Ultimate Passage: New Beginnings: Box Set ( Books 1-4) (41 page)

T
aya’s eyes opened
. She looked around. The place she was in was unfamiliar. More or less. There was something familiar about it, but she didn’t think she’d been here before. She tried to rise, to sit up, but felt weak.

“You are awake.” Corzine murmured, his voice low.

She focused on his face. At first it was blurry. “What happened?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Why did she sound so weak? She looked to her right. Barz was sitting in a chair, slumped over. Was he asleep? “What happened to him?”

“He’s the one that carried you here.” Corzine kept his voice low. “He ran all the way. Would not let anyone help. We are back in Alina’s village.”

Her mouth dropped open. “The jungle cat.”

He nodded. “Its claws. You were losing a lot of blood and fast. The warriors did not have enough herbs to staunch it. He brought you back to be treated.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“A day.” Corzine pointed to Barz. “He would not sleep until you were stable. How do you feel?”

“Very good. Considering what you told me. I don’t remember being clawed.”

“Do you remember anything from that?”

“Some. There was a jungle cat. It was going to kill Barz and the other warrior. They’d set their spears down and were drinking. I tried to distract it by stabbing at it as it leapt.” She shook her head, trying to clear it, but made things worse, now it pounded.

“You saved my life.” Barz’s yellow eyes gleamed unreadable in the shaded room. Warming her, disarming her.

“I don’t think I did, did I?” She remembered her arm was hurt. She looked down. Bandages were wrapped around her forearm.

“You do not remember driving the second spear into the jungle cat?” The timbre of Barz’s voice was low, almost intimate.

What was it about this man? He made her pulse race even when she was in a sickbed. “I do not even fully remember sticking him with the first one. I picked it up. I remember that.”

A Kormic woman entered the room without knocking. She touched Taya’s temple, looked at her arm, and unwrapped the bandage, showing it to Taya. A scar, reddish-purple ran the length of her arm, from wrist to elbow, curling up and into her bicep. She gasped. Then realization hit. “How did it heal so quickly?”

“She’s a healer,” Corzine explained. “Like Raiza.”

The woman smiled, nodded when she heard Raiza’s name.

“I’ve never seen anything heal so quickly. It was the same with Cinia’s burns.” She saddened, thinking of her friend. “The search was called off because of me?”

Corzine’s expression became sad. “We were already going to call the search off. We did all we could. You did all you could. There were no other signs, no indicators.”

Tears welled in her eyes. Corzine, Barz and the healer looked away, giving her privacy to mourn.

She did not want to mourn. She seethed inside. She didn’t want to believe that this was it. That it was the end of Cinia. A furious hatred rolled through Taya. Hatred for the Asazi who put her and Cinia in the hands of Saraz. When Taya and Cinia left Saraz they were afloat, with no roots, no destination.

Now Cinia was gone it was just her. Thanks to the fates she had friends with Marissa, Finn, Barz and Corzine. If not for them, she would have nowhere to go. She would not be alive.

A knock on the door brought her mental meandering to a halt. The healer opened it, allowing the old couple in.

“Alina’s parents are leaders within this tribe.” Corzine explained, then did the translating.

The older woman smiled at Taya. “You have saved two Kormic warriors with your bravery. One from our tribe, and Barz, an adopted son by marriage to our now-gone daughter, Alina.”

Taya didn’t know what to say, she nodded. She really had little recollection of saving the two or killing the jungle cat.

The older woman took her hand. “We want to honor your bravery and sacrifice.”

“There’s no need for—” Taya began.

“You should accept,” Barz interrupted. “Not to accept this honor would seem churlish.”

She’d avoided eye contact with him because of the way he made her feel. The way her body responded to his slightest glance, to his voice. She had to look at him now, else everyone would wonder why she didn’t when he’d just talked to her.

