MOONDOCK (16 page)

Battles to fight!

W
ylan moved his mount up beside Melane’s beast daring anyone that wanted a fight to come and stop him. After watching her for another day, he sensed things were not right with Melane. She may have conquered the backlash from the use of her powers, but something else rode with the elamie, something she took great pains to conceal and Wylan was done with the ruse.

He didn’t miss the slight raise of her hand that stopped her watchdogs from ousting him from her side. The satisfaction he felt gave him hope that she might listen to him, he reminded himself to move slowly with her, the memories of their last visit replayed themselves everyday in his mind. It took him weeks to determine that she used her magic against him that night. Not to stop him from loving her, even in rage, but to make him leave her behind. Once he opened those thoughts, it was as if he could read her own and Wylan heard them, dear Gods in the sky, he heard them!

The travesties that he committed against her were unforgivable, he didn’t know if he could ever forgive himself, but he would be cursed by the fates if he never tried to tell her--ask her forgiveness.

Wylan learned it all these last weeks. His mother’s blindness to Melane’s courage to save him at all cost. Majok’s treachery in using the elamie’s love to steal her away tore at Wylan.And yes, his prideful blindness not to realize that everything Melane did always came from her heart, even her magic came from love.

“You know Melane, I never realized how large a fool I could be until lately.”

With more effort than it took to hide her shock over his move to her side, Melane forced herself not to react to what he said as they rode. What she couldn’t prevent were his thoughts from invading her mind!

Did he realize that he was telling her his thoughts? She wanted to ask him, but refused to, fearing the return of his anger, wanting desperately to see what he wanted from her.

She took a steadying breath, knowing he waited for her to answer. Small talk wasn’t a part of this Selam, but discovering what drove his idle conversation wouldn’t happen unless she allowed herself to converse with him. For a second all the pain rush in and the tremor that she hadn’t allowed herself to feel moved through her.

Wylan saw her fingers dig into Rolley’s mane and grab hold. What he felt caused a tear in his heart. “Melane…”

“You don’t have to do this, Wylan.” She stopped him from saying anymore, not sure she could handle more pain from him.

“No, I don’t, but I want to.”

If someone didn’t know this Selam, his words would not mean much to them, but Melane realized how difficult it was for him to admit his feelings to her. She cautiously allowed herself to look at him, truly see him for the first time since their march began…and Wylan hid nothing from her.

Hear me Melane, I know you can. You see, I’ve learned that if you will allow me, I can hear you as well, but only if you will allow me.

Her slight gasp told him that she did indeed hear the thoughts he hoped she would.
Please Melane, don’t make the mistakes I have, don’t shut me out as I did you. I was wrong, my sweet Melane, so very wrong.

How are you doing this, Wylan?

After I left you…
He couldn’t bring himself to mention that night
. When I realized that you made me leave you behind, the truth allowed many doors to open and I remembered your thoughts.

She began to fidget as if she was looking for a way to escape and he saw Boller turn and look at him with the same anger that Wylan held in his heart for Majok.

Please Melane, let me finish, please.

Wylan held his breath, he didn’t want to fight her guards, but knew he would at any cost to get her to listen to him. Speaking to her like this was the one way he felt she would realize his feelings for her were real.

He let his breath out when Boller stood down, though he could see the man didn’t like obeying his mistress’ order this time. If her guard knew the feelings he had for them…

They have protected me well Wylan. They’ve hidden me from Majok…

And me?

Yes, and you.
Her gaze dared him to say anything against her actions.

Then I will try to remember that the next time he looks at me with daggers in his gaze.

Her soft laughter brought all their attention to her. She waved her guards away and looked at Wylan with a smile he couldn’t remember seeing on her before.

Can you really read my thoughts, Wylan?

I can hear you as if we were speaking, but I cannot hear your thoughts Melane, not unless you direct them to me. Is it the same for you?

When she looked away from him, he tried not to worry and held to his patience.

