A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I (7 page)

“That hurts!” She cringed, letting him know he needed to stop her pain.

“I want you to love it,” his breath was husky and heavy. “I want you to love me touching you as much as I love the feel of you.” His hot gaze burned into her, as he fully concentrated on her eyes while aware what his finger was delectably massaging. She was breathless, unable to reciprocate how she was aching with need to keep her tongue to his and remain in his kiss.

Ky had to touch his soft skin. She rested her hand on his pecs, and ran them down his steel body. His every rise and crevice of his physique was irresistible. His muscles tightened under her fingers. She could see in his eyes he loved her wandering and exploring, and she could feel his thrill in the exhilaration of his finger quickening to twirl inside her. The more he caressed her, the greater her need.

With desire to please her, he stroked a small erogenous zone inside her that made her knees weak. She knew once she was lost in her orgasm she would be unable to stand. She succumbed, helping him by pinning his hand hard against her until his finger could reach deeper. He worked her moist, aching core toward a peak. She couldn’t believe how intensely his touch was affecting her; she was already close to a climax.

Ky shut her eyes and tilted her neck, letting him scent her skin as he kissed along her throat. Something about the rush of air that tingled her neck and his addiction to her scent was extremely provocative; she wanted him to love her scent.

As she wanted, his nose slid down the front of her neck as he took one long deep breath. The sensation of cool air as he breathed was electrifying, making her hair stand up on end at the back of her neck. “That feels so good,” she confessed, surprised her voice sounded so lost in pleasure. Her heart raced as he nibbled at her skin, tasting her with his tongue. The mix of cool air, and warm breath was a deliciously, enticing contradiction.

His finger relentlessly pleasured her. He quickened his movements, and with such strength her body rolled with his finger. She moaned, and was close to begging him to take them further. In that moment, her pleasure changed to a dramatic, intense need for his sex, no matter what the cost. “Kiss me, Cobaaron. I want your lips.”

As if asking for his kiss was too intimate, he instantly froze. Then without delay he released her as he stepped back. He had more restraint than her, because she craved making love to him.

They made eye contact, and he stared as if he was unsure of what he wanted. “Tell me you want me, maybe that’s all I need to hear. Then I’ll have won, and can walk away.” He could barely speak his last words.

“I…” Ky was torn, and uncertain she was safe admitting her desire aloud. Why did he need that reassurance if he was going to leave her to die? She didn’t want to put herself in harm’s way, so he could
win
. But she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him either. The union was powerful, and there was no denying that. Whether it was lust or the beginnings of deeper feelings for him, she didn’t want to hurt him. “I find your presence comfortable. I don’t want to see you go,” she admitted with honesty as she searched her feelings. “As juvenile as it sounds, I truly do think of you as a friend for saving me. But clearly this union is powerful. It’s making me confuse lust with genuine feelings. I don’t know, Cobaaron. I don’t know how I feel. Maybe I feel that I wouldn’t mind getting to know you if you stayed longer than a day.”

“That didn’t work.” His shoulders sank as he deflated, and turned away. “I don’t understand why I’m bothered by your presence.
I’m a warrior
. I
don’t
feel. This spell is like
witchcraft
, it’s not natural. No, I don’t feel anything for you.” He became angry with her because their union was clearly pulling them together. He was speaking as if he wished more than believed what he was saying. “I’m numb; I have no feelings for you. That will not happen again. Chock that up to my pride. Now that I know it’s pride, I will conquer it. I’m not perfect, Ky! Don’t you understand you need to resist me or you will die? Don’t let me do that. I have less control than you. I had three additional days of obsessing over you while you slept. Unions make people obsess over their bond partners until it’s formed. What you feel now is only the beginning if you don’t resist this. You’ll fall in love with me and then die. Don’t you understand? I will not stay longer than a day!”

“
You
came onto
me
. You pushed me against the wall wanting to seduce me. I can’t help if my body likes your touch. I’ve never given men any attention, and studied hard instead. I’m confused. It doesn’t help that you have equally confusing mood swings that I can’t keep up with. You need to figure out exactly what you’re doing and stick to it!” She passed him, needing to step away from the wall. She was aware she was topless in front of him. For some reason she found herself untying the belt. She didn’t care if he was watching her. Instead, she smiled, happy he was mesmerized.

