Untamable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 2) (7 page)

Tell me what happened. You’ve been pent up ever since your sparring match with Saar.
He peered at her. She was right. He’d been a beast all evening—figuratively, not literally. Now that they were connected, his innermost thoughts and fears were on display. He couldn’t hide them from her even if he’d tried.

He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled. “Saar…”
He defeated me, twice…

She ran her fingers over his arm, the gentle caress tickling the fine hairs.
I’m not sure I understand why that’s a problem. You’ve sparred on many occasions, each winning your fair share.

He glanced at her soft features, her gaze penetrating into his heart. “True, but I’ve never lost so easily.” Not wanting to admit how much this bothered him, he headed over to his desk. He leaned on the ancient wood and tried to calm his racing heart.

Melissa didn’t send him a message, so he turned to look at her. She was bent over the crib, placing Anlon down for a nap. Noeh caught a glimpse of his son’s face—closed eyes, cute button nose, ruby lips sucking on the pacifier. He held his breath, and a new wave of contentment warred with his frustration.

Melissa straightened and looked at him. Her lips scrunched into a frown.
That’s not all there is to it. Tell me the rest.

“It won’t be long before I’m completely deaf…” He raised his clenched fist. “I won’t…I can’t go out on the battlefield again. I’m a danger to others.”

Her brow pinched together and her own pain for him filtered along their connection. His heart ached.

He tapped his ring against the hilt of his sword. With great care, he unbuckled his belt and removed his scabbard. The blade shook, causing a tremor to ripple up his arm.

He placed his sheathed sword on a hook on the wall. Emptiness filled him, and he seemed naked without his most valued weapon.

Melissa didn’t speak, she didn’t need to. Her acceptance was confirmation she, too, knew he could no longer fight. She closed the distance between them, running her hands over his forearms. He encircled her in his embrace and studied her features.

There’s a reason Alora and Veromé picked you as king of all the Lemurians. Although you can’t fight in the traditional sense, you now have the opportunity to strategize and plan. I will interpret for you, at least until you’ve mastered lip reading. 

A heavy weight settled into his stomach. The other races would arrive at the Keep sooner or later. How they react to his weakness? Would they follow a deaf king? Shaking his head, he ran his hand through his hair.

She lightly touched his chin, and her smile buoyed his confidence.
Hey, I believe in you. We’ll get through this…together.
Her eyes glowed with her determination. 

Her support made him love her even more, something he thought impossible. 

He forced a smile and kissed the top of her nose. “With you by my side, we shall conquer the Gossum and win this war for Alora.”

Of that, I have no doubt. We shall see this war end, you and I.

A thought crossed his mind, and he glanced at the door. “Do you think Tanen has had any success with getting the Gossum’s new location out of Mauree?”

Melissa pulled away from his embrace and went to check on Anlon.
Not as of the last time we spoke with him. She’s been difficult, to say the least.

He leaned against the bed’s giant carved footboard and crossed his arms. “Now that Ram is dead, we need to find Jakar and eliminate the remaining Gossum. I should’ve insisted on more drastic measures.”

No. Please. You promised you wouldn’t hurt her.

He pushed away from the bed and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “After everything she did to you, I’m still amazed at how you protect her.” 

Despite her attempt to kill me, I can’t help it. Deep inside, I think she loved you to the best of her ability. Can’t you see the pain and torment in her eyes?

“I see a traitor, plain and simple. Tanen has searched the scriptures for the past few weeks to find any details on the required sentence for treason and has spent countless hours trying to pry information out of Mauree. I won’t wait much longer. If he’s not successful, then I will have no choice but to seek alternate means.” Noeh let out a sigh. He prayed to the gods it wouldn’t come to that.

She turned in his embrace to face him.
You’re a good king. I know you will do what’s right.
Her mouth curved into a sexy grin.
By the way, Anlon is asleep.

Arousal spread through his body, and he became hyper-aware of her scent and how her warm, soft body molded against his.
Indeed, let’s not waste this precious alone time.
He pulled her closer, and wrapped his hand in her long hair, capturing her in his grasp. With gentle nips, he kissed his way from her neck to the sensitive spot behind her ear. He let loose a low growl, knowing the vibration would tickle and make her squirm against him. 

