“I like your mother a lot and will enjoy spending time with her.” Alea assured him. “I will make sure that I am home in time to go with you to the merchants.” She held his head and kissed him more firmly, and then reluctantly backed away. “Have a great day at work. I will see you when you get home.” Turning his head around she whispered against his ear, “I may be convinced to do that thing again…” she felt a tremor go through his large frame, and he groaned dramatically.
She now knew what caused them to pass out together. With their tattoo’s touching, she felt his reaction to her mouth on his ear. It had happened the first time they made love and again in the shower. That reaction to her mouth on his ear had led her to discover something he had really enjoyed. It was what she was calling a “lobe job”. Making sure their tattoos were not touching she would kiss, lick, nibble and suck on his ear. The sensations caused him to climax and pass out. She laughed at the memory of the first time she had done it. When he had gone slack in bed, she thought for a second that he was dead. When he woke up, Maliuth knew that her ears were just as sensitive and returned the favor. It had been her turn to pass out from the sensations.
“That is cruel to taunt me with that promise when I have a whole day of duties ahead of me.” He turned and kissed her hotly on the mouth.
Breaking from the kiss, she laughed. “I was hoping it would give you something to look forward too when you get home.”
He sighed and went to walk away. She couldn’t resist his tight ass and smacked him across the butt. “To work!”
Turning with a mock-shocked look, he pounced on her again. Dragging his fingers against the bottom of her foot, she shrieked with laughter. “Mercy.” He had found her ticklish spots over the last three days, and if she cried mercy, he would instantly stop. One last quick kiss and he hurried to the door.
“Until later.”
“Later.” She sighed and put as much promise into her voice as she could.
Figuring she might as well get out of bed, Alea moved into the bathing room and took a shower. Maliuth had promised that he would work on getting a bathing tub installed in their bathroom, but the shower was really nice and she wasn’t in any great hurry to make alterations. She worked some gel into her hair and braided it. She chose to wear a nice blue off the shoulder dress with a sweetheart neckline since it was one of Maliuth’s favorite colors. Happy with her appearance she went downstairs to get something to eat.
Sitting on the balcony located off the kitchen she ate her fruit and enjoyed the view. Their tree home was located at the edge of the existing community. When Maliuth had first shown her this spot, she had been amazed at all the tree life around them. There were no bridges or platforms to mar the view. As far as her eyes could see it was just more treetops and wildlife.
Washing her hands at the sink, she wasn’t surprised when there was a knock at the door. Laughing she hurried to answer the door not wanting to keep Maliuth’s mother waiting.
Swinging the door open she teased, “Sartya, what a surprise.” Only it wasn’t Sartya on the other side of the door. There were five robed figures standing there. Before she could utter another sound, she felt a sharp stinging pain in her neck. “Oww.” Her fingers went to the spot, thinking maybe a bug had bitten her. When her fingers brushed against the offending dart, she knew she was in trouble. “Wh-a-a-t…” her mind went blank, her vision darkened and she started falling.
~*~*~*~
Alea was in the void again. She had been here before and she knew what it meant. She felt a wrenching pain in her chest and couldn’t stop the tears flowing from her eyes.
“Why is it every time I see you there are tears involved?” An annoyed voice came from the nether.
Alea was in such misery at the thought of leaving Maliuth that she just cried harder.
“Is this better?”
Alea looked around blearily, and then rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. She couldn’t be seeing this correctly. All around her were chairs interspersed with end tables. On each table was a stack of strange magazines. This was a waiting room like none she had ever seen before.
“Well is it?”
Sniffing loudly Alea managed to get out, “Not really.” Before the tears started again. Without even moving, she found herself sitting in a chair.
“Here…use this.”
Alea looked to see Flaura sitting next to her, holding out a purple tissue. Laughing over the color, she took the tissue and wiped her nose. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” Flaura tried to pat her awkwardly on the hand. “There…there.” With a flash, she was suddenly holding a cup of steaming liquid. “Drink that. It should make you feel better.”
