Wasteland: The Priestess

by R. G. Alexander

  She forced herself to read each and every entry. People had died. Of radiation. Murder. Women had died in childbirth. And babies had been born. Wounds had healed. And the rough outline of a society began to develop.

  The last entry sent tears pouring down her cheeks and onto the old, strangely lined paper.

  Tessa,

  I give this gift to you along with the book we’d gone to the library to get that day. A gift so you will always know where you came from. Know that there was once a world where men and women worked together, laughed together and loved each other and their children. Your father loved you so much, Tessa. He loved both of us. He was a good man.

  This wasn’t what I wanted for your future. This is what had to be done. If I had been stronger I would have fled with a few of the others to those military wanderers. It is a rough life, but at least there is equality. There is a chance for families to live together.

  When you are older, you may understand. I’ll lock up this journal for safekeeping and give you the key on my grandmother’s chain. Keep it hidden. When you are ready for the truth, you can return to this place and find me between the pages.

  I also left you a map. One of the scientists that passed this way spoke of Antarctica. Of the possibility that life could thrive there now. That the solar storm melted the glaciers, but the land was not scorched beyond repair. Maybe someday you can go there with your family. Start again. Live the way you want to live. Not behind locked doors and hidden in caves. But free, as you were born to be.

  I wish I could go with you.

  I love you, baby. I always will. Remember me.

  Xian thought of the mother she’d never known. The children she never thought she’d have. It was obvious this woman had done everything for love of her baby. A love that was shared by the man who had given of his essence to create it. It was so alien to Xian. And yet… She could easily imagine feeling that kind of love for Hel’s child. As strong as the love she had for him. As the love she had always felt for the Goddess.

  Meidra had said she would find her own path, and Xian could not help but think that this was destined. That this had all happened for a reason. After nearly two hundred star rotations in the Wasteland, surviving in a barren desert, they were being given a gift of renewal. Yet another chance to get it right. Everything she’d known had been proven wrong. She couldn’t help but still believe a higher power had a hand in all this. That She had brought Siraj to them. That She had made sure Hel had found his way to Kroy Wen all those years ago. To her.

  She looked up to find Hel and Siraj watching her with concern as they sat by the fire. She set down the book and they jumped into action, both coming to sit on either side of her.

  Her smile was wet with tears. “I have made up my mind. I will not be returning to Kroy Wen.”

  Hel tensed. “They will come after us. They’ll think something happened to you.”

  She shook her head. “I sent a missive to the High Priestess of S’Alinorac before I left. The Wild Moon is in two days. She will receive word that she must send her apprentice to Kroy Wen’s Temple.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure where this journey would take me, and I couldn’t leave my charges with nothing. The apprentice will become the new High Priestess when it is discovered that I am gone for good. And if they look for me they won’t find me.” She reached for Hel’s hand. “You can go back. You still have high standing. A life. No one knows your secrets. You could protect the new High Priestess.”

  He flinched at her words. “Is that what you want, Xian? You want me to leave you?”

  Her heart began to race. “No, Hel. I—I love you. I just don’t want to take you from your destiny.”

  Siraj chuckled. “Are you blind, Priestess? I have known from the moment we met that you were the Sun Guard’s destiny. His path is yours. And a beautiful path it is. One I intend to stay on for as long as possible.”

  A chuckle escaped from between Xian’s lips, joy filling her soul as she saw Hel’s smile of agreement, the look in his eyes. He wanted to stay with her. He loved her as she loved him.

  Hel lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. “Where do we go, my love? A High Priestess who is no longer a High Priestess. A Wanderer-born Sun Guard with no family but you. And, well, Siraj.” He shrugged at Siraj’s cackle. “Where do we go?”

  That was when she showed them the map and told them the story. They listened with the rapt wonder of children. Siraj as understanding as Hel had been about what the women of The Burning Time had done.

  He was also fascinated by the large map. “So much world,” he marveled. “The pirates tell stories…but I had no idea. This map alone could be the most priceless thing in existence to them.”

  They spoke deep into the night, making plans.

  Siraj told her of a pirate by the name of Captain Xander. He owed Siraj a favor, and he was always a savvy trader. Siraj was confident Xander’s ship would be able to make the long journey, for the right price.

  Hel showed her what he’d brought to trade with, things his Father had given him. They were bizarre contraptions that should fetch enough to take them where they were trying to go.

  A pirate ship. Xian never imagined in her life that she would run away to a strange land on a pirate ship. With two men nonetheless. Yet, nothing sounded sweeter. This was right. A fresh start.

  But how could she leave everyone behind? Leilin, Meidra, Nikkan and the others who depended on her. How could she abandon them to the whim of the council? Chamberlain Vey?

  Hel was holding the old image of the man, woman and child. “The sky is so blue. Do you think this place, this Ant-Ark-Tika, will look like that?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose we’ll find out. But first, we need to break a few more laws. I think the Goddess will approve.”

  Epilogue

  She was dreaming. Her back cushioned by lush green grass, her feet in a cool stream of clear water. She’d dreamed that Leilin and Meidra had taken her words to heart. That they’d listened when she’d come back through The Garden of the Moon to tell them what she’d learned and where she was going.

