Unforgettable Lover (2 page)

Gaetan studied him, his gaze roaming Nicholai’s outfit. “You ready?”

“I suppose.” Nicholai pursed his lips.

A slow smile crept across Gaetan’s face. He pointed at Nicholai’s hand. “You planning on wearing that?”

Nicholai peered at his finger. As he moved his hand, the sunstone ring reflected the light. His father had given him the jewelry as a birthday present a few years ago when he’d transitioned from a mid-youth to a young male. The jewelry would announce to all participants he was the prince, and that wouldn’t do.

“Good point.” He removed the ring and placed it in the cup on his dresser next to his razor and his brush, all lined up just like he liked them. He gripped his shoulder, where his marking lay beneath the material. He’d have to remember to keep his shirt on or he’d be recognized. As he glanced at his ring, an empty spot formed in his chest—he hadn’t realized how much his father’s gift had meant to him. 

This reminded him he needed to find an appropriate gift for his father’s upcoming one-thousandth birthday. To reach the age of mid-life was a milestone among the Stiyaha. Since his father was king, the responsibility for finding the best gift rested on Nicholai’s and his brother’s shoulders.
What will Tiernan get him? Eh, it matters not.
For as long as Nicholai could remember, his younger brother had challenged him at every opportunity. The constant bickering and backbiting had driven an irreparable wedge between them.

He took a gander at Gaetan. “Any suggestions on a gift for my father? I’m open to ideas.”

The end of Gaetan’s staff connected with the stone floor with a loud crack. He chuckled. “No way. Not going there. That’s your burden to carry.”

“You are ever so helpful.” Nicholai raised his eyebrow, but he couldn’t help the smirk that pulled at his lip. “I don’t know which is worse, searching for a present for my finicky father or going to Betram.”

“Present searching. Hands down.” Gaetan leaned against the back of Nicholai’s chair. “Betram is supposed to be fun. Why you can’t see it that way, I’ll never understand.”

Nicholai tensed. His gaze caught Gaetan’s. “Each to their own. I do this because it’s required of all unbonded males.”

Gaetan shrugged. “Are you letting the beast out or do you have a mask?”

The creature woke inside him. The synapses in his brain linked them together, and he understood clearly what it wanted—to bond to a female. Deep inside, his inner beast longed for a mate and the young that would come from the bonding. A surge of blood pooled in his groin at the thought. He clenched his jaw. Although he and his beast were one, the human side had the advantage of rational thought. That’s why the Stiyaha only transformed during battles and the Betram ritual.

Before answering his friend, he strode over to his bed and picked up the mask that lay on the covers. He held it up. “Got what I need, right here.” 

His gaze roamed Gaetan. He wore his usual loose fitting pants, the ones that concealed his weakness. His brown woven top had a flared collar and short sleeves. His marking ran down his right arm and ended in four fine lines on his hand. He didn’t have a mask.

“I take it your beast is leading the way tonight.” Nicholai nodded.

“As the Keep’s Haelen, I don’t get the opportunity to get out much. So, yes.”

“Well then, let’s get this over with.” Nicholai placed the mask over his head. The tight skin covered his hair. Holes cut in the material for his eyes hid his eyebrows. The black-dyed leather ended in a long point over the bridge of his nose. The mask was standard issue for all participants.
The veil better work.

Chapter Three

The summer solstice sun hung on the edge of the horizon. The last of the warm rays colored the scattered clouds a vibrant pink. Leonna’s heart picked up its pace. A case of the giggles bubbled up, and she clamped her hand over her mouth to keep them inside. 

Dozens of females stood at the edge of the forest, and more emerged from the portal. Through the opening, Rin, one of the Keep’s Jixies, stood over the
porte stanen
. His hands moved to a rhythm all his own, his fingers coaxing the mist to rise and swirl. A female wearing a short skirt and a tight-fitting blouse emerged through the haze and landed a few feet away. Her style of clothing, with its sequined jewels, gave away her status as one of the elite, most likely a council member’s daughter. There was no way to know for sure, the mask covering her face was similar to the one Leonna wore, as did all the females.

