by KA Young
I didn’t, I’m not sure why. I was thinking it, but the words wouldn’t form on my tongue. I rolled back on top of him and began kissing his chest. It was so smooth, so muscular, and so damn sexy. I pulled the sheet lower on his body and continued kissing him further down.
I looked up at him, putting all the desire I felt for him in my eyes. I reached his large erection and licked the crown, watching his eyes roll to the back of his head. I relished having this power over him. I started to take him completely in my mouth when he reached down and jerked me up. He devoured my mouth, sucking my tongue deeply into his own. Then his hand went under my nightgown and tore my panties off. I felt him penetrate me so deep that I cried out into his mouth. It felt so good that I was about to come, I could feel it!
“Oh God!” I cried out so loud that I startled myself. Startled myself awake, that is. I sat up in my bed. I was completely alone. Oh shit! I just had the mother of all erotic dreams. I fell back against the pillow.
Chapter 13
I woke to beautiful sunlight streaming through the window. I sat up, a little disoriented after last night. The dream had been so incredibly real. I got up, trying to shake the dream’s images away, and went to the bathroom; deciding to dress in combat gear and hoping to get a workout in today. I missed sparring with Torch.
As I left my room and started wandering through the halls, there were no windows anywhere else in this compound that I could see. It was depressing. I started down the back steps when I spotted the young were girl from last night.
“Hi. Um, I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name last night.”
She hurried up the steps to me.
“I am called Isla.”
“That’s a pretty name. I was wondering, Isla, if you could tell me where the kitchen or dining hall is?”
“Of course, the warriors take their meals in the kitchen. It’s down the stairs and to the left. We don’t have a dining hall in this compound.”
“How many warriors would you say are here?” I pressed, hoping she would give this information that I needed.
She cocked her head slightly, seeming very in tune with her wolf side. I had a lot to learn about the weres. I was beginning to assume this was a common characteristic amongst them.
“About a hundred are currently here. I think we are expecting more shortly. They are scheduled to arrive here before the relocation.”
Well, well, well. This little were was full of information.
“Thank you, Isla; I am sorry that I detained you.” She smiled and went on her way.
I picked up the sound of chatter as I neared the kitchen. I was hoping for the kind of spread I was offered by Eli’s group.
I felt a little sad when I thought of Eli; but downright depressed when I thought about Elise. I missed her something awful. I took a deep breath and went in.
It was a large, tiled room that served as both kitchen and dining hall. There seemed to be about fifty warriors eating at the long, rectangular tables; packed together like sardines, shoulder to shoulder. I scanned the room, hoping to spot some other women eating, but I was out of luck. Then I spotted one Nephilim woman. As I got a little closer, I realized she was being harassed by one of the warriors who was pulling her onto his lap. At first, I thought they might be paired; that is, until I noticed the distress all over her face. She had tears welling up in her eyes.
A couple of the other warriors at the table were telling him to let her go, but he made no move to do so. I had seen enough. I prowled closer to the table and the chatter began to die down when the others took notice of me.
I put my dagger to the warrior’s throat. “Release the girl, asshole. She obviously doesn’t want your company.”
He whirled on me, flinging the woman away. She was caught by another warrior who assisted her getting up as the first man slammed me against the wall. Rage filled me as I sought my flame and it felt great!
“Holy shit! Her eyes! You guys seeing this? She’s the female warrior from the prophecy. Nyoka did it! He found her,” I heard one warrior shout while a few others grumbled.
Asshole wasn’t impressed. Good, I was ready for a fight. He jumped at me, pulling his blade, but I deftly spun away.
I roundhouse kicked Asshole and sent him sliding across one of the long tables, knocking all the trays to the floor, covering him in food. I laughed. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?” I mocked him and earned a laugh from the warriors.
“Bitch, you’re going to bleed for that.”
“Promises, promises,” I snarled at him.
Two warriors rushed him, each grabbing an arm to restrain him.
“Darrin, you can’t attack her. The prophecy states…” one of the warriors began.
“That prophecy is bullshit! And I can do anything I damn well please. Now get off me!”
Before he could get free, Nyoka flew in and took control of the room. He got in Asshole’s face.
“Darrin, what in the hell do you think you’re doing? You’ve been a loose cannon lately, get control of yourself.”
Nyoka then turned to me. I could tell I annoyed him, but I couldn’t care less.
“You have no need of those daggers, please re-sheath them.” Seeing I had no choice, one hundred against one weren’t exactly great odds, I did as he said.
He turned and faced his warriors, those that were already there, and those who had filed in during the commotion. “I see you have all met Anna.” Everyone laughed except for Darrin. He glared at me. I smiled and winked at him. He knew he couldn’t get to me with Nyoka present.
Nyoka put his hand on my lower back. “You will take your breakfast with me.” He began to lead me past the warriors, most of them looking on curiously at me.
“That’s perfectly fine with me if you assure me that no one will touch the young woman again.” I wanted to ensure her safety from the asshole and his friends.
“I assure you, she will be perfectly safe.” Nyoka raised his voice and eyed the crowd with authority. Seeing the warriors respond to his command made me feel a world better.
