The Quest III: Return to Volter Read online

  “My sire?”

  Yes. Is that not who you meant by we? I know you and your family have suffered greatly because I behaved dishonorably and I will do all I can to atone for everything to your family.

  “And what of Wynter? Not a single word of regret for what she has had to endure because of you?”

  Wynter? Is that she who bore you?

  She stared at him and realized that he did not know about Wynter. Fear clutched at her heart as she realized what would happen when he did. He would take her. Neither he nor his sire would allow one of royal blood to remain in such a lowly state. “Go away and stay away, elder offspring of Hunter! I no longer value you or want to see you again! Return to the riches of Tern Terra that I was not sufficient enough to share with you!”

  She ran towards the hut stop. He bound forward and stood in front of the door, blocking her passage. She stopped abruptly, several feet from him, her breathing ragged, her chest aching and heavy. “Let me pass.”

  Ayanni. You must give me a chance to atone for my mistakes. I know they were many and grievous, but I was but a cub when last we saw each other. I had no thought or wish to hurt you, Ayanni. I have never forgotten or stopped valuing you. I humbly beg you to let me explain and make it right for you.

  She thought of all Wynter had been denied living in the Volterian forest while he lived in lavish comfort in Tern Terra with his mate. “Some things can not be forgiven, Slayer. I am no longer the innocent, unmated girl who believed you when you said you wanted her. I have spent many hard, harsh seasons struggling on my own, disowned by my father because I believed what you told me when I should not have. There is nothing that you have to say that I want to hear. You can force your will and yourself on me, but I will never, ever willing welcome you into my arms or my heart again! So take me my force or stand aside, Slayer!”

  She felt a wave of shock from him. I would never take you by force, Ayanni.

  “Then stand aside and do not ever come back. Too much hurt and pain have been suffered on your behalf. I cannot forgive you, Slayer. Return to Tern Terra and enjoy all it has to offer you and your mate and your cubs.”

  I am not mated, Ayanni nor have I any cubs.

  “You…have no cubs? None?”

  No. I am not mated and I have no cubs. I had hoped that you and I—

  She shook her head. “Slayer. It is unworthy of the future ruler of Tern Terra to bedevil one of my lowly station. I have no wish to see, or speak to you ever again. Will you not even be honorable enough to leave me in peace, my lord, Slayer?”

  She felt a wave of despair from him. Ayanni…I…I have never stopped valuing you.

  “Does that mean you have not mated since you mated with me, my lord?” she demanded.

  Along the psychic link they were communicating through, she felt his resignation that his response was only going to increase her rage. And still, she was somewhat impressed that he did not lie. No, he admitted. I have not taken a bond mate, but I have mated.

  As she had known he would have. “Well, I have not had that pleasure, my lord, Slayer! Do you know how I have survived since you left? Wyman, who had spoken for me comes around and bottom mates with me in exchange for barter coins!”

  A wave of rage and pain swept through him. I will rip his throat out for treating you in such a way!

  “While you’re doing that, rip out your own throat because none of that would have happened if you had kept your word! Now let me pass!”

  Ayanni!

  “Let me pass!”

  He moved out of her path and she ran inside the hut and closed and bolted the door. She knew that if he chose to, he could easily break the door down. But she knew he would not.

  Ayanni. I love you! I always have and I always will.

  She tossed herself onto her pallet and put her hands over her ears. I do not love you! she screamed. Go away! Please! Please, Slayer! Go away.

  He went and she dissolved into a flood of tears.

  Walking away to the sound of her tears was one of the hardest things Slayer had ever done. But he knew now was not the time to try and change her mind. He had hurt her badly and would have to suffer the consequences.

  Chapter Five

  Making his way to Meka’s pride, he felt as if the weight of all Tern Terra rested on his shoulders. How could he possibly win her back? What could he say or do to make her inclined to forgive him and love him again?

  My lord? You are sufficient?

