Soren's Bondmate (20 page)

He reached behind him and felt Skye take his hand and move closer to him. He linked his mind with hers. "Stay close and don't hesitate to carry out my orders."

"Do you know them?" She looked around him and caught her breath. "They look like you. Same haircuts, same clothes. They're even wearing armbands. Can you see their weapons?"

Soren glanced at the first warrior they passed. "He has a fire sword."

"Do you think they're looking for you?"

"Perhaps. We're going to stay back and let Berit deal with them."

"Do you think they're here to harm you? That you escaped from them?"

"We'll see. Maintain the mind link and stay on your toes."

Skye sent him a reassuring smile. "I've got your six."

"Give me dark kyrstal." He released her hand as they entered the tavern. A nano-unit later he palmed the two shards she'd conjured. They moved to the far side of the room and found a place along the wall in the shadows. Teryq stood next to him with Bellya behind him.

The unknown warriors stood lined up at the bar. The largest of them, obviously the leader, turned, leaned his back against the bar and looked around.

Soren drew in a deep breath when he recognized him. Flashes of images and memories filled his mind, nearly overwhelming him with the flood of emotions that accompanied them.

He remembered where he'd come from and how he'd ended up on Tundra. Most shocking of all he remembered what he'd learned about being claimed and having to give his full, informed consent. Which he hadn't done!

Skye grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face her. "I can explain," she whispered. "Please, just let me tell you why I claimed you the way I did."

"You should have already told me." He leaned down and met her eyes. "Be quiet now. We'll discuss it later."

Next to them Bellya shifted, drawing his attention to her. She shrugged and looked away. Soren watched her for a nano-unit then shoved the hood from his head, grabbed Skye's hand and pulled her across the room toward the warrior.

The warrior watched them approach then moved toward them.

They met in the center of the room. Instead of a warrior's greeting they threw their arms around each other and squeezed until their ribs creaked. Finally, they stepped back and Soren placed his hand on Rolf's shoulder. "It's good to see you, Rolf."

Rolf smiled. "Thorn insisted you were still alive."

Soren laughed and waved his arm indicating the warriors in the room. "As you can see I found good company." He waved Berit, Teryq, and Korbyn forward and introduced them before he pulled Skye in front of him and pulled the hood from her head. "Skye, this is my first-in-command, Rolf Stenson. Rolf, this is my mate, Skye."

She squeaked with surprise when Rolf grabbed her and lifted her until they were eye to eye. "Are you responsible for saving this rogue's life?"

"I am if you think that's a good thing?" she said.

Rolf laughed and released her. "You found a mate with a sense of humor. I like her."

"She risked her life to save me." Soren pulled her back to his side.

The other two Zarronian warriors approached them and Soren grasped their forearms, greeting them.

"Skye, this is my navigator, Rune."

"You remembered the path through the stars?" Skye asked.

"Yes," Rune said.

She grasped his hand in both of hers. "My thanks."

Soren pulled her away. "No touching the strange warriors. They'll get the wrong idea."

Rune laughed. "We're not strange. Just a little odd."

Soren chuckled and turned to the last warrior. "This is my brother's navigator, Ronin."

Skye turned to face the last warrior. He smiled and she thought
wow
. If the gods had created the perfect male he was standing before her now. She swept her eyes over his face, taking note of his light leaf-green eyes, straight perfect nose and oh-so-perfect lips. He was tall and muscled and had an incredible set of abs that showed between the edges of his black leather vest. She watched them for a moment then looked at his face again and just stared.

Soren snorted and pulled her back against him. "Stop staring and keep your distance."

"I'll try," Skye said.

"I wasn't talking to you, little heart."

She leaned against him and linked her mind with his. "You know you're the only warrior I love but your friend Ronin is going to be sought by many enchantresses."

"He'll survive the experience," Soren thought before he turned back to Rolf. "My brother didn't come?"

Rolf laughed. "He couldn't. Daria is pregnant again and Thorn was, uh, indisposed when we left Zarronia."

