50. Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty
Malina
“ S o you want us to all pack up and leave ?” Luthon asked skeptically.
I was honestly surprised it was such a struggle to convince the Atarans to go back to Atara. I thought they’d be more receptive to the idea of finally being able to return home.
The entire population of the village had gathered to discuss this matter as I stood before them.
“Don’t you want to go back?” I asked incredulously.
“Back to what?” Nyla, one of the females asked. “There’s nothing there.”
“Not yet. But there will be when we rebuild it,” I pressed.
“Additionally, when Worthy Kya returns her people should be there,” Hakoa added.
Except she won’t.
I didn’t argue with him, but I also wasn’t going to use that as a false motivation for them to go back.
“Ryker is the only Worthy we’ve ever known, and he’s pretty much stayed out of our way and let us live in peace here. We’re grateful to him, and we really don’t have a need to return to an empty Nation,” Nyla stated.
…restore the balance so they may return…
That was the entire point of Kya sacrificing herself, to fulfill her task for Kleio and bring the Atarans back to their homeland. And possibly not just the ones here…
“There is a reason,” I said. “Kya was given a task by Kleio, as all Worthy are. Her task was to restore the balance so we may return to Atara. She did just that.” I gestured south, in the direction of Atara. “Before Kya… fell ,” I chose my words carefully, “she exhausted her reserves to clear the Glaev with her magic. She did all of this for you . And she didn’t even know you.”
For them. The last words she said to me.
“The very least we can do for her sacrifice is protect what she restored so it wasn’t all for nothing.” I hadn’t realized my voice grew louder until I saw their raised brows.
But I meant it.
“Thank you, Malina,” Luthon said earnestly, nodding. “We didn’t know any of that.”
“I’m not finished,” I said, raising my chin. “Kya thought her task meant more than just restoring Atara. She thinks it may reference our people on the Drift Islands returning. Now that Atara is being healed, the Spirits could bring them back. And I fully intend on being in our Nation when they do. I’m going to protect Atara with the Noavo so our people trapped on the islands have a home to return to.” I took a step back. “I hope I won’t be alone.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, taking in my words.
“I think we should go—to fight to protect our Nation. At least some of us. It shouldn’t just be left to Oryn to protect what is ours,” Niabi said as she stepped forward.
“I agree.” Luthon nodded.
“Have any of you actually fought before? Even if you have, no one has in over twenty years,” Nyla stated. She wasn’t being difficult. Just realistic, and I respected that.
“Then like Niabi said, just some of you—who are willing and able—come. I can teach you to fight, or at the very least defend yourselves,” I offered.
“I think that’s reasonable. Then we can talk about settling when Worthy Kya returns or the threat of the other Nations has ended,” Luthon announced loudly so everyone could hear.
It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it was a start.
It takes a while for nearly half a village to gather all of their belongings in preparation to leave. I helped as much as I could, packing and loading carts that would carry the Atarans’ things to our Nation.
Almost every Noavo from the encampment outside Acalen joined in our travels. They acted more as an escort in the event we encountered one of the other Nations. Everyone was provided a horse, and several pulled carts filled with belongings.
Hakoa and I rode side-by-side in the lead as we guided the group around the Ataran border where it was clear at the crosspoint with Riyah and Oryn.
With a practiced motion, he wielded the snow in front of us, clearing a path so we wouldn’t have to trudge through the deep powder that would otherwise come up to our knees.
Hakoa and I talked during the day-long ride, and it was the most we had spoken to each other since we met. Just hours and hours of me telling him about being a Roav, the missions I’d gone on and places I’d seen. Being so much older, his own life was filled with stories of the past from decades and centuries before I even came into existence. It made me realize I had barely even lived in comparison, and I had so much ahead of myself.
Keeping a smile on my face, I felt shameful inside. He had lived hundreds of years, gone through horrendous wars, watched people die, and it took only twenty-seven years for me to nearly destroy my life from demid because I lost my sister. I felt like a failure. But I also knew I had overcome it. And now, I had my whole life ahead of me—in my homeland.
