Demon Within (22 page)

‘We need to leave now if we are to proceed with the bonding ceremony.’ Giving Ellanor a final glare, she left the room.

‘Let’s go; Kiera will take care of our new arrivals and see them settled.’ Kai nodded.

After everyone involved in the bonding ceremony left the room, Kiera was left with her new friends, and worried once Kai and Sabe returned if she’d be in trouble. She couldn’t have foreseen this and now regretted being eager to bring them to Blackhill. Looking at Jace, and seeing a strong resemblance to Kai, there could be truth in the woman’s story, but convincing Kai and her brother would be difficult. Although she’d never seen any marks on Kai’s body, as Ellanor had insisted he possessed, she was fully aware of his ‘darker’ side, and had to wonder if the woman spoke the truth.

Her first priority for the moment was to find them somewhere to stay, and Blackhill was full to bursting with visitors, unsure there would be anywhere vacant, they couldn’t stay here so she had to try.

‘You can stay here and have something to eat and drink, I’ll send someone to find lodgings in the town.’ Kiera wasn’t known for her sympathy, but she felt sorry for Caster and Jace as they comforted Ellanor.

Caster rose from his chair. ‘I’m sorry, you must think we came to cause trouble, but, I promise, we didn’t.’

‘I know, and don’t worry. Kai hates his mother for selling him to the slavers when he was six. Any mention of the word ‘mother’ messes with his head.’

‘She wasn’t his mother!’ Ellanor clasped her hands around Kiera’s. ‘Believe me.’

Kiera wanted to, she couldn’t wait for Sabe to return to speak with him. This was proving too much of a coincidence, and even if Kai didn’t believe it; she was starting to think there was something in the story.

Kai and Eloise removed their blindfolds, taking a few moments to adjust to the light. They were immediately confronted with an ornately decorated archway carved into the rock face which guarded the entrance to the temple, eyes wide and jaws slack, all they could do was stare. Teila smiled at their reactions.

‘Magnificent isn’t it? My apologies for the blindfolds, but the path to our temple must remain secret.’

Eloise couldn’t believe how much detail was in the stonework.

‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’

Brisk clapping of hands captured everyone’s attention.

‘Quickly now, follow me. We’re already running late.’

Brushing past Eloise and the others, Teila entered the archway. Careful of their footing as they followed Teila in single file, the dim lighting hindered their pace.

Arriving in a chamber, three narrow passages appeared ahead and two robed women greeted them. Teila pointed to the left first.

‘Kai and his attendant will go that way.’

Nodding and holding out her hands one of the women approached Kai and led him away. Glancing back, Kai smiled at Eloise as she followed the other woman, with Nissa, under instruction from Teila.

Ushered into a smaller chamber, Eloise and Nissa could barely move in the dimly lit room. Handed a robe and a pair of sandals, her instructions from the robed woman were clear.

Remove everything; she could only wear what she’d been given. Nissa helped her undress and untied her hair before dressing her in the robe; made from linen and wrapping over at the front, it tied to the side.

‘It’s not very fetching is it?’ Nissa pulled Eloise’s hair from underneath the robe and smoothed it.

Eloise looked down at herself. ‘I’ll be taking it off as soon as I get to the water so I don’t think it matters.’

The bath seemed a little extreme; Nissa nibbled her lower lip before continuing. ‘Are you going to look for that birthmark?’ She raised her brows. ‘See if that crazy woman was right?’

Eloise closed her eyes at the thought of seeing Kai naked. It was going to be difficult enough looking at him, let alone examining him for a birthmark.

‘I’m not sure she’s crazy Nissa.’ Whispering, ‘Did you notice her son?’

Nodding, Nissa grinned. ‘He’s a smaller version of Kai, maybe a little cuter, but the likeness is plain to see.’

Eloise remembered Teila’s comments about the demon possession; Sabe’s expression after she mentioned it was worrying.

Leaning against the cold stone with folded arms, Sabe watched Kai finish draping the cloth around his waist and tying it off before continuing his conversation. Silence from Kai forced Sabe to talk to himself, something he did often.

‘You have to admit it Kai, it’s too much of a coincidence.’

Avoiding any further discussion, Kai pointed to the braids in his hair. ‘Unfasten the beads and don’t miss any.’ He scowled over his shoulder. ‘I don’t want a lecture from Teila.’

Chuckling and pushing away from the wall, Sabe started to remove the gold beads in Kai’s hair and any leather fastenings. Checking he’d not missed any he circled Kai. ‘All done.’

