The Delta's Daughter Chapter 106

LAMIA

It was now 4 days until Orion’s deadline, four days until the full moon, the day he told us to be at Riocht if we wanted to see Petra alive again.

The little girl had been on my mind since the night Orion attacked MacTire. And every time I thought about her, my chest pulled tight. I felt guilty she had been put in this position. She was only ten years old and had already endured so much heart ache, she didn’t deserve to be put through this.

My eyes pooled with tears as I thought of how unfair and cruel life had been to her. I prayed to the Moon Goddess every night to keep her safe from harm until I had her in my arms.

The dirt path we initially had followed was consistent and seemed to be taking us straight to the heart of the lost city. We definitely wouldn’t have been able to get any vehicles through here. Even though the worn road was still visible, it was overgrown with centuries of forestry and shrubs, so thick in some places that we had to cut them down using our swords.

*Your majesty, we have come across something, a village of sorts.* James's mind-link reached me.

I paused mid-step. A village?

*Hold your position until we reach you. Are there any signs of life?* I commanded then asked James.

*Yes your highness, it looks like there are maybe a couple hundred occupants. They smell like wolves, but not quite the same* I could hear the confusion in James' voice as he told me and scrunched my nose up thinking what would smell like wolves, but not the same?

* OK, do not engage, we are an hour behind you, wait for us.* I told him before turning to Mathias and relaying the information.

“Lycans?” He mused, his steel grey eyes swirling as Arcas showed himself. “Arcas doesn’t feel any threat, but let’s air on the side of caution any way. Maybe only a few of us go, ranking members and a handful of guards.” 

“Sounds like a solid plan, King” Hunji interjected. “Leave Travis and Xander here, us three will proceed with Rhett and take two guards with us. We will have enough warriors with James’ team already there.”

“Why Rhett and not, Travis?” I asked, thinking if we got into a fight, Travis’ was much stronger than Rhett.

“Because he is a Knight, and there is no one better to protect you.” Hunji deadpanned, his deep dark eyes looking at me like I should have known and it was a wasted question. “Besides, as a knight we all know where you are at any given time.”

I cocked my head at him “You do? I mean… How?”

“Don’t know. The four of us realized that we could always sense where you were, like our wolves had a homing beacon on you. Rhett may not have a wolf, but he has a sixth sense and feels where you are.”

That was news to me. I wasn’t sure how I liked the idea of them knowing exactly where I was at any given time. Sure it was handy and kept me safe, but what if I wanted to do secretive shit? I rubbed my forehead with my palm and shook my head.

“Whatever, let’s go.” I sighed, moving forward towards James and his team.

I had a headache and felt lethargic, and really couldn’t be bothered to stress over another thing. There was enough that kept my mind occupied as it was. Inanna had been quiet in my head since we started this journey, like she was conserving energy.

I wished she would share some of that energy with me. I could seriously do with some.

*****

“Report.” I told James as I came up next him and crouched down on his level, behind some shrubbery. Mathias was to my left, taking up the same position. Hunji and Rhett, behind us.

“There.” He pointed out to an open field that lay ahead of us.

At the far end of the 10 acre-sized field in front us were small cottages with thatched roofs, dotted across the open clearing.

“There were people wandering over there, I think they sensed us.” James said with a scowl. “About 20 minutes ago they left the area and I haven’t seen anyone since.

“Thanks James, good job.” I praised him. "What do you think?” I asked Mathias, “Think we should go introduce ourselves?”

I watched his nose lift and sniff the air. His eyes flashing with his beast. “I don’t smell a threat, definitely Lycan.” His face held a muddled look, “How long have they existed here without the outside realms' influence? They may not be receptive to us.”

Mathias had a valid point, but the sooner we found out who these Lycans were, the better. They were either friend or foe. 

“Well, let's go find out.” I said, standing and sheathing my swords.

Mathias, Hunji, Rhett and I made our way down the dry dirt road, not slowly but not overly quickly either. We didn’t want to seem like a threat, so we left the warriors at the tree line where they could watch for potential threats, or if the Lycans became hostile.

As we neared closer to the first grouping of cottages, movement caught my eye and a group of 5 men stood at the end of the road, waiting for us.

