Ky returned his radiant smile, and bit her bottom lip to hide her adoration, though she didn’t know why she suppressed it. Maybe because she loved the feeling of his fingers on her skin and wanted the moment sensual. She hoped her silence would entreat permission for him to take her. His talk of magical nights and devotion was passionate. When he didn’t, Ky kissed him, and as she did, she stood. She wanted to do one thing and only one thing, seduce him. Ky slowly took a few steps back, and watched Cobaaron. She wanted to see his anticipation, pulse pounding and glint in his eyes, as he watched her with pleasure as she undressed. In a slow striptease, she slid her dress strap off her shoulder.
He reclined, leaning back against his elbow with one hand behind his head, and then swept his eyes over her body. He eventually fixed his gaze on her breasts, waiting for her to undress. It was the reaction Ky hoped for; she had his undivided attention. She slipped the other strap off her shoulder, and folded her collar down, baring herself slowly. Before her breasts were exposed, she twirled around and released her hair from the twist. Ky draped her shimmering locks over one shoulder, uncovering her backside, before dropping her dress. She peered behind, watching him gaze at her voluptuous curves, which he perfected to his liking long ago.
“Turn around,” Cobaaron commanded, but Ky playfully shook her head and grinned. Ky loved the ego boost of making Cobaaron beg. Usually he controlled their lovemaking, taking them to incredible heights of passion until she was pleading. This time she was teasingly alluring. She wanted him hot and hard.
“Face me.” He groaned, and she grinned. “Face me then crawl to me.”
“Uh-uh.” She was toying with him, and he knew it. His eyes flashed with delight. He leaned back on his elbows, taking pleasure in her feisty refusal. He gazed up and down her body, until he squirmed with insatiable need to feel her womanly curves under his fingers.
“Seriously, love, crawl to me.”
Her hair dropped, covering her back and several inches passed her butt. She lifted the long strands, and then swayed her hair inches above the small of her back. This captured his attention, and stole his breath. He licked his bottom lip as she slowly spun on her heel. “I’m captivated. You have my attention. What will you do?” he murmured.
She enjoyed his strained reaction, and gloated triumphantly. He watched her long hair swoosh as she dropped it, letting the glowing crimson hide her curves. Because she felt incredibly brave and sexy, Ky daringly said, “If it pleases you, I’ll have you watch me pleasure myself.”
Ky inhaled sharply when Cobaaron abruptly stood. As anticipated, he took control as only a warrior would. He yanked her to him in a playfully gruff manner, hungry for her. He had enough of her teasing, and wanted to touch. “It does please me. But not until you’re ready to climax because of my efforts.” He picked her up without any further resistance.
Cobaaron nibbled her neck, sending tingles racing down her body; he knew it drove her wild. He smelled her skin, running his nose along her throat. She needed something so much more than tingles. “I love you.”
He smiled against her skin after her confession, looked up, and kissed her deeply. He hugged her, lifting her butt with sturdy hands. With particular care, he pressed his stiff shaft against her apex, while he continued the long, drugging kiss. She reveled in her ability to entice him. He steadily stroked her against his erection. There was no question the effect she had on him. She wanted him naked, so she could see him in all his glory and so their foreplay could be unhindered. Instead, he took his time teasing her.
She leaned into his consuming kiss, wanting him as out of control as she. Ky needed him to penetrate her with one strong thrust. She loved the fantasy of him taking her without request, or making her grant permission in the heated moment. She wanted him to make no apology, and enter her depth while distracting her with a kiss so she wouldn’t refuse; and she wouldn’t resist his dominance.
He took his time making sure she was thoroughly enjoying the stirring sensation of his lingering lips and his heated erection. He passionately kissed her with long delicious licks; she could almost feel him sliding into her unexpectedly, though it was fantasy.
Cobaaron surprisingly broke free, and set her down in a hurry, before spinning around. He held his arm out, keeping Ky behind him. Ky quickly retrieved her garment and dressed. She twisted her hair back into a loose bun, and secured it with the long metallic pin. “What is it?” Ky whispered, hearing and seeing nothing, but that was never a good indicator.
