Panter's Pride:
Hunted
by T. S. Hubbard
Disclaimer It's still mine. Note: Panter's Pride must be read first, as this is book 2.
Thanks to Thorie for volunteering to proofread yet another story.
Email address: thubbar2@insight.rr.com.- comments welcome.
Chapter Fourteen
Alesia stared blankly at the tent wall while she lay curled up on their bed. She hugged Thira's pillow close to her chest trying to derive at least a little comfort from the soft object. She closed her eyes as she tried to push back the emptiness inside her that felt like it was growing more agonizing by the moment. Five days had passed since Thira had deserted them after the incident at Tylan. Tears burned in her eyes as she buried her nose in the pillow and inhaled her partner's scent. During the day she made sure to keep busy with the many tasks she was in charge of. But the nights were the worst. She had to face what felt like endless hours of unbearable loneliness before finally being able to drift off into a restless sleep that seemed to make her more tired then ever. Rumors had slowly surfaced that Thira had abandoned them and had been using her time here to gather information for the other side. Panter and Tera had dismissed them and made sure everyone knew that any further people found to be spreading such a story would be disciplined severely. Alesia choked back a sob the endless battle to do her job while trying to defend Thira's actions was gradually draining what strength she could summon up. A knock at the entrance of her quarters made her reluctantly raise her head. She pushed herself up and sat on the edge of the bed as she carefully laid Thira's pillow aside.
"Come in." Alesia held back a curse as Panter entered she didn't want to deal with anyone right now. "Arms Master, how may I be of service?" She watched the frown that flashed briefly over her friends face as she rose to her feet. Just that small effort seemed to sap her of strength. These days she rose with a fair amount of energy but it fled her as the day wore on. At night she collapsed into bed after forcing herself to eat food that tasted like it was a pile of ash in her mouth, nothing had any flavor anymore.
Panter gestured for her to retake her seat. "I thought you'd like to know about a report that just came in from the field. The scouts have been coming across small outposts that have been destroyed. It looks as if someone has taken it upon themselves to take out any enemy positions before we arrive." She hoped the information would help with the tension that had risen between them after Thira had left. The only contact they'd had with her since then had been in her roll of Marshal.
"Thira." Alesia breathed. Her heart pounded as she leaped back to her feet. Perhaps they had come across some sign of where Thira was. "Does anyone have any idea of where she is. Have they seen her?"
"We're not absolutely sure it's her." Panter didn't want her friend to get her hopes up to soon. She needed to make certain that the information was correct and they could track Thira down. The way Alesia had been acting recently worried her. Panter went as far as checking to see if she was eating and had found she was but sparingly, it was almost as if food made her ill. "You know trying to find her will be difficult if not impossible."
Alesia ignored Panter's comment. "Tomorrow I'm going out with the scouts. I want to see this for myself."
Taking in the stubborn look on her friends face Panter sighed. "All right just be careful." She went to leave and glanced back to see that Alesia had already dismissed her presence. She'd curled up on her bed and was hugging a pillow close while burying her face against its surface.
***************
Tera looked up from her reports as Panter entered. "Everything alright?"
She didn't even try to hide the worry that she knew could be clearly heard in her voice.
Panter brow furrowed as she pulled her clothes off and slid into bed making sure that her sword was within reaching distance. "Alesia wants to go out with the scouting party tomorrow."
"Is that a good idea. You said that you didn't know how being apart like this would effect them since they've mated." Tera set her papers aside and joined Panter on their bed. She soaked in the warmth that encircled her as strong arms pulled her close. She rested her head on Panter's shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I couldn't even imagine the kind of pain she must be going through. If we separated I think it might kill me." She said honestly. The purring by her ear halted abruptly at the comment. She lifted her head to look at her partner. The golden eyes that met hers were shadowed by worry.
"That's what concerns me. If we both feel this way and we're together what does that say about Alesia and Thira?"
Shock flickered over Tera's face. "Your not saying…. Alesia's not going to die is she?"
"I don't honestly know. All we can do is watch and hope Thira shows up. The Goddess willing."
