Heart of a Sorceress

Chapter Four

“Bastards. Bloody bastards,” Sha’ul muttered under his breath for the thousandth time. He tossed another log onto the fire he built while waiting for Lara. All the joy of her formal initiation as a mage this night was ruined by the blow the Wise Ones had just dealt him. “Bastards.” He’d used the epithet vociferously while standing before the Council this morning. Of course, Sha’ul had to be the one to inform Lara of the mission on which she was being sent.

Nothing big. Just to save her planet from the very people who’d murdered her mother, ruined her father and enslaved her.

“Bastards!” He tossed another log after the first one, watching the orange spray of sparks against the velvet black night.

Rationally he knewthe Wise Ones had nothing to do with the reality that Lara had been named in a prophecy thousands of years old. It wasn’t their fault that she was about to be sent on a quest that could end her life from innumerable possible sources.

But it was their fault for forbidding him to go with her and protect her. “By the gods,” he murmured, even though there was no one to hear him. Sometimes a Being of Power’s solitude was too much for even him to bear. Powerlessness over destiny had always been something that enraged him, especially when it concerned the fate of a sweet, beautiful young woman. He would protect her as much and for as long as he could. Sadly, he could only exert influence so far. When the time came, she would be forced to fulfill the prophecy alone. The only consolation either of them would have was the love they shared, both as teacher and student, and as lovers.

Galen’s teeth! After all his service! After sacrificing his own life and heart for magery and for humankind, the Council could not even trust him to put the welfare of an entire planet above his own possible jealousies. He knew how much Lara loved him, how absolutely devoted she was to him. He felt it every time they made love. When their bodies were joined, he always could see into her soul. She would die for him.

Damned if he would reward such loyalty with abandonment. He loved her, more than he’d ever loved a woman in his life. The Wise Ones could s**t in their robes. They could threaten him with every conceivable punishment, but he would die first before he’d let Lara go on such a quest alone, or even with Danni. The young man was a fierce warrior and would defend Lara to his last breath, but even he was no match for a corrupt mage.

Sha’ul growled as he draped a fur skin on the ground a small distance away from the fire. If he had to be the one to deliver the heart-breaking news, at least they could have some pleasure first. That is, after he had made sure her powers had gained full strength. There was no way he would have her reach into the fire if there was an iota of chance she would be burned.

With his heart sinking in his chest, he left the clearing for the watching spot, allowing the blackness of the sylvan world around them cloak him in darkness.

* * * * *

Lara’s heart pounded as she made her way to the clearing. Each step on the loamy path to the clearing brought her closer to her destiny. Her greatest fear was that once her training was complete, Sha’ul would send her away, even though he loved her.

The clearing was just ahead now through the trees, illuminated by the glow of the fire Sha’ul had built before going to the watching place. Lara treasured the clearing, for it was in that sacred spot her handsome master had spent much time teaching her the arts of both magery and love.

Though it was summer, night in the Veltlands was always cold. Anticipating the warmth of the blaze and of Sha’ul’s body against hers, Lara pulled her cloak more tightly against the chilly air, squared her shoulders and picked up her pace.

Once in the clearing, she removed her cloak, which slipped to the ground, revealing her gown of light crushed velvet, the red of rubies. Red was Sha’ul’s favorite color on her. He loved the way it offset the almond tint of her skin and silver-blonde hair. Lara did not think she was as pretty as Sha’ul did, but wore the dress to please him nonetheless.

She sat down on the fur skin Sha’ul had set by the fire, a safe distance from the flames, but close enough for hearty warmth. Staring into the undulating white gold of the blaze, Lara held her hands toward it. As the fire warmed her, she tried to imagine where the watching spot was, scanning both the surrounding shadows of trees and the star-studded night sky above. Its location, however, remained a mystery to her, the one thing that her exquisitely honed senses were not permitted to know.

