I Can Hear You (13 page)

Mikal

Watching Lukke walk away with Ambriel made me angry.  All I could feel from her was betrayal and I had no idea why.  I planned to talk with her after midday meal.

Walking into the dining hall, Tassha rushed up and said, “I saved you a seat beside me.”

I walked over and sat down with her just as I would normally do.  She was talking softly so I had to lean down to hear what she said, “Would you like some company tonight?”

Everything within me revolted at the idea of spending the night with her.  “Not tonight.”  I watched her face fall and then a huge smile took its place as she grabbed my arm just to touch me.  I was about to dislodge myself when I felt overwhelming anger.

My eyes shot to glowing blue ones as Ambriel sat opposite of Lukke at meal.  I didn’t know what she was doing here and then I felt sickened by the thought that I hadn’t even offered her food or showed her the dining hall since we arrived.  I was about to go to her when Tassha said something to me and gained my attention.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”  I asked as I realized she still had her hands on me.

“What is a
human
doing here?”  She sneered.

I turned back around in time to see Ambriel take Lukke’s arm and leave the dining hall.  Uncontrollable jealously rolled through my body and if Lukke were standing before me, he would pay for touching my mate!  I scooted my chair back and Tassha squeezed my arm and asked, “Mikal, what’s wrong?”

I took a few calming breaths although it didn’t help much.  “Excuse me Tassha, but I must go.”

I headed out of the dining hall but Lukke and Ambriel were nowhere in sight.  I went to her room and when she didn’t answer, I went to his.  If I found them together in
his
rooms, I would kill him. 

His rooms were also empty.  I found Avis and asked, “Where’s Lukke?”

He raised his bowed head and stated, “He left the castle.” I nodded before quickly leaving.

Back in my rooms, I paced as I waited on his return.  I knew he’d come to me.  I drank a tumbler of ale as I waited.  It wasn’t long until there was a knock.  I turned toward the door and with a straight spine and my arms crossed, I said, “Enter.”

Lukke walked in and stood at attention.  I left him standing there while I studied his expression.  Even though nothing showed on his face, I could feel hostility coming off him in waves, which was unexpected.  “Lukke,” I said.

“Commander.  Permission to speak freely.”  That surprised me.  He never formally asked.

“Granted.”

“What the hell is wrong with you Mikal?”  I’d never heard him so angry with me before.

“Care to elaborate?”  I asked in a cool tone.

Lukke started pacing as he collected his thoughts.  When he stopped, he turned to me and said, “She’s your mate and you let another female rub on you?  Do you have any idea how lucky you are and you’re throwing it away?”

“She’s human!”  I shouted.

“Half-human and a powerful one at that!  Did you know she can hear the thoughts of everyone here?  She also saw a male coming for us at the market while we waited for food.  We left before he got there, saving me from having to fight one of our own.  She’s hasn’t eaten since arriving at the castle because you dumped her here and left her alone.  I can see how she will determine the outcome of the war, one that we’ve been neglecting as of late.  You need to get your shit together because if she decides to leave, I don’t think there’s anything you can do about it.”

I didn’t know any of this because I hadn’t talked to her.  “Where is she now?”

“She’s back in her room.”

“Did she at least eat?”

“No, she hasn’t.  After what happened in the dining hall and then at the market, she got very quiet after saying she didn’t belong here and she needed to go back.  You need to do something.”

“I’ll take care of it.”  He nodded and then left me alone as I tried to figure out how to fix this.

I called for Arron and when he arrived, I instructed him to bring two plates of food to my rooms.  I saw his slight grin before he turned to leave.  I had never invited anyone to dine with me here.

As I stood in front of Ambriel’s door, I hesitated then I knocked.  She answered with red, puffy eyes and I could feel her sadness.  “What do you want?” she asked with a lifeless voice.

“May I come in?”  She waved me inside and when she shut the door, I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight.  She hesitated before returning the gesture.  “Are you alright?”  I asked.

“No.  I don’t belong here and I want to go home.”  I never knew how much those words would wound me.  I’d neglected her so long that she would leave me.  I picked her up and carried her to the couch.

