Fractured Earth Saga 1: Apocalypse Orphan (38 page)

“You have four, Mother,” Nala replied, her eyes closed as she relaxed and enjoyed the gentle attention from her mother. “Two boys and two girls. One is like my great-grandmother and may one day become Enrica. The other is, for lack of a better word, tame. She will become an average warrior. The boys will make fine men.” There was no need to further describe her sons because the Nanna killed or gave away male children.

“That is excellent, my daughter. I can’t wait to meet them.” With deep emotion, Dalla added, “I have missed you.”

Nala reached back and patted her mother’s hand, a dreamy smile on her face. It had been many years since she felt a genuine bond with an adult. She loved Haakon, but he had grown less affectionate over the years. Nala had accepted it, and she was content. Then Wolf arrived. He was strong, brave, and kind. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man—but Nala loved the woman who loved him. If only things were different with Syn, she thought. She leaned back and daydreamed while her mother hummed and continued braiding her hair.

A few hundred yards away, Wolf stepped out of the pristine lake behind Dalla’s quarters, his desire temporarily quelled. He walked towards the tent Nala had begun setting up on the edge of the camp before she was attacked by her mother’s warriors. When he arrived, he saw that someone had finished the task. He ran a hand through his hair and asked in a frustrated voice, “Syn, what are we going to do?”

“Are you all right, Commander?”

“Yes. I’m just wondering about the future. I don’t know what I want or what we should do. I don’t know if I’m even worthy to bring back what was good and decent from our time.”

“If you don’t, Wolf, who will? No one is left who remembers what was decent about your world. You are it, my love, so stop feeling sorry for yourself and live.”

“Damn, you’re getting as hard as nails, Syn” Wolf responded, feeling dejected and hurt by her dismissive tone as he walked into the tent.

“No, Wolf, I’m being honest. Like I said, you’re it. Defeat the evil warlord and live in happiness and love. Wasn’t that the American way?”

“I’ll meet with Dalla in the morning and see if I can sway her to our side,” Wolf said, changing the subject. “Her warriors are fierce fighters, and we need them. We should be back at the castle by sundown tomorrow.”

“Good night, Wolf,” Syn murmured.

A few minutes later, Nala entered the tent. She gazed at Wolf's broad back and made a decision. She wanted him. She would beg Syn for forgiveness later, but she couldn't fight her feelings anymore. She quietly asked, “Were you hurt today?”

“No, I’m fine. But my clothes were torn to rags. I’ll be down to dressing in leathers soon. My wardrobe has about run its course.”

“I will make your clothes, Wolf. I will make beautiful garments fit for a king.”

“I don’t need fancy clothes…just pants and a shirt.”

Wolf looked up at Nala for the first time since she had entered. She wore a light robe that revealed her full breasts and exquisite figure. Her hair was tied in two long braids that fell below her waist. She smiled and removed the robe, standing naked before him. Wolf caught his breath, and he wasn’t able to exhale as Nala crossed to her sleeping mat and climbed beneath the covers. She smiled again, a gentle, almost shy smile, and patted the mat beside her. “Come, my lord, I will rub your back.”

Wolf took several steps towards Nala but stopped and looked down at her beautiful face. His eyes lingered on her for a long moment, and then he said, “Nala, not yet. I want you more than you know, but tonight is not the time. Please do not be angry at me.”

“I do not want to wait any longer, my love, but your word is law. I will wait.”

Wolf turned away with a muffled groan of frustration and left the tent. He walked to the lake and out into the chilly water. He kept walking until he was submerged, and he remained underwater for ten minutes. When he resurfaced, he noticed several Nanna warriors standing on the shore, staring out across the water in astonishment. They had seen him go under and feared he had drowned. He came out of the water and walked past their quizzical faces, going back to his tent to dry off. Nala had fallen asleep on her back, and the blanket left her breasts exposed.

“Shit!” Wolf muttered, walking outside and back to the lake for another cooling off session. When he came out of the water, he settled himself in front of the tent, knowing if he entered, he would lose his self-control. He stretched out on the ground under the stars by the dwindling campfire. His clothes had been ripped to shreds during his skirmish with the water creatures, so what was left of them dried fast. As he drifted off to sleep, he mumbled to himself for the twentieth time, “Lord, I’m in trouble.”

