by Marie Harte
"Why? When all he seeks is to praise Ratlaharan's wisdom in his chosen gift, my—our—treasure.” His eyes burned into hers, a wealth of emotion Mal couldn't ignore.
"Ah, well then. Just tell him to revere me internally. All this bowing is embarrassing."
"Yes, kina.” He bowed low, his eyes twinkling, but he murmured something to Blite, who stopped bowing, though the furtive looks at her continued.
She sighed. “Okay. I'll try the last two now, but I could use your help.” Core nodded. “I'm going to use my familiar, and if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to use your ‘true self’ as well, for added strength."
He stared at her, curious, and she motioned for him to free The Snake.
His eyes immediately changed, and she watched as he stepped from the green mist that suddenly enveloped his body. Everyone around them watched in awe as Core's true self emerged, a giant, hissing snake glowering around the room.
Mal closed her eyes and turned in on herself, seeking the familiar playing mischievously with her internal magic. Come out, come out, kitty. I need you now. Finding the healing spirit within her, she transformed into the small black cat and stared up at a world in black and white.
Much as she hated the nuisance of a lack of color, the auras around the living provided a much-needed insight into using magic. The men lying before her, the last of the injured, appeared as if already dead. Askin was in the process of making the transition from life to death. But Hern, he fought determinedly to stay in his body. And it was to him she trotted.
Placing a paw over his chest, she glanced back to see Core and the others gaping at her. The Snake, however, stuck out his tongue, trying to taste and smell her being. She nodded at him, encouraging his inquiry. His tongue ruffled the fur between her ears, but he complied when she meowed at him to near.
"Kina?” Core's eyes had never been so wide, and she blinked at him lazily, smiling with a crooked tail.
Hern, however, couldn't wait any longer. So she turned her attention on the man and closed her eyes. The snake seemed to know what she needed, and curled itself around her and Hern, wrapping her in its muscled body and pulsating magic.
It took some doing, but eventually Hern regained his spirit, and his body began to heal. The wound that had severed an artery in his leg, causing him to nearly bleed to death, scarred and receded. And his gray color slowly appeared less and less white, until he was nearly glowing with good health.
"War Leader?” Hern rumbled and slowly sat up with the help of Luar and Blite. He glanced at Mal and The Snake and froze. “Cuwenicu.” He immediately prostrated himself, as did the others, and Mal huffed her displeasure.
Meow.
"I believe Cuwenicu wished us all to refrain from bowing.” Core chuckled and reached through his true self to Mal, lifting her purring body in his arms.
Damn but she felt tired, tired but wonderful cuddled against Core's solid heartbeat. His scent enveloped her, and she lay next to him, comforted by his presence. The Snake lengthened and seemed to lick at Mal before rejoining Core.
All around them Talians cried out with joy, shouting and laughing and crazed with delight.
Mal flicked her tail and curled it over Core's arm, too tired to turn back. “Meow?"
"I've got you, kina. Rest and regain your strength. We've much to do these next few days."
She purred against him, overjoyed at his responsive rumble, and kneaded his scaling flesh with her claws. Marking him, her feline senses determined.
Mine.
Chapter Seven
When Mal next awoke, it was to feel a large, callused palm stroking her fur oh so gently. She stretched under his hand, alerted when he stilled before petting her again.
"You're awake."
She blinked to find Core staring at her, his hand gliding over her black silky fur. Seeing him so close, the flecks of green in his large gray eyes like emeralds, brought her to immediate arousal. And without thinking about it, she transformed back into Mallory, skipping the clothing she'd been wearing.
Core stared, his nostrils flaring, and covered her without hesitation. He plastered his mouth to hers, his lips and tongue more potent than any wine. To her surprise, he wore no clothing, and the feel of his heavy erection against her belly was a sweet torment.
"Yes, kina. The taste of you has only whetted my appetite. And I did promise to show my appreciation, did I not?"