She responded to the vibration just as he’d expected, squirming and rubbing against his already firm shaft. He growled his appreciation and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, squeezing his torso with her taut muscles. 

He carried her to their bed, their passionate kisses driving him mad. His knee bumped into the mattress and they fell onto the comforter. He wrapped his arms around her, caging her where they landed. A smile pulled at his lips.
Little kitten, you’re going to mewl my name before we’re done.

The rhythmic nature of her laugh vibrated into his chest.
Promise?

Oh yes, I promise.

Chapter Twelve

A chill ran over Aramie’s arms. Panthera could see in the slightest bit of light, but here in the cave total darkness reigned. 

“Aramie?” Jonue tensed up beside her.

Aramie clutched the stone in her fist. She wouldn’t let go and risk losing it. “I’ve got the stone. You ok?”

“Yes, fine. This is eerie. I’ve never been unable to see before.”

“Head back into the water. Maybe there’s some light coming from the outside—from the hole we came through.”

Aramie placed the stone into a side pocket in her pants and zipped it closed. The weight against her leg made her heart still. If the ancient legend was true, the crystal would heal Demir. A niggle of hope lodged itself in her chest. With a new sense of urgency, she headed back over the rocks, using her fingers to guide her. 

A small splash came from somewhere in front of her. Jonue was back in the water.

Aramie traced her fingertips over the edge of a boulder. Something soft and wet coated her hand. When she moved her fingers, a thin film stuck to her skin.
Spider web!
The creepy, crawly critter skittered over the back of her hand. 

She screamed. 

Skidding on the slick rocks, she scurried to get away. Even with her Panthera grace, she wasn’t able to maintain her balance. Her back hit the jagged edge of a rock, sending a spark of pain into her leg. 

“Aramie!” Jonue’s shout echoed off the walls, making Aramie’s ears ring.

Time slowed. Aramie’s heart pounded. Without her cat-like vision, the world closed in on her. Imaginary spiders crawled all over her body. She kicked out, flailing around on the rocks, causing further injury to her back and legs. Her hands scraped against the rocks as she tried to regain her balance. The anxiety attack had her in its grasp.

“Aramie!” Jonue’s hands landed on her shoulder and thigh. “I’m here. What’s wrong? Are you injured?” 

Her friend’s words broke through the fog in Aramie’s brain. Fast, hard pants wracked her lungs and her body ached from the brutal rocks. “Sp-sp-spider.”

“Can you stand? We need to get out of here.” 

“Yeah. I…I think so.” Aramie’s parched throat made it difficult to speak. Her face heated. She’d been afraid of spiders ever since she was a kid. She’d woken up one night to find one on her pillow, inches from her face. The creature had jumped on her arm, and she’d screamed. She’d killed it, but not before the spider had bitten her. Ever since then, she’d feared the hairy, multi-legged, multi-eyed creatures with a passion. 

Jonue pulled Aramie to her feet. “This way.”

The cool water eased Aramie’s battered nerves and sore muscles, but she couldn’t get out of this cave fast enough.

“Do you see any light? Anything at all?” Jonue asked.

“No…wait. I see a faint glow.” Aramie grasped Jonue’s arm. “This way.” 

Together, they dove. The light grew brighter, and they swam through the hole. 

Aramie broke through the surface. As she inhaled, the bitter tang of astringent raced into her lungs.
Gossum.

Rushing water roared in her ears. Wetness splashed in her face, making her blink. She glanced up. The large, majestic waterfall flowed once again, as if freeing the stone had released the water. The brightness of impending dawn cast an orange glow on the clouds. She treaded in place, trying to stay afloat in the bubbling wake.

A shrill cry rang through the air and was cut short. 

“Kitani!” Jonue shrieked.

A Gossum’s gleeful chortle rang through the air. Above the waterfall’s roar, the muffled sound of grunts and bones breaking cascaded into the ravine. 

“Oh, no.” Jonue’s voice echoed Aramie’s own thoughts.

A kernel of dread formed in Aramie’s gut. If the overwhelming smell was any indication, the Gossum outnumbered Kitani and Sidea. 

About thirty yards away, a Gossum grunted near the rocks where she’d last seen her sister. Small pebbles rained from above. They plopped into the water and left concentric circles in their path. A growl erupted into the air.