* * *

The morning sun peeked over the hills and through the canopy of trees as Wolf opened his eyes, awakened by whispers and giggling. He sat upright and stretched his muscular arms, prompting lusty sighs from several Nanna women who watched him from a respectful distance. Once he was alert, he got to his feet and walked to the lake, his admirers tagging along behind. He dropped to his knees and splashed cold water in his face, trying to clear his tortured mind. His long hair fell loose of its binding, framing his handsome face, and he decided to go for a swim. He removed his torn shirt, boots and socks, wading out into the lake and ignoring the Nannas’ brazen comments about his brawny physique.

After washing up, Wolf dove under the water and then rose slowly, like the mythical Poseidon rising from the sea. He gazed toward the shoreline where the Nannas had gathered to watch him bathe, and as he headed back to land, they moved away from the water, laughing and yelling suggestive remarks. He stepped out of the water and was drying off with the remnants of his shirt when Nala approached from behind and said in a lilting voice, “Good morning, my lord. Did you sleep well?”

Wolf turned and his jaw dropped at the sight of Nala dressed in the same revealing robe that had driven him into the lake twice the night before. He groaned, fearing that he would lose his self-control, and pleaded, “Nala, you’re driving me crazy. Please wear something else.”

“I’m sorry, my love.” Nala tried to hide a smile, and they both knew she wasn’t sorry. “This is just the clothing we wear when we are not at war. My mother gave me this robe because my clothes are too ripped to repair. By the way, she wants you to join her for the morning meal. Come, I will take you to her.”

Nala led the way, her hips swaying. Wolf exhaled a shaky sigh and walked behind her, looking everywhere but at Nala’s enticing form. Following her into the tent, he saw that the Nanna queen wore a robe even sheerer than Nala’s and mumbled, “Lord, help me.”

“Ah, Wolf, come sit and enjoy the meal. I have good news,” Dalla said as she patted the chair next to her. Wolf sat down and Nala handed him a plate of food. After he had devoured a few bites of meat, Nala said with a smile, “I see you like the water beast you killed yesterday.”

“It’s a different taste, but I enjoy it,” Wolf agreed, savoring the chicken-flavored meat.

“Rarely do we get to eat this fare,” Dalla said. “These creatures don’t often die, and when they do, other animals scavenge them, leaving soggy scraps. We thank you for providing it, and I thank you for saving my daughter.”

Dalla rose from her chair and knelt in front of Wolf, cupping her hands. He reached into what was left of his pocket and fished out a washer, handing it to the woman. She accepted it and stood, using a gold chain to make a necklace out of the disk.

“I offer my warriors to your cause, Wolf. We will follow where you lead, sleep where you sleep, and fight whoever and wherever you say.”

“I accept your word as an honorable leader. But tell me, Dalla, why did you change your mind and decide to help me fight this war?”

“I saw you fight the water beast. It couldn’t hurt you, my lord. In fact, it feared you. You also saved my daughter. I will do whatever you want, whenever you want, my lord,” she vowed, making no effort to mask the passion in her dark eyes. Off to the side, Wolf saw Nala gazing at him with desire.

“I accept your loyalty, noble queen,” Wolf said. He bowed and left the tent, heading back to the lake for an early morning swim. Dalla and her daughter grinned, and when Wolf was out of hearing, Dalla said, “He will break soon. He is going mad already. Keep teasing and tempting him—his manhood will be his undoing.” Both women laughed as they finished their breakfast.

A short time later, Wolf returned from his swim. He had decided it was time to turn the tables and regain the upper hand on these women. He removed his shirt and used his knife to cut his pant legs off to mid-thigh. He still wore his short boots, but the result was what he wanted. Loosening his hair in the Native American tradition of ancient Earth, it fell over his broad back. He was adjusting his weapons when Nala and her mother came out of their tent and caught sight of him. Dalla stared at Wolf with lust and whispered, “Oh my,” as a shiver ran down her spine.

