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 Seven
Panter looked out over the base camp. Most of the morning had been spent in preparation for the tribunal. The sides of the front half of their tent had been rolled up to allow the militia that wasn't on duty to witness the proceedings. She had sent for Thira but had been told that she wasn't in camp. She spotted Alisa heading toward the outposts.
"Alesia, can I talk to you?" Panter frowned as she noticed that Alesia hesitated before coming towards her. "What's wrong…" She stopped in mid sentence as she spotted the dark marks on both sides of Alesia's jaw line. "How did you get those bruises?" she growled.
Alesia touched her jaw gingerly. "It doesn't matter"
"The hell it doesn't, tell me who dared lay their hands on you that way!"
Alesia shook her head. "No, we have come to an understanding. Leave it alone."
Panter gritted her teeth as she figured out who the other part of "we" must have been. "It was Thira wasn't it?"
Alesia met Panter's angry gaze defiantly. "The argument included me also Panter, she's not the only one at fault." She looked away, remembering the fire that had erupted inside as Thira's mouth had claimed hers. She blinked back tears. Her mind turned to the look that was on Thira's face the last time she had seen her. "I'm not the only one who was left with marks on their face"
"What!"
"I confronted her. I wanted to talk about this thing between us, she didn't" Alesia rubbed her forehead. "I got angry and called her a coward" Alesia ignored the sound of astonishment Panter made. "She grabbed and kissed me, then suddenly shoved me away. She refused me because I was human and she wasn't." She swallowed as her chest tightened. "I got pissed and punched her as hard as I could"
Panter was almost shocked. "And your still standing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you happen to notice if her eyes changed at any time while this was happening?"
Alesia's brow furrowed as she thought back to the encounter. "Yeah they did, right before she grabbed me. Why?"
"Then she was acting on instinct. She wanted you but something must have happened before she met you that has her running scared. We don't really know much about her past."
Alesia paled. "She said she had learned" She stopped and covered her face in sudden despair.
"Learned what?" Panter gently inquired.
Alesia looked up. "That's just it, I don't know. I hit her before she could finish."
Panter nodded. "That proves it then"
"Proves what?" Alesia mind couldn't deal with much more of this.
"If someone had punched you. What would your reaction have been?"
"I would have ripped their throat out" Alesia eyes widened in understanding "But she didn't react at all. She just let me walk away untouched"
Panter grasped Alesia shoulder gently. "And in doing so showed how much she really does care"
Alesia clasped Panters hand briefly then pulled away. "I've got to go find her." She broke into a run as she headed for the outskirts of the encampment.
Panter smiled. "Good luck, you'll need it" she called as she turned her attention back to the upcoming trial.
*******************
Thira sat slumped against the foot of a tree trying to gather her strength to continue. She needed to get back to the camp. Her side had finally stopped bleeding but the weakness that was plaguing her let her know that the damage had been done. The sun had risen earlier, the light causing her to wince as it struck her sensitive eyes. She had been using her night vision to carefully make her way through the forest; she hadn't needed to add to her injuries by falling over anything. But it had been slow going. A rustle pulled her from her introspection. Stilling she closed her eyes and concentrated, using her other senses to try to find what had caught her attention. A faint breeze blew bringing her the scent of the intruder. She smiled wryly. She knew that scent, it seemed as if Alesia was looking for something. Her brow furrowed. Or maybe it was someone. She opened her eyes and stared at the underbrush on her left. The emerging form proved her memory correct, it was Alesia. She stayed silent watching as Alesia scanned the area then spotted her at the base of her tree.
"Thira!" Alesia started forward but halted as Thira's body tensed. "I'm only here to help, I…We got worried when no one could find you."
A slow blink was the only answer she got. As Alesia watched Thira shifted drawing her eyes to the rust colored stain that darkened the tan leather of her tunic. It looked like blood. A lot of blood.
"Is that your blood?" she asked concerned, not really expecting a response.
Thira almost didn't answer. The memory of their last discussion still plagued her mind. She noticed the dark bruises marking her jaw that she had put there and wondered why Alesia had come out here to find her. Her own injury from that fight had already started healing. The sharp pain had settled into a dull throb as the bone knit together. Thira met brown eyes that no longer seemed to burn with the earlier hate and disgust. She smothered the faint spark of hope that tried to light at the sight.
