Gift from the Moon 2

By Amanda Schmidt

All the days I had spent with Roman, I had never imagined that it would be Roman that I wanted by my side. It was ridiculous that a meek Citian could capture the attention of such a strong Xiena. It was Roman who had pointed me in the right direction to learn how to not be helpless and pathetic, aided me in discovering the strength within me, and allowed me to find confidence in myself. But, as with everything in life, tribulations abound.

I was so tiny in the world of the Xiena. I could not move quick enough, I wasn’t strong enough, and I had never learned how to survive on my own, let alone in the forest. I had survived so far, although not unscathed, and I was well aware that it was only because of Roman’s own volition that I was able to walk away from the Lasglow. I knew from experience that Tramm was going to hunt us down. I wanted to believe that Roman had taught him a lesson he’d never forget, but I understood that Tramm wasn’t going to leave us alone until he had the victory he wanted. I wasn’t sure how far we’d get or when Tramm would find us, but I knew that he would, and I knew that Roman would continue to protect me. What I didn’t know, was if I would survive in a world where a person could become a beast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Schmidt
• Release date: Nov 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005979607

Amanda Schmidt

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University and live in Rochester, Michigan. I am a single mother of three amazing children who have helped me rediscover my love of writing. I started writing in 2009 and discovered there were many stories within me that I wanted to share. With the help of my family, friends, and fans, I have gained confidence in myself and in what I love, allowing me to live my dream to be an author who finds inspiration everywhere: my past, listening to music, in laughter, and even random moments while out hiking or practicing Tai Chi.I discovered the hard way how important it is to believe in yourself and your dreams. With each story I write, I hope to take my readers into a world that will captivate their imagination. I hope my stories remind you to believe in your dreams, allowing you to think outside the box and become more than you thought you could be.

Book preview

Gift from the Moon 2

By Amanda Schmidt

Cover Art by:

Amanda Schmidt

Distrubuted by Smashwords

Copyright © 2022 Amanda Schmidt

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

I would like to take this moment to thank you for buying this book, but more so for taking a moment out of your life to read it. I hope you enjoy the adventure ahead!

Thank you, Patrick, Robert, and Alivia, for giving me adventures and love worth living for.

Marie Schmidt, Alivia LaMacchio, and Katie Caulfield, thank you for making time in your busy lives to help me make this book a better story.

To my fans, thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It is because of you that I am able to make my dreams a reality.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Heart of the Emperor

Books by Amanda Schmidt

Chapter 1

Roman?

I searched the darkness around me in a panic. How did it get so dark? I slid a trembling hand through my hair and slowly stood up, feeling my body ache in protest. Roman and I had stopped to rest, but we had done that often on this journey and this was the first time I had fallen asleep before dark. He wouldn’t leave me… Unless Roman wasn’t here because Tramm had found us.

Roman? I quietly called again.

Red eyes appeared in the darkness and I backed away, shaking my head. What was I thinking calling out?! How was I going to escape? I would never be able to outrun—

It’s me, Roman said in a calm tone.

I closed my eyes and took a breath before opening them to focus on the red eyes that had stopped moving closer. I’m sorry, I quietly said as I shifted my attention away from him, feeling stupid. I… I didn’t mean to fall asleep.

You needed it. We’ve done a lot of walking over the last few days, and your sleep has been restless since we started, he reminded me as he caressed the side of my face.

I shifted my gaze upward. Where are the stars?

I moved us into a cave.

I nodded.

You’re safe.

I nodded again. I know… It’s just— He’s always there when I sleep, I quietly admitted as I glanced down at my feet. We had walked for several days and were miles away from the Lasglow, but Tramm was still vivid in my mind.

Roman wrapped his arms around me and I rested my head against his chest.

What time is it? I asked after the warmth of his body relaxed mine.

An hour or so before the sun’s light will brighten the sky enough for us to continue, he replied as his arms moved away from me.

Did you decide where we’re going?

