Defender of the Gods (Warrior Unbound Trilogy Book 3)

by C. M. Kane

  Did he bite me in anger, to make me get off of him? He did shake his head. Oh no; no, no, no, no, no! She thought in dawning horror. His teeth were the only weapon he had to be able to defend himself against me, Perhaps it was meant as a warning, to make me stop? It isn’t his fault I had an orgasm on the spot when his teeth entered my neck. But he did too, didn’t he? What have I done wrong to make him so displeased? Did I just imagine what I saw in his eyes? In the lift didn’t he basically say he wanted me? She thought in mounting panic, before another, even more shocking thought, entered her head. Oh by the gods, no, did I just molest him?

  She quickly hopped up and turned away from him to hide her whirling emotions. After catching that angry look she realized immediately there would be no sex, there would be no playful words or tender whispers for her like she had once dreamed. Pain and humiliation filled her soul as every self protective instinct she’d ever had came to the fore. She had just thrown herself at a man, a man who obviously hadn’t wanted her. She had basically begged him to have sex, he had said no! But she had persisted anyway, egged on by her own out of control feelings.

  Oh, No! She thought, biting her lip as the memory of what she’d done flashed through her mind. She now needed to get away from him badly. She would never let him see the tears now threatening to spill from her eyes; he would never know how badly she hurt. She’d had years of practice in hiding her feelings of pain from her father, and she used every ounce of that resilience now. But had anything ever hurt so badly?

  Once Tae had ruthlessly pushed her raging emotions back with-in herself, she turned back to him with what she hoped was her most dispassionate look. ‘Now that you can move at last we can start back, I think we really need to get going while it’s relatively clear. I didn’t see any Harpies on the way in, but we can’t be too careful, do you need any help to stand?’

  Loki had remained silent, lost in his own confused and embarrassed thoughts about what had just happened to him. Slowly his muscles began unlocking and he was able to move again, albeit stiffly. If anything, this only served to reinforce his abject humiliation.

  He shook his head and slowly stood as Tae stared off out the cave entrance, as if she had no interest in him now that she had “helped” him, he found this angered him no end. This wasn’t how this was supposed to happen. Every single one of his meticulously laid plans for his seduction of her had been shot to hell. Instead of the long night of intense passion he had planned for her, she’d had to rescue him yet again! Added to that, just as she had been about to seduce him he’d gone and bitten her, and even worse, he’d lost all control and had come in his own pants! Damn it! He’d been like an inexperienced boy touching a woman for the first time!

  Humiliation didn’t even come close to what he was feeling at the moment. He frowned, thinking of all the things he’d fantasized doing to her so she would be screaming for him, forgetting any other male who may have tempted her, wanting him, and him only! Instead he’d bloody well lost control and bitten her. Loki felt too embarrassed to even look at Tae. Would she even allow him a second chance after his pitiful performance? Hell, would any woman? What if she made a beeline straight for that idiot Vesh when they got back? Well he’d just deal with that possibility when and if it occurred, he figured he could always kill him and apologize to Zeus later if worse came to worse. He felt a distinct pleasure at the thought of killing something; well anything really in the mood he was now in.

  He struggled to his feet, his wet pants sticking to him in an uncomfortable reminder of what had just occurred. As he looked over he saw Tae feeling her neck where he had bitten her, she then glanced over at his now blushing, scowling face, before she turned away abruptly. No wonder, she was obviously disgusted by him, he didn’t blame her. What the hell is wrong with me? Biting was for lesser creatures like the Vampire. Titans hadn’t needed to bite for sustenance, or anything else for that matter, for eons. Hell, he never even thought of his redundant fangs, he’d simply never used them before. The only other time they had dropped was when he had first reached his sexual maturity. He shook his head in confusion; he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of them since. And yet, thinking back, he realized that at the time it had seemed imperative that he mark her in some way. The memories of what it had felt like as they sunk into her neck, her tender flesh gloving them tightly, rose in his thoughts, and instantly he felt himself hardening.

