Orc’s Forbidden Claim (Red Planet Dragons of Tajss #33)

20. Khiara

20

KHIARA

T he tunnel does exactly what I expect it to, causing me to curse. I don’t dare explore much further because I don’t want to be too far from Saylor, but I know. This path will lead right to the Urr’ki village. Right to the Shaman.

I crouch and run my hand over the floor, feeling the stone. I close my eyes, focusing on my other senses. The stone will speak if you let it. I press my palm flat. I cannot take her closer to the Shaman. There must be a way without getting close. I might be able to slip her past the guards, which is already doubtful, but there is no way I can hide a lizard.

The layout of the tunnel ahead forms in my head. It’s not visual really, but an understanding that only some of us can achieve. An ability to commune with the mountain but more importantly for the mountain to respond. As my understanding comes so does a possibility. It won’t be easy, but any hope is better than none.

I give the mountain my thanks then stand and turn to return. I lower the shield on the lantern, not wanting to announce our presence. The explosion itself is sure to bring patrols, possibly both Zmaj and Urr’ki. Zmaj probably would be okay, but Urr’ki will be a problem.

When I come within sight of Saylor and the others she and Wrenlee are in a tight embrace. I pause my approach, sensing that not only have I missed something, but that I should not interrupt. She needs this and my understanding of what I missed is secondary.

Sek’su is at the far end of the tunnel inspecting the cave-ins. I shake my head. Can he not see that way is blocked without closer inspection? Do the lizards understand the mountain so poorly as that?

I watch him crouch and lean in closer but as I watch him, I realize he’s not actually looking. He’s giving the females privacy. Frowning I study him a little longer, wanting to be sure I am right before I give him more credit than I would have. A few moments though and I am sure I am right about his intentions.

Watching through narrowed eyes I can, at last, come to no other conclusion. Why else would he ineffectively poke at the boulders that block the passage? Shaking my head I grunt, which unfortunately is enough to interrupt the moment between the females.

Saylor’s eyes snap open and lock unerringly onto mine. My heart swells until it fills my chest and for a moment it feels as if it will not let the confines of bone and muscle contain it. That the swelling feelings of love I have for her will burst out of my chest, close the distance between us, and embrace her metaphorically and physically.

I take a step forward, stumbling over nothing, because all my attention is on her. She draws me in with the weight and gravity of the mountain itself. A pull that I never want to escape. Her lips curl into a smile and no matter that she is covered in sweat and dirt, she is beautiful.

She is the suns cresting the horizon like I saw on my rite of passage when I traveled to the surface. All Urr’ki males undertake the journey. It grounds us to what we lost and why we fight. Once all that open space was ours, but we trusted the Star People. Their betrayal cost us everything.

And yet I trust him.

I have never fully formed the thought before. Felt it, considered it in my subconscious perhaps, but as a concept stated clearly and without question, never. Even now it is pushed aside by Saylor. Sek’su cannot hold even the dimmest flickering of a candle to her.

Saylor steps out of Wrenlee’s embrace. Wrenlee looks at her, sees me, then she too smiles. She walks towards me in lock step with Saylor. Her presence is invasive and demands I give her at least some of my attention, no matter how much I do not want to. She extends her hand.

“Welcome,” she says in the Zmaj tongue.

I frown sure that I must have misunderstood. Welcome? Welcome to what? Why? Did she use the wrong word? My confusion must show on my face because Wrenlee smiles broadly and Saylor covers her mouth with her hand trying to cover her amusement.

“Heh?” I grunt, the first embers of anger burning with my embarrassment.

I dart my eyes to Saylor hoping to understand what is happening. I hate being confused. I hate not knowing. Frustration has always made me angry and the handful of times I’ve been embarrassed in my life are even worse. I try to contain it, push it down, this is Saylor’s best friend, and I know this, but my efforts are in vain. I cannot stop the low growl or the shake of my head.

