A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I (16 page)

Obviously he wasn’t going to take the sword, so she threw it to the ground by his feet. Then she turned her back on him, and called Huntra. “Grow Huntra. Let’s leave.”

“I did it,” Cobaaron said quietly.

Ky watched as Huntra hopped toward her avoiding the skeletons. “What did you do? Let me live? Or let me leave? Because I’m not as impressed with you as you are with yourself.”

“I did what you asked, Ky.”

“What? Let me go?” she snapped, and then fed up, she headed to the gate.

“No, Ky, you asked me to train you. You asked me to make you a warrior, a fighter. I sparred with you. At least, I’ll keep training you. You’re fast, Ky. Did you see it? You kept up with my movements when I jumped.” Ky stopped and stared. “I saw it. You were as fast as I. You’re untrained, that is all. With practice, you could be great.”

“Why did you do it?” she asked.

“Because I want you to stay,” he said, “with me, Ky. I want you to stay with me.”

“Stay with you?” Ky marched up to him and shoved him. “You wanted to abandon me on the way here.” She hit him in the chest. “You refused to have a Union Ceremony with me,” she punched his arm. “You were all over that singer—
you kissed her
.” She started hitting him with each word she yelled, “You…tried…to…kill…me!” She pushed him hard, and then asked, “What makes you think I want to be with you anymore? You yell at me all the time. You scare me!”

“Ky,” he spoke softly, as he pivoted so she wasn’t clobbering his gut. “All I ever wanted to do is protect you. I’ve known scores of warriors who never loved a woman longer than a day. I didn’t think I
could
care about you. Not until you were miles away and all I thought about was you. It didn’t get better with distance, it got worse; that is…I realized what I felt wasn’t simply our union once you were apart from me. You’re kind, Ky. You have a heart of a real woman. Women in this world think of only getting ‘pregnant,’ as you say. That isn’t you. You’re not cunning that way. You’re different, and unlike anyone I’ve ever met. You’re pure even among Stars.

“I was angry when I told my men that I wanted to get rid of you, but I never meant it. I came here to make sure you arrived safely. And I didn’t agree to the Union Ceremony because I didn’t know if you wanted me anymore. About the singer…
I
didn’t kiss her, but say the word, and I’ll never let another woman near me again. Truly, I let her kiss me, because I wanted you jealous; I would know you returned my feelings if you disliked it, but when you smiled at me when we danced. I thought you didn’t care.”

“Of course, I don’t
want
you kissing other women! You haven’t even kissed me.” Ky crossed her arms. She was livid, but she wanted to believe everything he said. As much as she tried to not, she always cared for him.

He smiled, evidently pleased she was jealous. “So, what are you going to do? Are you still going to leave?”

“I don’t know,” she snapped. “I’m too mad to think clearly.”

“Come back with me, Ky. I won’t leave until you make up your mind. If you choose to stay, I’ll try to be happy for you. If you choose to leave, I’ll try to let you go. If you choose to come with me...I’ll take care of you. You have my word.” He gave her only a moment to ponder before asking, “What are you going to do?”

“Well, I’m going to still be mad at you. You can’t ever scare me, Cobaaron. When you yell, your size alone is intimidating. You
can’t
do that!” she huffed.

“I’ll try,” he said quickly. “I am trying.”

“And my cat goes
everywhere
with me. He’s mine; you can’t send him away, because you’re not a cat person. Even if he dislikes you.”

“It’s okay. I don’t like him either,” smiled Cobaaron.

“You’re such a smart aleck,” she mumbled, and couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ve been worse than that,” he said sounding guilty. “But in my defense this is all very new to me. I don’t know what I’m doing. But I’ll try to be soft-spoken.”

“I’ll leave when you leave. If anything, you can take me to another city where I don’t have to marry.”

He peered beyond the gate, sniffed the air, then said, “Come, Ky. Something is outside the gate. I think it’s listening.” He took her hand, called Huntra, and they hastily headed for the protection of the carved castle.

Cobaaron let go of her so he could listen and smell the air. “Something isn’t right. I’m going to send Octavos out to protect the castle tonight.” He repeated: “Something is definitely not right.”

CHAPTER TEN

“You should be excited; today is your Lighting Ceremony, and you’ll get special gifts. We celebrate your Shooting Star Festival with another feast tonight, too,” Oella said with a large grin when she entered Ky’s room the following morning. Ky was still asleep when Oella gushed over the day’s scheduled events. It startled her awake, and she only caught bits of what Oella was saying. Ky was surprised to see Huntra lying on her stomach. Oella held a tray laden with food. “You need to eat. I brought you a variety to see what you like. We’re in a hurry today. Cobaaron is asking you to join him in the study hall to train with some warriors. Our sparring room is under construction.”

