Return of the Matka-Zem (The Sorain Chronicles) (36 page)

"
Valencia?" His voice was barely a whisper, yet it echoed around the cave.

"
Thane?" Valencia weakly lifted her head, her eyes searching the darkness.

"
I'm here, my love." Quickly locating the end of the chain, he slowly lowered her to the ground. As the pressure on her shoulders relaxed, the princess moaned in agony. She felt as cold as ice. He covered her nakedness with his cloak and picked the lock on the shackle around her wrists. A shudder of pain shook the Matka-Zem's body as he gently brought her arms to her sides. He tenderly gathered her into his arms and lifted the princess off the floor. The little rodent scurried up the length of his arm, to perch on his shoulder, squeaking a worried chirp at Valencia. "You're safe now," said Thane.

"
Oh Thane, Alana . . ." Valencia's slim frame shook from the huge sob that rocked her trembling body. She pressed her cheek against his chest and her tears soaked his tunic. The princess whimpered between sobs as she explained what happened. "She . . . she killed . . . herself . . . for . . . to protect . . . me!"

"
I know, my love." Thane scanned the room as he held the princess tight. On the far wall, Alana hung by an arm, the knife still embedded in her breast. Three Torpek guards lay dead, with one crumpled against the wall, while the others lay buried under a pile of rocks. When he took a step to leave the dreadful place, Valencia stiffened.

"
We can't leave her here," the princess pleaded in protest.

"
We will bring her home, Valencia. First, let's get you out of here. Alana would want that," he whispered against her hair as he carried her out of the dungeon. The return trip was slower, with Thane being gentle so as to not cause Valencia pain. She whimpered, however, with every step. When he reached a huge crevasse, he lowered her to a rock, not wanting to risk carrying the princess over its gaping maw. As he waited for Chand, he held Valencia close. She did not stir, nor speak. A flicker of light danced in the blackness as Chand approached, followed by Parth.

"
We cleared a path," Chand said, after they had constructed a safer walkway over the crevasse. With a worried glance at the unmoving princess, the Mlinzi turned away. "I'll get Alana. Help them out, Parth."

"
Where's Donna?" Thane asked the large man after they crossed the makeshift bridge. Valencia stirred at the sound of the human's name but still she did not speak.

"
She's looking for a resting place for the Matka-Zem." Parth gave him a concerned look before continuing his report. "The main force was just arriving when we headed down the tunnel, so I assumed the earthling would be safe without me."

As carefully as he could, Thane carried the injured princess toward the surface. They remained quiet until they reached the surface and both sucked in the clean air as they entered the courtyard.

"The place is abandoned, except for those." Parth waved his arm to the almost picked-clean skeletons.

Viktor rushed over when the commander saw them leave the tunnel.
"The place is secure, Thane. We inspected two of the towers and the furthest one is sturdy." Viktor's eyes swept over Valencia, then back to him. "The fortress is mostly abandoned, except for the soldiers' camp and the last tower. The top suite was already prepared, as if someone of importance was staying there. The human and the servant girl are making it suitable for the Matka-Zem."

"
Send a squad to search the forest," Thane ordered as he remembered the man riding the Minore crashing in the forest. "You may be able to find who occupied the rooms there."

They crossed the oval courtyard to a five-story tower that sat apart from the main compound. At the top of the tower, Donna rushed to his side and brushed Valencia
's dirty hair out of her eyes. The earthling hissed in anger at the site of the princess's swollen face.

"
This way, Thane. We made a bed for her. We really didn't have to do much, though," Donna explained as she led the way to the far door at the end of the corridor. "It's like someone had recently decorated the place. There was even running water in the bathroom. Whoever occupied the place didn't like roughing it." As they entered the suite, Thane understood what Donna was saying. Instead of an empty room, the sitting room contained a plush décor of maroon and green furnishings. Hurriedly, Donna pushed the heavy wooden door open to allow entry into the bedroom. "We changed the bedding and placed some warm water to wash her wounds." Donna gave him a worried loo. "Will that blue crystal thingy help her?"

"
The Ravib Kivi will heal her physical wounds." He carried the princess to the huge king-sized bed that sat against the far wall. Across from the bed burned a roaring fire in the large hearth. Surrounded by two plush high-backed chairs, it crackled as it warmed the room. The fire light reflected off the huge mirrored dresser, as if someone played shadow puppets on the ceiling.

"
Don't leave me," Valencia cried when he laid her on top of the covers and stepped away to allow Donna and Gabby to tend to her wounds.

"
I'll never leave your side again, Matka-Zem." He choked back tears, his heart broken from her cry. "I'll be close by while Donna tends to you."

