by Owner
“I would know what this MX looks like.” Var focused on Mack.
“I am not sure. She appeared as a kitchen wench with brown hair, but when I touched her hand, I saw a tall female with red hair and green eyes.”
Foord, who had silently observed until now spoke, “There appears to be no end to the treachery of these females.”
Var ignored Foord’s comment, but when Mack moved as if to strike Foord, Var said, “I will hear no more of this. We still stand on the battlefield. There has been enough fighting today.”
Bess looked beyond them and flinched. Var looked and saw birds already feeding on the dead bodies that lay strewn. He needed to get her away from this place.
Mack addressed Var. “Go to the craft, I will take care of this.”
Var mounted his paccar and pulled Bess up in front of him. “We will speak of this later,” he promised.
Dare, silent for the entire exchange, moved out behind Var.
They passed by a group of the king’s men who lay burned and in need of medical help.
“I will find a way to make you pay for this, witch.” The voice was cracked and dry. He looked down to see Myra speaking through swollen, blackened lips.
Bess cringed when she saw the burn on Myra’s face and scalp. Clinging to Var as if he meant life itself, Bess whispered. “You will not kill Myra?”
Var considered the burned woman as he walked his paccar by her. “She is inconsequential. Forget about her, mouse. She can harm us no more.” It was just like his mate, she had worried he would kill Myra. Bess had an abundance of compassion. That was the reason she had such a difficult time when they had to end people.
He took Bess to their craft and escorted her aboard. In their cabin, he showed her the bath area and made sure she had clean clothes to change into. “You will be safe here. I will be back.”
Var was well aware they needed to be gone before the Cowls arrived. Though they would eventually fight the Cowls, it would not be today.
Years of mercenary work had taught them to load and unload quickly. Sometimes one needed to leave a place faster than planned.
Var decided he and Bess needed a nice hot shower to cleanse their bodies and their minds after the events of the morning. A fire starter. He had never considered a person, even an empath, could do such a thing.
Yes, they had a lot to discuss, he and his mate.
Chapter 43
Var found Mack and Foord arguing.
“Did you get a good look at her or not?” Foord asked.
Mack ground his teeth. “I saw her in the dungeon when I went to check on Var. She waited just outside his stall. I thought her a kitchen wench from her appearance, but when I spoke to her and touched her hand -- it -- her form blinked and I saw a taller, leaner, woman with long red hair and light green eyes.
Var considered the anguish and confusion on Mack’s face. Mack was never serious. Mack went from female to female and battle to battle with a song in his heart.
“In truth I do not know how she can change her appearance.” Var sighed. “We will find her. But it will be another time.”
“These MX are dangerous.” Foord began. “They have abilities no one ever heard of. I do not believe in magic. I would know how they are able to start fires and to change their appearance. And with all of their skills, why do they need to be rescued?”
Var looked at Foord. “We are taking them to sanctuary.”
Foord spit on the ground. “And we hope this one does not set fire to the craft before we get her to safety.”
Var silenced him with a glare. Foord turned and stomped away. Foord’s attitude did not help to calm Mack, but then, he had never seen Mack in this state.
“We will depart now, before the cowls arrive and we have to fight them also,” Var said. “Get on the transport.”
When Var turned to walk away, he heard Foord complain. “This time she might burn us instead of the enemy.”
Var continued on to confer with the leaders of the warrior groups. They had lost very few males in this battle and that had much to do with Bess burning the arrows in the sky and then rendering the catapults inoperable with her fire.
Why had she kept that a secret? So many times she could have told him. But then, she could also have told him about the other empath.
***
Var entered their cabin to find Bess sitting on the bed with a book. Barefoot, toes on the floor, heels in the air, so she could prop the book on her knee at the proper angle for reading, she took his breath away. She had small, delicate toes and the arch of her foot made a beautiful line. The female had beautiful feet. Her green eyes appeared large, almost glowing in the artificial light of the room.
Var sat down beside her and gently pulled her feet into his lap so he could stroke them. Soft. Her skin was soft and she smelled good.
“I would know why you did not tell me about the other empath.”
When Bess cringed, Var felt as though his heart had been pierced.
“I will not harm you. I want to know why. You know we are taking empaths to sanctuary. Why would you not tell me there was another empath here?”
Bess’s mouth opened, but she made no sound. Her lips were like the rest of her, soft and beautiful.
“I say again. Do not fear me. I will not hurt you. I await your answer.” He let the silence hang.
“I-It was too late. The only chance I had to tell you was after we left the castle and I knew she was escaping that night.”
Var nodded. “Yes, but we came back. If Mack had not mentioned her, I would not have known.”
Bess stared at her hands. “If Mack had told you sooner...”
“I do not think Mack believed she existed even after he saw her.” Var met her gaze. “I would know how she can change her appearance.”
Bess shrugged. “It is her gift.”
The silence felt heavy.
She sighed. “No, we cannot all do it. I don’t think the Facility was fully aware of her ability. I envy her.”
