His voice gruff, he caressed her cheek. “That is not the only reason.” Legally she was his, but that wasn’t satisfying enough. He wanted more, but this was one treasure he couldn’t keep. He never considered crossing to her realm; then again, he hadn’t planned on being married to a human. As uncertainty churned in his gut, he lifted his head and rested his lips against her forehead. She leaned into him, her hands braced his ribs. The combination of heat and her palms sliding up and down his torso drove him mad. He dropped kisses across her brow and down the curve of her cheek. She stretched up to give him access to her mouth. He captured her lips, and she tugged him closer, slipping her arms around his back and stoking the flames.
Never had Kodiak felt this all-consuming heat. It stimulated his very core, left him trembling. “Harmony, you agreed to marry me.” He eyes searched hers, needing her to want him as much as he wanted her. “I don’t know how long we have together in this realm before…” He couldn’t finish saying before you leave me.
His nearness had a way of dispelling her troubles. When she touched him earlier in the pool she knew she wanted him as a true husband. She didn’t want to hold back. Long ago she decided to dislike him, but that seemed silly to her now. She’d been fascinated by him the moment she’d seen him. She used the excuse of her grandmother’s ring to put a wedge between them, but now it rested on her finger as her wedding ring. She was his, with the ring on her finger–—a neat package. If I leave—no, when I leave—I’ll be leaving my husband behind. The thought of saying good-bye is killing me. Why, Kodi? Why have you made this harder for me? This might be her only opportunity to experience the level of closeness she desired, but she knew it would cost her. Was she willing to pay the price—one more loss in her life?
“Harmony...” He murmured, pressing kisses at her temple.
Everything that happened to her so far was plain crazy! Could she have fallen in love with him so quickly? She never experienced these feelings for anyone else and she couldn’t resist him a moment longer. “No matter what happens,” she said between heated kisses, “know that tonight belongs to us.”
24
Their final day in the stone city on the Great Falls, the newlyweds walked into a gathering room, where Binda bandaged a hunter. During a recent bear hunt, the man received a nasty claw wound that became infected. Finn stood nearby with other hunters, giving their companion grief.
Harmony and Kodiak approached hand in hand. She raised her brows as she watched Binda, who turned away from the man she sweetly smiled at, a rare rosy blush staining her cheeks. Harmony recognized this look from back in the trader’s village when Binda eyed a fruit vendor. The bandaged man ignored his teasing comrades and murmured a grinning thanks to Binda. He seemed reluctant to leave his nurse.
Rio waved at them from outside the open-air gathering room where he ran with some young boys kicking a ball in a grassy field. Kodiak was quick to join them, leaving Harmony to talk with Binda after her patient left to join his friends.
The girls watched Rio and Kodiak at play, running and laughing as if it were a carefree day. Binda said casually, “Looks like things are well between you two.”
Harmony mooned at her husband, wistfully sighing, “Yeah, but I wish things weren’t so complicated. If only I didn’t have to go back.” Her words about not going back to her realm surprised her as much as they did Binda.
Alarmed, Binda blurted, “But you must go back. You must do everything you can to stop the destruction of the sacred land. We are all counting on you—even Kodi.”
Harmony pinned her gaze on her cousin. “Right, I know! You can count on me.” The girls exchanged a silent nod of agreement, trust, and understanding. They let that subject lie and moved on to other topics. Harmony raised her eyebrows and asked, “Who’s that man you were helping? He couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
The atmosphere was relaxing until Nakoma and Catori joined them. The big cats found shady corners to rest in. Their riders advanced into the room, settling near the large windows that were open to the mist from the falls. It wasn’t long before Nakoma sent Catori over to gather Binda, Harmony, Rio, and Kodiak.
A crowd filled in the room, as people always seemed to follow their leader wherever she went, and everyone settled around to observe her queenly commands. Reclining on cushions plumped on the stone bench, Nakoma called Binda and Rio to come forth. Harmony practically held her breath in anticipation. This could easily become a power struggle. She prayed Nakoma would uphold her end of the bargain.
