by Amy Star
She leaned up and licked his chest, savoring the taste of sweat and the scent of him. He groaned in approval and gripped her buttocks, pulling her against him as he ground in to her. She yelped at the motion, digging her nails in to his back as her orgasm took her.
He gave no sign of slowing down, burying himself inside of her again and again until his own pleasure took him and he filled her with his seed. She relished the feeling of having his warming inside of her. He kissed her sweetly and pulled back, looking relaxed, his desire sated for the moment.
She grinned up at him, so glad to be able to call this man her own. He laughed gently, gathering her to him and placing his hand protectively on her stomach. Knowing that this man would do all in his power to protect her and their child was enough to make her feel safe and gently she drifted off to sleep.
It wasn't long, though, before the nightmares of the blood and gore came. She saw the look in the eyes of those she'd killed and tasted the blood again in her mouth. Each time her eyes closed, she felt herself plunged back in to a fight for her life and the life of her child. He simply held her close and stroked her hair until they passed, reminding her all over again why she was so in love with him. In the end, she was too exhausted to stay awake, as she slipped in to a fitful slumber.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kalia awoke in the morning, exhausted and sore. The fight had happened so quickly that she'd not realized that the others had been able to even touch her, but the ache in her bones told her indeed they had. Still, being wrapped in Luke's arms was all the comfort she needed.
"Go back to sleep," he said groggily as he pulled her back against his chest and the warmth of their blankets.
"I can't. If I do, the nightmares will come back," she whispered.
She lay there with him but did all that she could to keep herself from drifting back to sleep. In her exhaustion, she'd been able to get a few fitful hours of sleep, but she knew if she closed her eyes, her visions would once again be full of blood.
"Let's not talk about the past then. Let's talk about the future," he whispered to her.
"I like the sound of that," she said as she leaned in to his embrace.
"Tell me what kind of home you want," he said, trying to gently introduce the topic, since now, more than ever, he was intent on building them a sturdier home.
"We are in the home I want," she answered without looking up.
"Close your eyes," he instructed.
"I can't, not without seeing the blood," she said shivering.
"No, close your eyes and picture our home. Picture us with the child growing inside you. What do you see? What do you want our home to be?" he asked, holding her tighter to assure her that she was indeed safe.
Reluctantly, she closed her eyes and tried to picture what he asked. It surprised her how easily the vision came. There they were, happy and safe, all three of them. She saw a little boy with Luke's eyes and her hair crawling about in the kitchen as she tended to dinner. She saw Luke chasing after him with adoration in his eyes. She saw her future and it made her heart flutter. Now, more than ever, she wanted that vision to come true.
"What did you see?" he asked gently.
"I saw a home for us. There was a large fireplace in the kitchen and it was open and light. There was plenty of space for children to run and play. It was a happy home for the three of us," she said as she lay a protective hand on her stomach.
"And that's the home you want? Open like that?" he asked, a little guarded so as not to spook her.
"Yes," she answered. "The fireplace is very important, too. I remember watching my mother cook at ours. That was where she would sit us to dry our hair after our baths and where she would gather us close to tell us stories. The fireplace is important. It's the heart of a home," she said dreamily, her mind drifting back to her vision of the sweet little boy who was the product of the love between her and Luke.
"Then a fireplace you'll have," he said as he held her close.
"There's no hurry, though. We have months before the boy comes," she said quietly.
"You think we're having a son?" he asked in awe.
"That's what I saw when you asked me to picture our home. I saw a sweet little boy with your eyes. I've never seen a more beautiful child. I know it's just a daydream, but it felt right. I think the child is a boy," she sighed.
"Either way, I'll be happy. I cannot wait to hold it in my arms," he said thoughtfully.
"That will be a good day.”
"I'm sorry to have to say this my dear, but I need to go speak with my father about the threat at hand," he said with real regret in his voice. "If I had my way, I would stay with you all day but I need him to know what is happening. I probably should've gone to him as soon as you told me about the threat, but I had more important things to attend to," he said with a bit of mischief in his eyes that warmed her heart.
“I know you have duties to attend to. I would never want to stand in the way of that. I'll be fine here by myself. I'm sure they won't attack again for some time. Besides, I've quite a bit to do around here,” she said, propping herself up on her elbows.
“Oh, you'll not be alone,” he said in a voice that sounded quite fierce. “You'll not be alone until this whole thing is resolved. Even now, there are three of my best warriors pacing the perimeter of the clearing.”
“I thought they were just here to wait for you to emerge. Do you mean to tell me that you have assigned me body guards?” she gasped, unable to believe he'd been so high handed with her, to assign her guards without even telling her was a shock.
