Dero's Bride (Norlanian Brides Book Five) Read online

  He removed it from the sheath at his side and handed it to her. She cut a small notch in the blanket, gave him back the blade, and then gripped the blanket on either side of the cut. It took a little effort, but the blanket began to tear, and she soon had a long strip of cloth. She used the cloth as a makeshift bandage to wrap around his ankle.

  Then she took the knife back and made more strips from the blanket, using them to build up the area around the break to keep it immobile.

  “One time,” she said as she worked, “I was in the cafeteria at the medical center having my midday meal when one of the guards slipped on a spilled drink and twisted his ankle. The emergency personnel were busy with another accident and couldn’t spare help for him, but some of his fellow guards had been trained in first aid, and they did this. One of the guards told me that it was important to keep the swelling down, and the wrap does that.”

  He didn’t say anything and she looked up at him. “Are you mad at me for staying?”

  “I’m mad at myself for getting injured.”

  “How could you know the path was unstable? You were being so careful. This situation sucks, but it’s not the worst thing that could happen to us.”

  “Sucks?” he asked.

  She realized that she’d spoken a word she’d heard from some of the Earth brides. “It means bad.”

  “Oh. Yes, this sucks.”

  “But we’ll get through it together. Just don’t ask me to leave you behind. You didn’t leave me.”

  “You are a wonderfully stubborn female.”

  She snorted. “I’m just taking care of my soul mate. Now I need something to make a splint.”

  “We moved over some branches a little ways behind us.”

  “Right.” She climbed over him carefully, stopping to kiss him for luck, and continued on her hands and knees until she’d cleared him and could stand. Stepping carefully, she made her way down the trail until she found branches that were sturdy enough to make a good support system. She returned to him and positioned herself back at his feet, where she used the fabric from a tunic that he’d brought in the pack to make ties to hold the splints to his leg. She used the remaining fabric to pad his ankle as much as she could. “I couldn’t find a branch long enough for you to use for a cane.”

  “I can lean against the mountainside.”

  She nodded. “But first you have to clear this gap, and that means standing up. I wish I had pain meds for you.”

  “I will deal with the pain.”

  She smiled at him and patted his uninjured leg. “You’re amazing.”

  “I’m not the one who performed a medical procedure on a trail in the near-dark.”

  Placing the pack on her back, she stood slowly. She offered her hand to him, but he didn’t want to accidentally pull her down. He rolled to his stomach and rose slowly using his good leg and the power of his upper body. He kept his splinted foot from touching the ground as he straightened fully and turned to face her, pulling her close.

  “Thank you, ilora. I’m truly blessed to have you in my life.”

  She kissed him, a swell of emotion rising in her, but she tamped it down. She’d save the tears for when they were safely down the mountain; they still had a long way to go and only three good legs between them.

  She crossed the gap and he followed, jumping from one side to the other on his uninjured leg. She gasped at how fast he joined her and gave her a crooked smile. He leaned heavily against the side of the mountain as she blew him a kiss and started to walk slowly ahead of him, the way that he had done with her. She tested the trail with each step, listening for more cracks or unstable areas. It felt like it took forever because they were walking so slowly, with Dero hobbling behind her and her own way unsure. She was sweating and breathing hard by the time they reached the top of the mountain, but she’d never been happier. They moved over the mountain at a low spot between an outcropping of rock, making their way about a quarter of the way down to a flat area where they would be visible once the sun rose.

  Dero sat carefully on the rock and she sat next to him, laying the pack at her feet. She lifted food bars from the interior and handed him one. The rock was cool from the night air and she shivered.

  He laid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She snuggled into his warmth and closed her eyes as she took a bite of the bar.

  “Do you think it will take them long to find us?” she asked.

  “When the sun rises, the mountainside will be bathed in light. They’ll find us. My brother Villi is a great hunter on his zareb.”

  “What’s a zareb?”