Taking a deep breath and sighing, Kai lowered his eyes to the floor ‘We’ll talk when we get home. Alright?’

‘No problem. It’s your last night of freedom and we should celebrate with plenty of wine.’

Sabe nudged Kai’s arm then knocked on the door to let the woman outside know they were ready. The woman, dressed in the same amethyst robes as Teila, directed her attention towards Kai. ‘Please follow me.’

About to follow, but stopped by a hand rising in front of him, Sabe frowned.

‘You must wait here. You’ll be taken back to the gardens and wait with the other attendant. It is forbidden for you to see the temple.’

Kai grinned at his disappointed sigh. ‘Don’t worry, you can see it when it’s your turn my friend.’

Sabe chuckled and watched Kai and the woman disappear down a narrow passage. Worried for his friend, he hoped Kai’s answers were enough to reassure Eloise he was a good man.

Eloise followed the robed woman from her chamber and said goodbye to Nissa whose worried expression made her stomach churn. He’d see her naked tomorrow after the wedding, so why did it matter what happened today? It still didn’t ease her worries. They reached the end of the tunnel, and pulling a large curtain to the side, the woman ushered Eloise through the archway.

Waiting and standing by the edge of the steaming water, Kai’s eyes turned to Eloise and his cock swelled with excitement. Her long chestnut hair was loose. Kai groaned when he saw the almost transparent gown flowing over her slender curves, the gown hinted what his eyes would gaze on, when finally naked. Dusky nipples hidden behind the soft fabric teased him, compelling his hands to cover himself; he wished the robe around his waist was a little heavier.

Teila stepped forward from the shadows and held two candles set in gold holders. She waited for Eloise to move closer then directed her towards Kai.

Slowly moving her gaze across his muscular chest, and seeing scarring and other marks on his copper skin, she frowned. When finally their eyes met, it sent a rush of heat between her legs and she blushed at the sensation. Kai’s lowered head caused his hair to fall around his face while he gazed down at her, her fingers itched touch it and run her fingers through the locks, she almost felt the soft strands sliding through her fingers, until Teila’s words broke the spell.

‘These candles represent truth from within, and by giving this to your future spouse, and taking this ceremony, you are committing to them in body, mind and soul. There will be no lies between a man and a woman as they join together.’

Teila stood to the side and held out a lit taper to Kai.

‘Take this, and light your candle.’

She held it in her hand and waited for Kai to bring the flame to the candle, once lit, she handed it to him. Directing Eloise to repeat what he’d done, Eloise and Kai stood facing one another, both holding their lit candles.

‘Do you willingly give yourselves over to the test of truth?’

Eloise nodded and quickly glancing to Teila smiled.

‘Yes.’

‘Yes.’ Kai confirmed.

‘Very well. We shall begin. Remove your robes and enter the pool.’ Turning, she placed the candles by the edge of the water.

‘Kai, you will enter first. You’ll find a ledge under the water line where you can sit and wait for Eloise.’

Feeling her cheeks flush, Eloise took a deep breath and fumbled with the cord on the side of the robe. Hesitating and trying to avoid Kai’s gaze, she didn’t want to undress.

Eloise watched Teila walk around the edge of the pool to the opposite side and sit in a chair, then noticed two other figures on either side of the pool, stood inside the shadows. At least she couldn’t see their faces and hoped their view was limited.

Kai saw the hesitation in Eloise and leaning forward, his soft voice made her smile.

‘I promise not to look.’

A quiet giggle escaped and catching his stare, Eloise took a deep breath.

‘I’m sorry, it’s just… I’ve never…’

‘Shh.’ Kai’s fingertip pressed to her lips. ‘I know.’

Stepping back, he began to untie the robe around his waist. ‘Slaves have no privacy. We’re always naked.’

Kai slackened the cord on the robe and it started fall away from his body. Watching Eloise and seeing her eyes lower, he turned his back towards her slowly as the fabric fell to the floor.

Grinning at hearing the gasp behind him, he entered the pool, following Teila’s instructions on where to sit.

The dim lighting didn’t hide the horror when Kai turned his back. Scars tarnished his bronzed skin with reddened welts across his back and shoulders. Eloise clasped her hands over her mouth to silence the gasps as she winced at the scars. Thinking about Kai’s words, not having any privacy, she couldn’t begin to imagine how much suffering he’d endured as a slave; and yet, he still preserved his dignity.

