A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I (6 page)

“Don’t look at him. Look at me,” Airia insisted in a sugary tone. “What else did he do?”

“He saved my life. He did nothing more,” Ky stressed.

A woman smiled at Ky as she asked, “Do you swear it, because if you end up with child ten months from now, we will know? You might as well admit it now. Being a Star, means you are pure. There are ways of finding out if you have been with a man.”

Ky blinked, shocked by the bold statement and questions. “You’re questioning my integrity, and accusing me of lying? I’m
eighteen
! I’m barely starting my life, and the last thing I want is to be tied down by a forced marriage or have a child. I would never sleep with a strange man I’ve never met! And if I’m a queen, as you claim I am, you cannot speak to me like this. If my wish is your command, then I demand you believe me and not question me about this anymore. What you’re suggesting is repulsive! And I demand more respect than you’re showing me.”

“Well, I believe you then,” Airia said relieved. “She is chaste. Listen to her. She’s pure of heart.”

“So, how is it that both of you are so...attractive?” another woman asked, confused.

“Obviously he saw her naked,” Airia replied. “Show us your hands, please.”

Cobaaron and Ky instinctively did the same thing, revealing palm up, the opposite hand that was void of each other’s name. Airia wasn’t fooled. “The other hand.”

“Do you know who you’re talking to? In any other city, I’d be considered royalty, and you a lady in waiting, Princess.
I’m Cobaaron
! I answer to no one. One city is not going to bring me to my knees. If we say we aren’t bound, you should never question it.”

“Well, you both clearly are under some significant union,
warrior
. Either way, it’s clear your bodies have morphed to suit one another. It’s law that you both stay together now. Neither you nor I are above law. You
must
resign as chief. That is all there is to it,” Airia exerted, and glared at Cobaaron as if that would make him surrender to her command.

“No,” Ky interjected. Airia looked taken aback by Ky’s sudden refusal. “That isn’t what happened.” If Cobaaron wasn’t going to divulge his heroics that got him in such a mess, she was. After all he did a good deed saving her life, which shouldn’t go punished, so Ky was going to speak up. “The troll that captured me was killed by Cobaaron, but as it fell on me I hit my head. I smacked into the cave wall and began to bleed. He covered my wound because the pain was too great for me to stop the flow. I would have died if he hadn’t saved me. After that I could see him, but like he said, it was dark and nothing was in detail. Everything was all shadow. He gave me clothes, before he had a chance to see me in the firelight of the cave we stayed in for safety. After that I slept for three days while my eyes recovered.”

“Did you take advantage of her while she slept?” Airia asked Cobaaron.

Cobaaron once again looked as if he wanted to tear Airia to pieces. He growled and appeared to be physically pained from restraining himself after years of acting on impulse to fight and defend. With great self-control to deny his instincts, he warned her with a menacing voice. “You would be wise to speak to me with higher opinion. All you council members with low populous cities are all the same. You sit there judging and complaining about how stupid warriors are, but none of you would last one day out there. None of you would last a day without my men. You think I’ve come to Gem City to reinforce your walls out of obligation? I owe allegiance to no one except my men. It would serve you well, to hold your tongue, Airia.”

“Your men have women and a children in these hills. That is why you came.”

“That means nothing to me,” Cobaaron scathed. “Women are a distraction and children are of little consequence to me unless they will one day be a stud in my army. I only wish to see them grow, and protect my people for my honor. If you don’t address me with honor, you are not my people.”

“Children mean more to you than you pretend to admit. And your army means everything to you, and women have a way with your men. Or have you forgotten about your brother and how much his happiness meant to you?” Airia asked.

For a second time Airia and Cobaaron seemed like they would brawl, and once again the room hushed. “
You can’t evade the law, Cobaaron
!”

Something had to be done. Ky couldn’t let Airia decide her fate for her. There was only one thing to do. “If you sentence me to a life of
bondage
with this man, whom I don’t know, I’ll surely die from grief.”

“Let’s calm down. There is no need to get excited, my Lady. This is just a friendly discussion. No council member here will
make
you do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Then I will not bond. End of discussion,” Ky vowed.

“The only thing left to decide is up to you. You may stay here, and all I have I will share with you, or you may travel to a sister city.” Airia smiled.

