Spirit Rush

By CC Rose

Book 11:
The war on Haskell becomes twice as damaging when towns are destroyed and poisons are spread. For Rehema, finding love again and so soon seems impossible. But Creston wishes nothing of their relationship to continue. Turning to Lucian for comfort, she is soon falling into his rush, his passion with the fear that she will never want to leave him. The Haskell war threatens all of the north and when Hector joins forces with the best to sway them into attacking more of Dangora, if the Committee continue to defy the Lord of EzRah and all that he has planned to stop the new threat. Rehema and Lucian are put through the deepest test of love... and hope of a future may slip away completely. she will make a promise that is impossible to keep.

This is a series book reading, please start with book 1: Bonded Spirit to get the best of all that is to offer in the world of Dangora, Rehema and La’Kera

• Language: English
• Publisher: CC Rose
• Release date: Sep 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463133484

CC Rose

C C Rose lives in Queensland Australia.Inspired by all things magical, mystical and other worldly, creatures, fantasy and dragons most of all.Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

Book preview

Book 11

Spirit Rush

C. C. Rose

~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~

For the soul within,

~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~

Chapter 1

It was the oddest sensation to die—maybe I had died before, but this one I felt.

I was watching Lucian working over me, pressing his hands to my stomach and screaming for someone to help him, to get something. It was no use, I was pale … blood loss was possibly the cause for that. My braid was messed, cuts on my cheeks, bruising was there too. A Ryder of twenty-one years, and I was no more. No movement of my fingers, my breath was gone, my eyes were staring upwards, hazing to nothing as he screamed at me to live. I was getting further from the scene, higher and higher above Tarn, higher and higher I went. Floating away from my body. Floating on the wind in a backward motion. Seeing La’Kera roaring looking to the town to where I was. I … was still floating—back and back I went. Across that long plain flat land where nothing happened and on some more. Further and further in a flash I was at Dunbar, and further across the high falls of Mystic … further and further I went, to pass another town and to see him.

Him.

He was … there, sitting at a tower, suddenly he was clutching his heart, he was … looking to the sky to the stars and pain was on his face. True pain was there in that look and just as quickly he was staring at me to breath my name on the edge of a whisper, to find myself being pulled onwards. Further, further and further some more. The land of Dangora was different, hills, valleys and more hills to pass into fog. Thick, fog. It wasn’t cold, it wasn’t hot and it wasn’t even on me. Just around me. All around me, and I was suddenly in the Terrill’s. Through mountain, leagues of mountain that lasted a time of further more. To come to baron lands, fallen trees, burnt and broken hills of dust and ash, smouldering smoke. To come to forms; dead forms of all kinds. Animals, dangorian, kin of a strange unknown. Hundreds were dead—was this Dangora? Was it beyond that. I was floating and maybe I was falling. But suddenly I heard a whisper.

Ryder.

I blinked. Odd, why would it say that. My name was Rehema. I was a Ryder, perhaps that was true.

Ryder.

I found a flow in the wind and I was drifting on it—toward the whisper. Toward the call.

Release me, Ryder.

The voice was so close, so small and yet … neither male or female. When the flow stopped, I was above a large area of stone figures, a black castle. I was seeing a red headed woman, so thin she was barely able to stand at all. She could easily fall over with a gust of wind. She had her hands pressed to the balcony, a stony look of anger on her face and she looked to her palm. The black stone was visible. She was muttering, but it wasn’t her voice I was I hearing.

Release me, Ryder. Free me!

The woman looked up, her dark eyes met mine, a snarl on her lips showed as she lifted her chin; daring me to do just that. It was the sound of thunder to the side, thunder that marched and her eyes turned to it.

Beast.

Hundreds of beast were there, marching in the night, torches, flames so many thousands more then I could imagine.

Brahhhhkkkk!

There was a call, a darker call.

Free ME!

And from the side came a white dragon. So drained of muscle and meat, I wasn’t sure it was a dragon anymore. It roared loud and hard, releasing a breath of wind.

Free Me!

And in that sudden breath, I was being sucked backwards—this time in the opposite direction. Faster and faster; passing the same path, the same route, the same line. Seeing him. He was packing, he was leaving his tower … he was gone from my sights. I moved beyond the hills, the trees, the falls and passed Dunbar. The sun was rising now, the sun was moving and I was being sucked backwards. La’Kera was in slumber, her white scales gleamed in the morning light and suddenly I was above Tarn. Above the town—that was mine.

