“All right, there’s a lot to digest in that. So what about the marks on your side? They feel different than the other marks. When I touched them, you seemed to really enjoy it.” She was tempted to touch them. She loved his reaction to it.
“The malkit. They’re marks specific to the Shadatai Zarain. Yes, they’re sensitive. You’ll see that yourself soon.” His eyes lowered to her chest.
She took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to ask about how she’d learn that. His smile was wicked and anticipatory. He anticipated more questions about what he was and what the differences were. She wasn’t going to let him have his way on this.
There were some questions that she did want to ask though. The similarities between him and her sister’s man had been obvious from the first. She wondered if they had more in common than simply having a wild aura and confident attitude.
“Do other shifters have markings? Different types of markings?” She licked her lips.
She didn’t know what to think if the man who’d stolen her sister’s heart with his thoughtfulness and sweet gestures was a shifter. It didn’t change that he treated her sister as if she were the rarest treasure and that counted more than almost anything else. Even if he was a shifter, it didn’t matter much. He didn’t know that Fae was missing, much less where to find her.
He tilted his head and studied her. “Yes, some shifters have different types of marks. Some can be seen when they’re walking down the street, others you’d have to see them without clothing. Why?”
“A man had been courting my sister for while off and on. He wasn’t from the valley. He and a few other men would camp on the mountain and he’d bring her presents. When I first saw you, your attitude and bearing reminded me of him. He and the other men have marks on their face.” She licked her lips.
“Spots along their jawline?” His finger traced along his jawline as if to show her exactly where.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“They’re probably Santir, a type of shifter. If they are, he won’t give up on finding her.” Arron slipped his arm around her and began to stroke her back, but his eyes burned with intensity as he looked at her.
Was he trying to tell her something? Maybe that he wouldn’t give up on looking for her. Suddenly, she felt tired and overwhelmed.
“Can you give me a little time to get to all the questions? This isn’t easy. I’d thought this would be simple. We’d travel together and then separate when we get to the city. Now everything’s changed.” She eyed him through her lashes.
He looked at her long and hard. Finally, he nodded. “We will talk about it though. You can’t hide from the truth. This doesn’t end when we get to the city.”
She nodded, holding back her rebuttal. He seemed to be forgetting the very reason she’d been in that city. She couldn’t stop or stay with him. She had to find her sister and get her away from those monks. After that, she didn’t know what they’d do. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. There was so much to get through first.
“Go to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” His hand swept down her back in a long stroke before settling at the base of her spine.
Leah closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. She didn’t think she’d be able to sleep sprawled on top of him, but planned to wait until he was asleep and move to the side. She didn’t want the argument.
He was right. They did have a hard day of traveling ahead of them tomorrow. Even thinking about it made her tired. She nuzzled her cheek against his chest. Just a little while longer and then she’d move.
Chapter Seven
Leah blinked and stared at the grassy plain in front of her. In the distance, she saw long pale-gray walls rising high above the flat land. This had to be a dream, although lately hers had been closer to nightmares than something this peaceful.
She’d never been to a place like this and it definitely wasn’t the forest where she’d fallen asleep. Still, it felt strangely real. The warm rays of the sun flowed over her, warming her even as a slightly chilly wind sent her hair whipping across her face.
“This is my home. At least, I think it is. My memory is still a little patchy.” Arron’s voice came from behind her.
She turned to find him leaning against a large tree. “What am I doing here?”
Dressed in black, he seemed strong and almost a part of the landscape. His long black hair whipped in the breeze. His shirt flowed in the wind and his pants were so tight that she could see the ridge of his cock pressing against the fabric. He looked a little unsure and she wanted to go over and put her arms around him. She shook her head at the thought. He’d get his memory back soon and the arrogant warrior that he probably was wouldn’t want to be comforted.
She didn’t even know if she could since this was a dream, even if it didn’t feel like it. It felt disconnected somehow. She’d always been able to control at least a little of her dreams and yet she couldn’t even stop the wind from sending her hair flying across her face.
“I wanted to show you and talk with you.” He came away from the tree and began gliding over to her. “I also wanted to strengthen the bond between us a little.”
“This is really your dream?” She bit her lip. How could he do that?
“A shared dream, but yes, I formed it.” He nodded.
“What did you want to talk about?” She nervously turned to fully face him, her hands clenched together.
“Mostly about what you’re afraid of. I can scent your fear and even feel it as the connection grows between us.” Arron walked over and slipped an arm around her waist.
She drew in a sharp breath. “As if the monks aren’t enough to fear. I thought if anyone would know what they could do, it would be you. You’ve experienced the drug and were trying to find people they had taken.”
He tilted his head as if studying her. “It’s more than that. You fear something else, probably something to do with your search for your sister. How can I keep you safe if you won’t tell me the danger you face?”
She shook her head. She couldn’t tell him. Sex was one thing, but as great as that was and as drawn to him as she was, she couldn’t trust him. She didn’t know him.