Wrenlee doesn’t miss it either. Her sharp eyes take in everything. Nor does Sek’su because his attention is focused on his mate and me. I narrow my eyes and clench my jaw, trying to keep myself from doing or saying anything further.

Sek’su moves closer. He’s trying to not call attention to it, but only a fool would miss the obvious. He’s protecting his mate and for this, I do not bear him any ill will. I’d destroy him if it came to that, but without animosity for this at least.

“Sorry, I should clarify,” Wrenlee says. “I mean welcome to the family.”

I blink several times, still not comprehending.

“You are not my family,” I say, brow furrowed as I try to work out her logic. “Do I misunderstand the word?”

I know I know the word she is using. I know what it means but I do not think she does, yet I want to give her the chance to save face for herself.

“No, not blood,” she agrees, still smiling, her arm still extended between the two of us. I look from her to Saylor, trying to figure this out. “Look. Saylor is my best friend. More than that, she is, effectively, my sister. If you are with her, if she is your mate… is that how your people refer to it?”

“To it?” I ask.

My attention is stuck on her prior words about Saylor being her sister, but not her sister. Are all humans this complicated? This makes no sense. A feeling of desperation is rising and because of that, I look over to Sek’su. He gives me a subtle shrug and shake of his head. Great, he doesn’t understand it either.

“Love, your chosen one, the fated one,” Wrenlee looks over at Sek’su.

“Dragoste,” Sek’su offers.

“Druh-ghost?” Wrenlee says, mangling the word but getting the basic sounds correct.

She tries again and gets it closer. My eyes are on Saylor while Wrenlee works out the pronunciation. Saylor’s beautiful, deep, rich eyes are like underground pools lit by luminescent coral and fungus. I want to dive into her eyes. Never take mine off of her.

Saylor steps closer, trailing her fingers over my face. My eyes never leave hers. She rises onto her toes and her trembling lips touch mine. Wrenlee’s voice becomes a background, little more than a buzzing soundtrack to this moment. Our lips pressing one to another. Moving against each other.

Pulling back, Saylor has a small grin on her face. Her eyes stay locked on mine as she lowers off of her toes, returning to the flats of her feet. She lets her fingers linger on my cheek as she steps back to stand beside Saylor. I blink, trying to clear my head and reluctantly return my attention to Wrenlee.

“You were saying?” I ask, doing my best to suppress the gravelly growl in my voice.

I don’t want to be dealing with her or with Sek’su. I must but must and want are a very wide gulf apart.

“If she is your dragoste,” she pauses, arching an eyebrow and waiting until I give a sharp nod. She smiles brightly showing rows of perfect teeth. “Good. Then you, effectively, are family. Now take my hand please because the muscles are screaming, and I don’t think I can hold it out much longer.”

I blink, having forgotten her extended hand between my confusion and then Saylor’s lips. I take her hand in mine. She properly grasps my wrist, like a warrior, and we shake. I loosen my grip, intending to let go as I think it’s over when she pulls me forward. I step towards her in surprise, and she wraps her arms around me.

“If you ever hurt her, I will make you pay,” she whispers in my ear.

When she steps away our eyes lock and a new and deep respect forms for her. She may look like a pretty doll to give a child, but there is steel inside of her. I nod understanding and agreement. She nods every bit as sharply and turns her attention to Sek’su.

Saylor raises an eyebrow and tilts her head in a questioning look. I shrug and give her a reassuring smile. It’s not only my respect for Wrenlee that has grown, its my liking of her. She is strong and protective. These are good traits, and I am glad my dragoste’s best friend has them.

“What did you find?” Sek’su asks.

“A way,” I say. “Come.”

I could go into details but there is no point. Anything I say from this point on would only serve to scare the females and I would protect Saylor from ever feeling fear.

“I’ll bring up the rear,” Sek’su says.

“No,” I say. “The way behind is blocked. You walk behind me.”

Marching order set, we move into the tunnels.