The Monster's Caress: A Seven Kingdoms Tale 8 (The Seven Kingdoms)

by S. E. Smith

  The alien’s bellow of rage forced Asahi into action. Though still dazed, he drew his dagger, twisted, and threw it with deadly accuracy. Nali swept past him as he collapsed in an exhausted heap. She swung Ashure’s enchanted sword with a primitive war cry. The two magical blades pierced the malevolent being—one through the chest, the other in the center of its forehead.

  Asahi forced himself to his feet and beheld the winged creature who had emerged from the Gateway. She looked like a phoenix—

  No, a dragon, he thought as she spewed a dazzling torrent of fire. The small dragon was covered in flaming, black downy feathers and shielded with golden armor. He instinctively turned away and lifted his arm to shield his face from the flame, only to lower it when he didn’t feel any heat. He stared in awe at the flaming bird-like dragon hovering above the shrieking alien.

  “What is that?” Nali breathed in disbelief, dropping her sword and staggering back.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She gripped his shoulders in shock. They both jumped and turned their heads, protecting their eyes, when a brilliant light engulfed the alien, temporarily blinding them.

  Asahi carefully lowered his arm and straightened. He studied the alien’s rigid form, forever frozen like the ash-covered mummified bodies at Pompeii. It looked like a plaster casting.

  He tightened his hold on Nali when she tried to pull away from him. They looked at each other, then turned toward Xyrie, still shocked to see her as a woman made of living gold instead of a unicorn. She came closer and stood beside them, and then all of their attention was arrested by a young adolescent—a black-haired girl who suddenly replaced the bird-dragon. The girl stood with her feet spread apart, staring back at them with a wide-eyed and wary yet curious gaze. She gently caressed the head of a gigantic golden creature that resembled the golden Xyrie, only instead of a gold woman, it was a dog with long droopy ears.

  The girl kept looking at them and then at the encrusted alien. She was clearly trying to discern if they were a threat. Asahi stepped in front of Nali and raised his hand.

  “It’s alright. We won’t hurt you,” he said in a calm voice.

  “It’s not me that I’m afraid you might hurt,” the girl replied.

  The sound of thumping and the cracking of the crust surrounding the alien drew their attention. Nali grabbed Ashure’s sword from the ground. Asahi urgently waved his hand at the girl when she stepped closer to the alien.

  “Stop!” Asahi warned.

  “Will someone get me out of here?” Mr. Gryphon demanded from inside the crust.

  “Mr. Gryphon?” Nali exclaimed in a shocked voice.

  “Get me out of this pie crust!” the Golden Dagger growled.

  A small golden paw appeared through a hole. Asahi hurried forward and began pulling pieces of the crust away. Mr. Gryphon stuck his head out of the opening and glared at him.

  “If I wasn’t an animated object, I would need therapy for this!” Mr. Gryphon yelled, trying to wiggle through the opening. “My dagger’s stuck,” he added with a grunt.

  “Stand back,” Nali said, lifting her sword.

  Asahi stood aside as Nali smashed the hilt of the sword against the crust. Long cracks appeared, spreading outward. She hit it again and it crumbled. Asahi caught Mr. Gryphon in mid-flight. He held the dagger with one hand and cupped the exhausted lion with the other. He frowned when Nali grabbed his arm and pulled him back a step.

  “Asahi!” Nali said with alarm.

  Something under the pile of crust was moving. He gripped the hilt of the dagger, ready to use it. Everyone warily watched as a slender golden arm appeared.

  “Don’t hurt her,” the young dragon-shifter said.

  “Stay back,” Asahi ordered.

  The girl ignored him, stepped forward, and carefully uncovered the woman. He glanced at Nali and then at Xyrie, who was glowing.

  “She won’t hurt you,” the girl said, helping the woman sit up.

  “Who are you?” Nali whispered, staring at the young adolescent.

  “Her name is Phoenix,” the golden woman responded. “She came to help me. You heard my plea,” she said with a smile.

  “Aminta?” Xyrie murmured with concern, stepping forward.

  “Xyrie, wait! This may be another trick,” Nali warned, holding her arm out.

