“I am Ponty, King of the Pickries.” His voice was soft and lilting like a song, but he did not return King Ploar’s bow. Instead, he immediately stepped back to join the others.
As the king continued to introduce the remaining Champions, Armes allowed his attention to drift back to the woman standing beside him. She stared straight ahead, her eyes not focused on the others either. Where had her thoughts wandered?
Was it of what lay ahead? Of the ceremony? Did she fear death should she not be among those selected?
As if his thoughts somehow reached her, she turned her head up and looked at him. Golden eyes locked onto his, and it was as if the rest of his world simply faded away.
Chapter Three
Coral
Coral couldn’t bring herself to break eye contact with Armes. He stood beside her, towering over her in such a way that seemed almost comforting. His kind green eyes held hers, and she focused on the small specks of copper in them as forbidden thoughts danced in her mind.
What would the skin of his hard chest feel like beneath her fingers? Sirens were forbidden to mate with anyone but a human, many had even been put to death for what her mother referred to as ‘tainting the line’.
Was that why she wanted him so badly? Because it was forbidden? Or was there something deeper involved?
“Coral?”
Shaking her head softly to clear it, Coral faced her mother, who watched her expectantly. “Yes, Mother?”
“The king asked if you would like to retire to your room for the night.”
Her cheeks heated, and she smiled at the king. “Yes, your majesty, that would be lovely.” She bowed slightly, hoping no one noticed the look she’d just been sharing with the Centaur Champion.
The king eyed her curiously, and she wondered if he could read her thoughts. She knew there were some species out there with telepathic abilities, but hadn’t ever heard Centaurs were among them.
Her cheeks flushed. Did Armes hear my thoughts as well?
“I can show her, King Ploar,” Armes offered, and the thought of them being alone sent Coral’s blood racing.
For a moment, she feared the king would deny Armes’ offer, but finally, he nodded. “Very well, be sure and return to your own immediately after. You all have a big day tomorrow.”
Armes bowed. “Of course.”
Shaky legs carried Coral out of the chamber and down the hall, though she wasn’t quite sure how. She’d never been alone with a male before, did all of them have this effect? Or was it only this particular one?
The other Centaurs hadn’t made her feel this way, which led her to believe it was the latter. And if it were only him, why? Why was he the one her body reacted to?
She’d heard stories, of course, she knew how two bodies fit together as one, and what to do if given the opportunity.
But those stories never mentioned the racing heart. The thundering blood. Or the way her body burned as she imagined the feel of his fingertips on her skin.
“Is this your first time to Terrenia?” he asked, pulling her attention back to the present.
“Yes, I’ve never left Atlantis before.”
“What is it like there?”
Coral smiled. “Beautiful. The water stretches as far as the eye can see, and at sunset, when the sky is painted orange and purple, the water shimmers, almost as if it’s sad to see the day gone.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“It truly is. I will miss it.” The words came out quickly, and she hadn’t meant to say them out loud. Back home, admitting she was not excited about the transition would be considered a huge betrayal of her world.
Her mother warned her that should she vocalize such thoughts, her people would shun her, and that they would call for her execution. Her mother told her that should they demand it, there would be nothing she could do to stop it.
“I will miss the sunshine of my world.” Armes’ confession surprised her, she was so focused on how the transition made her feel, she never stopped to consider she wasn’t the only one who would be giving something up.
“Is it beautiful outside?” she asked, hoping to bring a smile to his face.
Armes looked down at her, a grin playing on the corner of his mouth. “Would you like to see it?”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
Armes looked behind them before reaching down toward her. “May I? We can move much faster that way.”
Coral reached toward him, and as his muscular arms surrounded her, the thundering of her heart grew louder, her blood no longer humming, but rather roaring through her veins.
Is this normal? Surely this can’t be good for my heart!
He cradled her close to his chest and began to gallop. Coral breathed in, a wonderful scent she’d never experienced before filling her lungs.
They continued moving through the cavern, and Coral closed her eyes, letting the air that moved past them wash over her, sending stray strands of hair flying around her face.
Is this what it feels like to fly?
Too soon Armes stopped, and Coral opened her eyes as he set her on the ground.
“Oh!” She jumped back against him, and Armes laughed, steadying her with two hands on her shoulders.
“You will not fall, Siren, I assure you.”
Blushing, she looked up at him. He’d done that on purpose, she was sure of it. But why?
Turning her attention back to what was in front of her, Coral’s mouth fell open. Before her was the largest grouping of trees she’d ever seen. Some were as tall as the mountain she and Armes stood on, and all were colored a deep green she’d only seen on fabrics in her world. She breathed deeply, the same scent she’d first experienced when Armes had held her against him filling her lungs.
“What is that scent?” she asked, desperate to put a name to it.
“Probably pine,” he answered. “Those are all pine trees.”
“They smell divine,” her response breathless, she looked up at him.
“As do you, my sea queen.”
