Kegan awoke to the uncomfortable feeling of a full bladder. She shifted her naked body and groaned when she felt the stiffness. Goodness! She must have not moved her body for days! She suspected that somehow the chamber slowed her bodily functions, which explained why she had the sudden urge to go now that she was awake.
The chamber! Immediately, the feeling of being closed in a small environment pushed her heart into full panic mode. Despite the fact that it looked huge, she knew it for the size that it was. Da’rak had obviously programmed it to look like her bedroom—she knew better and began to search for some sort of mechanism that would spring it open. Her heart raced uncontrollably and lights began to flash inside the chamber.
My God! Was she going to blow up in this thing? Her scream hitched in her throat as it fought against her body’s need to breath. She felt her heart pounding against her chest and a light sheen of sweat now dabbled across her face. She opened her mouth and screamed and screamed until she felt her throat give way to the scratchy painful state that warned her she would be without voice at all and very soon.
A small click sounded and the lid pulled back quickly, letting in a waft of sweet-scented air. Kegan sat up immediately, her hand around her throat as if someone had been choking her. She took deep gulps of air into her deprived lungs. Her vision swimming from lack of oxygen, she realized rather calmly that she was going to kill Da’rak when she laid eyes on his handsome visage.
Da’rak. Where was he anyway? Where was here? She looked at the trees. They were green and she felt comforted that maybe she was still on Earth until she caught sight of the blue-tinged earth. No chemical spill, no dye could give the effect of this soil. Her gut instinct told her it was real. As real as the green moons that hovered in the clear sky.
Welcome to Paa’eva, she congratulated herself dryly. Without Da’rak to help her, she simply stood in the chamber and jumped over the side. The landing was rough and reminded her why she was awake in the first place. She rubbed her sore ankles and took one tentative step forward, almost sure the blue dirt was some sort of quicksand that would swallow her. It felt firm like ground was wont to and something seemed to waver in front of her for a second, then it was gone.
Shrugging, she sought the densest clump of trees and went to relieve herself. She carefully peered around the whole time and was glad when she finished quickly. She briefly considered air drying, not trusting the leaves to be poisonous, but decided on a leaf that looked distinctly like a maple leaf from home and hoped for the best.
So entangled in choosing the leaf, she did not hear the first cracking of the twigs, but the second. She stilled, knowing she was not alone. That frightened her, until she realized she was naked, and again went into full panic mode. She was just asking to be raped. She wrung her gloved hands together and tried to look about for something to defend herself with. She spotted a rather fat black stick about six feet away…that two black booted feet stepped over and stood in front of. Kegan gasped as the huge warrior raked his gaze up and down her body.
He grinned, showing that he had been in many fights and undoubtedly won but lost a lot of teeth in the process. Greasy black hair hung unevenly about his massive shoulders. The strange weapon he carried lowered as he deemed her no threat at all. Instead her attention flew to his other weapon that was rising quite quickly and bulging his leather like pants out. Large gold and black eyes were now squinted in her direction as he licked his lips. He began to undress, tearing the vest that was similar to Da’rak’s from his chest in one smooth move. Obviously clothes were not highly regarded on this planet.
“Stay back,” she begged, backing away from the giant and his massive bulge. He continued to grin at her as he cocked his head to the side as Da’rak had done before. She supposed he was instinctually figuring out her language code, but seriously suspected he could care less what she was saying.
“Get back or I’ll—” Before she could finish, she saw five claws protrude from his stomach. The claws curled and were snatched back the way they had entered, tearing flesh and vital organs The warrior looked stunned, blood trickled from his mouth before he crashed to the ground.
Kegan’s legs shook, her eyes closed the moment the giant began to fall. Prayers abounded in her head that her death would be just as quick but hopefully not as painful. Whatever it was was coming near her. She knew she should open her eyes, but fear can be a powerful thing. Whatever it was began to lick her feet. Long, wet slobbery licks. The likes of which felt eerily familiar.
She popped one eye open and was relieved to see and disgusted by the leva. “Oh I forgot about you,” she breathed, still not too trusting of the creature, though apparently it had saved her life. “I guess I should, um…” She bit her lip, not sure how to reward this creature.
Afraid it could turn on her at any moment, she opted instead for the age-old pat on the head, which caused it to lick her even more in glee. Why this thing liked her so much, she could only guess at and be grateful considering what a cold killer it could be. It was almost hard to believe this puppy-like creature ripped a person’s stomach out but a moment ago.
“Good boy,” she crooned, overly nice to the creature, and rubbed its ears. “However if your daddy had given me some clothes that man probably wouldn’t have given me a second thought. He probably thought I asked for it,” she continued, liking the way the creature responded to her—his wings at half-mast in joy from her rubbing.
“I doubt it. You are most tempting fully clothed as well. I told you women on Paa’eva do not wear clothes,” came the deep voice that Kegan was glad to hear and pissed at the same time.
“How dare you send me to sleep, you barbarian? Do you know what I went through when I woke up? I told you I was claustrophobic. I almost died!” Though the last part was an exaggeration, she was too keyed up to care.
