“I’m sorry, Ambriel. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” Mikal heard Des’ words but knew they were untrue. He’d seen it in his calculating eyes when he’d mentioned the ceremony.
Des and Ambriel talked while she sipped her tea. When it was finished, she looked to Mikal, and without smiling, she said, “I’m ready to go home.”
“But you haven’t been here very long,” Des protested.
Ambriel stood, facing Des. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’m just really tired. Will you visit the castle again soon?”
“You know I will, sweetheart.” Des gave his daughter a hug before she headed to her Cefis, leaving the two men alone together.
“Are you planning on having a mating ceremony, or will you just continue to bed my daughter?” Des asked with vehemence in his stern voice.
Mikal faced him with a hostile glare and crossed arms. There was no love lost between the two of them. They had a semi-truce in the beginning, but as time passed, Des’ hostility grew. Mikal asserted, “I’m her true mate!”
“Maybe,” Des said with his own glare, “but tell me, Commander, how many people know she’s your true mate, and how many think she is just warming your bed?”
He knew Des was right. That was what many people at the castle thought. With one last look, he dropped his arms and stalked away.
Chapter Two
Ambriel
She could tell Mikal was holding something back, and her being human was a factor in his reasoning. Ambriel felt stupid! Back in the Human realm, if a couple didn’t get married, they were considered to be living together—shacked up—whatever you wanted to call it. But either party could just walk away, since it wasn’t official. He kept telling her that she was his mate and never once considered that they had to make it official.
They rode in uncomfortable silence as her thoughts tumbled through her racing mind. She’d been living in a bubble, but no more. She threw open her mental door, hearing Lukke and Damien’s thoughts as they flooded her mind.
What happened? That was the most common thread between the two of them as they tried to discern what happened while visiting Des.
When they arrived back at the castle, she dismounted before giving Max a little extra attention. She was rubbing his big, floppy ear when she felt Mikal come up behind her. Ambriel didn’t look at him; she couldn’t right then.
“Ambriel, are you all right?” His voice was quiet.
She sucked in a quick breath for a dose of strength before she faced him. She wouldn’t be a little girl who felt rejected; it was time to be an adult.
“I’m fine, Mikal.” She petted Max one more time and then said, “I know you haven’t had the mating ceremony because my mom was human.” He didn’t respond, so she pushed onward. “You haven’t even mentioned a ceremony. Would you have let me go on believing that we were mated?”
“We are,” he said quietly.
“But not officially.”
“No.”
“Is it because I’m part human?” Ambriel knew the answer; she just needed to know if he would be honest with her.
“Yes.” He stepped closer and rested a hand on her shoulder. “It doesn’t matter to me, but it will matter to the other Cusas. I wanted to do this slowly. I announced to everyone at the marketplace that you are my mate. Give us time, Ambriel.”
She nodded. It made sense, it really did, but a part of her still felt betrayed because he’d never told her about the ceremony. Did everyone else know? She just shook those thoughts from her head as she petted Max some more.
“Let’s go inside,” he said.
“I think I’ll find Damien and see if I can train some more. I’m getting better with a sword, but I’m not great.” She knew she wasn’t being fair to him, but she needed some time alone so she didn’t blurt out something stupid and hurtful.
He dropped his hand and stared into her eyes. She could feel his disappointment. “Okay, I’ll see you after training.”
As she walked toward the outside training field, Damien spotted her coming and yelled, “So you’ve decided to train after all?” She gave him a mock scowl and kept walking. He noted her mood when she stood before him, and without saying a word, he handed her the training sword before grabbing his. The two started sparring.
“Keep your sword up, Ambriel,” Damien said as he faced her with his own.
“I’m trying,” she shouted back. After the day she’d had, she needed this. It was a great way to get rid of pent-up anger.
“Not good enough. Try harder!” he shot back.
She swung hard, and as their swords clashed together, Damien’s brute force caused her sword to fall to the ground. She hastily picked it up as he stood ready to go again. Holding it in a tight grip with both hands, Damien swung his sword, and she blocked, another swing, another block. Sweat dripped from her nose while her mouth held grim determination.
“Better,” he said after lowering his sword. Hers fell to her side while she tried to catch her breath. He stared at her while she listened to him. “What’s wrong, Ambriel?” he finally asked.
A couple of breaths later, she asked, “Did you know about the mating ceremony?”
“Of course, why?”
“Do you not find it odd that Mikal and I have not had one?”
No, you’re human. “I hadn’t really thought about it.”
“So you’re not surprised?” He shook his head. “Is it normal to wait so long to have one?”
No. He shrugged. “Sometimes, it just depends.”
Ambriel shook her head in understanding. “One last question.”
“Go ahead,” he said while standing with one hand resting on his hip.
“When a male and female live together, and they’re not mated, are they considered to be together?”
“You mean like living together first and getting mated later?” She nodded while she waited for his answer. What did everyone think of her? No, the female is considered used goods if she openly shares a male’s bed every night. The females here are very discreet. “Sometimes they do,” he answered verbally without meeting her knowing eyes. She sucked in a harsh breath and pursed her lips together.
