by Elise Whyles
“So you’re the young Una?” Selene raised her folded hands to her lips, her stare assessing as she moved around her. “Indeed, but for the spun gold of your hair, you look just like her.” She paused, her head tilted slightly. “Your male is just as vocal. So, my dear child, you’ve gotten your mortal form ruined with that ugly mark upon your throat. Whatever shall we do with you?”
Una’s heart pounded as she gaped at the woman before her. “I serve—”
“Save your breath.” Selene leaned forward, a finger pressed against Una’s lips.
Moonlight spilled across a darkened sky as she moved through the shadows. Men and beasts gathered, fires dotted the land. The rich scent of earth filled her nostrils as she ducked between two tents. Straightening, she could see the ocean of warriors, their numbers growing by the new fires.
“Gods above, what is this madness?”
“War. It is always madness, lives will be lost.” Masculine, warm, the voice wrapped around her, easing the chill permeating her being.
“There are so many. If they all go to war...our peoples will never survive this war. All will be lost.”
“It is necessary.”
“War is never necessary, my lord.”
“It is not our will, my love, we do what we must to ensure our people’s survival.”
“Una.” Selene’s sharp voice brought her from the vision.
Una stumbled back, her lips parted in a soundless gasp.
“What did you see?” Selene moved closer.
“Camps, fires, men and beasts gathered for war,” Una whispered tightly. “A war that cannot be won on just any battlefield. What is happening to me?”
“You are correct, my child, this war will not be won on the battlefield. It cannot. Mortal or immortal, it is a war which must be fought by those who can win it.” Selene leaned forward, her lips a hair’s breadth from Una’s ear. “And you, my sweet Una, are just one of the ones who can win.”
“What is happening?” Una stared at the raven-haired woman. “I am dead, am I not? The woman cut me. Liam…gods above, Liam. There was so much blood.” Una trembled, her fingernails cutting into the palms of her hands. “I could feel his fear, feel the racing of his hearts...Liam, my poor Liam.”
“No. You are not dead.” Selene glanced away for a moment before facing her. “You must go back. Your time has not yet come, Una. He has searched for you for eternity, and he will continue to do so even now.”
“Who?” Una gaped at the woman as she climbed back into the carriage, her flowing gown trailing behind her. “What are you talking about? I do not understand what you mean. I do not understand who you mean. Liam knows I am dead...I can feel his pain at the thought of it.”
“You will understand. Know this, Una, your future lies within his hearts. Do not be so easily swayed by the words of others. Trust your heart, it will not let you down.”
Taken aback, Una blinked as the carriage vanished into a shower of gold and silver. She shivered at the faint roar, whirling around to see where it came from. As though a rope around her waist had been pulled, she felt herself being jerked off her feet.
Choking back a scream, she squeezed her eyes shut and raised her hands against the branches coming at her.
* * * *
“Stay with me, little one.” Worry tightened the familiar rumble of Liam’s voice as it penetrated the fog in her mind. “Do not let them guide you to your rest.”
Pain sliced through her and Una gasped, her body arching upward, her eyes blinking open. She stared above her at the massive beast. Red scales flowed along a slim snout spewing smoke, concern lay within the deep green-gold eyes staring at her. Thick, curled horns spiraled upward to meet gossamer thin wings folded like fans against his body.
Scrambling backward, she stared at the beast who shifted, his lithe body coiled, a long, muscular tail curling forward to reveal what appeared to be bones jutting forth. She shook her head, her fingers going to her throat.
“She killed me,” Una whispered.
“Tried to.” The beast spoke, the voice familiar. “Would have if I hadn’t brought you here.”
“Where is here?”
“We are in the temple of our god. Draconi is worshiped within these hallowed walls.” The dragon breathed. “Safe. You will have time to heal.”
“Heal? You mean so you can dine upon my flesh? Where is Liam?” Una shivered at the thought. Fear slithered along her spine; was her fate to be devoured by the monster before her? Where was Liam? When she saw the lout she was going to give him— “Liam! Where are you?”
