Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) (6 page)

Instead, he stiffened and released a small groan. Her eyes flew open to find him no longer standing there. He was already far from her, tying his horse to the tree.

Embarrassed by her own behavior, she turned away, falsely warming her hands at the fire.

“Make sure Hester gets to graze.”

“Hester?”

“My horse.” He walked over to the fire. “The food looks like it’s ready to eat. Have your fill and burn the rest so it doesn’t attract any animals.”

He sounded as if he were leaving.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.

He pulled two blankets from his saddle bag and threw them down next to her.

“I’m not hungry.” She could have sworn she felt his stomach convulse when he said it. “Use the blankets to keep warm tonight. And keep the fire going.”

“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“Just for awhile.” He hurriedly headed toward the woods.

“Wait!” Thera jumped to her feet and started after him. “What if centaurs attack while you’re gone?”

He stopped and turned toward her. “You don’t have to worry about any centaurs you may see tonight, Thera.”

“By the gods, I hope not to see any of those wretched creatures while you’re gone.”

His eyes grew darker and his jaw twitched. She felt his anguish and couldn’t help but notice his fists clenched at his sides.

“Mayhap you should try and get to know one, Goddess. Mayhap then you’d change your mind.”

“Wait!” she called after him but he was already gone.

She felt a small pain stab her in the stomach and decided not to go after him. Her baby was hungry and she had to eat. She’d just have some food, and she’d talk to Kyros when he calmed down. He had to return soon, wherever he was going. She couldn’t imagine he’d leave her alone all night when there were centaurs roaming the woods.

She ate her fill and still Kyros hadn’t returned. She let Hester graze and then tied her closer to the fire for the night.

“So, Hester. Where did Kyros go?”

She petted the horse on its nose and reveled in the animal’s calmness. Her own insides were jumpy. The night had closed in all around her and still Kyros hadn’t returned. She went back to the fire and wrapped up in the blankets and laid her head against the trunk of a tree. He should be back soon. She’d apologize for upsetting him when he returned.

Her body ached and every bone within her felt tired. She tried hard to keep her eyes open but just couldn’t. She needed rest after her long day. She needed to sleep to rejuvenate herself. She’d just close her eyes for a few minutes until Kyros returned.

Eight

Kyros ran through the woods, trying to get as far away from Thera as possible. The sun had disappeared through the trees and he could feel the chill of nightfall setting in. His legs cramped and his stomach convulsed, causing him to fall to his knees in the dirt. It was happening again. Damn, this curse. When would he ever get used to the wretched transformation?

He clutched his side and fell over on the forest floor. A sweat encompassed him from the heat, so strong that he felt he’d incinerate before the change was finished. He tugged at his sandal laces, ripping his shoes from his body in order to save them from being torn apart. He then threw his sword and scabbard to the side and grabbed for his tunic, trying to pull it over his head.

It was too late. His muscles bulged, his bones stretched, and his clothing ripped down the middle. He’d stayed too long at Thera’s side and now must suffer the consequences. His body writhed on the ground and though the hum in his ears was deafening he could have sworn he heard Thera calling his name.

His stomach convulsed. His body groaned. His teeth chattered as his hooves and tail emerged, and a chill colder than an Arctic winter wracked his body, not to mention his brain. But the pain in his head was nothing compared to the aching in his newfound joints. His ragged breathing slowed as he lay on his side. Beads of sweat clung to his chest and back.

Damn the god of war for putting him through this! And damn Ares’ daughter for making him want to kiss her, distracting him in the first place. Usually he could prepare his mind for the change. But lately his mind was preoccupied and the transformations only seemed to get worse.

As Kyros lay with his head on the damp earth, he could hear light hoofbeats coming nearer and nearer. He jumped to his feet - all four of them - in the process grabbing his sword from the ground.

“Kyros, it’s me. Nemos.”

Kyros squeezed his eyes closed for a second and took a deep breath at the sound of the young centaur’s voice.

“Nemos. Where are you?” Kyros looked around, but his vision was still blurred. Then he saw the boy’s shadowy form stepping toward him through the trees.

“Are you all right?”