Taking a sip Alea brightened slightly at a sudden thought. “Do I get my three days to say goodbye?” Even though she would be a spirit, at least she would get to see Maliuth a few more times. She had loved Jeff, but said goodbye because she knew he would have a great life. She loved Maliuth differently, and leaving him was going to destroy both of them.
“What?” Flaura laughed a melodic tinkling sound. “Now I understand the tears.” Holding her hand she sighed, “Alea you are not dead. This is a waiting room. When I assigned you to Prion, I had no idea that your energy would have the reaction it did. Then again…no energy from Earth has been assigned to Prion before. So there you have it.” Smiling as if that explained everything, Flaura started looking around.
“That doesn’t explain anything!” Alea snapped, “I don’t care if I have special abilities on Prion. All I want to know is if I’m not dead, how do I get out of here and back to Abondiel?”
“Well I thought it was an interesting anomaly.” Flaura huffed, “There is one small matter to be taken care of and you will be returned to Abondiel.”
“What small matter?” Alea asked excitedly.
“There is a growing evil in Abondiel that needs to be taken care of. Once this energy is reclaimed, it will be safe for you to go back to Prion…and Maliuth. Until then you will be stuck in this waiting room, although as angry as your mate is…I don’t think we have long to wait now.”
“Maliuth?” Alea gasped, “Is he in danger? You need to let me help him.” She jumped up and looked at Flaura frantically.
“Sit down Alea.” Flaura just waved her hand and Alea was sitting again. “Maliuth is a big boy and can take care of himself.”
“I know that!” Alea argued, “I just want to be there for him.”
“This is one fight you are going to sit out…you will be going soon. I know you didn’t do it on purpose, but I want to thank you for raising my success rate. I am actually on par with Florian now.”
Alea just looked at Flaura absently, “You’re welcome?!” She suddenly had the urge to lick her lips as a strange taste went across her tongue.
“I won’t be seeing you for a very long time Alea. I really am happy that you found your place on Abondiel.” Snapping her fingers Flaura suddenly had a briefcase in her lap, taking out some papers she started stamping them. “Don’t waste your new ability. You have the chance to make a difference. Now I think there is a nice place on Earth for The Elder to learn a lesson in humility.” Flaura started to fade.
Before she could say goodbye, Flaura was gone and she was fading too, but not before she saw the shocked face of The Elder as he flashed past her in the void.
Chapter Fourteen
“Alea is missing.” Maliuth froze when he heard his mother’s panicked yell. “I went to your home to visit. The door was open and Alea was nowhere to be found.
His gaze swung from his mother to his father. “Your mother ran straight home to get me.” Malendroch took his wife’s hand and tried to get her to stop flailing them around. “We searched your home and asked around. The only figures anyone saw close to your home were that of some Oracles.” His father gave him a knowing look.
“We got here as soon as we could.” Galan hurried in with his father and mother in tow. “One of the guards came to tell us tha
t Alea is missing. Is this true Maliuth?”
Maliuth bowed to his King and Queen then answered his friend, “It is true. My mother went to visit her and our home is empty. Alea would not wander the community alone. She is not familiar enough with the platforms and bridges. In addition, witnesses have placed Oracle at my home. There is only one reason they could have been there.”
“Why would the Oracle or The Elder have Alea taken?” King Folmar asked softly. “The council has spoken and she is to remain your mate.”
“The Elder is power mad.” Galan spoke when Maliuth just stood silently, “He cannot stand the fact that he has lost authority over Alea. Who knows what he is capable of doing.”
“We must get her back.” Queen Elisven was trying to console his mother, “Maliuth take your unit to the Oracle Temple.”
