Dream of Me (13 page)

Pressing her hands against his chest, she tried to shove some space between them. “Don’t count your chickens, buddy,” she hissed out. As her words had barely left her lips, Kieran’s head dipped down to hers, capturing her parted lips in a firm and consuming kiss. Elena gasped against his sudden kiss, remaining still with surprise. Lifting his mouth from hers, he smiled down at her flushed face. Trailing a finger down the side of her face, he whispered huskily, “I have never lost a battle,
Var’da
. I do not intend to do so now.”

Scoffing at his response, she rolled onto her other side, presenting her back to him. “Whatever you say, Birdman.”

Chuckling, his arms tightened around her, molding her soft body firmer against his own. He smiled as she tensed at the feel of his desire pulsing against her buttocks. “I vow it.”

Closing her eyes, she tried to focus on anything put the feel of his cock pressing against her or how her body reacted to the touch of the hard flesh. She wouldn’t deny that his words seemed to move something inside her. If she wasn’t careful she may end up falling for this handsome gargoyle and lose her heart forever.

Frustrated, Elena found herself pacing the length of Kieran’s chamber like a caged animal. After polishing off a couple more of the
flur’si
fruit and nothing to do but stare at the walls, she felt her cabin fever grow out of control. Ever since the attack two days ago, Kieran was becoming impossible. He fussed over her like she was a child, never letting her out of his sight. Thankfully, something more important than guarding her had pulled him away. But that was hours ago.

Where the hell is he?
She groaned inwardly with boredom.

Moving from the room she made her way out onto the open balcony. Above her the sea of endless stars glittered brightly, bringing a brief smile to her face. There was a time that she could remember sitting with her mother on her porch swing watching the stars appear across the sky and forever lighting up in every direction. Closing her burning eyes against the memory, she pushed it aside.

Striding forward, she braced her arms against the flat railing in front of her as she tentatively looked over the edge. Instantly she could feel her heart race as she took in the distance from the ground she was at. Her stomach crammed with fear. What if the railing gave away and sent her down to her death? The suddenly morbid thought had her jerking her hands away with fright. Her breathing increased with rapid breaths. Her fear of heights would definitely be a challenge being around people that thrived on soaring high above the clouds.

Just as she was about to turn around and head back inside, a flash of white caught her eye from below. Her eyes widened in wonder at the sight below. Floating to the ground with graceful movements was Kieran’s friend, Sera. Her white, bat-like wings spread behind her as her feet touched the ground before folding against her back. Sera wore a flowing gown of ivory that shimmered in the darkness. Immediately sensing her gaze, Sera tilted her head back and met her gaze with a slight smile.

You have questions, come to me when you are ready.

The words echoed within the walls of her mind. Instantly, Elena jerked her head around, searching for the source of the soft voice. She found no one there with her. Had she imagined it? Turning back to look down at Sera, she was surprised to see that no one was there — if she’d even been there to begin with. Reaching up, Elena cupped the side of her head. She could still feel the warmth of the voice in her head. Was she going crazy as she first thought upon arriving in Kieran’s world? No, it wasn’t possible. She knew what she’d seen. Sera
had
been there and she was tired of being cooped up.

Spinning around, she marched back into Kieran’s chambers. If Kieran was taking his time coming back, she’d go exploring for a bit. In the back of her mind, her promise to Kieran to remain in his quarters until his return buzzed in her ear like an insect. What was so dangerous within this stone fortress that she was forbidden from walking around? What harm was there in taking a simple walk?

Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes at how Kieran was obviously being overprotective. She refused to sit around and wait for him to decide to come back to her. Was it possible that he was with Sera? Jealously struck her out of nowhere at the thought. Why should she feel jealous? She hardly knew Kieran. It didn’t matter. If anyone would know where Kieran was — Sera would be the first on her list.

Moving to the door, she unlatched the lock before pulling it open, the heavy door made a groan with her slow movements. Edging out into the dark hallway, she turned to look down both directions. Silence greeted her, smirking at her luck, she quietly closed the door behind her. Before she could take one step, her conscience pecked at her once more about what she was about to do. She simply shrugged it off.