She could, however, feel Sha’ul watching her, his loving gaze appreciating the silken fall of her hair and the soft curves of her breasts outlined by the gown, even as he watched to see if the magery he’d taught her these past seven years had taken root. He had explained to her before tonight that if the magery had synthesized with her being, the effects would show in a halo of light around Lara that only he and the Council of Mages could see. If it had, Sha’ul would know that her training was complete and that all the elements of the creation were at her command. As long as she used them only to serve Lord Galen, the Creator.

So she waited, listening to the song of the night crickets while she worked to steady the trembling in her hands and heart. Becoming a Being of Power was no small matter. It set her apart from everyone else, except others like her, of which there were a mere few. She both desired and feared this distinction. Such a path held its promises as well as its difficulties.

Lara turned when she heard Sha’ul’s footfalls on the loamy ground. Though he was still a distance away, she knew his sound. Her training had honed her senses to the utmost level of sensitivity. But even if it hadn’t, her four years as a slave in the Pierran Palace struggling for survival had deeply sensitized her.

She stood and watched the shadows for him.Her breath caught softly when he stepped into the clearing and moved toward her. She studied his face, searching the chiseled features for the answer to what he’d seen, yet at first, she saw only the tenderness he had for her, reflected in his dark, velvety eyes.

Sha’ul smiled at her, his sensuous lips curved upward into the smooth planes of his cheeks. He touched the fingertips of both hands to her cheeks, gently tilting her face upwards toward his. “You are magnificent, daughter of Karan,” he said.

Her skin quivered pleasurably. She loved how gentle he was with her, the way he touched her, with both passion and appreciation. His love for her reminded her of her father and Ariana. Only unlike Karan who had retained the hot blood of a warrior, Sha’ul, a Being of Power for whom temper would be disastrous, rarely raised his voice in anger. Lara had needed such patience and careful handling, raw as she still was from the trauma of her mother’s murder, her father’s punishment and her enslavement.

Lara gazed into Sha’ul’s dark eyes. Beyond the reflection of the firelight dancing in the obsidian pools, she now saw sadness. Her stomach tightened and her heart gave a sharp lurch. There could only be one reason for it—magery hadn’t worked. She was not to be a sorceress. She began to tremble, fearing that her time with Sha’ul was over. Yet, he was still gazing on her tenderly, as he brushed his fingertips over her cheeks and neck, into her hair, entwining his fingers in its abundance. Her eyes fluttered closed in expectation of his kiss, the press of his warm lips against hers. Sha’ul’s kiss was a great delight and comfort to her, second only to his lovemaking.

But the kiss never came.

Lara opened her eyes and looked directly into his for an answer. Without a word, she knew something was terribly wrong. “What is it, lord?” She reached up and pressed her fingertips to the smooth plane of Sha’ul’s clean-shaven cheek. “It didn’t work, did it? I failed you.” She pulled her hand away and averted her eyes. She had wanted so badly to please him, to make sure she was always worthy of his love, even though he swore he’d love her, whether she was a Being of Power or not. Even though she would not be a—

“Sorceress,” Sha’ul uttered, as if finishing her thought. He cupped a warm, strong hand to her cheek. “My lady is a sorceress now.”

Lara’s eyes widened and she gasped. “You mean…

Sha’ul blinked and nodded, the air of sadness around him thickening. “Aye, Lara. Your hard work has come to fruition.”

Lara wanted to smile, to leap up in her joy. To throw her arms around Sha’ul and kiss him. But the sadness in his voice and in his dark eyes stayed her. Something was still wrong. Perhaps the deep fear that had plagued her since the first time they’d made love was real. Once again, her stomach tightened and fear crept into her heart. “I don’t understand, my lord. “Are you not proud of me?”

Sha’ul brushed a thumb over her lips. “Yes, beautiful one. I am proud. It’s every sorcerer’s dream to find an apprentice such as you.”