“Why won’t you trust me?” His hand lifted and lightly brushed her cheek.
“You’re a warrior.” The words escaped before she could hold them back. It was true enough, but she hadn’t intended to say it. Every warrior she’d seen sided with other warriors if it was a dispute between them. Up until she’d met him, she’d believed they were all alike. She still had doubts that he was different.
“I’m going to show you that above all you’re what’s important to me.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re my mate. I will keep you safe.”
* * * * *
Arron scrubbed his face and hands at the river’s edge. Leah was probably getting dressed and preparing to leave. She’d said that she’d return to camp after she finished her wash. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but she’d needed to see to her own needs and they’d gone separate directions because she’d refused to do the necessities in front of him.
His eyes swept the sky above the treetops across the river. Although the gray clouds gathered, he could see the dark black of night begin to give way to the bright dawn. The clouds gave him a moment’s pause. They might get rained on today. He hoped they made it to the point she mentioned before that happened. He didn’t want to delay the journey. For her safety. She was hiding something from him.
Last night’s discussion had gone better than he’d hoped. He’d half expected her to try to run off in the middle of the night. She wouldn’t be the first mate to try. As he went to sleep, he’d been determined to make it difficult for her. He’d wrapped her in his arms and held her close through the night.
A noise caught his attention bringing his thoughts back to the present. He tensed and cocked his head to the side listening intently. No noise followed, but he rose to his feet and began moving back toward camp. It could have been L
eah, but something told him it wasn’t.
He glided silently through the forest. As he approached the spot where they’d slept, he saw movement in the clearing. Just from the shape of the form, he knew it wasn’t Leah. Too big and bulky. The scent of a male human drifted to him.
“Get up. We’re leaving.” The man bent, reaching for something.
Arron crept closer and saw Leah roll away from the man with deep-brown hair. As she did, he caught a glimpse of a dark-red mark on her face. The bastard had hit her. That must have been the noise that had caught his attention.
“No, Alon, I’m not going anywhere with you.” She got to her feet and backed even farther away from him.
“You’re coming back and you’re going to do what we tell you to do. There will be no more of this foolishness.” The man took a step toward her. His voice hardened and one of his fists bunched.
Arron had heard enough. He wasn’t going to let this Alon hit her again. He’d seen the sword at the man’s side, but the sight of it didn’t give him any qualms. He didn’t plan to let the man draw it. If he did, he’d disarm him.
With luck, he wouldn’t have to take that chance. He had the advantage of surprise on his side. The man was fully focused on Leah. She was so intent on the stranger that even though she was facing him, she hadn’t seen him.
Arron crept as close as he could before sprinting forward. Alon was so focused on Leah that he didn’t notice Arron. Arron grabbed the man by the shoulder and swung him into the tree near the spot where he and Leah had slept. Breath exploded from the man’s chest. Before he could get it back, Arron grabbed the back of his head and slammed it against the hard trunk of the tree. Spinning the man around, Arron punched him. His knuckles collided with the side of the man’s jaw. Alon sagged. Arron’s fist bunched in his shirt was the only thing keeping the human upright.
“Stop, Arron. He won’t be alone. We have to go.” Leah’s hand clutched at his arm.
As much as he wanted to keep hitting the man, Arron knew she was right. The bastard deserved more for touching her. He deliberately released him, letting him drop to the ground. They had to leave. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to get some answers from her though. She knew this man.
“Get the bags ready. I’m going to tie up your friend here and take his weapons.” He rolled the man onto his back. He used leather ties the man was carrying on his belt to secure him.
“He’s my brother, but definitely not a friend,” Leah said as she turned and hurried to do his bidding.
Arron raised his brows, but finished the task of securing him. He stripped off the man’s weapon belt and searched him to make sure he wasn’t concealing any weapons that could help free him. What was behind the animosity she obviously felt for her brother? He’d seen it in the way she looked at him and heard it in her voice.
By the time he’d secured her brother to a tree, Leah stood with the bags at her feet waiting. He nodded and buckled the sword belt around his waist. Now that he knew someone was following her, he needed the weapons to protect her.
“Let’s go.” Arron lifted one of the bags and urged her ahead of him.
“He said he got rid of my boat.” Leah glanced up at him.
She looked cautious and wary. Probably wondering when he was going to start asking questions. It was the other possibility that kept him silent. She could be afraid of him after seeing him take on her brother. He didn’t want to see real fear in her eyes. He hoped she realized that he’d never raise his hand to her as her brother had done.
“If he did, we’ll walk.” Arron rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly. “While we’re traveling, we’ll talk. We have a lot to discuss.”
She remained silent, but he saw the beat of the pulse at her neck increase. They walked through the forest until they reached the spot where they’d left the boat. Arron didn’t bother to check where he’d hidden it. He could see it in the middle of the river.
It listed to one side. He could see a gash in the side and one at the back of it. It would take too long to fix it. They couldn’t stay in this area, not when her brother’s friends could come to help at any time.
