Maliuth: The Reborn (6 page)

Waking up cocooned in a warm bed is far better than what she had
anticipated. After passing out again after lovemaking with Maliuth, she
realized that maybe they should be limiting their activities to the bedroom.
Laughing softly she realized that wouldn’t be any fun. Besides, she figured
they had to stay conscious sooner or later. Sex with Maliuth couldn’t be so
intense that they passed out every time could it?

Rolling in bed, she was disappointed to see that he was already gone. She
was debating the merits of waiting in bed or searching for him when he walked
into their bedroom. Before she could playfully suggest he get back into bed
with her, she saw his face. All thoughts of teasing flew from her mind and she
bolted upright in bed.

“What is wrong?” she had an idea, but needed him to tell her.

“The council has arranged for our meeting.” He moved to sit on the bed
next to her hip, “We are ordered to their chamber this morning. I let you sleep
as long as possible.” He gestured to a chest at the bottom of the bed that she
hadn’t seen before. “My mother took the liberty of having the merchants send
over some dresses. She had them working all night to get the lengths shortened.
I think you will find some footwear in the chest also.”

Alea sat there wringing her hands. The council was going to be able to
decide if they could remain together. If it didn’t go well today, she would be
sent to the Oracle Temple and she refused to let that happen. Straitening her
shoulders and stiffening her spine, she smiled at her mate. “What is your
favorite color?” It felt silly that she didn’t know something that simple when
they had intimate knowledge of each other.

“My favorite color?” he seemed perplexed at her question. “I never
thought of it before.” Taking her hand and pulling her toward the bathing room
he laughed, “I guess I would say I prefer black…his hand brushed her hair.
Turning her at the doorway, he pulled her up and against his chest. “Then
again, blue is a very nice color too.” He brushed his lips against hers and her
body was instantly alive. Just as her mouth was opening against his to deepen
their kiss, he pulled back. “We will have time for that later.” Giving her a
smack on the bottom, he turned to walk away. “If you will let me, I would like
to fix your hair for the meeting.”

Alea nodded and hurried to do her morning toilet. “I will be right out.
Can you get me a black dress out of the chest? If there is more than one
choice…pick your favorite.” After relieving herself, she jumped into the shower
and washed as quickly as she could. Taking a towel and drying off she hurried
into the bedroom. Maliuth had laid out his choice for her on the bed.

“I will help you into the dress, and then I can fix your hair.” Alea was
happy for the weight of the material, it wasn’t see through and with her body
responding to Maliuth as usual, she wasn’t going to embarrass herself with
something showing that she would rather didn’t. It draped similarly to the blue
one from yesterday. The scooped neck showed off the tops of her breasts and
since it was off the shoulder, her tattoo stood out against her pale skin.

Maliuth moved to stand in front of a vanity so she followed. Aware of the
lack of underwear she asked. “Do the women here in Abondiel wear undergarments?”
At his puzzled look she clarified, “Something to hold up or cover their
breasts. Also, something on the bottom half to cover…” She trailed off at his
nod of understanding.

“I think during their yearly female time they wear undergarments on the
bottom half, the merchants will have some. Otherwise, I don’t think the females
have found a need for them. Especially this top you describe. Why would a
female want to cover her breasts when they are already covered?”

“If a woman’s breasts start to sag, an undergarment can hold them up.”
Alea indicated her chest to answer his question. She was distracted by the
information he had just given her. Had she heard him correctly? The women of
Abondiel only had their female time once a year. No wonder the population was
held to a minimum. He had gestured for her to sit in the chair so she sat.

“I don’t think the women of Abondiel have that problem. I am unaware of
this issue at any rate. You can ask my mother if you would like. She can tell you
all about what you will need as a woman here on Prion.”

“What happens if I get pregnant? Would the council leave us alone then?” With
the brush moving through her hair and his fingers following with that hair gel,
Alea could barely manage to form a coherent question. The erotic feel of his
touch and the soothing motion of the brush contrasted sharply.

“I am sorry my love. You cannot get pregnant until your female time.
Until then your body will absorb any fluids. The Elder and the council know
this. That is why they are desperate to separate us before your first fertile
cycle.” He continued with fixing her hair, Alea closed her eyes to further
enjoy his touch. So she couldn’t get pregnant no matter how many times they
made love until her female time. That was an interesting development. Maliuth was
pulling and working the hair very close to her ears, and her senses came alive
in an agony of anticipation. Maliuth’s fingers came within a breath of her ear,
and then moved away. Alea was breathing heavily and he hadn’t even done
anything explicitly sexual to her. Realizing he had stopped her eyes flew open.
His dark gaze met hers and she realized he was just as aroused as she was.

“All done.” He rasped out. Her eyes couldn’t leave his to see what he had
done. She would see later. Right now, there was another issue that needed
immediate attention.

