by Rosalie Redd
Sheri tapped the edge of the bowl. “Do your teeth hurt?”
Nikki stilled and met her gaze. “How did you know?”
Sheri smiled. “Don’t forget, I’m Dren, too. I went through the change and know the signs.” She pointed to the strawberries. “As much as you like the food and think you’re hungry, what you really want is a male’s blood.”
Nikki wiped the wetness from her mouth. The juice reminded her of blood. A sickening twinge tugged at her insides. “You’re telling me I really need to bite someone?”
“Yes.” Sheri’s voice was low, controlled, full of compassion. “…and not just someone. A male.”
“You mean a man.” A strange giggle rose in Nikki. Macabre, that’s what this was.
“Men are human. They are called ‘males’ among our kind.” Sheri’s features were drawn, serious. This wasn’t a game, not to her. “Let me see your palm.” She held out her hand, her fingers curling, encouraging.
Nikki placed her hand in Sheri’s, palm up. Sheri tightened her grip. “Look. What do you see?”
Nikki glanced at her palm. “Nothing.”
Sheri held up her other hand. “Do you see the faint ‘M’?”
Nikki studied her new friend’s palm. Indeed, there was a faint outline of the letter ‘M’ etched there. She blinked.
“You see it. Good. Now, look at your palm. You have one, too.”
The faint outline, not quite as clear as Sheri’s, marred her skin. She jerked her hand away then rubbed at the mark. The skin burned, hot and fevered. “What is that?”
“I wish I knew, but I have one, you have one, and Melissa…” Sheri choked on her words. She stood up and placed her fist against her mouth.
Nikki rose from her seat, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around Sheri’s shoulders, drawing her in for a hug. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I—”
“It’s not you. Here,” Sheri pulled back and grasped Nikki’s hand, “let’s finish our earlier conversation. Although you can still eat normal food, you will need to feed from a male, soon. Would you like me to introduce you to some of our warriors? I’m sure there are several that would love to oblige you.”
The thought of drinking a strange males, blood made Nikki’s skin crawl. “You said this was an intimate, personal act between a male and a female.”
“Yes, and you never know, you may even find a mate among them. At the very least you’ll have a bond, a connection that will allow you to track each other—”
“Gaetan. I want Gaetan.” Nikki blurted the words before she’d had time to think. Heat rushed up her neck and into her cheeks.
Sheri’s assessing gaze burrowed into her.
Nikki glanced at the floor. “I mean, if he’s willing.”
“Well, I could certainly ask him for you.”
“Yes, thank you.” Nikki’s chest swelled at the memory of Gaetan’s lips at her throat, his tender kisses as he’d sealed her wounds. The thought of kissing him, tasting him, sinking her teeth into his soft flesh— She stilled. Her gums ached, and she ran her tongue over the sensitive tissue. No fangs. Thank God.
Sheri touched one of the sunstones embedded along the cave’s walls and furrowed her brow. After several long moments, she turned her attention to Nikki. “Gaetan agreed. He said he’d meet you in your room before the evening repast. We should get moving, so you have time for a bath and maybe a nap beforehand.”
Nikki smiled. “A bath sounds wonderful.”
“Oh!” Sheri’s mouth quirked at the corner. “I can’t forget why we stopped here in the first place. Let me get you some clothes.”
She tracked to the shorter of the two dressers and yanked on one of the drawers. It screeched open, in need of some oil. Sheri rummaged around then held up a pair of dark slacks and a beautiful blue sweater. “These should do the trick.”
Nikki strode to the other female. “Thank you, Sheri. You’ve been nothing but kind.”
“You’re very welcome.”
An overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over Nikki, and the skin on her arms tingled.
Coop barked and cocked his head.
The water in his bowl rippled. A few drops slipped over the rim dampening the stone floor.
Sheri inhaled. “Did you just have a strong emotion?”
Nikki’s pulse picked up speed, and the water rippled faster. “Y…yes. I was grateful for your kindness and…”
Sheri wrapped her arms around Nikki’s shoulders and drew her in for a quick hug. She pulled back. Happiness reflected in her eyes. “I think we just discovered your power. It looks like you have the ability to control water.”
