Roswell Fanatics

Ack! I'm soooo sorry guys! I had the part all ready to go yesterday, but I got home from work with a major migraine and just went to bed. Then today, I almost forgot to post it and just now remembered that I hadn't done it yet! I'm a bad, bad author! Hope you all will forgive me .

And for those of you speculating about Amy knowing anything, I just wanted to make it clear that when Jeff was dying, he told Liz to go to Amy and get revenge on the Mayor and the gang who had been terrorizing the town. As far as everyone was concerned, Jeff was human. Liz only suspected he wasn't when the changes started occurring after Zan had inadvertedly set them off. Remember, the two worlds are seperate. There are enemies in both worlds. Pierce knows nothing of Zan's world. In fact, I think the only human that knows of that world at this point is Maria since Liz is no longer human, LOL. Hope that clears things up.

pandas- thanks

L.- Oh yeah, and they heat up more here . The enemy will be revealed soon... Aw, thanks.

Laira- Good observation! The pregnancy will be a, um, scene stealer occasionally .

Rhonda- Thanks for your condolences. Yes, poor Maria here too... . You've got good observations too!

roswell- Here's your answer

tequa- LOL, well when you put it that way... Hmmm.....

spray- Yeah, that prologue is getting closer, isn't it ? Thank you.

candy- Good observations too! Well, we'll see about the scouts...

cowgurl- here's the answer

Izzy- That's okay. And I agree, I've seen what antidepressants and the like have done to several family members. However, I planned on taking Amy in another direction as you will start to see here...

maya- thanks

cocogurl- we'll see

M in Y- Wow! Another one with good observations! LOL, we'll find out about the enemy soon. It could . Aw, thanks.


Okay, so please don't hurl rotten tomatoes!


Part 30

“I don’t know what else to say to her. I’ve tried everything. She won’t come here, but she wants me to spend the night with her all the time.” muttered Rath as he continued to pace just behind Zan, who was watching his wife practicing her telekinesis powers.

It had been nearly seven weeks since William’s funeral and Maria’s graduation which she ended up not going to after all. Both she and Amy were still trying to recuperate from everything, so Maria had opted not to attend the ceremony. Amy hadn’t complained since Maria had called and arranged for the diploma to be mailed to her.

Much to Rath’s irritation, nothing he could do could convince Maria to go with him to his world like she had said she would once school was over. Even when Liz had made the suggestion that they should tell Amy the truth, Maria had said no. Maria didn’t think Amy was stable enough to handle the truth, especially since she’d had a hard time believing it herself. Besides that, Amy had suddenly thrown herself into the crusade against the Mayor and the gang with renewed vigor.

It had been the only thing that seemed to keep Amy going. She was determined to make all of them pay for William’s death despite the fact that William’s killer was already dead. Amy was taking her pain and loneliness out on the others who were associated with Billy. She was working so hard with the lawyers and other members of her group to gather enough evidence to put the Mayor and his lackeys away for good.

In fact, Amy was constantly working on that case that Maria never seemed to see her mother at home any more and if she did see her, she was usually dead asleep from exhaustion. When Maria told Rath of how hard her mother was working herself into exhaustion, he’d told her at least she wasn’t taking pills to get to sleep any more. Still, Maria felt Amy had just traded one unhealthy habit for another.

It was because of her mother’s new fanatical behavior that Maria didn’t want to tell her the truth or leave her all alone. As the weeks had flown by, she and Rath had constantly gone round and round about that. Even Liz and Zan had tried discussing things with Maria, trying to find a solution to the problems.

Unfortunately, they were at a stalemate. Maria wouldn’t leave Amy and she wouldn’t tell Amy the truth. All Rath could continue doing was visiting Maria when Amy wasn’t around to know it and often staying the night since Maria now locked her bedroom door and Amy was always too exhausted to check up on her anyway.

Everyone knew Rath would have volunteered to stay permanently with Maria, but there was no way he could leave his world with the threat of war looming over them, despite the fact that all the scouts had returned unharmed and there hadn’t been any more attacks.

Having successfully placed the three boulders on top of each other, balanced them, then put them back where she’d got them, Liz turned to Rath, “She’s torn Rath, torn between you and Amy. The two people she loves most and it’s not easy for her. I think she’s afraid that if she left, her mother would fall apart and Ria thinks it will be her fault if Amy does. So, she’s staying to be the support her mother needs. But she also needs you to support her. That’s why she wants you to stay with her. I know this may sound bad, but Ria needs you to replace the strength and energy she spends on Amy every day.”

Rath growled, “Which is why they should both come down here, we could all support the both of them here! They’d be protected.”

Liz sighed, “While that may be true Rath, we have to respect Maria’s decision. This is her life and her mother’s life we are talking about. Even I can’t make these decisions for either of them.”

Zan nodded his agreement, “Liz is right. Believe me, I know how you feel. Every time I had to leave Liz behind would drive me crazy. I’d constantly worry about her well being. Especially since I was the one to foil the gang’s last attempt on the girls and got to hear the things the leader said about Liz.”

Rath ran an impatient hand through his hair, “Yeah, but you didn’t have to wait that long for her to come to you, did you?”

Liz and Zan looked at each other for a moment, before Liz laid a reassuring hand on Rath’s arm, “Zan may have worried about me being up world for a while, but he knew I was coming. I’m sorry Rath, but Ria and I are different people. I came because I’m Zan’s ulhi’maos and we didn’t have a choice. Ria has that choice, she has the freedom I didn’t have.”

At Zan’s frown, she added, “It’s a freedom I willingly gave up because I didn’t think I really had any ties left up world. True, Ria and her parents were my second family, but I knew my place was with Zan. For Ria, Amy is the last true family she has and she doesn’t want to lose that. If any one of my family was still alive, I’d definitely have a very difficult time leaving them behind.”

Rath nodded, “I know, you’re right. I just wish there was more I could do.”

Liz nodded and looked up at her husband, “What if he went up to stay with them for a little while?” She turned to look at Rath, “You wouldn’t have to tell Amy that you aren’t human, but what if Ria introduced you to her and you stayed with them? Or you could stay in the barn and go spend every day with them if you think Amy won’t let you stay with them?”

Rath shook his head, “I can’t leave, Liz.”

Liz looked back at Zan, “It’s been quiet for weeks. The borders are well protected and the scouts didn’t find any evidence of a war brewing on the other side. Can’t we afford to let Rath spend some time up world?”

“I wish I could, leijha’mi, but we can’t afford to relax now.”

“He’s right,” Rath agreed, “just because all is quiet doesn’t mean we can relax and let our guard down. That may be exactly what the rebels want.”

“Well, we have ways of contacting you if things start happening.” replied Liz.

“What would it look like to our people if their second in command decided he wanted to disappear for a few days vacation when there is that threat of war? It may be a silent threat, but it’s still there, lurking in the back of everyone’s mind.” said Rath as he folded his arms over his chest.

Liz sighed, “Well, I tried. I’m sorry Rath, I wish I could come up with something better.”

He nodded, “Yeah, so do I. Well, I should go see if there’s any more news from the border.” He looked at Liz, “then I’m going to head up world. Got anything you want me to tell her?”

“Just that I miss her and hope she’s doing better. Tell her how sorry I am about not being able to go see her as often as I want to and that I love her.”

Rath grinned, “Maybe I should write this down?”

As Liz stuck out her tongue, Zan chuckled, “Oh and don’t forget to tell Ria that I miss her too and that I’m not mistreating her best friend and that Liz and the baby are both doing fine. Oh and tell her…”

“Okay, okay! I get the picture!” interrupted Rath as he too started to chuckle with his friends.

Liz nodded, “Good. Now go, you’ve already interrupted my lessons long enough.”

Rath’s eyes danced with mirth as he said, “Yes, your highness.”

Liz giggled as he took his leave. When he was gone, she turned to Zan, “So, what did you think of that last exercise?”

He raised an eyebrow, “It was good.”

“But?”

“Well, the boulders weren’t stacked up straight enough and the second one wasn’t put back in the exact same place…” he began, then stopped as Liz gaped at him.

“What?” he asked trying not to laugh at her expression.

“Are you serious?” she stared at him for a moment before she growled, “You’re not serious!”

As he laughed at her indignation, she playfully swatted his arm, “Ouch! What was that for?”

“Oh, it didn’t hurt, you big baby! Be serious! How was it?”

He beamed at her, “Perfect.”

She blushed, “Really?”

He nodded, “Yep. I couldn’t have done it better.”

She grinned, “Great! Okay, now that I’ve accomplished that, can we please move on to the training rooms?”

Zan sighed, “Liz…”

“Nuh uh, you can’t say no!”

“It’s too risky!”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Liz, you’re…”

“I know! I’m two months pregnant! Just two months! I can do this. Trust me, I won’t overdo it.” When he still stood there shaking his head, she continued, “Don’t you think it’s better that we do this now before I get too big to even move? I mean, once I have the baby, will I even have time to train? I’ll be too busy trying to balance my work and taking care of the baby.”

Zan was about to protest some more when Liz began to pout. It was something she rarely did. So, when she did, it rendered him helpless. With a sigh, he grudgingly relented and let her lead the way to the training rooms so he could teach her to use her new superhuman strength, reflexes, and agility to the best of her ability.

**********************************************************************

Rath frowned at the maps on the table as Kyle stood next to him, “They can’t be that good! How is it possible for none of our scouts to find any of them? Shouldn’t there be a sizable army by now?”

Kyle shrugged, “If that’s really what they are doing. It could be that these attacks were just someone random who wanted to place the blame on the rebels to throw us off.”

“We thought of that, it just seems too planned out to be a coincidence. These were strategic moves.”

“Okay then, that right there begs the question. If they were strategic moves, who is planning them? There has to be someone in charge.”

Rath nodded, “I agree. And if there is, what is the reason for attacking us? What do they want?”

Kyle sighed, “My guess is that they want our land. If they are attacking military personnel, then that tells me they are trying to break down our defenses. What better reason to break the defenses than to get to the core.”

“Well, our core would be the King and Queen.”

“True, but something tells me they are actually going for all of it, not just to get to the royals, but to take the land.”

“What makes you say that?” asked Rath.

“Just a gut instinct, I guess.”

Rath looked at Kyle for a moment, before turning back to the maps. Anyone else would have scoffed at Kyle’s gut instincts, but not Rath. He knew better. Kyle may only be second to Valenti’s position, but he’d grown up knowing this stuff. And Rath had grown up with Kyle.

He knew Kyle was a natural at tracking and putting pieces together. He was also gifted at reading signs that no one else seemed to see. Rath had spent way too much time in his friend’s presence not to trust his gut instincts.

**********************************************************************

Zan grinned as he raced Liz across the room, heading for the flag on the wall. It was a race to see if she could beat him to retrieve the flag which was also positioned high up on the wall where neither of them could simply reach up to get it.

He turned to see Liz trailing slightly, then turned back around before coming to a sudden halt as he nearly slammed into the wall. He heard Liz’s laughter as she breezed right past him, shattering the illusion.

He growled, that’s not fair!

Why not? You didn’t say I couldn’t use illusions. You just said I couldn’t use telekinesis.

No, I said you couldn’t use your mind powers.

Zan, you said telekinesis, not mind powers. I heard you correctly.

He growled again as she vaulted into the air, reaching for the flag, then landing in a crouch next to the wall with the flag in her hand.

She was smiling as he came up to her shaking his head, “You are way too good at this.”

She laughed, “What? I was just improvising.”

He started chuckling at her innocent look, “Yeah, I agree with you there.”

His smile began to fade a split second after her laughter died. He’d just taken a deep breath to calm his racing heart only to get a good whiff of her scent. He watched the realization dawn in her eyes and saw the slight tremble she gave.

As she blinked, her eyes began shifting to orange. His smile came back instantly as he licked his lips.

Liz backed up into the wall with a soft growl. Gee, I can’t do anything can I? First Rath interrupts, now this.

“Mm hm. But this is a very good interruption. It puts you in bed, which is where I wanted you to be in the first place.” he replied as he dipped his head and nuzzled her cheek.

She let out a sigh as her body responded to his nearness. “Remind me to be angry with you for saying that later. Right now, I really want to be in bed with you too.” The moment she finished saying that, he fused his lips with hers.

When she parted her lips to allow him access, he slid his tongue inside. She moaned when his tongue caressed hers and slid her arms around his shoulders, leaning her weight against him.

Zan let out a groan as he felt Liz’s warmth pressing against him and moved slowly away. The whimper she gave tugged at his heart, but he didn’t want to get too carried away out in the public training room.

He took her hand in his and tugged gently, “Come on dimo agalo, let’s get to our room before this gets out of hand.”

She nodded and took off running at his side. Together, they raced across the grounds and over the river’s bridge into the castle. Both of them were using their unnatural speed to make it to the bedroom without being stopped by anyone. Since no one was looking for them, all they appeared to be were two blurs as they whizzed by those lucky enough to encounter them.

In seconds, they were in the privacy of their bedroom and shedding their clothes before pouncing on the bed. Once there, they slowed down again and came together for a gentle kiss. Without needing to speak to each other, they both knew they wanted to take this as slowly as possible.

Liz sighed into Zan’s mouth as he rolled them over and pressed his body against hers. She slid her hands down his back and lifted her hips to rub herself against him. He waited until she tilted her head back before he began to kiss and nibble his way down her skin.

She continued to let her hands wander all over his body as he continued to use his mouth to pleasure her. She gasped as he took a sensitized nipple into his mouth and teased it with his tongue and teeth.

Soon, she managed to roll them over so that it was her turn to tease his body. His fingers ran through her hair as she nipped and teased his collar bone, his nipples, and made her way down his chest. Then she slid up his body slowly and sank down onto him. As she began to ride him, he rolled them over again.

She wrapped her legs around his, then slid them higher to his hips. As he picked up the pace, she tightened her hold on his shoulders, bringing his chest flush with hers. Together they panted as their heart beats sped up and they pushed each other over the edge.

Liz’s body held his in a vise like grip as her scream mingled with his cry of her name. It was while they were locked together, sharing their climax that a warmth spread through the both of them. With the warmth came an awareness. A tiny flicker at the back of both their minds.

Liz closed her eyes in bliss and hugged her husband to her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she heard his awe laced voice in her mind, Atia hawi esi meon asou o‘syn?

**********************************************************************

Maria had just finished washing the dishes from the dinner she’d actually gotten to share with her mother when she heard the sound of breaking glass from the living room. She grabbed the dishtowel to dry her hands and made her way out of the kitchen just as Amy came rushing in.

Amy grabbed her daughter’s hand and began running for the back door, “Hurry. There’s not much ti…”

She was cut off as the back door banged open to reveal a smirking Sean. “Well, hello ladies.”

As one, the two women turned to run in the opposite direction only to find other gang members blocking their way.

“Aw, now, you two wouldn’t be trying to leave my pleasant company, now would you?” drawled Sean.

Amy turned to glare at him as she hissed, “Now why would we want to be entertained by slime?”

“Slime?” he asked with a mock look of hurt on his face. When she continued to glare at him, he tsked and said, “Amy, Amy, Amy. You should have known better than to try anything against my father. Didn’t the tragic passing of your best friend Nancy teach you anything?”

“How the hell do you know that?” yelled Amy.

Sean laughed, “What? Did you think your lawyers were the only ones who could dig up the dirt?”

“You bastards! Mark my words, you will all burn for this!”

As the others began to laugh, Sean narrowed his eyes at them, “No Amy, you are wrong. You and your friends will be the ones to burn.” He nodded to the four men behind the women. “Take them away.”

As they grabbed the protesting women, he gave the orders to the small group behind him, “Torch the place, make sure nothing is left standing.”

As Sean led the way out of the house, with the men dragging the two women between them, Amy’s voice could be heard loud and clear.

“You’ll never get away with this you hear me? You may take us away but the others will get justice. None of them will ever quit until every last one of you has paid!”

As her mother continued to yell and Sean and struggled with her captors, Maria did her own struggling and managed to twist her arm free long enough to grab the tooth necklace, pressing down hard.

Her captors grabbed her arms again and tossed her into the trunk of the car with her mother. The trunk closed as they heard Sean’s voice menacingly say, “How will your friends get justice if they are going to burn with you?”

**********************************************************************

Zan nuzzled Liz’s stomach and smiled. When her fingers slid through his hair, he lifted his head to gaze up at her. She caressed his cheek and sighed, “Well, my lord, we will have an heir.”

Zan nodded and slid up to lay beside her. Wrapping his arm around her body, he looked into her eyes, “Liz, I want you to know that it wouldn’t have mattered to me if it had been a girl.”

“I know.”

He kissed her lips, “All I wanted was to have a family with you. Even if we only had girls, I’d still love you.”

She laughed, “Girls, huh?” She turned on her side to face him with a serious look, “Don’t feel guilty about this Zan. This is our baby. Ours. No matter what it would have been, I would have loved it wholeheartedly because we created it. We were lucky that our first is going to be a boy.”

He sighed, “Idi agalo esu.”

She was just about to reply when Teether’s voice sounded in both of their minds, Zander, there’s trouble. Maria has activated our tooth.

Immediately both of them were out of the bed and scrambling for clothes.

Kourita, Teether. replied Zan before breaking the link with his tiger and linking with Rath.

Ra’thlan, where are you?

In my office, why? came Rath’s reply.

I need you to meet me at the manufactory building immediately. Teether just informed me that Maria activated the tooth.

I’m on my way, came the answer.

**********************************************************************

The three of them stood just outside the barn doors staring at the blackened, smoldering ruins of the house. Liz was the first one to react.

“Ria! Od’yia dimo! No!” Zan caught her before she could go running towards the barn.

“Shh, Liz. I don’t think she was in there when it went up.”

Rath nodded, “He’s right. She activated the tooth. If she had enough time to activate the tooth, then she must have had enough time to get out.”

He turned to Zan, “I’ll have a look.”

The two of them watched as he made his way around the ruins. After several long minutes, he spoke to them. There’s a lot of footprints around both the front and back doors. There’s a few that are distinctly smaller than all the others.

Those must be a female’s prints and hopefully they’re Maria’s, replied Zan. I have to go get Teether, Rath. He can track the tooth.

Fine, go get him, I’ll start searching.

No. If you say there are a lot of footprints, then it was a large group. Wait until I return with Teether. The three of us can fight them better.

Four, came Liz’s voice.

Zan turned to look at his wife, I don’t think so, Liz.

She’s my best friend. I am not going to sit by and do nothing.

Liz, growled Zan in warning.

Rath came running up to them, “There‘s no time to stand here arguing! Let’s go get Teether and hurry back. Maria’s life may be at stake!”

TBC... I know, I know, but I didn't know where else to end it or I'd be here all night!

new Wahani words
hawi - will
meon - name
asou - our
o'syn - son
kourita - thank you

tequa- Yep. Um, Amy might just be worse off...might...

Laira- I hope this is good enough for you .

roswell-

Rhonda- Tell Amy huh ?

spray- . And the horizon is getting C-L-O-S-E-R...

M in Y- That's all true, but.... . Awww, thanks .

L.- LOL.....here you go.

Vero- you'll see.

coco-



Okay people, hold on to your seats...

Warning: There are some vivid death scenes near the end of this part.



Part 31

Rath scowled as he followed the others. Teether was in the lead, stealthily leading them in the direction of the tooth. Behind Teether was Zan, holding Teether’s leash. Zan wore a scowl similar to Rath’s since his ulhi’maos had won the battle to come along with them.

Liz was oblivious to Zan’s mood as she kept her eyes and ears open for any sign of humans. Zan had tried his best to argue with her, trying to get her to stay behind in safety, but she had refused to back down. Rath was just about to lose it when Zan relented, but he’d insisted on bringing Valenti along to have someone else there to protect Liz.

Rath hadn’t cared who was going along so long as they hurried it up. He was getting anxious, thinking the longer they took to get things underway, the more probable it would be for something bad to happen to Maria. Finally, they were on the way with Liz at Zan’s side and Rath and Valenti taking up the rear.

Zan, Rath, Valenti, and Liz were constantly scanning the area as Teether led them from the barn through the park and across several acres of wild land. Thankfully, the entire area seemed deserted so that they didn’t run across any humans. Plus, the tall, undisturbed grasses and trees gave them plenty of shadows and places to hide.

It wasn’t long before Teether came to a stop in the tall grass and crouched down so low his belly touched the ground. His voice sounded in all of their heads, Maria is in there.

As one, they all looked straight ahead to where Teether was looking to see a huge round structure that was flooded with lights on the inside. As they crouched down with Teether, hiding themselves in the grass, it was Liz’s voice they all heard next.

That’s the Tallamud Stadium. Where most of the high school football games used to be held. She frowned, I didn’t think that place had electricity any more. Why would they have Maria there?

She is in there. repeated Teether.

Liz nodded, indicating that she believed him. They all sat silently for a few moments checking the stadium out before Rath spoke.

So, any idea where they would be holding her, Liz? And how would we get her out with the least amount of trouble?

I don’t think they’d be in the center of the stadium since it would be too open. They might have her in one of the locker rooms on the ground floor or in one of the boxes on the upper level.

No, came Teether’s reply, she feels like she’s still on the ground. I wouldn’t be able to feel her so well if she was off the ground.

Okay, then, it’s got to be one of the locker rooms.

How many locker rooms are there? asked Valenti.

Liz scrunched her face for a moment before replying, I think there are about four. Two for the teams and two extras.

Do you know where they are located? asked Rath.

I know where one of them is, but I’m not sure about the other three.

Well, let’s hope she’s in that one, said Zan.

Once more they all turned towards the stadium to study it again.

**********************************************************************

Maria paced back and forth near the door of the locker room they had thrown her in. As she reached the door, she stopped and banged on it again, “Hey! I know someone is out there! Where is my mother? I want to go where ever it is you took her too! You hear me! Where is my mother!” she yelled.

Still there was silence and she growled, kicking the door once more before resuming her pacing. She hoped Rath and the others were looking for her and didn’t give up when they found her house in ruins. She knew they’d burned it down. She had heard the flames even through the trunk of the car she had been in with Amy as they drove away.

Her mother had been banging on the trunk and spewing obscenities at the gang members all the way through the ride. When the car had finally stopped, she’d gone quiet and pulled Maria into her arms as if she could keep her protected that way.

When the trunk had been opened, several pairs of hands had grabbed them and yanked them out. The two of them had been dragged into the old stadium and just as they got inside the gates, the ones holding her mother, began to move away from Maria and her captors.

Immediately, both Maria and Amy began kicking, struggling, and cursing up a storm, trying to get back to each other. But the women were no match for all of the guys who had them. All Maria could do was struggle vainly as the others dragged her mom away.

Maria’s captors had then dragged her kicking and screaming down the long hall until they’d reached the locker room and tossed her in. She’d landed on her butt and tried to scramble up to the door, but they’d slammed it and locked it from the outside. She’d pounded and demanded that they put her with her mother, but there had never been an answer.

Now she simply paced and pounded every few times hoping someone would get tired of hearing her ruckus. She lifted her gaze and looked around the huge locker room once more frowning as she caught sight of the two narrow windows high on the opposite end of the room.

She knew she could squeeze out of them, but the problem was they were too high up the wall for her to reach. She’d already tried to push one of the benches in the room under them, but they still hadn’t been high enough for her to reach.

She’d tried jumping up, but her arms weren’t that strong and she couldn’t hold herself up with one arm long enough to really break the glass which seemed to be made out of some kind of really strong substance. Whatever it was made of also gave it a milky appearance, so there was no way she could see out, or anyone could see in.

Maria? She froze and began looking around the room for the voice she’d just heard. Maria, can you hear me?

“Liz? Is that you?” asked Maria as she whirled around trying to find her friend. “Where are you?”

Maria if you can hear me, it’s because I’m thinking to you. Think back at me so I can hear you.

Maria blinked at that. Think at her? What was she talking about? Suddenly, she remembered that one of the things they had told her that the Wahani could do was speak mind to mind. Her eyes went wide, but how did Liz do it?

She closed her eyes and focused as she thought, Liz? Is that really you?

Yes, it is chica. We are all here.

But, how are you doing this?

Zan and Teether are helping me with their strength. Now listen, we don’t have too much time. You need to tell me where they are holding you and your mom so we can get you.

I’m in the locker room, the home teams locker room. I don’t know where they took mom. As soon as we arrived, they separated us.

Do you know if you are being guarded?

I think so, but no one’s answered me since they tossed me in here.

Okay, hold tight, we’re going to figure out what to do and I’ll get back to you.

Liz! Is Rath okay?

Yes, he’s here and worried about you.

Tell him I’m fine, I’m just worried about mom. Liz, when they came for us, mom was yelling at them telling them that her friends would get justice and Sean told her how could they if they were going to burn too.

There was silence for a moment before Liz said, Okay, Maria. Let me tell the others this. Don’t worry, we’ll find your mom too, she’ll be okay.

Okay. Maria could feel the sudden silence in her mind and she knew Liz was gone. She swallowed and went back to pacing.

**********************************************************************

Liz leaned back against her husband as she opened her eyes and looked at the others who crowded around her. Taking a few breaths, she whispered, “She’s in the locker room. The one I know. But she doesn’t know where they took Amy. She mentioned that when they were captured her mother said her friends would retaliate. The leader of the gang told her they couldn’t do that if they were going to burn too.” She frowned as she looked up into Zan’s eyes. “What do you think he meant by that?”

Rath growled, but kept his voice low as he said, “Are they insane? Could they really be serious about burning all those people?”

Zan sighed before answering in a low voice, “I wouldn’t put it past them, but they could have just destroyed their homes too and rounded all of them up.”

Valenti nodded, “Yes. It makes sense as to why they would pick this place.”

Liz sat up straight as she realized what Valenti said was true. “He’s right! They rounded all of those people up and put them in the stadium! It’s going to be a massacre! Oh my God! They’re going to execute them all!”

As she started to scramble out of his arms, Zan grabbed her and pulled her back, “Liz! We can’t just go running in there!”

“They’re going to kill them! What if they already have?”

Teether, who had moved away from them to look at the stadium again, swung his head back in their direction. I don’t think they have. There are too many human scents to make me think it’s just a few gang members.

Liz frowned, “You don’t know for sure.”

I don’t smell burned flesh or blood for that matter. I believe they are all still alive.

That made Liz pause as she turned to look at the stadium again. Teether was right. If they had been burned, shouldn’t there be a stench or even a hint of smoke rising out of the middle of the stadium? She sighed and turned to look at the others, “So, what do we do?”

**********************************************************************

Ria, can you hear me? Maria stopped her pacing once more and closed her eyes.

Yeah, Liz, I’m here.

Good, now I’m going to need you to do something for us okay? When I give the word, you are going to have to make a lot of noise. Yell and bang on the door. We need you to cover the sounds of us getting in to you.

How are you going to get in?

The windows.

Maria’s eyes flew open as she turned to look at the windows. Can you guys fit through there?

I know I can and I think Valenti and Rath can also. We just need to get in so we can get you and let Teether and Zan in through the front.

Okay. Maria was a little leery at that plan.

