Kahira spoke, with her back to Tenai, avoiding his angry stare. “I could have killed you, you know. You don’t have to behave like an animal.”
“Did I hear you clearly?” Tenai queried, stepping forward. He let out a tremendous laugh. “You? Kill me?”
“You do not know the power I have, Tenai.” Kahira whispered. She sat down on the cave’s dirt floor. She glanced in his direction, avoiding eye contact. She was trying hard to control her temper without being threatening. She didn’t want to have Tenai react violently.
Kahira spoke, seeming to address the ground. “While defending myself from one of your brethren, I was struck with lightning. My body just... absorbed it. It took control of the energy, causing an electric power to explode from my center. It takes out everything in its wake. If I wanted you dead, you would be dead.”
Tenai knew what Kahira spoke of. Eons ago, a special staff was forged to aid in the elimination of anything standing in the path of the cave dwellers” plan to overthrow the other tribes. This staff held the power of the most terrible thunder and lightning storms.
The main purpose of this dark magic was the destruction of Kahira’s life force.
Had she actually come in contact with it and survived? He thought about that for a moment. Finally, Tenai addressed her again. “Well then, why did you not strike me with this power to end the threat to yourself?”
Kahira thought she heard a little more than interest in Tenai’s voice, maybe awe. She took a chance meeting his eyes as if trying to stare down a vicious beast. “I honestly do not know. I just felt like your life was important to me. I think you are different from the other warriors I have come in contact with. I felt there is more to this. Did you not feel it, too?”
Tenai’s eyes widened. He did not like being put on the spot or the fact that she was attempting to force him to see the situation on an emotional level. To cave dwellers, very little energy was focused on emotions, especially in the males of the tribe.
“I do not feel, girl! I react!” Tenai’s voice took on a frightening growl-like tone as he seemed to get agitated. Kahira looked away long enough to get to her feet but whenshe looked back, Tenai had disappeared into the shadows of the cavern. Suddenly, Kahira was alone.
She did not know Tenai’s reason for retreating. She called out to him a few times, hervoice echoing off the cave walls and through its hollow darkness. Tenai had gone swiftly, leaving her weak and confused.
Kahira suddenly felt like the cave was spinning! Its walls were closing around her! She had to sit down! She could not breathe!
Chapter 35
Kahira wandered to a pile of large stones and sat, hand on her chest. The anxiety she felt was almost too much to bear. “Calm down, Kahira.” She assured herself, “You will make it through this.”
She slowly regained control of her senses. Tenai still had not returned. Maybe he had left her here to die. That made no sense to Kahira though. Tenai was a warrior. It seemed too easy.
Regardless of the reason, Kahira had to do something. She knew that by now Tanka and Pheta would be searching for her, by land and air. She had never strayed far from them before. Not for long, anyway. How much time HAD passed? The better of a day and a half, she thought.
With another look around, Kahira sighed heavily. The way they had entered seemed the only way out. But it was pitch black! She feared walking through the tunnel in her current condition. If she was attacked in the darkness, what could she do without strength to fight or steadiness to run?
Kahira lay down across the rock slab and fell asleep. More time passed. Strange noises woke her up on several occasions. She felt like she was fighting a fever. Maybe it was the cave’s atmosphere; the cool, stagnant feel of it. Or maybe it was such a deep cavern that air could not permeate its thick barrier. But she sensed something steadily withdrawing her energy.
She managed to climb down from the rock and began following the cave wall. Kahira used the wall to support herself as she moved to a spot where the lake branched out around a group of stalagmites, each housing a multitude of small stones and crystals that glowed warmly.
The stalagmites hid a shallow pool. Something had drawn her there. In her feverish mind, she heard muffled voices and chants leading her, but once she reached the spot, they suddenly stopped.
Without thought, Kahira slid into the water, allowing it to engulf her. It was cold against her hot flesh, soothing. The moment she resurfaced, Kahira realized that this spa held natural healing powers. She was grateful to Edla as the fever and disorientation left her. She felt restored!
