“And?”
“And he makes my soul sing with rapture. How can that not be fated love? Was there any mention of this the night I was born? It should have been in my chart.”
Alyria recalled the gestures against evil, the frightened glances, the hesitation. Apparently, much had been kept secret by the uncles. “The only mention by Carlyle was there were auspicious signs, and they wished to see you cared for.”
In the heart of the garden, Aija stopped. “What else?”
“I know they fear you. Feared you from birth.”
“Why would they fear me? They’re my family. I’d never hurt them. I can’t imagine a reason to do so.” At a complete loss, she lifted her shoulders. “I don't understand.”
“You need information. Carlyle keeps several record keeper crystals in his quarters.”
Aija nodded, acknowledging the unspoken instructions that went with that tidbit.
Don't get caught.
She remembered when she would cloak herself as a child and wander around behind them. She knew exactly where Carlyle stashed his record keeper crystals.
Considering when to sneak in, she mentioned, “I notice they spend a lot of time in the Tower of Light. Do you know what they’re doing?”
Alyria shivered. “I don't want to know what they do. I’m just grateful whatever they’re up to, they don't have your power.”
THAT EVENING, AFTER prayers when most Atlanteans were settling in for the night, Aija cloaked herself and waited by Carlyle’s quarters for him to leave, determined to get information. Protus arrived and the two left immediately, heading for the Tower of Light. They scurried off, their heads together, whispering. She watched them leave with a sudden bad feeling in her stomach ... one she’d never had.
Carrying a heavy heart and an anxious stomach, she entered Carlyle’s quarters and went straight for his keeper chest. Inside there were dozens of crystals.
Which one?
Desperate, she scooped up a handful and bowed her head over them. Reveal yourself to me. Not sure what to expect, she took her mind into theta level and waited.
Information rushed at her in a collage of blurred images, too fast to discern. She clutched the crystals, going rigid as each one dumped their library into her mind. Tears began rolling down her cheeks, why she couldn’t say, for the information came all in a tumble. After the crystals had shared their data, she returned them to the chest.
Careful to go silently, she slipped out, needing Orion.
CHAPTER SIX
By the time Aija arrived at Orion’s, she stumbled both physically and emotionally, her mind a maelstrom.
What do I do?
Unable to process everything, she called from his doorway. “Orion. Orion, I need you.”
He came quickly, took her in his arms, and led her to the bed. He lit a candle. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
There was too much in her head and her heart to know what to say. She needed time to process and assimilate the vast load of information. Her eyes crinkled with dismay and heartbreak. Never had she thought such betrayal possible.
And I haven’t worked though all of it yet; where does it end; where does it go?
She couldn’t breathe. The weight of her heart pressed deep into her lungs. “Kiss me,” she demanded.
He enveloped her in his arms. “Shhsh. Everything will be all right. We’ll find a way, and we’ll do it together.”
Tears started to pour, hot and burning, scorching the back of her nose. Never had she cried like this. She sobbed, a foreign sound to her ears, and shivered.
“Come on, I’ve got you,” he whispered. He stroked her hair and coaxed her chin to lift, making her open her eyes. “What can I do to make you feel better?” He quickly rubbed her arms, stirring circulation and bringing warmth. “Can I kiss you?” He pushed the hair from her wet eyes and touched his lips to her forehead, lingering, breathing gently on her face.
She sniffed, her tears slowing, and mumbled. “Yes.”
He pulled the hair from her shoulder and placed a kiss there. His warm breath tickled her neck and she let her head drop back, allowing him access to her throat. He quickly peppered her jaw with little kisses, whispering, “See how beautiful you are.”
Chill bumps of desire danced along her nerves. She tugged off her tunic and removed her short pants while he peeled out of his leggings. He knelt on the bed, his manhood seeking her heat.
She straddled him and hooked her ankles at his back. His scent and the feel of his chest and leg muscles against her flesh made her wet. She rose up and placed him at her opening. With a sharp inhalation, she slid all the way down his shaft.
He held her tight while she rocked back and forth. His fingers dug into her buttocks while she bit his shoulder. She moaned, sliding hotly into him. Her breasts rubbed his chest and chill bumps flashed across her thighs with anticipation.
Faster he pumped and her orgasm flickered. She responded in kind and brought the tempo up to ride him hard. As their bellies clashed, she clenched her core muscles and triggered her orgasm. Erotic fire spiraled out through her body as he buried his face in her neck, finding completion with a deep thrust.
She collapsed and he lay her on the bed, rooting in beside her, face to face on the narrow cot. She drifted in the drowsy place after sex, pliant in his arms, his legs laced through hers, his arms around her shoulders.
He placed himself between her and the world.
Breath deepened as her mind and body relaxed and sought the shelter of oblivion. Chemicals and hormones and peptides activated by this relaxed state coursed through her body. The lower levels of her mind opened to the great consciousness, seeking answers and relief of her burden.
What do I do?
Comprehension of the depth of her uncles’ betrayal happened in a snap of fingers, as if part of her knew all along they were capable of such.
They were right to fear me.
