by Alia Johnson
Odesha froze at that thought. Hide…there was a way! She scrambled to find Kunchok and Dek to tell them of her plan. They would only have one chance in a stolen moment to make it work, but it was worth a try.
The yeti were working on securing the tent hide with wooden stakes, when she burst through the clearing. Kunchok looked at her in concern. She was breathless in her excitement, panting with her words, frantically trying to explain. “I know how we hide from the king birds!”
Kunchok smiled at his mate, her clever mind continuing to surprise him. “Kunchok tell Dek king bird land no safe. Odesha plan?”
Odesha quickly explained her plan she had come up with, earning nods of approval from Dek and Kunchok. The battle could change in their favor if everything turned out the way it should.
As long as she could get the one on the other side to help. She had always been so independent. Strong-willed. Dangerous. It was going to be a task to make her see it Odesha’s way.
Kunchok drove the stake deeper into the ground, distracting Odesha.
“I'm going to gather some food for the tent. It looked like it's about ready. Do you need any help?” Kunchok nodded in agreement, his muscles straining as he maneuvered the strong hide. “No help. Storm come next moon. Tribe leave first light.” Kunchok nodded in the distance. Odesha squinted, trying to see a storm coming in the distance, but clear skies hovered as far as she could see.
“How do you know?”
Kunchok paused to think, shrugging slightly, “Feel storm inside.” He thumped his chest with his fist, turning back to drive another stake. Interesting. She didn't know yeti could tell when a storm was about to come. Odesha hoped the storm didn't bring more creatures. They didn't need another problem on top of the orik.
Odesha hurried to the middle of the camp, Halana and Fanni expertly sorting food for the rest of the tribe. Boni attempted to steal meat from a clay plate. Halana caught him, swatting him with her wooden spoon on his backside. He yelped in surprise at the light smack, turning to his new mate with a questioning look. She laughed at his discomfort, shooing him away to help with the tents.
Odesha smiled, gathering up Kunchok's dinner. “Mate behaving Halana?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Halana snorted in response. “Boni eat much. Halana good cook.”
Odesha laughed. “Kunchok said there is a storm coming tomorrow. We are leaving early if you can spread the word during dinner. We will have to move quickly. Anything heavy needs to be left behind. When we make it through king bird land, we have to pass over the mountain peak. Then we will be home.”
“Big storm come. Air feel different. Odesha eat?”
Odesha shook her head, blushing, and replied, “Ah. Kunchok and I are going to eat inside our tent tonight.”
Halana smiled brightly. “Halana happy Odesha happy.”
“Odesha happy too.” She had finally found her balance between ice and fire and could look forward to a long life.
The worry about joining Freyja in the ice garden was gone.
Clearing her throat, Halana remarked, “Horm talk Halana. Halafren.” Odesha gasped.
“What did he say?!”
“Horm say sorry treat young wrong. See Sashi evil. Wrong Boni. Happy Halana.” Halana had lost her sad look that she carried around. It was mixture between being with Boni and having her father's blessing, Odesha was sure of it.
Odesha held her arms out, hugging the larger yeti to her. “I'm so happy you are at peace, Halana.”
Halana returned to feeding the tribe, the long line forming. There was a lot of help from other yeti that joined in.
Odesha hurried back to the tent, carrying meat for Kunchok to eat. He had worked hard hauling their sled. Kunchok was on his knees placing feathered hide on the ground for them to keep warm during the night when she entered, but he didn't look up from his task. He scented his mate approaching and asked, “Odesha eat?”
A rustle of fabric sounded through the tent. Odesha stood in the doorway, naked, a plate held in her hand as she walked towards him. Her long white hair swished across her back, her pink nipples hard in the cold air.
Kunchok gulped, “Odesha no eat.”
Odesha smiled shyly. “In my home, the women serve the men if they are interested in mating with them.” Kunchok’s fur flared in response, his gaze heating with lust. He tilted his head to the side, exposing his neck. “Male serve woman?”
