Scorched_Earth_B_N

by Autumn Dawn

  “Oh,” she said, relieved. “Thank God.”

  “Must be nice to have a sugar daddy,” Lizba sniped, then glanced away at Sarsen’s warning look. They were approaching a hub. ‘Shrooms here wore conical mushroom caps and kimonos. At the center a plump mushroom with a spotted cap squatted. The cap sported a smaller mushroom centered above the brim like a jewel. Lizba bowed.

  The mushroom king pondered them. “Have you come to trade?”

  “We have, mighty king. My client, Lord Sarsen, wishes to purchase mushroom medicine.”

  There was a murmuring from the audience. Apparently, this was an unusual request.

  “How interesting. Tell me more,” the king invited.

  Sarsen stepped forward and bowed. “We have a sick family member, your majesty. He was poisoned with heavy metals, and our doctors gave up hope. His wife persuaded me to seek your advice. She’d heard tales of the detoxifying power of the mushroom people. She said in this, you were superior to our doctors.”

  The king’s eyes widened with pleasure. He looked at Cara. “Is this her?”

  Cara bowed. “It’s true, sir. Who can break down poisonous compounds better than a mushroom?”

  “Well!” The mushroom king regarded them with interest. “It’s good to see such a sensible person among the earth elementals. You’ve pleased me. What will you give to save the life of your loved one?”

  Sarsen nodded politely. “I have some excellent panda dung available to trade, and of course, California condor droppings…”

  Cara let him negotiate, keeping her trap shut and her feet still. They were so close, and she could hardly stand the wait. She needed Tremor to be well, and it was terribly hard to wait while they negotiated.

  Finally, Sarsen nodded. “Done. I’ll fetch him.” A rift opened, revealing Tremor in his hospital bed. Sarsen stepped into the hospital room and wheeled the bed through, positioning it before the king.

  “Now you will see Mycelium medicine,” the king intoned.

  Three ‘shrooms trundled forth, surrounding Tremor. One poured a bowl on Tremor’s chest. They waited.

  And waited. Cara wanted badly to pace. When she could stand it no longer, a tiny white mushroom sprouted on Tremor’s chest, and another. Slowly, the patch spread, thousands of tiny mushrooms sprouting over his unconscious form.

  He moaned, shifting on the bed. The ‘shrooms watched, fascinated and motionless. His eyes fluttered.

  The tiny mushrooms started to die. They turned black and dried, like a time-lapse movie. As the dust blew away, Tremor opened his eyes and blinked. He looked blearily at Cara and said, “Why does it smell like shit in here?”

  “How was I supposed to know?” Tremor grumbled. “I was barely conscious.”

  “Thankfully, the king was in a forgiving mood,” Sarsen said with a smirk. “That and a promise of sloth poop soothed his nerves. We owe him your life.”

  “No, we owe Cara,” Tremor said, taking her hand. He lay back in the bed, still exhausted. “I need to visit the Oracle and thank her for thinking of me.”

  “It’s already taken care of,” Sarsen said with a dark smile. “Several of her compounds have developed sinkholes today. Sadly, they were completely swallowed.”

  “She’ll retaliate,” Tremor warned. He looked satisfied, however.

  “She’ll try.” Sarsen stood. “I’ll let you rest.”

  Cara snuggled next to Tremor. “You’ll have plenty of energy by tomorrow,” she said, stroking his chest.

  “I’m going to have plenty of energy in a moment if you keep that up,” he said with smile.

  “Hm. I was wondering…”

  He peered at her when she paused. “Yes?”

  “That thing you do when you make love, when you become energy…do you ever make love just like this? Like a human, I mean.” She ducked her head, embarrassed. “Not that it’s not nice; it’s just not…”

  “Ah. You want to make love in this form?” His smile was wicked. “You trust me, little one?”

  She frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?”

  He hitched his pillows up to lean against the headboard. “Making love as a human is intimate. The woman can’t shift; it makes her vulnerable. Some women go their whole lives without experiencing it. In fact, it was the norm for noble marriages in my youth. However, I have nothing against it.” He brushed the hair from her face, his thumb brushing her jaw.

