He lightly nipped my ear, raising the fine hairs on my arms. “I don’t need privacy, Lass,” he whispered, recalling visions of our night together. He liked watching, and he liked being watched. A spear of warmth shot through my core and my sex throbbed in frustration.
I groaned with restrained tension. “When we have more time, then,” I amended. The Shadow’s eyes laughed at me as I rose shakily to my feet and drew him up alongside me. He adjusted his pants, but it didn’t hide the noticeable bulge. My mouth dried. I studied my other matches’ faces. Two were amused, two were indifferent, but no one seemed bothered. Our bond was growing, slowly but strongly. The observation filled me with joy, despite the situation.
The sight of the Accleshian threw a bucket of water upon my haze of desire, though. Mason had helped Clay to the ground, and my matches sat on the ground or on large rocks as the Accleshian led the horses down the rocky path to the river. I joined the others, Ian’s hand still snagged in mine.
“Why is the Accleshian with us?” I asked Mason curiously.
Mason shrugged. “I plan on asking him when he returns with the horses.”
Fear prodded me. Unlike the men at the gate and others we had met in the city, I couldn’t guess this man’s intentions. I assumed it was because he wasn’t born in Megreria, but that was only a guess. “He’s not going to run off with the horses, is he?”
Mason chuckled. “He’s on our side, Kiarra.”
If Mason trusted him, I would as well. My bond with Mason had grown to the point that I no longer needed constant contact to reassure myself of his presence or his desire. I saw it every time our eyes met. I felt his love, his desire, and his trust. The connection soothed me and I longed to solidify the other bonds. Being connected to all of them would ease every aspect of our lives. As it was, I couldn’t decide whether to sit next to Clay, who I hadn’t seen all day, or keep Ian with me as he had just been hurt. Ian made it easy, sitting next to the Merchant on the rock. I settled myself between Clay’s legs, one of my hands still in Ian’s.
Clay easily accommodated me, needing my nearness as much as I needed his. His nose rubbed against my neck, breathing in my scent. “Ah, Indrasa, you smell amazing.” His deep voice rumbled against my back, and tendrils of his loose hair tickled my arm.
I giggled. “I smell like horse and sweat.”
He inhaled deeply and pulled me closer to his chest with a strong arm. “Perfect,” he insisted. I settled back into his warmth and strength.
“The method of travel is all right with you?” I asked hesitantly. He must resent being lifted off and on the horses.
“In some ways, it’s better. The horse has better feet than I do,” Clay joked. “The gelding is receptive to the clamp of my thighs and knees, not relying on my heels. He’s a good horse.” Clay clenched his thigh muscles around me to demonstrate, but it had a different effect on me than it had on his horse. Instead, he built upon the fire Ian had kindled within me. My flesh warmed. I squirmed against him, wanting to be closer, and felt him poke against my backside. His laugh was a gentle chuckle against my neck. “Alas, it’s not the right time.”
I glanced over at my Shadow. His lips tilted in a knowing smile. He’d released my hand to gnaw on the bread that was being passed around, but his good shoulder nudged mine. “Soon, Lass. After all, one of the reasons for escaping the city is to build our bonds. There are several ways to do that, but I would prefer the method you and Mason employed.” I met Mason’s eyes across the circle. His pale blue gaze was soft and loving. I didn’t sense a single shred of jealousy even though I was surrounded by two men who whispered in my ear. A shiver of desire coursed through me at the images his silvery gaze recalled.
“Urgh,” I groaned. “It’s too much. I can’t control myself around you. Any of you,” I added, including all five of my matches. Reed smiled shyly. Seb nodded, but the ghosts were still present within his gaze.
“That won’t change.” The gruff voice spoke behind us, and I would have jumped if not for Clay’s firm arm around my waist. My face colored. The Accleshian, Chancellor Drummond, had snuck up behind me. I was certain my men had noted his approach.
To hide my embarrassment, I directed my questions at him. “Why are you here? If we are required to go all the way, we don’t need a guide into Acclesh, right? We just go over the mountains.”
Ian’s laugh drew my gaze. His eyes were sparkling, but it was the Accleshian who answered. “You’ve never been near mountains; have you, Your Majesty?”
