Dream of Me (9 page)

“Come. Let me feed you and if you wish I shall answer any lingering questions you may have.” His gentle offer was too tempting to pass up. Wishing she could find the strength to quell her empty stomach, she reluctantly threaded her arm through his. Surely a simply meal couldn’t cause her any harm. With the comforting thought she returned his friendly smile as she walked beside him as she allowed him to guide her down the dark corridor.

* ~ * ~ *

Leaning against the cold stone at his back, Kieran crossed his arms over his chest as he listened to the sea of voices around him. Within the warrior’s chamber at the bowels of the stronghold, nearly a hundred warriors stood facing the Li’r as he paced back and forth with aggravation. From what he’d heard, the interrogation with the Kelithian prisoner from last eve did not go as the Li’r expected. It had been so long since their enemy was brave — or stupid enough to cross the Greenwood and onto their land.

“What have patrols turned up?” Arlen demanded, turning his scowling face on the group of warriors in charge of last night’s sky patrol near the borders of their lands.

“Other than the two the other night, there have been no other activity from the Kelithians,” Dajran answered lazily from beside Kieran.

“You obviously missed something! Two of them crossed the
Greenwood
and into
our lands
, to make matters worse they did so under our noses!”

“If I may,
Li’r
?” A young warrior boldly spoke up. “Perhaps the two were working alone.” When there was no reaction on his commander’s face, he continued. “Kieran said himself that the two were after his
sou’tali
. Perhaps that was all they were after,” he stated, looking toward Kieran for support. Arlen also looked toward Kieran as the young warrior finished.

“What say you, Kieran?” Arlen’s rough voice asked. “Do you think this was just the actions of two?”

Pushing away from the wall he shook his head in denial. “It’s true that they said Zyaid wanted to meet her, but I doubt his motives are noble. Since these two failed. He could try again and not just for my
sou’tali
but everyone’s. What is unclear to me is why a human woman would be of such value to him."

"Also, how did the enemy even know your mate was here, Kieran?" Lowen, a fellow warrior, asked from across the room. "It seems to me, Li’r that someone may be feeding the Kelithians information from within our walls."

"Are you suggesting that we have a traitor among us, Lowen?" Arlen asked gruffly, allowing his hard gaze to rest on the reserved warrior. Lowen skillfully twisted a throwing blade between his finger while he replied, "How else would they have known? Furthermore, we should ask ourselves why a human female would be so valuable to them."

Casting a grim look around the room at all the warrior’s under his command, Arlen reluctantly nodded, “I agree.” Pointing a finger at Kieran, his rough tone was weighed with impenetrable concern. “Watch your mate closely. If the enemy is bold enough to brave the dangers of the Greenwood it must mean your mate is important to them. We must all be ready if they attack again. The false king is becoming bolder by each month that passes. I fear more blood will be spilled again if we don’t end this conflict soon.”

Slowly turning in a wide circle he directed his stern gaze toward the other warriors. “Everyone needs to be double vigilant. The safety of our mates and our way of life depends on it. Those of you that have begun seeking your mates — trust no one. Keep your mates close and well within your sights. Since the attack on the eastern village, we can afford no mistakes.” Holding his sharp gaze for a moment longer on his audience, Arlen looked away before waving his hand toward the ceiling in a sharp motion. “Dismissed.”

Many of the warriors returned to their training, while others slowly filed mutely out the wide archway. The ones that were still on duty returned to their assigned posts. Crossing beneath the carved archway, a hand on his shoulder had Kieran coming to a stop just outside the warriors’ chamber. Turning around, Dajran’s concerned face greeted him.

“How is your mate this day?”

Scoffing, his hand reached up to scratch at the back of his head. “Truthfully, I do not know. All I can tell is that she seems angrier at my presence than anything she may be feeling from last night.” Seeing his friend fighting an inner battle behind his dark eyes, Kieran asked, “How does your seeking go? Have you been led to your mate?”

Instantly, Dajran eyebrows lowered into a deep scowl. “I have.” At Kieran’s questioning look, he added, “It’s complicated.” Tightening his clenching fists at his sides, Dajran spun around and stormed away. Kieran was left starring after his friend in confusion. Apparently he wasn’t the only one with a difficult mate.