Staring straight at his face, she held her composure and said, “Thank you, Damien,” and then she turned and walked away. One of the few people she considered a good friend had just lied to her face.
Later that night, as she stood in a long white sleeping gown and stared into the full-length mirror, sad blues eyes stared back at her. After carefully unbraiding her long hair, she grabbed a brush. She paused mid-stroke when she felt Mikal behind her. Without speaking, he took the brush from her hand and started gently brushing her hair, working the tangles out as he went. His gesture and gentleness made her love him even more, even though she now questioned how much he truly loved her. When finished, he reached around her and laid the brush on the table before gently turning her shoulders so she now faced him.
“Ambriel,” he said with so much affection before he touched his lips to hers. Her body wanted him, her soul needed to touch his, but her heart wasn’t sure if it should give him everything or protect itself.
“Mikal,” she whispered with a tortured rasp as she pulled him to her and deepened the kiss. Tonight, Ambriel needed to feel his love as much as she needed to feel his soul.
Her hands gently roamed his muscled body, his desire for her evident by the massive bulge in his pants. Breaking the heated kiss, she panted heavily as he scooped her up and carried her to the massive bed, never once breaking eye contact as he laid her down in the center.
After ridding himself of clothes, Mikal gently touched her bare legs below her hem, moving upward, the sleeping gown bunched on his arms and gathered at her waist as he moved toward her core. She watched him as he took in every inch of her, his eyes following his hands.
The sleeping gown joined his clothes in a pile on the bare floor as she lay naked in front of him. “I love you, Ambriel,” he whispered, letting his lips move tenderly a
cross her lips. Mikal took his time as he kissed her ear while nipping on the lobe before heading down her slender neck. When his mouth found her taut nipple, he swirled his tongue around, tasting her body before heading down to taste her sweet nectar, his tongue lapping at her juices.
“Ahh…Mikal, I can’t take it anymore,” she moaned as she arched her hips, sending his tongue deeper inside her moist core. She came hard as he continued, sending her orgasm higher and higher before finally settling his manhood at her entrance, and he plunged deep inside. This is what she needed as his soul reached for hers once again. They became one instead of two separate beings.
Her arms above her head, his fingers interlaced with hers, Mikal rocked his hips until she found release once again. He soon followed, shouting his release as he came hard. Panting, she said, “I love you too, Mikal,” as she stared into his glowing eyes.
A few hours later, Mikal lay sound asleep. With her head on his shoulder and one arm draped over his chest, her eyes fluttered shut in restless sleep.
I watched as Sarah knelt at the grave of her late daughter and husband, tears streaming from her eyes. She jumped as though startled, and when she looked over her shoulder, she screamed in terror!
With a pounding heart and labored breathing, Ambriel sat straight up in bed. What was that? Were the Santiarns after Sarah? What made her scream like that?
Finding Mikal gone and his side of the bed cool to her touch, she threw the covers off and hopped out of bed. The wooden floor felt cool on her bare feet as she trotted to the massive closet and threw open the doors. Maybe he was training with his warriors. Ambriel hastily grabbed some clothes, and after quickly dressing, she headed out in search of him.
Deciding to look in the dining hall first, she headed down the torch-lit hall, hoping to find him there. The hour was late morning, and when she didn’t see one familiar face, she asked the first person she came to, “Have you seen the Commander?” He shook his head and continued, leaving her standing there with her lips smashed together in disappointment.
Walking back toward their chambers, she spotted Arron, headed in her direction, carrying an armload of fresh linens.
“Arron, have you seen Mikal?” she asked when close enough.
“The Commander asked me to inform you that he is hunting in the Human realm.” He said it in a matter-of-fact voice, just doing his job.
That asshole went without her! Keeping her emotions under control and her face impassive, she asked, “Where can I find the others?”
“The others?” he asked with confusion.
“You know…Lukke, Damien, and Avis.”
“Ah, yes. Lukke and Damien are with the Commander. Avis is in the battle room.”
“Thanks, Arron.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Ambriel.”
With determined steps and a grim face, she headed to the battle room. After what happened yesterday, and now this, all her insecurities came flooding back.
Walking through the door, she found Avis and a few others she didn’t recognize looking over a map. As she glanced around, it did indeed look like a battle room. The maps that hung on the wall had colored thumb tacks in various places. As she studied them more closely, she noted the town where she and Sarah had lived was heavily marked, along with the city where her friend, Becky, was murdered. A wave of sadness hit her full force as she remembered her friend. Becky was her one true friend and had always accepted Ambriel just the way she was. As she drew near, Avis looked up in surprise.
“That will be all for now, Dallia,” Avis said to the female warrior sitting next to him.
She nodded, and as she headed out the door, her eyes scanned Ambriel—not in a hostile way, but just curious.
“Ambriel, what are you doing here?” Avis’ eyes narrowed before anger replaced his confusion.
“How long have they been gone?” She stood as Mikal would, arms crossed, stern voice, a don’t-mess-with-me look on her face.
“That son of a bitch!” Avis mumbled, but she still heard him. “About an hour. I thought he took you with him. He was supposed to take you with him.”
