“It was just like I experienced.” Cage explained. “Yes, before you ask, I’ve found a way to protect others from your curse…” Meeka suddenly tried to leap over and kiss him, but found she was stuck and remembered the word, but not before hearing his laughter at her struggle. She exclaimed ‘Release!’ and threw her arms around him and was so emotional that she could do no more than that and cry. She dare not kiss him without losing herself and taking him.
He rubbed her head soothingly as Brooke broke her seating spell and whispered in Meeka’s ear “Love, this is wonderful. You can no longer worry about unintentionally harming another.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourselves.” His warning had both drawing away to look at him carefully. Cage took Meeka’s left hand in his and used the other to point at the bracelet. “This solution, let me tell you, was difficult. The crystal has more wards than Brooke’s emeralds she keeps hidden in her tomahawks, but your curse needs the better protection. I designed the bracelet so it would be on your skin at all times, especially to keep the crystal close. If it gets so much as an inch from any part of your flesh your curse will be as deadly as ever.
“I had to link the crystal to you, but be careful, if another mage learns it holds mana he can use it against you. Its primary power comes from you Meeka, but I can add some when needed. I had to figure out how to isolate only your lips and create a thin enough barrier that you can feel without being so thin that even a tiny gap anywhere on your lips wouldn’t feel the flesh of another and trigger your curse.” He let go and pointed to a diamond on a balled fist. “While on our way back from Eeroan I used pain spells on myself to get the sensation of feel as close as I could without breaking it and zapping myself… You must still be cautious, but the wards will place a barrier over your lips when living flesh gets within an inch of your lips. Without me to give aid, you may kiss no more than three or four times a day and for no longer than a single second by the amount of mana you can sustain being constantly pulled from you.” He tapped the crystal again. “If the crystal’s energy drops below a certain point it will be like a painful burning sensation for only a moment and won’t really cause damage. It is just to get your attention to quit kissing so it can recover. If you persist the curse of your lips won’t be protected any longer.
“As another precaution I also placed wards to thwart arrows and magic attacks thrown at you. And like before, it will need power so don’t be frivolous. It will take weeks, like Brooke, to hold enough power in a gem to block even an arrow. And a spell will keep both the leather and crystal from harm so long as it has energy.”
“Anything else I must know?” Meeka asked, taking all the information in.
“Yes, I need you to clearly say ‘Frostbite!’” And she did. “Good, now I added your voice command to the wards. If at any time you are in need of your curse simply say that word and you will have ten seconds to use your lips without protection. Afterwards, the wards will return and will tirelessly keep anyone from accidently being killed by a kiss.”
“Before I give my hoped up, can I get you to kiss me and make sure.”
He smiled at Meeka and pressed his lips to hers and already hated it. He could faintly feel the tingle of magic from creating the barrier and her lips felt like the surface of jello, soft and flexible, but the texture wasn’t right. Then he was surprised as her lips moved while saying “Frostbite.” and immediately the barrier dropped and he felt her lips and a sharp spike of magic from her curse gave exciting chills that made it the kiss he loved. Ten seconds later her sharp tingle evaporated as the quality of her lips returned to jello again.
Meeka pulled back with tears flowing, unable to express just how much she wished to repay such a gift. Before she could say a word Brooke said “Let me try.” and kissed her the same way. After, the priestess said “Meeka Love, I do not like your lips protected so when we are alone I don’t want you to wear it.”
The healer smiled again. “I already planned on it. I like the full feeling of your lips without the protection, but I’m so… Overwhelmed is to light a word.”
Rena crawled forward curiously. “Meeka Mother, if it is safe now may I get a kiss too?”
Tears sprang anew. Beyond words, Meeka sent an inquiring look towards Brooke who grimly stared at the innocence of her daughter. Both knew it was a tremendous risk, but suddenly the worry disappeared as Sean came close and placed his hand over the entirety of Meeka’s mouth. The surprise on Meeka’s face was genuine out of years of fear, but as he pulled his hand back unscathed he saw all eyes turned to him. He scratched his head to admit with shifting eyes “I had to make sure, Meeka Mother. I never had a sister before, but I couldn’t let her try before making sure. Especially since she’s actually Brooke Mother’s actual daughter.”
