Ultimate Passage: New Beginnings: Box Set ( Books 1-4) (43 page)

T
aya had
a sleepless night after Barz left. She heard the population returning from the amphitheater, from the show that was put on to honor her. She did not rise. Once when the door opened, and a silhouette peeked its head in, she closed her eyes so she wouldn’t have to talk. No clue who it was.

What was she supposed to do? Here she wanted one man. One man only. And the answer was that to have that one man she would have to take two. Two men in her bed, in her heart, in her home. She could not do that. She couldn’t make that sacrifice. She would not lay with a man and fake it in order to be with the man she wanted.

The light filtering in from the shuttered windows signaled that night had passed. Still she lay in the bed. The smell of Barz and what they’d shared prevalent. She should clean up. She should rise and get started, yet a part of her was not motivated to move, to begin the process she didn’t want to start.

The door creaked open. Corzine’s looked in, saw she was up. “I brought you something to eat.”

He didn’t mention the smell, and she was glad he let her simmer in her emotional turmoil without forcing her to put words to it. Yet.

“I would like to talk to Gor and Bel. Can you arrange a meeting?”

“Certainly.” He placed the plate on the stand nearest the door and left.

Taya glanced at the food, but nothing seemed quite appetizing. Her stomach knotted, as if to affirm her appetite loss. She dressed, ran fingers through her hair. Took a long drink of water from a flask hanging on the wall, then put it back on the hook. She wished she could see her reflection, see how ragged and hellish she must look. With that final thought, she slipped out the door. Corzine was sitting in the shade, arms crossed, relaxed.

Of course, he could be relaxed, he didn’t have the same issues pressing on him. Together they walked to Bel and Gor’s abode.

Outside Gor and Bel’s home, a fire roared, taking the chill and moisture out of the air. Barz and Marni were sitting on boulders, across from then Bel and Gor enjoyed a warm cup of cider.

Taya approached, slowly, deliberately. Unsure of how to phrase it but convicted in her mission. “I have an announcement to make.” All turned her way. Barz’s face was unreadable, as usual. His eyes narrowed, just the slightest.

She forged on. “I will take the challenge if this is what I must do to make a claim. To claim Barz—” She sucked in some air. “And Corzine. I do not want to take a life, but I will not walk away.”
Nor will I see the man I love belonging to another woman.

Corzine sputtered, his mouth opened then closed, but no words were spoken.

Marni’s mouth had fallen agape.

Barz crossed his arms over his chest.

Bel turned to Gor, a horrified look on her face.

Barz rose. “I have an announcement. Corzine translate, please.” Barz turned to face everyone, but his eyes were glued on Taya. Was this the same man she’d shared herself with last night? What could he say? Was he going to break her heart?

Barz chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Being Kormic all my life, there is nothing more treasured for me—until now. Things have changed for me. I will not be part of this. I denounce my Kormic heritage and declare myself a denizen of no one’s land. If blood is shed in claiming, it will not be over me.”

Corzine translated Barz’s announcement to Kormic.

Marni gasped. Taya looked at Corzine, though she didn’t need him to translate, since Barz had spoken in Asazi, clearly for her benefit.

Marni said something. Corzine translated. “Marni is ready to select weapons.”

Taya was still trying to process what Barz had said. She tried to sum it up. “So I will have to kill her and then claim Corzine? Not Barz? Because he is no longer Kormic? Is that right? Do I have it correct?”

Bel and Gor nod. Corzine confirms that Barz is not an option for a mate anymore as he will not be Kormic once they proceed with the ceremony of denial of citizenship.

Curses.
Though a flush of relief coursed through Taya’s veins. She loved Corzine but could not fathom a life with him as her mate. “I rescind my acceptance and will take any penalty put on me for my withdrawal.”

Corzine translated. The older couple looked perplexed. Taya wasn’t surprised, because confusion was the one emotion that seemed most prevalent this morning. All the heartache she’d gone through to come to the conclusion she did, and now Barz was rejecting being Kormic so he would not have to be her mate. Did he find her that repulsive?