“I smell something.” Cobaaron sniffed the air. “And now that I said that, I don’t.” He took a few steps away from her, but when she grabbed his arm to hold him back, he told her he wasn’t about to leave her. Cobaaron was still for a few more seconds. Then he slowly turned to Ky. “Let’s watch the lights.” His voice sounded hesitant. She could tell by his tone, and the way he peered over his shoulder, that he was uneasy.
“Was it an animal?” she asked him in a hushed whisper.
“No. We’re being watched, and I’m certain now that a witch has followed us. We have been followed since the City of Sterlings, and only a witch could stalk us. Let’s be quiet. Watch the lights, love.” They sat, but Cobaaron was silent. She could tell he only halfheartedly kept his attention on the brilliant lights.
Ky was thinking, too. She wondered who would be following them. What witch would stalk them? Ky couldn’t focus on anything but Cobaaron’s alertness. She finally asked.
“I was hoping it was a banshee and not a witch. But that is unlikely. Only witches can make their scent vanish with a spell or teleport instantly. A banshee walks slowly.”
“That sounds creepy.”
“Their appearance is worse.” Cobaaron placed his hand on her leg. “But it’s not a banshee. I was wishing it were. Let’s not talk about this tonight. It’s a new year. She is most likely gone for the night.” He didn’t sound confident, but Ky understood he was comforting her.
They were silent after that. Cobaaron was still listening for noises and sensitive to everything. The booming thunder shook the rock, and each time the rumble cracked loudly, Cobaaron checked behind them, glancing over his shoulder.
The thunderbirds were flying inside the thick ash clouds, causing a strong wind to blow. While they watched the ash churn, a huge red bird flew toward the mountain. The bird lurched to a halt, but its tail whipped upwards making the bird flip upside down. The tail feathers’ rapid movements ripped through the air, and produced the rumbling thunder. Before the bird took off, it buffed up its chest. A blue light emitted from the thin skin.
“Did you see that?” Ky asked Cobaaron, but he was looking down the tunnel. “Why don’t you go check the tunnel?”
“It’s almost over. I want to watch the new moon with you. But when the moon appears, we should head back. Something isn’t right. It’s good we leave tomorrow.”
“You’re making me nervous. Let’s go. You’re staying despite your better judgment for my sake. We could be back in our hut, bringing in the new year with sex.”
“I’ll watch with you,” Cobaaron promised, and embraced her. “I want you to see how big the moon looks, and how brilliantly it glows.”
Truthfully, there was nothing eventful to watch, except increasingly blue-tinted clouds with lights, and constantly falling white ash. After a few more minutes, Ky gradually grew more nervous. “Let’s go. I’m getting tired,” Ky insisted.
“Are you sure?”
Ky stood. She would see the moon soon enough and she didn’t like the idea of witches sneaking around and following them to the point Cobaaron was distracted.
After starting down the tunnel, Ky felt better when she could no longer see the thick ash clouds. Cobaaron was still looking over his shoulder so often Ky finally asked why he kept searching for a witch he said teleported.
“I never stated that she teleported. I mentioned that she could mask her scent. Let’s hurry. I don’t want to have to duel a witch while you’re unprotected. Witches can repl
icate.”
Ky quickly matched his steps. Without warning Ky was plowed into hard, and when she whirled around, she gasped. Standing where Ky had been a moment ago was a duplicate of her, an exact match from her pink glowing as a Star to her crimson hair. She even shoved Ky aside and moved to where Cobaaron had last seen her. Seeing her image was an out of body experience. Cobaaron turned and eyed Ky. “Cobaaron,” Ky said, but the moment she did, the replica spoke in the same shaky, scared voice.
“I’m me,” the fake insisted, and glanced at Ky, before scooting against the wall as if frightened. “She’s the witch. Kill her!”
Cobaaron grabbed a fistful of Ky’s hair, wrenching her neck painfully. His strength was terrifying. He slowly removed the metallic hairpin, slid the tip along her skin, and stopped when the sharp point poised at her carotid artery. “Cobaaron, please, no. It’s me. I swear! I love you! I’m your wife. Don’t do this,” Ky pleaded, and tried taking him by the hand. He looked into her eyes, but the weapon never wavered. Then the imposter spoke again.