Tera settled back into Panters arms while her mind churned with images of what might occur if Thira never came back.
*************
Alesia tightened her grip on the reigns grasped in her left hand. She scanned the surrounding trees as they rode passed. They had found another encampment that had been destroyed. The claw marks that were left on a few of the nearby trees could have told her what happened even if she hadn't been uncannily aware of Thira's scent that drifted in the air around the scene. She'd almost left the rest of the scouts behind but forced herself to do her job. They needed any information they could scavenge from the wreckage. The rest of the militia was following them less then half days ride back.
Breaking out of the trees and into a meadow they kept an eye out for any signs that someone might have passed this way. Alesia pulled her horse to a halt and slid from the saddle. Crouching she ran her hand over the long grass pulling it to the side to see the soil underneath. Faint indentations in the soft earth showed something had walked through here within the last day or so. Luckily it had not rained recently so they were able to still see any tracks that might be around. Her brows rose as she leaned closer of the faint markings. Judging by the impressions what could only have been a large cat had come this way. Alesia heart started to pound with excitement. It had to be Thira. Now that they had found these perhaps they would have a better chance at being able to track her down.
Mounting her horse she rejoined her scouting party and passed on what she'd just found. Alesia had just gestured in the direction that it was likely Thira took when a group of men burst out of the trees she had indicated. At first her group wasn't noticed since the men were looking back over their shoulders as they rode straight towards them. Alesia drew her sword the rest of her party following suit quickly. Steel rang out in the still air pulling the men's attention to them.
Alesia flipped her sword so that the blade lay flat as it rested against her forearm. Muscles rippled as she tightened her grip. She urged her horse into a run toward them. A large mercenary broke off from the main group and headed directly for her. Metal clashed harshly as she deflected his blade to the side causing it to screech in protest as it ran down the length of hers. She was able to throw his balance off as she set herself then shoved, by using her sword as a shield she wasn't burdened like she would have been if she'd used the buckler that hung near her left leg. He fell as his horse reared in protest at the action and land on his back with a thud. She pulled her horse around then slid off. By the time she reached him he'd regained his feet. They exchanged a rapid series of blows. Alesia's mouth tightened grimly as she began to realize that with every strike they traded she was growing weaker and weaker. Another hard hit caused her sword to fly from her grasp. A swift backhand slammed her into the hard ground. Blood ran down her chin as her lip split from the harsh blow. Rough hands wrapped around her throat and tightened effectively cutting off her airway. Alesia arched her body desperately as she repeatedly tried to unseat the man that straddled her body but was unable to throw him off. He laughed as she started to push at his shoulders futilely. Her vision began to tunnel as things started to grow dark. Her mind churned with fear as she silently begged for aid. Goddess please… help me. The thought of never seeing Thira again made her renew her struggle to survive. Alesia dimly felt a pulse of heat streak down her right arm. She vaguely heard screams and suddenly she could breath again. Alesia rubbed her throat with her left hand as she choked and wheezed trying to draw in some much needed oxygen.
Alesia searched the area and found the man a little further away. His body thrashed about uncontrollably as he convulsed several times then stilled. She heard a strange hissing sound and glanced down then froze in disbelief. A snake was coiled around her right arm. It's head turned and the eyes seemed to flicker with a faint intelligence when it met her gaze. A shiver ran down her back as it lowered itself and lay flat on her forearm with its head resting on the back of her hand. A haze shrouded its body and it seemed to melt right into her arm. Alesia eyes widened as she finally figured out why it had looked familiar. It was part of the tattoo that decorated her arm and shoulder. As her throat burned with each intake of air she took Alesia fervently thanked the Goddess for her timely intervention. The stillness that followed the unusual scene made Alesia look around. Both the enemy and her own people were staring at her with expressions of shock and amazement. Swords clattered to the ground as the men dropped their swords and stepped back from them. To fight someone that was blessed was foolish to the extreme.
