The Delta's Daughter Chapter 291

TAWNY

It took us a while, hours in fact before we reached the ravine. We walked in silence. Arik and his two warriors led the way as Crimson and I followed behind, hand in hand.

As I took in the beautiful nature that surrounded us, the lush green of the jungle, and the exotic plants I would never find back in the New Moon Kingdom, I couldn’t help but replay the last four days through my mind.

It was an unbelievable turn of events. And truth be told I wasn’t sure how I felt about everything.

Sure, I was mad at Althea and the Pride for what they tried to do. I also, somewhat, understood. Althea just wanted to secure the Prides future, even if was a fucked-up way to go about it, and trick me into mating with her nephew. Who I guess would be Crimson’s cousin. And would that make me his aunt?

Crimson had already said he would never trust them fully. He didn’t want to be the one to wipe out a Pride, a whole race that as we knew, was the last of their kind, and throw Cambiador into war again. He wanted peace. I understood that more than anything. I didn’t want war either. I wanted to concentrate on Cambiador. I wanted to bring the kingdom to its former glory side by side with my mate.

I had a newfound respect for Crimson for not declaring himself the king of Tolba after defeating Arik. I respected Crimson before, but now, seeing his diplomatic and somewhat forgiving side, I applauded him. It would have been so easy for him to kill Arik and Althea.

I know what we learned was a total head fuck to Crimson, and me too. But he seems to be handling it well.

I couldn’t help thinking more of the children, how they came to Tolba, and the mirror Althea showed us. There was way too much coincidence there and what of Crimson’s real father? This Senko guy? How and why would he create children who were like Skinwalkers, what was his reasoning?

The other thing that really bothered me was if Senko was still alive and he looked like Crimson, or Crimson looked like him, what was his role with Orion and Silas? And what is his role now?

These were things I wanted to bring up with Lamia.

Arik and the two warriors stopped once the ravine came into sight and they veered left, “Where are we going?” Crimson asked, holding my hand a little tighter as we exchanged a look with each other.

“It’s hard to climb down the ravine this side. There is an access tunnel through a cave just ahead that will lead you all the way down and under the river, bringing you out on the other side.” Arik replies. It’s the first time he has spoken since we left the Tolba Mansion.

Arik speaks again once we see a wall of large rocks and boulders. “This is the way, through this cave. This is how we brought you here.” He bites his lip, looking nervously between Crimson and I. “I know our apology doesn’t mean much to you, but… I truly am sorry for how things played out. Althea… She…” His words dropped as he searched for the right thing to say.

Arik took a breath while Crimson and I waited for what he was going to say next.

“As the next King of Tolba, I thank you for one, not killing me. That was a real blow to my ego,” Crimson scoffs and I scowl at my mate to let Arik finish. “Moving forward, I hope we, our kingdoms, can work together or at the very least form an alliance. I know it is a lot to ask.”

“It is a lot to ask.” Crimson deadpans “But we,” he looks at me offering a smidgeon of a smirk “Have no desire to declare war on your Pride. Or take over your kingdom. I appreciate your honesty and apology. But let me tell you, King Arik, you ever lay a hand on my girl, or so much as look at her the wrong way again. I will end you.”

Part of me swells with pride and swoons from Crimson’s protectiveness. Another part of me wants to yell ‘I can take care of myself.’

Instead, I settle for a more diplomatic approach “Arik, we cannot forget what happened and how we were initially treated. But we can work on forgiving and hopefully come to some sort of alliance.”

Crimson draws me closer to his side “Thank you for showing us the way, we will be in touch. Just don’t expect us to be friends and it happen overnight.”

“Of course,” Arik says “Safe travels, and please, think about this conversation. Tolba needs to rejoin the realm. Our methods are outdated, and we could use a strong kingdom to support us and prepare us for the future.” He gives us both a short bow, “May the gods watch over you. Until next time your highnesses.”

