Love Never-Ending (21 page)

Snatching up the basket, she ran down the path in a full-out
panic, frantic to escape whoever or whatever hid in the woods. When she reached
her dome she rushed up the stairs and inside, slamming the door behind her and
locking it before setting the security bar in place. In all the time she’d
lived there, she had never used the security bars but now she rushed to the
back door and put that bar in place too.

Then she stood in the kitchen with her hands pressed to her
stomach while she tried to think of anything else she could do to be safe. When
it occurred to her that someone might be in the house already, she grabbed her
biggest knife and sidled into the bedroom and bathing room to check. Once
assured that she was alone, she ran from window to window, making sure that the
window coverings were secure. Finally, she slumped into a chair at the table
and stared around the kitchen blankly.
Who was that?

What should she do? With shaking hands, she filled her kettle
and put it on the fire to heat while she readied a mug with the
wachaz
tea preparation that Robyn had provided, much against her will, without telling
Llyon or Dai.

Samara was nearly sure that she was in the first stages of
schalzina
.
But without Bishop’s cooperation, there wasn’t much she could do other than
drink the tea and take warm baths. Fortunately, the weather was getting colder
so warm baths really felt relaxing. She knew she should be hungry but her
stomach roiled and rebelled so violently that she settled with a cup of tea and
warm bath. Maybe tomorrow would be better. Or the day after that.

* * * * *

Tyger took his two younger brothers to the butcher shop to
visit with Jacob while they waited for Llyon to complete his examination of
Bishop. They had already stopped briefly at Susie’s where they were quite
content to leave Nikolas after a very short conversation. As Llyon had
anticipated, Susie had finally met her match in Nikolas and Nik was in no hurry
to leave.

So while Llyon hurried on to Lark’s house, Tyger and the
boys snacked on jerked
rowan
strips and
barbahla
breadsticks
while Tyger reported on Ban’s warrior vows ceremony. Jacob’s wife Patty was
half-sister to Ban so he summoned her to the shop to hear what Tyger had to
say.

“They went to bonding circle nine?” she asked, enthralled
with the story.

“Oh, yes. All the warriors in the area came to witness.
Wolfe, Joshua, Henry and the boys, of course. Arturo renewed his vows, also.
That was necessary after he repudiated them before they bonded.” Tyger waved a
breadstick at Jacob. “I was glad that Ban convinced him to do that. We need all
the warriors we have.”

“Who sponsored Ban?”

“Who else? Arturo. I expected nothing else.”

Jacob leaned his elbows on the sturdy counter. “Well, then.
Who sponsored Arturo?”

“Andrew McCrory. He was the only other
morkert
around.” Tyger frowned. “I didn’t know he was a
morkert
until yesterday.
It used to be that we knew all the other warriors but this summer has been very
busy. Too busy to keep track of everything.”

“It was well done in any case. I’m sure that Ban’s father
was pleased. Too bad he couldn’t be there.”

“The weather is getting too cold for Dai to travel that far.
Perhaps next spring he’ll be able to see him. Tell me the news. When we came
through yesterday, we didn’t have time to stop.”

“Have a seat. There isn’t much news to report…”

* * * * *

At Lark’s house, Llyon took his time examining Bishop while
Lark observed. Finally, she asked, “Did you tell him about the stomach cramps,
Bish?”

“What stomach cramps?” Llyon lifted a brow in query.
“Something you forgot to mention?”

“They’re just little cramps. Probably something I ate.”
Bishop was surly and annoyed that Lark had mentioned the cramps. “I’m sure that
it’s nothing.”

“Uh-huh. How often are you having these
nothing
cramps?”

“I don’t know. You expect me to keep track of stomachaches?”

“How often?” Llyon inquired patiently.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe every other day.”

“Hmmm.” Palpating his belly, Llyon racked his brain for a
reason for Bishop’s stomach cramps. There were no obvious problems that he
could detect. “So what time of day are you having these cramps?”

“Late afternoon,” Bish growled. “I tell you it’s nothing.”

Llyon sighed. “Lark, keep track of them. If he still has
them next week, I’ll come back and do a deep reading.”

“All right. I can do that.” Bishop dressed and stomped into
his room, aggravated with what he felt was a very minor problem.

When the door closed, Llyon sat down on the bed and crossed
his arms. “Now suppose you tell me what you really think?”

“I think Samara has started
schalzina
,” she replied
baldly. “Late afternoon every other day? And it doesn’t last long, Ly. Just
about long enough for her to drink some
wachaz
tea.”

