Ambriel’s Quest
Book 2
(The Ambriel Series)
By
Hannah Davenport
Copyright September 2016 Hannah Davenport
Cover Art: Mniroshana
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles.
Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
All characters and events in this book are not real and are figments of my imagination.
Ambriel’s Quest Book 2 picks up where Ambriel ends. It is strongly suggested that you read Ambriel (Book 1) first.
Ambriel is trying to make a home for herself in the Cusasleon realm. She’s found her mate, along with family she had long thought dead, a place to call home. Everything is going well until Ornias comes to her in dream and kills Sarah. If she doesn’t leave the Cusasleon realm, he threatens to make her dream a reality, and then kill everyone she knows in the small town of Sanstone.
Mikal is hunting in the Human realm and she worries about what to do. Not wanting Sarah or her friends to meet certain death, she calls on her power of premonition and decides to quickly warn Sarah to leave town. Everything is going according to plan until Ornias shows up and drags her against her will to the Santiarn realm. She made a huge mistake!
Mikal has lost his mate, and it’s all his fault! He has no idea how to get Ambriel back from the Santiarn realm. It doesn’t help when the Elder Risya informs him that she only revealed part of the prophecy before, and all is as it should be. Ambriel is on a quest to find a key that will win the war. It’s a dangerous path that only Ambriel can take, for the key will only reveal itself to her.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter One
Ambriel
The Cusasleon Realm
“How are your feet this morning?” The sound of Mikal’s voice had Ambriel turning to her mate and smiling. He’d been so sweet the night before as he helped clean the bark and blood from her cut-up feet. She still had trouble believing that Nanya had been so cruel, jealousy and hatred fueling her actions. She’d kidnapped Ambriel and then handed her over to the enemy, the Santiarns, to be either killed or tortured, probably both.
“They’re okay, a little tender, but I can live with that.” She crawled back into bed and snuggled into his comforting arms. The dread of the day weighed heavily on her. “I’m sorry about your friend.” Nanya had been Mikal’s friend and fellow warrior. They had fought many battles together, and Ambriel could tell that he felt conflicted. At one hundred years old, he was expected to take a mate and had once considered Nanya until Ambriel came along. It was against the Cusasleon law to interact with humans, but the pull between the two was impossible to deny. True mates, that’s what Mikal had called them.
After kissing her cheek, he replied, “Thank you. I still can’t believe she did that to you… to me.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve known her most of my life, and I still can’t believe she tried to have my true mate killed.”
Not knowing what to say, Ambriel snuggled a little closer and just listened to him talk. “We’re having a small gathering before committing her body to the sacred tomb of warriors.”
Nanya had been a longtime friend of his, but Ambriel had no love for the female. Not once had Nanya been nice, not even during the hours they’d spent training together. “When will it be?”
“Later today. I want you with me, Ambriel.” She heard the uncertainty in his steady voice. It sounded more like a question, even though it was given as a command.
She sighed. The last thing Ambriel wanted was to attend this gathering. “If you need me to go, then I will.”
“Thank you.” He hugged her a little tighter, resting his cheek on the top of her head.
“Are we hunting in the Human realm this morning?” They needed her to win the war, or at least that was what the prophecy foretold. She could spot the Santiarns when they entered a human host, whereas the Cusas could not. How could one person among the hundreds, even thousands of Santiarns make a difference? It didn’t seem possible.
“No,” he said firmly before releasing her and sliding out of bed.
Ambriel jumped up, forgetting about her sore feet until she landed firmly on the hard floor. “Agh,” she grimaced before sitting down on the side of the bed. “What do you mean, no?”
“What did you not understand? You’re not going back to the Human realm.” Mikal grabbed the transport crystal from the table.
“Hey, that’s mine!” Not caring about her aching feet, she jumped up again with every intention of taking it back from him.
“It was never yours. Avis lost it in an alley, so it technically belongs to him.”
Mikal’s authoritative voice made Ambriel fume. “So that’s it? You get to decide when and where I go? What about your promise to let me keep the transport crystal? Remember that?” she yelled. Her voice dripped with anger, was laced with hurt.
“Yes, that’s it. I’m the Commander, and you are half-Cusas. I give the orders here.” His flippant tone only fueled her anger into rage.
“You asshole! Either take me to my father, or send me back to the Human realm, but I will not stay here with you!” She grabbed her clothes that lay scattered on the floor and headed to the bathroom. If he thought he could keep her here, well, she’d show him. There was no way she would stay with a domineering asshole who thought he could tell her what to do. For years, she’d taken care of herself, and she would continue to do so. To her, mating meant equals, talking things over… compromise.
She hastily stepped into her pants before pulling the green T-shirt over her head, all the while plotting in her head. She would leave here one way or another. Prophecy be damned! Marching back into the main room, she threw open the door and was about to leave when Mikal grabbed her by the arm, halting her retreat.
