Hard Sands: Warlords of Atera Read online

  She wandered a while longer, squinting her eyes when she passed an intersecting tunnel that was darkened and without lights. Had she seen that hall before? Kalinda sighed. She’d seen just about every tunnel before because they were all exactly the same. At least the occupants of the mountain would be safe if there was ever an attack. They’d never be found because everything looked the same!

  She gritted her teeth and went around yet another corner, eyes open wide to search for any movement—anyone who could help her get back to the dining hall—and ears attentive to any sounds she might catch.

  Thankfully, her ears picked up sound. It started as a soft murmur, the volume growing the further she walked along the path.

  “Have you found him yet?” The voice was deep and gruff with a demanding tone she always credited to Nakan. Had he come looking for her? But why was he searching for a him, then? “I should have never listened to you. She should not have been allowed to wander.”

  Half of her was heartened by the fact that he was searching for her. The other half hated that her thoughts of being in a gilded cage seemed to be accurate. Nakan had “let” her wander.

  “Steady, Nakan,” another voice replied, one she recognized as the older male—Aarom. “I am sure she is perfectly well. She probably got lost in the tunnels.”

  “He could be anywhere.” Nakan’s voice was filled with harsh anger. “I believed he was in the dining hall. I looked away for only a moment and now I do not know where either of them is.”

  Kalinda frowned. Clearly, they searched for her, but who was the him they had yet to locate.

  The voices wavered, as if Nakan and Aarom moved along the paths, and she ducked behind a nearby corner—unwilling to be located just yet. She didn’t like the idea of him dragging her back to dinner. Not after he’d outed them as a couple without her agreement. She didn’t know if he would force her to return, but she’d rather not find out.

  “We could send for the guards,” Aarom urged Nakan. “With a contingent of warriors to assist us, she would be discovered quickly. Certainly, quicker than the two of us alone.”

  “No,” Nakan snapped. “I do not wish to frighten her, and I do not wish to involve others in this. The situation is complicated enough without the entire mountain knowing there is a potential challenger to my claim. You continue to search in this area. I will go to the western tunnels.”

  Kalinda frowned. What were the two Aterans hiding? She inched a little closer, struggling to hear more of Nakan and Aarom’s conversation.

  Movement in her peripheral snared her attention, the quickest flicker that had her turning and looking away from the corner. But… nothing was there. She shook her head. It had to have been her imagination. She was exhausted and confused by everything happening around her. It wasn’t surprising that her mind decided to play a few tricks.

  She had just decided to refocus on Nakan and Aarom when subtle movement snared her gaze once more. She peered into the shadows of a nearby tunnel, narrowing her eyes and searching for the source of the motion. After a moment, a hulking figure hiding in the shadows came into focus. She couldn’t quite make out the figure’s features, but she could have sworn…

  She was nearly certain it was Chaze.

  Kalinda’s heart leapt into her throat and she whirled in the opposite direction, intent on going toward Aarom and Nakan. She quickened her strides, determined to put distance between herself and Chaze, but when she glanced over her shoulder, she found no sign of the other male, as if he’d been a figment of her imagination. He had been there. She was sure of it. Right? She shook her head. She didn’t want to chance being wrong. She split her attention between her path and that dark hall, hurrying toward where she’d last heard the other two males and… slammed face-first into someone.

  “Ouch.” She stumbled backward, nearly tumbling to the ground.

  Strong arms caught her around the waist, holding her steady. “Careful, young one. Running around in the tunnels is bound to cause injury.”

  “Um… Hi?” She gave him a sheepish grin and hoped her smile was enough to keep him from yelling at her. She steadied herself and then stepped back and out of his hold. “I was just looking for…”

  Yeah, she had no way to finish that sentence that wouldn’t get her in trouble.

  “Do not worry yourself.” Aarom reached for her hand and gave the back a soft pat. “You are free to travel where you please.”

  “Oh.” She nibbled her lower lip. “Okay.” Aarom seemed sincere, but then she recalled Nakan’s words.

  Speaking of Nakan, his voice came from a nearby tunnel. “Aarom? Have you discovered her yet?”

  “I have,” Aarom spoke just as Nakan rounded a corner and stepped into view. “Your kode is quite well. Perhaps in need of a map of the tunnels, but otherwise unharmed.”

  Nakan looked at her with such an expression of utter relief. Had he really been worried about her. He strode to her, his hands going to her shoulders. “My kode, you have been absent for some time. I grew worried.”

  “Oh.” She seemed to be saying that a lot lately. “Sorry. I, umm, got lost on my way back from…” From looking for a way out. “…the bathroom.”

  “I see.” Nakan studied her, as if he wasn’t sure if she lied. Since she was lying, she struggled to keep a stoic, calm expression on her features. She didn’t want to give Nakan any reasons to be suspicious.

  “Anyway,” Kalinda forced a chuckle past her lips, “we should get back to dinner. Right?”

  Nakan shook his head. “It grows late. The others have begun retiring for the evening. But come,” he released her shoulders and held out a hand for her in offering. “There is something I wish to show you.”

  Kalinda placed her palm against Nakan’s and shot Aarom a curious look.

