Kodiak realized there was no use in protesting. He learned Harmony could be headstrong and determined when she wanted to be. Maybe Finn could talk some sense into her. No one wanted a war, especially Harmony, but Kodiak knew so little about her and her human life that he felt at a loss to help her. He watched Finn reach for her elbow and hoist her behind him. Finn returned Kodiak’s stare with raised eyebrows. Kodiak focused on the task of mounting, not wanting to look at Finn’s smug expression.
The rough mountain paths were abandoned as the ground leveled and the road led them closer to the clan village. Kodiak mulled over his feelings for Harmony. When he heard her brief laugh, he jealously glanced over his shoulder at the pair on the other elk. Rolling his eyes, Kodiak labeled Finn egotistical. The fact that Finn had plotted to take over the clan in his village left a bad taste in his mouth. Especially now, Finn’s very existence irritated him. He didn’t want Harmony sitting with him, or including him, and especially not traveling back to the human realm with him. All Kodiak wanted to do right now was be with his wife. They had only one night together, their wedding night. The burning desire to be with her again consumed him. Kodiak rubbed his neck trying to quell his building arousal. Looking down the road, he sighed. And here we are, on the run to a place she’ll leave soon after we arrive. Damn you, Finn!
27
Harmony pondered her impact here. If she went back to the human realm to her old life, pretending none of this ever happened, she could move on. She would fight to preserve the Wentworth because it meant a lot to her and her family—that would never change. What more could Suijin take from her? If he came after her again she knew she could protect herself, as long as her ability still worked. What about the Aquapopulo? Even if she managed to stop the tearing down of the Wentworth, somehow restoring balance, what about their safety from Nakoma? Who would protect them? Would their god intervene? Supposedly, he was a god who sent his sirens to drown innocent victims. He didn’t seem like someone who cared about their welfare.
“Finn, tell me about Nakoma and the Linker Gale. It seems to me like Gale planted the seeds of a takeover when he brought you to this realm.”
“When I was brought over it was a time of transition for the tribe. The former leader was in his final stage of life and Nakoma had taken his place. She was young and Gale remained constantly at her side. As you know, he was banished shortly after bringing me over. I’m sure he wanted to keep my existence a secret, but let’s just say I wasn’t very cooperative.”
The elk’s shifting movements had Harmony tightened her arms around Finn’s waist. Kodiak’s brooding glances meant she clung entirely too intimately to Finn. She sent him an apologetic smile. His grim mouth and darkened eyes told her he wasn’t happy.
Harmony refocused on her conversation with Finn. “So what was Gale like?”
“I will never forget his face or his words to me. He told me I was special. He’s clever and knowledgeable about many human things. He passed through realms more often than any other known Linker. But I think that’s what made him dangerous. And the elders thought so too. He paid dearly for his crime.”
“So where does someone who’s cast out go? Is he still alive?” With no one to stop Nakoma, she could allow Gale to return.
“No one has seen him in many years. Nakoma’s predecessor advised her to take harsh action against Gale to appease Suijin. Everything defaults to pleasing the god.”
Harmony understood his confusion over what made religious sense and what didn’t. She didn’t have the heart to tell him the various religions in their birth realm were far more complicated.
“It was the first time someone was cast out of tribal lands and prohibited from the coastal villages in generations. Word was sent throughout the villages that the Linker Gale was in exile, the charge: unethical deed.” Finn glanced over his shoulder at her. “I remember when Gale spoke to Nakoma about the gift he brought her, which was me.” He snorted. “Neither I nor Nakoma knew I had abilities at that time. I don’t know what Gale suspected I could do. Nakoma was conflicted about sending Gale away, but she had no choice. That’s what the people wanted. She took Gale’s advice to assimilate me into the tribe. Eventually the tribespeople treated me like one of them. I might have been brought to this realm through less than ethical means, but once Nakoma knew about my abilities she was unwilling to set this asset free. She needs me.”