“You belong here more than you know.  I’m sorry that I haven’t taken better care of you.”  I brushed her hair away from her face.  “Let’s go back to my rooms where we can talk and eat.”  It took her a moment before she finally agreed.

As we stood, I took her hand in mine and led her to my rooms.  Many warriors stared at our joined hands but none dared to say anything to me. 

Arron was just setting out our plates when he noticed us…noticed her.  “Ambriel, this is Arron.  Arron, this is Ambriel.  She is allowed in here whenever she pleases.”  I almost laughed at the shocked look on his face.  “Ambriel, Arron is my personal servant.  If you need anything, you let him know.”

She smiled at Arron before saying, “It’s very nice to meet you.”  He just nodded to her and left. 

“Let’s eat, shall we?”  I said as I led her over to the table. 

“I’m starving,” she said and I winced a little.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t showed you around or told you where to get your meals.”

I noticed immediately that her mood changed.  “That’s okay. I didn’t like the dining hall anyway.”

I stopped and looked at her.  She avoided my gaze so I took her hand in mine, “I’m sorry about what you saw.  I know you saw me with another female; I was telling her that I wasn’t interested.”

She looked at me and softly said, “What’s a mate?”

“Where did you hear that?”  I asked slowly.

“Arron was wondering if I was your mate.  I don’t know why, I’m human and it’s forbidden.  That’s why my mother was killed, right?”

“It’s…complicated.” We ate in silence and when we finished, I led her to the couch.  “Feel better?”

“Yeah.  The food was great.  Thanks.” 

I stared into her beautiful blue eyes and then looked at her plump pink lips.  I couldn’t help myself and I lowered my mouth to hers.  When our lips met, I could feel my soul reaching for hers wanting to be complete.  I didn’t hold back.  Our tongues met in a mating dance as my arms went around her and I deepened the kiss.  My hands tangled in her hair as I kissed down her neck before heading toward her ear.  I could feel an electrical current run from her body into mine and then back into hers again.  She gasped as she broke the kiss to stare into my eyes.

Amber

I couldn’t catch my breath.  My heart pounded in my chest.  His kiss was electrifying and in a good way.  My whole body felt charged and I felt out of control, unable to do anything but feel.  I never thought I’d be able to have this with anyone.  I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him.

He carried me to his bed and gently laid me on it.  I watched as he slowly undressed, never taking his eyes from mine even as I took in his tan, muscled body.  He was perfection at its finest.  When he pushed down his underpants, I couldn’t help but gasp.  Never had I seen a man without clothes before and I couldn’t help but stare.

He lay down on the bed beside me and I tentatively ran my hand up and down his arm, feeling the warmth of his bare skin.  He lay on his back and said, “Have you never seen a man naked before?”

My eyes shot back to his as I answered honestly, “No.”

He smiled, “Go ahead and explore all you want.”  He put his hands behind his head as he lay stretched out.

My hands traced and caressed every inch of his body, amazed at how hard and smooth he felt everywhere.  When I touched his manhood, it felt hard and soft at the same time.  I heard the moan slip from his lips.

“My turn,” he smiled as he rolled me onto my back and started kissing me again.  He kissed every inch of my body as he slowly undressed me.  I was overwhelmed by all the sensations running through my body until I felt a sharp pain even though he made sure I was ready for him.   My eyes widened as I realized he had entered me.  “Shh, it’s okay.  I’ll give you time to adjust.”

When I relaxed and said, “It’s better now,” he started slowly rocking his hips back and forth.  Pleasure unlike anything I’d ever known incased me until I almost blacked out.  I could feel our bodies become one as his eyes glowed, his power joining mine.  I’d never heard of anything like this and when I felt him empty inside me I felt different, somehow changed, but extremely happy.

Mikal

I tried to stay perfectly still as her hands explored my body.  Never had a female’s touch affected me so much.  When she touched my manhood, I couldn’t take any more.  I rolled her onto her back and took her mouth with mine before I started undressing her.

She was perfect and unlike any of the females here.  She was soft to the touch and her skin creamy in color.  I could see the slightly colored red streaks in her soft wavy hair.  Lost in pleasure and desire, she instinctively opened her legs to cradle my body. 

