Awakening the Lion

by Crymsyn Hart

  Illiana bent down to get her dress, when she stopped. He heard her take in a long inhale. “I know you’re there. I can smell you. Come out.”

  Damn. Ohanzee stood slowly and walked out from behind the outcropping that had concealed him. Her dress was pressed against her body so it covered her nakedness. He wished she had not noticed him. He glanced at her once more and then back at the ground. “Sorry, Illiana. I didn’t realize that anyone else was out here. So you can shift into a wolf.”

  She giggled. “Ohanzee, you can look at me. Growing up in the flock you get used to being naked around everyone. We’re always flying around from place to place. And, yes, my other form is a wolf. Does it bother you?”

  He looked up and was dazzled by her eyes. Those same eyes he had seen in his dreams, all black irises with silver pupils in the center. He sucked in a quick breath and tried to find the words. He stared at her for a moment and saw she stared right back at him. “Sorry. No. It doesn’t bother me. There are those among our village who are also wolves. You surprised me because I didn’t know you were two-natured. You never mentioned it.”

  “It didn’t seem to be important. All that mattered was getting Marta here so she would be safe. Now she is.”

  Ohanzee thought about what she said, and he sensed Illiana was not telling the complete truth. “There’s more to it than that. The pendant you wear is one of ours. My sister thinks you procured it through trading. But . . . ”

  Illiana slipped the necklace over her neck and also tied her dress, exposing her luscious body to him once more. He tried to glance away, but he could not take his eyes from her, for the desire he had for her was unfathomable. He had never wanted a woman more. “But you don’t think so. You’re right.” She trailed her fingers along the chain and settled over the pendant. “I came here searching for people like myself. Thanks to you, I found them. I’m grateful that you showed us to your village. I’m in your debt.” She took his face between her smooth hands and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  Ohanzee could not help but press his lips into hers and return the kiss. Her scent intoxicated him, a mixture of the forest and the musk of the wolf. Illiana drew away quickly. Her eyes widened with surprise with the silver burning into his. “I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I thought . . . I’m sorry.”

  He backed away and ran into the forest. As he ran, Ohanzee shed his clothes and left them where they fell so he could take to the skies on wings. The air caressed him, but the taste of her lips did not leave him, nor did how the warmth of her body felt or how it had fit against him. She would be a wonderful fit if she did not have a mate—but she did. When she discovered he was different, Illiana would be like the rest, and he could not fathom the rejection in her eyes. Instead, he flew relentlessly until he was far away from the village.

  Chapter Nine

  Belik watched Illiana interacting with Marta, and he felt a pang of longing. They had been in the village for a couple of weeks. Ranolo, Illiana’s father, had come to visit them every day. They would talk for hours, it seemed, and sometimes he was left out of the conversation. He understood they were getting to know one another and catching up for lost time. Ranolo had found a couple in the village that Marta and Illiana liked, and together they chose to let them care for her. The little girl was happy and came to visit them often, of which he was glad. Over their journey he had come to care for her like a little sister and did not want anything to happen to her.

  They had decided to winter with the tribe of two-natured shifters. Ranolo had announced that they were visitors and to be treated with respect, but the backlash he had expected was not shown. Instead, the people welcomed them into their lives. There were a few who were cool to him and Illiana, but they did not shun him, and with her father, she blossomed. Although the shaman did not reveal that she was his daughter.

  And yet, he could not overcome the impression that Ohanzee had something planned for Illiana. The man kept his distance and watched her from afar. Something about his demeanor made him worry, and he could not help but feel a little jealous. He knew he should not because Illiana was his mate. She had made no showing of feelings for the other man. However, Belik wanted to keep an eye on the carver. He sat in front of the hut with his hand loom. He had traded for some thread with another weaver in town for a promise of the cloth when he was done. He had more than enough to make several things, and in the spring he could think about gathering his own store of things so he could build up some supplies. Of course that was if they were going to stay that long. He brushed off the thought about the future, for he did not know what was to come. Instead, he focused on his hands as he worked the loom. It brought back memories of his mother weaving before the fire. She would sing while she wove. His father had always thought she was the most beautiful raven in the flock. Belik had thought that, too, until he saw Illiana. He was still amazed that she had accepted him when she was so in love with Christopher. When she looked at her, Belik still saw the ache in her eyes. When she was in his arms sometimes, it seemed she was hollow. He craved to fill her back up and make her whole once more. When her heart was ripped out, he did not know how to heal it. Being with others who could switch their shapes into two different animals had given her a renewed sense of hope. He detected that in her eyes, but part of her was still missing.

  Something else was in store for the woman he loved. He could feel it. Even if she did not know it. Coret had even said there was a path to her destiny, and he wanted to be sure she figured it out. And he would be right at her side.

  “You are a talented weaver.”