His hand wrapped around mine and he lightly tugged on it, letting me know he wanted me to sit with him. I do not have a destination in mind. There is a territory less than a day’s walk from here, but I do not want to stop there.

Why is that? I asked as I lowered myself, letting his hands guide me to where he wanted me to sit.

It too is led by a Feline Xiena, he replied as his arms gently wrapped around me again, causing me to lean my back against his torso.

Are there only Feline and Canine Xiena?

"No. There are many different types. And even within each type there are different types. For example, Tramm and Torgra are both Feline. Tramm surrounds himself with a group, which he leads. He mates with the women of the Lasglow, and occasionally with those outside of. He is a good father until the young reach a certain maturity. As you know, he is protective of his territory, he does not allow anyone to trespass. Torgra on the other hand, prefers to be mostly alone, if you don’t bother him, he won’t bother you. He will mate only with females that are the same type of Feline as he is, but only to reproduce, and he does not take part in raising his young."

What of Braun?

He is Ursine. His Primal looks very much like the bear I killed the day we brought you to the Lasglow.

Are there are a lot of commonalities between the different types of Xiena?

"We all have a man/woman form and a beast form, which we call our Primal, and it controls most of our behavior."

That’s what you meant by genetics.

Yes.

I nodded. Holstem said that Victoria was a mix breed. Does that happen often?

Depends on the type, I guess. I mean it does happen a lot, but…

If you want to live, then you will give me a child.

What’s the matter?

I shook my head trying to escape Tramm’s voice before I forced a smile. Nothing.

You went from intrigued to afraid.

I turned my head and took a deep breath as I let the scarred side of my face rest against his chest. Roman leaned his head against the top of mine, remaining silent. He never made me talk about anything. I knew he wanted to know everything, but he never pushed me to talk about it, especially when he understood I was afraid.

Where were the children?

What?

In the Lasglow. Where were the children? The whole time I was there, I never saw any.

Because we have Citians living among us who do not comprehend who we are, we keep the young children in another section of the Lasglow.

I nodded remembering Torgra saying only the Citians who chose to breed knew that they were beasts. You force mothers to move away from their home?

There is no forcing. Unlike Citians, in the Lasglow children are raised in a community setting. The mothers and fathers who want to raise their children go there. And those who don’t, stay among the adults. It is better for a child to feel loved than be with its biological parent. Trust me, no child would want to be raised by Torgra. He has no patience for the young of any age and would probably kill them before they learned their place.

Why had Tramm selected you to train to be his heir?

I was part of a packaged deal with Holstem, I suppose. And Holstem is Tramm’s first born with Sahzja. He is also the only son Tramm has in the Lasglow.

Does Tramm have other children?

He has a couple in other territories, Roman slowly replied.

Is it because of Sahzja that they have not been brought to the Lasglow?

I doubt it. She is not finicky when it comes to the young. I mean, she took me in as her own and I’m not even Feline.

I nodded at the truth of that. I’ve seen Tramm with several other women. Is it possible that he has other children in the Lasglow, and their Primal just isn’t Feline?

Mating isn’t just for breeding. Most Felines have many partners, but that doesn’t mean they reproduce with all of them.

I forced myself to swallow. Really?

Aren’t Citians that way?

I suppose they are, I anxiously replied. Tom apparently had been that way. However, what really bothered me at the moment was that Tramm wanted me to bear him a child, and he wasn’t going to give me a choice. If he wasn’t breeding with all the women, why me? He was going t—

What’s wrong?

I shook my head.

Does Tramm reproduce with many women in the Lasglow?

As far as I know, Sahzja is the only one he has offspring with in the Lasglow. As you have seen, she is the strongest female there.

I swallowed hard. Tramm told me that he— I shook my head. "That I would have t— That if I wanted to stay—"

Roman’s arms held tighter when I stopped trying to vocalize the truth.

I took several slow breaths, but the anxiety would not go away. Are you worried about the leader of this next territory being like Tramm? I asked, hoping I’d be calmer if we were talking.

