A Love For Lera (Haikon) (22 page)

“
Ja
?” A small, rotund woman opened the
door. The second she saw Lera, she grabbed him and pulled him in, shoving him
toward the fire. The door closed behind them.

He sank by the flames and touched her face.
‘Lera.
Come on,
mo anam
. We’re inside. It’s warm here.’
Nothing.

The old woman brought blankets and shooed him
away. He resisted until she poked him in the chest.

“What good are you sick? Warm yourself.”

So he did, all the while staying close and
keeping an eye on her. Lera lay as still as death. Her chest barely moved, and
it looked like diamonds were embedded on her skin and lashes. In the corner of
the house, he noticed an old man sitting in a chair, watching him. The gaze
calculating.

They stared at one another until a bowl of hot
stew was shoved under his nose.

“Thank you,” he said, picking up the bread and
dipping it into the thick gravy. He sat beside Lera who was covered by furs.
The winds buffeted the small home, only to be denied entrance. Bowl empty, he
reached out, but hesitated before he actually picked up her hand. Still, she
never moved.

‘Come on,
mo anam.
’

“Hurts,” she moaned.

“What does?” He dropped the bowl and moved
closer. The woman hovered over his shoulder.

“Move,” she ordered with a firm nudge, her accent
thick and heavy.

He, along with his wolf, growled low, angry at
being shoved aside. Her brown eyes snapped to him before returning to Lera.

“I’m Simza, and over there is Dejan.” Her gnarled
hands began to knead Lera’s limbs. “Not sure what you and your man are doing
out on a night like this. This is no natural storm. It’s
prikaza
.”

“What does that mean?” Lera asked, discomfort
lined her voice but he knew talking helped keep her mind off the pain flooding
her as feeling returned.

“
Prikaza
is a bad omen. This storm is
evil. One such as you shouldn’t be out in it.”

He caught the glare Simza shot at him.

“Well, it wasn’t totally his fault,” Lera said.
“I ran off after…because I was throwing a fit. He came because I was dumb and
put myself in danger.”

‘Even now you protect me,
mo anam.
This
is to be my job.’

‘I can’t feel Adric like before. I’m sorry I
couldn’t keep my other shape. It’s my fault. I wasn’t…am not strong enough.’

He wanted to shake her. Shake some sense into
her.
‘You are going to stop saying such crap about yourself, Valera.’
Compulsion drenched his words but he didn’t care. She didn’t say anything, and
he knew she was listening to Simza.

Settled near Lera, he listened as Simza spoke. By
the time she’d begun to work on Lera’s other side, he realized she wasn’t
rambling about nothing but was trying to get a point out. From the corner of
his eye, he watched the old man she’d introduced as Dejan. The body may be
frail but those eyes told a different story. They were sharp and calculating.
Not to mention suspicious.

“You are lucky your husband found you,” Simza
said.

Lera coughed hard. “He’s not my husband. I’m not
married.” Scorn dripped from her words.

Until the words actually passed her lips, he
never realized that fact made her angry. Was he hearing things? Did his Lera
actually want to marry him? Why did that make his heart beat all fast?

It took all his strength and control to keep an
impassive expression at her statement. Both Dejan and Simza watched him,
gauging his reaction. He made sure there was none.

“I would think the savior of the Haikon would be
better protected. It is unsafe,” Dejan stated in a graveled voice.

Lera struggled to sit up. “The what?” she asked,
playing dumb. “I thought the Haikon were nothing more than a myth.”

“There are rumors of a dark-skinned shape shifter
woman with a large black wolf, the size from the past.”

Lera flopped back down on the furs. “Well, life
is full of rumors. I would think if that particular one was true, I’d have a
wolf with me. Or at the very least been in the supposed shape and stayed warmer
versus freezing my ass off.”

The man rose and shuffled closer. Kori watched,
ready to defend her. Dejan leaned heavily on his cane and stared down at Lera.
She continued to lay there, Simza working on her leg.

“You wear the image of a wolf,” he uttered,
indicating her wrist bands.

Lera turned her head so she could see his eyes.
“I have the image of a tiger on my Hayabusa. Does that mean I’m one of those as
well? Let’s not forget the shamrock on my ass.”

Her tone smacked of sarcasm, and Kori wanted to
laugh at how she handled Dejan. A slight smile filled Simza’s round face.

‘I didn’t know you had a shamrock on your ass,
Lera. I’ll have to look for that next time I have you naked.’