Turning around also, he made his way back to fetch his mate. His mind worked furiously as he struggled to imagine what the king had wanted to speak to her about. Obliviously, Elena was an exotic mystery that would make any that encountered her curious. But why would the king wish to speak to her alone? Crossing through the dark courtyard, he made his way toward the main area of the stronghold. Before he could cross the open doorway, a voice called his name from behind.

“Kieran!” Turning to look over his shoulder, he watched as a fellow warrior approached him. He instantly recognized him as Fylan — one of the Gu’an’s guards. “I’m glad I reached you in time. The Gu’an asked that I inform you that he had your
sou’tali
escorted to the dining hall for the mid day meal. You may retrieve her there.”

Instantly, he felt a chill rush up his spine. Who had his mate? Garmorian males were very possessive of their mates and rarely allowed another male near them. He had not yet begun the Malrai Hin that would make Elena as his. Another would see it as an invitation to slip under her guard with his absence and petition her affections. His claws curled into deadly points as he took an aggressive step toward the Fylan.

“Who has my mate?”

“I’m not eating that,” Elena said firmly as she stared at the butchered animal displayed along the table in front of her.

Pushing back in her chair she leaned away from the creature’s empty eyes that stared back at her. From what Rurik had told her, it was a plant eater of the forest called a
lyra’der
. It had the long legged body of a deer but bore three sets of horns. One short set at their temples, the second and longest pair sat between their dark pointed ears and the third curled outward from beneath the chin.

The roasted meat gave off a scent that was a mix of burnt ham and spoiled milk. Casting her eyes around the large eating hall, she saw others ripping off huge chunks of meat from similar platters before digging in with gusto. Others were drinking something from thick, black horns that had once belonged to the lyra’der.

Then, to her disgust, Rurik did the only think that could make it worse. Without a second pause, he ripped off a roasted leg from the displayed lyra’der and held it an inch from her lips. The sight of the under cooked meat as small dots of blood leaked out, caused her to turn her face away with disgust.

“What’s wrong?” Rurik asked with concern before pulling the meat back to inspect it for himself. Nearly taking all the meat off the bone in a single bite, he tested the flavor. “It’s good meat,” he assured her. His hand reached out to rip off another juicy hunk off the carcass with a smile. Holding it out to her in offering, she fought against the rolling of her stomach.

I think I’m going to be sick.

Haven’t these people ever heard of a salad or a cheeseburger? God, she could kill for a cheeseburger and fries about now. But the putrid smell coming off the meat all around her was making her lose her appetite.

“You need to eat to keep up your strength,” he stated with concern when she refused to take the offered meat from his hand. Turning back to look at the offered meat, she narrowed her eyes at Rurik.

“Get that out of my face before you make me sick!” she gasped out loudly. With a confused expression he did what she asked. Throughout the dining hall, Elena noticed that she’d attracted attention from all the others with her outburst. Other males stared at her with curiosity and whispered amongst themselves, making her very uncomfortable.

“Why is everyone staring at me?” she asked, breaking the awkward silence between herself and Rurik.

Popping another strip of meat into his mouth, he turned to look over his shoulder at the curious gazes of the others around them. Smirking, he shrugged his wide shoulders. “You’re unique,” he replied in between chewing his meal.

“Unique?” her face twisted in a disbelieving scowl.

“You are one of the first mates that have been obtained by
dream seeking
. Others are curious about you. I can see why others would envy Kieran’s good fortune. With your coloring and your shape… you are very unique.”

Rolling her eyes, she scoffed with disbelief. These people thought she was
unique
? She was just a slightly normal, plus sized, pale redhead. What was so unique about her? Part of her still couldn’t believe that she wasn’t dreaming all this. She needed to get home.

Folding her arms over the top of the long table, she leaned forward, “Listen; you have no need to envy Kieran. I am nothing to him. This is all just a mistake. The first chance I get to go home, I plan on taking it.”

Lines of confusion deepened along Rurik’s brow as he absorbed her words. Resting his forearm on the table top as well, he regarded her with interest. “So you are saying that Kieran has no claim to you?” After asking, he seemed to hold his breath, awaiting her response.

She scoffed, shaking her head, “Of course not, I belong to no one.” Rurik’s thin lips softly curved into a slight grin at her words.

“Lady Elena—” Without finishing, he shut his mouth with a sharp snap as his eyes raised above her head.

