and knee-high boots.

  A large shadow launched itself from the darkness, straight at the crofter. The furred Vorc landed in front of him, the landing spraying dirt and debris over them all. With the beast came a pungent musky odor that made Arek gag. The hulking animal knocked Yenass to the ground with one swipe of its foreleg.

  Sharp claws grated against the hard leather chest plate. The crofter cried out.

  “No!” Senna scrambled toward her brother. “Yenass!”

  Biting back his nausea, Arek grasped a handful of her dress. Her broken cry was drowned out by the vicious sounds of a predator executing its kill. Pulling the young woman back, he wrapped his arm around the girl, shielding her from the gruesome sight of her brother being torn apart, grateful the darkness obscured the worst of the attack.

  Lady’s Breath, the Vorc wasn’t muzzled. Reins and a halter were buckled onto its pointed snout. The saddle cinching its thick body was empty. How close was its rider? Without the Vorc-Master, it would come for them once it finished with Yenass.

  Fear sharpened Arek’s senses, but his body refused to cooperate. Arms trembling, his head spinning, he tried to get to his knees.

  His grip tightened on the girl’s arm. “Senna, run…”

  She remained on the ground, rocking, sobbing. The sound of bones crunching turned his stomach.

  “Shavesh ka ris!” The deep-throated command came from somewhere beyond the death scene.

  The Vorc lifted its head. Its jaws opened. The soft thud of something hitting the ground sent a shiver down Arek’s spine. He didn’t want to imagine what it might have been. An almost inaudible rumble came from the beast as it turned its head toward them, its green eyes glowing in the moonlight. Lips peeled back from teeth as long as a human hand.

  “Shavesh ka vaag!”

  The animal ceased growling and slowly lowered its barrel-like body to the ground, but it never took its gaze off them. If they tried to flee now, it would attack. The hot metallic scent of blood carried on the breeze. Arek dry heaved as the girl struggled to free herself from his hold. His head throbbed.

  “Be still, Senna,” he whispered, grimacing. “Don’t let your brother’s sacrifice be in vain.”

  “Well done, Eayash.” From between two trees, the towering form of a Na’Reish warrior emerged. He strode up to the Vorc and slapped its shoulder with a gloved hand, then knelt to examine what was left of Yenass. Another two demons jogged from the darkness to join him
. “Ha, Eayash discovered the Light Blade.”

  The shorter of the two spotted them and circled the carnage. “And we’ve found two more humans.” He grinned. The show of teeth had Arek reaching toward his waist before he remembered he no longer wore a weapon. “That makes twelve.”

  The Vorc-Master pulled a length of rope from the saddle and flung it at him. “Bind them and let’s get back to camp.”

  Arek’s fists clenched as the Na’Reish closed in on them. He summoned his Gift. It thrummed through him as he searched for any sort of pointed weapon. A stick or branch would do. While the demon wore armor, nothing protected the vulnerable skin of his neck.

  A soft whimper and a warm body pressed against his side. Senna. Merciful Mother, he’d nearly forgotten all about her. Yenass’s last words echoed in his head.

  The demon with the rope made a gesture toward him. “This one’s injured.”

  The Vorc-Master strode over to them, seized the front of his shirt, and hauled him to his feet. The sudden rise left him reeling. Arek grunted and grasped the hard leather vambrace encasing the demon’s wrist, more to hold himself up than in defense. He could barely close his fingers around the thick wrist.

  A large hand gripped his hair and jerked his head to one side. Arek groaned as pain shot through his head and down his neck.

  A snort came from the Vorc-Master. “The gash has stopped bleeding. The human’s healthy enough. He’ll recover. Tie him and the female.”

  Arek was shoved toward the second demon. Coarse rope wrapped around his wrists. Senna cried out as she was dragged to her feet and bound beside him.

  “If he doesn’t keep up”—the Vorc-Master gripped the back of his neck; Arek swayed as his vision blurred again—“we can always drink his blood.”

  Taunting laughter accompanied the threat. He braced his feet wide. Mother of Light, he wasn’t going to let that happen.

  The Lady had postponed his Final Journey. Her reasoning remained a mystery. He’d die before serving any demon as their blood-slave, but for the moment, he was their captive. In human territory. And this patrol had a lot of ground to cover before making it back over the border.

  He’d bide his time. He’d take the chance he’d been given and use it.

  His lip curled.

  By the Light, there was no way he’d call any demon master.

  Chapter 27

  WHEN Varian woke, he did so with the instant knowledge that he wasn’t alone in his bed. Flesh to flesh, curled under the blankets with him, Kymora still slumbered, her soft, even breathing tickling the bare skin of his chest. A blessing, because it gave him the time to look at her in the early-morning light coming through the window of his room.

  While he couldn’t see much of her with the blanket tucked up over her shoulders, he could certainly feel her. All warm, soft curves pressed against his side, a slender leg draped over his thigh, her knee resting on the skin of his hip. Her head lay on his shoulder, her long black hair spread over him and the pillow like a cloak.

  One delicate hand lay relaxed over his heart. A gesture she seemed to favor whenever she was touching him, one he very much liked. The connection almost felt like a claiming. His lips curved as he gently placed his larger one over hers so he could feel her whole hand against his chest. She’d certainly claimed him last night.

  “You’re happy.” Kymora’s voice was husky and sleepy.

  “Did I wake you?”

  She rubbed her cheek against him, then lifted her head. Her eyes opened, the beautiful deep green color that reminded him of rug-moss, and stared past him. He lifted his hand to trace her brow, then smoothed his thumb down one cheek and across her full bottom lip.

