CHAPTER 29
M olecule by molecule, Alora transported into her home. Each time she propelled through space, the gnawing ache in her soul reminded her of how much she missed Veromé. My mate. As she solidified, she spied him leaning against the kitchen counter, his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. He stared at the setting sun, a pensive glimmer in his eyes. She longed to trace her fingers over his smooth skin and feel his strength beneath her fingers.
“Veromé,” she whispered.
His attention drew to her, and his features softened. “Alora.”
He held out his arms, and she rushed into his embrace. Salty and fresh, his scent washed over her, spreading happiness within. He kissed her then peered into her eyes. A smirk played along his mouth. “Good to have you home. Anlon, that babe, has gotten into everything. He’s running both Carine and I ragged.”
She ran her fingers through his thick, shoulder-length brown hair. “No worries, my love. I plan to return him to Earth tonight.”
“That’s good. I’m not sure I could’ve survived another day here without you.” Veromé kissed her again, his love for her evident in his passion.
When he let her go, she peered around. “Where is he?”
“Upstairs. With Carine. She’s giving him a bath.” He slid his hand down her waist and around her hip until his fingers grazed her bottom. “I wish we had more time together. You need to finish this war.”
Before she could respond, tell him about the hidden page on the character board, and ask his opinion on whether to choose Noeh or Melissa, he dematerialized.
“I’m working on that.” She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. Oh, Veromé…
The ding of her door chimes echoed through the room. She jerked, her legs trembling from the shock. I must be on edge. Of course, I am. Zedron expects an answer, tonight.
Letting out a slow breath, she headed for the front door. She gripped the handle and froze. What if it’s him? A sour taste formed in the back of her mouth. She gritted her teeth. No way would she let him intimidate her.
With a quick tug, she yanked open the door.
“Hello, Alora.” Zedron smiled, and the glint from the stud in his nose competed with his bright, shiny white teeth. “May I come in?”
She took an involuntary step back. Irritation that he’d caught her off balance sent her pulse racing. Regaining her composure, she raised her chin. “Enter, if you must.”
He strode past her, his arrogance wrapped up in his cocky grin and nonchalant attitude.
“What do you want?” She spat the words at him.
He meandered over to her visus bacin and stroked his fingers along the rim. The water rippled. “What do I want?” He glared at her and raised an eyebrow. “An answer, naturally.”
She fisted her hand so hard, her nails dug into her palm. The pain grounded her, gave her the strength to hold his gaze. “An answer to what?”
He tsked. “Come now, don’t play games with me.” He stared at the ceiling for a moment. “Perhaps that was a bad choice of words, since all we’ve done since this war started is play an elaborate game.”
“Your point?”
“You know why I’m here. What did you decide? In lieu of going to the council and turning you in for coercion, are you giving me Carine, Anlon, or yourself?”
She held her breath. There was no way she’d send Carine back to that Kasard, and would she give him Anlon? A shudder wracked her shoulders.
He smirked. “Well? I’m waiting.”
Hatred, hot and hard, bubbled from her soul. “Me. The answer is me.”
A predatory smile slithered across his lips. His gaze drifted down her body, lingering at her breasts and then her hips before returning to her eyes.
Disgust made her lip curl.
“Excellent choice, Alora. That’s what I’d hope you’d say.” He strode toward her, his steps determined, purposeful. Before she could stop him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her to him.
She squealed, her hands landing on his chest.
Smiling darkly, he gripped her chin and kissed her, hard.
He tasted of muldoberry wine and something vile.
With a shove, she broke the kiss. The slap of her palm against his cheek ricocheted around the small room.
“Get out,” she yelled.
He tilted his head. “Have you changed your mind? Would you rather I go to the council? I can, you know.”
Indeed, he could and would if she didn’t comply with his demands. She toyed with the idea of allowing him to tell the council and win this war over Earth, but she couldn’t give up on her characters and allow Zedron and his minions to enslave the humans.
“I hate you.” Spittle flew from her mouth.
He shrugged, traipsed to the door, and gripped the handle. “You know where I live. If you don’t show up before dawn, I’ll know you’ve changed your mind. Then, I’ll schedule an appointment with the council for tomorrow night. I’d like to see them sanction you for the third time, in person.”
Without a second glance, he left and closed the door behind him. The soft click echoed in the empty room.
“What have I done?” Alora’s legs trembled, and she slid to her knees. Anguish, bitter and harsh, tore at her insides, ripping her heart to shreds. Veromé…
The soft squeak of footsteps on the stairs along with Anlon’s soft coos broke through Alora’s thoughts.
“Alora, are you okay? I thought I heard voices.” Carine hurried down the stairs, Anlon bouncing in the crook of her arm. “Why are you on the floor?”