“Then why…”

Sha’ul stifled the question with a kiss, gently slipping his tongue between her lips. He pulled her against him, his large hands slipping around to her back, caressing it over the velvet dress.

Lara felt her body soften and melt into Sha’ul’s sinewy frame. She pressed  her hands  into the round hardness of his shoulders and triceps. He had an intoxicating scent, a heady mixture of earth, wood smoke and sandalwood. As their kiss deepened, desire fanned wildly through her entire body. Sha’ul’s erection rose and pushed into her pelvic bone. She moved against it as she hungrily tasted his lips and tongue.

She slipped her arms around him, completely lost in the passionate heat of their kiss. Her hands splayed out over the hard ridges of muscle in his back through his robe, just below his shoulders, exploring them with eager fingertips. She moved downward, anticipating every inch of him, the smooth plane of his lower back, down where it melted into the hard round buttock—

What? Her hand froze as an image from Sha’ul’s heart appeared in her mind’s eye. Whether or not he’d meant her to see it, she did, a vast, dry plateau between them. She was clad in her sorceress’ robe and cloak, wandering. He was on the other side, unable to touch her. So this was it! The true cause of his sadness! Her heart lurched and she pulled away from their kiss, bore her gaze into his.

“You’re sending me away!” she choked out, clutching his robe. “When were you going to tell me?”

Sha’ul bowed his head. His large hands had been on her shoulders, but now, to her dismay, he lifted them and turned toward the fire. His robe fell away from her hands. The glow of the flames shone on his skin and on the dark mane of hair that fell about his shoulders. “After we’d made love,” he answered softly.

Lara stared at him, her hands balled into fists. The worst thing she’d always feared was happening and now she was desperate for him to turn back and take her into his arms again. To make everything all right. But he didn’t.

“Why, lord?” Lara willed him to turn with her plea. “Why?”

Sha’ul sighed. A log, devoured by the crackling flames fell, sending out a tiny shower of sparks. He picked up a stick and tended the logs, controlling the direction of the flames. “You are the one chosen to vanquish the abusers of magery on the planet.”

Lara continued to watch Sha’ul as his words sifted through her consciousness. She knew only too well who the abusers were even though they concealed themselves with the power of magery garnered from corrupt Beings. They were the same ones who had bewitched the Pierran Queen Maya into believing Karan had tried to murder her in her sleep. It was because of them he had been brought down and her mother murdered. It was because of them she had almost languished in the palace as a bed-slave. It was they who’d actually murdered the Queen and framed Ariana. By Galen’s grace Ariana had escaped and had rescued Lara. Lara had dreamed for years about avenging herself on these evil creatures. And now she had a chance to destroy them. But she didn’t want to. Not if it meant leaving Sha’ul.

“Why me?” Lara was determined to steer this mission away from herself. “Are there not other sorceresses in the world? Ones more experienced and powerful than I?” She fell quiet, waiting for his answer. A night owl hooted softly from a nearby tree, breaking the ensuing silence.

Sha’ul sighed. “Aye, Lara. There are a few.” He turned to her. “But none of them was named in the prophecy.”

Lara’s eyes widened. “Prophecy? What prophecy? Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

He sighed. “Because I only knew myself this morning.” His already dark eyes stormed in the firelight. “The prophecy is as old as Weir itself. Lord Galen created it. His word is law.” He sighed and bowed his head. “No one has access to the scrolls except the Wise Ones. The entire history of our world is recorded inside it, past, present, as well as future.” He looked at her and cupped her cheek. “You know how the Pierrans have once again tried for domination of the planet. This time they’re succeeding.” His thumb brushed her skin tenderly. “You also know that they have nearly reached the Veltlands.” He stepped in closer to her. “You also know why they’ve been able to come this far.”