Trust us Ria, we have a plan.

Okay, I trust you. She moved closer to the door waiting for Liz’s word to begin making noise.

**********************************************************************

Liz led Valenti and Rath through the high grass around to the side of the stadium until she reached the fence near the locker rooms. She waited until Valenti gave the clear signal before she backed up and leaped into the air, clearing the fence and landing silently on the other side.

As she straightened up and looked around, Rath and Valenti joined her. With a head motion, she silently led them to the windows of the locker room. With Valenti keeping watch, Rath went to his knees and Liz climbed onto his shoulders. When he straightened up and moved them to the wall, Liz stood until she was balanced on his shoulders and lifted a hand to the window.

As she watched her claws sharpen, she gave Maria the word, Now Ria.

Immediately, all of them could hear Maria’s voice as she began yelling and banging on the door to her prison.

Liz didn’t waste any time as she placed her claws against the glass and began to cut a hole into it. As soon as the circle was cut, Liz pushed it in and caught it before it hit the floor with her fast reflexes. Then, keeping the glass in one hand, she reached through with her other hand to open the window from the inside. As soon as she had pushed it down, she climbed inside and silently jumped to the ground.

As she made her way to Maria’s side, Valenti came through the window having been hoisted up by Rath. Rath then jumped up to catch hold of the window, lifted himself up and slid in with Valenti’s help.

As soon as Liz saw that they were in, she indicated to Maria to be silent. Maria stopped what she was doing and watched as Liz leaned close to the door and listened quietly. Then she pressed her nose to the crack of the door and took a deep breath.

Turning back to the two men, Liz nodded and held up two fingers. The men came up to them and Rath wrapped his arms around Maria, hugging her close. Maria returned the hug and was about to say something, but Rath placed a finger over her lips. Not yet, Ria. We need to take them by surprise.

Maria’s eyes went wide, You can talk to me too!

Yes, it’s a little difficult because you’re human, but I can. It helps that I have physical contact with you right now.

She smiled at that.

Rath looked up to where Valenti and Liz stood by the door and nodded to them before looking down at Maria. We are going to get the guards to open the door and come in, okay. I need you to stay back out of harms way and let us deal with them quickly so we can go let Zan and Teether in.

You brought the tiger! Maria’s voice squeaked in his head.

He grinned, Remember, he’s a li’ani, not a tiger like you are used to.

Right, right. she nodded, okay, I’ll go stand over there.

Rath nodded as she moved to the back of the room to stand behind some lockers. As soon as she was hidden, Liz turned to the door and began yelling and pounding on it while Rath and Valenti took up their places on either side of the door.

The three of them could hear the puzzled voices on the other side as the captors realized that the voice of the girl was different than before. Liz continued to create noise until she heard the latch click. Backing up, she lifted wide eyes at the guard who came in, oblivious to the two shadows against the wall.

“Hey? You’re not the girl we locked up in here!” he exclaimed just before he called out to the other guard to get in there.

Liz backed up some more, drawing the guard further in. She watched as Rath grabbed hold of the second guard, snapping his neck before he had a chance to say anything. Valenti, slipped out of the door to keep watch just as the first guard turned to see his partner slipping to the ground in a lifeless heap.

“What the hell!” he yelled as he began to lift his gun towards Rath. Behind him, Liz swiftly moved to his side, kicking the gun out of his hand before he had a chance to fire it. That was all the time Rath needed to finish the job as he grabbed hold of the stunned guard.

Liz quickly went to Maria’s hiding place and took her hand in hers. “Come on Ria, there’s no time to waste. We have to let Zan and Teether in so we can find your mother and get out of here.”

Maria could only nod as she continued to stare at Rath who was quickly searching the dead guards bodies. Liz led Maria to the door and whispered to her, “Remember, don’t make any noise and follow our lead okay?”

“Okay.”

Rath came up to them and wrapped an arm around Maria’s waist, “I’ve got her Liz, you follow Valenti. Maria and I will take up the rear.”

Liz nodded and walked out of the room. Valenti indicated that the coast was clear as Liz began to lead them through the hall towards the front entrance. Once they were close enough, Liz indicated where the entrance was and that there were a couple of guards there too.

Before they had gone in, they had surmised that the entrance would be guarded, but since the gang probably had all of the people rounded up, there was really not going to be anyone trying to get in. Besides, Liz was certain no one knew that the stadium was being used, since she too hadn’t thought so. She didn’t think the gang would have that many guards around the place since they weren’t expecting anyone. Of course, the gang would never have imagined that they’d be dealing with nonhumans.

As Liz moved to Maria’s side, Rath and Valenti quietly made their way to the entrance. The girls watched as first Valenti, then Rath slipped out of the gates and efficiently took care of the two guards out there. As they dragged the bodies into the gates and deposited them in one of the ticket booths, Teether and Zan quietly came through the gates.

Liz took Maria’s hand and led her to the others, then pointed in the direction of the center of the stadium. Teether began to move in that direction as the others fell in behind him. Zan held his leash with Liz at his side. Rath and Maria followed them and Valenti brought up the rear.

Teether suddenly came to a stop and Maria gasped when she heard his voice in her head just like everyone else did. There are many human scents in that direction. I can also hear many fast heartbeats as if they are terrified. Not all of the hearts beat that fast.

Liz nodded and turned to look at all of them, I was right, they are in the middle of the field then.

Rath stepped up to her as Maria looked on with a puzzled frown. He spoke to Liz, You wouldn’t happen to know where the light switch is would you?

Zan turned to look at Rath with a grin as Maria continued to frown. That’s brilliant Rath! Turn the lights off, the humans will never know what hit them!

Yes! We can get in, dismantle the gang, rescue the humans, and get out without anyone seeing us! agreed Valenti.

Maria kept looking from one face to another with a frown. She knew they had to be talking to one another, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying. Turning to look at Rath, she concentrated on him and said, What’s going on?

Rath squeezed her hand and replied, We’re discussing how we are going to rescue your mom. Do you know where the light switch is?

Light switch?

Yes, we want to turn off all of the lights in this place. Every one of them, so it’ll be so dark that the humans can’t see us.

How are you going to see them?

We are Wahani, we see perfectly in the dark.

Maria couldn’t help the faint shiver that went up her spine as those words went through her head. She swallowed before nodding, I know where the fuse boxes are that control all of the power in this stadium.

Rath grinned and turned to the others to relay the message to them. Ria knows where the fuse boxes are.

Good, came Zan’s reply. He turned to look at Liz as he said, Valenti, you go with Ria and Liz to protect them while they turn off the lights. Teether, Rath, and I will go towards the center of the stadium and attack as soon as the lights go off. As soon as we are done and we have Amy, we’ll give the word so you can turn the lights back on. We will be out of there before anyone sees us.

Liz frowned, I’m going with you.

No, leijha’mi, you should go with Ria.

She growled, I can help you fight them!

Zan growled right back, Liz, don’t make me pull rank!

She yanked her hand out of his and stomped towards Maria, Fine! Have it your way, Your Highness!

Zan looked at Liz for a few moments before he turned to look back at his men. Liz just folded her arms in front of her and refused to look at her husband. Maria turned a confused look on Liz as the others began to move away.

Rath hugged her to him as he said, Lead Liz and Valenti to the fuse boxes. As soon as you cut the lights, the rest of us will move in and handle the gang. When we get your mom and get out of there, we’ll give Liz the word for you to turn the lights back on so the humans can find their way out safely. Okay?

Okay. She hugged him back, please be careful!

I will Ria. I promise your mother will be safe too.

Maria stepped back and watched as Rath joined Zan and Teether making their way towards the stadium center.

Liz reached out and took Maria’s hand as she said, Lead the way, Ria.

Maria gave her a little smile as she began to walk through the hallway. The three of them kept to the nooks and crannies in the shadows as the inched along in silence. Stopping every so often when Maria knew they were at a huge intersection so that Valenti could make sure everything was clear before they went on.

Soon, they came up to a door that had the words ‘Caution: Only Certified Technicians Beyond This Point’ painted into it. Maria indicated that this was where the fuses were and tried the door only to find it locked. Valenti motioned for her to step back and Maria watched with wide eyes as his hand morphed into claws which he used to pick the lock with.

When the door was opened, the two girls went into the small room as Valenti kept a look out. Maria went straight to the row of fuse boxes on the wall and opened the first one. As she flipped the switch, she motioned for Liz to do the same with the others. One by one, the two girls flipped all of the switches.

Maria was halfway down the row when the room they were in went dark. A few seconds later, a dim yellow emergency light flickered on allowing her to finish the other switches. When they were done, Liz slid her arm into Maria’s and they went to stand near the wall to wait for Rath’s call.

**********************************************************************

Mayor Daniel Sean Pierce stood on the raised podium surveying the small group before him. Wearing a sadistic grin on his face, he turned to his son who stood next to him. “Well, done son. You managed to gather all of them here! Now we can take care of this problem once and for all. When this is over, no one will bother us ever again.”

Sean gave his father a proud smile. “Told you we could do it.”

“What about their children?” asked Daniel.

“The ones who are old enough are at the compound. The ones that are too young to know what’s going on have been left behind for others to find them, if they’re lucky.”

“Good, we’ll deal with the older kids when we are done here.” He turned back to look at the group and raised his voice. “Well now, it is good to see you all gathered here for the final part of my trial.”

“You’ll never get away with this!” came a shout from the group. “Just because you kill us doesn’t mean others won’t fight you!”

Daniel laughed, “Au contraire, my friend. You see, this group is the only problem I’ve had in these last few years. No one else has been fighting at all. So, you see, when I’m done with you, there will not be anyone left to fight me.”

The moment he finished saying that, the lights went off in the stadium.

As the whole place was suddenly plunged into darkness, Daniel heard his son exclaim, “What the hell!”

Daniel barked a command, “Send someone to the fuses now!”

He froze as a scream came from what he thought was the direction of the field entrance. “Don’t let them escape!” he yelled. “Kill every last one of them!”

**********************************************************************

None of the humans saw them coming. As soon as the place went dark, the Wahani struck. Zan had unchained Teether and the two of them had taken out the two guards at the field entrance. Rath had gone in and began making short work of the other gang members surrounding the small group.

As the screams of the gang began to reach their ears, the group huddled closer together in the darkness trying vainly to see what was going on. All they could hear were sounds of flesh hitting flesh, growls, cries of pain, and other unnamable sounds.

The gang members all ran in different directions groping in the dark. One by one, they came up against something they knew wasn’t one of the group. As pain ripped through their bodies, they knew it wasn’t even human. As they begged and screamed for their lives, their blood ran out of them. As they died, they were never able to see what had attacked them.

Up on the podium Daniel curled his hands into fists, he knew it was his men who were getting killed. He heard his son’s receding footsteps and knew he’d gone to join the fighting. He whirled around in the direction of those footsteps and shouted, “No! Sean, they’ll kill you!”

But Sean was already down the steps and groping in the dark for something to pummel.

Zan turned his head when he’d heard the Mayor’s voice. But it was the other man who caught his attention. As Zan narrowed his eyes, he watched Sean scramble down the steps and stick his hands out in front of him, trying to find someone, anyone. A low growl sounded in his throat as the man’s past words sounded in his mind. Dad said I could do whatever I wanted with the brunette, and I'll bet that fiery temper of hers serves her well in other areas too, if you know what I mean.

He watched as Sean made his way through the dark, heading towards the group huddled in the center. As he readied himself to attack, a streak came from nowhere and launched itself at Sean’s back. Sean went down screaming at the same time Zan let out a roar, “Liz!”

Liz dug her claws deeper into Sean’s back even as he hit the ground and tried to roll over, arms flailing. She ignored the roar from Zan and yanked her claws from the gang leader’s back. Sean screamed louder and tried to toss Liz off of him.

Zan reached them and pulled Liz off the man, turning a glare at her he hissed, “Atia oka esu nomthi esu isa oka-i? Idi tepi-sa esu meco ayme eth Ria!”

“Tosh mais dimos! Tosh kiono-sa eni‘afa dimo!”

“Idi oro! Idi hawi kiono on’hi a’fo esu!”

She growled, “Idi abo nasfi on‘hi!”

“Da’kata go‘malar! Esu isa nantios eth asou o‘syn!”

Liz turned to look at Sean as he began dragging himself away. “Tosh mais etno-i ayri!”

Zan roared once more before launching himself at Sean. He hit the man square in the back and sent him sprawling into the dirt. As Sean rolled over, Zan knelt on his chest and wrapped a claw around his neck. Sean grabbed his wrist as Zan began to puncture his throat with his claws.

Sean choked and gurgled as blood began to well out of his mouth. “Please,” he whispered.

Zan leaned down close and growled, eyes glowing red in the darkness. “Just so you know, this is justice for the Parker family you murdered all those years ago.” He slammed his fist into Sean’s chest, curling claws around the beating heart.

Sean’s eyes went wide as his mouth formed a silent scream. Zan leaned down and whispered into his ear, “And this is for thinking you could ever have my wife, the brunette.”

With that, he sat back and pulled his hand out of Sean’s chest bringing the still pumping organ as he did.

Liz stared in horror as she watched Zan kill Sean, then toss the heart to the ground. Turning her back to them, she bent over and began gagging.

Zan cleaned his hand off on the dead man’s shirt before straightening up and going over to his wife. Without another word, he slid his arm around her waist and began to lead her out of the stadium.

**********************************************************************

Rath surveyed the area, noticing that most of the gang members had already been disposed of. The ones that still lived were either too injured or fleeing for their lives. He saw Teether in the distance finishing off another one of the gang members. Looking towards the entrance, he frowned as he saw Zan escorting Liz out.

Turning towards the podium, he noticed the dead gang leader on the ground and the Mayor hiding behind the podium. He smirked as he launched himself into the air and landed quietly behind the man.

Crossing his arms over his chest he said, “So, thought you could hide behind that podium while your men died?”

Daniel let out a shriek and whirled around, eyes searching the dark. “Who are you? What do you want?”

Rath leaned down until he was so close Daniel could feel his breath on his cheek. “I’m the bogeyman.”

Daniel screamed and tried to scramble away, but Rath caught him and yanked him to his feet. “Nope, can’t let you do that, old man.”

“Please, I’ll give you anything you want!”

Rath laughed, “I’m not a human you can bribe, you fool!”

“Please, whatever you want!”

Rath turned to look at his son lying on the ground not to far away and made a face. He growled, “Just so you know, your gang leader is dead.”

Daniel’s eyes went wide, “My son! My son is dead!”

Rath’s eyes narrowed, “He was your son?”

“My son is the gang leader! He can’t be dead! He’s good at what he does!”

This time when Rath growled, it was far from a human sound. As Daniel whimpered in fear, Rath said, “Not when he faces one of us, he isn’t. Just like you.”

“Oh God! I beg you!”

“You were going to kill that group of innocents! You already had countless others killed, you don’t deserve to live!”

Daniel gave another cry and began to fling his fists wildly trying to connect with flesh. Rath simply turned Daniel around and grabbed his head, twisting sharply. With the snap, Daniel went still and Rath let go of the now lifeless body letting it fall to the ground.

Turning once more he glanced over the group of people and found Amy among the crowd. Launching himself off the podium, he landed among the group of people and made his way to her side. Leaning over, he spoke in a low voice.

“Are you Amy Deluca?” he asked.

“Who are you?” she countered.

“I’m here to rescue you. I know your daughter, Maria.”

Amy shook her head, “I don’t know who you are, but if you harmed her…”

“She sent me to get you.”

Amy began to scream, drawing the others to help her. “You’re lying! Help me! He claims he knows my daughter!”

Fists from every direction came at Rath. He hissed in exasperation and grabbed Amy’s arm, trying to drag her out of the crowd without harming any of the humans. As Amy continued to scream and struggle against him and the others continued to hit him, he sent out a cry for help.

Guys! I’m trying to get Amy out of the crowd! The humans think I’m trying to hurt her! I need help!

I’m on my way, came Valenti’s reply. Zan is with Liz and Ria.

In the next few seconds, Teether’s roar sounded through the stadium which made several of the women scream.

When someone shouted, “Oh God! That thing brushed against me!” Chaos ensued.

As Rath continued to hold on to Amy, he began maneuvering his way through the now dispersing crowd.

Teether ran silently through the humans from one place to another, let out another roar, then moved to another place and did it again. Effectively keeping the humans disoriented yet not allowing any of them to get hurt or hurt anyone else.

Rath caught sight of Valenti as he raced into the field and began maneuvering his way through the crowd towards Rath and Amy. Suddenly, he felt Amy collide with another body and turned in time to see her begin to fall to the ground.

Rath caught the unconscious woman just as Valenti caught the other human before he hit the ground.

“They knocked each other out!” muttered Valenti.

Rath growled, “Get him somewhere safe. I’ll get Amy to Ria. Hurry! We should leave soon.”

Valenti nodded, “Done.”

**********************************************************************

Maria turned as she heard panting coming from the doorway. Her eyes went wide as she realized Rath was carrying her mother in his arms. “Oh my God! What happened to my mom!” she yelled.

Rath shook his head, “She’s okay, Ria. She just ran into another man out there in the darkness. They hit so hard they knocked themselves out. They’re both okay.” He reiterated as Maria came over to him and began to fuss over Amy.

Zan lifted his head towards the door and nodded, “Valenti just gave the word. He and Teether will meet us at the front gate. Go now, I’ll turn the lights back on.”

Rath nodded, “Let’s go Ria, I’ve got your mom.”

**********************************************************************

All of the humans froze the moment the stadium was flooded with light. As they blinked in the brightness, they began to look around, taking in the scene. Members of the Hell’s Angels littered the place like so many rag dolls. Near the foot of the podium was the body of the leader, a hole in his chest and his heart lying a few feet from him. On the podium stand was the body of the Mayor, his neck at an odd angle.

But the one thing they noticed was that none of their group seemed to be harmed. As they began to take count of themselves, someone noticed one of the men propped up against the entrance wall. Upon checking, they knew he was unconscious, but unharmed. The only other thing they noticed before the night was over was that Maria and Amy had vanished without a trace.

**********************************************************************

“If you ever disobey my orders again, so help me I will lock you up!” hissed Zan.

Liz continued to sulk the entire way back to the castle. She’d remained quiet and pale, but allowed her husband to keep her tucked under his arm while he led her home. Teether walked silently on Liz’s other side, brushing up against her leg as they walked.

Rath had a worried Maria tucked under his arm as her eyes stayed trained on her mother who was now being carried by Valenti.

As the small group made their way through the city, Rath spoke up. “Let’s get the DeLucas to my father’s house. They can stay there while Amy recuperates. I’ll send for a healer to check her out.” He looked down at Maria and asked, “Is that okay?”

She nodded, “Yes, thank you.”

Zan looked at Rath as he spoke, “Liz, Teether, and I are going back to the castle right now. I’ll send the healer to you guys as soon as we get there. Just take them home. Valenti, go with Rath, I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Everyone nodded their agreement. As Zan, Liz, and Teether continued on the road towards the castle, the others veered off towards Rath’s home in silence. Despite the fact that they were all tired and a little hungry, they were all glad that no one had been hurt badly.

TBC...

new Wahani words
nomthi - think
oka-i - doing
tepi-sa - told
ayme - stay
tosh - he
dimos - mine
kiono-sa - killed
eni'afa - family
oro - know
kiono - kill
on'hi - him
a'fo - for
abo - can
nasfi - fight
nantios - pregnant
etno-i - getting
ayri - away

Surprise!

M in Y- LOL, you are very welcome! Your 'conterpoints' are on the dot !

spray- I think I left Kyle behind in his world . Hmm... .

Vero- Well, she did contribute to part of it, her claws were bloodied too. I think it was more seeing her husband in action that got to her.

Rhonda- . I'm gonna have to go back and see, but she's only supposed to be able to talk to him when she has physical contact .

Izzy- Thanks. You were talking to Michelle in Yonkers, right? Cause my name is Michelle too...LOL.

tequa- Yep...goodbye .

nibbles-I agree. Well...

cocogurl-

Laira- hint....33 !


Okay, this is a couples interlude (gee I seem to be doing that a lot lately, LOL.) It also shows a little of Amy and her adjustments.



Part 32

Amy smiled as she watched her daughter getting ready to meet Rath. Maria turned around and looked at her mother with a frown, “Are you sure you’re okay? I can stay here you know.”

Amy shook her head, “I’m fine, Ria. Really! You go and enjoy some time with Rath. I know you two haven’t really had a chance to see each other that much.”
Maria nodded, “You can come with us you know.”

Amy chuckled, “Honey, I think Rath wants some time with just you. All of you have been so concerned with me that you haven’t just had time to yourselves. Really, Maria, go out with Rath and have a good time. Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

Just as Maria was about to reply, a knock sounded on the bedroom door, “Ria, you ready?” came Rath’s voice.

Amy got up from the chair she’d been sitting on to open the door. Smiling up at Rath she said, “She’s ready.”

Rath walked in and saw Maria near the dressing table. He gave her a smile and kissed her cheek. “You look wonderful, li’ho.”

Maria gave him a shy smile as she slid her hand into his, “Thanks.”

He nodded and turned to look at Amy, “You sure you don’t want to come along?”

Amy rolled her eyes, “Really you two! I will be fine!” She held the door open wider, “Go and enjoy yourselves!”

They nodded and Rath led Maria out of the bedroom towards the front door. Amy followed them out and waved to them as they walked down the street. Once they were far away, she closed the door and went back inside.

She walked into the kitchen and began making herself a cup of cocoa. The day after they had brought her here, Rath and Valenti had returned to her world to gather up supplies that would help her and Maria feel at home. Amy knew they wouldn’t be able to bring back anything from her house since it had been burned to the ground, but they went to get things from a store.

Amy grinned as she thought of the two men going grocery shopping up world. While she and Maria had sat there in Rath’s home wondering if they’d pull it off, Valenti had taken the lead and taken Rath to the store to get the supplies on the huge list Amy and Maria had made. Turned out Valenti had been up world plenty of times as a young man, long before he had become Weapons Instructor.

She took her steaming mug of cocoa to the sitting room and made herself comfortable on the couch there. She covered her legs with a throw she’d placed on the back of the couch and sat back to enjoy her cocoa.

She began to reminisce about the past month and everything that she had learned.

After that night in the stadium, she had woken up in a strange bed, surrounded by her daughter and others she didn’t recognize. One of them turned out to be Rath, the other Valenti, and the last one was a healer. Maria had explained that healers were the doctors of this world.

Still she’d panicked again and tried to tell them to let her go. Maria had asked everyone to step out of the room so she could talk to her mother alone. When they were alone, Maria sat down on the edge of the bed and began to confess everything to Amy.

All Amy could to was sit and stare wide eyed at her daughter as she told her about a world that seemed to be underground from their own. She told Amy about portals and Wahani and supernatural powers and so many other things that it made her head spin.

Still Amy knew Maria wasn’t making any of that up. Her daughter wouldn’t lie about something like that.

When Amy asked about what had happened at the stadium, Maria had explained about the tooth and how Rath and the others had gone to rescue them. She told Amy that the Mayor and the gang would never bother anyone again and that all of the innocents were not harmed. After it was over, they had returned here to take care of Amy and Maria until Amy was well enough to go wherever she wanted.

When Maria had finally finished explaining what had happened, Amy had calmed down enough to let the men back in. The healer finished examining her and pronounced her healthy. All she’d gotten was a small bump on her head that would go away in a few days.

After Rath had shown the healer out, Amy had apologized to him for giving him a hard time when he’d been trying to rescue her. Rath had told her it was okay, that he understood her reluctance for trusting him. Still, she apologized to him, then thanked both him and Valenti for rescuing all of them. She then asked if she could thank Zan and Teether too since they helped.

Imagine her surprise when the others cleared their throats and Maria explained that Teether was a tiger. Actually, Rath had said he was a li’ani, which was much different than a tiger from her world. At that point, Amy didn’t doubt it. If these people were capable of doing the things Maria had described, then it was safe to say that nothing in this world would be like her world.

It wasn’t until about a week later that she actually got to meet Teether. She had already met Zan. Who had come by later that first day to see how she and Maria were adjusting to their new surroundings.

She’d gotten another surprise when she’d learned that Zan was a king! She’d noticed that the others treated him very differently than they treated each other. Then she’d overheard Rath and Zan in the living room. Rath had asked Zan how the Queen was doing and Zan had replied that she was fine, but he was keeping his eye on her since she had disobeyed his orders. Amy knew that meant he had to be King.

When Maria returned to the bedroom, Amy had asked if Zan was a king and Maria confirmed it. When Amy had asked what had happened to the Queen for disobeying Zan, Maria had given her a sheepish look before telling her that a two month pregnant Queen had gone to help rescue them despite her husband’s protests. When he’d ordered her to stay at a safe distance while the rescue happened, she’d disobeyed and entered into the fight.

Amy nodded, it was no wonder the king wanted to keep an eye on her, especially if she was carrying a possible heir. Zan had returned later with Teether so Amy could meet him and thank him for rescuing them. Then she’d asked if she could meet the Queen. All of them had gone silent and all eyes had turned towards Zan, who simply said his wife was still recuperating from all of the excitement and would come to see her when things calmed down.

In the meantime, Rath, Maria, and Valenti all showed Amy around that world. She began to learn so many things about the Wahani and their way of life. It was amazing to her to know that this world existed parallel to hers, but it remained secreted away.

They had shown her the portal to her world and taken her back to see the ruins of her house when she had finally asked to go see it. She had been amazed that the portal was in the barn on their land. They’d walked out of the barn and she’d seen what was left of the house. It seemed that people had already been there to clean up the mess that was left behind.

She knew that everyone from her world believed that she and Maria had vanished without a trace. So, it was a risk even being there to see the remains of her house. Still, they let her do it and Valenti volunteered to go with her to William’s grave while Rath and Maria returned to his world.

As Amy sat near William’s grave, she said her goodbyes. She’d been in the other world for a little over two weeks at that point and realized that it was a perfect way to start her life over. Since she had nothing to go back to because Maria had told her that Rath wanted Maria to stay with him, Amy figured she’d stay there too. Rath had already made it clear that his home was hers for as long as she needed it.

It was both the fact that her daughter was staying in the new world and that there was no longer a threat to her old world that helped Amy make that decision. So, she said goodbye to William and returned to the new world with Valenti.

Rath and Maria were waiting at the house for her and she had announced that she was going to make her new life there. Maria wanted to know if she was absolutely certain of that and she said yes. Rath told her she could stay at his home since he had rooms in the castle, which were more convenient for him. So, she and Maria had begun to make the house into a home for them.

She’d been making the adjustment well when Maria finally told her that she could meet the Queen if she still wanted to. When Amy said yes, Maria had asked her to sit down because there was something she needed to tell her. Liz was alive and she was the queen.

And everything Amy had learned, every story the others had told her suddenly made complete sense. Liz was the tie that bound all of them together. It explained why Maria had acted the way she did after Liz had disappeared. Amy had nodded when Maria had finished, saying how it all made perfect sense. Maria had expected her to blow up or to cry, but she’d just nodded and said it made sense.