  “You were thinking, rather intently.” She gave him a warm smile that lifted his heart rate. He dropped his hand to the shoulder peeking out from the blanket. The skin there was as soft as her cheek. “And there’s a stillness inside you I haven’t sensed before.”

  Her observations stopped him stroking her skin. Instinct wanted him to move away from her, put some distance between them. Kymora shifted onto one elbow and propped her chin against his ribs.

  “Just say it, Varian,” she whispered against his skin. “You trusted me last night. And with something more incredible than a few words.”

  “No one has ever touched or made me feel the way you do,” he said, the words a low-pitched, stilted confession. “For the first time I can remember, I don’t feel like I’m fighting with myself. You bring me peace.”

  The truth came from his heart. It made him uncomfortable saying it out loud, but the gut-freezing vulnerability that usually accompanied those sorts of thoughts was strangely distant. It was almost like her presence kept it at bay.

  The smile Kymora gave him made his heart do a slow roll in his chest. Her affection, so spontaneous and freely given, warmed him. It was something he craved more of, and had ever since he’d first met her.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” she asked, and pressed a kiss to his sternum.

  Her hair slid against his skin in a silken caress. Heat licked his skin, spiraled deep. And just that quickly, he had an erection, one that nudged the arm she rested low over his abdomen.

  Her mouth quirked upward. “Although I might know of something else that is.”

  Her gentle teasing drew a rusty laugh from him. Her face lit up with such pleasure he wished he’d indulged sooner.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. Using one finger, he lifted and smoothed the long strands of her hair behind her ear. “Would you…”

  “Would I what?” One thin eyebrow arched and her expression sobered. “Tell me, Varian.”

  “I’ve wondered… wanted…” He inhaled and her sweet scent mixed with citrus filled his lungs. “I need to kiss you.”

  Kymora tilted her head, sifting through his words. The pitch of his voice had altered just slightly after his hesitation. The prickly, burring sensation against her mind made her sigh. Varian’s wariness shouldn’t have surprised her. Last night had been precious. He’d let her in, but altering instinctual behavior would take time.

  “That’s not what you were going to say,” she mused, keeping her tone neutral. He’d shut her out if she showed any censure or anger. “Not that I would refuse you a kiss.” Heat filled her cheeks as she snorted quietly. “Actually, there’s little I’d deny you if the truth be known.”

  A spasmodic quiver rippled across Varian’s abdomen, then his muscles tightened beneath her arm. His breathing deepened, while a tension that hadn’t been there before crackled between them. A fluttering invaded her stomach.

  “Lay back.” The tenor of his voice strengthened, deepened. She’d heard him use that tone on the training field.

  Kymora smothered another smile as she did as he asked, their positions reversed. Now she lay on her back and he’d moved onto his side. She felt the blanket tugged down her body. The cooler air lifted goose bumps on her skin.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Looking at you.” The soft woven blanket stopped moving at the crest of both her breasts. “A little bit at a time. Teasing myself.” His voice lowered, became huskier. “Pleasuring you.”

  Her heart beat faster. “How—” She had to clear her throat before she could complete her question. “How will you do that?”

  A wave of warmth washed over her, body heat, Varian leaning over her, then his mouth brushed hers. Not a quick press of flesh on flesh, but a lingering, sensual meeting of lips that lasted several heartbeats. She reached up to tangle her fingers in his hair, tugging, letting him feel her need, her desire for him.

  A groan came from the back of his throat, muffled against her lips. She parted hers, wanting to taste him, the heat of his mouth. The tentative slide of his tongue against hers heated her blood and sent sensation racing through her to pool between her thighs.

  Varian broke the kiss. Her moaned protest ended in a cry as his teeth scraped the side of her neck, then bit hard enough to smart but not break the
skin.

  “Varian!” she gasped.

  “You do this to me.” His growl vibrated against her throat. His tongue stroked the pinched flesh, then suckled it. The damp warmth of his mouth on her skin made her shudder. “Yet the mindless frenzy… the animalistic urge to take… it’s still there but it no longer dominates me… not when I’m with you. You center me.”

  Kymora closed her eyes as he laid his forehead against hers. She cradled the back of his head, savoring the simple pleasures of the warmth of his skin against hers and the wild, earthy scent of his desire.

  “This isn’t about me though,” he murmured. Her fingers tightened in his hair in mute protest, but she kept quiet, knowing he had more to say. “I just wanted you to know, in case you can’t read my aura. Or you become too… distracted.”

  That made her laugh. She smoothed her hand across his face to find his lips and discover them curving upward. “I like to see you smile.”

  He kissed her fingertips, then he drew both her arms over her head and pressed them against the pillow. “Touching me isn’t allowed from now on. If you do, I stop what I’m doing.”

  Her heart tripped in her chest. “And what will you be doing?”

  “Experimenting.” His mouth tickled the shell of her ear even as his voice dropped to a whisper. “Scouts talk. I want to try some of the things I’ve heard about but never experienced.” His weight on the bed shifted and his voice came from a little farther away. “I also want to discover what pleases you.”

  Kymora bit her lip. She suspected anything he did would please her. It didn’t stop her imagination taking flight though. Scouts weren’t the only ones who talked. How many times had she overheard the Temple Servants sharing tales of their mutual exploits and wondered if she’d ever get to experience them for herself?

  The soft touch of Varian’s finger at the base of her throat claimed her attention. He traced a slow line straight down between her breasts, dragging the blanket to a point just below her ribs. The friction of the heavy weave and exposure to the air tightened her nipples into sensitive buds.