“That’s just one more reason you should come with me. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll help you assimilate back into our society.” At Finn’s silence, she glanced at her husband. If Kodiak returned with her she’d help him adapt to her realm too. Yet, both men seemed reluctant to join her.
On neutral land, they slowed their pace a bit taking time to hunt and cook a meal each day. They made the arduous journey to one of the roadside trader’s posts. Kodiak suggested they spend this one night at the post to get a decent meal and sleep in a bed. Finn guessed Kodiak wanted a night alone with Harmony before their inevitable separation. Admiring Harmony’s stamina, Finn could tell she’d benefit from some rest, and he had to admit even he was drained—mentally drained, as he considered going with her to the human realm.
The trio claimed a dark corner in the establishment serving both meat and vegetarian dishes. Finn chuckled when Harmony gave Kodiak an apologetic look while she sank her teeth into hot, greasy pork chops.
Finn washed down his meal with brew and placed the mug on the wooden table. He flagged a server to order another round. After tasting Finn’s drink earlier she’d laughed, and said it was beer. “It figures you’d like brew!”
Once the frothy mugs were delivered, they turned to dire matters.
“So your Linker, Calder, thinks if you return to the human world you can somehow restore balance or appease the god? How are you planning on doing that?”
Harmony shrugged and sighed. “Honestly, Finn, I don’t know. There’s a building, Wentworth-by-the-Sea, that resembles the temple in this realm—you know, the one they built on sacred land.”
Finn nodded. “I know about the Aquapopulean evolution on that island. What does Suijin have to do with what happens in the human world?” He knew more about the human race from the library than from his own childhood memories. And he served no god.
“Right. So anyway, in the human world the building is set to be destroyed. According to Calder, if the sacred ground is disrupted it will have adverse effects here…on that island, I’m guessing.” She shrugged. “I’ve already been working with others to preserve the building, so if I’m successful, then the crisis is adverted. As far as Suijin is concerned… I don’t even know what he’s capable of besides drowning people. Appeasing him—I couldn’t guess.”
“Harmony, he is different from the gods in your realm,” Kodiak answered. “Suijin may be able to travel to both realms, but he is earth-bound and cannot return to the sky.” Kodiak placed his elbows on the table, speaking quietly to both of them. “He’s looks like a man, but he has scales. They say at one time he walked among us, and he has an island fortress of his own in the sea. In fact, long ago, the Aquapopuleans lived there with him, but not anymore. He’s distanced himself from our kind physically, but I think he is always watching.”
“After I make the crossing, I’ll stay away from the water.” Terror overtook her face, and she blanched. “If I survive the crossing.” Her fingers massaged her temples.
“Of course you’ll survive!” Kodiak reproached, plucking her hand from her face.
“Are you going with her?” Finn asked. Kodiak’s sudden discomfort told him his taboo question was a sore subject. Either the newlyweds hadn’t discussed it or Kodiak wasn’t going.
“Are you, Finn? Are you going to return to the human world, where you belong?” Kodiak shot back, not answering the sensitive question.
Finn snorted. “Where I belong?” He leaned over the table. “I’ve been here more than half of my life. I’m a skilled hunter and trained warrior of the tribe—famed a fearless bear hu
nter!” He held his hands up in mock praise before he bitterly went on. “I’m counselor and right hand of the chieftain. And I can control the weather.” His eyes narrowed. “But I can barely remember what my own mother looks like, although she was blond, like Harmony.”
Harmony reached across the table, resting her hand over his. Kodiak pressed his lips together at her intimate gesture.
“Finn, I’m sorry for the circumstances of your crossing, but you can make a life for yourself in the human realm. You wouldn’t be the only one alone. I’ve lost my whole family too.”
Finn connected with her; two humans thrust into a realm via a violent crossing. He took her warm hand, feeling kinship with her.
Kodiak glared at him.
Finn let go of her hand, sat back, and crossed his arms. “Still, if I leave, what can Calder and the coastal villages do about Nakoma? They’ll need me to protect them.”