Jumping off the seat, she turned into Maliuth’s arms. Tearing at the
fastening to Maliuth’s pants, her fingers dove into the loosened material to
grasp at him frantically. “We have time.” She didn’t care if that was true or
not. She had never needed someone as much as she needed Maliuth at this moment.
“I’ll avoid your ears, you avoid my hair.”

“Alea we should be going.” He groaned when she just squeezed him tighter.
Her hands pushing his pants down over his bottom.

“Please Maliuth.” She kissed along his chest and what she could reach of
his neck. “Just in case…” she left the rest unsaid. Just in case they lost the
right to be mates and she was forced into the Oracle Temple.

Maliuth’s hold grew fierce. “They will not take you from me.” He reached
down and pulled her dress to her hips, his fingers griping to hold her buttocks
and pull her up against him. Alea didn’t protest, she used his hold as leverage
and wrapped her legs around his hips. She groaned when he was suddenly inside
her. Thick and hard, filling her without warning. She was ready and working
herself against him when he haphazardly cleared a space on the vanity. Placing
her at the edge, he stepped more firmly between her legs and held her against
him. She knew Maliuth loved kissing, so smashed her mouth against his. Lips and
tongues were moving frantically against each other. Alea had her fingers
digging into his hair to keep them from roaming toward his ears. Her body moved
faster and Maliuth groaned into their kiss. She could feel him expanding even
more in size and his movements became frantic. She hoped that this poor vanity
held out against his powerful thrusts.

She drew him closer with her thighs clasping his hips and her heels
digging into his lower back. A few moments later and her startled exclamation
echoed into his mouth. Her body stiffened then trembled as her release washed
over her. Maliuth joined her, holding her until she went lax in his arms. When
she felt able to stand up, she started to wiggle in his arms to be let down. He
stepped back and gently set her on her feet. When Alea looked up, she saw his
eyes were hooded with spent passion.

“Are we ever going to make it to a bed?” he asked laughing breathlessly.

“If we ever make it to a bed, we might not want to leave it.” She
answered with an equal breathy voice.

His eyes darkened and he sighed, “You are probably right.” Taking her
hand, they started out of the bedroom and down the stairs. “We will need a long
time for bed play.”

Alea was shocked that she could desire Maliuth again so quickly. His
words were a blatant sexual promise, and it was one she was determined he would
keep…and soon. Making it into the entry, Maliuth turned to her. “I want to
explain what you can expect at the council. Only the three of us will be
allowed into the main chamber. The Elder, you and I.” He opened the door and
hurried along his bridge to the platform. He looked at her as they walked, “Not
that there won’t be others in the outer chamber. My mother and father will be
waiting to hear of the outcome. Along with Galan and some of the men from my
unit.” He kept walking and Alea lost track of the turns they had taken, “I’m
sure there will be an Oracle presence also. Their order is usually very
peaceful, but they will do as The Elder demands if it comes to fighting.” Alea
almost stopped. Did he think it would come to fighting?

 
“Not that I think it will come to
fighting. There is nothing to gain by taking that route.” He smiled at her
reassuringly. To her surprise, they had come to another, even larger tree.
“Here we are.”

He led her through a pair of double doors. Once inside, it reminded Alea of
the Redwoods on Earth. They were so large that even if hollowed out from a
fire, sometimes the tree was still alive. This tree was many times larger than
that. There was a room straight ahead and she had to step down a few stairs.
Once in that room, there were stairs leading up on the right and down on the left.
Along either side of a set of double doors were benches where she realized on
one side sat the Oracles. Ori, Jerr and a few others. On the other side were
Malendroch, Sartya, Galan and a few other males she hadn’t met. Maliuth led her
straight to his family and friends.

“Thank you father…Galan, for arranging this council meeting so quickly.”
The males all smacked each other on the back. “Alea this is Akkar, Beldron and
Garnnon. Friends that I serve on the guard with.” Alea greeted each male, who
then made a smart bow. Before she could speak, Sartya moved to take her a few
steps away.

“How are the dresses I had sent to you?” Sartya was looking her over,
“They seem to be a good fit.”

“They are all very nice.” Alea had seen that there were a rainbow of colors
in the chest Sartya had sent. She was going to assume they all fit like this
one. “Thank you for taking the time to arrange for them.”

“Not at all dear.” Sartya patted her hand, “You could not wear that blue
one from yesterday.” Laughing softly Maliuth’s mother added, “Not that it would
have lasted with all of the fire damage. I do not think I will ever forget the
look on The Elder’s face when you were chasing that Oracle with the burning
robes around.” Seeing the look on her face Sartya hurried to assure her, “It is
nothing to be ashamed of Alea! You have a great gift and should be proud of it.
Our goal is not to stop you from using your talents. It is to keep The Elder
from taking you from Maliuth for his own purposes.”