It was as if the air no longer floated me, and the sensation of falling greeted me in a rush. A blur, and I was falling feet first to the ground, to the buildings.

No. I wanted to scream, suddenly aware of fear and pain.

Snapping my eyes open, I rose instantly.

Guuhhhhhh!

Rehema! Lucian was there, his hands on me in an instant. Oh, shit! You’re alive. Oh, shit! He pulled at the sheet, the strange fabric I knew to have covered people if they passed and to my horror I was covered in oils. Thick, smelly oils. Ugh.

What the hell happened? My voice was hoarse. I coughed several times, taking in gulps of air as though I had never had breath, stale as it was I was hot without reason.

You—you’re alive! He embraced me in a beat, freaked, sad, tears were there. His lips were on mine; feeling the rush of his touch, his hands on me. You’re so warm. So warm. Oh, I am so sorry, Rehema. So damn sorry. I can’t believe you’re alive. You’re heart beats. You’re eyes. Oh, you’re alive! He wouldn’t stop smothering me in kisses and touches and hugs that made my breath heave.

Lucian? Can’t breathe. Easy.

Oh, I am so glad you say that. You’re here. Thank Drae’Gon.

I only passed out. I murmured, Why the hell have you dressed me for cremation. I wasn’t gone long.

It’s … it’s been four days, Rehema.

What! I stared at him in shock. Dumb shock. Four days?

"You … died. You—died—right there—in my arms. You died. He kissed me, covering my face, to hold my face in his palms and kissing me endlessly, tears fell from his blue fire eyes, and the pain he had suffered so real, raw. You died. And there was nothing I could do. La’Kera slumbered in pain. She … she was too sad. I couldn’t bring her out. I couldn’t even—I was drunk. I was—you died and everyone blames me and they wanted to keep your form whole. Least till La’Kera came back to take you to slumber. She couldn’t find you. She lost you. I lost you. I failed. I-I-I f-failed y-yyou."

Lucian. Easy … shhh … He was shaking with such raw pain, I was surprised to see it on him. Easy. I’m here now. I … think I had an outer body experience like no other.

Tell me. Please tell me everything. He wouldn’t let go of my hand.

Can … I shower first. This stuff stinks.

He leaned in holding me, hugging me.

You can shower with me. I don’t want you out of my sights.

Er … not going to happen. I pushed the sheet off further, amazed I’d not only been redressed in clothes that were going to possibly be my last set forever, I was completely blushing at the thought of who dressed me. I may have passed out for a few hours in my head, Lucian, but … please don’t … kiss me any more. It’s really distracting.

Good distracting … or bad?

Both, I said truthfully. Glancing to my form again, I grimaced. Er … this is going to freak the town out, isn’t it?

Oh, yeah. Damn right it is. He stood, held my hand as I adjusted to standing, to have him hugging me. Oh I am so sorry, Rehema. So damn sorry. I am never drinking. Ever. I stuffed everything up. Those delgori—that night. I mean … stupid things. Stupid. I can’t believe it caught us unaware like that—you. I told you so many times to use a ward. Just one small ward no matter where you are. Please.

Er … I need to shower, Lucian. And I need to wake La’Kera. I touched my temple, suddenly lonely of her thoughts.

He pulled back, keeping his head low and hiding the sadness on his face. It made me sad to think what he’d been through—it didn’t feel any different, least … I don’t think I did. But for him, four days had passed and all of that was me being motionless and dead. I palmed his face, making him look into my eyes. His sad eyes that stared deep inside of me. A rush, but still. Ours.

Thanks for not burning me.

He laughed, losing some of the tension. I leaned up and kissed him. To feel his kiss. His touch. He returned the kiss, hungry for it, to breath inwards as I did; to the sensation that called for us to slow the motion. A stronger and longer kiss then the other times— maybe not longer. Just more aware than any of the other times.

When I finally gained sense, the kiss was ended and we both stared into each others eyes. I am so happy you’re okay.

Mmm … me too. I turned to the door and took a deep breath. Er … just make sure the people don’t think I’m a delgori or a … ghost or something dark.

