Rain (Stranger in the Woods Book 1) Read online

  She speaks softly. “Very well. What are you doing?”

  “Some consider it meditating. We call it mirroring.”

  “Oh, I will leave you be.”

  I open my eyes to see she has already turned away. “Want to join me?”

  Rose nibbles on her bottom lip and nods with a hunger for knowledge. I think about how much I love this female. I pat my thighs, wanting her to be a part of every aspect of my life. She snuggles her back to my chest as if it is one of her favorite things to do. As soon as her skin touches mine, I feel her sadness, but I wait patiently until she wants to share.

  “Ryder, I miss my mom.”

  “I’m sorry I have to keep you from her.”

  “Will I get to see her before the baby is born?”

  “I won’t lie to you.”

  She pauses. “Do you think it is your fault?”

  “Very observant, Rose. You feel me well. I understand that this all has a greater purpose than us. We are pawns to stop evil, but I love you. That is what’s right in front of me. You are what I grasp and want to grasp every day. So when I know you’re sad or in need of something, I want, more than anything, to fix it. That’s the only way I know how to explain it. You want your mom. I can’t give her to you. That is what I feel is my fault.”

  Rose leans her face up to mine and kisses me. Her mouth gently opens, and I want to be inside her all over again. This female consumes me and my thoughts in a blink of an eye. “Thank you,” she whispers.

  My heart thanks you. “Close your eyes.”

  She does, and I take her hands in mine, resting them on my thighs. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply, wanting to take her with me. “Mirroring is a deep connection with nature—the natural order of things. It is how we ground ourselves during hard times. All we do is relax and allow our souls to reflect the energy of life. It is an elf gift, but I believe you are so connected to me that your soul will follow.”

  A relaxed Rose is a relaxed unborn. That makes for a healthier pregnancy and an easier delivery.

  The more I calm, the more her breathing slows, and the more her body eases into mine. Thoughts drift from my mind. Rose and I find our way into a peaceful place that I will bring her to whenever our souls, our hearts and minds, need a rest from all we must face and endure.

  The light is so bright that many might think they need to close their eyes, but that reaction never comes. No physical eyes are involved, only souls. In fact, it is warm without heat. It is the most comforting sensation in the world—

  A little voice breaks through. “I did not think humans could mirror.”

  The mother tries to quiet the young who has found us. “They can’t, but Ryder is a strong-blooded Warrior and is most likely carrying Rose with him.” The voices fade.

  Rose inhales deeply as if she hadn’t needed to breathe the whole time our souls rested. Sometimes, we have no need to breathe. Her voice is so relaxed it makes my heart beam. “That was beautiful, Ryder.”

  Next meal, sitting around the fire, Rose intently watches the Vikes interact while she blows on her spoonful of vegetable stew she helped the females make. Maybe Rose is still trying to put puzzle pieces together. Inga sits on Kar’s lap, nursing her young while Thord sits next to them. Both feed Inga. Rose takes another spoonful of her soup while observing no male Vikes eating until their female is provided for.

  Asta nurses her young while Ivar approaches. “Yu look tirsty.”

  Before Asta gets to finish nodding, Olaf walks up with water. “She looks tirsty.”

  “I want a Vike,” yells Rose.

  Asta spits out her water and laughs with all the cheering Vikes. “Rose!”

  Gunner comes to the fire with an empty bowl. “Damn, she kicking you to the curb already?” He loads it up with stew from the steaming pot hanging over the fire then sits on a rock by Rose.

  I pull Rose to my lap. “You look thirsty. Would you like some water?”

  The Vikes boo me. Rose balances her bowl, jokingly pushing off my lap. “Too late, Guardian.”

  “Dees Rose is a vary smart gurl,” Olaf heckles.

  I know what will win my female back, and I go and get it.

  On my return, Gunner laughs at me. “Oh, pulling out the big guns, huh?”