Walking alongside the Ataran border, there was nothing but black on the other side—not even the snow touched the decimated land. I could hear the whispers behind me: still disbelieving Atara was healing and they had left Acalen for nothing.
Soon. Soon, they would understand.
“How far are we from the Noavo base?” I asked quietly.
“Not far. A couple more hours.” He steered his horse closer so he could put a hand on my thigh. “Don’t worry about them,” he whispered and nodded his head back toward the group behind us. “They’ll see for themselves. Not much longer now.”
He was right. While we were still a bit away from the base, the Glaev had cleared farther up than our destination. After going around a tree-covered hillside, we stopped in our tracks and gasps sounded all around.
I would never tire of seeing this.
Where there was once nothing but desolation that promised death, there was now the newly formed life of Atara.
We all dismounted and stepped up to the border, standing side-by-side.
The imaginary lines our ancestors drew between the Nations had never been more evident. The tips of our boots were resting on the clear divide—our feet standing on a layer of snow in Oryn that met the beginnings of vegetation regrowth in Atara.
The vast, empty landscape sang to us all, calling us home.
Everyone seemed hesitant, so I took the first step into Atara to show them it was safe. I looked at each and every one of them. Tears flowed down their cheeks and mouths gaped in awe. I turned to face Luthon who was next to me.
“It’s… It’s real,” he breathed a whisper of disbelief.
“It is. It’s what we’ll be fighting for.” I smiled broadly, honored to be here for this moment.
I took his hands in mine, and he looked at me, his auburn eyes glistening. I took a step back, pulling him forward so he too could stand on our land for the first time in twenty years after being driven out by the dark magic.
“Welcome home,” I said, voice breaking.
We may not have known each other, but we shared the same loss, and now we got to share getting it back.
The moment his foot stepped onto the grass, his eyes closed, and tears streamed down his cheeks.
I stepped away, leaving him to have this surreal moment.
One by one, I went to each and every Ataran, taking their hands and leading them forward to stand on their land once again.
Hakoa watched the entire time with a proud grin. I walked over and stood in front of him. He was still standing on the snow-covered land of Oryn.
It was more representative than anything, but I wanted him to know that I wanted him here with me too. That he was welcome. I grabbed his hands and held his tender gaze, tugging him as I remained in place. He stepped forward until our bodies pressed against each other, and I had to tilt my head back to look up at him.
His eyes were like fire, burning into me with a passion that made my breath hitch. His hand came up and brushed my hair behind my ear.
I leaned into his touch, and he lowered his head toward me, his eyes locked on my lips. My own parted as he neared—
“Alright, you two,” Niabi interrupted.
Hakoa stopped and rolled his eyes.
I huffed a laugh and smiled, turning my head to look at her.
“You can have your moment later. Let’s get going,” she said and went back to the cart she was riding in.
Hakoa chuckled and leaned down to kiss my forehead then gave my hand a squeeze. “Later it is then.” He winked.
My stomach fluttered. “Only if you think you’re up for it,” I said with a playful grin, and walked back to my horse, putting a little extra sway in my hips because I knew he was watching.
I heard him sigh before he got back on his horse next to me. Then we all headed back down the path.
As we came around the ridge a few hours later, we arrived at one of the bases on the border of Atara to Riyah. From the looks of it, they were in the late stages of setting up and were nearly ready to face what would come.
I hadn’t realized how many Noavo there actually were. Only having seen the command station outside Voara, the base was filled with more warriors than I thought they had in their entirety. But this was just one base, and Hakoa had informed me there were dozens along the border.
After dismounting our horses, terbis wielders began erecting tents and settling in for the evening. Hakoa took me by the hand and led me to the center of the base where there was a recently erected larger stone structure, the dirt still clinging to the rock walls from where it was wielded from the ground. It didn’t have a cloth covering for the doorway as the tents did and was left open.