“We’ll cross the river now and walk. I want to put as much distance as possible between us and him.” Arron glanced over at her. She was staring at the canoe as it slowly sank.
“All right.” She nodded slowly and her voice sounded a little dull. “The fork we need to take is on that side.”
Arron pulled her close in a quick hug wanting to comfort her, but knowing they had to move. “I’ll protect you, Leah. We do need to talk though.”
She took in a deep breath. She hung one of her bags across her shoulder and put her hand over it. “As soon as we get away from here, you can ask your questions.”
The situation had changed. He needed to get back in touch with Raven, but those answers came first. He’d need them when he told his Achan what had happened. He had no doubt that the leader of the pack of Shadatai Zarain would find them on his own, but with the threat to Leah, Arron wasn’t willing to chance it. He was simply glad that he did belong to the Shadatai breed of Zarain and could communicate with those he knew even over vast distances.
She stepped into the water just ahead of him. He glanced at her and the pack at her side concerned him. He didn’t want it to weigh her down. From the weight of the bag he had, he’d guess it was clothing and the bedding was hooked onto that one. Just as he was going to ask her if she wanted to take it, he saw the bag bob on the surface of the water.
He wondered what she had in there. From the way it hung, it looked heavy, but now it skimmed along the top of the water. He shook his head and caught up with her. Since it floated, he didn’t have to worry about the weight affecting her swimming. She reached the opposite bank first and waited for him. After he took the last few steps out of the water, he took the time to hide their trail on the bank. With the litter along the forest floor, it would be difficult for the people to track them. Especially since they were dealing with humans. A shifter would simply follow their scent.
He led her through the forest, paralleling the river, but staying out of sight of the water. The scent of the water drifted to him, allowing him to remain near it without seeing the water. He’d stay close to it, but he didn’t want anyone searching for them to easily spot them. After hiking a while, he decided they needed to get the facts out in the open.
“You said that was your brother and that your brothers wouldn’t help you get your sister. There’s more to the story isn’t there?” He looked over at her as they walked through the trees.
“Much more, but I didn’t think it was necessary to tell you before. I thought we’d get to the city. You’d go on your way and I’d continue with my hunt. I knew they’d try to follow me, but I didn’t expect them so soon.” She grimaced and her eyes fell to the ground.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning? Why did they send your sister away and go from there?” Arron put a hand on her shoulder, let it fall and then tangled his fingers with hers. He held her hand.
“It goes back to even before my sister. I told you about the warrior clans in my region. Ever since my ancestor discovered the secret to regaining memories, those clans have been trying to claim it. It’s always been kept in a language that very few speak or read any longer. No one other than my sister and I know it in our region as far as I know.” Leah squeezed his hand.
“Your father didn’t teach it to your brothers?” Arron asked. It seemed strange. Healing and other training most often passed from father to son. He did understand why the clans would want to acquire that secret. It would give them a weapon against the other clans.
“No, my mother got them involved in the warrior training before they were taught that. My family has always believed that any warrior clan acquiring that secret would cause more bloodshed. Now any group can come to us if they recover someone under the Tarespotion. That wouldn’t happen if one clan held it,” she said softly.
“
They would war for control of it.” Arron closed his eyes. Her family had been right. Those clans would destroy each other if one held the secret. “What happened with your sister?”
“Fae’s a little older than me. They decided that she should marry one of the warriors in their clan. She said no. A couple of weeks later, they gave her to the monks.” Her expression hardened with anger. “I’m sure their next attempt would have been with me, but I didn’t stay around to see.”
“We’ll get her back. And they’re not going to force you to do anything. I’ll protect you. As soon as we get to that city you spoke of we’ll have more help.” Arron tugged her close. He wished they could stop and he could comfort her more than being close to her. However, he knew her brother and those with him wouldn’t stop coming after her until they’d been shown that they’d lose if they tried to take her.
“The really sad thing is I think Fae was falling for that man I told you about.” She shook her head.
“This city we’re headed for, does it have a travel-gate?” Arron hoped so. If not, they’d keep traveling until they got to one even if it took them out of the way of the route she’d planned. Her safety came first and she wouldn’t be safe until they were with the men of his pack.
“Yes, Cutta is a gate city. It’s going to take us at least three or four days to get there on foot though. The river and current made it shorter.” Leah adjusted her pack and heaved a heavy sigh. “I shouldn’t have stopped you. He and the others certainly deserve to be beaten after what they did to Fae.”
“What planet are we on now?” Arron glanced at her.
“You’re still on Acowim. Why would they take you anywhere when they have almost free rein here? They moved you away from the gate city where they don’t have complete control, farther inland to Tyrse where they do have full control.” She focused on her footing more than necessary.
Her scent carried the bite of pain and hurt. He glanced over at her to make sure there wasn’t anything physical, but knew that it was probably emotional. As calm as she’d been when she’d answered his questions, he knew that her brothers’ betrayal had hurt her. Then to top it off, that bastard, Alon had hit her this morning.
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