by Rosalie Redd
During that ill-fated council meeting, Alora’s pursed lips and furrowed brow had made his heart pound. He’d gotten a reaction from her, and if anger and resentment was all he could get, so be it. She’d once cared for him, and he vowed she would again, someday.
Zedron couldn’t hear Alora and Bellamy’s conversation, not above the din of other voices in the eatery. That was fine. He had a tool that would do the job. He pulled a long, thin rod from his coat’s breast pocket. The trinket was something he’d found at a shady antique store and he wasn’t able to resist the antiquated listening device. Since he didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping, he shoved the rod up his sleeve, hiding it from any curious eyes.
A smirk pulled at his lip. He hadn’t realized he’d get the opportunity to use the mechanism so quickly. Heat radiated from his chest and down his arms, causing his fingers to tingle. With care, he angled the tip toward Alora and placed the receiver in his ear.
Alora took a sip from her cup and winked at her friend. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
Bellamy gripped Alora’s arm. “Please don’t make me wait any…me. What did Veromé…you?”
Zedron adjusted the wand, angling the tip a bit more toward Bellamy.
Alora peered around the room, as if searching for someone. Perhaps me? Zedron could only hope.
She rummaged in her bag and extended her closed fist to Bellamy. She released her grip, and a short chain dangled from her fingers. The bauble sparkled in the light. “This! He gave me this bracelet for our anniversary.”
“Ooh, it’s beautiful. Why aren’t you wearing it?”
“I want him to put the bracelet on for me. We…didn’t have time. As you know, we only have the few minutes at sunrise and sunset to be together.”
“The sanction. Yes, I remember. You have to be careful. Zedron would like nothing better than to have you sanctioned again.”
“I wouldn’t change what I did. My characters, they needed to be saved from the great scourge. I must win the war on Earth.” Determination lined the creases around her eyes.
His throat thickened. He admired Alora’s courage and tenacity, even though he planned to bring her down. There was something between them, something neither could ignore, and he wanted her to admit it. The fingers on his free hand gripped the edge of the table. The wood creaked under the pressure.
He’d almost won the last round, coming close to toppling her king, Noeh. If that honor-driven cat, Demir, hadn’t gotten in the way, Noeh would be dead. The Stiyaha warriors would’ve fallen without their leader, and the Gossum would’ve secured an important victory. Zedron’s pulse pounded at his temple, his headache expanding with each beat. Somehow, he’d make Demir pay for his virtuous choice.
Bellamy patted Alora’s forearm. “Hey, you’ll win. I know you will.”
“Thank you. Your support means so much to me.” Alora squeezed her friend’s hand.
The crackle of Monton stew distracted Zedron, and the waiter appeared with a steaming bowl. “Your food, sir.”
Zedron’s stomach growled at the warm scent.
The server placed the bowl on the table, along with a knife, fork, and a napkin. He glanced at Zedron then bowed his head. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“My wine?”
The male blinked, as if realizing he’d forgotten the drink. “Oh, yes, indeed. I’ll return momentarily.”
When the waiter left, Alora’s table was empty. Zedron exhaled a loud sigh and sat back, leaving his food untouched. His hunger went with her.
Chapter Ten
Cool water enveloped Aramie in its embrace. Prepared to fight the current, her body tensed, and she was ready to move, to swim with all her might. As she broke through the surface, she gulped in clean, fresh air. To her surprise, the pool near the base of the dry waterfall was calm. Only a small trickle brushed over her arms as she treaded in place. Her mouth went dry, relief pouring through her veins like a drug.
She’d jumped off that cliff before she could change her mind. Demir would’ve laughed had he known she’d done such a thing. A soothing warmth radiated through her chest.
“Oh, damn! You—are crazy!” Jonue sputtered nearby. She splashed in the frigid water, trying to stay afloat.
Aramie hid the smile that broke across her face. “You followed me.”
Jonue pursed her lips as she dog-paddled. “I guess that makes me crazier than you.”