“She’s lying! Cobaaron, please!”
A second later, Cobaaron hurled the weapon at the clone. He hurled it. The imposter instantly became iridescent as countless bats and black crows encircled her body. The pin didn’t harm her, despite piercing the swarm as it went straight through the fake Ky’s heart. It hit nothing, as if only a hologram remained. Cobaaron quickly yanked the pin from the rock, and held it at the neck of the witch, taking no chances, as the vile woman waited in the limbo state of teleporting. Then she vanished.
The imposter was gone. Ky buried her face into Cobaaron’s chest, shaking with fear. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked. She shook her head. She understood he had to steal the pin without suspicion. She didn’t care. His grip could have been much firmer. She knew he did what he had to do.
“How did you know?” Ky asked. “Was it a guess?”
“No,” Cobaaron said. “Your scent gave you away, of course. She didn’t get it right. Yours is...erotic.” His eyebrows tightened as he continued to stare where the witch had stood. “Pity I didn’t see her. She left no clues who she was, or why she is following us.”
“Let’s leave, Cobaaron. I don’t want to be here a second longer than necessary.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Do you think he’s dead?” Noxis asked his brother. Tyrus was absent the week they stayed in Sarnia. Rumors spread that he was dead. The low-ranking studs bragged about slitting his throat while he slept. No one knew what happened to him. He simply disappeared the night of the tournament.
“Well, we leave the city whether or not young Tyrus is alive or dead,” Cobaaron said. “I tried planting a thought into his head that we are leaving, but that was an hour ago.”
“And do you still sense we’re being followed?”
“I know we’re being followed. Keep your eyes open. She is close, but I don’t know what she is waiting for.” Noxis nodded in reply to Cobaaron’s request.
“Odd she wanted your bond partner dead,” Noxis said, with a curious glance at Ky.
“I never said that was her goal. Most likely she used Ky to get to me.” Cobaaron growled. “Don’t frighten my wife needlessly. We have no idea why she is following us. Keep Wyt near. He may be useful when she makes herself known again.” Noxis once again consented with a bow and then walked away as the warriors and a few women prepared to leave.
Noxis went directly to Wyt and his family who sat in hovering chairs. Their seats were enchanted to never touch the ground, and the four legs walked like an animal when the chair moved. Wyt’s family, surrounded by warriors, lingered a few hundred yards behind Cobaaron.
“My Lady.” Ambrosia hurried to Ky as she watched a small Huntra batting his paw at the lake. She greeted Ambrosia warmly, with genuine joy and no anxiety that she was evil. “If I clean your clothes may I rest on your snow tiger when I’m tired? Maybe when we have left the mountain?”
“My dresses aren’t dirty. I’ve been wearing special attire from this city,” Ky said. “But of course I’ll share his saddle with you.” Ambrosia thanked her.
“Let’s go,” Cobaaron said, and then glimpsed Huntra who was still small and batting the lake ripples. Cobaaron scanned the water and its depth. “Well, that is very clever.”
“What is clever?” Ky asked.
“Young Tyrus must have used the hollow vines to breathe under water. Possibly, he found an air pocket under the lake.”
“Really?” Ambrosia strained to search the depths, but Tyrus was well hidden. “Thank Lu Lush! I’m so glad! I heard rumors…” Ky was surprised by Ambrosia. When she first met Tyrus he accused her of being no better than a witch, because healers’ daughters use love potions, but since then Ambrosia constantly worried about him. Even now, color tinted her cheeks when before she was white. She sighed in relief, and when she noticed Ky watching, she stood stiff and hardened. “I don’t like death, not for any creature or, in his case, cretin! Healers protect life. It’s habit.” Ky nodded, but got the impression she didn’t mean her criticism.
Cobaaron faced Ky. “Let’s let him gradually resurface, and not bring any attention to him. A clever stratagem like that will bring added tests from warriors bent on killing him.”
“Then the mermaid has indeed blessed him,” Ky said.
Cobaaron picked up Huntra and moved him from the waterside. “Grow Huntra. You’re needed.”
