by W. J. May
She opened her eyes in time to watch the people by the entrance disintegrate into the air. The wind died down as the group found their way to Aridam. Karis couldn’t help the tear that fell down her cheek.
Brady wiped it off. “It’s okay, they’re okay. They made it, I can feel it. I don’t know how, but I just know.”
She nodded, sucked in a sharp breath, and spun around to the remaining people. They all shuffled into the circle quietly. Again, the wind whirled around them. Karis reached out for Brady’s strength. She was weaker this time, needing him more.
Brady nodded as she glanced up at him when the group disappeared. She scanned over her people. About two more groups to send over. She could do it, she chanted to herself. This time she needed Brady’s power to help create the beginning portion of the portal. She could feel his body shake as he gave everything to her. She squeezed his hands and focused on getting her people to Aridam safely.
The wind picked up even more as the last group squeezed in the circle. Karis walked on wobbly legs to the entrance and sighed, but smiled at the group. There was no room for both herself and Brady. The last person already pressed himself into the group and strained to stay within the circle.
She could feel her legs shake and want to give out, but walked to the man anyway. “Tell Azul that we’ll catch up to all of you soon.”
A trumpet sounded in the distance, and everyone looked toward the city. Coron was there. Shouting could be heard coming from inside the gates. The man nodded at Karis. “I’ll tell him, you must hurry so that you can hide.”
Karis grabbed Brady’s hands, and the wind picked up. “Stop that portal!” a voice boomed from not too far away.
Karis didn’t stop. Her hold on Brady tightened as she fought to send the group. Brady sent her all his strength, but she still dropped to her knees, and he went with her. Then the heavy feeling was gone, and she knew the group had made it to Aridam. She spun around in time to see a group of Coron’s men running toward them.
“Come on,” Brady urged as he pulled her to her feet. He could feel his strength returning as they ran. He picked her up and rushed to the sea, faster than any of the men would be able to run.
He set her down by the silver dock where they came in. She looked around in a daze. “Wow, I have no idea how you move that fast, but I’m grateful.” She took a few shaky breaths. “That was intense.”
“You can say that.” Brady ran his hands over his head.
“What’s the plan? The portals are closed, so we have to create our own, but I’m not sure I can do another one just yet.” She glanced over her shoulder at the city.
He gazed out over the water. “We swim.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Swim? To where? Aridam and Shamike are not joined by a body of water, Brady. They are two separate worlds.”
“I know. I was thinking that if we are in the water, Coron won’t think to search for us there, and you can rejuvenate your strength and create a portal from under the water.”
Karis’s mouth gaped open. “That’s actually a great plan.”
Brady took her hand and led her to the water’s edge. She slid off her sandals and handed them to him. He grinned as he pulled out his pack from under his vest and slipped them inside.
She blushed and hesitated with her pants. She knew they would be shredded if she didn’t, and then would have nothing when she changed back to her true form, but it didn’t make taking her clothes off any easier.
The water lapped at their feet. Brady moved closer to her, held her face with one hand, and traced her back with his other one. The familiar heat rose from her soul as he touched her. “Brady, now is hardly the time.”
She knew Coron’s men were on the other side of the city, but she would never forgive herself if something happened to him.
“I know,” he whispered against her cheek then brushed his lips against hers. His hand snuck lower until he found her waistband and shimmied her pants down. He bent over and picked them up, shoving them in his pack. He gave her a wink then took his off.
She stood there with her mouth open. He walked deeper into the water, and she couldn’t help but gape at his bare backside as the waves splashed against him. She shook her head and ran after him, diving under as soon as it was deep enough and feeling her body tingle as she allowed the change.
She moved her hair out of her face as it floated around her, then spun around and looked for Brady. A dash of green sparkled at her side. She twirled and found him grinning at her. “I will never get used to this. I will never get used to your beauty, on land or in the water.” His voice sounded melodious in her head.
Even in the cold water she could feel her cheeks warm with his compliment. “We should go. We’re too close to the shore.”
He flipped his tail and swam off. She followed close behind. It seemed like hours that they swam together before he finally slowed down and stopped.
“Is everything okay?” Karis darted her gaze around, looking for Coron’s men.
“Everything is fine. I just don’t want to go back to Aridam, or Shamike, or even Earth for that matter without telling you something. Seeing how close we came to being subject to Coron’s evil made me sick.” He lifted his hand to her waist. “I can’t explain it, but it’s like my heart is woven together with yours. If something ever happened to you, I think I would die too.” He raised his hand higher. He started at her forearm where her tattoo began and lightly with his fingertip traced the swirls up her arm.
She shivered under his touch, her body delighted with the heat he created. She ran her hands up his chest and reached behind his neck, pulling him closer. With her tail wrapped around his, it felt so sensual that she shuddered again. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He pulled her close, tight in his arms, and kissed her. It was the kind of kiss that made Karis weak and needing more, but they both knew the time to do so was not then. They needed to get to Aridam.
