Obsessed (53 page)

Only Tierra could calm his raging desires.

Only Tierra owned his warrior’s heart and soul.

The following morning Renn strode out of the castle and into the courtyard to meet with captains representing all the armies that had marched to Phoenicia to join the battle. Some troops had come by river, others by field or sky. Some rode horses. Others were footsore and well-muscled from the walk. But to a one, they shared a common purpose: unite as one fighting force and destroy Zanden.

For now, the hosts were stationed below the Phoenician Mountains, upon the barren plain where the battle for Liana had taken place recently. This thought gave Renn pause, but he forced it from his mind.

They defeated the bastard once before, and they could do it again. Hell, this time, they had thrice the might, and thrice the resolve.

Brilliant standards snapped and fluttered in the icy wind. The unnatural wind. It blew in from the west, as if bearing breath from Zanden’s foul fortress. Renn attempted to shove it from his senses as he joined Jalen and Aric before the captains.

Palme, Liana’s birth father and commander of the albino Tanzinites, was present, as was the burly, blue-skinned Ichnok of the Dwarves from D’euan Deep.

Beside the Tanzinite and the Dwarf stood Chrys, the lavender-eyed Seraphine captain whose spirit equaled the wine-red shade of her hair. Renn had enjoyed pleasures with her and her Elvin sisters upon more than one visit to Seraphine.

But no more. Before the pleasures of my denai, even this one pales.

Chrys’s wary gaze rested on Evvan, the dark-haired, powerfully-built roguish enforcer of the Devline Elves, who bore odd facial tattoos beneath each eye. Renn was not surprised at Chrys’s obvious suspicion. The arrogant Devline resided in the far southeast and rarely involved themselves in matters outside their own realm. The Devline were primarily sword bearers, though many were also greatly skilled at the bow, as was Evvan. They considered themselves superior to other Elves and races.

Did ulterior motives bring the Devline?

Renn’s fists clenched.

If only the Devline were vulnerable to probes by seers…

But he had no time for that. For now, the strange foreigners had come as allies, and they would be treated as such.

Humans were noticeably absent, as were the Overseers, despite To’en’s promise that his people would arrive in time for the battle. To’en himself had shifted to the white nordai form he used for travel and had left late last night.

Of course Renn had not expected the Faeries to make an appearance. Their men were no more than drones who preferred play and sexual pursuits to politics and battle. The women would be fine warriors—if they were of the mood to fight on anyone’s behalf but their own. That was rare indeed, and beyond unlikely in this case, considering Anistana’s feelings about Liana, Ranelle, and Tierra.

Troyas, King Aric’s second in command after Renn, had just returned from a scouting trip. He had flown far enough west to see the Sorcerer’s armies marching toward Phoenicia—countless troops of men and other beings.

Zanden had obviously ensorcelled humans and other creatures to do his bidding, in addition to those who followed the Sorcerer by choice. By Troyas’s estimate, Zanden’s forces would arrive the following day.

Blasts of cold wind intensified as Aric began to address the captains.

Renn could scarcely focus on his brother’s words, or those of Jalen, even though he knew battle strategies were being mapped out, and plans laid.

His thoughts were of the Sorcerer, of defending his lands and his denai.

Tierra. I will not fail you, despite what you might think. You do not have to fight this war alone.

Renn’s gaze traveled to the west, where the dark cloud still hovered in the vicinity of Zanden’s fortress.

It would not be long now. The battle for Dair was at hand.

* * * * *

Tierra paced the room she and Renn had shared these past nights.

His room. It was intensely masculine, and utterly Renn. From the rich burgundy and forest green fabrics to the dark mahogany wood of the furniture and the trunk that he had bent her over just the other night.

Soon it would be time to face Zanden with her heart-sisters. Even with the combined force of their magic, she feared it would not be enough to stop him. The ancient power the Sorcerer had stumbled across could very well spell defeat for the halias—if Zanden had learned to master that magic.

Wrapping her arms tight to her belly, Tierra continued to move restlessly around the room. Earlier she had felt dizzy and her food had sat queer in her stomach—as though it might come back up.

