Authors: Rosalie Redd
Alora approached, her gown shimmering through shades of blue, green, and purple. “There’s just one
little
thing you must do in order to remain king.”
His chest tightened as a heavy weight descended into his soul. The gleam in her eye indicated he wouldn’t like her idea.
She reached out and caressed his cheek, a maternal smile crossing her face. “One of the Lemurian kinds is a matriarchal society. You will need a queen by your side in order for them to accept you as their king.”
Her smile turned mischievous, as if she knew she drove a virtual dagger into his heart. “Therefore, you must select a queen by the next new moon. If you do not, then you will lose your crown and will remain here as a warrior, serving another king.”
Noeh couldn’t breathe. Spots appeared before his eyes, clouding his vision. His ears rang as adrenaline rushed through his body.
A queen? No, craya, no.
Sweat beaded on his upper lip.
“Noeh, did you hear me?” Alora touched him on the shoulder.
“Could you repeat that last part?”
Alora stared at Noeh, irritation clear in the lines in her face. “Do you accept the conditions of your role as king?”
He had a vision of his father. The black bands that circled his throat tied him forever to Noeh’s mother. All his life Noeh had avoided the bonding at all costs. If he took a queen, he would lose his soul. His muscles tensed. What could possibly make him do this?
He found Gaetan in the crowd. Respect, trust, and hope reflected in his eyes. Noeh scanned the faces of his warriors, council members, and friends. They depended upon him, trusted him, and needed him to lead them. He couldn’t let them down. Uncertain how to do this, he vowed to find a way.
A bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck.
Noeh made eye contact with his god and inhaled a large breath. “I accept these conditions as King of the Lemurians.”
As he said the words, the magnitude of the commitment rocked him. His knees buckled, and he fell to one knee. The oppressive weight was like a heavy stone upon his shoulders. He pulled on his inner strength, and using his powerful legs, forced himself to stand.
He glanced from Gaetan to Saar, eager to assess their reaction. They nodded their approval, respect etched in their faint smiles. Before he could respond, a flash of red hair drew his eyes like a beacon.
*****
Melissa stared at Noeh standing before the gods. He seemed so magnificent, so tall and proud. He’d do well as King of the Lemurians.
Alora snapped her fingers. “Ah, Melissa, please come here, innocent one.”
Melissa’s insides tightened into a coiled spring. Her body shook, and she tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat.
What could she want with me?
Unwilling to risk the gods’ wrath, she forced her feet to move. She walked past a tall Stiyaha female with a pair of long, sensuous legs. Their gazes met. The intensity of her pale blue eyes bore into Melissa’s mind. By the time she made it to the middle of the room, her body shook from unease. She stood next to Noeh, who clenched his hands at his sides.
“There is nothing to fear, my child.” Alora purred the words.
“Noeh, I have another job for you. Melissa is special and needs safeguarding, not only from the Gossum, but from other Lemurians as well.” Alora’s eyes glittered, and small flecks of silver darted across her irises. “You must watch over Melissa as her private guardian.”
“What?” Noeh’s eyes grew wide.
“Do not anger me.” Alora’s fangs protruded through gritted teeth. “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
Flashes of brilliant white light filled the room.
Noeh bowed his head. “Forgive me, mother of mothers, I meant no disrespect.”
Veromé stepped in and gripped Alora’s arm. “Calm yourself, my sweet.” His gaze flashed to Noeh. “Melissa is the only Lemurian to bear a child since the great scourge.”
A collective gasp echoed through the room.
Noeh’s head whipped around to Melissa, his eyes searching her face. “Where is this child?”
Her heart pulsed strong, every beat a painful reminder she lived while her child did not.
“Dead. He’s dead, along with his father. The Gossum killed them.” Her attempt to hold back a tear failed, the traitorous thing sliding down her cheek. She wiped it away, not caring that her nail scratched her skin in the process.
“Melissa,” Alora said to gain her attention. “Since you alone have the ability to conceive, you have a responsibility to all Lemurians. Therefore, you must select a mate by the next new moon or we will select one for you.”