Her snort of laughter echoed in his mind.

“I had hoped to meet one,” Dejan said.

Lera didn’t miss a beat. “Thought they were a
rumor.”

Kori got to his feet and moved to the door.
Simza’s words of how the storm wasn’t natural had his hackles up. He’d not
really paid attention at first. A mistake he’d not make again. But now…he
wasn’t so sure.

Simza was Romani. He respected them. Standing
with his back to the trio of people, he stared out the small window. There was
an itch between his shoulder blades, and he felt like some
thing
was out
there in storm. Watching. Waiting.

‘What’s wrong, Kori?’

‘How are you feeling?’
He moved to the
window on the other side of the door.

‘Much better. Thank you for getting me here.
Wherever here is. Anyway, thanks for keeping me safe.’

He turned slowly.
‘What else can I do? After
all, your father wanted me to watch over you.’

She sat and got to her feet with care. Her teeth
sank into her lower lip.
‘Are you mad about something?’
Her eyes met
his, and behind the lingering pain, he saw impishness.

“I suppose you’re going to tell my dad all about
this,” she commented in a snarky tone.

He crossed his arms, knowing full well he looked
menacing. “Your father is too lenient with you. He should have taken you over
his knee a long time ago.” His words were crisp and modulated, like someone
very comfortable with their position. Enough so to make snide comments. “I
would have. A long time ago.”

“Maybe. Luckily for me, you’re neither husband
nor father.”

He narrowed his gaze in warning.

“Enough now,” Simza interrupted. “Sleep is important.
Our room has a bed.”

“We’ll be fine here. The floor is fine enough for
her.” He pinned his gaze on Lera. “We appreciate your hospitality.”

Simza assisted Dejan to the small bedroom, and
the door closed behind her. Kori laid his coat down before the fire and moved
the blankets she had been on as well. When it was done, he directed a silent
Lera to lay down closest to the heat. Once she’d settled, he stretched his
length beside her.

“Wouldn’t want to lose you tonight,” he muttered.

She rolled her eyes and huffed. He bit back a
groan when she brushed against his groin, bringing him to full stiffness.

‘Have mercy,
mo ghrá.
’
With
willpower he didn’t know, he had he remained still.

‘Why? According to you, I’m naught but a
spoiled brat who needs to be spanked by her father.’

He frowned at the anger in her tone.
‘And
according to you, you have no husband.’

‘I. Don’t.’

The rumble of fury couldn’t be contained.
‘Lera.’

‘Night.’

She was asleep in moments. He lay with her until
the fire began to die then he got up, put more wood on and covered her with her
coat. Then, he sat at the table.

A creak brought his head up with a snap. Simza
stepped into view, holding a shawl tightly to her chest. The firelight gleamed
off her weathered skin. Her brown eyes flicked between him and Lera. There was
silence until she’d made herself something warm to drink.

“The prophecy, it scares you.” Her words,
although hushed, were lined with determination and assuredness.

He gazed at the fire. “Only a fool doesn’t allow
a prophecy to make him cautious.”

“And you—”

“Are not a fool,” he said, finishing the sentence
for her.

“I know who you are, Cormac MacLochlainne, but I
can’t figure her out. If she was the one, truly, her wolf would be with her,
for all Haikon know the separation is painful. And gets worse with every
passing day. But I think you’ve met the savior whomever she is.”

Painful. Pain that becomes increasingly worse.
They’d been over two days from Adric now. He held Simza’s stare, despite the
need to look at Lera.

“So you believe in the Haikon?”

“Of course.” Her reply fell instantaneous. “I
have spent my life with one.”

Dawning came with swift clarity. “Dejan?”

Simza merely drank. When she finished, she tugged
her shawl closer and got to her feet. At the door to her bedroom, she paused
and turned. “You are safe here, Cormac MacLochlainne. This storm is fierce and
will rage for days. We have food and wood. Rest yourself well for you will need
every bit of your strength for the task ahead. You are safe here.”

Then, she disappeared from view.

He added a few more logs and went back to lie
beside Lera. There sat a pile of blankets and furs. With swift efficiency, he
made another bed, thicker and warmer, and transferred Lera to it. She barely
stirred. One final pass through the house where he put up his own wards, he
then climbed into the makeshift bed, curling up against the woman for whom he
lived for. Who he’d die for. Kill for.