Upon entering, I noticed a familiar figure with a head of red hair .
“...yeah, well, when your Chief arrives he can tell you himself. But in the meantime—”
“Arra,” Hakoa greeted with a warning. “What have I told you about being nice to the warriors?”
Arra spun on her heel, her boots crunching the frost-covered grass beneath her. “It’s about time you showed up!” She placed her hands firmly on her hips. “And I am being nice to them. They’re just overly sensitive little brutes.”
“It’s called wanting to be respected,” Hakoa argued with a raised brow.
“I’m respecting the fact that they need more discipline rather than having someone who placates their feelings.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
The warrior male started to leave and raised a hand to her, displaying a crude gesture.
Arra bared her teeth and flicked her hand. A gust of wind whipped through the air, smacking the warrior in the back of the head on the way out.
Hakoa sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Arra, it’s getting late, and I’m tired. We’ve been traveling all day. Just give me the reports, and I’ll… I’ll let you yell orders at the warriors during the formation exercises tomorrow.”
Arra pursed her lips in contemplation. “Fine,” she said with a sweet smile—well, about as sweet as a raw radish dipped in pepper oil. “But I get the morning and afternoon runs.”
I bit my cheek to keep from smiling. I forgot how much I liked her.
She grabbed a stack of papers from the table and handed it to him then started to leave with a pleased grin. “Good to see you, Mal. Wanna grab a drink? I could use someone who can hold down their liquor.”
Yes .
After such a long day, winding down and throwing back a few sounded like a great way to end the evening. My gut twisted.
“Uh, no. Thank you though. I think I’ll just head to my tent and rest up for the night. I have another long day ahead of me training the Atarans,” I said.
She tilted her head to the side and looked at Hakoa. “ You’re not training them?”
“We’re kind of preparing for a war,” Hakoa said flatly.
“That’s kind of the point of having generals—to take some of these burdens from you,” she said pointedly. “Besides, isn’t the purpose of all this to protect Atara and its people? Someone needs to train them in basic defense at the very least.”
“That’s the plan for Malina.” Hakoa nodded.
She rolled her eyes before meeting my stare. “Malina, how many people have you trained for combat?”
Damn. Okay, then.
“None,” I said quietly.
Arra nodded. “My point exactly. And Hakoa here has trained thousands. Not to mention, who better to protect them than the greatest water wielder in Oryn?”
I felt a hit to my pride. “I can protect them too, you know.”
She leveled me with a flat stare. “Against a few others? Sure. I have no doubt. I’ve seen you spar. You’re extremely talented. But against a mass of very powerful and trained wielders? Be real. Your light wielding is cute and all, but it’s not going to stop them from slaughtering your people. No offense.”
Now I remember why I didn’t like her at first.
But she was right. Light wielding wasn’t as effective as a physical element that could actually kill. And other than training with Kya and Nikan, I had never actually taught someone before.
“Then I’ll help train them too, and at the same time, show Malina how to train anyone in the future,” Hakoa offered with a nod. “Does that sound good?”
Someone shouted Arra’s name from outside and she glanced toward the voice and nodded, holding up a finger to them before looking back at us. “Yeah. Sounds good. Malina, are you sure you don’t want a drink? We should catch up.”
It sounded like fun, and I really didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity. I didn’t want to turn her down, and for a split second, I thought maybe just one drink wouldn’t hurt. But I knew it would. And I knew it would lead to much worse.
“I’m sure,” I said with a forced smile, hiding my disappointment. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Alright then. See you on the line in the morning, Hakoa.” She waved as she left.
Hakoa ran a hand down his face. “She’s exhausting, but she means well,” he sighed. “Come on. We’re done for the day.”
“Thank the Gods.” My legs were killing me from riding.
He led me to what I assumed was my tent near the middle of the base. He gestured for me to go inside, pulling back the thick cloth of the entrance. I entered, and he followed.