  “A large fur-covered animal with a golden beak, clawed feet, and wings. We raise them and use them for hunting and patrolling.”

  “Why do you patrol? This side of the mountain is forbidden by the government.”

  He took a bite of the food bar and chewed slowly. When he’d finished his bite, he said, “Do you remember what it was like before your government started to look to other planets for soul mates for the males in Kyvern City?”

  “I was young when they started to look outside of Norlan for soul mates.”

  “Before your government looked to the skies for soul mates, my people would sneak into the wooing chambers, drug the males, and give the females a choice: stay with their machine-chosen soul mates or come to our side of the mountains and make their own choices. Many females made the choice to leave their world behind and join ours.”

  “How did your people come to be on the other side?”

  “A few generations ago, there was a group of males and females who didn’t want to use the machines. They defected to the other side, and the government labeled them traitors. Eventually we became a legend.”

  “I really didn’t know that people lived on this side,” she said, “but I’m glad you do.”

  “Oh?” he asked.

  “Because you’re not technically from my people, you don’t place value on my womb. We can be together because your ancestors didn’t like the machines. Come to think of it, I don’t much care for them either.”

  He chuckled. “My fierce and beautiful soul mate. I’m so glad I found you.”

  * * *

  Tarihn fell asleep leaning against Dero. He pressed his lips to the top of her head and inhaled her sweet scent. He couldn’t believe how much had changed for him since sneaking into Kyvern City. It had been his hope that he’d find his soul mate, but he hadn’t expected her to be working at the medical center. His delicate female, who’d never climbed a mountain or did anything daring, had found a way for them both to climb the mountain together. She hadn’t wanted to leave him behind, even though it would’ve been far easier for her.

  He was one lucky male.

  The sun came up slowly, pushing away the darkness and lighting the sky a pale purple. Silver clouds came into view, dark around the edges, which told him that rain was in their future. He heard the distant cawing of the zarebs and nudged Tarihn awake.

  “Ilora,” he murmured, trying not to startle her.

  She stirred, opening her eyes slowly and squinting in the morning light. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “It was a good time to rest.”

  She looked up at him, laying one warm hand on his chest. “Did you sleep?” He arched a brow at her and she chuckled. “I’m guessing you didn’t.”

  “It was my turn to look out for you, since you took such good care of me on the trail.”

  “I’m just glad there were no more injuries.”

  The sound of the zarebs drawing closer made Tarihn gasp and look to the sky, where the big black birds were flying swiftly toward them.

  “Those are my people,” he said. There were four zarebs, but only three appeared to have riders, which told him that they’d brought his zareb for him to return on.

  She stood and stretched, making a squeaking noise as she rose onto her toes and curled her fingers. “I’ll be glad to be back on the ground, although I did like our time in th
e wooing chamber.”

  His foot was entirely numb, and he could tell that despite the makeshift bindings his clever mate had used, it was quite swollen. He stood slowly with Tarihn’s help, managing to get to both feet without cursing too terribly.

  “There’s someone who can help in your city, right? A medical officer of some sort?”

  “There is a female from your city who lives with us now, and she’s a medical officer.”

  “Oh! How did she come to be a soul mate for one of your people?”

  “I’ll let her tell you the story. It’s complicated, but has a happy ending.”

  “Okay. Maybe I knew her? That would be – holy stars, those zarebs are huge!” The zarebs circled around them and landed a little ways off, their clawed feet allowing them to find purchase in the rocks.

  “Brother!” Carus said, jumping from his bird. He closed the distance between them and clapped Dero on the back. “You’re injured!”

  “Tarihn, this is my brother Carus. Brother, this is my soul mate.”

  Carus smiled at Tarihn and nodded. “I’m glad to see you both. We weren’t sure if we’d find one or two of you, so we brought Eas. He’s missed you.”

  “Who’s Eas?” Tarihn asked.

  “My zareb,” Dero answered. “I raised him from a fledgling.”

  “I’ve never ridden a bird before,” she cautioned.

