Maliuth: The Reborn (4 page)

“What about the newcomer?” The Elder looked at her and she felt as if she
was transparent. His eyes were looking into her and seeing everything. “Alea is
it? Come forward…here.” He pointed at the circle where Drace was dying.

“I do not think that is a good idea.” Maliuth went to stand before her
but was stopped by The Elder.

“I chose you for her.” His eyes bore into Maliuth, “I can un-choose just
as quickly. There is something I need to see, and if proven...” He let his
sentence hang unfinished.

Alea looked around at the panicked faces and wondered what The Elder
wanted from her. What could she possibly have done to warrant being pulled as a
mate from Maliuth?

“You cannot just—” Maliuth went to argue.

“Can I not First Prime? Do you want to test me?” The Elder held the key
to keeping Maliuth as a mate and she hurried to break up the building argument.

“What do you want me to do?” Alea made it to the circle and looked on
helplessly at the bleeding Drace.

“Heal that male.” The Elder pointed to the ground and Alea saw that Ori
was looking at her with despair.

“I don’t understand.” She knelt next to Drace. “He has lost a lot of
blood,” she would know since she was kneeling in it, “and needs a medical
doctor.”

“We have elders on Abondiel that have some talent with herbs and medicinals.”
The Elder stated over her objections, “There has not been a true
healer
in many hundreds of years. One
who can cure disease and stop wounds with a touch.” Alea thought back to the
wounds on Jerr’s arm. “From what Orihin had reported to me, you are such a healer.”

Alea was shocked, “I’m not. I don’t even know what that means.”

“Did you mark one of my Oracle, and then heal those wounds.” The Elder
was looking impatient and Alea didn’t want to anger him but she was confused.

“No.” She insisted. “At least I don’t think so.”

“There you see.” Maliuth tried to intervene. When she admitted that she
wasn’t sure she could tell that was the wrong thing to say. Maliuth looked
stunned and the gasps of alarm from his friend and family echoed around the
room.

“We are wasting time Alea.” The Elder moved surprisingly fast and gripped
her face in his hands. Standing over her menacingly he snapped, “You would not
want me to test your skills on someone closer to you.”

As a threat went this one held sway with her. He would chose to try to
harm Maliuth, and her mate would strike back. Funny that she was already
thinking of him as her mate. What kind of trouble would he be in for killing
the leader of the Oracle?

She couldn’t risk it. Leaning to touch the dying body of Drace, she
closed her eyes.

It was the same void as when she had died. She saw Drace standing
confused and approached him cautiously.

“Hello.” She tried to sound unthreatening. “Do you know who I am?”

“Alea. You were chosen to be with Maliuth.” He answered and turned away
from her, “I am waiting here, but I do not know what for.”

Laughing weakly Alea reassured him, “I know how you feel.”

“That is right, you were Reborn so have been here before.” He smiled and
she noticed how handsome he was. Perhaps not as handsome as Maliuth but very
good looking just the same. “What am I supposed to do?”

“You could come back with me to Abondiel...” She trailed off when he
shook his head.

“I was a failure with my mate.” He looked so sad that it broke her heart.
“I have nothing to go back for. That is why I challenged Maliuth. I knew I
could not defeat him in a fight. It was a penance for my failure.”

“It was not your fault that your mate didn’t come through the shadow. I
don’t care what the Oracles say. It is a very frightening experience and is no
reflection on you.” Drace didn’t look convinced so Alea got to the crust of her
problem, “The Elder thinks I am a healer.” Alea blurted out her dilemma, “If
you don’t come back they will think I am not…which is probably a good thing but
I will have to live with your death on my hands.” She bit her lip, “If you do
come back, then they will know I am a healer. Which is the worse of those two
things?”

Drace looked at her, “If they think you are a healer they will isolate
you in the Oracle Temple. Maliuth will be denied mate status with you and you
will be separated. That would be the worst thing for both of you.” He looked
beyond her as if he had heard something, “I think it best that I move on.” He
returned his gaze to her. “My death is not at your hands, or Maliuth’s. I chose
to take this path.” Again, he looked beyond her and then smiled so happily it
hurt her to see it, “I am bound for a place where I can be with my mate. She is
there waiting for me. It seems I am to go through the shadows for her. Thank
you for trying Alea. Know that I am at peace. I have no family but tell my
friends that I am content.”

Alea watched as Drace moved into the mist and disappeared before her
eyes. With a racking breath, she returned to her body to find herself draped over
his body. He was gone. Tears filled her eyes and she hurried to clear them. He
was happy to be moving on and she was going to force herself to be happy for
him.

“He has passed.” Ori murmured from beside her. When she looked at Ori, he
gave her a sad look.

“That is a disappointment.” The Elder moved to leave the room, and then
turned to Ori. “Assign her quarters here in the temple. She can be tested
again.”