  Belik glanced up from his work and saw Ranolo standing before him. He had barely gotten to talk to the man more than a few exchanged words about where they had come from. When Belik stared at the leader of the two-natured tribe, he saw how much Illiana resembled him and how much of her was also the flock. Why had the others hated her differences? Being different from the rest was not a bad thing. Going on this journey had made him realize how much ignorance there was in the world. People here had not treated him as though he were an outcast. They welcomed him. If she had been here, she would have been accepted.

  “Thank you, sir. My mother was considered the best weaver in our flock before she died. She taught me the trade.”

  “Our village could use another weaver with your skill.”

  “I appreciate that, but it really is up to Illiana what she wishes to do.”

  “You came with her on this voyage. You must love her very much.”

  He set the loom down. “She’s my world. I’d do anything for her—even follow her to the ends of the land. I’m glad that she’s found you. Growing up for her was tough in our flock. She had no friends, save a wolf shifter who . . . who ended up making a demanding decision and had to give her up.”

  Her father rubbed his chin. “That’s one reason I wanted to speak with you. I have no right to make any assumptions about Illiana since we’re still getting to know one another, but sometimes when she speaks about her travels and her life growing up, she leaves something out. She’ll stop, and I see her eyes glaze over. This wolf shifter, she loved him?”

  “His name is Christopher, and Illiana loved him very much. He was her friend since they were children. He wanted to be with her, but the laws between the Corvus flock and the wolf pack forbid the mating. She tried to fight her love for him, but it didn’t work. She discovered her wolf nature after Christopher tried to drive her away, right after our initiation. Illiana woke up by the sea and didn’t know how she got there. It took her several months to understand what had happened to her and what she truly was.”

  “If there is no mating between the different species, how did you end up being together?” Ranolo asked.

  Is it my right to recount Illiana’s story? But it’s also my story, too. “In the end, she revealed her secret to him. First, going to him as the wolf and piquing his curiosity. He asked his father for her to be made part of the pack. She walked through the fire an
d transformed into a wolf before the pack. They took her in. Christopher was shocked and hurt by her deception, and he ended up spurning her. I went to him and told him that Illiana needed him. She had stopped shifting and eating. His rejection was killing her. He finally came to see her and admitted he was being an ass. It was not my first idea to be mated to him and her, but if it made her happy, then I was going to do anything to keep her.”

  “So you allowed this other man to share the woman you loved and still were not jealous of him?”

  Belik shrugged. “It was all I could do. Yes, I was a little resentful of the two of them because she had loved him since she was a child. And I had to win her love. When it all came together, it was wondrous until the tragedy happened and she set out to find you.”

  “What happened? When I asked her what prompted her to come and find me after all this time, I could tell she was holding back.”

  “Why are you asking me all these questions? I figured you would want to grill me some time because I’m your daughter’s mate, but some of this story is not really mine to tell.”

  “I realize that, and I appreciate you telling me what happened. The reason I’m asking you now is because I have a feeling Illiana is more like me than she is like her mother. She has control over two of the elements, and I think there’s more to her.”

  “She’s always had other traits that the flock could not abide. And I agree with you. So did her aunt Coret. She said the same thing, that Illiana’s destiny would lead her to greater things. What do you think she can do?”

  Ranolo glanced over to where Illiana was with Marta. Belik followed his gaze and saw Ohanzee lingering in the shadows. He was carving something, but he looked up and gazed at his beloved. His jaw clenched, and the anger bubbled inside of him. It was one thing for him to accept Christopher into his life, but it was another to have an outside threat that was trying to horn in on their relationship. He felt a strong grip on his knee that brought him back to reality. Ranolo had gripped his leg to keep him pinned down.

  “I think you might have more to discuss than Illiana. You look at Ohanzee as though you were a predator about to take out his prey. Mixing up with him might not be the best idea.”

  “Is that a threat? Or a word of warning?” Belik asked.

  “Neither. A good piece of advice. Ohanzee has many of his own issues that he needs to work through. I see the way he looks at Illiana and if she were alone in her journeys, I would encourage him to pursue her. But I understand that he has to tread carefully. Illiana . . . ”

  “Illiana is kind to him because he was the one who led us here. But—”

  “But you think he has feelings for her. I can understand your apprehension. If there is something between them, you need to let it develop. It’s not your place to step in and keep her from her path.”

  He laughed. “Now you sound like Coret. If you can teach Illiana about who she is, I am grateful, but excuse me if I am out of line. I do not need another man competing for her affections.”

  “I don’t think you have a choice. All the single men of this village have been looking at her to see if she’s eligible. Some don’t mind sharing a woman.”

  “She hasn’t told me any of this.”

  Ranolo got up. “Maybe because she didn’t want to upset you. Think about it, Belik, if you are meant to accept another in your life, then so be it. Sometimes we are not complete without having all of the elements in place. Right now, Illiana is incomplete and needs more space to grow. You need to spread your wings, too.”

  “I’m not going to give her up. Not after I fought this hard to have her in my life.”

