Harmony spoke up, attempting to break the tension. “I love cats. Well, small cats. We have smaller cats in our realm.” Her voice trailed away and she took another sip of tea. No one seemed to hear her.
“Finn is human, not that it’s a secret to the citizens of our city. We have chosen to keep this information local. It doesn’t concern the outlying villages.” Her tattooed face hardened. “There is a more important issue I want to discuss. As you know, there has been struggle for some time regarding Suijin. He is an unstable god who sends his sirens to cause multiple deaths every year, even our children.”
Binda nodded. “Yes, our people have been affected too. We have built other temples...”
Nakoma’s sharp laugh silenced Binda. “Temples will do no good. He has to be stopped. Our people have relied on him for too long, but we don’t need him any longer. We can sustain ourselves. Frankly, we probably never needed him.” She turned to Harmony. “Your ability to fight the sirens is fundamental. With the energy the two of you possess, we could defeat Suijin.” Nakoma’s eyes blazed at the humans, who returned vastly different looks. Finn grinned triumphantly, while Harmony scoffed.
Binda spat, “You can’t defeat a god!”
“We can now. Finn has the ability to control the weather.” Nakoma paused while the group digested this miraculous information. “And with Harmony’s help we could test our theory for containing him. You see, this is not the first time it has been discussed. For many years Gale, the Linker who brought Finn to me, wanted to achieve this ultimate freedom.”
“It’s impossible!” Binda argued. “A crazy idea... Your people may be faithless, but the true Aquapopuleans of the coast won’t stand for your insane meddling.”
Nakoma held up a hand to stop Binda from stating what everyone knew about the faith of the coastal clans.
Finn supported the chieftain. “We can’t allow this god to wreak havoc on the people any longer. Until now this has remained in the planning stages. We now have an opportunity to see this through.” He turned to Harmony. “We’d like your help, kitten.”
Nakoma keenly observed their interaction. Two humans outside of their realm, both lost souls. She controlled Finn easily enough. He sought acceptance, and she used that to her advantage by giving him the honored role of lead huntsmen.
Gale gave her Finn, assuring her this boy would be someone special one day. Too bad Gale had been found out by the last chieftain. Nakoma was young then, just stepping into the chieftain’s role. Although Gale was sent into exile, she’d been in contact with him throughout the last fifteen years, unbeknownst to Finn. Gale’s hideaway was just up the river in an abandoned power plant, where he lived and continued to serve his chieftain.
“I don’t see how I can help. I don’t know how to control my abilities—they just happen. And Calder said the destruction on the sacred land in my realm contributes to the quakes felt in this realm. Therefore, I must go back to do what I can from the human realm.”
“Perhaps, but it only seems to effect the island. That is, after all, the closest land to the portal. Why do the clans stay? Isn’t it time the coastal people have the freedom to move away from the island. Why be held by the bonds of worship?”
“That is our home.” Rio’s gentle tone implored.
Nakoma offered him little in the way of a smile, more like a grimace. She set down her knife and nodded at Finn, who kept silent, waiting for her to continue with their plan.
“Stay here Harmony,” Nakoma said. “You and Finn can be married. It will be the greatest union in our history. Your children will be strong, possess great abilities, and someday rule in this realm.”
Finn smiled at the honor she bestowed upon him, though this wasn’t the original path he sot. He placed his hand over Harmony’s. Her mouth went slack with shock.
The quiet gasp from Catori told everyone she had no knowledge of this. She lowered her gaze.
“That’s not possible.” All heads turned toward Kodiak, who spoke calmly. “Harmony and I are together.”
Nakoma’s brows lifted.
Binda confirmed, “As long as she remains in our realm, she is spoken for.”
Harmony pulled her hand free from Finn’s.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Nakoma calculated: if Harmony had feelings for Kodiak, then he’d be an asset. The way she saw it was that people would do anything to protect their loved ones. However, she had to probe for a reaction. “I wouldn’t think a human woman would be interested in a man with Aquapopulo blood.”
Harmony didn’t look at Kodiak but focused on Nakoma. She shrugged and said, “The heart wants what it wants.”