Before Kai lowered his body under the water, Eloise quickly released the cord on her side and undressed. Instantly shielding her body with her hands she entered the water. Watching Kai, she hurried towards him, and as he turned, she lowered her hips beneath the water. Despite the caressing warmth from the pool, she trembled. Still guarding her breasts with crossed arms against her body, Kai took hold of her hands. Resisting as he pulled her towards him, he smiled at her.

‘Eloise, I can’t bathe you if you don’t come closer.’

It was a struggle for her to relax and submit but Kai’s warming smile and tender gaze made her comply. Edging forward and feeling his skin against hers as his hands brushed her shoulders; she leaned close and braced her palms against his chest.

Kai lowered his hands down her arms and reached to her back, pulling her between his spread thighs, his eyes widened with excitement. Her soft hair brushed over his arm; he loved the feel of the silken locks over his skin and groaned. In a slow movement he dipped a cupped hand into the water then poured it over her shoulder to begin washing her. Smoothing the wet skin with gentle strokes, his touch was gentle.

‘I think you’re supposed to ask me a question.’

His eyelids were heavy as he watched his hand brush over her shoulder. Gentle fingertips moved across to her neck and brushed loose hair away as he wetted his hand once more before drizzling her with warm water.

Before she’d entered the chamber, Eloise knew what she wanted to ask, but now, her mind was blank. She stared and thought for a moment.

‘What did you think of me when you first saw me?’

Sucking in her lower lip, she waited. She still found it hard to believe the cave would discern a lie or truth and hoped Kai wouldn’t test it now.

‘You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.’

Their eyes locked and Eloise released her lip and smiled. At that moment the roof of the cave glowed softly, causing them both to look up and gasp.

‘It works!’

‘You doubted it?’ Teila’s calm voice echoed from the shadows.

They’d forgotten about their observers and Eloise suddenly stiffened, but Kai’s relaxing strokes of his hand sliding up her back from around her waist, soon eased her.

‘It’s your turn.’ Excited deep brown eyes watched him and waited for his question.

Leaning closer and scooping water into her cupped hand, Eloise doused Kai’s chest. Droplets squeezed between their bodies, and repeating the action, she began bathing him. Wet fingers lingered over the solid wall of muscle that was his chest; her eyes followed each bead of water when it rolled along his skin.

‘Are you afraid of me?’

Eloise felt his heart thump beneath his chest. ‘I was, but not anymore.’

Those last three words caused him to wrap loving arms around the soft, curving flesh of her back. A sudden flash of light breached the ceiling causing them to flinch. Tilting his head towards hers and resting his nose against her cheek, he groaned softly, spreading his thighs wider to close the empty space between them.

A shallow gasp escaped Eloise’s mouth. Feeling his hardness against her stomach, her body bowed against his. Naïve and innocent, she knew nothing of intimacy, but it didn’t stop her craving it.

Soft warm breaths skimmed over her skin as Kai’s breathing increased and Eloise sighed at the tingling sensation in her body. His eyes closed and he dreamed of a more intimate venue where they would be alone.

‘It’s my turn to ask.’ Eloise’s gentle voice woke him from the fantasy. Savoring the touch of her soft lips against his neck and reluctant to release her, Kai sighed.

‘I’m listening.’

Tracing her hand down his chest then over the hard muscles of his abdomen, her eyes slowly raised when her finger rested at his navel. Kai drew in a sharp breath when she circled around the dimple and lower. He knew what was in her thoughts and braced for the question.

‘Do you have three birthmarks?’ Her finger brushed over the area below his navel as she asked, ‘…here?’

Watching Kai’s flaring nostrils when he breathed in sharply confirmed what she suspected. He took a moment to reply, his eyes stared into hers with an intensity that made her heart race.

Kai’s reply was firm. ‘Yes.’

The cave brightened as fluorescent light raced across the roof. Parted lips gasped softly and Eloise smoothed her hand back up towards his chest and neck. Finally resting at his jawline she leaned closer.

‘Kai, don’t you think-’

‘It doesn’t make any difference.’

His casual words disappointed her, this woman was his mother, she was sure of it. Eloise felt Kai knew it too but in denial and couldn’t accept that after all these years, his birth mother was alive. The woman who’d abandoned her adopted child for a purse full of gold was greedy and inhuman. No mother would sell her child for profit, she was sure of that.

‘I think you’re wrong.’

Seeing Kai’s agitation at the conversation, Eloise traced her thumb up his body to his face. Reaching his mouth she brushed the soft pad of her thumb over his lips, then followed with her own. The soft growl deep in his chest brought a smile and she rested her forehead against his.