With a renewed sense of strength and purpose, Kahira left the cleansing pool. She went to the stalagmite altar and offered gratitude for this miracle. It seemed wherever Kahira went, whatever difficulty she faced, she was protected and given guidance, and she did not take that for granted.
Kahira glanced swiftly around the cave before sprinting toward the black opening. She was ready for whatever awaited her.
Chapter 36
Tenai used his skills to elude Kahira and climbed up into the dark recesses of the cavern near the cave wall. He had been observing her all the time in silence, waiting for that moment when she would be well enough to challenge.
He did not like the feeling her words had on him. Silencing her was all Tenai thought he could do. In the darkness, he plotted in an attempt to rebuild his intent to kill Kahira. He argued with himself that it must be done for the future of his people.
He started to get concerned that Kahira may die as a result of succumbing to the electricity within herself. That probability was discouraging. She looked so ill, forcing his mind to whir with questions that held no answers.
When Kahira entered the water, Tenai thought she might be ending her own life. It caught him off guard when she, without warning, set to escape!
As Kahira reached the tunnel entrance, Tenai jumped down from his hiding spot, landing with a hard thud directly in front of her. She nearly slammed into him at the speed she was running by that time!
As he landed, the ground around Tenai ruptured, causing dirt and rubble to explode upward, toppling her. Kahira gasped as he lunged at her. He tackled her, pinning her to the ground.
Tenai roared from somewhere deep in his body and the intensity in his eyes bore into her. With his horns held high, he snarled down at her. Kahira knew Tenai was trying to intimidate her and she had had enough! With her renewed strength, she buckled, creating enough space between their bodies for her to knee him in the abdomen.
The shock caused Tenai to release his hold on Kahira’s arms but his hands quickly encircled her throat. His expression was blazing! He was furious!
Kahira instantly brought her hands together in a tight fist. Before she started losing breath, she freed herself by ramming her arms up between his; punching him right under the chin.
Tenai keeled sideways dizzily, blood trickling from the side of his mouth.
Kahira rolled out of his reach. She jumped up into a squatting position. “You are glorious, Tenai! But I will not allow myself to be beaten down by you!”
Tenai caught his breath, springing into a stance mimicking hers. He clenched his jaw, fang-like teeth gleaming; his clawed hands open at his sides. His eyes danced angrily.
Kahira could see excitement and fury in the redness of Tenai’s glare! She stood and let out her loud shrill war cry! Kahira leapt at Tenai and he charged her!
Chapter 37
Tenai moved with the swiftness of the panther, catching her around the waist. Her braid swung around whipping him in the back. They hit the floor, separated again by jolting maneuvers.
Kahira rushed Tenai again. When she was close enough she flipped, releasing a double force kick to his chest! She braced herself, palms to the floor as the impact forced him backwards. Tenai landed with a thud against a rock wall.
“Tenai!” Kahira roared out in a growl of her own, “I will NOT grow tired and I will NOT be defeated!” Her own expression had grown fierce. T
enai could not help but appreciate her beauty in this light. He stood again, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth.
“I have just been playing with you, girl! I thought you would be weak since you are a woman but you please me with this defiance. You are a bold one! But I will break you yet!” As he finished speaking, Tenai charged.
Closing the distance between them, he slid to the ground in a sweeping motion and knocked Kahira to the floor! When she fell, Tenai quickly positioned himself above her, straddling her body. He bent over and grabbed her by her dress. “You are not so cunning, Pretty One.”
Kahira”s face was fearless. There was an energy here, hot tempered wild and electric, but she was not afraid. This warrior was her match; she felt it deep in her soul.
Kahira braced her arms against his for support and wrapped her strong legs around his thigh. With the heel of her foot, she struck him behind the knee, knocking him off balance yet again. Tenai fell to his knees and Kahira stabilized herself.
