by Meg Anne
Checking to make sure she was not forgetting anything, Helena allowed her eyes to scan her tent before she finally nodded and stepped out. A cool breeze greeted her and had her shivering slightly. The weather had started to turn in the last few days, the humidity of the jungle yielding to the cooler temperatures of the north. Helena had never been to Vyruul, but what she had heard about the mountainous region had her anticipating jagged peaks reaching toward the sky from a sea of ice. And if the last few days were any indication, the temperature would only continue to drop as they moved deeper into Vyruul. They were a day or two away from the border, and none of them were quite sure what to expect once they arrived.
Shaking off the thoughts of what may or may not be waiting for her in Vyruul, Helena let out the low whistle that called Starshine to her side. After a few moments of silence, the sound of beating wings filled the sky. She looked up, smiling when she saw the Talyrian flying toward her.
Starshine landed with a soft huff, smoke flaring out from her nose, her turquoise eyes luminous.
“Hi girl,” Helena said softly, lifting her hand to brush the velvety snout in greeting. A deep rumble started in the Talyrian’s chest, causing the ground to tremble slightly.
Helena snickered as she began to scratch behind the large cat’s ear, “Feel good?”
Starshine closed her eyes in response and began to purr louder.
After a few moments of indulging Starshine, Helena gave her a final pat and asked, “Keep me company for a while?”
Starshine huffed her assent and nudged Helena with her massive head, pushing her in the direction of the pool. She stumbled slightly and laughed over her shoulder, “In a hurry all of a sudden?”
The Talyrian didn’t justify the question with a response, which only amused her further. “So what have you been up to, lady?” she asked aloud, not expecting a response but enjoying the playful banter regardless. A turquoise eye rolled toward her and then away as a small jet of flame lit up the darkening sky.
“Killing things?” she guessed, only half joking.
Starshine snorted.
“Hunt, kill, same difference,” Helena amended, laughing at the absurdity of carrying on a one-sided conversation.
Starshine shook her head, seeming to disagree with Helena’s assessment. The silvery mane shone brightly as she did.
“Did you have a Mr. Starshine to keep you company? A he-cat to help you pounce on unsuspecting bunnies? Or to pounce on you?” she teased while mimicking a cat pounce.
Starshine stopped her slow prowl and just looked at Helena without blinking. The Talyrian queen was clearly not impressed with Helena’s pouncing skills.
“I’m sorry, were you the one pouncing on him?” Helena asked deadpan, blinking up with wide innocent eyes at Starshine. The Talyrian stared steadily back, unmoving. “Were you off pouncing with multiple Mr. Starshines?” she pressed, enjoying herself entirely too much as she barely held back her laughter.
The Talyrian seemed to sigh, resigned to her mistress’s baiting, and let out another deep huff before she started walking again. A large plume of smoke curled up in the air and was floating behind her as she moved through the trees.
Helena waited a moment and then started after her, “What, too personal?”
Starshine let out a low growl, which only caused Helena to break out into happy peals of laughter. “It’s not like you don’t make your opinions clear about my mate. I only thought it fair to inquire about your own…” Helena trailed off searching for the right word, “companion.” She had finally caught back up to Starshine who paused only long enough to lift her giant paw and swat at Helena.
The duo had just reached the small clearing beside the shallow pool when the sound of splashing greeted them.
Starshine’s teeth bared in a warning growl, while Helena reached for the hunting knife she had strapped to her thigh. They took a cautious step forward, all amusement fleeing in the wake of a potential threat.
The sound of a girl’s high-pitched giggle had her freezing in place. Two more steps confirmed what her ears had already recognized. It was Effie, splashing in the water. Helena felt her shoulders relax and was just about to call out a greeting when another person came into view. Darrin.
“Well isn’t that a surprise,” she murmured to her feline friend, not sure what to think about the couple currently splashing around in the water.
Starshine moved her head in the semblance of a nod.
“I guess you aren’t the only one that goes off to pounce with a tom,” Helena mused.
Starshine growled softly, but there was no temper in the sound.
A pang in her chest kept Helena from announcing her presence. She didn’t want to interrupt them and rob them of the moment they were having. Effie’s face was flushed with color, as she laughed and tried to run away from Darrin who was pursuing her. Her blonde hair was hanging down her back in a golden stream, her blue gown clinging to her curves in a way that Darrin was helpless to ignore. She watched the way his eyes trailed down Effie’s body before reluctantly dragging back up to her face, his own eyes bright with predatory interest.
With a lunge, Darrin wrapped his arms around Effie’s waist and pulled her down into the water. She popped up, sputtering and pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. As she rose, she was face to face with Darrin, barely any space between them. Their laughter slowly died as they stared at each other as if finally seeing each other for the first time. The smile fell from her face, and Helena could see Effie’s chest frantically rising and falling with her shallow breaths. Darrin stared down at her, his green eyes intense as he lifted a hand to brush stray drops of water from her cheek.
