Untamable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 2) (4 page)

Tenida raised the blue crystal into the night air. Its brilliance outshone the moon. The stone had healed Grian, the greatest of warriors, the one who’d sacrificed himself for another. Standing at the base of a large waterfall, the old haelen threw the crystal into the pool to hide it from the enemy. A brilliant flash of light erupted from the water, turning the color to a deep blue and stopping the waterfall’s flow. The healer spoke, his voice booming through the trees. “The stone shall rest here until needed once again.”

Maybe Blue Pool was a myth as the Stiyaha healer presumed. She bit her lip. No, she wouldn’t give in to her skepticism. She needed to believe the place existed—for Demir’s sake, as well as her own.

Sidea crept next to her. “What is it? Why did you stop?”

Jonue and Kitani flanked them on either side. When she’d asked them to join her tonight to look for the sacred crystal, they hadn’t hesitated. Leon had balked at the idea of Kitani leaving the Keep on this trek, and Jonue’s mate, Hallan, hadn’t reacted much better. As leader, Aramie had insisted. Another wedge between her and the males wasn’t what she needed, but she didn’t trust them to help her at this point. 

The frigid wind whipped through Aramie’s hair, stinging her cheeks. Carried along on the breeze—the bitter tang of her ageless enemy, the Gossum. Aramie’s claws extended from her closed fist, piercing the soft flesh of her palm. 

Sidea placed a hand on Aramie’s shoulder. “We’re in Gossum territory.” 

Aramie grasped her sister’s fingers, the close contact like a salve on a wound. “Yes, but we’re close. We must continue.” Aramie glanced at Jonue and Kitani. “Are you ready?”

Kitani’s eyes lit up when she smiled. “I’ve longed to return to battle ever since I mated to Leon.”

“I can’t wait. Bring it on.” Jonue stared straight ahead, her hand clutched over her throwing stars. Her smooth, dark hair reflected the small bit of light from the waxing moon.

Aramie smiled. Should they encounter any Gossum, her females would make her proud.

“Let’s go.” Aramie headed deeper into the forest, following the river. Even in the depths of winter, the remains of overgrown blackberry bushes, rhododendrons, and azaleas impeded their path, making their journey difficult. Forced to the edge of the small ravine, they followed the river, away from the protection of the forest.

Sidea stopped. “The scent of Gossum is stronger.”

Sidea’s hair hung around her cheeks and dark circles rimmed her eyes. Aramie worried about her sister, always had, ever since their mother had walked out on them when they were children. The bitter sting of her mother’s last words still echoed in Aramie’s mind.
“Aramie, I’m heading out—to find more food. Take care of your sister while I’m gone, you hear?”
Her mother had left with a small knapsack over her shoulder. That was the last time Aramie had ever seen her.

Aramie shook her head to clear her mind. The last thing she needed was the distraction of the female who’d taught her how to build walls around her heart. She steeled herself for the task at hand.

Sidea’s soft touch on her arm brought Aramie back to the present. “Did you hear me? We’ve been out here for hours and this is our fourth river. With the Gossum around…I think we should call for a portal. We can come back again tomorrow.”

Aramie glanced at her two warriors. Jonue had a rip in the sleeve of her shirt, most likely from a stray tree branch. Kitani’s pants were covered in mud and sweat stains marred her shirt.

Her sister was right. Aramie didn’t want to stop searching, but she’d put them in danger by bringing them so far into Gossum territory. If they stayed much longer, they’d risk seeing the sunrise and face exposure to the sun’s killing rays. Ever since their goddess, Alora, had interfered directly in the war, breaking the most sacred rule of the game, all of Alora’s characters were relegated to the night. A knot formed in Aramie’s stomach. They needed to return to the Keep.

Chapter Six

Noeh unsheathed his sword. The blade vibrated, sending a shiver up his arm. He stroked the handle, the sunstones embedded in the gold heating from his touch. “We’re practicing, my friend. No killing this evening.” He leaned his favorite weapon against the stone wall and picked up a wooden sparring sword.

Saar slid the chain into place, locking the antechamber’s door. Noeh had asked his Commander of Arms to join him in the private room, away from the main training facility and the other warriors with their unwanted, curious eyes.

Saar leaned against the heavy wooden door. A toothpick dangled from his lip, twisting the scar that ran across his face into a strange grimace. “You ready?”

