24
(Silnaday - cont.)
Yezi Desert
Daybreak had come again. The food was eaten and the fire gone, but Soala did not want to leave her spot next to Vonjy.
“You really need to get some sleep,” Vonjy finally said. “We’ve both been sleeping barely a couple of hours each. It’s not enough to keep us healthy.” He was also desperate to put some more space between them again. What was building in his heart and body was driving him crazy. It was also enough to start a war between their two tribes.
“It’s hard for me to sleep,” she excused, but he could feel that it was just that – an excuse. His body was responding to her already. “I like talking to you better.” She kissed his cheek.
That tiny gesture made him want to carry her back to his tribe as his personal victory. His people happy that he’d finally carried out his duty, securing his bride, willing or not. Maybe he finally understood why it was considered a good thing to his tribe. But he would never do that. He would respect her – and that included not getting her killed by his angry father.
“We must both try to sleep,” Vonjy insisted, standing and going into the shelter. He sat on his sand bed, now lined with softer brush.
Soala came in and lay back on her bed, but the look in her eyes was one of longing… longing for him. He swallowed hard, trying to figure out how they could stay alive afterwards.
“I’ve never wanted someone the way I want you,” she said.
“But our fathers … our tribes…,” he said.
“Maybe it’s time to change things – starting with us,” she said. “My father wanted me to think tactically – I can’t think of a better way to bring peace to our two tribes, can you?”
“If we survive to tell the tale,” he said pushing sand next to her bed, to make it larger. His body was now burning with desire – desire that was met with that of this young woman. That knowledge was so sweet – so sweet to know that this young woman wanted him that much, even risking her life to be with him.
The sand bed large enough for the two of them, he lay next to her at first, kissing her possessively, delighted that her kisses met and matched his. His own desperation rising as Soala disrobed, he tore off his war apron and loincloth, then merged with her. “I guess we’ll find out,” he breathed satisfying the longing of two hearts, two bodies intertwined together, ignoring the politics that divided them as much as the border beneath their shelter.
A few minutes later, both succumbed to exhaustion, sleeping soundly in the arms of the other.
♥
Joton, Kri’enden – The Freebooter Casino Bridge
“Seriously?” Gaetan asked as Fashi handed him another packet. “Why are you on my side?”
“Honestly, it’s none of your business. Except that I like you, Gaetan. You’re my type of scum,” Fashi replied. “When you defeat her, I know she will still try to deny you your prize. A couple of drops of petal bed liquid in her nightbrew or whatever she drinks and she will not be able to resist you, though she will have perfect memory of it in the morning. If that doesn’t work, a couple drops of yezibi serum will also work, without the perfect memory. I promise you, if you manage this, you will be Kri’enden #1 without having another shaze fight.”
Gaetan’s eyes sparkled covetously. “How do I win?”
“Double the booster this next time. Make sure you study some more moves between now and then though. Maybe even get Cruro to give you a lesson. You need to surprise her if you have any chance.”
♥
Yezi Desert
Soala heard the noise outside the shelter and pulled Vonjy’s cloak over the both of their naked bodies just as her father burst in. “Father!” she cried out.
“My daughter is alive!” he cried at first. Then he realized the full situation. “Who is this man?”
“I am Vonjy,” he answered for himself. “I am...”
“I know who you are now – or more particularly, who your father is. Soala! Of all the men you could have chosen, you chose the son of our enemy!”
Soala sat, holding the cloak over her. “Father, it was the very act of trying to retaliate that brought us together. You threw us together! I could not have survived this desert without him. It is time to stop the fighting between our tribes.”
“I hope your plan works,” the chieftain replied, shaking his head. “Otherwise, your lives may be very short indeed. Once Vonjy’s father and elders arrive, you may see a miracle or you may suffer the worst tragedy. I do not know which one you will see.” The man pulled at his thinning hair with frustration.
“Please, Father. We are both very hungry. Can’t he stay with us until we can get word to his father?” Soala begged.
“I may live to regret it, but yes,” Chief Andac said. “I am so happy to see you again.”
“Would you give us a few moments to dress then?” Soala asked.
“Of course,” her father said, retreating hastily.
Soala and Vonjy quickly put their clothing on and left the shelter.
“You have scarcely more clothing on now!” Chief Andac exclaimed looking at Vonjy in his loincloth, war apron and cloak.
Vonjy shrugged with a grin. “I wasn’t planning on spending the night in the desert! I presume you have more appropriate attire in your canyon?”
“Yes, Vonjy,” Chief Andac replied evenly. “I may have to prevent my warriors from running after you until then.”
Vonjy laughed at the thought. Then he collapsed the shelter and returned it to the pouch from which it came.
“That’s amazing!” Chief Andac said looking more closely at the shelter which Vonjy now held in his hand. “Our tribe could use something like this… even though we don’t normally encounter sandstorms like the one we faced the other day. Let’s get going, I think you two need some food – and I know I haven’t been able to eat since the storm!”
Soala and Vonjy sat together in the hoverbil, Chief Andac sitting in front of them next to the driver.
“Vonjy thought you’d kill us,” Soala said.
“I’m sure his father would have,” her father replied. “I, on the other hand, see the benefit of sheltering even my enemy’s son if he wishes to live peacefully with us. I believe each of us are free to choose our own destiny.”
“Except when you’re the eldest daughter of the chieftain,” Vonjy retorted dryly.
“Ah, yes!” Chief Andac said with a chuckle. “No, it always remained Soala’s choice. Now, whether the people were willing to accept a leader without a husband or children, that was another thing entirely. But she was still free to choose her own way. Not like the way your tribe treats women, Vonjy.”
“I did not treat Soala like that,” Vonjy defended.
“Would you have had you been within walking of your home?” Chief Andac asked challengingly.
“I’d like to think I would still have treated her honorably. My father had issues with the fact I had yet to steal a bride. He said I was showing myself to be a weak leader and unlikely to be followed in my tribe.”
“Perhaps that attitude is the reason why the Yeziling feel they must steal their brides. What bride would be willing to live with that attitude?” Soala asked trying to calm the air a little.
“You have a wise daughter,” Vonjy said to the chieftain.
“Yes,” Chief Andac agreed with a smile. “Perhaps you are not so bad yourself, Son.”
“He has accepted you!” Soala whispered excitedly to Vonjy who turned and kissed her.
“You might not be aware of the fact that the Chief Councilors and the A’mara of both our countries have come to be involved in trying to end the little skirmishes between the Zley and the Yeziling. They fear that we could be about to start a full-scale war between our countries,” Chief Andac said seriously to Vonjy.
“My father has always maintained that it was just a little border dispute between our two tribes,” Vonjy said. “I wasn’t aware of further implications.”
“Neither was I until the other day. Apparently, there has been a lot of money exchanged over us – like two caballus in a race,” Chief Andac replied. “We must realize that we are only two tribes within large countries who choose to allow us to live autonomously.”
“Surely, Yez would never allow us to become extinct!” Vonjy replied.
“Or Zley, our Queen Dabbler,” Chief Andac replied with a knowing nod. “We believed the same. She looks after us, we are certain, but only if we do not harm others. As such, we will never conduct another raid against the Yeziling, even if they continue to steal our livestock.”
“The Zley need warriors along the border,” Vonjy said as they flew along. “Maybe some small outpost to defend your livestock and workers. Your people need better defense.”
“It is something we must consider together – once this whole thing has died down, anyway. I imagine once your father gets word of you two, he will be out for the blood of us all!”
Vonjy nodded with a grim look on his face.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
|
Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them! |
|
Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series. |
|
Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy. |
|
Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
|
Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, the Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Head of the Neví... |
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