  Rose. She turns to me. The bowl in my hands gets her attention like a moth to a flame. Rose. Is. Mine. Gunner reaches out, ready to catch the stew bowl that Rose is going to discard immediately. Her hands release one meal as her fingers beg for her favorite. With salad in hand, Rose begins her embarrassing descent into dressing-ville. Gunner pours her soup into his already half empty bowl. “More for me.”

  As she forces an abundance into her mouth, Manni gawks. “She eets like eh male!”

  “And don’t stick your finger in there, or you’ll pull back a nub.” Gunner gestures with his spoon.

  I exhale heavily. “With the season ending, I’m going to run out of greens for her.”

  Inga says, “Eez’s de dressing. De hurbs eez what de unborn wants. And de oil, ginger, and turmeric. Deep bread in, eet.”

  Thord throws me a piece of bread. “Guud luck geetting near hur bowl tho.”

  Gunner sits up straight. “We got bread?”

  “Besket beheend yu.”

  Gunner looks behind him. “Hot damn. This looks like Storm’s been baking.”

  I approach my female cautiously. “Now, do not bite me, Rose.”

  “Easy, Ryder.” Gunner dips bread in stew then turns away. “I can’t watch.”

  Rose’s squinted eyes flash a warning as I reach out my hand. Cautiously, I stick my fingers in her bowl and dip the bread in the dressing gathered at the bottom. Rose swallows salad and opens her mouth like a baby bird waiting to be fed.

  The bread goes in. A smile comes out.

  “Is he still alive?” Gunner asks Olaf.

  “Ya but yu bread need be sacrificed—or yor life.”

  Gunner slowly faces Rose to see gleaming hazels fixed on his share. “Damn.” He hands over the bread in his hand.

  I kiss Inga’s cheek. “You, my love, just saved me from a long, hard winter.”

  “Eeny time, young Warrior.”

  Ivar warns his female. “Bee careful flirting weeth Rose’s male.”

  “He no covured in dressing. I’m safe.”

  We all laugh, including Rose with a mouth full of Gunner’s bread. Gunner points between the Vikes. “Do you guys do that mind-talking thing?”

  “Yu mean, skfen? Reeflecting?” Ivar takes a bite.

  Gunner nods.

  Olaf grabs more wine. “No, dat is part of Linking. We no Link. And we no know how yu alive.” He gestures to me. “Dat male is Linked and Tied. Make heem crazy. No envy heem.”

  Isolde appears. “Gunner and Ryder have history. Gunner is also alive because Ryder’s body recognizes Gunner’s genes. His blood’s in the child they share. Otherwise, yes, Ryder would have his vital fluid on display every time Gunner got within a mile of Rose, seeing how they have serviced before.”

  “But why?” Gunner asks a tad baffled.

  Ivar looks around. “How du I explen crazy?” He eyes Blaze, who sits quietly next to Morning Star, probably hoping he’s invisible. He’s not. Up to no good, Ivar strolls over to Morning Star. Blaze looks away as his jaw tightens. Morning Star smirks at Ivar. “This is not very kind, Vike.”

  “But, I dink you are vary pretty, Morning Star.”

  Blaze closes his eyes as his leg begins to shake. Ivar points at Blaze and grins at Gunner. “See? He’s fighting dee crazy.” Ivar slowly reaches out to touch Morning Star, completely aware of what is coming. In a blur, Blaze is on top of Ivar, who is now flat on his back. Green fluid comes from Blaze’s neck.

  Ivar laughs hysterically. “You see,
Gonner? Smaller den me, but crazy make heem stronger.”

  Morning Star rises, wipes Blaze’s vital fluid on her face, and gets in Blaze’s view. “Look at me. Look at me.” Blaze does. “I’m here. Come to me, Blaze. I need you to come to me.” Blaze releases Ivar and slowly steps over him into Morning Star’s arms.

  Ivar gets up, wiping himself off as if he just took a stroll through the woods. “Dis tribe lucky you only have two Tied. More? Bluidy hell, too much crazy.”