"Yeah" she rasped. "I sort of found out where our visitor came from"
Alesia disregarded the flinch she caused as she rushed over to Thira. She reached out to check the severity of the injury but froze as her hand was grasped in a painful grip. Amber eyes blazed. Alesia forced herself to hold the gaze ignoring the grinding of the bones in her captive hand. "I'm only trying to help"
Thira snarled. "I don't need your help" She pushed Alesia's hand away and made herself stand, not showing any signs of the pain that rippled throughout her body at the abrupt motion.
Alesia said nothing, refusing to flex the hand that ached from the hard grip. She saw the first hesitant step before Thira moved smoothly into the trees heading towards the camp. If she hadn't seen it she would have thought that Thira was fine. She followed closely keeping a watchful eye on the woman in front of her just in case that rock hard facade developed a crack.
*************
Tera ducked into the healer's tent. Waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darker interior she grew aware of the silence dominating the space. Thira sat stone-faced, allowing the healer to clean and wrap her wound. The amount of blood still on her skin and the tunic lying beside her told Tera of the severity of the injury she had been dealt. Nearby movement caught her eye. Turning, she saw Alesia standing in an out of the way corner, arms folded across her chest keeping an eye on the proceedings. Moving over to join her Tera nodded and let the silence remain unbroken for a moment. Glancing over at Alesia she saw the hooded eyes and determined set to her mouth that she knew as signs that her stubbornness' had surfaced. Tera hid a faint smile at the sight. Alesia was going to need every ounce of it she had to get inside Thira's defenses.
She heard Alesia sigh. "Here, this is something you should see." A blood stained pouch hung from the extended hand.
Taking it, Tera heard paper rustle from inside. "What's this?"
Alesia resumed her earlier position. "Thira located a camp a short ways from here. It seemed to be where our new friend came from. She found these in what she assumed was his tent and grabbed them. She figured you might want them."
Surprise at the news kept Tera wordless for a time. "And the men in that camp, are they a worry?"
"No, Thira told me she took care of them" Alesia shook her head in disbelief. "There were a dozen men in that camp and she killed them all and it only took one of her to do it!" Alesia's hands tightened on her forearms. "But it isn't the killing that bothers me. It was the fact she got hurt doing it. If it hadn't been for me it never would have happened." She said bitterly furious with her actions that had led everything to this.
"Don't," Tera said firmly "Don't what if, it never helps. Things turned out as well as they could. We have information we need and she's alive. That's all that matters"
Alesia considered Tera's words and reluctantly conceded to her point. She couldn't change what had occurred. Just maybe she could keep it from happening again.
Tera watched Alesia's grip ease with approval. She diverted the focus of the conversation. "How is she?" she asked in a low tone. Knowing Thira had been listening to everything by the slight tilt of her head. Tera was appreciative when she remained quiet.
"Already healing, it was deep puncture in her left side. Anyone else would be dead by now."
Tera heard the slight hitch in her voice. Reaching over she grasped Alesia's hand making her break her protective posture. "Alesia, look at me" she waited till a hesitant gaze met hers. "We are both very lucky the ones we love are not like everyone else" in her peripheral vision she caught the twitch of an eavesdroppers head at the comment. Her grip tightened as the hand in hers tried to pull away. "You love her Alesia, acknowledge it and go on." She released her hold as Alesia stepped back, folding her arms back across her chest.
"I do love her," Alesia admitted. "I think I have since I first laid eyes on her. But she doesn't love me. So what would be the use of pretending things would ever be different then they are now?" Her head down she didn't see Thira jerk her head up and stare intently at her.
"Alesia, look at Thira" Tera urged knowing this one exposed moment would be the largest hurdle in their relationship.
The urgency in Tera's voice made Alesia unconsciously obey. The fire in the eyes that locked with hers made her breath catch. She watched them flicker as they morphed. Dropping her arms, she took a step back. Thira pushed the healer aside as she rose to her feet.
At Tera's gesture the healer quietly left the tent, Tera following close behind.
Thira approached Alesia with soundless steps. Nostrils flared as she inhaled her scent, relishing the combination of leather and her own personal aroma that covered her skin. Her eyes slit as she growled low in her throat. Tilting her head she ran her eyes over the body standing tensely in front of her. She lingered on the hollow of Alesia neck before meeting her eyes. Thira was quietly impressed at the gaze that remained steady with hers. Again she saw none of the emotions that had colored their earlier fight. What she did see made her blood run hot. What had to be love lay fully exposed in those dark eyes. Thira didn't understand why Alesia was offering this but she knew that to keep trying to deny what lay in her own heart would be futile. Turning her back to that choice she stepped closer to Alesia.