“I haven’t prescribed any
wachaz
tea for her,” Llyon
protested.

Lark just snorted in disgust. “Your sister is a herbalist,
Ly. And women have been loaning each other
wachaz
tea for hundreds of
years without the help of a healer.”

“That would mean that they have an
attachment
!” he
objected.

“Their
attachment
hasn’t been in doubt since she bit
him!” She slammed her hand onto the table, making the light stone jump. “Isn’t
anyone paying attention?”

“Evidently not.” He stood up and stretched. “I need to meet
Tyger and the boys and leave. As it is, it’s going to be after dark before we
reach Lost Market. First thing tomorrow, I’ll pin Samara down on this and let
you know.”

“You do that. If she’s in
schalzina
, he needs to get
off the fence and reconcile with her.” Noting the militant sparkle in her eyes
Llyon decided there was no doubt about Bishop and Samara’s future. No doubt at
all.

Midwinter Surprise

In the new living room dome at the Llewellyn domes, the
family was gathered for the Midwinter celebration. Outside a rare fluffy snow
was blanketing the entire valley like frosting on a cake. In the old living
room, now in use as a dining room, Dancer was supervising his small platoon of
helpers as they arranged the tables and decorated the walls for the Midwinter
feast. Near the patio doors stood a huge bright red pine heavy with glittering
ornaments fashioned from the
chinka
materials by Traveller.

Out in the master suite, with Llyon and Wolfe in attendance
and Merlyn and Dai offering love and encouragement, Jade labored to deliver the
last of her children. A hush fell over the living room when that first tiny cry
reached them and then there was a soft excited babble as they speculated about
the babies. Finally Dai appeared in the doorway and announced the good news. “A
boy and a girl, Dragon and Dovyna. Both healthy and Jade is well.”

All through the early afternoon, guests continued to arrive,
loaded down with Midwinter gifts and food. Tyger supervised the younger
children who were all anxious to open their gifts. Robyn and Tracer took charge
of the staggering number of dishes that steadily arrived in the kitchen.

It was late afternoon when dinner was finally ready and the
family began to sit down at the tables scattered in the dining room. Suddenly,
the doors next to the Midwinter tree flew open and swirling snow blew in as
three tall warriors and a companion stood smiling in the doorway.

Dai was the first to recognize the snow-covered figures as
he leaped to his feet and rushed over to hug them, snow and all. “Ban! Arturo
and Hawke! Bishop! Welcome home!”

Hugs and kisses were exchanged as the latest arrivals were
quickly divested of heavy
sheras
and their packs. Hawke softly trod down
the hall to visit with his parents after his long absence with the
drangs
.
Ban and Arturo fended off good-natured teasing about their rush to swear their
covenant bond so that they dragged Wolfe out of bed before dawn to serve as a
witness. Ignoring the babble of good wishes and laughter all around him, Bishop
searched for Samara.

Finally, he pulled Dancer aside. “Do you know where Samara
is?”

Dance’s green eyes glittered with sudden awareness. “She was
going to finish some baking and then arrive this afternoon.” He noted the
deepening dusk outside the windows. “Something’s wrong. She should have been
here by now.”

Bishop turned and rushed down the hall to the bedroom where
the extra shawls and
sheras
from the visitors were piled on a bed.
Hastily, he pawed through them until he found his
shera
and thick
woolie
scarf. Within seconds he was dressed for outdoors and tugging on his high
boots. Llyon and Arturo joined him in the hallway while several more of the
male family members hurried to throw on their
sheras
.

Bish went out the nearest patio door, followed by Llyon and
Arturo. They ran across the village green while keeping a sharp eye out for
Samara, in case she had fallen on the way to the Llewellyn domes. As Bish
pounded past the barter keeper’s dome a searing cramp seized him in the gut. He
folded up so quickly that he hit the ground in a rolling flurry of
woolie
fabric and snowflakes.

Llyon raced past him while Arturo stopped to check on Bish.
“What happened?” he demanded.

“Oh, my God, it’s Samara!” Bish clutched his belly and
groaned. “What the hell is wrong with her?”

Arturo hauled him to his feet. “Come. It sounds like
schalzina
.
If that’s what is wrong, she needs you!”

Wolfe arrived in a spray of snow and captured Bishop’s other
arm. His two nephews literally dragged him down the path to Samara’s dome. They
were in the yard when a bloodcurdling shriek belled out across the small
clearing. Bish shook off his restraints and leaped up onto the porch, pushing
the door open with such force that it banged against the wall inside.