  “That’s good,” she whispered, “because I’d like to kiss you. I like touching you.” She slid her hand to his jaw and kissed him, pouring all her pent up emotion into it.

  “Mm,” he murmured approvingly. “I like this. We could divide our time between this and traditional elemental lovemaking? A man has needs.”

  She laughed. “This a weird conversation. A woman has needs, too. Why don’t you come over here and fulfill mine?”

  He tugged her over him instead. He gave her an innocent look. “I’m weak, wife, from my terrible ordeal. I’m afraid you’re going to have to most of the work. Besides, I need an education on human sexual practices. What do you want to do to me?” His smile was naughty.

  She rolled her eyes, suppressing a blush. “Sure you do.” She raked her teeth over his nipple, making him gasp. She was positive he could teach her a thing or two.

  She loved his smooth chest. Kissing her way down his carved belly, she took her time tormenting his hipbone, making him growl. She loved how responsive he was. She took her time sliding the blanket off, kissing around his hairless erection. It was gently ridged in a way she thought would be fun.

  Breathing raggedly at the sudden moisture the thought caused, she placed gentle kisses along the shaft and then licked him from base to tip.

  His hands clenched the covers as she suckled the most sensitive part of the head without taking him in her mouth. He thrashed as she cupped his balls and made him wet all over.

  Suddenly he grabbed her and threw her on her back. “Witch,” he growled, kissing her hungrily. He slid his thigh between her legs and entered her damp heat, riding her hard.

  That’s when she discovered that male earth elementals didn’t ejaculate in that form. They climaxed again and again, but he didn’t soften at all.

  He didn’t stop until they were both exhausted. He pulled her with him, flopping on his back, one arm flung above his head.

  It was some time before Cara could speak. “Wow,” she managed. “I think lady elementals keep you out of this form in self-defense.”

  Tremor laughed and hugged her.

  “I need to make peace with her,” Cara said, playing with her bracelet. “She did some messed up stuff, but I think she learned her lesson. She’s really sorry,” she said, almost apologizing to Tremor. He sat in an armchair, his face stony. It may as well have been a throne.

  “It’s your mother’s actions I object to,” he said again. “If I’m angry at her, it has nothing to do with you.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Accept what I’m telling you, wife. I’m not angry with you. It’s because of you I’m allowing her into my home.”

  Cara sighed. “I just want everyone to get along.”

  “But if they don’t, it’s still okay. I will treat you with respect, and I will see that everyone else does, too. Your safety is my first concern. She was controlling and caused you pain. I don’t care what her excuses are; it won’t happen again.” He didn’t add that he thought her father should have put his foot down. He’d been complacent and endangered Cara, too.

  “Are we ready?” Sarsen asked as he entered the parlor. He was part of the family and insisted on meeting her parents. Maybe he thought a show of strength was in order. After all, his last remaining family member had been threatened.

  A portal opened and Cara’s nervous parents walked through. Inez shrank a bit as Sarsen offered a polite bow. Paulo stuck out a determined hand. “Good to meet you. I’m afraid we got off on the wrong foot with your nephew.”

  “You did, but misunderstandings can be overcome. Won’t
you have a seat?”

  Tremor hadn’t released her hand, so Cara sat on the loveseat next to him. “Coffee, Mom, Dad? The cookies are for you if you’re hungry.” She’d bought them from the bakery that morning. She’d had one herself, but it hadn’t done much for her. She’d used to love chocolate chip, too.

  “Thank you, honey. Are you doing well?” her mom asked anxiously.

  “I’m fine, thanks. Tremor’s still feeling rough, though,” Cara hinted.

  Inez met Tremor’s eyes with difficultly. “I’m sorry about what happened. I just…this is very difficult. I feel as if my daughter is being taken away from me. There wasn’t a wedding, and I don’t know what to tell my friends and family…”

  Tremor looked at Cara. “Do you want a human wedding?”

  Cara winced. She’d always thought the dog and pony show of many weddings was ridiculous. A marriage was about love and commitment, not who could spend the most on a wedding dress and silly party favors. “I never wanted a big wedding. Maybe a small ceremony, if it would set Mom’s mind at ease. Just a priest and everyone who’s here right now.”

