The Hidden (Kelderan Runic Warriors Book 5) Read online

  Contents

  Title

  Kelderan Runic Warriors Series

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  Books by Jessie Donovan

  About the Author

  Copyright

  The Hidden

  (Kelderan Runic Warriors #5)

  Jessie Donovan

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  Books in this series:

  Kelderan Runic Warriors

  The Conquest (KRW #1)

  The Barren (KRW #2)

  The Heir (KRW #3)

  The Forbidden (KRW #4)

  The Hidden (KRW #5)

  The Survivor / Kajala (KRW #6 / TBD)

  The Hidden Synopsis

  **This isn't a standalone story. Please read at least The Barren (Kelderan Runic Warriors #2) first.**

  Just as Thorin and Vala begin their project to find the other part Brevkan individuals inside the colony on Jasvar, the red band on Vala's leg begins to fade. As they find out what that means, it throws their entire world into turmoil. Will Thorin and Vala be able to survive the change? Or, will it rip them apart?

  Chapter One

  Vala walked up to her lord, placed her hands on his bare, light blue shoulders, and kneaded the knotted flesh. Thorin leaned back into her touch and groaned. "Your fingers will distract me, zyla."

  "Good, then I'll achieve my goal." Digging her fingers in deeper, she added, "You shouldn't worry about tomorrow's first open meeting with other half-Brevkan individuals inside the Kelderan colony on Jasvar. Not only have you gone over every detail ten times, several people have confirmed they will be there. I know it will be a successful first step in bringing everyone out into the open."

  Thorin shook his head. "Just because they confirmed doesn't mean they'll show up. After all, once everyone in the Kelderan colony knows their true identities, there's no going back to anonymity."

  She pressed her fingers even deeper into Thorin's skin, and he let out a low moan. She resisted a smile as she said, "While that may be, you made your true identity public weeks ago and few have sneered or made comments about your parentage."

  Her lord, Thorin Jarrell, was originally from the planet Keldera like her, but his father had been a Brevkan warrior. The Brevkan had been—and still were—the most hated enemies of Kelderans. More than twenty years ago the war between the two worlds had ended and left many Kelderans with decimated families. To say they held grudges was an understatement. She wouldn't put it past many of them to want vengeance on anything remotely tied to the Brevkan. The hatred back home was part of the reason she and Thorin were on the planet Jasvar, as members of a new Kelderan colony.

  The other reason was for a fresh start for a Barren like her, to be with the half-Brevkan male she loved. Both outcasts in their own way, they'd found their soul mate in each other and were determined to make a new life together.

  Her husband placed a hand over one of hers and she stopped moving her fingers. Meeting her gaze, he said, "Most of those who attend the meeting probably won't be warriors who can pin and restrain another male within the blink of an eye, zyla. They have reason to worry, especially if they have families to protect."

  Vala knew her lord well enough to know words wouldn't work right now. If he didn't relax and get some sleep, he wouldn't be at his best at the meeting. While she loved him regardless of his charm and temper levels, more than a few people would run away at an angry look from Thorin Jarrell, a former general in the Kelderan Army.

  And so she would try another tactic. Brushing his short, black hair at his temple, she smiled at her husband. "You know, the more you call me zyla, the more I want you all to myself."

  Thorin turned and stood, pulling her against his chest. "I sense this is a tactic. But I can never resist you, zyla."

  The Kelderan term of endearment was almost always used by lords for their brides; it meant dear one or beloved. Vala decided to use the masculine equivalent. "That's good, because I never want you to, zylar."

  With a growl, Thorin lowered his head and kissed her.

  The second his tongue entered her mouth, licking and tangling as if he would die without her, Vala forgot about everything else but her lord. The male she never thought she'd have, the one who didn't care that she was one of the Barren and unable to give him a child, was her world and her future now.

  She loved him more than life itself, and he felt the same about her.

  So when he ran a hand down her side and then her leg to lift it, she pressed her core against his already hard cock, rubbing and letting him know she was more than ready for him.

  With a growl, Thorin grabbed her rear and rocked her against him. She couldn't help but groan at the delicious friction of her nipples against his hard chest.

  Thorin broke the kiss. She barely noticed his glowing blue eyes—one of the traits he'd inherited from his Brevkan half—as he murmured, "I don't care if this is a distraction. I want you. I need you." He kissed her roughly. "Tell me you have the time."

  It was hard to think with Thorin's hard muscles pressed up against her front, but she managed, "I cleared my schedule, knowing you would probably want me this evening."

  He growled. "I'm still unsure about how I'm worthy of you."

  She stroked the side of his face. "Let's not debate this again. Kiss me, Thorin, and claim me as your own."

  Stepping back, he tugged off first her skirt and then her top. His gaze roamed her body, heat building with each second, to the point her nipples ached.

  With a growl, Thorin shimmied out of the tight warrior pants he still wore despite him no longer being in the army, and tossed them aside. At the predatory look in his eyes, she shivered in a good way.