Sinking deeper into the dream, her mind shuddered, recalling the image of the raven comet exploding in Orion’s belt. Her line of vision shifted in the dream and she rose above the continent of Atlantis. Far below, her homeland broke up and drifted apart until all sank from view.
Sensing she played a part in this catastrophe, she cried. But more visions rose out of the chaos of information she absorbed from the crystals. The hunter in the constellation Orion aimed his bow at the great cosmic wheel of karma as it tilted off track and wobbled. He fired even as his belt exploded, but his arrow pierced the cosmic wheel and held it solid.
She moaned in agony.
Too much, too much.
A soft touch smoothed her brow and strong arms held her close. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. Knowing she was safe, she slipped into oblivion.
AIJA’S NOSE TWITCHED at the smell of roasting meat. A sizzle and subsequent hiss sounded like corn batter hitting a hot stone, teasing her into consciousness. Her mouth watered and she gave up resisting, coming awake. She stretched and rolled over, opening her eyes to Orion’s deep amber gaze.
“Is the princess ready to rise?”
She giggled, noting how blessed her life had become overnight. Never in all her pampered days had she felt truly pampered ... until now. “I smell salted pork and fresh corn cakes.” She shivered with delight, for never had she desired an extravagant banquet as much as she did this simple meal. And this man. “I love you,” she whispered in a soft rush.
His eyes glistened, and he growled, grabbing her hands. His voice came out with heat. “I love you, too.”
A flood of tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve never been in love before.” She shrugged one shoulder with a mix of confusion and delight. Giddy butterflies danced in her stomach, and this constant ache for him never left her core. “I ... I don’t know what it means, or how to act. I feel like I’m levitating on sheer joy.” In the chaotic rush of emotions, she shifted from tears to bubbling laughter. “I love you. I want to shout it to the world.”
Tears matching hers ran down
his face. “I thought a curse ruled my life, that I’d never be with someone like you, someone so beautiful, so incredible. I’ve hidden all my life. I don't want to hide anymore.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss. At first her lips lingered softly, barely touching, coaxing, until a consuming wave of desire overtook her. Love became need and turned into desperation for more.
Another wash of tears watered her eyes. She wanted to stay and be with him all day, to never lose sight of him, to have him always within her reach.
But I have to go.
She broke the kiss and placed her forehead to his. “I have to take care of some family business, but I’ll be back tonight.”
“First,” he declared, “you’ll eat breakfast.” He pulled her from the bed and handed over her clothes. “Dress or we’ll end up with stale corn cakes.”
He winked, the gesture softening the serious lines of his face. She slipped on the tunic and her short pants and followed him out to the fire. He filled two plates with pork and corn cakes still sizzling from the heated stones. They sat, shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, thigh to thigh, and heart to heart.
Aija licked her fingers and laughed at his silly faces, kissing his bare shoulder between bites. Apparently, she mused, the rules for her being dressed didn't apply to him. She didn’t mind. His strong muscular shoulders and arms were a pleasant distraction.
Afterward, he passed her a cloth to wipe her hands and mouth. A quiet settled around them. She had so much to say and knew not where to start. She drew a deep breath, but he held up his hand to stop her.
“I have to take my girls hunting.” He grabbed her hands and kissed her fingers. “I don't know what you went through last night, but I know it was big, and I think you have questions that need answers. Come back tonight. We’ll eat and talk. Tomorrow’s our birthday and I want to make love to you all night and day. Deal?”
Hot tears of relief rushed free. She grabbed him in a hug, her eyes squeezed tight. “I’d love that.” She kissed him, lingering over his salty lips, severely tempted to drag him back to bed. But he was right, she had questions that needed answers ... and she intended to get them.
I have business to tend to.
All the way home, her mind churned with what she’d learned from the crystals. Events she couldn’t and wouldn’t have ever imagined were happening right under her nose. She went straight to her mother, catching her out on the green space. “Mother, we have to talk.”
Alyria frowned. “Daughter, have you been crying? What’s happened, lost your boyfriend already?” she chided lightly.
“Mother, this is serious.”
“What could be so serious to make you cry? You never cry.”
“I’ve never had a reason to cry ... until now.” She leaned in to whisper in her mother’s ear. “I saw Carlyle’s crystals. My uncles have done unimaginable spells and are working on something ... abominable. I’ve got to stop them.”
Alyria drew her into a hug, placing her lips at Aija’s ears. “Are you sure about this?”
“They’re going to steal the scale of Maat through time and rig it so karma never attaches to them again.”
“Can they do that?”
“Not without me and my power.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Make them stop. Make them reverse what they’re doing.” She pulled back to look her mother in the eye, adding softly, “And I’m not going to take my next level rites. I have a fated love, and I chose to live my life with him, forsaking my power.”
She glanced side to side. “They plotted to turn my fated love into a star-crossed love. Now I know why they feared me. But I won’t play their game. I’m going to see Carlyle and lay down the law.”
“Should I be afraid?”
Aija thought of the complex data she’d absorbed. The multidimensional ramifications of tinkering with the scale of Maat were beyond comprehension. From what they’d already done, the cost to Atlantis could be total devastation. They had to be stopped.
They’re obviously insane.
“Be afraid for all of Atlantis, but not for me.”
