“Sydney, are you okay?” Jakke yelled into the log.
“I’m okay!”
Chloe
Chloe woke to the sounds of animals rising to greet the morning. Her back felt stiff, and her elbow hurt from hitting Zanne the day before. Sydney was still asleep. She knew it had to have been hard on her yesterday; pregnancy took a lot from the body---not to mention that they hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since they had been at the castle.
Chloe was just about to move the rock that blocked the tree entrance, when she heard a stick break. She froze with her arm still outstretched. When she looked back at Sydney, she saw she was awake, and fearful eyes were looked back at her.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Zanne called.
Chloe could hear him getting closer. She closed her eyes and held as still as possible. When he started trying to move the rock that blocked the front entrance, she and Sydney scrambled to the back entrance of the hollow log.
They couldn’t hear Zanne anymore, and the two of them looked at each other with confusion. Did she hear someone talking? Chloe listened, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Chloe, are you in there?”
Was that Dazz? Tears and relief filled her happy eyes as she called, “Dazz?”
“Yes, you’re safe now!”
The two of them scrambled for the entrance, wanting nothing more than to get out of the log and into their mates’ arms.
When Chloe got to the entrance, Dazz grabbed her hand and helped her out, before pulling her in for a tight embrace.
“Are you really okay?” he whispered into her ear while hugging her.
“I’m okay. I’m just glad you found me.” A silent tear slid down her dirty face before she wiped it away.
Breaking the hug, Chloe stepped back so she could see Dazz’s handsome face while she talked to him. “Did you catch him?”
“Yes, we have Zanne. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“Cassia was helping him.” All eyes turned to Sydney, who was in Jakke’s arms.
“What do you mean?” Jakke asked his mate.
“Cassia was with Zanne. She said she was supposed to be your mate and help rule Azziar. She said that I ruined their plans--- not hers.”
Chloe watched as some type of emotion crossed Jakke’s face, but she didn’t know him well enough to read it.
“We’ll figure this all of this out later. For now, let’s get back to the castle,” King Mallik said.
Chloe watched as Sydney smiled warmly at her father-in-law before saying, “Thank you for coming after us.”
King Mallik’s eyes slightly widened slightly, and he said, “You’re welcome, Sydney, mate of my son.” Chloe knew that King Mallik calling Sydney “mate” was a big deal. Maybe they could make amends.
Dazz looked at her and said, “Let’s go home.”
“Sounds wonderful!” She laced her fingers with his as they headed out of the east forest. “Oh, what about Mara?”
“Rishhi said he’d take care of her,” Dazz’s lips twitched, “and she was okay with that.”
“Oh…really?”
“I know, I was as surprised as you were. I’d seen them together a few times, just talking and walking around the castle. I assumed he was just giving her a tour,” Dazz shrugged.
“Okay, then,” Chloe said, still surprised by the news. “What about Zanne and Cassia?”
“Zanne will be questioned and then thrown into a cell. Father will have everyone searching for Cassia, who is Zanne’s cousin. Hopefully, we can get some answers as to what’s really happening.”
“You don’t think it has to do with losing females during the last attack?” Chloe asked.
“No, I don’t. I think someone is using that to rally support.”
“So do I,” Chloe said.
A few standard hours later, Dazz took her home to a beautiful cottage nestled in the trees near the edge of the north forest.
“Are you disappointed?” he asked.
“Why would I be?”
“I don’t have Jakke’s huge house, or even Risshi’s beach house. I just wanted something small and comfortable.
Chloe laughed, “Dazz, your house is much larger than the average-sized house on Earth.” Chloe looked at the beautiful hardwood floors, black marble tables, and shook her head. This was more than she could ever have hoped for.
She looked at him and said, “I love it!”
“And I love you. I was so worried about you,” he said, taking her into his loving arms.
“I love you, too,” she said.
He took her lips in a gentle kiss and whispered, “Welcome home, mate.”
“I like the sound of that…”
Epilogue
One Standard Year Later
Lying in Dazz’s arms after making love half the night, Chloe couldn’t believe how happy she was on Azziar. Was it only a year ago that she was hiding out in a bunker and then captured by the Tureis? It was funny how things worked out.
Now she had Dazz, along with his large family. She, Kattlyn, and Sydney spent a lot of time together, and she loved them both like sisters. Oh, they still had the threat of the rising rebellion, and Cassia was still out there, but she would never choose to give up her life here.
She occasionally got out to the beach house to see Mara and her daughter, and sometimes Risshi brought them to visit the castle and they would meet them there.
Sydney had had a healthy baby and was now expecting another one, citing Jakke as having said he’d like a large family.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Dazz asked. He kissed the top of her head.
“How did you know I was thinking?”
“I could hear the wheels turning in your head.”
She loved it when they talked while holding each other in bed.
“I was thinking about how much my life had changed, and how happy I am.”
“Good. I’m happy you’re here, too.”
She raised her head off his shoulder so she could see his face. “Let’s have a baby.”
“Really?” His face lit up with happiness.