Fire lit in Rena’s eyes as she stood up tenuously and glared. “Sean Brother, thank you for risking yourself, but you’re my actual brother too. I don’t want you to coddle me…”
“Rena!” Cage shouted and she turned to see her dad staring right to her soul. She didn’t like the emotionless look and missed his smile. “You’re used to being the only child and priestess in training so let me say that brothers naturally look out for their siblings. Don’t forget he is your older brother and is also new to the role. He’s a good kid out of his element, thrown in a tribe he doesn’t understand. If he wants to protect you by doing something dangerous so you do not have to, bite your tongue and let him. And if I hear you use that tone on him again because you don’t approve of him taking care of you I’ll spank your ass raw. Do you understand me, young lady?”
Her little lips parted under those words for no adult ever spoke to her quite like that with her mother being who she is. Brooke said nothing, agreeing fully with her mate’s command or would have been firmer. Timidly Rena said “Yes, Dad… Sorry for being rude, Sean Brother.”
Both her dad and new brother smiled finally. Then Rena asked again and Meeka, realizing it was safe, pressed her magically protected lips to Rena’s brow. Rena giggled finally and said “That felt funny.” before leaning away unharmed.
“Oh, Cage…” Meeka cried emotionally. “You are amazing.”
Then before he could respond Daku said “I see the town of Kote and the house you showed me where this Cillian lives.”
Tiffa worked early in the kitchen on preparing breakfast when Cillian entered behind and rested a chin on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply from the sizzling meat. “That smells great.”
“That is why I’m the one cooking. Burnt food isn’t my favorite.” She bantered. Tiffa smiled before kissing her husband’s freshly shaved cheek. “I’ll be done in a few minutes. When will Ren and his sons be here?”
“In a few hours.” The mayor of Kote leaned back against the wall to give his beautiful wife room. “I just got in from the barn and had to scrub some rust off the traps we’ll be taking. My yew bow’s still in good condition. The other, well it’s gone.”
“How long will you be gone again?” She wondered while pushing the skillet of hot sausage links on a plate before removing the biscuits from the brick oven.
“Ren and I discussed no more than three days. The hunt will likely be shorter since Kitty told me she saw a rather large herd to the western hills outside her home. I’m going to see if I can bring back one for her since she told us.” A yapping in the other room caught their attention as their new eight month old guard dog Sassy alerted them to something. “Likely them squirrels taunting her again.” Cillian smirked while heading for the door.
An odd whooshing sound preceded a heavy thump as if something crashed. The whole house shook slightly though nothing fell. Their dog, Sassy, went from yapping to growling as Cillian and Tiffa suddenly stared at one another. The mayor deftly drew a long knife from his boot while Tiffa claimed a heavy skillet hanging on a hook while following her husband into the dining room to find their dog still growling with hackles raised and bristling. Cillian gave a sharp command and the dog obediently sat and silenced
though her lips quivered, ready to attach to a bodily limb as she’d been trained by him.
Cillian pressed an ear to the door and tried hearing whatever it was that made Sassy so unnerved. He turned to meet Tiffa’s steady gaze. “I hear several voices outside.”
“Be careful.” She replied, knowing that look in his eye.
He opened the door to shout “WHOEVER YOU…” and nearly choked on his tongue at what stood not a hundred feet from his home. Tree trunk-like limbs supported a great white creature he never even heard told in story, but it looked back at him with great, intelligent blue eyes. Then there came movement around the legs that drew his eyes to show several adults that stole his breath away.
Then came a voice neither Cillian or Tiffa dared hope to hear again. “FATHER! MOTHER!” Meeka began running from the foot of the creature and her long blonde hair trailed like a flag behind her.
“MEEKA!” her parents shouted in surprise and ran forward, both dropping their ready weapons.
Tears flowed freely as Cillian and Tiffa barely out the door and off the porch before embracing their daughter, unable to think of anything else. Sobs of happiness escaped the two women and Cillian tightly held them together, not wanting to ever let go.