They won’t. He held my hand and together we stepped out of that strange room that smelt like oil and rust and all things dead.

La’Kera, I whispered to her. Reaching out a hand to her snout, to feel her. I’m here my girl. Open your eyes my pearl. She was stirring, sadness washed her emotions.

Rehema.

La’Kera. She blinked and her crystal eyes were on me.

Rehema. My bond. My love. My body couldn’t have been flooded with more emotion. I was practically knocked off my feet and tears flooded my vision. You live. I lost you. I couldn’t find you. Your soul … left me … I was lost. So lost.

Easy, girl. Easy. She had pulled a tired claw from her position to pull me toward her. Aware of me, wanting to hold me and snuggle into me. You’re okay now. We’re okay. Can you see … see where I went.

You left far away without me … without a dragon at all. By yourself. You were flying.

I was … a spirit, La’Kera.

You saw much and not much at all.

I was … guided by that voice. I am unsure if it was the stone or the dragon that spoke.

It may have been both. Nerissa’s bond, Tar’Karn is partly linked to the stone—mind control and spirit power combined.

Do you think he saved me … returned me.

I am pleased he did if it was intended. Don’t do that again, my light. You scared me. She nuzzled closer, as I shifted my hold on her head. She was so big now, snuggles of a different kind were rare and not like it was when she was tiny. Now, I was the tiny one and she was big. She was humming, a tune of pure peace and hope. Lost to her thoughts we stayed like that for hours. Bonded, reliving the moment and all that we were. I mused on the moment how I emerged from the corpse room alive and the villages did think I had returned as delgori and ran for their lives. Lucian had to clam them down, and while they nodded and accepted I had simply been in slumber—dragon magic always freaked them out. They were weary of me.

A rush of foot steps from below had me stir from my thoughts.

Wait! It’s not what it looks like. Lucian’s voice was loud. It was the slump of someone falling to their knees that had me open my eyes and watch in shock. He was here. He was finally here. Hands covering his face, as he knelled before me and La’Kera.

Rehema! He gasped. No. Not like this …. No!

Creston, I whispered.

He dropped his hands in disbelief. Tears streamed his cheeks, distraught with pain and lots of it. He moved toward me, crawling towards me with a hand reached out. I’m here. I didn’t leave. I’m here. He was beside me and kissing me in moments. Oh, Creston. I missed you.

Rehema. You’re … alive. The message. I got … the message. You were … I didn’t stop. I didn’t stop until I found away. I had to get here. He was breathing hard, pained as he held me, pressed to La’Kera, cramped together. I didn’t care. I was holding him, as he was holding me. I love you so much. I thought I lost you. The … message said you—you were killed.

Shhh … it’s okay. I’m okay now. The sound of footsteps told me Lucian was there, sadness touched his face as he watched us.

I tried to tell him.

It’s fine, Lucian.

Leave us. Creston said with a clench of teeth. You have no right to be here. You should never have sent that message to me if she lives. You ass.

"Hey, Creston. It’s not his fault. I was dead … four full days. I just—wasn’t dead, dead."

Creston turned to look me over. He reached out, touching my face. I had showered hours ago, my hair was light and dry. He looped the curl around my ear, making me tremble.

You’re the same, he whispered.

The same, Creston. I missed you.

He buried his face into my neck, I glanced to see Lucian shuffling away, a hard look on his face and unease was there. I rubbed Creston’s back. Lost to his touch, me with him. I really did miss him. It had been three and a half months since we last saw each other. I wanted him, and only him. I might have kissed Lucian, a few dozen times—well—that wasn’t all me. Mostly him. But still, I didn’t like him romantically … completely.

Rehema, I’m so sorry. I thought … I thought you were gone. I mean—I swear, I felt something the other night. I felt something so damn painful that I knew you were the only one on my lips to cause that much pain.

It’s okay. Was close, La’Kera couldn’t find me either.

She … she didn’t? He paused to stare into her eye, so close, she winked at him.

She was far from my souls reach, Creston; I would have sought her … if I could.

Creston, I missed you.

He turned his brown eyes on me. He leaned in, kissing me with a hunger that I had missed beyond words. To feel his touch, our current.

