MOONDOCK (15 page)

“Not if they are all like her.”

Wylan’s rage bellowed across the room. “They are unschooled, prideful and frightened of Selams. Curse them Gallen, they have no Selams to compare to us! What makes you think they will accept our dominance?”

“I never said they would. Dominance was never part of the bargain.”

“Be clear Gallen. I’m in no mood for games.”

“Protection for combining societies. They will be willing to become lifemates with the Selams.”

“This is her doing!”

Gallen never saw anyone so furious as Wylan. Except maybe his general, Majok. Gallen hoped Melane truly did learn to control her powers, if she faced either of these Selams again she would need all her powers and more to survive.

~*~

Like a great wounded beast, the wind howled through the walls. Melane paced back across the room.

“Please stop, Melane. It is just the storm.”

“We should have heard from your father by now.” She wanted to cover her ears and scream louder than the wind assaulting her house.

“He will come or send word, once the storm passes.” Bella watched her friend’s agitated steps take her to the balcony.

Lightning flashed out over the water, illuminating the angry sea. Wave after angry wave crashed against the cliffs surrounding her cove. “I feel like the waves…racing to get somewhere, but always hitting an unmovable force that prevents my leave.”

“They say women get strange feelings while carrying their child.” Bella stole a quick glance at the evidence of Melane’s condition. She bit her lip to stop the concern she felt from finding a voice. Wylan was a giant among his men and by the looks of her, their child would be huge. She decided her mother would be needed here. An unexpected visit, so she could see Melane. Her mother knew much more than Bella of the birthing ways. Bella worried over the speed and size that this child seemed to grow. Bella remembered seeing women this large at the end of their cycle. Melane could only be in her third moon shadow.

Everyday, as the child grew, Bella’s concern whether Melane could have the child and survive the birth, grew in proportion.

“Windland…”

“Hmm, my father always said the cliffs sang their name.”

“Tarra warned me of the storms.”

“They can be vicious.”

Melane nodded, never taking her attention away form the ocean. “It is like the sky and water are at war with each other.” She couldn’t help but feel as if the battle of these awesome powers were only a reflection of Wylan and herself. He would be the water and she the sky, both bent on destroying the other.

He was on her mind too much of late. Melane didn’t like her heightened feelings, blaming it on the fact that he was so close. Gallen never said that he would call Wylan to the Council meeting, but she could sense that he came. Was that why Gallen didn’t want her there?

Wylan never believed her claim before or listened to her plea to help the Nemows. Melane doubted he would agree to join Gallen now. She hated admitting how much she wanted Moondock’s Selams as a force to protect Cibrac and destroy the Kibras.

Gallen’s army was good and strong, but they were not equal to Wylan’s army.

If Wylan did agree, Melane couldn’t help but worry over their impending meeting. She would be with the army marching to Cibrac…she would not be returning. She made her decision over these last weeks.

Her throat tightened over her belief that their meeting would become a worse battle than what they’d face with the Kibras. Melane wished there were a way to conceal her condition from Wylan. “He mustn’t know…”

“Who, Melane?”

She turned slowly and faced the girl. “Wylan must not know about this.”

Bella’s worried gaze dropped to Melane’s stomach. “I don’t see how he could fail to notice.”

For a brief second Melane thought about controlling his thoughts, but no, she would never be able to keep it up when her powers would be needed for fighting the Kibras. Besides, she swore never to use her powers on Wylan again.

“You are right Bella, but it wouldn’t hurt to delay the knowledge.”

“You think he will join my father and go with you to Cibrac?”

“I know he will.”

“Then we will have to find a way.”

To War

He sensed her presence before she rode into view on the beast. Wylan felt his entire body strike alive over the vision she made. When did the young girl he remembered turn into the beautiful woman that rode down from the mountains before the army of Selams? She looked regal as a queen before them.

The world seemed to halt on its axis when their gazes locked. He wanted to see the fire light her eyes, but Wylan received the coldest of cold acknowledgement, ice blue, not even a spark emanated from her. Wylan wanted to roar, cry out and demand she meet him head on. He wanted to see her hate if that was all that filled her heart!

She rode past him as if he were nothing but a lackey. Wylan’s jaw pulsed under the force he exerted not to drag her off that beast of hers. At least the beast gave him a low growl of warning recognition as Melane took up her position on the other side of Gallen.