“Use whatever means necessary to bring your mate home.” The King finished for the Queen. “I will meet with the council and discuss the reason behind the increase in complaints of corruption and greed among them. We shall see what they have to say for themselves.” With a short bow at the others, King Folmar started to escort the Queen from the room. At the door he paused, “Oh and Maliuth. Once this is settled we shall have a celebration to welcome Alea to Abondiel. Here in the Grand Tree. I must insist on it.” He smiled heartily.
Queen Elisven gasped and called to Sartya, “We need to plan.” Before she had finished her sentence, his mother was hurrying to her side. “There are decorations to gather, what music will be played….oh and we need to get the cooks to prepare…” their voices were lost as they went around a corner.
Maliuth groaned at the thought of having a celebration. They lasted days, and he was just getting to know Alea. His thoughts snapped back to the current issue. He needed to get Alea away from the Oracle in order to have something to celebrate.
“To the Oracle Temple then.” Maliuth didn’t even ask who was with him. He knew all the males in the room would relish a chance at cracking some heads together.
His group stormed across platforms and bridges. With one look at their faces, everyone got out of the way. In a short time, they were at the doors to the temple. Without bothering to pause, they burst inside. It appeared completely abandoned, not a single person in sight. With a sigh, Maliuth rubbed his face. Now it was just a matter of finding Alea in the maze of rooms and levels of the temple. That could take awhile.
“First Prime.”
Maliuth turned at the tentative voice that called his name. He saw an Oracle standing in the shadows of a doorway. It was the leader of the group that had helped when Alea was Reborn.
“My name is Ori. Please follow me.”
Maliuth reached the Oracle that had spoken and grabbed his robes. “Why should I trust you?” anger seeped into every word. “You have my mate here somewhere.”
“Not all agreed with The Elder’s decision to poison your mate.”
“Poison?!” Maliuth jerked the Oracle closer. “Did you just say that my mate has been poisoned?!” His fists were bunching the material of the robe so tightly against the Oracles throat that he knew it was close to choking the man.
“Please.” The Oracle gasped. “I am here to help you. We need to hurry this antidote to Alea before it is too late.” Maliuth saw a small vial in his hand. “I have a certain talent with herbs and I think this will help her. Please. She was very kind to me…”
Maliuth dropped the robes he was clenching and pushed the Oracle away. “Very well.” His friends started to protest but he held up his hand. “Take us to her.”
Straightening his robes, the Oracle hurried ahead of them and they all rushed to keep up.
“This could be a trap you know.” Galan was at his side, looking furtively from side to side as they passed doorways. His daggers were at the ready. When Maliuth looked to the others, they were all in the same state of preparedness. He was the only one who wasn’t paying attention, and didn’t have his daggers out. His worry for Alea was causing him to make mistakes. Seeing the look on his face Galan sighed, “We are covering your back. It is natural to worry for your mate.”
“To the point of distraction?” Maliuth grouched.
“Yes.” Galan did not elaborate and that made him feel better than a long and drawn out speech would have.
Realizing that the Oracle was slowing down Maliuth held up his hand.
“Around this corner is the private quarters of The Elder.” The Oracle whispered. “There are guards at the door. When it is cleared, I will follow you into the room to administer the antidote to Alea. Hurry.” He gestured for them to go ahead of him.
Pulling his blades out he gestured for two of the males to go across the hall. Once they were in position, he very carefully peeked around the corner. By his count, there were five guards in various positions around the doorway. He held up five fingers and gestured with his hand to show the others their position. Everyone nodded their readiness and Maliuth stepped around the corner.
“I believe you have something of mine.” He did not have to bellow the words, though he wanted to. He just spoke them loud enough to get the guards attention. They looked at him standing alone in the doorway and started forward. When they had reached halfway to him, he said, “Now.” His father and friends came rushing around the corner and the Oracles, realizing they were outmatched tried to retreat. “Bind them for a decision by the new Elder or council. No bloodshed if you can help it.” Maliuth yelled out and continued past the fighting to the doors. They were locked and he was about to yell for someone to help him break the doors down when the Oracle who had led them here spoke.
