The Stolen Valkyrie: Broken Bonds (Part One) (Fantasy Erotic Romance Novelette) (6 page)

Digging spurs into the horse’s flanks, they sent Clan Zajihn’s alarm cry through the air. Shouting the Clan’s name first, then their Mistress’, and finally their own names:

“ZAH-Heen…As-tah Goh-Hee-Sha…TAH-Neeh…Kel-See…ZAH-Heen…”

Over and over, their voices rang through the air until the thunder of approaching hooves drowned them out. The healer of Western Shire, a wizened elder, directed two stout men, “Handle her with care. Rox, ride hard for Clan Zajihn. Bring the Jihn Grand Chief with haste.”

Wide-eyed, the young village crier named Rox jerked her horse’s reins and called in a shrill voice, “Mistress Goddess of Zajihn, I bid ye wellness.”

Arriving at Western Shire, the men laid her on the furs in the healer’s tent and quickly fled. Kelci and Tani respectfully bowed their head and anxiously waited at the edge of the tent. When she could no longer stand waiting, Tani asked, “Sage, may we enter?”

“Ye wish to enter a tent with a fevered one? Do ye invite death upon us all? Go fetch me what herbs ye have given her.”

Tani shuffled away as the sage ducked through the tent flap. She quickly stripped Asta’s clothing and froze. Hearing footsteps pacing at the edge of the tent, she called out, “Woman, enter.”

Kelci ran into the tent. The sage pinned her with a knowing gaze, “Grace me with your name and rank.”

“Kelci of Zajihn, bond mate to Luka, and lowly escort to Grand Mistress Asta Gojicia.”

The sage lifted Asta’s travel garment and asked, “Do ye know what herb this is?”

Kelci’s eyes widened but she slowly shook her head. Tani returned and, discovering Kelci already in the tent, ducked through the opening. Still gazing at Kelci, the sage took the pouch of herbs from Tani.

Sniffing the pouch, she winced and grabbed a strip of cloth. Pushing it into Tani’s hands, she urged, “Fetch me water and do not tally.”

When Tani left, the sage’s mouth drew into an angry line. She told Kelci, “This error may cost more than a chieftain babe.” A
tsk-tsk
sound rose from the sage’s throat, “Foolish women! Ye have taught her about powerful herbs to rid her master’s seed but mixed it with a potion to amplify her fertility. ‘Tis a lethal mixture!”

Kelci gasped, starting to deny it but the sage’s expression warned her not to bother. Tani raced back into the tent, thrusting the cold wet cloth into the sage’s hand as she breathed, “Is she with a phoenix babe? She said the bleeding time was upon her. What is…?”

Kelci’s anxious moan cut her off, “Ohhh, Tani, Grand Chief Johan will surely be so angry with her.”

The sage shot her a frown, “Ye fear he will be angry with ye! Johan would never harm this one.”

Kelci’s mouth snapped closed. The sage’s wise eyes narrowed on her, “Ye are the one who taught riddance of Jihn’s seed. Go from my tent before ye bring wrath upon us all.”

Tani’s gaze flew to Kelci who started to shake. She blurted out, “She was not ready to bear him a child.”

Under the sage’s hostile stare, Kelci cringed and admitted, “Goddess and Gods forgive me! I traded the knowledge so I could bond early.”

Tani grabbed Kelci’s hair, yanking her to the ground while wailing, “I bid the Goddess and Gods to spill your life now. Ye have surely killed her.”

“Enough!”

Both women jerked at Asta’s harsh raspy command. Barely above a whisper, Asta told them, “I made her give me instruction. No babes.”

The sage smoothed her sweaty brow, “Asta, Great Mistress of Zajihn, ye have erred greatly. The poison has taken hold of ye but ye must fight for life.”

Glancing back at Tani, she said, “Ride swift as the wind to the water. Do not stop until ye get to the river. There will be a purple flower. Bring the root to me.”

Tani spun around and ran for her horse. The sage gazed into Asta’s dazed eyes, “Stay with us, Mistress. Ye have the love of the Goddesses with ye. They will grant all the fighting spirits to ye in all the shires combined.”

Asta managed through chattering teeth, “W-What is h-happ-ening?”

Reaching over to a shelf of clay pots, the sage shook some dried leaves from one and sprinkled them into the fire. Without looking at Kelci, she said, “Unless ye want to seize upon the ground, I suggest ye beg the gods to steal your breath. Otherwise, leave my tent.”

Kelci scurried out of the tent while the sage told Asta, “Ye must breathe deeply, Great Mistress Asta. This will keep the fever down and stave off the poison.”

Asta’s dried lips parted as she gulped air. The sage fanned the smoke toward her. In a lilting voice, the wizened elder sent a prayer to draw spirits upon them. Asta coughed under the heavy smoke and tried to turn her face away. The sage’s grip tightened.

Slipping into a trance, her voice rose, “I call upon thee, Fallen Mighty Ones of Old. I invoke thee,
Goddess Inga, Great Mother of Chief Johan,
grant this Mistress your grace.”

The sage’s lips brushed Asta’s forehead before she raised them to intone, “
Grand Master Erik, blood descendent of Jihn, God and Father to Chief Johan…
”

Asta’s eyelids fluttered as she moaned, “Nooooo…ye must not…”

The sage’s voice rose as thunder rumbled overhead, “
Spare our Mistress of Zajihn, bond mate of Grand Master Johan Gojicia.”