“Indeed,” Nala murmured, her eyes tracing the broad sweep of his chest and his chiseled midsection.

Wolf approached the women and asked, “So what’s your plan, Dalla? Will you deploy your army as Skylla is doing? She is attacking the supply trains and enemy scouting parties.”

Mesmerized, Dalla found it impossible to look away as Wolf walked up to her, stopping a mere foot in front of her. He was so tall she had to look up from his chest to see his face. She swallowed hard and said, “I will do whatever is needed, my lord.”

“Can you sweep the country in packs, Dalla? I want the ruffians, flankers, and outriders neutralized. I want Waylan’s people who weren’t able to reach the castle protected,” Wolf said, ignoring the stare of the woman who stood before him.

“You want me to kill these men?” Dalla asked with a delighted smile.

“Yes. The ruffians are scum. They are murderers and rapists. Their method of warfare must be extinguished. Waging war on defenseless women and children is unacceptable. Can you do this for me?”

“Yes, my lord. I will divide my warriors into groups of forty and sweep Waylan’s land clean of the ruffians in a week. Then we will surround Jonar’s army and bite off small chunks while you defend the castle,” Dalla replied, her warring instincts fueled by a rush of adrenaline.

“Nala and I will return to King Waylan’s castle at once to inform our allies of your support,” Wolf said. He pulled the queen into his embrace and hugged her, lifting her off her feet and kissing her cheek. She was breathing hard and her eyes were closed, her cheeks colored with a lovely flush, as he lowered her to the ground and said, “Thank you, Dalla.”

Turning away to hide the broad smile on his face, he said, “Let us leave at once, Nala.”

Nala gave her mother a warm embrace and said, “I will see you when we have won the war, Mother. Stay safe.” Then she ducked back into the tent to dress in the traveling clothes her mother had given her, while Wolf gathered food and water for the journey back to the castle.

They left the Nanna camp a short while later. Wolf took long strides that required Nala to run to keep up with him. He stayed in front of her to avoid the temptation of staring at her curvy figure as he worked to burn off energy.

They made the journey in half the usual time, and Nala was flushed and breathing hard when they reached the plain before the castle gate. The fields were deserted; Waylan’s army had been brought into the castle except the roving Nanna warriors. Once Wolf and Nala were inside the gates, they dispatched a runner requesting an audience with Onel to report on their meeting with the Nanna queen. They proceeded to Wolf’s quarters, next to the holo-tent, and found Leesa dressed in Nanna leathers, practicing with a whip and knife. Reon was asleep on a cot, and Trulane was eating a chunk of meat.

“Where’s Brithee?” Nala asked.

“She is with the Nanna, my sister,” Skylla answered from a darkened area of the tent.

“What? Why is she there?” Nala asked in alarm.

“She deserves to be. Her skill rivals yours, my sister, and she mastered most of the advanced skills while you and Wolf were gone. Brithee is very adept…she disarmed me several times yesterday, and I couldn’t touch her,” Skylla admitted with a rueful smile.

“I knew she would be,” Nala said, accepting the news with a note of regret in her voice. “I have seen her move, but I tried to ignore it. I will try her skills myself to be sure she is ready.”

“You will see she is more than ready, my sister. But Leesa will require six months before she can run with the Nanna.” Skylla walked over to the girl and gave her an affectionate hug.

“I will make you proud, Mother,” Leesa vowed with a bright smile. “I will become as good as Brithee, I swear.”

“I am already proud of you, my darling. I love you and nothing will ever change that,” Nala answered.

“Mother, I cannot be a Nanna, but I would like to fight as you do. Can you teach your eldest son some moves?” Trulane asked. He chuckled and added, “Aunt Skylla gave me a whipping yesterday because I laughed at Leesa when she whacked herself with her whip.”

“You liked it, Trulane,” Skylla teased. As much as she had tried to dislike and ignore Nala’s boys, she was growing fond of them.

The family reunion was going well until Haakon walked out of the tent, spewing rancor. “Whores! Sluts! Nanna filth! How I wish I had never sired any of you. I committed a terrible sin. I hate all of you. I pray you are slaughtered in battle,” he shouted.