From the clothes in the corner, to the maps laid on top of a table, I realized this was actually his tent.
“Where—” I was cut off when Hakoa spun me around and pressed his lips to mine. It was soft and gentle yet desperate and hungry.
Melting into him, I parted my lips, meeting his tongue for each languid stroke.
“I want to do more than kiss you, but I need to know if you want that too,” he said against my lips.
My eyes fluttered open, flicking up to meet his searching gaze. I bit my lip. Holding his gaze, I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it up over my head, discarding it on the floor. I took him by the wrist and brought his hand to my breast over the binding.
“Does that answer your question? Because I want to do more than kiss you too,” I whispered.
I missed him. I missed his touch, the feel of his body against mine with nothing between us.
His lips curved up. “Then tell me exactly what you want.”
A warm feeling pooled in my lower belly. He was giving me control, despite his own usual preference for dominance.
“Undress me.”
Without hesitation, he slid to his knees and unlaced my boots, pulling them off and placing them to the side. I watched as he unfastened my pants and began to pull them down, kissing up my thigh slowly. He lifted each foot from the cold ground, removing my pants one leg at a time until I was left in nothing but my undergarments.
When he stood, his eyes trailed down my body, drinking me in with a pleased purr. I saw the outline of his hard cock straining against the fastenings of his pants.
I knew he wanted me to be in control, but I needed him to do the work. I needed him to bring me pleasure. I needed to feel as if I was more than a tool for release—more than just payment. That was the control I needed.
“Keep going,” I breathed.
With a hungry glint in his eyes, Hakoa slowly removed the band around my breasts. His breath hitched, and his tongue swiped across his lower lip before he bent down and flicked each nipple with his tongue after grazing his teeth over them.
I wanted those teeth to bite hard enough to leave an impression like they had before, but I resisted the roughness for now, allowing this to be a much more gentle experience.
He slowly slid down my panties, and I stepped out of them. He inhaled deeply, scenting the arousal pooling between my legs. He took a step back, and I wasn’t sure he was breathing when he took in my bare form completely exposed.
Flashes of my shameful actions seeped to the forefront of my mind, and I felt self-conscious all of a sudden—thinking of how all of those males had only cared for what my body had to offer.
“Tell me what you want, Malina,” he demanded gently, rising and stroking a gentle finger across my jaw.
I backed away and went over to the pile of warm furs to lay down on my back, spreading my legs in invitation. No one had been on top of me since him, as I had been the one to service others.
I swallowed and breathed a whisper. “I want to forget.”
The side of his lips twitched up into a smirk as he came to kneel at my feet. “With pleasure.”
He gracefully flourished his hand, wielding a small stream of water. It was surprisingly warm as it wound its way up my calf, my thigh, until it reached my core.
The sensation of the water flowing over my clit was unlike anything I had ever experienced, the rush thrumming against me and making my eyes roll to the back of my head.
I gasped a loud moan.
“Shh,” Hakoa shushed. “Those cries are only for me now. No one else will ever hear them again.”
I suddenly became fully aware of the sounds of people just outside the tent which only excited me more. I bit down on my tongue, forcing myself to keep quiet through the waves of pleasure rushing up from between my legs.
“Tell me what you want,” he said in a husky voice.
I opened my eyes to find his heavy, lust-filled eyes trained on my face.
“More,” I rasped as the pressure of the stream increased.
With the water still humming across my clit, Hakoa pressed a finger to my entrance, pushing it in. Then he added a second finger, stretching me blissfully. He pumped his fingers slowly, curling them forward to hit the point that made my vision spotty.
My fingers dug into the furs, gripping them in my palms, needing to hold onto something.
He leaned forward so he was over me, his mouth hovering above mine and allowing his fingers to go deeper. He worked me thoroughly and with such attentiveness—watching every facial expression. It was as if he was challenging himself, seeing how much pleasure he could bring to the surface before tampering down and dragging it out tortuously.