“I would understand why you envy her, little mouse.”
“B-because my gift is horrible and hers is... She does not hurt people with her gift.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I told you, mouse, we are more than what we have to do to survive. You saved many Kryst warriors today. Those who fought for the king could have surrendered. They chose to fight. Their intent was to kill us. The other night in the arena, they were going to kill me. I am glad to be alive, mouse. And I am glad you are alive.”
He nuzzled her neck, feeling her emotions through touch. Var loved the scent of her soft hair.
“And your gift of fire starting, I would know how the Facility felt about that.”
Bess’s lower lip trembled. “They didn’t know. I was never trained to use any of my gifts. I also read people’s dreams. That was the only gift they knew about, but they saw no use for it. The fire starting was too – dangerous. They would have ended me for that.”
Var stroked her hair. She had hidden her gift of fire starting in order to stay alive. No wonder the girl was still so secretive.
She was crying. Her sobs wrenched at his heart. “It’s my fault they closed the Facility. When we arrived at the auction in this ‘land of slavers’, my handler sold me and walked away. He didn’t even look back. The slavers ambushed him and killed him and took back the danon they had just paid for me. Th-they killed the whole team that brought me from the Facility. My handler knew they were going to kill the rest of the team from the Facility after they bought me, but he didn’t expect them to kill him also. I had never been so scared. I was upset and I lost control and I burned them all. After I started, I couldn’t stop it and I burned them all.”
Her breath hitched. Var held her close. “My little mouse, your handler sold you into slavery and the team allowed it. I am not sorry they are gone.” It saved him the trouble of having to hunt them down.
When she stopped sobbing, she turned her face to him with tears heavy on her lashes.
“Katy was… Katy helped me. At the castle. She helped me control my gift. She made herself look like someone who had worked in the kitchen. The girl’s name was Solange and after she died, Katy took on her countenance, mannerisms and voice. None of them suspected she wasn’t Solange. I did not know until later that Mack had seen her. I was hoping he would forget her. Sometimes she tells people to forget and they do. Mack might be immune to her gift.”
“Mack searched for her today at the castle.”
“She said she had an escape planned just before we went into the courtyard. I didn’t feel her at all when we were close to the castle today. I think she must be gone.”
“What did she tell you of her escape plans?”
“Nothing. And I did not ask.” After a long silence she continued. “Katy has trust issues.”
Var rubbed her back. When she relaxed, he felt that she was drained. Exhausted. Yes, he was without honor, but he took her then. Slowly, and carefully, but he took her. He would blot out the horror for her and make her feel only him.
Chapter 44
Arriving at the home of the warlords was an experience she could not have predicted. The size of the castle was amazing. The entire grand building was set at the foot of a great mountain within a mountain range of towering peaks. The keep itself had been built of stone with rustic red around the doors and windows. It was surrounded by a tall stone wall. The sentries on guard on top of the wall were heavily armed.
They passed through huge double doors that led to the area enclosed by the wall. Var explained it was called the ‘bailey’. The castle itself looked to be at least three stories high, made of stone. It gave her the impression of strength, much like the warlords themselves who filed out to greet them.
Bess smiled when she saw Claire and Anna and Destiny. Claire left her place beside the large warlord with almost white hair. When she came forward, Anna and Destiny also stepped out with her. Bess moved toward them after Var let her down from the paccar.
Feelings exploded within Bess when she joined hands with Claire. They stood like that a long time as each passed and processed the emotions and thoughts of the others. One at a time, Anna and Destiny came forward until they formed a small circle holding hands. The empaths shared as they’d never been allowed to do at the Facility. It had all been worth it. Everything they had gone through, it was worth it to be together now.
The warlords were close by giving them a chance to greet each other. Empaths and warlords alike walked through the castle into the garden. Bess realized the place was even larger than it appeared from the outside. While they shared in the garden, the warlords went into a room for a debriefing.
Var waited for her just inside the great hall when the empaths entered. He offered his arm and escorted her up the stairs to the second floor. The hall was wide and she understood that all the warlords had rooms here. Inside Var’s apartment, there was a small kitchen and a sitting area. Through a door, lay the bedroom and off the side of it, another door opened to a large bathroom. These warlords took their bathing seriously. Bess couldn’t wait to get into the sunken pool and relax in the hot water. There was a large square shower with nozzles that would spray from all sides. After she was clean, Var had a woman bring in clothing for her to change into. The color of the dress went well with her eyes. She took advantage of the mirror and studied the lavaliere. When she went out to the bedroom, she found Var waiting on her.
“Do you people have an aversion to buttons?” she asked.
Var’s eyes softened as if he hid a grin. It was the first time she could be sure she’d seen him smile. “We do not use a lot of buttons, no.”
When they joined hands, she felt his joy at seeing her in his apartment.
“It is good to see you here.”
“It is good to be here with you, warlord.”
***
Bess checked the mirror again before going to the dining room. A woman had delivered several dresses made for her and this one was gorgeous. She decided it must be a special dress.