Soren laughed. "I'm sorry he's not here but the news of another child is welcome." He looked down at Skye. "I'm going to be an uncle again.

"Now that you've remembered your past you'll have much to tell me." She grasped his hand and gave it a little tug. "Do you want to take your friends to the shelter to celebrate their arrival?"

Soren nodded and turned to Rolf. "I have much to tell you and its best said in private."

"Lead the way," Rolf said.

They adjourned to the warrior's shelter and once they were settled at the tables Soren began explaining the Krystali culture. He had to stop several times when he was met with disbelieving snorts. He just smiled and had Skye or one of the other enchantresses demonstrate their talents by producing krystal weapons, food and beverages. One even conjured a smaller shelter that the Zarronian warriors took turns entering and examining until they were satisfied that it was real.

"You seem to have accepted all this without trouble," Rolf said.

"I'd lost my memory so I couldn’t really question it once Skye showed me what she could do," Soren said then added, "My memory was slowly coming back but when I saw you I remembered everything."

Rolf grinned. "Glad to be of service." He leaned forward. "Tell me about this war."

Soren looked at Berit. "It's your war. You explain it."

Berit set his tankard down and began to tell the Zarronians about the battles they'd been through and their plans to invade the peninsula and Crimeryn at the same time.

"So the fortresses you left behind are like this one and they blend into the countryside?" Rolf asked.

"Yes," Berit said.

"That's why we couldn't see any villages from space although our sensors picked up people working in the fields." He laughed and looked at Rune. "It also explains how they'd suddenly disappear."

Rune nodded. "I saw the same thing happening on the larger continent."

Soren set his tankard down with a sharp click. "I believe we just found a way to spy on the peninsula and Crimeryn."

Rune shook his head. "Not the peninsula. There's something there that blocks our scanners."

"You have transporters," Rolf said. "Why haven't you used them to gather information?"

"Same reason. Scanners don't work on the peninsula and every time we've tried to fly over it we've been shot down," Berit said.

"We'll gather information about the Crimeryn continent for you. Then, we'll use the weapons on the starfighters to help you attack them," Rune said.

"Your weapons won't work on Krystali," Berit said.

Rune pulled his fire sword and activated it. Nothing happened. He checked it and tried again then laughed. "It's been a long time since I've fought hand-to-hand."

Rolf stood and stretched. "I'm in the mood for a good battle. I'll join you."

"You'll find that Krystali hides a lot of surprises for the uninformed visitor." Soren pulled Skye closer. "Can you make cloaks to protect them?"

"Yes," she said. "Any conjurer or enchantress could although we're limited on how many we can sustain."

Soren located Stefyn in the crowd. "Stefyn, you know the most about the geography of Crimeryn. Do you want to work with Rune on gathering information?"

"From the starship?" Stefyn asked.

"Yes, from the starship," Rune said.

Stefyn glanced at his mate, Jayla. She nodded, giving her approval. "Yes."

Berit stood. "I too would be interested in seeing this starship."

Several other Krystali warriors stood as well. Soren laughed, drained his tankard and set it down. "We need to test our communications and weapons to see which, if any of them, will work on Krystali. Who will take on the task?"

Korbyn stepped forward. "My mate and I will along with Magnys and Lalyn."

"We need a Zarronian warrior to work with Korbyn and Magnys." Soren looked around for a volunteer.

"I'll work with them here on the ground," Ronin said. "Teryq is going to demonstrate the throwing of krystal as a weapon. I wish to remain here and see it."

"I'll have the communications officer on the starship coordinate with you," Rolf said.

Soren stood. "Skye and I will spend the night on the Venturer and return at sun rising."

# # #

Skye bounced on the bed then with a smile stretched out and rolled across it. She came to a stop at the far edge where she rolled onto one hip and rested her cheek on her palm and laughed. "No wonder you're always so grouchy when you wake. Our mats aren't nearly as comfortable as your Zarronian beds." She patted the mattress. "Try it."

"I already know what it feels like." Soren shrugged into a leather vest he'd take from the closet. "Who showed you how to operate the shower?"