“Binda, I want to commend you on the items you’ve completed to fill my coffers and for mending the needy, as was the deal in exchange for the herbs you’ve collected on our tribal lands. You and your brother, Rio, are free to go. However, I’d like Harmony and Kodiak to stay longer. You can tell Calder they will remain with the tribe.” Tension high, Harmony rushed forward to reason with Nakoma, hostility mounting within her.
Finn moved closer.
“Thank you for your hospitality, but we want to return with them.” Harmony sensed Kodiak at her back and soon felt his hand on her shoulder.
“You will remain here.” Nakoma turned her head, her sickle tattoo a menacing sight as she scanned the faces of her loyal subjects.
“You can’t keep us here. I know why you want me to stay. I won’t use my abilities to start a war,” Harmony declared.
“I did as you asked and we are leaving!” Binda raised her voice, her chest heaving. Harmony and her cousin were united.
“Our people will be freed from that deceitful god, and you will help us.” Again Nakoma’s wild, dark eyes scanned the crowd. Murmurs of concern radiated through the onlookers. Catori shot her leader an odd glace at the mention of war.
Binda growled, “This isn’t just about our god. This is about you, Nakoma! You want to take control. Just over a week ago in the trader’s village I overheard men boasting about the soon-to-be-increased price of salt. And just who is going to mine the vast quantities of salt? Your tribesmen alone are not capable of it. Everyone knows that for years you’ve asked the council to have coastal clansmen assigned to do the mining, but your wishes have not been heeded. And since I’ve been here, I’ve seen the extensive weapons training the tribespeople have been undergoing.” Binda turned, speaking to the crowd. “Harmony cannot stay here. She is human and must return to the human realm. Nakoma’s greed will only cause you suffering!”
“Silence! You fool!” Nakoma stood, fists and teeth clenched. The giant cat stood several feet behind her, its yellow eyes fixed on Binda.
Harmony hushed Binda, knowing that angering Nakoma could be disastrous, but Binda stepped forward fearlessly, shaking her head and raising her voice another octave. “You will not succeed. Our realm is peaceful! You don’t know what you are risking. You don’t know what you are doing! Suijin is powerful in this realm. I’ve read about war in the other realm. You are putting their lives at risk!” She swept her arm to encompass the crowd, and then she goaded, “Besides, Suijin will stop you. And the clans will never accept you as their leader nor worship you. You are insane to believe it.”
“Ha!” Nakoma spat. “Suijin cannot stop me with these weapons.” She pointed to Harmony and then Finn, who seemed to be poised, ready for action.
“Look around you,” Binda challenged. “They don’t want to replace worshiping one idol for another. A leader has the privilege to lead her people and help them exist in a peaceful world. We must preserve our race—not destroy it!”
Nakoma stomped her foot like a child. Her cat jumped forward and landed menacingly at her side. Her chest heaving, she raised her clamped fists, shaking them. She shrieked, “The clans will worship me! I am different, born to rule and given the gift of power to wield as I see fit. I will rule over the people and if they resist… You will be the first to know my wrath.” Nakoma reached for the hunting bow and quiver of arrows on her cat’s back and swiftly loaded an arrow on to the bow. She pointed it at Rio. Before further negotiation, she le
t the arrow fly. Binda jumped in front of her brother, taking the arrow in her chest.
As screams and surprised gasps erupted around the room, Rio crumpled to the floor, the weight of his sister in his arms. Harmony dashed to Rio’s side and dropped to her knees, willing everything in her to summon the heat to her hands. Something—she had to do something!
Nothing happened, no heat. Binda reached for Harmony, clasping her wrist, a tear trickling from the corner of her eye. Harmony smoothed the salty drop into Binda’s hair, crying softly, “No, Binda! Stay with us.” Tortured, Harmony watched her cousin take her last breath. Binda’s grip loosened and her hand dropped to the floor. Harmony heard the moan rise from Rio’s throat and she probed the pain in his teary eyes. This can’t be happening! Binda, I’m so sorry! Rio, I’m so sorry! Harmony couldn’t speak. Dazed, her throat burned from the tears.