“Poetic and romantic.” Nakoma’s lips stretched back into a smile. “I’ve read about your human tales of love.”
“I’m sorry, Finn,” Harmony whispered sincerely.
“Well then, I insist you have a marriage ceremony here.” Nakoma had no intention of letting her valuable weapon go. She’d find a way to persuade the happy couple to stay in her city.
Binda’s eyes widened. “But Harmony will be leaving, so there is no need for a marriage ceremony.”
Nakoma waved away her concern. “In two days we will perform the ceremony.” She turned to Finn, who hadn’t said a word about this change of plans. “Finn, I hope Harmony hasn’t hurt your feelings by choosing our race over yours, but love conquers all.”
Finn’s jaw was set. “As you command.”
Nakoma’s chair scraped the floor. She stood. “Catori will join you, Finn. I’m sure she can comfort you.” She laughed when Catori smiled wickedly.
Finn and the others rose.
Nakoma enjoyed watching her guests squirm. She’d seen through their little scheme. If they married, where would the happy couple live? Kodiak wasn’t a Linker, and there was no guarantee he’d make the crossing alive if he was foolish enough to try.
“Come, Harmony, we will bathe and discuss your big day.”
What could Harmony say that would change this dictator’s mind? If she mentioned she wanted Calder and others to be a part of her wedding day as an excuse it may result in Nakoma sending for them. Harmony couldn’t take the chance. They were safer where they were—far away from this extremist group. Besides, now that her friends returned successful, maybe they could escape before this got out of hand.
They filed out of the dining room. The cats rose to accompany Nakoma and Catori. Harmony followed behind the chieftain’s proud, straight back, stealing glances at each of her cousins and Kodiak. Before she knew it, Binda and Rio detoured, waving a solemn goodnight. Soon, the remaining group reached the residential tower.
Finn and Catori stopped at his suite. “It stays outside,” he ordered, indicating Catori’s lion.
“Of course, like always.” Catori purred to Finn, and then she pointed to the ground. “Stay,” she commanded her lion as Finn strolled into his room.
Harmony glimpsed Finn removing his belts, dropping them on a bench and reaching to tug off his shirt. Catori waited for her cat to obey and turned to blast her gaze at Harmony. She bent her fingers like claws and gave Harmony a silent hiss before she closed the door behind her. Harmony’s brows drew together, wondering about Finn’s relationship with the feisty girl.
Kodiak chuckled beside her. She whipped her head around, narrowing her gaze at him. Is Catori’s treatment of me so funny?
Nakoma, ahead of them, stopped several steps from Kodiak’s door. “Would you like to bid your beloved goodnight?”
At the word beloved, Harmony blushed, knowing they were playing a dangerous game. She didn’t know what this fierce chieftain might be capable of. Needing to make this convincing, she rushed into Kodiak’s arms. Their eyes locked. His earlier glare gone, his glowing eyes shimmered in the dark hallway. He’d spoken up to save her, save all of them. But if they went through with the ceremony…what would that mean? Was this just part of a bigger scheme? Harmony slid her hand along the taut column of his neck and urged him to lower his head. When his soft
lips lingered on hers, she pulled him closer. His gentle kiss was convincing and for a moment Harmony forgot they had an audience.
At Nakoma’s subtle throat clearing they parted. Harmony slid her hands down his arms, knowing he’d feel a heat trail. They whispered their farewells and she slipped from his hold. Nakoma raised a brow and smirked as she swiveled and advanced toward the stairs. Harmony followed, but she couldn’t resist a glance over her shoulder at Kodiak. His arm was propped on the doorframe and a smile lingered on his lips. He looked gorgeous. The flirt!
In the bath, the women’s conversation stayed on the topic of Harmony’s wedding day. Nakoma’s councilwoman, a spiritual guide in residence, would perform the ceremony. Harmony played the polite game as she tried to analyze her adversary. Nakoma was smart. Her dark eyes intensely computed information, making Harmony fearful. Everyone in this city not only followed Nakoma’s every command but seemed to admire and even worship her. She was like a celebrity, reveling in the power. The more she engaged her subjects, the more the people adored her. Harmony began to understand why the people would follow her. Nakoma promised them freedom from a god that punished them and took away their loved ones. She played the savior well.