I can hear thoughts if I want to…
She wondered if she dare tell him. She looked over at him again and still he hid nothing from her, she saw how worried he was over telling her so much.
I can project my thoughts to others.
Melane waited to see how he took her revelation.
And my wishes on others.

As you did me that night?

Yes
. His anger over her admission rolled through him like a low growl and Melane realize how much control he exerted not to react.
I never used magic on you in that way, ever before, Wylan.

I know Melane, but why then? Why not…before…

She wondered if he really wanted to know, deciding if this were his way to make peace with her than she would take the risk, praying she would survive.
Because I wanted what you came to me for, I wanted to be one with you, only you, Wylan, I…
the largest truth of all constricted in her throat.

Do you still love me, Melane? Can you still love me after what I did?

Her gaze rose to meet his expectant one.

Yes Melane, I love you. I have loved you like no other since I saw you in the lake that first day. You wrapped your essence around me like that magnificent cloak, my little warrior, and I fought you every step of our battle. I wish now that I hadn’t, I wish I could go back and open my eyes to what my heart already realized. I can’t take it back Melane, the Gods know I would!

Wylan…

No! Let me finish, please Melane. I’ve prayed for the chance to speak to you just one more time and I refuse not to say all that I’ve wanted you to hear.

Without another thought or word Wylan jumped over onto Rolley and took the beast’s rein from her. In a blur of power they left the army and her guards, to race through the woods. Wylan knew exactly where he was taking Melane and no one would stop him, not even her. But he felt no fear from her and knew his heart steadied its beat over that one fact.

The speed that he pushed Rolley to move with drove her back against him, and Melane lost all thoughts but those of the heat of his body blending with her own. As if their child felt him as well, her precious cargo kicked and moved as he had never done before. Her hands wrapped around their child to calm his excitement.
Yes, little ones your father is here, he is finally with us.

Wylan’s strong hold about Melane held her for the beast’s stop that was coming, knowing she was not aware that they had arrived at the lake. Holding her in his embrace as the Kaymog slowed to a stop felt like heaven to Wylan. His lips tasted her hair and his nostrils filled with the scent that spoke of only Melane.

When he dismounted, she leaned down for him to catch her as she slid off Rolley. She turned to look at the lake and then back at him.

Without a word Melane walked toward the lake and as she walked she released the cloak’s clasp, letting it fall to the ground, next came her tunic and by the time she reached the lake’s edge she stood naked before him. Before she dove into the crystal water Melane turned to face Wylan. He hadn’t moved from where they dismounted, but she saw very clearly how his gaze moved down her body, only to suddenly stop over the evidence of their union in her womb.

“Melane!” Wylan’s cry of pleasure and surprise drew out her smile before she turned and dove into the water. “Your secret, yes, this is what you’ve been hiding from me.”

The knowledge that she just exposed herself to him sunk in with each article of clothing he discarded to join her in the lake.

Melane heard his dive and long strokes as he came to swim beside her. The proud look on his face as he smiled at her filled Melane’s heart. The water hid her tears of joy from the man at her side. “Thank you, Wylan.”

Before he could answer, she dove under the water. Wylan swam in place watching as she moved under the water around him before coming up right in front of him. When she broke the surface her arm encircled his neck and her body molded itself to his own. Her lips were like fine furs as they captured his own, battling him for entrance as her legs wrapped about his waist and she press her hot sex over his hips.

Melane’s laughter sang out as he picked her up out of the water, surprising her that he’d taken them to the shore. He carried them towards a large tree, picking up her cloak as they went. Wylan spread it out in the tree’s shade before laying her upon the cloth.

He laid over her, keeping his weight off her, leaning to one side he looked upon the marvelous evidence of their child and his hand covered her warm flesh. Almost instantly the child kicked at his hand. They both gasped with the sudden movement and then laughed.

“He knows his father is here, he’s never done that before.”

“He is so big Melane.”

Dare she tell him of her dream?