Ever since Melissa had the baby, Noeh had been preoccupied with ensuring his queen and their son, Anlon, had everything they needed. He’d never realized taking care of a newborn could be so much work. After nearly losing them both, he hadn’t left their side. Not until Melissa had had enough of his hovering and shooed him out of the royal chamber. 

Adrenaline raced along his nerves. A spar was exactly what he needed. “Yes, my body craves a good workout.”

The skin around Saar’s eyes wrinkled, and his lips moved as if he’d spoken.

Noeh couldn’t quite make out the words, but by the smirk on Saar’s face, he’d given Noeh a verbal jab. Noeh shook his free hand, eager to expel the extra energy coursing through his veins. He raised his sword and crouched into a fighting stance. The combat would relieve some of his tension and get his head back into the war with the Gossum. “What’s taking you so long?”

Saar stepped away from the door and grabbed his own sparring sword. Raising his weapon, he circled Noeh, his eyes focused, narrowed. 

Leaning against the wall, Noeh’s sword visibly quivered, emitting a cry, but the sound seemed muted, as if far off in the distance. The noise should’ve pierced his ear, ricocheting around the antechamber. 

Craya. I’m almost deaf. 

As they circled each other, Noeh relied on his other senses to track his opponent. He focused on Saar’s movements, his small tells, like how his eye twitched before he struck. And…there it was.

Saar’s sword crashed down, connecting with Noeh’s blade. The two warriors strained and pressed blade against blade. Noeh twisted his body, throwing Saar off balance. The tip of his sword came dangerously close to his friend’s nose. 

Before Noeh could pull back for another strike, Saar clipped him on the shoulder. A drop of blood bloomed on his white shirt. The wooden swords were sharp enough to mark, but not strong enough to do serious damage. Noeh clenched his teeth. The sting was a reminder he wasn’t invincible. “Nice shot.”

Saar circled Noeh and winked. “Would…y…ike another?” 

Only pieces of the words filtered into Noeh’s brain. He gripped his sword tighter. His fingers turned white with strain. A growl erupted from his throat as his beast woke. He came at Saar, unleashing all his pent-up frustration on his friend. 

Swords clashed together in a blur. Blood welled from a nick on Noeh’s forearm and another on his thigh. Noeh pressed forward, forcing Saar to parry. 

A sharp sting bit into Noeh’s forehead. Wetness dripped in front of his eye. The room turned red with each drop. A nick on his forearm, another on his thigh, yet a third on his cheek. He listened for the sound of Saar’s blade—

In a swift, surprising move, Saar undercut him with the back of his sword. Pain blossomed in Noeh’s leg. He landed on the mat, his breath escaping in a whoosh.

The tip of Saar’s blade dimpled the skin under Noeh’s chin. He glanced at his Commander of Arms. Saar’s brow furrowed, his face tightening. “Another round?”

A bead of frustration wriggled its way into Noeh’s gut. He gritted his teeth. “Again.”

On his feet, he focused on his opponent, watching, waiting. Saar attacked, and their blades met in mid-air. Noeh’s muscles shook, but he didn’t relent. He’d defeated Saar many times in previous sparring matches, he’d do so again. 

Saar released the pressure. Noeh swung at him from below. Before he knew what happened, Noeh found himself on the floor. 

The second round ended the same as the first, only this time he was on his stomach, the tip of Saar’s sword digging into his back. A sudden coldness filled Noeh’s veins. How could this happen? 

The pressure in his back eased, and Noeh clambered to his feet. He stared at his Commander of Arms. Saar lowered the blade in deference to his king, but his gaze met Noeh’s. The two evaluated each other, neither giving way. 

Saar’s brow creased. “….going on?” 

Noeh looked away, the first time he’d ever broken eye contact with an opponent, even if it was only a sparring match. He ran his hand through his hair, his body trembling as the truth crashed down on him. His hearing loss, his one weakness that wouldn’t heal, would be lethal on the battlefield. 

Hadn’t he learned that from Demir? The Panthera leader had taken a dart intended for him because Noeh hadn’t heard it coming. Demir had ended up in a coma as a result. Noeh hadn’t trusted the arrogant Panthera leader, but after his unselfish sacrifice, he’d earned Noeh’s faith. Noeh prayed Demir would wake from his darkness soon. He could use the extra support from Demir and his Panthera Pride.

Saar’s palm landed on Noeh’s shoulder and his friend gave him a firm squeeze. Noeh peered at his toughest warrior and good friend. “T…me.” 