She groaned and dragged her hands through his hair, pulling him closer into the kiss. Licking at his lips, she pushed her tongue into his mouth, loving the hard taste of her lover. Sex, raw and unbridled, burst on her tongue as she laved the roof of his mouth.
Feeling decidedly aggressive, she rolled with him until he lay under her, plundering his mouth until he groaned. His cock slid between her thighs, gliding easily through her creamy arousal. His hand left her hair to roam over her neck and back, settling on her hips. He pulled her harder against the head of his shaft, teasing her clit with delicious circles of heat. She felt her orgasm rising, like a rushing tide threatening to crush her under its impact.
Not ready to finish, she trembled as his teeth captured her nipple and began sucking.
"Core, baby, that is so good,” she couldn't help gasping.
He vibrated deep within his chest, a sure sign of his pleasure, and she clenched her jaw to keep from screaming out as he tortured her other breast just as sweetly.
"Fuck me,” she cursed, wishing she had more staying power. But she needed him, now, and spread her thighs wide to take him. Rising up, she settled over his fat penis and sank inch by inch until he filled her tightly.
The heady sensation nearly undid her, as did the sudden, unexpected anal penetration nearly making her head explode with unbearable pleasure. One thrust, just one, and she'd climax. As if sensing her readiness, Core remained still, his eyes shut tightly, his teeth clenched at the effort he exerted.
Mal thought him the most perfect thing she'd ever seen. She bit her lip and began moving over him, not sure how he could possibly be in both holes at the same time, considering the awkwardness of this position for his ‘true self', but she didn't question it further.
His eyes shot open and he stared at her as she rode him, his hands cupping and teasing her breasts. Each rocking motion brushed her clit against his pelvis, and the girth in her ass continued to stimulate the erotic sensations deep in her body, building her climax too fast.
She slammed harder, faster, nearly coming when he rolled her nipples through his fingers.
"Ah, kina, never have I felt so much,” Core breathed. “Come for me, sweet. Give me what I need, what you want."
Mal screamed as she came, a waterfall of lust and love so intense it blocked every other thought and feeling from her mind. As she clenched around him, she felt him pulse and shudder inside her, filling her with him. His seed inside her stimulated her anew, and she quaked over his body as she sated herself in him.
Moments, lifetimes passed, and she sat with Core inside her, one entity, one soul joined as intimately as possible.
Staring into a face she felt she knew as well as her own, she sighed with pleasure and leaned over him, conscious he remained buried deep. “I can't believe just days ago I was worried about making my rent. And now I'm ... here.” In love with you.
He smiled, his grin decidedly wicked. “And I'm, here.” He wiggled, reminding her he remained hard as his seed trickled over them both. “In you, kina. Deep within you.” He kissed her and she sighed. “I'm keeping you,” he mumbled, nuzzling her neck in that sexy way that turned her to mush.
"What's that?"
He glanced up, his eyes watery, and she froze. “You, Cuwenicu, are my treasure, my gift. My true self."
"Is this a snaky way of trying to tell me you love me?” she asked, joy and confusion spinning her already tilting world out of whack.
His penis throbbed hard, and it felt as if he sank deeper inside her. “How could I not love you? You healed my people, destroyed my enemy, and sav
ed me from a lifetime of loneliness?” He grinned, his smile fading when she simply stared. “And you, kina? What do you desire? To return to your world?” he asked quietly.
She really could care less about Newtown. But to just leave without saying goodbye? Though she'd never been close to her parents, they were her only family. And Sherm and Sheila, Rattler.... She definitely wanted to talk to him one more time. Already her thoughts swayed toward staying here. She had done good in this world, and by damn she'd been thanked. Mal felt as if she made a real difference here. And then of course, there was Core. Despite their short ‘acquaintance', she couldn't imagine living without him. His strength, his caring, hell, his giant snake. She had a real thing for power, and the love he gave her made her feel ten feet tall. Did she really have a choice in this?
Staring at the face she'd come to love, she smiled, surprised to feel a tear snake its way down her cheek. “My world is your world, Core. I love you."