“Okay, let’s go; there’s way too much testosterone in this room.” Nyoka chuckled. I halted at the door.
I turned and faced the warriors; all of them were watching me leave.
“It’s been a pleasure, fellas! Let’s do this again real soon.” I waved both hands in the air as laughter broke out once more.
I smiled and left the room.
After eating breakfast, Nyoka and I went into his study. I was sitting in front of his desk while he lectured me on the proper deportment of a queen. I rolled my eyes.
“I was also born to be a warrior and Darrin, whose name will forever be Asshole to me, was way out of line.”
“I agree that he was out of line. He has been a problem now for some time.” He pointed his finger at me. “You still cannot pick fights with the men.”
I tossed my hair back and laughed. It sounded so funny coming out of his mouth. Little, ol’ me, Anna Wilkins, picking fights with big, tough warriors twice my size!
His gaze lost all of its sternness and now exuded hunger. Seeing him that way reminded me of my dream and caused me to blink before I glanced away.
He came around his desk and sat on the front of it, his knees touching mine.
“Anna, I think you and I should talk about what happened last night.”
Oh hell, did he somehow know about my dream?
“What dream would that be?”
Oh, shit, shit, shit! Shield!
“Interesting choice of words and I’m glad to see you are well-versed on shielding. Now, what’s this about a dream?” He leaned over and lifted my chin.
“It’s nothing. Just a stupid dream I had last night. What did you want to talk about?”
“Dreams are never nothing. They mean a great deal to our people and sometimes they can be visions of what is to come.” I shifted in my chair as he regarded me with interest.
“Anna, you must tell
me about it. Maybe I can help you learn of its significance.”
Okay, fine, whatever. I was a grown woman with nothing to be ashamed of. I composed myself, being sure to keep the shield in place.
“After you left, I was still keyed up, okay?” I rubbed my nose.
“Okay. Please, continue.”
“I had a hard time sleeping and, when I finally fell asleep; I woke up in the dream and felt you calling me. Not audibly, but on the inside. Oh, I don’t know; it sounds so stupid when I say it out loud.” Nyoka leaned forward as I began speaking.
“Not stupid at all. That is the mating bond we feel calling to us. It is a very real thing. We are powerless against it.”
That’s exactly the way I felt last night.
“Anyway, I went to your room and…” I stood up and ambled to the opposite side of the room. I needed to put some space between us.
“Anna, was I awake when you came to my room?” I shook my head no.
“How do I sleep?” I wasn’t sure what he was asking me.
I raised my eyebrows.
“I mean what do I sleep in?”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. It was only a dream.” I scratched the back of my head.
He closed the distance between us. He wanted an answer and I was ready to end this conversation.
“Nothing, you sleep nude.” I blurted out. I could tell by the expression on his face that I was correct. “That doesn’t prove anything; a lot of men sleep that way. Back up. I can’t breathe.” I felt like a caged animal. He took a step backward, giving me a little more space.
“May I ask one more question?” He held up one finger. “Just one more question and we can drop the whole thing.”
“What?” I crossed my arms.
“Where is my birthmark?” He was watching me like a hawk, awaiting my response.
I thought back. Did I see his birthmark? No, I didn’t think so … and then the image hit me. When I went down on him, wasn’t it right beside his---? Yeah. My face reddened.
He gripped my shoulders.
“You’ve seen it. Tell me out loud, Anna. Where is my Nephilim birthmark?”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe I was wrong, he could burst out laughing and it all could have been nothing more than a sex-deprived woman’s dream.
“It’s right beside your penis,” I spat out.
He sucked in a breath. Dammit! Things kept getting more complicated.
I needed to talk to Elise now more than ever. I was beginning to believe that she and I were destined to pair up. Desperately seeking advice, I got an idea.
I slowly opened my eyes. Nyoka was gawking at me as if he had never seen me before. He was speechless.
“Nyoka, if I asked you for something, would you get it for me?”
“If the request lies within my power to do so, absolutely.” He released his grasp on me.
“When I was with the other warriors, I had a friend. Her name was Elise. I would like very much to see and talk to her.”
He opened his mouth to speak when we were again interrupted by a warrior who knocked once before coming through the door. He looked from Nyoka to me and back at Nyoka.
“I apologize for the intrusion; we have Intel of an impending attack.” Just then, the walls shook and I gripped Nyoka’s arms to steady myself.
“Eli?” Nyoka held onto me as he addressed the warrior.
“Yes, sir. He sent a young woman with the message.”
A young woman. It had to be Elise. Eli was no fool. He would never send anyone I didn’t fully trust here.
“Nyoka, it’s Elise. You have to let me speak with her.” He looked down at me.
“I think that it would be best if you were somewhere safe. I will not have you harmed.”
“No! I need to see her,” I protested.
“Give the order to ready the men for battle. We need to get out of this compound. We are sitting ducks here and make sure the young woman makes it safely back to her people.”
“Yes, sir.” Fast as lightning, he was gone.
Chapter 14
Nyoka had a vise-like grip on my arm. “I need to take you somewhere that you will be safe. You must try to understand.”
