Phantom of the Heart

by Stein Willard

  Cybralle shook her head slowly. “This is too much to comprehend. Does…does Lima know?”

  “No. To protect us both from his cousin's hatred, my father left us. He was the one who took me that night we were fighting the wolves.”

  Rom held up his palm. “You need not be concerned for the princess. The Ulv live by a creed to protect mankind. That was why we helped you fight off the wolves that night.”

  Cybralle frowned. “That was you, Rom? The wolf that protected my men…it was you, was it not?”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  Cybralle turned to Sterling who, at that moment, was caught in an eye lock with her wife. “Did you know all this, Sterling?”

  “I knew only what you told me. The rest I had to figure out for myself when Orla shifted tonight.”

  “And you accept all this?”

  “There is still a lot I need to find out, but yes, I accept Orla completely.” Sterling gave her mother a brilliant smile. “Did you know that wolves mate for life? I am taken, Umah, and I do not think I would want to belong to anybody else.”

  There was fine sheen of moisture in Orla's eyes when Cybralle looked at her. She did not know where this would lead or how it would work itself out, but who was she to dictate matters of the heart?

  “I think I know enough for now. Maybe we can talk some more later?”

  Chapter 23

  Sterling's eyes were wide as she turned around, taking in the room. How was it possible that such a place existed and no one outside of this small village knew about it? The room was huge and opulent. Thick carpets covered the whole floor and gave the room a soft, warm appearance. The one side of the wall was concealed by gorgeous, silk curtains which, together with the golden, lupine statues around the room, gave it a mysterious appearance. A huge, four-poster bed in the center of the room was hung with red silk, giving it an ethereal look.

  She turned to Orla who stood behind her. Her wife's eyes were also wide, as she took in the room.

  “It is unbelievable.”

  She grinned when the pale-blue eyes met hers. “It is really nice.”

  Sterling leaned into her wife's solid body and sighed when she felt a soft kiss on her crown. Strong arms curled around her waist. In spite of that wild, musky scent she picked up whenever her wife was near, Sterling could still sense the gentleness that made her crave her wife all the more. She lifted her head and smiled when she met somber, blue eyes looking down at her.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  Sterling nodded. “More now than ever.”

  “I might give our children this gene.” Orla looked away as she swallowed hard. “I am still not even sure if I want this. How can I do this to my children?”

  Turning Orla’s face back to her so she could search those hauntingly beautiful eyes, Sterling rubbed over her wife's lips. “We will get through this as long as we stay together. By the way, this part of you was here when I first fell in love with you, wife. I want you just the way you are.” A slow tear found its way down Orla's cheek and Sterling gently wiped it away. “You are mine, Orla, and not even the fact that you grow fur and a tail now and then will change that. I love you and that is all we have to focus on.”

  Orla’s eyes were dark with emotion as she looked at Sterling. “I am scared.”

  “Then we will be scared together.” She gently cupped Orla’s cheek. “We will find solace in each other.”

  “There is something that I have not told you, Sterling.”

  Sterling suppressed the shiver of fear she felt at Orla's somber tone. “Tell me, Orla, so we can begin to deal with it…whatever it is.”

  Orla's arms tightened around her and Sterling sighed at the intense feeling of well-being she experienced at that moment. She was reminded of the time right before they wed. She had to gently coax Orla out of her self-doubt to become her consort. Tonight, she would have to do the same and she would do it as many times as necessary.

  “Tell me.”

  Orla's arms tightened even more. “I believe there is something wrong with me. My father believes that I am evolving too fast. I do not know what it means, but I am scared of whatever it could imply.”

  Sterling pulled back so she could see Orla's eyes. “Have you asked him about it? What did he say?”

  “He does not know.”

  A sharp stab of fear coursed through Sterling. It was not comforting to hear that Gentro himself was unsure of what could be wrong with Orla. She saw the fear in Orla's eyes and Sterling's jaw clenched. Whatever it was, she was going to find out what it meant. She was nowhere near ready, or willing, to lose her wife.