The hair on Aramie’s neck stood on end. Her anger built within, sending adrenaline into her bloodstream. She headed for shore, swimming against the current. 

Her sister, in panther form, appeared among the rock outcropping high above Blue Pool. Three Gossum stood right behind her, one wore a cap over his head.
Ram.
She clenched her hands into fists. Noeh had killed him, or so she’d thought, but she couldn’t deny the truth seen through her own eyes.

One of the Gossum lashed out his long tongue, hitting Sidea in the haunch. The Gossum’s stinger would numb her leg in a matter of moments.

Aramie stilled in the cold water. Time slowed. Her pulse pounded in her ears. 

“No,” Aramie whispered. She reached into her belt, palming one of her throwing stars. While treading in the water, she attempted a throw, but the star missed its mark.

Sidea lashed out at a Gossum with her front paw, gouging one through his blue jeans. Blood oozed from the injury. Her back leg trembled and gave way. The second Gossum landed on her back, and the scales running over the base of his neck flared. His serrated teeth glinted as he closed his jaw around her throat. 

“Sidea!” This time the scream that erupted from Aramie’s throat echoed up the walls of the ravine. Vengeance, deep and powerful, rushed through her veins. 

Ram turned toward her. His black eyes gleamed in the eerie pre-dawn light. The sinister smile on his face would be forever etched into her brain.

Sidea squirmed below her captors. Ram pulled a syringe out of his pocket. The sharp tip pierced her shoulder. A fine red liquid oozed into the vial.

Aramie bobbed in the water’s current. She aimed as best she could and launched another throwing star. This one lodged itself in Ram’s bicep. He didn’t even flinch, and then casually pulled the metal from his skin.

He glanced at Aramie, pocketed the syringe filled with Sidea’s blood, then slit her throat with his long, pointy claw. Blood gushed from the wound, her vital fluid seeping from her body. Sidea slumped to the ground, her fingers already disintegrating, turning to sand.

Heat raced up Aramie’s neck and into her face. Her pulse pounded in her temple. A red haze covered her vision. An overwhelming urge to split open Ram’s skull made her clench her hands into fists. Fueled by her need for retribution, she swam for shore, Jonue at her side.

The current caught Jonue in its grasp and pulled her under. Aramie couldn’t help her sister or Kitani, but she’d be damned if she’d let Jonue die, too. 

With a new purpose, adrenaline surged through Aramie’s veins. She swam after her warrior and helped Jonue grab a tree branch near the river’s edge. As Aramie reached for a nearby shoot, the current caught her in its torrent, yanking her under the water. She sputtered, fighting to break free. The turbulence tossed her around and she rolled, hitting her head against a rock. Pain splintered through her brain. 

Fighting consciousness, she surfaced long enough to get half a breath of air—and some more water. Aramie choked and spun as she floated down the river.
So this is what it’s like to drown.
Darkness closed in and she passed out.

*****

Aramie woke to gentle hands pressing against her cheeks, forcing her mouth open. 

“Breathe.” Someone spoke, but she couldn’t identify the source.

She inhaled, and a wracking cough made her double over on the ground. Water spewed from her lungs. The damp scent of moss wafted into her senses. On the sodden bank a few feet from the river, mud covered her arms and legs. Strands of wet hair hung in her face. 

“I think you’ll live.” Jonue’s stern voice broke into her brain.

“Kitani! Sidea!” Aramie stood, but couldn’t get her bearing. She swayed and strong hands grasped her arm to steady her.

“We couldn’t save them. There were too many Gossum. I’m sorry,” Jonue told her softly. 

Aramie couldn’t process the information. Her mind was in a fog of denial. 

Jonue pulled her close. “You helped me get to the river’s edge. I followed the shore, keeping you in sight. When you hit a tree snag, I pulled you out.” She placed her hand against Aramie’s cheek. “Hey, stay with me.”

Aramie pulled her gaze up to meet Jonue’s. The other female’s mouth was pursed and worry lines creased her brow. 

 “We have to get farther downstream, away from the Gossum. The sun will break soon.”

The truth in Jonue’s words was evident all around them. The sky’s brightness hurt her sensitive eyes. Daylight, like she’d only seen a few times in her life, cascaded strange shadows along the ground.