When another blast shook the compound, I took advantage of the distraction. I jerked my arm free of Nyoka’s grasp and ran. This is where my gift of speed came in handy. I wasn’t about to be pushed around. It was my life, my decision.
Werewolves were scattering and flashes of light lit the hallways of the compound as they all changed into their wolf forms. I ran through the kitchen and right into a wolf that blocked my path. It was yipping as if it wanted me to follow him. An episode of Lassie popped into my head, causing me to giggle. The wolf growled at me in response. I guess it didn’t get the memo about my inappropriate reactions to intense situations. Pulling it together, I gazed into the face of the wolf. It was Isla; of that, I had no doubt. The eyes were identical. I followed her into the cellar to find her pawing at the dirt floor over in the corner. I crouched down and gave the rope handle she had between her teeth a solid tug. It opened to reveal another long staircase. This place was full of dark staircases. It smelled musty and had a zillion cobwebs. I gave her a pat on the head and went down, pulling the door closed above me. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness and hurried through it. God, I would be so glad when I no longer had to go into dark tunnels as if I were a burrowing rat.
When I reached the end, I felt around the dirt walls for a door. No door, but there was a rope. I quickly scaled the rope and pushed on the wooden door that covered the passageway. It wouldn’t budge. I clung to the rope with one hand and punched two, huge, gaping holes through it. I didn’t come down here to get stuck. I began to hoist my body up when a hand reached down and jerked me up. I reared back to deck whoever it was, but he wrapped both his arms around me and pulled me to his chest, creating a human straightjacket; so I head butted him, breaking his nose and causing blood to cover my face.
“Dammit, Anna it’s me! What’s with you always breaking my nose?” Torch shouted, gripping me tighter.
“Sorry, but a killer warrior taught me to strike first and ask questions later.” I winked at him. I was really glad to see him.
“Put her down, Torch.” Nyoka’s deadly command came from the woods behind us.
Torch and I were surrounded by warriors. Nyoka and his men were on one side while Eli and his men were on the other.
“Torch, bring her to me,” Eli’s voice rang out clearly. Torch put me behind him and proceeded to walk backwards. Nyoka stepped forward.
“Eli, don’t make me kill you. You are my brother, and I was willing to forgive you for bespelling me all those years ago. I deserved it after attempting to hide Anna’s whereabouts from you, but I’ve had a lot of time to think. I do not want a war. Enough of our blood has been shed over the years.”
“Nyoka, you crossed the line. You fraternized with the yetzer hara and used them to get to Annabelle. You are no longer one of us.”
I did not want to cause a fight between the brothers. I had already ruined the lives of one set of brothers; I refused to be responsible for another. I quickly stepped around Torch and stood in the middle of the opening, getting up on a boulder that rested against a tree.
“I will not be the cause of anymore bloodshed! This war between you two has gone far enough.” From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the flash of a blade.
My pendant began to glow. I ducked down to avoid being struck and the blade fell to the ground. It bumped against an invisible barrier made by my pendant. I reached down and stroked it.
I heard gasps from the woods. “It’s the queen’s opal!” They all seemed to recognize my necklace. A look of awe was on some of their faces.
Nyoka grabbed the responsible party and instantly removed his head from his body. Well, what do you know? It had been Asshole. I crossed my arms while making eye contact with Nyoka.
“I told you Asshole was bad n
ews.”
Nyoka smiled as he came closer to me, but then Eli blocked his advances. Both warriors’ eyes were glowing, each ready to strike.
“I mean it! I will not tolerate any more fighting.” I projected my voice even louder.
“No more Nephilim blood will be shed by one of our own! Enough is enough! You two must agree on a blood vow for this. Bring it to an end and unite forces.”
“Annabelle, you do not know what you are asking.” Eli turned to face me. I didn’t care what happened in the past, but I would not ruin anyone else’s future.
“I am not asking, Eli. If you want my cooperation, then you must vow a truce. Or I will leave.” My barrier protected me from the two of them as well. They could not strong-arm me anymore. It was my decision to stay or leave and they both knew it was true.
Torch stepped forward. He looked at me with such reverence before pulling out his blade and slicing his palm. He went down on one knee.
“Torch, what are you doing? Go back to ranks.” Eli ordered, yet Torch didn’t comply.
Instead, he squeezed his fist, allowing blood to drip onto the ground. “I vow to protect and serve Annabelle, the true and rightful queen of the Nephilim, above all others for as long as I live. Long live Queen Annabelle!”
He came forward and reached for my hand. I stepped down and gave it to him. The invisible shield let him in.
I was in shock. What did he just do? He stood beside me, ready to defend me to the death. I didn’t know what to say; all I could do was gape at him.
He nodded forward. “I told you that you would change our future.” I looked up to see a line of warriors all waiting their turn to make their blood vows to serve and protect me. One by one, they all vowed their allegiance with their lives. Torch leaned his head down close to mine.
I was speechless. I couldn’t believe this was happening. When they were all finished, they stood ready to take on both Eli and Nyoka, their kings. Not that I thought that would be necessary.
Nyoka was the first to approach me. He was beaming with pride as he bowed his head.