“I don’t want to appear that.” She told Barz, glancing at his chest to keep from looking into his eyes or his full lips. His chest wasn’t much better of an option, it only served to remind her how muscular he was. How fully male. She turned to the couple. “I would be honored.”

Corzine translated. The two left with smiles and assurances that they would have the celebration the next night, to give her another day to recuperate.

The healer rubbed salve into Taya’s wrists.

Taya chanced a glance at Barz, using the healer’s torso to shield her from his eyes. His expression was unreadable, but the set of his jaw was resolute. What was he concerned about?

M
arissa groaned
. Whatever Raiza had applied to her temples and wrists was working, but a small amount of pain—or maybe discomfort—seeped through. She had no experience in giving birth in general, only what she had heard. But then again, this was no ordinary human birth. With a gestation period of only seven months, how would things differ during birth? And what about wings? That was yet another complication.

“What can I expect?” She panted at Raiza.

“I have given birth, but I do not know how being human and having a baby that is half-human, half-Asazi will be.” Raiza placed a cool washcloth over Marissa’s forehead.

“Where’s Finn?” She bit back the scream as an intense contraction burst though whatever Raiza had given her. She grit her teeth.

“He is just outside. He was waiting for Saraz with Norn until the Elders showed up. As soon as they appeared, he left them to wait for Saraz. I told him to wait outside until you asked for him. I was not sure if you wanted him here with you.” Raiza nodded her spiky head, dark yellow eyes glowing with affection. “Do you?”

“God, yes.” Marissa was shocked that Finn didn’t kick up a fuss to get in here with her.

Raiza slipped her head through the door, spoke softly. A second later, Finn was bursting through the door.

“Marissa. How are you?” He took her hand, kissed her on the forehead.

“Wondering where you were.” She smiled at him through the pain.

“You’re hurting.” Finn looked worried. “Raiza, can you do nothing for the pain?”

“I have done what I could. She needs to have sensation to push.” She patted Finn on the back, then turned to Marissa. “It will be in the next few minutes.”

“How can you be so sure?” Marissa didn’t know much about birthing, but she didn’t think things could be pinned down to such certainty.

“It is part of my calling as a healer, to know these things.”

Outside there was a commotion. Raised voices. A crashing noise. Marissa tried to sit up. Finn put a slight pressure on her hand. “Lay back. It is just Saraz. He is arguing with the Elders. He wants to be sure that things in here are not being set up to trick him.”

“Let him in,” Marissa grunted through a clenched jaw.

“No.” Finn was adamant.

“Do not jeopardize our return home. I will not let him stay. Give us a moment. Nothing more.”

Finn nodded, gave her a hard look. “Nothing more.” He slipped out the door, then returned, following Saraz.

Saraz’s grayish-black skin gleamed. “It is time. This is the holiest of times. I wish it were not happening in this crass, commonplace location. We should be in my temple, you should be attended by dozens.”

“Do what you need to—” Marissa bit back the agony of another contracting. “—to determine what you must then leave me in peace.” She blew out a breath of discomfort. “Raiza. More medicine. Something. Please.”

“I cannot. It is time.”

‘Saraz, go.’
Marissa ordered him in her mind.
‘Please go. Now. You do not belong at this birth.’

‘That is debatable as you will soon see.’

Finn cleared his throat. “You have seen what you came to see.” His voice was banded in steel.

With a quick whirl, Saraz’s cloak swirled behind him and he exited the room. “I’ll be right outside this door.”

“Finn!” Marissa could not contain her reaction to the overwhelming sensation that pulled at her. God, was she delivering an anvil? Was this a winged baby? Is that why it hurt so?

T
aya took
the seat of honor the Kormic had arranged for her. She was uncomfortable with more than a hundred Kormic set of eyes watching her enter the amphitheater she hadn’t realized existed. At the back of the village, after a trek through meandering stone abodes and cobbled pathways, an entrance had opened up to this arena. At the top were boxed-in seats, followed by benches set up like bleachers.