  “No. The alien is finally dead. I’m no longer infected,” Aminta said, rising to her feet with Phoenix’s help.

  “How can we be sure?” Asahi asked.

  Aminta smiled at Phoenix and then looked at Asahi. She shimmered, turning almost transparent. When she held out her hand, there was something in it.

  “The Goddess’s Mirror!” Nali exclaimed.

  “A gift given long ago to the Empress of the Monsters to help her watch over and protect the Seven Kingdoms,” Aminta said, holding out the mirror to Nali.

  Nali lowered her sword and took the mirror. In its reflection, Asahi could see Aminta giving the mirror to the first Empress of Monsters. The image shifted, and he saw Aminta watching over the creatures living in the Seven Kingdoms with the pride and joy of a loving parent. He looked at Xyrie when she spoke.

  “Aminta is an ancient. She is among the few of our kind who still remain from the creation of time. When we thought she was destroyed, we vowed to do what we could to protect this world,” Xyrie confessed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you help us?” Nali exclaimed in shock.

  Aminta shook her head. “It would be easy for us to solve the problems of all the realms we have created, but it would also be a disservice. We learned long ago that after we give birth to new worlds, it is best to restrict our presence as much as possible. I was visiting Valdier when I was attacked and severely weakened. I am sorry that this abomination used me against you,” she said.

  “My family defeated the man who hurt you,” Phoenix reassured her. “I overheard them talking about it. My Grandma was there too, of course, ‘cause she helps care for the river of symbiots. She’s the Priestess of the Hive,” Phoenix informed the residents of the Seven Kingdoms.

  “The river… I saw what happened,” Asahi quietly replied. He looked at Phoenix. “But she called you to help defeat the alien?” he said.

  “Yep!” Phoenix smiled at him. “My mom is human like you, but my dad is from Valdier. Stardust is a symbiot. She’s made from the same energy as Aminta. I think that’s how I got the message.”

  The next question on Asahi’s lips died when the ground trembled. Nali readied her sword while Phoenix shifted into a dragon and literally disappeared before his eyes. When he heard trees cracking and splitting, his first thought was that yet another part of the alien must have found them, so he was very relieved to hear Ashure’s loud voice carrying through the trees.

  “Koorgan, do you even know what the definition of stealth is? Sea Monkeys are quieter than you, and everyone knows how loud and annoying those damn things are!” Ashure complained.

  “Believe me, I know. You put a whole shipload of the damn things in my bedroom on my wedding night,” Koorgan’s deep voice growled.

  “What are you…?” Ashure exclaimed. “Koorgan, don’t you dare…. Orion! Damn it! Get me out of this tree!”

  “It is amazing that those two have survived this long,” Xyrie observed with an amused sigh.

  Phoenix’s giggle drew Asahi’s attention. She had reappeared and was looking at him with eyes shining in delight.

  “They sound just like my family when we all get together,” Phoenix giggled. “I better go home now. I have a feeling that I’m going to be grounded for a long, long time.”

  “I will escort you home, child,” Aminta said.

  Phoenix shyly nodded. “That would be cool. Do you know Aikaterina? She—” Aminta, Phoenix, and the oversized golden Basset Hound passed through the Gateway as if they were going for a stroll in the park, and the sound of their conversation was cut off as the Gateway closed behind them.

  Koorgan, Orion, and the
others—excluding Ashure, who was still yelling—appeared out of the forest.

  “Where is the alien?” Koorgan growled.

  “It was destroyed,” Nali said with a grin.

  “For good this time?” Gem inquired, solidifying next to Ross.

  “For good,” Nali replied.

  “What about you, Asahi? Are you… alright?” Ross asked, looking at him with a wary expression.

  Asahi thought about the question for a second before he dipped his head in response. “I’m more than alright,” he asserted, wrapping his arm around Nali and pulling her close.

  “Thanks to me,” Mr. Gryphon interjected. “Don’t forget that part.”

  Relieved laughter burst from everyone there. “Yes. Thanks to you, Mr. Gryphon,” Asahi acknowledged.