  He glanced over his shoulder at the bigger of the two Carnivores who had followed him from Tern Terra. Both Tracer and Totter had tan coats. Tracer was older and training Totter. Although they had kept a respectful distance while he talked to Ayanni, he had no wish or need for company. And he certainly had nothing to fear on the Plaines of Volter where he had been born and raised. Retreat. I wish to be alone.

  Both Carnivores bowed their heads and melted into the forest on either side of him. He sighed, knowing their seeming obedience was limited. Both would remain near enough to render assistance should the need arise.

  He gave an angry shake of his head and then hesitated. A scent spoor that was strange and yet vaguely familiar floated towards him and he stiffened, sniffing the air. A young human female cub appeared on the path in front of him.

  She was tall and slender with long dark hair. Her skin was bronzed and her eyes were green and slanted. He stood still, having no wish to frighten her. I mean you no harm, child.

  Rather than the fear he had expected, he was amazed when she uttered a cry of delight and sprang forth to fling her arms around his neck and hug him. “You are Slayer, elder offspring of Meka and Hunter. Does Hunter now rule Tern Terra?”

  He felt a particular twisting in his chest as he looked at her when she drew away from him. He felt as if he should know her and yet they had never met. In fact she was the first human cub he’d ever encountered. Who are you?

  “I am Wynter. Elder offspring of Ayanni.”

  His heart lurched. Offspring of Ayanni? Who…who is your sire?

  “Ayanni has never said, but he is one of the great Carnivores from Tern Terra. Perhaps you know him. Do you?”

  Slayer felt as if he had been stabbed in his chest for he knew he looked upon an offspring he had not known he possessed. He recalled the small place where he had left Ayanni sobbing. He had an offspring who had grown up there while he had lived a carefree, luxurious lifestyle in Tern Terra. He understood more fully why Ayanni despised him.

  I…I am your sire.

  She shrieked and covered his head and mane with kisses. “Oh, sire. I knew you would be regal and I knew that one day you would return and make life better for me and Ayanni.”

  A feeling of joy and warmth he had never experienced overwhelmed him. He brushed his cheek against her soft one, longing to atone for all she and Ayanni had suffered because of his actions. I bitterly regret that life has been hard for you and your mother. I did not know when I left that she was with cub. Had I known I would not have left.

  “Oh, sire, I never doubted that. Ayanni does not like to talk about you and why you were not with us, but I have always known that you did not know of my birth.”

  The warmth and acceptance he felt from her amazed and humbled him. You do not hate or resent me?

  “No, sire. I have longed to meet you, but did not want to bedevil Ayanni with questions. She works hard and has very little time for idle chatter.”

  He sighed. I will make things as right as I can, but she hates me.

  She drew away from him and stared at him, her green eyes wide. “Who told you that?”

  She did. She would not allow me to explain or really talk to her.

  “She is hurt, but she does not hate you, sire.”

  Sire. Every time this beautiful human cub called him Sire, he felt a combination of pride and sorrow. Pride that he had helped produce the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. Sorrow that he had not been there to protect and take care of her.

  I think, perhap
s, that she does. I did not take care of her as I should have and you and she have suffered because of my actions. I should not have left Volter without making sure she was all right.

  “You asked Meka and Berka to look out for her and they have.”

  He digested that in silence for a moment. How is it that you know of Meka and Berka?

  “I don’t know of them. I know them, but I did not know you were my sire.”

  I am grateful to the Gods of the Mountains that you bear me no ill-will, but I fear that I have lost Ayanni forever.

  “Do not be so certain of that, sire. At night she dreams of you and calls out that she values you in her sleep.”

  Maybe so, but I have injured and gravely wronged her. If she will not forgive me I do not know what I will do.

  She looked surprised. “Do? Why you must woo and win her, sire. Her heart is yours. It always has been.”

  She does not wish to see me.

  “Surely the elder offspring of Hunter can find a way around that, sire.”

  A plan began forming in his mind. Perhaps there is a way after all.