“I cannot believe that you thought for a moment that I would leave you unprotected. I'll not risk your safety again. I should've seen that they would come after us for revenge. I should never have left you alone. If I had not, then you wouldn't have had to have blood on your hands. That's all my fault and I'm so sorry for that,” he said, sitting down beside her on the bed and gathering her on to his lap. She was wrapped only in their bed sheet but he looked at her as though she was a goddess, there before him.
It broke her heart that he blamed himself. She'd not even considered that he was feeling so guilty. “Darling, nobody could've predicted what happened. You know the rules as well as I do. The mating challenges were set up so that things like this didn't happen. When that battle ended, it was all to be over. Besides, I protected myself. Nothing bad happened. I didn't want to kill them, but I don't regret it,” she said, putting her hand on the side of his face as she spoke.
“Is that why you have nightmares? Because you have no regrets? Because you feel safe?” he asked, placing his hand over hers.
“That's not fair. It was a shock. That's all. I protected our child. I would do it again without hesitation,” she said, looking ferocious in a way that he had never seen before and it stirred something deep inside him.
Luke had thought it was impossible to love his mate more than he already did, but he did then. Knowing she was so devoted to their child was such a special thing and her power as a mother was amazing to him.
“I know you're capable of protecting yourself and the baby within you, but if I don't know that you're being guarded, then I'll never be able to have you out of my sight. I would go crazy, knowing I was too far away to help you and that no one stood between you and what might come. Please, don't be angry. Let me keep you safe,” he said, melting through her anger with the fear in his eyes. He was really worried about her and it was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen.
“Alright, if it'll bring you peace, then I'll not object. Though, I really should. The thought of you being unable to leave my side is rather appealing,” she teased.
“It appeals to me too, my dear. Tell me, though, how did you learn to fight as you did? Did your father go outside the rules of our people? Did he train you and your sister as warriors?” he asked, looking as though he would've admired her father greatly had it been true.
“No,” she sighed. “He was as traditional a warrior as they came. He l
oved us all but he wanted us to be wives and mothers. I think he would've been shocked by what happened yesterday,” she said, looking a little sad.
“Then how did you do it? How did you defeat four warriors bent on your death? I know one got away from you, but you killed three of them. I saw the scene. You dispatched them with strength and skill. Where did you learn to fight?” he asked gently, so as not to seem as though he was judging her.
“I didn't learn to fight. It was my instincts. I know it must seem crazy to you, but I just gave control to my inner bear. All of my instincts have been raging since the pregnancy. The protective instinct is the strongest. The moment I sensed them, my instincts wanted to take over. I just let them. I let them run wild and it all just happened. I swear, it was like some sort of dream,” she said, shaking a little at the memory.
“You mean to tell me you did all that on instinct? I have warriors who have trained for years who couldn't survive an attack by four opponents. You're amazing,” he said in awe of her.
She wanted to cry in relief that he understood. She'd been afraid to tell him about how the pregnancy was affecting her. She’d been sure he would think she was losing her mind. Instead, he was looking at her with awe and admiration.
“It's a rather hard thing to describe,” she said gently, placing her hand on her belly and feeling the life growing there. She would’ve spilled much more blood to keep him safe.
“I'm glad that your instincts kept you safe but I think we must train you, my dear. If they come again, they will send more and more ferocious warriors. We cannot rely on your instincts alone,” he said, his mind already racing with what he would need to do to turn his mate into a true warrior.
“You want me to learn to fight? You want me to do that again?” she said, shocked.
“I don’t want you to ever be in that kind of position again, but I want you to be prepared for that and much worse. We cannot rely on your instincts alone to keep you safe. What if that mellows once the baby comes?” he asked, shaking his head at the thought of her being in such a predicament again. He looked as if he would rather battle a thousand bears than see her have to fight again, but she could tell that he was set on his plan.
“I think you're right,” she said, realizing he might be correct about her strength and instinct mellowing when the baby came and she couldn't risk being unable to protect him. To keep the baby safe, she would do anything. Learning to fight seemed like a minor thing if it'd keep their family protected.
“Thank you for being agreeable, my dear. I do have to go now. Please stay here. Stay inside the tent until I get back. The warriors are here to protect you, but I would still rather you stay inside. I want you to be here, snug and warm when I get back,” he said, kissing her gently as he rose to leave.
“I'm too tired and sore to go anywhere today so that's an easy promise to keep,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Well I never thought I would be thankful for that,” he said with a chuckle as he walked out of the tent.
She lay back and thought about all that had changed in the last twenty-four hours. The day before, the clearing had been their sanctuary. It was the one place where they could escape from the rest of the world. Now, it was a military installation, with guards prowling about. She could hear at least four and every now and then, another came and joined the group. She felt more like a prisoner than a woman in her own home.