“Again?” she asked, not excited about more fighting.

Ky ate while standing, so Oella could magically fashion another dress. “I saw that your dress was ruined. I’ll fix the gown today, and make it stronger, my Lady. The long flowing skirt on this dress may look flimsy, but even dragon fire can’t harm it. Nothing man-made will be able to ruin any more of your clothes. I made several garments for you already, but I can easily upgrade them.”

“Thank you, Oella.”

Oella looked taken aback by the gratitude. There was a moment of silence as Oella stared. Then she smiled. “You’re welcome.” Oella blinked, still not sure what to think about Ky’s appreciation. “Anyway, I’ll have to think of something for your Lighting Ceremony. I’ve seen your crown; would you like to see a temporary copy of it?” Ky curiously agreed, and Oella formed a crown in the air from glass. Oella fashioned a tiara of pink and white gems over a foot tall.

“Wow,” Ky breathed, as Oella put it on her head.

“I’ll make a dress to go with it. You’ll look stunning.” Oella, suddenly very helpful, pointed to Huntra. “Your cat is a snow tiger. They have compartments on their backs for sleeping. You’re very lucky to have one. You can store things in that room. It’s like a secret treasure chest; when you own the cat it’s your room. I hear you’re traveling—I’ll make blankets, pillows, clothes, everything you will need for your journey.”

“Thank you, Oella. That is really nice of you.” Ky smiled, and wished she had something to repay her for her kindness, and said so.

“It’s no trouble. Here. Ask your cat to get bigger.” As Oella retrieved her clothes, Huntra tripled in size. Oella enhanced the garments, making them more durable, and then handed them to Ky. Then Oella made blankets and pillows, stacking them in Ky’s arms.

“Have you ever seen a never-ending water flask?”

“No,” Ky shook her head with emphasis. “I’m guessing you always have water in a cup though, right?”

“Exactly,” Oella said, as she took an orb, twirled her hands around it and made a very small, single ounce silver decanter with a stopper. When she went to hand it to Ky she stopped. “Some people say that witches are bad. Some people would never trust one to drink a potion they made. Do you trust me?”

“I have no reason not to,” Ky said, though she thought Oella’s question was odd.

“Well, I’ll know you do when you drink the water.” Oella smiled. “Just not now. You have training. Climb onto your cat’s back, and ask him to make the bed. Leave them in there, when you come out.”

“Okay.” Ky did as Oella suggested. While in the room, she set everything onto his white, fluffy fur. She stared at the small vessel that lay next to her. Oella’s plea to believe her, made her uneasy. Instead of leaving the bottle in the room, she tucked it snuggly away in the only place she knew she could hide it—between her breasts. Then Ky asked Huntra to let her out.

Huntra shrank to house cat size when Oella solicited, “Did you leave
everything
in there?”

Sensing that Oella knew, Ky thought honesty was best. She was mostly truthful, anyway. “I kept the flask in case I want a drink.” A terrible lie, but Oella smiled, and nodded. “I think it’s cool.” Ky shrugged, gave a small laugh, and decided she didn’t care if Oella believed her.

Oella eyed Ky one last time to make sure she was ready for the day. “Well, we wasted enough time. Cobaaron is waiting.”

She passed the council chamber on the way to the study hall. The doors were open and a few members were whispering. They stopped talking when they saw her, and closed the door. Oella ushered her past the chamber and knocked on the study hall door. Oella left her as Ky walked in.

The hall was spacious with small, square niches holding rolled parchments. It looked like a messy library. There were three-legged chairs and six-legged tables stacked along the left wall. Cobaaron stood in the back of the room. He smiled at her when she entered. He was standing in front of twenty scale skirt clad warriors. She knew Ly, Brute, Davior, Edom, and Noxis.

“I should have mentioned to your handmaiden that you would be sparring this morning.” Cobaaron grinned looking at her gown and then took a bite of a fruit that smelled like an apple. “Let’s start with Spaci. He’s a close contact fighter.”

Ky wasn’t ready. Spaci rushed her with no warning. Ky instinctively backed away. “Too easy,” Spaci gloated, not slowing his sprint. At the last second Ky ducked, rolling away. He detached a metallic baton from his belt, and swung it at Ky’s head. Ky screamed as she held up her hands to block him. But when she took a step back she tripped on the hem of her dress and fell on the ground, barely missing the tip of his weapon. He was not going to make it easier on her; in fact, he was going to kill her if he managed to hit her with the iron. He must have thought so, too, because he flipped the baton around to strike her with the wooden handle. He lunged, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and forced her head still so he could strike her temple.