He shoved the bedroom door open, entering in a rush at the
strain he heard in her voice. “Samara? What’s wrong?” She was curled in a tight
ball on the bed, cowering away from Llyon. Bishop elbowed him out of the way
and gathered her in his arms. “Don’t touch her!”

“Bishop. I need to examine her,” Llyon said calmly.
“Clearly, there is something wrong. I could feel her pain all the way in Lost
Market!”

“She doesn’t want anyone to touch her!”

“Bishop.” Llyon struggled with the need to remain calm at
all costs. “I will not hurt her. Surely you don’t want her to continue to
suffer if I can help her?”

The outcome hung in a fine balance for a long moment. Then,
with obvious reluctance, Bishop twisted just enough that Llyon could reach her.
Llyon tenderly placed his hands on her belly and closed his eyes. Almost
immediately, his eyes flashed open in shock. “She’s in the last stages of
schalzina
!
That’s not possible!”

“Well, don’t tell
me
that! Tell
her
!” Bishop
blurted in frustration. “I didn’t make up the stupid rules!”

Arturo stirred in the doorway. “The rules are not the
important thing now. Samara’s life is in danger. The question now is whether
you will take responsibility for saving her life. Or will you selfishly let her
die?”

With barely restrained violence, Bishop shouted, “Get out!
Now!”

Hiding an odd little smile that threatened to break across
his face, Llyon nodded once and left, pushing Arturo through the door ahead of
him. “We will go wait in the living room.”

Herding a protesting Arturo in front of him, Llyon firmly
closed the front door. Then he sat down on the couch with a deep sigh and
prepared for a silent discussion with Dai and Tyger.

“Why are you smiling?” Arturo demanded impatiently. “What is
there to smile about? What does this mean?”

“Our uncle may protest all he wishes but his heart is tied
to Samara. I know not what this means. The one thing I do know is that Bishop
has found something in this valley that he values over his desire to escape.
Now I will talk to Dai.”

Samara’s soft whimpers were the only sound in the bedroom as
Bishop tightly held her against his chest while he gently kneaded her belly. He
could feel the rippling contractions beneath his palm. Silently, he prayed for
wisdom and then he began to whisper in her ear. “You told me once upon a time
that you loved me. Selfishly, I threw your gift away.”

She trembled in his arms but remained silent, waiting to
hear what he would say.

“Clearly, I don’t deserve you. And I don’t have anything to
offer you yet.” Bish’s took a deep breath. “But I hope you’ll still take me as
your bond mate.”

“W-why?” she asked with chattering teeth. “Because of this?”

“Hell no. The reason I came to Lost Market for Midwinter was
so that I could ask you. Dammit, you made me fall in love with you! Don’t leave
me alone now!”

“E-even if we can’t have ch-children?”

“Even then.” He hugged her close. “I have a feeling that you
might just be surprised, though. I’m not asking for a measly covenant bond. I
want the whole thing.”

“Nothing’s ch-changed, Bish.”

“Yeah, something’s changed. I’ll explain it on the way.” He
stood up and lifted her in his arms. “Where’s your shawl?”

“What are y-you doing?”

“We’re going to the bonding circle right now. I’m going to
tie you to me so firmly that you’ll never even think about anyone else.”

Feebly, she pounded on his shoulder. “You fool! I never
wanted anyone but you!”

“And you caught me. Now where’s your shawl?”

“I don’t know,” she whimpered while pressing her arm against
her belly.

The rolling cramps nearly took Bishop to his knees. “Never
mind,” he gritted. “We’ll use a blanket!” He yanked the blanket off the bed and
wrapped it around her. “We’re out of here!” Stumbling out to the living room,
he headed for the door.

Without a word, Llyon opened it with a flourish. Arturo
leaped out ahead of Bishop so that he could lend a hand going down the steps.
With a wicked grin he twisted a light stone to its brightest setting and drolly
inquired, “Where are we going?”

“The closest bonding circle!”

Llyon jumped from the porch and plucked at his arm. “This
way! There’s shortcut through the woods from her backyard.”

Bishop blindly followed Llyon’s lime green and pink striped
shera
through the building storm. The wind was picking up, howling through the trees,
stinging his face with tiny icy darts. The walk seemed endless as Bishop
struggled to stay upright while traversing the forest trail littered with icy,
slippery leaves and wet pine needles. At last they arrived at the tall stone
sentinels, passing through them into unearthly silence.

Tyger and Hamilton were waiting for them in the circle.
Samara’s bonding blanket, completed only the day before was spread across the
stone. Gently, Bishop settled her on the stone, still wrapped in her bedding
from home.