Devastated, Harmony dragged herself off the floor, not even noticing everyone stared in shocked silence, stunned at Nakoma’s act.
Kodiak grabbed her arm, to keep her from suffering the same fate as Binda.
Catori rushed forward, her face contorted, scolding Nakoma. “Why did you do that? You can’t do that!”
Nakoma was frozen until Catori’s harsh worlds seemed to send another crazy jolt through her. She loaded a second arrow and let it fly.
Screams erupted and people took cover.
Catori sank to her knees, disbelief in her eyes as she looked down at the arrow protruding from her chest. She convulsed in pain and slid to her elbow. Catori’s lion poised steps from her body, fixing his gaze on his dying master.
Nakoma looked down on her in disgust and then addressed the crowd. “This will be your fate if you don’t follow me.”
Harmony gaped at Finn. How would he react to the chieftain killing his lover in cold blood?
Finn’s face remained impassive as he watched Catori convulse, her last glance at him before she sagged to the floor, her gaze blankly stared at the ceiling. The lion crouched to the floor and tentatively sniffed her hand.
Her attention on Catori, Harmony didn’t see Rio gather his sister’s body. When she heard his ragged breaths she turned. Tears rolled down his face. Harmony bit her lip, holding back a sob.
Suddenly, Rio ran toward the open window with a burst of energy, and to everyone’s shock and disbelief, he jumped with his lifeless sister in his arms into the roaring falls below.
Harmony and Kodiak sprinted to the window and leaned over the railing. Harmony screamed his name but saw nothing but churning water.
Kodiak gathered her to him and she sobbed into his shoulder. He nodded at Nakoma in defeat.
When she caught Finn’s eye, Harmony couldn’t read his expression. If this didn’t prove Nakoma was out of control, nothing would.
“Take them out of my sight. Guard them!” Several women and their big cats escorted Harmony and Kodiak back to their room. Harmony shuffled along, unable to control her crying. Binda was dead, and probably Rio too. What was she going to tell their mother and Calder? He would certainly regret placing those herbs in the wall of the Wentworth-by-the-Sea hotel so long ago.
Harmony sat on the bed rubbing her puffy eyes, lost in thought. Binda finally started to accept her. Just yesterday, she worked alongside her, laughing together at the children who wanted to learn about tooth polish. Binda showed them how to rub it inside their mouth, rinse and spit out the water. Their sweet faces beamed when their mouths foamed with white bubbles. Moments later they spat, sticking their tongues out at the bad taste while pointing and laughing at each other’s reactions. Harmony had burst out laughing at Binda’s comment: “These little carnivores truly need the stuff!”
Before that, when Binda helped her prepare for her wedding, they came to an understanding. They were becoming friends. Harmony’s shoulders began to pump, and she couldn’t hold her grief in. She wept and continued until there were no tears left. Kodiak held her until the last few hiccups subsided.
“Kodi, do you think Rio survived that jump?” She blinked, her saturated eyelashes clumping.
Kodiak moved the curtain of hair over her shoulder. “I believe so. He’ll head for home and warn Calder. Right now, we need to figure out how to get out of here.”
***
Nakoma stared blankly at Catori’s body after Harmony and Kodiak were taken away. The crowd evaporated. The few remaining councilmembers shuffled behind and away from her, clearly afraid to speak.
Finn wondered if Nakoma felt remorse. Why would she kill her most trusted friend? What caused her to snap? Nakoma turned her wild gaze to Finn. He remained passive, not allowing her to read him. Catori was his friend and lover. She murdered her.
“No one will oppose me, Finn,” Nakoma warned, her mouth grimly set. She inhaled deeply, her nostrils flaring. Abruptly she left the chamber, her councilmembers reluctantly following.
Finn squatted next to Catori’s body. The lion was the only one to witness his actions. This animal had spent a fair amount of time in Finn’s presence. He wrapped his hand around the arrow at her breast feeling the sticky moist blood against his skin. A quick jerk freed the arrow and he tossed it aside. He lifted Catori in his arms, cradling her to his chest. The lion stood but didn’t follow them. With his broad shoulders and strong arms, he easily and swiftly carried her out of the city and into the forest.