“No! I won’t go with you.” Alea jumped up and tried to run toward Maliuth
who had taken up his dagger again at The Elder’s words. It seems that his
friend and family members came armed. Every one of them had a wicked blade…or
two in their hands, including Sartya. What she hadn’t noticed was the swarm of
Oracles that The Elder had brought with him. They had taken up positions around
the room, and they were armed as well.

“Alea!” Maliuth’s anguished voice called out at the same time she was
surrounded by Oracles.

She threw herself against them, trying to break the blockade they made.
They were small, but strong for their size. She couldn’t make them move. When
she felt a hand on her arm, against her will, her blood began to boil. How dare
they try to keep her from Maliuth? She had survived the shadows to be with him.
Not locked in some temple, the weird pet of The Elder.

With a scream, the Oracle who had grabbed her jumped back. Alea turned to
see that it looked like he had been burned. The skin on his hand was
blistering.

“My hand…” He looked at her like she had grown horns.

“Stay away from me!” Alea whispered in shock and backed into another
Oracle. Reaching to steady herself, she grabbed his robes, and they started to
smoke, and then flame. With a scream from him and those around him, he started
slapping at his robes.

“That won’t put it out.” Alea was chasing him trying to get the robes
off. Everyone else had stilled and was watching the events unfolding.
“Stop…drop…and roll!” Alea yelled at the top of her lungs. Finally able to
catch up to the frantic Oracle she tackled him and they rolled around on the
ground. For some reason she couldn’t understand, the whole thing was entirely
funny to her. She started laughing. She could imagine the picture she made
running after the flaming robed Oracle. When she looked at the male lying under
her, she couldn’t help laughing some more. He was so petrified he looked to be
made of stone.

“I am not going to hurt you.” Alea sighed when she could control her
laughter. “Please don’t be afraid. I didn’t mean for you to come to harm. I
just want to help.” Taking her hands, she placed them on his shoulders to push
herself upright. The male gave a strange shudder and the burns on his body began
healing. The blisters faded, the old skin flaked away and fresh pink skin
remained. His amazed look went from her to his formerly burned skin then back
to her face.

“Thank you—”

“Please don’t thank me. It was my fault you were hurt.” Before she could
move to stand up, she felt hands under her armpits. She was about to panic
thinking it was The Elder or another Oracle when her “Maliuth” alarm went off.
He turned and lifted her at the same time so that she was held against his chest.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, tucked her face in and squeezed. She
wasn’t going to let go, no matter what The Elder had to say about it.

“Alea…are you okay?” his voice was gruff with worry. “Did you suffer any
damage?” She felt his hands running over her body, checking for injury. When
she just shook her head against his neck, he adjusted his hold so that one arm
was under her bottom, the other across her back. “Your dress is damaged, and I
want to check you for burns.”

She realized she could feel cool air on skin that should be covered, but
she just shook her head more adamantly against his neck. “I am not letting go.”
She mumbled her lips brushing against his skin. He must have felt the words as
much as heard them because a tremor went through the arms holding her. “I am
fine.” She assured him, her body was having its usual reaction to his nearness
and she was close to not caring that they had an audience. When she felt a
sticky substance on her hands, she gasped and pulled back.

“Your injuries are still bleeding.” Her voice echoed around the still
silent room. Everyone was like statues frozen in time. Where they had been
standing when the Oracle’s robes had started flaming is where they were still
standing. There seemed to be a theme in the look of shock on every face. She
didn’t care. Maliuth was hurt and that wouldn’t do at all. Squirming in his hold
to see the extent of his injuries, she tried to get him to put her down.

“I am not letting go either.” His voice had gone from worried to sexy
smooth. She had no doubt that he meant what he said. The determination in his
voice sent a thrill down her spine.

“Well then, I shall have to do my best without seeing where you are
damaged.” Taking his face in her hands, she pulled him to within a breath of
her lips. “I hope you kiss on this world.” Then she brushed her mouth across
his and willed that any wounds he had would heal. His eyes widened in surprise
and Alea used her teeth to nip along his full lower lip. When his eyes widened
even more, she gave a soft laugh. From his look of shock, she guessed they
didn’t kiss. Did Maliuth like it?

“You close your eyes.” Moving her hands to rest against his temples, she
used her thumbs to lightly brush his eyelids closed. “It is supposed to
heighten the sensation.” She whispered against his ear and then moved back to
his lips. Alea had always believed that kissing with your eyes closed was
better, but seeing Maliuth up close when kissing was wickedly sexy too. Keeping
her hands framed near his jaw she curled her fingers to tangle in the hair at
the back of his neck. She knew that her ears were very sensitive and she didn’t
want to play with his until they were more private. She had a feeling when
sexually aroused that the ears played a different role than any she had known
before. Therefore, she poured the passion she was feeling into kissing Maliuth
but avoided touching his ears.