“Easy. It is okay, you are safe.” The ground beneath her trembled as the dragon settled on his belly, his massive head shaking in denial. “Nay, little one. I’ve no desire to dine upon your flesh. Humans don’t taste all that good.”
Una chuckled weakly. “If you don’t mean to eat me then may I leave here? Perhaps you could take me...”
“No. I will not deliver you to her.” The dragon rolled his shoulders, his body trembling from head to toe. Una gaped in shock as he shrank, the body fading to be replaced by the familiar form she’d grown to know.
“Liam? Thank the gods. I feared I was dead, but it was just a nightmare.” Una stared at him. “But it felt so real. The beast looked—”
“No, it was not.” Liam knelt in front of her to tuck the robe around her a bit tighter before he gained his feet. “Rest, A Thaisce. You’re safe here. I will bring you food and drink.”
Una stared at his retreating back as he strode from the room. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around the room. Ornate stone dragons stood as pillars to the room. Two large, copper bowls filled with burning embers decorated the arms of a huge throne.
Jewels the size of a man’s fist lined the ceiling, glimmering in the flickering firelight. Una hunkered deeper into the robes, her hands knotted around the furs as she studied her surroundings. The massive stone wall seemed to glow. Figures decorated in gold and jewels marched in unison into battle. The ground beneath their feet was red, their weapons stained with it as well.
Above them, the sky was crowded with winged beasts shooting fire from their gaping jaws. Claws glittered red as they hurled men to their deaths. Standing alone amidst the carnage a slim figure held her arms open, her face tilted to the sky. From her wrists dangled chains that looped around her ankles. Her gown blew in the breeze, her full breasts proudly displayed a mark of an animal or something. Una pushed aside the covers and moved closer to the wall, her hand outstretched.
Warm to the touch, the wall seemed to come alive beneath her touch. Staring at it, she knew the battle. Felt the raw power, the hatred, as though it were a living thing. Tracing over a winged creature, Una rubbed absently at the faint tickle on her chest. She bent closer to study the young female in the midst of the fight.
Long, flowing hair curled around her hips, the ends seemingly swallowed by some sort of beast rising from the ground. Snakes coiled at her feet, creeping up her legs. Dark lines danced along the pale flesh of her abdomen to curve up over her bared breasts. From her chest a pair of glowing eyes stared out, flanked by dark wings. A dagger stuck up from one hand, the other held what appeared to be a staff.
Above her head, his clawed feet outstretched, a dragon descended. His mighty jaws poised to snap her head from her shoulders.
Leaning closer, Una closed her eyes as she trailed her hand across the scene.
The scent of smoke filled her nostrils. Screams and battle cries rang through the air, waltzing with the clash of weapons. Flames scorched the ground, burning through the grass, through the dirt, scarring the land. A swirling maelstrom of violence surrounded her.
“How has this come to pass? Allies have become enemies,” Una whispered.
“It is war.”
Una whirled at the familiar voice. She stared in horror as Amuliana strode forward. Only it wasn’t the beautiful goddess she’d come to know, instead her long hair was as dark as night, her face wreathed in a sneer a
s she gazed out over the carnage. Blood dripped from her fingertips, staining her gown.
“War can be quite profitable, child. It can give you power, and to the victor go the spoils. This is something you haven’t learned yet. Do not meddle in what you know nothing of.”
“But why? What can come of such bloodshed?” Una gaped at the goddess she’d once served as she laughed uproariously.
“Mind yourself.” Amuliana leaned closer, the stench of decay and hatred powerful. “I’m not so forgiving. You may have evaded my grasp but you will not live to see the next season. Even your beloved dragon cannot save you from my army. I will have your heart...and your gift. Aye, with it I will be unstoppable.”
“Una!” Liam’s panicked voice reached through the murkiness in her head. Whirling, she stared at him as he stood, legs braced, a shocked look upon his face.
“I was simply looking, I meant no disrespect. It’s incredible.” Una tucked her hand behind her. She stepped back when he dropped the carcass he carried and strode toward her. She pressed back against the wall, her breath trapped in her throat as he neared her. “I meant no harm.”
