The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  “Do you know who you’re talking to? In any other city, I’d be considered royalty, and you a lady in waiting, Princess. I’m Cobaaron! I answer to no one. One city is not going to bring me to my knees. If we say we aren’t bound, you should never question it.”

  “Well, you both clearly are under some significant union, warrior. Either way, it’s clear your bodies have morphed to suit one another. It’s law that you both stay together now. Neither you nor I are above law. You must resign as chief. That is all there is to it,” Airia exerted, and glared at Cobaaron as if that would make him surrender to her command.

  “No,” Ky interjected. Airia looked taken aback by Ky’s sudden refusal. “That isn’t what happened.” If Cobaaron wasn’t going to divulge his heroics that got him in such a mess, she was. After all he did a good deed saving her life, which shouldn’t go punished, so Ky was going to speak up. “The troll that captured me was killed by Cobaaron, but as it fell on me I hit my head. I smacked into the cave wall and began to bleed. He covered my wound because the pain was too great for me to stop the flow. I would have died if he hadn’t saved me. After that I could see him, but like he said, it was dark and nothing was in detail. Everything was all shadow. He gave me clothes, before he had a chance to see me in the firelight of the cave we stayed in for safety. After that I slept for three days while my eyes recovered.”

  “Did you take advantage of her while she slept?” Airia asked Cobaaron.

  Cobaaron once again looked as if he wanted to tear Airia to pieces. He growled and appeared to be physically pained from restraining himself after years of acting on impulse to fight and defend. With great self-control to deny his instincts, he warned her with a menacing voice. “You would be wise to speak to me with higher opinion. All you council members with low populous cities are all the same. You sit there judging and complaining about how stupid warriors are, but none of you would last one day out there. None of you would last a day without my men. You think I’ve come to Gem City to reinforce your walls out of obligation? I owe allegiance to no one except my men. It would serve you well, to hold your tongue, Airia.”

  “Your men have women and a children in these hills. That is why you came.”

  “That means nothing to me,” Cobaaron scathed. “Women are a distraction and children are of little consequence to me unless they will one day be a stud in my army. I only wish to see them grow, and protect my people for my honor. If you don’t address me with honor, you are not my people.”

  “Children mean more to you than you pretend to admit. And your army means everything to you, and women have a way with your men. Or have you forgotten about your brother and how much his happiness meant to you?” Airia asked.

  For a second time Airia and Cobaaron seemed like they would brawl, and once again the room hushed. “You can’t evade the law, Cobaaron!”

  Something had to be done. Ky couldn’t let Airia decide her fate for her. There was only one thing to do. “If you sentence me to a life of bondage with this man, whom I don’t know, I’ll surely die from grief.”

  “Let’s calm down. There is no need to get excited, my Lady. This is just a friendly discussion. No council member here will make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

  “Then I will not bond. End of discussion,” Ky vowed.

  “The only thing left to decide is up to you. You may stay here, and all I have I will share with you, or you may travel to a sister city.” Airia smiled.

  Ky was still as she thought. Cobaaron had mentioned that Gem City wasn’t nice at all beyond the glittering walls. As she thought, Airia addressed the council. “But don’t you find it fascinating that a Star would be united with a warrior, and not just any warrior, but a man celebrated as Cobaaron the Unconquerable. Probably the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. No doubt he’s one of the best. And look at him now—he’s stronger. Who knows what else she transformed him into, and will continue to change him the longer they refrain from each other. Maybe it’s a good thing they show no sign of the union making them fall hopelessly in love with each other. They must both be fighters. No, we should have them near one another until their fate is certain.”

  “You mean you want her to seal the accidental marriage?” another woman asked.

  “Not yet. She doesn’t want that.” Airia smiled. “But I do want to see what happens to him. He should battle. She could make him stronger and faster. She clearly likes his strong physique. Maybe she will like to see him effortlessly fight until he truly is unconquerable. Surely, Cobaaron, you will not resist the urge to improve your skill and show your men you aren’t weak even after a union. Yes, we will have him prove himself, while wrestling beasts to their death.”