Alea asked in a choked whisper, “What if I am not what is best for
Maliuth?” She darted a glance at him. She hadn’t been able to voice this worry
until now with Sartya. What if she humiliated him at every turn? What if she
couldn’t control what she burned? What happened if she started a platform on
fire, or one of the bridges, or a crowded merchant stall? She hadn’t realized
she had been talking out loud until Sartya drew her into a hug.

“Alea…you would not be capable of doing any of those things. Furthermore,
Maliuth would never be embarrassed by you. I can see that he looks at you with
deep affection already.” Stroking her hair Sartya continued, “As for your
talents with healing and fire. Anyone with eyes could see that you only burned
those Oracles when threatened. Your healing them even after they provoked the
damage is a sign of your true character. Do not let your doubts cloud the
truth.”

Alea was greatly soothed by Sartya’s words. She struggled to hold the
panic at bay. She already cared for Maliuth too deeply to ever give up. “Thank
you Sartya.” She whispered. “I needed that.”

Stepping out of the hug Sartya turned them toward the males. Whispering
so only Alea would hear, she added. “Just keep your head up and do not let
anyone bully you in there. The council is ruled by men, but I think you are
about to shake things up for them.” She advised before clearing her throat and
speaking loudly. “They are waiting for you Maliuth.”

The men had been deep in discussion when Sartya broke into their
conversation. All eyes turned to the two women.

“It is time.” Sartya stated.

“Thank you mother.” Maliuth moved to take her hand and gave it a
reassuring squeeze. Drawing her toward the doors to the meeting room, he
ignored the Oracle sitting on the bench. Alea turned to look at them as they
passed. Ori and Jerr were giving her pitying looks and that worked to smash her
newfound confidence.

What did they know that she didn’t?

Walking with Maliuth into the council room was almost harder than giving
up her life on Earth. Well, her ghostly life on Earth anyway. She was pulled to
this planet to be with Maliuth and this council and The Elder weren’t going to
stand in her way. She needed to remain calm and make this meeting work in her
favor. With that in mind, she squared her shoulders and surveyed the room.

The council members were all male, as Sartya had warned her. They had a
range of blond hair from platinum to darker blond. Their eyes were all a shade
of brown, and what she could see their body sizes were all lean muscled, as was
the tendency of the males she had seen so far. They were all regal in bright
white robes, with the same type of neck adornment she had seen before on The
Elder. With a start, she realized she had seen one of the designs before. The
council member in the middle had a design that matched the one worn by The
Elder. Was that an indication that this member was affiliated with the Oracle?
She was about to find out.

The council member in the middle stood and called the meeting to order.
“We are here to decide who has jurisdiction of one newly Reborn female…” His
gaze landed on her shoulder for a moment then slid to Maliuth, “Mated to the First
Prime, Maliuth Stonarch, it would seem.” He regained his seat then snapped,
“Even when The Elder forbid it?”

Alea felt her palms start to sweat. This male was not on their side. When
she glanced at Maliuth, he appeared completely calm so she tried to get her
racing heart under control as well.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” the council member raised an
eyebrow at Maliuth his voice full of derision.

“Not really.” Maliuth shrugged. “Our status as a mated couple is not the
issue here Councilman Valav.”

“That is true.”
 
For some reason
this made the man happy which didn’t bode well, “Who has jurisdiction over her
is the main issue. The Elder has a strong case regarding his rights to the
newly Reborn female…”

“I should be able to train her in the temple of the Oracle.” The Elder
broke in. “Without distraction or
taint
from outside influences. From what I have seen, she could be the most powerful
healer we have ever seen on Prion.”

“She is not being separated from me.” Maliuth stated firmly.

“Be reasonable Maliuth.” Another councilman spoke up, “You know the rules
regarding a Reborn healer.”

“Yes Councilman Lairial. I am well aware of the rules…”

“Yet you chose to ignore them? You chose to go through with the mating
ritual?” Yet another council member spoke up. “That is a punishable offense.”

“I know the punishment as well Councilman Lisil. I take full
responsibility.” Maliuth was being yelled at by all parties now.

Alea tried to intervene and tell her side of the story. She yelled into
the fray, “In Maliuth’s defense, I kissed
him
!
I don’t think he was prepared for that.” Only one of the council members seemed
to be listening.

“What is kissing?” Lisil looked are her with genuine interest. She tried
to answer him and listen to the argument around her at the same time.

“Kissing is when you touch mouths.” She supplied. Her head was swinging
back and forth between the still arguing council members and Maliuth.

 
“The newly Reborn female will have
to go to the Oracles.” Valav yelled.

“She will not.” Maliuth stood firm.

“I will not.” Alea argued at the same time.

