A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I (18 page)

When they left, Cobaaron jumped back in a hurry. He picked up his scale skirt and belt, and put space between them.

“What are you doing?” Ky could feel the union urging her to stand and undress completely. But she sat, and watched him dress while he refused the union’s need to keep them together.

“I may need to change you to a better warrior once we’re outside. I can’t let you be vulnerable. I want you safe. It’s my job to ensure you’re protected in all ways. I can’t do this.”

“I change at your wish, Cobaaron. Desire me to be able to fight, and I’ll change. We don’t need to be outside for that. Wish it, and then make love to me. Please don’t take the warmth of your body away from mine. I’m…I’m desperate for your closeness.” Not of her own free will, she stretched out her arm for him to take her hand, but he refused to even look at her.

“I do want that; I do wish it. But sharing more of your blood has made me wild. I don’t want to make love to you because of the magical lust that was building in me. Let me calm down. I worry I’ll be too vigorous. It’s not wise for me take you right now, Ky. Trust me, I know how eager I am.

“Besides, as long as we don’t make love,” he paused, but then reluctantly went on, “you could come back if you change your mind; you may hate life outside of a city. It would be selfish of me right now to bond you to me. We need to be smart about this. You’re life is still fragile. Let’s allow the union to slowly change our feelings from lust to love. I want you to care about me, and me alone.”

“You would never live in the city with me?” she asked.

“I’m a warrior, Ky. It’s all I’ve ever known. I’m strong-headed and set in my ways. But I’ll try for you. Just...wait for me. Give me time. I may change my mind but for now, let’s wait and see. I’ll try for you, if you try for me. You attempt to like the outdoors and I’ll strive to like the city.”

Ky smiled. “Okay.”

“It’s best if I’m not in the same room with you. I’ll see you at your ceremony, Ky.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

All eyes were on Ky for the ceremony. Several warriors ushered her to a stage, while several women carried the heavy dress she wore. The train was so large it filled a quarter of the room with its billowing folds of fabric. Four thin, very long strips of fabric were fashioned together with crisscrossing ribbon as the satin twisted around her body covering only what needed to be hidden. Most of her skin was exposed, revealing her cleavage, navel and one of her hips. But women here flaunted their feminine curves, and it seemed a way of life in her new world. There was no such thing as modesty. If she was covered properly, she wouldn’t have been so nervous.

Ky wasn’t alone on the stage. The moment she stepped onto the platform, all the Stars encircled her. Nep, the Star who sat across from Ky during the feast, was the first to approach. He handed her a large glowing orb. When he placed it in her hands he announced to her and the room, “This is the light of my patience. May I pass it on to you.” The ball splashed into liquid light like dripping plasma. The drops that hit floor shattered and shot off sparks like a miniature firework. Ky flinched, not expecting the explosion, and then before she recovered the ball flew into her stomach.

The female baby blue Star approached her next. She cupped her stomach with both hands, and then painlessly drew an orb out. She held it in her hands a moment before placing it in Ky’s, she stated, “Light of my joy. May I pass it on to you.” Once again, the ball became liquid before bursting into a colorful array of sparks then zipped into her stomach.

Each Star approached her, drawing glowing orbs from inside themselves. She was given wisdom, hope, faith, kindness, and courage.

The first of the last remaining four Stars held up a globe that shone bright yellow, which contrasted his purple glossy eyes. Curiously, he never met her eye, and Ky wondered if he was blind. He bellowed out, “This is the light of my insight. May you have the sight, seeing what others do not. May I pass it on to you.” The ball hovered and then in a blink of an eye flew into Ky’s heart. For a split second she felt a terrible heat, and then it vanished. Ky felt her body change. Then she heard something inside her head.

“You must never tell anyone who gave you this dagger,” a female voice said, and then her words trailed off.

“Do you hear that?” Ky asked the Star.

“I heard nothing. But it’s normal to hear voices, if people talk about you. When they say your name, and the topic is life-changing, you will catch part of the conversation. However, this gift is weak. You may never hear anything again. All Stars feel their gifts most in the beginning, but only the strongest lasts. You may lose all gifts, but
eye
sight is better than
in
sight,” the Star said, and then slowly backed away.