She dug her nails into the soft flesh of her palms. Tears had begun to stream down her cheeks. “Yes, I know.” She hated how emotional she always was, but couldn’t change, no matter how hard she tried. “Why can’t you go with me?” she criedAgain, she reached out and grasped fistfuls of his robe. “Tell them, lord!” she begged. “Tell them I can’t do it without you! They’ll listen to you!”

Sha’ul enfolded her in his arms. The warmth of his strong body emanated into hers, calming her. With one hand, he caressed her hair. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m sorry.”

He waited patiently until Lara had exhausted her tears. When she had, Sha’ul held her gently away from him, brushing the salty droplets from her cheek with his thumb. He looked down at her lovingly, with a sad smile. “It’s not my destiny to go with you, loved one.”

Lara sniffled. Hopelessness, such as she hadn’t felt since her years of slavery, enveloped her. As if she could change the course of destiny with her tears. “Why not?”

Sha’ul smoothed back her hair. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “All lovers must be tested,” he said. “Even mages.” He kissed her again, this time on the cheek. “I will be here when you come back from Pierra.”

Lara gasped. “No! Not there! I can’t!” The nightmare of memories threatened to flood her as they still did in her sleep.

Sha’ul’s grasped her shoulders and his features darkened. However, his eyes were like those of a wounded animal. “Don’t make this harder than it already is,” he told her. His grip relented, softened. “I know what you’ve suffered. I too have fought the Pierran dogs. Of course, it was before you came back, and they slaughtered many of us. Galen knows what it’s taken for you to heal.” He sighed and touched her cheek. “You won’t be alone. You’ll have help. I promise that.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead again. “Now, your initiation.”

She nodded, pushing back the tears, saving them for when she could be alone, and turned to the fire. Screwing her eyes shut, she stepped toward the blaze, reaching her hands to the flames. Searing heat assaulted her skin and then suddenly cooled. Opening her eyes again, she saw a ball of flames in her hands and stepped back, balancing the small blazing sphere. She waited several moments then pulled her hands apart, sending the flames toward the sky. They splintered, showered into sparks that whirled and danced in the air, then vanished.

She exhaled a deep breath, her first as a mage.

“I’m proud of you, Lara.” Sha’ul came to stand in front of her, his hands on her upper arms.

Lara reached up and pressed her palms flat on Sha’ul’s broad chest. She closed her eyes at the pleasure of feeling his strength. “Please, my lord,” she whispered. “Let’s not waste this time.” She began to tremble and pressed her body to his, feeling his response in his ragged breath and the surge of hardness against her soft woman’s stomach. She tilted her face upward to his, eyes closed, begging for his kiss.

Sha’ul slipped his hands into her hair as his lips claimed hers, making her lose herself once again in deep pleasure. Sha’ul’s scent and taste filled her as his muscular body filled her arms.

With eager hands, Lara pulled open the ties of his robe and slipped her hands inside, let them roam over his broad chest of dark silky hair. His skin seared her touch, weakened her yet further with her desire to be taken. Yearning for every inch of him, Lara pushed his robe off over his shoulders and he let it fall away to the ground. To her, Sha’ul was the most handsome, magnificent man she’d ever seen and she gazed on his naked form with both admiration and desire.

Sha’ul smiled at her. The duskiness of arousal in his eyes temporarily replaced the sadness and he reached out and lifted Lara’s gown over her head, dropping it onto his discarded robe. Lara saw the heat fill his dark eyes as he gazed on her naked flesh, its golden color glowing in the firelight. “Lara,” he uttered in a husky whisper. He reached for her and pulled her against him.

Lara’s eyes fluttered closed as their bodies touched. Sha’ul covered her neck and throat with soft warm kisses, tasted her, devoured her golden skin as he moved down to her breasts. Lara clasped her arms lightly around his head, her fingers lost in his dark mane as he feasted on the soft roundness of each breast and n****e with tender passion. The tingling pleasure of his tongue circling and sucking the sensitive buds to stiffness made her moan. She threw her head back, gasping breaths of delight, her breasts heaving under Sha’ul’s mouth. Each gentle lick of his tongue caused a surge of desire between her legs and she melted open, felt the moisture of arousal gathering. She reached down, gently closed her hand gently around his erection.