Melissa stood still, unable to speak. Her body shook, and she couldn’t catch her breath
.
She didn’t want another mate, not while William still owned her heart.
She looked at Alora as an unbidden thought bubbled up inside. What if she went into heat? What then?
Alora evaluated the group, her gaze intense as if she tested them for weakness. “My children, the decisions you make in the next few weeks will set the course for your future. Choose wisely.”
Feet shuffled across the stone floor. Clothes rustled from nervous jitters. No one spoke.
Alora stilled, and her eyes widened. Gripping her mid-section, she bent over, groaning in pain. “I don’t have much time, my love, the sun rises.”
Veromé seized Alora, pulling her close. As the two entwined, she faded into nothingness.
Veromé held his arms out as if he still cradled Alora in an embrace. With a distant stare, he inhaled a deep breath, lost in his own thoughts, as if he could pull her back to him by sheer will alone. He faced the group, eyes narrowing. “Prepare the Keep for the new arrivals. Different species of Lemurians will arrive when they can make the journey. Welcome them as your brothers and sisters.”
His gaze locked onto Noeh. “The first to arrive—the last remaining Panthera Pride. They hail from the large mountain range to the East. They’ve traveled in search of one of their own.” He scanned the room, his blue eyes flecked with gold. “I alerted them of your whereabouts, and they will arrive tomorrow. Long live Lemuria!”
Veromé disappeared in a flash. A gust of wind blew through the Keep, chilling the air.
Demir!
Melissa breathed fast. The air pumping into her lungs echoed loud in her ears. The room spun and constricted down to a pinpoint of light. She fought for consciousness, but the harder she tried the more it eluded her, so she gave in, and the spot of light blinked out.
Chapter Ten
As Melissa regained consciousness, she felt comfortable and relaxed while strong arms encircled her in a soft embrace. She seemed safe and protected. How long had it been since she’d encountered such a pleasant feeling? Not since William was alive. She stiffened. Her breath caught in her throat. She bolted out of those strong, warm arms and peered around the room.
The Grand Hall was in shambles. Shards of shattered plates and bent forks were strewn across the floor. An overturned chair with its leg broken lay close by. A slight sulfur smell filled the air. Bet sat on the ground a few yards away. Her hair stood out from her round face, as if she’d been caught in a windstorm.
Everyone spoke at once, the cacophony of voices loud in Melissa’s ears. She glimpsed behind her to see who had held her so tenderly. Noeh crouched on the ground, his hands still open from their embrace. His body rigid, his gaze locked onto her.
“Are you ok?” He stood and raised his hand as if to touch her, but instead, placed it at his side. “You fainted when Veromé left. Good thing I was close enough to catch you.” His intense eyes and furrowed brow revealed his concern.
She stood and brushed off her clothes. “I’m fine, I must have…I don’t know…I—I need time to think.”
She backed up and ran into a little guy who jumped from one foot to another in excitement. He wasn’t much over three feet tall and had short, curly red hair. While her hair was a dark auburn, the small male’s was a vibrant orange. His blue eyes accentuated his round nose and cherub lips. A scar ran through his right eyebrow, separating the hair into two halves. Suspenders held up his pants over a thin frame. His long-sleeved shirt had an emblem of the letter ‘T’ stitched along the pocket.
“Is it true? Did you really have a child? Can you have another?” The little male’s curiosity was etched in his wide stare and open mouth. Without waiting for an answer, he turned to Noeh. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the sound of a child’s laughter again? Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”
With that question, the room became quiet. Everyone turned to watch Melissa and Noeh.
Noeh spoke, his voice low and controlled. “Yes, Jax, the day we hear a babe’s voice in the Keep will be a great day indeed.”
Melissa’s chest rattled along with his voice, and need welled inside her, a raw craving for more. Of what, she wasn’t sure. Her teeth threatened to elongate, and she bit the inside of her lip.