Aramie treaded on the surface, looking for the source of the spring. The blue sunstone was here—somewhere. “No time like the present. If you find the stone or anything unusual, let me know.”
She held her breath and dove below the wide expanse. Stranded tree branches and rocks of all sizes lined the lakebed. A thin green slime covered the smooth stones, making them slick to the touch. She pushed aside pebbles and larger rocks looking for anything that could pass as a crystal. Her lungs ached with the need for oxygen, forcing her to resurface.
Jonue appeared by her side. “Anything?”
“Not yet.” She peered at the sky. The crispness of the night had faded, giving the sky the presence of pre-dawn. Nearby, a Western scrub-yay sent out an early morning call. If they didn’t find the stone… A soft cry broke from her throat, and her heart clenched. No. I won’t leave without it.
She swam as close to the dry waterfall as possible. The hard stones were smooth to her touch. If only they could share their secrets with her. She glanced at Jonue. “We have, at most, a half-hour to do this. Let’s check the base of the waterfall.”
“If we don’t find it, we’ll come back.” Jonue’s encouragement made her feel better, but Aramie sensed if they left without the crystal, they’d never find this magical place again. She couldn’t keep her search party out here much longer and risk losing their lives to the sun. With a quick nod to her friend, she decided. “Ok, let’s make it a good one.”
She inhaled a large breath and dove again. Her fingers moving with swift proficiency, she pawed among the rocks. Panic welled in her mind. The stone must be here, it has to be. Warm water passed under her hand. With care, she traced her fingers back over the spot.
She followed the warmth to a small opening, hidden behind a large boulder. Soft blue light emanated from the hole. A tendril of hope raced along her skin. Her lungs ached, but if she went back to the top now, she wasn’t sure she’d find this spot again. All the rocks and boulders looked so similar.
Jonue brushed her fingers over Aramie’s arm to gain her attention and then pointed at the hole. Without a second thought, Aramie pushed her way through the opening.
A large, underwater corridor stretched beneath the rocks. Blue light glowed softly in the distance, and she swam toward the source. The need for oxygen made her lungs ache. White spots appeared in her vision, mixing with the blue light. When she couldn’t go a moment longer, she resurfaced into a hidden chamber.
Sputtering, she breathed oxygen into her lungs to fuel her starving brain. Jonue joined her in the chamber. Their combined breaths reverberated off the walls of the small cave.
As her heart calmed, Aramie glanced around. The chamber was no bigger than her room back at the Keep. Mud lined the small shore and smelled of dampness and age.
“What is this place?” Awe and wonder were clear in Jonue’s tone.
A strange sense of peace wrapped around Aramie. She seemed safe here, protected. Pulling herself out of the water, she rested on the wet soil. Wetness dripped from her hair, her blouse clung to her arms, and her pants weighed heavy on her hips. Blue light cast an eerie glow on the rocks.
“Look.” Jonue pointed to the far edge of the cave.
The light began to pulse.
A shot of adrenaline brought Aramie to her feet. “The stone!” She raced to the light’s source. Her breath bottled up in her lungs as hope welled inside.
Behind a small boulder, the blue glare strengthened, pulsing as if in rhythm with her pounding heart. She placed her hand on the smooth lip of a rock and
peered over the edge. The intensity of the light pierced her brain. She shielded her sensitive eyes from the radiance. Blood pounded in her ears.
“You found it.” Jonue whispered.
Aramie couldn’t believe they’d actually discovered the sacred sunstone. She reached for the crystal. As she grazed the tip of her finger over the stone, the light went out.
Darkness surrounded them.
Chapter Eleven
“Did you burp him?” Noeh searched through the extra blankets at the bottom of the crib. His blood pressure spiked along with his frustration. He ran a hand through his hair. “Craya! I can’t find the pacifier.”
Melissa walked across their bedchamber, Anlon cradled against her chest. She patted his back, and as she turned, his son’s scrunched face and open mouth were an indication all was not right in the world. Even with his weakened ears, a hint of the babe’s shrill cry rang in Noeh’s head.