As Kyros’ vision cleared he could see Nemos looking at him cautiously, coming nearer but aware of keeping a safe distance from him.

Kyros panted and tried to smile at the boy in between breaths to let him know he was safe.

“I’m fine, Nemos. Come closer.”

He lowered his sword and ran a hand through his long, tangled hair. As a man, his hair was past his shoulders. As a Centaur, his hair reached down to his waist. In his Centaur form, his chest was nearly twice his normal size. Not to mention the muscles that graced his body as well. Everything was exaggerated.

“You … you looked so …”

“Vicious? Angry? Pathetic?” Kyros filled in the blanks for him.

“Scared.” The boy said the word slow and soft almost as if he wasn’t certain how Kyros was going to take it.

Kyros sauntered over to a tree and rested his head against the rough bark, looking into the night as he spoke.

“I’m the most vulnerable when I’m in the middle of a transformation.”

He spoke to himself as well as the boy, reminding himself just how foolish he’d been not to take cover before the damned curse took hold. He didn’t look at Nemos but could hear his light hoofbeats trotting over to join him.

“I was waiting for you at the hovel, but you never came. So I decided to find you.  I tried to remind you - I came to your camp.”

Kyros turned his head slightly and looked at Nemos in the darkening sky. He knew what a risk it was for Nemos to come to him. And now that the sky was turning dark, he knew he’d have to walk the boy back to the hovel. A centaur’s sight was strong in the sunlight of the day; but when the night fell, every one of them were at a disadvantage of not seeing danger until it was upon them.

“Thank you, Nemos. Your loyalty is true. I know what you risked coming to me. And your devotion has earned your place at my side. If I were king, you’d serve in my court.”

The boy grinned and sheepishly ducked his head as Kyros reached out to ruffle his hair.

“I’m a centaur,” he reminded Kyros. “Centaurs don’t serve the king, let alone go anywhere near the people of Trozen.”

“Not now they don’t,” said Kyros. “But someday that’s all going to change.”

Kyros’ vision cleared and he first noticed the huge bow and quiver of arrows the boy carried on his back.

“Phylo’s bow?” he asked.

The boy grabbed it from his back with a newfound eagerness. He proudly handed it to Kyros.

“It has the strength of ten centaur bows, twice the speed, and an alarming accuracy. Artemis had Hephaestus make it for Phylo. It was to protect the centaurs from Ares. It’s said to have powers against the gods. If a god besides Artemis touches it, it’s said to even be able to kill them.”

Kyros grabbed the bow in one hand and tested its weight.

“What do you mean … said to have? Doesn’t anyone know for sure?”

“No one’s dared to use it since Phylo was killed. Ares has tried to find the bow but we’ve hidden it well. Though the bow has a magical air about it, it’s also said no one but a king can use it.”

“So, Phylo was the king of the centaurs?”

Nemos’ eyes grew wide and he nodded his head.

“He was the king until he was killed by Ares. Though the bow is dangerous for a god to touch, the arrows can’t kill one. If so, Phylo would have killed Ares first. No centaur thereafter has claimed the bow and the title. It’s said to be cursed since it couldn’t save our king’s life. The Centaur race believes the next centaur to use it will surely die.”

Kyros leaned his sword against the tree and took the quiver of arrows Nemos handed to him.

“No sense in letting it go to waste. I’m already cursed. And dying doesn’t really seem like such a bad thing anymore.”

Kyros fastened the quiver on his back and cocked an arrow in place. He pulled back the string and raised it toward the sky. He released it and listened as the arrow whizzed through the canopy above.

“Not bad,” he commented, running his hand along the curved wood. Something fell from the sky and landed at his feet with a thump, making them both jump.

Their gaze followed what the arrow had brought down. A warrior with a dagger still gripped in his hand lay at their feet, his eyes round with surprise, his mouth gaping open in protest.

“He must have been in the trees!” Nemos’ eyes shot upward, looking for more. “He looks like he wanted to kill us.”

Kyros scanned the trees but could see no other warrior. This one must have been a straggler. He poked the dead man’s stomach with his bow, surveying the situation.