“You did not almost die,” Da’rak said calmly. “The chamber monitors all life signs. When it felt you were in dire distress, it no doubt opened for you. Correct?” His eyebrows slanted up in questioning.
“So. Not. The. Point.” Kegan bit out. “It was the time in between that counted, you moron. And by the way, I want some clothes. Do not make me go Eve here!”
“Eve?”
“Forget it. You got clothes. I want clothes.” She began to tap her foot in agitation, unaware her breasts were slightly bobbing to her rhythm.
Da’rak looked at her, trying desperately to hide his amusement but not his desire. He had no understanding of why she would want to cover up her beautiful body. It was stunning. It made no sense. He knew he would take great pride in showing her off; she was indeed made to be a queen. To cover her up would send the message that he was not proud of her, that she was a poor mate. No, they definitely would not start out ruling that way. His gold eyes twinkled as a solution came to him.
“As you wish. But we must hurry. I do not know how long this route will be safe. I need to get you inside my castle walls.”
As he wove the spell that made her think she was clothed, he winked at Nuka in thanks for his service. The fact that a warrior was already here could be a coincidence or they were on their way and he was a scout. After he clothed her in the manner he knew she would like, he grabbed her hand to make her move.
“I don’t get shoes?”
“Paa’eva’s ground will not hurt you.”
“Then why do you wear boots?” she asked slyly, almost stumbling behind him, unaccustomed to his pace.
“Because on the other worlds their environment it not so forgiving. Besides kings and warriors do not go around bare of foot. That is for the females and males of low rank.”
“Sexist, political, patriarchal society,” Kegan mumbled.
“Exactly!” Da’rak claimed proudly and tugged her on, the leva flying high above to warn Da’rak of any approaching enemies.
“You have a castle still? I thought you were dethroned?” she said, almost breathlessly trying to keep pace. But curiosity was getting the better of her.
“The castle is still mine. As long as I still have a claim to the throne, it is still mine.”
“Well, who’s been taking care of it?”
“I have trusted servants, not all but some, who wish to see the current ruling body thrown out. My return will herald a new beginning; there will be much trouble. No one likes to give up a throne.” the last part was said lower almost to himself. No doubt he was thinking of himself when he said that.
“So who rules now?” She jumped over a twig-like object that she swore squirmed like a snake.
“Keir, he has been at my side since I began training as a warrior. He doesn’t so much rule as manage the castle and its affairs. There is a council that rules in absence of a king.”
“Can you trust him?”
Da’rak immediately stopped and whirled around, looking her straight in the face. “He has trained with me and fought by my side. I have saved his life countless times as he has saved mine. If there is anyone to trust in this life, it would be him.”
He stared at her a moment longer, then let his shoulders drop. He had overreacted and scared her. She only asked a question. He felt her tremble at his outburst, and she would not meet his gaze.
“I am sorry, shanzah. I should not have snapped at you, it was an honest question. I know you meant no harm.” Da’rak took a deep breath. It bothered him because he had asked himself that question for five hundred years and felt guilty for doing so. Someone had betrayed him and still he did not know his enemy’s face. “In all honestly, I do not know. Power is seductive bait for treachery. My father told me to rule is to be lonely unless you have your shanzah…”
“Da’rak, I have heard you call me that. You said you would explain it in time. Has enough time passed?” She pushed gently. She felt Da’rak’s eyes rest on her so tenderly it squeezed her heart. She barely knew this fierce king yet…
“Shanzah means life companion as I have mentioned. It means the one born for you, the other half of your soul.” He watched her closely to see her reaction. It did not matter if she accepted him or not, they were bound. He could tell she did not entirely hate him; perhaps he could build on that.
“You think I am your life companion?” she asked softly. Her earth-colored eyes were confused as they stared at him. “I am not even of your world. How can I be your life companion?”
“Long ago, when there was a shortage of females, our Goddess answered our prayers that we not become extinct. She guaranteed every worthy male to be born a shanzah. ‘Tis only the males of the low rank who must make do with a female of his choosing. High-ranking leaders and nobles are given our exact mate. It is how our species is guaranteed to survive.”
“How do you know who is worthy and who is not? It is my understanding that just because you are born royalty does not make you a better man than a common man. It is what’s in that man’s heart and intent that makes him better.” Kegan shook her head at the notion.
“You are wise despite coming from such a primitive planet. But the Goddess Astrakiba has thought of that. Yes, a man of lower rank who is destined for a shanzah knows it by this.” He opened his vest and there nestled between the sparse hair on his glorious chest was a small symbol that looked to Kegan like a bull. She smiled.
“Why do you smile?” he asked curiously, closing his vest.
“On Earth, we have symbols of our birth months. I happen to be an Aries and you…oh.” Kegan stopped as knowledge began to unfold itself. “You said her name was…?”
“Astrakiba.” he stated simply.
“On Earth, some people follow what is called Astrology. They believed the signs for their birth months directly affect their lives. Up until now, I thought it foolish, but she really must have been there a very long time ago and marked the people as you say.”