He took her hand and pulled her along in the water. She flipped her tail easily to keep up. The blue of the water shimmered around them, and she knew it was time. She pulled back and stopped him.
“It’s time. I’m strong enough now.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded and took both of his hands. The water churned around them in a whirlpool, and she felt the pull of Aridam call out to her.
Azul paced by his newly erected tent outside the small town where Magnus lived. “I can’t believe she didn’t come with you.” His voice rose with each word. He was furious. All he could think of was that if Brady let anything happen to her, he would kill him.
“Sir, there wasn’t room, and Coron’s men were approaching.” The man tried to reason with Azul, but his words held no comfort.
Azul’s head shot up. “Coron’s men were there? Why didn’t he make her go?” Thoughts of Karis being held as a prisoner—or worse—plagued his mind. He needed to get back and find her, but where would he find another person who could create a portal?
The wind picked up, and sand from the desert floor whirled around them. “Someone approaches, a portal is opening up!” someone from the back of the tents called out.
Azul drew his sword and ran to the front with everyone else. If Coron followed them there, he would be ready. He would defend Karis’s memory and their people.
The wind picked up so much that it became almost unbearable, and he shut his eyes. A mist of water sprayed him, and he could feel cold air as the wind began to die down. He squinted and made out two shapes on the ground. One had long black hair and a pink tail.
“Get a blanket,” he shouted out to whoever would listen. He darted over to where Brady laid upon Karis, covering her changing body. Azul ripped off his vest and tried to help shield her modestly.
Someone threw a grey wool blanket over both Brady and Karis. Azul took a step back and watched as Karis blushed.
He spun around. “Alright, nothing to see. Karis has made it safely, but we must give her some room. H
ead back to the tents.”
Karis looked up at Brady and blushed even more. He dug for his pack and found her wet pants and sandals. She covertly slipped them on under the blanket and Brady did the same, although he was not nearly as smooth about it. She giggled and finally sat up to place her sandals on her feet.
She held her hand up to her eyes to shield from the afternoon sun and looked around. Many erected tents were lined up outside the city. Azul had his back to them, and she smiled.
“It’s okay, Azul, we’re clothed.”
He turned quickly and strode over to her. Holding out his hand, he helped her up. “I thought I lost you, that Coron had taken you, killed you...” He twisted to Brady, who was trying to dust the sand off his wet pants. “And you! Why did you not force her to leave with the portal? She could’ve been killed.”
Brady glared at Azul. “She can’t make a portal by herself, and besides, she was too weak to even try another one. She would’ve died if I made her go. Besides, I already told you I’d never let anything happen to her.”
“You say that, but I doubt you mean it. The first chance you get, you’ll probably head back to Earth and leave her to fight off a broken heart.”
“Enough!” Karis squared her shoulders and stood next to Brady. “Brady would protect me with his life; he is who I choose. Not you, Azul. If we’re to win this war, we all need to get along. Now, are you going to put away your hatred long enough to help?”
Azul clenched his jaw. “You'll be my Queen. I will do what you ask.”
“Thank you,” she spoke quieter. “Now, where is Magnus?”
Azul nodded to the city. “He went to have his wife accrue some help to have a banquet dinner.”
Karis folded her hands together in front of her. “That’s great. The people need to be able to relax for once.”
Brady’s hand brushed across her back. “I think we all could use some R and R.”
Chapter Thirteen
The sun began to set, leaving the desert sand shimmering with bronze and gold flakes. The night sky loomed over Karis as she sat outside the tiny outside room she shared with Brady. The sound of a door closing made her drop her gaze from the sky to Magnus’s house. He trailed his wife to the tents. She couldn’t help but smile at them as they passed her.
She should be with her people, but the weight of her world felt heavier than before, and she could feel it pushing down on her. She needed to find a way to defeat Coron and find out what was actually going on. What did Marin have to gain by helping him? Why was Tharious so scared of him? So many questions plagued her mind.
A few pits were dug, and some of the men lit fires to ward off the chilly night air. The flames licked the air and cast shadows around the large group. She could hear the crackle as the wood caught fire from where she sat. The sun was almost gone, and dark took over. Karis shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms, but she didn’t move from her spot. Sitting on the steps of her small room, she could see out over all her people.
Azul walked up beside her. “I thought you’d be the first to join them.”
“I just have a lot to think about. They’re all counting on me, and I can’t help but feel that I’m disappointing them.”
He sat down next to her. “I’ve known you a long time. We have a history.”
She held her hand up. “Don’t. Please don’t go there.”
The corner of his mouth raised, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I was just going to say that I know you better than anyone here, and I know that you would never disappoint anyone. Not without a fight anyway.” He picked up a pebble and tossed it out past their feet into the sand.
“You don’t know me.” She shook her head. “Not anymore. I’ve changed, you’ve changed.”
“Are you saying you won’t fight for your people?”
She shot him a stern stare. “Of course I’ll fight.”
He stood up and dusted off his pants. “Then you haven’t changed too much. The Karis I knew fought for what she believed in, she fought for her people, and she fought for love.” He stepped down the small set of stairs.
