Untouchable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 1)

by Rosalie Redd

  He sniffed her neck. His breath beneath her ear sent a tremble of dread down her spine. “Please…let me go.”

  He gripped her shoulders and turned her around to face him. He had blond hair tied back in a ponytail, the short tip lying over his broad shoulder. His eyes were blue, like Noeh’s, but held no warmth or passion, only need. “I am Niko.”

  The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

  Torbin stepped forward. “I saw her first. I claim her.”

  Her fears were coming to life. She was being fought over like some kind of prize. She tried to run but couldn’t escape Niko’s grasp.

  Torbin grabbed her around the waist. Her shirt rose up from his sudden movement, and his hot, sticky arm touched her bare skin. He tensed, squeezing the air out of her lungs. She couldn’t breathe.

  “She’s mine.” Niko’s words flew out of his mouth with a growl.

  The two males wrestled for control, pushing and pulling her like a rag doll. Melissa strained against Torbin’s arms, but his grasp was like trying to move a mountain. Still unable to take a breath, her world started to white out.

  Torbin released his grip and threw her to the ground. She rolled to a stop, her head pounding, her knees and hands scraped raw from the rough stone floor. She drew in a ragged breath, her only thought to get life-giving air into her lungs.

  Smack. The sound of flesh connecting with flesh made her flinch. She stared at the two males locked in a nasty fistfight. She was too weak from her lack of oxygen to do anything but breathe.

  Onlookers in the crowd stepped back. Oohs and aahs pinged off the vendor’s stalls and ricocheted around the large cave.

  Niko took one on the chin. His head swiveled around from the blow. A low snarl erupted from his throat. He tensed and inched closer to Torbin.

  “Stop. Please.” Melissa wheezed the words out, but they fell on deaf ears.

  Niko attacked Torbin, head-butting him in the stomach. They fell to the ground.

  A loud growl burst from Torbin, silencing the crowd.

  Torbin started to change. He heaved back and forth, his ragged breaths shaking his body. His shoulders expanded beneath his shirt. Riiiippp. The material split along the seams.

  Niko scrambled to get up. His eyes widened, his face was a mask of horror.

  Screams erupted from and melded with the pounding of running feet. Merchants and shoppers alike abandoned their carts and purchases in an effort to escape Torbin’s beast. The rumble of chaos couldn’t drown out the sounds coming from Torbin’s body. Unnatural pops and cracks burst from his joints as bones and muscle grew. He didn’t stop until he stood well over eight feet tall.

  Torbin’s body was covered with the same brown hair as his head. His small eyes, almost hidden under his large brow ridge, burned bright. He had an upturned nose and a wide mouth. His most distinguishing feature: the two giant tusks protruding from his lower jaw. He let out a bellow that echoed throughout the Keep.

  The ground trembled. A few small rocks fell from the ceiling, pelting the last sellers and shoppers as they escaped. Their pained cries rang in Melissa’s ears. She stood on weak legs and grabbed the edge of a nearby cart for support. Time slowed. Everything around her turned surreal.

  Torbin picked up Niko and threw him into the florist’s cart. His body smashed the wood. Flowers flew through the air and rained down around Melissa. A red rose landed at her feet, the soft petals caressing her ankle.

  Torbin stood over Niko, pumped his fists, and screamed. The screech echoed around the large chamber, sending a cold shiver over Melissa’s arms.

  Niko didn’t respond. The empty sound filled her stomach with a sense of dread. She turned to look at where he’d landed. Niko’s neck was bent at an awkward angle, and his unblinking eyes stared at the ceiling. The first to disintegrate were his fingers as his body turned to dust.

  “Oh, no.” Melissa raised her trembling fingers to her mouth.

  At the sound of her voice, Torbin focused on her. He stood erect, his hands fisted at his sides. His body trembled. A strange guttural murmur came from his mouth, sounding like words, but she couldn’t understand him with his large canines. He didn’t move, but his gaze wandered over her body. His need was evident in his face, his desire unmistakable under his hooded eyes.