Odesha's eyes locked on to his neck as she licked her lips fleetingly, the mating mark prominent when Kunchok exposed the area. His smile turned savage at the small gesture, growling softly, used to teasing Odesha. She was feisty when she wanted something.
“Odesha hungry?” he rumbled. She nodded her head, the breath leaving her chest quickly as her need increased.
“Come.” Kunchok ordered, opening his arms wide, his great shoulders almost the length of the tent. Odesha walked slowly to the great yeti balancing the plate in her hands. His arms enfolded her as she held up a small piece of meat. His mouth opened, his sharp teeth gently taking it from her. She raptly watched his mouth while he continued to chew the rest of the food. Their eyes occasionally clashed, the tension in the room steadily rising as their needs took precedence.
Suddenly, Kunchok lashed forward to grasp Odesha's nipple between his teeth. She gasped, small tremors wracking her body as he gently sucked. The empty plate fell on the soft feathers while Kunchok devoured her gently. He leaned back to look in her eyes, “Kiss?” Their lips met as the fire inside her grew, tongues dueling for dominance. Kunchok pushed her to the feathers. Her hips spread in invitation. His heavy cock, extending out from his furred legs, gently pushed inside her. She hissed at the invasion, raking her nails down Kunchok's back. He growled deeply as he shoved forward, spearing her on his cock completely. The snarls and growls increased until they were both mindless, their bodies moving quickly to find completion. He looked down at his mate, her eyes lost at the pleasure they both shared.
“Bite Odesha. Feed.”
Odesha's hands reached around Kunchok's head, lightly holding the soft white locks as she pulled him forward, whispering in his ear, “I love you.” She sank her teeth deeply inside his exposed neck. He roared his release, pounding in her tight sheath as she took what he gave, whimpering her own release when her body clamped down tightly. Kunchok's arms gave out as he fell to his elbow, trying not to crush her smaller body.
Kunchok lifted his head from Odesha's beating heart. She gently stroked her claws through his fur. “What Odesha say?”
She smiled and replied, “I said I love you. Vo lo cos suti ba suta.”
He nuzzled her neck, repeating the vow, “Kunchok love Odesha. Vo lo cos suti ba suta.” He rolled over, pulling Odesha on top of him as they snuggled deep into the feathers.
“Odesha brother accept Kunchok?” he asked bluntly, running his claws down her side gently. He worried about their differences once they arrived in Antiqua. She had described her half-brother as a painfully blunt, harsh man who took his job as future king seriously, ruling without the crown.
Odesha shrugged, replying quietly, “It is hard to tell what brother thinks or what mood he is in. It changes so frequently. He is kind to Saphira.”
“Brother no kind Odesha?” he asked, watching her eyes closely in case she tried to hide the truth. He didn't believe she would lie to him, but family was different when you were looking from the outside to describe a situation.
“He…tolerates me. I guess I've never opened up to him like I did my sister. For a while, she was all I had.” Odesha yawned, burrowing deeper into her covers.
“Sleep,” Kunchok whispered. They had forever to speak about her family, but tonight they needed to rest for the coming storm.
Chapter 18
The next day the sleds were packed early, the children roused from sleep. They held tightly to their parents in the white snowy field, apprehensive about the dark forest they had been warned about through their lives. The group reached the tree line of t
he orik forest. Kunchok, Dek, and Odesha stood in front of their people, shielding them from the harsh screams of the orik carrying on the wind. They were lucky to not see any flying around them. Breathing in deeply, Odesha braced for the hard battle ahead. The storm was creeping forward in the far distance, so they still had time.
Freyja give them strength. Let her see reason to help.
The weight of the bloodstone felt heavy in the cold day. Odesha grasped it tightly, pulling it from underneath her gown, brushing the cold frost from the etched inscription on the silver face. In the harsh demonish language, she recited the words, calling forth the only one that could help them in their time of need.
The wind whipped Odesha's gown from her legs, tossing her hair into the air. Several yeti gasped, falling to their knees in prayer, whispering they were angering the spirits of the forest. The shape of a woman molded in front of Odesha as if spewing from the earth. The form solidified as the face of her sister came into view.