“Yes, I agree Nakoma must be taken out of her leadership role, one way or another. In the meanwhile, we will have to prepare the villages for an attack,” Kodiak reasoned, slinging his arm around Harmony’s shoulder.
Finn watched her sag against him and the way she looked at Kodiak—clearly she loved him. He said, “We will figure it out with the coastal council. It’s getting late, we should get some sleep.”
The inn’s small guestroom offered a step-down bath. While Kodi stripped, his pulse raced in anticipation of being alone and intimate with his bride. First into the waist-deep pool, he scanned her every curve as she entered the water. They washed away the dust after the long day’s ride. The soft water eased their aches. Soon they were in each other’s arms. Kodiak braised kisses on each of her eyebrows, on the tip of her nose, and then he captured her lips over and over, coaxing her to desire more. Even knowing she was exhausted after the grueling ride down the mountain road over the last few days, he couldn’t let this opportunity pass. Her hands began to roam frantically around his body and his head dropped back as a half-cry-half-groan tore from his lips. He wanted to go slow and enjoy her, loving her to his fullest capability.
On the road two nights ago, they finally had a window of opportunity to be intimate when Finn left them alone to hunt. The moment Finn was out of sight, Kodiak pinned Harmony against a tree, ravishing her mouth with his tongue. Her taste was so exotic and intoxicating he thought he could never let her leave him.
When she shoved him away, he felt lost—until she advanced with a bold, hungry look in her eyes. She lifted her hands to his shoulders and pressed him down until he knelt before her. He lifted her tunic and placed wet kisses along her belly, inhaling her scent. He yanked at her clothing and explored until she grasped his hair and tugged his head back. He gazed up at her, her prisoner. She knelt too, kissing him and leaning him back onto the leaves.
That memory had burned in his mind until this very moment. He lifted her and she squealed as he strode from the pool, carelessly splashing water over its sides. He tossed her, slippery and wet, on the sheets. With her arms open to him, he laid against her, pressing her into the soft mattress. Swiftly dashing his tongue across the column of her neck and down the valley of her breasts, he inhaled, unable to get enough of her sweet, intoxicating scent. He would never forget it. He clawed the sheets as his mouth worked up her torso delivering soft kisses until he reached her mouth. On his elbows above her, he murmured, “You are the most beautiful women I’ve ever met. I don’t know how I can ever let you go?”
“Shh, Kodi. Kiss me.” She couldn’t allow the painful thought of them separating to ruin their precious time together.
After tender lovemaking she clung to him, her tears trickling onto the pillow. Her damp hair tangled around his arm and under his back while her shoulder wedged in the crock of his arm. She fell right to sleep.
Kodiak’s heart both ached and rejoiced at the realization he was totally enamored by her. This treasure hunter might have found his greatest jewel yet.
28
Harmony stroked the elk’s soft fir and silently bid the animal good-bye. They’d reached the final trading village and traded the elks for a canoe. They paddled away not much past noon, which should put them in the coastal village by evening.
With overwhelming relief, and an equal amount of grief, she climbed onto to the dock of her cousins’ dwelling.
Stepping from the house into the twilight, Rio waved.
“You made it! You survived the jump!” she cried, pressing her hand to her heart as if she was feeling the loss of Binda all over again. Harmony ran to him, hugging him a long while. “I’m so happy you are alive! And I’m so, so sorry about Binda.” Sniffling, she still felt responsible for Binda’s fate.
Rio assured her he’d given his sister a proper water burial before returning to the village. “I’m sorry I didn’t come back to help you and Kodi. I had to tell my mother…”
“No! Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you got away. Finn helped us.”
Rio eyed him skeptically as Nami and Calder emerged at the commotion. Harmony was quickly folded into her aunt’s embrace, both women fought their tears. The boys climbed the steps and Kodiak clasped Rio in a bear hug. Harmony knew Kodiak worried about whether or not his childhood friend had survived the jump into the falls. She saw the clear relief on his face now.