She'd told him the truth, though. She was so tired and sore from the day before and she didn't have the effort to do anything about it. Reluctantly, she curled back up in the bed. She didn't want to close her eyes and risk the nightmares returning, but she needed the rest for her unborn child. She needed her strength and sleep was the best way to get it. As her eyes closed, she held on to the image that Luke had asked her to create of their future home. The thought of that future happiness was enough to keep the visions of death away long enough for her to drift off to sleep. She tossed and turned, but in the end, she was able to get some rest.
Hours later, she was awoken by wagons approaching. She sprang from the bed and dressed, ready to defend herself if whoever was coming made it through her guards. In fact, it was hard for her to keep from running from the tent to face head-on whoever was coming. It was only when she caught Luke’s scent that she was able to relax. Still, she didn't leave the tent. She wasn't sure what was happening but she was doing her best to do as he asked.
When he came darting into the tent, looking like a mischievous boy, her suspicions were raised but she couldn't help but laugh at his ability to look so joyful in the face of all that was to come.
“Kalia, my dear,” he said as he swept in, wrapping her in his arms and spinning her around.
“What are you up to?” she asked, as she laughed merrily in his arms.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said as he set her back down. “Follow me outside.” He took her hands.
“You're most definitely up to something,” she said, but she let him lead her outside. There, to her shock, she saw three wagons full of large stones and she knew instantly what he was up to. He was preparing to build their home. What shocked her was that there was no wood. She knew then that what he planned to build for her was a stone house.
“A stone house? You're building us a stone house?” she said in shock. She was sure the surprise was clear on her face because of the way he chuckled at her.
“I thought it'd be nice to build you something different. It'll be cozier, just like the tent. You'll love it. It'll be magical and wonderful, just like you, my dear,” he said, pulling her in to his arms again.
“You mean it'll be a home that it'll be harder for someone to attack us in,” she said, accusatorily. Still, he seemed so overjoyed that she couldn't be too upset that he was rushing to build their home despite her objections.
“I suppose that will be true too,” he said innocently.
“You're not as stealthy as you think you are,” she said, trying to look severe but unable to keep from smiling at his happiness.
“Are you very upset with me?” he asked with such genuine concern that her heart twisted within her.
“No, my dear. I think it's going to look like something out of a fairy tale,” she said, unable to contain her happiness. For all of her objections, she was taken with the thought of a little stone house in their clearing. It'd be different and romantic, just like they were.
“I'm so glad. I want to do this for you. I want to do it for us. We'll be so happy here. I promise you. This will be the place where we raise our children and grow old together. You'll never regret letting me build this for us,” he said, clearly relieved with her reaction.
“I know I will, because you're building it for us. How could I not love anything that comes from you,” she said as she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him, ignoring the guards who were clearly watching them.
“You'll have the men teasing me for weeks,” he laughed before leaning down to kiss her again.
“Well, we wouldn’t want that,” she said when he finished, pulling away and making an effort to move back to the tent.
“Where do you think you're going?” he asked, before pulling her tightly against him.
“I would never want to embarrass you,” she teased.
“You never could. I'm sorry for teasing you. Do you forgive me?” he asked.
“Always,” she laughed.
“Come with me,” he said, pulling her across the clearing.
“What else could you possibly have to show me?” she asked with a giggle.
“This,” he said with smile, “will be the kitchen. I'll build the fireplace right here. This is where I'll build us the finest table you have ever seen. It's where we'll take our meals and be together as a family. I can already smell the amazing meals you'll cook here.”
“You're sweet,” she sighed.
“I'm not done. That, over there, will be a living room. It'll be a wide open plan, just like you dreamed. This is where our children will r
un and play. It's where your mother and brothers and sister will come to be with us. It's where we'll sit together and be together and it's where we'll be together as a family,” he said gleefully. She was already fighting tears when he guided her beyond that room and to another patch of grass.
“This,” he continued, “will be our baby’s room. This is where he will grow and learn. It's where he'll be safe. This room will be full of laughter and happiness. We'll stand here and watch him sleep, safe and sound under our roof.” With those words, the tears began to fall.
She'd tried to be strong for so long. She'd not let herself cry through any of the things that they'd been through since their mating, but the sweet thought he had put into their home was too much for her. She couldn't believe she'd ever doubted him. She should've known he would build her a home where she would feel just as connected to him as she did in the tent.
“Tears?” he said sweetly. “This makes you cry? Are they tears of joy or sadness, darling?”
“They're tears of happiness. I love it. It'll be perfect. I didn't mean to get weepy, but I just couldn't help it. It's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen,” she said between tears.
“You haven't even really seen it yet,” he pointed out.
“Oh, I saw it. In my mind’s eye, I can see it all and it's amazing. Thank you so much. I'm so in love with it and with you. This place will be so us, and it's the place where our son will be brought in to the world,” she said as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
“Well, if you like what you have seen so far, then you'll love what I plan to build over here,” he said, gesturing to the back of the plot.