As I rocked my hips back and forth, never had I felt anything so good.  My soul reached for hers as our powers joined.  She opened her eyes and I saw them glowing.  I could feel her pleasure as I emptied inside of her.

As we laid there breathing heavily, she said, “What was that?”  I couldn’t help but laugh.  I felt so happy, so peaceful and so complete.

I looked into her beautiful eyes and asked, “Do you feel any different?”

“Yeah, I do.  For the first time in my life, I feel… peaceful.”

“I should have talked to you about this first and I’m sorry.”

“I can feel that you are!”  She sat straight up.  “How can I feel what you are feeling?”

“I’m trying to explain.”  I sighed and pulled her back down to me.  I held her close as I explained.  “It’s been over a 1000 years since anyone has heard of true mates.  I don’t know how it’s possible but you are mine.  I’ve known it for a while but I didn’t know what to do.”

“Because I’m human?”

“Yes, but you’re also part Cusas.”

“And part witch.”  She said absently.

“Witch?”  I asked incredulously.

“I don’t know, that’s just what I was told.”

“Hmm, we’ll have to investigate that more later.”

“So I’m your mate, that’s why I felt such a pull toward you?”  She asked and I just nodded.  I loved having her in my arms.

“Come on Ambriel, it’ll be fine.”  I kept prodding her to visit the dining hall.  We had stayed in my rooms…our rooms…until it was time for third meal.

“Everyone will look at me funny.  My eyes are still glowing.”  Ever since we had joined, both of our eyes still glowed.

“Mine are glowing as well.  They won’t look at you any differently than they do me.”

I held out my hand for her to take.  When she laid her hand in mine, I could feel us connect in a way that I didn’t understand.  I didn’t know if it was a true mate thing or a witch thing.

As we left our rooms, Arron was waiting for me in the hall.  “Commander, are you…” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed our glowing eyes and entwined hands.  “Commander, your eyes are glowing…so are hers.”  He cleared his throat and swallowed hard.

“I know Arron.  I guess it’s because we mated?  I don’t know.”

“Congratulations Commander!” 

“Thank you Arron, but for now let’s not announce it publically.  A few will know but that can’t be helped.”

“Yes Commander.”

I could feel her worry as if it were my own.  Because of what happened with her parents, she feared for my safety.

“Let’s go, Ambriel.”  We walked to the dining hall where I found Lukke already there.  Sitting across from him, he said, “I see you’re mated.”

“Are our eyes still glowing?”  I asked as a servant sat a plate in front of me.

“Yes.  But I think the entire castle felt the power surge as soon as you joined with her.”  I could feel Ambriel’s discomfort and I could understand her feelings.  Our joining was a private matter.

“And the rumors?”  I asked before taking a bite.

“Most think that you mated Nanya.  Even though I am happy for you, I don’t think mating a human will go over very well.”

I felt Ambriel stiffen beside me.  She knew how the Cusas felt about humans.

After third meal, I took her to the battle room where I found Damien and Chadas waiting as I had instructed.  As soon as Ambriel spotted Chadas, she stopped mid-step and I could feel her fear.

“Ambriel, you still need to be trained.”  She looked at me with huge scared eyes, but they weren’t glowing anymore.  “What’s wrong?”

She stared at Chadas. 
Why is he wasting our time with this human?  He should just kill her and get it over with.  If she was dead, then she couldn’t be used against us anyway.
  “Chadas doesn’t understand why you are wasting his time.  He thinks you should just kill me.  If I was dead then I couldn’t be used against you,” she whispered so they were unable to hear her.

“Damien, you will train Ambriel.”

Looking at Chadas, I let him hear the warning in my voice.  “Damien, do not let Chadas anywhere near Ambriel.  If I catch him close to her, it’ll be his head,” my eyes shot to Damien’s, “and yours.  Understand?”

“Yes Commander.”

“Training will start tomorrow morning.”  Both males left the battle room.

I led Ambriel back to our rooms.  Kissing her with everything I felt, we enjoyed each other most of the night before falling asleep with our bodies entangled together.