“When a newly Reborn female is shown to be a healer, you know that female
belongs with me in the Oracle Temple.” The Elder yelled even louder, “I do not
know why we are here to arbitrate this issue. It is the law.”

There was so much yelling Alea couldn’t take it anymore. With her fingers
in her mouth, she let out a shrill whistle. All of the males shuddered to a
stop in their yells and turned astonished gazes on her.

“I have a name.” She spoke softly in the silence. “You all have my
permission to call me Alea.” She hid her smile at the look of astonishment on the
council members faces. It seems that they either weren’t used to being
interrupted, or they were shocked by the fact that a female had dared to do it.
She wasn’t sure which. Whereas the others just sat astonished, Valav was
turning a nice shade of red. Then his eyes narrowed on her.

“There are protocol’s…” he huffed. “When in the council chambers you will
use proper respect when addressing a member of this court. Further, you will
not speak unless asked a direct question.”

“I am standing right here and
you
are not showing me
any
respect by
refusing to use my given name. I am entirely sure that you knew what it was
before I walked through the door.” Alea remembered Sartya telling her not to
let them bully her. “Furthermore, the very first thing you
should
have asked was what
I
wanted.”
She felt Maliuth squeeze her fingers. In warning or as a show of support she
wasn’t sure.

“You are newly Reborn and couldn’t possibly know what you want.” The
Elder spoke before the council members could regain their voices. “That is why
I tried to stop the mating ritual. To be trained as a healer in the Oracle Temple
is a high honor. One that you should be happy to accept.”

“I want to know more about this kissing.” The one male who had been listening
to her asked, but no one paid any attention to him.

Alea leaned into Maliuth, “I didn’t come through the shadows to be a
healer in your temple. I came through to be with Maliuth.” She looked at the
council members and ignored The Elder since she had to convince these men to
let her stay mated. “How is a male’s name decided on for a mate? Is it a secret
process or can The Elder explain it to me?”

The council members all looked to The Elder and it was Lairial who said,
“Explain how you choose males to Alea.” He had a small smile on his face and
she gave a sigh of relief. One person might be on their side.

The Elder bristled at having to answer then blurted, “On the sacred day
of the fullest moons I go into the deepest part of the temple to meditate. When
I am sufficiently open to the spirits, two names will come to me. The first
name is the male chosen for a mate. The second is the name of the female to be Reborn.”

“So I was chosen for Maliuth by a higher power than even yours?” Alea
asked. Her eyes going over the other council member and two of them smiled
slightly at her words. The only one not impressed with her was Valav.

“I would not say that exactly. It is through me that the names are heard
at all.” The Elder insisted.

“So this is a new process that no other Oracle has done before you?” Alea
prodded, “No other Oracle before you had this ability and no Oracle after you
will have the ability?”

“Well no. There is a hierarchy to the Oracle and when you reach the
position of The Elder then you learn the process of meditation that allows for hearing
the names.” He glowered at her, “We are not discussing the process of how you
came to be here. We are discussing the set protocol for your placement as a
healer in the temple.”

“I still want to know more about the kissing she mentioned earlier.” The
same council member seemed to be stuck on that issue.

“Not now Lisil, try to keep up with the conversation.” Valav snapped at
him.

Maliuth had been alternating between rubbing her fingers and squeezing
her hand. She felt that it was a sign of support since he hadn’t broken into
her argument with The Elder or the council members. She knew he would fight his
way out of the room with her if it came to that. She absently rubbed her thumb
against his fingers in affection.

“Describe exactly how a healer is classified.” Alea wanted to know. She
didn’t care if The Elder answered or the council or Maliuth.

It was The Elder who spoke since the council members just sat quietly
watching the two of them, “It is simple. A healer is able to restore
health
 
to an unbalanced, diseased or damaged organism
.”
He smiled at her mockingly, “A healer is best trained in the Oracle Temple to
better utilize her abilities to heal those of Abondiel in need of her
services.”

Alea felt her chest tighten and squeezed Maliuth’s hand. She had The
Elder with that definition. She smiled widely and everyone on the council table
was looking at her as if she was out of her mind. “Well then, we are done
here.” She hugged Maliuth and went to turn away.

“What do you mean? We are not done here.” The Elder huffed indignantly.
“You are a healer. I saw it with my own eyes and experienced it as well. Do you
deny that you healed the damage to the Oracles in the temple? That you healed
me?” He was almost yelling in his agitation.

“No. I don’t deny that I healed those wounds.” Alea was still smiling.
Hugging Maliuth around the waist, she said, “But I am no
healer
.”

“That makes no sense.” The Elder’s hands were flying around in anger. His
robes flapping around like angry birds. “You just admitted to healing our
wounds, that makes you a healer. She…”

The Elder was stammering when Maliuth spoke firmly...“Is more than that.”