Liam shook his head, his hand coming up to grab a handful of her hair and tug it back. “Marked. Mine.”
“What?” Una slapped at his wrist, unease fluttering in her chest at the look in his eyes. Darkened to nearly black, she sensed a current of power, of something beneath the surface that scared her. “Liam, please. I—”
“Shut up.” His words growled, he bent his head, his lips crashing down on hers. With the first brush of his lips against hers, the power erupted. Una gasped, unwittingly allowing him access to her mouth. She moaned, her arms reaching up to wrap around him, clutching his shoulders as her world spun.
Firm, unyielding, his touch offered support, offered more than she’d ever felt. Without a thought, she let herself go. Standing on the abyss, she stared into his eyes, tasted his breath for a split second before the world exploded. Fire soared skyward as the ground trembled and rocked. Rivers of lava flowed around her ankles, the heat causing her hair to wrap around them.
“What is happening?” Una whispered against his lips, fear mixing with arousal at the heat swirling around them. “It’s dangerous. The fire will burn us.”
“Nay, it won’t. We are of the fire.” Liam took her lips again. His tongue darted into the hot depths, stroking, teasing her. Like a tornado, heat wrapped its fingers around them, binding them closer. Each swipe of his tongue drove her closer and closer to the edge of the precipice.
“Liam, oh!” Una gasped when he nipped her jaw, his tongue darting out to lap at the small wound before he moved down. Her head fell back, baring her throat to his ministrations. She gave a startled gasp when his teeth sank into the tender flesh of her neck and shoulder. She could feel the hot wash of fire licking through her veins and shuddered as the ground gave way beneath her feet. “Yes. Oh, please. More. Don’t stop.”
Clinging to him, Una swam through the gathering darkness, her body burning with need. Her breasts felt heavy, full, the nipples hard and achy. She shuddered with desire when she glanced down to see his hand cupping her breast, his thumb brushing over her nipple. Moaning with pleasure, she arched her back toward him, a silent plea on her lips. She stared into his eyes as the shadows closed in to claim her.
Chapter 9
“Ooh, my aching head.” Una struggled to sit upright. She smiled at Liam as he assisted her. “I feel as though I was run over by a herd of horses.”
“Nothing so mundane.” Liam smoothed the hair from her face. “Let me get you a drink, just rest.”
She frowned at the flush on his face, the way his eyes didn’t seem to meet hers. She reached out, her fingertips dancing over his skin and she shivered, her pussy clenching. She turned away from the heat, her fingers curling into her palm.
Una watched him lift the small bladder full of water and bring it to her. She sipped gratefully, her gaze skittering past his to the far wall. Her eyes widened and horror clutched at her throat. The scene had changed. Instead of a single female in the middle of the maelstrom, she saw the girl trapped in the clutches of a green dragon, and another, unrecognizable creature, her arms outstretched toward a red scaled beast as blood soaked men clutched at her feet, tearing at her gown.
“The wall.” She pointed with a trembling finger. “It is different.”
Liam glanced behind him, a frown tugging at his features. “It shows the battle of Zhou, a millennium before I was born. It was a battle between the vampires and the dragons. The first of many in a bloody conflict, which for most ended with the slaughter of the Queen of all Vampires.”
“The king punished all who followed his general. Banishing them from their realms as easily as one would rid themselves of a dog,” Una whispered distantly, the words spilling forth like water from a broken dam. “In a fit of grief and rage, he cursed entire lines to mortality without a thought to how their places were to be filled. Only the war didn’t end. It has continued until the rebirth of the Forsaken. Already there are those who have rejoined their peoples, men and women who are stronger, more powerful than any could imagine because their hearts are pure, untainted with the prejudice of ages of war. They are reborn because Saltar is nearing release from his prison. Should he rise, all will be lost, life will end.” She glanced up into Liam’s startled face. “How do I know that?”
“I do not...” Liam froze, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Perhaps your goddess has given you an answer to your prayers. Fools.” He clutched his axe and rose to his feet.