“There are larger issues,” Gor said. “It is rare for Barz to do what he has done. He will have to be punished.” Gor sighed. “The death penalty for treason.” His face saddened. “Then we will see to your penalty, which will be exile.”

Taya gasped.

Marni cried out.

Barz remained stoic.

Corzine spoke. “Death penalty? For treason? He’s comply going through the denial of citizenship,” Corzine argued.

“The Elders have been discussing changing the penalty . . .” Gor started.

“But they have not changed it.” Corzine answered. “So there is no need to be hasty in judgment.”

“Hastiness has not served us well,” Bel added.

“Wait. I would like to speak.” Taya stood up. “You owe me a debt, right?” She looked from Bel to Gor, fingering the necklace they’d given her. The gems warm against her digits. “Isn’t that what you said yesterday? At the celebration? A debt?”

Corzine translated for Taya.

Gor nodded.

She raised her voice, spoke without doubt. “I will trade my life for Barz’s.”

Barz scowled at her. “Absolutely not.” He stepped her way, took her by the shoulders. Stared at her face. His beautiful full lips stern.

Gor spoke. Corzine translated. “Gor says, Barz declined.”

Taya was grasping at all options. Nothing she thought of made sense, and yet, nothing that was happening made sense. What was he thinking? They could not put him to death. That would kill her. “Barz has no rights, true? No Kormic rights? He relinquished them?”

Corzine repeated her words in Kormic. Gor looked at her, as if trying to figure out where she was going with her train of thought.

“Fine.” Taya continued, “I claim him. Can I do that?”

Gor turned to Bel. They spoke in hushed tones, then said something to Corzine.

Corzine translated, “Gor says, they must discuss it. They have never dealt with this before.”

Taya shook her head. She wanted resolution now. “No.”

Corzine put his hand up. “May I?”

Gor and Bel nodded.

Corzine looked at Taya. “Taya saved the life of two Kormic warriors. You owe her.” He looked at Barz. “And as to my brother Barz, death is not merited. He should be exiled from the tribe, as he does not want to be a member of any Kormic tribe. That would be fair for relinquishing his Kormic blood. He’s done nothing dishonorable to merit death.” Corzine then turned to Marni. “As I no longer have a twin, I am not obligated to take a mate that is acceptable to both.”

Gor turned to the group. “Are we agreed that Barz can be mourned for departure, not death?”

Taya looked at Barz. “What just happened?”

“My brother stepped in. I will have to leave. Then again, I never planned to stay. He can live here. He can be joined with Marni if he chooses. I will go back to where I was, where I have been.”

Taya looked down at the Kormic shoes on her feet to keep the tears that welled from showing.
What about me?

Barz stepped closer. His shoes were toe-to-toe with hers. He put a finger on her chin. “I will not go alone.” He applied the tiniest amount of pressure, tipping her chin. “Will I?”

M
arissa looked
at the baby attached to her breast. She sat near the fire, watching him eat, enjoying the first two days with him. The little breathed a sigh of contentment, suckling strongly and loudly. His green skin shimmered a shade of green. His scales so tiny they were barely perceptible. She wondered if that was because he was more human than his father was, with even less Asazi blood.

“He is hungry.” Finn leaned down, kissed the baby’s downy head, then planted a kiss on Marissa’s lips, lingering, tasting. His sigh mirrored the baby’s.

Marissa couldn’t fight the smile that came to her lips. Like father, like son. A year ago, who would have thought that this was where she would be. “Have you thought anything more about a name?” She wanted Finn to name the baby, she’d have a chance on the next one.

“Wint,” Finn said. “Would that bother you?”

“No. That’s an interesting name. What’s it from?”

“My Nana’s name before she was married, it was Winters. I think Wint would be a nice tribute. It’s a strong name.”