Then the frighteningly unexpected happened as Meeka planted a kiss on each of her parents cheeks. It took a moment for either to realize what just happened and then they jumped back from her as if being struck by a deadly snake. When neither felt themselves dying or that the kiss was anything of a mistake Cillian and Tiffa looked to each other in astonishment.
Laughter, true laughter drew their attention to their beloved child. Tiffa asked “Meeka, your curse… why…”
Their grown child smiled. “Mother, Cage found a way to protect others from my curse…”
Hearing that, Tiffa rushed forward, gathered her grown daughter in her arms and gave her a quick kiss to find nothing happened. Tiffa cried all the harder at this, unable to suppress her emotions to get her daughter back.
Sassy suddenly rushed outside barking till she saw the creature and yelped before turning tail and running back into the house.
Another laugh, a deep male one, drew Cillian’s attention from his wife and daughter holding each other close. Standing well over a head taller than all the others he saw Cage’s unmistakable form along with six copper skinned individuals and two children. Seeing his wife and child holding each other close and not wanting to spoil the reuniting Cillian took a step closer. His movement caught Meeka’s attention as she managed to say “Mother, Father, I want to introduce you to my family and a few of my tribal brothers and sister.” She took each of her parents hands and led them over.
Tiffa and Cillian instinctively jerked to a halt when they clearly saw the gigantic creature shrink down to the size of a large horse in the early morning light. Meeka smiled encouragingly while pulling them closer. “Mother, Father, you already know Cage. This here is my tribal sister Zanza and my brothers Hammit, Melo, Kakrq, Elio and Gart.” Meeka let go of their hands and stepped forward to take the hand of the most beautiful of the two women and said “This is Brooke, Priestess of the Utala tribe I’m now part of…” Meeka’s cheeks reddened. “She is also my lover. My curse won’t harm her at all.”
Cillian laughed aloud before stopping and realizing none joined him, not even Tiffa. “Wait… you’re serious? Meeka, how…” He shook his head. “That old man Metak wasn’t lying was he?”
“No,” The woman Brooke spoke clearly, hearing the doubt in his voice. “Elder Metak isn’t a person who stretches the truth. Meeka truly is my woman as I am hers. And we both are mated to the chieftain who won us for mating rites and also has our heart.”
“Cage?” Tiffa asked as she saw how everyone seemed to instinctively either glance or stand near him, ready to be told what to do and were willing to do it without question. The top healer of Kote looked closely at him and could see he changed. He still had an air of deadliness around him and seemed more mage-like in a robe, but the lonely quality that seemed to haunt him was gone.
“A lot happened after Meeka and I left, which I know the elder explained. And yes, before you ask, Meeka and I truly are Utala though not by birth, but through action. I became their chief by defeating their deadliest member, Brooke here.” He stepped in behind and laid a hand on her shoulder. “In doing so I not only became chief, but also her mate. Meeka was admitted after defeating a man…”
“Only after she ruthlessly killed a stupid man of our tribe.” Zanza remarked with a proud smile. “Her strength earned her a place as a smart and deadly sister.”
Tiffa gasped. “Meeka… You’ve killed? You’ve never intentionally harmed another in your while life.”
A slightly haunted look passed Meeka’s features. “Mother, I’ve killed six men since leaving home. One even received my curse before he could rape me.” Meeka saw her mother blanch at such a statement. “We can discuss why later, I want to show you my new children.” The two children came forward at hearing this. “Rena here is actually Brooke’s flesh and blood, but since I’m Brooke’s mate our laws say that she is my daughter as well. Sean though was rescued and taken in as our son. He’s even newer to the tribe than I am since he’s not even had a full day with the Utala… And lastly, this is Daku.”
“It is a pleasure.” Daku dipped his head.
Before Cillian could control himself he exclaimed “He can talk!”
“He can talk!” Daku exclaimed back with false surprise before laughing slightly. “Yes, Cillian, I can talk.”
“So you are Tiffa Grandmother?” Rena asked while stepping closer. “You are very beautiful and have fine breasts. I see where Meeka Mother gets hers and her beauty from.”
“Very fine breasts.” One of the men confirmed.
“Watch it!” Cillian growled as Tiffa pulled the top of her blue dress up some.