“Yes, really.”
He kissed her passionately before saying, “We’ll visit the healer today and have your device removed. Until then, we can practice…”
The End!
I hope you enjoyed Dazz! If you did, I like reviews, but I love it when fans recommend it to others who might also enjoy it!
Read on for the first two chapters in Ambriel, (which is free in Kindle Unlimited.) I will tell you, it is a little slow to start. Ambriel starts out as a teenager, but turns into an adult. The stage is set, the pieces are in place, and the fight for humanity is about to begin!
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More books by Hannah Davenport
Jakke (Book 1 in the Azziarin Series)
Dazz (Book 2)
A Contemporary Romance that brings awareness to a rare disease.
Trying to Survive (Free)
I stood frozen in an unfamiliar alley surrounded by darkness as I watched swords clash together with the strength of ten men. Sparks flew and a thunderous noise had me covering my ears and hiding my face. I could feel my body shaking, worried for the dark-haired man as his muscles bulged with every swing. Evenly matched.
As I tore my eyes from the swords, and the man that wielded it, I looked at his opponent and gasped with fear. Its eyes shot to mine and I saw his hate-filled red ones staring back at me. I couldn’t help but take a step backward. With his eyes on me, the dark-haired Greek god swung his sword true, taking the creature to its knees. When he delivered the final blow, his turquoise eyes turned on me, almost glowing. My heart stuttered before setting a rapid pace. The only thought that entered my mind; RUN!
Drenched in sweat, I sat s
traight up in bed. What the hell was that? Never had my dreams seemed so real. I felt as if I was actually there. I had a bad feeling.
Prologue
I’d been living in the small town of Sanstone for the last four years after bouncing around from foster home to foster home. Not many folks wanted to keep a child who knew all of their dirty little secrets, so I learned the hard way to be quiet and not ask questions. I basically lived a life of solitude and Sanstone suited me. There weren’t many residents here, less than five hundred. They were nice, simple and most of them were hard workers who lived day by day. Not much happened in Sanstone, Illinois.
When Crawford County Child Services placed me in a home here almost four years ago, I was optimistic. I dreamed of a normal life, some place where I could blend in. A one gas station town would suit me just fine. Fewer people to disappoint, or worse, freak out. Riding down the two-lane road to my foster mother’s home, I imagined what she would be like. Would she be like this town? Aging and welcoming? Would she be resentful of her life, taking care of someone else’s kid? I already knew she was single and that I would be the only child in the home. Thank God! At fourteen years old, I really didn’t want to deal with anyone else.
I have to make this work, I remember thinking.
Chapter One
Amber
Sarah, my foster mom took good care of me, even though she also knew there was something not quite right. I sometimes caught myself answering questions Sarah had never asked. She made an effort to tolerate me and I appreciated that. It was more than other homes had done.
Sarah was a beautiful woman with kind brown eyes and dark blonde hair with touches of silver. She had never told me how hard the last few years had been on her but; I heard it in her thoughts every day.
Every day for the past four years, I could hear her crying out her husband’s name and wondering what her daughter would have looked like at my age. In her mind, she was constantly comparing me to her imagination. How could I live up to a ghost?
“Amber, breakfast is ready!”
“I’ll be right down, Sarah!” I yelled. Taking one last look in the small mirror that hung over the bathroom sink, I walked back to my bedroom. My full size bed sat against the wall near the window. I loved looking at the trees.
Pulling my mint green comforter over the sheets so it looked as if I had given if some effort, I skipped down the stairs toward the kitchen and grabbed my backpack on the way. Sarah put pancakes on the table in front of me as I took a seat at the bar.
“I made you your favorite this morning, Amber.” I looked down at my plate, noticing Sarah had fixed me three pancakes and smothered them with butter, just the way I like them. I finished it off with some old-fashioned maple syrup.
“I see that, thanks.” I dug into them with gusto. Sarah always made the best pancakes. “They’re great, just like always.” Complimenting her always made her smile.
“I can’t believe you only have three weeks left of high school, time sure has flown. It seems like only yesterday when I took you in.” Sarah got a faraway look in her eyes and I tried very hard not to listen. I did! However, I couldn’t stop her thoughts from tumbling into my mind. I ate as fast as I could, wanting to make a hasty retreat.
“I know. I can’t believe I’ll be graduating and my birthday is coming up soon. I’ll be eighteen and you can finally get rid of me.” I meant it as a joke but I guess she didn’t see it that way. It was probably too close to the truth. I continued eating, knowing I needed to leave as quickly as possible.
“Don’t say things like that, I love having you here. I’ll miss you when you head off to college.” I tried not to hear her thoughts because I wanted to believe her, but I couldn’t close my mind off.
Just a few more weeks and she’ll be gone. Maybe she’ll find a job before college and move out. I tried not to let it bother me but I couldn’t help it. I knew it wasn’t personal, I just reminded her of what she lost, but it still hurt. Never belonging anywhere, never fitting in, that was the story of my life.