  Damn it! Could this be because of the Harpies scratch…it has to be he decided abruptly, as he tried to fight his mounting desire, nothing else made sense. He needed time to think this over more thoroughly, but in the meantime Tae was right, they needed to get moving and get out of here, now was definitely not the time for discussions, or thoughts of a personal nature. When they were back on Brightmoon he would try to set things to right with her, he’d wipe away any memory of his pitiful performance from her mind.

  He picked up his discarded blood covered swords and walked slowly and stiffly over to her. ‘I’m ready,’ he said as he once again noted her look of calm indifference.

  He tried to hide his own mounting embarrassment as she looked back then turned quickly for the cave entrance, as if eager to be away from him.

  ***

  Tae needed to move, if she didn’t she thought she might either burst into tears or knife Loki in the gut; most likely both. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking of the incredibly erotic feeling of his fangs when they’d pierced her neck, along with her intense reaction to them, just as her hand had reached up to touch the spot she’d glanced over at him, only to see him scowling angrily at her again. She’d dropped her hand from her neck immediately and turned away, just in case he realized how deeply he had hurt her. Then she started out of the cave ahead of him, her large knives at the ready.

  When they reached the caves opening, Tae gave the area outside a brief scan before stepping into the open. Everything appeared clear so they started to move swiftly down to the base of the waterfall, neither one saying a word to the other. Just as they reached flat ground again two dozen Minotaur stepped quietly from the trees, effectively surrounding them. Tae’s eyes widened and she immediately dropped into a fighting stance as Loki raised his swords and moved to her side.

  Well isn’t this just the perfect stinking end to the perfect stinking day! She thought angrily.

  Chapter 17

  Borig’s men had followed the woman silently as she jogged up the rivers bank. Unbeknownst to her they managed to frighten several dangerous predators away as they shadowed her, or she could have been in serious trouble. Tollex, one of Borig’s swiftest Warriors, had left them to run and get him as the others kept her safe and with-in sight. Some of Borigs warriors had also been keeping a close eye on the new Harpy Colony that had landed with-in their territory, which was how they knew of the attack on the outsiders. Borig had immediately gone to the trouble spot, and then dispatched one of his female Warriors, Marlesse, to talk to the local Harpies with whom the Minotaur had a treaty. She was to tell them of the incursion and subsequent attack, and inform them that he fully expected the release of the strangers into his custody as soon as possible; he had been expecting their arrival shortly. In the meantime Tollex had found him and told him of another intruder by the river, where he had stationed yet more of the Tore- what the Minotaur Warriors referred to themselves as.

  A female outsider with eyes the color of the forest had appeared, she was now heading towards the Cave of Illussia, where a large male of indeterminate species was holed up. Excitement quickened Borigs breathing; he realized the time of reckoning that they had all waited so long for had arrived at last. He left a small contingent of Tore behind to deal with the Harpies and took the rest of his Warriors with him. When they arrived at the base of the waterfall they simply waited in the tree line out of sight for the female to re-emerge. Not long after he arrived she came out of the cave, alongside her was a large dark-haired male whom Borig dismissed at once. All that mattered was the green eyed god slayer. Once they reach
ed the base of the falls he and his Tore stepped out from the cover of the tree’s to address her. The woman quickly dropped into a semi crouch, immediately positioning her large knives for a fight, the male stepped to her side, slowly raising his swords. Borig had already noted he was moving stiffly, but he had also seen twelve dead Harpies that had been ended by something very sharp back at the colony, and this male had two lethal blood covered swords by his sides. His hand rested on the hilt of the spiked war club at his waist as he stepped forward.

  Tae watched intently as a massive Minotaur stepped towards them, he looked to be around the size of Vulcan, with long dark hair that started low on his forehead and swept back and around two large, wickedly sharp, shell colored horns. Large rounded ears were covered in short thick hair, almost like fur. His nose was short and slightly upturned, but his eyes were what Tae found arresting, they were large and almost round, and they were the exact same brown color of a cow that had been on the Snells farm back on Earth. Tae remembered the cow– Shazza- very well, it had seemed friendly at first, but she had soon learnt, turn your back on it for a second and it would either inflict a nasty bite, or kick you if it could. This creature looked pretty much the same as Shazza, there was nothing soft or friendly about him, especially not with the way he kept fingering what looked to be large spiked tree trunk that was strapped to his side; she tensed for a fight just as he spoke.