"
Hey girl," Donna whispered to Valencia as she and Gabby started to wash the blood from her body. Thane watched from a distance as the women gently wiped the dried goo from her breast but even with their slight touch, the severed breast began to bleed. As Donna applied pressure to stop the bleeding, Gabby was able to get most of the blood out of Valencia's hair. "We're going to take good care of you, you hear?"

"
Donna . . . I'm so glad you're okay." The princess opened her one good eye and tried to smile, but the movement caused her lip to bleed again.

"
With that big behemoth of a guard you stuck me with, nothing could hurt me."

Thane turned away from the women as the human
's words tightened his heart. Parth was able to protect the human, yet he, supposedly the most powerful of the Mlinzi, had failed to protect the Matka-Zem. His selfish desire to mate with the princess caused him to forget his duty. Thane vowed never to let his emotions control his life again. He fought back tears as Valencia groaned in pain. All the while, Donna chatted as she explained what they had been through since they'd last seen each other. "We even had Nereii help us cross this gigantic lake."

Thane felt Valencia relax from the human
's constant chitchat, and dared hope that all might be well. Once the princess was in a thin nightgown that Gabby had packed for the princess prior to leaving the Torpek city, Donna beckoned him forward to use the crystal. Removing the Ravib Kivi from his cloak, he placed a hand on Valencia's forehead.

"
Valencia, I'm going to heal you now. This may hurt."

The princess nodded her head, but did not open her eyes.

Donna took hold of Valencia's hand and gave him another worried look.

"
Genees mij," he said, speaking the words to activate the blue crystal. He placed it on the Matka-Zem's temple. With a cry of agony, Valencia's body went rigid, as the wounds began to knit together. She squeezed Donna's hand, and Thane watched the human's fingers turn white, before Valencia finally collapsed into unconsciousness.

"
Is she going to be all right?" Donna helped him tuck the sleeping princess under the covers, and then brushed a strand of hair from her eyes.

"
Physically, yes." He pulled a chair to the side of the bed and made himself comfortable. "We will see how she is mentally when she wakes."

"
Val's not going to be that innocent, naive girl anymore, is she?" Donna sat on the bed and held the princess's limp hand.

He glanced at the human with sorrowful eyes and shook his head.

"No, I'm afraid not. We will be hard-pressed to keep her wrath at bay."

"
I can't believe she actually caused those creatures to kill the guards, much less caused an earthquake." Thane saw the look of awe and apprehension on her face. "She's pretty powerful, and she's not even bonded with the planet yet."

"
We will have our hands full to keep her grounded, Donna." He gave her a slight smile. "I'm glad you're here to help me."

"
Wow! You actually admitted I can be of some use." Donna gave him a soft laugh. "Why don't you get something to eat? I'll stay with her while you're gone."

"
I'm
never
going to leave her side again."

"
You can't blame yourself for this, Thane." Donna rose to her feet and patted his shoulder with a comforting hand. "But I understand. I'll get you some food." The human gave him another light pat on the back before she headed towards the door. "Thane?"

"
Yes?"

As she hovered by the door, he saw Donna
's uncertainty in her pretty face.

"
What if we can't keep her grounded?"

Thane felt his chest tighten in fear at the consequences of failure.

"I'll have to stop her . . . any way I can."

Valencia woke to the sound of a chirp. Not wanting to leave the comforting abyss, she started to sink back into the soothing blackness. However, a stinging scratch on the tip of her nose prevented her descent. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and saw the Krysa sitting by her head. The tiny creature chirped with pleasure, and she reached out to scratch its head. The soft purr brought a smile to her lips. As the rodent rubbed its head against her finger, she saw the faint tint of red on the Krysa's silky fur. Her smile vanished as the memory of her captivity came back into her thoughts. Anger filled her heart as she remembered Alana's death. In her rage, she had summoned the creatures to avenge her death, but she doubted that Liam was among the dead. With a chirp of anxiety, the Krysa head-butted her hand and her smile briefly returned.

I will deal with the Torpek later,
Valencia thought, as she pushed the hated into the recesses of her mind, and rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. The room was dark, except for the firelight, dancing above her, like a shadowy spirit playing in the night. Sensing a presence in the room, she rolled onto her side to find Thane standing by the closed double doors, peering out into the night. Silently on guard in the shadows, he stood like a statue. His heavy cloak hung over a high-backed chair, and his tunic, usually tucked into his trousers, hung loosely around his hips. A slight smile formed again on her lips when she noticed his bare feet. The memory of their time on the yacht flashed into her mind and she wished they were back on the craft. Her smile vanished again as the present pushed aside the past. Those carefree days were gone, and so was the young, naive woman she once had been.

Thane turned his head and their eyes locked together from across the room. He did not speak, nor make a move towards her. She could feel his silent agony for his part in her capture and she extended her hand toward him.

Come to me,
she ordered with her mind, and Thane obeyed without hesitation. He knelt beside the bed and took her hand. The tingle of his touch sparked a ripple of desire through her body, but she ignored it. His yellow eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and his lips quivered with sadness.