She proceeded to take off the rugged clothes, and then tossed them down by his feet. “Thank you for saving my life, and making these clothes. You’ve brought me to this room. You’re free to go, Cobaaron, you’re not really bound to me. I have no desire for you to stay if you don’t wish to get to know me.” Ky hoped her lack of interest would spark another prideful streak, and he would admit things to her as she did to him. Her toying with him didn’t work, and he didn’t hastily take her into his arms to swell his ego. She was disappointed in his unresponsiveness, and hid her expression so he didn’t know it bothered her.

When she turned around, she saw a silver substance that moved along the wall as if it were living gel. The surface was as smooth as glass, except around the edges where it crept along the wall. It looked like a mirror. Ky froze, astounded by her own appearance. She was beautiful, and extraordinarily so. He had changed her into a breathtaking woman with full lips, bright shamrock green eyes, and the curves of her tall figure were voluptuous. She had unnaturally wide hips, large breasts, flawless skin, and the rest of her was slender. Ky couldn’t stop staring at every part of her body in amazement. He made her
perfect
.

Her appearance made the gravity of her new life sink in. “This is permanent, isn’t it? I’m stuck here.”

“You’ll be happy here. Everyone will see to it that you are.” Cobaaron retrieved a dress for her, and handed her a sheer peach gown that he got by gently touching leaves that grew along the wall. The plant shook when he touched it, and then recoiled its leaves as it shriveled up a brittle brown like it instantly died. After Cobaaron took the gown the plant hid, the vines gradually crept back covering the clothes, and again became a healthy green with plump leaves.

“Will I look this way once you’re gone?”

“Yes. You’ll age, but you will never look older. I will never age either, now that I’ve bound to a Star.” He thrust the garment into her hands. “Now quit trying to seduce me. I’m trying very hard, Ky. That can’t happen again. I’m as confused as you. I could say that I wouldn’t mind spending time with you either, but I’ll be honest, I can never do that. It’s not possible. I like my life the way it is. I know the day I run outside this mountain will be all it takes for me to forget this. The magic of unions has centuries of practice making people bond. We must fight this together.”

“So, I really don’t feel lust or feelings for you? It’s the union’s magic?”

“Oh, no. They are very real, make no mistake about that. Once a union is complete the bond never lets the love die while they both live. Some say the feeling is euphoric.”

Ky slid the gown over her head, and let it drop over her body. The form-fitted fabric didn’t hide her curvy figure. It hugged her hips, tugged at her breasts, and wasn’t loose until it hit her knee. Then it flowed as she walked.

“What if I decide I want to go to another city? Could we resist the bond that long?”

“I know I have to.
I
have to stay away from you,” Cobaaron said, but he didn’t leave. He watched her move, as if he was more interested, now that he no longer had the privilege of seeing her nude. He swallowed, took a step back, and stated, “I should go. I can’t be alone with you.”

“Thank you for saving me. I wouldn’t have made it here if it weren’t for you. I owe you my life.” Ky smiled at him.

“You owe me nothing,” Cobaaron replied, and returned her smile.

“One more thing,” she pointed to an enormous white flower that was shut and grew out of the wall. “That is the bed, right? It’s large enough, so I’m guessing it is.”

“This is a tickling tiger lily, and yes it’s the bed. The leaves belong to this flower. In fact, every flower in this city belongs to
this
mother. They all share the same roots.” He passed her accidentally brushing her arm, but didn’t stop, even though Ky was certain he felt a sudden urge to embrace her.

“You slide your hand down a petal, and…” The enormous flower shuddered before opening. A tongue-like petal unrolled several feet, as it uncurled to the floor, and then continued to stretch out so far that Ky had to step out of the way. Once the flower was still, he added, “You lay down and it will curl back up. Don’t be afraid. It won’t harm you. In fact, it will protect your light, because it lives off Star’s light. When you tickle it again after you have slept, the flower will open, and you can get out.”