Suddenly, the weight of two heavy hands settled on her shoulders from behind. Turning to look over her shoulder, she saw it was Kieran. He didn’t look down at her; instead his eyes held a coldness that was focused entirely on Rurik. Why would he be upset with Rurik? Both seemed to just stare at each other in a hard silence. The air around her suddenly felt heavy with tension.

“Rurik,” Kieran acknowledged curtly.

Smirking coldly, Rurik replied, “Greetings Kieran, I was asked by the
Gu’an
to take Lady Elena to get some food, since she hadn’t had any yet today.” She watched as Rurik gave Kieran a knowing look. In a way it almost seemed like he was goading Kieran. Briefly she felt Kieran’s hands tighten on her shoulders before he relaxed them.

Lowering his head to meet her eyes, his gaze softened against her questioning look. He smiled down at her, “Have you eaten enough?”

Curling her nose in disgust, she shook her head. “I’m not eating any of that,” she stated, indicating to the roasted carcass in the middle of the table.

Strangely, his tense expression melted to mirror Rurik’s confusion from earlier. “The meat is not to your liking? It’s good meat, I promise you.”

When he reached around her to rip off a piece, she took the opportunity to rise to her feet. Turning around to face him, she was only mildly surprised to see him holding out the obtained meat in offering. As the smell of the putrid meat hit her once again, her stomach clenched painfully. Whether it was hunger pains or nausea, she didn’t know.

Covering her mouth, she turned and fled from the dining hall to get away from the smell of the bizarre meat. Voices around her picked up at her sudden flight from the room, but she didn’t care. She needed to get away and get some fresh air before she became ill.

* ~ * ~ *

Surprised, Kieran watched as his mate suddenly turned a sickly shade of gray before she frantically covered her mouth and ran. His first instinct was to stop her, but his bewilderment stopped him. Had he done something to encourage this reaction? Looking down at the meat still pinched between his fingers, his brows furrowed with thought. Was it the meat? Popping the small chunk into his mouth he slowly chewed the sweet morsel.

It was good meat. Twice a day, the best hunters from the lower villages were selected to venture into the Greenwood and bring back game for the warriors and the higher officials. Lyra’der meat was coveted by the warriors as the best meat. Only the best of hunters were able to track and successfully catch one. Lyra’ders were known for being swift and sometimes aggressive creatures. Perhaps Elena didn’t know that it was an honor to be served such meat? Or was it possible that her kind couldn’t tolerate meat?

Ignoring the watchful eyes of the other warriors and staff around him, he moved to follow his mate.

Leaving the dining hall, he moved down the dark corridor. Sniffing at the cool air, he located Elena’s soft musk. Turning to follow it, he was stopped as someone called to him.

“Kieran.”

His jaw clenched tightly when he turned to see Rurik standing a short distance behind him. Clenching his fists, he couldn’t repress the urge to growl at his presence. His earlier words hadn’t gone unnoticed by Kieran for a second. The Gu’an may have
ordered
Rurik to take Elena to the dining hall, but it seemed like he’d taken it upon himself to label himself as Elena’s protector, a duty that belonged only to one person — her
sou’tali.

Rurik had suddenly become his opponent in the battle to claim his mate. His lip curled into a snarl at the mere idea. Not saying anything to acknowledge him, Kieran turned and began following his mate once again.

“Don’t turn your back on me,
sentinel
,” Rurik’s dark voice warned.

Stopping, his body slowly turned around to face his scowling opponent. It didn’t escape him at how Rurik’s words were filled with disdain at his title. As one of several sentinels, it was his job to patrol their boarders along the Greenwood and making sure their enemies never crossed their borders. It was too lowly of a job for Rurik.

Ever since they were younglings, Rurik enjoyed exploiting his birth status that raised him above so many among the warriors. Where many were born of the lower Garmorian people of the villages, Rurik was born within a high ranking family within the Gu’an’s advising court. After adolescent training most warriors moved up in the ranks by proving themselves worthy. Rurik on the other hand was immediately assigned to the Gu’an’s personal guard with help from his high ranking sire.

His eyes narrowed dangerously at his opponent. “You do not command me. Perhaps you need to remember you are one of the Gu’an’s guards, Rurik and not the Gu’an himself.”