Swaying side to side, the sage was deaf to the alarmed shouts and bustle outside her tent. Locked in the trance, she raised arms above Asta and shouted skyward, “
I beckon the reckless Galti, famed blood bearer of Jihn and wrecker of clans!”
Asta’s mouth gaped but no sound emitted. The sage’s eyes rolled back in her head as the following fell from her lips, “
Galti, God and Father of the fallen twin to Grand Master Johan, lend me your spirit!”  

Asta’s back heaved off the pallet. The sage fell forward over Asta’s stomach as a deep male unworldly voice emitted, “
I summon thee, Mighty strength of Jihn…”

Lightning slashed across the sky, followed swiftly by thunder. The tent shook and the ground rumbled under them.
Asta slid into a hazy dream state. Warriors faced off. Spears rose in the air as her Clan’s war cries of
For-ward ZA-Heen
mingled with
Let fly…VOH-Heen!
Asta whimpered, pushing at the sage.

I, Grand Master Thorlak Galiji, reclaim my rightful land! Bow to me, your TRUE Grand Master, and bring forth the murderous Zajihn! I, son of the fallen Galti, wait no more…

Asta was trapped in the dream while the sage, languishing in a trance, pinned her to the pallet. Thundering footsteps shook the ground. Within her dream, Asta sat in the dirt and watched multiple bodies locked in an ecstatic writhe. Her breath quickened as one of the males, massive in size and obviously a mighty chief, turned and looked straight at her.

Upon the pallet, her shaking brought the sage out of her trance. For the first time, the wizened elder became aware of the battle waging outside her tent.

I say to ye…KNEEL before Grand Master Thorlak Galiji of Vojihn…or be slaughtered!

Whimpering and unconscious, Asta shivered violently. Thinking fast, the sage threw a blanket over her and dove for the tent flap. She could only hope that the famed barbarians would have mercy if they discovered the Grand Mistress of Gojicia.

Within her dream, the massive and intimidating male pinned her with his gaze. No matter how hard she tried, Asta could not make out his features. His intense eyes were enough to send tingles over her nipples, across her stomach, and explode between her legs.

Her body twisted under the cloth as her throaty moan rent the air. The mass of entangled bodies became a blur of motion, shifting to look upon her. Gazing down at herself, she gasped at her nude state.

When she looked back up, a host of frenzied bodies moved toward her. Her dream-tethered body was frozen in place while her physical one went into a full-body seize. The phantoms mouths and feather-light touches devoured her.

Surrounded within a sexual frenzy, a booming voice cut through her dulled mind, “
Grant me pleasure and I will fuel your blood with Godly fire of Jihn. Those bidding me pain will suffer my wrath.”

Revived from sleep from throaty wails, her body jerked and twisted with intense orgasmic waves. With mouth agape, she dazedly realized the wails were her own.

“Ahhh…I’m…on fire! Ooohhhh—Gods be with me…pleeaase!”

Her body was blistering hot. Smelling smoke, she crashed the urn with the smoldering herbs. Sounds of battle broke through her dazed state. She rolled off the pallet but was too weak to crawl far.

Outside the tent, pained cries were undercut by another booming command, “
Gather the breeders!”

Realizing that her dream has merged with reality, she tried to sit up but collapsed. Her mind reeled from the effort. Feet suddenly entered her vision. Easily lifted from the dirt, she tried to focus as a familiar male scent surrounded her.

The last thing Asta heard was her moan, “
Grand Master of my heart.”

The massive rogue chief paused, staring at the beautiful woman in his arms. With a grunt, he hefted her over his shoulder and ducked back through the tent.
 

The next time
Asta awoke, nothing was as it should be. With eyes widening, she attempted to sit up but restraints kept her in place. An unfamiliar odor made her look down the length of her body. She wore a clean covering but it was not her style of dress. Sniffing the air brought a wave of earth and moisture.

Rope binding her hands together hampered her attempt to move. Cocooned in a cloth, she was unable to bend her legs. Memories of shouts flitted through her mind. Looking around, she surveyed the dimly lit walls of a cavern. Firelight flickered from torches but was too weak for her to see much. A faint male voice echoed and bounced off the damp rock walls. She strained to hear but could only make out a few words, enough to know that a man spoke.

…will pay…spilling…blood…evilness…barbaric…

Nearby breathing made her squirm harder. The effort exhausted her. Asta slid back into sleep. When she awoke again, she stayed very still and listened closely. Water dripping into a pool seemed to punctuate the hushed voices of men.

“The girl called Tani was seen picking the root by Nania who claims the girl was in a rush.”

Fearing Tani had been killed, Asta gasped. The noise bounced off the walls, immediately hushing the conversation. Footsteps came closer before a voice called, “Are ye ready to tell us her name, one who is called Tani?”

Asta pretended to be asleep. Her heart soared when Tani made a negative sound but dread filled her when the sage called, “She is awake. Ask the woman ye saved for yourself.”

From her place on the ground, Asta heard the footsteps approach and stop beside her. Through her lashes, she could tell that whoever it was, he was of normal stature. A toe dug into her ribs, “Woman, speak your name.”

Asta opened her eyes but, instead of answering him, asked, “Who are ye to hold me captive?”

“Ye are no captive of mine. The Vojihn Clan holds ye hostage. Answer my question so that we may know which Chief to hold negotiations with.”

Asta hid her shock as best she could. Hoping the sage would remain quiet and allow her to think, she demanded, “Where is your leader, Vojihn warrior?”

“Oh, ye will meet the Great Master Thorlak soon enough. We look forward to defeating fiery spirits. Mayhap, he will grant me the first go at ye.”

Asta glared at him, wishing her bindings were not so tight so that she could sweep his legs and crack his skull on the hard cave floor. Noting her curled lip, he lifted a shoulder and pointedly said, “Your name will fill the air before this day ends.”