Ky patted Huntra as he tripled in size. When he was large enough, he tossed Ky onto his back. He then bounced Cobaaron. The saddles grew. It wasn’t the usual two-person seat, but a smaller third seat emerged in the back. It was slightly higher than the other two, with a short, swirling heart-shaped back.
The bar didn’t stop bubbling, until a fourth rear stool formed. It had loops for placing feet and the cushion was so tall, the person would be practically standing. Ambrosia got tossed onto Huntra’s back a moment later.
“Oh, I was going to ride later,” Ambrosia said apologetically.
“No worries, Ambrosia. You can sit with us. There will be plenty of times when Huntra will need rest.” Ky petted Huntra as she spoke.
“Thank you, my Lady.” Ambrosia took the seat behind Ky.
Huntra led the way for the rest of the army leaving the city, but when they marched beyond the forest of hopper trees, they took another route through the mountain. They entered an underground pasture of bright orange grass with clusters of red berries. Swarms of bugs buzzed around the bushes and a scent of honey filled the air.
“Oh, I love sandraberries,” Ambrosia exclaimed. “My mouth is watering.”
“You can get down and pick them,” Cobaaron said.
“I’ll bring some back for us.” Ambrosia slid down Huntra’s back.
Ky watched Ambrosia hurry along, picking berries; once the fruit was plucked it stopped glowing. Soon other women were gathering and grazing as they walked beside the legions.
“Would you like to get down, too?” Cobaaron asked her.
“Only if you do.” Ky wasn’t crazy about berry picking. She wrapped her arms around Cobaaron’s chest, hoping he’d rather continue on.
“I like the smell of sandraberries better than the taste. They are sour at times, and once a bitter berry surprises you, they lose all appeal, and then you’ll never eat another for a long time. It hasn’t been long enough.” Cobaaron took her hand, and held it. “I’ll not say anything about having Ambrosia as a friend, Ky. I know you need female companions. But don’t get too attached in case she dies before we reach the City of Lights. I don’t want to see you sad, love.”
“I’m sure she’s capable of taking care of herself.”
“She’s young, and I don’t know her skill level. If you wish, I’ll have young Tyrus ensure she survives. It would be a good test for him to take care of more than himself without a weapon. I’m asking because I’m not sure if you consider her a friend.”
“She made friends with other warriors for protection. I don’t think that’s
necessary.”
“I’m not saying they should sleep together!” He sounded as if he thought the idea was mind-boggling. “Young warriors like him know better than to think of women. He has ambition. Promising him the world’s wealth would not tempt him enough to lay with any woman. I’m simply saying I could have him protect her. A promise in bed to woman is not as important or honored as a promise to a chief. Women were abandoned when the fire fell from the sky, but if I command young Tyrus he will protect her with his life. I’m wondering if she means that much to you.”
“Wyt said we’d be great friends.” Ky watched Ambrosia pick berries. “I don’t know her well, but I won’t pretend I don’t need people. Back home, I always had several good friends. Strange that I can’t remember their names…”
“You need to think of your old life, Ky. At night, you can tell me about loved ones, as we watch your dream in your jar.”
“I will someday, but this is my life now. I have little attachment to my old ways anymore, beyond my family. But then you’re my family and one day I’ll have a girl. Wyt said that. If I think about them, I’ll miss them too much and I don’t want to be in pain about it. The saddest thing of all is that they were never existent. Why dwell on what is only an illusion?”
“They were real—to you they were authentic and loved. That makes your memories priceless and worth remembering. Without them you would never have dreamed up a hot air balloon.” When she didn’t respond, Cobaaron added, “I will tell young Tyrus to watch over Ambrosia. If Wyt says you are to become friends, I promise I’ll strive to get her to the city alive.”
“Okay,” Ky said, still watching Ambrosia pick berries with other women.
“Look.” Cobaaron nodded to the left by a vast shallow pool at the edge of the grazing land. Tyrus jogged in their direction, still a few hundred yards off in the distance. “About time he showed up. I kept telling him to hurry. We’ll be on the other side of the mountain once we pass the thorn bushes. I was hoping he would join us before then.”
The Coming Dawn Trilogy Page 40