“Ambriel, it’s nothing but mere scratches.” He still sat as she instructed.
“Mere scratches, my ass. Where did you go?” she asked while covering one wound before moving to the next.
“I killed Ornias.” His nonchalance had her head whipping around.
“What do you mean you killed him?”
“I think it’s self-explanatory, don’t you?” She looked up and found a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face.
She closed her eyes and thought of the two Santiarn women who had helped them. With Ornias dead and the realm locked, they could live as happy families once again. It was finally over… for everyone.
When the fighting stopped and the outside grew quiet, Mikal walked out to address his warriors. In a loud, booming voice, Ambriel heard him speak. “The final battle is over, and you have fought well. Victory is ours!” The whoops and hollers were almost deafening. “Make sure the city is secure and spread the word!”
He came back in with a wicked grin on his face. He grabbed her, bent her back and ravished her lips with his. When he released her, she stood breathless, her fingers touching her swollen lips.
A loud knock had everyone turning toward the door, but nobody moved. When someone knocked again, Brian finally rushed to answer. Zira and another woman just pushed past him and came inside.
Their eyes scanned the room until both gazes landed on Keiana lying on the couch.
“Zira, you came,” Ambriel said, stepping toward the two with a huge smile on her relieved face. Her eyes glanced to the other woman. “Who is this?” She stared briefly at the newcomer. She looked a little familiar as Ambriel studied her, but the unknown woman never even glanced her way. Her gaze hadn’t left Keiana.
“This is Aradia.” Glancing around the room, noting who was there, Zira continued, “She is a powerful witch. When you told me about the girl, I went straight to Aradia and told her what you told me. She has a granddaughter who went missing sixteen years ago.”
Aradia still stared at Keiana. “She looks just like Dana,” she whispered in awe. “She has the same red hair, high cheekbones, and perky nose. Their build is even the same.”
“Ah…” Ambriel glanced at Keiana, making sure she still slept. “You do know that she’s half-Santiarn, right?” Ambriel asked quietly, not wanting to disturb her friend. Their eyes shot to hers in surprise but then traveled back to Keiana. Ambriel felt compelled to come to her defense. “She may look a little like them, but she is very sweet and kind.” She watched as Aradia’s lips hinted at a smile.
Ambriel sat on the coffee table, blocking their view. “Keiana, wake up, sleepy-head.” When Keiana’s eyes fluttered open, Ambriel smiled before asking, “Feeling better?”
“A little. Wow, that spell took a lot out of me. How long have I been asleep?”
“Not very long. Sorry. There are some people here whom I want you to meet. Remember when I told you about Zira?”
She nodded. “You said she may know who my family is.”
“That’s right.”
Ambriel stepped away and let Aradia and Keiana get a look at each other for the first time. Keiana cocked her head to the side, studying the woman.
“You look just like my daughter,” Aradia said, swiping happy tears from her eyes. “Your eyes are a different color, but you’re definitely Dana’s daughter.” Aradia took Ambriel’s place on the coffee table.
“Dana was my mother?” Her voice quivered as if she were a child.
“Oh, honey. She was, and I’m your grandmother. When she died you were lost to us. We searched but couldn’t find you anywhere. It’s been sixteen years, and I’ve never once given up hope of finding you one day.”
Keiana’s lower lip quivered violently, and she threw her arms around Aradia’s neck and cried like a little girl. Aradia wrapped her arms around her lost granddaughter and let the tears flow silently down her face. When they released each other, Keiana said, “You know I’m different, right?”
“What do you mean?” Confusion blanked Aradia’s face.
Keiana bared her teeth and held up her hands to show her claws. “I mean, I’m different. Ambriel knew of ways to help me blend in, but we’ve been too busy locking the Santiarn realm.”
Ambriel hoped Keiana didn’t notice the hitch in Aradia’s breathing. She needed a family to love her the way she deserved. They were family and belonged together.
“Oh, honey, we’re witches. We can change anything. Don’t you worry.” Aradia waved her hand as if it were no big deal.
Keiana still had tears streaming down her checks, but she gave Aradia a watery smile and said, “Okay.”
“I do have an important question, though. How did you lock the Santiarn realm?”
“It was in my book of spells.” Keiana pointed to the stack.
“Oh! You have the lost treasure!” her voice grew excited as she stared at the pile sitting in the corner.
“The lost what?” The girl’s nose scrunched in confusion.
“That’s what we’ve always called it, the lost treasure. Right after Dana was murdered and you were taken, someone stole all of our books.” Looking at Ambriel and the other Cusas in the room, Aradia continued, “Don’t you think we would’ve closed the Santiarn realm if we could have?” Nobody answered.
After a short visit, Keiana gave Ambriel a goodbye hug after deciding to leave with Aradia. They were family, after all.
Facing Brian, Ambriel smiled, “Sorry I dragged you into this.”
“Are you kidding? This explains so much! Worlds exist within worlds, all intermingling with each other. Maybe now that the Santiarn realm is locked, the crime rate will be non-existent.”