“Really?” Nikki’s mouth went dry.
Sheri nodded. “Practice, see what you can do. We need to go, though. There’s so much more I need to tell you, and we must get you dolled up for your meeting with Gaetan.” Mirth danced in her eyes.
Gaetan…
Nikki’s desire to see him again went against her independent nature. She didn’t need a male, didn’t want one in her life, yet she couldn’t deny how she craved his touch, his voice, his gentle caress. She fisted her hand. This needed to be about nourishment, nothing more.
CHAPTER 8
M oonlight pierced between the Rolmdew trees’ branches, lighting up the Lemurian landscape. Alora stepped onto the suspended walkway and the wooden planks swayed under her weight. She gripped the handrail and peered over the edge. Fifty feet below, a thick blanket of underbrush dotted Lemuria’s surface.
A distant howl broke the quiet night, joined by another. Rhondo beasts.
Her pulse quickened. Thank goodness they couldn’t climb. That’s why all of Lemuria’s population dwelled within the Rolmdew trees.
“What is it?” Carine’s soft voice was in stark contrast to the evil beasts’.
Alora turned to face her friend. Carine’s blue hair cascaded around her shoulders, the ends snapping to and fro, displaying her unease. Alora smiled to comfort her friend. “Did you enjoy Janalla’s Place?”
A smile tugged at Carine’s mouth, and she nodded. “Thank you for taking me. The food is fabulous. Zedron loves the place…” Her smile faltered.
Zedron… Alora tightened her hand into a fist. How she hated the Kasard. Her opponent in this game for Earth’s water, she’d bargained with him for the Ursus queen Kaelyn and Carine, his slave, in exchange for his recording device, the one that proved he’d cheated in the game. Maybe she should’ve taken Veromé’s advice and turned him in to the council, but she’d wanted to make Zedron squirm.
Alora placed her hand on Carine’s arm and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Let’s not talk about him. We’re almost home. I’d love to have some of that muldoberry pie you made. How about you?”
Carine nodded, and her smile returned. “I’d like that very much.”
As Alora continued along their path, her mind wandered to her rival. Zedron hadn’t put up much of a fight, giving in to her demands all too easily. Veromé, her mate, and the one male she trusted more than anyone, had warned her the council might think she’d used coercion to get what she’d wanted and that Zedron would use that against her. The dinner she’d had churned in her stomach. She needed to strategize her next move.
Carine gasped. “Alora, did you hear that?”
Alora stopped, and the suspension bridge swayed in the breeze. “Hear what?”
A small cry, like the sound of a small child, filtered through the trees.
Carine blinked. “That.”
The cries intensified, louder and louder, coming from the ground below. The hair at Alora’s nape rose.
Before Alora could say a word, Carine sprinted along the bridge’s slats to the platform built onto the nearby Rolmdew tree. She gripped the bark and scaled down the trunk. From the planet Arotin, Arotaar’s were known for their strength, endurance, and climbing ability.
“Carine! Be careful!” Alora scurried to the platform for a closer look and to support her friend in any way possible.
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nbsp; Carine reached the forest floor and disappeared beneath the small bushes and plants that covered the surface. With each footstep, the dry leaves crackled under her feet. They would announce her location to the rhondo beasts, that is, if the babe’s cries hadn’t done so already. Alora tightened her grip around the railing.
A rhondo beast’s howl echoed into the night, the pitch fevered, excited, and much closer. Another answered, then a third.
“Carine, hurry!” Alora searched the platform, searching for anything she could use as a weapon, but she found only the ropes that tied the platform to the tree. Dread’s icy cold fingers traced a path down Alora’s spine.
“I found him!” Carine’s shout carried above the rhondo beasts’ roars.
Not far away, the bushes rustled, the beasts approaching at a rapid pace. Alora shuddered. “Rhondo beasts! Run, Carine, run!”
The babe’s cries echoed between the trees. Another couple on a nearby platform turned to stare.
Carine’s dark figure emerged from the bushes, a small toddler cradled to her chest. Nestling him in the crook of one elbow, she used her free hand and her feet to scale the tree.