Calder greeted them, offering them a seat inside.
Once they were settled, Harmony introduced Finn.
“I’m sorry we meet under these circumstances,” Finn said.
“He helped us escape the city,” Harmony stated, hoping they wouldn’t misjudge him.
“Rio told us all that happened. Our people will mourn the loss of a Linker.” Calder glanced at his family. “We are deeply grieving. However the chieftain has gone too far.”
“We have a lot more to tell you,” Kodiak shook his head, “and it’s not good.”
Nami interjected, “I hear a joining ceremony has taken place.” It seemed the conversation needed to start on a lighter note at this moment.
Harmony warmed as a smile perked up Kodiak’s face.
“I am surprised you married a man of this realm when you are destined to return to your own realm. You do understand that you must go back.” Calder’s voice was gentle, but firm.
Harmony mutely nodded, her heart crushed. She understood Calder’s underlying question—what were they going to do now that they were married?
He added, “Rio told me you’ve managed to gather the remaining herbs. Do you have them with you?”
Kodiak indicated his satchel. “We have them. And we did what we had to regarding our marriage.”
Calder grunted. “I see. Well, I will prepare the mixture and Harmony can cross soon. You will have to say good-bye to your spouse. He is forbidden to cross.”
“We understand.” Kodiak remarked, curtly.
“About that,” Harmony spoke up, “I’ve offered Finn the chance to return to our realm—with me—if he wants to. He is human after all.” She glanced at Finn; it would be like taking Tarzan out of the jungle.
Calder’s bushy brows snapped together. “I cannot guarantee your safety, Finn, if you choose to cross.”
“Understood,” Finn replied.
“Right now, we need to warn the council of what’s developing.” Kodiak injected. “Time is of the essence.”
Harmony reported what was to come and filled in the blanks of Rio’s account.
Finn spoke up, “The tribal council became agitated when they witnessed Nakoma’s murderous acts and heard her wild ideas. But she’s powerful and no one dares oppose her. She’s built an army. We know your clans have no weapons or combat skills. She’ll come and take full advantage of you.”
“I hoped it would never come to this.” Calder sounded tired.
Harmony clasped her husband’s hand, gazing into his copper-flecked eyes. The gravity of his home being threatened undoubtedly weighed on him. Would he stay here and be forced to engage in a possible battle? If Nakoma brought her hunters with their bows, it would be a
massacre. Kodiak could lose his life! She felt a rush of emotion and tears threatened.
Calder stood. “I will arrange a council meeting at the Wellness. In the meantime, I’ll start drying and preparing the herbs. Why don’t I take you three along with me to Wellness? There are plenty of rooms where you can stay until all this is sorted out.”
The council members met the next evening in the Wellness dining hall. Finn was instrumental in advising them about what to expect and offering strategies for neutralizing the situation. He explained Nakoma wanted coastal workers for her salt mines and she wanted premium prices for the salt. Both would make her rich and more powerful.
The hour grew late. After stifling several yawns, Harmony slipped from the room and climbed two flights of stairs to her room.
When she entered, she didn’t bother to turn on any lights. Crossing to the window, she gazed at the black, moving ocean, knowing she’d be in it soon enough. Once the herbs were ready, she needed to leave. At one point she said she hated this place, but now, in truth she felt she was part of it. She had family and a husband here—the very people she could protect by leaving.
The door opened and the hallway light illuminated Kodiak’s outline. He crossed the room, asking, “Are you okay? I turned around and you were gone.” The concern in his voice made this situation harder.
“Sorry. I was tired and I…I can’t stop thinking about leaving.” She slid her palm up his arm. “I can’t stop thinking about leaving you.”
He cupped her face and whispered, “Only Linkers can cross. They are marked. I could try, but…”
“I know, I know! It’s just that…if I didn’t need to return…I’d stay.”
“Oh, Harmony…” His mouth rushed hers; his kisses were desperate and urgent.
The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Page 18