  She feared him, but at the same time, she had an overwhelming urge to help him. Maybe if she could calm him down…

  She took a step toward him, her movements slow and deliberate. His eyes never left her, but he didn’t make a move toward her either. Encouraged, she held out her hand, palm up in the sign of greeting.

  “It’s ok. Everything’s going to be fine.” He just wanted someone to love him. Feminine instinct knew the truth. She pitied him and all the males that didn’t have a female to love and to hold.

  She hummed a soft tune, the melody slow and easy. Taking another step forward, she reached toward him. Soft fur caressed her fingertips as she stroked the matted hair on his arm.

  His breathing slowed. A long sigh escaped his lips. His shoulders relaxed, and he closed his eyes. He swayed to the sound of her voice.

  Yells, shouts, and pounding feet distracted Melissa, and she stopped her tune. Torbin must have heard the sound, too. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to his body, pinning her to him. An anguished cry erupted from his mouth. Rocks tumbled from the ceiling.

  The hair on his chest tickled her nose and brushed her cheek. With her face plastered against his chest, she could only see a small portion of the room. She turned her head enough to spy the entryway, the source of the commotion.

  Noeh stopped in the doorway, his sword loose in his hand. Four warriors stood behind him, their swords shining in the amber light of the sunstones. His gaze raked over her held captive in Torbin’s grasp. Noeh’s eyes flecked with gold.

  He advanced into the room. Saar and the other males circled the beast. Torbin’s grip tightened, pressing her face further into his chest, blocking her view. She struggled against him but couldn’t break his hold.

  “Nomo comae dos tiquas.” Noeh’s forceful voice rose above the melee.

  Torbin growled and spun around, trying to keep the warriors at bay. Melissa caught a glimpse of Noeh. He inched closer to Torbin and continued to chant the strange words.

  “Nomo comae dos tiquas.”

  Torbin uttered a strange cry and lunged toward one of the fighters. Melissa screamed and the sound echoed around the chamber. Rocks fell from the ceiling, pelting everyone in the room. The temperature in the Keep rose. Torbin’s sweat seeped into Melissa’s clothes.

  Melissa found Noeh in the chaos. He raised his sword. His gaze locked onto her. The possessiveness in his eyes made her heart still. She cried out as shock raced through her body. He’s going to kill Torbin.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The hair along Melissa’s nape rose as a cold chill filtered into the large cave. Noeh brought the sword around, its blade heading straight for her. His face was a mask of rage—bared teeth, taut skin, and amber eyes. Dizziness overtook her. The rush of air from the blade crossed over her head. Tendrils of her own hair caressed her face in the wake.

  Smack.

  Torbin’s head hit the ground and rolled against a broken wheel from the flower cart. The awful sound was one she’d never forget. The muscles in Torbin’s body tensed, his grip squeezing the air from her lungs before he released her from his grasp. The corpse tilted to the side and slumped to the floor, turning to sand.

  Noeh pulled her to him with his free arm, enveloping her in a tight embrace. His masculine scent mixed with the pungent smell of fresh blood. She shook from powerful emotions she couldn’t reconcile: disgust because he’d killed and excitement because he’d protected her.

  He pulled back to look at her. “Are you hurt?”

  She struggled to comprehend his words, her thoughts and emotions all roiled together in a toxic brew. When she found her voice, her words came out a whisper. “Y-Y-You killed him.”

  �
��He would have hurt you, or worse, and I couldn’t allow that.”

  She pointed at the sword, still clutched in his hand. Blood dripped down the blade and pooled at his feet. “He wouldn’t have if you hadn’t rushed in here and threatened him with that…thing.”

  “He changed into his beast. I had no choice.” He wiped the sword against his pants and put the weapon back in its scabbard.

  “There is always a choice.”

  “No one has ever changed back. That is why it is forbidden.” He closed his eyes and exhaled. Tension lines appeared in his face.

  Melissa’s heart ached. She longed to tell him everything would be ok, but she knew it wasn’t going to be. Not now, maybe not ever.

  Noeh opened his eyes and pursed his mouth. “What are you doing here?”