Vashti had arrived.
Vashti's form pieced itself back together. She had been training and was about to select her weapon when she had felt the pull take her. It had been shocking, seeing her hands disappear from her body. The faces around her were horrified. Vashti's shocking golden eyes locked with Odesha's, her golden hair arranged in a severe bun. Her loose black pants tangled with the wind, giving her an otherworldly appearance. A lone flame was stitched on her breast.
Vashti stood confused in the snow, eying her sister, and said with a gruff voice, “We thought you dead, sister.”
Odesha's eyes watered with tears and rushed to embrace her twin. “We don’t have much time to talk, Vashti.”
She released her hold and grasped Odesha's hands urgently, asking, “Where are you and how did you call me to you?”
“Across the mountains from Antiqua, crossing into orik lands to reach home. I have to take this group through dangerous territory. Large carnivorous birds guard the skies.” Odesha indicated the frightened people behind her and the forest in front of them. Kunchok stood firmly at her side giving her the confidence she needed.
Vashti’s eyes tightened. “You bring these people home?” The suspicions in her heart were hard to break. She didn't trust many.
“Yes, yes. I don't have time to explain right now. Have the castle at Antiqua prepared. Send word to father. I'm better, Vashti, truly. I found my fire.” She removed her hand from Vashti and clasped Kunchok’s tightly, earning a fond look from her mate.
Vashti eyebrows rose. The large male beside Odesha was intimidating. It surprised her that Odesha had let him close enough to speak with her. The story of how they met would be interesting to hear. “You found your spirit as well it seems. I will have everyone await you at the castle,” Vashti promised solemnly. She was happy for Odesha, truly she was.
“You never believed Mother's words about the fire inside,” Odesha recalled, secretly happy that Vashti had agreed so quickly.
Vashti looked away, explaining, “I may have been harsh when it concerned Mother. Maybe she had another reason. But let's discuss what I learned when we have more time together.” She shrugged dismissively, giving Odesha a sheepish smile. Vashti owed her an apology.
Odesha tugged her towards the forest, indicating where Kunchok had decided to enter. Vashti nodded her head, clasping her hand tightly, beginning to chant. Closing her eyes, Odesha joined with Vashti, reciting the words needed to turn the very air to do their bidding. The fog they called forth drifted through the trees, sheltering the traveling party from being seen by the orik. Dek released the call to move forward, the tight-knit people walking together cautiously through the trees. They ended their chant together, embracing each other to say goodbye.
“You never did say how you called me here, Odesha.” Vashti's nails tightened slightly on Odesha's arm, sending a sliver of apprehension racing through her.
Odesha cleared her throat. “I received the bloodstone with the letter you sent wishing me well on my trip to Antiqua. Don't you remember sending it?”
Vashti shook her head, turning away quickly, trying to hide her worry. She released Odesha when Kunchok started to growl at her. A healed cut she received weeks ago pulsed. A push at the market in Romule with a bloody spot on her arm seemed like nothing to worry about, but now she wondered who else had her blood and what they planned to do with it.
Odesha watched her twin closely, seeing the slight wince of worry race through her eyes. She whispered, “Do you have more enemies now?”
Vashti shook her head, muttering back, “Not any more than usual.” Vashti stared out into the snow in thought as her hands began to fade from view. Odesha noticed the quick fade, ripping the bloodstone from around her neck, extending a fang to prick her thumb, and pressing the bleeding digit over the seal. Vashti needed her now, there was no doubt. Her concern over the situation was obvious.
Odesha murmured the promise to the stone quickly, placing it around Vashti’s neck. “If you don’t see a sign of me by tomorrow…”
Vashti placed a finger over her mouth grimly. “You will come home, I know it. Even if I have to hunt the bastard who is using us.”