Tell me.
Noeh read his lips more than he actually heard the words. 

A great weight descended on his shoulders. He wanted to rant at the Gods, scream at them for creating this war, but then a vision of Melissa, and their son, Anlon, crept into his mind. Without Alora’s help, they wouldn’t be in his life. They’d be dead…at the hands of that traitor—Mauree. He exhaled and rubbed his eyes. 

Saar stepped back, and the movement brought Noeh out of his reverie. His friend frowned and shook his head. “How….help?”

Noeh picked up his sparring sword from the floor and put it back in the rack. Retrieving his favorite weapon, he placed the blade back in his scabbard. He tapped the handle with his ring, the movement comforting despite the fact that he could no longer hear the familiar ting of metal on metal. “There’s nothing you can do for me, but thank you for the offer, my friend.”

He walked over to one of the tables lining the wall. A pitcher filled with water and several cups were displayed on an elegant tablecloth, along with an assortment of fruit, all thanks to the Jixies, the Stiyaha’s helpers. He poured a drink and handed the cup to Saar, then filled his own.

Saar took a sip, and placed the mug back on the table. “Let…try.”

Noeh laughed, the only response he could deal with given the circumstances. “If you can fix my ears…” He shrugged.

His friend leaned forward, his brows creasing. “Are…deaf?” 

Noeh nodded. “Almost, and soon will be.” He glanced at his Commander of Arms. 

Saar’s mouth fell open, his eyes wide. 

“I can’t go out on the battlefield. I’m a danger to others.” Noeh’s chest tightened. The words were like a blade thrust into his gut. He was king, not only of the Stiyaha, but of all the Lemurian races. How could he lead his warriors if he couldn’t fight?

He held Saar’s gaze. His friend’s eyes shifted back and forth as he evaluated him. At last, Saar dropped to his knees, his fist wrapped around the hilt of his own sword. “…You…forever…my king.” 

Noeh’s heart rate spiked, sending a rush of endorphins into his bloodstream. His friend’s devotion was more than he could handle. He placed his palm on Saar’s shoulder. “Rise, my friend.”

“Who knows?” Saar’s words were but a whisper to Noeh’s ears.

“Melissa, Gaetan, and now, you. I’d like to keep it that way, at least for now.”

“As…wish…Majesty.” 

Noeh closed his eyes and let his friend’s loyalty fill him. As king, he’d do what was necessary to win this war, even if it meant leading from the throne.

Chapter Seven

The quiet in the room and his rhythmic breathing left Demir on the edge of sleep. He’d fought against his invisible bonds for so long, his tired mind couldn’t resist the lull of slumber. In and out of consciousness, he finally succumbed to the dream.

Demir walked into the forest, eager to escape the spring ritual and all the Panthera that had gathered in the clearing. Some came from far off Prides to exchange knowledge and information about their enemy. Others came to find a mate. Demir wasn’t interested in either, but since his father died, he’d become Pride leader and had to attend. Demir clenched his fist. The last thing he wanted was a mate.

The woods swallowed him, surrounding him with ever deepening brush and trees. Even the glow from the moon struggled to reach the ground. Far enough from the celebration, the sounds of the forest permeated his senses—frogs croaking, crickets singing. 

He inhaled, soaking in the night air. A scent, like spiced apples, made him still.
I’m not alone.
With silent stealth, he crouched behind a large boulder and surveyed the forest. Shadows stretched into grotesque shapes amid the underbrush. He bided his time, out-waiting the intruder.

Movement to his right caught his attention. The muscles in his thighs tensed. Ready to attack, he sprung from his hideout. The interloper ran. Demir followed in hot pursuit. 

The figure eluded him only for a moment then stopped. The unexpected reaction caused him to plow into the intruder, and he reflexively wrapped his arms around the person. Soft, tender flesh teased the skin on his arms. Even in the dark, vibrant red hair reflected the moon’s meager light.
A female.

He relaxed his grip and turned her to face him. Still wrapped in his embrace, he stared upon her features for the first time—vibrant green eyes, a pert nose, and full, inviting lips. Her spiced apple scent intoxicated him, sending a shot of adrenaline through his body, lighting up his nerves.

Her panted breaths caressed his cheek, and an overwhelming desire to kiss her lips washed over him. He held himself in check and curiosity got the better of him. “Who are you and what are you doing out here?”