What was this feeling clenching her heart and soul? The fear for her heart-sisters—that she understood. Fear for all races, and that their way of life might soon come to an end—that was clear, too.

But why did her thoughts continually return to her dark warrior? Out of all that could come from this battle, why did she fear most never again seeing Renn? Why did she fear never again hearing his deep and vibrant voice…never again feeling his touch upon her skin…never again enjoying his embrace through the night…never again waking in his arms in the morn…and never again hearing him say—

“I love you, denai.” Renn’s powerful presence filled the room as his voice startled Tierra from her thoughts.

With a small cry she whirled to see him standing before the open bedchamber door. He let it swing shut behind him, his gaze intent on her, drinking her in as though he would never have his fill.

Frozen in place, Tierra absorbed every last detail of her dark warrior. His weary expression, his silver eyes, his windblown hair and stubbled cheeks. His muscular body, his scuffed boots and dusty tunic and breeches.

“No matter what happens,” he said, his resonant voice breaking the silence, “I will always love you.”

Tierra bit the inside of her lip, her heart melting at the bare honesty in Renn’s words and in his expression. Without another moment’s hesitation, she ran toward him and threw herself against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as he embraced her tightly to him. She pressed her face against the material of his tunic that was still cold from being outside. He smelled of wind and dust, cedar and his own heady masculine scent.

For a long time he just held her, neither of them saying a word. She did not want to talk, did not want to shatter the precious moment that existed between the two of them.

The moment she realized she was in love with him.

As Tierra clung to him, Renn could never remember a time in his life that he felt such intense emotions for anyone or anything. He loved his brother and sister, had loved his parents, and cared for his people.

Every other feeling paled in comparison to his love for Tierra. His entire life before Tierra was naught but a shadow of what his life had become since he had found her.

A long shuddering sigh wracked her body. Renn pressed his lips to the top of her head, inhaling her honeysuckle perfume and drawing it deep into his lungs. She sighed again and he strode toward the bed with her snug in his embrace.

After he disentangled her from around him, he set her on the bed. He knelt before her on one knee and took her hands in his. “When this battle is over, I wish…” Renn swallowed, suddenly finding it difficult to find the words to say as he looked into Tierra’s emerald gaze. “I would ask that you join with me and become my wife.”

Her eyes appeared large and luminous as she stared at him. His heart near ceased to beat at the thought that she might refuse him.

He squeezed her hands tighter as he humbled himself before her. “Please say yes, Tierra.”

The tightness in his chest grew even greater as Tierra’s lower lip trembled, and he bowed his head. He could not let her go. How could he convince her to love him as he loved her?

“Yes,” she whispered.

“I cannot live without—” His head snapped up and his gaze met hers. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.” She cupped his face in her hands and smiled. “I love you, Renn. I will be your wife.”

“Denai.” He grabbed her to him and stood in one quick movement. Tierra shrieked and laughed as he whirled her around the room.

“You are making me dizzy.” Tierra clasped her hand to her forehead, her head spinning and her stomach churning. “I love you, Renn, but you must stop.”

Abruptly he halted, his face concerned. “Are you all right?”

She kept her hand to her forehead, not daring to nod for fear her dinner would come up all over her soon-to-be-husband. “Just allow me to lie down for a moment.”

He set her on the bed so gently, as though he feared she might shatter if he was not careful. “Do you need a healer? A tonic perhaps?”

“You are sweet.” Tierra took his hand and smiled. “But I am fine.”

Renn frowned. “Sweet?”

A giggle rose up inside her and she could not keep it from escaping. “I bet no one has ever called you sweet before.”

Renn’s lips turned up into a grin. “Never.” His smile faded as he eased onto the bed beside her, his hand still holding hers. “You are ill?”

Tierra shrugged. “I felt a bit queasy when you spun me around. And earlier, too.”

He suddenly straightened. His grip on her hand grew tighter and his expression serious.

She cocked her head. “What?”

His chest expanded as he took a deep breath before speaking. “I have not known how to tell you this…” He paused and then continued, “Do you recall when Anistana spoke of aradne dust?”