“Here, it can get overwhelming with the darkness through the tunnel.” I gawk as one of the warriors hands Crimson a torch from his pack and a box of matches, only realizing when he spoke in his gruff voice, that that was the man who took me down.

“What did you poison us with?” I finally ask, only thinking of and wanting to know now.

“A thorn from the bush of Manchineel dipped in Nightshade.” He speaks.

“And what did you give Tawny the night of the full moon?” Crimson growls out the question.

This time Arik answers, “She was given Jimsonweed in her wine.” At least he looked guilty as he told us. “That and nightshade grow abundantly on our lands. Mix them together and you can take down anything and have them seeing shit for weeks.”

We leave Them at the entrance of the cave with that information.

It isn’t until we are far into the dark tunnel that Crimson decides to light the torch. Even though we can see with our shifter eyes, the warrior was right. The darkness and narrowness of the tunnel enclose around you, It’s suffocating and confining.

The tunnel comes to life under the glow of the torch’s fire. And my fingers run along the bare stone and dirt walls.

We walk in silence for a long time. Crimson’s hand secured tight around mine. Both of us in our own heads. I can only guess his mind was contemplating things the same as mine was.

It’s Crimson that breaks the silence first. “Do you think we did the right thing?” He asks as if reading my mind.

“About what?” I humor him because I like listening to him talk. His voice is smooth and comforting in the eerie darkness.

“Not killing them. Not holding them more accountable for their actions.”

“I hope not. Are you worried about them?” I couldn’t see why he would be worried about the Pride. If it had come down to war, Cambiador had far greater numbers.

He shakes his head. His hair caught the light of the flame, making it glow even redder than it already is and casting his cinnamon-colored skin an ethereal red.

“I finally understand why my grandfather named you Crimson,” I chuckle trying to lighten the mood. “But where did Kolby come from?”

“He always said he wanted a son and would have named him Kolby. When he found me, that’s the name he gave me. And yes, Crimson, because of the natural color of my eyes.” He turns back slightly and flashes a toothy smile at me.

The smile fades and he slows his feet to a stop - now turning to fully face me. “Are you mine Tawny?” His face is serious and questioning with crimson eyes that burn into mine.

I can see he needs confirmation. As confident and strong as this male is, I can see his need for approval. The need to belong and be loved. I had never seen him look so vulnerable as he did right now. Not even when the Pride had him chained up bloody and bruised in their cell.

I step up to him, lifting my hand to lay on his cheek “I’m yours Kolby Crimson. Forever.” I promise him, hoping he sees the way I feel and that I mean those words with everything I have and am.

Crimson lets out a slow breath, his shoulders un-bunch and his eyes soften. “Thank you. For not rejecting me again. For giving me a second chance. I love you. I was blind before but I’m not now. I promise I will do everything and anything to protect you. I will never doubt you; I will never ask you to wait and I will never neglect you again.”

Moons, this man was bringing out my emotions! Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes at his confession of feelings, and I was lost for words. The only thing I could do was reach up and pull his head to me where I laid a soft kiss on his lips.

He wrapped his one hand around my waist to deepen the kiss while holding the torch away from us. As heat seared between us, I left every ounce of his love for me. It was the most passionate kiss, but it meant everything to me.

I broke away first, slightly panting for breath, “Let’s get out of here before we take this any further.” I say.

“Kitten, I can’t wait to get you home and in my bed where I can have my way with you properly and seal our bond better.” He chuckles, grabs my hand, and proceeds to pull down and through the winding tunnel.

“About that,” I speak up with reservation about telling people we are mated and marked. I feel his grip tense. “Your contract with Gillian isn’t up yet, there are still a few months to go. Maybe we should hold off on telling anyone we are marked?”

“Why? Do you not want people to know?” He’s not mad, but there is sadness in his voice.

“In light of everything that has happened, with Lord Maydor and now the Pride and finding out your real father may still be alive and what he is capable of – I just think maybe it’s a good idea to keep things between us. For now.” I trail off, hoping he doesn’t take my suggestion the wrong way.