I shivered uncomfortably. The title felt odd when the Soldiers at the gates had said it, and it seemed odd now. Part of my soul acknowledged it, but my rational brain still rejected it. “Please, call me Kiarra. And no, I have never been beyond the city walls.”
“Mountains are not easy to traverse, first of all.” Drummond’s tone wasn’t condescending despite his words. “Second of all, if we need to go into Acclesh, we will not go over the mountains.” Silence ringed our circle, and I joined in my matches’ confusion. He flashed a smile, white teeth peeking through his bushy beard. “We’ll go under them.”
Chapter 4
Mason
Everyone stared at the burly northerner, Mason included. While it was true he’d never been further north than Forspent, he would have known if passages existed under the Accleshian Mountain Range. His father would have capitalized upon the opportunity for a surprise attack.
Ian, who had been raised in the mountains, wore a thoughtful expression. The color had returned to his complexion, and he seemed to be recovering quickly from his injury. To be honest, Kiarra had probably suffered more from the injury than Ian. The Shadow had dealt with worse, and he was no stranger to pain.
“I thought the tunnels were legends,” Ian said. He scrubbed a hand across a chin grown thick with whiskers. Mason’s cheeks were similarly rough. Escaping the city had disturbed their typical routines.
“Legends, yes,” Drummond agreed, “but legends are built on truth. I will take you to the opening.”
“Do we need to go all the way into Acclesh?” Kiarra queried. She relaxed into Clay’s arms, the Merchant’s face content as he held her. Ian rested up against both of them, protecting his sore arm.
Mason felt his match within him. He felt her desire, her embarrassment, and her anger; the newfound sensations were like looking into clear water and seeing his reflection ripple with the disturbance created by her emotions. The stronger connection didn’t lessen her importance or decrease his need to be around her, but he felt more secure with their bond. He didn’t feel the need to be on top of her all the time, although he wouldn’t mind if he were.
His gaze caught hers, and she smiled. The genuine expression warmed his chest. She would make an amazing Queen. The grace with which she’d treated the Soldiers at the gate had conveyed her ability. She wouldn’t rule like the previous King, whose subjects wouldn’t recognize him if they passed each other on the street. She would be in the thick of the action, helping to rebuild the Commoner Housing, arranging a better system, and ensuring the Performers were cared for. The lore speculated that the current ruler was blessed with knowledge about their subjects. Kiarra’s interaction with the guards had informed him, without a doubt, that she was the rightful ruler of Megreria. He vowed to keep her safe until she sat upon the throne.
“You do not need to journey into Acclesh,” the big man said, bringing Mason back to the moment. “If it is safe, Ahnika will ride to meet us.”
“You know Carson’s daughter?”
“Aye, her mother is my sister. She will make a good Queen, as will you.” He nodded toward Kiarra.
Kiarra plucked at her piece of bread. “You believe the bond will always feel this demanding?”
The big man smiled. “Nay, not demanding. I am saying your passion for each other will not fade for many years. The bond is demanding with the magic upon you, but it is built on the attraction you already hold towards each other. Your attraction will not diminish for some time. The
need will lessen, but it will never go away.”
“Do you have a bondmate?” Kiarra’s curiosity didn’t seem to offend the foreign man.
“Aye.” He grinned again. “She’s with Ahnika now.”
“You can be so far apart and not feel pain?” She leaned forward with interest. Mason listened as well. While he loved Kiarra, it would be difficult for all of them to stay within a mile of each other for the rest of their lives. Clay had family in Port Town, and both the Planner’s and Shadow’s work might take them from Treleaven on occasion.
Drummond beat a fist against his chest. “We both still feel the strain, but we’ve grown accustomed to the discomfort. Our bond has solidified over many years and has become more uncomfortable than painful. It’s a good thing because I make many trips between Treleaven and Acclesh. Her other bondmates, my brothers, help her cope. She is never without more than one of us.”
“Are they your blood brothers?” Seb asked curiously.