When she didn’t answer him he looked up to see the worried look on her face. “Tell me Melane, what has you so scared. Did I frighten you? I…”

Her finger covered his lips, halting his own worries. “It is not you, I’m thrilled you brought us here, though I do fear that I’ll not hear the end of it.” She smiled to let him know that she teased him.

“You are great at avoiding the question, Melane.” He refused to let anything come between them and when she would have looked away Wylan held her chin and made her meet his gaze. “Tell me little warrior, what troubles you about our child.”

Dare she not tell him? No, Melane knew now was the time to be open with Wylan for she never wanted any distance between them again. “It’s not one child Wylan, but two babies.”

“Twins!” His incredulous stare went from her eyes to the wriggling mound that held his, “Sons! Two sons!”

Her soft laughter drew his attention. “Would a girl be permitted my dear king?”

“An elamie?” He stared at her in wonder. “Melane, are you saying we have a boy and girl?”

“Yes, Wylan, one of each, Bella and her mother say that is why I am so large so soon. And my dream…”

His attention flashed at her over her last statement. “Dream? You had a seeing dream about our children?” When she slowly nodded, his lips kissed her stomach twice before looking back at her. “Tell me Melane, I want to know and share your burden.”

Wylan gathered her to him and waited for her to find her own way to tell him what she saw, bracing himself not to react, least he frighten her. He wanted Melane to know she could confide in him, and there were to be no more lies between them.

“I think my pregnancy allowed memories of my birth to surface. I saw Sabrina, Shemon was with her as she gave birth to me and…to another, a boy child.” Melane closed her eyes over the picture her mind refused to hide any longer. “The room became quiet, both of us were in my mother’s arms, the room grew very dark and I could see the fear on Sabrina’s face, then he was gone, no longer beside me and the light faded from my mother’s eyes before they closed forever to me”

“Dear Melane.” Wylan held her closer, trying to shield her from the pain he felt from her.

“Then I saw our two babies being born in Cibrac. Shemon and you were with me, I couldn’t see who else.”

He closed his eyes in gratitude and squeezed her hand to continue.

“The boy is born first and then our daughter. Both are healthy, Wylan.”

“Thank the Gods, Melane.” His lips brushed her brow, he could see that her breathing had increased, making him worry. “Go on, what else did you see.”

“Evil Wylan, so much danger for the babies. The same darkness that took Sabrina and my brother, and the one like I saw at Moondock when Dragon was trying to kill you. Two very powerful evils Wylan. Narmar, it must be her, and Dragon. They will try to kill our babies Wylan, steal them away and destroy them! Just as Narmar did to my brother and mother!”

He gathered her to him, kissing her flushed face to calm her down. His own chest expanded in anger for what he knew was coming. “It is alright Melane, we will stop them. No one will hurt our children, no one!”

For as long as Melane could remember she finally felt at peace and safe. To be held in Wylan’s arms, feel him touching her, Melane finally felt whole.

“Wylan, I love you.”

His lips pulled back as he looked down at her. Melane’s gaze rose to meet his, “Yes, I love you.”

Her finger reached up and caught the single tear that escaped from the corner of his eye, she looked back at him, watching as his lips smiled. “I’ve waited a lifetime to hear you say that Melane, a lifetime. Will you be my lifemate, my partner in all things, Melane?”

Her lips tremble as she answered “Yes Wylan, I will be your partner in all things and your lifemate.”

His lips sealed their vows, vows only the two of them needed, as they were all that mattered.

Melane’s head fell back as Wylan’s kiss went beyond her lips, exploring her as if he could fuse every fine detail of her inside him by touching her. The feelings he created heightened her senses as her body responded to him, every nerve and fiber of her being came alive to his masterful touch. The warmth of his mouth as he tasted her, explored her stomach and drove her wild with rising passion. She could feel her sex contract in wanting and the warm flow of fluids readying her passage for him and she wanted the full hard length of his shaft to fill her. “Wylan I need to feel you inside of me!”