Alora gripped the wooden rail, her nerves strung tight.
A rhondo beast appeared between the bushes, the black, oily skin shining in the moonlight. The muscles in his hind legs tightened, and he lunged into the air.
Alora’s pulse spiked.
Carine screamed and almost dropped the babe. The little tyke gripped her sleeve, holding on for dear life.
The rhondo beast’s long pointy teeth snapped dangerously close to Carine’s feet, but he couldn’t reach her. Momentum and gravity drew him to the ground.
His distressed howl rang into the night.
Alora let out a relieved breath. That was too close.
Carine clambered up the Rolmdew tree. When she reached the platform, she handed the small child to Alora. A sudden tingling of surprise raced over Alora’s shoulders. Short tufts of blond hair framed the babe’s face, his cheeks red from his cries. His eyes were a deep blue, matching those of his father.
“Anlon.” Alora choked on his name.
The babe smiled, tears still glistening in his eyes.
Alora’s heart melted on the spot. She brought him to her chest and cradled him in her arms. His sweet cinnamon fragrance seeped into her senses. “You’re safe now, little one.”
Carine climbed onto the platform. Her breaths came out in shallow gasps. “It’s been a while since I’ve climbed like that. Guess I’m out of shape.”
Alora blinked then a relieved laugh emerged from her throat. “You risk your life to rescue a small child and that’s what you say? Come here.” Alora held out her arm, the one that wasn’t cradling Anlon.
Carine met Alora’s gaze. Uncertainty creased her brow.
Alora stepped to Carine and wrapped her in her embrace, the three of them together. “You’re amazing, Carine. Thank you.”
Alora released her, and Carine’s eyes were damp. She glanced at the ground. “It’s what anyone would do.”
Alora placed her finger under Carine’s chin, lifting her gaze. “Not true. Very few would’ve done what you did. Most Lemurians fear the rhondo beasts too much, including me.”
Carine peered at Anlon. “He’s cute. I wonder why he was down there.”
“Do you know who this is?” Alora teased Anlon’s chin, and he giggled.
Carine shook her head, and the blue ends of her hair sparked. “No. Do you?”
“This is Anlon. He’s Noeh and Melissa’s son.” Alora peered at him. “He must’ve come through a portal, but nothing like that has ever happened before. Why are you here, little guy?”
As if he’d understood, he smiled and brought a red stone clutched in his hand to his mouth. With a long, wet swipe of his tongue, he licked the smooth surface.
A sunstone…
The need to return home and look into her visus bacin raced through Alora’s nerves like a Lemurian tratee fly, quick and forceful. “Let’s go. We need to see what’s happened on Earth.”
CHAPTER 9
G aetan placed his hand against the door’s polished wood. The cool, smooth surface brought back memories of the many times he’d entered the king’s throne room and the discussions he’d had with Noeh. Never again. The weight on his shoulders bore down on him, plagued by a guilt he more than deserved.
Voices, heated and rough, penetrated through the crack under the doorframe.
He was late.
With more force than he’d intended, he pushed away from the door. His weight shifted onto his bad leg. Perspiration beaded along his brow. He held his breath as the pain crested then receded. Fingers trembling, he drew his pouch from his pocket, shook out a pill, and popped it into his mouth. The shaking in his hand lessened.
He pulled on his inner resolve and rapped his knuckles against the rough, wooden grain. The double doors swung open. Jax, Noeh’s personal assistant, peered up at him. His short, curly hair framed his cherub cheeks and his blue eyes were rimmed red from tears.
“Ooh, Gaetan, yes, yes, please enter. You are expected. Yes, you are.” The little Jixie motioned toward a chair. “I saved this seat for you, I did, I did.”
Gaetan cleared his throat then stepped across the threshold, his cane leading the way. He settled into the worn, familiar seat. Tense quiet filled the room. The hair at his nape rose.
Saar and Kaelyn stood in the center of the room, tension tightening their features. Demir leaned against Noeh’s desk, Aramie at his side. Tanen and a few council members sat in the limited number of chairs. Quentin and several other warriors lined the edges of the room, a couple standing next to the carved statues of warriors from long ago, the resemblance uncanny.