Once, we were about 50 feet from them, Mathias called out. “We mean you no harm; we wish to pass through to Riocht.” He his baritone voice carried to them and we heard them mumbling amongst themselves.

When we were closer, the five men each dropped to one knee, then covered their hearts with their right hand, making a fist and bowed their heads in submission.

The one at the front of the group lifted his head and looked straight into my eyes. His own glossy blue eyes were wide, and he bit his lip, his facial expressions dancing with excitement.

“My Queen, we have been waiting for you. Our Clan has prepared for this day for centuries.” He said and then turned his gaze to Mathias. “King Arcas, we have also waited for you.” The man who seemed to be the leader of the group told us.

I looked at Mathias, who cast a curious glance towards me; he then looked back at Hunji and Rhett. The Lycan had called him by his beast's name. Curiosity swam through my mind, wondering how he knew who his beast was.

“Our Clan has waited for centuries for Inanna and Arcas, two powerful spirits of the gods. We welcome you home, your majesty’s.”

“How do you know who our counterparts are?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest full of questions.

“We are the Guardians of Riocht. Our clan has lived here since the beginning, each generation, taking care of the kingdom, until the arrival of the rightful King and Queen. Ashe came to us not too long ago and told us you would be arriving before the third moon after the equinox. You are early.” The man smirked at his last comment, seemingly amused that we had arrived two weeks earlier than Ashe had predicted. “But we can sense your animal spirits, that is how we know.”

“This is Hunji, my second in command, and Rhett, my advisor and lead warrior.” I told the man, hoping he would introduce himself.

The man rose from his feet and stepped forward, giving a curt bow to Hunji and Rhett, “A pleasure, I am assuming they are two of your Knights?” He asked.

“What is your name, Lycan?” Mathias addressed him.

“Please forgive me; I am Lucien, leader of the Guardians Clan.” He said, while giving us a smile.

“Clan, you mean pack?” I asked him. That was twice he used the word Clan to describe their pack.

“No, Clan, your majesty. In the old days, Lycans were known as clans and only as packs as the centuries turned.”

Hmmm. OK. I thought, not worth squabbling about.

“We have prepared a suitable cottage for you and the king. Your men can set up camp here.” Lucien stretched his arms out, indicating the field we had just crossed. “Also, Orion and his army have already entered the forest. They will reach Riocht by tonight.”

“How do you know this?” Hunji stepped forward, asking what we were all thinking.

“We have eyes everywhere in Monrgord, Sir. We have been keeping intruders away for centuries” he winked.

“And how far from Riocht are we?” I asked, thinking we were still a little ways away if I remembered the map correctly.

“About 20 clicks give or take. Camp here tonight and we can discuss your journey further. As I said, we have been preparing for your arrival and my men are ready to join the ranks, my Queen.”

They had warriors? This was looking better for us.

“Thank you Lucien.” I politely said, thanking him, then told Hunji to mind-link the rest of the army and give them their orders that they would be setting up camp here for the night.

Lucien led Mathias and I into the small village, pointing out families and land marks. For how small the village was, and how old it was (I could only guess), it was immaculately clean and had a joyous atmosphere to it.

Each cottage was white with a thatched roof and a chimney stack and each cottage was a different size. He showed us their Smithery, where they had been forging weapons for weeks now, in preparation for the battle. They had 45 warriors that would join our ranks.

“We are small in number, but Lycans are mighty and quick, and we have guardian blood in us, making us stronger. We will serve you to the best of our ability.” Lucien had told us when he showed us all the weapons they had forged.

We told him more about Orion and his army, and what to expect. Surprisingly, he did not seem concerned about the crawlers and when we told him what their nails and bite could do, but how they were easy to kill, he smirked then winked at us.

“We are Lycan, like you, things don’t affect us in the same way.” is all he said. 

It was like being cast back into time as we walked through the village with Lucien guiding us. Every person we passed stopped and bowed their heads in submission to us, whispering that we were the king and queen. And how blessed they were to meet us in their lifetime.

I had never felt like royalty, not growing up in the palace and not in the past two and half years of taking over MacTire, but now, with the reception Mathias and I were receiving, I felt like a true queen.

“Is this how it feels?” I asked Mathias, wanting to know.