Alesia rolled to her knees; she glanced up as hands tucked themselves under her elbows. She smiled faintly in thanks as two of her scouts helped her to her feet and back onto her horse. She accepted her sword that was held up to her and slid it back into its sheath. She leaned tiredly on the saddle horn and watched as the prisoner's weapons were gathered up and they were secured for the ride back. A prickling awareness' of being watched made her glance over in the direction the men had ridden from but she didn't see anything unusual. Alesia shook off the strange feeling as an after effect of what had just happened. She winced as she coughed grabbing her water skin she sipped gingerly and sighed in relief as the cool water soothed her raw throat. She rode towards the back of the group with a few of her people keeping a close eye on her as they traveled. Right now all she could do was worry about her partner and long for the softness of their bed. After all that happened she found herself deathly tired.
**********
Tera turned as someone shouted her name. She turned to see one of the Amazon commanders approaching at a run. She immediately started to be concerned by the paleness of her features.
"Dressa what is it?"
"It's the Marshal. Their unit was attacked while they were investigating one of the destroyed outposts. Sometime in the fighting that followed she was strangled by one of the enemy soldiers." She panted as she tried to catch her breath. Dressa had broken in to an abrupt sprint when she'd heard the news knowing that the Regent would want to hear about it right away.
Tera's heart dropped like a stone. "She's dead?" Tera knew how that information was going to affect Panter but the thought of what might happen when Thira found out was heartbreaking.
"I'm sorry Sir, I misspoke." Dressa hastily tried to correct what was obviously a misunderstanding. "She's not dead. There was an attempt but it failed. But only by the grace of the Goddess."
Relief flooded Tera at the news. "What happened?"
"She was trying to get free but before anyone could render aid a flash of light enveloped her arm."
"The one with the tattoo?" Tera had a feeling she almost knew what was going to be said after that.
"Yes sir. Anyway the next thing anyone could see was a large snake coiled around her arm. It bit the man that was trying to kill her. He let her go but by that time it was too late. The snakes venom must have been extremely powerful because in the next instant he was dead."
Tera eyebrows rose in amazement. "She was very lucky indeed. Is she at the healers right now?"
"No sir, She insisted she was fine and choose to go to her own quarters to rest. Should we have made her stay?"
"No. I'm sure she'll be fine. I'll stop in and see her. Thank you for being so prompt with filling me in on the situation."
"I knew you would have wanted the information immediately when I heard it." A sense of pride filled her at the Regents gratitude. She saluted and left when she was dismissed. There were friends of hers that would want to know about what had happened.
***************
Torchlight flickered in the light breeze. It's radiance made little impact on the inky darkness that had fallen over the encampment. Standing watches never noticed the large shape that flickered from shadow to shadow in their midst. Burning eyes searched the area for a particular shelter in the ones that occupied the vicinity. They slid closed when it caught the scent it was searching for and greedily inhaled. Staying low it traced it to a nearby tent. Slipping inside it stilled as the sight of the form that lay sleeping in the bed filled its vision; it ignored the light from the torches outside that dimly lit the interior. In moments a human form had taken its place. Thira ran her eyes over her mates face sadly. Reaching out to gently touch the soft skin she'd longed to feel for the endless days that had passed she froze as her eyes landed on the dark bruises that encircled her throat. Her sight made them glow prominently against the tan of her skin. Her hand shook before she clenched into a fist as she silently raged at the sight. Thira swallowed hard against the bile that threatened to rise. She'd left because she was partly responsible for the war that had broken out, that was killing hundreds if not thousands of people. But even when she'd left to try to stop it people where still dying because of her. Now it had spilled over and had almost killed the one she cared for most. Her shoulders slumped as the weight of her guilt increased at the knowledge of how close Alesia had come to dying. She dropped her hand and turned to leave not realizing that a pair of eyes were watching her every move.
"Where are you going?"
Thira stiffened at the whispered words but didn't turn around. She could feel Alesia's gaze burning on her back. "What happened to your neck?"
Alesia's hand rose to gingerly touch the tender bruising. "There was an altercation with a group of men earlier. I got disarmed and the man I was fighting thought a more hands on approach would be more fun."