  Her stomach dropped as if he’d hit her in the gut. “You blame me?”

  “No, this is my fault. I should’ve locked you up when I had the chance.”

  “He was calming down. I could’ve helped him.” As she spoke, her voice lost volume.

  “I don’t see how.” His words dug the knife deeper into her wound, breaking her apart.

  “Are you two done?” Gaetan’s cane tapped on the ground between them. “We need to clean this mess up.”

  “We’ve got this.” Saar nodded at two warriors standing close by.

  Noeh’s gaze flashed from the warriors to Gaetan before settling back on Melissa. “I’m taking you back to your room.”

  Gaetan placed his hand on Noeh’s shoulder. “Let her stay with me. I’ll make sure she gets back safe.”

  Noeh raised his eyebrows. “I don’t trust her around the other males.”

  “But you trust her with me.” Gaetan grasped Noeh’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll have her back there in no time.”

  “What could possibly happen?” She couldn’t quite keep the lace of sarcasm out of her voice.

  “I do this against my better judgment.” Noeh invaded her space, and his closeness made her skin tingle. He bent his head next to hers and whispered, “Behave yourself.”

  She melted under his scrutiny, and a quiver of excitement raced to her core.

  Embarrassed by her own reaction, she stepped back. Her reddened cheeks gave away her desire. He focused on her face, reading her emotions as if she were a book. He glanced down to her breasts, and her nipples hardened in response. Bringing a finger to her chin, he lifted her face to meet his. He looked her in the eyes, desire burning in his own. “I meant what I said.”

  He released her and stepped back. His absence made her want to scream and force him to touch her again, if only for a moment.

  He glared at her once more and left her there, angry and with a burning desire for more.

  *****

  The overturned cart was broken beyond repair. The wheels and casings strewn across the stone floor resembled a graveyard for the decrepit. Gaetan didn’t speak. He picked up shattered clay pots and vases and put them in a pile for disposal. Melissa picked up a rose, placing the soft petals against her cheek before laying the flower on top of the growing pile of debris.

  Saar and the warriors who stayed to clean up worked on the larger pieces of wreckage. They were out of earshot, so Melissa took the opportunity to ask Gaetan the question that burned in her mind.

  “Why did you want me to stay?” She picked up another rose and tossed the flower onto the heap.

  He shrugged. “Maybe I thought you should help clean up.”

  “Really? Not sure I buy that.”

  Gaetan’s eyes lit up, and his mouth formed into a quirky grin. “You picked up on that, did you? I’m not surprised. I thought you might need to talk.”

  “About?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. A certain king, maybe?”

  Melissa’s words exploded from her mouth before she could stop them. “He’s so infuriating. I don’t appreciate being locked up. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “Why do you think he’s doing that?”

  “To push my buttons, no doubt.” She pressed her lips together. “Fine, supposedly to protect me, but what, I’m supposed to stay locked up for how long? Forever? What’s that going to accomplish?”

  “I didn’t say I agreed with his methods, but his heart is in the right place. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you or anyone else. As evidenced here tonight, bad things can happen.”

  The possibility she was responsible crushed her. A small sob escaped her lips. Gaetan’s comforting hand on her shoulder couldn’t stop the single tear that rolled down her face. “Noeh’s right, isn’t he? Those two males are dead because of me.”

  Gaetan enveloped Melissa in his strong arms. She shuddered as pain hit her square in the chest. He comforted her with soothing words, and she relaxed in his embrace, thankful for his friendship.

  “Why did he kill Torbin?” she asked.

  Gaetan pulled away and ran his finger down the side of her face to wipe away a tear. “Ever since the great scourge, our kind hasn’t been able to transform back from our beast state. Uncontrolled beasts caused many deaths and much destruction. We tried everything. Execution was our last resort. Noeh insisted he be the one to perform the task.”

  “That’s terrible.” Melissa’s chest constricted. She ached for Noeh and all those who had died.

  “Our beasts helped us win many battles against the Gossum, but once we couldn’t change back, we started losing more battles than we won. Many lost hope. Noeh did his best to keep everyone going, but even he lost faith. The evidence was plain in his fading mark.” Gaetan winced and rubbed his knee.