“How, what feels?” his brows furrowed when I asked.

“Is this how it feels to be treated like royalty?” I repeated. He laughed suddenly and turned my face to him, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my own face as his eyes creased at the corners and his lips turned up to show off the sexiest smile I had ever seen.

His handsome features seemed to come alive as he laughed at my innocent question and I fell in love with him all over again. His one arm snaked around my waist and he pulled me closer to him. Tucking me into his side and giving me a kiss on the crown of my head.

“I wouldn’t know my little wolf, my people fear me and would avoid me and my temper. But if you are talking about the welcoming feeling and adoration I feel from these Lycans, then yes, I guess that is what it feels like.” He said, squeezing me tighter, the smile still on his face.

I told Lucien that we had three more armies on their way and the direction they would be coming from. He sent out scouts to meet them and Mathias and I mind-linked Kellen and Tobias to let them know what was going on and that a 'friendly' was coming to guide them.

I could not get a hold of Tawny, and tried to reach out to Mason who was still with her, to no avail, and contemplated sending a few warriors back to the trucks on the side of the road to try and reach her by phone as we had no signal here.

Once our army had settled, Lucien led Mathias and I to a small cottage that would be our dwelling for the night. As soon as we stepped in, I let out a heavy breath and relaxed my shoulders.

“Are you tired, my queen?” Mathias asked, wrapping his arms around me and bringing me into his chest where I rested my head and gave him a little nod.

“I think I am just stressed, the weight of what’s to come and Petra is weighing heavy on my mind.” I admitted. “How do you not feel it?” I asked, my voice muffled as I buried my face into his hard chest.

The sound of his steady heart beat and the aroma of his scent surrounded me, calming me.

“I feel it. I think I am just better at hiding it than you.” He said, as he kissed my head again. “Come, I will draw us a bath.” He broke our embrace and led me by the hand into a small bathroom that held a metal tub on four feet and turned the water on.

Once the water was warm enough, he filled the tub and then helped me from my clothes, discarding them on the floor and leaning my swords against the small vanity. He stripped and stepped in first, then helped me in and sat me down in his lap and began pouring the warm water over my tired body. 

“This bath is not big enough for you on your own, never mind the both of us.” I chuckled at the way we tightly fit into the tiny as shit tub.

He laughed with me, agreeing “Your right, but it’s so much cozier this way. Although, I would definitely prefer your bathtub, we could fit a whole pack in that thing!” It was true, the tub in my bathroom back at MacTire was beyond large.

I leant back against him and let my worries wash away as he gently bathed my body, caressing my skin with the cloth and his finger tips. Not once did he try to push himself on me, even though I could feel his erection poking me in the back, and I was grateful for that. He could feel how tired I was.

His soothing touch and the feel of the water lulled my brain and my eyes began to flutter, enjoying the serenity between us; when his fingers began caressing my arms, sending those little jolts of currents across the skin.  

My lips curved up and suddenly I wasn’t tired anymore. I sat up and turned around so I was straddling him, his long length, bobbing in the water between us. I let my eyes and fingers trail up his hulking body.

He was a magnificent piece of art, solid and strong, from the tips of his toes to the hair on his head.

My palm rested on his broad, muscular chest, right over his heart and I could feel the steady thumping, the rhythm matched mine. My gaze travelled up to his face, until I reached his shining platinum stare.

No words were said, but our eyes locked and everything we needed to say was held between our stares. Circling my other hand around the nape of his neck, I moved my face closer and closed my eyes as I found his lips with my own. Gently placing a wanting kiss on his.

He responded, kissing me back, equally soft. When his heart rate picked up, so did the intensity of the kiss and his tongue swept across my bottom lip. My mouth parted when I sighed in bliss and he took the opportunity to thrust his tongue into my mouth and twine it around my own.

The kiss was everything; hard, yet slow, passionate, yet sensual.

My breathing picked up and I lifted my hips, sinking down onto his thick and massive length, taking him all the way. I moaned at the pleasure and he growled in ecstasy, as we became one.

I could never tire of him, never tire of having him fill me, never tire of loving him.

Tomorrow was a brand new day and I was sure it would be full of anxiety as we marched closer to Riocht.