Ty and Hamilton joined Arturo outside the circle, huddling
in the shadow of a huge sentinel while Llyon assisted Bishop and Samara in
preparing for their bonding. “You have a knife?” Llyon asked calmly.

Bishop shoved the scarf wound around his head and neck back
from his face and tapped a tiny
slith
. “Hawke gave me this when we were
traveling to Lost Market. He assured me that it would do the job.”

Llyon’s eyes widened in surprise when he identified the
slith
.
“That is quite an honor, Uncle. He gave you the
slith
from his warrior
vows ceremony.”

Bishop halted in the middle of undressing, then swiftly
finished removing his clothing, tossing each piece on the pile that rested on
one corner of the massive altar stone. When he was naked, he reached for
Samara.

“Dai explained the ceremony to you?”

Bishop shot a brief glance at Llyon before continuing to
undress Samara. “Yeah. He was quite thorough.” He sat down, tugged Samara onto
his lap facing him and piled the blankets next to them. Finally when all was
ready, he unhooked the
slith
from the braid that kept his unruly curly
hair back from his face and freed the strands from restraint. There was one
final step and he completed that by removing the jeweled hair picks from
Samara’s hair, allowing the elaborate twisted arrangement to slither down her
back in a cool silky curtain.

“Well then, I will leave you to your bonding.” Llyon let
them alone in the circle, joining the witnesses waiting by the entrance stone.
Outside the circle the snow turned to hard, stinging sleet, beating down on the
men with a noisy hiss as they waited.

In the circle, Bishop held Samara close. “My heart, will you
bond with me?” he asked once more, softly willing her to agree.

She tilted her head and kissed him with aching tenderness. “Are
you sure this is truly what you want? I could not bear it if you left me again,
Bish.” She felt his cock pulsing against her soft belly and responded with a
rippling contraction of her own. “With all of my heart, I want you to pledge
with me and oath bind with me until I die.”

“Then nothing will keep me from doing that.”

“Hmm. So you say,” she teased restlessly. “Dai told me what the
archivists found on Talking Wall.” She rocked slowly, impatient to have his
cock filling her. “I want it all. Hard and deep and never-ending.”

With that beguiling admission, he pressed her close with
hard hands. “Samara, I’m out of time here.”

“Then let us pledge our love now,” she whispered. “Are you
ready? Close your eyes,” she reminded, as she led him through the pledging
rite. When their pledging was complete, she leaned back just so there was
enough room for him to reach between them. He swiftly slashed their palms and then
made a tiny nick in the soft skin of his penis and when the blood trickled out,
he commanded, “Now, Samara. Come to me now!”

As she slid forward to sheathe him, he caught her hands
together in his, pressing their slashed palms together and held them overhead,
declaring solemnly, “With the mingling of our blood and sacrifice I take this
woman as my bond mate until death.” Lightning flickered in the thick falling
snow and thunder rolled overhead.

Dai and Hamilton scurried into the cover of the woods while
Llyon and Tyger huddled at the foot of the sentinel stone. The stones turned
incandescent, filling the circle with weird bluish flashes. Suddenly hot,
bright light flashed from stone to stone before zipping around the altar stone
with a resounding crack and sizzle. Thunder shook the ground.

Silence echoed in the still aftermath.

A cry of alarm rang out. The sounds of a desperate scuffle
came from the woods behind the bonding circle. Snow muffled the noise but Llyon
unerringly narrowed in on the tiny clearing where Panther and Llynx were
struggling on the ground with a man Llyon didn’t immediately recognize. A
flicknife glittered in the darkness, then Panther brought the hilt down on the
man’s head with a hard blow. “You will
not
kill them!” he declared hotly
as the man was still.

Tyger, on Llyon’s heels, took in the scene at a glance. He
noted the loaded
punchbow
half buried in the snow and went at once to
move it out of reach.

Breathing hard, Llynx plopped down on the man’s belly. With
a low growl he swiped a scraped fist at his nose to wipe away the trickle of
blood on his upper lip. “Yeah! We caught ya!”

Well aware of the heightened adrenaline still pumping
through the boys’ systems, Llyon squatted down near them and quietly asked,
“What happened?”

Arturo and Hamilton slipped into the clearing, filling it
with bright light from their light stones. Churned-up snow told a story of
violent struggle. With a deep, shuddering breath, Panther tilted his head back
until he met Arturo’s eyes with a steadfast gaze. “I followed you when you left
to find Samara. And when I heard you talking about the bonding, I came here to
watch.”