The big man flashed a smile. “Aye. There are three of us, and we all bonded to the same woman. We were close, so this was a welcome finding. We would have struggled if our bondmates separated us.” Seb and Reed shared a smile. They probably agreed. Mason was close to Ian, but he could have handled being apart. He wasn’t certain the foster-brothers would have fared similarly.
Mason stood, looking off into the distance. If he squinted, he could see the looming walls of Treleaven and the palace spires piercing the center. “We should go.” The others rose at his command. Kiarra groaned as she stood, smoothing her hands over the backs of her thighs and butt. Mason’s cheeks dimpled as he helped her to her feet. “You will suffer worse tonight,” he warned. She sighed dramatically. Unable to resist her smell, he leaned forward, lowering his lips to the side of her mouth. “You have five able men who will volunteer to massage your aching muscles.”
She grinned and stood on her tiptoes to catch his lips in a kiss. The press of her breasts against his chest increased his desire. His arm held her hips, steadying her as she wobbled. “Are you coping well with the bond?” he asked, his voice more of a growl than a soothing question.
Kiarra met his gaze, her stormy eyes flickering. “Yes. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to make it stronger, though.”
Mason’s groin tightened, distracting him from the specifics of their trip. He smiled, and his dimples flashed again. “Yes, love, I look forward to it. After the others have had their chance, expect me.” His eyes held heat as he watched her walk away, hobbling slightly.
“Don’t be greedy,” Ian teased, sidling up behind him.
“Do you blame me?”
“Not at all,” Ian responded with a quick grin. “Speaking of. Is there a chance we’ll find a bed this night?” His dark eyes danced mischievously. Mason didn’t blame Ian, and probably all of Kiarra’s matches, for wondering. If he hadn’t already had Kiarra all to himself, he was certain it would be all he thought about when their lives weren’t in imminent danger. Even after their solitary coupling, he thought of her constantly.
“I’ll do my best to find somewhere comfortable,” Mason assured his friend as he checked the cinch on his saddle. He was happy he’d been able to get his own stallion from the palace stables. All matters considered, they’d had a relatively easy escape from Treleaven. It left him with a vague sense of unease. He sensed the malevolence of the dark Sorcerer through his link with Kiarra. It was like a pestilence that soiled everything it touched. They would have to face their enemy at some point, and Mason did not fool himself into thinking that Everett posed the most significant obstacle in acquiring Kiarra’s throne.
Ian convinced Kiarra to ride with him, citing difficulty managing the reins with an injured arm. Their match saw through his ruse; nothing was ever difficult for the Shadow. Nevertheless, she climbed up before him after distributing a kiss to each of her men. Their eyes lingered on her, and Mason knew the bonds would need to be solidified soon or they would all be affected. He already felt the imbalance of being the only one fully connected to her, and he guessed the others felt it too. Their flight from Treleaven had a dual purpose. They escaped the Sorcerer and acquired an opportunity to strengthen their link.
Their small party traveled along the river for a couple miles before Kiarra spoke. She and Ian rode beside Mason, the Accleshian rode on the other side of him, and the three others brought up the rear. There were more houses this close to the river, but aside from a few curious looks, no one bothered them. The rural folk did their jobs, received their pay, and lived relatively simple lives. Not all the families fit into that mold, but Mason wagered the majority did.
River Ilia meandered, occasionally rushing over large boulders set in the middle of the ten-foot-wide stream. The waterway varied in width along the length of it, but it cut a broad swath through the northwestern corner of the peninsula. The land on the other side of the river was a rockier flat plain, before falling hundreds of feet down sheer cliffs to the Vidale Ocean. Many lived and traveled on this side of the river. The land on the other side of the river supported the grape farmers who ferried their goods across the Ilia. The temperate winds blowing over the cliffs provided perfect weather for their vines.
“What did you learn this morning?” Kiarra asked Ian. She was careful not to rest on his injured side, and he made certain she wasn’t off balance. If she rode sideways, one half of her body would hurt more when they stopped for the night. Mason wouldn’t have guessed Ian was capable of such tenderness until the Shadow met Kiarra. He treated her like his favorite kind of secret, one that kept giving and revealing its mysteries. It was the perfect analogy for Kiarra. She continually surprised them all.