Odesha shivered, feeling pity for the person that stole her sister's blood as her body faded from view. Vashti had fire blazing in her veins, ready to scorch the world with her defiance. No one would stand in her way when she set her mind on something she wanted. Odesha turned back to the forest. Kunchok calmly waited at the tree line now that Vashti was gone. She ran to his side and helped heft the heavy sled, moving as silently as possible in the woods. Visibility was skewed, but hunters surrounded the group, helping to lead the people on the path they took on their frequent hunts. An occasional call from an orik peppered the air, but they seemed to stay over the top of the trees to stay far from the fog. It was as if they feared what they couldn't see. Odesha knew how they felt.
Black clouds floated across the trees, churning quickly, pushing fast over the tribe’s heads as if searching for something. Kunchok grunted, nodding his head to the sky, alerting Odesha. She nodded back, watching the menacing clouds boil and push, trying to reach their chosen destination, wherever that would be. They didn't move as if normal clouds did, continuing to grow as if taking baby steps in a new world it had discovered. She could only hope the monsters it brought stayed in the dark and away from her people. The tribe was safe, concealed in the fog, hidden beneath the orik. They pushed on to join the rest of the group, hoping they were moving fast. The fog wouldn't last forever, especially now that Vashti was gone.
Dek sent out a muffled call, gathering the tribe together when they reached the edge of the fading trees, the mountain beginning its high peak. Once gathered, they continued their march together in an ordered fashion, the fog fading from the trees behind them, relieved of its burden. The calls from the orik were distant behind them, the danger from the giant birds in the air past. Odesha couldn't believe the success of her plan. Vashti must have been growing stronger to command this skill.
Boni had scouted ahead and called for Dek, alerting him he had found somewhere for the tribe to stop for the night. He had stepped up as a hunter, using the advice Kunchok and Dek had been giving him. Halana puffed up her chest with pride at her mate's scouting ability. Odesha spotted Halana, standing by Fanni, helping keep track of the young children while their parents rested. Fanni had, thankfully, left her brew of loma behind and was taking charge in true chief-like fashion. She was stepping up to help Dek shoulder the burden of the large group. Everyone was helping and it showed.
“No tribe lost king bird land Kunchok,” Boni's messy appearance seemed relaxed as he reported his findings to his leader.
Kunchok grunted in acknowledgment, smacking Boni on the back. “Set tent.” Boni nodded, hurrying away to his sled to obey his orders without argument. This would be their last night in this dangerous land and he wanted to make sure the tribe was secure.
Kunchok found a spot well-guarded by several rocks. He moved to secure th
eir own tent to ready for the long night ahead. They were exposed and he knew it, but there was no other option. It was either here, the mountain, or the forest. It didn't leave them many options.
“My heart, I’m going to see if the food's been prepared and check on Fanni and Halana to see if they need help,” Odesha called out.
Kunchok looked around, assessing the danger, finding none, and replied, “Yell loud Odesha need Kunchok. No safe.” He pointed to the ground. She nodded apprehensively, walking towards the edge of the camp, keeping an eye out to monitor the hidden shadows. The darkness was starting to creep over the camp and Dek had ordered no fire to keep the orik from finding them. Everyone was on edge waiting for one to come from the sky. But that wasn't what they should fear.
Chapter 19
Halana directed the hungry tribe to the feeding area that she had set up. The meat was separated in clay bowls for the women to hand out to the working men patrolling and helping with the tents. They fed the children, quieting them when they became unruly or sad. It was tense throughout camp and the children could feel it.
Odesha hurried to help hand out food. She said, “Halana, I'm sorry we strayed from the group and caused you worry. My sister and I were catching up while I had time with her.”
Halana smiled, replying, “Odesha same face sister.”
“I was thankful she helped us. Yes, we are twins but different. My sister is the fierce one in our family. She is strong and curvy, while I'm just skin and bones. That's how I escaped the orik. Surely they wouldn't want to eat bones?” Odesha smiled, trying to lighten Halana's somber mood. Her ears were swiveling, a tell-tale sign she was checking for danger and trying not to let Odesha worry.
Halana set another clay plate on the small wooden table, asking, “Odesha no think sister help?”