  Rose timidly asks, “Was Morning Star attacked? Is that why Blaze Tied to her?”

  Parker sounds regretful. “Morning Star was used as bait, to pull the Clones from you. That’s how you met Ryder.”

  Rose gasps. “That night in the woods?”

  I nod. Her eyes fill with shame and doubt. I’m not worthy, Ryder.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Rose

  I’m so disturbed by the news of Morning Star and Blaze that I excuse myself, saying I’m tired. Ryder offers to take me to bed, but I tell him to stay and enjoy our guests. Gunner chases after me. “Hold up. And what up?”

  “What?” I snip at him. “I’m fine.” I reach for my ladder.

  “You need a course in lying school.”

  “You need a course in minding-your-business school.” I climb the ladder.

  “Ouch. That you or your horro-mones talk’n?”

  “Both. Good night, Gunner.” I enter my home.

  I look around and feel… lonely. Crawling into bed, I hope for sleep to take me away, but it doesn’t. I lay awake with my mind torturing me about the universe making a huge mistake choosing me.

  My ladder moves, pulling me from my thoughts. “Okay, so you probably want to be left alone, right?” Gunner enters, showing me that freaking adorable dimple.

  “I thought I did.” I’m thankful he does as he pleases.

  He crawls in next to me. “And now?”

  I roll and curl into him. “I love you, Bubba.”

  His arm wraps around me, almost letting me hide. “You’re gonna find your place, baby. I promise you will.”

  “Like you have?”

  “Are you kidding? I feel awkward.”

  “You do?” I hate sounding so happy about his misery.

  “Yep, but I got you, so all is well.”

  I snuggle closer. “Thanks for coming with me, Gunner.”

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way, baby. Now get some shut-eye.”

  I don’t get any sleep, but I feel better in Gunner’s embrace.

  When the crowd at the fire dies down and Ryder has yet to join me, I slip from snoring Gunner and peek out the window. What I see is bitter sweet. Ryder’s skin glows in the fire light, showing the contours of his muscular physique. He’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything more so. But what stings so deeply is Storm shaving my man’s sides, cleansing his scalp of hair with natural shaving cream. She does it with such tenderness I’m raving jealous. She’s enjoying it. He’s enjoying it. Ryder’s eyes close as he basks in her attentions. I feel Gunner coming up behind me, but I can’t pull my eyes from beauty and torture.

  He rests his chin on my shoulder. “That’s not what it looks like, baby.”

  “Oh yeah? Then what am I seeing?”

  He inhales deeply. “I’m not sure, but that male would kill for you.”

  “Because I’m the Prophecy’s mother.”

  “Rose, stop—”

  Just then, Ryder looks at our window. I can’t have him knowing I’m spying on him, so I duck, taking Gunner with me. “What the…” says Gunner as I pull him from sight. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “I’m not spying on him.”

  “According to recent activities, you most certainly are.”

  “Gunner, zip it.”

  “Don’t worry, he can hear this whole conversation.”

  “I’ll deny it.”

  “Are you also going to deny that he just saw you in the window?”

  “Yes. Problem?”

  “Hmm, let me think. Yes.”

  I smack him.

  “Ouch!”

  “Shh!”

  “You hit me!”

  “I’m about to do it again!”

  “You are in serious need of a Midol.”

  Smack.

  “Ow!”

  “What’s a Midol, and where do I get what Rose needs?”

  We both see Ryder standing in the doorway, watching us huddle in the dark. Gunner glares at me. “Now does that sound like a cheater to you?”

  “What’s a cheater?”

  I growl, “He don’t even know what it is, so how does he know if he’s doing it?”

  Gunner delivers judgment. “Can you pa-lease take a moment to hear yourself?”

  Ryder approaches. “Rose? Are you alright?”

  “Yes—”

  “No she ain’t.”

  “Gunner! Stop it.”

  “No, I’m here to make sure you transition well. And, baby, this ain’t well.”

  Ryder drops to his knees next to me. “You are not well?”