What could she say? She’d never been a follow-the-rules girl before — so why start now?

* ~ * ~ *

Soaring through the night sky, Kieran forced his wings to beat harder. As he drew closer to his destination, he jerked his wings close to his body, allowing him to drop in a downward spiral through the trees and closer to the ground. Just as the ground rose up to meet him, his wings spread out widely behind him and slowed his decent. Landing in a crouch, he rose to his full height before folding his wings against his back. Taking a steady breath he moved forward, approaching his guarded destination.

Since the attack the other night, Kieran had feared being too far Elena as he worried the Kelithians would attack again. Though Sera assured him that she was fine, he still couldn’t wipe the memory of finding the grotesque monster attacking his mate. If King Zyaid wanted her, why nearly kill her? None of it made sense.

More than anything he wanted to rush to her. He longed to be in her presence, to lose himself within her unusual green eyes and allow himself to be lulled into a stilling peace at the melodic sound of her voice. In such a short amount of time, his feelings for his mate had gone beyond the bond between them. He was one step closer to claiming Elena as his own. But there was something he had to do first.

He had traveled straight to the darker part of their land without hesitation. This was a place long forgotten by most of his kind. For many, there was no real need to come to this part of their lands. This forest was long dead. It wasn’t fruitful with game to hunt or anything else in this dark and dreary place. But he had a purpose for being here. There was something he needed here and he wouldn’t leave until he retrieved it. Coming to the edge of a rocky drop off, he paused. Looking down at the dark forest floor below, he grinned.

He had found it.

Without thinking about it, he stepped off the edge. His body fell through the air until he reached the ground, landing hard in a crouch once more. He lifted his eyes to the large, dark and twisted tree a short distance away, his smile of success fell away as a deep sadness filled his heart.

He had found it.

Moving down the worn path, his fists clenched at his sides. Stopping a foot away from the mutated tree, he felt his heart squeeze in his chest. The uneven pillowing trunk bore old scars slashed deep within its black bark, scars that he had put there as a youth. Kneeling at the base of the twisted trunk, his eyes fell on the two dusty, auburn urns that were part of the tree’s roots now.

This was his tree — tree of sorrow.

During the first wars with the Kelithians, his father — the previous
Li’r
— was slain in battle. With the death of her
sou’tali
, his beautiful mother didn’t even live long enough to see his funeral. As a young boy of eight years, he’d had no one to guide him in his anger and sorrow. The two powerful emotions mixed into one until he exploded into a raging, uncontrollable inferno.

It was his people’s way to spread the ashes of their dead a fortnight after their death. It was symbol that those remaining would let their deceased go freely, without being held back by grieving kin. He had been the first to break that tradition.

The memory of his parent’s funeral burned in his mind all too well. He never let their ashes go. Instead, he’d stolen them from Kalaya’s temple. Spiriting what remained of his parents to the forgotten, dark forest of their land, he gave them a place where he could visit often, which he did. The last time he’d visited his parents was the day he’d first dreamed of Elena. He’d spoken of her often to the ghosts of his parents.

Reaching out, his hand wiped the dust from the smooth pottery of his father’s urn and then his mother’s. Tied around the neck of his mother’s urn was the same dark leather pouch that he’d placed there years ago. Pulling it free from its place, he brought the small pouch closer. Loosening the tie, he reached inside to pull out his most treasured possession.

It was his mother’s
femra
, the first gift that his father had given his mother upon his
Malrai Hin
. Made of a carved white
murela
jewel, the length of it was shaped into a thin dagger-like hair pin. At the top was a sparkling stone was carved into a curled blossom. He’d heard his father once tell him that the
femra
had been created by his father before him. Used not only as a beautiful hair ornament but it also served as a weapon, should the need ever arise.

Carefully replacing it back within its protective pouch, he rose to his feet. Casting one last look at his parent’s urns, he turned away. Running forward, he launched himself into the air as his wings spread wide behind him. Through the darkness, in the distance he could see the first sign of the Garmorian stronghold. Glancing at the leather pouch that he still clutched in his hand, he felt hope shining in his future.

