Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

V era smiled up at Grabon as they made their way back to the village the next morning. It was still early, the sun barely touching the top of the canopy and the jungle awakened around them as they walked. The trill of bird song filled the air and flowers began to open, seeking the warmth of the sun. She felt as if she were blossoming too, as if the previous night had awoken a part of her she hadn't even known existed.

A part of me that loves sex, she thought a little ruefully. He'd taken her twice more during the night and she'd responded just as eagerly, but she could definitely feel the effects in her sore muscles and the slight ache between her legs.

But it wasn't just sex with Grabon - it was a connection. A soul deep awareness that they belonged together. She was sure he felt it too. It wasn't just that he had called her his mate - there was a subtle shift in the way he treated her. He was no longer the gruff, commanding warrior but something different, something softer, something that made her feel precious and protected.

The implications terrified and thrilled her in equal measure and her fingers tightened around his, seeking reassurance. He squeezed back, his big hand warm and gentle, and her breath caught, overwhelmed by a rush of emotion. She wanted to tell him how she felt, to put into words the tangle of feelings in her heart, but the words stuck in her throat.

Instead, she leaned into him as they walked, savoring the warmth of his body and the safety she felt in his presence.

She glanced up again and saw a faint smile on his lips.

"What are you thinking about?"

He gave her a sideways glance.

"You," he said simply, and her foolish heart skipped a beat. "What you're thinking. What you're feeling."

"I'm not sure you want to know."

He paused for a moment, looking down at her, those beautiful emerald eyes gleaming in the early morning light.

"I want to know everything about you, Vera. Every thought, every feeling, every secret dream. I want to know it all."

His low voice sent a shiver through her and she tightened her grip on his hand.

"Are you going to tell me all your secrets too?"

She was half teasing, but he tensed. Instead of responding immediately, he started walking again and she gave him a puzzled look. Did he have something to hide?

A horrible thought suddenly occurred to her and this time she pulled him to a halt, her stomach churning.

"You … you're not involved, mated to anyone else are you?"

He looked so genuinely appalled that the nervous knot in her stomach dissipated.

"Of course not. I … I have only been with one other female. It was many years ago and it was a mistake."

The underlying note of hurt beneath the bitterness in his voice made her heart ache for him.

"Why?"

He looked down at the ground, swinging their joined hands between them.

"On Dhalgroll, It is forbidden to have sex with a female who is not your mate." Her breath caught at the implication of his words but he kept going, still staring down at the ground. "There was a female who lived on the next island - pretty, curious. I knew she was not my mate but I gave in to her persuasions. No, that is not entirely fair. She may have instigated our encounter but I did not refuse her."

"What happened?" she asked softly.

"We were caught. I took the blame and the island council exiled me. Ordered that I leave the planet."

She gave a horrified gasp.

"No one tried to stop them? What about your family?"

He shrugged but his attempt to appear casual didn't fool her.

"The only family I had was my grandfather, and he was too appalled by my lack of honor to object. I never saw him again."

"I'm so sorry."

He finally looked at her, his mouth twisting.

"You said you wanted to know all my secrets."

"And now I do?"

Once again she was teasing, but he sighed.

"No, there is something else -"

Before he could continue, there was a disturbance up ahead. He immediately stepped in front of her, his hand on his weapon, then relaxed when Maeve and a small group of Elvar fluttered towards them.

"There you are," Maeve said, smiling. "We were worried when you didn't return."

"I, umm, hurt my ankle," she explained, the heat rising to her cheeks. "So we decided to stay up there overnight and give it a chance to recover."

In truth, she hadn't even thought of it until that moment but she wasn't about to announce what had really happened, no matter how open the Elvar were about sexuality. Maeve looked from her to Grabon and a knowing smile curved her lips, but to Vera's relief, she didn't challenge her story.

"I'm just glad you're safe," the other female said calmly.

"We are, for now, but we have a lot to tell you."

"In that case we should return to the village and gather the Elders."

Maeve swept her along in front of her as Grabon lingered to speak to one of the males. He gave her a quick smile, but she still found herself wondering what he's been about to tell her. The question was forgotten as they returned to the village and gathered in the village hall.

Her voice trembled slightly as she described their encounter with the Farlain guards to the Elders.

"Grabon managed to … eliminate them, but sooner or later they will be missed and there may be reprisals."

Fear flickered across the Elvar's delicate features, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

"Where are the bodies?" Maeve asked calmly.

"In the jungle, for now." Grabon smiled at her. "But I intend to dispose of them in the sea so they will be harder to trace."

Maeve nodded approvingly.

"Good. But I agree that we will need to prepare. We must advise the other villages as well. While we are closest to the stronghold and the most logical target, that doesn't mean they will confine their anger to us if they believe we are behind the disappearance of the guards."

The other Elvar nodded solemnly, then rose to begin their preparations, leaving them alone with Maeve.

"There's something else," Vera said quietly. "We found ruins, high in the hills, and a chamber with inscriptions that could match the prophecy."

She expected Maeve to be as surprised and excited as she had been, but the other female only nodded calmly.

"Ah. So that's where you were."

"You knew about them?"

"Knew about the Sacred Valley? Of course." Maeve sighed. "Although I have never been there - it is forbidden."

"I - we - didn't know," she said anxiously.

Maeve smiled at her.

"Forbidden to the Elvar. You have done nothing wrong."

"Why is it forbidden?" Grabon asked, frowning.

"Our ancestors predicted many things, but our people discovered that the knowledge of the future, or perhaps more accurately, the knowledge of a possible future, was frequently more harmful than helpful. On the whole I agree, although I would still love to see the Valley for myself."

"But you know about the prophecy," she protested.

"Once knowledge has been released into the world, it is not always possible to call it back." Maeve rose, stroking a quick, affectionate hand over her red tendrils escaping her braid. "I am glad that it brought you to us."

The other female left before she could think of a response and she gave Grabon a helpless look.

"She seemed … less excited by the prophecy than I anticipated."

He shrugged.

"It's hard to say. As she says, prophecies are rarely useful things. It's difficult to tell whether it is a genuine glimpse into the future or merely a warning of possible danger."

He was right, but his pragmatic observation left a sour taste in her mouth. She'd hoped the Elvar would be more pleased to learn that the prophecy might be true.

"I don't know why that bothers me so much," she admitted. "I didn't even believe in the damn thing until I saw the ruins and the markings."

He smiled down at her disappointed face.

"But you want to save them."

"I want to help if I can."

He gave her a quick hug, then glanced towards the door.

"I need to move those bodies, then help with the preparations. Will you be all right?"

"Of course. I'm going to assist as well." She hesitated, sure that she was blushing again. "But tonight, will you come to me?"

"Where else would I go? I am yours, Vera. Body and soul."

He leaned down and brushed a quick, possessive kiss over her lips before striding away. She stood there, frozen for a long moment, before hurrying out into the village.

He was hers. Not just a mate, but hers.

But would she be able to keep him?

She turned and took one last look at the village hall as she headed off in the opposite direction, her throat suddenly tight.

Because, no matter what the prophecy said, she was terrified of losing the first male she had ever loved.