“Stop!” Cobaaron yelled when Spaci raised his baton aloft to clobber her. “Let go of her, Spaci. If you truly harm her, I swear I’ll kill you. This is a spar, not an opportunity to beat a woman.” Cobaaron gave Ky a hand, and heaved her up off the floor while still speaking to the men: “And that goes for the rest of you. No one is to hurt her. Just show her where she’s vulnerable.” He then added, “Again.”

Spaci advanced again. This time Ky was standing next to the watching warriors. She sunk into the crowd, but they thrust her toward Spaci with a forceful push. Just in time, she snatched a sword from a warrior and blocked his baton, but lost grip of her weapon and it went flying.

“Good, Ky.
Faster
.”

Spaci seized Ky from behind. His thick arm squeezed her neck, blocking blood flow, while his hand hooked the crook of his other arm that held the back of her head. He lifted her off the ground by leaning back. She was powerless. Ky flailed her legs in panic. He easily restrained her, while she struggled. She released his arm and reached around for his weapon but felt nothing but his belt. While lightheaded, she yanked his belt free, whipped it back, and struck him as he yelped in pain. The hook caught on his back. He dropped her, and the belt snagged his skin, tearing his flesh.

Spaci roared in anger from pain as blood dripped to the floor. Ky gasped, tossed the belt, and scurried away, frightened by his fury. He glanced down, and noticed his scale skirt gone.

Spaci became livid. He didn’t care to dress, but attack her. “No, please!” Ky squeaked, seeing the hatred in his eyes for exposing him.

He wrenched her neck back by the hair, and jerked her closer to whisper. “Just because Cobaaron is spellbound, and you’re his
witch
, you think you can humiliate me? Your days are numbered, witch.” He shoved her several feet and she tumbled to the floor as he raised his baton.

“Stop!” Cobaaron commanded. “Spaci, get dressed.
I said
get dressed
! This session is over. Clear out men.” Ky hid her eyes, giving Spaci time to dress. She didn’t want to infuriate him further. She waited, remaining on the ground until she heard the men leave.

Cobaaron came to her, and offered a hand. As he hoisted her up, he said, “This isn’t working. You aren’t getting any faster. You’re not any better than last night. Maybe you’re merely able to watch me move fast. Have you been able to keep up with me all along?”

She nodded, then said, “I don’t care for fighting. I’d rather have you do all my fighting for me.”

“I’ll always fight for you, but you need to learn.”

Noxis, who hadn’t left the room, came into Ky’s view. “Did you sleep with her?”

“Of course I haven’t. The bond was broken. I wouldn’t have been able to break it if I had.” Cobaaron sounded amused by his demand of intimate information.

“Why do you have feelings for her then? It’s not like you to feel…”

“But I do feel for her,” Cobaaron said.

“Will you make another union with her? You should let another man take her,” Noxis expressed with concern, and put his hand on his shoulder. “Please, brother.”

“I don’t expect you to understand, but I can’t do that,” Cobaaron said. “I have already considered you’d have apprehension. But you need to trust me.”

“You
must
give her up for your future. It’s for the best that bond was broken. Let a council member care for her wellbeing. They know it’s too dangerous to leave a Star without a bond, and will find her a partner. Our men are talking...” Noxis cut off his words, when he glanced at Ky.

“Before you leave, Noxis,” Cobaaron said, ignoring his warnings while making it clear he wanted him to leave, “Spaci threatened her life.”

“I’ll watch him.” Noxis gave a bow.

Cobaaron waited for Noxis to leave. They were alone when he faced Ky. “I need to talk to you, Ky. It’s important.”

“Okay.”

“Stars make for very special bonds,” Cobaaron began, “because a Star’s happiness is crucial for a long life. Their union is a powerful bond that draws his or her lover in with great strength. With two ordinary people, he or she can only change eye color, hair, or basic features. Genuine love takes longer to grow, especially if they don’t care for each other in the beginning.
Stars
can influence lovers to change, or even alter themselves, to ensure the bond is kept. Usually, Stars pair with other Stars. If there is only one Star, he or she unites with a council member, but the human often dies and transforms into light because the blood is too hot and powerful. More often than not, the courtship is chosen by the council, they briefly talk before they share blood, the union transforms both to a perfect match with unwavering devotion over a day or two, and then the night of the ceremony they finish the union.