The clatter of a thousand swords couldn’t drowned out the rage coming from Wylan. The fire of his soul reached out to burn her own! Out of self preservation Melane’s fingers closed over the broach that held the great cloak closed. Melane silently hoped Bella’s hard work to camouflage their child lasted at least until they reached Cibrac. On home ground, Melane knew she could deal with Wylan’s outrage.

Right now, it took all her control not to react to his presence, let alone what she knew he wanted from her.

Another, more vicious thought, cut across Wylan’s! Majok! Melane forced herself not to acknowledge his approach, the man wanted a battle and Melane would like nothing more than to give him one. Only Wylan’s nearness prevented her participation.

The roar of hooves racing towards her drew Gallen’s attention away from his Captains. Melane held her ground and gave her silent nod to Gallen that said she would let him take charge of the situation.

“What are you doing here, Majok?”

As Gallen moved between her and Majok, Boller and Ponter came to take their stand on either side of her.

“These are my men and this is my elamie!”

“Then go and take control of your men.”

“And Melane!”

“She has made it clear she does not want you.”

Never once did Wylan look back at her. Melane bit the inside of her cheek not to utter a word. She came prepared to blow Majok off his mount if the situation called for action. But at the moment she became more interested in Wylan and his unexpected behavior.

“She is my lifemate.” Majok’s gaze grew hard under the anger he held for her.

Wylan moved his mount between her and Majok. Facing Majok his voice billowed out. “She was never yours, Majok!”

Melane’s head jerked to Wylan, she wished she could see more than his back.

“I’m giving you an order Majok, take charge of your men or stand down!”

All grew silent under the weight of Wylan’s ultimatum. All eyes remained on the furious Majok. Melane’s breath rushed out when the man finally spun his mount around and galloped back to his troops.

When Wylan turned, their gazes locked. Neither of them said anything, Wylan finally moved back to Gallen’s side.

Gallen issued the order to move out and the great force began its march to Cibrac.

After giving the initial directions, Melane moved slightly back from the front line. She thought it wise not to be in Wylan’s company more than necessary. They were facing over a week’s march to reach Cibrac if all went as planned.

Rolley’s snort of excitement earned her first smile in days, since hearing of Wylan’s agreement to join Gallen’s army. She, like Rolley, was impatient to reach Cibrac. It had been nearly seven moon shadows since she left home in search of the Selams. Melane hoped all was well at Cibrac and that it would remain well once the Selams were back in their lives.

Gallen pushed them on until late in the day before making camp. Boller and Ponter erected their camp and took up their posts outside of her tent. Melane felt weary from the long ride. She hoped she managed not to show the toll the ride took on her. Her bodyguards knew her well and rode on each side of her the rest of the day, much to Wylan’s displeasure. More than once, she caught his angry scowl at them. Boller barely contained his own anger with her, he told her under his breath, that he was going to pull her out of the line and take her home. If she were truthful she should probably let him, but Melane needed to be there when they reached Cibrac, only then would the Sects believe these Selams came to help, not capture.

As she allowed herself to stretch out on the pallet, she was thankful for her friends. Knowing no one would get past them and find her in such a weakened condition. They also knew of her plan to remain out of Wylan’s presence as much as possible until they reached Cibrac. She swallowed her groan as the unused muscles in her back protested and began to uncoil. She thought she should be too exhausted to care if the whole army rushed into her tent.

~*~

“She said no one was to disturb her.”

Wylan watched as both of her wild dogs moved shoulder to shoulder to prevent his entrance. For a second Wylan almost gave into the urge to crush their skulls.

“Tell you mistress the council needs her attention.” Wylan didn’t wait to see if they would tell her. Being this close to Melane became too volatile. A day, knowing she rode just a step behind him and not touching her, almost destroyed his control. He swore he could feel her eyes boring into this back. And yes, when he chanced a look back at her, she would be looking off as if he didn’t exist.

But those two guards of hers knew he was near. Wylan wondered if they were Gallen’s or Melane’s idea. He swore they were there just to irk him.

Remembering Majok and he way he charged at her this morning, Wylan decided maybe they were necessary. Maybe she did need guards to protect her. Wylan looked back at her entourage and smiled. “Yes, you certainly do need them Melane.”