Alora rose to her feet and wiped the moisture from her eyes. “I’m fine Carine. It’s nothing.”
Carine studied her for a long moment, her mouth pulling into a thin line. “Have you decided?”
Alora inhaled. She hadn’t told a soul about Zedron’s demands.
Carine placed her hand on Alora’s arm. “I know it’s a hard decision, but Anlon deserves at least one of his parents back. Which will you choose? Noeh or Melissa?”
Alora let out a relieved breath. In all the commotion with Zedron, she’d forgotten about the hidden page on the character board. She tickled Anlon under the chin. “Who do you want, little one, your momma or your daddy?”
Anlon giggled. “Mom-ma.”
Carine gasped. “My goodness. That’s the first time I’ve heard him speak an entire word.”
Alora rubbed her forehead. As much as she wanted to bring back Noeh, she couldn’t imagine Anlon without his mother. “Well then, I guess we can’t go against the little prince’s wishes, now can we?”
Anlon clapped his hands, as if he’d understood the entire conversation. Perhaps he had.
Alora hurried to her character board and swiped her hands over the display. Red and green dots glowed softly on the screen. She narrowed her focus, concentrating on the deceased character list.
“Well, here goes nothing.” Hand trembling, she pressed her fingertip to Melissa’s name. Trailing her finger across the screen, she moved Melissa from “expired” to “active.” The light remained dark.
Alora’s pulse rose. “Did I do something wrong?”
Carine peered at the board, Anlon still on her hip. “Did you try—”
The light flared into a brilliant green, pulsing to life once again.
Alora’s chest lightened, the heavy weight lifting in an instant.
“Where do you suppose she went?” Carine’s wide gaze met Alora’s.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done this before and—”
“Hello?” A soft feminine voice floated across the room.
Alora and Carine both turned.
Melissa, dressed in a loose pair of slacks and a blouse, stood near the front door. Her gaze drew to her child. “Anlon!” She rushed across the room then tugged the babe from Carine’s arms and held him close.
Anlon gripped a handful of Melissa’s hair. Soft giggles eased from his throat.
Alora’s chest constricted. The love between mother and child was a beautiful sight.
Still clutching him, Melissa peered over Anlon’s head. Her brow furrowed. “Alora? Is it really you? Where am I?”
Alora strode toward her queen. “Melissa, you are on Lemuria. I was able to pull you from the character board and—”
A shimmer appeared by the door. Before Alora could so much as breathe, a male appeared. With his broad shoulders, short-cropped blond hair, and piercing blue eyes, there was no mistaking his identity.
Noeh assessed the room for a brief moment then he bolted to wide-eyed, sobbing Melissa and his son, embracing them. “My little kitten.”
The happy trio kissed and laughed, their love for one another filling the room.
“How did this happen?” Carine whispered.
Alora pursed her lips, glancing at the character board. Next to Melissa, Noeh’s green dot pulsed with life. “Noeh saved Melissa after Anlon’s birth. They must still be tied together at the soul level.” A weight Alora hadn’t realized she’d carried lifted from her shoulders.
“Alora, my goddess.” Noeh bent to one knee.
Melissa bowed her head.
Alora went to her king and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Rise, my son. You have returned from the character board to help me win this war.” How that would happen, she wasn’t sure, but she’d take this as a sign.
He stood, and Melissa straightened her shoulders.
“The war on Earth must end, soon. Zedron…” Alora fisted her hand and slammed it into her palm. “He can’t win this war.”
Noeh’s gaze rose from Alora’s lips to meet her eyes. “I’ll do what I can, but where are we and why are we here?”
A small laugh caught in Alora’s throat. Her eyes watered, and she wasn’t quite sure if that was from the coughs wracking her lungs or her happiness at seeing her characters again. “Y…you are on Lemuria. This is my home, and this,” she placed her hand on Carine’s arm, “is my good friend, Carine. Through a special exception, I was able to return you to the game.”
Noeh nodded to Carine in greeting then met Alora’s gaze. “How do we return to Earth?”
Overwhelmed with happiness, Alora couldn’t take it any longer, and she hugged Noeh then pulled back so he could read her lips. “You always were about business. I will send you there, now, so you can finish winning this war for me.”
Gold flecks intermixed with the blue in his eyes, conviction lining his features. “As you command.”
Alora placed one hand on Noeh’s shoulder, another on Melissa’s. She kissed Anlon on the forehead. “It was so nice see you, Anlon. Take care of your parents for me, okay?”
With that, Alora closed her eyes, homed in on the Keep, and sent the trio home.
As they vanished, determination built deep inside. There was no way she’d go to Zedron, throw away everything she had with Veromé. Instead, she’d let her nemesis stew, leave him hanging and take her chances with the council. There must be some way to defeat him and, council be damned, she’d find it.