I love you, Rehema. I will always love you. Always. He held me to him as I him, not wanting to let go. You’re my fire.

Please stay, I whispered. Stay with me. Please. His breath was shallow, his kiss was soft on my neck. But he did not answer. He stared into my eyes, his fingers tracing back and fourth around my cheek to have that half smile on his lips, the lost look I knew so well. Please, Creston.

Did you bed him?

No. Because I knew who he was. I told you. It’s just a strong touch … that’s all.

Did you kiss him?

Not intentionally. He closed his eyes, dropping his head to my chest. "Creston. This isn’t the time to … talk about that. I just woke up from a weird rush. And now, you’re here."

I can’t stay, Rehema. I have my own post. He was distant, cold; but not moving from me, or stopping his affectionate touch on me. I wrapped my arms around him. Kissing his head.

I wish you were here with me.

Me too. He murmured, his breath still shallow and full of emotion. I wish you never met him, Rehema. He’s caused nothing but trouble and he let you get killed.

"He didn’t let me get killed. What was on that message?"

He sent it. Said he got you killed.

That isn’t what happened at all. And so, I told him everything—all of what happened since the time Creston left me; three months ago. The visions of Nerah, the wolf saving Tareth, the pixies, the wagnor, even the strange conversations that Lucian had with me, every kiss, every whisper and every moment that happened. The delgori hunting us, the attack and the sudden blade in my stomach that should have killed me. I told him of the soul motion, being outside, aware, but nothing but a spirit. When I was done, Creston had lifted my shirt to place his hand across my stomach, a scar was there. Small, almost unnoticeable, somehow I had healed while dying, but my soul wasn’t sure that was true; which was why it took four days to return. Creston shifted, kissing the scar.

I am so happy you’re alive. That message—I was dead inside. And I didn’t stop until I made it here. I was … ready to join you. But only once I saw you. There was such truth behind those words, it scared me.

Don’t say that, Creston. You can’t say that. Tears welled. You can’t die because I did. That’s not fair. I died when you left me. That’s why death didn’t bother me.

"But I died a thousand deaths when I walked away from you. Because of him. Him and you. You and him. A damn kindred ruined everything."

No. He just kissed me and I him. That’s it.

And your defending him now. That’s how it starts. You want him and only him.

No. I don’t want him. I don’t like him. I can’t explain it. He’s just a … kindred. He’s not you. He’ll never be you. Creston paused, still resting on my stomach. His tear filled eyes looking into mine as I stared into him. I hadn’t thought to move and I doubt he had either. La’Kera wasn’t bothered in the least. She was happy to hold me, to rumble to us both.

But I can’t keep you in my sights, I can’t keep you in my arms no matter how much I want to keep you. I can’t.

That’s not true. It’s not true, Creston. Please don’t do this to me. Not now. I just died.

I just want to hold you. You’re my fire. I can’t keep you. Not with a kindred around you all the time. I have to let you go. He lifted himself upwards; staring down at me. Sadness was still their, pain of so much heartache and my lip trembled with fear he was leaving—right this moment. He moved to my side, laying beside me and rolling me into him. To hold me like he always had. Safe, strong and loving. I don’t want to let you go. I never want to. But it’s not about choice any more. He kissed my head, locking our fingers together as he held me. I died so many times on my way here and I just … I want to breathe freely, just for a moment. Knowing your safe, Rehema.

I closed my eyes, knowing he spoke some truths and knowing he was going to leave. I didn’t want him to leave. Holding him close, kissing his chest, his neck was the best I could reach.

I love you, Creston.

I love you, Rehema.

Chapter 2

The knock at the door had me glance upwards. Lucian entered, holding a parcel.

Your special cure is ready. He walked in further and I gasped at the sight of his face. A black eye, a split lip and possibly a broken nose, only a Ryder could cause that much damage to another Ryder. My badges.

They are not marks of honour, Lucian. I told him not to hit you. I had to look away, it was distressing seeing it. Lucian smiled that crooked smile though pained by his split lip.

Well, he gave me one for every kiss I gave you … and since I told him I lost count, he kind of lost count with how many punches he could throw.

He shouldn’t have done that. Come. I ordered him to the bed.

Oh, Rehema.