“This is not for us to witness.” Alea vaguely heard Sartya say then the
sound of footsteps and doors closing reached her ears. She wanted to look to
see who had stayed, but she couldn’t’ seem to draw away from Maliuth. Which was
a good thing because it seemed he had gotten the hang of their mouths being
pressed together. To ramp up the kiss she playfully flicked out her tongue to
tease him. His arms spasmed and pulled her tightly against him. Her breasts
were heavy and aching from being rubbed against his bare skin. Her nipples were
hard buds and she wanted nothing more than to get this dress off and be alone
with Maliuth. Trying to hold her up he had moved both hands to her bottom. He
was kneading and rubbing against her and his mouth became feverish against
hers. She felt the familiar sting on her collarbone just like before.

“I am not sure what you are doing with your mouth…” The Elder’s voice was
a splash of cold water on her building desire for Maliuth. “but you must stop that
this instant. Orihin do something. Do not just stand there!” He yelled
frantically.

Alea heard Ori ask calmly, “What would you have us do?” Then she blocked
out all the bickering Oracles because she wasn’t about to stop. Instead, she
took the kiss to the next level. All playfulness was thrown aside. Her mouth
opened on Maliuth’s and he followed suit. Their tongues moved out to spar and
retreat, and then did the maneuver again. He was growling low in his throat,
and the sound sent pinpoints of thrills all over her body. Her heart was racing
in her chest and she thought it might burst. The pain in her collarbone had
moved to include her shoulder. Something told her not to break the kiss, so she
strained closer. Knowing she was as close as she could get while clothed, she
still tried to meld her body to his.

“I said stop!” Alea felt hands on her and then another scream and the
panicked voices of the Oracles washed over her. She ignored them all and kept
her hold on Maliuth. The pain in her shoulder was reaching a throbbing
crescendo. She would liken it to extreme physical desire and the cleft between
her leg took up the same throbbing tempo.

Without warning, it all crashed around her and she swallowed Maliuth’s
gasp at the same time her body started spasming. Her eyes met and held with his
warm brown ones. Something passed between them like an electric arc.

“We are bonded.” Maliuth was breathing heavy. His hands were gently
kneading her bottom instead of frantically. His lips were moving languorously
along her neck and shoulder. When he pulled back, she saw that her right collarbone
and shoulder had a shimmering, intricate tattoo that mirrored the one on his
left. They lines were not faint or fading this time, but solid and forever.

“I hate to break into your moment,” Alea jumped in Maliuth’s arms at
Ori’s soft words, “but may I request that you might heal Oracle Thiles…and The
Elder.” He added as an afterthought, though Alea sensed Ori wouldn’t mind if
she declined to help the latter.

She turned slightly to look behind her and saw that Oracle Thiles must
have been the male that had originally touched her in the circle. His hands
were crudely bandaged and he seemed to be in quite a bit of pain. The Elder
wasn’t showing any pain because he wasn’t conscious. He lay where the Oracles
had moved him after he had tried to stop her from kissing Maliuth. His arms up
to the elbow were blistered and raw.

Wiggling out of Maliuth’s arms Alea moved to help Oracle Thiles first.
She saw that he watched her with apprehension and she tried to reassure him, “I
will help the healing. I am sorry that you were harmed. Please don’t be
afraid.” Touching him lightly on the hands, she willed his skin to heal. When
the redness lessened and all she saw peeking out of his bandage was pink skin,
she stopped.

Walking to The Elder, she whispered, “I will heal him if I can.” She
looked at Ori and saw he had a small smile on his face. She wondered what he
had to be happy about. She figured he would think this day was an epic disaster.
For her it had been eye opening. Maliuth was smoking hot, kissed her like no
other male she had ever kissed and she now had a cool bonding tattoo. When The
Elder was healed to the best of her abilities, she looked up.

“You have done all you can for the Oracles.” Maliuth was at her side
gesturing for her to stand. “We need to be away before anything further can
happen.” Alea noticed he was eyeing Ori, and Ori inclined his head slightly.
She stood from her spot by The Elder and took Maliuth’s hand.

He hurried her out the door and they ran into his family and friend
waiting right outside. His mother, Sartya rushed over and gave them both hugs.

“Maliuth I am so happy for you.” She turned to Alea next. “Welcome to the
family my dear.”

“Yes.” Malendroch seemed uncomfortable. “Welcome to the family.” He
grabbed her up in a bear hug and she swore she heard her ribs crack when he
squeezed the breath out of her.

“I am sorry we don’t have time for introductions and ‘welcomes’. We need
to get Alea home.” Maliuth looked pointedly behind him.

“I will talk with father and explain what happened. I will see if there
is anything we can do. Getting a council meeting will be imperative.” He bowed
low to Maliuth and taking her hand kissed her gallantly. “You are a worthy mate
for my friend. I have never been to such an…
entertaining
Rebirth before.” With a mischievous wink, he turned to leave.

“Galan wait.” Maliuth called out and his friend stopped, “Do not do
anything that will jeopardize your family…and do not let your father either.”
He added with a snort of laughter.