  The shaman shook his head. “You misunderstand my meaning. I’m not asking you to give up Illiana. She loves you more than herself. You are the anchor that has kept her going, but this journey is not just about Illiana learning who she is. It is also about you discovering who you truly are. Our hearts are able to accept more than we ever know. Take mine. I loved Lelana with everything I was. Her parents drove me off after I made my intentions known to mate with her. I had stopped in a village in the plains and was wounded by a clan of cougars there. I escaped their sacrifice and made it to the forest. All these years later, I could never take another for a mate, especially now, knowing that I have a daughter. At first I thought my heart could never make room for her, but it has. Fate has woven her into my life. Maybe Ohanzee is going to be woven into yours. You understand cloth, but have you ever thought what more you can weave?”

  “I don’t understand. Cloth is cloth. I can’t make wood into a scarf.”

  “True. However, some wood can be bent in a certain way and made into baskets. Granted, this might be used with a different skill, but your hands are the tools in which things can be shaped. You might not have the gift of controlling the elements, but you tie the people together around you. You see things in people that others don’t. I’m surprised that you never thought about going into the priesthood. It would suit you.”

  “I don’t have any special powers. There’s nothing mystical about me.”

  “There doesn’t have to be anything mystical about you. Not all priests are gifted with abilities; sometimes they are given ordinary gifts. The gift of using your hands is one of them. Another is the way you see the world and how you can make people see it that way, too. You have the ability to soothe those who are hurting. To give them hope and peace when it’s needed. That in itself is a gift. Think about it. You were there with your mother when she was passing. You snuck into the room when your father forbade it, and you eased her suffering. You went to Christopher and told him Illiana needed him. He fought against it, and yet he went to see Illiana because you asked him to.”

  “He would have eventually done that. H-how do you know that about my mother?” Belik asked. He had told no one about that, not even his mate. Ranolo was correct. When his mother lay dying, he had gone into the room when his father had forbidden him, fearing that he would catch the same fever, but he had wanted to see her before she had gone. When he did, his mother had been moaning in her sleep. Belik had placed his hand on her head. She had opened her eyes and stared at him, knowing he was there. His mother had focused on him and smiled. Belik had seen the relief in her eyes and soon she had taken her last breaths, and he knew that she had passed on into the spirit world.

  He tried to make sense of what Ranolo said, but when he went to ask the mystic, the other man was walking back to the village. He thought about going after him, but Illiana walked toward him. As she got closer, he stood. Ohanzee took a step toward her. He wished to follow his mate, but she did not notice the other man. Instead, her smile lit up her eyes and helped to ease some of the jealousy he felt toward the other man. Illiana wrapped her arms around him. He threaded his fingers through her silky hair and inhaled the wonderful musk and cedar fragrance that was uniquely hers. He kissed her along her cheek until he claimed her soft lips. Every time he kissed her, it was like he was doing it for the first time, and it always took his breath away. She pulled away, with amusement dazzling her eyes.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “I missed you,” he replied.

  “I was playing with Marta. She’s getting along well with the family who took her in. Although she misses her mother, she understands that she’s going to be staying here. She wanted to know if she could come over and play whenever she wanted. I told her she had to check with Stavia. Did you know that she can turn into a coyote along with a hawk? Her mate, Anton, can shift into a mountain lion and an owl.”

  “I didn’t. Guess Ranolo made a good decision about placing Marta with them. One of each who can turn into the animals she is. What about you? Do you miss the flock?”

  His mate sighed. “I miss Coret, and, oddly enough, I miss my mother. Is that bizarre?”

  “It’s not strange. I miss the forest and the wolf howls. Being in this village is different, but it’s not bad. I like it here, too.”

  “Do you want to stay longer than
the winter?” She bit her lip and chewed on it a little bit.

  Belik understood what she was asking. Did he want to stay here forever? Did he want to give up everything he knew and settle down? Was he going to ever want to go back to the flock? He trailed his fingers down Illiana’s cheek, enjoying her soft skin. “I’ll always be here for you. That is nothing you have to worry about. E-even if you find yourself wanting to be with someone from this village. The only thing I ask is that you don’t push me away. I’d hope that you would keep me by your side as well, the way that we were all together when we had Christopher in our lives.”

  Her brow creased with questions, and she searched his eyes. “You are the main reason I’m here. Without you, I never would’ve been able to make this trip. You are the one who kept me afloat when I needed it the most. I know that I don’t say it often enough, but I love you. Whatever gave you the idea that I was going to cast you aside?”

  “It’s stupid. I’m sorry I brought it up.” He turned to slip into the hut, feeling the shame of ever even bringing up the subject. Illiana cut in front of him, blocking the door so that he could not go anywhere.

  “No. Something is obviously bothering you, and I want to know what it is so that I can fix it. I’m asking again, why would you think I wouldn’t want to be with you?”

  “Ranolo mentioned that some of the men from the village had approached you to see if you were available.”

  Her eyes widened, and then her expression softened. “Oh . . . them. No, you don’t have to worry about them, Belik. I’ve turned all of them down. They want me because I’m something different—and I’m not about to have a casual relationship with one of them. And if I did, you would have to be with me. I’m not going to leave you out.”