Just sit. He did, smiling that broken lip wider. Hesitant as I pressed my palm to his face. Pushing healing into him. Watching as the wounds cleared away, he stretched his jaw, touched his nose and eye. Much better. I smiled.

Oh, it is now I can see you with both eyes. He leaned in and kissed my temple, and I let it happen. It was like his usual sweet kisses he managed to give me. Still can’t believe he left you, Rehema. After all that time with you and he didn’t even stay to make you happy. Lucian scanned the tidy room, the bed was made and I was dressed and it was just on dusk. Thought he’d at least stay the night for you. Mean, he thought you were dead … gone for good.

I know, Lucian … maybe part of him actually wanted it.

Don’t say that.

Well, it’s true. I noted the small letter by the bedside table. I wasn’t ready to read it. Lucian reached out for it. Hey! Don’t touch. It’s private.

I want to know what he left as a farewell. I don’t think it’s fair. He said he loved you and it was my fault you died. I deserve every one of those hits he gave me.

Hey. No sad face, Lucian. You’re the happy one, remember. I’m the unhappy one.

Can’t help it. Since … the other day. I just—I feel so damn sad. Like. I really stuffed up, Rehema. I know I am a stuff up. I get it. I am a lousy Ryder. I always fight, always drink too damn much and Damien told me to start … toeing the line because you were here and part of me thought, it’d be fine. Two Ryders. Nothing happens in Tarn. But then … look what happened. The star Ryder of the lands gets slain by a delgori while on her first assignment as a Ryder. All because of me.

Do you want to eat that cake, Lucian. Seems you should. I patted his shoulder and his blue eyes held mine. It’s okay now. Creston and I talked … what we could about everything and … he still thinks its best if we’re not together.

You did tell him you didn’t like me right.

Many times, I smirked. He doesn’t care, said it wouldn’t matter. Because you’re a kindred and he’s not. He said he has to walk away. I lowered my head, my hair falling across my face and Lucian reaching out to push it back and lift my chin.

Does this mean we can make each other happy?

Lucian? I rolled my eyes. I … can’t do that. Not with you … or anyone. I just. I can’t cheat him and I want to prove to him that I wouldn’t, no matter how tempting you are.

Hmm … that is a shame. Hope it don’t last forever because you need love. So much love. I see that now. I mean, when you died … right there. I just—something inside of me hurt. So damn much I couldn’t stop screaming. Sure, drunk and completely useless. I didn’t even sleep; I passed out two days later and only because I wouldn’t move from your body—I just. I never thought I’d … be affected by something like that. I’ve seen death. Plenty of times, I know the end of a mans life, hell, my first love died in my arms and … sure. Sad. But not like this. I was … He leaned closer and kissed my temple to hold me to him. I really hate Creston for leaving you. I should see Damien about letting me switch post for the two of you.

That won’t happen, Lucian. This is your home—has been for thirty years now.

Maybe I need a change of stations … least for awhile.

I stared into his eyes, surprised he was so honest and actually willing to do that for me.

I can’t ask that of you. Damien already told me it was better me and Creston remained focus on our own areas for once, and you have to admit. We’d be a pretty big distraction to each other and well … delgori would most definitely get into Tarn.

So do you forgive me? He held up the cake, the cream was melted, the sweetness was strong.

Possibly, Lucian. Half it. I know you need some cure to.

Oh, I don’t know what is going to cure me from being the most irresponsible Ryder.

You’re not that bad. You’re just … not a serious man. Which is what I am starting to like about you.

You’re starting to like me?

Tease. I bit into the cake, losing some focus on the problem at hand and melting to the cure. When … I died, how long after did you send that message.

The … following night. Sent one to Damien too … he didn’t show though. Must be out of the city.

Yeah, maybe. I took another bite, feeling the effects of the cake smooth away my worries, strange. Lucian was right, this was like a cure of a sorts. When we finished the cake portion, he held up the letter. I … can’t read that.

I will then. In a beat, he tore it open. Oh, this is … mushy. He rolled his eyes. Cute … sad and yeah. You’re right. You don’t want to read that. He folded it up and placed it back inside the envelope. He leaned towards me, kissed my head, cradled my face and kissed my lips. Slowly, smoothly and both of us gasped lightly at the touch. See. Better already. He tapped my nose and headed to the door. Chin up, Rehema, you’re alive.