The second Star also had the same glossy eyes, but they were blue. The globe he pulled was the same bright hue. “This is the light of my instincts. May you sense your surroundings as I do, and what is to come. May I pass it on to you.” The blue ball zoomed into her heart. It threw her backward, knocking her to the ground. The Star scrambled to help her to her feet. He steadied her, gave a small smile and then slowly backed away without a word.

The third Star formed an orange orb, much smaller than the others, and was little enough that it fit in the palm of his hand. “This is the light of my power. Let strength not be determined by size, but courage of the heart. May I pass it on to you.” The small ball hovered before swiftly shooting into her body, as fast as an arrow. Ky flew into the air once again, and slammed hard into the nearby wall. The room gasped. Nep was next to her and immediately helped her stand.

“Are you okay?” he asked her. Ky nodded, but she wasn’t steady. She smiled weakly, trying to show she was fine. “It happens sometimes,” he said. “Don’t worry about it, as long as you’re not hurt.”

“I’m fine.”

He helped her back to her position once again. Ky cleared her throat, embarrassed that so many people were watching.

She gave a feeble attempt of a smile as the last Star approached her. He formed a green orb from his stomach. “This is the light of my truth. May your enemies always be known. May I pass it on to you.” The orb hovered, and Ky braced herself. It flew into her, but nothing remarkable happened. Ky smiled relieved.

The other Stars left the stage; she stood alone on the podium. Ky wondered if she should also leave the stage, but then the doors opened. A long procession of warriors marched into the room, followed by a councilman who was carrying her crown. Behind the councilman was Cobaaron. He held a long staff with an opal-like gem glowing at its end. They smiled at each other when their eyes met.

The councilman walked between the two long lines of warriors who split into rows to usher him in. The councilman finally faced Cobaaron and bowed. Cobaaron halted. The councilman came to Ky’s side, and then displayed the crown to the cheering spectators. Then he placed the heavy tiara on Ky’s head. Their applause became louder, the hall vibrated with the ovation. The councilman exited the stage, and as he did, all the warriors bowed as Cobaaron marched toward her.

Ky watched him, and smiled when his gaze met hers. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes swept over her body. He raised his staff and set the gem on Ky’s forehead. The stone began to glow, and it became warm against her skin. He held it there until it cooled. “You are now a Sterling, and a Star citizen to the City of Sterlings.” When he lowered the staff, everyone applauded as they surrounded in cheering. Ky was unexpectedly lifted into the air. Women detached the impossibly heavy train before warriors ushered her away on their shoulders.

The crowd followed her down the tunnels heading to the dome. They celebrated by clapping their hands in a rhythmic pattern. The citizens gathered at the city center waiting to see her. The square was filled with thousands of townspeople and they quickly joined in the clapping until the noise was so loud that it reverberated from the rock walls.

The Stars gathered in the middle of the square and pointed to an enormous chandelier slowly descending. It burst into a brilliant light as the Stars somehow lit it. “Set the torch ablaze, Ky. It’s very sensitive and will comply with your attempt,” Nep told her. “Point to it. That helps.”

When she lifted her finger, a flash of light ignited. Not a second later, the chandelier roared with blue flames. The dome lit with a bright, white radiance, and then all went dark. “What happened?” she heard Nep ask. People began to nervously whisper. “She did something to my light. It shouldn’t go out!” Nep’s voice quivered, sounding panicked.

Suddenly the chandelier exploded into millions of tiny specks of illuminating glitter that slowly fell.

“Oh, it’s beautiful!” Ky heard a woman croon.

It was beautiful. Like colorful fireflies, they drifted toward the floor. Before long there was glowing glitter everywhere. An endless shower of flecks fell. People began kicking up the shimmering dust as they played in it. The floating specks illuminated faces with whatever color was passing by them.

“It’s different from last time,” a young man stated, and someone else responded saying that was because Ky was making it happen. Ky wasn’t sure if she believed that. She didn’t feel like she was
doing
anything.