ORION AND THE GIRLS took to the sky early, wanting to catch chibis, a small bird that briefly passed through this time of year, making them a much sought after delicacy. Hawk and the new falcon drove the reactive flocks right toward owl, who plucked them from the air, two in each foot and delivered them alive to Orion on the ground. He placed them into a bag and transferred them to a large woven basket.
With the last delivery, he caged his girls for the drive into town. Whistling all the way, he couldn’t stop a great grin of satisfaction as he lifted his face to the early morning sun.
I am free of the curse!
Their birthday began at midnight, and he intended to have her wrapped in his arms the entire day, the best birthday present ever.
At the early morning market, he displayed his basket of chibis. “Fresh and unbruised,” he called, attracting attention. The market master stopped by for his cut and Orion handed him a small cage holding five birds. “I set these nice ones aside just for you.”
“What’s got you in such a good mood this early in the day?” the master asked as he attached the small cage to his massive belt.
“I’m a man in love,” Orion announced. He shrugged both shoulders. “Have you ever been in love?”
“Aye,” the master said. He eyed Orion up and down. “Ah, so you got a boner.” He crouched and made like holding a great cock. “And you think it’s going to be like this every day forever and so life looks pretty good.” He threw his head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny,” Orion asked, his grin fading.
“You,” the master said. “Just a pup and all certain about how life’s going to be. You don't know what each day will bring, so hold onto your boner, kid. Hold on. Because life is never what you think. One day it’s sunny, the next day it rains.”
Orion shook his head. His was a fated love, a destiny written in the stars. The master was wrong. “Don't worry about me, old man. Tomorrow’s my birthday, and I’m spending it in the arms of my one and only fated love.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Aija squared her shoulders and climbed to Carlyle’s quarters, taking the steps two at a time. Understanding what they planned whetted her anger, but she steeled herself to stay calm. “We’ll talk like adults.”
At Carlyle’s door, she paused to steady her rampaging heartbeat. She exhaled deeply, then called out, “Uncle Carlyle, are you here?”
A rustle of sounds and he appeared in the doorway. “Aija, come in dear.”
She entered with an engaging smile on her face, looking to trap the fly with honey. “Uncle, as you know, tomorrow is my birthday.”
He winked. “And how could I forget. In fact, I have something special planned for you this evening.”
Aija’s plastered smile grew warm, but not from good thoughts.
I know what you have planned, and I’m stopping you.
“Really, what?” she asked, all innocence.
He stuttered momentarily, then drew back with his ‘ah ha’ grin. “You almost got me, tricking me into revealing your secret birthday present.” He turned her about by the shoulders and faced her toward the door. “Go along now, I’ve much to do for tonight.”
She stopped and dug in her heels. “No, actually, I’m not going along. There’s something we need to discuss, and we’re going to do it now.” She turned on him, catching an unattractive open-mouthed expression on his face. Leveling her intense gaze on him, she said, “I know what you’re doing, and it has to stop.”
A surprise expression lasted a few seconds before he squinted and asked, “What do you mean, child?”
“I’m not a child, and you can stop treating me like one. I looked at your record keepers.” She stepped closer, going eye to eye with him. “You’re despicable for attempting this, and stupid if you thought I would help you. Tomorrow is my birthday and I’m sp
ending it with someone important to me, a fated lover according to your star charts. When I return, you’ll report to me everything you’ve done to reverse these ridiculous plans to steal Maat’s scale. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll not roast you alive for trying to destroy my chances at fated love.”
Her ultimatum was delivered with venom and a curled lip. “You don’t want to press me on this, either, Uncle Carlyle. Do I make myself clear?”
While he didn’t exactly wilt, he did swallow. She waited to see if he choked.
He glared back, producing his own venom lacing through his words. “If you read the record keepers, you know the potential catastrophe you court with this ill-fated love. You risk destroying him and all of Atlantis.”
“Tis not I who risks destroying Atlantis, but you and your insane aspirations and treachery.” She ground her jaws, wanting to smack his vile face for the lifetime of lies and betrayal he’d fed her. “Take it all down.” She blinked slowly, controlling her anger. “And Carlyle, don't make me have to come back up here.” She spun on her heel and regally stalked out the door.
He called to her back, “What’s his name?”
She stopped and flung the words over her shoulder. “You know what his name is. Orion.”
As she stormed out, Carlyle glared at her back. His greatest fear had come home to destroy everything he’d worked for these last ten years. All he needed was her power for mere seconds, and the spell would be complete and set into motion.
We’re close ... so close! How do we keep it on track?
“I will not be thwarted by a willful child.” He ran out the door, seeking Protus. At his quarters, he shouted, “Protus! We have a problem.”
The priest rushed out, a worried crease marring his brow. “What is it? I’ve just collected the final ingredient for the spell, the heart of a chibi. Menin and I are ready tonight.”
“We’ve lost her. She went like a thief into my quarters and read my record keepers. She knows everything.”
Protus’ face froze in a grimace that would have been comical were the situation not so dire. “Everything?” he croaked.
Bound to Change: A Limited Edition Spring Shifter Romance Collection Page 96