“Ambriel, I’m sorry.” She heard the sincerity in his voice before catching his sad gaze with her angry one. She let him pull her into his body but refused to hug him back. “I’m not good at relationships,” he whispered softly into her messy auburn hair.
“You just can’t order me around and make me do what you want. It doesn’t work that way,” she said in a more rational tone. Finally, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I’m trying,” he admitted. “I lost you yesterday. Words can’t explain what that feels like. I don’t want you entering the Human realm until you’ve had more training. Even though you can hear everyone’s thoughts and see the future, I’d still feel better if you knew how to wield a sword.”
After letting most of her anger go, she firmly stated, “I don’t want you to enter the Human realm without me. I will not sit idly by and do nothing.” In her mind, a mate should be equal to a partner. She didn’t expect to be treated as the Commander, but he wouldn’t treat her like one of his warriors.
After some reluctance, he finally agreed. “Fine, but you must train hard every day.”
“Fine.” He kissed her forehead and then stared into her blue eyes before releasing her. She headed back to the main room feeling a little better. “Will you give me back the transpo
rt crystal?”
“Let me keep it for now, give it back to Avis. Eventually, you’ll have one of your own.” His eyes pleaded for understanding, and if she looked closely, she could see the spark of fear that still remained from the previous day.
“Okay, at least for now. But I do want one of my own. I will not be a prisoner here.” Her voice was stern, making sure he understood how important this was to her. When he nodded, she wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his muscled chest. “Thank you.”
Mikal
A small crowd of warriors had gathered for the committal ceremony. Mikal felt conflicted and hurt. As he waded through uncharted waters with Ambriel by his side, the others’ quick glances at his mate didn’t escape his attention. He could feel the uncertainty pulsing in the air, the other Cusas wondering why the female warrior had been killed but a human walked among them.
His closest warriors knew that Ambriel was his true mate, but many others on the castle grounds did not. He needed to tread carefully, slowly, let the Cusas get used to her presence.
Looking at the tomb that held Nanya’s body, he felt grief mixed with anger balled up in the pit of his stomach. They had been friends, and sometimes lovers, but nothing exclusive. He didn’t kid himself into thinking she’d loved him; this was about the title of mate and helping him rule the Cusasleon realm.
He heard the Elder say the departing words, although he didn’t really listen. Instead, he tried to make sense of Nanya’s unnecessary death. She knew that kidnapping Ambriel and handing her over to the enemy would mean certain death. Nanya must have thought that the Santiarns would kill Ambriel, and Mikal would never find out what happened. All because she wanted to help him rule. That was the exact reason they were fighting the Santiarns—they wanted to rule all three realms. Power easily corrupts.
“Are you okay?” Ambriel asked, standing with her shoulder touching his arm. They didn’t show affection during this sacred ceremony, but he appreciated her support.
“I am,” he whispered back.
When the ceremony adjourned, the two of them met with Lukke, Avis, and Damien for a tumbler of ale in Mikal’s private chambers. He and Ambriel sat on the dark leather couch, while Lukke and Avis sat in chairs that faced the couch. Damien stood near the stone fireplace. Not that a fireplace was useful in the Cusasleon realm, Mikal just liked the way it looked.
Coughing, Ambriel said, “This stuff is strong. How do you drink it?” She’d taken only a sip of hers, while he had already downed half of his.
“I told you not to,” Mikal replied with a smile on his face.
The other three remained quiet, sipping their drinks and staring at the two of them.
“You need to get something different, something a little less strong. With all the time you’ve spent in the Human realm, you could have picked up something better.”
“What? This is great!” He took another gulp, letting the sadness go as the strong drink slid down his throat. “Would you prefer something with a tiny umbrella?” he mocked.
“Shut up!” She feigned irritation.
When the others widened their eyes in surprise, Mikal laughed. Never had he allowed anyone to talk to him in this manner, but he like the back-and-forth banter. It lightened the mood.
When he finished his drink, he looked to Damien and said, “Ambriel needs to know how to use a sword. Training starts tomorrow. Today we mourn.”
“Yes, Commander.” They all refilled their tumblers… all but Ambriel, who still slowly sipped hers.
Two Months Later
Ambriel
The Cusasleon Realm
Slowly waking to feel tender kisses, Ambriel smiled as her body roared to life. Had it been only two months since she’d come to the Cusasleon Realm? Her life had changed so much, and definitely for the better. She now had a family whom she loved very much, and a place where she belonged.
She felt the soft sheets under her bare skin as she lay on the biggest, most comfortable bed she’d ever slept on. Mikal ran his strong but gentle hand down her neck, heading straight for her breasts that waited for his attention; he tenderly kissed her cheek, trying to wake her up. With her eyes still closed, Ambriel couldn’t help but smile. When they’d first mated, he was gentle and loving, but with each passing day she grew emotionally, as did the desire to explore her sexual urges more fully. Her desire for Mikal also grew with each passing day, and she couldn’t get enough of him.