“I was not sure if the doors would be locked. Let me…” He pulled a ring of keys from his pocket and worked to unlock the door.
Maliuth gave him a grateful look and pushed into the room. He took in the pale form of Alea lying still on the bed. Her hair was in a thick braid over one shoulder, her tattoo dark and beautiful on the other. The usual peach of her cheeks and pink of her lips was colorless. She was gone. His knees went weak and his head was spinning.
“I could not let you have her.” He had not seen The Elder standing off to the side. His focus had been on Alea’s body. “If I let you gainsay me, what is to keep every male from making a fool of me? She was not that special…there will be other healers.” The Elder was clearly crazy.
“She was that special.” Maliuth snapped his deadly gaze from Alea then back to The Elder. “She was perfect in every way and she was my mate.” He was stalking toward The Elder and did not notice or care when Ori ran to Alea’s side.
“She is not dead.” Ori called out. His fingers unstopped the tiny bottle and he quickly poured the liquid into her mouth.
“What?” Maliuth’s voice was hoarse.
“What?” The Elder screeched at the same time and went to run at the bed. It was then that Maliuth saw the dagger he had held behind his back. With a swift jab to his arm the blade was dropped. Maliuth took him and threw him toward where his father and the others were waiting.
Hurrying to the bed Maliuth clutched at Alea’s hand. It was as Ori had said. The skin was warm to the touch and he almost started weeping in relief.
Behind him, there was a sudden commotion and he turned to see The Elder had dropped to the ground.
“What happened?” Maliuth’s stunned question went unanswered for a second. The others were too shocked as they stood over the fallen Elder. Then they seemed to snap out of it.
“I did not touch him.” Galan insisted, “Only to keep him in the room, but not enough to hurt him.”
“I did not do anything.” His father shrugged his shoulders, “The Elder was standing there foaming and muttering one second, the next he dropped like a stone.”
The other three all shrugged as well. Akkar, Beldron and Garnnon all denied touching The Elder.
When another male walked in everyone jumped and trained their weapons on him.
“I am Oracle Jerr.” He looked down on the floor. “I suppose now you ca
n call me The Elder.” His gaze went behind him and he ordered, “Please see that the proper burial traditions are carried out for our former leader.” The room was flooded with Oracles. One removed the neck sash with the Oracle symbol on it and handed it to Jerr. The body of The Elder was then packed up and bustled out of the room. “Ori how is Alea?” Jerr questioned his friend.
“She is going to be okay. I think she is coming around.” Ori answered and Maliuth looked back to see that Alea had color back in her face and she was indeed moving slightly on the bed.
“I am glad to know that she is going to regain her health. I am told she is going to have a large part to play in the future of Abondiel.” His gaze then locked on Galan and he smiled. “Something tells me I will be hearing your name soon my Prince.”
Maliuth watched his friends jaw drop and then Galan struggled to say, “I would be honored to receive a mate.”
“Yes.” The new Elder smiled sagely, “We shall see.”
“Maliuth?” Alea’s weak whisper was barely heard, but all eyes swung to the bed. “Is it over then?”
Maliuth pulled her into his arms, “Yes. The Elder is gone.”
“I saw him.” She struggled to sit up and Maliuth pulled her into his arms. “In the void, we passed each other as I was coming back to you. I think Flaura is going to send his energy to Earth as punishment.” She started laughing and only Jerr joined her. The new Elder seemed to find her statement as funny as she did.
“Okay my love.” Maliuth held her more tightly, “We need to get you home.”
“How did you find me so quickly?” Alea asked as they started from the room.
Maliuth was forced to pause, “Ori led us to you.” Realizing he had not properly thanked the Oracle, he turned that direction instead of the doors. “Thank you Ori. Without your help we would not have found Alea in time.”
Maliuth: The Reborn Page 8