Ky was still as she thought. Cobaaron had mentioned that Gem City wasn’t nice at all beyond the glittering walls. As she thought, Airia addressed the council. “But don’t you find it fascinating that a Star would be united with a warrior, and not just any warrior, but a man celebrated as
Cobaaron the Unconquerable
. Probably the greatest warrior the world has ever seen. No doubt he’s one of the best. And look at him now—he’s stronger. Who knows what else she transformed him into, and will continue to change him the longer they refrain from each other. Maybe it’s a good thing they show no sign of the union making them fall hopelessly in love with each other. They must both be fighters. No, we
should
have them near one another until their fate is certain.”

“You mean you want her to seal the accidental marriage?” another woman asked.

“Not yet. She doesn’t want that.” Airia smiled. “But I do want to see what happens to him. He should battle. She could make him stronger and faster. She clearly likes his strong physique. Maybe she will like to see him effortlessly fight until he truly is
unconquerable
. Surely, Cobaaron, you will not resist the urge to improve your skill and show your men you aren’t weak even after a union. Yes, we will have him prove himself, while wrestling beasts to their death.”

“Actually I
would
resist the urge, and I don’t want to fight. My men have been here four nights during my absence. That is a long enough stay. We can’t afford to linger another day.”

“One more night is nothing,” Airia retorted. “But maybe more time will be needed. However, it’s Ky that holds your fate. If she wants you, she’s a Star, and therefore you have no right to resist her lest she die. By law, no one can refuse a Star. You, absent king to most of the world’s cities, are
not
above law! And if she wants you to take her to another city, you must do so. You will have to stay until she makes up her mind. I suggest you convince her to go with you if you worry about staying here longer.”

“One day,” Cobaaron replied. “I will stay
one day
.”

“I didn’t think you could resist developing your strength.” Airia smiled in triumph. “One more thing, however, you will bring her to dinner tonight. We will hold the tournament for you after the banquet. And why don’t you take her up to my room. She will be comfortable there, for now.”

Cobaaron huffed. He was infuriated, and his temper flared hotter than she had yet seen. He looked as if he needed to hit something. As they rushed in and out of corridors, he grumbled. “I hate being in cities like these. You’re only good enough for fighting,
but
let’s see what happens if we make a show of skill to see if you’ll improve.”

“I can’t believe you upset him like that.” Ky heard a woman say from behind them. Ky whirled around but saw no one.

“Why are you stopping?” Cobaaron asked her irritably. He glanced down the hall then looked at her confused. “Come on.”

“I heard someone say, ‘I can’t believe you upset him like that.’”

“I didn’t hear it,” Cobaaron said, “and I have excellent hearing.”

Ky shushed him hearing a different woman talking. “Maybe their union will finally bring peace to this world. You have to admit it’s very unusual. The archives need reading, to decipher if there is anything in the pages about this happening.”

“Did you hear any of that?” Ky asked. Cobaaron shook his head. She repeated what she heard. He stared at her. He opened his mouth a few times, about to tell her something, but then shut it after each attempt. Finally, he begged her to follow him.

They hiked up the steep tunnel before entering the last door at the end of the hallway. Two warriors who guarded the entrance glanced at Cobaaron and then Ky. “You’re relieved from your posts,” Cobaaron said, and then opened the door wide as he went into the room.

Ky stood outside half afraid to follow him. The two warriors stared at Ky like they were wild animals looking at their mate. The blond warrior took a long, deep breath while he watched her with wide eyes.

“I said you’re free to go,” Cobaaron barked. They jumped into motion, and left. “Don’t mind them. Some men have a very low resistance to women. They are studs. Most likely they can smell you; your scent is stronger.” Cobaaron followed her with his eyes as she entered the room. When they were in the middle of the bare room he took a step toward her, and said, “I want to ask you a favor. After helping you, I feel I can request this from you.”

“Okay,” Ky said, hesitantly.

“I saved your life; I want you to spare mine. If they ever ask if you want to be with me, say no. A lot can happen in the long hours of a day. Remember, I won’t ever be with you, and you need to resist me.”

