by Rae Monet
"Oh yesssss,” she breathed out.
Roan chuckled. He sensed some radiating anger and glanced up. Serena's father stood not twenty feet away, his arms crossed, glaring at Roan as if he wanted to spear him for their evening meal.
Roan dropped his hands from her shoulders. He had tried to resist and keep his hands off her, but as usual he failed. Her riding in front of him, situated between his legs, so small yet so strong, only served to quicken his yearning and the need to touch her, to make love to her. These wants were so overwhelming, he couldn't resist them.
"I think your father would rather skewer me like a pig for a meal than celebrate my return."
Serena laughed. “He has been very protective since my mother died.” She sighed. Moving away from him, she motioned for him to follow her toward the path leading through the great falls where the others were already headed.
"Tell me about your mother."
She stopped short for a moment. Initially he thought she would refuse his request, then her words tumbled out.
"Ah,” she sighed and closed her eyes, as if to picture her mother. “She was the most beautiful woman, not just in the physical sense but in her inner beauty and strength. My father...” She paused, then continued, “...never recovered from her death. As are most couples in our society, my mother and father were a love match. They say Richard and I resemble her, not only in beauty but spirit.” She laughed. “It is the highest compliment."
Sadness edged her smile. He wanted to pull her into his arms and ease her sorrow. Although he sensed she didn't talk much about her mother, he asked another question.
"How did she die?"
"At a battle with English soldiers. She was out hunting with a group of warriors when they were attacked by an angry troop of English soldiers. The soldiers had defied orders and were searching for Scottish outlaws when they came upon my mother's camp."
"It was night, and they had experienced a successful hunt. My mother was the leader of the group and she let the others celebrate their achievement. They let their guard down momentarily, leaving themselves open. Sometimes we wear plaids to disguise ourselves, and the soldiers mistook the group as Scottish."
She shrugged her shoulders as if it were of no matter, then he saw her tears. He placed his hand on her shoulder in comfort.
"My mother,” she said gruffly, looking up toward the stormy white clouds, “always the protector.” She shook her head in anguish. “She was struck down, killed when she stepped in to help a young, inexperienced warrior who was under her training.” The tears coursed down her face now and he reached forward to enfold her in his arms.
"The only good that came out of the incident was that the young warrior lived. When my mother engaged the soldiers, at her order the others escaped.” She sucked in a breath as he placed his chin upon her head. Her tears soaked his tunic.
"She saved eight lives.” Stepping back, she wiped the tears from her eyes. “And this is the only condolence I have. I am soothed her death was not senseless.” He touched her chin and gently placed a conciliatory kiss on her lips.
"I'm so sorry, little one,” he said against her lips. “You are right. It was a senseless death, but she saved several lives. Your mother died with honor,” he reminded her.
Serena nodded. “I know,” she whispered. “I just wish that knowledge could take away the pain."
"It will ease. Time will heal."
Placing one of her hands in his, she led him up the path to the waterfall. The trail was only wide enough for one to pass, and it appeared to travel precariously under the falls to an unknown location.
He watched in awe as the others walked their horses up the path and disappeared under the falls.
"We walk one-by-one now. Follow me and you will be fine."
He sucked in a breath, hoping she was right. They were soaked immediately. The falling waters thundered in their ears. The path, although thoroughly wet, was sound. It led them under the roaring falls, through a thick, round passage in the rocks, entered a cliff and then miraculously reappeared on the other side.
He cautiously followed Serena, attempting to reassure his dancing horse all would be fine. He was so absorbed in his task that when they reached the end of the dusty cavern, he skidded to a halt, his horse and Sasha bouncing against him.
They had emerged into a world so lush and beautiful he shielded his eyes from the glory of it. Below the cliffs from which they had materialized, dropping about thirty feet and stretching for miles, was a vast forest. It was beyond his belief, beyond anything he had ever imagined. Alongside ran a lake, as blue and clear as a precious jewel.
Serena continued walking. She had obviously seen the view so many times she no longer stopped to enjoy it. He slipped behind her, traversing down a worn trail, descending to the forest's edge.
As if by magic, several wolves appeared, surrounding them and guiding them to their destination. Most kept their distance. Some approached and followed the other warriors, the way Sasha and Caine followed Roan and Serena. He assumed those wolves were their protectors. Once they entered the wooded area, a thick weaving of green trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, he would spot other wildlife—several boars, various game, and more wolves than he could count.
"This is incredible."
Serena turned. “Yes, we are blessed with this valley."
"How did you ever find it?” They plunged forward through the overgrown forest. Had Serena not been so close, he was sure he would have lost her and his bearings.
"It is told that when we were forced from England we sought a remote location to settle, one isolated enough from others to allow us to thrive in peace. My father had heard from some of the Scottish warriors that Scotland had several remote forests. Our people followed the rumors of hidden lands. Contact with local villagers gave way to the legend surrounding the waterfall.” She pointed behind them.