  “Sorry, baby. I’m opening my trap.”

  “No—”

  “Ryder, your female is concerned about you and Storm at the fire having a… moment.”

  “A moment?”

  Gunner grabs Ryder’s shoulder. “Half-breed to elf: human women don’t take well to their men being cared for by other women—especially at strip clubs.”

  “Dear lord, Bubba.”

  Gunner shrugs. “Maybe he’s got a fetish we need to clear up, here and now.”

  Somehow, visualizing Ryder in a strip club, baffled by all the lingo and poles has me laughing. Gunner smiles. “There she is.” He pats Ryder’s shoulder. “She’s becoming sane again. You’re welcome. I’m out.” And Gunner leaves us.

  “Rose, what is a strip club?”

  “Nowhere you’re permitted.”

  “Because I am an elf?”

  “No,” I lean to him, feeling like a fool. “Because you’re mine.”

  His callused finger lifts my chin. “Then why be concerned about Storm?”

  I look at the window that had showed me something I wasn’t prepared for. “It looked so… personal.”

  “It is.”

  I gasp, snapping my eyes to his. “You—you want her?”

  “Her sensitivity. Storm has tended to my hair, scalp, and braids for a very long time. It’s a ritual to be shaved. We are not to tend to ourselves, and I—my mother is gone. Storm has honored me since I am not mated. Her mate found it an honor that his female tended to a Warrior.”

  “Oh, I’ve never met him.”

  “That is because he has passed from this world. Storm is in mourning, Rose.”

  More shameful guilt. “I’m jealous of a female who is suffering?”

  “Don’t fear. Storm has faith in where her mate now is… Rose, all I do is battle. One war after another. Before you, Storm was the only break I got from my constant duties. Forever will I be grateful for her but… Rose, would you like to tend to me?”

  A warm sensation crosses my chest. “Please, let it be me.”

  He pulls ties from his blond braids and lets his hair fall free. “Rose, it would honor me if you would tend to me now.”

  Never would I have found braiding a man’s hair to be sensual, but it is. Ryder sits on the floor as I rise to my knees. My hands shake as my stomach flutters, and I gather his blond locks. His eyes close. I split the section into three and intertwine them with so much love and respect. Tending to my male becomes one of my most favorite things.

  Who holds importance here and who has the most belongings, are Isolde, the Guardians, and Crystal. These elites do not ele
vate themselves. The village does. Everyone else in this village considers themselves equal.

  Food? This is a magical thing in itself. The elves have found ways to grow small crops on the sides of mountains and in ground my father never would have considered farming on. Simply amazing. I stare at these well-hidden fields on a slope and wish I had such magic—such a connection with the earth that I could encourage it to grow beautiful leaves for me—

  A flutter. I just felt my first flutter in my belly. My eyes well up as I touch her. “Are you trying to tell me something?” Another flutter dances inside me. My tears fall. “Hello, you miraculous baby of mine.” A gasp of joy escapes me as I whisper, “I already love you sooooo much.”

  Rushing around the village, I search for the little female I promised could touch my belly when I felt movement. One of the females, Storm, briskly approaches. “Are you alright, Rose?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, but I’m looking for a little female who wanted to touch my baby.” I keep looking around, not quite understanding my sudden frantic state.

  Word must have reached Ryder because he’s running to me, sweating from training. My love, what is it?

  Holding my belly, I tell him out loud, “I made a promise.”

  He stops beside me. “Okay. To whom? I will help you.”

  I clutch his leather straps. “The little girl—female—who wanted to touch my baby when she moved.”

  His worried face softens to a beautiful smile. “You felt her?” I nod, still worked up. He inhales deeply, kisses me, then tells Storm, “Could you please find Gunner and Solace?”

  Storm bows her head and runs off. I ask, “Solace?”

  “Yes, Isolde predicted she will be of much comfort to her dearest friend—” I jolt, stopping him. “Do you hurt?”

  “No. I just felt the baby again. Stronger this time.”