  She smiled at him, her eyes warm. “I knew you would be as clever as you would be majestic, sire.”

  His chest cavity swelled and a great sorrow filled him. He had missed so much of her life. To have her feel about him as he still felt about his own sire filled him with gratitude and humility. Hunter had at least been around as he grew from a cub into an adult Carnivore. He had not been there for Wynter and yet she still seemed to value and respect him. It was more than he was worthy of or deserved.

  You humble me with your graciousness and spirit of forgiveness, Wynter. Hunter, future sovereign of Tern Terra, will be proud to call you his eldest grand offspring.

  Her eyes lit with excitement and her smile widened. “It is so? He will not find me wanting, sire?”

  No one will find you wanting, Wynter. Even Seeker will find delight in your presence.

  “Seeker is the ruler of Tern Terra?”

  Yes and the most majestic of all the Great Carnivores, save my own sire, Hunter. There is none more regal than Hunter.

  “There is one…you, sire,” she said and bowed her head. “No one will ever convince me that there has ever been or will ever be a Great Carnivore more regal or majestic than you, my lord Slayer.”

  Her words and sincerity touched and silenced him. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he could only brush his head against her and utter yet another silent prayer to the Gods of the Mountains for their graciousness in allowing him to father such an offspring worthy to carry the royal blood of Hunter.

  “So what is your plan to win back the heart of Ayanni who values you still?”

  He shook his head. I have no wish to engage you in deception against she who bore you, but I do have a plan. Now you should return to the hut. I felt her worry for you when I was with her…but at the time I thought you were her mother. I will send one of the Carnivores accompanying me with you.

  “You are gracious and generous, sire, but that is not necessary. All in the forest know who I am and I freely traverse the forest and the plains.”

  She was a daughter of Tern Terra indeed. Still, just this once Tracer will accompany you.

  “As you wish, sire.”

  He called to the two Carnivores standing silently amongst the surrounding foliage. Tracer and Totter, this is Wynter, my eldest offspring, he told them proudly.

  Both Carnivores bowed their heads.

  My lady Wynter, it will be an honor and privilege to serve you, Tracer said.

  Totter, the younger and more inexperienced of the two royal guards, seemed awed by Wynter. Slayer could feel his delight in meeting her that far exceeded Tracer’s respectful reaction.

  I am humbled in your presence and will seek out every opportunity to be of service to you, my lady Wynter, Totter said.

  Totter, see Wynter safely home and then meet us at the camp of Meka, he told him.

  You honor me beyond my deeds, my lord Slayer, entrusting me with the well-being of her ladyship.

  Slayer was amused. Clearly Totter was quite impressed with his beautiful, regal offspring.

  Wynter gave him a last long hug, which he savored and cherished before she turned and walked down the trail with an adoring Totter at her side.

  Slayer waited until they were out of sight before he and Tracer continued along the path that would bring them into Meka and Berka’s territory.

  Accompanied by Tracer, Slayer made his way to the water hole where he knew the prides would be lying up resting in the heat of the day. Meka was there. He felt a strange feeling in his chest when she rose to greet him and was clearly unsteady on her feet.

  Slayer, you have returned.

  He padded over to her and brushed his head against hers. You are not sufficient.

  I am not. She lay back down and he noticed that her right front leg bore an ugly open wound.

  I have two guards with me from Tern Terra. I will send Tracer back to bring a seer to heal you.

  Do not trouble yourself, my lord. I will be sufficient in time.

  That is not sufficient. I want you well now and you must not call me lord. With you I will always be Slayer, your cub.

  He turned to Tracer. Return to Tern Terra immediately and bring back Sheela. Tell her Meka is not sufficient and she must come at once.

  Tracer bowed his head. My lord. Without another word, he turned and quickly left the camp.

  Slayer lay beside Meka and touched her flank with his tail. What has happened? Who has injured you? I will give them a slow, painful death. I will rip them into little pieces. No one may harm you with impunity.

  He felt her reluctance. It is of no importance, my cub.