No. Trontor would not stand against me.

You didn’t think Tramm would.

Trontor is not as strong as Tramm. Nor have I ever considered him intimidating, not even as a child.

Then what are you worried about?

That someone will get word to Tramm that we had passed through.

I nodded. I definitely didn’t want that to happen. So where is your end destination? I asked as I focused on the darkness in front of me.

I’m not really sure. I just know where we are not going.

I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. The cat-like creature, Tramm, filled my mind and I clenched my fists as every muscle in my body tightened. Roman’s lips moved to my ear, and I focused on his whispering words of assurance. As Tramm drifted from my thoughts, I thought about how different I had become since the Xiena attacked the Citian group I had been traveling with. I was no longer timid, I stood my ground against what I didn’t like, and I was no longer afraid to look people in the eye. I was not defenseless. I learned how to use a bow, a blade, and how to fight. I was not afraid of the dark, nor the consequences of my behavior. My confidence had bubbled up from an unknown place, allowing me to understand that my instincts were something I could rely on. It’s like I was someone else entirely. I had become a woman who gained the freedom to choose, had the ability to fight, the option to fall in love, and the chance to be more than I thought I was capable of.

As I thought about how much Roman had helped me find this path, my confidence in how I felt about him overwhelmed me and I pressed my palm against his chest. His muscles tightened for a moment before they relaxed. He moved his lips to my cheek, and I turned my head so that my lips could taste his. His hand immediately touched the side of my face and his fingers moved into my hair. I turned my body to face his and his other hand slowly slid onto my side. I moved to my knees so that his face was tilted up. As his thumb skimmed over the scars along my hips, I hastily moved away from him, shaking my head as I was attacked by the images of Tramm’s assault. Memories of the pain that had caused the scars blasted into my mind while the echoes of his threats rang in my ears.

I stared at where I knew Roman was, trying not to lose sight of him. I’m sorry, I whispered, tears sliding down my cheeks.

Don’t be sorry, he quietly said closer than I had expected.

I glanced up at the darkness overhead, trying to control the frustration and sadness. His hands gently wiped across my wet cheeks and he kissed my chin. I wrapped my arm around him, moving my forehead against his shoulder.

Don’t ever be sorry, he whispered. The trauma you survived will heal in time, and I am in no hurry.

I nodded, not wanting to talk about any of it. Can we start walking? I asked after a moment.

It’s still dark.

I knew he was right because I had no idea which direction the cave entrance was. You can lead me, I assured him, trying not to sound frantic.

Yes, but—

I need more distance between me and Tramm.

Okay, Roman replied as he gently took my hand in his and helped me to my feet before walking me a few feet from where I had been. He released my hand for a moment.

You’re sure you want to start walking now. There is still plenty of time for you to rest.

I can’t, I answered with a shake of my head. The images are too vivid.

His lips pressed against my forehead before his fingers entwined with mine. You’re going to have to lean down to get out of here.

Okay.

***

We walked slowly across the dark land, my eyes alert and searching the darkness for red eyes. I was relieved when the sun finally began to banish the shadows. It brought me comfort to be able to see the details that surrounded us, but it didn’t stop me from searching for the dangers that I feared were around us. I couldn’t tell if it was my instincts or just the panic from the images that continued to haunt my mind.

Are you hungry? Roman asked as he glanced over his shoulder at me when the sun was high above us.

I shrugged.

We’ll hunt together.

I don’t know anything about hunting.

I’ll teach you.

I can’t do anything to help, I replied as I glanced down at the sling my right arm was in.

That’s okay. You can learn a lot from watching.

Why are you so eager to eat now?

I smell some rabbits.

You eat rabbits?

I like meat, he replied with a smile. I enjoy larger prey, but I don’t want to endanger you.

I take it you’re hungry.

I’ve been hungry for a while, but I haven’t sensed anything for us to eat until now.