“Or wanted to kill me, anyway. This is one of Pittheus’ men. My brother must have sent him.”

“Your own brother would have you killed?” Nemos walked around the body, curiously eyeing the dead warrior.

“The feast of Dionysus is nearly here. Pittheus is desperate for the sword so he can claim my father’s true title and have the support of the people. Without the sword, the fate isn’t sealed and Pittheus will never have true control.”

Kyros flung the bow over his shoulder and picked up his father’s sword that lay against the tree. He carefully placed it in the scabbard and held it out to Nemos.

“It’s in your care now.”

Nemos backed away slightly. “Maybe you should guard it.”

“Impossible. I need to go back to Thera. If she sees the sword, she’ll know my secret.”

“But what if I - ”

“I trust you, son. You’ve shown your loyalty and I know the sword of the future king of Trozen is safe in your care. Now let’s get this body buried before someone finds it and starts a war. Then I’ll see you back to the hovel. I’m certain Chiron will wonder what’s become of you by now.”

Nemos helped bury the body and the two of them made their way back to Chiron’s hovel.

“So you’ve returned.” Chiron stood at the entranceway like a worried mother. A fire flickered at the mouth of the cave. He held out the purple mask to Kyros. Kyros exchanged it with his sandals and torn tunic.

“Time to visit the weaver again, I see.” Chiron shook his head.

“This time, get me something that covers my legs,” grumbled Kyros.

Nemos excitedly stepped forward, with Kyros’ sword in his hand. “Kyros used Phylo’s bow and it struck a warrior dead.”

Chiron looked over to Kyros, his face clouded. “One of Pittheus’ men?”

Kyros nodded. “My brother must know where I am. I need to stay away from the hovel as much as possible or I’m going to lead them right to the sword.”

Chiron motioned to the boy and Nemos disappeared inside the cave. “Kyros, you’re not safe anymore.”

“None of us are.” Kyros busied himself tying the purple strip of material over his eyes and adjusting the eye holes so he could see.

“I’m concerned for your safety.”

Kyros ran a hand through his hair. “Just take care of yourself and the boy. And watch that sword like a hawk. I’ll be fine. They wouldn’t dare touch me as long as I’m with Thera.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“She’s a goddess. They fear her as well as her father.”

“So she can protect you then.”

“Not so. She’s lost her powers. But still, my brother and his men don’t know that.”

“You don’t need to do this,” said Chiron. “You don’t need to put yourself and your father’s sword in jeopardy by going to Ares’ daughter.”

Kyros remained quiet for a moment, but knew he could never even consider Chiron’s suggestion.

“She’s carrying my child, Chiron. I do need to be there. Though Thera means nothing to me, the child she’ll bear me is now more important than my father’s sword.”

Nine

Thera lay still on the blanket, woken from a deep sleep by nothing more than the feeling that something - or someone - was watching her. Even in her sleep her awareness was sharp. She didn’t move, yet felt a presence in the trees directly behind her.

Her heart raced and the babe inside her womb stirred. Almost with excitement, the child moved within her. She felt the babe’s happiness. It was calm pleasure, yet her own body was rigid with fear. And that feeling … that eerie feeling of being watched . . .

“Kyros?”

Thera called his name but didn’t move. Her eyes scanned the grounds in front of her. She saw Hester munching on grass. The firelight flickered over the horse’s shiny flesh. There was no reason to be alarmed, she told herself. She felt the horse’s easiness and knew the animal would be fidgety if there was danger.

She could hear breathing now from somewhere behind her. And she was sure she smelled the gamy aroma of centaur. Faintly, but still, it was there. She was helpless without her bow and arrows. She was stupid for leaving them behind in the first place. The overwhelming need to protect herself and her unborn child bubbled in her veins. She didn’t want to kill again, but would if she had to. She’d do anything, even give her own life if need be, just to protect her and Kyros’ baby.

She heard a snap of a twig behind her and in a flash she reached for a branch in the fire. She sprang to her feet, swinging the burning log toward whatever wretched centaur that may have come to claim her.