The dampness of the condensation caused by the portal coated Leonna’s arms. A shiver ran over her shoulders, whether from the coolness or her own excitement, she wasn’t quite sure.

“Honey, come. Let’s head over to the fire before the crowd gets too thick.” Chantel pulled on Leonna’s arm.

Leonna turned to her best friend and couldn’t contain the squeal any longer. She grabbed her companion’s hands, and they both shook from their combined excitement. “I’ve waited for this night for a long time. I can’t believe it’s finally here.”  

“Yes, I know. You’ve been talking non-stop about Betram for months.” Chantel rolled her eyes. Despite the dark cloth that covered the top of her head and part of her face, her expression of utter disdain was clearly visible in the darkening light.

“Have you decided yet? Are you going to remove your mask?” Leonna followed her friend toward the crowd forming around the large bonfire.

“Yes. I’m going beast. Why not? That’s what we’re here for, right?” 

Chantel’s tight dress fit snug over her ample bosom and showcased her long, supple legs. Blond hair the color of straw cascaded over her shoulders, and her soft, plump lips were an enticement all their own. A pang of doubt weighed on Leonna’s chest. Her own body was lean, more muscle and fewer curves than that of her friend. Would a male be interested in her? 

She bit her lip. Then, there was her hand. She held up her glove for inspection. Could anyone tell that the last three fingers on her right hand weren’t real? That they were just bits of stuffed material? No way would she remove them tonight and expose herself, so letting her beast free was not an option. 

In beast form, they would know each other, but because of the fevered intensity of the Betram ritual, the beasts would forget soon after the mating. Fleeting memories of scent, taste, or sound would be all that remained. However, anyone out there could recognize her misshapen hand. She exhaled and closed her eyes.

She wouldn’t begrudge her best friend’s happiness. After all, she’d promised herself a good time and nothing more. This was her chance to be free, let the feeling and emotions of the ritual take her, like a leaf on the surface of a stream. 

Tomorrow, she had to get back to her
responsibilities
. If only she could plan her own life, make her own decisions about what she wanted to do, but no. She’d go back to the honey cart, day after day, and help her parents as expected. 

The way her father’s health had deteriorated over the past few months, she’d been lucky to find any time to paint. A raw ache radiated from her chest. She couldn’t imagine losing him.

She shook her head and held up her chin. No matter what happened, she’d enjoy tonight. The good news—as a species, the Stiyaha didn’t need to worry about contracting sexually transmitted diseases. The natural immunity within their Lemurian blood kept any nasty microbes away. 

“Gather ’round! Gather ’round!” The loud female voice pulled Leonna from her reverie. 

A tall female Stiyaha stood close to the bonfire. She didn’t wear a mask. Two black marks marred her left cheek, the sign of a bonded female. Leonna recognized Trian. Her mate’s personal mark was two lines that ran down his right cheek. Once bonded the females took the opposite of their mate’s marking. Trian and Eliah had a good relationship revealed by the two black bands circling Eliah’s throat. During the physical bonding process, the number of black bands was always a mystery until they formed. For those unlucky couples who only received one band, the chances of having a happy life together did not bode well.

“Unbonded females, welcome to Betram. I am Trian.” The large female scanned the crowd, as if ensuring she had everyone’s attention.

The crowd calmed. Conversations quieted. 

The smell of pine mixed with the scents of the females. Each possessed a unique fragrance, which was good since some females had a brother participating in the rite. They would recognize the scent and avoid each other. 

“It has been thirty years since the last Betram. You are lucky to participate, not everyone gets that chance. Some end up bonded before the next ritual comes around.” Trian touched her cheek. 

“Females in the beginning stages of heat—if any of you sense the change coming upon you, please return to the Keep before Rin closes the portal. The last time a female went into heat during Betram, it caused a fight.” Trian scanned the faces in the crowd, and her green eyes cast an eerie glow as if lit from within. “Several males died in the process.”

The risk of pregnancy during Betram was something to avoid. Pregnant, unbonded females were frowned upon in their society. Leonna was glad she’d never had the urge come upon her, not yet anyway. 

“I…I should go back.” The female in the short skirt and tight blouse Leonna had seen earlier spoke up from the back of the crowd. “I have a dull ache near my…” She blushed and looked at the ground.

