by S. E. Smith
“My lords! Strangers approach!” One of the guards yelled down.
Tia felt her vision blurring and tried to calm the panic. Her heart slowed but continued to skip, leaving her weak. She turned to stare up at the top of the clear dome, recognizing the flying beast from home and the colors of her brother’s armor. Turning her head, she let it fall weakly back against Jett’s broad chest seeking comfort from his strength.
Roan turned to look up at the clear dome as well. Even in the dim light, he could see the flying creatures with warriors guiding them as they hovered around the top of the Kingdom. He ordered his men to their skimmers and to prepare for battle.
“Wait!” Jett’s voice rose over the mayhem. “What did you say, Tia?” He asked, concerned by her sudden pale complexion.
“It is Tamblin,” she said weakly. “I must…. see him…. one…. last…. time,” she murmured in a voice barely loud enough to be heard.
“Tia, what is it, my love? What do you mean one last time? What is wrong?” Jett asked fearfully, pulling her closer to his chest as he gazed down as her pale complexion.
Tia forced her eyes open so she could look into Jett’s handsome features. “I’m dying,” she forced out. “I…” tears filled her eyes and overflowed down her pale cheeks. “I…. cannot be…. your bride.”
*.*.*
“No,” Jett cried out hoarsely, looking to his father who heard the quiet words. “No, she cannot die. I love her,” he croaked out to his father in fear.
Roan looked at his son’s ashen face before gazing at the slender figure cradled protectively against his youngest son’s body. “There is a way to save her. Take her to the healing chamber,” he said, his face set in determination. He turned to his head guard. “Open the tunnel,” he ordered as he climbed onto his skimmer.
Jett watched his father rise up to fly over the walls of the palace. He pulled Tia closer to his body and strode for the entrance. He looked up at the door as he climbed the steps. His mother stood looking down at him with tears of compassion glimmering in her eyes. He felt her hand brush over his arm gently as he passed her.
“She will live if that is your decision,” his mother said quietly.
“It is,” Jett said striding down the long corridor toward the entrance to the healing chambers buried deep under the palace.
*.*.*
Tia drifted in and out of consciousness as her tiny heart struggled. Jett’s tender touch soothed her fears and a sense of peace settled over her. She would not be alone when she died. That had been one of her greatest fears. She heard voices in the background. At times they rose in anger before a gentle voice spoke.
“You understand what this means,” Roan said heavily as he looked at his son.
“Jett?” His mother reached out and touched his arm in fear and worry.
Jett turned his head to look at his mother and shook his head. “You do not understand. I knew the moment I saw her she was for me.”
Tamblin stepped forward; helpless rage twisted his features as he stared at the pale face of his beloved sister. “What do you mean she was for you? You did not even know her until today!” He bit out angrily. “Why did you take her? The excitement of being taken from her home is too much for her. Return her to me and let me take her home. At least she will die among her people!”
“No,” Jett said rising angrily and pulling his sword. “She is mine and will remain by my side!”
“What can you do?” Tamblin yelled as he took a step closer to Jett. “What can you do that we haven’t? There is nothing we can do to save her,” he said, anger and grief choking him as he stared at the tall male who stood protectively over Tia.
Jett’s jaw clenched and he looked at the glowing waters of their healing pool. As with all things in life, there had to be a balance with death. There could not be one without the other. The healing pools demanded such balance. The healing waters would not work if the balance was not maintained. Jett could not ask another to give their life in exchange for Tia. The only way the pools could save one as sick as her was if another life was sacrificed so that its power was replenished, keeping the balance between life and death.
Jett looked at Tamblin before turning to gaze tenderly down at Tia’s still form. “I would give anything to save her,” he responded quietly before letting his sword drop to the floor of the chamber. “I would give anything…. including my life.”
Tamblin fell backwards in confusion at the sudden change in the male in front of him. Jett didn’t give Tia’s brother a chance to protest. He gently scooped Tia up into his arms, smiling down at her still, pale face. He bent his head closer to her and brushed a soft kiss over her lips.
“I love you, Tia,” he murmured quietly, forgetting everyone else in the large chamber. “I give to you my heart, so that it may beat strongly for you. I give to you my strength so you never feel weak, and I give to you my love, so you will know the joy you have given me by just existing.”
Jett walked down the steps and into the swirling blue and silver waters of the pool, moving slowly until it covered Tia up to her chin. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his lips against hers one last time and slowly sank down under the shimmering surface.