“Cobaaron, you grossly exaggerate how I feel about you. I don’t fall in love with strange men. Why do you keep bringing it up? Beyond occasionally feeling a need to...be with you, I think nothing else of you. Do you think I’m obsessed with you?” Ky asked rhetorically. “I’m not. You may be Cobaaron the
Unconquerable
, but you’re not Cobaaron the
Irresistible
. I don’t want to be with you romantically. You saved my life. I’m grateful. I’ll always consider you a friend. But I have no desire to be with you.
None
.”

“None?” He shifted uncomfortably. “I guess…it’s that I’ve had three extra days, long days, to think...I don’t know how you can be so calm. I don’t know how this union isn’t affecting you. Nothing? Don’t you feel anything?”

“I do when I touch you.” Ky shrugged. She didn’t understand why he cared. They decided to remain acquaintances, if that.

“What do you feel?”

“Confused,” she admitted honestly. She wasn’t used to a strong pull toward someone she’d recently met, but she couldn’t deny her attraction. Now that she understood where his anger came from when they walked the cave, she had more compassion. She truly was grateful, and because he saved her life, she also felt closeness to him, but she wasn’t about to admit that.

“Confused?” He laughed, not from amusement but from insult. Ky wondered why he suddenly wanted her to feel something. His fickleness baffled her. He took another slow step toward her, until he was almost pressed against her. He wore a slight smile as he continued to walk, forcing her to step backward until she was pinned to the wall with less than an inch between them. Ky licked her lips, as confusion perplexed her again. He was too gorgeous to resist and the way he pursued her was sensual. She liked the way he gazed at her with desire. He slid his hands under the robe, touching the skin on her pained ribs.

She tried to shove him away. “That hurts. I think my ribs are separated.”

“I don’t want it to hurt,” he whispered, his warm breath felt like hot kisses down her neck. The twinge left her side. Instantly his touch was enticing, and he knew it, because he smiled widely, as his eyes searched hers. For some reason, she let his hand wander up her side. The slow movement was arousing. She wanted him caressing her. Silently she begged him to fondle and caress her breasts. “This confuses you?” His question thrilled her. How was he so easily seducing her?

He tugged on the belt that bound her chest until it fell to her hips. Slowly, he brushed his thumb along the outer curve of her breast, watching her reaction. When her silence was obvious permission, he cupped her breast, as a jolt of pleasure rushed through her body like electrical ecstasy. As he watched her subtle expressions, he rolled her nipple between his fingers with thrill she felt between her legs. She ached and throbbed, needing him to satisfy her. Yet she couldn’t tear her eyes from him.

“Yes, that is confusing,” Ky whispered close to his ear, wanting to nibble it. How was she turned on by someone she barely knew? She was overpowered with a compelling need to feel his touch on her skin, kiss him with wet, lingering caresses, and learn every curve of his exquisite body while they explored. She was tremendously attracted and floored by the power of her feelings. She hoped he would simply undress her and then have them get to know each other with their bodies. Talking could wait, kissing was priority.

Lust took over. In one swift motion, he yanked off the robe, exposing her. With his other hand he fondled her thigh deliciously. She moaned, wanting his finger burrowed into her soft opening. “Does this confuse you?” he whispered in her ear while holding her leg pinned to his hip. She could feel his erection where she throbbed, and to mild relief he pressed himself against her with such force her pulse was a pleasurable massage. She thought she would lose her mind if he let her go. His words and warm breath had a thrilling effect on her; she let out a lustful cry which pleaded for his lips, tongue, and sex.

She wasn’t confused. She wanted more; she wanted him to kiss her entire body: her lips, neck, breasts, along her ribs, and even her apex. She needed him to wet her with his sweet tongue, and then make love to her until they were exhausted from their efforts. The fantasy made her quiver with anticipation.

He slowly slid his hand along her thigh, cupped her butt, while perfectly groping her as he inched toward her clitoris. She was loudly pleading with him to take her by whimpering. He murmured in her ear with equal passion, and continued caressing her nipple with his thumb. Sweet relief. She inwardly begged for his affections, silently admitting,
please don’t stop
. Then he reached around her hip before curling a finger up, touching her center that was so tight it ached. She wanted him to fill her and ease her burning desire. He leaned into her, and she moaned in his ear while he pressed the tip of his finger into her.