Why don’t you go without me.

No. I’d rather stay with you.

I’ll probably scare off the rabbits.

He took the bow off his back. They’ll never know what hit them, he assured me.

I could see the hunger in his eyes and I nodded.

Stay behind me.

I nodded again.

He led me for about a mile before his body lowered. I froze, understanding that he was ready to attack. I watched the muscles in his body move as he maneuvered closer to his target. I could almost see the beast wanting to be released. He grabbed an arrow and took aim. In the blink of an eye he had released two arrows.

He abruptly turned with an arrow aimed at me. Walk slowly to me, he calmly instructed.

I cautiously moved towards him as he stalked closer to me with his arrow ready to be released. He stepped around me and I turned to see red eyes in the shadows of the forest. My heart instantly pounded in my ears. Roman growled a warning and I was sure he was going to shift into a wolf and attack.

You’re awfully close to our territory, a deep voice said from the foliage that Roman’s eyes were fixed on.

But we are not on your territory. Which means I can kill you or any of the others if I wanted to.

I suppose you could. Although that would probably be a bad idea, all things considered.

What do you want?

She is too far from the cities. We were curious.

She is with me, and I will kill any who want a closer look.

A large man stepped into the open and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t seen anything except his eyes. His red eyes were vibrant in contrast to his dark hair, and his body was thick with muscle.

Now, Roman, you know we do not want to empower your Primal.

I slid my hand onto Roman’s back and he breathed in. As he exhaled, his body relaxed and he lessened the tension on the bowstring.

You never travel here alone, the man stated.

I’m not alone.

The man’s eyes briefly shifted to me. She isn’t Xiena. Is she? he asked after he sniffed the air.

I shook my head.

Roman, may I approach so that the others know that we are not enemies.

They know that I am not.

Your behavior is not as it usually is. And you are traveling with a Citian.

Roman lowered his bow and nodded. I watched the man cautiously approach, his eyes fixed on Roman’s. Roman slid the arrow back in the quiver and placed the bow over his head so that its string rested against his torso. He grabbed my hand and gently pulled me closer to him.

Something has changed about you, my friend, but I do not know what. His eyes shifted to me again and back to Roman. Would you and the lady like to come home with me? Usara and I were just talking about you.

I glanced up at Roman to see a smile play upon his lips. Poorly, I’m sure.

The man chuckled and shook his head. Only because you haven’t visited in such a long time. Roman’s eyes did a quick sweep of the area. They will not stay. The less they know the better, no?

You are wise as always, Horace. Do you still live on the edge of the Sharlow?

Usara would have it no other way.

Then perhaps we will stay for a short time. Let me gather my kill, and—

Shall I take her back while you retrieve what’s left of your snack?

No. She will stay with me.

She is safe with me, I assure you.

I would not be going to your house if I thought otherwise.

Very well. I will let Usara know you are visiting.

Roman nodded and Horace vanished into the forest.

He seems lighthearted, I commented as we walked toward the dead rabbits.

He is.

Why were you about to attack him?

A quizzical expression briefly crossed his face.

I was sure you were going to shift into your Primal form.

Some that were with him were considering their options.

Why were you threatening him?

He was the biggest threat to your safety.

I don’t understand. Are we not going to his home?

We are.

But he is a threat?

Roman shook his head. I worded that poorly. That was a hunting party. Horace is the only one I had to convince my intentions to. The other’s need to know I was serious about your importance to me, which meant Horace had to believe that I would harm him. If I was willing to harm him, then the others knew I would have no qualms of attacking them.

But if you two like each other—

It was just a ruse. If Trontor understood how little he knew, Horace would probably have to leave this territory.

I stared at him still not understanding.

"Horace does what he must to stay in Trontor’s good graces, well at least, seem like he is doing what he must."

For example?

For example, just now. He had to pretend to be a threat to me, because I was traveling with you. Therefore, I played my part to show that I was dominant so that the others would not tell Trontor that Horace was okay with a Citian arriving near the territory. Horace has to follow all rules laid by Trontor, but I assure you, he does not.