  The gryphon sniffed. “That’s ‘Golden Dagger’. I definitely need a new title after all of this,” the lion proclaimed, with a wave of his paw. “Maybe I should call myself the Magnificent Golden Dagger. That has an impressive sound to it, don’t you think?” Mr. Gryphon asked.

  Nali chuckled and leaned against Asahi. “I think you’ve created a monster,” she murmured near his ear.

  “The first of many, I hope,” he pledged.

  Nali’s eyes flashed with desire. She reached up and tangled her fingers in the hair at his nape. He captured her upturned lips in a kiss that left no doubt he meant what he said.

  He ignored the chorus of laughter and the sound of Ashure’s aggravated curses still carrying from farther back in the trees. The only thing he focused on was the beautiful, passionate woman in his arms. If he remembered correctly, she had mentioned something about an amazing little cottage nearby.

  Chapter 30

  Nali sighed and leaned back against Asahi as they stood on the cliff above the lake and watched the last of her gargoyle soldiers return home. She vaguely wondered if maybe she had been a little too blunt about insisting that everyone leave. Her guilt melted away when Asahi kissed her neck.

  “I’m impressed,” he murmured.

  She turned in his arms and slid her hands up his chest. “You don’t think I was a little too…,” she paused, trying to find the right word.

  “Bossy?” he teased.

  She leaned her head back and laughed. “I am the boss of them—but I was rude, wasn’t I?” she asked with a wince.

  “Not rude. Impatient, but I suspect they were just as impatient to leave, spread the good news, and hold their loved ones close. I know that’s how I’m feeling at the moment,” he responded as he leaned forward and kissed her.

  She slid her arms around his neck, pressed herself against his hard body, and returned his kiss. She groaned with exasperation when a dozen shadows passed overhead. Reluctantly ending the kiss, she looked up and laughed when she realized flying horses had cast the shadows. They had returned.

  “It was nice of Ariness and Isha to open portals for everyone,” she commented.

  Asahi chuckled. “I think everyone was grateful because it shut Ashure up,” he agreed.

  “I must see if I can find his missing magic mirror. Now that he knows it can act as a portal, I’m sure the only reason he wants it back is so he can torment Koorgan,” she replied.

  “Koorgan mentioned something along those lines. Apparently, Ashure has a long list of retaliations planned against Koorgan for placing him in that tree.” He laughed, then sighed and looked thoughtfully out over the Isle of the Monsters.

  He looked down when she caressed his cheek. “What is it?” she asked.

  He captured her hand and pressed his lips against the back of her fingers. “There was always a note of reverence in my grandfather’s voice when he spoke of your world. I heard it, but I never really understood it until now,” he said.

  She tightened her grip on his hand. “Our world. You belong here, with me.”

  He trailed his fingers down her cheek. “Aishiteru. I love you, Nali,” he murmured.

  She leaned forward and kissed him. “What do you say we go find that cottage I was telling you about?” she suggested.

  “Walk or fly?” he asked.

  “Fly… definitely fly. It’s faster,” she laughed.

  Less than ten minutes later, Asahi’s feet sank into the soft soil as Nali released her grip on him in front of a beautiful hut that looked like it was from a fairy tale. Smoke rose from the stone chimney. Nali touched down beside him. He was struck once again by her beauty. Her long, black curls fell around her shoulders. She briefly shimmered as she transformed. Her wings folded and disappeared from sight.

  “I come here sometimes, when I want to be alone,” she explained.

  “It is beautiful—and peaceful,” he said.

  “Yes,” she quietly agreed, stepping around him and opening the door.

  He followed her, pausing at the threshold. He allowed his gaze to linger over the room, noting each detail. Near the door, was a square table with two chairs. It was set for two diners to share an intimate meal. Dark blue cloth napkins had been placed on the plates and a beautiful crystal vase held fresh cut flowers in the center.

  A cozy fire burned in the fireplace. He blinked when a small creature with pointed ears suddenly appeared in front of him holding up a bowl of fresh fruit. Another one hurried over and whispered to it.

  “You can leave the food for later. We would like to get cleaned up first,” Nali instructed.