“Thank you for your honesty.” Trian nodded at the female. 

The young Stiyaha dragged her feet through the grass, heading toward the portal. 

“Anyone else?”

When there was no further response, Trian waved a hand at Rin to close the portal. The opening in the mist contracted until the haze disappeared altogether. Darkness crept up from the trees, the last rays of the setting sun now hidden behind the giant mountain. 

“The males are stationed in a location several miles away. Their beasts will rule, seeking out the opportunity to mate. They will search for you, hunt you down. Enjoy yourselves.” Trian’s mouth twisted into a mischievous smile.

Leonna’s heart pounded, excitement sending a tingle along her nerves.

“Once you feel the daylight let go, you are free to run, to let the beast rule. Remember, be back in the Keep before dawn. If you encounter any Gossum, slay them…or run.” Trian raised her chin, her dark hair falling around her shoulders. “Good luck, may you find what you seek.”

Leonna touched the gilded shell that rested between the “V” of her breasts. She’d left it in the sun all day, infusing the jewelry with energy and, hopefully, luck. Her chest tightened, and she frowned. She wasn’t sure what she really wanted anymore. That scared her more than anything.

The glow from the sun disappeared. The full moon took its rightful place in the sky. Deep inside, Leonna’s beast recognized the sign. A small growl burst from her throat, and she ran.

Chapter Four

Nicholai’s heart thumped against his chest, sending adrenaline through his body, stoking his need—his desire to mate. The combination of the summer sun and the full moon stirred his beast. Their normal symbiotic relationship was never as tight as it was now. Nicholai ran through the forest. The dew from the evening’s mist coated the leaves, slapping against his face, his arms, his pants.

Aayieeee.
Another male up ahead let loose an exuberant cry. A female must be near.

Nicholai stopped next to a large pine tree to assess his surroundings. The pointed branches reminded him of his enemy’s sharp claws. If he ran across a Gossum tonight, his adversary better run. An encounter with the Gossum was part of the thrill of Betram—an added risk, requiring added precaution. 

Before the ritual had been integrated into the Earth colony inhabitants, numerous deaths had occurred inside the underground Keep on a night such as this. Beasts ran free, uncontrolled by their human side. The devastation had been significant. Many lives were lost. 

Betram became the outlet, the release their beasts desperately needed on this night when the sun and the moon pulled them apart yet pushed them together. The pressure was enough to drive the beast to near insanity. Without help and guidance from the logical human side, bedlam would prevail.

He inhaled, taking a large breath of cool, fresh air into his lungs. A myriad of scents registered in his mind—wet ferns, pine, deer, and the sweet fragrance of female Stiyahas. The concoction blended into a potpourri of aromas, but one stood out from the rest—sweet honey. That particular female called to him. A need like he’d never felt before well up inside, and the surge of adrenaline he’d been riding sprinted through his blood. He couldn’t stop himself if he’d tried.   

Aayieeee.
He let out a cry, half animal, half human. Farther into the forest he ran, tracking the female. His desire to find
her
, the female with the honeyed scent drove him forward. Every time he got close, she eluded him.

An unlucky Douglas fir took a beating as he unleashed his pent up aggression on the poor tree’s branches. The last thing he wanted was to injure the female during their coupling. The physical exertion helped ease the ache in his chest. 

He stopped to catch his breath. As the night air rushed in and out of his lungs, other females’ scents called to him, but the allure of the honeyed female had him hooked. She toyed with him, leading him on, playing her game. He’d find her, of that, he had no doubt. 

A surge of heat raced over his arms and back. The woven shirt stuck to his ribs like a second skin. He couldn’t take the sweaty cloth anymore and, without thought, ripped the offending material from his body. Buttons flew through the air. A nearby fern cushioned the damaged shirt’s fall. 

He quieted. His beast took in the sights and sounds around him.

Grunt. Groan. Thump, thump, thump.

A mating nearby sent blood rushing to his groin. The top of the male’s head bobbed to their rhythm. In his beast form, wisps of his brown fur moved in the breeze like tall blades of grass. Beady eyes projected from beneath a heavy brow, and pointed tusks protruded from his mouth.