"It was said to be haunted, unsafe. At one time a maiden supposedly killed herself over the death of her love, her betrothed. He was a fierce Scottish clan laird killed in battle. They never married, and in her grief, she drowned herself in the waters of the falls. So the legend told that anyone who came close to the falls would be killed in memorial of her grief. Much later another death in the falls’ water reaffirmed the myth."
She shrugged. “I don't know if the tales were true, but they kept people away from the falls. My father thought if we settled around the falls, we would be fairly safe from intrusion. Initially we did live outside the forests near the falls. One of the warriors who was scouting found the path that led through the falls. So we relocated. We felt it safer for us, and the wolves.” Her hand swept the area.
Several wolves tracked their progress. They didn't approach, just watched and waited, as if to ensure their travel was safe. The symmetry of the relationship between the wolves and these people comforted a sore place deep inside Roan. It was a mysterious mutual understanding to live in peace and protect each other. One which had obviously withstood the test of time.
"Your father was astute in his choice,” he said. Aware of the catch in his voice, he stopped talking and walked faster.
* * * *
They traveled a good deal of the day, traversing the maze of the forest. At one point Roan wondered if they were lost. It felt as if they traveled in circles.
While these thoughts plagued him, another matter captured his attention. Bearing down on them, at a speed more suitable for fleeing than simple traveling, was a beautiful, dark-headed woman. She barely allowed her horse to stop before she vaulted out of her saddle, screaming Serena's name as she launched herself into her arms. “I sensed you were coming."
He could sense the pent up energy radiating from her. Her inner strength flowed from her like a wolf's nighttime cry to its pack. There was an uncontrolled element connecting him to her. He instinctively knew she was his sister.
"Tell me of your quest? Did you retrieve the scrolls? Did you capture Ziem? Did you re
cover the crystal?” All her questions were thrown at once, tumbling forward, leaving her mouth in faster than Roan could follow.
Serena laughed, a joyful sound.
He placed himself next to her.
"Diana, I will answer all your questions later, I have someone of great importance to present to you.” Serena's softly spoken command halted Diana's words in mid-sentence.
Diana's head tilted as she regarded Roan. Something flared in her eyes, and her hand went directly to her heart.
"I feel as if...” She stopped and closed her eyes.
He projected his identity to her and her light blue eyes opened, matching the same color eyes he saw every time he peered into a cool lake.
"You are known to me,” she finished softly.
He nodded and watched tears form in her eyes.
Serena's voice broke into their reunion. “This is your brother, Roan, the lost Wolf Warrior. He has returned to us."
"My brother, yes, my brother.” The words came out hoarse, her expression awed. “By the Gods, we have searched...” her voice dropped off, and her hands came up to cradle his face.
As tears coursed down her cheeks, her emotion matched the wonder in his heart.
She reached forward and placed her wet cheek against his. “We have searched for so long, my brother, so long...” She swallowed, and he knew her emotions were too volatile to continue talking.
Roan felt her grief, then her joy. He hugged her and buried his face in her hair. They clung to each other as if afraid something would tear them apart again. There was an instant connection, a bond close to the one he shared with Serena, but not as strong or sensual. The bond resonated with kindness instead of passion.
Serena thoughtfully stepped back to allow them the moment.
He glanced at Serena. “Thank you,” he whispered, as his hand touched his sister's dark hair. Although he didn't really need to voice the words, he knew his eyes said it all. She smiled at his praise and turned to leave them, to give them privacy.
"Serena.” She stopped at his voice. “Please stay."
"You must tell me everything,” Diana said. “We will know each other, you and I."
It was a command, not a request, and he laughed. He nodded, vaguely remembering Serena's comment. He understood what she was talking about concerning his sister's energetic persona. Tucking Serena next to him, he rested his arm around her waist.
Diana raised her eyebrows at Serena.
Serena shook her head, indicating they would discuss it later.
"Yes, little sister, we will.” He released Serena and hooked his arm through Diana's. Serena started off and they followed. He patiently walked with Diana as they made their way to the village.
He answered one question after another, chuckling at his sister's zealous nature. She reminded him of what he pictured a young Serena to be like before she mastered her control. At times there was an uncontrolled passion in Serena too. Mostly, as she indicated about him in her earlier cloaked remarks, when they made love.
* * * *
When they finally arrived, the greeting from his parents and brother was much the same as with his sister. He was so caught up in the emotional reunion he didn't notice when Serena left him. When he saw she wasn't near, he wanted to go to her, to meet his obligation with her father. But his responsibility was to his family right now, and they demanded his attention along with the details of his disappearance. He owed them much, he owed them some memories of his life, and he owed them the chance to know him.
He was shocked when he first shook hands with his father. Jarod's bright blue eyes and graying hair held Roan speechless. Not only were their facial features alike, but also their stance. Jarod was a huge bulk of a man. His muscles were well honed. Even for his advanced age, he was clearly a strong man, and his head rose above Roan's exceptional height. His muscular arms rippled when he clasped Roan's hand in his.
"Father.” Roan choked on the word, his emotions raw at finally reuniting with his family. An intense, painful feeling of belonging rendered him near wordless.