Just downstream from the falls, Finn emerged from the woods and waded into the river. His gaze caressed the face of the huntress, a spirited vixen in life but appeared like a sleeping child in death. She’d been spiteful at times and took other lovers to try and make him jealous, but he enjoyed their relationship for what it was. Still…there had been something about her Finn found appealing. Perhaps her independence or teasing smile or how she loved to sneak off with him…
“You didn’t deserve this, Catori,” he whispered. Up to his elbows in the river, the current pulled at her body. He pressed a kiss to her cold lips before releasing his hold. She floated in a spiral pattern until the swifter currents dragged her under.
Finn gazed across the river, unfocused at the tree line. Eventually, he trudged from the river only to glance down at his blood stained vest. He pulled the fabric from his body, maneuvering it through his heavy shoulder belt and tossed it into the river. His pulse raced as he headed back to the city. It is time to take action.
25
Hours later Harmony jumped to her feet as the door to their chamber opened. Finn slipped into the room. Kodiak sprang from his seat and stood between Harmony and Finn. She shoved Kodiak’s protective arm out of her way.
“What are you doing here, Finn?” She didn’t trust him. Kodiak was right. He’d done nothing to stop Nakoma. He stood by without a word after she killed Binda—and Catori! How could he show no emotion at Catori’s death?
Finn held up his hands in surrender. “I’ve come to help you escape. I’ve given the guard and her cat food containing a sleeping herb.”
“How do you know about sleeping herbs? You don’t have a Linker in this city,” Kodiak challenged, skeptical Finn would help them.
“I’ve learned things traveling in these enchanted forests. How do you think I bait bears and live to tell about it?” The men locked eyes, testosterone pulsing.
“Okay!” Harmony broke their standoff, pointedly saying to Kodiak. “We’re already dead in the water.” She saw his eyes narrow in confusion at her statement at first, but the corner of his mouth pulled, and he gave her the teensiest of nods. Kodiak only agreed to let Finn help them because there was no other way.
“Finn, what’s your plan?” Maybe she didn’t completely trust him, but he was their best hope for escaping.
“It’s already in motion.” He pointed toward the window, flicking his wrist. The sky darkened and thick clouds rapidly rolled in. “We’ll take the corridors and stairs along the weaving galleries, all the way to the base of the falls.”
Through hydropower, the falls generated energy to run the larger looms; the galleries were l
ocated adjacent to the falls. Woman and children worked those areas. Seldom were hunters nearby. Harmony recalled her tour of the area and agreed it was a good escape route.
The clouds covered the city now, the rain nearly as loud as the falls. Finn had to raise his voice. “I have hidden a canoe near the lower river. If they spot us the heavy rain will disrupt their arrows and once we’re in the river the cats won’t be able to catch us. Let’s go.”
Harmony snatched a headband adorned with long feathers to cover her hair while Kodiak gathered his satchel containing the precious leaves. Cautiously opening the door, they stepped over the sleeping cat, which sprawled like a rug outside the door. They left the tower.
The driving rain sent people indoors so they had to duck into niches or behind doorways until the path was clear. Soon they heard the clacking of the looms and the rumble of the falls vibrated in their chests. They descended to the floors below the looms where supplies were held. The final floor led to a doorway. Finn stopped them. “Five hundred yards away, in the bushes, is the canoe. The guards will probably see us.”
They nodded before Finn opened the door. As they stepped out, the pelting rain drenched them in seconds. Dashing across the spongy grass and sucking mud, Finn and Kodiak reached the bushes and worked to untangle the canoe from the saturated limbs. They flipped it and shoved it into the water. Finn reached for Harmony and pulled her in. It was impossible to hear anything above the roaring falls and driving rain. Kodiak scanned the sheer cliff of the city to see if they’d been detected. He held his arm above his forehead, blocking the stinging drops from his eyes. Through the mist he saw hunters gather, pointing down at the escapees.
The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Page 16