  “Actually I would resist the urge, and I don’t want to fight. My men have been here four nights during my absence. That is a long enough stay. We can’t afford to linger another day.”

  “One more night is nothing,” Airia retorted. “But maybe more time will be needed. However, it’s Ky that holds your fate. If she wants you, she’s a Star, and therefore you have no right to resist her lest she die. By law, no one can refuse a Star. You, absent king to most of the world’s cities, are not above law! And if she wants you to take her to another city, you must do so. You will have to stay until she makes up her mind. I suggest you convince her to go with you if you worry about staying here longer.”

  “One day,” Cobaaron replied. “I will stay one day.”

  “I didn’t think you could resist developing your strength.” Airia smiled in triumph. “One more thing, however, you will bring her to dinner tonight. We will hold the tournament for you after the banquet. And why don’t you take her up to my room. She will be comfortable there, for now.”

  Cobaaron huffed. He was infuriated, and his temper flared hotter than she had yet seen. He looked as if he needed to hit something. As they rushed in and out of corridors, he grumbled. “I hate being in cities like these. You’re only good enough for fighting, but let’s see what happens if we make a show of skill to see if you’ll improve.”

  “I can’t believe you upset him like that.” Ky heard a woman say from behind them. Ky whirled around but saw no one.

  “Why are you stopping?” Cobaaron asked her irritably. He glanced down the hall then looked at her confused. “Come on.”

  “I heard someone say, ‘I can’t believe you upset him like that.’”

  “I didn’t hear it,” Cobaaron said, “and I have excellent hearing.”

  Ky shushed him hearing a different woman talking. “Maybe their union will finally bring peace to this world. You have to admit it’s very unusual. The archives need reading, to decipher if there is anything in the pages about this happening.”

  “Did you hear any of that?” Ky asked. Cobaaron shook his head. She repeated what she heard. He stared at her. He opened his mouth a few times, about to tell her something, but then shut it after each attempt. Finally, he begged her to follow him.

  They hiked up the steep tunnel before entering the last door at the end of the hallway. Two warriors who guarded the entrance glanced at Cobaaron and then Ky. “You’re relieved from your posts,” Cobaaron said, and then opened the door wide as he went into the room.

  Ky stood outside half afraid to follow him. The two warriors stared at Ky like they were wild animals looking at their mate. The blond warrior took a long, deep breath while he watched her with wide eyes.

  “I said you’re free to go,” Cobaaron barked. They jumped into motion, and left. “Don’t mind them. Some men have a very low resistance to women. They are studs. Most likely they can smell you; your scent is stronger.” Cobaaron followed her with his eyes as she entered the room. When they were in the middle of the bare room he took a step toward her, and said, “I want to ask you a favor. After helping you, I feel I can request this from you.”

  “Okay,” Ky said, hesitantly.

  “I saved your life; I want you to spare mine. If they ever ask if you want to be with me, say no.
A lot can happen in the long hours of a day. Remember, I won’t ever be with you, and you need to resist me.”

  “Cobaaron, you grossly exaggerate how I feel about you. I don’t fall in love with strange men. Why do you keep bringing it up? Beyond occasionally feeling a need to...be with you, I think nothing else of you. Do you think I’m obsessed with you?” Ky asked rhetorically. “I’m not. You may be Cobaaron the Unconquerable, but you’re not Cobaaron the Irresistible. I don’t want to be with you romantically. You saved my life. I’m grateful. I’ll always consider you a friend. But I have no desire to be with you. None.”

  “None?” He shifted uncomfortably. “I guess…it’s that I’ve had three extra days, long days, to think...I don’t know how you can be so calm. I don’t know how this union isn’t affecting you. Nothing? Don’t you feel anything?”

  “I do when I touch you.” Ky shrugged. She didn’t understand why he cared. They decided to remain acquaintances, if that.

  “What do you feel?”

  “Confused,” she admitted honestly. She wasn’t used to a strong pull toward someone she’d recently met, but she couldn’t deny her attraction. Now that she understood where his anger came from when they walked the cave, she had more compassion. She truly was grateful, and because he saved her life, she also felt closeness to him, but she wasn’t about to admit that.