"You love me?" she asked huskily. Their bodies brushed together as she leaned in to smell her hair. She heard the faint gasp as she whispered the question in her ear lips lightly brushing its edge.
"Yes" Alesia's voice lowered in pitch, as she grew more aware of the body so close to hers. Taking a chance she reached out and pulled Thira forward. She swallowed a groan of pleasure when she felt one of Thira's arms slide around her waist. She shivered as fingers ran up her forearm tracing the shifting muscles that moved just under the skin. The light rasp of sharp nails over her shoulders had the hair on the back of her neck rising in reaction. The hint of danger made the blood rush through her veins. She obeyed the light tug of the hand cupping the back of her head. Moving forward she met soft lips that parted pulling her into a deep kiss. Her eyes slipped closed as she accepted the invitation. She moaned in disappointment as she felt Thira start to move away. Alesia gasped as her eyes flew open at the touch of a tongue licking the hollow of her throat. With their bodies touching she could feel the rumble of enjoyment that Thira made at the action. A whisper snared Alesia's drifting awareness.
"I love you too"
Hearing what she never fathomed she ever would caused Alesia to clasp Thira tighter against herself. The sudden hiss of agony had her quickly loosening her grasp. A grimace of pain covered Thira's face as she stepped back.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you" Alesia started to turn away to hide the sudden tears in her eyes, cursing herself as she did. A hand on her arm stopped her.
"It was my fault. I wasn't thinking. I had forgotten about being hurt till you hugged me like that. Even with the pain it was more then worth it." Thira laughed hoping that Alesia would understand it was o.k. "I should be perfectly fine by tomorrow"
Alesia allowed herself be drawn closer. Fingers twined with her own in reassurance. The jarring to Thira's side allowed her to set aside the want of the earlier moment. "You heal that quickly?" she asked astonished.
"Fortunately, believe me I would have been dead several times over already if I couldn't" A dark look passed briefly over her face. Thira pushed back old memories preferring to focus on the here and now. " As long as I replace the blood that I've lost, I'll heal."
Alesia couldn't help reaching out and tracing the tattoo that had been fully exposed by the removal of Thira's tunic. When the design ended at her shoulder she continued her exploration. With fingertips lightly touching the smooth skin below them she followed the graceful curve of a collarbone to stop just above Thira's breasts. Pressing her hand flat she could feel the rapid thudding of the heart beneath it. A hand covering hers claimed her attention.
"As enjoyable as that feels, now is not a good time for it." Thira said her voice full of regret.
"My head knows your right, unfortunately my body is trying to argue otherwise" Alesia smiled at the toothy smirk that she received. The canines that flashed not fazing her at all.
"Tell it only for a while." Thira got serious. "I need to get something to eat soon."
Alesia let Thira's hand go. Picking up the top that had been left she tossed it to her. "Put this on and we'll go take care of that problem right now."
***************
Walking with Thira to where the cook station had been set up, Alesia noticed the looks her companion was receiving. Normally they would have upset her but after what had just happened in the healer's tent, they didn't. A hand slipping into her own reinforced the feeling of contentment she had. She knew that if Thira was anything like Panter her choice of Alesia as her mate was unbreakable. Even the thought of that was still unbelievable to her. Reaching the counter that had been set up she looked over the small group of people ahead of them to try to see what had been made available for mid evening meal. Disappointed she refrained from saying anything when she felt the hand in hers let go. Noticing who had approached the counter people started moving out of the way. Seeing who was waiting a cook hurried over.
"Marshal, how may I be of service?" She asked with a slight bow.
Ignoring Thira's raised eyebrow Alesia moved closer. "Could you tell me what is being served for mid meal?"
The cook clasped her hands together in delight pleased to be the one serving one of the most powerful people next to the Regents. "We have some freshly caught white fish. I think we also have some rabbit left both prepared with leek and onion. To drink we have water or you may have a weak wine."
Alesia was about to answer when Thira whispered in her ear. "I need red meat." She said hastily. Alesia flushed at the startled look on the cooks face. "I mean do you have any fresh red meat available?"
"Well its highly unusual, but I do think we have some deer we were going to hold for the dinner that I could let you have some of." The cook didn't know what to make of the request but decided to shrug it off as a weird quirk of the Marshals. "But it hasn't been cooked yet" she warned.
