MOONDOCK

by Jewel Adams

  Another contraction gripped Melane and she could do nothing but hold herself. She couldn’t control this one, weakened from using her powers, the contraction volleyed and went deeper than the others.

  Wylan heard her gasp and wanted to help her. “Boller, get her out of here!”

  The hands that came about her, picking her up weren’t Wylan’s and Melane fought them. “No! I must stay!” But her friend refused to listen.

  From the tunnel, they could hear the clash of Wylan’s sword. “He will be fine, Melane. Dragon was already beaten before we arrived.”

  “Put me down!”

  “No.”

  A loud crashing sound came from the cavern. Boller turned with her and they could see the cloud of dust and dirt rolling towards them. Just before Boller moved to start running Wylan appeared and took Melane from his arms.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  Together they headed back up the tunnel until they burst out into the light. Melane still didn’t release her hold around Wylan’s neck. “Are you alright, Melane?”

  She couldn’t raise her forehead off his shoulder. “No, I don’t think I am.”

  Wylan looked at Boller, “Find Shemon, we need her. I’m taking her to the room.”

  As he made his way through the crowds, Gallen caught up with him. “We found them shaken up, but safe. How did you know where to find them Wylan?”

  “Later, I’m afraid she is having the babies.”

  “I’ll go get Edwina and Bella.”

  Another wave of pain hit her before Wylan reached the room and by the time he settled her into the bed the room filled with elamies. Shemon tried to shoo him out and Wylan stood his ground. “I stay, she is my lifemate and these are my children.”

  Shemon only thought about objecting for a moment. “Fine, but stay out of the way.”

  Not wanting to fight with Melane’s mother, he moved to stay at Melane’s side and hold her when the time came. Wylan knew the risks of this birthing, silently he prayed to the Gods to spare Melane, they could make other babies.

  Positioning himself behind her head, he took hold of her hands, giving her something to brace herself with. When the next contraction hit she held on to him, in between them he used the cloth that Bella gave him and wiped her brow and face to cool her down. “It will be alright, Melane.”

  “Dragon?”

  “He is gone, the cavern collapsed on top of him, but not before my blade ended his life.”

  “What of Majok?”

  Wylan used all his control to keep his voice calm. “I didn’t see him anywhere in the cavern, he must have made it out during the fight.”

  Another wave of pain gripped her and ended any talk or thoughts of Majok.

  Between Edwina and Shemon, Melane could not have found better care. When her water broke, the contractions were coming one after another. Edwina announced that she could see the head. The women told her to bear down when the next one came. Wylan held her and she did as they said. In a breathless rush, Melane could feel the child slip from her body and into the world.

  Wylan and Melane watched as Edwina and Shemon worked on the baby, when the boy’s cry filled the room there was a sigh of relief.

  Melane’s contractions began again and were worse than before. She couldn’t help but scream over the force. “She will be alright, won’t she, Wylan?”

  “Yes Melane, look at her brother, he is strong and she will be too.”

  “You make big babies, Wylan!”

  He wasn’t sure if she was cursing him for that, or glad. Either way, he kissed her damp brow and smiled at her. “Come on little warrior, let’s get our elamie into the world.”

  Their daughter must have been listening; the next big push slid her out and into Shemon’s hands. Smaller than her brother, she still looked good and just as developed. They worked frantically and even Wylan grew concerned by the lack of her cry. Melane looked from the baby to him in worry, all he could do was hold her and wait.

  An eternity felt as though it passed before the baby’s first whimpers joined with her brother’s cries.

  Melane passed the after birth with less pain than the children, and Edwina declared it was a good birthing.

  Cleaned and alert, Shemon placed the girl in Melane’s arms, and Edwina gave Wylan the boy. Everyone left them to let them get acquainted with their children.

  Epilogue

  New Beginnings

  “Bella, please watch Stacish, he’s going after the mog again and I need to go check on little Angia.”

  Melane smiled over how Stacish tried to crawl faster and get the mog before Bella could catch him. He was just like his father, determined and headstrong.