"
Please forgive me, Matka-Zem. I have failed you."

Thane
's shaky voice pinched her heart.

"
All is forgiven, Mlinzi. But don't let it happen again."

Two huge tears splashed onto her skin, as Thane bowed his head in servitude. With a soft groan, he brought her hand to his lips and firmly kissed her knuckles.

"I will never leave your side, Princess," Thane vowed as he caressed her hand with his thumb.

Her heart pinched again at her own part in her abduction. If she had not been so stubborn, they would have joined that night, eliminating the reason for her capture. And Alana would still be alive.

"Finish the Kleben, Thane."

The Mlinzi stiffened at her words and released her hand.

"This is not the right time, Valencia." Thane rose to his feet as he shook his head.

"
It's the perfect time." She threw aside the heavy covers and sat at the edge of the bed. The room spun out of control and she tightly gripped the edge of the mattress. When her vision returned to normal, she saw Thane had retreated to the double doors and was staring out the window. Valencia slowly rose to her feet and crossed the distance between them. When the Mlinzi refused to look at her, she caught Thane's arm and turned him towards her. "This is the only way, Thane." Although she spoke softly, she made sure her voice had an authoritative edge to its pitch. "Once we complete our bond, their power will cease." As Thane peered into her eyes, she saw his refusal. "Join with me, Mlinzi," she commanded, "or set me free."

For a long moment, Thane stared into her eyes.

She was about to make another plea when he took a step back and began removing his clothes. Unhurriedly, he untied his tunic and pulled it over his head. Her palms tingled in anticipation of touching his chest. He stared into her eyes. When he unbuckled his trousers, she felt heat flush her cheeks. Shyly, she started to look away, but when she saw a slight smile lift one corner of his mouth, she stopped. He was calling her bluff. She raised her chin in defiance and held his gaze.

Thane
's smile vanished as he removed his pants. Naked, he stood before her, his desire evident, yet he made no move towards her. His smile returned as she fidgeted in front of him. Valencia remembered his words before her capture, and she pushed the silky gown off her shoulders. Self-conscious of her missing nipple, she started to cover the deformed breast. Thane quickly blocked her movement as his eyes hungrily roamed over her body. They were orange with desire, but still, he made no move towards her. Taking a deep breath to calm the quivering in her stomach, she stepped over the crumpled gown and closed the distance between them. She felt him shiver as she placed her palms onto his chest. As she slid her hands over his broad shoulders, she pressed her body against his.

"
I love you, Thane."

With a groan of desire, Thane swiftly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her firmly against him.

Her desire swept away the memory of Liam's hands.

"
I've been waiting a long time for you to say that, my love," he whispered against her lips before planting a hard kiss onto her mouth. A brilliant blue light engulfed their bodies. Their souls intertwined, joining them as one, no longer two separate entities, but together forever in their bond. Lost in the Kleben, they staggered across the room and fell onto the bed, with only one thought driving them: to conceive the next Matka-Zem.

***

Donna tossed and turned on the bed, as the events of the last month played like a movie inside her mind. She still could not fully fathom how her humdrum life had changed, and was not totally convinced it was for the best. Thoughts of returning to Earth flickered in her mind, yet as soon as they appeared, she vanquished them from her mind. There was no way she could return to her boring existence, regardless of the sorrows she'd experienced on Sora.

Giving up the attempt to sleep, and not wanting to be alone, she pulled a heavy cloak around her shoulders and left the bedchamber. As she entered the night, she spied several small fires scattered throughout the courtyard. When she recognized the Mlinzi off to her right, she made a beeline to Parth and plopped down beside him. As she huddled close to the fire, Chand strolled toward them and handed her a cup of hot liquid to drink.

"Thank you." Taking a sip, she was surprised it tasted like coffee. As they silently watched the flames dance in the darkness, a light breeze chilled her body. "It feels like fall."

The two men glanced at each other and smiled. She knew they thought of her as a chatterbox and she freely admitted she was. She
'd never liked the quiet. It brought painful memories of a past she preferred to keep buried.

"
It draws near." Chand threw another log into the fire.

"
I don't like the cold," Parth complained, although he was not wearing his cloak.

"
You were born close to the equator, Parth," Chand said with a smile. "Your blood remains thin, even though you spent most of your life in Kifo."

"
Where were you born, Chand?" Donna asked. She guessed he was a half-breed like Gabby, but he did not act ashamed like the girl did about her heritage.

"
I am a product of the Rensing. My parents were both Mlinzi who shared their desire in the cleansing. After my birth, I was raised by fosters in Onartzen, the support town for Kifo, until my Branda." Chand's explanation only brought more questions to mind. Before she could ask her first question, a brilliant blue light erupted from the top of the tower and swept over the fortress like a wildfire. The cup fell from her hands as a strong wave of desire spread throughout her body.