Simza’s words followed him into slumber. Lera’s
hushed moan woke him. Alert in seconds, he searched the area for danger. He
could smell Simza and Dejan in their room, hear their quiet snores. The storm
continued to blow with intensity beyond the boundary of the house. Content as
he could be given their current situation, Kori turned his attention to Lera.

Flickering light from the fire highlighted her
skin. Beautiful, rich, brown skin. He frowned. It was paler than normal and
held beads of sweat upon it.

‘Lera.’
One hand trailed down the plane of
her face. Only in sleep did she truly let down her guard, softening the lines
of her face. And it wasn’t even an everyday occurrence. She was a fiercely
disciplined person. She didn’t have the ability like the shifters who made up
her family. Or rather, she hadn’t. Combine that with the first part of her
childhood, and he understood when she remained so vigilant. To have her trust
he would keep her safe—enough she truly slept deeply—meant so much to him.

‘Wake up, Lera.’

‘I’m awake.’
She never moved.

He fought against the urge to turn her in his
arms and kiss her. Pay homage to her body before the fire. Slink his tongue
into her and allow himself to gorge on her thick cream. His cock, hard and
ready, pressed into the firmness of her ass.

‘What’s wrong? Are you in pain?’

‘Yes.’
His heart froze for a moment.
‘I’ll
be okay.’

‘What can I do to ease your pain?’

‘Don’t leave me.’

Three words. Simple, innocent words that slammed
into him. It no longer mattered where they were, he moved closer until his body
curved against her smaller one. He laid an arm along her midsection, fingers
skimming her flat belly.

‘I will never leave you.’

Chapter Sixteen

They stayed in the cabin for another two days
before a break came in the storm. Lera remained very closed lipped about who
she was. Although she had a feeling Simza and Dejan knew.

The pain within her grew steadily worse, and it
took a lot to keep it from Kori. He watched her with those gray, all seeing
eyes. He was nervous about something, and she knew he wanted to keep it from
her. Those eyes caught hers, and she fought the flutter he always gave her with
nothing more than a glance.

One moment, the winds and icy pellets pounded
into the sides of the house, and the next, silence fell. All four of them
lifted their heads. Kori rose and moved to the door. She followed, pausing
beside him near a small window.

“What are you thinking?”

He looked at her then returned his attention to
the outdoors. “I think we should go.”

Without a word, she turned to find the couple
watching. Simza stood there with Lera’s bag and one of food in her hands. With a
smile, Lera took them.

“Thank you for allowing us to stay.”

Simza merely nodded. “Be careful.”

Combining the food into her own pack, she hoisted
it to one shoulder. From the corner of her eye, the image of Kori wearing his
coat found her. Blinking, she turned to the silent old man in the corner.

He was like her. Haikon. But he’d lost his vaj.
Her tongue dampened her lips before she moved to his side, positioning herself
between him and the other two. She waited for his eyes to find her, and she
held his gaze.

She reached out and pressed their hands in the
way of the Haikon. Wrist to wrist. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. In a
low voice, she uttered, “I know you hurt, and I’m sorry.”

“Keep yourself well, Valera Grace. Beware the
prophecy.” He squeezed her hand and released her.

On impulse, she leaned in close and pressed a
swift kiss to his cheek before stepping to Kori’s side. His eyes were
remarkablely composed when he met her gaze. She preceded him out the door, and
they left.

“You okay?” Kori asked.

Ignoring the pain, which laced her body, she gave
him a smile. “Let’s get this over with.” They slipped off into the woods and
continued on their way. After about two hours into the trail, she paused. He
stopped beside her.

“What’s wrong?”

“You should go ahead, Kori, and see how far the
town is. I’ll just keep on this trail.”

“I’m not leaving you.” He refused immediately.

“Think about it, Kori. You can cover a lot more
ground in your other shape. I will be fine.”

“No.”

“Kori, we’re wasting time if we walk for days to
this next town only to find Sven isn’t even there. I can do this; go ahead.”

He frowned and shook his head. “I’m not about to
leave you alone in the middle of nowhere with no recourse to your other shape,
Lera. Don’t ask that of me.”

“Be reasonable, Kori. I didn’t even know I had
another shape for the longest time. I can handle just this human one. I learned
a long time ago to depend on my own fighting skills.”

His growl resonated along the landscape while
gray eyes snapped angrily. “I don’t like it.”

“I didn’t say I did either, but I think it would
be the best way.” She laid a hand upon his forearm and squeezed. “The sooner
you go, the sooner we’ll be back together.”