She watched as he joined a group of men over by the tents. That man infuriated her. She clenched her jaw tight and wondered what she ever saw in him. She wasn’t mad at his words, but that he was right, and that was something she hated.
Brady’s form caught her attention. She tipped her head as she gazed at him. His bare chest looked like the gods had chiseled him out of stone. Firelight danced across his tanned skin and made the Syrenae mark glisten under the light. He lifted his head to meet her gaze. His smile lit up his whole face, and he quickly walked over to her.
“Come on, beautiful, you’re missing your own party.” He held out a silver cup for her to take.
She accepted it, took a whiff, and with a disgusted face handed it back. “Eww. What are you guys drinking?”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure, but it’s the closest thing I’ve had to a real drink in a while, aside from that horrible Mirum stuff back in Perditus.” He cringed with the thought.
“I think I’ll stick with Alexis’s strawberry water.”
He held out his hand. She took it, and he helped her up. He never let go of her as he led her to the rows of tents.
It wasn’t too long before Magnus wrapped an arm around her shoulder. His obvious wobbling told her that he’d already drank more than enough of the foul drink Brady offered her. “You did good, Princess. Real good. All these people are alive because of you.” He pushed in between Brady and Karis, an arm now around each of them. “And you too...you too. Don’t let her go. She’s a keeper.”
Brady tipped his head to peek over at Karis and grinned.
She pat Magnus’s arm. “I think highly of you too.”
Thankfully, Alexis came and helped remove Magnus from their shoulders. Karis let out a small laugh as Alexis fought to keep Magnus up straight as they walked back to their home. She obviously had her work cut out for her.
Azul approached them. “We have something to say to you if you have a minute.”
Karis nodded and walked with Brady to where the entire group waited in a circle around the largest fire. It was like watching water part as Azul headed toward the middle. Karis and Brady followed through.
Azul stepped up onto a large boulder. “As you all know, we are here because of our Princess’s quick thinking, skills, and power.” He looked down at her. “Thank you, Karis, for your selflessness and your commitment to Shamike. There will be trials that none of us have ever seen before, battles harder than we’ve ever fought, and lives may be lost, but I will follow you. I know you have a fight in you that none of us have, a strength that is unbreakable. I know you will regain the crown of Shamike and will be our Queen.” The crowd erupted into a cheer, agreeing with Azul.
Brady squeezed her hand. She blinked and tried to keep the tears back. Azul stepped down and kneeled before her. Through tear-blurred vision, she watched as the crowd silenced and followed suit like a tidal wave; row by row, they kneeled and bowed their heads. After everyone was down, Brady let go of her hand and stood next to Azul, only to kneel beside him. He gave her a wink before bowing his head.
Karis clutched her hands to her chest. One by one, they all stood back up.
Azul spread his arms out over the multitude of people. “I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we will all follow you.”
“We need to train them. Coron is ruthless and will show no mercy.” Karis looked at all three men.
Magnus was the first to nod, wincing with the movement. Last night’s drinking left him feeling horrible. “I agree. There are many here in Aridam who want to fight also, but we all need a little more training. We’re nothing like Coron or the Syrenae.”
Azul clenched his jaw and turned his head to stare out over the rows of tents. Brady stood up, ran his hands through his hair, and rested them on the back of his neck with his fingers laced together. “I agree, Karis, I just don’t know what else
we can teach them. It’s not like we’re back in America and enrolled in boot camp.”
She stood also. “Brady, you have a fighting background. Surely you trained before your fights. Teach them how to fight. Not all of them have enough power to use in a battle. They’ll need to know how to defend themselves.”
He threw his arms in the air. “It’s not the same here. We don’t even have those armor things that Jarion fit us with. What happens when someone uses kinetic energy?”
“It’s the same. You just have to teach them to defend themselves,” she pleaded. She needed him to help her people.
“She’s right,” Azul spoke up as he turned back around. “I can teach them how to harness whatever power they have. At least in what time we are allotted, but you are their best bet for learning up-close defense. As much as it pains me to admit that. As for the armor, we’ll have to make do without, and pray that no one we fight has that power.”
Magnus remained seated but looked up with his hands at his temples. “That’s it. It’s settled. You’re outnumbered.” He looked at Karis. “When should we start?”
“Now. We don’t have time to waste.” She was relieved everyone agreed with her.
Magnus let out a small groan before letting his head fall to the table. Karis placed her hands over his head and attempted to help heal his pain. He raised his head enough to grunt a thank you.
Brady let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know that I’m the right person to teach them. What if I fail? Then all of Shamike will fail.”
She grasped his hand. “Together we won’t fail. You’re the perfect person to teach them. You fought for a living. You at least know what to do. Most of those men out there have never even been in a fight. What would happen to them if you didn’t try?”
He groaned before nodding. “You’re right. I’ll try.”
Magnus got up, careful not to move too fast, and slapped Brady on the back. “Good. Now let’s go. I’m anxious to see what my nephew did back on Earth.”