She looked at Barz and Corzine. “You’ll be nearby, right?” She would need a translator, after all.

Corzine nodded. Barz looked at her, his eyes smoldering, then he offered a small inclination of his head, barely noticeable as a nod.

Corzine was next to her, on the right, Barz on the left. The older couple was seated next to Corzine’s right, putting him right between them and Taya. Perfect for an interpreter, she mused. The rest of the population was slightly below, in the benches. Vendors walked among the benches, selling roasted seeds. The old couple, she finally learned their names, Gor and Bel, had put a bowl in front of Taya. She’d tasted the roasted seeds, found them unlike anything she’d ever had in her Asazi life.

“What’s going to happen?” she asked Barz so that Corzine wouldn’t be expected to translate.

He turned to face her, his eyes alit on her eyes, traveled to her lips then lower.

“Stop that,” she hissed.

“That?”

“Do not play dumb. You know what I mean.”

He turned toward the center of the arena in the middle of the amphitheater. “There will be talent displays, with spears, and other weapons from the men. The women will showcase their dancing and limber skill. Then they will make a large production out of honoring you for saving mine and Shart’s life. Shart is the nephew of Gor and Bel. His parents are no longer alive, so they have become his foster parents. Saving his life was no small thing.”

“You know I don’t remember much of that.”

“Adrenaline has caused it to slip from your mind. The same adrenaline that pushed you to kill the jungle cat. No female Kormic has ever killed a jungle cat alone.”

She shrugged, wishing she remembered the occasion. “Probably luck.”

“Maybe. Few men have ever solo killed a jungle cat. It is usually a test that is given to warriors.”

She recognized this had to be a big deal for these people then, and didn’t want to diminish their wish to honor her. “I’m honored.”

“Enjoy it. Tomorrow we will depart early to return to our own camp.”

Corzine’s head snapped in their direction. “When was this decided?” he asked Barz.

“There is no reason to extend our stay. Cinia is gone. No trace. This is not a place that we belong. It is not a place that an Asazi belongs, honoring ceremonies aside.” He gave Taya a pointed look.

Kormic men came out from a door beneath the boxed seats she and her hosts sat in. The men were strutting, carrying lances, twirling and jumping over each other’s lances. The audience applauded while the Kormic warriors went through a series of impressive routines that showcased their fighting skills.

When their show was over a group of Kormic women entered the arena, dancing and doing backflips, front flips, feats that defied gravity while on the sidelines other women provided rhythm with drums and wooden sticks filled with pebbles.

More applause and bowing followed this show. Another show featured Gostracks displaying their incredible agility and coordination. The shows continued for more the better part of the morning, interrupted only by food being served.

Directly after the festive meal, Gor rose and held his hand out to Taya. Corzine stood behind them. Taya could feel her skin turning a shade of embarrassed. She felt Barz’s gaze on her back and other parts and that caused her to turn an even more furious shade of embarrassment.

Corzine translated as Gor related the episode with the slaying of the jungle cat. Since she had no memory of it, she knew they were relying on Barz’s and the other warrior’s recollection.

Taya bowed her head when the crowd began to stomp their feet and pound their fists on the handrails. Gor took her hand, raising it above her head, then he shook it.

Bel put a finger on Taya’s chin, raising it, she placed a necklace over Taya’s head.

The necklace was made of bone inlaid with rectangular scarlet stones. The crimson stones refracted the sun’s light, casting red dots around Taya.

“This makes you an honorary daughter of the Kormic. A member of this tribe.” Corzine translated Gor’s booming words. “The Kormic people owe you a debt, two lives worth, for saving two Kormic lives.”

“I am honored. I want to thank you for your hospitality and for your assistance in looking for Cinia.”

“I am sorry she has fallen to Midland. Yet one more of its victims,” Bel said, via Corzine.

Bel turned to Corzine. Said something. Corzine didn’t translate, but he was clearly shaken up and moved.

Taya looked to Barz for an explanation.

