Return of the Matka-Zem (The Sorain Chronicles) (28 page)

"
You sent me away because I was a rotten kid?" Tears burned her eyes at the thought. She did not know how to take this news. She knew she was spoiled, but erasing her life and placing her in isolation was a harsh punishment.

"
You needed to learn something that I and this place could not teach." Aeson gripped her shoulders when she started to turn away. "If I had let things continue as they were, you would have become lost in your Gift, just like your mother. I couldn't let that happen."

"
I still might get lost." She looked away from her father, not wanting to show her fear.

"
That depends on who you select as your mate, Valencia." The Regent placed her arm through his and turned so they could both peer over the city. "Still, I will tell you this: Liam is not the man for you." He gave her a tight smile, "Can you at least try to forgive me?"

She pulled away from him.
"I don't agree with your decision to send me away, Father. There had to be other options other than exile to handle a spoiled kid." She shook her head in frustration. "And from what I have seen so far, my absence caused more harm to this planet than good."

Valencia turned and looked into her father
's eyes and saw the beaten man before her. She realized he had sacrificed his own life for hers. With a heavy sigh, she slid her arm through his again and leaned her head against his arm. She realized her father loved her and had been desperate to keep her alive. "You did what you thought was best for me. You just listened to your heart." She smiled, then, letting him know all was forgiven. "So what man would you approve of?"

"
There's only one. His name was Thane and he was the Mlinzi who guarded you as a child. He was the only one brave enough to stand up to your antics and reprimand you on your ill choices without fear of reproach." Aeson's laughter was rich and deep. "Oh, you gave him such a time and you kept him on his toes but he managed to keep you under control. You two were constantly butting heads."

"
We still are." Valencia whispered so softly that her father did not hear. When her father spoke Thane's name, her heart squeezed in apprehension. She wanted the party to end, so she could find the Mlinzi before he did something dimwitted, and knightly. The sooner she left the faster she could stop his madness. Moreover, the sooner they would be together. The thought of Thane taking her in his arms to complete the Kleben made her quiver in anticipation. Her breath became short and her pulse rose at the thought of the Mlinzi's hands upon her.

"
Are you cold, my dear?" Aeson frowned. "Let's go back in."

"
No, you go. I will be there in a minute or two." She needed time to cool the flush on her cheeks before she returned to the public eye.

"
Don't be long, dear."

Aeson left her standing by the rail. As she stared at the twinkling lights above, she felt lost. It felt a lifetime ago that she had stared at the different star constellations from Earth after the Keeper
's death. Looking at the unfamiliar star system made her feel alone. The truth of her exile was hard to accept. There had to be a better reason than just being a spoiled child. There certainly had been unrest on Sora—and she was beginning to understand why. After she rescued Thane, she wanted to pay a visit to the different realms in an attempt to mend the rift between the races.

A shuffle of slippers behind her broke into her thoughts and she turn to see Liam lean against a column.

"What are you doing here? I thought this was my private terrace." Valencia questioned in a hard tone and received a sly smile from the intruder.

"
Oh, you see, Princess, I have connections." Liam drew closer and leaned against the railing.

"
Well, I'll just have to sever those connections." Valencia nodded her head politely and started to move away. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

"
But I don't excuse you, Princess." Liam shot an arm out to block her way. "Why don't you stay with me for a while? It would be nice to get to know each other before our Kleben."

"
How did you come to that conclusion?" Heat rose in her face and she glared at the arrogant man, and spat out her words in anger, "We are not having any Kleben together, Liam."

Pushing his arm away, she took a step towards the door. Liam swiftly grabbed her arm and brutally yanked her back against the railing before she had time to respond. Jarring pain raced through her spine as she gasped for air. Stars floated before her eyes as her legs briefly turned numb, threatening to collapse beneath her. Dazed from the blow, she tried to escape from his grasp, but Liam wrapped one arm around her waist and roughly pulled her against him.

"I am your chosen mate, Princess, and it's time we get to know each other better." Liam grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked her head backwards. Before he could plant his lips onto her mouth, Valencia quickly raised a hand and pushed her thumb into his eye. With a howl of pain, he loosened his hold.

"
Let go of me, you bastard!" Finding her escape, she viciously pushed him away and bolted for the door. Liam grabbed her wrist, jerking her to a hard stop. Pain coursed through her shoulder to the point of dislocation as he cruelly twisted her arm behind her back. As Liam pulled her close to his body, he pinned her against the railing. With her free hand, she attempted to claw at his eyes, however, he captured her wrist, rendering her helpless.

"
You are a little hellcat, Valencia." He effortlessly positioned his legs between her knees and pushed his pelvis against hers. When she felt his arousal begin to throb against her, she ceased her struggles and glared at him. "I'm going to enjoy taming you."

"
You are going to regret this," she hissed between clenched teeth.

"
All I have to do is give one push and you will be dead, Princess." Liam's evil grin made her shudder. He bent her backwards over the railing and hungrily gawked at her cleavage in her low-cut, sleeveless dress. "I was chosen to be the next Regent, so you'd better get used to being in my arms, Valencia. I plan to thoroughly enjoy taking your lovely body more than once, and I prefer a willing mate." Liam's eyes hungrily swept over her exposed flesh. "Although a little struggle brings spice to the bed too."

"
Stop!" She caught her breath as he lowered his head towards her bosom. Shivering in revulsion, she closed her eyes as his hot breath caressed her bare skin. The feel of his saliva on her breasts filled her mouth with bile.