Her tears hadn’t come until she’d been face to face with Liz again. To see her alive and well had been a huge relief to Amy. She’d simply wrapped her arms around Liz and said thank God that someone from the Parker family was still alive. She and Liz had a teary reunion and Liz had stayed to share stories with Amy.

Zan was close by of course. He remained in the sitting room with Rath and Valenti, while the girls retreated to Amy’s bedroom. It was there that Liz had told her everything that had happened to her and how she’d met and fallen in love with Zan. She and Maria had told Amy all about the courtship and the wedding. Then Liz had told both her and Maria that she was no longer human.

That had been quite a shock to Maria, but Amy took it in stride. When Maria had calmed down, Liz had explained what had happened to her and how they had all come to the conclusion that Jeff must have been a Wahani without ever knowing it. Amy agreed. Jeff never knew his real parents. He’d been raised by an aunt and uncle, but even Jeff had wondered if they were really his aunt and uncle.

He’d only been a few months old when his parents supposedly had died in a gang fight. The couple that took him in had known his parents and they’d told him they had volunteered to take him in at his parents death. Since the couple had raised him and loved him, he’d never asked anymore questions. They had given him a home to grow up in, why would he leave that to search for something he might never find.

Once that was all in the open and Maria seemed to have accepted everything, the three of them began to talk about Liz’s pregnancy. It was indeed going to be a boy and they were going to make the announcement of an heir to the Wahani people soon. Amy made sure Liz knew that Jeff would have been proud of her because even she was amazed that Liz had done all of this.

Amy could see what being in this world with Zan did for Liz. She was a completely different person. Gone was the young, moody, and distant teenager and in it’s place was a stronger mature woman who had found her place in life.

Amy sighed and sifted in her seat. So much had happened over the last few months. And in the last month alone, she’d found out so much more. She’d woken up in a world where super beings known as the Wahani lived. A world that had a King and Queen. A world where her daughter wanted to live because she was in love with the second in command, the Chief Advisor. And a world where her best friends’ daughter was alive and well as the Queen.

Still, it hadn’t been that hard to adjust to this place. Everyone had been kind to her. They’d all answered any questions she’d had and given her the space she’d needed. She couldn’t have asked for more.

A knock sounded at the front door. Amy set her mug down on the end table, pushed the throw to the side and went out into the hallway to answer it. She opened the door to a crack and peered out. Smiling, she opened the door the rest of the way.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hello, I hope you don’t mind, Rath said he and Ria were going out and you’d be alone. So, I thought I’d stop by and see if you wanted some company,” he said.

She chuckled, knowing he was just as concerned as everyone else was about her adjusting to her new life. “I’d like that, come on in,” she said as she stepped back to let him in.

As he walked into the hallway, she asked, “Want some hot cocoa? I made some for myself and I know you’ve never had any before, so…”

He grinned, “I’d love some.”

“Great, why don’t you go make yourself comfortable in the sitting room and I’ll get you a mug.”

“Thanks, Amy.”

She gave him another smile before disappearing into the kitchen to make him some cocoa.

**********************************************************************

Maria moaned as Rath deepened the kiss. Her arms slid up his chest and wrapped around his shoulders as he walked them backwards towards his bed.

After they’d left her mother, she and Rath had taken a leisurely walk through the city and stopped at an inn to have dinner together. The two of them had taken their time eating dinner and catching up with each other. After dinner, they’d walked to the castle as they kept up the light conversation they’d started earlier.

They’d walked through the castle grounds for a while until they’d stopped in one of the gardens surrounding the castle. Sitting on a bench, they’d just been content to be with each other until they’d started to kiss. One thing had led to another and Maria asked if they could go to his rooms.

In his rooms, she had taken her time in undressing him wanting to remember every groove and hollow of his body. He had then done the same to her, undressing her slowly while his hands and mouth memorized every inch of her.

Soon, they were both naked and his lips had found hers again. As she felt the bed against the back of her thighs, Rath lifted her in his arms and settled her on the bed. She used her arms to pull him down on top of her, spreading her legs allowing him to settle his hips between them.

Rath moved his lips from hers and began to kiss his way down her neck and shoulder. Moving lower, he teased her nipple with his tongue before taking her breast into his mouth and suckling it. Maria closed her eyes with a sigh and curled her fingers in his hair, holding him there.

Soon, he moved to her other breast and gave it the same attention as the first. Maria moaned again and slid her hands down his back feeling his muscles moving beneath them. She arched her hips up and pressed herself close to him, eliciting a groan from him.

As she wrapped her legs around his, he lifted himself up to elbows and looked down at her. “I love you,” he whispered.

She smiled, “I love you too, Rath.”

He smiled at her as he slowly slid into her welcoming depths. As her legs tightened around his, he began the slow rhythm of making love to her. His eyes never left hers as he moved in and out of her.

A sigh escaped her parted lips before she whispered, “Oh Rath.”

She arched her body closer to his. He could feel the tightening of her walls and knew she was getting close. He picked up his pace and took her lips in his again. As they kissed passionately, he slid a hand between their bodies and caressed her bundle of nerves.

Maria moaned into his mouth and tightened her arms around his shoulders. A few thrusts later and she was throwing her head back crying out his name as she came.

Rath closed his eyes and moaned as he felt her warm liquid bathe him right before she leaned up to kiss his neck.

Holding him tightly, she continued to place soft kisses over his neck and shoulder, tightening her walls around him. She felt his groan against her lips a moment before she felt his seed bathing her walls and the hiss of her name reached her ears.

She continued to hold him tight until she felt him shudder. When she knew his orgasm had passed, she took his lips in hers again and pulled him down with her against the mattress.

Together, in a tangle of limbs, they continued to kiss relishing the aftermath of their lovemaking.

**********************************************************************

Lonnie hesitantly knocked on the door in front of her and waited for it to open. When it did, she was met with a shocked look.

“Vilondra? What are you doing here?” he asked.

She gave him a timid smile, “I was bored and I knew you weren’t doing anything, so I thought I’d come over for a while.”

He chuckled as he held the door open wider, “Does anyone know you’re here?”

She pouted, “Of course! I told Liz where I was going.”

As Charles shut the door behind them, he grinned, “Just Liz?”

Lonnie rolled her eyes at him, “She’s the Queen, so what’s wrong with that?”

He shrugged, “She’s not your parents or your brother.”

Lonnie huffed. “Alexander Charles Whitman, just what are you implying?” she said, placing her hands on her hips.

Charles sighed and walked over to her, caressing her cheek. As she leaned against it, he said, “I just don’t want you to get in trouble Vilondra.”

She smiled up at him, “I won’t. Liz will tell Zan where I am and you know he approves of you.”

Charles nodded, “I know.” He slid his hand into hers and led her into his sitting room, “So, what do you want to do to pass the time?”

She grinned, “Got any knew programs to show me?”

With a laugh he nodded, “Okay, let’s go to the study.”

Taking his offered hand, Lonnie let him lead her out of the sitting room towards the study where his computers were.

**********************************************************************

Liz lay in the bed, watching her husband through slitted eyes as he removed his clothes. When he was done, he moved through the room, turning off the lights and locking the door before making his way over to their bed.

Zan lifted up the covers and slid into bed next to his wife. As he reached out to pull her into his arms, she shifted into them. He sighed as she settled against him and pressed a kiss on top of her head.

“Why aren’t you asleep?” he asked.

“Waiting for you,” came her reply.

He tightened his arms around her as she began to press kisses from his chest up to his throat and neck. He closed his eyes as her lips found their way to his ear and licked behind it before she nuzzled him there.

“Liz,” he began to plead as her hand wandered down his side even while she continued to nuzzle him.

She whispered in his ear, “I want you.”

He let out an exasperated growl, “You’re not in heat, leijha’mi.”

“So? I still need you when I’m not, you know.”

He rolled them over until he had her pinned beneath him. Looking into her eyes in the dim light, he said, “Are you ever going to listen to me?”

She pouted, “I listen to you.” She slid her hand down between them and stroked his already hard cock. “I’m listening now.”

He growled, “Don’t change the subject, Liz.”

“I’m not.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek, “You can’t possibly still be mad at me? It’s been a month Zan!”

“Esu i’poskpro-sa nem esu borwo thi vapu ursamose sehi kindan!” he growled in Wahani.

“Idi oka-sa thi!”

“Yene esu oka-sa! Esu vapu ursamose deh asou o’syn sehi kindan!”

“Idi oro-sa idi dro kherhan on‘hi! Tosh itwa lym an‘thran.”

Zan switched to English as his voice broke, “What if he had a weapon Liz! You know we aren’t immune to them! You saw what happened to me when I fought them the last time!”

She went silent beneath him, remembering her reactions when he’d returned to the barn after his encounter with the gang. He’d had a knife wound and had just barely been nicked by a bullet. Her lips began to tremble as she remembered what she’d felt like knowing how close that bullet had been.

She looked up into his eyes. “Idi maie nomiri,” she whispered.

Zan sighed as he saw the tears in her eyes. Leaning down, he nuzzled her cheek, “I know you are. Please, just remember, you can’t risk yourself or our son like that. Ever.”

She nodded, tightening her hold around his shoulders as her tears fell down her cheeks.

Zan began to kiss and lick her tears away and after they finally stopped, he kissed her lips and undressed her. Slowly, tenderly, he touched his wife letting her know just how much he cherished her.

Liz closed her eyes and let her husband love her. She’d been in the mood to have him make love to her in a quicker, rougher way. But after what he’d just said, she now enjoyed the tender way he was loving her.

Soon, he was sliding into her body, moving his hips in a smooth, languid way, igniting the fire inside of her. As her breathing quickened, so did his pace. His hands moved to her hips, lifting them slightly as he pushed himself deeper into her.

Liz leaned her head back and arched her body up to meet his deep strokes. She moaned in pleasure as he found her sweet spot.

He felt her fingers dig into his shoulders a moment before she cried out.

“Zan! Yes!” she gasped as she felt her release finally come.

Zan groaned and lowered his cheek to hers. “Leijha’mi,” he whispered as he spilled his seed into his wife.

“Idi agalo esu, Zan” she whispered.

With a sigh, he rolled over and held her close. As she lay her cheek against his chest, he replied, “Idi agalo esu alsis.”

TBC...

new Wahani words
*note anytime you see a verb ending with -sa it signifies past tense. So, i'poskpro (promise) becomes i'poskpro-sa (promised).

borwo - would
vapu - put
ursamose - yourself
kindan - danger
dro - could
kherhan - handle
itwa - was
lym - only
an'thran - human
nomiri - sorry

Hi everyone! I'm so sorry about the looooong absence, but if any of you are reading Eternal Ruby of Darkness, you know why. For those of you who don't, my brother had my laptop for the entire week. I got it back this past Sunday and still had to write the updates for my other two stories. So, this was the one I had to let go for the week. So, here we go. Hopefully the slightly longer part will be okay for you.

spray- LOL, Valenti, huh? True. You're welcome. Sorry for the looooong wait, but here I am .

Izzy- Thanks. Love the new avi....ROWR. That photo shoot is STILL my favorite .

Laira- LOL, let's see if he gets that chance . LOL, was it Jim?

Rhonda- Cozy, huh? Hmm....we'll see.

roswell- See, I had a plan . We'll see. Nope, only ulhi'maos change, especially since it's the heat that changes them. Since Maria isn't a Wahani, she doesn't go into heat....

M in Y- Closer and closer . LOL, yep cocoa.

Vero- Thanks.

tequa- LOL, you are too cruel.

L.- Valenti? Yes, he's not royalty.

cocogurl- LOL, everyone is mentioning Valenti! Well, I find it hard for a man to be angry with his ulhi'maos for an entire month, especially since they have to keep coming together every time she goes into HEAT .



Okay, you'll probably notice that I was having a field day with names in this part, LOL. Here we go....



Part 33

“Your highness?” Zan looked up from the couch, where he had been cuddling with Liz still in his arms. A soldier stood in the doorway.

“Yes?” he asked.

“I was sent by the Chief Advisor. Some of the scouts have returned. They are being taken to the infirmary, where the C.A. says he’ll meet you.”

Zan could feel Liz tense in his arms. They both knew if the scouts were being taken to the infirmary then the news wasn’t going to be good. He nodded to the soldier, “Tell them I’m on my way.”

As the guard left, Zan looked down at Liz. “Will you stay? Let me go deal with them and I’ll tell you what happened when I get back.”

She frowned, “You aren’t coming back as soon as you see them. I know you’ll have to go meet and talk about things in conference.”

He sighed and placed his forehead against hers, “Okay, when I leave the infirmary, I’ll contact you and tell you what happened. I’ll also tell you what I’m doing next. If we are going to meet, you will be included.”

Liz nodded, “Okay.”

He stood up and set Liz on her feet, pulling her in for a kiss before he moved away. “I love you. Stay here until I send for you.”

She smiled, “I’poskpro.”

**********************************************************************

Zan walked into chaos. Healers and their assistants were quickly moving to and fro in the small infirmary as guards tried to keep family members from getting in the way. The infirmary held twenty beds, twelve of them were currently occupied by the scouts.

Zan frowned as he surveyed the room and realized there were three scouts missing. Rath had seen him the moment he’d appeared in the doorway and made his way to Zan’s side.

As soon as Rath was standing next to him Zan asked, “Have all of the scouts checked in?”

Rath looked him in the eyes as he replied, “Gellert, Einar, and Vikas didn’t make it. Some of the other scouts managed to drag them back to the border so that their bodies could be given into the care of their loved ones.” As Zan closed his eyes Rath continued, “The healers have informed me that Soren, Pallaton, Myron, and Yerik will not make it through tomorrow. Reidar lost his right leg, but he will survive and Omeri is now blind in his left eye. Lerato, Donar, Jayden, Bareck, Ivrit, and Trae are all bruised and weary, but they were the lucky ones.”

Zan gritted his teeth as he turned to look at Rath once more. “What happened out there?”

“They were on their way back to the border because Lerato and Pallaton found evidence of a rebel army. Along the way, they found the other scouts and let them know it was time to get to safety. They found Vikas body along the way and Gellert was already dying when they found him. By the time they made it to the border, they realized they’d been tracked. The rebels attacked them even as the border guards raised the alarm. Einar was killed and the others were injured as they all were trying to get to the border with the help of the guards. Somehow, the guards managed to hold the rebels back so that the scouts could get to the border. The captain of that post arranged for the bodies to be taken to their families and the rest of the scouts were escorted here with a group of guards.”

“And the rebels?”

“According to the guards that came here with the scouts, they have retreated back into the forest near the border. The captain thinks they are hiding in the forest, watching them.”

Zan nodded, “Have you talked to the scouts yet?”

“No. I just spoke to the guard who is the captain’s second. He’s the one who told me what happened. I was waiting for you to get here so that we could talk to Lerato together. He is the only one besides Pallaton who can tell us about the rebel army and Pallaton isn’t coherent at this point.”

“Fine, let’s go talk to Lerato if we can.”

Rath followed Zan as he maneuvered his way through the room until he reached Lerato’s bed. Lerato was sitting up with his legs hanging over the side of the bed. He had a bandage around his left shoulder and the rest of him seemed to be covered in dried blood, bruises, and torn clothes.

The moment he saw Zan walking towards him, he began to stand up. Zan shook his head and placed his hand on Lerato’s arm. “Stay seated, you have earned that right and you have need of rest.”

Lerato nodded, “I am honored my King.”

“It is I who am honored. I have been informed that you braved an ambush and managed to bring back your fallen comrades as well as news of the rebel army.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Do you feel up to telling me about the army?”

“Of course.”

Zan nodded, “Then, please, tell us what you found.”

**********************************************************************

Valenti, Kyle, Charles, Phillip, Liz, and the others in the council chamber looked up as Zan and Rath strode into the room. Liz immediately noticed the worry in Zan’s eyes as he took his place besides her at the table. As Rath took his place on the other side of Zan, the King gave them the news.

“It is as we feared. The rebels have an army.”

Valenti asked, “Do we know how big it is?”

“Five hundred and growing.”

“Five hundred!” exclaimed Phillip, “That can’t be right!”

Rath nodded, “The scout made sure his information was right before returning with the news.”

Kyle looked at his father for a moment before turning to Zan. “My lord, we don’t have that many soldiers.”

As Zan nodded, Valenti added, “And even if we began trying to recruit more, they may not be trained in time.”

“I know that, but there is one thing we may have on our side,” answered Zan.

“What is that?” asked Liz.

“Our powers.”

“What? Are you saying the rebels don’t have powers?” asked Charles.

Rath nodded, “Yes. The scout informed us that these rebels are not like we are. They used weapons to kill the other scouts. That and the results of my father’s death and the death of those twelve guards all indicate that there were weapons involved, but no powers.”

Zan added, “The guard who led the escort of the scouts back here reported what his captain saw. The captain said when the rebels attacked they only seemed to rely on the weapons they had. They used archery, spears, and something that resembles a human rifle.”

Valenti frowned, “I’ve never heard of such a weapon in this world.”

“Neither have I, but apparently someone among the rebels managed to come up with it,” replied Rath.

Charles nodded, “Okay, so we have our powers, but if I recall correctly rifles are rather quick and can be lethal from a long range. While we have telekinesis, most of our other abilities require that we be within very close range to do any damage.”

Rath nodded, “That’s true, but I believe we may have a slight advantage over them with our telekinesis. Plus the fact that they don’t even have the ability to change forms so that they can be inhumanly fast, strong, and agile is an advantage for us once we get in close range. It seems that the only thing we really have to fear at that point would be the rifles because archery and spears won’t be as affective in close range.”

Valenti nodded, “That’s true. So, I guess we just have to figure out just how good these rifles are and how many they have.”

“And if they managed to come up with a rifle, who’s to say they don’t have other weapons we don’t know about yet,” added Kyle.

As Zan frowned at that, Liz placed a hand on his arm. “Zan, what of the other scouts? Did they see anything?”

Zan sighed before he looked at each of the faces in the room. Finally he spoke in a quiet voice, “Lerato was only one of two scouts who managed to get close enough to get the information. The other scout, Pallaton, is barely coherent and the healers believe he won’t live much longer.”

As a heavy silence filled the room Zan continued, “The two of them were making their way back and gathering up the rest of the scouts without ever knowing that they were being tracked. Along the way, they found one dead scout and another dying. As they got close to the border, they were ambushed. The border guards managed to beat back the rebels so that the scouts could make it there. Of the fifteen scouts, three are now dead, four are dying, one lost his right leg yet lives, another lost his left eye, and the rest are badly bruised and beaten.”

It was a few minutes before Valenti whispered, “What of the ones who didn’t make it?”

Rath replied, “The other scouts managed to drag them back to the border so that they could be taken to their families. The captain at the border has already sent the bodies to them. The rest of the scouts are in the infirmary here and their families have all been informed.”

Liz looked up at Zan and whispered, “My lord, I would like to go to the infirmary.”

Zan turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing. Before he had a chance to say anything, Valenti interrupted. “My lord, it is her right as Queen to go offer her support and comfort to the injured and their families.”

Zan’s jaw went rigid as he stared at Liz. You are four months pregnant and I know you remember the last time you were anywhere near some kind of violence.

I remember, but I have to do this Zan. You and the others have to discuss how to protect our people. I have to support and comfort them.

Charles looked from Zan to Liz and back again. “My lord, if it’s all right with you and the Queen, I will serve as her escort while she is there.”

Zan continued to exchange stares with Liz for a few more moments before he finally nodded his head reluctantly. “Fine, but see to it that no harm comes to her or our son.”

“Of course, my lord,” replied Charles.

Liz gave him a gentle smile as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear. As she made her way to the door she said, “Gentlemen, I leave you to discuss our people’s protection. Good luck.”

Charles bowed to Zan before following Liz out of the room.

**********************************************************************

It was four days later that found the Wahani prepping for an impending war.

Not even an hour had passed after Liz had gone to the infirmary and the rest of the council discussed the scout’s information when a messenger arrived from the border. It had been attacked again and the rebels had been beaten back once more.

After that, it seemed every few hours there was news of another border skirmish. Each time the rebels had attacked, then retreated.

After two days of that, the council decided it was time to answer the rebels. Valenti and Rath began rounding up all of the soldiers and recruiting more when they could.

As they began gathering the army, they also began developing a strategy of fighting against the rebels.

Once they’d figured that out, Kyle and Valenti gathered up those soldiers who were ready and rode out to the border on that fourth day. Zan and Rath would be riding out the following day with the last group of soldiers.

Zan and Rath were only going to stay overnight at the border so that Zan could give the speech to rally his men and encourage them to protect their people. Once that was over, he was returning to the castle where he and Rath, along with Charles and Phillip would continue to strategize.

Throughout the four days, Liz had returned to the infirmary bright and early each day to be with the injured that remained. Surprisingly, Amy had joined Liz there the moment she’d found out. Maria had gone along too, but Amy and Liz had finally sent her home when they realized Maria didn’t quite have the stomach to see so much suffering.

Together, Liz and Amy helped to comfort the injured and their families. The two women, along with Diana and Lonnie had also visited with the families of those who had already passed away. It was when they made those visits that Maria was able to join them.

By the time the army was sent to the border, the last of the scouts was sent home to recuperate within the care of his family. The women had visited Reidar and his family, letting them know how brave he had been to survive even with the loss of his leg. They also thanked him for his service to the people and gave whatever comfort they could to him and his family.

Finally, Zan and Rath were on their way to the border to rally the soldiers for the war. Liz and Maria had seen their men off with kisses and hugs and Amy had given Rath some things to give to Kyle and Valenti.

**********************************************************************

Rath stood behind his King with his arms crossed over his chest. Zan stood on the border wall, eyes surveying the army as it began spreading out along the outside of the border’s walls. He had already given the speech to his soldiers as they stood within the border looking at their King upon the wall.

Once Zan had finished his speech and nodded to Valenti, the weapons master had given the order to commence. Immediately the captains began leading their groups through the gates to the other side of the border.

As Zan watched the troops falling into formation along the outside of the border, Rath spoke. “Ready to return to the castle, my lord?”

Zan nodded, “In a moment, let’s wait until the entire army is outside.”

Rath turned to watch as the rest of the army filed out of the gates and arranged themselves along the border. A few minutes later, Valenti walked up to them.

“My lord, the troops are almost…”

Valenti was interrupted in mid-sentence as a deafening boom sounded just below them.

“What the hell?” exclaimed Rath a split second before he heard another boom and found himself hurled into the air.

In mid-air, Rath changed and managed to hit the ground rolling. He quickly sprang to his feet and began searching for his King. He saw Valenti slowly getting to his feet and his eyes went wide when he realized the entire wall that they had been standing on was now completely obliterated.

Valenti had recognized that at the same time and began shouting orders to the men around him. “We need to barricade the wall! Find what you can to seal it up!”

Beyond the wall Rath could hear Kyle shouting to the soldiers, “Don’t let them through! Protect the border!”

As various orders continued to be shouted by the captains, Kyle, and Valenti, Rath looked around for Zan. A curse slipped past his lips the moment his eyes landed on his King.

Zan was at the wall using his powers to help lift stones back into place.

Maxwell Zander, what do you think you are doing? shouted Rath into Zan’s mind.

What does it look like I’m doing! Zan shouted back.

Let the soldiers do it! You need to get away from there! growled Rath.

The soldiers are needed to keep the rebels back. Besides, my telekinesis powers are excellent for this.

Rath cursed once more as he began to make his way towards his headstrong King. Suddenly he froze as he heard Kyle’s roar.

“No! Stop them! Don’t let them in! Kill them! Stop them I say!”

Rath’s eyes went wide as another boom sounded and bodies and dirt went flying. In seconds there was a clear path leading from the forest to the hole in the wall. As the rebels began swarming out of the forest, Rath shouted at Valenti.

“Valenti! Get to the wall! Protect the King!” As Valenti began running towards Zan, Rath shouted to Zan. Da’kata, Zan! Get away from the wall! The rebels are coming!

Zan raised his head at Rath’s words in time to see the rebels rushing through the gap and launching themselves at anyone in the way. He was aware of Valenti and Rath continuing to shout orders at the soldiers, trying to get them to protect Zan. Gritting his teeth, he waved his hand in front of him and sent a few rebels flying backwards before he turned and ran for safety.

Rath gave a silent prayer of thanks when he saw Zan retreating, but the prayer died the moment he saw the arrow hit Zan’s shoulder. He roared his protest when Zan went still and looked up at him, shock clearly written all over his face.

In slow motion, Zan went down to his knees, eyes going to half mast. Rath heard a single word whispered in his mind before Zan fell face forward on the ground. Poison.

“No!” screamed Rath as he leaped into action. As rebels began to crowd around Zan’s fallen body, Rath roared. “Valenti! Kill the rebels!”

Rath launched himself at the rebels, clawing and fighting his way through the mass of bodies to reach his King. As he shoved bodies out of his way, Rath searched the ground to no avail.

Valenti, where’s Zan? I can’t find him. He went down somewhere in this mess.

I can’t find him either, came Valenti’s reply.

Rath growled in frustration as he raked his claws across a rebel’s chest and shoved him away. Suddenly, the rebels seemed to shrink away from him. Rath frowned as he looked around and realized they really were moving away from him and back towards the wall.

They’re retreating! came Valenti’s voice.

Good! Tell the soldiers to look for their King!

As Valenti gave the orders, Rath continued to follow the rebels, searching for Zan. Fear clawed at his insides when he realized he was fast approaching the destroyed wall.

As he lifted his head to see that the rebels were no longer within the border, he heard Kyle’s voice in his head.

Commander, they have the King.

**********************************************************************

Rath walked into the castle with his head down. His chest felt tight and his throat was dry. Pushing open the door to the throne room, he cringed when every head in the room turned to look at him.

As the room went silent, Phillip stood up slowly. “Ra’thlan, where is Zan?”

Rath looked up at them and swallowed. “The rebels took him.”

It was Diana’s turn to stand up, “What! But how?”

Rath lowered his gaze to the floor. “They had another weapon. It was powerful enough to create a hole in the border wall. Zan stubbornly stayed by the wall helping to seal it up again when they used the weapon to clear a path through our army to the wall. They swarmed in and he was hit by a poisoned arrow. I saw him go down and Valenti and I tried to get to him, but the rebels had him surrounded. They began to retreat and we thought we could find him then, but they managed to sneak him out without our seeing it. One of the soldiers outside gave the cry and Kyle saw them disappearing into the forest with Zan among them.”

“They have Zan?” whispered Lonnie.

Diana shook her head, “No, no. My son can’t be dead. He can’t be.”

“He’s not.” As one, they all turned to see a pale Liz standing in the doorway. “He’s not dead. I would know if he was.”

“Liz…”

She shook her head, “No, Diana. He’s still alive.” She turned to look at Rath. “We have to find a way to get him back.”

“Liz, he was hit with a poisoned arrow.”

“He’s still alive Ra’thlan,” reiterated Liz.

Phillip nodded as he looked from Liz to Rath. “She’s right. I don’t think they would have taken him if he were dead. They killed all the others. No one was ever taken.”

Rath frowned, “Why would they take him?”

“They must have known who he was,” replied Liz. “From what you just described, it almost sounds like they were after him all along. They surrounded him and then retreated when they had him.”

Charles nodded, “She’s got a point. Why would they retreat when they’d managed to make it through the border wall unless they’d gotten what they wanted.”

Phillip agreed, “That’s why I think Zan is alive. They came for him.”

Rath closed his eyes, “Well, my next question is why do they want him?”

**********************************************************************

The moment Zan woke up, he was aware of how sore his shoulder was. Groaning, he lifted his head and blinked trying to get his eyes to focus. He frowned when the earthen wall swam into view and he realized he was lying face down on a bed of straw.

Slowly he sat up and reached around with one hand to feel his shoulder. As he did, he felt something cold against his neck. As his fingers felt the metallic object, he realized it went all the way around his neck.

Frowning, he gripped it with both hands and tugged. An electric pulse immediately spread through his body, forcing him to let out a howl of pain as he let go of the offending object.

“Tsk, tsk. I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Zan looked up to see a man standing just inside the door of the room with two huge men on either side of him. He frowned at him. “Who are you?”

The man smiled, “I am called Kivar.”

Zan stood up, “Well, Kivar, I don’t know what you think you are doing, but I think you have no idea what you are up against.”

Kivar laughed as Zan raised his hand and waved it at him. His laughter grew louder as Zan looked at his hand, puzzled.

As Zan waved his hand once more Kivar spoke, “Your powers won’t work, Zan. The collar you wear around your neck prevents that. It also keeps you from changing, unless I wish it so.”

Zan’s eyes snapped to Kivar’s. “What!” he hissed.

Kivar nodded, “My scientists created that collar for the sole purpose of rendering your people powerless.”

Zan growled and lifted his hands to yank it off.

“Should you try to remove it, it sends a powerful electric pulse through your body and continues to do so until you cease your efforts.” Zan’s hands froze before he could touch the collar.

As Zan looked at him, he continued. “The harder you try to take the collar off, the more powerful the pulse. If you try hard enough, you could even kill yourself.”

Zan growled once more as an evil smile spread slowly over Kivar’s face. “What do you want with me?”

Kivar spread his hands out, “What does anyone want with a King of a powerful race?” He curled one hand into a fist in front of him, “To control that race!”

Zan narrowed his eyes at him as he hissed, “In your dreams!”

Kivar’s face turned red as he sputtered, “It is my dream! And I will have it! With you in my grasp, I am going to demand that the rest of the royals step down and allow me control of the kingdom. If they don’t, I will execute you right in front of them and kill them all! With the collars my scientists created, I will have all of the kingdom under my control!”

Zan stared at him for a moment before a slow smile spread over his lips, “My people will never give in to your demands. They will not allow anyone to destroy their kingdom. I guarantee it.”

Kivar roared, “You’re wrong! The moment the realize I will kill their precious King, they will give me what I want!”

Zan’s smile faded as he suddenly felt hot. “No,” he whispered.

Kivar grinned, “Yes!”

Zan was vaguely aware of what Kivar was saying as the heat spread throughout his body. Helplessly, he closed his eyes. Liz, I’m so sorry leijha’mi.

He knew she was too far away for his apology to reach her, but he had to try. As the heat began to affect him, the guards grabbed him and threw him down on the floor. Lost in the throes of the heat, Zan was mercifully unaware of the blows the guards rained on his body.

**********************************************************************

Liz writhed on the bed, her sweat soaking through the sheets. Diana and Amy were at her sides, holding her down to prevent her from hurting herself or the baby. Maria and Lonnie clung to each other near the door, both of them in tears.

Everyone had still been in the throne room when the heat had struck Liz. The moment they had realized what was happening, Rath had gathered her up into his arms and rushed her to the bedroom with all of the others following. Once he’d laid Liz in her bed, Diana and Amy had taken over and the men had retreated from the room.

Maria whimpered, “What are we going to do? She needs Zan!”

Diana nodded, “I know, but that’s not possible right now. We’ll just have to let it pass and keep her and the child alive.”

Liz moaned as her body arched off the bed. Her claws dug into the sheets, shredding them. “Hublaz! Asepros, Zan. Hublaz!”

Her lids flew open, revealing red eyes as she cried, “Zan, voihe nem!”

Diana leaned over Liz, “Shh, leijha’mi, let it happen. Don’t fight it and it’ll pass.”

Liz threw her head back and screamed, “Zaaaan!”

Maria and Lonnie began crying hysterically and hugged each other tighter.

Suddenly Liz went limp beneath Amy and Diana’s hands. As Diana brushed damp hair out of Liz’s face, Amy spoke. “She fainted.”

Diana nodded, “Yes. It’s over, for now.” She turned to look at the two young women standing near the door. “She’ll be okay when she wakes up. She may be a little weak, but she’ll be okay.”

Amy sighed in relief. “Why don’t you take the girls downstairs and get them something to drink. I’ll get Liz comfortable before I join you.”

“Okay,” replied Diana as she got up and ushered the girls out.

**********************************************************************

Rath had just walked into the living area when Diana appeared, pushing two protesting girls in front of her.

“But I should stay with Liz! She needs someone to stay with her!” whined Maria.

“She’s asleep, Maria. She’s fine for now.”

Rath immediately went to Maria’s side and gathered her into his arms. “It’s okay, Ria.”

She sobbed into his chest, “Oh Rath! She needs Zan! What are we going to do?”

Rath sighed and looked up at Diana. “How is she really?”

“She’s asleep now. The heat has passed, so she’s okay.”

“And the next time it hits?”

Diana sighed, “If Zan’s not here for her, it’ll be the same as it was. We just have to keep her from harming herself or the baby.”

Maria’s head came up. She sniffled before she said, “You said she may be a little weak when she wakes up. Will she keep getting weaker every time it hits without Zan?”

All eyes turned to Diana who shrugged, “I don’t really know. We have to ask the healers if they know anything about this.”

Phillip nodded, “In the meantime, we have to find a way to get Zan back.”

Rath nodded as Charles came into the room. “Ra’thlan, a messenger has come from the border. Valenti sent him.”

Rath inclined his head and turned to Phillip, “Care to accompany me?”

Phillip nodded. Rath gave Maria a kiss on her temple before handing her into Amy’s arms as she came down the stairs. “We’ll be back.”

**********************************************************************

Zan groaned as he rolled over onto his side. He was covered in sweat and blood and could feel the aches and pains from the beatings, now that the heat had passed. Gritting his teeth, he half dragged himself to the bed of straw and collapsed on it.

The heat had sapped his strength from him and the beatings had just made it worse. Without the use of his powers, he couldn’t heal as quickly as he wanted. Rolling onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling. Tears welled in his eyes as he thought of his wife and son.

He prayed that they had gotten through the heat in one piece. Kivar hadn’t mentioned them at all, so he wondered if Kivar even knew about them. That was why Zan knew they wouldn’t give in to his demands. As long as his son survived, his people still had a king.

Closing his eyes as exhaustion caught up with him, he whispered in his mind. Asepros, Liz. Ayme zonali. Epkra asou o’syn zonali.

**********************************************************************

Rath and Phillip stood on the hill surrounded by guards as Nikoli made his way towards them.

The messenger that Valenti had sent told them that an emissary from the rebel leader waited to speak to them to make a bargain. Rath had sent the messenger back with orders to escort the emissary into the border to the hill that was the halfway mark between the border and the kingdom.

As soon as Nikoli stood below them, he gave a slight nod and spoke, “I am Nikoli, emissary of Kivar, our leader. He has sent me to strike a deal with you.”

Rath nodded, “And the deal is?”

“That the royals step down from the throne and allow him to rule with the Princess Vilondra as his Queen. If you do so peacefully, he will allow all of you to live. Should you resist, he will execute all of the royals, starting with Zan.”

Phillip growled under his breath.

Rath spoke in his mind. We can’t allow this, Phillip. I know Zan wouldn’t want us to do it. As much as this will hurt Liz, she seems strong enough to survive this. If they kill Zan, we still have his son.

You’re right. Plus, I don’t think Kivar is aware of that since he’s threatening to kill Zan. He’s goading us. I don’t think he’ll kill Zan if he thinks he can use him against us.

Exactly, replied Rath.

Rath narrowed his eyes at Nikoli. “Tell your leader that we will not concede to his demands.”

Nikoli frowned, “I don’t think you heard me, my lord. He will execute Zan if you refuse!”

Rath nodded, “I heard. We will not give our kingdom to Kivar willingly.” He nodded to the escorts. “Return this emissary to his leader immediately.”

Nikoli hissed, “Know this Chief Advisor, in refusing Kivar’s demands you have forced him to declare war on your kingdom. As soon as I tell him what you said, he will gather the rebel army and attack.”

Rath nodded, “So be it.”

Nikoli stiffened before he turned away and walked off with his escorts.

As Phillip and Rath watched them fade away into the distance, Phillip sighed. “I guess this is it.”

Rath nodded. “We go to war.”

TBC...

new Wahani words

*note* the way they make a plural is to add 'z' if the word ends with a vowel. If the word ends with a consonant they add 'iz'.

voile - help
ayme - stay
zonali - alive
epkra - keep

roswell- Well, not that soon . You'll see.

tequa- thanks.

kittens- nope, good try.

spray- LOL, we'll see. You'll see. Yep.

Laira-

Vero- Yes is was. But that's probably what goes through negotiators minds. None of us would like it .

Erin- thanks.

Rhonda- thanks.

coco- We'll see . LOL, he was, wasn't he?

L.- LOL, so true! You'll see Liz here. Thanks.

nibbles- well...

Izzy- LOL, oh the rush! LOL, I knew that heat thing would come back to haunt me! No, not suck the life out of her, but he draws more from her to make up for lack of daddy's nutrients, hence the bouts of weakness she has. What we should worry about is if he will be a healthy baby since he's not getting what he needs from daddy. about your avi...No Kidding

strawberry- thanks.

LJL- thanks.


Okay, folks....here we go...



Part 34

Amy paced back and forth across the living area, stopping to look out of the window every so often. She gave a little helpless sigh before turning away from the window and resuming her pacing. A few moments later, she heard footsteps coming from the hallway and turned to look at the door hopefully.

Diana stepped into the room and chose to ignore the slight lowering of Amy’s shoulders. She knew who Amy had been expecting. Not that Valenti would have made it that far without the entire castle being in an uproar about it. For the arrival of the one man in charge of the entire army fighting at the border would indeed signify that something was terribly wrong.

She glanced around the room and asked, “Where are the girls?”

Amy rolled her eyes and gestured towards the stairs. “We could all see that Liz wasn’t feeling well even though she was trying to hide it, so we sent her up to bed. Maria and Lonnie insisted on staying with her until she fell asleep.”

Diana shook her head, “Well then, I guess it’s safe to say she isn’t getting any sleep soon.” As Amy nodded, Diana continued. “I just spoke to Rath. Valenti and Kyle are holding the border well. The rebels keep doing the same thing, attacking suddenly then pulling back just as suddenly.”

Amy frowned, “Like they are trying to weaken them first.”

Diana nodded, “Yes, but they aren’t succeeding. Charles came up with that really good electronic force field that is keeping the guns out and Valenti managed to round up some soldiers who are extremely good with their telekinesis to stop the bombs from reaching the walls and destroying them. They’ve all been dispersed throughout the border to fight the bombs and Valenti says a few of them have gotten good enough to send the bombs back into the rebels before it explodes.”

Amy nodded, “Do you think those force fields Charles came up with will hold up?”

“We are hoping they will until Charles comes up with something stronger. He’s been here working round the clock for something even better. And Rath and Phillip have been here working on building a weapon to counter both the guns and the bombs.”

Amy sighed, “I hope the information I gave them was able to help them, although I still don’t think it was enough.”

“Rath says it has helped, plus the information Valenti has sent back to us has helped too.”

Amy made her way back to the window and stared out for a few moments.

“Amy,” Diana walked up to her friend, “Valenti is fine. He’s been staying behind the borders with Kyle commanding all of the troops and communicating with Rath, Phillip, and Charles over here.”

“I know, I know.” Amy turned to look at Diana with worry in her eyes. “It’s been almost a month since Zan was taken and this whole thing started. There’s been no word at all and we’ve never even seen this Kivar or Zan. What if something has already happened? And Liz is getting weaker even though she won’t admit it.”

“Liz said she would know…”

“I know what she said Diana, I was there. But what if she’s saying that to make herself believe it? She can’t hold on that much longer, even you can see the weight she’s already lost.”

Diana turned to look out of the window in silence. Finally she spoke softly. “We have to have faith in what she says. If she says Zan is still alive, then I have to believe her. He’s all the hope we have left. Maybe she is being strong for the sake of her son, but we have to hope what she says is true. I know we need Zan back, but we can’t get him back unless we can find him and the scouts still have no clue where he could be.”

Amy shook her head, “What about Teether, couldn’t he find Zan?”

“He’s already been sent to the border, but Teether says something is blocking him from locating Zan. Teether can’t feel his tooth at all. Charles believes they may have something more than the weapons we’ve already seen. He thinks they may have access to some means of negating powers like ours.”

Amy frowned, “I thought everyone down here had powers like yours.”

Diana shook her head, “No. Even those who have powers may not have strong ones. You know that is why Zan stayed at the wall to repair it. His telekinesis powers are much stronger than Charles or Rath’s. And both Lonnie and Charles have the best mind warping abilities. Rath’s strengths lie in his quickness and his fighting skills. He and his father come from a line of great commanders.”

“So those rebels don’t have strong powers?”

“Those rebels don’t have any powers at all. In essence, they are the most like humans of us all.”

“Are you saying they can’t even shape shift?”

Diana nodded, “That’s what I am saying. Even if they could, it would be a struggle to hold the form and it may not even be a complete change.”

Amy shuddered at that thought. She’d already witnessed several of the Wahani changing, even Liz. The thought of one of them not completing the change was disturbing. “So why can’t they?”

Diana shrugged, “None of us really know. It’s sort of an abnormality in our world. What some of the healers believed happened is that somewhere down the line the Wahani mated with humans and the rebels are the result. I guess the bloodlines got diluted or something like that since I know of a few Wahani-human mixed bloods. Liz is one of them.”

“So, Liz and Zan’s children could possibly be born human?”

“I don’t know. At this point what the healers say is still speculation. And we already know that Liz’s son is a full Wahani, he’s connected with both his parents while still in the womb. That to me tells me he’s Wahani.”

“Couldn’t it have been because they are ulhi’maos?”

Diana shook her head, “No, their being ulhi’maos connects them to each other. Granted, it means Liz needs more from Zan and vice versa to survive, but it’s not supposed to effect their offspring.” She frowned, “I don’t think I’m explaining this right, it’s hard when you are not one yourself, but from what I’ve heard. Being an ulhi’maos means you are no longer a half, but a whole. And everything you were is now combined with another, making that whole more powerful than they were separate. Two become one, but their powers are doubled.”

Amy nodded, “I think I get it. So, it just affects the couple involved, not the children.”

“Right. The children may inherit their powers, but they shouldn’t be as powerful as the ulhi’maos couple will be, unless they are lucky enough to find their own. My parents were ulhi’maos, but none of their children ever were, nor did we inherit their combination of powers either. None of us were ever as strong. The only reason the baby was able to connect with Zan and Liz is because they are ulhi’maos. I never connected with my children when I carried them. And I have never heard of a human fetus connecting with their Wahani parents.”

“What about those with parents who are ulhi’maos?”

“No. We all thought Liz would be the first human ulhi’maos, but in the end, she wasn’t completely human. Even now, she seems more Wahani than human. Maybe it’s the connection they share that changes her, I don’t know. Ulhi’maos are still a big mystery to those who aren’t. It’s not something we have ever been able to figure out. It’s such a mystical, sacred bond that no one wants to mess with it.”

Amy was quiet for a while, digesting everything Diana had told her. It was a few moments later when her head snapped up, “Wait! If Zan and Liz share…”

Diana shook her head. “She can’t communicate with him telepathically. I’ve already asked her if she’s tried and she has. She says he is too far away to reach him. It makes sense especially since Charles believes they have something to nullify our powers. But I think whatever they have isn’t enough to completely sever the bond they share. I believe that is why Liz says he is still alive.”

Amy nodded as she looked up the staircase, “I hope you’re right, but we need to find a way to bring him back home.”

**********************************************************************

Liz growled from where she lay amid the sheets. Maria gave her a sheepish smile, but Lonnie shook her head from where she leaned against the bedpost.

“No Liz. For the last time, you are not getting up. Just close your eyes and get some sleep,” ordered Lonnie.

Liz rolled her eyes, “For the last time, Vilondra, how am I supposed to get any sleep with you two hovering over me?”

“I’m not hovering,” replied Lonnie as both she and Liz turned looks towards Maria.

Maria glanced from one girl to the other before she pouted. “What? I’m not hovering either.”

Liz let out another exasperated growl. “I’m fine! Really! I don’t need to rest anymore.”

“Maria, Lonnie, why don’t you two go take a break and get something to eat?” ordered Diana as she walked into the room with Amy right behind her.

Both girls looked up and nodded before turning to Liz and saying their goodbyes. Amy followed the girls out of the room while Diana stayed behind with her arms folded over her chest.

Liz pouted, “Diana…”

“No Liz. You know better. I am not going to say it again. It’s been almost a month since you’ve had what you needed from your husband. We all know what that means. You can’t hide your weakness. Fighting it or us isn’t going to get you any better. And it certainly won’t help your son any.”

“Lying in bed won’t bring my husband home any sooner either! I need to find him Diana! I’m positive I’m the only one who can. If I can just get to the border…”

Diana shook her head, “If Teether or the scouts couldn’t find him, what makes you think you can?”

“I share a connection with him!”

“Charles says they have something to interrupt our powers. Whatever they have has disrupted Zan’s powers enough so that no one can communicate with him, not even you.”

Liz shook her head, “No, you’re wrong. I know I could find him if I were closer. If I can still feel him, if I know he’s alive, then I know I can find him.”

Diana sighed, “Liz, you know I want to believe you, you know I do. But if I or anyone else allows you to go anywhere near the border while you carry your son. Zan would have our heads. You know that as long as you carry him, we cannot allow any danger to come near you. You must think of your son first.”

Liz closed her eyes in defeat. She knew that was the only reason why she wasn’t allowed out of the castle anymore. And she was being confined to her rooms a whole lot more lately.

Diana went to sit next to her and ran her fingers through Liz’s hair. “I know it’s frustrating Liz. But you are getting weaker and you know we have all noticed the weight you have been losing.” Liz opened her eyes to look up at Diana with helplessness in her eyes as she continued. “I’m sorry that I have to do this, but from this moment on, we all feel this is for the best. You are to be confined to this room. More specifically to this bed.”

As Liz opened her mouth to protest, Diana interrupted. “It’s for your safety Liz. Yours and the baby’s. Someone will always be here with you, but you cannot leave the room until either Zan returns or you have your son. Please do this. None of us want to have to forcefully restrain you.”

**********************************************************************

“Commander!” Rath looked up from the table where he and Phillip were still trying to figure out how to counter the guns that the rebels had when a messenger came running in.

“What is it?” Rath asked.

“Weapons Master Valenti sent me ahead to tell you that Kivar is on his way here to talk to you. He is coming with five men and brings a wagon carting a gift for you. They checked it out before letting it thorough. There are no weapons on the wagon and the men only carry spears. They have agreed not to use their weapons if we allow them to come see you and return to their camp safely.”

Phillip frowned, “I take it that he wants to negotiate again since his emissary failed.”

Rath nodded, “You are right.” To the messenger he said, “Thank you, we will be ready for them.”

As the messenger bowed and walked out, Phillip spoke to Rath. “You go round up the guards and go out to the gates to meet him. I’ll spread the word that all who are in danger must stay within these walls.”

Rath nodded and strode towards the front of the castle to prepare for the meeting.

**********************************************************************

Liz frowned as Lonnie walked into the room. She had been in the process of arguing with Diana about the unfairness of being confined to her bedroom when a maid had come to say that she needed to speak to Diana privately. That had been several minutes ago and she hadn’t returned. Instead, it was Lonnie.

As Lonnie shut the door behind her Liz asked, “What is going on?”

Lonnie shrugged, “Dunno.”

Liz narrowed her eyes, “Don’t lie Lonnie, I can smell it. What is going on!”

Lonnie sighed, “All I know is that a messenger came and told Rath that someone is coming to the castle to negotiate with him.”

“To the castle? A rebel is coming here?”

“I don’t know. That’s all I heard the maid tell mom before the got too far away for me to hear. Then mom came back in and asked Maria and Amy to go with her. Then she told me to come up here and to make sure you don’t leave your room at all.”

Liz turned to look at the door with a frown. After a few seconds she said, “Come on Lonnie, we need to get to the gate.”

“But Liz, mom said…”

Liz nodded as she scrambled out of bed, “I know, but whoever it is might have news about Zan and we have to find out if there’s anyway we can save him!”

Lonnie’s eyes widened as she watched Liz move around the room, looking for something to quickly change into.

**********************************************************************

As Phillip joined Rath and Charles on the walkway above the castle gates, they all watched the small group of men and the wagon make its way towards them.

“Everyone has been told to stay inside until they receive word that all danger has passed,” said Phillip.

Rath nodded, “Good, now let’s see if this is really Kivar and what exactly he wants this time.” He turned to look at Charles, “You ready?”

Charles nodded and retrieved what looked like a pair of binoculars from his pocket. “As soon as he gets close enough, I should be able to see what he looks like and if there’s anything else we need to be aware of.”

“Good, go ahead and take your place now. We’ll talk again when this is over.”

Charles nodded and made his way across the walkway until he reached a small alcove and ducked into it. The space was small enough for him to fit into and not be noticed by anyone approaching the gates. However, it allowed him a clear view of anyone who approached.

He got into position and focused the binoculars on the men and wagon who approached the gates. As they came into view, he began to scrutinize each man one by one, watching as they came to a stop not far from the gates.

Everyone was aware of the wagon stopping and one of the men standing up in the back of it. One man remained on the seat steering the horses while the other four surrounded the wagon on foot.

The man standing in the back of the wagon lifted his head towards Rath and Phillip standing on the walkway above the gates. He shouted up to them. “My name is Kivar, the leader of the rebels and I have been given reassurance that I can come and state my business then be allowed to return safely with no interference.”

Rath replied, “Then we will honor those statements and send you on your way once your business here is done.”

“And may I ask who it is that I am addressing?”

“I am Chief Advisor Ra’thlan Guerin, Commander of the Army. And this is Phillip Evans, father of our King Maxwell Zander Evans.”

Kivar nodded, “Very well then, it is you whom I will talk to.”

Rath nodded, “State your business, then.”

“I have come once more to ask if you will do as I have demanded before. The royalty must step down and allow me to rule these lands! If you do so peacefully no one shall die! I will allow all of you to live while I rule as King with the Princess Vilondra at my side!”

Rath frowned, “Did you not get the message we sent back with your emissary? We will not give in to your demands!”

Kivar growled, “I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation, Commander. If you refuse, I will kill your King!”

Rath nodded, “We understand that and still we will not allow you to take over our lands.”

“You would willingly sacrifice your King!” yelled Kivar.

“For our people he would sacrifice himself!” replied Rath.

“Really? Well, why don’t we find out!” With that he bent down and lifted up the cloth that had been strewn across the back of the wagon. Once he’d tossed it aside, he grabbed hold of the man and yanked him to his knees. “Now, ask your King if he won’t mind dying for all of you!”

**********************************************************************

Liz’s eyes went wide as she realized that it wasn’t just Kivar that the wagon had been transporting when he’d yanked Zan to his knees. She stared in horror as she took in her husband’s appearance. Even from her place in one of the parapets, she could see how torn and bloody his clothes were. He was covered in grime, dirt, blood, and other unnamable things.

She heard Lonnie gasp besides her and she quickly motioned for her to be quiet least someone discover they were there. Turning back to watch, she heard Kivar speaking once more.

“Ask your King if he won’t mind dying for all of you! What do you say Zan? Care to die for all of them?” Kivar gripped Zan’s hair and yanked his head back as he leaned down. “What’s that? I don’t think they heard you! Speak up!”

Rath’s voice sounded, “How dare you! How dare you bring him here in that state and assume we would give in to you! We will not hand over our lands to a man like you! You cannot possibly think that by mistreating him in front of us that we would give in to your insane demands!”

Kivar glared up at Rath. “Oh is that so? You think you can stand up there and not be affected to what happens to your King? Fine, then watch as he suffers for all of you!”

Kivar snapped his fingers and the man closest to him handed him a little device. Kivar turned to Zan and spoke, “They don’t believe I am serious about my threats Zan. They don’t think I would go through with killing you. Why don’t we show them what I can make you do!”

“I am your new King! Bow to me!” shouted Kivar.

Liz heard the faint growl from Zan. “Never!”

“I said bow!” roared Kivar as he lifted the device in his hand.

Everyone watched as Zan suddenly flinched and gritted his teeth. It appeared as if he were struggling to remain upright. But they all watched as he slowly bent forward from his waist until his forehead touched the ground.

Liz narrowed her eyes as she realized the device in Kivar’s hands was some sort of control that allowed him to make Zan do the things he asked.

Liz, I don’t think Zan’s doing that on his own, came Lonnie’s voice in her head.

He’s not, replied Liz. It’s the device Kivar is holding that’s doing it.

She stared at Zan as Kivar spoke again. “Good boy! Now let’s show them what you can do to yourself.” He held out his hand and his man gave him a stick. “Here, take this!” he commanded.

Zan reached out and took the stick in his hand.

“Beat yourself on the arm with it.”

Zan didn’t move, but Liz could see his jaw clenching.

“I said beat yourself on the arm!”

Once again Zan began to do as Kivar asked, albeit slowly as he continued to clench his jaw.

“Stop!” commanded Kivar, who looked up at Rath. “Shall I go on Commander? Keep in mind that if you continue to deny me I will make him do worse things for you to see!”

Rath growled, “You will not win, Kivar!”

Kivar roared, “Beat yourself on the head, Zander!”

As Zan began doing that, Liz reached out for Lonnie who had placed a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming. Liz hugged the girl to her as she swallowed, but refused to take her eyes off of her husband. She wanted to scream herself because Kivar kept saying, “Harder!” And every time he did, Zan would do it.

Helplessly, she reached out to him. Zan, can you hear me? How is he doing this? How can we help you?

There was no answer as Zan continued to do what Kivar asked him to do.

Zan, asepros! Arak nem! Liz begged.

A few seconds later she heard, Liz. Hublaz. Trikos ya’lar. Charles.

What? I don’t understand, Zan. What are you saying?

Ya’lar. Trikos ya’lar!

Liz gasped as her connection was broken and she nearly screamed as she realized why.

Below them, Kivar had taken the stick out of Zan’s hand and replaced it with a broken spear head his man had given him. Zan had slashed the inside of his arm with it and was now holding it against his own throat.

“Do you still refuse?” yelled Kivar. “Do want to watch him spill his own blood?”

Rath remained silent.

“Zan! Stab your leg!”

Liz grabbed Lonnie tight as they both whimpered and watched as Zan slammed the spear into his thigh. He gave a strangled cry, but said nothing else.

“Oh look at how far your mighty King has fallen! Do you wish to continue to see him suffer? Or shall I have him end it now?”

This time it was Phillip who answered. “We will not hand over our people to a madman like you!”

“I am not mad! I seek justice! Zan! Slit your throat!” Kivar roared.

As Zan lifted the spear to his throat, Liz watched in horror as he closed his eyes. She was so caught up in watching him that she hadn’t realized that Lonnie stood up until she was screaming.

“Nooo! If you kill my brother I will never go willingly to you!”

Liz cringed as she remained hidden from sight. Everyone else had turned to stare up at Lonnie.

Kivar grinned, “Well, well. It seems we have the lovely Princess Vilondra here as well. I must say Zan, your sister is a beautiful sight. She will make a fine Queen at my side, don’t you think?”

“Kill him and I refuse to be your Queen!”

“Vilondra! What are you doing!” hissed Phillip.

She ignored her father and continued to address Kivar. “Do you really think I will do what you want me to do if you kill him right here in front of me? Let him go and I will do as you ask.”

“Vilondra! Stop!” yelled Phillip.

Make. Her. Stop. came Zan’s voice in Liz’s head.

Liz tugged at Lonnie’s skirt and spoke in her head. Lonnie, Zan wants you to stop.

You can talk to him?

A little. He’s having trouble communicating. I think that collar is doing it. Stop Lonnie.

But, Liz.

Please, do what he says.

Lonnie glared at Kivar once more. “Mark my words, Kivar!”

With that, she turned around and began to make her way into the castle. Liz stayed where she was and peered out at the others again.

Kivar growled, “Tell her to come back! I’m not done talking to her! She comes back now and I will spare him!”

“Vilondra will do no such thing! It is as we said before, there is no negotiation to be made! You have said your piece, now return to your place before we decide to kill you right now!” stated Rath.

“Kill me and your King will join me!” Kivar grabbed the spear from Zan’s hand and slashed him across the cheek before he lifted the device and pressed a button.

Instantly Zan was jerked to the bottom of the wagon and began writhing around as currents of electricity shot over him. He threw his head back and let out a blood curdling scream as his body spasmed again and again.

Liz closed her eyes and covered her ears against his pain as tears fell down her cheeks.

Liz. Ruins. Find ruins.

Liz jerked her head up as she heard Zan’s voice once more. What? Are the rebels hiding in ruins? Like a city’s ruins?

Yes. Teether. Charles. Collar.

Again the connection was broken and Liz looked up to see that Zan had passed out from the abuse his body had just gone through.

Kivar roared. “This isn’t over! Mark my words! You will never see your King alive again!” He turned to his men. “Let’s go! Our business is finished here!”

Liz watched as the wagon carrying Zan and Kivar began to recede into the distance until they were only a speck on the horizon. Quickly, she hurried into the castle and found Lonnie had returned to her bedroom to wait for her.

As Lonnie stopped pacing and turned to her, Liz grabbed her arms. “Lonnie, as soon as Charles is free, get him to come here and see me. I think I know how to save Zan!”

**********************************************************************

Nikoli watched as the wagon was steered into the middle of their encampment. As soon as the wagon came to a stand still, Kivar slowly stood up with his hands folded behind his back. He looked around the camp at his followers until he heard Zan groan.

He looked down and frowned, “So, you survived that did you?”

Zan gave a faint laugh, “Did you think I’d die that easily?”

Kivar huffed, “No, I figured you loved the pain.” He sighed for a moment before shouting, “Fine then! Have some more!”

He began to kick Zan in his side as he continued shouting. Punctuating every word with a kick. “You. Will. Know. What. Real. Pain. Is!”

Kivar stopped kicking and jumped down to the ground. Turning to Nikoli, he motioned him over.

Nikoli bowed, “Yes, my lord?”

“His Royal Majesty thinks that in his weakened state he can still survive any form of torture we give him! And those filthy Wahani refused our demands once more! Let them find out I meant what I said! Send their precious King to the Arena!”

Nikoli cringed, “The Arena? Are you…”

“Do as I say, Nikoli! Send him to the Arena at once!”

Nikoli bowed and motioned to a few of his men to retrieve Zan from the wagon. “Of course, my lord. At once.”

Kivar watched as they pulled Zan from the wagon and grinned at him. “I bid you farewell, Your Majesty. No one survives the Arena.”


TBC...

new Wahani words
arak - hear
trikos - electric
ya'lar - collar

Hi everyone! Yes, I am back. As you know, I had to let go of my 7 year old cat, Delilah since she had congestive heart failure. This was back on Oct. 20th, a few days before I planned to go on a one week vacation which ended on my birthday, Oct. 31st. Needless to say, these last few weeks have been really, really bad for me. Everytime I tried to sit down and write again, I'd just get more upset. Now, I still have bad moments, but I'm trying to get past that. Slowly, but surely.

And the holidays are here and it's the first time in seven years she won't be with me. I have a 9 year old cat, Samson and I know he misses her as much as I do. So, we've been grieving together. Hopefully, we will be able to move on soon.

I want to thank those of you who said you'd wait and gave me hope to deal with things: roswell, L., coco, littlewind, NUN, and Jessika.

Okay, some SOs:

tequa- They had made their promise of no harm. Yes. Well, they also didn't know how all that was happening to Zan and what if they tried to rescue him, could one wrong move 'fry' Zan?

Laira- LOL, he does, doesn't he? Oh! I'm sooooo sorry for taking so long to come back and resolve the angst! Hopefully this part will do.

Strawberry- Here ya go!

L.- Yes, I wanted Kivar to be insane . I was picturing the arena like this...

roswell-

Izzy- See the note I left for tequa above. LOL, okay, well, here is Liz again...

LJL- Some answers here...

cowgirl- here they go...

spray- , no it's not terrible. About Liz revealing herself...so true . Hope you didn't 'die' from anticipation.

Rhonda- LOL, yeah well Nikoli is a wuss.

nibbles- thanks

coco- , ditto.

Vero- Yes, Kivar is insane. Not really. No it doesn't as you will see here...

littlewind- glad you like this

NUN- glad u like it

Jessika- glad u adore it

M in Y- LOL, here ya go!


Okay, just wanted to give you guys a heads up...I think there are only about five more parts to go before this story comes to an end... I know, I know... so unless I end up changing something again, it should be about five more parts, so enjoy...

Oh, and guys....The Arena...




Part 35

The cell’s stone walls made it hot, musty, and dark. The only light came seeping through a hefty wooden door. There were no chairs in this small chamber except for a board that served as a small bench in one corner. It was quiet except for the occasional squeaking of rats or a hissing snake.

The prisoner inside stood tall, staring up at the stone roof. His emerald green eyes were hot with tears of frustration and anger as he calculated an impossible escape. This figure was dark and rugged, incredibly fearless for the age of 20. His dark brown hair was shaggy and hung over his eyes. Its length which was now past his shoulders partly hid the electronic collar he wore. Still, he was an imposing figure clothed in torn black leathers which took the domestic look away from him. His name was Zan.

Zan’s body shuttered as the sound of footsteps came from outside his cell door. Quietly fading into the corner, he waited for the door to open. When a minute had passed and a noise was not heard, he relaxed. Suddenly, a door from a cell across the corridor burst open. A man began screaming hysterically for his life, then there was stunning silence. Zan shifted in his position and bit his lip hard to ease his emotional pain. He felt the taste of blood on his tongue, but ignored it.

The cruel sounds beyond the wooden door brought a thought of the future to his mind. Being held in the slave pit, as it was called, was a permanent sentence for hard labor if they survived. Each prisoner was a slave, prepared to be bought, sold, or do any desire of their masters.

A jingling of keys were heard as Zan’s cell door was being unlocked. An ugly figure entered the cell. Its body was as white as snow. A shaved head with a beaded band with feathers around it caused it to look like a savage beast warrior.

Before Zan could straighten up to defend himself, it threw a heavy chain around his neck and tightened it. Zan gasped for breath, trying to pull the chain from his neck. The creature dragged him out of the cell by the chain where two more of the creatures grabbed his arms. In the distance he could hear the roar of a crowd…and he knew.

Today was the arena.

**********************************************************************

Kivar sat in his throne-like chair appearing to be relaxed and uninterested. However, inside he was seething. As the announcement was made and the two opponents were brought into the arena’s fighting grounds, no one noticed the way his eyes narrowed on one of the fighters.

His jaw clenched as he seethed some more. It was now two weeks since he had sent the Wahani’s beloved King to the Arena to die. Yet somehow, the man had the nerve to remain alive. Day after day he was shoved into the Arena to battle with yet an even bigger and more brutal opponent, yet somehow he’d managed to defeat them all. And that was without recourse to those coveted powers of his.

Kivar watched as Zan stood just inside the door where his jailors had shoved him and stared at nothing. The announcer’s voice rang out again and the opponent came surging into the arena with his hands held high as he gave an ear splitting roar.

The crowd went wild.

Kivar smiled slowly as he sized up Zan’s newest opponent. This time. This time the mighty King wouldn’t stand a chance. This opponent was nearly three times as tall as Zan and had hands that looked like it would only take one to encase Zan completely in it and squeeze the life out of him.

Oh this was going to be good! Zan didn’t stand a chance. There was no way he would be walking out of the arena alive. Kivar was literally bouncing in his seat with excitement now. And when the announcer decreed to let the fight begin, he sat up straighter in his chair and craned his neck to get a good view of the fight.

**********************************************************************

Zan looked up at his opponent when he threw his hands in the air and roared. It was the only movement he’d made since they had shoved him into the arena again. He simply stood there and watched as his opponent paced and postured for the crowd as they cheered him on. Clearly the odds were in his opponent’s favor.

As the man paced, Zan sized him up while ignoring the aches and pains of his protesting body. He knew Kivar wanted him dead, but he obviously didn’t want to do the deed himself. So, he’d ordered his men to put Zan into the arena to fight. That was where Zan had been for weeks. At least he thought a few weeks had gone by, but he was either fighting for his life or recovering from his latest wounds to keep good track of time.

Zan was thankful Valenti had been such a good teacher and that his father had been so adamant that he attend all of his lessons. At least that was one of the good things Phillip had done for Zan. Everything he’d learned from Valenti about hand to hand combat had come in handy quite often. That and the skills he’d learned from both Kyle and Valenti on how to size up your opponent and use what you saw on both the opponent and anything you found in the surrounding area as weapons.

Still, despite the fact that he’d had good teachers, it still didn’t prevent him from getting hurt. Plus the fact that he kept having to deal with the heat that came upon him at any given time and sapped his strength also added to his bad recovery time. He knew it was only a matter of time before he wouldn’t be able to save himself.

Zan didn’t move when the announcer said the fight was to begin. He stood there as still as ever watching as his opponent moved closer to him in slow zigzag movements.

The man was huge and Zan knew he would have to stay away from those sledgehammer fists or he’d get pummeled. At least the man wasn’t that quick on his feet because of his size. Zan knew he’d have that in his favor, but not much else.

As the man moved closer, he growled at Zan. “C’mon! You ‘fraid to fight me, lil mon? Dey tol’ me you aren’t scared o’ nutting! Iz tha na true?”

Zan didn’t reply, but continued to silently size the man up.

Just as the man was about to say something else, electricity suddenly surged through Zan’s body, sending him to his knees. As Zan knelt there breathing hard and trying to get his body back under his control, the man used that chance to attack.

Rushing up to Zan, he delivered a hard kick to his ribs and sent him flying backwards into the wall.

The roar of the crowd was in Zan’s head as his back impacted with the stone wall and he swore he could feel something snap behind him. He bit back a groan as his feet connected with the ground and he lifted his gaze to glare at the man lumbering towards him.

Without thinking, Zan lifted his hand towards the man and flicked his wrist. Instead of the man being lifted and slamming into the wall, Zan cried out as more electricity surged over him. He fell to the ground and just barely managed to keep himself from falling face first in the dirt.

Unable to hold back the whimper of pain, he lifted his gaze once more to see the man looming over him with his clasped fists in the air. Just as those fists came down towards him, Zan forced himself to roll away. The man’s fists slammed into the ground right next to Zan and made the entire area rumble.

Zan didn’t waste any time as he willed himself to his feet and moved behind his opponent. Using the ground as leverage, he pushed himself off and lifted one leg to slam his foot into the small of his opponents back.

His opponent roared and whipped around with one hand reaching out for Zan who was trying to duck the coming fist.

As Zan ducked, he twisted his body so that he could lunge away from the man, but fire seemed to suddenly consume his back and made him scream in agony. As he stumbled away, he turned to look at his opponent and saw the wicked long nails coming in for another try.

Zan lifted his arm in defense and roared in pain as the nails nearly ripped his forearm open. He staggered back and tried to send his mind into overdrive. There had to be a way to best this guy, there had to be. Zan couldn’t lose to a huge, lumbering, simpleton with razors for nails.

Gritting his teeth, he quickly tried to assess the situation. As the man lunged for him again, Zan ducked and grabbed the guy’s arm. Using it as a bar, he swung himself up and kicked his opponent in the jaw. As his opponent’s head snapped to the side, Zan grabbed fistfuls of hair and yanked the guy’s head down.

His opponent stumbled forward and Zan used that movement to swing himself onto the guy’s shoulder and wrap his legs around his opponent’s neck. Without missing a beat, he squeezed his legs together and proceeded to choke the life out of the lumbering giant.

The guy went down to his hands and knees gasping. As Zan continued to tighten his hold, the guy sat back on his legs and reached up with his hands to unwrap Zan from his neck. Zan simply gritted his teeth and squeezed harder.

Until his opponent dug his nails into his leather covered legs. Not even the leather could keep those nails from digging into the flesh beneath it. Zan tried in vain to ignore the burning pain in his legs, but his eyes began to water and he could feel his hold loosening.

His opponent grabbed a leg in each hand and dug his claws in. Prying Zan’s legs away from his neck, the man yanked him off and slammed him into the ground.

Zan managed to twist enough so that he landed on his side, but he heard a sickening crack as pain shot up his arm. He knew without a doubt that his wrist was now broken. He had barely registered that fact when he felt himself being lifted once more and slammed into the wall again. This time his world nearly went black as the back of his skull cracked against the stone.

**********************************************************************

Kivar cackled with glee as he watched the giant slam Zan into the wall then proceed to pummel him into mush. With any luck, the giant would beat the King enough that they’d have to scrape what was left of him off the wall.

He watched as Zan’s body slumped against the wall and began sliding down to the ground. Blood smeared the wall as he began to crumble to the dirt. But the giant wasn’t finished with him.

He grabbed Zan’s neck and hoisted him up against the wall again, slamming him hard enough to make the stone behind him shatter. As he held Zan pinned with one hand, he used his other to continue hitting him. Occasionally using his nails instead of his fists.

Kivar laughed. The giant was making a bloody mess. This was exactly what he’d been waiting for. Today the Wahani King was going to die.

He watched as the giant grabbed Zan by the hair and lifted him up so that he was standing on his toes. He pulled his hand back, preparing to hit Zan again.

Kivar growled under his breath, “Yes! That’s it! Kill him! Make his head explode!”

“Miss! Miss, you can’t go in there! My lord is not to be disturbed!” came the sound of one of his guards.

Kivar whipped his head around, annoyed at the intrusion. “Who dares to interrupt me when I am enjoying myself!” he screeched.

“I do!” came the husky reply, seconds before Princess Vilondra came into view.

Instantly Kivar’s scowl left his face as he took in the sight of Vilondra in a deep red gown that flowed around her ankles and dipped so low he could see most of her ample cleavage. As he licked his lips in approval of what he saw, she spoke again.

“Forgive me for intruding, but I really needed to see you!” she purred.

Kivar’s eyes never left her bosom as he shook his head. “No, that’s okay.” He waved to his guard, “You may leave us.”

The guard bowed and quickly retreated from the area.

Kivar moved closer to Vilondra, leaning in to breathe in her scent. She never once moved as he leaned in and whispered, “You… needed to see me?”

Vilondra slowly nodded, “Yes.”

He moved back slightly and asked, “Tell me Princess, which members of your family know you’re here?”

She shook her head, “No one knows where I am. I ran away.”

He quirked an eyebrow, “Ran away?”

“Yes, I snuck out to come see you. They don’t want to negotiate with you, but I do.”

He grinned, “Oh, you do, do you? And just what do you want to negotiate about?”

She ducked her head and looked down at the ground before looking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. “You want to marry me, don’t you? I came to talk to you about that. To tell you that I wouldn’t be adverse to doing that.”

Suddenly Kivar had no interest in the fight anymore. Instead, he was interested in the beautiful voluptuous woman standing so demurely in front of him. As his pulse began to beat furiously between his legs, he leaned over the railing and called out to the announcer. “This fight is over!”

Instantly the entire place went quiet. Even the giant stopped beating Zan into the wall. All eyes turned up towards Kivar, standing before his chair.

“You heard me! Take the prisoners back to their cells! We will continue this fight another time!”

The giant roared in anger and turned to finish what he’d started, but Kivar barked orders to his men. “Stop him! Kill him if he refuses to behave! Now!”

The giant never had the chance to touch Zan as the collar he wore came to life and sent him to the ground. Zan’s nearly lifeless body slid down the wall as the giant writhed in pain close by. The guard holding his control sent wave after wave of electricity into the giant until he’d finally passed out from it.

As the white skinned creatures emerged to drag the two prisoner’s bodies back to their cells, the crowd of spectators began to disperse.

Kivar moved to Vilondra’s side and offered her his arm. “Come, Princess, let us retire to my rooms and continue to discuss these negotiations.”

Vilondra gave him a seductive smile as she slid her arm in his.

**********************************************************************

Zan could feel them dragging his body along the corridor. He was vaguely aware of his broken wrist, his bruised ribs, and all of the myriad aches and pains the giant had inflicted on him. As he wondered if he would even have time to heal from these wounds before he was shoved back into the arena, he suddenly found himself face down in the dirt.

Turning his head to the side, he tried to get his eyes to focus. Blinking them in disbelief when he thought they were playing tricks on him. There was no way he was watching as his wife stood behind one of his guards with what looked like a black rectangular box in her hand. At the end of the box was what looked like bolts of electricity bouncing around it.

The guard that had been in front of her was slowly sinking unconsciously to the floor and Zan realized that the other guard was already sprawled out over the floor too.

Liz tucked the black box into her jacket and knelt down over Zan as he rolled onto his back. “Zan? Can you walk? We have to get you out of here.”

Zan licked his lips and tried to form a coherent thought in his head as he watched her digging into her other jacket pocket. Suddenly she produced something shaped like a pen and leaned closer to him.

Her fingers quickly moved over the collar around his neck until she felt a small groove in the metal. She placed the pen-like object on the groove and applied pressure. With a soft hiss, the metal came apart and she removed the collar from his neck.

Zan’s eyes went wide. “What? How?” he croaked.

She shook her head. “We don’t have time to discuss this. Come on, I can’t carry you, so you have to help me! Please! Hurry Zan, Lonnie can’t keep Kivar distracted for long!”

Zan could feel her strength surging into him now that the collar was gone. Granted, he knew she was weakened just as he was from the heat episodes, but she was still stronger.

He allowed Liz to help him to his feet and slung one arm around her shoulder, leaning into her. Still, he tried not to put that much weight on her as she began to lead him through the corridor towards a back door.

Liz paused at the door and leaned Zan against the wall before she peeked out the door. Looking both ways to make sure the way was clear, she waited a few seconds before turning back to her husband.

“Okay, the coast is clear. We should be able to get to the edge of the ruins without being discovered.” She reached out and helped him stand upright before they both moved through the door.

As they made their way across the deserted field, Liz spoke to Lonnie. Lonnie. I’ve got Zan. We’re making our way to the meeting point now.

Okay, I’m right behind you, came Lonnie’s reply.

**********************************************************************

Vilondra reclined back on the couch as she watched Kivar move towards her with the tray and its contents. She smiled up at him and kept her eyes hooded, watching as he placed the tray of drinks on the table in front of her before he sat down next to her.

He picked up the glasses and handed her one. She took it and raised her glass up as he lifted his. “Here’s to a successful negotiation.”

He chuckled, “Yes indeed.”

They clinked their glasses together and downed the drinks. As Kivar lowered his, Vilondra took the glass from him. “Here, let me refill our drinks, hm?”

Kivar watched as she slowly rose and made her way to the table that held the decanter of red liquid. She swayed her hips in a way that she knew would keep his attention on her behind and no where else.

Vilondra set the glasses on the table and looked over her shoulder as she pulled a tiny vial out of her cleavage. Seeing that Kivar’s gaze was riveted to her behind, she quickly flipped the top of the vial open with her nail and upended it into his glass.

Turning back to face away from him, she made a show of leaning over, to reach for the decanter effectively causing Kivar to stare harder at her derriere as she slipped the vial back into her cleavage. She slowly straightened up and poured more red liquid into the glasses before making her way back to the couch.

Kivar continued to drink in the way Vilondra walked, her lovely hips swaying as she moved. He returned the smile she gave him as she sat next to him and handed him his glass.

Once more she raised her glass and spoke. “To the future!”

He grinned, “Oh, I am so looking forward to it!”

She leaned towards him and batted her eyelashes. “So am I,” she whispered. Kivar gulped as she lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip before licking her lips. Suddenly thirsty, he raised his glass to his lips and downed the entire contents in one gulp.

Vilondra giggled, “Oh Kivar! I had no idea you were really looking forward to it!”

Kivar blinked to clear his suddenly blurry vision. “Looking forward to what?” he slurred.

Vilondra simply sat there and watched as his eyes fluttered shut and he slumped back against the cushions. She laughed softly to herself as she got up and quickly made her way out of his rooms.

**********************************************************************

Liz grunted with effort. “Come on dimo agalo. Just a bit further.”

Zan gritted his teeth against the pain shooting through his body. Every step that he took seemed to jar all of the aches, pains, bruises, and broken bones in his body. He couldn’t remember ever being in that much pain and wondered why he wasn’t healing like he should have been.

Suddenly Liz’s head snapped up and she pulled Zan against the wall.

“It’s just me, Liz.” came Lonnie’s whisper.

Liz let out a sigh, “What took you so long?”

Lonnie sighed, “I had to find a way to slip that sleeping potion into his drink, you know. It wasn’t easy!”

Liz nodded, “I know. Come on, help me would you? Your brother is heavier than I thought.”

As Lonnie moved to the other side of Zan and slung his arm over her shoulders, Zan grunted. “Who’s idea was it to send my pregnant wife to rescue me?”

Lonnie and Liz glanced at each other, but neither of them said a word as they led Zan through the ruins.

**********************************************************************

Zan lifted his head as he saw the walls of the border rising into view. “Are you telling me the two of you snuck into Kivar’s territory alone!” he mumbled.

Lonnie shook her head, “Um, no, we had help.”

As they neared one of the hidden gates to the border, Zan looked at Liz and literally growled, “Just who was foolish enough to allow you to risk our son for this?”

The gate slowly slid open to reveal a timidly smiling Charles, with Teether standing behind him. “I was.”

**********************************************************************

Zan could hear her moving around the room. He knew she knew he was awake, but she still moved as if she didn’t want to disturb him. He knew why. She was not in the mood to listen to his reprimands for risking her life and the life of their unborn son to save him.

All the way back to the castle, as he lay on the makeshift stretcher Charles had made and fastened to Teether, Zan had chastised all three of them for doing it. And he’d been furious with Teether whom he’d thought would have been the smartest of them all. Liz had simply argued with him saying that he was the one who gave her the knowledge to rescue him.

He’d argued that he’d told her to give the information to Charles so he could tell the others and they could come up with a way to rescue him. Instead, Liz had taken his information, met with Charles and Lonnie in secret and talked them into helping her rescue him.

No one else had been involved or informed of their plan. Once Liz had told Charles about the electric collars and Charles had seen it in action during Kivar’s little display, he’d quickly come up with a way to disable the collar.

He said that there had to be something on the collar that enabled it to communicate with the remote device the captors carried in their hands. He was also certain that that something would be almost invisible in order to prevent the captives from removing it themselves. So, he’d designed the thin pen-like object to detect a locking mechanism and serve as a key that opened the collar when pressure was applied.

Zan had growled at Charles saying that was a big risk they all took since none of them were even sure the device would work. And Charles had also sent Liz with another device that shocked people into unconsciousness as well as a sleeping potion with Lonnie. He’d growled that doing all that did not prompt him to think he was a good suitor to his younger sister.

He was also upset that Lonnie had pretended to seduce Kivar in order to get him to lose interest in the fight and go someplace to be alone with her. He went on to say that she couldn’t have known what Kivar would have done once they were alone. Lonnie had retorted that she had powers and Kivar didn’t, so of course she was safe.

No matter how much he’d grumbled and ranted, none of them seemed fazed, Liz the least of all.

So, they’d brought him back to the castle amid lots of shocked faces and more grumbling from the likes of Rath and Phillip. Diane had told them all to grumble later because her son needed to be taken to his room, bathed, and healed immediately. She told Zan he could rant all he wanted once he was able to stand on his own two feet without toppling over from pain and exhaustion.

He sighed and opened his eyes, turning his head to look at Liz. She was sitting in her chair in front of her vanity table, watching him.

He frowned at her.

“I know Zan. Your thoughts are bombarding me with your anger.”

He pursed his lips, “And still you aren’t the least bit apologetic.”

She sighed and made her way to his side. Sitting down next to him, she ran her hand along his jaw. “We’re safe. You are home again and nothing happened. We got in and out quickly.”

He grabbed her wrist and glared into her eyes, “You promised me you wouldn’t ever put yourself or our son in danger! How can you not remember that!”

Liz didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead she looked away from him and he watched as a single tear slid down her cheek. “I wasn’t in any danger. No one knew I was there. Kivar didn’t know about me, so he didn’t expect me. He would have expected an ambush. None one notices a pregnant woman wandering around the ruins.”

Silence sat between them for a few moments before she spoke again. Her voice trembling. “I saw what he made you do to yourself. How could you think I would leave you there in his hands and allow that monster to treat you like that? I needed you here with me! Or son needs you here! And I told you that you were going to have to put up with me being the weeping woman every time you went out into potential danger!”

He stared at her for a moment before his face broke out into a grin. “A weeping woman huh?” He chuckled, “Well, if that’s how you weep every time I go into potential danger, I’d hate to find out what you’d act like if I purposely sought danger out.”

Her eyes narrowed, “Maxwell Zander Evans! If you ever go looking for danger on purpose, I will have no problem whatsoever with dragging you back and tying you to the bed to keep you safe!”

His eyes twinkled up at her as she leaned down over him. She brushed her lips over his as she said, “And you already have proof that I can tie you to the bed and make sure you stay there.”

His laughter echoed through the room long after her lips had finally claimed his.

TBC...

Okay guys... here's a longer than usual part for all of you...mostly because there was a lot to say and I didn't want to chop it into more parts...don't worry, there should still be at least four more parts after this...


M in Y- Lonnie is a woman, so she doesn't kill people, would you...honestly? But...you'll like this part I hope.

spray- LOL, you'll see here! Glad you didn't die either, .

Izzy- LOL, you asked for it!

cowgirl- LOL, Liz is definitely a match for Zan, eh?

tequa- I know, I know...

Laira- You're welcome

L.- LOL, more proof here. Awww... thanks.

roswell- LOL, glad you liked the part.

NUN- thank you

Rhonda- LOL, you'll see here.

coco- LOL, yep she's his match

Strawberry- thanks

Vero- Well, I was hoping it sounded like a really scary place to be, so thanks. LOL, you'll see Khivar's 'face' here.



Okay, here we go...



Part 36

Zan moved slowly across the room, stalking his prey. She was on all fours in the middle of the bed, eyes glowing orange. His eyes slowly moved over her naked skin, the smell of her need beckoning him closer.

She purred softly as she arched her back in need before lowering her head slightly to look at him through lowered eyelashes. He growled low in his throat when her tongue languidly moved over her lower lip.

She began to recline back against the headboard when he reached the foot of the bed and began to slowly undress. She watched him as he did so, enjoying the way his skin slowly came into view.

When he was as naked as she was, he leaned over and proceeded to crawl up the bed licking his lower lip as she spread her legs for him. His gaze moved to her beckoning folds and he dipped his head down, allowing his tongue to take one long lick of her sweetness.

She gasped in pleasure as his tongue continued to lap at her juices before tenderly pushing inside of her to stroke her walls. As his nose nuzzled her mound, she lifted her hips to push closer to his face for more pleasure.

He could feel her thighs beginning to tremble, so he removed his tongue from her and took her pleasure button into his mouth, sucking gently. Sliding two fingers into her heat, he quickly built up the pace and matched his sucking mouth to the rhythm of his fingers.

The mewling sounds she’d been making quickly escalated until she came with a soft cry of his name. As her orgasm washed over her, he moved his mouth to her opening and greedily lapped up her sweet offering.

Even with that respite, she still wasn’t satisfied. Her mate still hadn’t fed her craving. Luckily for her, he knew exactly how to keep his mate sated.

Leaning over her, he lifted her in his arms, careful not to injure her five month extended belly. Shifting her in his arms, he sat her in his lap, facing away from him.

She leaned back against his chest as they both slid one arm beneath her belly, fingers entwined. Widening her legs, she lifted up on her knees and he used his free arm to help her settle down on his shaft.

As soon as they both knew she was comfortable, she slid her free hand up behind them and into his hair while he used his free hand to help her ride him.

He leaned his head down to nibble her neck and shoulder as he continued to lift his hips up into hers. He could feel her walls tightening around him, knowing that these days it didn’t take long for her to reach her end, especially when he’d already given her pleasure just recently.

As their arms tightened beneath her belly and fingers clutched harder, he buried his face in her neck. She was using her knees and thighs as leverage to raise herself up and slide back down on him in quicker movements. That and the viselike grip of her walls were more than enough to send him over the edge.

Still he held on, breathing hard against her neck, letting her have her pleasure first. She was keening now, louder with each downward stroke of her hips.

He lifted his free hand to cup her breast and gently bit at the base of her neck. With a cry of ecstasy, she threw her head back against his shoulder as her latest orgasm ripped through her.

He growled against her neck as he felt her liquid heat drench his shaft and the sudden pulsing of her already tightened walls around him. As her nails dug into his palm and at the nape of his neck, he thrust his hips harder up into her body and let go with a roar of her name.

Her body reacted instantly, walls milking him of his nourishment. She continued to rotate her hips in his lap until she could feel the last of his seed being absorbed by her body and the faint shudder he gave with his completion.

Sitting completely still now, they let the last of their mating heat pass before either one of them made a move.

He was the first to move.

He simply lifted her slightly to lay her on the bed and spoon up behind her, nuzzling her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.

Locked in his tender embrace, she quickly drifted off to sleep, her body and heart completely nourished and satisfied.

**********************************************************************

Kyle glanced up as he heard the door open and frowned when he realized it was only a servant.

Rath caught the frown and hid his knowing smile from Kyle. “He’ll be back soon Kyle. There’s no rush.”

Kyle looked up at Rath, “I don’t think Kivar is going to wait while Zan and his mate go get frisky, do you?”

Rath chuckled, “It’s been almost a week, Kyle. If Kivar hasn’t made his move yet, I doubt he’s going to do it within the next couple of hours.”

“Hours! Are you saying we’ll be here for hours? Geez! How many more months is it until the heir is born?”

The door opened once more to reveal Zan, who was still buttoning up his shirt. He glanced at Kyle and softly growled, “If you must know, she’s due in four months. Until that time, I will do whatever it takes to keep her happy and safe, even if it means I have to keep getting frisky with her every minute of every day. Understand?”

Kyle lowered his head and muttered low, “Understood, Your Highness.”

Zan nodded, “Good.” He turned to look at the table, “So, where were we?”

Rath didn’t even bat an eyelash as he pointed at the map and said, “Here, at the site of the arena. How we are going to get our people in to destroy it and Kivar.”

“Right, okay as I was saying earlier this is where Liz led me out…”

**********************************************************************

Liz stood near the door to their bedroom, watching as her husband dressed in his fighting outfit. Her arms were folded over her chest, but she didn’t say a word. She knew it was fruitless to do so.

He’d never let her go. Not when she’d already risked her life and the life of their unborn son so much already. She understood that, she really did. Still, it didn’t stop her from wanting to be at his side when they destroyed the arena.

She knew how to get in after all. And so did Lonnie. Which was why Lonnie was going with them, but not her.

Zan finished buckling up his weapons belt and looked up at his wife keeping vigil at the door. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair at the look on her face.

They’d been over this already, several times. Granted, she’d been in all of the meetings helping them plan how to get in and fight at the arena, just as Lonnie had been. But he was only allowing his sister to go this time and only as a guide, not a fighter.

“Liz, leijha’mi, please don’t do this.”

“Do what? What am I doing?”

“Giving me that look.”

“What look?”

He shook his head, “You know you can’t go. We talked about this plenty of times.”

She nodded, “I know.”

“You have to stay here and keep our son safe.”

“I know,” she replied as she began to walk towards him.

“My mother will be here with you and so will Maria and Amy.”

“I know, Zan.” She stood in front of him and cupped his face in her hands. “Promise me you won’t go looking for danger?”

He sighed as he gripped her wrists. She tightened her hold on his face.

“No! Don’t avoid the subject! Promise me Zan! Or you will find me out there with you!”

He looked up into her eyes, hesitating for a few moments. Then he lowered his forehead to hers, still looking into her eyes.

“I promise, dimo ulhi’maos. I promise I won’t go looking for danger.”

“You’ll let Rath, Valenti, and the others do their jobs first?”

“Yene. Idi thewa meco memeh spi’ho meco dimo feigos.” He paused before adding, “Deh meco vles teto genbi eto dimo o’syn.”

Liz smiled at his words. She too hoped he would be there to welcome his son into the world.

**********************************************************************

Kivar screamed in rage as he grabbed his guard’s gun and blew the messenger’s head off. Everyone else in the room went silent and seemed to shrink in fear.

Nikoli stood slightly behind Kivar, eyes glued to the body as it toppled to the ground. He swallowed and kept his voice as low as possible.

“My lord, we knew they would be coming soon.”

Kivar growled, “Yes, Nikoli, we knew. That is why we were preparing for it! We had every advantage what with those magnificent weapons we stole from the human world!”

He whirled around and glared at his best advisor. “Yet somehow those beasts managed to deflect our weapons, disable them, and are now swarming into our lands! Tell me Nikoli! How is it that those imbeciles have managed to get this far? How!”

Nikoli did his best not to squirm beneath his leader’s hysterical yelling as he calmly replied, “I do not know how they defeated our weapons, but since someone managed to come and rescue the Wahani King, I am assuming it is that person who has given the Wahani knowledge of our land.”

Kivar gritted his teeth in frustration before he tossed the gun he still held at the wall. “I know that you idiot! What I want to know is how they are defeating our weapons! Get someone out there who can get me results! I will not allow those beasts to win! Do you hear me! I want every last one of them wiped out! I will show them that their ways are extinct, just like they will be!”

Nikoli bowed his head, “Of course, my lord.”

**********************************************************************

Zan stood surrounded by the guard that Rath and Valenti had assigned to him with Rath and Vilondra standing on either side of him. He watched as Valenti signaled for the next wave of fighters to move in and breach the enemy’s defenses.

Charles stood not too far away with several other technicians and the machines they’d built to render all electronic devices in the area useless. Once he’d given Valenti the go ahead, Valenti had given the order for the fighters to move.

Now, Kyle stood by with his men, vigilantly watching for any sign of the weapons the rebels tended to use. So far, no more had surfaced since the Wahani had managed to disable them with their telekinesis powers.

As the recent wave of fighters swarmed the rebels, Valenti gave another signal to the next batch which would push through the holes that had appeared amongst the rebel line.

Zan nodded to Rath as the fighters made their way past the line and into the grounds surrounding the arena.

They were finally in.

**********************************************************************

There was no mistaking it. Nikoli could hear the shouting and the sounds of fighting echoing through the corridors. They were being invaded. Kivar’s reign had finally come to an end, but even Nikoli knew his leader was too far gone to even admit defeat.

Turning to the guard next to him he issued orders. “Take five of your best soldiers and guard our leader. Lock him in his rooms if you have to and kill anyone who tries to get to him. Even if it is one of ours. Understood?”

The guard bowed, “Yes sir.”

Nikoli turned to the rest of the men in the room. “Go to the others. Spread the word. We are to fight to the end and keep the Wahani from getting into this place at all costs. Anyone who tries to turn traitor will end up at the end of my weapon! Now, move!”

With a resounding cry, his men rushed out of the room to do his bidding. Nikoli took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, sending a silent prayer that he would die a soldier’s death.

**********************************************************************

“Your Majesty! The fighters have gotten in! All rebels are being apprehended as we speak!” announced Valenti as he came running up to the small group surrounding Zan.

Zan nodded. “Good. Take the group like we planned and find Kivar. Bring him to me alive!”

Valenti bowed, “Of course, my lord.” He turned to look at Vilondra standing next to Rath. “Ready, my lady?”

Vilondra glanced at her brother for a moment before nodding briskly to Valenti. “Ready.”

Zan watched as she moved to Valenti’s side and the rest of the group that was going with them quickly formed a tight ring around them. Charles was one of the men who was going with them, Zan knew he wouldn’t want to be too far from the woman who claimed his heart.

In moments they had disappeared into the arena as the fighting continued all around them.

**********************************************************************

Kivar shoved the guard in front of him and reached for the small gun he always kept hidden in his sleeve. Pulling it out, he shot the guard in the shoulder and screamed.

“I don’t care who gave you those orders! I will not be locked up like a prisoner while those filthy beasts run wild in my home! Don’t you dare waste your breath trying to explain things to me! Go and skin one of them! Make yourself useful man! I want them dead!”

He fired the gun once more and screeched at all of the guards to get going or he’d add them to his collection of dead animals.

**********************************************************************

Nikoli let go of the man he’d just killed and turned as he heard one of his men yelling for him. Watching as he ran up to him nearly out of breath.

“I’m sorry, sir, but our leader refuses to stay in his rooms. He’s already shot two of the men and is threatening to skin every last one of us.”

Nikoli muttered under his breath. “I don’t need this right now!” Turning on his heel, he barked more orders. “Guard the corridors! Pull all of the men back! I want the main guard all moved to the hall outside of the leader’s rooms now!”

Once more everyone began running to obey his orders as he made his way through the place towards Kivar’s rooms. Even from far away, he could hear his leader’s hysterical screaming.

“Kill them! Skin them alive! Kill the prisoners before those beasts can get to them! Use every weapon we have! Pull out all of the stops! Burn this place down if you have to!”

Nikoli came running around the corner to see Kivar screaming and shoving soldiers out of his way.

Kivar turned to glare at Nikoli. “What the hell is going on! How dare you try to lock me in my rooms! Why aren’t those beasts dead yet?”

“I’m trying, my lord, but having you undermining my orders isn’t helping!”

“I refuse to just sit and watch you fail!”

“I am simply trying to keep you safe! Instead, you want to run right into the nest!” yelled Nikoli.

Kivar blinked at that before backing down. “Fine. I’ll stay in my rooms. Just make sure you find that so called King and split him open.”

“As you wish, my lord.” He motioned to the guards who escorted Kivar back into his rooms and shut the doors.

As Nikoli turned around and headed down the hall, he could hear the fighting getting closer. He issued more orders, “Defend this hall with your life men! Do not allow anyone through.”

He took his stand just behind the doors to the hall, knowing that if they managed to make it this far, Kivar wouldn’t last much longer after that.

**********************************************************************

Vilondra watched as the others pushed ahead of her. Charles and Valenti remained at her side as well as four other men, but the rest were clearing a path through the corridor.

As soon as the signal came that all was clear, the small group moved ahead. Vilondra turned the corner and nodded as soon as she saw the doors.

“That’s it. Those are the doors that lead to his rooms. Go through that set and there is another set to the left which is his private sitting room and his bedroom is behind that.”

Valenti nodded. “Good, we’re here then.” He turned to the others. “Okay, you know what to do from here, make sure the others know which way to go.”

The men nodded and began moving into place with Valenti not to far behind them. Vilondra, Charles, and two others moved into a corner to stay out of the fighting.

As they watched the men push forward into the hall, Vilondra began to look around the area, smiling to herself.

**********************************************************************

Kivar paced impatiently as he listened to the sounds outside. He glanced up once more to see the guards waiting tensely in front of the doors, keeping him in and the fighting out. He growled under his breath. He trusted Nikoli to do what he had to do. He knew Nikoli had always been the best, it was why he’d promoted him over any of the other greedy bastards. None of them were as loyal or as efficient as Nikoli was. When this was over, he was going to give Nikoli anything he wanted.

He turned once more and paced towards his bedroom, hands behind his back. Just as he reached the doorway, hands reached out and yanked him through.

He stumbled and righted himself quickly, just as he heard the door softly closing behind him. Whirling around, he paused the moment he noticed who it was.

Dressed in black leather pants and a matching corset, Vilondra smiled demurely as she leaned back against the door. Kivar’s mouth began to water at the sight.

“Hello again, Kivar.”

He growled, “How the hell did you get in?”

She chuckled softly, “It was easy.” She pushed off the door and moved sultrily towards him. “We didn’t get to finish our conversation from last time.”

Kivar nodded his head as his eyes glazed over. “Yeah.”

When she laughed, he shook his head to clear his daze and glared at her. “Wait a minute! You drugged me, you bitch!”

She grinned, “Did I? I thought you were drunk. Weren’t you trying to get me drunk?”

He backed away from her and pulled his gun out from his sleeve, aiming it at her. “You tricked me! All you wanted was to distract me so that someone could get that filthy brother of yours out! Well, that’s the last time you will win! Now we do things my way!”

Lonnie laughed, “Haven’t you been listening?” She cocked her head towards the door. “See? Your people are losing. My people will win and my brother is here to see you lose!”

Kivar roared and aimed the gun at her again. Before he had the chance to fire, Lonnie leaped out of the way, landing in a crouch behind him. He whirled around, eyes wide as he watched her change before his eyes.

When she slowly stood, Kivar saw the long blonde mane of hair, flowing freely down past her thighs and the long wicked nails protruding from her fingers. Her eyes glowed a bright red as she opened her mouth and growled at him, showing sharp teeth and even longer canines.

He whimpered in fear as she took a step towards him, her voice lower and raspy as she spoke. “You lose, Kivar.”

He covered his eyes with one arm and screamed bloody murder as she launched herself at him.

**********************************************************************

Nikoli turned towards the doors of Kivar’s private sitting room with a frown. “What the hell?”

All of them had heard the shout of one of the guards within the room.

“Keep guarding the hall!” he ordered as he ran towards the sitting room and threw open the door. Inside he saw the two guards banging on Kivar’s bedroom door.

As he heard the doors to the hallway being broken down behind him, one of the guards turned towards him and yelled, “Sir, there’s someone else in the room with him!”

Nikoli swore under his breath as he rushed to the door and shoved the guards out of the way. “Go help the others!”

As the two men made their way into the hall to fight, Nikoli jammed the door knob with the butt of his gun until it fell at an angle. Backing up, he braced himself and threw his entire weight against the door.

Just as he burst through the door, he heard Kivar’s bloodcurdling scream.

**********************************************************************

“Valenti! Vilondra is gone!” yelled Charles as he and the rest of the guards began searching for any clues as to how she’d disappeared.

“What? Where the hell did she go?” asked Valenti who remained near the hall doors, as Charles and the others rushed up to meet him.

“I don’t know! One minute she was right next to me and the next she was gone!” replied Charles.

Suddenly a scream rang out from inside Kivar’s rooms, followed by a very feminine roar.

As one they all turned to look in the same direction.

“It’ska! Vilondra!” yelled Charles as they all began fighting their way into the rooms.

**********************************************************************

Lonnie slammed into Kivar, knocking him to the ground and pouncing on top of him. Roaring loud, she reared back and flexed her claws, intending to rip him apart.

As her hands raced towards their goal, something hard slammed against her head, knocking her off of her prey. She rolled slightly and grunted in pain as she shook her head before looking up. Before she had a chance to launch herself at Kivar again, Nikoli was besides her and used the butt of his gun to strike at her jaw, knocking her into the ground again.

Kivar scrambled to his feet and screeched at Nikoli. “Stop! I want to finish her!”

He knelt on her back, pinning her to the ground and grabbed her hair, yanking her head back. “You filthy bitch! You are just like them! A beast! Well, if you insist on acting like one, then I will treat you like one!” He yelled.

He moved his face closer to hers as she growled at him. “I’ll rip you apart you bastard! And if I don’t, my brother will see to it that you die painfully!”

Kivar laughed. “No princess. I will win! My people will capture your brother and bring him to me. I will skin him alive and then use his hide as our marriage bed!” He spat before slamming her head into the ground.

Standing up, he yelled at Nikoli. “Kill every last one of them, except the Wahani King! I want her to see him die!”

Before Nikoli had a chance to reply, the commotion from the sitting room stopped him. Turning his head, he swore. “Knock her out, my lord! They have breached the doors!”

Kivar made his way back to Lonnie’s side, but she lashed out at him with her claws, preventing him from touching her.

Nikoli swore once more and turned to slam the doors shut, catching a glance of the Wahani who had swarmed into the outer room before he joined Kivar in subduing the princess.

**********************************************************************

Zan didn’t move as the guard relayed the message to all of them. All Rath saw was the slight clenching of his jaw when he’d heard that Vilondra was hostage to Kivar and his second, Nikoli.

The two men had locked themselves in Kivar’s bedroom with the princess as their hostage and no one had managed to get in without causing harm to her. Valenti and the others had effectively wiped out all of the rest of the rebels, but Kivar and Nikoli were the last to remain.

“Ra’thlan, give the orders for Kyle and the others to sweep the arena and clean up the leftovers. Make sure all prisoners are taken care of,” came Zan’s quiet command.

“Of course, Your Highness.” As he turned to relay the orders, Zan began making his way towards the arena.

**********************************************************************

Nikoli paced in front of the bedroom door, sweat beading his brow. He knew this was the last stand. He knew all of the rebels had been defeated and the Wahani were now in control of the arena and the surrounding area.

Glancing at Kivar, he wondered if his leader even knew what a hopeless situation they were now in. There was no way the two of them could make it out of there alive, especially since he was the only real fighter between the two.

A knock sounded on the door, causing him to freeze and aim the gun towards the door even though he knew the gun was useless against a Wahani at this point. Still, it offered him some sense of security as he tried to speak in a strong voice.

“What is it?”

“King Zan wishes to negotiate for his sister’s life,” came the reply.

Kivar laughed, “There will be no negotiation! Vilondra is mine!”

Nikoli frowned at the door, not wanting his leader to see his disappointment.

“I don’t think…”

“Ra’thlan, let me talk to him,” interrupted another voice which Nikoli was very familiar with. Even with the door and a gun between them, that voice still sent shivers down Nikoli’s spine.

“Kivar, I’m sure Nikoli has informed you that my people have taken control of the arena and are freeing the prisoners as we speak. All of your men have been disarmed and arrested. You and Nikoli are all that remain. And you are surrounded. You cannot escape. However, I am willing to make your death painless if you hand the princess over to me without a fuss. If you continue to resist, we will make sure you pay for every second of resistance.”

There was silence as Zan let that sink into Kivar’s brain.

“Are we in agreement, Kivar?”

Nikoli turned to look at Kivar who was glaring at Vilondra. She had been chained to the wall with chains that Nikoli had refused to think about why Kivar had them in his bedroom in the first place.

Nikoli whispered, “My lord, I think we should take his offer. Maybe we can plead with him for our lives if we give her to him peacefully.”

Kivar whirled around and glared at him as he hissed, “Are you mad! I will never surrender to beasts! They are beneath me! Beneath you! We will kill them all! Exterminate them! They are not fit to survive in our world!”

Nikoli frowned, “We are out numbered, sire! We cannot defeat them!”

“I will not let them win!”

“They have already won!”

“NO!” screamed Kivar. “I am still alive! I know a way out!” He moved to Nikoli and shoved him towards the door. “Go! Distract them while I escape! I will take the princess and go while you defend my life!”

Nikoli hissed, “Didn’t you hear him? They have the place surrounded! You cannot possibly escape!”

“Nikoli! I gave you an order!” Kivar roared.

Nikoli opened his mouth to protest once more, but Kivar slapped him as he screamed, “Don’t you dare disobey me, you coward! I am your leader! I made you what you are! Defend my escape!”

Nikoli clenched his jaw as he exchanged glares with his leader. “Yes, my lord,” he murmured from between pursed lips.

“Good!” nodded Kivar as he grabbed Vilondra and unchained her from the wall. Yanking her to his side and holding a knife to her ribs, he hissed, “Try anything, Princess and I’ll run you through.”

Nikoli watched as Kivar made his way to the fireplace and ran his fingers over the corner of the mantel. As the wall slid aside, Kivar yanked Vilondra with him and disappeared into the dark hole.

Nikoli turned and opened the bedroom door before standing back and holding up the gun at Zan who stood motionless.

“Sorry, Your Highness, but Kivar won’t be surrendering himself or the princess today.”

Zan narrowed his eyes at Nikoli, “Where is he?”

“Gone.”

“And the princess?”

“With him.”

Zan growled and tilted his head towards his second, “Find them.”

Nikoli cocked the gun, “Can’t let you do that, Your Majesty. My orders are to defend his life.”

Zan glared at him. “Do you really think he will escape?”

There was a pause before Nikoli responded, “No.”

“Then what are you doing!”

“I have my orders, sir.” came Nikoli’s reply.

Zan stood there staring at the man in front of him. He remembered Nikoli well. He was Kivar’s second as Rath was his. And like Rath, this man defended his leader, loyal to the very end. Even as he stood there and looked into Nikoli’s eyes, Zan knew what Nikoli knew.

Kivar had lost. Nikoli was giving up his life for a leader who had never appreciated his loyalty. He was going to die fighting, for loyalty, for honor.

It made Zan respect Nikoli for the warrior he was and mourn for the warrior he could have been.

Slowly he nodded and stepped back, motioning to Rath.

Rath looked towards Nikoli as he heard Zan’s voice in his head, He will defend his leader to the very end. He knows his job well and will not stray from it. He is a good soldier, treat him as such. I will take Valenti and hunt down Kivar.

As you wish, Your Highness, came Rath’s reply.

Zan nodded towards Nikoli. “Stil’lin pao, rioistis.”

Nikoli responded, “Sehi xadlo, ursa io‘slo.”

**********************************************************************

Kivar ran through the corridors dragging Vilondra with him until he burst into the sunlight, blinded momentarily.

Nikoli ducked Rath’s swinging fist and swung his own fist upwards, connecting with flesh.

Kivar blinked tears out of his eyes, blurry vision straining to make sense of the shadows looming ahead of him.

Nikoli’s fist connected again with Rath’s chin as the others continued to keep vigil in the loosely formed circle around the two fighters.

Kivar could feel Vilondra scrambling to her feet behind him and saw her blurry form rush past him into the waiting arms of her brother.

Nikoli spat blood as he doubled over from the blow to his stomach and staggered back, sinking to his knees.

Kivar watched as Zan handed his sister over to Valenti before walking briskly towards him, claws extended.

Nikoli looked up at Rath for a moment, acknowledging his defeat with his eyes before lowering his head.

Kivar could feel the scream lodged in his throat as the claws ripped thorough it and blood spilled down his chest.

Rath watched as the body slumped to the floor before lifting one hand over his heart and whispering, “Orasire sehi ceir, rioistis.”

Zan stood still as Kivar lay drowning in his own blood, waiting patiently as he watched the light fade from the rebel leader’s eyes. Only then did he turn and walk away from the useless piece of meat.

**********************************************************************

Kyle continued to supervise the others as they helped the prisoners out of the holding cells of the arena. Some of the prisoners had put up fights, but they were quickly dealt with. Others were grateful for the rescue and helped in any way they could to get out of the place quickly. Still, some prisoners had to be helped out because of their deteriorated conditions and the worst had to be carried out.

Valenti, Rath, and Zan soon joined him. He nodded in greeting. “I take it Vilondra is okay?”

Zan nodded, “She and Charles are already on their way back to the castle.”

Kyle sighed, “Good, that’s one less worry, right now.”

Zan arched an eyebrow, “Well, you can keep on worrying ‘cause I’m not leaving until I’m satisfied everything is okay here.”

Kyle looked at his father with a smirk, “Is he serious?”

Valenti rolled his eyes, “Keep your mind on your job, son.”

Kyle nodded, “Right. Okay, well we’ve finished searching all the holding cells, except the west one. But we are working on that one right now, so we should be done within another two hours.”

Zan nodded, “Good.” He turned to look at Valenti, “And the arena?”

“It’s being emptied as we speak. As soon as Kyle gives the word, we’ll burn the place to the ground.”

“Okay, Rath…” Zan paused as he felt the familiar heat begin to spread through his body.

Kyle looked up at Zan when he’d paused. “What?”

As he looked from Zan to Rath, then his father, he knew.

“Aw, Da’kata! Now! Zan, now?”

Zan gritted his teeth as he turned to look at Rath. “You are in command, C.A.”

Rath nodded, “Understood, Your Highness. Valenti will follow you home.”

Zan shook his head as he began to shift form. He growled, “No, I can travel faster on my own. Valenti needs to be here to help.”

Without another word he turned and sped off into the distance.

Kyle watched him go with a frown, “How many months is it again?”

**********************************************************************

Valenti moved into the doorway and looked at Kyle who was walking towards him. “Finished?”

Kyle looked up at him, “Yes. They got the last of the prisoners out. You can start torching the place.”

Valenti nodded and walked back out to give the orders.

As Kyle made to follow him, he heard a sound coming from a cell close by. Instantly putting his senses on alert, he listened for any more sounds.

When he heard a soft moan, he moved quietly towards the cell and looked in. His eyes scanned the area and almost missed the tiny stirring of straw in the far, dark corner.

“Hey, is someone there?”

Another moan reached his ears as the straw shifted again and he saw fingers reaching through it. His eyes widened as he heard a whispered voice, “I’m…over…here…please…”

Without another moment of hesitation, he walked to the straw and began brushing it away until he saw the body curled into a fetal position on the floor.

Long auburn hair was terribly matted and caked with dried blood, covering the face completely. Strips of cloth were all that remained on a body that was covered in more dried blood, bruises, and dirt.

“Od’yia! What the hell did they do to you? Hey, can you hear me? I’m going to have to carry you out of here, okay?”

Another moan was his answer as he slid his arms around the body and lifted it into his arms. He nearly dropped the body as he realized just how light it was and got another shock as the head rolled back and the hair fell away to reveal a pale, pale face.

But that wasn’t what made him catch his breath. As he stared down into the now open grass green eyes, he could see the other half of his soul staring right back at him. And he knew. He knew her name was Serena.

TBC...

new Wahani words
memeh - come
spi'ho - home
vles - see
teto - the
genbi - birth
stil'lin pao rioistis - literally: shine on, warrior. (It's meant to be a phrase showing respect towards someone.)
sehi xadlo, ursa io'slo - literally: in glory, your highness. (It's also meant to be a phrase showing returned respect towards someone.)
orasire sehi ceir - rest in peace

spray- LOL, yes Kivar is finally gone! Glad you like Kyle and Serena.

cowgirl- thanks, glad u liked it.

Vero- LOL, he was insane, wasn't he? Whew, glad I didn't mess up Nikoli's character too much.

Laira- LOL, yeah Liz is sooooo lucky . Yep, Kivar missed it every single time. LOL, well she's great but I really didn't want the violence to touch her too much. glad you liked the Nikoli character arc and the fighting scenes. I'm actually proud of myself for pulling that off . Yep, gotta love the heat . Ditto about the needs you and M in Y talked about.

roswell- here ya go, another part...

L.- LOL, Kyle may have trouble...and there's more about Serena's background here...

Strawberry- thanks

cocogurl- Yep . Awwww....

M in Y- LOL, yep Kyle definitely needs to suffer a bit . LOL, needs are met .

Izzy- LOL, glad it was worth it.

Rhonda- LOL, yes he is.

NUN- thanks

tequa- yes you do. Couples are here...

Luna- glad u like this...



Okay, without further ado...



Part 37

Kyle grimaced as he heard another scream echo down the stairs. Besides him, Serena squeezed his hand gently and whispered in his mind.

It’s okay, dimo agalo. I’m right here.

He flicked his gaze to the woman sitting next to him, feeling the surge of courage that came from her. Returning the squeeze she gave him, he replied, Zan wouldn’t hurt her, I know it. And Liz wouldn’t allow him too anyway. So, what could possibly be causing her to scream like that? Not the child!

Serena gave him a slight smile. Kyle, she’s not having an animal. Would you let that go already?

What? You know how they got every time Liz went into heat!

I know, Kyle. But just because that’s what happened doesn’t mean the baby is going to come out an animal! Geez, where does your imagination come from?

Kyle shook his head and muttered, “Shoulda stuck to breeding my bitches.”

Serena gave him an icy glare as Lonnie retorted, “Keep it up Kyle and that’s just what might happen.” She turned to look apologetically at Serena, “The fates were definitely cruel to you weren’t they?”

Serena rolled her eyes, “Sometimes I think so.”

As another scream reached them, Kyle flinched and came to his feet. Turning to Serena, he tugged her to her feet.

“I can’t do this. Sitting here waiting to find out what’s going to happen. Please, Ser, let’s just go home.”

Serena looked from Kyle to Lonnie and back again before Lonnie spoke up.

“It’s okay, Serena. You should go home and rest a bit more anyway. I know Liz will expect you to be resting still. I promise to send word as soon as we know anything, okay?”

Serena sighed, “Okay, thanks Lonnie.”

Lonnie nodded and ushered the two of them out of the King and Queen’s living area, sending them on their way to Kyle’s home. She stood there watching as Kyle slid his arm around Serena’s waist and pulled her closer to him. Serena instantly leaned against him and rested her head slightly against his shoulder, indicating that she was indeed still a little tired from her ordeal in the arena.

It had been almost four months since the fall of Kivar and the destruction of the arena. In that time, Serena had been brought back to the castle and placed into the royal infirmary to recuperate from her wounds.

The moment anyone had laid eyes on a shell shocked Kyle carrying a nearly lifeless Serena, they had known that the King and Queen were no longer the most recent ulhi’maos in the kingdom. After that day, it had been interesting to see the way the two of them had dealt with that realization.

Kyle had spent most of that time looking guilty, as if he thought he was being punished for saying all those things he had to Zan. That was until Serena had finally healed enough to be let out of the infirmary.

At that point, Zan had offered to give her a room in the castle, but Kyle had immediately stepped in and asked Serena if she wouldn’t be uncomfortable staying with him at his father’s house since they had an extra room. She had willingly accepted and gone home with Kyle.

Strangely enough, the one who seemed to be having a tough time with the whole bonding issue was Serena. Kyle seemed more than eager to try to work things out with her and he seemed genuinely interested in her. He also sought Zan out anytime he had questions about the bond or how to deal with a new relationship.

Zan, being the diplomatic leader and good friend that he was, set aside any differences and helped Kyle in any way he could. Provided that he wasn’t otherwise occupied with his own ulhi’maos or with matters of the kingdom. Granted, Liz often lent her own advice when possible and Rath still managed to take care of most of the kingdom’s affairs so that Zan could have more time with his wife.

All in all, Lonnie thought that the last four months seemed to have flown by quickly for everyone she knew.

With each passing week, Liz had gone into heat more and more, requiring Zan to stay incredibly close to her. By the last month and a half, Zan was pretty much confined to the bedroom along with his wife. Of course, everyone knew that he wasn’t complaining.

Neither was Rath, who had taken over most of the responsibilities of the kingdom with the help of Valenti. Despite those duties, Rath still found plenty of time to be with Maria, who often accompanied him around the castle anyway. In fact, Lonnie wondered if Maria was even staying at Rath’s family home anymore since she seemed to be everywhere in the castle along with Rath.

If that was the case, then that probably explained why Valenti seemed to disappear when he wasn’t on duty, just like Amy did. Amy was still staying at Rath’s family home, but obviously she wasn’t complaining about the fact that her daughter was never there. And it also explained why Serena didn’t have a hard time going home with Kyle, especially if Valenti wasn’t around the house.

Thinking about the way everyone seemed to be playing musical chairs with their living arrangements, Lonnie was glad that she didn’t have to play that with Charles. Granted, their relationship hadn’t ventured into the physical part yet, but she knew she was in love with him. And she knew she didn’t have to move into his place to know that he loved her.

Lonnie knew Charles was waiting for the right time. After all, she was barely going to be twenty and she was still the princess. She knew Charles didn’t want to overstep his boundaries until he had gotten a clear sign from her brother, his King. Even if she told Charles that Zan approved of them, she knew Charles would never do anything until he heard from Zan himself.

Still, she wasn’t complaining because right now she was happy with the way life was going for everyone and for herself. Plus, there was the most pressing matter of her nephew who was finally making his arrival into the world.

**********************************************************************

Liz gritted her teeth as Zan leaned over her and whispered more words of encouragement.

“Liz, dimo agalo, kepai nu’brena epvat deh sropu, li‘ho. Esu veho meco sropu rosha-re. Stonon miace teroso.”

She glared up at him as she growled, “Esu idsa ateki teto teosla rati!”

“Idi oro, lat isti rati…”

Liz ignored him and took a deep breath before sitting up and pushing hard once more. As the pain seared her, she screamed. “God! It burns! Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me it would hurt this much?” she hissed.

“It’ll be over in a little bit, dimo agalo. Push just a little bit more.”

She hissed once more, “You push! I’m tired of pushing! After this, I’m never going to push again!”

Zan grimaced as she gripped his hand hard and her claws came out to dig into his flesh. He cast a pleading glance towards his mother who stood on the other side of Liz, occasionally wiping the sweat from his wife’s body.

Diana gave her son an encouraging smile before leaning down to speak to Liz. “Daughter, I know it hurts right now, but it will be over soon. I had to work hard for my two children too, but look how beautiful they turned out. I promise you, it will all be worth it in the end. To watch them grow and live and fill your life with love.”

Liz turned to look into Diana’s eyes for a moment and realized that what she said was true. She was going to bring new life into the world. She was going to have a son. A son who would be a perfect combination of her and the man she loved. Her ulhi’maos.

She turned to look up at Zan and gave him a smile. Idi agalo esu, she whispered into his mind before she took another deep breath and pushed with her whole heart.

**********************************************************************

Phillip paced back and forth at the bottom of the stairs in the living area. Every time he heard a scream, he rushed to the stairs and stared up them as if he expected someone to come down and tell him what was going on. When nothing happened, he’d resume his pacing.

Rath would occasionally roll his eyes at Phillip, but continued to sit patiently on the couch with his arm around Maria. Maria tried to be patient, but she was bouncing in her seat, anxious to see the newborn son of her best friend. She was grateful that Rath was there to provide the calmness she needed to get through all that waiting.

Her mother sat in a chair opposite the two of them, trying not to watch Phillip wear a groove into the floor. Occasionally she would sigh and ask Phillip to sit down before he wore himself out, but her request fell on deaf ears.

Lonnie was still leaning against entrance to the royal rooms, glaring at her father at this point. Finally unable to stand it anymore, she straightened up almost shouted at her father.

“Oh would you stop that already! Your pacing will not help their son to be born any quicker so just sit down before you drive us all mad!”

Phillip stopped his pacing and stared at his daughter in disbelief. “What?”

Lonnie rolled her eyes in indignation, “You heard me. Sit down!”

Phillip didn’t say a word. Instead, he slowly looked around the room at everyone else who was staring at him before nodding. “Right. Yeah, I should just sit down.”

Lonnie let out a relieved sigh as Phillip sat in a straight backed chair before she sagged into a comfortable one for herself. As she got comfortable, Amy gave her a grateful smile.

“Is Charles going to come by when he gets off duty?” she asked.

Lonnie nodded, “He said he was going home to change first, but if the baby comes before that, I have to send him a message.”

“Jim told me to send him a message when the baby is born too, but I think I’ll just go deliver it personally,” replied Amy.

Rath chuckled, “I could give him the message when I go relieve him of duty.”

Amy shook her head, “That’s okay, it’s not a problem.”

Maria looked up at her mother with a frown, “He won’t mind if you approach him while he’s on duty?”

“No. I’ve done it before. Besides Rath doesn’t mind when you do it to him. In fact, you are always with him when he’s on duty.”

Maria blinked at that before turning to look at Rath. Rath caught the look in her eyes and immediately spoke up. “Ria, it’s okay. Amy can go tell Valenti the news.”

Maria shook her head, “That’s not it.”

Rath hugged her closer and leaned in to whisper against her ear, “Dimo agalo, your mother needs him. You are always with me and she’s accepted that. You have to accept that she’s ready to move on too.”

Maria closed her eyes for a moment as she felt Rath graze her temple with his lips. He ran his hand soothingly up and down her arm and nuzzled her hair, trying to keep her calm in this moment of realization.

Unlike Maria, Rath had known something was brewing between Valenti and Amy for months. In fact, he had a suspicion that something was up just before the war started. However, it was completely obvious when the war started and Valenti had to be stationed at the border. Watching Amy being left behind was all the evidence Rath had needed to know that Amy was moving on.

Then when the war was over, and things began to return to normal. He’d noticed how Amy didn’t have a problem at all with Maria always staying at the castle with him. He knew it had everything to do with Valenti and he was glad that Maria’s mother had someone she could confide in the way Maria confided in him.

Finally Maria opened her eyes and looked up at him. He gave her an encouraging smile and she nodded before looking at her mother. “He’s right, you should be the one to tell Valenti the news.”

A silent look of acceptance passed between mother and daughter before they both seemed to visibly relax.

Once more, the small group went back to their silent waiting.

**********************************************************************

Liz was vaguely aware of the soft warmth against her chest just before she heard the words in her mind. Liz, open your eyes, dimo agalo. Open your eyes and look at our son.

She willed her eyes to open and blinked the exhaustion away as she gazed down at the carefully wrapped bundle lying against her chest. She smiled sleepily as emerald green eyes gazed up at her from beneath dark eyelashes.

“Oh Zan!” she whispered. “He’s so beautiful.”

Zan chuckled as he leaned down to place a kiss on his son’s forehead before placing a longer one on Liz’s lips. Looking into her eyes he responded, “Yes he is, leijha’mi, but you are more so.”

Diana leaned over Liz on the other side of the bed and smiled. “Come on, Liz. Zan is going to lift you up so that we can clean up the bed. Then you and your son can have a nice long rest, okay?”

Liz nodded and leaned into Zan’s embrace as he lifted both mother and son into his arms. She kept their son against her chest where both she and Zan cooed over him until he was told to put her back into bed.

Once she and the baby were settled in again, Diana glanced at both of them. “Have you decided what his name will be?”

Liz looked up at Zan who nodded, “Yes, but we will tell you the name tomorrow.”

Diana grinned, “Ah, so you told her the tradition, huh?”

Liz nodded, “Yes and I agreed that we should follow it.”

“Okay. If that is your wish, then I will let the others know.” She leaned down to kiss Liz’s cheek before walking around to hug her son. As she placed a kiss on his cheek she said, “You get some rest too, Rath can handle the kingdom for one day. We will see all three of you tomorrow.”

Zan didn’t argue with her as he walked her to the door and saw her out. He closed the door behind her and moved back to the bed where Liz was already drifting off to sleep. As he began to get undressed, he noticed that his son was already fast asleep against Liz’s bosom.

He smiled at the sight of the two of them like that and slowly slid underneath the covers to join them. Liz shifted slightly to allow him to wrap his arms around them both, holding them close. When they were all comfortable once again, they all drifted off into much needed sleep.

**********************************************************************

Rath pulled her closer to him and nuzzled her neck, slowly waking her up. He felt her sigh and move closer to him, her bottom fitting snugly against his hips. He continued to press soft kisses against her neck until she began to wiggle her bottom.

Maria smiled to herself when she heard and felt his groan against her neck. Turning her head slightly, she brushed her lips against his jaw before turning around in his arms.

Once she was facing him, Rath pulled her body flush with his and captured her lips for a full kiss. She lifted her leg to drape it over his hip as their kiss deepened. When her hands began to roam up his chest, he pulled away for some much needed air.

Breathing hard, he tried to get out his words. “We should be getting up soon. We can’t miss the introduction of the prince, you know.”

Maria looked towards the window before turning to him with a sly smile. “We won’t miss it. I want to properly say good morning to you.”

Rath grinned as she leaned in and kissed him once more. Soon, their hands were roaming all over each others bodies as they began to roll around in the bed.

When she was beneath him, Rath dipped his head to suckle her breasts prompting her to arch her back and curl her fingers into his hair. She spread her legs and wrapped them around his hips, grinding against him.

He moaned against her breast before moving to the next one, his hand teasing the one his mouth just abandoned. Maria writhed beneath him, lifting her hips higher, trying to take him into her body, but he wasn’t finished pleasuring her.

Lowering his hand to her knee, he lifted it up and bent his mouth to her wetness. As he began sucking in earnest on her bud, Maria threw her head back with a soft cry.

Rath lifted her leg higher, opening her wider for his ministrations and slid his tongue inside of her. Maria gripped the sheets in her hands as Rath alternated between sucking her clit and thrusting his tongue into her body.

When he felt her body trembling and heard the high pitched gasps she gave, Rath let go of her knee and plunged two fingers inside of her as he sucked hard on her clit.

She came with a scream as he lapped up her juices, enjoying the pleasure he gave her. As she was coming down from her high, he flipped them over and lifted her up onto his chest.

Maria rose up to her knees and placed her hands against his chest before impaling herself on him. She grinned in triumph when he growled at the way she felt surrounding him.

Without hesitance, she began to ride him in a steady rhythm. He slid his hands to her waist and she arched back, curling her fingers around his wrists for leverage. With his help, she picked up the pace and moaned when he lifted his hips to meet her downward thrusts.

Together, they moved in perfect sync as they moved faster and faster towards the end. This time when she came, he was right there with her, their cries of bliss blending perfectly together.

Maria was still moving over him, her walls still milking him, even after he’d emptied himself inside of her. Finally, with a sated sigh, she collapsed on top of him and smiled against his chest.

“Hm, now it’s time for a little nap.”

Rath chuckled, “You said we were saying good morning and now you want to go back to sleep.”

She gave another contented sigh before lifting her head and looking into his eyes. “Liz won’t mind if we stay in bed all day.”

He rolled his eyes. “Ria, I’m the C.A. I have to be there.”

She playfully stuck her tongue out at him, “I know that silly. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

She leaned down to kiss him again before she slowly slid off of him, making him groan on purpose.

Rath didn’t move from the bed as he watched her walk towards his bathroom. When she reached the door, she looked over her shoulder at him with a grin.

“Are you going to join me or take that nap you said we can’t take?”

With a growl, Rath leaped out of the bed and pursued a laughing Maria into the bathroom.

**********************************************************************

Serena stood next to Lonnie and surveyed the crowd. On the other side of Lonnie was Charles and Amy. The four of them were at the front of the crowd on a raised platform along with some of the other nobles of the kingdom. From her position, Serena had a good view of the rest of the huge crowd that was gathered to welcome the newest heir to the throne.

She could hear the buzz of excitement and murmurs of gladness that their King and Queen had produced a healthy baby boy. Serena herself was excited to see him. She was also excited to see everyone else too. This would be the first time she would get to see the King and Queen in such a formal setting since she had been a prisoner in the arena long before Zan had been made King and taken Liz as his wife.

She wasn’t the first Wahani that Kivar had captured, but she had been far from the last one. However, she was one of the lucky ones that had survived it all. Her family had lived along the border in a small farm, which had made it easy for the rebels to capture them.

Her older brother had died fighting their capture and her father had died fighting in the arena. Since she had been trained by both her brother and father, her captors saw her as prime meat to toss into the arena too. She had heard that her mother was given as a slave to one of the rebels, but had met her death when she had refused to follow his commands. Now, she was the only one left of her family.

Looking up towards the walkway where the royals would make their entrance, she saw Kyle and Valenti enter the area, doing a sweep of the place before taking their positions at their respective corners. As she gazed at her ulhi’maos, standing tall and on guard. She knew without a doubt that she would one day start a new family with him.

Despite the way he had reacted to the Queen’s delivery of her son, Kyle had reassured her plenty of times that he was more than willing to have a family with her someday. She knew without a doubt that they would have children when they were both ready and when the time was right.

A few moments after the two men had taken their positions, Rath and Maria walked out onto the walkway and stood slightly to the right. Immediately after them came the former King and Queen. Phillip and Diana moved slightly to the left and everyone waited until the crowd grew quiet.

A few beats of silence passed before Serena saw Zan walk out and hold his arms in the air.

“My people, it is with great pleasure that My Queen and I are introducing all of you to our son.”

He motioned behind him and Serena watched as Liz walked out cradling their son in her arms. As she moved to stand next to Zan, he leaned forward to take the infant boy into his arms before turning back towards the crowd.

Liz moved closer to Zan’s side, sliding one arm around his waist and using her other hand to help him lift their son above his head.

“People of the Underearth, I give you the heir to the throne, my son, Jasen Maxwell Evans.”

Those surrounding the King and Queen went to their knees as Rath said, “I pledge my loyalty to the Prince. Long live Prince Max.”

As every person in the crowd began to kneel, Serena heard the resounding cries of “Long live Prince Max” echoing around the area.

From her kneeling position, Serena looked up at her newest family with tears in her eyes as she too joined in the celebration. “Long live Prince Max.”

TBC...

new Wahani words
nu'brena - a breath
epvat - deep
sropu - push
veho - have
rosha-re - harder
stonon - just
miace - once
teroso - more
idsa - said
ateki - that
teosla - last
lat - but

tequa- thanks

spray- ok

Behrsgurl- cute, huh? I agree. Thanks.

roswell- Well, it'll have to be before the end of the story, huh?

Rhonda- thanks

NUN- Yes about the mating, but the 'heat' thing usually gets bad when the female is in 'season'... We'll see...

cocogirl- thanks

cowgirl- LOL, Lonnie and Charles seem to be everyone's next couple vote...

Vero- Well, I guess you know me by now, I don't like ending stories on a downer,

nibbles- That's part of the reason why I haven't said Amy and Valenti have had 'intimate' relations yet. Well, Wahani are like rabbits, lol. Remember how they were guessing about the rebels being offspring of a human/Wahani mix? So, I guess she will be able to get pregnant, but her being human may save her from being a full Wahani and being like rabbits....

Izzy- Thanks, yeah I had fun coming up with his name too . Well, anything to keep Kyle occupied, lol. , would you want him to leave? I take that as a no! When the story is over, I'll do my very best to send Zan your way .

Luna- LOL, yes it turned out better than I expected.

M in Y- LOL, I think Zan is still too 'overprotective Wahani male mate' to realize Liz is really made of sterner stuff. Thanks, I wanted them to have their family moments, as you'll see... LOL, that is true, but I think he'll enjoy every moment of it...like Zan does with Liz .



Okay, guys....after this is one more part and the epilogue, so enjoy!



Part 38

Liz woke with a start and sat up in bed, hastily looking around for some sign of her son and husband. Just as she was about to scramble out of bed and send a mind speech message to Zan, the bedroom door opened.

In walked Zan, carrying their three month old son, Max in his arms. As Liz settled back on the bed, Zan grinned at her and said, “We are going to have to find something for my mother to do, otherwise we may never see our son again.”

Liz chuckled, “Didn’t want to let you take him, huh?”

Zan shook his head as he sat down on the bed next to Liz. He kissed his son’s forehead before handing him to her. Liz pushed the shift that she wore down her shoulder, exposing one breast. Lifting her son in her arms, she guided him to his breakfast. As usual, Max didn’t waste time latching on to his meal.

Zan removed his clothes before sliding into bed next to Liz. Wrapping an arm around her back, he shifted her until she was resting comfortably against his chest. He leaned down and placed a kiss against her shoulder as he watched his son feed.

Liz smiled as Zan lifted a hand to caress their son’s cheek, then let his fingers trail over her breast and up to her cheek.

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “Idi hawi verteh etno menosed eto prosewa-i teto thiwo eto esu kesi isti.”

Liz tilted her head back to kiss her husband on the cheek, “Idi hawi verteh etno menosed eto veho-i esu prosewa susa.”

**********************************************************************

Maria opened her eyes again and looked at Rath who had just finished getting dressed. He was going to his morning meetings in lieu of Zan who was more likely helping Liz with their son. Usually that was the way it went lately.

Rath would take the morning duties while Zan and Liz fed and spent the mornings with their son. Then Zan would join Rath for a bit as well as any others for midmorning duties. Then Rath would return to his rooms for lunch and a bit of rest before he went off to work again.

It was in the afternoons that Maria usually accompanied Rath since it was already unspoken that the two of them were pretty much joined at the hip. It was during those times that Rath taught Maria more about his job and answered any questions she had about the kingdom and the way it functioned.

Maria enjoyed every moment she had to learn about Rath, his job, and his world. She also knew Rath wanted her to know everything too. And Rath was always proud of her when she helped him figure out any problems or dilemmas he had about anything. Rath often commented that he liked the way her mind worked.

Of course, she knew that wasn’t the only thing he liked about her. He’d proven that time and time again in every aspect of their life together.

And they were together. She knew that. In fact, it had been a few months since she had been back to Rath’s father’s home were her mother was still living. No one had complained about that, not even Amy. It already seemed natural for her to have simply moved into the rooms Rath had in the castle since that was where he always seemed to be. And since Liz lived there, it only seemed natural that Maria was as close to her best friend as possible.

When both Zan and Rath were busy, Maria was often with Liz. Granted, most of that time Liz was also working on something for the kingdom, but it had become a sort of communal effort. Liz’s office had been made into a very comfortable place where Maria, Liz, Diana, Max, and occasionally Lonnie could come together. So, the women could either be working on something for the kingdom or caring for baby Max.

It was definitely a group effort and Maria knew that Max was going to grow up never wanting for love. She knew that because while he spent the mornings with his parents, he spent the afternoons with their group, and the evenings with his father’s group.

Rath turned to look at her and smiled, “Going back to sleep?”

She shook her head and yawned, “No, I’m going to take a bath, then go meet Liz for a bit of breakfast.”

He nodded, then growled softly when she stretched.

She chuckled, “What?

He walked over to the bed and leaned down to kiss her, “You are too beautiful, you know that?”

She blushed at his compliment and slid her fingers through his hair, “Yes well, you aren’t that bad looking either, dimo agalo.”

She noticed the way his pupils widened at her endearment. Suddenly he cleared his throat and moved away from her. She frowned as she watched him move over to his desk and begin to rummage around in one of the drawers.

Just as she was about to ask what was wrong, he turned around and fixed her with a look of such longing it made her catch her breath.

Quietly, he made his way back to the bed and knelt besides it, looking up at her. Maria leaned forward to look down at him as she whispered, “What is it?”

Rath gave her a small smile as he said, “There’s something I need to ask you. I was waiting for the right time, but I don’t think there’s ever going to be a better time than now.”

Maria arched her eyebrow, “What?”

Rath sighed, “I’m hoping, I mean, I would be honored if you…” he paused as the words seemed to catch in his throat. “What I mean is, would you… would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Maria’s eyes went wide as she gasped. Rath was asking her to…

“Yes!” she screamed as she threw herself off the bed and into his arms.

With a chuckle, Rath landed on his back with Maria straddling him and peppering his face with kisses. In between kisses, she kept repeating the word yes as if making sure he knew she didn’t have any doubts at all.

Taking her face in his hands, he looked into her eyes, “Are you sure, Ria? Knowing what and who I am. Are you…”

Maria placed a finger over his lips. “Ra’thlan, I know. I want to be with you, always. I love you.”

Rath returned her smile as she lowered her lips to his and sealed her acceptance. All doubts he’d had about her ever being able to accept what he was disappeared with that kiss.

**********************************************************************

Lonnie looked up and down the street before hesitantly knocking on the door. She waited for a few minutes before knocking again.

Just as she was about to knock a third time, she heard hurried footsteps approaching behind the door. Suddenly the door swung open and a breathless Charles looked at her in surprise.

“Vilondra? What are you doing here this early in the morning?”

Lonnie looked up at him through her eyelashes, “Everyone is going to be busy today, so I thought I’d come and catch you before you got busy too.”

Charles gave her a confused look, but said nothing.

Lonnie shifted from foot to foot. “Could I come in?”

Charles straightened and hastily stepped back, “Oh, sorry. Please, come in.”

Lonnie moved past him into his house and walked towards his living area.

Charles shut the door and followed Lonnie into the room. “So, I guess you won’t be busy today?” he asked.

Lonnie turned to look at him, “That depends.”

Charles tilted his head, “On what?”

Lonnie looked at him for a moment before she moved over to him. She placed a hand on his chest and looked up into his eyes.

“On you,” she whispered.

Charles smiled and lifted a hand to caress her cheek, “Oh Lonnie, what I wouldn’t give to love you freely.”

Lonnie rose on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his, “You can, Charles.”

His own lips moved against hers before accepting her invitation and pressing them together. He slid his arm around her waist, holding her to him as he kissed her.

When she slid her arms around his shoulders and parted her lips, he deepened the kiss. A small moan escaped her throat when his tongue caressed hers.

As they pulled away for much needed air, Lonnie took Charles hand in hers and began to lead him out of the living area. Charles knew exactly where she was leading him and planted his feet, refusing to move.

When Lonnie turned to him with a protest on her lips he said, “We can’t Lonnie. Not like this.”

“Why not? I give it to you freely. They can’t touch you if I consented to this.”

Her eyes begged him to give in, but he shook his head. “I won’t Lonnie. You mean too much to me to do this.”

“But I love you! And I know you love me!”

Charles nodded, “I know.” With a soft sigh, he slid his hands over her arms and said, “I do love you, but I want this to be at a time when we don’t have to worry about what others will say. Please, just be patient. A little more time and we may be able to talk to the King and Queen about this.”

“Charles, Liz has told me that…”

“I know, Lonnie. You told me that, but I think we should wait until their son is a little older and Zan has a firm hold on the kingdom. Just in case there is a disagreement between your father and Zan, we don’t want to cause dissention in the kingdom.”

Lonnie’s lips trembled, “And if Zan decides to betroth me to someone else?”

Charles gave her a smile as he caressed her cheek, “You already told me they know about us. And I have it on the Queen’s assurance that she won’t allow that to happen. Neither will Zan.”

Lonnie closed her eyes with a sigh. Turning her head to kiss his palm, she whispered, “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

As she opened her eyes to look at Charles again, he took her hand in his and led her back into the living room. “Come on, why don’t you get comfortable on the couch and I’ll make us some lunch.”

Lonnie grinned, “Would you mind if I started a fire in the fireplace? I’d like to sit in front of it, a warm picnic of sorts.”

He chuckled before leaning to kiss her again. When he broke away he answered, “Whatever you wish, my lady.”

**********************************************************************

Serena rolled over on her side and looked at the sleeping man next to her. A smile spread over her face as she blinked the sleep out of her eyes. She loved looking at Kyle when he slept because that was when he was the most relaxed. Granted, he was often relaxed in her presence, but this was unguarded.

In sleep, there were no worries. Gone were the furrowed lines and stern countenance he often wore when doing his duties as second to the Weapons Master. While working, Kyle was nothing but serious and his demeanor was such that those who weren’t close to him found him a little intimidating and unapproachable.

Serena knew that was what made him a great warrior, just like his father. Valenti was the same way, always serious and extremely good at letting any enemies know he meant business. However, when Amy came around, he was like a whole other being. Even Kyle could see the way Valenti’s eyes softened and the way his voice suddenly seemed smoother and more lilting.

It was the same with Kyle. Serena had seen him in action a few times over the last few months. She had seen the look in his eyes and the way he carried himself when he was working. But the moment his eyes rested on her, she saw the way they softened. She heard the way his voice lightened and the change in his body language.

Those were only physical changes, there for everyone to see. The changes that weren’t visible were only for her to see. It was when their connection would come flaring to life when he let it. While working, Kyle dampened down their connection so that it wouldn’t disrupt either of them. It was something that Zan had taught him to do.

Zan had learned it the hard way since there was no one around to teach him or Liz about being ulhi’maos, but Zan had willingly taught Kyle what he had learned. Kyle in turn had taught Serena, even though Serena had often told him that she knew what it felt like to fight and kill since she had to do that in the arena.

None of that mattered to Kyle. He knew she was strong enough to defend herself, but she was his ulhi’maos and that alone made him want to do nothing but protect her. Both of them knew it was instinctual. It was because they were both Wahani and that was just their nature. The males always protected their mates no matter how strong their mates were.

And they were mates. Ulhi’maos. She’d known that the moment she’d opened her eyes and looked into his, but both of them had known she wasn’t in any condition to complete the connection. She had been amazed at the restraint Kyle had shown in waiting for her to heal before connecting with her.

Luckily, she had healed quickly, like most Wahani did. Still, Kyle allowed her to make the first move. She’d been staying in the extra bedroom at his father’s home at that point. So, little by little, she and Kyle began to get to know each other and opened the connection between the two of them.

It was that connection that allowed them to really get to know each other. She knew Kyle had taken what they were in stride. She was the one that had been a little hesitant, but no more.

Now, she loved the way it seemed like second nature to always feel him inside of her head. It comforted her to know he was always there, just a thought away. Never one to back down from a new challenge, she was constantly learning all about being an ulhi’maos and about her mate.

Now, months later, she knew him much better. She knew how he loved to laugh and constantly make others laugh. She knew he liked the friendly banter between him and Zan about being ulhi’maos. She knew he loved to tease others, but never meant any harm by it.

Kyle always tried to lighten the mood if it got too serious and he felt as if someone’s spirits needed to be lifted. She really liked that about him. How he was always trying to keep everyone’s spirits lightened. But sometimes, the others didn’t get that. Most especially Zan, who always seemed to be on the defensive when it came to Liz and their son.

Still, Zan would quickly get over it and soon he was right there joking along with Kyle. Serena had a feeling it was because Kyle was now the only other one who knew exactly what Zan was going through as a male ulhi’maos.

Kyle stirred besides her and moved closer to her, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her to his body. Without opening his eyes, he buried his face against her neck and spoke in her mind.

What are you doing up so early, dimo agalo?

She chuckled, Kyle, it’s early afternoon!

Kyle lifted his head at that and blinked the sleep from his eyes. Looking towards the window, he saw the light shining through the sides and grinned.

“Oops.”

Serena laughed at that. “Oops? That’s all you have to say? Oops?”

He turned to look at her and pouted, “Hey! I wasn’t the one who kept us up until the crack of dawn now was I?”

She stared at him for a moment before she lowered her lids and licked her lips. “Hm, and wouldn’t you know, I’m still hungry.”

Kyle growled when he saw her eyes turn orange. Lowering his lips to hers he said, “Well, I guess that explains why you are up.”

She gave an impatient growl until his lips met hers. As their tongues began to duel, she rolled them over until she was on top.

Serena was glad that her mate didn’t have a problem with her being the dominant one on occasion. That was the one thing Kyle had never had to be patient about.

Once Serena was comfortable with their being ulhi’maos, she never seemed to hesitate when it came to pouncing on and mating with her soul mate.

**********************************************************************

Amy stood in the kitchen trying to figure out what to make for dinner. She had several things on the table, but was still wondering what she should do for tonight. She would have to hurry, Valenti would be home soon and she didn’t want him to have to wait long for his supper.

She walked over to the basin to wash a few vegetables when she looked out of the window and saw Valenti making his way down the street towards the house. She smiled and returned his wave when he saw her in the window before moving to open the front door.

“Hi,” she said as he came up to her.

“Hey,” he replied as he kissed her cheek and moved inside, closing the door behind him. “You haven’t started dinner yet, have you?”

She shook her head, “No, why?”

He smiled, “They want us to go to the castle and have dinner with them.”

“Really? Anything special?”

Valenti shrugged, “It’s nothing formal, really. Zan said it’s just going to be him, Liz, Rath, Ria, you, and me. Diana and Phillip are baby sitting Max and all the others are busy with their own things.” He paused a moment before adding, “I can send a message if you don’t want to go.”

Amy shook her head, “No, that’s fine, we’ll go. I couldn’t decide what to make for dinner anyway.” She chuckled. “Okay, so I guess we don’t have to dress up then?”

Valenti wiggled his eyebrows, “Hon, you don’t have to dress up to look good for me. You always are.”

She laughed, “You are too good, you know that?” She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close before pulling away and leading him to the bedroom.

“You going to bathe before we leave?” she asked.

“Yes, don’t think I can enjoy the meal smelling like I just came from sparring with some soldiers.”

“Oh, Jim! You were just sparring with them and you don‘t smell that bad!” she replied with a smile.

“I know, but it’ll make me feel better. And I do want to look presentable at least,” he chuckled.

Amy nodded and watched as he began to undress. He stopped midway and looked at her with a smile, “You going to just stand there?”

She grinned, “Sorry, the thought is tempting.” She let out a sigh, “Okay, going to get changed now.”

Valenti grabbed her around her waist and pulled her close, his lips locking with hers. Moments later, they pulled away and he smiled at the way she was breathing hard.

Placing his forehead against hers he spoke in a husky voice, “Well continue that when we get home from dinner.”

Amy nodded, “Yes,” she breathed. “Most definitely.”

**********************************************************************

Dinner had gone smoothly. Maria and Liz were the first two in the room, but Zan and Rath had joined them as soon as they had changed clothes. It had been about fifteen more minutes before Valenti and Amy had shown up.

As soon as Amy had walked through the door, Maria had gone to her side and hugged her. The two of them had quickly assessed each other, inquiring as to their well-being before Liz asked everyone to take their seats at the table.

When everyone was seated, the meal was brought out and they all set about eating and talking. The conversation was kept light, everyone just catching up with everyone else. Everyone there knew that it was just a dinner shared among family and friends, no work or business was to be discussed.

Soon, the meal was done and now they were all laughing and talking over dessert.

Liz leaned over and whispered something to Maria who nodded and turned to whisper to Rath. Rath turned to Liz and gave her a nod.

Liz cleared her throat and spoke, “Everyone, if you would…”

She waited until the talking had died down before she smiled and turned towards Rath. “I believe Rath has an announcement to make.”

Zan turned to look at his wife, who simply smiled and squeezed his hand under the table. When she sent him the unspoken, he asked her and she said yes, he turned to grin at Rath.

Rath stood up and swallowed. He let his eyes wander over those at the table before he spoke. “I just wanted to let you all know that this morning, I asked Ria to marry me.” He turned to look at her with a smile, “And she accepted.”

Amy’s eyes went wide and she gasped. Rath had asked Maria to…

“Oh my God!” she screamed. All eyes turned to her as she launched herself out of her chair and moved around the table to take her daughter into her arms. Everyone sat there with smiles on their faces as they watched mother and daughter hugging each other with tears on their cheeks.

Amy finally let go of Maria and turned to Rath, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing the life out of him. Rath clearly didn’t mind as he stood there with a smile on his face.

“Oh you dear boy! I knew you would one of these days! And my daughter was still clueless about your feelings, wasn’t she?” she laughed at the expression on Rath’s face. “I knew it! Well, congratulations! I know you’ll take good care of her.”

Rath gave her a sheepish grin, “Thanks, Amy.”

Amy nodded and turned to Maria again. “I’m glad, Maria. I’m glad he makes you happy.”

Maria hugged her mom back and whispered, “I’m glad too mom. That you and I are both happy now.”

As Amy pulled away from Maria with a nod, the others began to move in. Soon, everyone else was congratulating and celebrating another happy union.

TBC...

new Wahani words
verteh - never
menosed - tired
prosewa-i - watching
thiwo - two
kesi - like
susa - us

Okay guys....here it is! We are near the end...

spray- Thanks, yes you know I love happiness too. LOL.

roswell- here ya go.

cocogurl- awwwww, sorry, but here's another part to enjoy.

Vero- glad you liked this.

tequa- LOL. She 'felt' his curiousity...

Behrsgurl- Thanks.

NUN- awwww, thanks

Luna- LOL, glad you enjoyed it.

Rhonda- LOL, I think we all are at this point, LOL.


And now...

Part 39

Zan watched her move around the floor with grace. His eyes traveled over her slim figure and darkened. A low growl sounded from his throat, alerting his friend standing next to him.

Rath turned to look at Zan and chuckled when he saw the orange of his eyes. “Really Zan, the night is almost at an end and you can’t wait to celebrate, can you?”

Zan growled again. “Whose idea was it to have this ridiculous celebration dance again?”

Rath rolled his eyes, “Your mother’s. And your mate’s. It is your one year anniversary after all, so it’s only right that we make sure the rest of the kingdom knows their King and Queen are still happily married.”

“Rath, all they have to is look at us when we are together on any given day and they will know, I haven’t fallen out of love with my Queen. Or her with me.”

Rath grinned, “True, but still.”

Zan growled again and stiffened. Rath turned to look where Liz was, still on the dance floor and with his father no less.

“Zan, Phillip isn’t…”

“His hand is too low,” was all Zan said as he marched out to the dance floor and took his mate from Phillip’s embrace.

Rath chuckled to himself as he saw the puzzled look and shrug Phillip gave before walking off the dance floor. Liz however, had a smile on her face and Rath just knew she was teasing Zan about his protective instincts.

**********************************************************************

Lonnie leaned her head against his chest when she felt his arms tighten around her waist. She gave a soft sigh and closed her eyes, content to let him hold her.

She could feel his breath stirring the hair on top of her head just before he spoke softly, “Enjoying yourself?”

“Mm hm.” She held him tighter as she replied, “I wish we could stay like this forever.”

He chuckled, “Well, I’m not sure I could continue dancing in a slow circle like this, but yes I would love to hold you like this forever too.”

Lonnie lifted her head up to look into his eyes. “Maybe we should tell them Charles.”

He shook his head, “Not yet, Vilondra.”

“But…”

“Lonnie, it’s Zan and Liz’s one year anniversary celebration. Let them enjoy it first before we break the news.”

“Charles, Zan and Liz are okay with us seeing each other.”

“I know. I meant, if we make the announcement, others will get upset and you know it will be up to your brother and his wife to calm them down. Do you really want the two of them to be spending this celebration day dealing with hot tempers?”

Lonnie pouted, but nodded her head. “You’re right. This is their day. We’ll tell them another day.”

Charles smiled and leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her forehead, “Don’t worry Vilondra. When the time is right, we will have all of the ones we love sharing in our happiness with us.”

Lonnie couldn’t help but return the bright smile that Charles gave to her. She knew he was right. Someday everyone would know how they felt about each other and everyone would be happy for them. She just hoped it would be someday soon.

**********************************************************************

Kyle winced as the cry came again from the other room and gave his mate a look of fear. “Tell me again why we agreed to be the ones to look after the prince while his parents are off romping through the wilds?”

Serena rolled her eyes and pushed him off of her, “It’s just one night Kyle and Liz trusts us to take care of Max.”

“She trusts Maria too. Maria’s her best friend, so why couldn’t she take the kid for the night?”

“She and Rath are getting ready for their wedding. They don’t have time to take him.”

“Well what about Amy?”

“Amy is helping her daughter with her wedding.” Kyle opened his mouth to say something else, but she beat him to it. “And Lonnie admitted she’s too young to care for the heir and Diana is busy with Phillip holding down the fort until Zan and Liz return tomorrow. That leaves Valenti, who is helping Rath and Charles who is helping Phillip.”

Kyle groaned and rolled over onto his back. “Then they need to get a nursemaid.”

Serena chuckled as she finished putting on her robe and looked at Kyle over her shoulder, “Max is nine months old, Kyle and a fairly good kid. You’re just upset because you’re not getting any.”

He lifted his head up and glared at her, “I’m not the one who started it!”

She gave him a wink and grinned, “I know, which is why I’m certain you will wait right there, just as you are while I go take care of Max.”

She blew him a kiss as she began to walk out of the door. “Don’t go anywhere lover and don’t you dare change put anything on. I want to pick up right where we left off.”

She laughed as she heard the low growl that followed her out of the room.

**********************************************************************

“Oh, Zan! Yene! Yene!” Liz screamed as her nails left marks down her mate’s back.

Zan simply grunted and continued to pound into his wife’s body. Her screams, the way her legs tightened around his waist, and her nails that constantly seemed to be leaving searing trails down his back only served to make him thrust harder and faster.

Liz’s head was thrown back against the wall where he’d pinned her body with his the moment they’d arrived to the room. They’d quickly shed their clothes and soon he’d lifted her up and pinned her there. She had been more than ready for him, immediately wrapping her body around his as their lips crashed together.

He licked a trail down her neck to between her breasts before taking one plump mound into his mouth and sucking.

Liz moaned, then growled as she bucked her hips against his. “Teroso li‘ho, idi kine’ teroso.”

He growled against her breast, but did as she asked. Sliding his hands under her butt, he gripped her to him with every upward stroke he gave.

“Yene! Sosri reki! Od’yia! Idi maie tos seino!” Liz moaned.

“Ya’lar a’fo nem, dimo agalo!” panted Zan, as his mouth moved to suck her other breast.

With a cry of his name, Liz clenched him to her as her body was swept into her orgasm. Zan moaned against her skin as he felt her walls grip him and milk him dry.

“Gumaaaak! Liz!” He roared as he joined her in falling over the edge into bliss. Her body continued to cling to his until both were spent and leaning heavily against the wall.

As they remained there, trembling and breathing hard, Liz was the first to speak. She giggled softly before saying, “You are so hot when you’re jealous!”

Zan jerked his head up. Narrowing his eyes he hissed, “I was not jealous!”

“Sure.”

“I wasn’t!” At her continued look of disbelief, he added, “Just impatient. It is our anniversary after all and I just wanted to spend it with you!”

She grinned, “I know, honey. I wanted you too.”

“That’s not…”

She placed her finger over his lips and looked into his eyes, “Zan. Idi laki thewa esu.”

Zan watched as her eyes turned a light shade of orange. He smirked before pulling them away from the wall and carrying her to the bed. Within moments, sounds of lovemaking filled the air again.

**********************************************************************

In a floor length satin dress with the green color matching her eyes, Maria made her way towards her future. Her dress was a halter top front and extremely form fitting, but it was made of a material that allowed her to be able to move freely. In her clasped hands, she carried a bouquet of the wildflowers that were common in this world and her red hair was swept up at the sides and back from her face. Soft tendrils hung down to gently caress her shoulders as she smiled at the man before her.

Rath couldn’t take his eyes off of his bride to be. She took his breath away and he knew from the look on her face that she had to be feeling the same as him.

Maria drank her fill of Rath. He was dressed in his official uniform of dark green pants with a black jacket. The jacket was accented with gold braids around the edges, similar to the ones Zan wore since he was decked out in his royal clothing too. The outfit was completed by ankle high black boots and several beaded emblems on his left breast signifying his rank.

As Rath offered her his arm, the two of them moved to stand before the King and Queen who were dressed as befit their rank. Both Liz and Zan wore the golden circlets in their hair so that everyone would know they approved of the match.

As his parents had done for him, Zan called on the powers that be to bless the couple before them. Then Liz looked at Maria and asked, “Maria, do you promise to protect your husband from pain whether it be physical or mental?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to give him your strength should he ever need it?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to love him forever and give him the family he will need to nurture him?”

“I do.”

“Then I ask you to make these promises to him.”

Maria turned to Rath, “I promise to give you my strength and love for as long as you shall have me, and to give you the family you dream of. I promise to be by your side always, giving you the love you deserve.”

She took the ring from Liz and slipped it on Rath’s finger saying, “With this ring, I pledge my love, loyalty, and life to you. My husband.”

As Rath smiled at her Zan asked, “Ra‘thlan, do you promise to protect your wife from pain whether it be physical or mental?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to give her your strength should she ever need it?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to love her forever and give her the family she will need to nurture her?”

“I do.”

“Then I ask you to make these promises to her.”

Rath looked at Maria and said, “I promise to give you my strength and love for as long as you shall have me, and to give you the family you dream of. I promise to be by your side always, giving you the love you deserve.”

He took the ring from Zan and said, “With this ring, I pledge my love, loyalty, and life to you, my wife.”

Maria smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger. Then they both looked to Zan who took Liz’s hand and held them clasped above Rath and Maria’s heads.

He spoke loud enough so that the room could hear him, “As King and Queen we acknowledge that two have become one.”

Liz picked it up from there. “Let those that are present see that you are blessed in your union by the King and Queen…”

“And by the powers that be,” finished Zan.

As he and Liz lowered their hands, he nodded to Rath, “Accept your bride, Chief Advisor.”

Rath turned to Maria and lifted his hand to brush it over her cheek. Sliding his fingers around her neck, he leaned in and kissed her lips.

Maria closed her eyes, savoring the softness of her husband’s lips as she heard the sounds of sniffles begin. Still, she didn’t let that take away from the wonderful kiss Rath had given to her.

As Rath pulled away, everyone heard Zan’s announcement, “People of the Underearth, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ra’thlan Guerin.”

Applause filled the air as the newlyweds turned to face the crowd.

**********************************************************************

Maria stood still in the middle of the room, her eyes watching as her husband slowly removed her gown. She smiled at him as his fingers caressed the skin he exposed.

Rath returned her smile as his hands continued to move over every inch of skin he could touch. She was naked now to his view and he savored looking at her. Lifting his eyes to her he whispered, “Esu isa tos leijha’mi.”

Maria let out a soft sigh as his lips claimed hers. He took his time, allowing his lips to touch hers first before deepening the kiss. By the time his tongue had caressed her bottom lip, asking for entrance, she was moaning deep in her throat.

Rath wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, carrying her to his bed. He lay her down in the middle of it, then stood up to remove his own clothes.

Maria watched through hooded eyes as Rath undressed. Her breathing quickened as more and more pieces of clothing fell to the floor. When he straightened up and looked at her, she gave him a seductive smile and opened her arms to him.

Rath slowly climbed onto the bed, allowing his body to slide up hers. They moaned together as their bodies seemed to not allow an inch of air between their skins.

Maria widened her legs and allowed him to settle between them as his lips once more claimed hers. She began to trail her hands down his back and allowed her fingers to feel as much of his as possible.

Rath too was letting his hands feel all of his wife’s skin. Although they already knew each other so intimately, this was new. New because this was their wedding night, when they made promises to love each other forever. This was why they were taking their time. They were memorizing each other all over again as husband and wife.

When Rath had drank his fill of Maria’s lips, he let his lips trail down her neck. Feasting on her soft skin, he made his way down her body taking care to cover all of her curves. He could hear her sighs and soft moans as he moved over her. Then when he nuzzled her wetness, she whimpered and lifted her hips.

A cry escaped her when his mouth took her in and began to suck in earnest. Still, Rath took his time feasting on her, gently pushing her over the brink. When she lay panting in satisfaction, he slid up her body and slowly slid into her heat.

Maria lifted her hips to meet his and closed her eyes in bliss as soon as he was sheathed completely inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his and met him stroke for stroke. She could feel him trying to take his time, but his body was trembling.

Soon he had picked up the pace and was softly growling. Maria urged him on with her hips and hands, letting him know she was right there with him. He threw his head back and groaned as his hips bucked against hers.

Maria lifted her head to kiss his chest before she rolled them over and began to ride him. She looked down at him, watching the look of ecstasy spread over his face before he cried out her name. She closed her eyes and moaned his name as she felt her orgasm blend with his.

His hands remained on her hips as she continued to ride him, albeit much more slowly. Little by little she came to a stop until she sat there and watched him. He opened his eyes and she couldn’t help the smile that spread over her lips.

His eyes glowed a bright white, prompting her to lift a hand and caress his cheek. Leaning down over him, she pressed her lips to his for a moment before whispering, “Idi agalo esu, dimo husigos.”

Rath immediately pulled her down to him, hugging her tightly to his body. Turning his head to hers, he looked into her eyes. “Idi agalo esu alsis, dimo feigos.”

**********************************************************************

Zan held up the covers as Liz walked into the room carrying Max in her arms. She slid under the covers and snuggled up close to him. With their son safely nestled between their bodies, they both got comfortable.

Zan lay there watching as Liz stroked their son’s back, softly singing him to sleep. He smiled and brushed his lips over her hair, then over his son’s before leaning back and closing his eyes.

Do you think Rath and Maria should move into his family’s home for good? asked Liz.

Zan opened his eyes to look at her. Maybe they will, someday. It will always be theirs, but I think they both want to be close to us for a while before they really settle down.

Liz grinned. I would have thought they’d want the privacy, you know.

I know, but they have privacy here too. He shrugged, It’s their decision and you and I heard Maria say she would rather be here because you already went through everything and she needs your expertise.

Yep. But I also think it has a lot to do with her mother.

With Amy?

Yes, I think Maria was afraid that if she and Rath took the house, Amy would be put out.

Zan chuckled softly, She was embarrassed to have her mom know, you mean?

Yes, replied Liz with her own soft chuckle. She is embarrassed, even though Amy has been perfectly okay with her daughter being married to a Wahani. After all, Amy has her own Wahani to keep her occupied.

Zan grinned, Is that so?

Well, I guess it’s safe to say we all have our own. Even your sister.

Zan rolled his eyes. Don’t remind me. I know they are almost ready to announce it and I think my father is suspicious of it. He’s already dropping hints to me to look for a suitable husband for my sister, the princess.

Liz rolled her own eyes. Geez, is he ever going to give that up?

Don’t think so, but even if he protests, I’m not going to listen. He gave her another grin. I didn’t listen to him when he told me to let you go, so why should I listen to him now.

Right, you are the King after all.

Zan closed his eyes again and sighed, “He’s just going to have to accept what everyone else has. Vilondra has found a great man who makes her incredibly happy. I couldn’t wish for anything more.”

Liz leaned in and kissed his cheek, “I love you.” Zan turned to look at her and she smiled. “Who would have thought that one day I’d stumble into a wild boy from a new world who chose his own way and allowed others to do the same?”

Zan’s eyes shifted until they shone bright white. “I love you too, Liz. I couldn’t have been able to do any of this without you. It’s you who shines the most.”

Liz simply looked at him for a moment before she leaned close to kiss his lips. As she settled both her and their son closer into Zan’s side she whispered, “Close your eyes, my love. Close your eyes and dream of our glorious new world.”

The wild boys are calling
On their way back from the fire
In august moon’s surrender to
A dust cloud on the rise
Wild boys fallen far from glory
Reckless and so hungered
On the razors edge you trail
Because there’s murder by the roadside
In a sore afraid new world

They tried to break us looks like they’ll try again

Wild boys never lose it
Wild boys never chose this way
Wild boys never close your eyes
Wild boys always shine

You got sirens for a welcome
There’s a bloodstain for your pain
And your telephones been ringing while
You’re dancing in the rain
Wild boys wonder where is glory
Where is all you angels
Now the figureheads have fell
And lovers war with arrows over
Secrets they could tell

They tried to tame you looks like they’ll try again

~Wild Boys by Duran Duran


TBC....epilogue to follow in about a day...

new Wahani words
sosri - right
reki - there
seino - close
gumak - fuck
laki - still