Shield [New World Book 1] Page 9

  “We will all remain at my holding until my father returns for us and tells us he was victorious. Have no doubt a cure for the water will be found now that we have a reason and soon enough if you wish, you can take your mates home!” Rask yelled.

  A cheer sounded. Grace pressed her face into his neck. His armor went up and quicker than a streak of lightning, Rask and the others raced across the terrain.

  * * * *

  Two weeks had passed. Their group of twelve stayed sequestered inside the dome, getting to know one another. Grace had made some lasting friendships. Castian males were very sweet when mated and not in must. Grace learned to walk amongst them in ease knowing none of them would hurt her. She grew to love Tosk and Stacie. The four were inseparable. All of the men who had mated were pleased that their warrior mates had found a partner as well.

  It was late. Grace stood staring out a small portal in the dome of Rask’s room. Rask had pointed out one of the moons where his father was reclaiming his leadership. A shooting star lit the sky and Grace crossed her fingers and made a wish.

  “What did you wish for?” Rask asked her.

  “Do Castians wish on shooting stars too?”

  “No, but I felt your hope and deep desire and knew you had asked for something.”

  “I wished your father was successful.”

  Rask turned her in his arms. “My father is always successful when it comes to war.”

  “Are you sorry you’re not fighting with him?”

  “No, because that would mean I didn’t have you.”

  Rask bent his head and claimed her mouth. Their tongues danced. Rask felt so warm and soft inside. Rask released her mouth and inhaled deeply at her neck.

  “You smell so good, so sweet. Like fruit and zand.”

  “Sand?”

  He chuckled. “No, zand is a sweet drink little ones love to indulge in but it makes them a bit too active if they have too much. I haven’t had it in a few hundred years.”

  “Sounds like Kool-Aid.”

  Rask picked her up and headed for his bead. He lay her down on the clean sheets. Grace had gone to make the bed but Rask had stopped her. With a strange word, the sheets rolled back and replaced themselves like a pool cover. It was fascinating. Rask reached up to tear the fabric of her clothes.

  “If you keep doing that, I will run out,” she chided.

  Rask tossed it into the replicator. “It recycles itself.”

  “Is there anything you don’t have here?”

  “Not anymore.”

  Rask bent his head and kissed her long and deep. Grace clutched his silky hair in her fingers. When she looked up, she was curious to see the stars overhead twinkling down on them.

  “Rask?”

  “Hm?”

  “What happened to the roof?”

  Rask frowned. He turned and looked up. The next thing Grace knew his shield was up and she was crushed to his body and he was racing at a harried pace. Everywhere Grace looked the Castians who were left behind with their new mates were scattering into the forest. It was dark out but the four moons were full and shone enough light for Grace to see explosions in the distance. They were under attack.

  “Tosk,” Rask muttered.

  He stopped dead in his tracks and sniffed the air. He spun about and headed in a different direction. Up ahead, Grace could see Tosk battling with three armed beasts. Their armor was different from the Castians. They were a pale gray with spiky scales down their backs. A forked tail swished to grab at Tosk’s leg trying to trip him. Grace wanted to scream, to cry, but the shield regulated her body. Her heartbeat remained steady, and she didn’t sweat or panic. It was as though watching two unearthly beings battle was a normal occurrence.

  Rask was soon in the foray. He and Tosk stood back-to-back. Grace couldn’t turn her head to see what was before her, but she could see what Tosk battled. The Castians used no weapons. It was the strength of their shields that decided who would be victorious. Hammering blows sounded. Grace saw Tosk pummeled on his chest with an iron fist. Tosk deflected it.

  “Give her up!” the beast yelled.

  Grace was surprised. They knew the women were under the armor. Oh God.