Chapter 5
Tia felt waves of warmth flowing through her body. At first, she thought it was strange as she had been so cold before. Her heartbeat grew stronger as the warmth encircled her. She could feel Jett surrounding her with his love as well as his arms. Shimmering lights danced behind her eyelids as images of them together formed. It was as if she could see their life together. His eyes turning with laughter to her as he held one of their children in his strong arms as another clung to his leg. She could feel his strong arms holding her in the darkness as he listened to her tell him of her visions. She could feel the joy of him taking her on his skimmer through the lush mushroom forests that would soon cover their world again. In those few precious moments, she saw what she thought she would never have.
Tia felt strength suffusing her. It filled her body and a sense of peace and happiness at being whole again swept through her. She fought the urge to cry out when the lips pressed against hers suddenly fell away, waking her from the web of dreams she had been caught in. She opened her eyes under the swirling water, her feelings of joy turning to fear and despair when she saw Jett’s still, peaceful face floating before her.
Her hands went frantically to his face, cupping his cheeks and holding him. Fear unlike anything she had ever known made her press her lips to his in a desperate attempt to wake him even as her hands moved to his chest. Under her palms, his heart stuttered and stilled.
NO! She screamed silently. I won’t let you do this. I love you. You claimed me, she sobbed silently. How can I be your bride if you are not with me? How can my dreams become reality without you by my side? How can you hold our children if you are not there to give them to me? Please, no. Please, please, please, don’t leave me alone. She begged, pressing her lips frantically to his again in an effort to give him back what he had given to her. I don’t want your gift without you. You promised me strength but I am weak without your arms around me. You promised me joy but there is nothing but sadness without you there to make me laugh. You promised me your heart but without you it is empty. Please come back to me. I love you. Only together can I be strong. Only together can I find joy. Only together can we find love.
Tia closed her eyes, wrapping her arms and legs around Jett’s still, lifeless body. She gave herself to the swirling waters. She had no desire to live a half-life. If the gods and goddesses would take his life in exchange for hers then she would give them both of their souls so they could be as one for eternity.
Twisting her fingers through his long, braided ropes of hair, she let their bodies sink further under the dark blue and silver liquid. A sense of peace and acceptance settled over her. She would not die alone and she would not leave him.
“Keeper of the Stories,” a soothing voice echoed through her mind and resonated through h
er soul. “Do you not remember the story of the great warrior?”
Tia stirred as the vivid images flooded her mind. Imagines of a great warrior who was said to have fallen in love with a gentle girl from another tribe. Her mother’s voice flowed over her as the pictures danced through her mind.
“Remember Tia,” her mother scolded her when she drifted off instead of paying attention. “Only when the warrior gives the ultimate sacrifice will the gods and goddesses gift them with their hearts’ desire.”
“What is that, momma?” A tiny Tia asked, turning her large brown eyes in curiosity to her mother.
“He will give his heart to save her and she will refuse to accept it unless he keeps it safe for her,” her mother replied, stroking her hair.
“Does that make her a warrior too?” The child-like Tia asked. “If she fights for him, will that make her a warrior?”
“Of course, little one,” her mother said soothingly. “How can there be love if only one heart beats?”
Tia felt her body drifting upward, carried by the strong arms that surrounded her. I remember, momma, she thought. I remember.
Tia’s eyes fluttered open as the healing waters fell away from her. She stared up into the light violet eyes of Jett who smiled tenderly down at her as he carried her out of the healing pool. She reached a trembling hand up to lightly trace his cheek with her fingertips. An answering smile curved her lips.
“You are my warrior,” she murmured in awe, her eyes shining with love. “You are the warrior who would give his heart to me.”
Jett gazed down into her softly glowing eyes. “I would do anything for your love, Tia,” he said huskily. “You are my life.”
“As you are mine,” Tia replied, knowing that the vision she had of their life together would soon become a reality.
To be continued….. Tamblin’s Prize: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.2
Author’s Note:
I hope you enjoyed the story of Tia and Jett. These characters were first introduced in Ambushing Ariel: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4. I never expected to write them into Ariel’s story but once I did, I became fascinated with their characters. I feel all characters deserve to have their stories told if they wish to share it with me. Perhaps Tamblin might wish to share his story as well. I hope so.
~ S. E. Smith
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Smith has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed “geek,” she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy. Fans can reach her at [email protected] or visit her web site at: http://sesmithfl.com. Join me for additional information about the books at http://pinterest.com/sesmithfl/s-e-smith/, http://twitter.com/sesmithfl, or http://facebook.com/se.smith.5?fref=ts
Additional Books:
Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4.1)
Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
Lily’s Cowboys (Heaven Sent: Book 1)
Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)
River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)
Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Gracie’s Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)