Twisting him back by the arms, she jabbed her knee into his side. He let out a loud shout, tumbled and came to rest face down in the dirt! Kahira turned him over, her legs now on either side of his body. Pinning him as he originally pinned her, Kahira peered down into Tenai’s handsome face.
A smile played on his mouth. Leaning down, Kahira firmly pressed her lips to his.
Instinctively, Tenai’s hand wrapped in her hair. He flipped her to lie beside him so that he was peering at her delicate features. His hand went to the side of her face.
Tenai pulled her up so their faces met vigorously and his mouth sought hers again. Kahira returned the kiss, twining her arms around his neck.
“Kahira,” he whispered in her ear, making her arms cover with goose flesh. Tenai was stroking her sleek hair. The timbre in his voice rode on waves through her mind and heart. “I need you.”
“Tenai,” Kahira began. He silenced the rest of her words with another kiss.
They mated as pond water splashed against rock walls and droplets fell to the cave floor from hanging stalactites. The planet seemed to stop, nothing seemed more important than these moments.
Feeling like they had each found a part of themselves, they had desperately missed, for the first time in each of their lives they both felt whole. Looking above them, Kahira noticed that their two auras had merged into one of swirling purple and black hues.
Kahira watched the riveting colors dance amongst the shadows until she fell asleep against Tenai’s broad chest. By morning, their birth tattoos had changed!
Kahira’s tattoo had two new crimson flames that shot from in front of each ear. Each flame ran across a cheek, down the neck, weaving across the lower throat and ending in a wondrous flash of flame surrounding her heart. A silver crown nestled inside the circle of flames.
Tenai’s tattoo had two new shimmering red vines growing in front of each ear. Both vines ran down the opposite sides of the face, across the cheek, down the neck, delicately weaving across the lower throat, ending in elegant swirling vines around his heart. A gold crown adorned the inside of the circle of vines.
Awakening in each others’ arms, Kahira and Tenai stood, facing one another. She scrutinized his new tattoo; he studied hers. Looking into each others’ eyes, they grinned.
Kahira cuddled up against him. Tenai put his arms around her, drawing her even closer into the safety she felt there. Walking hand in hand through the dark tunnel, each pondered what this would mean in their lives.
It was silent, almost morning. Although the night was dark, there was light enough to see the way back to Kahira’s hut. Tenai looked at her, filled with a need to protect. He knew she was the most precious thing he had ever wanted as his own.
Chapter 38
Tanka and Pheta were asleep as Kahira pulled Tenai up the rope ladder into the hut. She was so used to it; she had forgotten how overwhelming the hut really was! Tenai followed her to every room, asking what this or that was, what use things had.
Kahira got a clean set of clothes with a towel for Tenai. She showed him how to use the toilet and bath. She pulled the doors closed, leaving Tenai his privacy. She was tired, knowing he was, too. Sitting at the table with her bath things in her lap, she traded places with him as he exited the bathroom.
He had climbed into her bed and instantly fallen asleep. She did the same thing after her bath. As Kahira slept deeply, she had another vision...
*****
The night sky was different than usual. Black thick clouds were all that could be seen. The stars were invisible. The two moons were invisible. It was hard for anyone to see anything with the inky black clouds filling the sky.
Tenai and Kahira were dressed in armor with battle weapons. Tenai rode Tanka into the fray while Kahira rode Pheta to battle from the sky. The only weapon she had was her power. With Pheta’s skill at flying, swooping and moving back and forth in the sky, Kahira screamed her war cry.
As Pheta darted down into the battle, Kahira would pick her target, hold her palms up and the opposing black warrior would scream as his life force was dragged out of him into her palms and up into her heart. The warrior’s body would fall to the ground and explode, leaving a pile of gray ash in its place.
Kahira looked from the sky over the thousands of evil warriors. She glanced at the small group trying to fight them off. Without her power, they would have been long dead. She was absently pondering the odds of the battle and for just that moment, her focus strayed.