He stared at her for a moment, his eyes softening
and filling with love. A large sigh escaped him before he cupped her cheeks
with strong hands. Silence lingered between them; his thumbs skimmed along her
lips.

“Just for the record, I
really
don’t like
this idea.”

She kissed the pad of his thumb. “Duly noted.
Now, go on. I’ll be behind you.”

“Do you know how much I love you, Valera Grace?”

With a smile she nodded. “I think so, but I’ll
think on it while you’re gone. Then, I’ll tell you upon your return and see if
I was right.”

He winked and touched his lips to hers. A gentle,
soft kiss which banished away the wintery chill from her bones. Drawing back,
he shifted into his wolf and stared at her.

‘Keep yourself safe, Lera. I’ll be back as
soon as I can.’

‘That goes for you as well, Kori. Stay safe.’
She removed a glove and sank her hand into the thick, plush pelt covering him.
‘I
love you.’

‘Likewise,
mo anam.
’

He blinked before turning and running off to be
seemingly swallowed by the forest around her. She didn’t move for about a
minute. Then, with a slight sigh, she tugged her jacket closer and followed the
large prints in the snow. Things felt different without Kori at her side, and
immediately, she wondered who watched her. She could feel Kori inside her head
and that helped her to not be scared, but she definitely was more cautious.

While she strode along, her mind worked
furiously, trying to make sense out of the prophecy. Everyone she knew spoke
about it with reverence. Like it was gospel or something close.

Power held by the men.

Weakened over time.

Awaits the arrival of a woman.

A warrior bearing the blood of old.

With the loss of that which is most precious.

The Haikon are strong again
.

“Well, I’m apparently bearing the blood of old.
I’m a woman. I don’t see myself as a warrior, though. And what the hell is most
precious?”

Her heart lurched at the thought of losing Kori.
Or Adric. Or her family.

“Get a grip, Lera,” she snapped at herself. “This
prophecy was written well before they were around. It has to mean something
else. So just because that’s what most precious to me, doesn’t mean it fits in
the prophecy.”

She walked until darkness began to fall. Scouting
out an area where she’d be safe from weather, plus it would be easily
defendable, she got to the task of building a fire. When it burned brightly,
she leaned back against the tree and reached into the bag of food Simza had
sent along with her.

‘How are you holding up, Lera?’

‘I’m fine Kori. Just got a fire going and am
eating. How about you?’

‘Pressing on. I miss you.’

‘Miss you, too, mate.’
She stretched out
her legs and sighed as she chewed on the piece of bread.
‘Any idea how far
the town is?’

‘I should be there come morning.’

‘Any trouble?’

‘Nothing on this end. What about you?’

‘Forest seems remarkably quiet. I didn’t see
anyone today.’

‘You’re ready for the night?’

She could detect his concern; it brought a smile
to her face.
‘I’m set. Sheltered and as safe as I can be.’

‘Please keep yourself safe, Lera.’

‘You know me; I sleep with one eye open.’

‘I love you, Valera.’

‘And I you, Cormac.’

He fell quiet, and she knew he was pressing on.
She finished her food and tucked the blanket closer around her, relatively
comfortable in the cold night. Her weapon lay against her palm, and after
making sure the fire would burn throughout the night, she got ready to sleep.

The night passed without incident, and she woke
in time to see the final flame die, leaving only embers. For a few moments, she
remained still and searched the air for any sign she may not be alone. Content
she was, with a smooth move, she gained her feet, still alert and weapon ready.

It didn’t take long, and she had spread out the
embers and covered it with snow so no fire could inadvertently start. Chewing
on another piece of bread, she headed out. This morning, the wind had picked
up, swirling the snow and covering any tracks which would have been left.

Lucky for her, she had directions from Kori
inside her head. Coat buttoned up, she ducked her head and progressed on. A few
hours later, she stopped for a break.

‘Lera?’

‘Morning, Kori.’

‘You doing okay?’

‘I am. Although, I really miss my bike.’

He chuckled, and it warmed her from the inside
out.

‘I’m on my way back to you.’

‘Really?’
She lifted her head and scanned
the area, as if she could see him now.
‘Did you get what you needed?’

‘I did. I’m on my way to you. I’ll fill you in
when I get there.’

‘Do you want me to head back or wait here?’

‘Are you okay where you are?’

She glanced around and frowned. Some animals
she’d not seen before had begun to show interest in her.

‘I’m okay.’