  ‘You are the god killer?’ he asked in a deep questioning voice.

  Tae frowned and looked briefly at Loki who seemed to move his head subtly to her to deny the Minotaur’s question. Tae looked back at the giant who was regarding her patiently.

  ‘Yes,’ she said, deciding to ignore Loki’s advice and go on her own gut instincts. She heard a grunt of annoyance from Loki’s direction and smiled to herself in satisfaction.

  ‘Come,’ said the Minotaur gesturing to her.

  Tae looked at him and his surrounding friends. ‘Why?’ she asked, refusing to move.

  Borig stared at the unmoving female perplexed, she was puny and vastly outnumbered, yet she stood her ground staring at him defiantly, almost as if she were enraged at their intrusion. It was at that moment he truly believed her to be the god killer. Like the male beside her, she had the bearing of a Warrior. He took a step towards her and noticed the large male subtly edge forward to position himself in front of her, he decided quickly to use another approach.

  ‘We are rescuing your men from the Harpies as we speak, as a gift to you, we have need of your voice god slayer, and we request you give our leaders an audience.’

  Tae stood rooted to the spot; she noticed Loki had somehow managed to move slightly in front of her, as if he was trying to protect her? Confusion filled her mind again at the thought but she quickly pushed it aside to concentrate on the more immediate problem, namely the massive be-horned Warrior that was now looking at her expectantly.

  Loki, in the mean time, had never taken his eyes from the surrounding Tore. He had no idea what they wanted with Tae, or how they knew about Hera, but he wasn’t about to let them take her, he spoke low. ‘Tae, go, run for the shuttle, I will hold them and come when I can.’

  The large Minotaur who had spoken to her lifted his heavy brow, then frowned as Loki moved a step towards him, before things could get out of hand Tae stepped forward and sheathed both her knives.

  ‘My name is Tae Rames, and before I go with you I wish to know your name, warrior,’ she said authoritatively.

  Borig took his hand away from his war club but kept the dark haired male in his line of vision at all times. ‘I am Borig, War leader of the Minotaur,’ he stated, subtly straightening to his full height with pride as he spoke.

  Tae noticed his reaction to her question and bowed her head. ‘I am honored to meet you, Borig of the Minotaur, and I thank you for the gift of our men, we will come with you.’

  ‘We do not need to speak to the male,’ he said pointing at Loki; he may go back to your craft and await you.’

  Loki had had enough, he was confused and humiliated as it was, first getting scratched by a Harpy because of some idiot trying to protect him, but who had instead caused him to be wounded. Then on top of that, to have Tae find him and save him, yet again. Then there was his humiliating performance during her aborted seduction of him, quickly followed by that bite! And now; just to top his day off, he was being treated as Tae’s lackey. His blood boiled as his pent up rage fired to life within him, fully loosening his muscles at last, he took another step forward, a low snarl escaping his lips.

  ‘I am Loki, one of your gods, you blundering fool, and I have not put myself in this position to be spoken of, or dismissed in this manner. You wish to test me, Tore leader? Than draw your war club and step forward.’ He stepped fully between Tae and Borig, swinging both of his swords in small circles as he loosened up.

  Borig’s eyes widened as he fully took in Loki’s appearance. He watched him with new eyes, seeing the subtle grace in his movements, along with the fearless look in his eyes. How he had been scratched by a harpy was beyond Borig’s knowledge, but he had a feeling it would not have been his fault, because for the first time, he could feel the power emanating from him as he watched his slow menacing approach. The seers words came to mind, ‘Soon Borig, and then all of the fates of the Minotaur will be in your hands, you must make sure your own temper and pride doesn’t destroy both yourself, and this one last chance.’