Thira growled. She wanted to tear the man that had dared touch her mate into pieces. "Where is he?" A burst of energy washed away the exhaustion that had plagued her for the past few days.
"He's dead" Alesia ran her fingers down her arm as she remembered how the snake under her fingers had come to life. She directed a whisper of thanks to the Goddess again for her help.
Thira relaxed a little. "You killed him. Good, I was going to if you hadn't done it yourself."
"I'm not the one that killed him Thira." Alesia sat up to face her partner as she spun around an expression of disbelief on her face. She tried to hide how much effort it took to just sit up. Her muscles trembled in protest at the movement. She had just dropped into an uneasy sleep before something had awoken her to find she wasn't alone in her tent. She'd clutched the knife she had taken a habit of keeping under her pillow after Thira's absence and drawn in a deep breath to call for assistance when the dark shape had moved close enough so she could recognize Thira in her cat form. Letting go of the knife she stayed still to see what would unfold. When she'd turn to leave after being close enough to touch Alesia had spoken.
"Then what Amazon must I thank for saving your life?"
Alesia shook her head. "It wasn't an Amazon either."
Thira narrowed her eyes as an uncomfortable thought hit her. "It wasn't one of the militia was it?" If so she would have to take back the bit of distaste she'd had of them in the past after the episode with their ineptness.
"No, not them either." Alesia almost smiled even with the seriousness of the moment. The sight of Thira's uncertainty was endearing from someone who was normally sure of her actions. "Actually it was only by the grace of the Goddess I survived that attack."
Every muscle in Thira's body went rigid in response. Her life without Alesia alive in it flashed past her minds eye. Even if they were no longer together she would be able to exist if she knew that Alesia was still living
somewhere. If she had died Thira would have been close behind her. She was still careful that Alesia would never find that out. "How?" she asked softly.
Alesia almost didn't catch quiet question. "One of the snakes in my tattoo came to life and bit him."
Thira closed her eyes as she thanked her Goddess for saving her mate. Your graciousness has saved the person most important to this unworthy one you selected to be one of your Chosen. I swear that I will end this war. My father will pay for what he has done if it takes my life to accomplish it.
Fingers wrapping around her arm broke her out of her thoughts. Alesia had reached out while she was distracted. Thira's looked down at the touch that seemed as if it was burning into her skin. She met Alesia's dark gaze as she was pulled towards the bed. She wanted to fight against it but she had no energy left to try.
Alesia lay down again as Thira curled up against her side. The tension that had thrummed through her body for so long finally started to let go. The clothing that she was wearing seemed suddenly constricting. As she moved to sit up a hand grasped the front of her shirt.
"Don't leave."
Alesia bent and gently kissed Thira on the lips at the softly growled protest. "I just want to get this shirt off." She pulled the shirt over her head and gasped as lips suddenly enclosed a nipple. Throwing it to the floor she looked down to meet glowing eyes. Cupping the back of Thira's head she fell back onto the bed. A shiver ran down her spine as sharp teeth bit lightly. Forcing her other hand to move she tugged at Thira's shirt. "Take it off."
Thira made herself move away for the small amount of time it took to strip her clothing off. The scent of her mate's arousal was driving her crazy. She knew they had a lot that needed discussed but the need to bond again after their separation was pulsing through her body insistently. Thira straddled Alesia and pressed herself against her firm abdomen. She purred at the pleasure that each movement of her hips created. Bending she licked up the pool of sweat that had started to gather in the hollow between Alesia's breasts. She moved onto the bruises that marred her partner's flesh. The fire that burned inside her rose a little higher each time Alesia moaned her name. Thira growled as she reclaimed a nipple. Her eyes closed in delight as nails ran through her hair and down her back. Nipping at the hardness she held in her lips she hissed as they dug into her skin. She moved to the other breast and greedily took it into her mouth. She ran her hands down slick skin as she suckled. Sliding her body to the side she ran a hand over firmly muscled thighs. A hand grasped hers and pressed it against the hot flesh between Alesia's legs. Thira moaned in regret. "I can't Alesia, my claws. I don't wish to hurt you."