Amadahy, Nakoma’s room attendant, led in a broad-shouldered man who strutted into the bathing chamber wearing a scant loin cloth. Harmony swallowed at the sight of his amazing physic. His dark hair hung to his shoulders and his smile promised pleasure. His eyes were on Nakoma, whose face softened with desire. She excused herself and slowly padded out of the pool. In her naked glory, her tattoos surrounded one shoulder and wrapped like a sleeve of scorpions down one arm, then circled both hipbones before scrolling down to the calf on the opposite leg.
Harmony was fascinated by the two tight, powerful bodies and she watched Nakoma pause with her hand running seductively down this man’s barrel chest before she caught his hand. Without a backward glance Nakoma led him up the steps.
22
“Hey, kitten!” Finn called as he fell in step alongside Harmony. He’d been watching for her, anticipating she’d come down the main corridor. Midmorning, they walked among the crowd. “Where are you heading?”
Harmony tilted her head to look up at him, never breaking her stride. “I’m going to the infusion rooms to find Binda. We spent all day there yesterday making soaps and a bunch of other stuff.”
“That’s where you were. I was looking for you yesterday. I think we need to talk.” He noticed she looked reluctant, and there was something else. Finn said, “You look tired. Didn’t sleep well?”
“Nakoma has had company the last couple of nights…and they were noisy.” She lifted her brows.
He got her meaning and grinned.
“And besides that, I have a lot on my mind.”
“Is it true what you said the other night? About Kodiak—the heart wants what it wants?”
“Kodiak and I are...complicated.” She shrugged one shoulder.
He grabbed her hand. “You don’t want to stay with the coastal clan, believe me.” He guided her into an alcove with a window view overlooking the river. The sun peeked through the treetops. “You can still change your mind. You don’t think you understand what’s at stake. And there’s so much we can have together.”
“I’m not staying with the coastal clan for long—I’m going home, to the human realm.” Seemingly annoyed with him, she grumbled, “Don’t tell me what to do. I know what I need to do. And Finn, you must understand my abilities aren’t going to defeat anyone. You wouldn’t gain anything from marrying me. Besides, you already have someone. Good luck with Cat Ears!” Harmony stormed away.
Finn, on her heels, chuckled at her name-calling. He knew the females clashed. He also knew his huntress could be cruel and unforgiving, and hoped Harmony would watch her step around her. However, Catori was loyal to their chieftain and a dedicated lover to him.
He snatched her elbow to slow her. “Let’s take a ride so we can talk.”
Others lingered nearby, eyeing them openly.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she huffed.
“Yes, you are.” He clasped her hand and led her none too gently down to the elk paddocks. He strapped a saddle onto the animal while she sulked.
“I’m not riding that thing.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
He swung onto the elk’s back. When she tossed her hair and turned to leave, he lifted her off the ground and planted her in front of him. At her grunt of displeasure he spurred the animal forward, so she crashed backward against his hard chest. He held her in his vice-like arms. She stopped wiggling when he dramatically moaned in her ear. When she pinched his forearm hard he chuckled.
They galloped across the bridge and into the forest before he finally stopped. In a clearing, he helped her down, but she smacked his hands away once she was on her feet. Finn tied the elk’s tether to a tree branch.
“How dare you!” She faced him, feet apart, and lifted her arms, palms flat. She seemed to concentrate, heaving a deep breath as she pressed her palms at him.
“What are you doing?” He grinned, knowing she was trying to blast him with her ability.
Harmony marched up to him and pressed her hands against his broad chest. Squeezing her eyes closed, she held her breath.
“Harmony, what are you doing?” he repeated, unaffected. “You know you can’t use your ability against me.”
At his comment, she opened her eyes and blew out all the air. With it went her gusto.