Against the far wall, the king’s throne and the queen’s chair were eerily empty.
Guilt, familiar, yet unwelcome, settled deeper into Gaetan. He forced himself to breathe and focused on Saar.
“Now that we are all here, let’s get down to business. Since Noeh and Melissa are gone,” Saar’s intense gaze flicked to Gaetan, “we need to crown a temporary leader, at least until we find Anlon. I recommend Kaelyn. As the Ursus queen, she should rule.”
Collective gasps erupted from the group. Silence expanded in the room, deafening in its stillness.
Someone coughed.
Saar’s brow furrowed. A low growl eased from his throat.
Kaelyn raised her chin. “Do you hesitate because I’m female?”
One of the council members, Skylar, cleared his throat. “No, it’s because you aren’t Stiyaha.”
A tittering of voices in agreement filled the large space.
Irritation flared along Gaetan’s nerves. Whether Kaelyn was Ursus or Stiyaha shouldn’t matter. Royalty was in her blood. Gaetan opened his mouth to voice his thoughts, but caught Skylar’s disapproving gaze. The male tugged at his collar then glanced away, his lip curling with distaste.
Over the hundreds of years Gaetan had lived in the Keep, he’d earned respect from the Keep’s residents. To see the blatant disregard in a male he’d known for so long was unbearable. A soul-wrenching ache built in Gaetan’s chest. He adjusted himself in the chair and leaned against his cane, using the crutch for more than just his leg.
Tanen closed the book on his lap. The sound echoed around the room. “Why not you, Saar? You are our finest warrior and our Commander of Arms.”
“I cannot sit here.” Saar pointed at Noeh’s throne. “For generations we’ve honored the royal family. Alora has made it clear she expects only royal blood to rule.”
Demir cleared his throat. “Good thing I’m not royalty or my ass would be in that throne.”
“Demir!” Aramie nudged him and shook her head.
He shrugged. “From what I can tell, Kaelyn did a fabulous job calming everyone when the news of Noeh’s and Melissa’s deaths broke. Her ability to rally the troops proves her leadership ability. I, for one, support the recommendation.”
Uncert
ainty cloaked the room like a heavy mist. Council members and warriors glanced at each other. Now was Gaetan’s opportunity.
He tapped his cane against the stone floor, drawing attention to himself. “Kaelyn is Saar’s mate. Noeh trusted Saar more than anyone in the Keep.” Gaetan’s throat constricted, and he had to stop, swallow the bitterness in his mouth. Once he’d shared that revered place with the Commander of Arms. “If Saar believes Kaelyn should be our leader, then I support him and her.”
Kaelyn nodded at Gaetan, determination glinting in her eyes. “My father and mother, King Arbane and Queen Entrania, taught me through example of what it means to rule. If you choose to accept me, I will lay down my life for each and every one of you. I vow it.”
Saar stepped away from the throne and surveyed everyone in the room. “Let’s vote. All in favor of selecting Kaelyn as our queen say ‘aye’.”
Several voices spoke at once, their assent filling the room.
“Anyone opposed, speak now.”
Silence.
Quentin drew his sword and pressed the tip to the floor. He bowed on one knee. “Queen Kaelyn, I pledge my loyalty to you, now and forever.” He slid his finger along the blade’s sharp edge. Blood pooled along the cut, and he drew his finger across his forehead and down his nose in the traditional symbol of Lemuria.
The other warriors followed suit.
Gaetan rose from the chair and kneeled. As his knee connected with the stone floor, pain rippled up his leg. White spots flitted over his vision, but he forced himself to breathe. “My queen.”
“Please rise, everyone.” Kaelyn glanced from one to another, holding each male’s gaze for a moment before moving on. “I make you a vow, a promise. I will not sit,” she pointed to the throne, “in that seat until we find Anlon, the true heir, and then I will rule only until he comes of age to take the throne himself.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted. Respect for her was visible in all their faces.
Gaetan smiled. She would make a remarkable queen, of that he had no doubt.
Tanen cleared his throat. “We should prepare for the death ceremony—”