  “Please, sit down.” Melissa grabbed the soap vendor’s nearby chair.

  Gaetan sat, and the lines in his face relaxed.

  “To kill one of his own today must have been hard for Noeh.” She swallowed and tried to absorb the depth of pain and anguish that Noeh had gone through.

  “He did what he had to do.”

  She touched the marking on Gaetan’s right hand, the one that snaked down his arm and ended at his fingers. “What about your marking?”

  Gaetan placed his palm on top of Melissa’s, her hand sandwiched between his. He sighed and didn’t speak until she thought he wouldn’t.

  “My lines are best saved for another day, but I will tell you something about markings, something you may find interesting.” He squeezed her hand. “When a male bonds with a female, she takes on the mirror image of his sign.”

  Melissa raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “Noeh’s marking is around his right eye. Once he bonds to his queen, she will receive the same pattern around her left eye.”

  Melissa touched the skin over her eyebrow. Gaetan’s smile made heat rise up her neck and into her cheeks.

  “Why do the females receive the mark? And how?” The questions burned in her gut and she had to know.

  “The marking has a dual purpose—one as a sign of possession. All the other males know the female is off limits and who she is bonded to. Second—she takes on his values and helps him to maintain them.” Gaetan rubbed his fingers over his own hand, his face empty of expression. He blinked and refocused on Melissa.

  “All Stiyaha males have a sac under their tongue. When a male intends to bond with a female, the pouch will enlarge and fill with his personal ink. During a kiss, the male will break the sac and release the fluid to share with his female. The opposite marking will appear on her skin within a few hours. This physical bonding occurs in the couple’s private chamber after the bonding ceremony.”

  “Why haven’t I seen many females with markings?”

  “Many of the bonded females died from the scourge, and as a result, so did their mates. The process doesn’t work the other way, though. If a bonded male dies his mate can survive, although most elect to go with their mates. Even so, the scourge left few available females.” Gaetan shrugged. “Besides, Noeh hasn’t bonded, and I think the other males follow his lead.”

  “Thank you for telling me.”
>
  Melissa stared at what remained of the wreckage. Saar and the other warriors had cleaned up the majority of the debris. She grabbed a few remaining pieces of a broken wheel and threw them on the pile. After all that had happened tonight, she needed time to think, time to process all she’d learned.

  “I’m ready to go back to my room.” At the moment, she didn’t have any desire to fight Noeh or his demands.

  “As you wish.” Gaetan grabbed his cane and stood. His body swayed for a moment before he headed for the corridor.

  A new sense of urgency and determination filled her, incited by her desire to make amends for the calamity in the market. I can’t believe there’s no hope. I won’t believe it.

  Chapter Thirty

  The air in the training center reeked of sweat, and the stench bit into Noeh’s sensitive nose. He assessed his opponent’s movements, checking for any sign of weakness. Demir crouched, as if ready to spring into action, his muscles bunched beneath his black T-shirt. His eyes burned a vibrant shade of yellow. Their eerie glow made Noeh question whether he’d underestimated the Panthera leader.

  “Anytime you want to begin, go right ahead,” Noeh goaded his adversary.

  Demir raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to regret this.” He launched a throwing star.

  The blade grazed the tip of Noeh’s ear, a line of blood welling from the cut. His ear stung, and the pain spurned him on.

  Demir raced toward Noeh, his dagger gripped in his palm. Noeh readied for the attack. He held his hands away from his body, his sparring sword moving gracefully as if in a dance.

  He dodged the dagger, kicked out, and knocked Demir into a sparring dummy. Demir fell to the ground. A loud whoosh of air escaped his lips. Noeh stood over his rival and brought the tip of his sword to his adversary’s throat. The skin dimpled under the pressure. Demir squirmed.

  “Submit to me.”

  “Never.” Demir hissed the words through clenched teeth.

  He changed before Noeh could blink. A black panther twisted out from under his blade. Demir circled him. The sleek cat panted, his yellow eyes watching every move.