  “I’ll keep you safe, I promise,” Dero said.

  Warrick and Nelari, Dero’s papa, joined them, greeting Tarihn. “Sloan can help with your ankle,” Warrick said. “Can you fly?”

  Dero nodded. “I can do anything with my soul mate by my side.”

  She beamed at him and then shot a sharp look to Warrick. “Wait, I remember you. You worked for the military. And Sloan was a medical officer where I worked.”

  “Sloan and I were brought here after a misunderstanding. I’m sure she’d be happy to fill you in, but right now isn’t the time. Your soul mate is injured, and that kind of injury doesn’t just magically get better on its own,” Warrick said.

  Tarihn shook her head. “Right. Home first, and then we’ll talk.”

  Dero didn’t accept help from his friends, staying with Tarihn. She was insistent on being with him every step of the way. Despite the numbness of his foot, he was still in great pain, but holding onto her helped take his mind off it.

  As if realizing that he was hurt, Eas settled down on the ground, folding his long legs underneath him so Dero didn’t have to climb up into the saddle.

  “This is Eas, ilora. He’ll take good care of us.”

  She leaned over and looked into Eas’s dark eyes. “Thank you, Eas.”

  The big bird’s fur bristled as he made a soft purring sound. “I think he likes you,” Dero said.

  “Good. I like him, too.”

  Dero settled on the saddle, scooting as far back as he could. Tarihn sat in front of him as he gathered the reins in one hand, keeping a firm hold of his soul mate with the other. “Ready to go home?” he murmured in her ear.

  “Yes.”

  * * *

  Tarihn closed her eyes as Eas took to the sky, his giant wings flapping swiftly. His coarse fur was as black as night, matching the silky color of his wings. His beak was a golden color, and the curved talons extending from his claws looked deadly. She was nervous to be sitting on a saddle on top of a bird, but Dero trusted the big beast, so she could trust him, too.

  She opened her eyes and glanced down, seeing only wispy silver clouds below. The air smelled crisp and fresh, and there was a hint of moisture in the air.

  “It’s going to rain,” Dero said. “What you feel up here is the echo of that.”

  “I’ve never been this high before.”

  He hugged her a little tighter. “One night, Eas and I will take you up here so you can see the stars. It’s amazing.”

  “I’d love that.”

  Eas slowly descended, circling lazily through the clouds. The ground came into view, but she could see nothing but a thick forest below. The birds all crowed at the same time and dove downward. She squeezed her eyes shut and tensed, worried that they might hit some of the branches. To her surprise, they leveled out and she didn’t feel anything at all striking them. She opened her eyes and saw they were flying above a trail of some kind. The trees were actually not all that close together.

  “What in the stars?” she asked.

  Dero chuckled. “Our city is protected through magic. From above it appears to be uninhabited.”

  “So we really are safe here?” She looked back at him.

  “Yes, ilora. I wouldn’t bring you somewhere that wasn’t safe.”

  She kissed him briefly and smiled. “I know. I trust you.”

  The zarebs landed in the middle of a fenced area. Eas lifted his head and crowed, then settled onto the ground like he’d done before.

  “He’s so smart,” she said, lifting her leg over him and sliding to the ground. She dropped the pack from her back and rolled her shoulders, grateful for the weight to be gone.

  “Don’t compliment him too much,” Dero said. “He’ll get a big ego.”

  She offered the big beast her hand. He sniffed it through the small nasal holes on the top of his beak, then nuzzled her palm with a questioning purr.

  Dero grunted loudly and she turned to see him lean heavily against Eas’s side. Warrick and Nelari rushed to them, lifting the protesting male into their arms. “I can walk,” he said as they carried him away from her and toward a gate, which was being held open by another male. “Tarihn!”

  “I’m coming,” she said, patting Eas on the top of his furry head and promising to return later. She picked up the pack and hurried after them, thanking the male holding the gate open.