“Finn, how can you want to stay here?” Her voice was gentle, pleading. “Nakoma is a dictator. I know you don’t see it that way, but from what I’ve seen…I think she will cause more harm than good.”
“She’s trying to make changes for the people. The peace is disrupted, the coastal clans are resistant to advancement, and Suijin’s actions are taking their toll. Something needs to be done.”
“Even if I wanted to stay here with you, you’d be asking me to start a war!” She dropped her hands from his chest. “Calder is counting on me to return to our realm so I can try to maintain peace. War is awful, Finn. Our realm has been devastated over and over by it.”
Finn had a flashback to his former family life when he was a boy, his jaw tightened. He fought these demons inside all too often. He stopped asking the what ifs long ago, yet they surfaced with this girl. The possibilities! If they mated he could have children. He’d been with many of the tribal women in the past and more exclusively with Catori in recent months, but no children had been conceived.
“Hold on to your humanity—you’ll lose it here,” he bit out. In this pinnacle point he questioned what was right. Since the early years after he was brought here, he wanted to achieve leadership—prove to the council and the tribe he was worthy, even if he was human. He challenged authority and fought hard against other hunters to obtain the position he had today. He’d done things he wasn’t proud of. His demons came back to haunt him now, and he told himself if he could be leader someday then he could make the right changes for the good of both the tribes and the clans. Maybe Nakoma is wrong? Harmony made him question the risk. Nakoma had strung him along on the one thing he asked of her. He wanted Nakoma as his bride and to rule beside her. Instead she offered him Harmony—which wasn’t a bad trade-off. Harmony mentioned Nakoma’s nighttime visitor. He knew she had many lovers and being with her in that way never really interested him—but the power to rule with her got his blood pumping.
He spat out, “You should go. Run far from here…and from me. I may be human, but I’m a changed man. I’ve adapted to this life. I’ve worked hard to prove myself worthy in Nakoma’s eyes. I’ve earned the respect of the tribespeople. I am a valuable member of their society.” He was still holding out, but when Nakoma told him it was best if he married Harmony his faith in her faltered. She promised him eventually they’d rule together. She either lied or she was using him.
Finn caressed the waves of Harmony’s golden hair and spoke gently. “Nakoma said
I deserve to have you as my mate.” He held her chin. “I’ve thought about what it would be like to lie with you. These women are all the same, cold-blooded. With you, it would be like igniting fire with—”
“Stop!” She pulled away. “We can’t go down that path. Finn, you don’t have to do this. You can come back with me to the human world. Find your family. It’s not too late. Calder will help you. And besides, Nakoma shouldn’t battle a god—that’s insane.”
Finn shook his head. “You don’t understand.” His hand returned to her hair, rubbing the strands between his fingers. “Nakoma will never let me go… us go. My ability is vastly different from yours. Nakoma told you I can control the weather. I will show you.”
She shook her head, afraid of what he was planning. Finn circled a finger and a strong breeze kicked up, flapping her hair around her shoulders. Dark clouds started to gather and distant thunder rumbled. Smoky-looking clouds lit with flashes of lightning.
“Finn, stop,” she whispered.
He stopped the movement of his hand.
Harmony slipped her arms around his chest and pressed her cheek against his heart. “Oh, Finn, I fear you are right about Nakoma and we will never get out of here.”
He had compassion for this girl from his homeland and hugging her warm body flooded his memories of other times long ago. He buried his hands in the lavish cascade of her blond hair—he hadn’t seen the like in over fifteen years. Nostalgia set in and his interest toward her began to stir as he held her.
He remembered the day Catori happened upon him lying in a grassy field. He hadn’t known then that she watched as he twirled his fingers skyward. An invisible force twisted the clouds into funnels and he kept several of them spinning. He heard her bid her lion to stay while she stalked him, inching closer, staying low in the waving reeds. Suddenly, he sent a gust of wind knocking her off-balance, catching her off guard. He plowed her to the ground, landing on top of her. Catori’s startled cry brought her spirit animal, sprawled and yawning in the tall grass at the hill’s edge, to land feet away from the couple, snarling a warning.
The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Page 14