  The elder Ateran simply smiled and gave them a small bow. “I shall leave you both alone.”

  He turned and left, striding in the other direction, leaving her alone with Nakan.

  “Where are we going?” Kalinda let Nakan lead her through the passages. She wasn’t sure she liked being alone with the warlord. At least, not at that moment, not with the numerous doubts and unending uncertainties that plagued her mind. But as long as he didn’t try to initiate anything physical, she figured she could humor him. For now.

  “We go to a sacred place.”

  Kalinda furrowed her brow with her confusion, but he didn’t explain. For now, she was willing to follow him, curiosity getting the better of her, but she wondered just what the strange alien was up to. And what would it mean for her?

  Chapter Twelve

  Nakan clutched his mate’s hand, careful of his strength yet unwilling to release her as he led her through the tunnels into a shadowy, rarely used part of the mountain. They passed several warriors protecting the various tunnels, each male tipping his head as they passed. Their presence was mostly a formality since the tunnels beyond were off-limits to anyone but Nakan and his family, but there was little true need to have them guarded. None within the mountain would dare intrude on this place. To do so would be sacrilege—a curse to against the goddess herself.

  Kalinda followed and he sensed her growing curiosity as if it were a physical thing, growing the deeper they traveled. Their path darkened, the implanted deahmid stones along the tunnels were only installed so far, which was why the depths of the shadows deepened. For a time, it grew so dark they could hardly see the path, and he navigated the way through memory alone. He easily guided his kode around every twist and turn—no light to guide them.

  “Are you sure this is safe?” Kalinda clung tighter to his arm, using her hold on his when she stumbled through the dark.

  Nakan kept her steady, guiding her around a dip in the ground so she would not trip. “These tunnels are entrusted only to the rulers of the Hard Sands. I have been here countless times since I was a young one. There is no danger here.”

  “But it’s so dark.”

  Nakan smiled though his kode could not see
it through the shadows. “Just wait.”

  As they descended further into the abyss, the tunnel brightened, as if the walls themselves radiated a faint glow. Nakan knew the light came from the snaking strains of deahmid, ingrained so subtly into the walls it was almost imperceptible. Yet by the time they reached the doorway at the end of the tunnel, their path was lit as if it was an overcast day.

  Nakan released Kalinda and ran his hands over the door’s carvings, seeking out the hidden switches that would unlock the portal and grant them entrance. A groaning scrape of stone on stone followed each press of a switch, the final touch bringing forth the loudest of them all before the door moved aside. He glanced back at his kode, his mate scanning their surroundings with quick flicks of her gaze from here to there. The entire tunnel shook for a moment before the door was fully opened and the harsh grating ceased.

  Once more he held out his hand for his mate and once more she gave him her trust. She placed her palm on his. He drew her forward, beneath the arch that led from the tunnel to their cavernous destination—one that did not resemble anywhere else within the mountain.

  Most of the areas used by the Aterans of the Hard Sands were carved tunnels that wound through various paths between the main caverns and various chambers that were used on a daily basis. A few natural openings along with jagged outcroppings had been present from the dawn of time, but for the most part, the stone had been carved and smoothed by years of use.

  Yet this place was special—different. It had been preserved in its original form from a time when Aterans first called the Hard Sands home. Beyond the door there were no carved passages, no stones disturbed by the constant passage of living souls. The jagged walls glittered with unmined stones—deahmid, ambroze, and topahri. A rainbow of color shone around them, a sight not found anywhere else in the Hard Sands.

  “This place is…” Kalinda whispered, her wide-eyed gaze traveling over the sparkling walls. “I’ve never seen so many gems.”

  “Every stone native to the Hard Sands can be found here.” Nakan gestured to the glimmering walls. “It is a sacred place. None but the ruler of the Hard Sands may enter. The ruler, and of course, his kode.”

  Kalinda’s face reddened and she looked away, fingers going to her lips. She said not a word, but Nakan sensed her discomfort at his words. He had said too much. Again. He did not wish for her to feel pressured, but he knew their destinies were entwined. It was his honor and obligation to show her the ways of his people, to guide her through their traditions and teach her of the rituals shared between warrior and mate that had been practiced for countless generations.

  “This has been untouched since its first discovery,” Nakan explained. “What you see here is how it has been for centuries. No stone has been moved from where the goddess planted it at the creation of—”

  A rough clatter interrupted him, and he spun to find his mate stumbling, her foot caught on a loose stone. That one rock clattered across the uneven floor, tumbled down a rock slope and knocked several more stones loose as it rolled past. More fell down a narrow crevice and their bouncing fall could be heard for several more moments before they finally crashed to the bottom.

  Kalinda winced, her face a bright red. “Ummm, oops?”

  Nakan stared at his kode yet he could find none of the fury or shock that should have arrived with such an event. Instead, he released a soft chuckle. “It is a sign of this new age. You were sent by the goddess to be a catalyst of great change. I imagine this is merely the first of many.”

  Kalinda echoed his laughter and then heaved a deep sigh. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “So, if I’m not supposed to touch anything, what is this place for?”

  “This way.” He took her arm and led her deeper into the sacred caves. “There is a single chamber where the stones may be disturbed. A single stone is taken by the warlord and his kode as a sign of our bonding and commitment.”