  “Oh, but I promised Maggie she could cater the reception, and you need a dress…” Inez saw Tremor’s cool look and got angry. “She’s my daughter! I’ve dreamed of giving her a wedding since she was little!”

  “Maybe that was your dream. She has her own ideas,” Tremor said firmly. “She told you what she wanted; you chose not to listen.”

  “She’s just afraid of you!” Inez accused. “She won’t speak her mind for fear of angering you. It’s clear you control her.”

  “Mom,” Cara tried to interject.

  “Am I the one angry about loss of control?” Tremor said evenly. “Her wishes matter to me.”

  “So you say! You’re not even of the same species,” Inez hissed, jumping to her feet.

  “Mom!” Cara protested, rising.

  “He’s a monster,” Inez cried, batting at Paulo as he tried to quiet her. “He took my baby.”

  “That’s enough!” Sarsen thundered. He and Tremor were both on their feet. “You abuse our hospitality, madam. Control yourself or leave.”

  Inez gulped air, on the verge of hyperventilation.

  Cara sighed and ran a hand over her face. “Mom, you’re being dramatic. I’m fine. I’m happy. This isn’t some plot to kidnap me and sell me to the circus. I choose to stay with Tremor. Granted, it wasn’t something I planned, but it’s worked out well. I wish you’d stop turning it into a soap opera.” It was a daring thing to say to her mother, but she was fed up. She’d never realized her mom was so melodramatic.

  Inez’s eyes widened. “Cara Esmeralda Cortez! How dare you speak to me like that!”

  “She will speak her mind as she wishes, madam. I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for you today. We’ll make another appointment for later this week,” Tremor said firmly, opening a portal for his in-laws. Paulo,” he nodded in acknowledgement and dismissal.

  “Come on, Inez,” Paulo said, forcefully escorting his wife to the exit. “Cara, we love you. We’ll talk more when your mother has calmed down.”

  “I am calm!” Inez shouted as the portal closed behind them.

  Cara stared at it, nonplussed. What could she say to excuse that kind of scene?

  Tremor ran a hand over her back and sighed. “Lots of men have difficult mothers-in-law.”

  Sarsen snorted. “Mine tried to kill me; twice. She finally stopped when my wife put her foot down and threatened to keep her from the grandchildren.”

  Tremor massaged the back of his neck. “Thank you for that lovely thought. She’ll always know best how to raise them, won’t she?” He saw Cara’s face and squeezed her hand. “I apologize. No doubt she’ll be a wonderful grandmother.”

  Cara plopped onto the couch, suddenly tired. This was a complication she hadn’t foreseen. She loved her mom, but she had to take Tremor’s side, because he was right.

  Why couldn’t life be simple?

  A man entered the room, one of the bodyguards/soldiers by his pressed black pants and formal blue shirt. “Sir, we’ve detected movement around the target.”

  Tremor nodded and took Cara’s hand. “Your parents’ house is under attack, but they aren’t there. I sent them to a private island for a little down time. Don’t worry, they aren’t alone.”

  She stared at him. “My mom will freak out.”

  “She did look rather stressed.” Tremor opened a portal. “Ready? Or would you rather I dealt with it?”

  “It’s my parents’ house,” she retorted, and stepped through. They were on the sidewalk near the house in the middle of a huge dust storm that dropped visibility to near zero for non-elementals. “What about the neighbors?” she asked with concern. Old Mrs. Dowler could stumble into something and Mrs. Boyle was pregnant.

  “We have people watching the civilians,” Tremor assured her, his attention on the house. Cara watched in horror as it began to sink, the living room sliding into a sinkhole.

  She shot her consciousness into the earth on instinct, trying to stop the damage, and discovered water elementals manipulating the earth, turning it to mud. One elemental noticed her and sent a needle jet of pressurized water her way, trying to impale her.

  Cara snarled and grabbed him with a giant fist of earth, trying to squish him. The elemental simply turned to mist and reformed, joining two others that were undermining the house’s foundation. Enraged, she slapped a bubble of earth around them and squeezed, growling when they franticly fought back.