  The city that was her new home was filled with tents. Some were larger than others, and some were elaborately decorated on the exterior with beads and paint. There was a wide path with tents on either side. Each tent had a fire pit in front, some of them burning with cooking pots and spits of meat hung over the flames. The air was scented with roasting meat and her stomach growled loudly, but she pushed the hunger to the back of her mind as she followed the trio inside a big tent.

  She straightened and dropped the pack in surprise as she met Sloan’s gaze. The female was always kind and friendly to her, and she’d been sad to see her leave town. She and Warrick had joined together, which was unheard of because she – like Tarihn – was an entirely sterile female. They’d left town to start a new life in another city, and she hadn’t expected to ever see her again.

  “Oh Tarihn!” Sloan said. “When Villi told me that you and Dero were soul mates, I wanted to come find you so I could tell you everything I’ve learned since we left the other side of the mountains.”

  “Maybe later, quello?” Warrick said, gesturing to Dero, who was snarling at Nelari as he attempted to remove the splints.

  “Oh, of course! Come here, Tarihn. You can assist me.”

  “I don’t have training.”

  “She knows plenty,” Dero said from where he’d been laid on a pallet. He gritted his sharp teeth together and she heard what sounded like a muffled curse. “She bandaged my foot and made the splint.” He held out his hand to her and she stepped around his father to take it. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the top. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”

  “That goes for both of us,” she said with a smile.

  She moved to where Sloan was looking at the splint. Sloan handed a sharp blade to Tarihn and said, “Cut the splints loose and then the bindings, so I can see what the damage is.”

  She sliced the blade carefully along the knots where she’d tied the pieces of fabric to the splints for support. “I heard a crack when it happened.”

  “Me, too,” Dero said sheepishly.

  Tarihn shot him a smile. “I love that you’re being humorous when you’re in pain.”

  “I don’t want to hurt your ears with my curses.”

  Nela
ri took the branches and bindings as she was finished with them, and then she slowly unwrapped the strips of cloth. Dero had never complained once about the pain, but although she hadn’t ever broken a bone in her life, she could only imagine the suffering.

  “What happened?” Nelari asked.

  Dero opened his mouth to answer but clamped his jaws shut as the final bandage was lifted from him. Tarihn gasped. His entire ankle was swollen to several times its size, and it was a deep purple. “Oh, Dero,” she whispered, tears springing to her eyes. “How could you even walk on this?”

  He sat up on one elbow and cupped her face. “Ilora, with you by my side I could fly.”

  She kissed his palm.

  “I wish I had my scanning equipment,” Sloan said. “This is going to hurt.” She began to move her fingers along Dero’s injured ankle, and Tarihn saw his eyes roll back in his head. She moved to him, running her hand over the top of his head and brushing his silky hair away from his face.

  “Since he’s unconscious,” Nelari prompted, “perhaps you can explain what occurred?”

  Tarihn nodded and brushed at the stray tears on her cheeks. She recounted their story, from when he’d captured her at the side of the medical building to when he saved her life when the path up the mountain had cracked.

  Nelari said nothing for several moments while Sloan continued to inspect Dero’s foot. Then he said, “My son is fortunate to have you as his soul mate, and we’re honored to welcome you to the family. Thank you for bringing my son home.”

  “Wherever Dero is, my home is also.” She meant every word.

  Sloan said, “I can feel only one broken bone, which is good news. I’m going to give him an injection to help aid his natural healing ability, and then I’m going to need your help to make a cast for him.”

  “Of course,” Tarihn said.

  Sloan sent Warrick for fresh water, then prepared an injection from a vial of pale green liquid she removed from a cabinet. “Before we left Kyvern City, Warrick and I gathered as many medical supplies as we could. I’m learning about natural healing, but there are some injuries where technology is valuable. The cast will keep his ankle stable and the bones aligned, so as the medicine works to heal his injury, it will heal correctly. What you did for him most likely saved full use of his foot. You did well, and I’m so happy to see you.”