  In midair Rask and Tosk spun simultaneously in battle. Each knew the other’s thoughts. They moved as one. The Tonans didn’t fight in twos. Their emotions clouded during battle and they only thought of their own self-preservation from what Rask had told her. Again, a beast was after Tosk’s chest where Stacie was no doubt huddled in her own fear. Grace winced when long talons shrieked across the front of Tosk’s armor like nails down a blackboard. Grace’s breath expelled quickly when she felt an indent in her back. She wondered if Rask had been struck. When Tosk was struck and the blow was successful, she knew for certain. Grace could see the armor give way ever so slightly at his chest.

  Grace heard what sounded like a growling laugh from a Tonan. A tail slithered up Tosk’s leg and yanked him to one knee. Rask reacted instantly. Rask gripped the tail and snapped it in half. The being roared. The tail thrashed back and forth on the ground until it lay still. Tosk was back up.

  When Rask stumbled, Grace wondered what had happened. Five more Tonans appeared. Grace whimpered and could feel the sweat bead her forehead. She knew then something was beyond wrong. The shield was diverting all power to Rask. Grace felt her heart pound next. She was terrified. Rask’s shield dropped and Grace fell to the ground. She looked up at Rask who was furious and terrified for her. To her horror, she also saw Stacie fall to the ground. Like Grace, Stacie was bare-chested. It appeared the Tonans interrupted more than just her and Rask. Immediately, Rask and Tosk’s armor went up and with renewed strength, they battled again. Stacie and Grace remained crouched between both men. There were so many Tonans, all trying to get to the women, knowing if they were killed, their men would fall.

  Grace felt the swish of a tail against her calf and screamed. Tosk stomped his foot down and the tail was severed with a crunch. Another Tonan howled in rage. Everything before her looked like a mass battle of beings in fast forward. They all moved so fast, it was hard to keep track of who was where.

  A battle cry sounded and Grace saw a group of Castian-armored men race toward them. It was Cobra. Rask’s father jumped and landed on three Tonans. Taloned hands sliced viciously at gray armor and to Grace’s surprise, a gash in a shield was seen. Cobra was indeed a very strong warrior. Rask and Tosk twisted and turned, but no matter their direction, they always remained back-to-back. The Tonans were unable to get to her or Stacie. Before long, the Tonans were retreating. The Castians had won.

  “Father,” Rask said and went to him. His shield dropped.

  To Grace he looked spent. Thankfully, in the horizon, the suns were beginning to rise.

  The two men clasped hands.

  Chapter 6

  “That was very good timing, Father,” Rask said.

  His body was sweating and Rask never remembered a time in his life when he felt so tired. It would take time for his shield to regenerate. His father placed a hand on Rask’s shoulder.

  “I had feared this,” Cobra said.

  “What?”

  “You’re exhausted. It occurred to me almost too late to tell you that your shield cannot fight long while protecting two,” his father said.

  “But what were we to do?” Rask asked. “We had to protect our mates.”

  “You do what you just did. Castians fight back-to-back not only for their warrior mate’s protection, but for their female mate’s protection as well. Castians move too quickly to allow anything to come between them. Your shield cannot regulate your core temperature and your mate’s terror while engaged in such heated battle. For short periods of time, yes. Not forever.”

  “Is that why Mother died?”

  “I couldn’t shield her forever, even if we had been mated,” he said somewhat evasively.

  Rask turned to look at Grace by the tree line. She and Stacie were standing side-by-side breathing heavily. Grace w
as shifting from foot to foot, an arm over her bare breasts while trying to look brave. The morning suns caught her white hair making it shine. She looked so small. Her fear when he battled was almost his undoing. His shield could no longer regulate both heartbeats. Rask was unable to produce any secretions to calm her, since his shield wouldn’t allow it. Even though a short distance separated them, he could feel her worry. It was the same feeling when he knew Tosk was battling and needed him.

  “I need to comfort her, but I feel so weak, Father,” Rask said mournfully.

  “Your arms around her will be the best thing for her. She knows you are safe now. I feel her worry, too. She is concerned for you, not herself. She’s a brave little thing.”