“Bel and Gor want Corzine to know that they appreciate that he has taken the blame for Alina’s death, but that in truth they know that this was an accident, one that she could have prevented, and that the blame does not fall on him. That they welcome him as a son of the tribe.”

Bel looked at Barz. Said something.

“What about that?” Taya asked Barz.

“They have said that I am a son of the tribe as well, that they hope they did not treat me poorly while they were treating my brother poorly.” Barz’s voice became husky. He paused, looked out over the horizon.

Taya fought the urge to put a hand on him to console him. She knew the last few years had not been easy on him.

“I should not have blamed you either, Corzine. Please forgive me.” Barz looked at his brother.

Corzine smiled his easy smile, his handsome face lighting up. “Nothing to be forgiven. You are my brother. You loved her.”

“I did.” Barz said, then gave Taya a look.

She tried to interpret the look, wondered what it meant but her thought were interrupted by a disruption.

A different tone came from the crowd. Instead of the cheering roar, there was a disturbance. From the crowd’s ranks, one figure emerged, striding to the middle of the arena. A long deep blue dress flowed from her body, her Kormic head held high.

Taya squinted at the figure, the harsh sunlight reflecting off the light colored ground and sand made it difficult to discern the figure’s features. Not that she knew many of this Kormic tribe’s members.

Marni. That was Alina’s sister. If this was part of the ceremony, why was the crowd acting so surprised? Marni kept making surefooted, deliberate strides to the middle of the arena, once there, she came toward the box with her parents, Taya, Barz and Corzine.

A few paces short of the boxed seats, she stopped, raised her eyes, looked up at those seated in their elevated box seats. Her eyes traveled from one to the other until they finally rested on Taya.

The entire amphitheater had fallen silent. Not even one whisper. Gor and Bel stared at their daughter, as did Barz and Corzine.

Am I the only one who does not understand what is happening and its significance?
Taya looked to Corzine, then to Barz, hoping one or the other would provide an inkling, a clue, even a small hint as to what was happening.

Marni pulled out a weapon, one that resembled a long dagger. She pointed it at Taya. “I reject this one’s claims on Barz and Corzine. As Alina’s only sister, I lay claim to her widowers, per our custom. This union the three have is a usurping of our traditions.”

Corzine’s voice was low as he translated what Marni had said.

“What?” Taya’s voice was a whisper. “What the curses is she on about?”

Barz leaned forward. “She refutes our earlier assertion that we are mated.”

Marni’s voice was even louder when she made her next announcement, after wish she threw the dagger to the ground and crossed her arms over her chest.

Bel gasped and looked at her husband, muttering words that were foreign to Taya.

“No.” Corzine said under his breath, his face a mask of horror.

“What? Tell me,” Taya asked. “What is it?”

Barz’s breath tickled her ear as he translated. “She is challenging you to a duel. A duel to the death because her rights of first refusal have been usurped.”

“Wait. I have to kill Marni to claim you two as my mates or she has to do the same to me?” Taya looked from Barz to Corzine, then back to Barz. “Tell them. Tell them that it was made up, that you were protecting me. Tell them. I will not be put in a position to kill another woman for a mate. Nor will I be put in one to die.” Taya stood. “She can have you both.”

“Both?” Barz voice penetrated a burgeoning tunnel of despair that was building up within Taya. He continued, “She can have us both?”

She didn’t want to look at Barz. It was too painful to think of him with another woman. When did she become so attached to him? Then it occurred to her, she had an even bigger problem. A more pressing one.

Curses. Now where would she go? How would she get back to . . . home? Where was home? Was home a temple with a man that shifted into a dragon-type? Was home a camp of refugees? Most of which would be going to a different planet as soon as Marissa gave birth. Her options were limited in the worst way possible. Taya took off at a run, heading for the staircase that led up to the box, intent on finding solace and solitude in the building she’d spent the last day and half in. she had to get her thoughts together.