“I know and I’m thankful that you took me in.” I said, smiling. I had to get out of here. I crammed the last bite in my mouth, chased it down with a glass of milk and then grabbed my to-go cup of coffee. “I’m off; I’ll see you this evening.” Why can’t people just say what they mean and mean what they say? I get so tired of the lying, even though I know she was just trying to protect my feelings
.
As I walked down the street, I found Becky waiting for me in her usual spot. I met her when I first came to Sanstone and she just wouldn’t leave me alone, determined that we would be friends.
She was an outcast like me and with quick comebacks and an odd sense of humor; she had me smiling every time I was in the room with her. She quickly became my best friend, really my only friend and the only one who knew my secret.
“I see you’re in a good mood this morning.” She said as a way of greeting. I just shot her a look, but she waved it away and laughed. “More heartfelt talks with Sarah I see.”
“It is not funny.” I grumbled. “She always says one thing and then thinks another. Do you know how hard it is to have a conversation with someone who contradicts themselves all the time? She is so happy that I’ll be leaving soon even though she says otherwise. Then she’ll think about her own daughter and it’s just too much to deal with. I can’t wait until it’s just me and you, rooming together at college.” Sliding into the passenger’s seat of Becky’s red Volkswagen, we headed for school.
“Yeah, I’m excited about that too.” Becky said as she turned down the street.
“We just have a few more weeks of school and then we’ll be home-free.” I smiled at the thought of being on my own even though I felt like I’d been on my own for a long time. I had to grow up quickly when I realized that the only person I could depend on was me.
“I know, but we have to finish first. Are you going to prom this year?” I could see the eagerness in her eyes. We never go to dances, at least I don’t, but I know she wants to go to this one. She’s been hinting about it for a while.
“Who would I go to with? These teenage boys only think about one thing. Trust me, I know.” Every time someone had sex, I knew about it. I also knew whom they told and if they liked it. Sometimes it was funny when the girls grumbled to themselves because it was so bad. Well not bad… quick. I chuckled to myself as I wondered if college would be better or worse, hopefully better.
“Well I might go if Charlie asks me, but I don’t want to go without you. Can’t you just go this one time? You haven’t gone to any of the dances since you moved here.” Becky used to go all the time but that was before I knew her. She had been popular before her dad ran into some trouble.
“Who would I go with, Becky?”
“Probably anyone you wanted to. You’re beautiful Amber.” I knew I could get a date, but the boys thought I was unobtainable and wouldn’t ask. I guess I was in a way, but not because I was too good for them, it was because I had a hard time holding a conversation. I still slipped up with Becky all the time, but that was different because she knew my secret.
“Yeah right, that’s why so many boys ask me.” I can’t actually say that I know that boys want to date me. That would be weird, right?
“They stopped asking years ago because they knew what the answer would be. Please try,” she whined. “It’s our last dance.”
“I’ll think about it.” My lips quirked as I heard her think, Please, please, please go so I won’t have to endure those snobby girls by myself. “Stop doing that!” We both laughed as she pulled into the parking lot.
After we walked up the steps of the old two-story brick schoolhouse, Becky and I parted ways. I had math class first thing this morning and I wasn’t looking forward to it. Mr. Hooker always called on me trying to catch me daydreaming. It was like a weird little game we played. Taking a seat in the back of the room as always, I tried to ignore everyone’s thoughts but it never worked.
Ja
nie sat near the front. She had long, straight blonde hair and as far as I knew she wasn’t dating anyone, but she worried about being pregnant. Huh, interesting. Tim had a date tonight and was thinking of strategies to sleep with Gina. I almost laughed aloud when he thought about driving around all day just so he could run out of gas on his date. Then they could be alone in the dark. I guess he didn’t worry about what they would do after when they couldn’t actually get home. I chuckled a little at the thought.
Then there was Marla. She was jealous because Jake asked another girl to the dance, but that’s just Marla, she’s always mad, jealous, or angry over something. With seventeen people in my class, their thoughts just wouldn’t stop as they bombarded me with useless information.
Trying to shut them out, I let my mind wander to my mom again, not Sarah, but my real mom. The older I got, the more I thought about her. She died right after I turned four, so my memories are few. More like snapshots of times we had together. I remember that we moved around a lot but I don’t recall where or why. She constantly told me I was a very special little girl and to never reveal my real name. “Just use Amber,” she would say. I don’t remember if she ever told me the reason why. Not knowing who my father was, I often wondered if I got my odd ability from her or from him. I sat there daydreaming about my real family when Mr. Hooker’s voice snapped me back to attention.
“Well Amber, what’s the answer?” I’ve finally done it; she’ll never get this one right. I smiled when he thought about the answer in his head. He had a look of triumph and for one minute, I
thought of letting him win, but only for a minute.
Smiling I said, “1,315,” and his face fell. Maybe I should have just said I don’t know. I felt sorry for him, kind of. I’m valedictorian of my class for a reason, well because I can hear the answers everyone thinks. I guess it’s the same as cheating but it’s not like it’s intentional.
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