  Rask nodded and moved to go to her. Then, above the tree line a sleek gray object decloaked. It hovered near the women. Rask was running, shouting. Tosk was yelling for the women to run. Rask’s shield stayed down, try as he might to lift it. His father was shielded and moving like lightning on all fours. Cobra’s talons and claws gripped the ground to propel him further faster. It was too late. A fire ball blasted toward Grace and Stacie. Rask saw Grace look up. He was close enough to see her face pale. With a burst of energy she shoved Stacie as hard as she could, sending the woman flying to safety into Tosk’s embrace. Tosk’s shield went up; he dropped down on one knee and curled into a ball. Stacie was so tiny Rask could only guess her body had taken less from Tosk’s shield. It was too late for Grace. His father didn’t make it in time. Grace ducked and screamed. The blast hit his father as well and sent him flying backwards. Cobra rolled up onto his feet in an instant moving forward. The fire engulfed Grace. Still Rask ran to her.

  The fire blazed around her, over her. She was gone from his vision. Rask’s father had stopped, his head bowed as his daughter-in-law went up in flames. When Rask reached him, his father grabbed him and held him. Rask was crushed to his chest. His father hadn’t held him like that since his mother died. Then Rask realized he was about to die. His father was saying goodbye. Rask felt his heart break. He didn’t want to leave his dad. He could now put his shield up, even though it was still regenerating, but how could he? He couldn’t live without his Grace.

  The fire died down, and smoke swirled. On the ground there she lay, blackness all around her. Rask blinked hard then blinked again. Her body was perfectly intact. She hadn’t been charred to death. Rask swallowed hard. He forced himself from his father’s grasp and went to her. Carefully and with great tenderness, he turned her in his arms. She was still breathing but unconscious. Stunned Rask looked up at his father. His father was grinning from ear-to-ear and threw back his head and howled. Tosk and Stacie moved forwards.

  “Father, she’s alive,” Rask said in awe.

  His father squatted next to him. He inhaled deeply and chuckled. He clapped Rask on the back.

  “You’ve bred with your little mate.”

  “Huh?”

  “She’s carrying your baby,” his father explained. “A Castian male doesn’t decide the sex of a baby, instead the female does. A male’s gift is protection to its offspring. No wonder you were so tired, as you have literally given a piece of yourself. The babe has its own shield. By far the greatest shield of all. A Castian baby can never be miscarried. Once it’s conceived, it is indestructible while being carried and for the three and a half years it nurses. Your mate is now indestructible and will be until her milk dries.”

  “That’s why Mother went away. Her milk dried up,” Rask said.

  “Yes. You couldn’t nurse forever, son. It wasn’t your fault.”

  Grace began to stir in his arms. Her eyes fluttered and she looked up at him with confusion. Rask smiled at her and pulled her close.

  “It’s all right, Grace. You’re safe,” he soothed.

  “I saw it hit me. I don’t remember anything after that.”

  “Your daughter is very strong,” Cobra said.

  “My what?” Grace asked and began scrambling to her feet. She looked down, blinked, and realized her chest was bare. Her hands went up to cover herself and her face flamed red.

  “A female?” Rask asked. “How is it possible?”

  “You men have hit your prime. It’s time for females to be born,” Cobra explained.

  Rask shook his head in confusion. “But won’t it take females four hundred years to come of age?”

  “No. By the time they are twenty-one, they are mature enough for a Castian male. Everyone knows girls mature faster than boys,” his father said and chuckled.

  “Twenty-one!” Rask almost howled. “No male here is going to touch my baby.”

  “Son,” Cobra said kindly. “A male learns to control his bite in time. We will keep a close eye on her. Rask, she needs to mate to live longer. A female isn’t born with virtual immortality; she must mate to gain it. Also when she is weaned, she will no longer have a shield. Ours is an important task to keep your mate and child safe. The nice part is it takes a village to raise a child. Until she is of age, she will remain a child. Any Castian male can shield her until she goes into heat. After that, well let’s just say I have a lot to teach you about females.”