He groaned. “Lara,” he murmured against her skin.

His member surged against her hand. How deliciously hard it was. She stroked it up and down.

Sha’ul’s breath was hot against her skin. He groaned again and dropped to his knees, pulling Lara down with him.

Wildly, he took her mouth again, plunged his tongue deep and hot against hers. He grasped her shoulders, lowered her down underneath him on the fur skin. With their bodies pressed together, Sha’ul reached down and caressed Lara’s thighs, teasing the soft skin with his fingertips, circling closer and closer to the secret place at the apex. Once there, he ran a light touch down the length of her slit, eliciting a soft cry of pleasure.

Lara spread her legs apart, moaning as they kissed, her body begging him to slide his c**k into her wet sheath.

Though he was hard and ready, his erection pressing into her thigh, he played with her a bit longer, readying her to come by sliding his large fingers into her, gathering her nectar and rubbing it over the swollen pearl that held the desire and the pleasure. Gently he slicked his fingertips up and down over her clit, bringing her to the edge of orgasm and back just before she went over. By the time he took her, sinking his c**k deep inside her, it took only several long slow thrusts to bring her to ecstatic release.

As she came, Sha’ul lowered his lips once again to her breasts and sucked them, intensifying her pleasure. Her fingertips entwined in his dark hair as the spasms released in her. When they’d passed, Lara fell limp, body and soul utterly satisfied. For several moments she lay caressing his hair as he moved inside her, moaning with the pleasure of her sheath around his c**k. When she had regained her strength, Lara tightened her muscles around his hardness and moved her hips with him, bringing him closer to his own release.

Just when she thought he was going to come he pulled out of her. His lids were heavy over his dusky eyes, his damp skin flushed with the heat of arousal. He kissed her deeply then lifted his lips. “I want you to come again, Lara,” he whispered, voice thick and husky. He lowered his face down between her parted thighs and pressed his lips to the swollen pink rose, sucking and stroking it with his tongue until Lara cried out from another climax. Only then did he slip back into her, thrusting in hard strokes, devouring her mouth with hungry deep kisses until he, too, came, spilling his warm seed into her. When his climax passed, he gently collapsed onto her, their perspiring bodies entwined, his lips pressed into her neck as they rested.

Lara felt several moments of contentment in Sha’ul’s arms, her body relaxed and satisfied from passion. Until she remembered all that had passed before they made love. This would be one of their last times together. Maybe the last time, ever. She sighed and closed her eyes, pressing her cheek to Sha’ul’s soft hair. She knew he sensed her feelings and thoughts by the way he reached up and touched her cheek.

“Lara,” he murmured, raising his face from her skin. “If Galen wills it, I’ll be here, waiting for you. I don’t want to live without you.”

She hid her fingers more deeply into his hair and kissed the top of his head. “I know, my lord,” she whispered, struggling not to ruin their loving moment with sorrowful tears. She sighed and settled more firmly against him. They would be able to rest here together a little while before he saw her back to the longhouse.

The thought of telling Ariana about her leaving caused Lara to squeeze her eyes shut. As if the evening hadn’t brought enough grief, she now had the dreaded task of telling her stepmother about her upcoming journey back to that dreaded land. Ariana was more protective of her stepdaughter than a she-wolf her pups, and would not take this news well.

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. “My lord,” she whispered.

“What is it, love?”

“When do I leave?”

Sha’ul sighed and pressed a small kiss to her throat before answering. “Three days,” came the reply in a sad whisper.

Icy fear skittered along her nerve endings. “Three days, my lord? How will I be ready?”

“I will help you, Lara. I’ll be with you every possible moment.”

“But isn’t there—”

“The Council’s decisions are always final. You leave in three days.”