  “Confused?” He laughed, not from amusement but from insult. Ky wondered why he suddenly wanted her to feel something. His fickleness baffled her. He took another slow step toward her, until he was almost pressed against her. He wore a slight smile as he continued to walk, forcing her to step backward until she was pinned to the wall with less than an inch between them. Ky licked her lips, as confusion perplexed her again. He was too gorgeous to resist and the way he pursued her was sensual. She liked the way he gazed at her with desire. He slid his hands under the robe, touching the skin on her pained ribs.

  She tried to shove him away. “That hurts. I think my ribs are separated.”

  “I don’t want it to hurt,” he whispered, his warm breath felt like hot kisses down her neck. The twinge left her side. Instantly his touch was enticing, and he knew it, because he smiled widely, as his eyes searched hers. For some reason, she let his hand wander up her side. The slow movement was arousing. She wanted him caressing her. Silently she begged him to fondle and caress her breasts. “This confuses you?” His question thrilled her. How was he so easily seducing her?

  He tugged on the belt that bound her chest until it fell to her hips. Slowly, he brushed his thumb along the outer curve of her breast, watching her reaction. When her silence was obvious permission, he cupped her breast, as a jolt of pleasure rushed through her body like electrical ecstasy. As he watched her subtle expressions, he rolled her nipple between his fingers with thrill she felt between her legs. She ached and throbbed, needing him to satisfy her. Yet she couldn’t tear her eyes from him.

  “Yes, that is confusing,” Ky whispered close to his ear, wanting to nibble it. How was she turned on by someone she barely knew? She was overpowered with a compelling need to feel his touch on her skin, kiss him with wet, lingering caresses, and learn every curve of his exquisite body while they explored. She was tremendously attracted and floored by the power of her feelings. She hoped he would simply undress her and then have them get to know each other with their bodies. Talking could wait, kissing was priority.

  Lust took over. In one swift motion, he yanked off the robe, exposing her. With his other hand he fondled her thigh deliciously. She moaned, wanting his finger burrowed into her soft opening. “Does this confuse you?” he whispered in her ear while holding her leg pinned to his hip. She could feel his erection where she throbbed, and to mild relief he pressed himself against her with such force her pulse was a pleasurable massage. She thought she would lose her mind if he let her go. His words and warm breath had a thrilling effect on her; she let out a lustful cry which pleaded for his lips, tongue, and sex.

  She wasn’t confused. She wanted more; she wanted him to kiss her entire body: her lips, neck, breasts, along her ribs, and even her apex. She needed him to wet her with his sweet tongue, and then make love to her until they were exhausted from their efforts. The fantasy made her quiver with anticipation.

  He slowly slid his hand along her thigh, cupped her butt, while perfectly groping her as he inched toward her clitoris. She was loudly pleading with him to take her by whimpering. He murmured in her ear with equal passion, and continued caressing her nipple with his thumb. Sweet relief. She inwardly begged for his affections, silently admitting, please don’t stop. Then he reached around her hip before curling a finger up, touching her center that was so tight it ached. She wanted him to fill her and ease her burning desire. He leaned into her, and she moaned in his ear while he pressed the tip of his finger into her.

  “That hurts!” She cringed, letting him know he needed to stop her pain.

  “I want you to love it,” his breath was husky and heavy. “I want you to love me touching you as much as I love the feel of you.” His hot gaze burned into her, as he fully concentrated on her eyes while aware what his finger was delectably massaging. She was breathless, unable to reciprocate how she was aching with need to keep her tongue to his and remain in his kiss.

  Ky had to touch his soft skin. She rested her hand on his pecs, and ran them down his steel body. His every rise and crevice of his physique was irresistible. His muscles tightened under her fingers. She could see in his eyes he loved her wandering and exploring, and she could feel his thrill in the exhilaration of his finger quickening to twirl inside her. The more he caressed her, the greater her need.