She heard the terrible roar from Tenai and looked at him. Kahira saw he was surrounded by dark warriors. One of them had thrown a spear, lancing through his heart. Kahira watched as in slow motion, Tenai fell from Tanka’s back. “NO!” She screamed, losing all control in her furious rage and grief!
Before she could think, both her arms lifted towards the battlefield. Terrifying electric bolts shot from her palms into the battle grounds. As Pheta moved in the sky, Kahira maintained the spray of electricity, continuing to wipe out thousands of lives every second. When she finished, there were none left alive on the ground except Tanka.
*****
Kahira sat up in the bed, screaming. It woke the two of them up! Her entire body glistened with sweat. It ran in rivulets down her face and arms, dripping off her fingers onto the blanket. Instantly she was in Tenai’s safe arms as they tightened around her pulling her to his chest. “What was THAT?” Tenai asked.
“I had a vision, Tenai. You died and I wiped out all of your people who were battling against us! They wanted me dead but you would not allow it. Even though you are their Prince, they would go through you to get to me. I know why your people want me dead.”
“What is it? What can I do to stop or change it for us?”
“They want me dead because I will bear a child that you will father. They cannot allow this child to be born, because we are of different tribes. The child will bring about a new way on Edla.”
“They will kill you just to kill me, so our child will never be conceived and born. I suppose there is nothing either of us can do.” Kahira began to cry.
“We need to sleep, Kahira. We are both tired. Tomorrow will be time enough to discuss this.”
She was looking at her hands in her lap with tears silently running down her cheeks. Sadly, she looked into Tenai’s beautiful dark eyes. He lay back down on his side, pulling her back onto his stomach, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Kahira laid her head on his strong shoulder, closing her eyes. She quieted enough to go back to sleep. Tenai gently stroked her silky hair while thinking about how powerful she was. He knew she could use her power for the good, just, honest, and wise and the poor of Edla. Surely there was a way Kahira could use her great powers to stop this battle.
Could she keep the bloody massacre from happening? He lay awake until early morning, thinking about all she said.
Chapter 39
Word had spread quickly through Tenai’s cavernous empire; that instead of killing Kahira, he had fallen in love with her
and stayed to protect her. The small group kept on the move, trying to find a place where they felt safely secure. Finally settling in a mountain forest, they were able to set up the hut in the opening of a majestic mountainside cavern. Nobody could sneak up from the back because the cave blocked them.
Tanka and Pheta each had taken a side to guard, leaving the front for Kahira and Tenai to watch. If needed, the cabin could be taken down in seconds, leaving the cave for the four of them in case of injury or being overrun.
There was plenty of game in the forest. Tanka and Pheta did the hunting. It was safer than exposing either Kahira or Tenai. But more evil warriors found them, battling them until they no longer felt safe there.
Time moved along until the night came that Kahira and Tenai had dreaded. The night of the greatest battle fought on Edla.
As they held hands, looking into the night sky, it began just as Kahira had envisioned. Just a dark sky. No stars. No moons.
They slowly readied for this final battle, still without a plan to overcome the evil and succeed to live through it. Kahira again rode Pheta. Tenai again mounted Tanka wearing armor and carrying his battle weapons.
The vision came true as the battle was waged just as in the dream. Tenai was mortally wounded, falling from Tanka’s back. This time, Kahira controlled her powers. Pheta dropped to the ground as Kahira slid down her wing. She looked down at Tenai’s broken and bloody dead body.
She fell to the ground and cradled his head gently on her lap. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Kahira opened her mouth and the scream that tore from her very soul lasted an eternity, stopping the black warriors on the battlefield short. The entire battlefield fell into silence.
A brilliant green mist rose from the ground. Instead of spreading, it hovered, moving further and further up into the sky. When it towered over the battlefield higher than the tallest mountain on Edla, it stopped growing but did not dissipate.
A sublime form of a most exquisite woman was revealed in the sparkling mist. She was dazzling. Hair of waterfalls cascaded down to her knees. Eyes of aqua, brown and green could be seen, the colors constantly moved, enhancing the colors of the earth.