Pink flooded her cheeks, and Coral smiled. “I’m not a queen.”
“You are to me.”
His words knocked the air from her lungs, and for a moment, Coral wasn’t sure she even remembered how to speak.
Could it be he was feeling the same way she was? That she caused the same thundering in his heart as he did in hers?
This is not permitted! The small reminder brought her head back down from the clouds. Even if she weren’t about to spend eternity beneath Atlantis, Sirens were not allowed to mate with anyone but humans. Besides, was it even possible? He was massive, his horse-like body more intimidating than anything she’d ever seen, and yet, she wanted nothing more than to run her hands along his sharp angles, and hard muscles.
Easy, Coral. Forbidden fruit, remember?
“Perhaps I should get back to my room.” the words tasted like poison on her tongue, and she refused to look up at him, choosing instead to stare at her feet.
“I apologize if my words offended you.”
“Not in the slightest,” Coral assured him, looking up into his eyes. “I am not permitted to—” she stopped, unsure how to continue. “I am about to spend eternity below my city, Armes. I am not meant to take a mate.”
He nodded, and reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and Coral fought against the urge to lean into it.
“I understand.” Armes turned and gestured for the opening.
They walked back through the caverns in uncomfortable silence, each step a resounding pounding in her brain.
“You are to me.”
His words were on painful repeat and made her wish with everything she was that their destinies weren’t in two separate directions.
Stopping just before a wooden door in the center of a long hallway, Armes turned to her. “Here we are.” He pointed toward the door, and her heart fell. Why couldn’t things be easier? Why did she have to be a Siren? Why d
id she have to be the chosen Champion. Surely there were others of her kind just as qualified as she was.
“All the Champions are in this cavern,” he explained. “Should you require anything, I am just three doors that way.” He pointed to the right.
“Thank you, Armes.”
“You’re more than welcome, Coral.”
“Is this what attraction feels like?” She asked before he could turn away. What harm would come in asking? If he dismissed her, she would be gone tomorrow, and if he didn’t—then she would finally have her answer.
Armes moved closer to her, their bodies mere inches apart. “Describe it to me.” His voice was rough, and it sent a delicious shiver down her spine.
“My—my heart, it beats harder than ever before.” As she spoke the words, it pounded harder, and she was sure he could hear it as well.
He stepped closer. “What else?”
“My skin is warm.”
“What else do you feel?” Eyes heavy, he looked down at her with the same want she knew would be reflected within her own.
Coral cleared her throat. “I feel as though I might fade away if you don’t touch me.”
Armes lifted a hand, but did not touch her. Instead, he fingered the end of her braid, the skin of her shoulder where it lay feeling as though it might catch fire.
“That’s attraction,” he assured her.
“Is it always this way?” she choked out.
Leaning down even further, Armes was only a breath away. “No, Siren. There is something about you and me that makes it—more.”
Too soon he was gone, and her mother was rounding the corner.
“Armes, I wasn’t expecting you to still be here.” Her eyes narrowed on them both, and Coral forced an innocent smile on her face.
“He was just letting me know if I needed anything, the other Champions were staying in this same hall.”
Queen Iris smiled. “Very well, thank you, Armes.”
“Your majesty,” he said, bowing, before turning back to Coral. “I shall see you tomorrow, Siren.”
His eyes locked with hers a moment longer, before he turned and walked down the hall.
“Coral. Inside please.” At her mother’s stern words, Coral stepped into her room.
It wasn’t overly large, but contained a single bed with chocolate-colored sheets and a small three-drawer chest. There were no windows, not that she’d been expecting them this deep in the cave, but the solitude made her skin crawl.
She longed for the freedom of Atlantis before realizing that was no longer hers either. Her freedom was gone the second she dove through the portal.
“You do remember our rules, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mother. Of course.”
“What are they?” The queen took a seat on the edge of the bed, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
“We are not permitted to venture into the world of man unless actively seeking a mate.”
“And?”
“We are not to keep our mate, but dismiss them once we are with child. Which, if we listen to our bodies, we will know the moment it happens.” How had no one in her world realized how callous their rules sounded?
“Exactly. No mates. Especially none that are not human, is that understood?”
Coral turned to her mother and smiled. “Why, of course. My destiny is with the life core, Mother, not a mate, so I fear I am unsure as to why you are bringing this to my attention now.”
“The Centaurs are impressive beings. I do not wish for you to be swayed.”
“Understood.” Coral forced a yawn. “Now, if you please, I wish to rest now. I will need my energy for the transition tomorrow.”
Queen Iris stood and walked toward Coral slowly. Placing a hand on either side of her face, she looked sternly into Coral’s eyes. Mouth tight, she said, “I know you think I am happy to see you go, but a mother is never ready for her daughter to leave.”
Coral heard the lie in her mother's words. It was no secret the queen hadn’t wanted a child, but she offered a smile anyway.
“I know.”