The hand moved to her head and pressed down. Thira eagerly followed its direction. Settling into place she bent her head and breathed in Alesia's excitement. She ran her tongue through the sweet fluid that flowed from her opening. Pressing her face as close as possible she plunged her tongue into her. Thira tried to keep pace with Alesia's hip movement. Finally she threw an arm over her hips to hold her down while she continued her motion. Alesia's gasps and cries had her digging her free hand into the bedding. A flood of liquid hit her lips as Alesia suddenly stiffened and shook. Thira eagerly licked up all that she could find before loosening her hold on Alesia's hips. She kissed her way up to lie beside her partner. Before she could say anything she was suddenly on her back.
Lips pressed against her throat briefly. Thira arched as teeth bit her at a sensitive spot at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. A hot tongue licked the mark before moving down. Thira bared her teeth as her nipple was sucked into Alesia's mouth. Sweat beaded on her skin as her need rose with each passing moment. Thira ran her palms down Alesia's back. She could feel the muscles that flexed with each movement that she made. Thira grasped Alesia's butt and spreading open her own thighs pulled Alesia against herself hard. "Please Alesia." She could hear the hunger in her own voice. "I need you."
Alesia pulled away from her breast. She felt a hand move between them. The next thrust had her gasping as their clits brushed together. Thira wrapped her legs around Alesia's hips so they could be as close as possible. Keeping one hand on Alesia's hip she moved the other to grasp her head. Pulling her head down she kissed her roughly. Thira opened her mouth to let Alesia in as their kiss deepened. Helpless whimpers caught in Thira's throat as she moved her hips faster. The heat inside her was burning hotter and hotter until she felt she wouldn't survive it. Tearing her mouth away she thrust her own palm into her mouth and bit down. Blood flooded her mouth as spasms shook her body. A strangled howl burst from her throat as pleasure surged through her. Darkness threatened to engulf her as her body finally stilled.
"Thira your hand."
She felt Alesia warmth leave her side then heard water being poured before a hand took hers and a cool cloth touch her skin. Opening her eyes Thira watched as the blood was cleaned off. The bite that adorned her palm was deep but it was already healing as they watched. Alesia turned and rinsed the cloth before it touched her lips. Thira reached up and took possession of the cloth. She wiped her face and handed it back. The taste of her own blood lingered in her mouth. "May I have some of that water?"
"Sure." Alesia poured some into a nearby mug and offered it to Thira. Her body still throbbed with the pleasure they had both experienced. She accepted the empty mug back and set it aside. Taking her place back in the bed she laid her head on Thira's shoulder while slipping an arm across her waist. She felt a kiss pressed against her head and hugged Thira in response. Silence drifted for a while before she broke it. "Why did you do that?"
Thira's breath caught in her throat. "Do what?"
"Bite yourself like that?"
Thira relaxed at the question. "I didn't want to bite you so I bit myself instead."
"Oh, I see." Alesia stayed quiet for a moment. "I didn't know you would do that."
Thira sighed. "Neither did I. It was a sudden urge and I did what I could to satisfy it so I wouldn't hurt you."
"I wouldn't have minded if you did bite me. In the heat of the moment it probably wouldn't have hurt." Alesia could tell by the sudden jerk Thira made that the comment had surprised her.
"I don't think I could do it. The thought of hurting you like that makes me uneasy." Thira didn't say that she would have wanted to die if she ever did something like that. She tried to keep the animal side of herself out of the bedroom as much as possible.
Alesia could tell by the tension she could feel in the body next to hers that the topic needed to be dropped. At least for right now. "It's alright. I'm just glad that you're finally back here with me. Now sleep, morning will come soon enough as it is." Tomorrow many things would have to be resolved. The most important was why Thira felt that she had to leave. As she drifted to sleep Alesia realized that the weakness that had haunted her while they were apart was slowly starting to disappear.
Continued...