  The earth started to shake. She could feel the power rising, intoxicating, tempting her to unleash shockwaves that would crush her enemies. It would feel so good, and she could nearly taste it. They would have the biggest earthquake the world had ever seen! She grabbed the power, prepared to yank and watch the explosion.

  Tremor placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Sorry about this, love. I know it’s fun.” He pulled the power from her, draining away the rush, taking what was hers.

  She turned and bit him.

  “Ow!” he cried, surprised, but he didn’t stop. He did shake her off his shoulder, though. “You’re a mean little thing.” He clamped her to his side with one arm, making sure her teeth pointed away from him, and grunted as she struggled. “You’re going to feel bad about this later.”

  “Let me go!” Her hands and feet flailed uselessly, unable to inflict much damage. She could feel the earth firming, calming. He stole her earthquake, the bastard.

  “Need a hand, sir?” one of the bodyguards asked, and she swore at him.

  “Thanks, I’ve got it.” Tremor set Cara down and gave her a firm shake. “Hey! Settle down, woman. Look at your parents’ house.”

  Cara looked, panting. Reason began to emerge. Oh no, her parents!

  “They aren’t there. They’re safe, and this can be fixed.” Tremor peered at her to see if she was tracking the conversation.

  Cara took a deep breath. “Right. They aren’t there.”

  “And it will be fixed,” he added firmly.

  She nodded. It would be okay.

  Satisfied, he looked at his soldier. “Right. Let’s clean up here.”

  Epilogue

  “It’s big,” Cara’s dad said, arms crossed.

  “It’s too much,” Inez fretted. “It’s a big commitment. What will people say? Can you afford this?” The massive two-story adobe perched on a hill overlooking Colorado Springs, an easy drive to work and shopping. Xeriscaped, the grounds came with thick walls and hidden elemental security.

  Cara shrugged. “I couldn’t talk him into anything smaller. He said he was no miser, and this solves the house problem.”

  Tremor walked up and handed Paulo the keys. “My customs demand a bride price equal to the bride. Since there’s nothing she values more than you, I choose to keep you safe. Enjoy.” He swept a hand toward the house.

  Her parents gasped. “For us? No, it’s too much!” her mother protested. They’d though
t they were looking at Tremor and Cara’s new house. They’d been staying in a hotel for the last week, making arrangements with the insurance company and trying to decide what to do.

  “It comes with a housekeeper,” Tremor said as he led the way to the house. “And there’s plenty of room when relatives want to spend the night. Besides, one day there will be children, and they’ll need room to play.”

  Cara held up a hasty hand. “We’re not expecting yet, Mom. Don’t get excited. I have to finish school first.” She’d enrolled in the elemental engineering program, and she couldn’t wait to start. Kids could come later.

  “But you’re talking about children,” her mom said, captivated. She squeezed her husband’s arm. “Oh, Paulo! Grandbabies.”

  Tremor’s sneakiness paid off, for she was too enraptured with the thought of spoiling little ones to seriously protest the house. Besides, Cara could tell she loved it.

  Tremor had a house in mind for him and Cara, too. Due to his investigations, he strongly suspected his old pal Straith was involved with the Oracle’s cult and probably arranged the assassination attempt. Unfortunately, he couldn’t prove it, but Straith suddenly developed other problems. A jilted husband sued him, and it came out that he was involved in several shady deals, including a prostitution ring. He was up to his ears in scandal and facing bankruptcy and possibly prison. His house was on the market, and Tremor had put in an anonymous offer.

  “It’s in an excellent location,” he’d told Cara.

  “You like that he was forced to sell,” Cara answered shrewdly. “It’s a trophy.”

  He put his arms around her and grinned evilly. “That too. But do you like it?”

  “I like it,” she laughed, and kissed him. “We’ll have to remodel before inviting people over. You want to invite Fire and Water to the housewarming party?”

  “If you wish. Keep in mind they may be busy.” He glanced over her head, pensive.

  “You think they might find wives soon?” she asked anxiously. “I wish there was something we could do.”