~*~

Every eye in the Council came her way as she entered their circle. Melane tried to ignore Wylan’s commanding presence seated beside Gallen. Gallen’s Captain sat on Gallen’s other side, leaving the only open seat beside Wylan.

Her steps never faltered as she crossed through the circle and sat beside Wylan.

“Ah, Melane is here.” Gallen rose to address the Council.

It was difficult for her to ignore Wylan’s presence. His bold forearm rested right beside her own. She couldn’t help but watch how his fist clenched and unclenched.

“Melane?”

Her head swung up. “Yes!” She felt the heat rush to her cheeks, sure that everyone knew exactly where her attention rested.

“Could you tell us what to expect from the Kibras? How they attack, their fighting strategies.”

Swallowing her embarrassment, she rose to face the Council. She waited a long time to tell them about the beasts, the enemy. For a second she hesitated and fingered the broach holding her cloak.

Wylan didn’t miss her nervous movements. It was as if Melane kept holding herself back, something didn’t feel right and he blamed his anger for not noticing sooner. He started to watch her closer, more than once he caught her excitement mount as she explained about the Kibras and their fighting methods, only to see her catch herself and check her animated speech.

She looked marvelous, he loved watching her move. No one else noticed her unusual actions. Her audience as well as Gallen’s commanders were fascinated by Melane as much as by the enemy she described. Wylan fought down his jealousy when he saw the rapt attention in their gazes for her.

He saw more than just admiration in Majok. Melane felt it too, she deliberately moved away from that side of the Council, trying to avoid him. Wylan almost wished that he took the time to settle the score with Majok before they left Moondock, but the man made himself scarce. If he didn’t rein in the lust in his gaze upon Melane, they would be at each other’s throat soon enough. Majok’s ardent desire for her was one of power and it appeared to be growing in her presence.

“They are not intelligent beasts, but they are brutal.”

Melane answered the pointed questions put to her from the commanders. She felt it was a good sign that they were interested in the enemy. The meeting went surprisingly well, they truly listened to her. It seemed her worry concerning Wylan’s Selams proved unwarranted.

The hard hand suddenly gripping her shoulder was so unexpected that Melane reacted without thinking. All the weeks of practice made her power become second nature to her. She felt no weakness as she flung the Selam across the room. Only his grunt on landing called her attention.

Melane looked down at Majok and confronted his anger. When he rose as if to charge her, her hand rose and stayed his advance. “Don’t force me to hurt you, Majok!”

No on else moved, except for Boller and Ponter who came to stand at each side of her. All others, including Wylan, were shocked by what she just did to Majok. Melane didn’t take her attention off Majok until he stormed out of the tent. She could feel Wylan looking at her and was surprised by the obvious concern he held her in.

She watched as his gaze moved over her as if looking for something. She realized he was waiting for the expected sign of weakness. Melane walked up to him, unable to ignore what she saw. “It is all right, Wylan. I don’t need the leaves anymore. I’ve conquered the weakness.”

His gaze lit in surprise, and what looked to be relief. She must have misunderstood. She watched him turn away and leave without as much as a word.

Melane’s chin rose in defense of the slight, reminding herself that she should expect nothing more.

~*~

“I want you to go back to Moondock, Majok!”

“You want her for yourself!”

“She is mine Majok, nothing will ever change that fact. If I have to kill you to prove it, so be it.”

They stood less than a foot from each other and Wylan’s hand closed about his sword, waiting to see what the man’s decision would be.

“I’ll not fight you for any elamie, especially one that is used.”

Wylan gashed his teeth at Majok’s departing back, wishing he hadn’t given him a choice. He turned, sending two men to follow him and make sure he did leave the camp. He nodded to the other guards that left with his earlier instructions. “She is my lifemate.”

He felt the tension in his shoulders release under the truth of his conviction. Melane may not want to realize his claim, but she would and soon. For now, he would give her time to get use to him once again, but this time she would listen. He felt relieved that she no longer fell ill from using her powers. It seemed those powers have also increased or maybe she just learned how to use them.

The battle they would soon face wouldn’t change anything, Wylan wished they were at her home and finished with Cibrac and the beasts she called Kibras. He cared not for the elamies that might be there, he no longer held any desire in his gaze for an elamie. Only one elamie could claim his attention now. Only one small, but powerful elamie called Melane.