There’s a new pacifier still in the package in the second drawer of my dresser. Melissa’s words echoed in Noeh’s mind thanks to their special connection. During Anlon’s birth, Melissa had almost died. Noeh’s chest clenched at the memory. He’d been unwilling to accept her death and had used the power of his beast to forge a connection to her spirit, sharing his energy, and giving her the life-force she needed. In return, they were permanently connected at the soul and could communicate telepathically.
“Dresser…dresser.” He opened the drawer and sifted through diapers, wipes, creams, and an assortment of other baby paraphernalia until he found the unopened pacifier. Gripping the package, he ripped the plastic from the paper wrapper. The pacifier flew through the air. Noeh caught it before the weaselly thing landed on the stone floor.
With shaking fingers, he handed the rubber soother to Melissa. She nestled the knob over Anlon’s open mouth. At the contact, his wail ceased, and he accepted the pacifier without further complaint.
Noeh released the tension in his shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief. “I never thought I’d say this, but thank the gods for human markets.”
Melissa pursed her lips. It’s called a grocery store. And, yes, I’m glad the Jixies go there once in a while for supplies we don’t have in the Keep.
Since Anlon was the first babe in over five hundred years, the Stiyaha had had no use for such items. The great scourge had rendered the surviving females infertile. No one understood why, but Melissa was a rare exception. Noeh rubbed the back of his neck and studied his queen.
She was his world. Her spirited green eyes and red hair had captured his attention from the moment he’d found her. She’d fallen in love with him, changing him for the better. Their road to be together hadn’t been easy, but he couldn’t imagine life without her now. The marking under his eye for compassion burned as the line thickened.
Tell me what happened. You’ve been pent up ever since your sparring match with Saar. He peered at her. She was right. He’d been a beast all evening—figuratively, not literally. Now that they were connected, his innermost thoughts and fears were on display. He couldn’t hide them from her even if he’d tried.
He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled. “Saar…” He defeated me, twice…
She ran her fingers over his arm, the gentle caress tickling the fine hairs. I’m not sure I understand why that’s a problem. You’ve sparred on many occasions, each winning your fair share.
He glanced at her soft features, her gaze penetrating into his heart. “True, but I’ve never lost so easily.” Not wanting to admit how much this bothered him, he headed over to his desk. He leaned on the ancient wood and tried to calm his racing heart.
Melissa didn’t send him a message, so he turned to look at her. She was bent over the crib, placing Anlon down for a nap. Noeh caught a glimpse of his son’s face—closed eyes, cute button nose, ruby lips sucking on the pacifier. He held his breath, and a new wave of contentment warred with his frustration.
Melissa straightened and looked at him. Her lips scrunched into a frown. That’s not all there is to it. Tell me the rest.
“It won’t be long before I’m completely deaf…” He raised his clenched fist. “I won’t…I can’t go out on the battlefield again. I’m a danger to others.”
Her brow pinched together and her own pain for him filtered along their connection. His heart ached.
He tapped his ring against the hilt of his sword. With great care, he unbuckled his belt and removed his scabbard. The blade shook, causing a tremor to ripple up his arm.
He placed his sheathed sword on a hook on the wall. Emptiness filled him, and he seemed naked without his most valued weapon.
Melissa didn’t speak, she didn’t need to. Her acceptance was confirmation she, too, knew he could no longer fight. She closed the distance between them, running her hands over his forearms. He encircled her in his embrace and studied her features.
There’s a reason Alora and Veromé picked you as king of all the Lemurians. Although you can’t fight in the traditional sense, you now have the opportunity to strategize and plan. I will interpret for you, at least until you’ve mastered lip reading.
A heavy weight settled into his stomach. The other races would arrive at the Keep sooner or later. How they react to his weakness? Would they follow a deaf king? Shaking his head, he ran his hand through his hair.
She lightly touched his chin, and her smile buoyed his confidence. Hey, I believe in you. We’ll get through this…together. Her eyes glowed with her determination.