“This will not rid your realm of evil; it simply gives each individual the right to choose his or her own path. Some will take the path of the Santiarns, some the Cusas, but it is important they find their own way,” Mikal supplied.
“Goodbye, Brian.” Ambriel kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks for everything.” She smiled, and then took Mikal’s extended hand. The portal opened, and they disappeared, leaving Brian alone in his living room.
Chapter Thirteen
Ambriel
They stepped through the portal and landed in a crowd of Cusas celebrating with shouts of victory. Ambriel looked on in awe as hundreds of warriors dotted the training field. When one warrior, Merkel, spotted the two, he held up his sword and let his voice ring loud. “Silence!”
Everyone turned in their direction, but all eyes were on her, not Mikal, and it made her feel a little uncomfortable. Merkel slowly strode in her direction, stopping a mere foot away. In a loud voice, he yelled, “All commend Ambriel!” The entire crowd shouted the phrase and then as one, they bowed low.
“What are they doing?” Ambriel whispered to Mikal.
Mikal didn’t hide his smile, nor did he lower his voice when he said, “They know that without you, we would still be at war. They are acknowledging you for that, but they are also letting you know that they accept you as one of them. You belong here.”
Her eyes watered as she smiled. They now accepted her the way she was. Looking at the crowd, she noted one warrior headed her direction. As he neared she couldn’t believe her eyes. “Dad? What’s going on?”
“I have been reinstated as a warrior,” he grinned.
“You look like a warrior,” she grinned in return. After everything they’d been through, it looked as if life was finally getting back on track after being derailed for a few years.
“I’m proud of you, Ambriel.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She thought about hugging him but didn’t know if it was appropriate. She never got the chance.
“Excuse us, Des,” Mikal said right before he scooped her up and threw her across his massive shoulder. Her hands landed on his butt cheeks. When she lifted her head, she saw all the smiles and laughter as all the warriors stared after them.
“What are you doing, Mikal?” she laughed, her voice carrying for everyone to hear.
Epilogue
Tears fell down Ambriel’s face as her dad kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful,” he said with a proud smile. He was dressed in his formal warrior attire.
“Look at you,” she smiled. “You’ve been reinstated as warrior and actually fought in the final battle.”
“It does give me a purpose, and I can be near you.” Smiling at her again, he held out his hand and asked, “Are you ready?”
In a long, flowing white dress, she looked like a bride on her wedding day, even though it was a mating ceremony. Sequins, pearls, and beads had been woven throughout her sleeveless dress, making it shimmer when the light hit it. Flowers were intricately braided into her hair, which flowed down her back. Yes, she was ready.
Ambriel placed her hand in Des’, and when the music began, he walked her down the makeshift aisle on the training field and between the rows of warriors who stood at attention. As she passed, each row bowed their heads, showing respect to the mate of the Commander.
After the final battle, she had garnered her own respect, the word spreading wide that the war had been won. Everyone now greeted her with smiles, knowing she played an integral part.
She spotted Mikal standing in front of Elder Risya. He wore a crisp white button-up shirt with gold cufflinks, tight leather pants, polished black boots. His ceremonial sword hung by his side. She couldn’t tell if it was his happiness or her own as the feeling pulsed between their bond. She slowly walked in his direction, her gaze locked with his, holding onto Des’ arm as he escorted her.
When she reached the end, Mikal held out his hand and she placed hers in his, still holding his intense gaze. Oh, how she loved this warrior. Everything felt like a dream she never wanted to wake from.
“Ambriel, Mikal. You both stand before me as two separate beings destined to become one. It was destined long before either of you was born, and now we have come full circle. Mikal, take Ambriel’s right hand with your own.” When he gently grasped her hand, Risya bound their hands together with a mating twine. “From this day forward,” she looked to Ambriel, “you will be known as Ambriel, mate to Mikal.” Looking to Mikal, she continued, “And you will be Mikal, mate to Ambriel.”
Whoops and hollers filled the air as Mikal threaded his unbound hand through her hair, bending her backward for a passionate kiss, rarely seen in the Cusasleon realm. When his lips released hers, they stayed in the same position, nose to nose. “I love you, Ambriel.”
“I love you too, Mikal,” and then he kissed her again…
The End!
(Read on for the 1st two chapters in Kollin, Book 3, the Azziarin Series)
Thank you for reading Ambriel’s Quest. If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review so others will know to give it a try, and please don’t forget to recommend it on Goodreads and other social media sites.
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For all of my Azziarin fans, Kollin is next. Read on for the 1st two chapters, and
don’t forget to check out my other books!
The Azziarin Series
Jakke (Book 1)
Dazz (Book 2)
Kollin (Book 3) Coming soon!
Read on!
Chapter One
Kollin
Standing on the bridge, staring down at the small blue planet from the large, square view-screen, Kollin couldn’t help but snarl in disgust. What could he possibly do to help these people? He commanded one ship, the Conqueror, and nobody else had showed up to offer assistance. Jakke had departed, taking Takkeo back to their home planet of Azziar. With his arms crossed, Kollin shook his head and sighed loudly.