She plopped down in a nearby metal chair. With her elbow on the wooden table, she rested her cheek in the palm of her hand. “When will he be back?”
“I’m not sure,” Avis said as he turned his chair to face her.
“Why is he doing this?” Ambriel asked, hurt spilling into her voice. “He says we’re mated, yet he won’t make it official. Supposedly, I’m needed to win the war, but he won’t take me with him.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Ambriel, only that this is all new to him. Give him time.” She nodded but didn’t say anything else. Give him time, that’s what Mikal had asked for. She gave Avis a sad smile before heading back to her chambers. With a heavy heart, she crawled back in bed and hugged the fluffy oversized pillow.
The Santiarn Realm
“I want her found, NOW!” Ornias yelled at the Santiarn who knelt at the foot of his throne.
“Yes, my lord.” He abruptly stood and scurried out of the room.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Ornias’ bright red eyes glowed as he paced back and forth while baring his black pointed teeth. He knew the human girl was in the Cusasleon realm; he just needed to find a way to make her leave and enter the Human realm once again. It was no longer about ruling all three realms—this was personal.
Looking to one of his guards, he ordered, “Davas, bring me the witch.”
“Yes, my lord,” he said with a slight bow before he hurried away.
Ornias continued his pacing as he fumed on the inside. The one and only time he’d encountered the human, he’d underestimated her and she’d stabbed him. Nobody touched him and got away with it.
It wasn’t long until Davas came back with the witch. With one hand wrapped around her slender arm, he dragged her into the throne room. She stood with her head cast down, not meeting Ornias’ stare.
He looked at her with disdain before ordering, “Witch, I need to make contact with the human girl in the Cusasleon realm.”
She never spoke; she barely nodded her head. Ornias couldn’t stand to look upon her. She was weak and timid… easy prey. He once thought that she would make a great and powerful witch, but as time passed, he was always left feeling disappointed. This would be the first time in years that he required her services.
Looking at Davas, he ordered, “Gather what she needs. I want this finished as soon as possible.”
As the two of them left, Ornias resumed his pacing. This time he was forming a plan.
“Are you sure this will work?” he asked the witch, who stood with downcast eyes. He bared his teeth at her nod. “SPEAK!” he yelled. “Tell me what this is and how it will work!”
His booming voice startled the witch. She cleared her throat and answered in a small, timid voice. “It’s made with rare herbs and fresh blood, mixed under the words of a casting spell. You and the human you seek will both fall asleep, and you can speak with her in a dream.”
“How long will it take?” Ornias asked, watching the dark liquid as it swirled around in an iron goblet.
“You’ll fall asleep as soon as you drink it.” Her voice sounded more like a whisper as she spoke.
He nodded, and as soon as Davas escorted her out, he headed to his bedchambers. Sitting on the side of the bed, he threw his head back and let the magical liquid slid down his throat, the bitterness making him grimace. It didn’t take long for darkness to consume him, and he found himself standing in front of a grave.
Chapter Three
Ambriel
The Cusasleon Realm
Sarah knelt at the grave, tears streaming down her cheeks as she placed freshly cut flowers on one grave and then the other. I recognized the names, Jim and Megan, her husband and daughter. As I thought of Becky and how I’d neglected visiting her grave, I missed the Santiarn that walked up until Sarah screamed. He occupied the body of vagrant—dirty brown hair, torn clothes, a grin t
hat would make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention. The long, sharp knife that he wielded in his right hand thrust hard into Sarah’s stomach. As her eyes locked with mine, I saw pain and terror as she dropped to the ground.
All of my breath rushed out, and as I started to run to her aid, a large Santiarn stepped in front of me, halting my steps. He had red-flaming eyes, with sharp teeth and sickly gray skin. Each hand sported pointed black nails that were more like claws than fingers. I involuntarily shivered because I recognized him. The leader of the Santiarns, Ornias. The one I’d stabbed before running away.
“Human,” he said with triumph and contempt.
“What do you want?” I knew he couldn’t hurt me here. I was fast asleep and this was a dream…a premonition.
“I want you.”
“Sorry, not happening.” I stood with my spine straight, trying not to show fear even though I felt terrified.
“This is what will happen if you remain in the Cusasleon realm.” He waved his clawed hand toward Sarah’s lifeless body, “and this is just the beginning,” he grinned, showing his dark, pointed teeth. “This little town will be next, and it’ll be all your fault.”
I couldn’t breathe! I thought of Sarah, all the kids I’d gone to school with, my teachers, Becky’s mom… Oh, God! The evil look in his red eyes told me he’d do exactly as he’d promised. I’d once called them demon creatures, and rightly so.
“Think about it. The slaughter begins tomorrow.”
Ambriel woke with a start, grasping her pillow so hard her knuckles had turned white, her heart pounding with fear. Daylight spilled through the large window, telling her that night had not yet come.
She jumped off the bed and headed for the battle room, praying Mikal had returned. She needed him; she needed his strength and comfort. He’d know what to do, he always had a plan.
Ambriel's Quest: Book 2 Page 3