  From the news she’d gotten, the myth was spreading. Sun Guards training in the tunnels had seen the carving Siraj had so perfectly rendered of their map and been curious. Some even inspired.

  Leilin and Nikkan had left Kroy Wen in search of Nitara and her family, to tell them of a place that The Burning Time did not touch. A paradise where life flourished. A place for new beginnings. Akaash had sent a message to Captain Xander. They were coming. Nitara, her lovers and family…and her child. Xian was overjoyed with the news. She knew they would decide to stay as some of the pirates had. Decide to start again. As she had.

  She’d begun her own journal, finding the plants she needed to create her own ink. In it she’d spoken of the journey, both spiritual and physical, that had led her here. She spoke of her ocean voyage, which had been one surprise after the other. The two Roses who had disappeared from Kroy Wen had been aboard. Bryn and Ayla. Though there had been some tension because of what Xian was, the three soon became friends.

  Bryn was a strong, sexual woman. And the stories she’d told Xian about what she did to Xander and his man Hawke on a regular basis…it made her blush just thinking about it. Bryn promised they would be back often. Already they’d brought back some small livestock and supplies, and several wonders created by an inventive trader known as Ezra. They’d even built a home here, though they weren’t finished with their ocean adventures and exploration. It was a good sign of things to come.

  “My love, I woke up and you were gone.”

  “Hel.” She turned and took him into her arms. His hand slid over the curve of her belly, tight now with child, and down between her legs. She would never get enough of him. Never touch him enough, love him enough to make up for all the time they’d lost.

  He caressed her features with his gaze. “You seemed lost in thought. Any regrets?”

  Xian smiled. “Not a one. This place. You.
” She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Our child will be able to decide its own fate. And I will read Tessa’s favorite story. A story about a young girl’s brave adventure to a strange new world. How can I regret that? And you? Do you regret?”

  A shadow crossed over his features. “Only that Father refused to come with us. And because of that decision, Fyral did the same.” He pulled her closer. “But they were convinced they had to stay to ensure that another chamberlain did not grow mad with power after Vey met his…untimely end.”

  “Give them time. At least they understood. And they keep our secret. They love you.”

  Hel smiled, the shadow passing. “As long as I have your love, I am blessed.”

  “It is yours. Forever.”

  He kissed her, his lips and fingers arousing her swiftly, her body knowing well the pleasure that awaited her.

  “Don’t start without me.”

  She smiled against Hel’s lips as she felt Siraj lay down behind her, his long erection pressing insistently between the cheeks of her ass. She wrapped her fingers around Hel’s thick cock, loving his moans, loving how she affected him, even now.

  Siraj entwined his fingers with hers, so they were both touching Hel, both stroking as he grew ever harder beneath their touch. Hel’s malachite eyes narrowed dangerously on Siraj and he growled, but he didn’t push him away, bending his head instead to take one of Xian’s lush breasts into his mouth.

  Siraj kissed her neck, and she could feel his smile. Xian was smiling too. He had insinuated himself into their lives, into their hearts…and whenever possible, into their bed. He still allowed Hel total control, but there was no doubt that Siraj knew how to get exactly what he wanted from both of them. She could no longer see a future without him. Without the both of them.

  Her last thought before she lost herself to sensation was that she had finally found her answers. Finally found her destiny. Where she belonged…who she belonged to.

  Xian had followed her own path. And it had led her home.

  About the Author

  R.G. Alexander writes erotic romance for Berkley Heat, Samhain Publishing and Ellora's Cave. She has lived all over the United States, studied archaeology and mythology, been a nurse and a vocalist, and now, a writer. She is happily married to a talented chef who is her best friend, her research assistant, and the love of her life. To learn more about R. G. Alexander please visit www.rgalexander.com. Send an email to R. G. Alexander at r.g.alexander@hotmail.com.

  Look for these titles by R.G. Alexander

  Available Now:

  Children of the Goddess Series

  Regina in the Sun

  Lux in Shadow

  Twilight Guardian

  Midnight Falls

  Wicked3

  Wicked Sexy

  Shifting Reality

  My Shifter Showmance

  Not in Kansas

  Surrender Dorothy

  Something magic this way comes…

  Wicked Sexy

  © 2010 R.G. Alexander

  Wicked ³, Book 1

  Callie has always known the Abbotts were different. Witches, though they call themselves “Magians”. They are her second family. Harrison Abbott has been her best friend since they were children. Tucker Abbott, her life-long crush. And their brother, Tyghe? A magical pain in her backside.

  When the Abbotts need her human perspective to solve a mystery, she doesn’t hesitate. Especially since it means getting everything she ever wanted. A chance to be one of them, to have magic, even if it’s only temporary.

  Someone is attacking young women at Triune, a ritual that helps Magians find their perfect threesome—the match that will complete their magic and their hearts. Callie expected to be dazzled by her first glimpse into the Magian world, but the bone-melting desire between her and the Abbott brothers isn’t part of the plan.