“A Faerie powder.” Tierra nodded as she remembered how jealous she had been when Anistana spoke of using it with Renn. “It makes men wild in bed.”

“Yes.” He studied her for a long moment before he added, “Its use always results in a child between heartmates.”

“So…” Her voice trailed off as flashes of memory came back to her. The dungeon. A glittering gold that had floated in the air and the wild fucking Renn had given her immediately after.

Hot anger flooded through her. “You used it with me.”

A shocked expression covered his handsome face. “I would never do so without your knowledge or consent.”

She raised her chin. “Then what are you saying?”

“Anistana.” He shook his head, his black hair brushing his shoulders. “When she sent us to the dungeon, she apparently put aradne dust within the folded horse blanket. I did not realize it ’til after we had joined.”

Tierra’s skin tingled as she absorbed what he said. “It always results in a child?”

“Between heartmates, always.” Renn brought her hand to his mouth, feathered his lips across her skin and she shivered. “I cannot lie and tell you I am not pleased. To know that you carry my—our—child is the second most incredible thing that has happened to me in my life.”

I’m pregnant. Dear gods, save me.
Tierra swallowed and then said, “What is the first?”

“Meeting you. Touching you. Loving you.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Most definitely, you, denai.”

When he pulled back, she could not help but smile. “Who would ever have thought that you could be such a romantic man?”

“Do not tell my brother or Jalen.” Renn gave her a mock scowl. “I shall never live it down.”

Tierra laughed, almost feeling giddy. “I’m pregnant? With child? Your child?”

“Yes, denai.” Renn’s expression grew more grave. “I offer apologies for the circumstance. But as I said, I feel nothing but joy at the knowledge. Are you…happy to have my baby?”

Warmth splashed Tierra’s heart as she realized the big warrior looked vulnerable again—almost more vulnerable than when he asked her to marry him. Her hand covered her belly protectively, and she felt a fierce thrill. Pride, protectiveness, joy.

Renn’s tense expression doubled, then tripled.

Tierra reached out and brushed his cheek. “Even with Zanden at our gates, to know you love me, to know we will be wed, and to know your seed grows within me—I could live ten lives and never feel more joy than I feel this day.”

With a sensual growl, Renn lowered his mouth and gently moved his firm lips over hers. A slow, erotic kiss that she felt all the way to her soul. He eased his tongue through her lips, tasting her, teasing her, bringing her such warmth and love.

This fine dark warrior would be her husband. The father of her child.

He was hers.

With gentle hands that belied his incredible strength, Renn removed the Elvin clothing she wore. He eased off her lace-up boots, one at a time, then drew off her breeches. Finally he helped her to sit up and carefully pulled her tunic over her head.

As he undressed her, Tierra found she could easily picture this man as a father. And herself as a mother. He could be gentle and caring, yet a fierce lover and protector.

After he slipped off her tunic, Renn removed his own boots. Then, still in his breeches and tunic, he sat on the bed behind her and removed the tie from the end of her braid. He combed her hair out with his fingers ’til her tresses hung loose around her shoulders. She shivered at the sensual feel of his touch, loving the way his hands and fingers felt on her scalp, at her neck, everywhere.

“You have the most beautiful hair,” he murmured and rubbed his face in the silken strands. “Everything about you is beautiful.”

She turned in his arms, so that she was on her knees on the bed, facing him. “You are, Renn. You are beautiful.” She put her hands around his neck, pulled his head down to hers, and kissed her man.

When she gently bit at his lower lip, a groan rumbled through his chest. His callused hands rubbed her back from her shoulder blades, down to her buttocks, and back up again.

Tierra pulled away, her skin raw from the scratch of his stubble, her lips swollen from his kisses. She clenched her hands in the material of his tunic. “I want to feel your skin next to mine. I need to feel you.”

He helped her pull his tunic over his head, revealing his massive chest. He started to reach for the ties of his breeches, but she halted him by placing her hand upon his. “Wait.” She rubbed her hands over his chest, enjoying the feel of his solid muscles beneath her palms, exploring him, memorizing every inch of his body.