Yeah. In one way. I stared at the letter and only after Lucian left did I read it over. La’Kera mused that Lucian was correct on his short words of the letter. It was Creston’s words of love to me that were possibly too mushy for him, cute being he was actually willing to let me and Lucian have a life and that he’d never interfere no matter what. I made it to the end with more anger then sadness. How dare he treat me like this. I am not something he can just walk away from.

You are not, but remember, you walked away from him last year when he needed you most.

It’s different now La’Kera.

Is it. I understand, with all that we have done, been through and how much you two fight for each other. But he is right. Lucian is part of your life now. He may never be forgotten and in truth, you know you are drawn to him more now.

He’s just funny, La’Kera.

Amusing and charming is what he likes to think of himself. He is trying to be something different since your passing. I see that in him, his aura has changed.

Yeah, it has. I stuffed the letter away, feeling hungry for something more filling than cake. Heading down stairs, I took the path toward town, only to see Damien with Lucian—and not what I was expecting. Damien was hitting Lucian so hard, he was knocked backwards by ten feet. The force had been laced with lightning.

Stop! I yelled, Damien spun; shock was on his face; pain and complete fright of my running form. He was in front of me in a beat—making me run into him; catching me by the shoulders. His eyes blazed with haunted worrie, pulling me to his chest suddenly to hug me so fast it was over before I could even call it a hug. I’m okay … I managed in his state of paleness.

Rehema …? He whispered at last. His finger touched my cheek and he turned away swiftly to flash from my sight in moments. What the …? I puzzled the emotions, and while Lucian had barely lifted himself off the ground, I didn’t doubt for a moment he had seen it all. I moved toward him.

Did you send him another letter saying I was okay.

Was just about to send it. He pressed a palm to his face. Another bruise that was starting to swell. I was surprised Lucian wasn’t dead from all the hits he managed and that hit should have ended some kind of body movement. Healing him, I smiled. Lucky I was here. He grinned up at me, knowing I was healing him. Shit. I better go find him.

Why. He … seems to have left.

Rehema Happy. He pressed his palm to my face. You really don’t know my father at all. And to my surprise, Damien was there, to the far side of the town fence, watching me … watching Lucian who leaned down and kissed me lightly.

Maybe … I should go and see him.

"Oh, no. You can not bare witness to my father’s … emotions."

I watched as Lucian walked away. It was more surprising to see Damien reach to him. Embracing him to pull back, not as fast as he had me. Lucian nodded, talking fast by the looks of it; and even then it was rather touching. Damn, I don’t even know if I liked seeing this. But then, it wasn’t the first time I had been a witness to Damien’s emotions. Remembering how upset he was when he knew I had saved him from a curse, how open he had become and more so. When he had killed Sheba, and a time before that. In the ballroom, when I was so up set, he embraced me like a father and opened his strength to me. Damien was always a man of power, mystery and leadership. Modesty and composure were his main traits, but he … like now, was open. It was the most rewarding, it had tears touching my lids. Maybe he isn’t as cold as I think, La’Kera.

Course not, Damien is … a man in the end, as all of your kin. You have many emotions and one thing you must understand—the older you are, the more you have.

I decided to leave the two where they were. Heading into the town, eyes turned to me with unease.

Er … maybe I should have waited for them. I stood taller, not wanting to let this get to me. I was fine, I wasn’t ill, I wasn’t sick and I did save them from three delgori. After the tenth person I passed, one actually gave me a smile.

Nice to see you around, Ryder Rehema.

Thanks, it is good to be around still.

After that, more commented and slowly some thanked me for stopping the delgori and to my horror, Delilah came toward me, shoving a package in my arms. For saving my life. And she was out of sight, almost as fast as Damien had been. It was after the next fifty people I wished I didn’t come at all. They were surrounding me, smothering me, some started to hug me and kiss my cheek and several wanted to see my scar to make sure I wasn’t actually a strange delgori that came back because I was Dy’Monian kin and no one knows if Dy’Monian could be delgori. Course, I couldn’t tell them anything on that topic. I was smiling so wide when I heard the next person speak.

Move along people. Miss Thorndale needs her space.

In a beat, I