She released her. “Your destiny is a great honor, Coral. It brings me so much joy to know others see your potential just as I do.”
Potential. Coral may have been young by Siren’s standards, but she was no fool. The others were beginning to yearn for a new queen, one who didn’t only look out for her own interests.
There had even been whispers of an overthrow, one that would leave Coral on the throne. Not that she wanted it; vain or not, the current queen was her mother, and she’d never do anything to hurt her.
Queen Iris certainly didn’t see it that way though. Getting Coral on track to fulfill the destiny laid out for her at birth was one way to ensure the crown stayed firmly in her grasp.
At least until she had another child. The queen was expected to mate until she had an heir.
Coral wondered how she’d get her next daughter out of the way.
“Goodnight, Mother”
“Goodnight.”
Coral closed the door behind her and leaned back against it. Surveying the room around her, she tried not to let the stifling claustrophobia set in. Tomorrow, for the first time in as long as she could remember, she would be truly and completely alone.
No one else around to talk to.
No one to share her dreams with, or feed her information from the surface. No books to read so she might escape her own reality. Unless the core was in danger, she would be left alone to live her eternity deep in the oceans below Atlantis.
Not once had she done anything to disobey her mother or her people. She was here now, giving her life away to protect them, so shouldn’t she be allowed one night to herself?
One chance to not feel so lonely?
Chapter Four
Armes
Armes stood staring at the heavy wooden door. His heart still hadn’t calmed after his intimate conversation with the Siren princess.
Want. Need. Desperation.
He felt all of that and more, so much more, and he had no idea why. Not once had he felt anything above mutual attraction for a faere, even when he’d been courting one.
It never crossed over into anything beyond, and he’d always believed that was one of the reasons he was destined to be the Champion. As guardian of the Terrenian life core, he wouldn’t be allowed romance, so didn’t it seem fitting he didn’t want it?
At least I hadn’t until a few hours ago when a pair of bright, golden eyes sauntered into my life.
He walked over to his pallet bed in the corner, prepared to do nothing but stare at the ceiling all night, when a soft knock sounded on his door.
Heart jumping in his throat, Armes walked across the space quickly, eager to see who waited on the other side.
Pulling it open, he felt all the breath leave his lungs when he got sight of the slender frame standing just outside his space.
She’d taken her hair out, letting the dark strands fall around her face in loose curls. The gold thread was gone as well, and the white fabric she’d worn had been replaced by deep blue.
She was breathtaking.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, finally discovering the ability to speak.
Nodding, Coral played with the ends of her hair. “May I come in?”
“Will you come with me instead?”
Her golden eyes widened. “Where?”
“I want to show you something.”
A slow smile spread over her face. “Okay.”
Armes couldn’t hide his own as he stepped quietly out into the hall and took her slight hand in his.
They walked in silence as he led her down the cavern and past the pool of water she’d originally arrived in. Since it was so late, everyone had already turned in for the night, and the thought of them being alone made him happier than he’d ever been.
What was it about her that caused this reaction in him? He’d heard stories of how attraction was sometimes skipped, replaced by love at first sight,
but he’d never believed them.
Until now, with her.
He led her out of the mountain and into the fresh air. She gasped, and he looked down to see her staring in amazement at the stars in the sky.
“Are those—magic?”
Armes chuckled. “Those are stars, though I suppose they have their own type of magic. Do you not have stars in Atlantis?”
She shook her head. “Because we must stay hidden, Atlantis is separated from the rest of the world. The Sorceress’s magic provides our sun and—” She gestured up. “Stars.” Coral continued to stare up, awestruck. “They’re so much more beautiful here.”
Armes smiled. “They are beautiful.”
After a moment of silence, she asked him, “Where did you want to take me?”
“Somewhere I think you’ll love. Do you trust me?”
“For some reason, I really do.” Her smile was unguarded, and it struck him right in the heart.
“Will you sit on my back? I can get us there quickly that way.”
She looked away from his face and back toward his body, and nodded. “If you’re sure I won’t hurt you.”
Armes couldn’t hide his smile at her concern. “I assure you, Siren, I can carry you.”
Coral beamed and allowed him to help her climb on.
He barely felt her weight, and as she wrapped her arms around his waist, he couldn’t ignore the way her touch sent his heart stammering.
Wanting to feel her arms tighten around him, Armes began to gallop, dodging between trees he’d been running through his entire life. Her laugh trailed around him, filling him with complete and utter joy.
He stopped just before the rocky side of a mountain and helped her down.
“Where are we?” she asked, looking around.
Armes reached forward and grabbed vines hanging down over the otherwise solid rock. Pulling it back, he revealed the secret entrance to his favorite place in all of Terrenia.
Coral gasped, covering her mouth with a hand, before stepping inside. “Armes, this is amazing.”
He watched her walk inside, and it struck him then, how much she’d already affected him in their short time together.
Champion: A Prophecy Series Novella Page 2