Helena felt her breath hitch, suddenly uncomfortable with bearing witness to such an intimate moment. “Come on, girl,” she said under her breath, nudging Starshine as she started walking away from the couple in the water, “let’s go down a bit further.”
Her movements felt leaden as she walked, and Helena told herself firmly it was just the long journey and not jealousy that weighed each step down. Too bad she wasn’t buying it. It wasn’t a longing for Darrin that made her heart heavy, but the simple fact that she wasn’t the one experiencing that stolen moment of sweetness with her Mate, that she had experienced so few stolen moments with him before he was taken from her. She could feel the ripple of magic that rose in response to her anger at the reminder. The sudden tidal wave of emotion caused her face to flush as her thoughts turned again to the red-headed girl who was responsible for her current lack of moments. Gillian, Helena snarled softly.
Sensing her rapidly diminishing mood, Starshine headbutted Helena to pull her attention away from her thoughts. Unfortunately, the move had the unintended side effect of sending Helena flying into the water, arms flailing wildly. At least, she thought it was unintended. When she popped back up out of the icy water, Starshine sat at the banks, licking her paw while her tail twitched behind her. If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn the Talyrian was laughing at her.
Chapter Seventeen
Helena braided her hair as she made her way back toward the camp. Starshine prowled behind her until the others came into view and then let out a soft sound that could have been a farewell, before she moved into the shadows.
Her dress was still damp from having fallen into the water, despite Helena having called some Fire to help dry it off. She moved toward Ronan who was seated beside the campfire, staring off in the direction of Serena and Nial. Seeing the two heads bowed closely together while they whispered animatedly had Helena sighing heavily.
She said nothing as she moved beside the red-haired warrior. His hair was unbound and hanging in thick red waves down his back. Helena had the completely improper thought of running her fingers through it to see if it was as soft as it looked. She stroked her own hair instead, pouting slightly when she realized Ronan’s hair was probably softer than hers. The inane thought made her chuckle.
Ronan turned slightly in his seat and li
fted his eyes to her. He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and turned back toward Serena. “I’ve lost her,” he said in a rough voice.
“But she hasn’t—” Helena started, almost horrified at the thought.
Ronan glared at her, offended on Serena’s behalf, “No, she hasn’t said or done anything so final. But it only takes a look to see what is between them.”
Helena studied the blonde, whose cheeks were flushed and violet eyes were shining under the warm glow of the fire. Although, it was more likely that the dark-haired man with stormy eyes was responsible for her friend’s happy blush.
Turning to Ronan, she watched as his eyes devoured the woman who had been his lover and partner for most of their adult lives. You don’t have that kind of relationship with someone and not learn every nuanced expression on their face. He obviously saw something when he looked at her that made it clear she was falling for the other man. Then again, Helena had known immediately that there had been something between them.
“Will you not fight for her?” Helena asked quietly, no judgment or censure in the question, only curiosity.
He smiled up at her wryly, “If I thought there was a chance, do you think I’d be sitting over here watching that?” There was a bitter edge to his words that cut deep.
“I suppose not,” she replied, smiling as she imagined him throwing Serena over his shoulder to carry her off and remind to whom she belonged.
“One cannot fight what’s between them. I’ve seen the mating bond falling into place before. I recognize the symptoms,” Ronan’s voice was low and thick with the emotions he struggled to hide.
“Mating bond?” she repeated stunned, turning to study the couple more carefully. “You think they are mates?”
Ronan laughed without humor, “What else would snatch her from me so easily? I’ve loved her since we were kids, and she has loved me. There’s never been another for either of us, until she met him. Now she barely remembers that I exist.” Helena heard the way he struggled not to choke on the words; the admission was costing him dearly.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing slightly as she offered silent comfort. They stood there quietly, and Helena saw the moment that resignation wrapped itself around him like a mantle. He lowered his head and took a shuddering breath, staring into the flame for one, two, heartbeats before slowly coming to his feet. When he turned to her, his glittering blue eyes were lost.
“Is there no hope then?” she asked, her own heart breaking for her friend.
A side of Ronan’s lip curled up as he considered the question, “As long as the Mother watches over us, there is always hope. But I will not make her choose, Helena, not to assuage my pride. Not when the Mother pulls her to another.”
Helena wrapped her arms around him, giving him a quick and fierce hug. When she pulled away, they both pretended not to notice the tears still shining on the other’s cheeks. “Come, you have a job to do,” she said firmly, making the words an order that would help him refocus.
Ronan nodded, a true smile growing as he looked down at her, “My needles are yours, Kiri.”
“You don’t have to look quite so gleeful at the thought of making me bleed,” she muttered, his chuckle following her into the tent.
Helena stretched out on the faded green blanket that Ronan had laid out for her.
“Get comfortable, we’ll be here awhile,” he ordered, turning to set up his supplies while she got into position. She maneuvered herself so that she was laying on her side, her head cradled in the vee of her arm.
Turning toward her, Ronan’s eyes scanned her with professional assessment, “Over the ribs and heart?”