“Good morning, mate,” Ambriel greeted him as she slowly opened her eyes and gave him a sleepy smile.
“Good morning,” he mumbled in between kisses as he headed south. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake.”
She barely heard the words before he took her left breast into his warm, moist mouth. “Ohh…that feels good,” she purred as she arched her back, pressing her chest deeper into his wonderful mouth, giving him more.
After sucking and twirling his tongue around her sensitive peak, he released it with a pop. Mikal slowly raised he head, letting their eyes meet so she could see the desire burning in his beautiful turquoise ones. Her breath hitched, and she could feel her soul reaching for his, wanting them to join together. She had no objections—Ambriel thought she’d explode if he didn’t hurry up!
Mikal chuckled, “You should learn patience, mate.”
“I can’t help it. I want…I need you…please!” She wasn’t above begging as her body moved seductively underneath him, needing him to do…. He didn’t make her wait. While lying on her back, Mikal crawled between her thighs and sat on his knees. His strong hands lifted her hips, bringing her center up to meet his large shaft that neared her entrance. With one powerful thrust, he entered her completely. “That feels so good,” she moaned as he fully sheathed himself inside her. The wonderful sensation had her tilting her head back and closing her eyes. He set a steady pace, alternating between fast and forceful strokes, and smaller, easier ones. He knew it drove her crazy, making her desire skyrocket.
“Harder, Mikal!” He didn’t disappoint. Her release was fast and all-consuming. She felt their souls, their power, reach for each other, happy to be reunited once again. Wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her body, and she knew this was her heaven. Had anything ever felt so good before?
Mikal roared out his release, and she felt his hot essence pour into her pliant body with every pulse of his shaft. With her eyes closed, she enjoyed every feeling coursing through her body until she could finally open her eyes and smile at him. “That was amazing!”
He smiled before collapsing and rolling them onto their sides. Looking into his beautiful eyes, she couldn’t help but think of how much she loved him. Life wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for her.
“Yes, it was,” he replied while gazing into her eyes with a satisfied smile on his handsome face. His turquoise eyes were glowing, which always happened after they made love. If she looked into a mirror, she knew hers would also be glowing.
“I don’t understand how it gets better every time.”
He laughed a little before saying, “It is the way of true mates, or so I’ve heard.” He took her hand in his while they lay on the bed facing each other. “The myth of true mates…” He kissed her knuckles before continuing. “The myth I’ve heard says that we will constantly desire each other, but it is overwhelming the first few years. Our souls need to unite often, and that only happens when our bodies join.” He leaned in and placed a gentle, loving kiss on her already swollen lips. “The more we join, the tighter the bond forms between us and the more we can feel what the other is feeling.” When he finished speaking, he took her lips in a desire-filled, all-consuming kiss as their bodies joined for the second time that morning.
Lying on the soft bed in Mikal’s arms, she let her eyes wander around the massive room she now called her own. The wooden desk, where Mikal spent a lot of time, sat against the wall. The dark grain spoke of age, a time when things were made with pride. The feathered pen that sat beside a scroll gave
her the feeling of times past, something she’d only read about in textbooks. The room itself had high, vaulted ceilings with intricate designs etched into the moldings. Three large windows were covered by heavy curtains. A fairytale, where the prince rescued the princess.
Mikal kissed her forehead before jumping out of bed. “Come on, Ambriel, you’ve got to get up.”
“Can’t we just stay here today?” She threw a forearm across her eyes, knowing what he would say next.
“No,” he laughed. “You still need more training.”
“I’m so tired of training,” she whined. “I’ve been here for two months, and I haven’t left the castle. I need to get out of here.”
When she had first arrived at the castle, Lukke took her the marketplace to eat, but they had to leave before their food came. Even though she was part Cusas, she looked human. The Cusas didn’t take her being in the marketplace very well, as it was against their law to interact with humans. When she foresaw Lukke fighting with one of his own, they hurried away before it came to pass. Not long after that, Nanya kidnapped her from Mikal’s bed and handed her over to the enemy, to the Santiarns, where she barely escaped with her life. Ever since that dreadful day, Mikal hadn’t let her leave the castle, not even to help fight in the war with the Human realm.
“Where do you want to go?” He had his black leather pants on but hadn’t fastened them yet. Ambriel couldn’t help but stare in awe as she beheld the defined V of his abs, pointing the way to his impressive manhood. His hard, sculpted body was perfection. That age-old saying of tall, dark and handsome came to mind every time she looked upon him. His hair was a little shorter than when they’d first met, and the scruffiness of his beard made him look rough and sexy. “Ambriel?”
Her eyes shot to his smiling face while his knowing eyes locked with hers. “What?” she asked with confusion.
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