“It’s a fine name.” She’d wondered how Finn was doing, it was near the year anniversary of losing the woman who raised him, his human grandmother. The woman who gave him all the attributes that Marissa fell in love with.

“Are you excited about returning to Earth?” Finn asked her.

“Yes, but I’m worried about Raiza and Norn. I feel like I’m the reason that they are going through a rough time.”

“I understand. The fault of any of this does not lie with you.”

She appreciated his efforts, but there was no way in hell she’d believe that any of this would be happening if she hadn’t entered Finn’s life and if she didn’t want to return home.

A commotion at the other side of camp caught her attention. She rose, cradling the baby, with Finn’s arm around her they headed toward the loud voices that were coming from the other side of Raiza and Norn’s cabin.

Taya and Barz were putting down packs. Raiza hugged her brother Barz.

Marissa looked at Taya. She looked different. She mouthed the word, “Cinia.”

Taya’s face saddened, she shook her head. They had not found Cinia.

“Where is Corzine?” Raiza asked.

“He stayed with Alina’s people” Taya said.

Raiza looked to Barz for an explanation.

“We will need some time to cover what all has happened. Perhaps over dinner,” Barz said. “We have not eaten yet today.”

“We’ve been in such a hurry to come as quickly as we could. I hoped to be here for the baby’s birth,” Taya added.

“Little Wint decided to join us early.” Marissa smiled and held the sleeping baby up.

”Wint?” Norn looked at Finn. “From Winters?”

Finn nodded.

“Good name.” Norn acknowledged. A tribute to a fine woman, your mother’s mother.”

O
ver dinner
, Taya and Barz brought everyone up to speed on what had happened to them over the last few days. They were also caught up on the news about the baby’s birth, the Elders, and Saraz.

“So Saraz comes tomorrow to take you to Earth. You will be leaving then.” Barz said.

Raiza put her plate down with a loud thud. “There is something you should all know. Norn has decided that he will stay as collateral. This is common knowledge. I do not blame or hold anyone accountable for his decisions. I blame no one.” She looked at Marissa as if to be certain that Marissa knew she didn’t blame her.

Raiza turned her dark amber gaze to Norn. “But I have made a decision of my own. I will not go to Earth. If Norn wants to sacrifice himself, even if he chooses to call it by the name collateral, I do not have to be a party to this. I will not be a planet away while he is here. Nor will Feroz.”

“What?!?” Norn’s skin shimmered orange. “You cannot do that. Having you here, I will always worry. I will not be able to concentrate on—” He stopped talking. His jaw muscles working. “I will worry about you and Feroz.”

Raiza’s voice was calm. “And you want me to be on Earth with Feroz, where I will worry about you?”

Norn’s skin became an even more brilliant orange. Marissa almost wished that someone could intervene and put this argument to an end, but she knew that the only solution that would work would be if she decided to stay.

“Finn,” Marissa whispered, to keep from being heard by others. “Shall we—should I—”

“No.” Norn turned to her. “You shall not.”

Marissa flinched at the resolve in his tone. Raiza bit back a most of a cry, clamping her lips into a tight line.

“This is what must be done.” He turned to Finn. “Saraz will come tomorrow. Son, listen. You must go to Earth with Marissa. You must take Wint, Feroz, and Raiza and begin a life.” He turned to Barz. “Do you still plan to go?”

Barz was silent. He looked at Taya. No emotion crossed his face, no words crossed his lips.

“Norn.” The tone in Raiza’s voice made Marissa nervous. “I have made a decision. Feroz and I will not go to Earth. I will take him and move back to the village. If you choose to follow Saraz and stay with him, then you will know that I am safe with my people.”

T
he hand
on Taya’s back stiffened. Barz was clearly upset, his grip almost painful.

He leaned in. “I have no burning desire to be on Earth at this time. I cannot shift, so I will not be able to go anywhere that I may be discovered. It is too risky. I have heard that there are some who are trying experiments, but until those are confirmed, I am not safe on Earth.”