Rules like…?

Like taking all Citian’s before Trontor, or just killing them himself.

I nodded, and Roman bent down, grabbing both arrows which had each impaled a rabbit. I glanced away.

I do not think I will make a good hunter, I quietly said, trying hard to not vomit.

You are familiar with the pattern of all life, correct?

The hierarchy of the food chain.

"Yes. Dinner for us, so that one day we will return the favor."

So, where does Horace live?

Roman’s face filled with humor as I changed the subject. He and his wife, Usara, live on the edge of the Sharlow, which is similar to our Lasglow.

I thought you didn’t want to go to this territory.

We are not. Horace joined this territory after he met Usara. Not everyone was happy about it. Due to this, he did not want to live on the territory. Of course that did not go over well with Trontor. However, Usara wanted to be with Horace so she told her father that she and Horace would live on the edge. Horace’s house is physically on the edge.

Father?

Yes. She is Trontor's favorite daughter. She is very strong-willed and has a commanding air about her, but she is also gentle and understanding. He had many plans for her, which were all thwarted when she chose Horace. Which was why it was important to her that their home was partially off of the territory as well.

"So, because it is, you’re okay with stopping there? It is still partially on the territory."

I didn’t think I wanted to stop here, but this will be a safe place. You need to get a good night’s sleep.

Being in a home isn’t going to change that. It’s not sleeping out here that wakes me, I replied with irritation.

I know.

Then why are we really stopping here?

Usara is also an amazing medic, and I would like her to take a look at your injuries.

They are mostly healed, there is nothing left for anyone to do.

I’m not so sure.

I took a deep breath not understanding my anger. I glimpsed up at Roman and saw his concern. What?

I’m not endangering you.

I know.

I don’t think you do.

My fists tightened.

I think Usara will be able to help more than just your body.

What does that mean?

She is very gifted.

What is she going to do? Wipe my mind?

No, he replied with a confused expression.

I shook my head. I was irritated with the fact that I did fear he was endangering me. He knew it, but it hadn’t crossed my mind until he said it. The truth that that was my fear was more frustrating than anything else.

It’s because I made you feel safe and then… this happened.

What? I asked in confusion.

The panic that consumed you when you woke up without me by your side. The fear as we walk through the forest. The anxiety of going somewhere I originally didn’t want to.

I don’t believe you’re trying to put me in danger.

But I failed you once before.

It wasn’t your fault.

I should hav—

"Roman, it was not your fault."

He nodded, but I could see he did not agree.

We walked in silence and I thought about what Roman said. Why would I cling to such a feeling? I understood it was not Roman’s fault. It made no sense that some part of me blamed him. Tramm had been very clever, he knew how everything would happen. He had covered all his bases. Except he hadn’t accounted for Roman’s need to protect me. He had never expected Roman to jump the canyon, and if Roman hadn’t, then I—

I halted and bent over as I put my right hand on my abdomen.

Are you okay?

I slowly sunk to my knees, trying to pretend I wasn’t in pain. Just give me a minute.

Roman knelt down next to me, and gently slid his hand over my head, letting it rest on my back. As long as you need.

My insides are all cramped up, I explained.

I’m in no hurry to go anywhere.

I’m fine, I said as I breathed in deeply, more so to convince myself. I glanced up the incline we were walking and wondered if that was the problem. I sure hoped not. After a few more deep breaths, I slowly straightened my back and cautiously stood up. I stared in the direction we were headed and knew it wasn’t the incline. We had walked many hills, and this was the first time I had struggled since the first few days of our journey.

Are you sure you’re okay? Roman asked.

I nodded.

We can wait longer if you need to rest.

I’m fine, I lied.

It’s not too much further, he said after a moment.

I nodded and started walking.