  “But I thought every four hundred years a woman gives birth to a male child,” Grace said in confusion.

  “You will have a male child soon enough. Now that we know Earth is dying, I think many women will agree to accompany us here. Our race isn’t doomed after all. And neither are humans,” Cobra said.

  “I hope it isn’t all ready too late,” Grace said sadly. “Earth is falling apart. So many die every day.”

  Cobra hugged her. “The Tonans have retreated for now. Rask, you will remain in charge of this planet. We have people working on the water now that we know there is hope. I’m taking one of our battleships to Earth. Others have been sent to the planet the humans call Ulsy to try and save our men and the human females. Another three ships will be here for your use if the Tonans come back. I will leave you with your own force.”

  “Can Tonans be killed if their ship explodes?” Grace asked curiously.

  “Not exactly,” Cobra replied. “When the ship explodes, the Tonans can put their shields up or choose to die with their shields down.”

  “Why would they choose to leave their shields down?” she asked.

  “Sometimes it is better to die than spin in space until your armor gives up. We need the sun to regenerate our shields, as do the Tonans. There is no sun in space. At best they could float aimlessly for a month. But during that time their shield works to keep them hydrated and alive. It’s only a matter of time before it runs out of energy.”

  Rask felt Grace shudder. He could feel her sympathy. He was amazed. The bastards had tried to kill her and she had enough compassion to feel their pain. He then had a thought.

  “Father? If Grace now has the baby’s shield, does that mean I don’t need to shield her?”

  “No. You can, but you don’t need to worry about her as much. It will take you some time to regenerate the piece of shield you gave to your child.”

  “I feel strong again. I can feel my shield has its energy back.”

  “You’ll need your strength,” his father said and clapped him on the back. “When carrying, females are highly emotional. The baby’s shield won’t protect her from emotions. Your mother was a nightmare while she was carrying you.”

  Grace scowled at Cobra and crossed her arms tighter over her chest when both men laughed. Rask pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

  “Looks like I’m not done saving you from nightmares,” Rask said and chuckled.

  Chapter 7

  “Grace, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Rask said.

  Grace turned and smiled at him. Rask took her hand. Grace was dreaming, only she knew she was dreaming and she knew Rask was real. When Grace had fallen asleep then opened her eyes, she thought to find herself at Rask’s special place. Instead, she found herself at her own. Curiously, she had moved in the dream toward her little pond. As a child, he
r parents had rented a cottage. There was a beautiful lake down a small path. One day she had veered from the path and had gotten lost and come across this pond. No one had been around and Grace had been too enchanted to be afraid. She had found her way home on her own and left a trail so she could visit again. She had ventured back each time they had vacationed until the brutal storms came.

  “It must be the baby,” Grace said. “I’ve been talking to her. When I do, I envision beautiful places. I don’t want to think about the horrible mess my planet has become so I’m remembering the way it was.”

  Rask went on his knees before her. He pressed his lips to her belly. “Listen to your father, little one. I need to know where your mother is at all times. Never shield either of you from me.”

  “I don’t think she understands,” Grace said dryly.

  “Of course she does,” Rask said surprised, then rolled his eyes. “I forget you can’t sense emotions the way I do.”

  “You’re telling me this baby can sense you?” She was incredulous.

  “Sure. She has to. It’s a built-in defense. A power shield will go up around you if she senses a male not her father around you.”

  “Any male?”

  “Not my father or Tosk. Cobra told me your pheromones will increase during pregnancy. It will make you very desirable to other males. Remember we are still very young, even though we are almost four hundred years old. Also the males on this planet are just discovering females. Your smell alone is an aphrodisiac.

  “Great,” Grace said and groaned.

  Rask took her in his arms and began stripping off her clothes. “Other males can’t physically get near you. A male that is in must is dangerous. Our baby can sense this. Her shield will go up and you can plow through the horny bastards without so much as blinking an eye.”

  “What about when I nurse her?” Grace asked. His culture was fascinating.