A strong hand gripped her wrist and stopped her from her action. She found herself looking up into the masked face of the wild-looking centaur she’d seen in the woods her first night. It was him. There was no mistaking. His long oaken hair hung wildly almost down to his waist. His chest was bare and she almost wished it weren’t. She couldn’t help herself from letting her eyes wander over his smooth skin and well developed muscles.

From the waist up he was the most pleasing man she’d ever laid eyes on. Though he hid behind his mask, she was sure his face was just as beautiful as the rest of him. He was an Adonis wrapped up in the package of strength, mystery and fatal attraction.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to play with fire?” He spoke almost in a half-whisper, his voice low and sultry.

His eyes glistened from behind the purple mask. The firelight from her weapon illuminated his upper body in a soft encompassing glow. She felt her pulse quicken and she noticed her breathing deepen. Then she heard the swish of a tail and she came back to her senses. She dropped the burning stick and it would have landed on her bare foot hadn’t the centaur pulled her out of the way.

She was so close to him now she could feel the heat from his body and hear the rapid beating of his own heart. His musky scent brought to life in her a stirring which she’d only experienced once - when she was mated with Kyros. A feeling she’d rather not be experiencing with a wretched centaur so close.

She jumped away and headed closer to the fire. She picked up the blanket and wrapped it protectively around herself.

“Who are you?” she demanded to know.

The centaur half-smiled, picked up the burning stick, and tossed it into the fire. Still, he didn’t answer.

“What’s your name?” she asked. “And why do you follow me? What do you want?”

He shuffled over the hard ground, making a survey of the surroundings before returning to her side. It was then she noticed the huge golden bow thrown over his shoulder and the quiver of shiny arrows mounted on his back. For some reason she was expecting to see a sword fastened to him. Hadn’t she seen a sword the first night she’d met him? Or was it only in her dreams he carried such a weapon? When had it become difficult to tell reality from illusions?

“My name’s not important.” He talked soft and low, his voice resonating within her. She felt her baby stir. “You needn’t fear me,” he continued. “I’ve been sent to protect you during the nights.”

“You’ve been sent to protect me?” Suspicions raised within her. Was this another of her father’s allies? Should she trust him or fear him? Her head said to fear him, her heart told her otherwise. “I don’t need you to protect me. I already have someone to do that.”

The centaur raised his brow in amusement and his eyes scanned the grounds once again, landing on the horse.

“I see.”

Her eyes followed his to Hester. “Not the horse,” she snapped. “I’ve got a true warrior. He has a sword big enough to cut through even your tough hide.”

He chuckled lowly and his amusement at her expense made her uneasy.

“And where is this warrior of yours?” he asked.

“He’s watching you at this very minute. You make one wrong move and he’ll slice your throat from ear to ear.”

He took his bow from his back and reached behind him for an arrow. He cocked his head to one side and motioned for her to be quiet.

“Who are you to tell me to be quiet?” she snapped. “And who sent you anyway? What’s this all about?”

He positioned the arrow and pulled back the bowstring.

“Don’t move,” he whispered and brought his aim closer to her.

She wanted to scream out for Kyros to save her. She wanted to grab the bow from his hands and break it in half. But she found herself unable to move. Her lips were dry and she couldn’t swallow. She could only watch the tip of the arrow being aimed closer and closer to her right ear.

He released the arrow and it whizzed so close to her ear she could feel the hairs on her skin split. He galloped by her and came back with something thrown over his shoulder. Something besides that big golden bow of his.

She stood frozen to the spot and only turned her eyes to see what he held up in front of her like an offering to a god. An offering she’d never gotten as a goddess and most certainly didn’t want now. A huge snake jolted in his grip. His large golden arrow pierced through it.

“It would have bitten you. It was hanging from the branch above your head.”

“Oh.” Suddenly, Thera felt very foolish for thinking he meant to kill her. “So you
are
here to protect me.”

“Like I said.”

“Who sent you?”

“Kyros, of course. He can’t be with you after nightfall. He asked me to look after you until dawn.”

“He didn’t mention it.” 

The centaur just smiled. She watched in awe at how fast he skinned the snake and spiked it up over the fire. The revolting aroma filled the air and turned her stomach.