Taya knew what that meant. And she knew what he was saying. He would not state it outright, that was not the way of this warrior, but he was giving her an out—should she want it. Her body still deliciously sore from two nights of coupling, her mind still full of his whispers of love, she had no intention of leaving this man behind. There would be no way. Nothing could tear her from his side. “I will stay where you are.” She inhaled his scent, closing her eyes, reliving their last two days together.

Barz nodded. “Taya and I will stay with Raiza and Feroz, we will take care of them.”

Taya didn’t judge Norn. She did not understand his reasoning, and perhaps she would not have chosen to be the sacrifice herself, but perhaps he had guilt feelings over not having been there for Finn when he was growing up. Leaving Feroz without a father would not make up for that, but perhaps there were factors here that she was not aware of.

Barz pulled her closer. “You will not mind living with a tribe full of Kormic?”

She snuggled up to his side. “I am Kormic now.” She touched the crimson-gemmed necklace.

A slight tip to his lip indicated his pleasure. She missed the laugh she’d heard that time with Corzine, and once after, yesterday, when she’d said something that he found amusing. She stood on tiptoe, planting a tender kiss on the corner of his mouth.

“Woman. You know you should wake the animal in me. You’ll make me carry you to a cabin right now.”

She turned a bright pink, crossed her arms so that it wasn’t so obvious.

A light chuckle came from his lips, he pulled her close, tucking her head beneath his chin.

“I’m worried about Marissa, Finn, Norn, and Raiza.”

“It will sort itself,” he whispered into her red hair, inhaling her scent.

“What now?” Taya asked Barz.

“Raiza said the elders and Saraz would be here.”

T
aya was taking
her last bite, the rest of the camp’s members had just finished a meal and were enjoying the antics of Feroz and his pet jungle cat Lev, when the elders approached, red cloaks brilliant in the bright sunshine, swaying in the light breeze.

Beside the elders, in his black cloak, his grayish-black scaled skin gleaming dangerously in the sunlight, Saraz approached.

Barz took Taya’s hand. “Does seeing him bother you? Do you need to leave?”

She looked in his dark yellow eyes, feeling safe, completely safe. “No. I have no emotions toward him one way or another. He is no god. He is not worthy of my thoughts. I would be happier if he were a non-entity, but I do not want to wish death on anyone.”

‘Greetings.’
The head elder looked at the assembled group, his glance shifting from one to the next.
‘We have come to prepare for tomorrow’s event. We will accompany the travelers to the pod.’

“Why do we need a pod?” Finn asked.

Saraz’s head snapped Finn’s way.

Taya caught the slight tug Marissa gave Finn’s hand.

“Never mind.” Finn added.

‘Elders.’ Raiza said. ‘There has been a change of plans. Feroz and I will not be traveling to the planet Earth.’

‘What trickery is this?’
Saraz’s voice boomed in their heads.

Taya covered her ears, though it did no good.

‘There is no trickery.’ Norn said. ‘Our agreement stands. It’s just that my woman—Raiza cannot morph, and my son Feroz is not quite adept enough.’

‘So you think they will stay with you and play house while I do not get what I want?’
Luckily Saraz had lowered his voice a notch.

‘No.’
Finn stepped forward.
‘I will perform my part of the bargain while my father stays with you. His woman and child will stay with her family. There is no trickery here.’

The head elder stepped forward.
’We will be here at first dawn to escort Norn, Finn, Marissa, and the baby to the pod. After they have gone, we will escort Norn to the temple. Norn, you will be expected to meet your obligations.’

Norn nodded. Silent tears made their way down Raiza’s face. Marissa put her head on Finn’s shoulder.

The Elders departed. Norn turned to Finn. I need to discuss something with you. Taya took that as her cue to make her presence scarce, and went to the cabin she would now share with Barz—until they left for the tribal settlement with Raiza and Feroz.