“Your mother, the Scholar Advisor, and Mason’s sisters escaped the capital in time. I believe they are being cared for and kept safe; although the High Commander is not pleased his wife and children disappeared in the middle of the night.”
Kiarra glanced at Mason. He hadn’t stayed long after Kiarra had fallen asleep the night before. He’d helped Jeff and the Accleshian get the most important people out of the city. “We made certain your brother escaped safely,” Mason added.
“I know. He came to me in a dream and told me he was safe.”
“He can do that?” Mason asked in surprise.
Kiarra shrugged, and Ian looked just as baffled. It was Drummond who answered the question. “Your country is experiencing a state of rebirth. Kiarra’s brother is stronger as a Soul Tender because his grandmother’s magic runs through his veins. You six are stronger bondmates than the country has ever seen, or likely will again, because you are the first royal matching in centuries.”
Mason absorbed the information. “This is why the Mishokians are so intent on helping us? Because we are reawakening the magic? The wise woman mentioned something similar last evening.”
Drummond laughed, a loud guffaw that startled a nearby crow off a pile of carrion. “That may play a part in their reasons, but never take a Mishokian at face value. They are making themselves invaluable to you because you will become a formidable enemy, and they would rather have you as friends.”
“What about her grandson, Jeff, being a bondmate or Soul Match of someone?” Kiarra asked. Mason was pleased the man had stayed in Treleaven. He’d never felt such overwhelming jealousy as he did when Jeff neared Kiarra. It hadn’t changed after they’d solidified their bond.
Drummond shrugged. “The way your matches react when you get close to him points to that being true. It’s rare for a Mishokian to be bonded to someone of a different country, though. Their cultures are very different. He and his bondmate will face many difficulties sorting that out.” He quieted, and Mason wondered if the man thought about his niece.
Jeff had said Mishokian men had more than one wife. If Jeff had to share his wife with several other men, it could be an extreme challenge. Mason was pleased their matching had been a relatively easy experience, not considering the Sorcerer.
“How will it affect the country if I rea
waken the magic?” Kiarra asked. Mason sensed her anxiety and curiosity.
The Accleshian laughed aloud again, this time startling several roadside animals and making his horse skitter sideways. Mason hadn’t encountered many men as easy-going as the big man. He wondered if Acclesh was filled with men like the chancellor and whether his nature was a result of not being burdened with the expectations of the Houses. “As we travel north, keep an eye out, young one. I think what you see might surprise you.”
Kiarra turned her head from side to side as if she could observe whatever changes he meant on the roadside. Mason wondered at the man’s meaning as well. He’d rarely traveled beyond the walls. The Accleshian refused to say more, however. They would discover what he meant in due time.
Chapter 5
Kiarra
Although Ian was still in pain, it had lessened considerably. Our bodies pressed together aided his healing, a fact that would have surprised and shocked me a week ago. Nothing surprised me anymore, not after the magic we had wrought in the tunnels beneath the castle and the details I knew about everyone I met. Something far beyond my typical understanding was at work. My brother had said the Fates existed. They must have their eyes upon us for changes to occur so rapidly.
Ian’s chin nuzzled my head from time to time, catching my hair in his whiskers. His need mingled with the desire of the others. The bond rode me again. It wasn’t as demanding as when I had to have all five men at once, but my body and soul knew that I only had one-fifth of the process completed. I longed for the remainder of my men. My sexual imagination had always been wild and intense. It had only increased since I experienced the pleasure of my mates' touches. I didn’t want to curtail my desire, but seated atop a horse in the center of rural Megreria wasn’t the best setting.
The Accleshian was an interesting man. Having decided I could trust him more, I enjoyed his easy-going nature. At times, I felt he was laughing at all of us, but I tried not to let it insult me. Our existence in the capital had been sheltered. Added to that, most of us were barely out of secondary school. The Kingdom didn’t share unnecessary information as a rule; citizens only learned what knowledge directly impacted their lives and occupations. I wanted to change that when I became Queen. We ate the food in town, but most didn’t know where it came from or how the rural citizens lived.
Harmony of Their Souls Page 3