A Warrior's Perception (50 page)

The God of Steel's feet landed firmly on the soft grass of Vacrey Isle. As he took his first step, the grass wilted from the heat of his boots. His long raven hair blew about his shoulders and his rogue smile lay etched into place as Demon snorted at his back. He could smell his mate and feel that she was near. His smile turned into a snarl as he sensed her mood. She was still defying him and a part
of her hungered for a fight.

His snarl turned into a low primal growl as dozens of mud golems surfaced from Vacrey's soil. He drew his blade and sliced them back to their birthing place. He edged further and climbing rose vines whipped about his arms and legs. Flames burst from his limbs and the v
ines fell in ashes at his feet.

Andra narrowed her eyes and stood from her perch on top of the white castle's roof. She waved her arms and sent thousands of rocks from the cliffs behind her to deter Kagan's march. As they flew by her hands, they formed in
to rocky birds with green eyes.

She fumed as he waved his hand and they fell to the earth, harmless and utterly useless. She stomped her foot and pointed to the stone pillars that marked the entrance to the castle. They rose and turned into gigantic stone warriors. Kagan laughed as he stomped his foot an
d they crumbled to the ground.

Andra's eyes filled with fire as she held out her palm. Millions of pink and green butterflies swarmed Kagan's body, throwing him to the ground onto his back. They swirled together and banded his arms and feet to the grass and to the very roots of Vacrey Isle. Their strength was unbelievable and they stretched him spread eagle to the groun
d as Andra appeared before him.

He could easily have broken free of the bonds, but he did not. He held back as Andra's feet touched the ground and she stood over him in a fit of rage. Her defiant bright green eyes stared down at him and he smiled as her lips parted.
Such sweet beautiful full lips.

“
Why have you co
me here? What more harm do you plan on doing?
”

His smile widened and he effortlessly ripped his hands from their bonds and crossed his hands under his head,
“
I have come to get what belongs to me!
”

“
All you will get is your arse kicked!
”

Kagan laughed and stood, sending the butterflies whipping about,
“
It would be a shame if you make me bent you over my knee like a spoiled child.
”

Andra drew the sword that he had given her and stood her ground. He had not called for her nor had he come with words of love. He had
come
like the brute he was, demanding she give in. He still only wanted to conquer, control, and demand. No other could have taken such a rightful place as God of Steel. And no other would ever cause her heart to stir so wildly.

The silence that followed was deafening as she weighed her options. She knew he could take her by brute force but only if he could best her sword hand. She also knew that his powers were equal to her own and to fight with them was a waste of time. So, what was she goin
g to do now? What she did best!

“
You are a god now. You have no need of me, nor do you love me. What has made you come here?
Answer me McKregan!
”

Kagan's hand was resting lightly on his sword hilt as he eyed the intoxicating goddess before him,
“
I came to claim you and the babe in your womb.
”

Andra was caught off guard and frowned,
“
It is true that I carry our child. On what ground do you claim me?
”

“
You are mine as it was always meant to be.
”
His smug smile spread across his face as Andra narrowed her eyes.

“
I do not belong to you! Your arrogance has outgrown your arse!
”
Andra's heart pounded in her ears
as Kagan circled her like prey.

“
You love me and there is no use in bloody denying it.
”

“
I
cannot
love you when you will never love me in return. You only want to own me and there is no happiness in possession.
”

“
You are too obsessed with the need to be loved. Love is for fools and fantasies!
”
He stopped and wished he had chosen his
words a little more carefully.

In truth, he had been the one who was obsessed since the day he watched her scale over Shinonoble Keep's wall. Not only had he been obsessed but he had fantasized about her more than he cared to admit. And had he not been acting like a fool in his jealousy? He had Calin sent to England for trying to snatch her away. He had killed Pierre for hurting her. He had fought Darten for flirting with her and had wanted to break Flaron's neck for hugging her. And not to mention the fact that he loathed Jahfar for protecting her when he himself should have been the one doing the protecting.

Kagan grew still as his thoughts turned even uglier. Was he not the one who ordered her father to have her trained and then to put an end to her training? Was he not the one who had caused her grief? If Crimm had not of taken flight with her, she would have died because of his obsession. It was
indeed a matter of perception!

He looked up as Andra turned on her heel and sheathed her sword. He watched as her hips swayed and her long mane blew around her glorious body. His heart burst
into flames as she walked away.

“
Ell'andra!
”
His cry was deep and primal,
“
I love you!
”

Hear him roar!

Andra caught her breath and turned. Kagan fell to his knees as she glided back to her proud warrior god. Her heart sang in triumphant as his face softened and his eyes clouded with the love she so desperately needed from him. She fell to her knees before him and
took his face into her hands.

“
Say it again!
”
Her utter and complete happiness showered Kagan with
its
radiant light as she kiss
ed his lips.

“
I love you. I will always love you Ell'andra Jaqualine Duncan McKregan and I will always bow to you and fall at your feet. I have always been yours to command.
”
He grinned as she threw her arms around his neck,
“
A wise old man once told me that a woman held my destiny in the palm of her hand. So tell me wife, what is it you will have me do?
”

Andra kissed his godly lips and whispered,
“
I will have you love me for all time.
”

“
That can be arranged,
”
he whispered back as he slowly peeled the fine silks from her body and claimed her as only a god could,
“
For all time.
”

Time snapped his fingers and the fates fell at his feet as the mist billowed around him. The features of Haggart melted away to reveal the true face of Time. The fates white wavy hair covered their bodies from head to toe as they curled around his white robed legs. Their large green eyes peered up at their father's ancient
face a
s they waited for him to speak.

“
We have spied enough for now. Let them have some privacy. We must make new plans for the f
uture. The babe she carries must be taught well for he has power to define all of our futures
. Come, we must begin preparations.
”