His breath rushed out and he hugged her so tightly she could barely breathe.
"Core!"
"I'm sorry, kina,” he said as he rained kisses over her face. “But you had me worried."
"Okay,” she breathed, needing to gather her wits. “To recap, you love me, want me to stay with you, and we'll spend the rest of our lives trying to defeat the Phrellians."
"And you love me, agree to live with me, here, forever, and will cater to my every need like a proper Talian mate.” His lips remained flat but his eyes danced.
"Yes, to the first two, and a definite ‘hell no’ to the last. Cater to your whims? You can take that idea and shove it up your...."
He cut her off with a hard kiss to the lips, his lips curled in laughter. “I'm joking, Mallory. I love you. The ‘trade witch’ who makes my knees shake and my senses stir by taking a breath. You make me whole, kina. And with you by my side, we can accomplish anything. My Cuwenicu."
"About that. It's going to take a bit of getting used to, living here. I may try to make some changes, but I'll do my best to fit in.” Yeah, like a checker on a chess board. “But I can't just leave my world, my friends and family, without saying goodbye."
He frowned. “You would return to your world then? And what if you cannot come back to me?"
"Who said anything about leaving you?” She smiled, the answer to their dilemma at hand. “You're coming with me. If Rattler is who you say he is, he'll be able to shoot us both back here in a jiffy."
"A what?” He looked distracted but pleased, even awed, no doubt thrilled at the idea of meeting his ‘god'.
"Never mind. Come on, let's go before I change my mind.” She sniffed in dismay at the small cave. “You guys really need to get on the bandwagon with indoor plumbing."
* * * *
They returned to the pleasure house in just under two days. This trip felt much different from the last, however. Joy burgeoned through Mal with every step and every beat of her heart. Her future, Core, loped by her side with an easy grace, turning her thoughts most carnal at every glance. For his part, he remained by her side, stealing a feel at every opportunity. They'd made love on their trip, and planned together the best strategies for outing the traitor and beginning the painstaking defeat of the Phrellians. Raw magic, Mal was teaching Core, could be extremely useful against an unsuspecting foe. And, even better, it didn't require wax.
Core scouted the pleasure house before allowing her entry, an action that amused as well as annoyed her. Now that they'd ‘bonded', he had started acting all protective. And while she relished the affection growing between them, the caveman tactics had to go.
Ignoring his order to wait outside until he returned, she entered and walked cautiously in the dark. “Screw this,” she muttered, and used a small drop of magic to illuminate a three foot radius around her. This portion of the center would be safe considering Core had cleared a path.
She faltered when she met the second level, aware her chances of returning home hinged on finding that black door again, the one that had disappeared the moment Core had pulled her through. The small illumination around her wasn't enough, so she waved her hands and increased the area of her spell. She stared at the blank brown wall, noting the black marble flooring no longer stained with blood and bodies.
Someone had cleaned up around here, that much was obvious. But who?
"Cuwenicu, you were told to wait, were you not?” Fenin, one of Core's trusted men, spoke quietly from her left, startling her into a breathless cry.
"Hecate's blood, Fenin, don't do that. You scared the life out of me."
"Not quite.” He smiled, and the grin put her on guard. His teeth looked as sharp as razors, and the snakelike eyes and shimmering scales told her he meant business.
"Fenin? You're here to help protect the War Leader, right?” Please tell me this guy isn't the traitor. She knew from Core's many comments how he, Blite, Luar and Fenin had grown up together, raised in the communal centers like brothers. They had all lost loved ones to the Phrellians, and she herself had watched Fenin take several Phrellians down the last time she'd been in this place.
"I am here to help him, yes."
Then why the battle armor? “Okay,” she said slowly, wishing she had another charm on her bracelet. She could of course call magic, but she still had yet to recover from healing so many a few days ago. Not to mention she'd grown both stronger with Core's presence, and weaker without him. Strange magic, but she'd take what she could get.