After a steadying breath, she affirmed, “Yes.”
He nodded and moved to sit beside her. As he shifted away from the makeshift table he’d set up she noticed that the liquid in the small glass dish was white not black. Seeing the questioning look in her eyes, he answered, “I thought something subtler would suit you better. Besides, I already told you, you are sunshine. Your mark should shine as you do.”
“And will it?” she asked surprised.
“I added some powder to the ink that should give it a metallic hue once it heals.”
Pleasure filled her at his words. Noting her reaction, he grinned smugly, “You are my Kiri, not just another warrior in the ranks. You deserve a mark as unique as you are.”
She smiled up at him, eager to see what it would look like, “So what are you waiting for?”
He shook his head and rolled his eyes, moving into position with his hands hovering just over her skin. She could feel the heat rolling off of him and closed her eyes to concentrate on her breathing.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
She gave a terse nod and grit her teeth.
The first prick of the needle caused her to flinch. The second and third came in rapid succession until each was lost in the other, becoming a string of scratching fire that worked its way along her skin. She felt sweat break out all over her body in response to the pain, but she laid as still as possible, thinking only of breathing in and out.
“You are faring better than Von did,” Ronan said after a while.
Her eyes flew open at that, “I am?”
Ronan nodded, biting down on his lip as he focused intently on the placement of the needles. He sat back and wiped at her skin before dipping his needle back into the ink and moving back over her. She tried to ignore the sight of the smeared blood on the cloth he absentmindedly placed back on the table.
“He was cursing the entire time. If I recall correctly, he was so creative with his insults that our Commander was blushing and finally threatened to beat him bloody if he didn’t shut his mouth.”
Helena smiled at the thought, imagining the abuse Von hurled at those around him. Ronan adjusted her positioning slightly so that she was more on her back than her side, starting to work his way toward the center of her chest. She took in a sharp breath; the pain was more intense there.
“I offered to hold his hand,” Ronan said quickly, to distract her.
She blinked at that, too startled to laugh, “And did he take you up on your offer?”
“What do you think?” he asked, raising a brow.
“Which body part did he threaten to remove if you tried?” she responded.
Ronan just stared at her, letting her arrive at her own conclusion.
“And did Serena have anything to say about that?” she asked, before wincing at her use of Serena’s name. She looked up at him apologetically.
He shrugged and his smile, when he looked down at her to respond, held only a hint of sadness, “She informed Von that if he went anywhere near my cock, she would rip his off and shove it down his throat.”
Helena tried not to laugh, but a snicker escaped anyway.
“I guess it’s a good thing you did not end up holding his hand then.”
“No, not his hand, just him.”
“Excuse me?” she asked incredulously.
Ronan nodded, “Oh yes, I had to hold him down. He was squirming so badly it was nigh impossible for our Commander to continue.”
Helena was having trouble imagining her Mate in that depiction. She gave Ronan a questioning look, doubting him momentarily.
“Ask him about it yourself, once we get him back. He won’t be able to lie to you.”
She shook her head in amazement, “I suppose I’ll have to.”
They grew quiet for a while as he continued his steady pace.
“Will you tell me what they mean? The symbols,” she clarified when he did not begin speaking right away.
“Each one on its own means something different, but when they are woven together, they become a blessing, enchanting you with the Mother’s protection. This one,” he said indicating the symbol he was currently outlining over the center of her ribs, “is the symbol of the Mother herself. It is always placed closest to the heart, since we owe our existence in this world to Her. She is at the center
of everything, and so too is her mark.” He finished a complex swirl and sat back to gesture to the looping symbol that linked with it before flowing into others along her ribs, “This one is strength and that one balance. And these here are for accuracy, agility and speed.”
Helena nodded her understanding.
“We’re almost done,” he said quietly, noticing her expression as he moved to fill in the Mother’s symbol.
“I’m fine,” she panted as the needle stabbed at her. Ronan raised a brow, calling her on the lie. Rolling her eyes, she bit down on her lip and nodded for him to continue, feeling light-headed as the sound of her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
“Individually, the symbols do not do anything, but when they are combined like this, they become a sort of enhancement, infusing your power with their abilities.”
“I don’t feel any different,” she murmured, trying to focus on his words and not the pain.
“That’s because I’m not finished yet,” he retorted.
“Perhaps you should hurry up,” she said with mock sweetness.
“Would you like me to do this right or quickly?” he taunted.
“Why not both?” she asked seriously, her hopeful look dropping at his expression. “Just don’t mark me with anything offensive,” Helena said finally, a bit resigned.
At his silence, she lifted her head to study his face again, “You didn’t mark me with anything offensive did you?”
He scowled down at her, “No, Hellion, nothing disrespectful. But it is customary to incorporate something personal into the Jaka, as well as something that reflects its bearer.”
“Isn’t that what you did with the ink?”
He shrugged, “In part, I suppose.”
She hesitated before asking, “What symbols did you add to represent us then?”