The copper skinned people all blinked in confusion until Cage diffused the situation. “Cillian, do not get upset by this since you do not understand their ways. Rena and Gart were simply giving a harmless compliment. You might compliment a woman has beautiful eyes or hair, but the tribe has no use for clothing except in winter so they normally prefer to be naked. Look at Zanza, see what she’s wearing? Women rarely wear more outside the tribe except when it’s cold. For them to say Tiffa has fine breasts, hips or ass is a sign of respect. Such respect will have her be very strong since she would have to fight off men for mating rights and only the best man could have her or she him.”
Brooke nodded. “That is correct. Since it is true, why should Tiffa hide her beauty behind cloth? Be proud of holding her, Cillian, as her mate. Look at me, my own fine breasts has made many men try to challenge me, but only Cage had the strength to defeat me. Be proud to be mated to such a woman. I know I am.” She smiled while giving Meeka’s hand a squeeze.
Beyond words, Cillian merely gave a courteous nod.
Tiffa eventually cleared her throat and looked down at the innocent looking child’s unwavering brown eyes. “Then I thank you for the compliment… Reda?”
“Reeenaaa.” Rena said, showing her teeth and giggled.
“Rena, sorry. How old are you?”
“Seven.” Her little expression inquisitive.
“Well you are very pretty yourself.” Tiffa said while kneeling and gently touched her small nose. “That is a beautiful toy dagger. Do you play fight?”
“But it is not a toy…” Rena drew the dagger from her thigh and showed how real it was by effortlessly cutting a lock of her silky black hair.
“You let children play with sharp weapons?” Tiffa asked the more clothed woman beside her grown daughter.
“Of course. How will they defend themselves otherwise if there isn’t an adult nearby. All children at the age of six get a sharp dagger and learn quick that they aren’t to be played with, especially when they cut themselves.” Brooke explained.
Tiffa didn’t personally like children with weapons as she had healed and los
t so many children because of them, but it wasn’t her place to judge another entire lifestyle. She sighed before meeting the child’s gaze again. “So… my prayers have been answered. I finally get a grandchild… sorry, grandchildren.” Tiffa amended before gesturing for Sean to get closer for a better look.
“Hello, Grandmother.” Sean then turned to Brooke as she cleared her throat pointedly before seeing his sister with her hands on her hips. “Sorry, Tiffa Grandmother.” He corrected himself.
Cillian watched his wife fall instantly in love with the kids before asking “Cage, so how did you get my daughter back from those Laqura bastards?” his tone dripped with distain.
“May we do this inside, Father?” Meeka asked. “I don’t want to endanger or expose my friends and loved ones until they are safe.”
“What’s going on? Not safe? What trouble is there here in Kote?” He asked, ready to go prepare the home guard for a fight.
Meeka shook her head. “It’s nothing like that, Father. The Utala do not like to be outside from the tribe for long and being out in the open is dangerous. Since we’re preparing to go…”
Brooke placed a hand over her mouth. “My Love, though they are your parents, I will not allow them to know our plans until our people are truly safe again. When we settle in our new home you can tell them.”
“Do you mean Cage Island?” Cillian asked and saw the tense reaction settle in on the tribal men and women. They not only stiffened but the more silent and dangerous looking warriors, by the way they carried themselves, gripped their lances more tightly.
Very cautiously the priestess took her hands away and settled a cold stare on Cillian and he realized she was highly dangerous. “What do you know?”
“Do not be so angry, Young Lady. I simply reasoned this to be a likely idea. A man in my position needs not only information, but also a gut instinct to piece things together. Before the old man, Metak, arrived in town and told me how Meeka was taken and that you and Cage were going to free her, I was visited weeks earlier by a royal envoy of King Tate explaining how my daughter and Cage saved him from being assassinated and wanting to know all I knew of you.” He glanced to Cage before returning to the stone-faced woman. “I wouldn’t have believed he struck the king and fought General Kurk after dealing with the assassination, but dealing with him those few days gave little doubt to the accounts. I also learned from the envoy that the forbidden island off the coast had a new name now, Cage Island. Then your elder came weeks later to tell me what happened and how Cage became your chief.
Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga) Page 10