  With desire to please her, he stroked a small erogenous zone inside her that made her knees weak. She knew once she was lost in her orgasm she would be unable to stand. She succumbed, helping him by pinning his hand hard against her until his finger could reach deeper. He worked her moist, aching core toward a peak. She couldn’t believe how intensely his touch was affecting her; she was already close to a climax.

  Ky shut her eyes and tilted her neck, letting him scent her skin as he kissed along her throat. Something about the rush of air that tingled her neck and his addiction to her scent was extremely provocative; she wanted him to love her scent.

  As she wanted, his nose slid down the front of her neck as he took one long deep breath. The sensation of cool air as he breathed was electrifying, making her hair stand up on end at the back of her neck. “That feels so good,” she confessed, surprised her voice sounded so lost in pleasure. Her heart raced as he nibbled at her skin, tasting her with his tongue. The mix of cool air, and warm breath was a deliciously, enticing contradiction.

  His finger relentlessly pleasured her. He quickened his movements, and with such strength her body rolled with his finger. She moaned, and was close to begging him to take them further. In that moment, her pleasure changed to a dramatic, intense need for his sex, no matter what the cost. “Kiss me, Cobaaron. I want your lips.”

  As if asking for his kiss was too intimate, he instantly froze. Then without delay he released her as he stepped back. He had more restraint than her, because she craved making love to him.

  They made eye contact, and he stared as if he was unsure of what he wanted. “Tell me you want me, maybe that’s all I need to hear. Then I’ll have won, and can walk away.” He could barely speak his last words.

  “I…” Ky was torn, and uncertain she was safe admitting her desire aloud. Why did he need that reassurance if he was going to leave her to die? She didn’t want to put herself in harm’s way, so he could win. But she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him either. The union was powerful, and there was no denying that. Whether it was lust or the beginnings of deeper feelings for him, she didn’t want to hurt him. “I find your presence comfortable. I don’t want to see you go,” she admitted with honesty as she searched her feelings. “As juvenile as it sounds, I truly do think of you as a friend for saving me. But clearly this union is pow
erful. It’s making me confuse lust with genuine feelings. I don’t know, Cobaaron. I don’t know how I feel. Maybe I feel that I wouldn’t mind getting to know you if you stayed longer than a day.”

  “That didn’t work.” His shoulders sank as he deflated, and turned away. “I don’t understand why I’m bothered by your presence. I’m a warrior. I don’t feel. This spell is like witchcraft, it’s not natural. No, I don’t feel anything for you.” He became angry with her because their union was clearly pulling them together. He was speaking as if he wished more than believed what he was saying. “I’m numb; I have no feelings for you. That will not happen again. Chock that up to my pride. Now that I know it’s pride, I will conquer it. I’m not perfect, Ky! Don’t you understand you need to resist me or you will die? Don’t let me do that. I have less control than you. I had three additional days of obsessing over you while you slept. Unions make people obsess over their bond partners until it’s formed. What you feel now is only the beginning if you don’t resist this. You’ll fall in love with me and then die. Don’t you understand? I will not stay longer than a day!”

  “You came onto me. You pushed me against the wall wanting to seduce me. I can’t help if my body likes your touch. I’ve never given men any attention, and studied hard instead. I’m confused. It doesn’t help that you have equally confusing mood swings that I can’t keep up with. You need to figure out exactly what you’re doing and stick to it!” She passed him, needing to step away from the wall. She was aware she was topless in front of him. For some reason she found herself untying the belt. She didn’t care if he was watching her. Instead, she smiled, happy he was mesmerized.

  She proceeded to take off the rugged clothes, and then tossed them down by his feet. “Thank you for saving my life, and making these clothes. You’ve brought me to this room. You’re free to go, Cobaaron, you’re not really bound to me. I have no desire for you to stay if you don’t wish to get to know me.” Ky hoped her lack of interest would spark another prideful streak, and he would admit things to her as she did to him. Her toying with him didn’t work, and he didn’t hastily take her into his arms to swell his ego. She was disappointed in his unresponsiveness, and hid her expression so he didn’t know it bothered her.