  “Yes, Empress,” the creature said with a quick bow.

  “Elves?” he asked with a note of uncertainty.

  “House elves. They are incredibly efficient,” she said with a smile.

  “I can see that,” he said, watching them move about with amazing speed.

  She turned and captured his hand. “I thought we should clean up before we eat,” she suggested, walking toward an open door leading into a bedroom.

  The suggestive look in her eyes left no doubt as to what was on her mind. He strode forward, grasped her wrist, and twirled her around, then pulled her back against him. His lips connected with her throat when she tilted her head sideways and chuckled.

  “Let me help you,” he said.

  “Oh, yes,” she breathed.

  The sensual slide of Asahi’s fingers along her wrist sent waves of pleasure through her. She loved the way he ran his hands across her skin. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. Every caress, every kiss showed his love for her.

  Her heart thundered in anticipation when he trailed his fingers under the collar of her blouse, and with the precision of a tailor, slowly undid each button. Her body heated at the sensuality of his movements.

  The soft material of her blouse slid down her arms. Nali swallowed when he carefully folded the fabric and placed it on the dresser, then gave her a heated look that she felt deep in her very core. The sexual tension between them was intensifying. She barely kept still as he slid his hands down her bare arms to the hem of her thin undershirt.

  She thought he was going to remove it. Instead, he slipped his fingers underneath, caressing her stomach. He guided her to a chair in the corner of the room, and she sat down, watching as he silently removed her boots.

  Gazing at his long fingers, she followed their movements as he unhooked each bootstrap with meticulous precision. Memories of his hands as they glided over her flesh, memorizing every inch of her, sent a shiver of awareness through her.

  She touched a tuft of his hair that hung down over his forehead, smiling at the contrast between his strong, chiseled face and his tousled hair. His lips curved into the mysterious smile that drove her crazy, but he didn’t look up from his task. He held her calf while he pulled off her boot and long stocking. She gritted her teeth to keep from groaning out loud when he placed both aside before doing the same to her other foot.

  “You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?” she murmured.

  He smiled again in response, and her inner muscles clenched as she let him do as he wished to her. Each touch was deliberate, as if he were carefully unwrapping a special gift
.

  She took a deep breath when he rose to his feet and held out his hands. Their eyes locked as he unfastened the button on her trousers and slowly lowered the zipper. She tilted her head back as he gently blew on her neck and collarbone, sending tingles down her spine in sensual waves.

  “Asahi,” she whispered when he slowly pulled her trousers and panties off, his penetrating looks making her tremble with need. He had barely touched her and she was already incredibly sensitive, waiting for what he would do next. He stood, taking the time again to fold each item neatly, then picked up her stockings and placed the items on the dresser.

  Impatient, she grasped the hem of her undershirt. When he gave her a sharp, silent look, she released it, moaning in frustration and glaring at him.

  He walked back to her, leaned very close, his lips a breath away from hers, and caressed her hips with the tips of his fingers as he pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her naked. She parted her lips and swayed toward him, feeling his clothed erection against her. He took a step back, folded her undershirt, and started to turn away, but she reached out and gripped his arm, keeping him from moving.

  “Leave it. The house elves will wash them,” she said in a voice laden with desire.

  He smiled and shook his head. He carefully folded the top and placed it on the pile of clothing. She waited for him to return and felt another wave of heat when she noticed the desire in his eyes as he lovingly looked at her curves and gleaming skin.

  “Why?” she asked as she looked at the clothes and then at him.

  He stopped in front of her, captured her hand, and lifted it to his lips. “A flower, especially one as rare and precious as you, should always be respected,” he explained as he caressed her cheek. “It is an honor for me to undress you. I show respect to you by caring for your belongings. Plus…,” he murmured near her ear as he slowly walked around her, “it builds the anticipation. I will worship your body, Nali.”

  A shaft of need, so sharp that it created a physical pain, ran through her. She closed her eyes and focused on the touch of his lips on her bare shoulder and his hands as he caressed her buttocks. A breathy moan slipped from her when he slid his hand across her stomach and cupped her breast. She opened her eyes and hungrily gazed at him.