  He scooped her up and gently laid her on the bed. His hands went from her shoulders to her ribcage, then her waist, and finally down her legs. His rough, warm skin against hers made her wet between the thighs.

  His hands wrapped around her ankles, but instead of spreading her legs, he lifted one to his face and murmured, "The red band around your calf. It's almost gone."

  The band had appeared shortly after he'd claimed her as his possession—the person a Brevkan male instinctually recognizes as their own. "I know, but I have no idea why."

  As he stared at it some more, Vala knew she'd have to entice him a little. Otherwise, he'd ponder if the band was related to his Brevkan heritage and if the fading meant something would happen to her.

  And since they didn't know enough about her husband's paternal heritage, they might never find the answer.

  No, it was best to make her lord forget all about the faded red band on her skin.

  Moving a hand to one of her nipples, Vala rolled and tugged. At her moan, Thorin's gaze zeroed in on her fingers. She said, "Please, Thorin. Forget about that for now and claim me."

  She continued teasing her tight bud, already feeling the pressure building. Thorin moved to her other nipple, drew it into his mouth, and suckled.

  While she was called strong by many, Vala had no difficulty giving Thorin control. She whimpered as he lightly bit her. "Zylar, I'm so close."

  His fingers found her other nipple, and between his mouth and his hand, Vala cried out as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her body, making her arch her back into her lord's touch.

  She'd barely come down from her high when Thorin placed his cock at her entrance, teased her a few times, and thrust to the hilt. He broug
ht his face down to hers, his hot breath dancing across her lips as he said, "I love you, Vala."

  "Then show me, zylar. And don't you dare hold back."

  Even though he didn't need her permission, Thorin was constantly afraid his rough lovemaking would break her. So at her words, he finally let go, moving his hips as his skin glowed a light purple—another Brevkan trait.

  He increased his movements, taking her lips as he thrust hard, moving the bed with his actions. Each pump of his hips made her dig her nails deeper into his skin, just the way he liked.

  Thorin finally stilled and growled into her mouth. His skin glowed even brighter as he came.

  The oddly addictive scent only she would smell filled her nostrils, and she scratched her nails down his back and wrapped her legs around her male. Since she'd spent most of her life thinking she'd always be alone, she cherished him being inside her and always wanted him to know she accepted all of him.

  When Thorin finally slumped on top of her, Vala hugged him close. She loved the solidness of his weight. He was strong and powerful, and yet he'd never hurt her.

  He was her protector, her lover, her best friend, her everything.

  Thorin finally rolled over, taking her with him. Laying her head on his chest, she listened to his heartbeat a few seconds before murmuring, "I think we should go again."

  Her lord's deep voice filled her ears. "When did the band start fading, Vala? You must've done a good job distracting me if I hadn't noticed it until now."

  Leave it to Thorin to remember that detail so soon after an orgasm. And knowing him as she did, he wouldn't fall for another seduction attempt so soon. No, he wanted answers and wouldn't stop until he had them.

  With a sigh, she replied, "I don't know exactly. Two weeks, maybe a month? Since I wear trousers to all my self-defense sessions with the human females, I don't look at it that often anymore."

  He gripped her hip possessively. "Is there pain? Warmth? Tell me everything you know."

  "I'm sure it's nothing, Thorin. I don't feel any different." He grunted and she added, "I don't. If you think I'm going to lie to you, then you aren't the male I thought you were."

  Placing a finger under her chin, he raised her head gently until she met his gaze. "I just want to make sure it's nothing to worry about. I can't lose you, zyla. I just can't."

  Some might think his words were hyperbolic, but Vala knew they weren't. Thorin had spent nearly thirty years trying to control his rages, which were sudden bursts of negative emotions and horrific visions filled with blood. They were all due to his Brevkan half, and he'd been close to a breaking point when they'd first met.

  However, ever since meeting and claiming her, Thorin had been stable and nearly nightmare and vision-free. If something happened to her, she was afraid he might fall into a rage and never come out of it again.

  And if that happened, the leaders of the colony would have no choice but to kill him.

  Hugging him closer to her, she said, "If something was wrong, I would tell you. But it's the truth—I feel no different than last week or the weeks before that. Besides, for all we know, the band is a temporary signal to other Brevkan that a female has been claimed and could already be pregnant."

  Not that Vala ever would be. A genetic test as a baby had verified her infertility, which had resulted in her being shipped off to the Barren and given a tattoo on her forehead for everyone to know what she was.

  Thorin grunted. "Maybe. If anyone shows up at the meeting tomorrow, I'm going to make it one of the first things I ask about."

  She rolled her eyes. "There are more important things to discuss first. Maybe see if anyone is close to the breaking point of not being able to control a rage. Or, try to see if others know a male with Brevkan DNA can paralyze a female with his post-orgasm musk if she is meant to be his possession. There are so many important things that need to be shared. The band around my leg isn't worth mentioning."

  "I would disagree again, but I know we'll just go around in circles. And I have a better way to spend our time."

  Thorin's hand lightly stroked between her thighs as she feigned innocence. "Oh, is that so? I wonder what that could be."