  As she rounded the corner, she could hear Angia’s little laugh. Melane watched as her little elamie crawled up Rolley’s great bulk to sit upon him and kick him to get up and go. Standing before her daughter, those beautiful dark eyes of hers looked at her mother then she buried her face into Rolley’s fur before turning her head sideways and cooing to Rolley with her cheek up against him. “You’ll be riding before you walk at this rate.”

  Before Melane could pick her off of Rolley, she herself was lifted into air and back into Wylan’s arms. “She is just like her mother, already in love with that beast.”

  “Now Wylan, you know that he is the best babysitter around.”

  His brow rose over one eye as he looked at her and then Rolley and Angia. “True, maybe Rolley’s offspring will be here when she is really ready to ride.”

  “They best hurry, she won’t wait for him.”

  “Latta is working on it.” Wylan grinned as Melane looked up at him. “Yes, Latta…it fits her.”

  She decided not to argue with him, not sure of how the beautiful Latta flower came close to describing his Kaymog. She was pleased that Rolley had taken her as his lifemate. It would be wonderful for her daughter and son to have his offspring as their Kaymogs.

  She lost her thoughts to the kiss Wylan gave her, one that spoke to her of promised passion tonight. When her feet finally touched the ground, she wished they were alone and could continue.

  “Look at her, Melane.” It took a moment for her to look away from him. She still marveled over her life with Wylan.

  She turned to see Angia sound asleep on Rolley’s back, her tiny fingers wrapped in his fur. Wylan reached down and gently picked her up without waking her.

  They both went back to find Bella and Stacish. Bella was bouncing him on her knee. Of course when the boy saw his father, no one else counted. Melane took the sleeping Angia, so that he could get his son.

  Wylan proceeded to lift Stacish up and settle him on his shoulders. Melane’s heart always skipped a beat when he did that, but Wylan’s large capable hand assured her their son was safe on his high perch.

  The children were so different, but alike in so many ways. One thing, still unanswered, is whether either child received her powers. Shemon told them it could be years before they knew for sure. Melane knew that Shemon took an instant liking to Angia sure she would have her mother’s powers and more. She called her the special Angia.

  Melane’s thoughts carried over the land and its people.

  So many changes came to Cibrac since the children were born. The Kibras were almost gone now. That last battle at Cibrac’s walls tilted the scales. Many of the beasts were killed that day, the rest scattered into the depths of the forests. There were still patrols to find them and force them out and away from Cibrac.

  Cibrac seemed to be blossoming with all the new couples now. Many of the Selams that took lifemates were staying in Cibrac. Grants of land were being issued by the council to keep the new families inside the district. Wylan gave that suggestion to Shemon and she convened the council, acting on it immediately.

  Among the most attractive lifemate couples were Shemon and Boller. He went after Shemon with the force of a rampaging bull, but his strength of mind and body is what Shemon needed in a Selam. Boller decided to st
ay and build their family life in Cibrac.

  Wylan returned to Moondock a few times alone, but the children were old enough now to make the trip. In a few days, they would all leave with Gallen and his family tp stay in Windland for a few days, and then go home to Moondock. Melane wanted to see the ocean again and they could settle into their own family life.

  Trade between the three societies also began. The Begonés were fast to make their move and traveled between Cibrac, Windland and Moondock to set up the contacts for the trade routes.

  Some people didn’t want the coming changes and they weren’t just Nemows. Wylan faced opposition on his last trip home over the increased lifemates in Moondock. The older Selams, and even the elamies, felt the new couples might destroy their society. Who could say if they were right, but it couldn’t be stopped. Wylan looked to the future and all the good that the changes would help bring about.

  Only one event still worried Melane. Majok was never found, nor did he ever show up at his home. They dug out the cavern and found Dragon. If Majok was dead, his body was not to be found. Melane felt sorry for him, even after what he did to her and Wylan. She did hope, wherever he was, that he might finally find happiness.