He’s silent for a good few beats until I see his head rock in front of me “I want to shout it from the rooftop, let all of Cambiador know they have a King and Queen.”

“I do too-“

“But… maybe you are right. There’s no need to rush things when there is still so much to sort out. Why don’t we see what happens when we get home.” He agrees and my heart melts just that little bit more for him.

*****

CRIMSON

I don’t like it. But I get it. My Kitten is probably right. We have enough shit to deal with as it stands without adding more drama to our already full plates.

We’re mated and marked, that is enough for me right now. Besides, she loves me. I smile when I think of where I sunk my teeth into her and marked her. Not just once, but twice.

The first is on her breast, over her heart. The second is on the inside of her thigh as I tasted her sweet nectarine.

My length stiffens when I recall her taste and marking her. It grows harder when I envision the moment she sank her teeth into me, marking me as hers. If I had a free hand, I would place it over that mark that sits right over my heart, matching hers.

I don’t want to think about Maydor or anything else right now. I just want to be home. Wrapped up with my Kitten and fully exploring her body – giving her the attention I should have been able to the first time.

But I know, I feel this is just the beginning and I fear that once we are back in Cambiador there will be no ‘us’ time or time for us.

We can keep our secret for just a little while longer. The marriage contract ends in two months and then all of us, Gillian and Tristan too, can be with our mates.

Tawny will be crowned Queen and I King. The way the goddess meant it to be. I was never a big believer in the moon goddess, more because I didn’t think I would ever have a mate. Tawny was given to me. A gift I didn’t know I wanted but one I needed.

I feel the balance between us, now that we are fully mated. In a strange way, I feel closer to her, aware of her feline, and damn, I can’t wait to get a hang of mind-linking with her. I had done with King Armand, but it wasn’t the same. Usually, he would speak to me, and only ever so often could I speak with him. The link and connection I feel with Tawny are much stronger.

For miles we walked, the flame of the torch finally dimming out just when we see light at the end of the tunnel. “Thank fuck” I sigh when I see it.

“Must have walked through the night,” Tawny confirms what I’m thinking as we draw closer to the opening.

We both lift a hand to our eyes at the stark contrast from the dark tunnel and only having a small torch to light our way, to the bright and brilliant light of the morning sun.

“Which way now?” Tawny asks, and I point north.

“We will follow the ravine until we find the campsite, from there it is easy to get home and I will know my way.” I feel a sense of relief as well as excitement take over and I start hurrying my steps, moving at my shifted speed. Anxious to get home and to try and put some of this behind us.

Though, I think that might be easier said than done.

A few miles up and into the jungle we hear loud voices. Both tawny and I lift our noses hoping to catch a scent. We both smile when our ears pick up the distinctive voice of Tawny’s second-in-command, and head in the direction of his voice.

“Crimson,” tawny’s tiny hand grips my bicep, stopping me from moving forward. “Are we going to tell them about Senko? That he’s your father and what you are?”

I think for a moment. We had said no more lies, and truth be told, I wanted to tell Gillian. She had been my friend since we were small, then lover and fiancé. She had always been there for me, and I didn’t want to lie to her. I know she would understand, she knew I always wondered what I was – who I was. “Yes,” I reply. “I don’t want to lie to Gillian, she deserves to know just as much as I do. She kept my secret since were kids. She’s my best friend Tawny.”

I look at Tawny with pleading eyes for her to understand.

Pinching her lips, her hand slides down my arm and slips into mine. She bobs her head and gives me a reassuring smile. Her yellow eyes are soft when she meets mine. “I get it. And I’m not jealous. The bonds of friendships can be forged so deep that they become your family. Gillian is your family if nothing else. I saw the same thing between Lamia, Kellen, and Mike.”

My heart leaps to hear her say she understands. She knows how important friendships can be and for the longest time, it was just Papa Armand and Gillian I had in my life.

Until she came along and rocked my world.