Una shivered, a chill slithering up her spine as she backed away from him. Had Amuliana given her knowledge? Even as the question flitted across her mind, she denied it. No, ’twas unlikely she’d do much beyond send another to dispatch her. Turning from Liam, Una tucked her knees close to her chest and bowed her head. Cursing the burning in her eyes, she wondered if her life was really worth so much.
She jumped at the sound of something hitting the wall, but didn’t look up. Anger, fear, betrayal, all soaked through her skin to reach her heart. Beneath the turbulent emotions, she could sense the wounded heart, hear the ache of it as it splintered yet again. Long after Liam had stormed from the room Una sat huddled against the wall.
Chewing on her bottom lip, Una glanced at the pictograph again. The scene didn’t appear to have altered, yet she couldn’t help the feeling it had. In the briefest of moments, she realized she needed to know. Needed to have the information that lay within it to truly understand the gift she’d been given. Tossing off the robe, Una rose to her feet and padded over to the wall.
“What is it I am to know? Why have you brought me here to this?” Una stared hard at the red dragon. “Liam said this is a temple to the dragon god. So be it. Am I to pray to you? Will you grant me salvation? Clarity? I think not.”
“Draconi may not, but I will.”
Una whirled at the soft feminine voice behind her. “You? What have you…”
“Relax, child.” The raven-haired woman from the other side stepped from the shadows. “Unlike many of my brethren, I am able to move from realm to realm since my gifts, so to speak, are within the shadows. Draconi would come but he is waiting, you see. So, you long for understanding. Long for the awareness that will come in time. You have much to learn, just as your sister did. Her learning was a bit more painful than yours. But then she is truly a daughter of the night. They call me Selene, mother of all.”
“Sister?” Images of a dark-haired girl, her arm outstretched, a scream upon her lips as she cradled the head of a wounded warrior flitted through her mind. “What sorcery is this?”
“Sorcery?” Selene laughed. “There is no sorcery. At least with me. You seek answers you already know, child. However, you cannot stay within this realm. You’ll be hunted. Step through the doorway and you will be safe.”
Una stared at her for a second before turning to look at the wall. “What do you know of this?”
“It was a battle. War b
etween two immortal beings with power and deadly skills that lasted centuries.”
“Has it ended?”
“The war? In a manner of speaking.” Selene moved forward. “There isn’t much time, Una. You are not of this race, to be here will lead to much…”
“Chaos? My life of late has been filled with chaos. Liam has protected me, fed and sheltered me. I owe him no less.”
“If you would protect him, then you must leave with me. Must walk through the gateway,” Selene declared. “If only to claim what is yours by birth. Liam will be safe.”
Uncertain, Una stood frozen. She wanted to believe the woman’s words, but something held her back. How could she trust this god when the one she’d served had so readily cast her out? Why would this god be so determined to get her away from one who obviously had done a good job of protecting her, protecting them both? It didn’t make sense.
“Una, come.” Selene took her arm, her touch warm, kind, as she ushered her to the arch of the temple entrance. A wave of her hand, and instead of the lush greenery of rolling hills, Una stared at the sparkling moon on still water, a massive stone castle stood atop a jagged mountain peak. Yet beneath it something else shimmered. A shadow of uncertainty, of danger drifted through her heart and she turned to stare at the goddess.
“It will be okay,” Selene whispered as she nudged her.
Cool night air brushed over Una’s toes as she stepped through. The smell of earth filled her nostrils as she eased forward. The sound of bells tolling filled the night air. Una froze, her heart thumping madly in her chest as she turned.
“No, I don’t…” She gasped as Selene moved forward, blocking her retreat.
“You must. He will follow.”
Una’s eyes widened when Selene lifted a hand, her attention focused behind Una. “Liam,” Una whispered, the word echoing into her soul as she took a step toward him.
“Una!” Liam’s shout faded into nothingness as Una stumbled when the woman shoved against her chest. She felt the barb of the woman’s nails, saw her face twist into an ugly mask filled with glee even as she felt herself falling backward. The hard ground raced up to meet her as she slammed to it. Blessed darkness swarmed over her, taking her under even as the terror and need in Liam’s voice wrapped around her like a silken tie.