  They did find the two Selams that helped Majok and their punishment was severe for their treatment of Bella and her mother. Hard labor at the cliff caves sounded horrible, but it was the Selam way.

  Are you troubled my little warrior?

  No my love, I’m just thinking of all the changes.

  This is a new land, Melane, with new ideas and people. I doubt we will recognize Cibrac, Moondock or Windland in a few years.

  She turned to look up at him. “You are a marvel, my love.”

  He kissed her, careful to keep Stacish far enough away from Angia that he couldn’t reach her to wake her. “I love you.”

  He could kiss her all day and still want more.

  “Hmm, do you think we could get him to take a nap?”

  Wylan’s laughter joined her as Stacish grabbed her hair and started pulling it.

  If we are lucky, he might sleep through the night!

  Compendium

  Moondock -- Kingdom by the sea on the cliffs, Wylan is ruler, Selams claim elamies, very few lifemates. Battles created very strong race of Selams, larger and more powerful than any other kingdom. There are over five Selams for each elamie.

  Wylan -- King of Moondock

  Mother -- Tarra from Windland, niece of Gallen on her father’s side.

  Cristare -- Father of Wylan

  Tarra -- Mother of Wylan and lifemate of Cristare

  Cristare -- Wylan’s father, Tarra’s lifemate, deceased.

  Majok -- Prime master of the Selam Army. Lays claim to Melane as her lifemate in place of Wylan, when Wylan fails to consummate the lifemate ritual with Melane within the rite’s time frame.

  Gorman -- Selam that captured Bella and was forced to give her back, swore never to take her to Wylan.

  Dragon -- Wizard of the darkness, wants Wylan killed so he can claim Moondock. Lives in the catacombs of the white cliffs of Moondock.

  Elamie -- Women of Moondock, they are claimed by Selam, rare but can claim lifemate status, purity test, one chance, many never try. Also has a two week consummation period.

  WINDLAND

  Windland -- north of Moondock high cliffs, home of Gallen -- King of the Sylvans

  Sylvans -- Home in Windland Selams that believe in lifemates, separated from the Selams in Moondock over the battle for elamies.

  Gallen -- King of Windland

  Edwina -- wife of Gallen, mother of Bella

  Bella -- Gallen and daughter, friend to Melane. Taken by Gorman from Moondock, infatuated with him, Gallen nearly goes to war, Wylan forces Gorman to return Bella.

  Boller -- Guardian of Melane in Windland, becomes family lifemate to Shemon

  Ponter -- Guardian of Melane in Windland, pairs off to Joyimar

  Tremer -- Guard on Bella

  CIBRAC

  Cibrac -- Home to the Nemows, a race of women that are cast into one of four sects within the whole, no males.

  Syrons -- Life bearers. All Nemow’s derived from the sacred sect of the Syrons. Every class born from the same beginnings. Syrons also possess magical

  Lamar -- The protectors of the Nemows

  Begonés -- The Begoné workers handed down their skills, traditions and expertise of each trade. Millers, merchants, smiths of weapons and tools, the Begonés held sects within their class as no others in the kindred of Cibrac.

  Weavers -- The Teachers, seers and historians of the Nemows, on the whole, were a plain looking lot.

  Melane --Daughter of Sabrina (died after giving birth to Melane), Shemon is Melane’s mother and the General of the Lamar guard. Melane is a Grand Lamar Captain. Melane is sent to find the ancient Selams to ask their help to save Cibrac from the beasts the Kibras.

  She finds Wylan, King of Moondock, evokes the lifemate rites of the elamies and becomes Wylan’s lifemate. Mother to Angia and Stacish, twins.

  Melane finds her inherited powers and blends two sects, Lamar and Syron, to be the most powerful Nemow.

  Shemon -- Mother of Melane and High Priestess, First General of the Lamar Guard. Becomes lifemate with Boller from Windland.

  Sabrina -- Melane’s birth mother, a Syron with great powers.