"
What was that?" The light blazed brighter as she stared at the tower. A cry of desire reached her ears. She turned to see a pair of Mlinzi tear off their clothing and passionately embrace. Most paired off and hurriedly left the yard. Others began to masturbate where they sat. Bewildered, she looked at the two Mlinzi at her side. Beads of sweat formed upon their brows, as they appeared to fight their own desires.

"
What the hell is going on?" she demanded.

"
The Kleben is being completed." Parth could barely speak.

"
Their love is strong," Chand said, and she saw him tremble.

"
You mean Val and Thane are having sex?" Donna roared with laughter as she stared at the two men. The desire that swept through her still lingered, but it was nothing compared to the Mlinzis' obvious agony. As she stood, she took a hand of each man and they rose eagerly to their feet. She laughed as she steered them toward the tower. "Come on you two. Let's go have some fun."

With a growl of lust, Parth scooped her over his shoulder and ran towards the tower, with Chand still holding her hand and keeping pace.

***

Breathing heavily, Thane lay on his back as his mind slowly separated from Valencia. Their intense bonding was mind-blowing, and he
'd never felt so close to another being as he did with the woman lying beside him. With a broad smile upon his face, he watched the dimming firelight sparkle off the ceiling. Happiness filled his heart so full he thought it would burst.

"
Well, that was not exactly what I had in mind for our first joining." his smile widened at the sound of her tiny giggle.

"
And what did you have in mind?" Valencia's voice was silky with a sexual tease.

He rolled to his side and propped up on an elbow, to stare down at the princess.

"I wanted to teach you the pleasures of joining."

Although they had just mated, desire still raged inside him. He brushed a finger against Valencia
's cheek and let it travel down her neck. His wandering finger slipped between her ample breasts to stop upon her flat stomach. Spreading his hand over her abdomen, pride edged its way alongside his happiness at the thought of his daughter sleeping inside the woman he loved. Of course, the child would not be born until Valencia's time ended, but the idea made him giddy.

"
And what would you have taught me?"

Valencia
's seductive teasing made his heart flip inside his chest. The woman was his, fully and completely. No other man could claim her. She was his . . . forever.

"
I want to teach you how we can please each other." Thane's hand slowly crept upwards to cup her breast. He twirled the nipple between thumb and forefinger, until it grew firm. He watched her eyes darken with desire. "Like this." Lowering his head, he took the nipple inside his mouth, and swirled his tongue around the hardened nub. He shifted his weight to tease her other breast and he felt her stiffen. "I love you, Valencia. You are a beautiful woman, regardless of what is missing." Thane continued to massage her deformed breast and felt her relax.

"
I dreamt of us like this," Valencia arched her back as desire swept through her body. "Before I left the city . . .," Valencia softly moaned before she could continue. "I dreamt we were together."

"
That was no dream, my love." His hand traveled between her thighs. Another, much louder moan escaped from the princess as his skillful fingers explored her warm folds. "We were together in spirit."

"
How can that be?" Valencia's hips rocked in time with his thrusting finger. The princess's voice was husky. "We were in two different cities."

"
Through the Rensing at Kifo, we were brought together." His mouth traveled up her slender neck to her lips. "Touch me, Valencia, like you did then." As the princess's hand began to stroke him, he captured her willing lips in a hungry kiss. Unable to control his need, he shifted his body on top of her. They both moaned with pleasure as he buried himself within her. They made love slowly, savoring each thrust as if it were their last. Their kisses grew urgent as the passion built into a frenzy. With a moan of ecstasy, their release was simultaneously. As he regained his breath, he rose onto his elbows to peer into her green eyes.

"
Now that was more like it." Thane kissed the princess as he withdrew from her body. As he lay on his back, a huge smile filled his face.

"
That was wonderful." Valencia curled at his side and placed her hand on his chest. Her fingers played with his damp chest hairs as she cuddled against him.

"
Yes it was." His lids grew heavy as fatigue drew him close to sleep.

"
Let's do it again." Valencia grew bold as she slid her hand down his taunt stomach.

"
My dear woman," Thane heartily laughed as he captured her hand and brought it back to his chest, "you are a young and a very vibrant woman, who can continue without pause. I, on the other hand, am a man, and need to rest before I can repeat our lovemaking."

"
Oh." Valencia rose on her elbow and flattened her palm on his chest. "Let's see what I can do to help that."

"
No!" Thane firmly grasped her hand, but it was too late. Valencia had already sent her power into his body. The energy filled him with desire so strong he arched his back off the bed as he gasped with ecstasy. With a low growl deep in his throat, Thane flipped Valencia onto her back. Her moans of pleasure echoed around the bedchamber, as he roughly ravaged her body like an animal in heat.