Soaring around the walls of the fortress, Kieran flew directly to his balcony. Touching down, he tucked the pouch against the waist of his trousers. It was late, well past time that he should have returned to his mate. Striding across the balcony, he carefully entered his chamber. Would she have retired by now? His eyes instantly sought out his bed for her. It was empty.

Moving further into the wide room, he searched for her. Nothing. Where could she be? Without pause, his eyes moved to the door. Taking a deep inhale he drew in her lingering scent, it was faint. She must have left not but an hour ago. Jerking the door open — and nearly off its hinges, he moved out into the hallway. Where could she have gone?

Rushing down the dark corridor, he followed her scent. Only to be forced to stop as her scent disappeared. His inner beast snarled. He needed to find her. Not just for her sake, but for his peace of mind. Though he hadn’t voiced his suspicions to
Li’r
, he believed Lowen’s theory to be true. Deep down he didn’t believe that the Kelithians had simply stumbled upon the whispers of Elena’s arrival. Just as it was no coincidence that the Dihma had found its way within the outer walls of the stronghold. Was it possible that there was a spy among his kind? Even if that wasn’t enough for him to worry about there was something worse that lingered in the back of his mind.

He wasn’t the only Garmorian that sought to win her for their mate.

* ~ * ~ *

Tilting her head back, Elena surveyed the incredible tapestry that hung on the wall in front of her. Stretching from the floor to the twenty foot high ceiling, her eyes flickered over the scene of what she could only assume was of Garmorian history. The dark colors enhanced the images of flying and battling warriors and lush forest land. Amongst the artwork she could see several golden figures battling against the Garmorian’s. Having looked her fill of it, she turned away to look around some more.

Exploring the castle for the last hour had yet to yield anything appealing. She’d found her way to the dining hall and to larger parts of the castle. She was careful to avoid anyone from seeing her, during her jaunt. Still it was better than wearing a trench into the floor of Kieran’s chambers by pacing back and forth. Moving from the empty dining hall, she followed another corridor that she’d not been yet. Taking several different turns in several different directions along the way, she found herself lost in the labyrinth of the stronghold.

She was just considering whether she should make her way back when she heard the sound of clashing metal and fierce male voices. Following the sound, she was lead to a pair of large doors. Moving closer she pulled on the metal hoop that served as a door knob, she winced as the door groaned with her slow movement.

Through the doorway it led down a short dark corridor. Her undeniable curiosity pushed her to follow it. The shouting of voices and clanging of metal grew louder as she drew near an open doorway. Keeping herself hidden along the wall, she slowly peaked around the corner.

Her eyes widened in fascination at the place she’d come upon. The room opened into a wide space to the size of a large gymnasium. Hundreds of torches hung from walls, lighting the area with a bright, warm radiance. Within the room there seemed to be hundreds of males engaged in some form of mock battle with each other. Many fought with long swords while others fought with only their hands and claws. Many took flight to the open ceiling with bows and arrows, striking at mounted targets on the ground below them. It was nothing that she’d ever seen before.

After a moment of watching, she found her eyes scanning the crowd of warriors for Kieran. No matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t find his face among the others. Where was he?

Though she would definitely deny it if she were asked, she found herself missing him. She could already feel herself warming to him again. Since their kiss the other day, she felt more drawn to him. Was this what he had meant about a bond between them and what actually did that mean? We’re her feelings for him even her own? When she thought about her life back home, all her excuses to return seemed meaningless all of a sudden. If what was between Kieran and her was real, why did she still feel the need to fight it?

“What are you doing?” a hard voice asked from behind her.

Startled, she spun around holding her hands up defensively. Stepping from the dark shadows, instantly she saw that she’d been caught by one of the warriors that had saved her and Kieran the other night. Her eyes slid from his strong and handsome face to take in his sweat glistening chest. At her attention, his dark wings flexed from behind him. The soft sound was just enough to jerk her from her prospective eye candy.

“I asked you a question. What are you doing here?” he repeated. His almond shaped eyes narrowed at her as he waited for her answer.