‘Stay there then. I’ll be there as soon as I
can.’

She didn’t answer, just kept an eye on the
creatures moving closer. They looked like lynx to her, an animal she normally
wouldn’t be concerned with, but given she’d been attacked by some bears, she
was overly suspicious. Plus, lynx were generally a solitary animal.

There were three of them, and they began to
spread out. Her heart sank. They were hunting, hungry, and figured she’d be a
good meal.

“Not this time, guys. I’m sorry.”

‘What’s wrong, Lera?’

‘No time to talk, Kori. Some lynx have decided
I would make a good meal. I need to concentrate.’

His anger was apparent but he remained silent.

Even though they were smaller cats, she had no
reason to let down her guard. Hungry animals were dangerous. And when there was
more than one…even more so. Heart heavy at the thought of having to kill them,
she allowed her weapon to slip free.

They prowled closer, dangerous growls sliding
from each throat. Her skin prickled, and she swallowed back the last of her
fear, preparing to battle. Suddenly, all froze, ears pinned back and hisses of
anger left them.

Uncertain of what caused it, she cast a quick
glance behind her and bit off a curse.
Shit!
A large snow leopard
approached. It’s weight close to the combined one of the three smaller cats.
Each forward step the leopard took, the lynx retreated.

“Gavvi?” she asked hopefully.

The cat never glanced at her, just continued
toward the other animals. A warning, protective growl flowed from its beautiful
body. It moved by her and stopped once it was between her and the withdrawing
trio.

She frowned. “Torr?”

Not so much as an ear flick of recognition. It
exploded into action when one of the lynx jumped forward. Hair flew, and blood
dripped into the pristine snow. A high-pitched yowl made her cringe. The
injured smaller cat backed off, spitting in anger and pain. A challenging growl
from the snow leopard reverberated through the air.

The standoff continued for a while until the
three vanished to lick their wounds and search for something else which may go
down without so much trouble. Lera retained her hold on the weapon when the cat
faced her.

I may have just gone from the frying pan into
the fire.
She didn’t move but she waited to see what it would do. The
animal was fast; she knew that and was as prepared as she could be.

The snow leopard held her gaze, and as she stared
into those beautiful eyes, she felt a feather light touch in her mind. A soft
caress that made her draw her brows down in confusion.

‘You are Haikon.’

Her eyes flew open wide, and she stepped back.
After scanning the area, she focused back on the leopard when she discovered
there was nothing else around.

‘Are you talking to me?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re not Gavvi.’
Which made sense given
the voice was male.

‘No, my name is Perun.’

She shook her head in confusion.
‘What are you
doing out here? Where’s your vaj?’

‘I’ve not yet found my vaj.’

‘I’m so sorry. Can I help you with something?
I’m Lera.’

‘Yes. There is a small litter of cubs a short
distance from here. The mother was killed.’

‘Take me.’
She returned her weapon and set
off after him the moment he sprang away.
‘Do you know where your vaj is? I
mean, do you have an idea?’

‘No.’

Her heart went out to both Perun and his vaj,
well aware at the pain separation caused.
‘We’re heading to a gathering. I
would love for you to come along; perhaps your vaj is there.’

He stopped and stared at her. Then, he moved
toward her and rubbed along her leather-clad leg. She dropped to a knee and
wrapped her arms around him.

‘I know it hurts. But we have to be strong.’

‘Thank you, vaj.’
He leaned into her,
soaking up her offered strength.

Tears threatened, and she blinked them away
before regaining her feet. “Let’s go get those cubs.”

He loped off and she jogged off in his wake. The
further they went, the more she could feel his anxiety.

‘Kori?’

‘Yes my love?’

‘I’m not where I was. I’m heading due west.’

‘What happened?’

‘I found another vaj. He saved me from the
lynx, but now, he needs my help. I know you can find me. I just didn’t want you
to get back to where you expected me, only to find me gone.’

He sent her an image of a warm hug and lengthy
kiss.
‘Stay safe, Lera.’

‘See you soon.’

Perun increased his speed, his lean body
stretched out, making easy leaps over the snow-covered tundra. She followed
suit and broke into a run, not quite as easy for her given she didn’t run
across the top of the crust but sank through.

About an hour later, he slowed up and paused by a
large cluster of rocks and trees. A tingle went up Lera’s spine, and she had
her weapon palmed before she took another step.

‘They’re hidden in the crevice.’

‘Can you bring them out? I’ll keep watch.’