  “Then I will not stop until I know why it is happening. If I have to use all the resources in Karas to do so, it will be done.” She saw Orla averting her eyes. “I will walk to the ends of the world for you. Do not ever forget that.” She shook Orla slightly. “Did you hear what I said?”

  Orla gave her a weak smile. “I heard you.”

  “Good. Now we need to get cleaned up. We still have to meet with the others.” Sterling pulled Orla's face down to her. “I love you, wife.”

  “I love you.”

  They shared a gentle kiss.

  ***

  Gentro pushed his hands through his hair as he paced the floor. He had a few burning questions for Minos, but it would be extremely disrespectful to harass the man for answers when the ancient was not ready to talk. He jumped slightly, when a hand came to rest on his shoulder. He had not even realized that he had come to stop, staring at the wall. He turned to find his mother looking at him. Her eyes held concern.

  “What has you so troubled?”

  Gentro looked past his mother to see that they were alone in the room. He turned back to Audunn.

  “Orla is evolving too fast. It is completely unheard of for a juvenile like her to be able to possess such strength.” He rubbed over his face. “At first, I thought she forced the change, but seeing her tonight as she freely shifted from Ulv to human made me wonder.”

  Audunn shook her head. “I was not born Ulv, son, but even after all these years since your father brought me over, I am still learning. Unfortunately, I have no answer for you.”

  Since he reunited with his daughter, Gentro had undergone yet another transformation. He was a father in the true sense of the word now. He worried about Orla and he was so scared for her. He wished the others would return from Ridat's cell. Someone, somewhere, was sure to know what was happening with Orla. He looked at his mother and was not ashamed when tears filled his eyes.

  “She is my life, mother, and my greatest achievement. I am so scared what this could mean.”

  The blonde pulled her son into a tight embrace. “Maybe it is nothing to worry about. She looked perfectly fine to me. Did she complain about anything?”

  Gentro shook his head. “No, mother.”

  “Then perhaps we should not worry. We can ask Minos once they have dealt with Ridat. He has lived much longer than anyone of us. He should know something.” She pulled him over to the table where servants were placing platters and steaming crocks. “They should be here any moment now. Your father's appetite is legendary, and he can smell food from miles away.”

  Gentro could not hide his smile.

  ***

  Sterling trembled with desire.

  She threw her head back, as Orla's warm tongue circled her nipple. What was supposed to be a quick bath had gone horribly astray. Up until Orla undressed, the intention was clear and pure. Sterling's libido kicked into overdrive the moment Orla stepped into the bathing area, naked.

  Many months of abstinence made her groan out loud at the sight of the tall, strong body. Powerful muscles played under the sun-darkened skin, as her wife walked over to the sunken bath where Sterling was submerged. Orla's eyes met hers and Sterling rejoiced when what she was feeling was reflected in the ice-blue eyes.

  As soon as Orla lowered her body into the lukewarm water, Sterling waded over to where Orla sat. The blue eyes were tra
nsparent with lust, but still Orla kept her distance. For a moment, Sterling considered a gentler approach, knowing that Orla was still unsure of how to proceed in view of what they now knew about her legacy. Looking at the beautiful, naked woman, only one thought reigned in Sterling's mind. Mine, she is all mine. This possessive notion was what caused her to pounce on Orla. With her fingers clutched in the short, dark tresses, she kept Orla's head immobile as she plundered her mouth. Like a starving woman, she sucked on Orla's tongue, moaning uncontrollably. She protested softly, as Orla held her away, searching her eyes with an intense gaze.

  “Sterling?”

  Sterling almost cried in desperation. “Please, do not tell me to stop, Orla. I will die if I cannot have you right this moment.”

  The pale eyes had darkened. “Then we will not stop.”

  Relieved by Orla's answer, Sterling threw herself with wild abandon into the pleasure Orla coaxed from her body.

  She had already come twice.