Once again people began to clap. It started with one person, but spread till everyone was clapping to the beat. Then Ky saw why. The crowd separated as a small group of men danced her way while kicking up glitter off the floor.

They lifted their hands high to clap, and it took Ky a moment to realize they wanted her to as well. She smiled, and joined in without delay.

The men surrounded her, closing around, as they continued clapping. The singer stood in front wearing a playful smile. He assessed her a moment, spun in his spot and burst out a loud note:

“I want to boom, boom, boom.

That’s what came to my mind when I saw you.

It hit me, and I’ve set my sights to woo—

I want to boom, boom, boom.”

The men disturbed the glitter dust around her and it looked like glowing, splashing water. With hands in their pockets, they kicked their feet. The singer pumped his hand on his chest like a beating heart as he continued:

“For you, Star, my heart is quickly pounding.

But then your beauty is quite astounding.

I’ll be obvious with my intentions.

I’ll gladly relieve your sexual tensions.”

All the men spun around and light swirled around them. Everyone cheered.

“You look at me, I can see in your eyes.

You want me, be free and improvise.

I’ll sneak you away, and love you tonight.

Make you moan, make your light in you ignite.

I cannot help myself, I want to touch.

Am I asking you, Star, for far too much?”

He pumped his fist in the air while walking backward and then moved toward her. He grasped her hand and spun her into him. She smacked against his chest. He cradled her close to him, and then dipped her. He leaned down and kissed her. Ky was shocked he took the liberty. The glitter dust shot into the air. He released Ky. She grinned sheepishly from embarrassment, because the crowd excitedly rooted for the singer to kiss her again.

He tugged, lifting her upright. Ky put her hand on his chest, keeping him at bay; determined he wouldn’t steal another. When he was denied, he grinned as if she was toying with him. He cried out in song:

“Now that you have my complete attention.

How I feel is beyond comprehension.

Please be kind and don’t ask me to refrain.

I cannot stop dancing inside your rain.

I like the taste of your soft honey lips.

I like the sway of your wide, curvy hips.

I’ll tell you what I think is eternal bliss,

That you will allow me one more sweet kiss—”

He grabbed her and pulled her toward him. Ky shyly looked down so he wouldn’t kiss her again. She started to glow. He serenaded:

“You’re making it hard for me to obey.

The silent request that you do not say.

’Cause Wow. The way you turn me crazy on,

I could make love to you, till early dawn.

I cannot deny you are my desire;

Let’s take our heat another step higher.”

He put his forehead against hers, and let go of her so he could slowly shimmy his shoulders. Then he walked backward and punched the air with each step, until he reached the circle of men that surrounded them. The circle of men kicked glitter up around the singer and Ky. They were showered in the lustrous light. All the men began to sing. The circle of men spun around facing the crowd of dancing people.

Ky saw Cobaaron watching the singer that kissed her. He was red with anger, and then his eyes met hers. He glared at her. Ky reached her hand out to him. He gave the smallest shake of his head, refusing. He ripped his eyes away from her to dance with the woman in front of him.

Ky walked to Cobaaron, understanding that only the night before she sternly said that kissing was unacceptable. However, she didn’t reach him because all the men spun their partners into a tight twirl. Shimmering flecks splashed all around her. A warrior hugged her tightly to his chest like the singer had done. Then he spun her toward another partner. Several times she was spun in the exact fashion into different partners, until she found herself in front of Quintin.

He had his hands in his pockets and kicked dust into the air like the singer had done. Ky realized the singer had invented a line dance, and now everyone continued to take the steps. He pumped his hand like a beating heart, and then began kicking up the dust as he stepped backward. “Boom. Boom,” all the men sang and jumped. Ky was spun and dipped. Quintin lifted her up slightly before dipping her once again, shadowing the motions from when the singer kissed Ky. He drew her up, and then all the women pushed the men in the chest. The men exaggerated the shove by jumping back and kicking one leg forward. It splashed dust up like a glistening fountain of water. The men weaved in and out of each other, before spinning women from partner to partner so it could all start over again.