  Nor is the decades-old secret that makes her the target of a killer…

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Wicked Sexy:

  Tucker lifted her chin, turning her face up to his. He looked lighter than she’d seen him in a long time. Younger. “Tyghe told me about the energy you were giving off at the salon. I saw for myself what one of us can do to you.” His jaw tightened, almost imperceptibly, but Callie saw it. “We are compatible, Callie. There is no doubt in my mind. Now as beautiful as that dress is, I think its time to take it off.”

  Tyghe surprised them both by ducking his knees and lifting Callie over his shoulder, carrying her, she soon realized, to the wall with the handcuffs. “Oh, hell.”

  He spanked her bottom playfully. “Don’t play coy with us, wicked girl. It wouldn’t be in here if you weren’t at least curious. And I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.” He set her down, lifting her hand to place a kiss inside her palm, his tongue tracing her life line. Callie shivered, and he smiled, slipping one faux-fur lined cuff around her wrist. “In the spirit of honesty, you should know this is not the first time Tucker and I have shared a woman.”

  Tucker swore and Callie flinched, but Tyghe wouldn’t release her free hand, methodically closing the cuff with a loud click. “In fact,” he continued, grunting when he adjusted the chains to raise her arms above her head, avoiding her knee. “For a year or two there, we developed quite the reputation. I’d ‘Tyghe her up’, and he’d ‘Tucker her out’. Remember that, Tuck?”

  Callie glared at him, but it was herself she was angry with. Tied up, the two men staring intently at her, undressing her, she was still aroused. Tyghe unhooked the now flame red dress from behind her neck, letting it drop to the floor, leaving her exposed in nothing but her underwear and heels. She loved the fire that lit in their stormy eyes. She had no shame. They’d done this with other women, and she didn’t care. At least, not enough to ask them to stop.

  That didn’t mean she couldn’t torture them the same way they were torturing her. “Thanks for the history lesson.” She jerked her arms, jangling the chains. “This isn’t my first rodeo either.”

  Tyghe’s smile was tight. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t talking about what we did the other night? You mean your old boyfriend. How could we forget good old Mitchell? The rebel without applause.”

  “There was nothing wrong with Mitchell.” He just wasn’t Tucker…or Tyghe.

  “There was nothing right about him, either.” Tucker grumbled under his breath, surprising her. The few times he’d come out with Harrison when Callie was with Mitchell, he’d always been polite.

  “He’s the reason Tucker went a little wild for a while. Mitchell was the first guy you seemed serious about, the first one who hung around long enough to meet all of us. I think Tucker fucked his way through half the single females in Boston before he came up for air.”

  “Tyghe, you’re a bastard.” Tucker was unbuttoning his black shirt, his gaze snared by Callie’s hardening nipples.

  “Yeah, I’m the bastard. I just didn’t want her hero worship to blind her to the fact that I’m not the only sinner in this room.”

  Callie started, her gaze colliding with the vulnerability in Tyghe’s grey eyes. They’d been more intimate in the last few days than she’d ever allowed herself to be with another. Made love in positions and places that made her blush to think about. But they’d never spoken of her reaction to Tucker’s touch. Never spoken of Tyghe’s insecurities. Callie had believed he’d gotten over his concerns. Until now. Now she could see that he was still worried, even after all they’d done, that he’d be pushed aside for his older brother. As much as she wanted Tucker to touch her, as much as the revelation that he’d been jealous of her last relationship thrilled her, she couldn’t let Tyghe think she didn’t want him just as much.

  She smiled at him, a little mischievously. “So, what do you do with a woman once you tie her up?”

  Can a god of fire melt the heart of an ice queen?

  Melting the Ice Queen

  © 2008 Savannah Jordan

  When a mysterious package shows up on the doorst
ep of self-proclaimed frigid bitch Cassandra Moore, she’s more curious about who could have sent it to her than about the statue of the Egyptian god inside.

  That night, the human spirit of her statue appears in her dream, giving her hottest sex she’s ever had in her life. Emin is every girl's dream lover. He's mysterious, sexy as hell, and eager to satisfy every erotic whim Cassie entertains.

  Yet Emin has secrets as deep as the myths of Egypt—he has sacrificed his magick and his life in the spirit world to be with Cassie.

  The fires of passion blaze hotter with each encounter. But if Emin cannot melt Cassie’s heart and convince her to love a fantasy, he is doomed to the hell between the realms.

  Warning, this title contains the following: explicit melt-your-panties sex, graphic language, ménage a trios, and a demigod that will make you gasp and swoon.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Melting the Ice Queen:

  He was Egyptian, in the traditional pose and garb of a pharaoh or god. One hand held a staff, while the other was extended as though beckoning the faithful to his feet.

  Who in the gods’ name is this?

  My heart, which refused to pick up a steady rhythm since the first contact with the statue, pounded in my chest. My mind whirred.

  Egyptology was my favorite subject years ago in school. I had studied the myths and legends, gods and goddesses and I watched television specials, read every magazine article. But I’ve never seen this man. I picked up the ivory statuette, turning it in my hands, stroking the man’s form and looking for a cartouche or indicating mark to tell me whose representation I held.

  No name, no dynasty. Not one single indicating mark on the statue.