  First, when Orla lifted her with strong, sure hands and placed her so she was straddling a strong, muscular thigh. Not waiting to be told twice, she had ridden herself to an earth-shattering climax, her spirited movements causing the water to slosh over the rim of the bath and onto the floor. The second time was when Orla turned Sterling so she rested against her chest. Using her knees, Orla pushed Sterling's legs wide, holding her suspended, as her fingers plundered Sterling's womanhood.

  A third climax was threatening now, as Orla sucked on her nipples hungrily. Sterling pushed her fingers through Orla's damp hair. There were simply no words to explain what she was feeling at the moment. To be able to share herself with Orla like this again was magical. The sucking at her breast stopped and, still a little dazed from her last climax, Sterling opened her eyes to find Orla looking at her. The dark woman had a look of agony on her face. Sterling was immediately sober.

  “Beloved, what is wrong?”

  “I need you,” came the soft reply.

  “Let me help you with that, my love,” Sterling said gently and placed a kiss on Orla's lips.

  “I need to take you,” Orla said in a husky voice and Sterling felt a delicious thrill go down her spine.

  “I am yours.” The words had scarcely left her lips when Orla lifted her out of the bath and lay her down on the cool tiles. Planting her powerful arms on the rim of the bath, Orla hoisted her wet body out of the bath and crawled over to where she lay. Sterling almost came again at the sight. Keeping eye contact, Orla settled her body between Sterling's thighs. Using her fingers, she opened herself, while planting her right arm next to Sterling’s head, to keep her body from crushing Sterling.

  ***

  At the first touch of her swollen nub to Sterling's, Orla let out a long, drawn out moan. She had lost count of how many times she had dreamt about a moment like this since her wedding night. She slipped her hand out from between their bodies and curled it around Sterling's hips, angling for better contact. She took a shuddering breath when the position had the desired effect. She rolled her hips, rubbing herself in Sterling’s wetness, before she began a slow, rocking pace. A soft moan escaped Sterling's lips and Orla reveled in the knowledge that she was bringing Sterling just as much pleasure as she was experiencing.

  “Open your eyes, Sterling. Look at me, wife.”

  The silver eyes flickered open and seeing how they had darkened with pleasure encouraged her to speed up the pace. Her mouth fell open, as soft bursts of air exploded from her parted lips. She was not sure if it was the movement of her hips or the sounds she was making, but Sterling’s eyes grew even darker.

  “This is so nice. I do not want it to stop,” the redhead murmured. “I want more…a little harder.”

  The wanton words fueled her desire even more and Orla used her newly acquired strength to slide her hand under Sterling's derriere and push her up from the floor. The contact was electrifying and Orla moaned again as she doubled the speed of her thrusts. She had fantasized about taking Sterling like this, but nothing prepared her for the immense pleasure it would bring her.

  Sterling lifted first one leg and then the other to lock them around her waist and Orla almost wept as the move brought them even closer together. With her left hand freed, she hooked both arms under Sterling's shoulders, pulling the shorter woman into her rocking body.

  After having witnessed Sterling go through two orgasms earlier, Orla was already very close. She could feel Sterling's nub swell against hers and knew that they were both nearing the end. She put more power behind her thrusts, causing her to buck over Sterling's body. She heard a soft, mewling sound slip through Sterling's lips, as two small hands moved down her side to her contracting globes, pulling them down into the cradle of Sterling’s thighs.

  When her climax struck, Orla let out a hoarse cry as she clutched Sterling to her, her hips pumping furiously. She heard a soft, echoing cry coming from Sterling and was relieved to find she had not left her wife behind. They rode the tiny, delightful aftershocks together. Orla's body came to a slow stop and for a few moments, she rested her overheated body on Sterling's, reluctant to break contact. After a while, she hoisted herself on her arms and with a final roll of her hips that elicited a soft moan from Sterling, rolled onto her back. Sterling rolled closer and lifted herself until she lay stretched out on Orla's heaving body.