“It would seem. I did not know this. That means that prim—” He was interrupted by Kegan, who was clearly irritated.
“There will be no more referrals to my home planet as primitive,” she responded defensively. “True, we are not as advanced. And yes, I know by the look on your face that is the very definition of the word, however, I find it highly insulting.”
“As you wish, shanzah. As I was saying, that would mean when this mess is over, I can send scores of men to Earth. It may well be as you say and there are many shanzahs to be claimed. We have dallied long enough.” He tugged her to get her moving again.
“So when does this last battle take place?” Kegan asked, toddling behind his quick strides like a child.
“In three day’s time. Therefore we must hurry. This small gain in time could easily be lost depending upon how eager my enemy is to kill me before the tournament.”
“You live a wonderful life, thanks for dragging me along.” Kegan did not even try to keep the sarcasm from dripping.
“In truth, little one, you will come to be sincere of those words.” He glanced back and produced a full-dimpled, Da’rak slay ‘em smile, and because it made her heart flutter, it annoyed the hell out of her.
Chapter Seven
Kegan briefly wondered if Da’rak might even consider letting her go once all of this was over. She nibbled on her lip as she thought things over while Da’rak dragged her along. Since seeing Da’rak rise out of the chamber and witnessing his ability to shift in places, amongst other things, she had already conceded her life was now out of the guidelines for what was considered normal.
With this in mind, she now contemplated a being perhaps had been on Earth and marked certain individuals as shanzahs. But that didn’t necessarily mean her. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t attracted to the sexist barbarian dragging her naked through the mighty forest, it just seemed unlikely that he would want her. Okay, so maybe the sex was good…okay, mind-blowingly good, but he was experienced enough to get that with any woman. She was, however, willing to admit that he had spoiled her for other men. She did not trust men to love her. They never did. Besides he had not offered her love, just a life companion.
So deep in her musing, she did not at first notice the looming castle in front of her, if that’s what one would call a castle. This made the Vatican City look like the slums of some large city. Her jaw dropped like it was carrying bricks. Great structures jutted from the ground as if it gave birth to them. There were magnificent, almost lifelike sculptures atop each building. This looked more like a city than a mere castle. No wonder someone was willing to kill for this! Strange air vehicles graced the sky. Her guess, sky patrol. There seemed to be warm lights in every single window. One structure even looked to have a pool balcony where one could bask in the warm suns. Suns? Kegan had to admit two suns could prove hot. She wondered what two moons did at night. She felt Da’rak pull her towards a tree with orange blossoms like a pumpkin. Its thick trunk too big for even Da’rak to put his arms halfway across.
“We need to go here. Do not be afraid, ‘tis only a different way in. Once I am before the council, all open threats on my life will cease. However I feel that will only make things worse.” He sighed heavily, stopping in front of the tree.
“I don’t understand, where is here?’
“This is where I played and snuck out of the castle as a child.” He put his hand on precise bumps on the tree and she watched as the tree opened itself to Da’rak.
“Thank you, Pasha.” Da’rak petted the tree lovingly.
“Is that tree alive?” Kegan had sudden images of the tree smashing her to bits if she tried to enter.
“Pasha is an old spirit as well. She will not let anyone pass who is not pure in spirit.”
“What do you mean pure, because it’s not my fault you insisted on fu—”
“I mean your spirit is good.” Da’rak cut her off, amusement in his lavender and gold eyes at what she was about to say.
“Oh.” Kegan began to think of dirty pranks she pulled as a child and wondered if the tree would use it against her. After all, her mother did say that eventually you pay for everything.
“Pasha will re
move as many of her roots as possible so as not to trip you, but still you must be careful.” He took her by the hand to lead her in, but Kegan would not move. “What is it, Kegan?” Concern lightly splayed on his face.
“I don’t know,” Kegan answered truthfully. All she knew was that this tree was willing her to touch it. The feeling was so strong Kegan found herself pulling off one of her gloves. “It wants me to touch it,” she said in awe.
“Then touch her you must. She has chosen you, shanzah, as she did me when I was young.”
Kegan lifted her small hand to touch an object she knew nothing about. This tree was old, she felt the age coming off of it in waves. This tree had a lot of history and it wanted her to know it. She could not fathom why.
She licked lips that had suddenly gone dry. What would the tree do to her? She felt no ill will from this being. Just a compulsion to touch. Touch she did. She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain of the onslaught. But there was none. Just a feeling of peace before images began to flicker in her mind. They were confusing, but given to her so gently as not to overwhelm her. The tree was telling her of its life, of the many lives inside of it. A name was whispered to her, “Onn”. Kegan pulled away feeling peaceful but slightly troubled.
“What is it?”
“When you were chosen, what happened?”
“She revealed her fondness of me by opening herself to me at a time when I was in great danger. She willed me to touch her and she hid me inside. Before my exile, I came to her often to talk, but that is all. You looked troubled.”
Tournament of Fire Page 5