They stared at each other, unsure of themselves. He seemed nervous around her, as if he worried to linger in her presence. Ky was about to ask him another question hoping he wouldn’t leave, and at least try to get to know her, but then the door opened, and Airia wandered in, wearing a smug grin seeing them still in her room together.

“Shouldn’t you be eating or getting your rest, Cobaaron? Your tournament begins in three hours. We spread the word, and the kitchen is preparing a special meal. People are already meeting at the great hall below.”

“You should have let me explain to my men first. You have no right,” Cobaaron seethed.

“Well, there is still time, if you hurry,” Airia interrupted his complaint. Cobaaron didn’t waste any more time talking to Airia. Without a glance in Ky’s direction, he left the room.

Airia smiled at Ky, pleased. “He looks half in love with you already, but then
look at you
. You’re magnificent. He’ll have little chance resisting you once you set your mind to making the union torture him with desire.” Airia cackled wickedly with a warped sense of humor.

“Some people call us gods, but you and I both know that isn’t true. People make idols of many people from this world. Your beauty will have people talking, and it wouldn’t surprise me if women will one day worship you like Lu Lush.” Airia clutched strands of Ky’s hair and gently rubbing it between her fingers, apparently considering the color. Possibly she wasn’t a fan of redheads, but Ky always loved crimson.

“I take it he found your dress for you,” Airia inquired with amusement. Clearly Airia guessed that Cobaaron watched her change, and was delighted he had. Ky nodded, but revealed nothing more. “Well, we will keep it then. He must like the color or how it looks on you. It even compliments your skin.”

Something came to Ky’s mind, and she asked without thinking, “What do you know about his brother?”

“His brother was his oldest sibling among the four. Cobaaron and his two brothers were all climbing up the chain of rank. I’ll admit his brothers were always in his shadow; though Onor was a great warrior. Then, about a hundred and fifty years ago, Onor met Vi. She was legendary for her beauty and skill with magic. Some say a
witch
, because she was able to make Onor fall in love, but warriors never admit it’s possible to be completely devoted to a woman. But men fall in love, and hand in their sword in exchanged for a partner and children, or at least try. Few regret their decision.

“I doubt she was a witch, because they say she lived in Grant City. No witch lives in cities when they can be free with the amount of power they have. I have never heard of witches in cities, but then I have lived here my entire life. No, in my opinion, she was simply a beautiful woman who captured Onor’s heart. Maybe they had children but that is rumor.

“During the Last Great Battle he died, when he had the upper hand, and should have survived. His defeat was proof his heart was no longer in love with fighting, but with Vi. If a warrior can’t be near his lover, a part of him remains with her, and he usually falls to his death in battle. It’s called the Combatant’s Curse.”

Ky was surprised to hear warriors loved. Cobaaron made it sound impossible, because
they felt nothing
. She wished Airia hadn’t told her that, because now she felt the smallest hope that she could allow herself to explore the growing attachment to the man who saved her life. He unexpectedly gave into their union’s desire and restrained her against the wall to learn her curves with want equal to her own. She couldn’t deny the strong pull she had when he was around. If he felt the same way, maybe there was hope. Even now, she wished to spend more time with him. In a new world, she wanted to keep him around, valuing his protection.

“This conversation is meant to be, Ky. I can feel it. Because after telling you that, I can so easily say what I came to convey. I simply didn’t want to divulge this in front of Cobaaron. I want you to
try
to fall in love with him. Change him into someone you not only desire, but a man of great power. Make him stronger, faster, and even wiser. Not so you can go live in some city and spend the rest of your days shining for the few, but imagine, if you could find some way to put light back into the sky. I’m sure I’ve read in the archives of a warrior restoring the light. This world wouldn’t be shrouded in darkness anymore. There has to be a way to get these people out of caves. You can’t possibly want to live in tunnels the rest of your life. Trust me you never get used to the dark, unless you’re from a world where the sky was black.”

“Where I’m from, we had beautiful sunsets and warm sunny days,” Ky said, and both of their lights were shining brighter.