Her support made him love her even more, something he thought impossible.
He forced a smile and kissed the top of her nose. “With you by my side, we shall conquer the Gossum and win this war for Alora.”
Of that, I have no doubt. We shall see this war end, you and I.
A thought crossed his mind, and he glanced at the door. “Do you think Tanen has had any success with getting the Gossum’s new location out of Mauree?”
Melissa pulled away from his embrace and went to check on Anlon. Not as of the last time we spoke with him. She’s been difficult, to say the least.
He leaned against the bed’s giant carved footboard and crossed his arms. “Now that Ram is dead, we need to find Jakar and eliminate the remaining Gossum. I should’ve insisted on more drastic measures.”
No. Please. You promised you wouldn’t hurt her.
He pushed away from the bed and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “After everything she did to you, I’m still amazed at how you protect her.”
Despite her attempt to kill me, I can’t help it. Deep inside, I think she loved you to the best of her ability. Can’t you see the pain and torment in her eyes?
“I see a traitor, plain and simple. Tanen has searched the scriptures for the past few weeks to find any details on the required sentence for treason and has spent countless hours trying to pry information out of Mauree. I won’t wait much longer. If he’s not successful, then I will have no choice but to seek alternate means.” Noeh let out a sigh. He prayed to the gods it wouldn’t come to that.
She turned in his embrace to face him. You’re a good king. I know you will do what’s right. Her mouth curved into a sexy grin. By the way, Anlon is asleep.
Arousal spread through his body, and he became hyper-aware of her scent and how her warm, soft body molded against his. Indeed, let’s not waste this precious alone time. He pulled her closer, and wrapped his hand in her long hair, capturing her in his grasp. With gentle nips, he kissed his way from her neck to the sensitive spot behind her ear. He let loose a low growl, knowing the vibration would tickle and make her squirm against him.
She responded to the vibration just as he’d expected, squirming and rubbing against his already firm shaft. He growled his appreciation and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, squeezing his torso with her taut muscles.
He carried her to their bed, their passionate kisses driving him mad. His knee bumped into the mattress and they fell onto the comforter. He wrapped his arms
around her, caging her where they landed. A smile pulled at his lips. Little kitten, you’re going to mewl my name before we’re done.
The rhythmic nature of her laugh vibrated into his chest. Promise?
Oh yes, I promise.
Chapter Twelve
A chill ran over Aramie’s arms. Panthera could see in the slightest bit of light, but here in the cave total darkness reigned.
“Aramie?” Jonue tensed up beside her.
Aramie clutched the stone in her fist. She wouldn’t let go and risk losing it. “I’ve got the stone. You ok?”
“Yes, fine. This is eerie. I’ve never been unable to see before.”
“Head back into the water. Maybe there’s some light coming from the outside—from the hole we came through.”
Aramie placed the stone into a side pocket in her pants and zipped it closed. The weight against her leg made her heart still. If the ancient legend was true, the crystal would heal Demir. A niggle of hope lodged itself in her chest. With a new sense of urgency, she headed back over the rocks, using her fingers to guide her.
A small splash came from somewhere in front of her. Jonue was back in the water.
Aramie traced her fingertips over the edge of a boulder. Something soft and wet coated her hand. When she moved her fingers, a thin film stuck to her skin. Spider web! The creepy, crawly critter skittered over the back of her hand.
She screamed.
Skidding on the slick rocks, she scurried to get away. Even with her Panthera grace, she wasn’t able to maintain her balance. Her back hit the jagged edge of a rock, sending a spark of pain into her leg.
“Aramie!” Jonue’s shout echoed off the walls, making Aramie’s ears ring.
Time slowed. Aramie’s heart pounded. Without her cat-like vision, the world closed in on her. Imaginary spiders crawled all over her body. She kicked out, flailing around on the rocks, causing further injury to her back and legs. Her hands scraped against the rocks as she tried to regain her balance. The anxiety attack had her in its grasp.