  Realization struck, if this indeed was the god Loki, and the god slayer was his woman, than if he attacked him, not only would he end up dead, but his peoples chances for ever leaving this planet would die with him. With a sudden clarity rare to his species, he knew exactly what he had to do; he sunk to both knees before the approaching god and bowed his head in supplication. ‘Forgive me, My Lord, we have neither seen nor heard from the gods in many lifetimes, we had no idea you had returned. I beseech you to come to our humble city to retrieve your men and their belongings, and if it pleases you, to hear our plea’s. This time was foretold to us long ago by our seer, she made mention of the god slayer, but not of your presence, great one.’

  Loki stopped his advance and looked at the surrounding Minotaur who had also dropped to their knees like their commander; they were now watching him with mixture of awe and hope. He realized this Borig was obviously telling the truth, as he saw it, and if he and Tae went with them then he could retrieve his men and their equipment. Even better, if this worked out well, then he might be able to arrange to gather more of the Felice bearing rocks with the Tores help. His mind made up he sheathed his blood stained swords- deciding he would clean them thoroughly later.

  ‘I will agree to your request, Borig, and because of your generosity in saving my Warriors and their equipment, I will also agree to an audience with your leaders.’

  Borig rose slowly to his feet again, relief now shone clearly on his and his warrior’s faces. ‘Thank you, My Lord, you honor us,’ he nodded towards Tae, who had now been relegated to Loki’s underling in his thoughts. ‘If you and your woman would come this way, it is only an hour’s march from here.’

  His woman! Tae shrieked silently to herself in rage, how the hell had she gone from respected god slayer to Loki’s woman in their minds? Apparently once again, with my usefulness now served, I’ve been relegated to the post of hanger on, also ran, pathetic nymph wannabe!

  What had occurred in the cave was still too fresh in her mind for this. She still felt incredibly vulnerable, angry, and humiliated, at Loki’s reaction to their encounter. Now, as if the memories of that encounter weren’t enough, these stupid cow men were suddenly treating her like she was nothing, just an unimportant sidepiece. Well she wasn’t going to let anyone treat her with disrespect, not without fighting fire with fire! Tae knew without a doubt she now had a choice between sitting on the ground and bawling her eyes out, or retreating into anger. She chose the latter.

  ‘Firstly, Boring, I am not, Lord Loki’s woman, nor have I ever been, as you have now hopefu
lly realized; I merely work for him as part of his crew,’ she snapped. She watched in satisfaction as the Tore leaders eyes flash with anger at her deliberate mispronunciation of his name.

  ‘My apologies,’ said Borig waspishly. ‘When I smelt sex I simply assumed, this will not happen again.’

  Loki reddened slightly at the mention of their encounter, Tae didn’t notice, she was still staring angrily at the Minotaur Mountain Borig. She was incensed, she needed to lash out at someone, anyone. Borigs little reminder of her humiliation gave her a final nudge and she turned to eye Loki disdainfully.

  ‘Excellent, then you now know I simply had to do what any good employee would do for their god. I was forced to help him when he was utterly helpless and in obvious need; it was my duty. We all have to make our little sacrifices in their name now don’t we? That is, after all, why we were created in the first place. Now, are we going or not?’ She snapped.

  Borig nodded unconcernedly at her words and moved off towards his men as Tae followed him. An outraged, furiously blushing Loki followed closely behind her.

  Chapter 18

  It took a little under an hour to reach what the Minotaur called their lands. Tae could sense the surrounding warriors start to relax; they were near their home so they obviously considered themselves safe, and that of course was their mistake.

  They were travelling through a small clearing surrounded by some densely packed trees when the first arrow struck; it took the Minotaur on Tae’s left in the shoulder. The bellow of mingled surprise and rage that followed nearly deafened her. She looked around as the warriors leaped quickly into the surrounding trees to hunt their attackers and take cover. Before she had even taken a step Loki was suddenly by her side. He grabbed her hand, pulling her swiftly to the nearest tree, and then he physically threw her over four meters up where she landed on a large branch.