"Son.” Jarod's other hand came up to overlap their clasped hands. Then he finally gave up and tugged Roan into his arms, clapping him on the back.
"By the Gods, son, I thought to never again lay eyes upon you.” He stepped back. Smiling, they stared at each other, drunk with the happiness of an instant bond.
"Roan is a strong name, son. I cannot tell you how pleased I am you are alive and safe. That you were cared for by another. There are not words to describe...” He clasped Roan to him once more.
"I know, Father, I understand,” Roan confessed, feeling just as suffocated by his own emotions as his father.
They were interrupted by Roan's sibling. His brother was a carbon copy of both of them. H was tall, stunningly handsome with his blue eyes, dark hair and regal features.
"This is your brother, Jacob."
Roan clasped his hand to Jacob's in the Solarian greeting. “Jacob, I am honored to call you brother."
"As am I.” Jacob's grip tightened on Roan's hand, his grin spreading across his face.
Roan watched as Jacob's eyes drank in Roan's features, so similar to his own.
"We thought you were lost to us,” Jacob confessed. “Although we have never known each other, I have felt your absence greatly."
Nodding, Roan acknowledged his brother's declaration. “I have also experienced a deep loss from the separation,” Roan admitted, “like a hole inside me. I never understood it until I met Serena and Richard."
Then Diana jerked him away from Jacob and launched into his arms. Laughing, Roan swung her around and set her next to his beautiful mother, Leena. He folded his mother into his arms.
"Mother, I cannot even begin to tell you what it means to be back with you. All of you,” he amended, as he held his sobbing mother in his arms. She was a small woman, so small he thought he might break her with his strong hug.
"Ah, Roan, this is a day to celebrate,” she cried out against his chest as her tears soaked his tunic.
He laughed as he ran his hand over her light hair. “Yes, it certainly is."
Chapter Eleven
"Tell me you jest."
Serena had just spent a good portion of the last hour with her father, recounting the details of events leading to the final battle. Of course she had left out the relationship between herself and Roan. When her father asked her directly if she was now Roan's wife, he'd exploded at her answer.
"Father, we are fellow warriors.” She tried to sound convincing, but her father would have none of it.
"Fellow warriors do not kiss.” His face turned red, a muscle throbbed in his cheek. “They do not touch each other without a by-your-leave. They do not,” he paused, breathing like a legendary dragon, “gaze at each other with passion like that."
"You and mother did,” she reminded him softly.
He blanched at her remark. If it were possible, he descended into a deeper rage. “Aye, your mother and I loved each other and we were,” he jabbed his finger in the air to emphasize his word, “wed."
"Not until she was pregnant, and you loved her from afar all those years after the struggle."
"Ughhhh.” He threw up his hands as if to absolve himself of the entire situation. “That was different."
"I am not a child. You must let me live my own life. Yes, I love him, more than I have ever loved anyone, but I am not ready to marry. Besides,” she stared at her hands, very interested in them, “he has not yet asked."
Her father actually growled. Throwing back the carved wooden door, he stalked out of their small thatch-roofed hutch.
The door bounced against the wall. Serena tore after him. She knew what he was going to do. Catching up to him, she tried to get a hold of his arm but he shook her off. She pursued him as he stalked to the small hut of Roan's family. The entire family stood outside catching up, laughing and smiling. She picked out Roan's tall muscular form and sent him a mental warning.
Watc
h out.
His head swung in their direction, his eyes widening at the approaching boar-like man Serena's father had become. But he didn't run as she mentally screamed. He stood his ground until Serena's father grabbed him and threw him to the ground like a felled tree. Roan landed with a distinct bounce. Straddling him, John held a dagger to his throat.
She cringed.
Poor Roan.
She ran forward, screaming, and tried to pull her father off.
"Serena, cease,” Roan commanded. “I can fight my own battles."
Halting, she squeezed her injured hand.
* * * *
Serena's father reached down, the sweat from his brow dropping onto Roan's face, the ale on his breath assaulting him. He spoke softly into Roan's ear so the crowd gathering couldn't hear his words.
"Did you bed my only daughter, the future leader of my people? Think carefully about your answer, man."
"She is mine, and I will fight any man who disputes this,” Roan confirmed without actually saying he had bedded her.
From the frozen gaze John gave him, his statement was enough evidence. Roan was a condemned man.
"Then you'll have no problem marrying her, will ya?” The knife tightened on his throat.
"None whatsoever."
* * * *
Serena watched, barely breathing. Roan's response was sure, as if he'd already known the question and answer before Serena's father had asked it. Her father smiled and sheathed the dagger. He hauled his large frame up and offered Roan his arm. When Roan grasped the offered hand, John dragged him to his feet.
"Well then, welcome to the family. The ceremony will be on the morrow.” He clapped Roan on the back, sending him staggering, and turned to the crowd around them.
"Prepare for a wedding,” he announced loudly. With a nod of satisfaction, he sauntered off the way he had come.
She watched her father's retreating back in disbelief. She would not be forced to wed any man, nor would she have her father compel a man to wed her. She turned toward Roan. He had a grin on his face so big she was afraid his mouth would crack.