"You see, Mallory, the legend of Cuwenicu has been long in the making. Several versions describe Cuwenicu, Ratlaharan's messenger, as our savior. A warrior sent to kill our enemy and keep us in our rightful place in Horum Veirus. Other, darker but no less accepted versions, predict our ‘savior’ to be an alien harlot destined to bring down the line of kings. Our War Leader has already softened. You weaken our strengths, distract our leader, and taint our heritage."
Fenin scowled and a murky green cloud appeared over his head. Core had yet to appear, and Mal felt sick that something had happened to him.
Fenin's snake curled off of his body like a fat-bellied leech. The reptile was smaller than Core's, but no doubt as deadly. Its yellow, triangular head sat atop a yellow and brown speckled body. Five feet in length and most likely a hundred or more pounds. Not good, not good at all.
"I'm not your Cuwenicu,” she said quickly, stepping back as she tried to conjure the best spell to protect herself without overdrawing on her reserves. “I'm a woman who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Or right place at the right time, she mentally corrected, knowing Core was the reason she'd come. “I'm as much a victim in this as you are to the Phrellians. I didn't ask to be here. Show me the black door and I'll leave."
"Black door?” He shook his head. “I admit you're an amazing sorceress. But I've seen others with your power. None have corrupted our leader like you, however. And for that, you must return to your maker."
She sighed. “That's what I'm trying to tell you. Find me the black door and I'll leave."
"No, Mallory. To the god that created you, you will return, in pieces or whole, your choice.” His snake lunged, and she barely managed to avoid his fangs. Shit, shit, shit! She'd prefer ghouls and shifters to this snake any day. Much as she'd been glad to help heal Core's people the other day, it really wasn't helping her now. She had no power on which to draw. And where the hell was Core?
"Where is the War Leader?” she gasped as she evaded another strike.
"Safe and protected from your interference. The Phrellians aren't our enemy, you know. They only wanted the useless metals under our sacred ground. And the power they would give us, the protection and salvation of our race. Our true enemy are the sorcerers to the east. Your kind, I assume.” He sneered, the look not pretty on his scarred but determined face.
"You know, Fenin, Core and I have bonded. So you can kill me, but your War Leader will kill you for it.” He looked disturbed at the news. “And he won't thank you for serving him to your enemy."
"Oh really? How do you think we escaped in such numbers from our last attack? It was my reasoning with the Phrellians that allowed us to live."
"And your scheming that showed them our whereabouts in the first place,” Core growled from the dark corner of the room. He stepped into Mal's light, his head bruised and his hands sporting torn rope. “That you, Fenin, my loyal friend, my brother, could turn traitor wounds me more than you'll ever know."
Core bowed his head, and Mal saw an actual tear drop to the ground. But before she could say anything, Core's true self ascended, and the monstrous rage in the creature scared the hell out of her.
With her, Core had exercised caution and restraint. Even with the Phrellians he'd held onto himself. But with Fenin, he let himself go, completely. She watched in awe, power streaming through her being, as The Snake destroyed Fenin's true self. In less time than it would have taken Mal to teleport a criminal, The Snake had devoured Fenin's snake whole.
She swallowed around the lump of fear in her throat when the snake and Core turned on Fenin.
"I only did what I thought right,” the Talian tried to defend himself. Mal watched, curious, as Fenin's color slowly leeched out of him. The death of his true self seemed to sap his strength. And before long he began wavering on his feet. Core shook his head, his eyes bruised. But he nevertheless flashed his teeth and growled, hissing as he advanced on his old friend. The predator within him came to life as he launched himself at Fenin.
Ripping through the man's jugular with his teeth, Core tore his neck out, spitting out his blood and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He and The Snake shared a glance, and the serpent wound itself around Fenin. When The Snake left him, nothing remained. Not Fenin's clothing, his swords, or his body.
A bright light flashed, making her wince.
"Kina,” Core said, his voice subdued. “Behind you."
She blinked in surprise at the black door that had appeared. The knob gleamed, and she waited with baited breath while Core rejoined his true self and returned to her side.