by Tara West
Markus tossed the meat into his satchel and pushed the furs off his legs, heedless of his throbbing skull. “Let me help you.”
“No! You must rest!” She stood up and pointed a pale finger, silently commanding him to stay in bed. “Eat your meat and leave me to this.”
But Markus no longer had the stomach for food, so angry was he with his own foolishness. He had made a mess of things with his brutish strength and, even worse, he’d upset Ura.
Markus wondered if he was to live his life acting on anger without thinking, striking out without a care for others. Was he destined to become like his father?
Chapter Nine
Ura sat cross-legged on warm furs while adding shards of ice to the cooking pot. The chamber where she prepared the family meals was small. Thick pelts padded the ice walls around her, offering warmth and comfort. But, tonight she did not feel comforted and the cooking chamber seemed even more cramped than before. Thoughts troubled her, from which she had no means of escape.
Silently, she leaned over the pot of herbs and added another stick of jagged ice. It melted, but ever so slowly. She focused again on the pale, warming stone beneath the pot, willing it to heat her brew. The stone turned the hue of amber and then all color faded.
Ura bit her lip, silently swearing. She had lost her focus — again. All thoughts trailed back to that foolish brute from above. When last she checked, he was asleep, and Ura hoped he would not wake until Father returned. Was he boy or man? She only knew that no one had ever affected her this way. No one had ever made her pulse jump with just one touch.
How could this land dweller, nearly the size of a snow bear, with eyes and hair blacker than the murky depths of Mystic Lake, move her in this way? She was not meant for this man-boy. She was not meant for anyone.
Ura had seen her destiny and love had no part in the horrible fate that awaited her.
“Where is your land dweller?”
Ura’s head spun. How dare Bane sneak up behind her while she was unaware!
Bane’s thin smile was cocked to one side. Folding his long, lean arms defiantly across his narrow chest, he rested a bony shoulder against the wall. His small, round eyes, sunk in deep sockets, reminded Ura of a serpent’s cold stare. But his hair was what had always unnerved her — pale, like the hair of any ice dweller, with the exception of a thin, rust-colored line, which began at his left temple and ended at his nape.
Ura had never grown accustomed to the look of him or his aggressive temperament, and she had told him so more than once. So why was he always pestering her?
“What are you doing here, Bane?” asked Ura, leveling him with a derisive glare as she came to her feet. “You know my father forbade you to call while he is away.”
“No, he forbade me to be alone with you.” Bane stepped nearer, closing the distance between them, until they were merely a few breaths apart. “And you are not alone, are you?” His beady eyes darkened. “Where is he?”
Ura stepped back, nearly stumbling on the fur beneath her. “Why do you care?”
Bane shrugged and a wicked gleam crossed his features. “I wish to see this dark giant for myself.”
“He is there, resting.” Ura pointed to the narrow doorway, leading to her brother’s room, where she hoped the land dweller still slept. “Now leave him be.”
Bane glared at the eel-skin covered doorway, his lip rising in a snarl, before turning his sharp gaze back on her. “They say you watch over him like a mother coddling a newborn babe.”
Heat infused her chest and flamed her cheeks. Why did Bane’s words upset her so? “He is injured. He needs care.”
“What of my needs, Ura?” Bane hissed, stalking toward her.
“Go find some other fool, Bane,” she replied, so tired of playing this game with him. “I do not want to marry you.”
Ura stepped back again. Tossing a glance behind her, she found that she was almost backed up against the wall.
If it was at all possible, the sharp features on his gaunt face softened. He continued to approach her with his arms splayed wide. “You do not know your own heart.”
Ura’s back hit the wall as Bane closed the gap between them. Her heart raced, not from lust or love, but anger. How could this arrogant fool presume to know her thoughts?
“I know my heart does not pine for you! Now get out!”
Bane stood still. Shaking his head, he blinked hard, looking stunned and confused. Heaving a heavy breath, he ran wiry fingers through his hair. “When Ryne returns with promising news, you will be yourself again.”
“How do you know what my brother will find? Or if he will return at all?” Ura’s words ended on a sob. Biting down on her fist, she refused to let the tears fall. She would not allow Bane to believe he’d made her cry.
“Is that why you tend this land dweller? Do you seek to fill the void in your heart left by Ryne?” Bane took a slow step forward.
Ura nearly retched at the feel of his cool breath on her cheek. “Leave me,” she growled.
“No man understands you better than I, Ura. I know what you were doing the night you found the land dweller.” He reached out, cupping her shoulder in a tight grip.
“Let go of me!” she shrieked, pushing his chest.
It was like sticking her hands through a hollow drum. She knew Bane had less girth than a starved skeleton, but she had no idea of his frailty until that moment. He weightlessly stumbled back, grasping her arm and pulling her with him.
This time, Ura jerked free with all her might. Her chest heaved with strained breath and her flesh burned with stinging intensity. Never before had she been so angry. Had Bane thought he could behave like a fool without reproach? Did he believe his family’s name gave him the right to take freely what did not belong to him?
Bane caught himself on a nearby stool, just as he was about to tumble onto the floor. He stood upright, glaring at her with malice reflected in the stony depths of his tiny orbs.
Bane spoke in a low, venomous hiss. “You will not push me again, girl.”
“You will not touch her again!” The deep bellow rattled the tiny cave with dizzying force.
Ura could hardly believe the land dweller was standing before them, his expansive shoulders filling the room as he leaned against a wall for support. Ura could see pain in his strained features.
“Ah, so he awakens.” Bane bowed before Markus, his skeletal arms splayed wide as if he was paying homage to a goddess. All the while, his eyes glowed with amusement. “The mighty being from above!”
Ura paid Bane little heed for she could not take her eyes off Markus. He was not well and should rest, as she could easily defend herself against the likes of Bane.
“Markus, go back to bed. Your head has not healed.”
“I am healed enough to pound my fist through his face should he touch you again,” said Markus. His features were turned to stone, with the exception of his fiery gaze, which was locked on his adversary.
Bane stood upright and casually shrugged his shoulders. “Very well, I will leave, but I will be back.” He flashed Ura a thin smile. “I do not trust you with this giant.”
Ura heaved an exasperated breath as she watched Bane exit through the narrow opening, knowing he was off to tell his clan that he had been threatened. Bane would do his best to make Markus’ stay with her people unbearable.
TARA WEST
A former Texas high school teacher, I enjoyed coaching the writing team and even the hectic deadlines that came with running the school publications. After taking a break to raise my baby girl, I now work from home as a novelist and a part-time graphic designer. In my spare time, I love to read, exercise and spend time with my family and friends.
I would love to hear from my readers!
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Books by Tara West
From the Whispers Series
Sophie’s Secret
Don’t Tell Mother
Krysta’s Curse
Visions of the Witch (co-written with Heather Marie Adkins)
From Keepers of the Stones
Witch Flame, Prelude
Curse of the Ice Dragon, Book One
Spirit of the Sea Witch, Book Two (releasing 2013)
Dawn of the Dragon King, Book Three (releasing 2014)