  “I have never before experienced such pleasure,” Sterling murmured softly. “Thank you.”

  “I should thank you instead, milady.”

  Sterling chuckled softly. “I think we can safely say that we are both very grateful for what just transpired.”

  “I agree,” Orla said with a smile. She met Sterling's eyes and for a long moment, they simply looked at each other. “We should do it more often.”

  “I will not complain. It is a great way of keeping in shape and so much more enjoyable than sweating on a training field.” Sterling placed a soft kiss on Orla's lips. “We should get ready.”

  Orla sighed. She did not feel like leaving the chamber for the rest of the night. Her hand traveled down Sterling's shoulder, farther down to her lower back to settle on the soft, fleshy globes. She would rather explore more of her fantasies with Sterling. She sighed again. But duty called and Sterling was not going anywhere later tonight.

  “You are right. I can smell food. They are probably waiting for us so they can dine.”

  ***

  Cybralle nodded her thanks at the young servant girl who had just filled her goblet with wine. Everyone, except Orla and Sterling, was gathered in the Great Hall. While waiting for them, everyone was sitting around, keeping their thoughts company. Cybralle took the time to study the room. Just like the rest of the Hidden Palace, the space was richly decorated. The hall actually outshone many royal galleries she had seen across her travels. The light of torches bounced off the gleaming, tiled floor. A number of marble statues in different poses were placed against the walls, highlighted by the torches above each of them. A large tapestry, which depicted an epic battle, adorned one side of the room. The soldier in her was immediately drawn to the artwork. She quietly walked over to the wall and studied the tale woven into the cloth. It was bloody and dramatic. Decapitated bodies littered the battlefield, while men on horseback pranced around, their expressions triumphant.

  “That was before my day, but I have heard about it more times than I can remember as a teenager.”

  Cybralle had not heard him come over, but she thanked her training for not giving away her surprise. A warrior should expect anything, anytime, from anywhere. She was, at present, surrounded by five Ulvs; it would be unwise to drop her guard in such a situation. What was keeping Sterling and Orla? She turned to acknowledge the man's presence.

  “The past inspires the future. I know that this battle had a profound impact on the lives of many for generations to come.”

  Gentro smiled and Cybralle was once again amazed by how much he looked like Orla. They could easily pass for twins. Familiar ice-blue eyes twinkled a
t her.

  “That was the first time we had to save the world from human tyranny.” Gentro's eyes slid away from Cybralle to look at the tapestry. “About nine hundred years ago, a greedy warlord thought himself powerful enough to conquer the known world. Countless warnings for him to rescind his claim on the gods' subjects fell on deaf ears. He went from village to village slaughtering innocents to stir fear and garner notoriety. We had no choice but to engage him and his army. We banished the warlord to the icy Wastelands up north, alone with only a pack of bloodthirsty canines to keep him company.”

  Gentro turned back to her, and Cybralle waited patiently for him to continue.

  “Since his demise, not many like him have tried to taunt the gods again. Humankind became more conscious of the fact that they were not deserted by the gods. They realized and understood their personal worth. Many would now say that the Battle of Escolpi was what spurred humankind to unlock their potential and carve the earth into a place they could call home. We gave them a place where they could venerate their gods and live as freely as they could.” Gentro took a drink from his goblet. “So yes, you are right. The past certainly inspires a better future.”

  Cybralle turned back to the painting. She wondered what it was like living in those times. It seemed to have been much more brutal than was the case now. But Mesmeria would not have been born yet. For that reason she loved the epoch she lived in.

  “You do not trust us.”

  Surprised by the bold statement, she blinked at the man. Of course he was not wrong. She would be imprudent to trust huge, bipedal predators just on hearsay. What had given her away?

  “What makes you say that?”

  A broad smile came over the man's handsome face. “Unless it is a new custom in Karas to dine in full body armor, then I apologize for my hastily uttered speculation.”

  Cybralle blushed slightly at the observation. She shrugged. “It is a habit that has saved my life countless times.”