At Thira's discreet nudge Alesia smiled disarmingly. "That's fine. If I could have a bowl of that and a serving of the rabbit, I'll prepare it myself."
Shrugging the woman fetched the requested items placing them along with some flatware on a platter. "Anything to drink?"
Alesia picked up the platter. "No, thank you. I have something at my quarters." They exited to the rising hum of excited voices behind them.
They stayed quiet till they entered Alesia's tent. Placing the salver on a low table in front of several chairs, Alesia moved away to retrieve a flask dangling from the center pole. Stopping to grab two goblets she walked back over and settled next to Thira. Pouring some in each goblet she extended one to her companion. "I though you might prefer this instead of what they had available"
Thira took a wary sip of the offered drink. She smiled as the slightly sweet taste of her favorite ale hit her taste buds. "Yes I do thank you" She saluted Alesia with the cup before taking another drink. Setting her drink aside she distributed the food making sure that Alesia ended up with most of the vegetables. Thira hesitated before she picked up the bowl of raw deer meat.
"I can cook that for you if you want me too?" Alesia offered.
Thira shook her head. " No, it's not that. My body needs this to help restore the blood I've lost. I was wondering if you would rather I eat somewhere else"
Alesia frowned. "Are you asking because you're eating raw meat?"
"Yes, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable"
Put her plate down Alesia turned to face her directly. " Thira, It won't make me uncomfortable. I know that you need certain things to remain healthy. I want to know these things if we are going to be together. It's my right to be able to help take care of you when you're hurt." She placed a lingering kiss on Thira's lips. Pulling away she resumed her meal. "Besides you have to remember you're not the only one of your kind that I know. I've seen Panter eat raw meat more then once since I've known her." She said with a slight grin.
Thira sighed shaking her head in bemusement. "I don't know why I keep forgetting that little fact" She picked up her bowl. "I'm glad that it doesn't bother you" She ate a chunk of meat. The light coopery taste of blood blending with the richness of the meat flooded her mouth. As she chewed a piece of linen appeared in her vision. Darting a questioning look at Alesia she chuckled as she mimed for her to wipe her chin. Thira followed her instructions and then concentrated on her meal.
Alesia finished first. Leaning back, she sipped her drink as she watched Thira finish her meal. You would almost think that given who she was she would be an untidy eater. But she wasn't, in fact it was quite the opposite.
She decided to bring up something that had been bothering her since it happened. "Why did you drop my hand when we got to the counter?"
Thira remained quiet as she placed her bowl on the table then drained her goblet. She kept her eyes on the empty cup as she played with it restlessly.
"I guess I didn't want to embarrass you," She admitted softly. "I think people are realizing that I'm not as human as I look."
"Do you really think I give a damn what other people think!" Alesia slammed her goblet down. Getting up, she took the empty cup from Thira's hands tossing it onto the table. Dropping to her knees in front of her, she grasped her chin forcing her to meet her gaze. "I don't," she said steadily. "I love all of you Thira. Not just what other people see. I'm proud to be your mate, so please don't think that I'm in anyway ashamed of being seen with you." Leaning close, Alesia claimed Thira's mouth in a fierce kiss trying to reinforce what she had just said. She knew she had succeeded when she felt a hand grip the back of her head firmly as lips opened beneath hers, allowing her to deepen the kiss. Only the lack of air caused them to part, gasping.
Thira rested her head against Alesia's "Alright, It won't happen again I promise you" Every time she figured she knew what to expect Alesia surprised her. Just the fact she loved her was almost more then Thira could fathom.
A rap at the opening of the tent pulled their attention off each other. Alesia stayed where she was as she requested whoever was there to enter. A member of her unit stepped inside keeping her gaze fixed to the back wall in respect. "Marshal, you and your companions presence have been requested at the tribunal."
Alesia rose to her feet. She moved away giving Thira some space so she could get up. "The preparations are complete?"
"Yes Ma'am they are"
Alesia poured some water so they could freshen up. "Please let the Regents know we're on our way," She requested. "You're dismissed"
"Ma'am" The Amazon saluted and turning smartly exited the tent.
Thira joined her in washing up. "You know that this is just a formality Alesia" She brushed off her borrowed tunic. "They're all going to die"
"I know. They deserve to for what they did. I'm just worried about Tera. I think this is the first time she has ever had to sentence someone to death."
A feral grin appeared on Thira's face. "I think Panter has that part covered. I can only hope I get to help"
Continued...