Clearing his throat, Noeh glanced at Melissa. He grimaced. “Melissa, this is Jax, my personal attendant. Please forgive his forwardness.”
Melissa’s mouth went dry. She didn’t know what to say. Hope and longing were evident in Jax’s too-wide smile. Glancing around the room, she observed that same look reflected in the eyes of an older female, one with a patch of gray in the hair at her temple. Melissa didn’t know whether to laugh or run screaming.
She exhaled with a slight sigh. “Yes, I did have a child, and will likely go into heat again. I just don’t know when.”
An uncomfortable silence emanated from Noeh as he stood next to her. His body was rigid, unmoving. When he spoke, his loud voice commanded authority. “A reminder to all the males—Melissa is under
my
protection. Keep your distance. Treat her with the utmost respect.”
“Well, now, that was a lot of testosterone. Good thing there is still some estrogen here in the Keep.” A tall blond female sauntered up to Noeh. Like all the Stiyaha, she had broad shoulders and a muscular build. The edges of her short skirt flipped as she walked, displaying her long, elegant legs.
“So, the king finally needs to get himself a queen. Thank the gods for small favors.” She winked at Noeh, brushed her finger along his lower jaw, and smiled with obvious pleasure.
Melissa stared at the female, a hard knot forming in her gut. This was the female she’d noticed before, the one with dagger eyes
.
“Who are you?”
The female shrugged and looked down her nose at Melissa. “Why, I’m going to be the new queen, little girl. You should remember to be nice to me.” She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and my name is Mauree. Practice this, ‘Queen Mauree.’ That sure sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
Mauree smiled and leaned into Noeh.
Noeh gripped Mauree by the shoulders and held her back, keeping her at arm’s length. His disposition hardened, his blue eyes flecked with gold. “You speak out of turn, Mauree. I select my queen, not you.”
“You needn’t bother to search, Noeh. You will select me. The scriptures state you must select a Stiyaha female to become your queen. Who better than I?”
As Noeh released her, Mauree’s hand trailed down Noeh’s arm. Her lips pursed in a suggestive grin and her eyes glimmered with craving. He turned to leave then stopped, his back straining against the white cotton shirt, muscles bulging underneath the thin fabric.
He twisted around to stare at Melissa. He curled his lip, and his eyebrows pinched together. “Come with me. You will stay in my adjoining quarters where I can keep an eye on you.”
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She wasn’t a child who needed a security guard to watch over her. Damn Alora for putting her in this situation. The intensity in his blue eyes left no room for argument, and since she didn’t want to raise a ruckus in front of the crowd, she bit her tongue. Grinding her teeth, she followed him as he stalked out of the room. As she passed Mauree, she had a bad feeling this female was going to be a thorn in her side.
*****
Noeh opened the door to his adjoining chamber. The large room hadn’t been used in years, but Bet still kept the space clean, just like his grandfather had liked it. He motioned for Melissa to enter. Her fragrance wafted by on a breeze and settled into his system. Heat rose along his arms. He had a strange desire to pull her to him, soak up more of her delectable aroma. At the unbidden reaction, his jaw clenched.
“So, this is where you want me to stay?”
She glanced from the finely crafted table and chairs, to the luxurious pelt rugs, to the stone-carved statues that lined the perimeter of the room. Her eyes widened when she scanned the large bed situated in the corner, covered in a mountain of pillows.
“This room used to belong to my grandfather. He liked the finer things in life.” Noeh shrugged and put some distance between him and this female that amped up his nerves. He tapped the hilt of his sword with his ring, the sound of metal on metal loud in the room.
“You don’t need to watch over me, you know. I can take care of myself.” Her jaw jutted out as she stood her ground.
The determination in her voice made him pause. A deep sense of respect for what she’d been through had his head spinning. He spoke without thought, and his words came out rougher than he intended. “Neither of us has a choice.”
She placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. “I’m stronger than I look. I’ve no trouble putting the hurt on someone if they attack me. I’ve been through this before.”