A cooling breeze blew across her face, sweeping the hair off her neck and rustling the pasture grass in an undulating sea of motion. She hadn’t been sleeping well. And now with the flurry of Nareen’s departure over, she hoped to get more rest. But a growing unease dampened her optimism. The dreams were back. Only this time, except for a fleeting impression of someone calling to her and of time running out, she couldn’t remember them.
Caden had told her that Naya communicated through dreams. According to Caden, she had to answer Naya’s call by traveling to Crios to be welcomed as the next Caller of Light. But life had been so hectic for Marek, she’d downplayed her lack of sleep to avoid burdening him. She yawned and closed her eyes.
The sound of gravel crunching from behind forewarned of someone approaching. She knew whose boots those footsteps belonged to, and anticipated his touch. To her satisfaction, muscular arms wrapped around her and she leaned into the steel wall of his chest. Resting her foot against his shin, she reached behind her to stroke his cheek. His mouth traveled along her neck, spurring tingling shivers to splinter and spiral throughout her body.
“You’re still not sleeping?”
She frowned. He must’ve seen her traitorous yawn. “No,” she admitted.
Marek sighed, and turned her so she faced him. His hands framed her cheeks while his probing eyes searched. She tried to glance away, but he held her. An eyebrow arched upward. “Naya?”
“I don’t know.” Wrapping an arm around his waist, she pressed into his chest. Her other arm traced up his back and gripped his shoulder. She inhaled his smell—a combination of leather and Criton—deep into her lungs. His arms tightened, locking her against his body. She clutched the back of his shirt, feeling safe and loved.
“I’ll talk to Caden so we can plan our journey. Caden assures me that I can enter Crios since we’re bonded.” He kissed the top of her head. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you go.”
She leaned back to stare into his eyes. Those curious, sparkling flecks floated amid two endless, emerald pools. She loved his eyes the best. Although—with a blush she knew he noticed—she loved other parts of him as well. But his eyes held her, encouraged her, gave her strength; and most of all, displayed his love for her. Although afraid of traveling through the Realm of Light into Crios, she wouldn’t be alone. And if her father did declare war, they’d brave the fight together.
With a sudden gasp, her thoughts scattered as Marek’s lips roving down her neck made it impossible to think. She shuddered at his touch. Yes, she definitely loved more than just his eyes.
His strong arms swept her off her feet and carried her toward Stirrlan, the castle she now called home. She dug her fingers into his hair and surrendered her heart, mind, and soul to the man who had taught her not only how to live, but how to love…and be loved.
A word about the author…
TJ grew up with the Robinsons and a robot who said “danger” a lot after her spaceship crashed on a distant planet. When the Enterprise rescued her, she quickly promoted to the captain’s chair. But an unfortunate transporter glitch beamed her back to the days of Camelot where she rode with Sir Lancelot, and graciously accepted Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. While tutoring with Merlin, a misspoken spell plunged her deep into the center of the earth, aligning her with Will and Holly in a valiant fight against the Sleestak.
Always a dreamer, TJ would relive her fantasies during the day and expand the scenes in her mind until she’d write them down. After five completed stories, she wondered if others might want to read her adventures. So, she exposed
Caller of Light
to the eyes of unknown readers. To her surprise, it placed (and won) in several competitions.
TJ hopes you enjoyed
Caller of Light
. She wonders if you had the courage to fly the air currents on Critonback, and whether the color of your bonded Criton is as vibrant as you had hoped.
Until the next adventure, as your imagination conjures up the dreams within you, she wishes you a safe journey. Because if you believe, traveling to far off galaxies, swimming with mermen, and falling in love with aliens can be one helluva unforgettable ride.
[email protected]
;
www.TjShaw.com
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