Suddenly Liam
's head yanked backward from an unknown force. His eyes bulged, and he gurgled as his fingers clawed at the rope round his neck. Someone pulled him backwards and Valencia realized the rope was actually a braid of hair wrapped tightly around his throat. Alana yanked him further away from her and spun him around. She could not stop the tiny sob of relief upon seeing the Mlinzi and having her help in escaping this monster.

"
You heard my Lady," the female Mlinzi growled low in the Torpek's ear before pushing him towards the door. "Now leave her presence."

"
Mark my words, Princess, you are mine." Liam stumbled away, holding his neck. They watched him disappear through another door that lead away from the celebration.

"
Thank you, Alana." Valencia wrapped her arms around her quivering body. She was ashamed of herself. The Keeper would have beaten her to a pulp if she were still alive. "I can't believe how fast he pinned me. I feel like a fool."

"
Predators know how to easily capture the inexperienced." Alana gave her a gentle smile and handed her the red rag she kept on her belt to clean her weapons. "You learned a lesson tonight, Princess. Never let people you don't know get too close."

"
He's going to be watching me. We have to leave tonight." Dipping the tip of the rag into the tiny fountain, she washed his filth off her chest. She did not want to stay another night in Kota Emas. The thought of being trapped in the tower with Liam after her gave her the shivers. She wanted to put as much distance between herself and the city as she could.

"
All is ready, Princess. Return to the ball and try to leave early. Then get some rest. We will wake you when it's time to go." The Mlinzi took the cloth from her and strolled away. Valencia watched Alana blend into her surroundings until she disappeared from site.

***

"Valencia?"

Valencia woke to the sound of her name and caught her breath in surprise. She was lying naked beside Thane on an enormous pillow in a hazy room. His eyes, darkened by lust were an orange-yellow. The Mlinzi
's eyes widened as he looked upon her. His sleek, hard body pressed against hers. As he tucked one leg between her knees, he stroked his thigh against her. Desire stirred deep within her core as she wiggled her hips in rhythm with his leg. His hand rested on her flat belly while he stared deep into her eyes.

"
Thane, are you real?" With shaky fingers, she reached out to touch his firm chest and found him solid.

"
Valencia, you are here with me." Thane's voice held a hint of uncertainty.

She opened her mouth to reply, but he captured her lips in a possessive kiss. His firm mouth bruised her lips as he claimed ownership. She slid her arms around the Mlinzi
's bare shoulders and her skin tingled. As she caressed the rippling muscles under her fingers, Thane's kiss changed from dominance to passion. With a tint of urgency, his kiss was deeply sensual. His hand slid up her stomach gently to knead her soft bosom. A moan of pleasure escaped her lips and she arched her back as he twirled the tiny nub of one nipple between thumb and forefinger until it grew firm and swollen. She gasped in pleasure as Thane released her lips to suckle the sensitive bud. While he worshipped her breast with his tongue and teeth, she slid her hands over his back, reveling in the feeling of his taunt skin under her palms. The Mlinzi raised his head and gave her a slight smile. He took hold of her hand and guided it to his swollen shaft. He moaned with desire as he taught her how to please him. As his moans grew urgent, Valencia became bolder, no longer needing his guidance. She gasped with desire and gingerly spread her quivering limbs as his hand traveled to her thigh to rest between her legs. Thane returned to her mouth for another deep kiss before he peered into her eyes.

"
Are you my woman, Valencia?" His voice was deep, filled with passion and love. Her heart pounded with joy and she her lips trembled when she smiled. As his hand brought her to a height of passion, her hips rocked in rhythm with his fingers.

"
Yes, Thane, I am." Valencia's moans changed an octave as he brought her closer to the abyss. She felt him shift his weight as he covered her body with his. She liked the feel of his body against hers and ran her hands up his spine to hold him to her. A loud moan escaped her lips as he rubbed his thickened member against her aroused passage. With a lift of his hips, Thane plunged deep inside her with one firm thrust.

Valencia woke with a startle and bolted upright in bed. She frantically searched the room and realized it was just a dream. With a moan of agony, she plopped back onto the bed. She could have sworn she had been in Thane
's arms. Her body still felt the pleasure from his bold caresses and teasing mouth. Bringing her fingers to her lips, she found them bruised and a tint of blood touched her tongue.

"
Impossible." Trying to dismiss the torturous longing that pulsed through her body, Valencia flung the covers over her head. "It felt so real."

"
Valencia."

She heard her name called but this time it was Gabby
's mousy tone. "It is time to leave."

"
It's about time," she whispered as she hurried out of bed. She was already dressed in the traveling clothes of the Mlinzi, except for her shoes, and she quickly laced them on her feet. Gabby threw a heavy cloak over her shoulders.

"
Where's Donna?" she whispered as they quietly opened the bedroom door.

""
She'll be waiting for you at the gate." Gabby placed a timid hand on her arm and guided her to the balcony.

"
Where are we going? The elevator is in the outer room." She questioned their route, but did not stop their progress.

"
I don't know. They just said to bring you here." Gabby stopped in the center of the porch and waited. Within a few seconds, they heard the beating of wings.

Through the darkened sky, Valencia could barely make out the shapes of the approaching creatures. She pushed Gabby behind her, not sure what to expect. Two huge birdlike humanoids with gigantic wingspans landed a few feet away.

"They must be the Syel Mel," she whispered to Gabby before she gathered her courage and stepped forward to greet the new arrivals. As she drew near them, she was able to make out details of the race before her. Just as Thane had described them, the Apria where half bird, half humanoid, with round heads and beaks for mouths. They had two arms with talons instead of hands and birdlike legs. The two that had landed were males. Their hairless torsos were bare, with expanded chest muscles to accommodate their wings. Their clothing was somewhat like shorts, and different-sized pouches dangled on belts around their waists.