  Kalinda furrowed her brow and he wondered if this, in itself, was too much for his kode to tolerate. He had brought her to the cave for the traditional Gift of Bonding in the hope that she would see his devotion and commitment to her. If she could only see how important she was, he was sure her reservations would vanish, and they could be together as mates should.

  He led her through a narrow, low-ceiling passage next, ducking low to avoid hitting their heads on the jagged, rough ceiling. “Take care,” he murmured as he helped her avoid the obstacles. “This portion of the cavern can be treacherous for the unwary.”

  “Are you sure we need to come down here?” Kalinda’s hand trembled in his.

  “It is not much further.” He squeezed her hand to give her strength and reassurance.

  Soon the tunnel opened to a wide, round chamber. A few small pieces of aged furniture stood sentry along the walls, placed generations ago and used only rarely by warlords such as himself. He knew they contained candles, incense, and ceremonial clothing used during the bonding rituals. Though one part of the ritual would take place without the benefit of clothing on the pile of furs in the center of the room—a portion of the ritual that would not take place unless Kalinda had a sudden change of heart.

  His mate’s gaze went to the furs. “I don’t know what you had in mind when you brought me here,” she gestured at the furs, “but that is not happening.”

  Nakan forced a smile to his weary face. Every part of him ached to claim Kalinda as was the way of males and females since the goddess created them on Atera. Just staring at her in the subdued light of the chamber, a light dusting of sweat touching her delicate skin, filled him with urges he struggled to control. But he pushed those thoughts—his body’s demands—away. For tonight, for now, he would only give her the gifts as he had planned.

  “Worry not.” He crossed to one of the cases along the wall. “I know you do not share my desire. Yet.” He glanced over his shoulder, catching a contemplative expression on her face. Maybe, he hoped, she had thoughts that mirrored his. But he would not press her. He was a strong, honorable male.

  He opened the case and pulled out a small hammer and pick. “It is time for us to find our stone.” He held the tools in one hand and held out the other for Kalinda.

  “Find our stone?” She reached for him, movements hesitant as she took his hand. “We just… pick one?”

  “Not quite.” Nakan smiled as he led her to the wall.

  The stone around them glimmered with gems, and even in the section they approached, he spied samples of every type of gem known to exist. Legends said that when the goddess first breathed life into Atera, she began in that very place. She created the dirt, stone, gems, and ores that were used across the planet. As such, samples of each were left behind after she moved on to create the rest of their home.

  When he had been younger, Nakan had doubted the truth of such tales—thinking they were nothing more than myths, not truths. Yet ever since the gifts from Eana had fallen from the sky, a true sign of the goddess’ will, he had reconsidered his old beliefs. Surely, he thought. If the goddess made her will known by sending Kalinda and the other females, it was a sign that the legends of old held truth. The goddess’ presence was everywhere.

  Nakan guided Kalinda’s hand to the wall, their palms facing the stone. Their hands moved together, no more than an inch between their palms and the ragged surface. Nakan closed his eyes and focused on the sensation of his hand with Kalinda’s, though he did not experience any sensations.

  At first.

  “Umm,” Kalinda broke through his concentration. “What are we doing? I thought we were finding a stone.”

  “We must locate the stone that responds to us.”

  “Like, it’s going to talk to us?” He heard her skepticism even if he did not see her expression.

  “No,” Nakan chuckled. “The stone we are meant to find will respond to our energy and resonate with us.”

  “Resonate? I don’t understand.”

  “You will see in a moment.”

  They pas
sed over a large breadth of the wall before Nakan sensed the first tingling of the resonance. There was the softest tickle on his palm, as if the air between his hand and the wall vibrated ever so slightly.

  “Oh! I felt something.”

  Nakan guided them closer to the source of the minute vibrations, the feelings growing stronger as they drew nearer. Finally, he touched their joined hands to the wall, palms resting over a large yellow gemstone. It vibrated to the touch and contact with the rock sent a chill through Nakan’s body.

  He turned a smile on his kode and she gave him a hesitant one in response.

  “Okay.” Kalinda grinned at him. “Now what?”

  “Now,” Nakan raised the hammer and pick, “we retrieve it.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kalinda stood aside, arms folded across her chest, while Nakan made a few quick strikes to the yellow gem. It took no time at all to knock it loose from the wall, and then he carried it to a small, nearby table. He searched through the tools within the drawers and soon had everything he required to work on the gem.

  “So, what is this exactly?” She padded closer. “Some kind of engagement ring?”

  “What?” Nakan glanced up from his work.

  “On Earth,” she hesitated. She wasn’t on Earth anymore, was she? She pushed the thought aside and continued. “Human men give women a ring with a precious stone in it as a sign of love and devotion. It’s usually the first step before moving on to a lifelong commitment—marriage.”

  “It is similar, yes.” He nodded and returned his attention to the stone. “It is a sign of our bonding and will indicate that you are claimed. Any who see the stone will know you are claimed.”

  “Hmmm…” Kalinda frowned and tore her attention from Nakan, choosing instead to pace the confines of the small cavern.