We walked slower the rest of the way and every time I began to feel my insides tightening, I made sure to breathe in and out with slow deep breaths, fighting to stay standing at least. Roman waited patiently each time we stopped, and never made me feel as though we needed to keep going. The sun had long passed its peak before our destination was in sight. Part of me was glad to see it. I hated that it was my fault that I had so much time to think about why it was taking us so long to arrive at our destination.

As we neared the large cabin-like home, the door opened. A small bear and wolf came bounding towards us. The bear was a quarter of the size of the one Roman took down, and the wolf - who was almost a carbon copy of Roman’s Primal - was only a fraction of the size of the wolf monster. Even though they were both significantly smaller than the Xiena I have seen, they were big enough to be a threat to me. Roman slid his hand on the small of my back, and I glanced up at Roman to see him smiling from ear to ear as he watched them approach.

To my surprise they both halted a few feet in front of us. Without a word, Roman crouched down and put his hand out. The wolf sniffed his hand and slid its head under Roman’s palm. Roman scratched behind its ear and then moved his hand out to the cub. The pup moved closer to me, wagging its tail. I knelt down in front of him with my hand out. The pup ignored my hand and rubbed its head against my jaw and then licked my face.

Not the usual greeting for a Citian, a woman said, and the pup glimpsed over at her.

I glanced up and the pup immediately laid down, resting its head on my lap as it continued to wag its tail.

The woman’s vibrant green eye’s shifted to Roman. It appears Cain likes your Citian.

Competition, huh? Roman inquired with affection.

That was a tone I hadn’t heard from him and I shifted my attention to see he was staring at Cain.

Cain barked and stood between me and Roman. Roman chuckled before he moved closer to me and sat.

Perhaps if you were older, he commented as his fingers entwined with mine.

Horace mentioned that you found a Citian appealing, but I would never have believed it.

I shifted my eyes to her. Her tone sounded almost… jealous.

Don’t worry, she began. He made it clear years ago that he was not interested in me.

I glimpsed at Roman.

I told you her father had other plans for her.

I continued to stare at Roman. That was the farthest thing I had in mind when he had said it. So what did that mean now? She obviously wasn’t happy that Roman hadn’t chosen her. Or was it that he had picked me?

Let’s get you inside, she said in a friendly tone as she turned away.

I stayed where I was and watched the cub and pup race towards the house ahead of everyone while Usara and Horace walked together without a glimpse back at us. As they entered the cabin, I realized Roman had moved in front of me. I stared at his hand holding mine for a moment, surprised that I hadn’t noticed that he had moved. I shifted my gaze to his face, and he smiled before he helped me to my feet. I hadn’t missed that Horace hadn’t said word. They had walked away the same as Tramm and Sahzja used to, which only caused more concern to my already anxious mind.

What are you concerned about?

My gaze met his, but I did not say word.

He leaned forward, kissing my forehead before he stepped next to me and walked me to the large cabin without a word.

Holstem had said that Roman’s first decision about a situation was almost always right. I stared at the cabin with dread. He hadn’t wanted to come to this territory.

Chapter 2

So what brings you out this way, Usara inquired as she re-entered the room. Given Horace found you outside of the Sharlow boundary, you are obviously trying to stay off the radar.

I had wondered when this would come up. The conversation during our meal was all about Cain and his brother Earl. I surmised that the avoidance of this topic was because Horace and Usara had concluded that whatever the reason behind Roman and my arrival was not one they wanted us to speak about in front of the young, and I guess I was right. Which could only mean they understood the gravity of the situation.

It seems my father and I have reached a crossroads, Roman replied without an ounce of regret. And, well, it was time for me to leave.

I knew it would eventually happen, Horace admitted at the same time Usara nodded without surprise. Canines innately do not want to be led by Felines, Horace added. I glimpsed up to see he was talking to me.

What was it over? Usara inquired before I could reply to Horace.

I have heard that you and Holstem no longer share equal duties in the Lasglow, Horace informed Roman.

Did you and Holstem finally have a fight? Usara