Var waited patiently. One more look in the mirror and she left her changing room. Var took her breath away. He was wearing nice clothes. A loose white shirt was open at the collar and revealed some of his chest. His pants were dark, but she did not recognize the fabric. His blond hair was pulled into a queue at his nape. He held out his arm and she put her hand on the top of his forearm. “You are beautiful,” he said.
Bess smiled up at him. She wanted to tell him that she thought him beautiful, but knew he did not like to hear that, even though he was. Very beautiful.
They left their apartment and went down the wide hall to the stairs. The castle or keep they lived in was beautiful and large. She had not even seen all of it yet. Bess had always yearned for privacy growing up at the Facility, but here everyone lived together and yet maintained their separate lives. The thing she had wanted more than privacy was safety and she had that here. And there weren’t cameras in every room spying on her here, so she had privacy as well.
The main thing she liked was that no one told her what to do.
This was her first time to go down to the dining room. Var had kept her pretty busy in his apartment the first few days after their arrival and he’d had their meals sent up to them. She had been out to visit the other empaths a few times.
She’d been working to memorize the names of the warlords. The people of Kryst did indeed welcome them.
This place was a haven. Koda, the one called Warlord Leader, had given the empaths a place of their own to congregate and train outside. They even had a parlor, just for women. Well, they called it a female parlor, but it was for the empaths.
When they entered the dining area, all eyes fell on her and conversation stopped.
“I was beginning to think we should send a search party to your apartment,” Lodi said.
“No one would risk facing the point of Var’s sword.” Revi chimed in.
“Or the point of anything else Var has.” Lodi muttered. Hearty laughter rippled around the table.
Her face heated at their merriment.
Mack gave her a wink.
She felt support from Claire and the other empaths.
Var’s hand on hers let them transmit their feelings to each other.
All the warlords had looked at her freckles with interest. Not that anyone dared get too close. Evidently, males gave the mates of other warlords plenty of personal space.
Koda and Claire were definitely together. Claire was what they called, mated and claimed, the equivalent of married in societies she had studied.
She was excited about the approach of her own claiming ceremony. Var said he wanted her to have a little time to acclimate to his society, but so far, she’d spent most of her time acclimating in his bed.
After the meal, she and Var strolled through the beautiful garden. Even in the darkness, the scents of the flowers were captivating. They’d been down here in the early morning hours. He had taken her to a special place to watch the sun come over the horizon. It was beautiful. She was amazed that this big, beautiful male could appreciate beauty, even after all the horror of his childhood.
Bess walked in his thoughts as she did the dreams of others. She shared the pain of his past. Perhaps he was eased because of it, or perhaps it was because he had a future now. They shared their joy and their hope and worked to put the horrors of their pasts behind them.
She’d spent many hours in Var’s heavily muscled arms feeling his warmth and sharing her feelings through her touch. Bess had never dared imagine she could feel this kind of happiness. It no longer mattered that she had been hunted and despised. She was a part of this group. Koda was a great leader. His warlords respected him. Confidence rolled off of all of them, but from Koda, she felt more. He was building a family for all of them.
She and Var had shared and discussed. She knew he felt responsible for his mother’s death and that was one reason he dearly hated the slavers. Bess wasn’t sure she could ever ease that pain fo
r him. She’d given him her heart and he’d given her his faith in her. Instead of being seen as a threat because of her fire starting abilities, she was welcomed as an asset to their team. A war was coming. It was on the horizon, and she felt it most especially when she walked in Anna’s dreams.
Anna saw the future and she was never wrong.
***
Var had asked her if she felt ready for the claiming ceremony. Bess did want to be claimed. Mated and claimed is what they called it and evidently it was a pairing of two people.
Bess assured Var she was ready.
Alone in the bedroom, Var loved her gently and tenderly. When he was done, she felt an energy from him that was at once frightening and exciting. On the floor of the bedroom covered by a thick rug, he maneuvered her to her knees while he knelt behind her and pushed her forward so that her hands supported her.
Already slick from their earlier lovemaking, he slammed into her, but then held absolutely still.
Bess felt the emotions raging within him and was shocked when she heard his voice growl, mine.
She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. His fisted hand in her hair tightened. Again, his voice came in a raspy growl.
“Mine.”
His emotions were dark, intense. A sob wracked out of her. “Yes. Yours.” She admitted.
Var did nothing to hide his satisfaction. In fact, he flooded her with it. He overwhelmed her.
He began then and she understood why he had wanted to wait. This was a stronger, more violent coupling than anything that came before. Just as the powerful orgasm rolled through both of them, he placed his lips on her neck where it met her shoulder. He bit her. The orgasm continued for an impossibly long time. Wave after wave hit her along with his emotions. She felt the climax shatter the very foundation of her life and realized if she had not already shared her essence with him, this mating would have done that.
Var’s gravel voice wrapped her in a cocoon as he said, “I am yours and you are mine.” After a few moments, she heard his voice like gravel. “Say it.”