Surveying the scene below, he asked his second in command, “Kassim, have the soldiers returned from the surface?” There were six teams of twenty who currently occupied the planet’s surface. Teams one and two were due back, while two others took their place. It wasn’t enough, but it was all Kollin was willing to send at one time.
“Yes, Commander. They returned moments ago,” Kassim reported while his fingers worked feverishly over the console. Even though Kollin was the one in charge, Kassim saw that orders were carried out.
“Have they reported their findings?” Kollin asked, weighing his options. He’d been here for two standard weeks, and with no word of anyone coming anytime soon, he was tempted to head home. He couldn’t help the humans, as they were called. There were too many Tureis and only one Azziarin ship.
“Not yet.” Kassim stood, and then looked solemnly at the Commander. “I am heading that way now.”
Kollin nodded, “I’ll join you.” Looking at Tanner, he stated, “You have the Bridge.”
“Yes, Commander,” Tanner acknowledged before taking a seat in the Captain’s chair as the door slid shut behind the two, each in step with the other.
Walking down the corridor, the two males remained silent and solemn. Staying here was a useless endeavor, and they both knew it; it was just a matter of Kollin deciding when they would leave.
As they entered the meeting room, he found his head of security, Unnal, along with Maddax, the soldier in charge of team one, which had just returned from Earth. They both stood at attention when the door slid open. Kollin raised his hand and said, “At ease.” They both lowered back into their respective chairs.
“Where’s Rassik?” Kollin asked, looking first at Unnal and then Maddax.
“Commander, he suffered a phaser hit and is currently in medical. He’ll join us when he can.” Rassik led team two.
“Report,” Kollin said while looking at Maddax as he took his own chair at the large rectangular table.
“Commander,” Maddax sighed while shaking his head. “It’s bad down there. We are few and they are many. The people on that planet don’t stand a chance.”
“Numbers?” Kollin asked.
“It’s hard to say for sure, but for every Azziarin soldier, there are at least twenty more Tureis. Many of the Earth people have died from starvation, others from trying to fight off the enemy, and they include us in that category. Many buildings have been set afire.” He shook his head and snarled in disgust. “I don’t know what else we can do to help.”
“What do you think, Unnal?” Kollin looked to his head of security.
“I hate to admit it, but I don’t think we can help the humans. We can’t even talk to them to let them know we’re on their side.”
Kollin looked to his second in command. “Kassim, your thoughts?”
Shaking his head, he answered, “It’s your call, Commander. We follow you.” And they did, without question.
Looking at each one of them, he said, “I received a message from Jakke. They are not returning to help. Dazz is headed for Azziar, if he isn’t there already.” He watched the expression on each face as the delivered news sunk in. They were on their own, and nobody would be showing up to help. Looking at Kassim, Kollin ordered, “Recall our soldiers from the planet and have Tanner set a course for home.”
“Yes, Commander.” Kassim abruptly stood before heading out the door, leaving him alone with the other two males.
“Is it as bad as when they attacked our home?” The Tureis had attacked Azziar, killing his mother along with several hundred others in the process. Kollin had seen first-hand what the enemy was capable of.
“Worse,” Maddax answered. “Much, much worse…”
Kollin shook his head while he smashed his lips tightly together. He hated the Tureis and didn’t like feeling as though he was abandoning the Earth people. No one should have to feel the loss of a loved one at their vile hands. It truly puzzled him how a race could be so callous by nature. He often wondered if they had mothers, sisters, anyone they loved.
“Unnal, help Kassim with preparations for our
return home. I want to leave as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Kollin headed back to his Ready Room. He needed to send a message to his father and brothers, let them know he would arrive home in three standard weeks.
Sitting down at his desk, he picked up the holo-pad and typed in his personal security code. “Computer, send the following a sub-space message; King Mallik, the Victory, the Defender, and the Triumph.” Kollin leaned back in his chair before admitting defeat. “This is Kollin, Commander of the Conqueror. I can do nothing more to help the people who occupy the planet called Earth, located in the Dreama Sector. We should arrive home in three standard weeks.”
“Computer, end message and send.”
“Unable to comply,” the computer reported.
“Computer, state reason,” Kollin sat forward, concerned etched in his brow.
“All incoming and outgoing messages are currently blocked.”
“Computer, on whose authority?”
“Unable to comply.”
Kollin pondered the answer in disbelief before tapping the com-unit. “Kassim, my Ready Room.”
“On my way,” he responded.
The two of them discussed the issue at hand, both puzzled by the problem.
“Are the Tureis somehow jamming communications?”
Kollin looked at his officer and trusted friend before replying, “I’m not sure. We will stick to our original plan. How long until we’re ready to leave?”
“Somewhere around two standard hours.”
“Good.”
Three standard hours later, the Conqueror had left the Dreama Sector, headed for Azziar. Just as they came out of the wormhole, the ship shuddered. “Bridge, report!” Kollin demanded while sitting in a chair, holding onto each side of his desk.
Ambriel's Quest: Book 2 Page 12