But it was the look in his eyes that took my breath away.
“Ha—Hakoa,” I moaned, louder than I should have, but I couldn’t help it.
“Do you remember now?” he asked, keeping his eyes on me.
“It’s not just forgetting. I don’t want to feel anything either,” I said, but beginning to realize perhaps I was wrong.
“It’s not about not feeling anything. It’s about feeling the right things. Does this feel right to you?”
“Gods, yes.”
It wasn’t just what he was doing to my pussy. It was something else… I wanted more of it.
I reached for his pants and slid my hand inside.
He groaned as I wrapped my fingers around him. The fading sun’s light glowing from behind the cloth created deep shadows over the contours of his tense features.
I gave a long stroke up and down his shaft, from the base to the tip—where there was a bead of moisture. I rubbed my thumb over it, spreading it around as I imagined it was my tongue lapping up his arousal.
“Unfasten your pants,” I commanded breathlessly, my body tensing as my release neared. I had to admit, giving an order to the Chief of the Noavo felt good—powerful—and it only turned me on more. He had always been the one to tell me what to do, to stay still, to take it. But he was giving me that power for the first time so I could be in control here.
Hakoa sat up on his knees, removed his fingers from me, and licked them, groaning at the taste. He did as I said and tugged at the seam until it was loose enough for me to pull his cock free.
I didn’t hesitate to take what I wanted, and I leaned up to wrap my mouth around him.
“Oh fuck, Malina,” his voiced strained in a whisper.
The water reverberated against me more intensely, keeping speed with my enthusiastic licking and sucking. I was so, so close. It was almost too much yet not enough. This sensation was like nothing I had ever felt before.
“Tell me what you want,” Hakoa said, almost pleading.
I drew him in deep to the back of my throat before I pulled myself off him. Pure, craving desire was etched across his face as I gazed up at him.
“I want you .”
His pupils dilated, and there was a pause for just a heartbeat. He threw his hand out to the side, wielding the water away from me, leaving me feeling cold as it splashed against the stone wall of the tent.
His mouth was on mine in the next moment, teeth and tongues clashing in a frenzy of desperation for more of each other.
I grappled at his shirt, pulling it off him at the same time he practically tore his pants off. I opened my legs a little wider as he settled between them, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. He leaned his hips forward, pressing the tip to my core.
He paused and looked down at me with his arms caging me in. “There’s something you need to know.”
He pushed forward until the head of his cock pressed inside me. “You’re strong.”
My breath caught, and he pushed in a little farther. “You’re beautiful.”
Gods—his words and the feeling of him slowly filling me was about to send me toppling over the edge.
“You’re fierce, passionate, and capable.” He leaned down to kiss me with something more than just physical adoration. He pushed all the way into the hilt, stretching me around every glorious inch even as I was practically dripping around him.
“You’re deserving.”
He rested against me, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek, and held my gaze.
“You’re everything I want and more.”
He didn’t wait for me to respond before he began fucking me, stealing any words from my throat and replacing them with uncontrollable moans.
He took my mouth, swallowing the sound.
I gripped his broad shoulders and met him for every pounding thrust. He reached behind one of my knees and bent it up to my chest, allowing him to go even deeper.
My core tightened, and every nerve in my body jolted, electrified as my release rushed through me.
He immediately followed, tensing and jerking with a muffled groan into my mouth.
I pulsed around him, drawing him in and draining him of every last drop as he spilled himself into me.
Breathing heavily, my mind was completely blank, free of the haunting memories I had desperately wished to forget. I realized I didn’t need demid. I didn’t need anything, not when I was with Hakoa.
Even after how much I had hurt him, he was still there for me, waiting patiently. And it wasn’t out of obligation or convenience…
He wasn’t just what I needed—he was who I wanted.
“I love you,” I choked, struggling to get the words out.
He smiled widely and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “It’s about damn time.”