  Narmar -- Witch and murderer of Sabrina and her son, Melane’s twin brother. Deliberately miscast Melane as a Lamar.

  Joyimar -- Spokesman of the Syrons.

  Lilli -- Lamar and friend of Melane’s.

  Kibra -- Animals! Beasts of the night maintained more morals than this enemy. It wasn’t only their masculine strength that made them so dangerous, but the savage cruelty in their acts against the Nemows.

  Amelia -- Weaver that tells of the blending of two sects and the love found from the ancient Selam.

  Priestess Council -- ruling body of the Nemows, made up of representatives of each sect.

  Karla -- the Syron’s pick for the quest. Short blonde hair and barely old enough to take up the birthing rites.

  Carril --Weaver’s spoke-person

  Selana -- Weaver’s pick for the quest, tall, plain looking, older woman stepped forward, seeming confident in her acceptance of the task ahead.

  Krista -- Begonés pick for the quest. Knows the territory and what dangers to expect. She was strong and never showed any weakness in her toiling labors. Krista was also very beautiful, holding a rare color of auburn in her hair.

  Kaymog -- Lamar’s mounts. The Kaymog’s ability to maneuver at their highest speed in any direction, made them invaluable in battle. Kaymogs hated all other beasts and Kibras more than any other

  Rolley -- Melane’s Kaymog since she was 13. She can communicate with him through mind thoughts. Rolley’s great size gave Melane an additional advantage, allowing her to tower over all other riders in battle. His powerful hind legs stretched out, doubling most Kaymog’s strides. Not a one in the stables could best them in a race.

  Latta -- Wylan’s Kaymog, named for the night blooming flower. Rolley’s lifemate.

  Angia -- Melane and Wylan’s baby girl, twin to Stacish.

  Stacish -- Son of Wylan and Melane, Angia’s twin.

  ANIMALS AND FLORA

  Kaymog --Warriors mount

  Mylar -- Beast of the night

  Mog -- household pet

  Starflower -- night blooming intoxicating scent steals away a man’s senses.

  Jewel Adams’ Current Releases

  SAVAGE DESTINY-- The Story of Cali and Blackhawk--Historic Indian White Captive Romance

  MOONDOCK -- Fantasy Romance

  CREOLE BLUES -- Contemporary Erotic Romance

  PINKY SWEAR -- Contemporary Romance

  STARGAZER -- Time Travel Romance

  DARLIN’ -- Time Travel Romance

  WAVES OF TIME -- Time Travel Erotic Romance

  RIVERBOATS AND RAINBOWS -- Time Travel Erotic Romance

  SALLY’S ANS
WER the sequel to RIVERBOATS AND RAINBOWS

  TIMELESS LOVE -- Time Travel Erotic Romance

  DREAM LOVER -- Time Travel Erotic Romance CAPA WINNER for the 2004 Psyche Award from The Romance Studio

  CATCHING SHADOWS -- Gothic/Time Travel Erotic Romance

  ICE MAIDEN--Time Travel Romance

  DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?--Time Travel Romance

  AFTERNOON DELIGHTS--Erotic Romance Collection

  UNDER COVER LOVE--Erotic Romance

  HELL TO HEAVEN--Romance Contemporary

  COWBOY LOV’N--Erotic Romance Collection

  VAMPIRE LUST--Erotic Romance Collection

  About the Author

  Jewel Adams - Best Selling Author of Romance with a Touch of Spice!

  The last few years have certainly seen changes for Jewel. An outstanding author of over 15 novels and novellas, she will be the first to tell you that the Romance genre is thriving here on the internet. As an author, Jewel found the freedom to take her love of Romance beyond the established barriers. Danger, love, tears and romance; Jewel’s Erotic and sensual romance Time Travels, Gothic, Paranormal, Fantasy, Westerns and Contemporary Romances will take you on a thrilling journey sparked with adventure, and fill your lifetime with the love that can cross centuries and worlds.

  Be sure to look for her new releases and news at the following sites: