Page 15 of Ruarc
“Younglings should be playing and enjoying their youth before the hells of adulthood hit them.”
“In an ideal world that is what happens, but you let me know when you find that perfection, Ruarc.”
Myev has been standing next to me, smiling as Ruarc and I argue back and forth. My wrap must have accidentally slipped off my shoulder because when I turn, she grabs my hand. “Kallen, you have a mating collar. Oh, how the gods have turned such a negative event into a blessing. Where is your mate?”
She even looks up at Ruarc, but the distortion of his skin color and the vest he wears does not make it apparent. Her words cut through me like a sharp knife with no resistance. For just a moment, I wonder if Ruarc will claim me, but I should have known that would never happen. “The gods were mistaken Myev … I have no mate.” I hear Ruby gasp and Slavic growl. The only reaction Ruarc has to my statement is to turn away from me yet again and walk out into the darkness.
Out of the corner of my eye I see Slavic start to follow Ruarc, only for Ruby to grab his arm, and shake her head no. He rubs his bald head, confusion and anger written clearly over his features. I ignore the questions in Myev’s eyes as I pull my wrap up higher on my neck. “Come sit by the fire Myev, and warm yourself. We will leave once Einar and Falon have arrived.”
She sits down with the rest of us. Ruby of course, settles herself firmly on Slavic’s crossed legs. No one speaks for a moment, then it is like all the questions start at once.
Myev, “Slavic, why did you not come sooner?
Slavic, “How is my mam? Do I really have a sister?”
Ruby, “Your tattoos rock. Who gave those to you?”
I cannot help but laugh, and my hearts feels lighter at the knowledge that the others are all alive. My eyes turn on their own, searching the darkness for Ruarc’s familiar form, only to see nothing. But somehow, I know he is still nearby.
CHAPTER 9
RUARC
When Kallen denied our bond to that other female, my legs almost collapsed out from under me. Is this what she has been feeling all along each time I have turned her away? I almost kept walking into the darkness, especially now that I know mam is out there somewhere, but with my luck, I would end up going in the wrong direction.
So instead, I settle on the rock face above them, watching their interactions from afar, as usual. This is the first time I have been able to observe Kallen without any interference from the others, and there is no denying her beauty. Her expressive, large amber eyes seem to catch everything, but one thing I notice almost immediately is the forced smiles she is giving to everyone. Several times, I see her glance out into the darkness, and a sadness appears to settle all around her, almost like a dark aura, yet no one else notices as Ruby and Myev energetically chat back and forth.
The sound of footsteps reaches my sensitive ears, announcing someone’s arrival before they are visible. Getting up from my perch, I get up ready to intercept them quietly. Especially if thisother scout is still giving them issues. Falon is the first to come walking up the hill with his large disk secured to his back. A tic later, I easily see the shadows of the three smaller females between Falon and Einar’s massive forms.
Slavic, not missing anything, abruptly gets to his feet, standing between the females and those approaching, as the fire’s light has not reached them yet. Everyone can hear Falon’s boisterous laughter, and I see Slavic instantly relax.
Without warning, and before we have time to react, one of the females sprints up the hill, and the next thing I know, another nameless Ruk female is embracing my mate. Her words drift upward into the air, where I am above them.
“Kallen, I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw you standing there. Einar said you were alive, but I was not willing to allow my heart to believe his words. Bless the gods, you are alive, but you look as if the darkness has stolen part of you.”
“It tried Lurtza, but it appears the gods were not done telling my story yet. I will say I am just as relieved to see you as you are me. When Slavic and the others came down initially, only to return saying no one was there, I was devastated. Myev said you found a better location?”
What little of my hearts I have left wilt at how hesitant and uncertain Kallen sounds as she speaks with this Lurtza female.
“Yes princess, but it was entirely by accident. I thought I was a goner when I fell through its air shaft. Compared to the shacks we were barely surviving in, this place is paradise. There is a hot spring for bathing and running water in the sustenance area. Each of us has his or her own room, and the temperature so farhas been consistent inside the mountain. Now introduce me to this huge and imposing figure.”
“Lurtza, this is Slavic and his mate Ruby.” Lurtza turns away from me toward Slavic, bowing her head in respect.
“It is an honor to meet mam’s oldest son finally, and I see the gods have blessed you as well with a fire crowned mate to calm your soul.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Lurtza. My Ruby is a blessing I do not deserve but will not give back. I know my words might seem impatient, and I am sure you are fatigued from walking all darkness, but how far away is mam from our location?”
Jumping down from the outcropping, I barely duck in time to miss the large spear aimed at my chest as Lurtza instantly places herself between Kallen and I, separating us with the length of her weapon.
Slavic’s voice booms through the cavern, “Stand down, Lurtza, it is simply Ruarc.”
She lowers the weapon straightaway. “Forgive me, you all have such different appearances that there was no way for me to know that. Ruarc, if I had damaged you, mam would never have forgiven me.”
“No harm done, but your reflexes are impressive.” When she smiles at me in appreciation, I hear a low growl come from Kallen. Flicking my gaze to hers, she turns away the tic our eyes meet, but not before I see the insecurities written clearly across her face. It appears that no matter what I do, I simply continue hurting her even when that is not my intent. Wholly distracted, I almost miss Slavic’s next words.
“Give us a tic to pick up our supplies, and we will follow behind you.” He turns from us, his attention focused on Ruby as she and her sister stand together with the other human female, Heather. “My Starshine, if you are tired, I will carry you.”
“Slavic, I am fine. Anyway, you’ll have that big ass disk and our bag to pack. I will not burden you down any worse.”