“What’re you doing?” she asked.

“I haven’t eaten yet. I’m famished. Just cooking up a little dinner.”

Thera wrapped her blanket around her tighter, her body temperature rising and her stomach topsy-turvy. “You plan on … on eating that?”

His eyes were amused through the deep purple mask. He pawed the ground with one hoof and grinned. “How rude of me. Would you care to join me?”

Her stomach revolted at the mere thought of eating snake. Her hand flew to cover her mouth and she took off in a hurry toward the trees. All the while she heard the centaur’s deep laugh from behind her.

Kyros knew it was going to be a long night. Even if Thera’s retching didn’t keep him awake, he knew her presence would. How he longed to tell her who he really was. How he longed to reach out and push a lock of hair behind her ear, or have her lay her head against his chest the way she’d done earlier that day.

He saw her emerging from the bushes, bent over slightly and clutching that damned blanket around her so tight there was no way in Tartarus he could even glimpse those beautiful breasts he’d seen so well when he’d caught her bathing in the pond.

He shook the thought from his head when he noticed the disgusted look upon her face as she surveyed him. He had to remember he was a centaur now, not a man. Why should she treat him any different than she did the rest of the centaurs she loathed?

He picked up the stick that held the snake meat and waved it in the air to cool.

“Sure you don’t want some?”

“Don’t start with that again.” She hunkered down by the fire but wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Just trying to be friendly.” He took a bite of the meat and watched her cringe even though she was looking into the flames instead of at what he was doing.

“Why?” she asked.

“Why what?” He continued with his dinner, thoroughly enjoying it though he would have preferred venison to fill his aching hunger.

“Why are you trying to be friendly and why would Kyros send you to protect me instead of being here himself?”

“Can’t a centaur be friendly to a human without having ulterior motives?”

“Not that I know of. They never have before.”

“Mayhap you should get to know one before you judge so harshly.”

Her eyes shot up at that comment and her face took on a surprised look.

“You sound like Kyros when you say that.”

His stomach lurched at the mistake he’d made. He threw the remaining snake meat into the fire, no longer having an appetite. One mistake like this and his whole secret could be exposed. He couldn’t let her find out. Not yet. Not when she hated centaurs so much. He wanted to change her mind about them first, not to mention he wanted her trust. Not only as Kyros the man, but as Kyros the centaur as well.

“Well, I told you Kyros sent me. Maybe that should prove it.”

“So you’re close to Kyros then? A friend?”

“Closer than you think,” he mumbled under his breath and walked over to Hester. His back was toward her, but still he knew she followed behind him. He petted Hester’s nose and the horse nuzzled him back.

“She seems to like you.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

He turned to see her watching him, wide-eyed. The fire behind her cast a glow around her body. Even wrapped in his old blanket she held the air of a goddess. A beautiful goddess, he found hard to resist.

She shrugged her shoulders and headed back to the fire. “So what does Kyros call you?”

She held out her hands to warm them from the flames, never turning to look at him when she talked. For a woman who hated centaurs so much she oddly trusted him enough to turn her back on him and let down her guard.

“I’m not some kind of pet if that’s what you mean. He doesn’t have a certain name to call me by when he wants me to fetch.” She irritated him. She looked down her nose at him since he was a centaur, and he didn’t like it.

“Well, what can I call you then? Shall I just call you ‘Centaur’ when I need to get your attention?”

That got his attention all right.

“My name isn’t Centaur. My name is K -” She jerked her head around in anticipation and he knew he’d almost said his real name. “Kaj. You can call me Kaj.”

She nodded slowly and let her eyes scan his body from his head to his hooves. He felt so naked in this form. And her perusal excited him in a strange way. That’s all he needed now was a huge arousal to add to this wonderful night.

“Get some sleep by the fire. I’ll be staying in the woods to watch for prowlers.” He headed into the woods but stopped when he heard her sweet voice calling out his false name.

“Kaj?”

“Aye?” He didn’t turn to look at her. Didn’t want to see her at the moment.

“Thank you.”

It was a mere two words but it was a start. She’d thanked a centaur. Something he was sure she’d never done before in her life.