  As he lay with her trying to decide how to get her to confide in him, a big tan carnivore with golden eyes and a dark brown mane approached. Slayer. You’re back.

  Macak, Slayer is the future ruler of Tern Terra. You must not be overly familiar, Meka instructed the young cub.

  This is Volter, not Tern Terra, Meka. I will not bow to my own sibling.

  Slayer didn’t like the tone he took with Meka. He rose to his feet. Macak was by far the biggest of the carnivores on the Volterian Plaines and nearly as high, although not as heavy as Slayer, who was now as big as Hunter.

  Slayer had often suspected that Macak resented the attention he received when he returned from Tern Terra to visit Meka and the prides. Berka had told him that when he was in Tern Terra, Macak was king of all he surveyed. Berka had hinted at some ugly things that troubled Slayer, but when pressed would not substantiate her suspicions.

  You would do well to choose your words wisely and guard your tone when speaking to Meka, he warned.

  Macak tossed his head, his golden eyes whirling with angry lights. And you would do well to remember that this is my domain, Slayer, not yours.

  Slayer snarled softly and head-butted Macak. The younger carnivore’s legs wobbled and he sat down on the ground in a heap. My domain is wherever I am for I am Slayer, elder offspring of Hunter, future sovereign of Tern Terra. Wherever there are carnivores, I demand the respect due me. Do not make the mistake of disrespecting me again, Macak or I will show you the difference between the two of us.

  Slayer! Meka struggled to her feet. Please. He intended no disrespect.

  I think that he did, but he will not make the mistake of openly displaying his disrespect again either for you or for me.

  Totter appeared suddenly at his side. My lord, Slayer, all is well?

  He inclined his head slightly. It would be a sad day on the Plaines when he could not handle a younger sibling who did not know his proper place. Wynter arrived home safely?

  Yes, my lord Slayer.

  He watched Macak struggle to his feet, angrily tossing his head.

  You have something to say to me, cub?

  Slayer. Please, Meka implored. He is your younger sibling. You must make allowances.

  He turned to look at her and gru
dgingly sank to the ground. He could hardly insist that Macak respect her if he did not do so himself. He inclined his head. Forgive me, Meka. You are leader of this pride and I did not intend to lose sight of that fact.

  No harm was done, my cub.

  The look he saw in Macak’s gaze momentarily stunned him. He and Macak had never been close, but he had not expected to see such hostility shining in his own sibling’s eyes. He decided that Macak would definitely bear watching.

  Chapter Six

  “You are sufficient, Mother?”

  Ayanni, kneeling in the planting field, blinked away a flood of tears and looked over her shoulder. Wynter stood at the edge of the field with a troubled look on her face.

  Ayanni sighed. Although she longed to pour out her frustrations and fears on Wynter’s slim shoulders, she knew she mustn’t. Wynter had already had too much grief and heartache because of her mistake with Slayer. Slayer. Just the thought of him caused a crushing ache in her.

  To see him after so much time and realize that she valued him as much as she ever had was a bitter blow. Her seasons of struggle and grief had taught her nothing. Her foolishness must surely be boundless. Why even the Gods of the Mountains would despair of one so beyond redemption. How could she want him still? How could—

  “You have been crying.”

  The soft sound of Wynter’s voice startled her back to an awareness of her surroundings. She cast a quick look at Wynter before averting her gaze. “Yes,” she admitted. “But I am sufficient.” She spoke quickly, hoping to forestall Wynter asking the reason for her tears. She knew she had to tell Wynter that Slayer was back in Volter. Despite all he had done, she had no wish to see the inevitable hatred in her daughter’s gaze when she learned that Slayer had deserted them for so many long, miserable seasons. Yet she must tell her the truth that night before she went to visit Meka and saw him there.

  “We must talk. Go inside and I will prepare a meal after I put in the rest of the plantings.”

  Wynter hesitated. “Whatever is troubling you will soon be put right, Mother.”