  "Since when do you play coy, Vala Yarlen?" He rolled her onto her back and pinned her hands above her head. "I think it's time to claim you in one of your favorite ways."

  She resisted a smile. "And what way would that be? I may have forgotten."

  His fingers danced between her thighs again, and she sucked in a breath. Thorin's gravelly voice caressed her body as he said, "Then let me remind you."

  Keeping her hands pinned over her head, he quickly slid into her and stared into her eyes as he moved his hips in slow, deliberate movements. Soon his free hand was doing naughty things to her nipples, and Vala forgot about everything but the male she loved above her.

  Chapter Two

  Thorin woke instantly when Vala rolled off the mattress, picked up the basket next to their bed containing the glowing organisms used for low lighting on Jasvar, and made her way toward the cleansing room.

  Not that her waking up in the middle of the night was unusual. No, he was merely attuned to her every movement in his presence. In part because of his warrior training, but also because he still had trouble believing she was his bride.

  After all, shrugging off decades of feeling lesser for his mixed heritage wasn't as easy as he wished.

  Then he heard Vala gasp, and he was up and at the door in seconds. "What’s wrong, Vala?"

  "N-Nothing."

  At the tremble in her voice, he growled. "You're lying. Tell me, or I'll break down this door."

  A second later, her soft reply came. "It's unlocked."

  Thorin didn't hesitate to enter. Vala stood against the wall, staring at the closed toilet lid in disbelief. His first instinct was to find the threat and eliminate it. "What did you see? Is it one of the snakes? Or the spiders? Let me know, and I'll plan my attack."

  The fauna on Jasvar was often deadly if one didn't approach the situation carefully.

  Vala shook her head, keeping her gaze averted. "It's not that."

  He closed the distance between them. As he lightly lifted her chin, he softened his voice. "Talk to me, zyla. I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

  When her eyes met his, there was a mixture of fear and confusion. If the lighting were stronger, the markings on her body would be the colors of yellow and white to match.

  She swallowed, and Thorin's gut clenched. His first thought was that he'd been too rough with her and had hurt her in some way. "Are you in pain?"

  "No."

  Stroking her cheek with his thumb, he relied on his warrior's training to keep his voice calm and his emotions in check. "Then what has you so terrified, zyla?"

  She searched his eyes for a few beats, and each second made his stomach knot. Vala was the most important person in his life. He couldn't lose her, no matter what. But if he had hurt her and she was trying to placate his feeling, he just might.

  Vala swallowed and then whispered, "There was blood."

  Shame descended on him, making his heart and lungs constrict. "I'm so sorry. I'll fetch the doctor and I will never be rough again. I promise not to touch you until you wish it."

  As he moved to walk away, battling the urge to lash out at himself, Vala gripped his wrist. "No, I'm not in pain. It's not because of you."

  He met her gaze again, trying his best to keep his composure. "It must be because of me. You have no monthly courses because of your genetic birth condition."

  "You're right, I never did. But I think I do now."

  He frowned. "You're not making sense, Vala. And you usually always do."

  She tightened her fingers around his arm. "I know I'm not, and I'm confused as you are. But I think I should see a doctor."

  Desperate to do anything to help erase his bride's fears, Thorin nodded. "I'll go at once."

  She shook her head. "No, no, don't worry about it right now. It can wait unti
l morning."

  "And let you stew in fear until then? I think not. I will return as soon as possible with Iljan."

  Iljan was the head doctor inside the Kelderan colony on Jasvar. One who had a small, often sickly child. If Thorin gave Vala a chance, she'd say not to disturb Iljan since the doctor's daughter was ill yet again.

  However, he couldn't risk his bride's health. Iljan knew middle of the night calls were part of his job description.

  Before Vala could ask him to stay, Thorin gently removed her fingers and exited first the room and then their shared apartment.

  As he walked down the winding corridors, he tried his best to keep his fear at bay. He suspected his bride was trying to shield him, in an effort to control his rages. However, he wouldn't be kept in the dark. He'd ensure the doctor gave him a full report on why Vala was bleeding.

  It was most likely because of him, and he'd do whatever it took to beg her forgiveness and ensure it never happened again. Reining in his Brevkan side was never easy, but he'd have to find a way to erase it somehow. That may be the only way to keep Vala as his bride.

  And he needed to keep her near. She'd shone some light into his life and Thorin didn't think he could go back to living alone in the darkness.

  ~~~

  As Vala waited for the doctor, her mind buzzed with what had happened.

  What she hadn't told Thorin was that her lower belly twisted in knots, too. Combined with the blood and the tenderness of her breasts the past few days, it was as others had described monthly courses to her.

  Which was impossible. Vala was unable to have them.

  Maybe it was something else. Not that the thought made her any calmer. Even putting aside how Thorin wouldn't survive her death, Vala had no desire to die. For the first time since she was a child, she was truly happy. Not just because she'd found love, but also because she was finally allowed to be herself and not live in constant shame of her birth defect. She even had a role within the Kelderan colony, to help with educating the Jasvarians about her people.