"The young cadet you assigned to escort me around the ship." Skye sat up with her legs curled beneath her. Her freshly washed hair clung to the thin white blanket she'd wrapped around herself. She glanced at him through her lashes, her eyes shining with happiness. "It's wonderful. So hot and steamy. "There's something in the water that made my skin so smooth and soft." She stretched out on the bed and held out a leg. "Feel."

Soren grabbed her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed. He ran his hands up her legs, grasped her waist and lifted her to the floor. "You need to get dressed or we'll be late for dinner." He moved to the desk and leaned against it with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I know you're angry. I'm sorry. I should have told you. I sh—."

"Later. We'll talk later."

Skye watched him with wary eyes as she picked up the gown he'd brought for her. She slipped the silky golden material over her head and smoothed it into place. It draped her body from her neck to her feet but left her face and hands showing. She pinched the material between two fingers, held it out to the side and looked at it. "There isn't a hood." She touched the tattoo on her left cheek then dropped her hand to her side and looked away.

"Come here, Skye."

Her steps were slow and hesitant as she wondered if he intended to send her away.

He gathered her hair and smoothed it over her shoulders. "You're beautiful. The most beautiful female I've ever seen." He stroked a finger over the black tattoo on her face then tipped her chin up. "Don't ever doubt my love for you, little heart."

His kiss stilled the trembling of her lips. She wrapped her arms around him and held on while he stroked his tongue over her lips then explored her mouth. After several moments he released her then buzzed another little kiss over her lips while he patted her bottom. "Let's go and get this over with."

"I thought you were looking forward to sharing a meal with your warriors."

"I was until I kissed you."

Skye took his hand and pulled him toward the door. "The sooner we go the sooner we can return."

Once they left their chamber he turned her to the right and led her through several identical corridors. They stopped in the open doorway of a large chamber crowded with hundreds of warriors. As soon as they appeared a hush fell over the room and the warriors turned as one and acknowledged Soren's presence. He returned their greeting then pulled her in front of him and left his hands on her shoulders. "This is my mate, Skye of Krystali."

The warriors greeted her with slight nods of their heads then turned away.

Skye linked her mind with Soren's. "Is this their usual greeting for a female?"

"Not for a female but for a mate, yes. Anything further would have offended me." Soren urged her across the room with a hand on her lower back. "On Zarronia the only warriors you would have close contact with would be relatives and trusted friends like Rolf, Rune and even Ronin."

"You don't trust other warriors to respect your claiming? They would try to take me from you?"

He chuckled. "No, we're just very possessive and protective. We have that in common with your males." He pulled a chair out at the head table and helped her into it. As soon as she was seated he sat down next to her. His warriors sat down at the long benches on either side of the tables that filled the room. Immediately, young cadets began serving the meal.

While they ate Soren answered the warriors' questions, telling them how he'd met Skye and how she'd saved his life.

One of the warriors banged his tankard on the table. "Trust the Commander to survive an attack by four Prezon fighters, end up on a frozen planet and be rescued by a beautiful, compatible female." He held up his tankard. "Commander Valanson and Skye."

The other warriors banged their tankards. "Commander Valanson and Skye."

Soren laughed. "I'd like to think you came after me but I know Rolf and Rune well enough to know they sniffed out a near-by war and couldn't keep from investigating it."

Rolf chuckled. "By now all should know about the war between the warriors of Edyn and their enemy the Crimeryns. I intend to join the fight. Any Zarronian warrior who wishes to join is welcome."

Another warrior stood. He grinned. "Is it true we'll have to use primitive weapons and fight hand-to-hand?"

Soren grasped Skye's hand and gave it a little squeeze when he sensed her fear that none of his warriors would join them. He sent her a reassuring, "Watch this."

The warriors stood, raised their tankards, and said, "May the enemy be worthy of the death we bring them." They drained the ale and slammed the tankards down onto the tables. Laughing, they sat down and called for more ale.

Rolf leaned toward Soren. "I'll make sure we leave enough warriors on the starship to fight off an attack."