Chuckling, Rurik took a step forward. “I only wish to talk about Lady Elena or should I go and talk to her myself?” Giving Kieran a knowing smile, Rurik attempted to step around him.

Springing forward Kieran’s hand shot out to grip Rurik’s throat in a punishing hold. Shoving him backwards, Kieran pinned his gloating opponent against the cold stone wall. “Listen to me, very carefully. You will stay away from Elena. She’s mine.”

“You haven’t claimed her yet.” Shoving Kieran’s hands away, Rurik pushed away from the wall. His eyes never left Rurik as he edged away from the wall to stand behind him. Slowly turning with his opponents movements, he held himself ready should Rurik decide to attack.

“What do you want?” Kieran asked when Rurik’s eyes began drifting in the direction of his wayward mate.

“Your lady informed me that you have no claim on her. Is that correct?”

“Of course it isn’t! She is my
sou’tali
; the Goddess led me to her. She is mine and by the new moon, I will claim her and prove it,” he answered, taking a threatening step forward.

“That’s not what she thinks. In fact, something tells me that she doesn’t think of you in that way at all.” Flashing a knowing grin, Rurik’s finger rubbed absently at his chin in thought. “That means, she is unclaimed…”

Kieran’s eyes blazed with the same rage that boiled within his veins. Unleashing his beastly form he allowed his human mask to melt away. His face changed as his fangs lengthened to deadly points making him hunger for the taste of his rival’s blood. Unsheathing his razor sharp claws, Kieran moved in for the attack. He would kill any that thought they could claim Elena instead of him. Seeing his intention to attack, Rurik released his inner beast. Slashing his claws through the air threateningly, Rurik parted his mighty jaws and roared with a challenge. Before the two could engage, a dark voice thundered from behind them.

“Stop!”

The sound of heavy boots echoed through the dark corridor behind them, before the newcomer stepped into the light. Seeing his commander, Kieran slowly took a step back but he refused to revert back to his humanoid form until he was sure that Rurik was no threat. Arlen’s hard gaze shifted between the two that still yearned to shred each other to bits.

“Revert,” his harsh voice ordered. When neither made a move to follow his command, he shouted, “Now! Or I will personally make sure you regret it!”

Reluctantly, Kieran allowed his features to shrink back to normal as well as his claws. Rurik turned around to glare threateningly at Arlen, refusing to do as ordered. Kieran watched as Arlen’s eyes began to glow as his beast fought to break to the surface. Arlen was the oldest and strongest of all of the warriors. None would dare challenge him and hoped to live.

“Stand down, Guard,” Arlen ordered. The force of his words carried power that nearly pushed both warrior’s to their knees. Snapping his mouthful of fangs at him, Rurik refused to stand down. Without warning, Arlen struck. Curling his clawed hand into a fist, his powerful fist flew out at Rurik, striking him across the face and throwing him to his knees. Once on his knees, Arlen stepped forward, striking Rurik again. Falling onto his hands as Rurik’s beastly features unwilling reverted back to normal.

Stumbling onto his feet, Rurik glared at Arlen with hatred as a thin trail of blood fell from his split lip. Turning to face Kieran, he sneered, “This isn’t over. You’ll be hearing from me soon, sentinel.” Without another word he shoved passed Arlen with a snarl before he disappeared into the shadows.

Allowing his features to relax and melt back to normal, Arlen focused his hard gaze on the warrior remaining. “What was that about?”

“He threatened to take my
sou’tali
. I am within my right to challenge him,” Kieran seethed.

“Perhaps; however this is neither the time nor the place for such things. Have you begun the
Malrai Hin
?”

Nodding his head, Kieran rumbled out his reply, “I have.”

“You cannot afford any distractions during this time. We have more pressing matters than claiming your
sou’tali
,” Arlen stated, looking at Kieran with skepticism.

Shaking his head, Kieran paced away from his commander. “My mind is clear.”

Nodding, Arlen grimaced. All this
dream seeking
was causing his warrior’s to lose their senses and composer. He was satisfied that he had yet to dream of his mate, allowing him to still remain sane. “Very well, go to your mate. Win her before your time runs out.”

Dipping his head in respect, Kieran turned to continue on his way to catch up to his mate. Arlen’s voice called out to him once more, stopping his pursuit. Turning to look over his shoulder, Kieran met the hard gaze of his commander as his grave words echoed around them.